What are the first five books of the Bible commonly known as?

The first five books of the Bible are commonly known as the Torah, which is a term derived from Hebrew meaning "teaching" or "law." These books, which include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, form the foundational texts for Judaism and are critical in understanding the religious, ethical, and legal traditions that shape Jewish identity and thought. The Torah contains the story of creation, the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, and many other key narratives and laws that are central to both Jewish and Christian religious practices.

In contrast, the other choices refer to different sections of the Bible: The Gospels are the accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus found in the New Testament; the Epistles are letters written by early Christian leaders to various communities or individuals, also part of the New Testament; and the Historical Books comprise a collection of books in the Old Testament that detail the history of Israel. Understanding the distinction between these categories helps clarify the structure and content of biblical texts.