When Was Each Book of the Bible Written? Complete List

Finding out when was each book of the Bible written is a fun journey. This question takes us back thousands of years, showing us a rich history of stories, faith, and how people kept texts safe. The Bible is not just one book; instead, it is a library of 66 books. Many authors wrote these books over a very long time in different places and languages.

This article will be your complete Bible guide. We will not give simple answers, because the history is not simple. Instead, we will look at the clues that experts use to date these old texts. You will get a clear, book-by-book list. This list will show the best guess for the dates of every book. Our goal is to give you a source you can trust that is easy to read. It will help you see the timeline of how this amazing collection of writings came to be. We will look at when was each book of the Bible written in a simple way.

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When Was Each Book of the Bible Written in the Old Testament?

The Old Testament contains the oldest books. People wrote it over more than a thousand years. Experts often put these books into three main groups: the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). Here, the question of when was each book of the Bible written is hardest to answer. People did not write many of these books all at once. Instead, editors compiled and edited them over many years from older, spoken stories.

What Are the Writing Dates for the Books of the Law?

The first five books of the Bible are the foundation. They tell the story from the start of the world to the death of Moses. People used to think Moses wrote all of them. However, now experts see a more complex picture. Most believe that writers finished these books after weaving them together from several older source texts.

• Genesis: This book has the earliest stories, like creation, the flood, and the first fathers like Abraham. The stories themselves are very old. However, experts think writers put the book of Genesis into its final form between 900 B.C. and 450 B.C.
• Exodus: This book tells how the Israelites escaped from Egypt. It also tells how they received the law at Mount Sinai. Like Genesis, it mixes old traditions. Its final form likely dates to the time of the exile in Babylon, around 600-450 B.C.
• Leviticus: This book is a set of laws about rituals and holiness. Most experts date the writing of Leviticus to the Persian period, between 538 and 332 B.C.
• Numbers: This book continues the story of Israel’s journey in the wild. It also has laws and counts of the people. Writers likely put it together around the same time as Leviticus.
• Deuteronomy: This book has Moses’ last speeches. People think that someone wrote its main part earlier, around the 7th century B.C. However, an editor likely added it to the end of the Law books later on.

When Was Each Book of the Bible Written: The Prophetic Books Timeline?

This group has both history books and the classic prophets. It splits into the Former Prophets and the Latter Prophets.

The Former Prophets (Historical Books)

These books tell Israel’s history from when they entered the Promised Land to the exile. Many experts think that these books formed one long work. Their goal was to explain why the kingdom of Judah fell.

• Joshua: This book tells about the conquest of Canaan. Writers likely composed it in the late 7th or early 6th century B.C.
• Judges: This book tells the stories of Israel’s early leaders, the judges. A writer probably put it in its final form during the exile (c. 586-538 B.C.).
• 1 & 2 Samuel: These books are about the first kings, Saul and David. They use old sources, but compilers likely finished them around 630-540 B.C.
• 1 & 2 Kings: These books tell the story of the kings of Israel and Judah, ending with the fall of Jerusalem. Compilers likely finished them during the exile, around 560-540 B.C.

When Was Each Book of the Bible Written by the Latter Prophets?

These books carry the names of their prophets. Usually, the dates refer to when the prophet lived and worked. Furthermore, we should know that their followers often wrote down and edited the book, sometimes years later.

• Isaiah: This book is complex. For instance, experts see it as a mix from three different times. Chapters 1-39 come from the prophet Isaiah, around 740-700 B.C. Someone wrote Chapters 40-55 during the exile, around 540 B.C. And someone wrote Chapters 56-66 after the return from exile, around 515-500 B.C.
• Jeremiah: The prophet Jeremiah was active from 627 to 586 B.C. Someone likely wrote his book during his life and right after.
• Ezekiel: Ezekiel was a prophet during the exile. Scholars date his book to when he worked, between 593 and 571 B.C.
• The Twelve (Minor Prophets): This is a set of twelve shorter prophet books.
  • Hosea: c. 750-722 B.C.
  • Joel: The date is not clear. Some say c. 835 B.C., others as late as 400 B.C.
  • Amos: c. 760-750 B.C.
  • Obadiah: Likely written right after Jerusalem fell, around 586 B.C.
  • Jonah: The story is set in the 8th century B.C. However, most experts think the book was written much later, around 400-200 B.C.
  • Micah: c. 742-687 B.C.
  • Nahum: c. 663-612 B.C.
  • Habakkuk: c. 612-605 B.C.
  • Zephaniah: c. 640-621 B.C.
  • Haggai: c. 520 B.C.
  • Zechariah: Chapters 1-8 are from c. 520-518 B.C. Chapters 9-14 are from a later writer, c. 480-450 B.C.
  • Malachi: c. 470-450 B.C.

How Were the Books of the Writings Dated?

This is the last section of the Hebrew Bible, containing a mix of poems, wisdom, and history. Here, the question of when was each book of the Bible written has many different answers.

