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The oldest surviving Hebrew Bible manuscripts date to about the 2nd century BCE. The oldest complete text is a Greek translation called the Septuagint. It dates to the 4th century CE (Codex Sinaiticus). The oldest manuscripts of the Masoretic Text (the basis of modern editions of the Hebrew Bible), date to the 9th century CE. <ref>
The oldest [[Hebrew Bible]] writings that are still here today, the [[Dead Sea scrolls|Dead Sea Scrolls,]] were written in about the [[2nd century BC]]E. The oldest writing that has no pieces missing is a [[Greek language|Greek]] translation called the [[Septuagint]]. It is from the [[4th century]] - the [[Codex Sinaiticus]]. The oldest parts of the [[Masoretic Text]], which is where we get modern [[Hebrew Bible|Hebrew Bibles]], are from the [[9th century]].<ref>
{{cite book
{{cite book
| last1 = Evans
| last1 = Evans
Line 18: Line 18:
| publication-date = 2008
| publication-date = 2008
| isbn = 9781585588145
| isbn = 9781585588145
| access-date = 2015-05-16
| access-date = May 16, 2015
| quote = The oldest Masoretic manuscripts date from the late ninth century CE (e.g., Codex Cairensis [C] on the Prophets).
| quote = The oldest Masoretic manuscripts date from the late ninth century CE (e.g., Codex Cairensis [C] on the Prophets).
}}
}}
</ref> Almost no biblical writing was written at the same time as the events it talks about.<ref>{{harvnb|Bernstein|1996|p=134}}</ref> Most of the writings about [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] were written long after he lived, some of them hundreds of years after.
</ref>
Virtually no biblical text is contemporaneous with the events it describes.<ref>{{harvnb|Bernstein|1996|p=134}}</ref>


== Table I: Chronological overview of the Hebrew Bible[edit source] ==
== Table I: Chronological overview of the Hebrew Bible ==
These tables summarises the chronology of the Bible and serves as a guide to the historical periods mentioned. Much of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament may have been assembled in the 5th century BCE. <ref>Berquist 2007, p. 3–4.</ref> The New Testament books were composed largely in the second half of the 1st century CE.<ref>Perkins 2012, p. 19ff.</ref> The Deuterocanonical books fall largely in between.
These tables show the [[chronology]] (order) of the Bible and when in history they were written. Much of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament may have been put together in the [[5th century BC]]E. {{sfn|Berquist|2007|p=3–4}} Most of the [[New Testament]] books were written in the second half of the 1st century CE.{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff.}} The [[Deuterocanonical books]] fall in between.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Period
!Period
!Date or dates when books were written
!Date or dates when books were written
|-
|-
|During the monarchic period of Ancient Israel and Ancient [[Judah]]
|During the [[monarchic period]] of [[History of ancient Israel and Judah|Ancient Israel and Ancient Judah]]
([[History of ancient Israel and Judah|History of Ancient Israel and Ancient Judah]])


8th–7th centuries BCE
8th–7th centuries BCE
c. 745–586 BCE
c. 745–586 BCE
|
|
* Late 8th–early 7th: [[Book of Amos|Amos]] 2:6-9:10 <ref>Radine 2010, p. 71</ref>
* Late 8th–early 7th: [[Book of Amos|Amos]] 2:6-9:10 {{sfn|Radine|2010|p=71}}
* [[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah]] 1–39, so-called "First Isaiah"<ref>Brettler 2010, p. 161–162</ref>
* [[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah]] 1–39, so-called "First Isaiah" {{sfn|Brettler|2010|p=161–162}}
* [[Book of Hosea|Hosea]] <ref>Emmerson 2003, p. 676</ref> and, [[Book of Micah|Micah]], <ref>Rogerson 2003a, p. 690</ref> the second half of the book is 7th Century
* [[Book of Hosea|Hosea]] {{sfn|Emmerson|2003|p=676}} and, [[Book of Micah|Micah]], {{sfn|Rogerson|2003a|p=690}} the second half of the book is 7th Century
* [[Book of Nahum|Nahum]] - 7th century <ref>O'Brien 2002, p. 14.</ref>
* [[Book of Nahum|Nahum]] - 7th century {{sfn|O'Brien|2002|p=14}}
* [[Book of Zephaniah|Zephaniah]] in the reign of Josiah, c. 649–609 BCE <ref>Gelston 2003c, p. 715</ref>
* [[Book of Zephaniah|Zephaniah]] in the reign of Josiah, c. 649–609 BCE {{sfn|Gelston|2003c|p=715}}
* [[Book of Habakkuk|Habakkuk]] (possibly shortly before the battle of Carchemish, 605 BCE) <ref>Gelston 2003b, p. 710</ref>
* [[Book of Habakkuk|Habakkuk]] (possibly shortly before the battle of Carchemish, 605 BCE) {{sfn|Gelston|2003b|p=710}}
* The first edition of the so-called “[[Deuteronomistic history]]”. The books of [[Book of Joshua|Joshua]], [[Book of Judges|Judges]], [[Books of Samuel|Samuel]], and [[Books of Kings|Kings]] were written in the reign of Josiah. <ref>Campbell & O'Brien 2000, p. 2 and fn.6</ref>
* The first edition of the so-called “[[Deuteronomistic history]]”. The books of [[Book of Joshua|Joshua]], [[Book of Judges|Judges]], [[Books of Samuel|Samuel]], and [[Books of Kings|Kings]] were written in the reign of Josiah. {{sfn|Campbell|O'Brien|2000|p=2 and fn.6}}
* [[Deuteronomy]] 5–26 in the reign of Josiah.
