The Torah, Prophets, and Writings probably reached authoritative status in that order, with the Torah first and all three divisions probably organized by the end of the first century BCE.

Despite differences between Dead Sea Scroll manuscripts and medieval biblical manuscripts, there is a remarkable degree of correspondence and high degree of continuity, suggesting a relatively stable textual tradition while still allowing for some fluidity in transmission.

Ancient peoples widely regarded various natural forces (earth, sky, water) as imbued with divine power—as divinities themselves—such that the gods were identical with or immanent in the forces of nature, with no single god being all-powerful.