Introduction to the Pentateuch The five books of Moses are variously known as the Law, the Torah (Hebrew for Law), the Law of Moses, the “five-fifths of the Law,” and the Pentateuch. The word “Pentateuch” is derived from the Greek words penta (five) and teuchos (scroll or book). Although there is much external and internal evidence that supports the Mosaic authorship of these five books, many critics in the last two centuries have challenged this. The usual scenario is that Israel’s religion