* [[Deuteronomy]] 5–26 in the reign of Josiah.
|-
|-
|Exilic period: when people were in exile in Babylon.
|Exilic period: when people were in exile in [[Babylon]].
6th century BCE
6th-century BCE
586–539 BCE
586–539 BCE
|
|
* Most of [[Book of Obadiah|Obadiah]] around the fall of Jerusalem, 586 BCE. <ref>Gelston 2003a, p. 696</ref>
* Most of [[Book of Obadiah|Obadiah]] around the fall of Jerusalem, 586 BCE. {{sfn|Gelston|2003a|p=696}}
* The completion of the so-called "Deuteronomistic history": (Joshua/Judges/Samuel/Kings). <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/144525787|title=The new Oxford annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books : New Revised Standard Version|date=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|others=Michael David Coogan, Marc Zvi Brettler, Carol A. Newsom, Pheme Perkins|isbn=978-0-19-528880-3|edition=Augm. 3rd ed|location=New York|oclc=144525787}}</ref>
* The completion of the so-called "Deuteronomistic history": (Joshua/Judges/Samuel/Kings). {{sfn|Brettler|2007|p=316}}
* Deuteronomy expanded with the addition of chapters 1–4 and 29–30. It now served as an introduction to the Deuteronomistic history. <ref>Rogerson 2003b, p. 154.</ref>
* Deuteronomy expanded with the addition of chapters 1–4 and 29–30. It now served as an introduction to the Deuteronomistic history.{{sfn|Rogerson|2003b|p=154}}
* [[Book of Jeremiah|Jeremiah]] <ref>Biddle 2007, p. 1073</ref>
* [[Book of Jeremiah|Jeremiah]] {{sfn|Biddle|2007|p=1073}}
* [[Book of Ezekiel|Ezekiel]] <ref>Goldingay 2003, p. 623.</ref>
* [[Book of Ezekiel|Ezekiel]] {{sfn|Goldingay|2003|p=623}}
* So-called "Second Isaiah" ,Isaiah 40–55
* So-called "Second Isaiah" ,Isaiah 40–55 {{sfn|Blenkinsopp|2007|p=974}}

<ref>Blenkinsopp 2007, p. 974</ref>
* Expansion and reshaping of Hosea, Amos, Micah and Zephaniah.
* Expansion and reshaping of Hosea, Amos, Micah and Zephaniah.{{sfn|Carr|2011|p=342}}
* Some early [[Psalms#:~:text=Psalms (Hebrew: תְהִלִּים,,Testament of the Christian translations.&text=Psalm 23 is often used for funerals.|Psalms]] collection (psalms "of David") ending with psalm 89.
* Some early [[Psalms#:~:text=Psalms (Hebrew: תְהִלִּים,,Testament of the Christian translations.&text=Psalm 23 is often used for funerals.|Psalms]] collection (psalms "of David") ending with psalm 89.{{sfn|Carr|2011|p=342}}
* [[Book of Lamentations|Lamentations]] written between 586 BCE and the end of the 6th century BCE
* [[Book of Lamentations|Lamentations]] written between 586 BCE and the end of the 6th century BCE {{sfn|Hayes|1998|p=168}}
|-
|-
|The post-exilic period when Judah
|The post-exilic period when Judah was under [[Persia]]n control
was under Persian control
6th–4th centuries BCE
6th–4th centuries BCE
538–330 BCE
538–330 BCE
|
|
* The books of [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]], [[Exodus]], [[Book of Leviticus|Leviticus]], and [[Book of Numbers|Numbers]] (The [[Torah]]). Finally completed by 250 BCE
* The books of [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]], [[Exodus]], [[Book of Leviticus|Leviticus]], and [[Book of Numbers|Numbers]] (The [[Torah]]). Finally completed by 250 BCE {{sfn|Greifenhagen|2003|p=212}}
* Deuteronomy completed, expanding chapters 19–25 and addition of chapters 27 and 31–34. This then served as the conclusion to the Torah.
