Scripture Readings - Old Testament Readings

Old Testament

The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible, the books written before the coming of Christ. They are divided into four groups:

  1. Books of the Law;
  2. Historical Books;
  3. Doctrinal and
  4. Prophetical.

The Old Testament scripture begins with the five books of the Law called the Pentateuch, which means the five books; also called the Torah, which means the Law. Sometimes these books are also called the Books of Moses since they are centered on the exodus and the Mosaic laws.

In the Old Testament there are also books of the history of Israel; books called the Wisdom books such as the Psalms, Proverbs, and the Book of Job; and books of the prophecies which carry the names of the Old Testament prophets. A prophet is one who speaks the Word of God by direct divine inspiration. Only secondarily does the word prophet mean one who foretells the future.

The Orthodox Church also numbers among the genuine books of the Old Testament the so-called apocryphal books, meaning literally the secret or hidden writings. Other Christians put these books in a secondary place or reject completely their being of divine inspiration.

Reading Read Time Hit Count
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 (Vespers, 2nd Reading – saint) 1 min 7,524
Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15 (Vespers, 3rd Reading – saint) 1 min 10,173
Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3 (Vespers, 1st Reading – saint) 1 min 10,304
Wisdom of Solomon Composite of 4, 5 (Vespers, Forerunner) 1 min 5,517
Wisdom of Solomon Composite of 6, 7, 8, 9 (Vespers- St. Gregory) 2 mins 8,086
Zechariah 11:10-13 (Holy Friday Royal Hours – First Hour) 1 min 4,933
Zechariah 14:1, 4, 8-11 (Ascension Thursday Vespers) 1 min 6,105
Zechariah 8:19-23 (Friday before Lent Vespers) 1 min 5,069
Zechariah 8:7-17 (Friday before Lent 6th Hour) 2 mins 5,285
Zephaniah 3:8-15 (Holy Saturday Vespers) 1 min 5,191