Biblical Canon

Messianic Judaism affirms the 66-book Protestant canon as the complete and authoritative Scripture. The Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures, 39 books) is received in its entirety as divinely inspired. The Brit Chadasha (New Testament) is understood as the completion and fulfillment of the Old Testament, recording the life, death, resurrection, and teachings of Yeshua and the early messianic community. The term "Old Testament" is often avoided in favor of the more respectful Hebrew terminology.

The canon is understood as closed—no additional books beyond the 66 are added or given canonical authority. The deuterocanonical books (Apocrypha) are not considered canonical, though they may be read for historical and devotional purposes. Some Messianic Jewish scholars show particular interest in Second Temple Jewish literature and the Dead Sea Scrolls for historical context, but these are not elevated to scriptural status. The Hebrew canon, as reflected in the Jewish Bible, is the standard, with the New Testament completing God's revelation.