AUTHORS: THE MORE THAN 40 OVER 1,500 YEARS

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Introduction

The authors of the bible are written before it was compiled, though it preserved for centuries. But, each book, who wrote these for over 1,500 years under "divinely inspired" by Christian and Jewish traditions. ?

Old Testament(Main)

The Old Testament was written by about 30 different men, including kings, prophets, and shepherds. 

Traditionally, Moses credited with the first five books (the Pentateuch/Torah): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. David wrote approximately 73 of the Psalms; other contributors include Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Heman, and Ethan. Solomon, credited with Proverbs (majority), Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

The "Major Prophets", Isaiah, Jeremiah (also credited with Lamentations and 1 & 2 Kings), Ezekiel, and Daniel each authored the books bearing their names. The twelve "minor" prophets—Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi—each wrote their respective books. Ezra is the traditional author of Ezra and 1 & 2 Chronicles, while Nehemiah wrote the book bearing his name. Joshua, also credited with the book of his same name.

New Testament(Main)

The New Testament was written by 8 or 9 authors, many of whom were apostles or close associates of Jesus. The Four Gospels, credited by Four Evangelists: Matthew and John (apostles), and Mark and Luke (associates of Peter and Paul), wrote the four Gospels.  As a physician and companion of Paul, Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, making him the most prolific New Testament writer by word count. Paul wrote 13 epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. In addition to John's Gospel, John wrote 1, 2, & 3 John and the book of Revelation. Peter credited with 1st and 2nd Peter, while ames & Jude are traditionally identified as the half-brothers of Jesus, they authored the books of James and Jude, respectively. 

Deuterocanonical/Apocryhal Books

Sirach(Ecclesiasticus), written by Jesus son of Eleazar son of Sirach (also known as Ben Sira) in Jerusalem around 180–175 BC. Baruch, however, traditionally attributed to Baruch ben Neriah, the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah. Wisdom of Solomon, attributed to King Solomon, though modern scholars identify the author as an anonymous Hellenistic Jew writing in Alexandria around 150 BC.

Anonymous and Disputed

There are historical candidates include Paul, Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos as author of Hebrews, though it remains officially unknown. The authors of Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, and Esther are not explicitly named, though tradition sometimes attributes them to Samuel or Mordecai. Tobit, Judith, and 1/2 Maccabees are anonymous, though the 1 Maccabees is likely a pro-Hasmonean author in Jerusalem around 135–103 BC and the 2 Maccabees is also an anonymous abridger who summarized a five-volume history written by Jason of Cyrene.

Non-canonical books are often "pseudepigraphal," meaning they are falsely attributed to famous biblical figures to give them authority. Book of Jubilees, Testaments of the 12 Patriarchs and The Didache are anonymous, while Letter of Aristeas and Epistle of Barnabas are Pseudonymous. Shepherd of Hermas was traditionally attributed to Hermas, a former slave in Rome.

Reference

Niles, R. O. H. P. O. B. 2000, & Mi 49120 1-800-569-5959. (n.d.). Meet the Authors of the Old Testament. Revive Our Hearts. https://www.reviveourhearts.com/blog/meet-the-authors-of-the-old-testament/

‌Piper, J. (n.d.). Who Wrote the Bible? Www.desiringgod.org. https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/who-wrote-the-bible

‌GotQuestions.org. (2003, October 28). Who were the authors of the books of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org. GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-authors.html

Authors of the Bible - The Chara Project. (2025, May 19). The Chara Project - Discover the Bible’s Message with Your Neighbor. https://thecharaproject.com/bibleauthors/

Non-Canonical Jewish and Early Christian Literature. (2024). Catholic-Resources.org. https://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Non-Canonical.htm

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