The Bible, a sacred text for millions around the world, spans an extensive timeline, charting the journey of faith, history, and divine inspiration. Beginning with the creation narrative in Genesis, it traces the lives of the patriarchs, the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, the establishment of the kingdom of Israel, and the profound messages of the prophets. The timeline continues through the life, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, followed by the spread of early Christianity as depicted in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles. This sacred chronology, extending from approximately 2000 BCE with the stories of Abraham to the late first century CE with the Revelation to John, encapsulates the spiritual heritage and historical evolution of Judeo-Christian beliefs.
The Bible Was Written
Over a span of approximately 1,500 years by more than 40 different authors, ranging from kings and prophets to fishermen and apostles. These writings were composed in various locations across the ancient Near East, including Israel, Babylon, and Rome, in languages such as Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. The Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, was written primarily between 1200 and 165 BCE, while the New Testament was penned in the first century CE. These texts were initially passed down through oral tradition before being meticulously transcribed onto scrolls and codices. The process of canonization, determining which books were divinely inspired and should be included in the Bible, occurred over several centuries, culminating in the collections we have today.
Books Timeline
Approximate writing dates, and authors:
Old Testament Books
| Book | Approximate Writing Date | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis | 1450-1400 BC | Moses |
| Exodus | 1450-1400 BC | Moses |
| Leviticus | 1450-1400 BC | Moses |
| Numbers | 1450-1400 BC | Moses |
| Deuteronomy | 1450-1400 BC | Moses |
| Joshua | 1400-1370 BC | Joshua |
| Judges | 1086-1004 BC | Samuel |
| Ruth | 1010-970 BC | Samuel |
| 1 Samuel | 930-722 BC | Samuel, Nathan, Gad |
| 2 Samuel | 930-722 BC | Nathan, Gad |
| 1 Kings | 560-538 BC | Jeremiah |
| 2 Kings | 560-538 BC | Jeremiah |
| 1 Chronicles | 450-425 BC | Ezra |
| 2 Chronicles | 450-425 BC | Ezra |
| Ezra | 440-400 BC | Ezra |
| Nehemiah | 431-430 BC | Nehemiah |
| Esther | 470-460 BC | Mordecai |
| Job | Unknown | Possibly Moses |
| Psalms | 1440-586 BC | David and others |
| Proverbs | 950-700 BC | Solomon and others |
| Ecclesiastes | 935 BC | Solomon |
| Song of Solomon | 960 BC | Solomon |
| Isaiah | 700-681 BC | Isaiah |
| Jeremiah | 627-580 BC | Jeremiah |
| Lamentations | 586 BC | Jeremiah |
| Ezekiel | 593-571 BC | Ezekiel |
| Daniel | 537 BC | Daniel |
| Hosea | 750-715 BC | Hosea |
| Joel | 835-796 BC | Joel |
| Amos | 760-753 BC | Amos |
| Obadiah | 586 BC | Obadiah |
| Jonah | 785-760 BC | Jonah |
| Micah | 742-687 BC | Micah |
| Nahum | 663-612 BC | Nahum |
| Habakkuk | 620-605 BC | Habakkuk |
| Zephaniah | 640-609 BC | Zephaniah |
| Haggai | 520 BC | Haggai |
| Zechariah | 520-518 BC | Zechariah |
| Malachi | 430 BC | Malachi |
New Testament Books
| Book | Approximate Writing Date | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew | AD 70-90 | Matthew the Apostle |
| Mark | AD 65-70 | John Mark |
| Luke | AD 80-90 | Luke the Evangelist |
| John | AD 90-100 | John the Apostle |
| Acts | AD 80-90 | Luke the Evangelist |
| Romans | AD 57 | Paul the Apostle |
| 1 Corinthians | AD 55 | Paul the Apostle |
| 2 Corinthians | AD 55-56 | Paul the Apostle |
| Galatians | AD 48-55 | Paul the Apostle |
| Ephesians | AD 60-62 | Paul the Apostle |
| Philippians | AD 60-62 | Paul the Apostle |
| Colossians | AD 60-62 | Paul the Apostle |
| 1 Thessalonians | AD 50-51 | Paul the Apostle |
| 2 Thessalonians | AD 51-52 | Paul the Apostle |
| 1 Timothy | AD 62-64 | Paul the Apostle |
| 2 Timothy | AD 64-67 | Paul the Apostle |
| Titus | AD 62-64 | Paul the Apostle |
| Philemon | AD 60-62 | Paul the Apostle |
| Hebrews | AD 60-90 | Unknown (traditionally Paul) |
| James | AD 44-62 | James, brother of Jesus |
| 1 Peter | AD 62-64 | Peter the Apostle |
| 2 Peter | AD 64-68 | Peter the Apostle |
| 1 John | AD 90-100 | John the Apostle |
| 2 John | AD 90-100 | John the Apostle |
| 3 John | AD 90-100 | John the Apostle |
| Jude | AD 60-80 | Jude, brother of Jesus |
| Revelation | AD 95-96 | John the Apostle |