* Deuteronomy completed, expanding chapters 19–25 and addition of chapters 27 and 31–34. This then served as the conclusion to the Torah.{{sfn|Rogerson|2003b|p=154}}
* So-called "Third Isaiah" (Isaiah 56–66)
* So-called "Third Isaiah" (Isaiah 56–66) {{sfn|Blenkinsopp|2007|p=974}}
* Final version of Jeremiah
* Final version of Jeremiah {{sfn|Allen|2008|p=11}}
* [[Book of Haggai#:~:text=The Book of Haggai is,Jews could return to Judea.|Haggai]] written at the end of the 6th century
* [[Book of Haggai#:~:text=The Book of Haggai is,Jews could return to Judea.|Haggai]] written at the end of the 6th century {{sfn|Nelson|2014|p=214}}
* [[Book of Zechariah|Zechariah]] chapters 1–8 at the same time as Haggai, chapters 9–14 from the 5th century
* [[Book of Zechariah|Zechariah]] chapters 1–8 at the same time as Haggai, chapters 9–14 from the 5th century {{sfn|Nelson|2014|p=214-215}}
* [[Book of Ruth|Ruth]] written in the Persian period
* [[Book of Ruth|Ruth]] written in the Persian period {{sfn|Grabbe|2004|p=105}}
* [[Book of Malachi|Malachi]] 5th century BCE
* [[Book of Malachi|Malachi]] 5th century BCE {{sfn|Carroll|2003b|p=730}}
* [[Book of Esther|Esther]] to the 3rd or 4th centuries BCE
* [[Book of Esther|Esther]] to the 3rd or 4th centuries BCE
* [[Book of Joel|Joel]] – late Persian or Hellenistic
* [[Book of Joel|Joel]] – late Persian or Hellenistic {{sfn|Nelson|2014|p=216}}
* The books of [[Books of Chronicles|Chronicles]] written between 400–250 BC
* The books of [[Books of Chronicles|Chronicles]] written between 400–250 BC {{sfn|McKenzie|2004|p=32}}
* [[Book of Proverbs|Proverb]]<nowiki/>s sections written between the 8th and 4<sup>Th</sup>  century BCE
* [[Book of Proverbs|Proverbs]]<nowiki/> is impossible to date {{sfn|Clements|2003|p=438}} and could be anywhere from the 8th to 4th centuries BCE
* Origins of the books of [[Ezra]] and [[Book of Nehemiah|Nehemiah]]. They may have reached their final version as late as the Ptolemaic period, c. 300–200 BCE, during the time of the [[Ptolemaic dynasty]].
* Origins of the books of [[Ezra]] and [[Book of Nehemiah|Nehemiah]]. They may have reached their final version as late as the Ptolemaic period, c. 300–200 BCE, during the time of the [[Ptolemaic dynasty]]. {{sfn|Grabbe|2003|p=321}}
|-
|-
|Post-exilic during the [[Hellenistic period|Hellenistic]]
|Post-exilic during the [[Hellenistic period|Hellenistic]] period
period
3rd–2nd centuries BCE
3rd–2nd centuries BCE
330–164 BCE
330–164 BCE
|
|
* [[Book of Job|Job]], [[Ecclesiastes]] and the [[Song of Songs]]. They may have their origins in the 4th or even 5th centuries, but they seem to reflect contact with the Hellenistic world.
* [[Book of Job|Job]], {{sfn|Dell|2003|p=337}} [[Ecclesiastes]] and the [[Song of Songs]]. They may have their origins in the 4th or even 5th centuries, but they seem to reflect contact with the Hellenistic world. {{sfn|Seow|2007|p=944}} {{sfn|Bloch|Bloch|1995|p=23}}
* Book of [[Book of Jonah|Jonah]] (Persian or Hellenistic, no later than 2nd century BCE).
* Book of [[Book of Jonah|Jonah]] (Persian or Hellenistic, no later than 2nd century BCE).{{sfn|Nelson|2014|p=217}}
* Most of the individual psalms making up the final third of the Book of Psalms.
