How many people wrote the Bible, and over how many years was it written?
Have you ever wondered how many people wrote the Bible and how long it took? The Good Book has a rich history of authorship. From prophets to apostles, each writer brought unique perspectives while preserving God’s divine message.
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Did you know the Bible is the best-selling book of all time, with over 5 billion copies sold? It has been translated into over 700 languages, ensuring its message reaches a global audience. The Bible's influence extends beyond religion as it shapes literature, laws, and cultures worldwide.
How many people wrote the Bible?
Over 1,500 years, approximately 40 individuals from diverse backgrounds authored the Bible. These writers penned the Scriptures under divine inspiration, allowing their unique styles and personalities to shine while accurately recording God's intended message. Although God did not dictate the Bible word for word, His guidance ensured its infallibility and ultimate inspiration.
How many authors wrote the Bible and their names?
The Holy Bible comprises 66 books written by various authors. Below is a breakdown of the Old and New Testament books and their human authors:
Old Testament authors
The Old Testament comprises writings by multiple authors, including prophets, priests, and leaders, who chronicled God's covenant and teachings across centuries.
| Book(s) | Author |
| Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy | Moses |
| Joshua | Joshua |
| Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel | Samuel, Nathan, or Gad |
| 1 Kings, 2 Kings | Jeremiah |
| 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah | Ezra |
| Esther | Mordecai |
| Job | Moses |
| Psalms | Multiple authors, primarily David |
| Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon | Solomon |
| Isaiah | Isaiah |
| Jeremiah, Lamentations | Jeremiah |
| Ezekiel | Ezekiel |
| Daniel | Daniel |
| Hosea | Hosea |
| Joel | Joel |
| Amos | Amos |
| Obadiah | Obadiah |
| Jonah | Jonah |
| Micah | Micah |
| Nahum | Nahum |
| Habakkuk | Habakkuk |
| Zephaniah | Zephaniah |
| Haggai | Haggai |
| Zechariah | Zechariah |
| Malachi | Malachi |
New Testament authors
The New Testament was penned by apostles and disciples of Jesus, capturing His teachings, ministry, and the growth of early Christianity.
| Book(s) | Author |
| Matthew | Matthew |
| Mark | John Mark |
| Luke, Acts | Luke |
| John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation | John |
| Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon | Paul |
| Hebrews | Uncertain, possibly Paul, Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos |
| James | James |
| 1 Peter, 2 Peter | Peter |
| Jude | Jude |
How many people wrote the Bible over how many years?
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The Bible was written by approximately 40 people over 1,500 years. Below is a timeline showing the periods when each book was written:
Old Testament writing year(s)
The books of the Old Testament were written over a long span of time, between approximately 1200 and 165 BC.
| Book(s) | Year of writing |
| Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy | 1400 B.C. |
| Joshua | 1350 B.C. |
| Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel | 1000–900 B.C. |
| 1 Kings, 2 Kings | 600 B.C. |
| 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah | 450 B.C. |
| Esther | 400 B.C. |
| Job | 1400 B.C. |
| Psalms | 1000–400 B.C |
| Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon | 900 B.C |
| Isaiah | 700 B.C. |
| Jeremiah | 600 B.C. |
| Ezekiel | 550 B.C. |
| Daniel | 550 B.C. |
| Hosea | 750 B.C. |
| Joel | 850 B.C. |
| Amos | 750 B.C. |
| Obadiah | 600 B.C. |
| Jonah | 700 B.C. |
| Micah | 700 B.C. |
| Nahum | 650 B.C. |
| Habakkuk | 600 B.C. |
| Zephaniah | 650 B.C. |
| Haggai | 520 B.C. |
| Zechariah | 500 B.C. |
| Malachi | 430 B.C. |
New Testament writing year(s)
The New Testament was written between 50 and 100 AD, documenting the life of Christ, apostolic teachings, and the early church's development.
| Book(s) | Year of writing |
| Matthew | A.D. 55 |
| Mark | A.D. 50 |
| Luke, Acts | A.D. 60–65 |
| John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation | A.D. 90 |
| Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon | A.D. 50–70 |
| Hebrews | A.D. 65 |
| James | A.D. 45 |
| 1 Peter, 2 Peter | A.D. 60 |
| Jude | A.D. 60 |
Is the Bible written by God?
The Bible is divinely inspired and often described as “God-breathed,” based on the Greek term for inspiration. God is considered the ultimate author, having intended and guided every word of Scripture. However, He used human authors as instruments to record His message, blending divine authority with human expression.
Where did the Bible actually come from?
The Bible was formed through divine inspiration, where God guided human authors to write His message. These individuals wrote in their unique styles and contexts, yet the Scripture reflects God's intentions entirely. Over centuries, these writings were collected and recognised as sacred texts, forming the Bible today.
How long after Jesus died was the Bible written?
The Gospels were written 40 to 60 years after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, which occurred around 30 A.D. Scholars note that direct eyewitnesses did not author them, as most of Jesus' contemporaries had passed away by then. This timeline explains why the Gospels reflect oral traditions from early Christian communities.
Who wrote Genesis?
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Like the rest of the Pentateuch (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses. Both Jewish and Christian traditions uphold this belief. However, figures like Benedict Spinoza and Thomas Hobbes questioned Mosaic authorship during the Enlightenment, sparking debates about the book's origins.
Who wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written by around 40 individuals, including prophets, apostles, kings, and ordinary men. These authors were inspired by God and recorded His message using their unique styles and perspectives.
How many people actually wrote the Bible?
Approximately 40 people contributed to writing the Bible. These individuals lived over 1,500 years and came from various backgrounds, including shepherds, fishermen, and scholars.
If you were wondering how many people wrote the Bible, you know approximately 40 authors did the work. These writers came from various backgrounds, such as kings, prophets, shepherds, and fishermen. This remarkable collaboration of human authors under divine inspiration makes the Bible a timeless and transformative text that continues to shape lives today.
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