When was the Old Testament and New Testament written?
In 2026, scholars generally agree that the was written over a span of approximately 1,500 to 1,600 years. The composition dates for each testament are as follows:
The Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)
The Old Testament was written over roughly 1,000 years, with a significant portion likely assembled in the 5th century B.C..
- Earliest Writings: While dating the oldest material is difficult due to oral traditions, traditional conservative views place the first books (the Torah) around 1400–1450 B.C.. Some scholarly estimates suggest the earliest recorded statutes and sections of historical books like Judges might date to the 10th century B.C..
- Latest Writings: The final books of the Hebrew canon (such as Malachi or Nehemiah) are generally dated to around 400–430 B.C.. Some later texts like Daniel may have reached their final form as late as 170–165 B.C..
The New Testament
The New Testament was written over a much shorter period of about 50 to 60 years, entirely within the 1st and early 2nd centuries A.D..
- Earliest Writings: The first books were likely Galatians (c. 48–49 A.D.) or 1 Thessalonians (c. 50–52 A.D.), written by the Apostle Paul.
- Gospels: Most scholars date the four Gospels between 65 A.D. and 100 A.D., with Mark traditionally considered the earliest (c. 66–70 A.D.) and John the latest (c. 90–110 A.D.).
- Latest Writings: The Book of Revelation is typically dated to 95–96 A.D.. A few scholars date 2 Peter slightly later, potentially up to 110 A.D..
Summary Timeline
| Section | Start Date (Approx.) | End Date (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Old Testament | 1450–1400 B.C. | 400–165 B.C. |
| Intertestamental Period | ~400 B.C. | ~50 A.D. (Gap in canonical writing) |
| New Testament | 45–50 A.D. | 95–110 A.D. |
Can you list the Old Testament in table form, who wrote, when wrote, the reason for writing and so on?
In 2026, scholars categorize the 39 books of the into four main sections:
Law (Pentateuch)
, History, Poetry/Wisdom, and Prophecy
. The following table summarizes the authorship, dating, and purpose of these books based on traditional and scholarly consensus.
I. The Pentateuch
(Books of the Law)| Book | Traditional Author | Approx. Date (B.C.) | Primary Reason for Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moses | 1450–1400 | To record the origins of the world, humanity, and the nation of Israel. | |
| Moses | 1445–1405 | To document Israel's deliverance from Egyptian slavery and the giving of the Law. | |
| Moses | 1445–1405 | To provide instructions for holy living, worship, and the sacrificial system. | |
| Moses | 1445–1405 | To record the 40-year wilderness wandering and the consequences of disobedience. | |
| Moses | 1405 | To summarize the Law for the new generation entering the Promised Land. |
II. Historical Books
| Book | Traditional Author | Approx. Date (B.C.) | Primary Reason for Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua | 1400–1375 | To chronicle the conquest and division of the Promised Land. | |
| Samuel | 1050–1000 | To show the cycle of Israel’s sin and God's deliverance through leaders. | |
| Samuel | 1000 | To show God's providence and trace the ancestry of King David. | |
| Samuel, Nathan, Gad | 1000–900 | To record the transition from judges to a monarchy under Saul and David. | |
| Jeremiah | 600–550 | To trace the history of the kings of Israel and Judah until the exile. | |
| Ezra | 450–400 | To provide a priestly perspective on Israel’s history and the Davidic line. | |
| Ezra | 450–400 | To record the return of the Jewish exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple. | |
| Nehemiah | 445–420 | To document the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and spiritual reforms. | |
| Mordecai (attributed) | 465–425 | To demonstrate God's protection of His people during the exile. |
III. Books of Poetry and Wisdom
| Book | Traditional Author | Approx. Date (B.C.) | Primary Reason for Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job / Moses | Unknown (Ancient) | To explore the problem of human suffering and God's sovereignty. | |
| David and others | 1445–450 | To serve as a collection of songs and prayers for communal worship. | |
| Solomon and others | 950–700 | To provide practical, godly wisdom for daily life. | |
| Solomon | 935 | To reflect on the vanity of life without God. | |
| Solomon | 960 | To celebrate the beauty of marital love and devotion. |
IV. Books of Prophecy (Major & Minor)
Major Prophets (Isaiah through Daniel) and Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi) were written to warn Israel of judgment, call for repentance, and promise future restoration through the Messiah.
| Book | Key Prophet | Approx. Date (B.C.) | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah | 740–680 | Salvation and future glory. | |
Jeremiah | Jeremiah | 626–585 | Warning of the Babylonian judgment. |
Jeremiah | 586 | Mourning the fall of Jerusalem. | |
Ezekiel | Ezekiel | 593–571 | Visions of judgment and hope in exile. |
| Daniel | 535 | God's sovereignty over earthly empires. | |
Hosea–Malachi | Various Prophets | 750–400 | Admonitions against idolatry and social injustice |
Are you able to break down from Hosea to Malachi, breakdown also the Major and Minor prophets?
In 2026, the primary distinction between "Major" and "Minor" prophets remains the length of their writings and the breadth of their message, not their spiritual importance or authority.
Major vs. Minor Prophets
- Major Prophets: These five books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel) are significantly longer and often address broad, global implications for nations and future kingdoms.
- Minor Prophets (The Twelve): These twelve shorter books (Hosea through Malachi) typically focus on specific themes or crises within a more narrow geographical or historical context. In the Hebrew Bible, they were often grouped together on a single scroll called "The Twelve".