• Psalms: This is a set of 150 poems and songs. Consequently, many authors wrote them over a long time. Some psalms may be from David’s time (c. 1000 B.C.). Others were written after the exile. Compilers likely finished the whole set around 300-200 B.C.
• Proverbs: This book has wise sayings. Its core connects to Solomon (c. 950 B.C.). However, writers added to it over many years. It likely reached its final form around 400 B.C.
• Job: This book is very hard to date. The story seems to be from an early time (c. 2000-1800 B.C.). However, its ideas have led some to date it between 600 and 400 B.C.

The Five Scrolls (Megillot) and Later Writings

• Song of Songs: The date is not clear. Its language suggests that someone wrote it between the 5th and 3rd centuries B.C.
• Ruth: The story is set in the time of the judges. However, most experts date its writing to the time after the exile, around 500-350 B.C.
• Lamentations: This book mourns the fall of Jerusalem. Someone wrote it right after the event, around 586 B.C.
• Ecclesiastes: The writer calls himself “son of David.” But the book’s words and ideas point to a later date, likely around 300-200 B.C.
• Esther: The book is set in the Persian period. Someone likely wrote it between 400 and 200 B.C.
• Daniel: The stories are set in the 6th century B.C. However, experts agree that someone wrote the book much later. The author meant for it to give hope during a hard time, around 167-164 B.C.
• Ezra-Nehemiah: Originally, these were one book. They tell the story of the return from exile. Someone wrote them around 400 B.C.
• 1 & 2 Chronicles: These books retell Israel’s history. They use Samuel and Kings as sources. Authors wrote them after the exile, around 400-350 B.C. For a great look at these books, you can check out sites like Encyclopædia Britannica.

When Was Each Book of the Bible Written in the New Testament?

People wrote the New Testament in a much shorter time than the Old Testament, only about 70 years. The first Christians wrote these books to teach and guide the new church. Understanding when was each book of the Bible written in this period is key to seeing how the early church developed.

What Are the Dates for the Gospels and the Book of Acts?

These books tell the story of Jesus’s life, death, and rising from the dead. They also tell about the start of the early church. The authors did not write them right as things happened. Instead, authors wrote them years later, based on stories people told.

• Mark: Most experts think this is the first gospel, dating it between A.D. 66 and 70.
• Matthew: Someone likely wrote this gospel between A.D. 80 and 90. The writer used Mark’s gospel as a source.
• Luke: Like Matthew, someone likely wrote this gospel between A.D. 80 and 90. Its writer also used Mark.
• John: This is the last of the four gospels. Its unique style leads experts to date it between A.D. 90 and 110.
• Acts: The same person wrote Acts and Luke. Scholars date it to the same time, around A.D. 80-90.

When Was Each Book of the Bible Written by the Apostle Paul?

The letters of Paul are the first Christian writings we have. He wrote them to churches and people to fix problems and teach. Experts put them in two groups. A helpful guide to the New Testament can be found at Bible Project.

Undisputed Pauline Epistles

There is little doubt Paul wrote these seven letters himself.

• 1 Thessalonians: A.D. 50-51 (Maybe the first book in the New Testament)
• Galatians: A.D. 50-55
• 1 Corinthians: A.D. 53-55
• 2 Corinthians: A.D. 55-56
• Romans: A.D. 56-57
• Philippians: A.D. 60-62
• Philemon: A.D. 60-62

Disputed (Deutero-Pauline) Epistles

Experts are not sure if Paul or one of his followers wrote these letters. They have a different style and talk about later issues.

• Colossians: A.D. 65-70
• Ephesians: A.D. 80-90
• 2 Thessalonians: A.D. 80-95
• 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (The Pastoral Epistles): A.D. 90-100

When Were the General Epistles and Revelation Written?

This last group has letters by other church leaders and the book of Revelation.

• Hebrews: We do not know the writer. Someone likely wrote it between A.D. 60 and 90.
• James: The date is unclear. Some argue it was very early (A.D. 45-50), while others say it was later (A.D. 80-90).
• 1 Peter: Someone likely wrote this letter around A.D. 64-67.
• 2 Peter: Experts think this is one of the last books written, dating it around A.D. 100-120.
• 1, 2, & 3 John: Someone likely wrote these around A.D. 90-100.
• Jude: Someone likely wrote Jude between A.D. 70 and 90.
• Revelation: John of Patmos wrote this book of prophecy during a hard time. Scholars date it around A.D. 95. You can find more details on dating at sites like the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Theology and Religion.

What Is the Complete Timeline for When the Bible Was Written?

After looking at this list, we can see the Bible is a library that grew over time. From old poems and laws to the letters of the early church, people wrote it over at least 1,500 years. The question of when was each book of the Bible written does not always have a simple answer. But with study, we can have a good idea of the timeline. This long history does not make the Bible weak. Instead, it shows how people kept its message safe and passed it down through the years. Finally, it shows the lasting power of these texts and the faith they give.

FAQ – When Was Each Book of the Bible Written