* Most of the individual psalms making up the final third of the Book of Psalms.{{sfn|Day|1990|p=16}}
|-
|-
|[[Maccabean Revolt|Maccabean]]/[[Hasmonean dynasty|Hasmonean]]
|[[Maccabean Revolt|Maccabean]]/[[Hasmonean dynasty|Hasmonean]]
2nd -1st centuries BCE 164 - 4 BCE
2nd -1st centuries BCE 164 - 4 BCE
|
|
* [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]] 164 BCE, combining newly-written visions, chapters 7–12, with the Persian and Hellenistic tales of chapters 1–6.
* [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]] 164 BCE, combining newly-written visions, chapters 7–12, with the Persian and Hellenistic tales of chapters 1–6. {{sfn|Collins|1984|p=101}}
|}
|}


== Table II: Chronological overview of Deuterocanonical Old Testament[edit source] ==
== Table II: Chronological overview of Deuterocanonical Old Testament ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Period
!Period
!Date or range of dates when books written
!Date or range of dates when books written
|-
|-
|Post-exilic during the [[Hellenistic period|Hellenistic]]
|Post-exilic during the [[Hellenistic period|Hellenistic]] period
period
3rd–2nd centuries BCE
3rd–2nd centuries BCE
330–164 BCE
330–164 BCE
|[[Book of Tobit#:~:text=The Book of Tobit (or,of the Church of England.|Tobit]] 225–175 BCE
|[[Book of Tobit#:~:text=The Book of Tobit (or,of the Church of England.|Tobit]] 225–175 BCE {{sfn|Fitzmyer|2003|p=51}}
|-
|-
|[[Maccabean Revolt|Maccabean]]/[[Hasmonean dynasty|Hasmonean]]
|[[Maccabean Revolt|Maccabean]]/[[Hasmonean dynasty|Hasmonean]]
Line 109: Line 104:
2nd -1st centuries BCE 164 - 4 BCE
2nd -1st centuries BCE 164 - 4 BCE
|
|
* [[Book of Judith|Judith]] 150–100 BCE, although some estimates range from the 5th century BCE to the 2nd century CE
* [[Book of Judith|Judith]] 150–100 BCE, although some estimates range from the 5th century BCE to the 2nd century CE {{sfn|West|2003|p=748}}
* [[1 Maccabees]] 100 BCE
* [[1 Maccabees]] 100 BCE{{sfn|West|2003|p=748}}
* [[2 Maccabees]] c. 100 BCE
* [[2 Maccabees]] c. 100 BCE{{sfn|Bartlett|2003|p=807}}
* [[3 Maccabees]] 100–75 BCE
* [[3 Maccabees]] 100–75 BCE{{sfn|Alexander|2003|p=866}}
* [[4 Maccabees]] mid-1st century CE
* [[4 Maccabees]] mid-1st century CE{{sfn|deSilva|2003|p=888}}
* [[Wisdom of Solomon]] late 1st century BCE to early 1st century CE
* [[Wisdom of Solomon]] late 1st century BCE to early 1st century CE{{sfn|Hayman|2003|p=763}}
* [[Sirach]] 196–175 BCE
* [[Sirach]] 196–175 BCE{{sfn|Snaith|2003|p=779}}
* Additions to Daniel [[The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children|Prayer of Azariah]] (Song of the Three Holy Children)
* Additions to Daniel [[The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children|Prayer of Azariah]] (Song of the Three Holy Children){{sfn|Harlow|2003|p=805}}
* [[Bel and the Dragon]]: late 6th century
* [[Bel and the Dragon]]: late 6th century{{sfn|Harlow|2003|p=805}}
* [[Susanna (Book of Daniel)|Susanna and the Elders]]: possibly 95–80 BCE
* [[Susanna (Book of Daniel)|Susanna and the Elders]]: possibly 95–80 BCE{{sfn|Spencer|2002|p=90}}
* [[Book of Baruch|Baruch]] and [[Letter of Jeremiah]] 2nd century BCE
* [[Book of Baruch|Baruch]] and [[Letter of Jeremiah]] 2nd century BCE{{sfn|Schmitt|2003|p=799,802}}
* [[Psalms of Solomon]] in the mid-1st century BCE
* [[Psalms of Solomon]] in the mid-1st century BCE
|}
|}


== Table III: Chronological overview of the New Testament[edit source] ==
== Table III: Chronological overview of the New Testament ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Period
!Period
Line 151: Line 146:
[[Trajan]] - 98–117 CE
[[Trajan]] - 98–117 CE
|
|
* [[Epistle to the Galatians|Galatians]] c. 48 or 55 CE; [[First Epistle to the Thessalonians|1 Thessalonians]] c. 51 CE; [[Second Epistle to the Thessalonians|2 Thessalonians]] c. 51 CE or post-70 CE; [[First Epistle to the Corinthians|1 Corinthians]] c. 53–57 CE; [[Philippians]] c. 54–55 CE; [[Epistle to Philemon|Philemon]] c. 54–55 CE; [[Second Epistle to the Corinthians|2 Corinthians]] c. 55–58 CE; [[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]] c. 57–58 CE; [[Epistle to the Colossians|Colossians]] c. 62–70 CE
* [[Epistle to the Galatians|Galatians]] c. 48 or 55 CE;{{sfn|Powell|2018|p=327}} [[First Epistle to the Thessalonians|1 Thessalonians]] c. 51 CE;{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}} [[Second Epistle to the Thessalonians|2 Thessalonians]] c. 51 CE or post-70 CE;{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}} [[First Epistle to the Corinthians|1 Corinthians]] c. 53–57 CE;{{sfn|Powell|2018|p=295}}[[Philippians]] c. 54–55 CE;{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}} [[Epistle to Philemon|Philemon]] c. 54–55 CE;{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}} [[Second Epistle to the Corinthians|2 Corinthians]] c. 55–58 CE;{{sfn|Powell|2018|p=314}} [[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]] c. 57–58 CE;{{sfn|Powell|2018|p=275}} [[Epistle to the Colossians|Colossians]] c. 62–70 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] c. 65–73 CE.
