<P> These history books make up around half the total content of the Old Testament . Of the remainder, the books of the various prophets--Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and the twelve "minor prophets"--were written between the 8th and 6th centuries BC, with the exceptions of Jonah and Daniel, which were written much later . The "wisdom" books--Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Song of Solomon--have various dates: Proverbs possibly was completed by the Hellenistic time (332 - 198 BC), though containing much older material as well; Job completed by the 6th Century BC; Ecclesiastes by the 3rd Century BC . </P> <P> God is consistently depicted as the one who created or put into order the world and guides its history . Although the God of the Old Testament is not consistently presented as the only God who exists, he is always depicted as the only God whom Israel is to worship, or the one "true God", that only the Jehovah of Israel is Almighty, and both Jews and Christians have always interpreted the Bible (both the "Old" and "New" Testaments) as an affirmation of the oneness of Almighty God . </P> <P> The Old Testament stresses the special relationship between God and his chosen people, Israel, but includes instructions for proselytes as well . This relationship is expressed in the biblical covenant (contract) between the two, received by Moses . The law codes in books such as Exodus and especially Deuteronomy are the terms of the contract: Israel swears faithfulness to God, and God swears to be Israel's special protector and supporter . </P> <P> Further themes in the Old Testament include salvation, redemption, divine judgment, obedience and disobedience, faith and faithfulness, among others . Throughout there is a strong emphasis on ethics and ritual purity, both of which God demands, although some of the prophets and wisdom writers seem to question this, arguing that God demands social justice above purity, and perhaps does not even care about purity at all . The Old Testament's moral code enjoins fairness, intervention on behalf of the vulnerable, and the duty of those in power to administer justice righteously . It forbids murder, bribery and corruption, deceitful trading, and many sexual misdemeanors . All morality is traced back to God, who is the source of all goodness . </P>

Where was the law written in the old testament