The Minor Prophets (Hosea to Malachi)
The Minor Prophets wrote over a period of roughly 400 years (c. 800–400 B.C.), spanning the pre-exilic, exilic, and post-exilic eras.
| Book | Key Prophet | Approx. Date (B.C.) | Primary Reason for Writing / Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosea | Hosea | 755–710 | To illustrate God's unbreakable love for an unfaithful Israel through the prophet's marriage to Gomer. |
| Joel | Joel | 835 (or later) | To call for repentance after a devastating locust plague, warning of the coming "Day of the Lord". |
| Amos | Amos | 760–750 | To denounce social injustice and religious ritualism without heart in the Northern Kingdom. |
| Obadiah | Obadiah | 586 | To announce judgment on the nation of Edom for its pride and mistreatment of Israel. |
| Jonah | Jonah | 780–760 | To show God’s universal mercy and compassion even toward Israel's enemies (Nineveh). |
| Micah | Micah | 735–700 | To warn against social exploitation and predict the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. |
| Nahum | Nahum | 660–612 | To declare the total destruction of Nineveh and comfort Judah with news of their oppressor's fall. |
| Habakkuk | Habakkuk | 609–597 | To wrestle with the problem of why a holy God uses wicked nations (Babylon) to punish His people. |
| Zephaniah | Zephaniah | 640–620 | To warn of impending universal judgment on sin while promising restoration for a faithful remnant. |
| Haggai | Haggai | 520 | To exhort the returned exiles to prioritize rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. |
| Zechariah | Zechariah | 520–518 | To encourage the rebuilding of the Temple and provide detailed visions of the coming Messiah. |
| Malachi | Malachi | 430–400 | To confront spiritual apathy and corruption, calling for a return to covenant faithfulness before the Messiah's forerunner arrives. |
The Major Prophets
These books provide the longest and most detailed prophetic visions in the Old Testament.
| Book | Author | Approx. Date (B.C.) | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
Isaiah | Isaiah | 740–680 | Visions of judgment, salvation, and the "Suffering Servant" Messiah. |
Jeremiah | Jeremiah | 626–580 | The "Weeping Prophet" warned of the fall of Jerusalem and promised a New Covenant. |
| Jeremiah | 586 | A collection of five poetic laments mourning the destruction of Jerusalem. | |
Ezekiel | Ezekiel | 593–571 | Prophecies of judgment and hope delivered from exile in Babylon, focusing on God's glory. |
Daniel | Daniel | 605–530 | Stories of faithfulness and visions of God’s sovereignty over world empires and the final Kingdom |
Can you list the New Testament in table form, who wrote, when wrote, the reason for writing and so on?
In 2026, the is understood as a collection of 27 books written during the second half of the 1st century A.D.. While the books appear in a thematic order in modern Bibles (Gospels, History, Epistles, Prophecy), they were composed in a different chronological order, often starting with Paul's letters.
The following table summarizes the authorship, approximate dating, and primary purpose of each book based on both traditional and modern scholarly perspectives.
I. The Gospels and Acts (Narrative)
| Book | Traditional Author | Approx. Date (A.D.) | Primary Reason for Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew (Apostle) | 60–90 | To prove to a Jewish audience that Jesus is the Messiah. | |
John Mark | 50–70 | To provide a fast-paced account of Jesus’ ministry, likely for a Roman audience. | |
Luke | Luke (Physician) | 60–90 | To provide an "orderly account" of Jesus’ life for a Greek audience (Theophilus). |
John | John (Apostle) | 80–100 | To inspire belief in Jesus as the Son of God through a unique spiritual lens. |
Luke | 62–90 | To record the spread of the Gospel and the history of the early Church. |
II.
The Pauline Epistles
(Letters to Churches & Individuals) | Book | Author | Approx. Date (A.D.) | Primary Reason for Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul | 56–58 | To present a systematic explanation of the Gospel and God's righteousness. | |
1 & 2 Corinthians | Paul | 53–57 | To address divisions, immorality, and doctrinal questions in the Corinthian church. |
| Paul | 48–55 | To defend the Gospel of grace against those requiring Jewish law for salvation. | |
| Paul | 60–90 | To explain the Church's position in Christ and promote unity among believers. | |
Philippians | Paul | 54–62 | To express joy and gratitude to a supportive church while Paul was in prison. |
| Paul | 60–80 | To combat heresy by emphasizing the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. | |
1 & 2 Thess. | Paul | 50–52 | To encourage a young church and clarify teachings on the second coming of Christ. |
1 & 2 Timothy | Paul | 62–100 | To provide instructions to a young pastor on church leadership and sound doctrine. |
Titus | Paul | 62–100 | To advise Titus on organizing and leading the churches on the island of Crete. |
| Paul | 54–62 | To appeal for mercy and the fair treatment of a runaway slave, Onesimus. |
III.
General Epistles and Prophecy
| Book | Traditional Author | Approx. Date (A.D.) | Primary Reason for Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 60–90 | To exhort Jewish Christians not to revert to Judaism by showing Christ's superiority. | |
| James (Brother of Jesus) | 45–85 | To provide practical wisdom on living out a faith that produces good works. | |
1 & 2 Peter | Peter (Apostle) | 60–110 | To encourage believers facing persecution and warn against false teachers. |
1, 2, 3 John | John (Apostle) | 85–110 | To reassure believers of their salvation and emphasize the importance of love and truth. |
Jude | Jude (Brother of Jesus) | 60–110 | To warn the Church against "godless people" who pervert the grace of God. |
| John (Apostle) | 68–96 | To encourage suffering Christians with a vision of Christ's ultimate victory |
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