{
  "id": "dict_002966",
  "term": "Jewish literature",
  "slug": "jewish-literature",
  "letter": "J",
  "entry_type": "historical_background_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "A broad label for writings produced within the Jewish tradition, including the Old Testament as inspired Scripture and later Jewish works that may provide historical or religious background but are not Scripture for Protestants.",
  "simple_one_line": "Jewish literature includes the Old Testament and later Jewish writings, but these must be distinguished from canonical Scripture.",
  "tooltip_text": "A broad umbrella term for Jewish writings across biblical and post-biblical periods; the Bible dictionary must distinguish inspired Scripture from later extra-biblical sources.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Old Testament",
    "Canon of Scripture",
    "Intertestamental literature",
    "Second Temple Judaism",
    "Apocrypha",
    "Rabbinic literature"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Scripture",
    "Inspiration",
    "Canon",
    "Apocrypha",
    "Pseudepigrapha",
    "Second Temple Judaism"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Jewish literature is a broad umbrella term for writings produced within the Jewish world. In Bible study it may refer to the Old Testament itself, but it can also include later Jewish writings such as intertestamental, rabbinic, and other historical sources. These later works can illuminate the background of Scripture, yet they do not carry the authority of canon.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A general term for Jewish writings from biblical and post-biblical periods.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "1) The Old Testament is Jewish literature in the sense that it was given through the Jewish people. 2) Later Jewish writings may be useful background but are not inspired Scripture. 3) The term must be used carefully so canon and background sources are not confused."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "\"Jewish literature\" is a broad cultural and historical label for writings produced within the Jewish community. It may include the canonical books of the Old Testament as well as later Jewish texts that illuminate background, belief, and practice. A sound Bible dictionary entry should distinguish canonical Scripture from extra-biblical Jewish writings.",
  "description_academic_full": "The phrase \"Jewish literature\" is a broad umbrella term rather than a narrowly defined theological category. In the most basic sense it includes the books of the Old Testament, which Christians receive as inspired Scripture and which were given through the covenant people of Israel. More broadly, the phrase can also include later Jewish writings from the Second Temple, intertestamental, and rabbinic periods, along with other historical and devotional texts. These extra-biblical works can be very helpful for historical context, but they are not authoritative Scripture for Protestant doctrine. In a Bible dictionary, the entry should therefore define its scope clearly and keep the distinction between canonical and noncanonical Jewish sources in view.",
  "background_biblical_context": "The Old Testament is the foundational body of Jewish literature in the biblical sense, written within the life of Israel under God’s covenant. The New Testament also reflects awareness of Jewish writings and traditions, but it consistently treats Scripture as the final authority.",
  "background_historical_context": "After the close of the Old Testament period, Jewish communities produced a wide range of writings, including historical, apocalyptic, devotional, legal, and interpretive works. Some of these are important for understanding the world of Jesus, the apostles, and Second Temple Judaism.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Ancient Jewish literature includes canonical Scripture, later interpretive traditions, and a variety of noncanonical writings. These works help illuminate Jewish beliefs, worship, and expectations in the centuries surrounding the New Testament, though their authority varies widely.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Deuteronomy 31:24-26",
    "Luke 24:44",
    "Romans 3:1-2",
    "2 Timothy 3:15-17"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Nehemiah 8:1-8",
    "Matthew 5:17-18",
    "Luke 11:49-51",
    "Jude 14-15"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The phrase is an English umbrella label, not a single biblical term. In Hebrew and Greek contexts, it may correspond to various words for writing, book, scroll, law, prophets, or scriptures.",
  "theological_significance": "The term matters because it helps readers distinguish the inspired books of the Old Testament from later Jewish writings that may be historically valuable but are not equal to Scripture.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a category, Jewish literature is descriptive rather than doctrinal. It names a corpus of writings associated with the Jewish people and tradition, but it does not itself define authority, inspiration, or canonicity.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not use the term as though all Jewish writings have equal authority. Do not blur the line between the Old Testament and later Jewish literature. Noncanonical Jewish texts may inform historical study without governing doctrine.",
  "major_views_note": "Bible readers generally recognize two broad uses of the term: a narrow use for the Old Testament as Jewish Scripture, and a wider historical use for later Jewish writings. The wider use is appropriate only when the scope is made explicit.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "For Protestant theology, only the canonical books of the Old Testament and New Testament are inspired Scripture. Later Jewish literature may assist interpretation and background study but cannot establish doctrine.",
  "practical_significance": "The category helps readers understand Scripture in its historical setting and prevents confusion between biblical authority and useful background material.",
  "meta_description": "Jewish literature is a broad term for Jewish writings, including the Old Testament and later extra-biblical works. A Bible dictionary entry must distinguish canon from background sources.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/jewish-literature/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/jewish-literature.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}