The Books of the Law

The Books of the Law are the five books placed under the authorship and authority of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Together they are called the Pentateuch (‘five scrolls’) and, in Hebrew, the Torah (‘instruction’ or ‘law’). From the beginning, Israel was commanded to meditate upon this Law day and night: “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night… for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success” (Jos 1:8; cf. Psa 1:2).

Jesus Christ himself gives to these books the general name of ‘the Law of Moses‘ (Luk 24:44; see Q035, Q192), and he teaches that Moses wrote of him: “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (Joh 5:46–47). The Law is thus received by the Church as a paidagōgos leading to Christ (Gal 3:24; see Q437, Q488), in whom it finds its fulfillment, ‘extension and increase, not abrogation.’