What is "heptateuch"

Heptateuch \Hep"ta*teuch\, n. [L. heptateuchos, Gr. "epta` seven + ? tool, book; ? to prepare, make, work: cf. F. heptateuque.] The first seven books of the Testament.

The Heptateuch (seven containers) is a name sometimes given to the first seven books of the Hebrew Bible. The seven books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua and Judges. The first five of these are commonly known as the Torah or the Pentateuch, the first six as the Hexateuch. With the addition of the Book of Ruth, it becomes the Octateuch. The "Enneateuch" is the Heptateuch plus the Books of Samuel and the Books of Kings (each pair of books counted as one, and not including the Book of Ruth).

Augustine of Hippo produced a piece called Questions on the Heptateuch. Ælfric of Eynsham produced an Old English version of the Heptateuch.