Old Testament

Meanings

1. 1proper nounproperreligion

   The first and longer part of the Christian Bible, containing the sacred writings of ancient Israel.

   Grammar: Used with the and a capital letter: the Old Testament.

   Patterns

   • in the Old Testament
   • a story from the Old Testament

   The story of Noah's ark appears in the Old Testament.

   She is reading the Old Testament for her religion class.

   Many famous sayings come from the Old Testament.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nouninformalfigurative

   Describing a very strict, harsh or severe attitude or punishment, in an informal figurative sense.

   Grammar: Informal and written with a capital O: an Old Testament punishment.

   Patterns

   • Old Testament justice

   The judge handed down an Old Testament sentence.

   Her anger was truly Old Testament.

   The coach's Old Testament discipline shocked the team.

Common combinations

book of the Old Testament

Genesis is the first book of the Old Testament.

Old Testament prophet

Isaiah was an Old Testament prophet.

Old Testament story

Every child knows the Old Testament story of Jonah.

Old Testament law

Old Testament law is full of detailed rules.

Old Testament wrath

The boss's Old Testament wrath fell on the late staff.

Synonyms and how they differ

Hebrew Bible

Hebrew Bible is the scholarly or Jewish term for the same writings, and it avoids implying that a New Testament replaces them.

Tanakh

Tanakh is the Hebrew name used in Judaism, while Old Testament is the Christian name and includes a different book order.

Opposites

Word family

testament noun

a covenant or proof

Genesis proper noun

first book of the Old Testament

biblical adjective

relating to the Bible

scripture noun

sacred writing

Commonly confused: Old Testament or last will and testament?

Practice

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