The collection of books known by these names are ספרי קדש or כתבי
קדש “holy books” or “holy writings,” because the authors of these
books were holy men their object is a holy one, viz., to train man to
holiness, and the contents of the books is holy, free from all blemish
and error. The books vary greatly in character, in style, and in
purpose, but truthfulness is common to all of them. Whether they
narrate events or proclaim God’s decrees, or instruct or edify their
hearers, what they say is true.
The name Bible is derived from the Greek βιβλιον, “book.” תנ״ך
(pronounced tenach) has no meaning in itself, and is a word formed of
the initials of תורה נביאים כתובים. Sometimes אנ״ך (the initials of
the Chaldee אוריתא נביאין כתיבין) is used instead of תנ״ך. Another
name is מקרא “text for reading,” as opposed to vivâ voce tradition. A
passage quoted from the Bible is called קרא or מקרא or כתוב.
Christians call the books of the Hebrew Bible the Old Testament as
distinguished from the New Testament.