* [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] c. 65–73 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}<ref>Powell 2018, p. 166</ref>
* [[Epistle of James|James]] c. 65–85 CE.
* [[Epistle of James|James]] c. 65–85 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[First Epistle of Peter|First Peter]] c. 75–90 CE
* [[First Epistle of Peter|First Peter]] c. 75–90 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] c. 80–90 CE.
* [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] c. 80–90 CE{{sfn|Powell|2018|p=166}}[[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] c. 80–90 CE{{sfn|Boring|2012|p=587}}
* [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] c. 80–90 CE.
* [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] c. 80–90 CE.{{sfn|Duling|2010|p=298-299}}
* [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] c. 80–90 CE.
* [[Epistle to the Ephesians|Ephesians]] c. 80–90 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[Epistle to the Ephesians|Ephesians]] c. 80–90 CE
* [[Epistle to the Hebrews|Hebrews]] c. 80–90 CE.{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[First Epistle of John|First Letter of John]], [[Second Epistle of John|Second letter of John]], [[Third Epistle of John|Third letter of John]] c. 90–110 CE{{sfn|Kim|2003|p=250}}
* [[Epistle to the Hebrews|Hebrews]] c. 80–90 CE.
* [[Gospel of John|John]] c. 90–110 CE{{sfn|Lincoln|2005|p=18}}
* [[First Epistle of John|First Letter of John]], [[Second Epistle of John|Second letter of John]], [[Third Epistle of John|Third letter of John]] c. 90–110 CE
* [[Gospel of John|John]] c. 90–110 CE.
* [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] c. 95 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[Epistle of Jude|Jude]] anywhere from c. 50–110 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] c. 95 CE.
* [[First Epistle to Timothy|1 Timothy]], [[Second Epistle to Timothy|2 Timothy]], [[Epistle to Titus]] c. 100 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[Epistle of Jude|Jude]] anywhere from c. 50–110 CE
* [[First Epistle to Timothy|1 Timothy]], [[Second Epistle to Timothy|2 Timothy]], [[Epistle to Titus]] c. 100 CE.
* [[First Epistle of Peter|Second Peter]] c. 75–90 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}[[Second Epistle of Peter|Second Peter]] c. 110 CE{{sfn|Perkins|2012|p=19ff}}
* [[Second Epistle of Peter|Second Peter]] c. 110 CE.
|}
|}

==References==
==References==


Line 172: Line 167:
{{Reflist|colwidth=15em}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=15em}}


===Bibliography[edit source] ===
===Bibliography ===
*{{Cite book
*{{Cite book
| last = Alexander
| last = Alexander
Line 840: Line 835:
| title = The Deuteronomic History and the Book of Chronicles
| title = The Deuteronomic History and the Book of Chronicles
| year = 2010
| year = 2010
| publisher = Society of Biblical Literature
| publisher = [[Society of Biblical Literature]]
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XGdcDBDMaPQC&q=%22dating+of+biblical+texts+on+the+sole+basis+of+linguistic+analysis+is+impossible%22&pg=PA31
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XGdcDBDMaPQC&q=%22dating+of+biblical+texts+on+the+sole+basis+of+linguistic+analysis+is+impossible%22&pg=PA31
| isbn = 9781589835177
| isbn = 9781589835177
Line 1,035: Line 1,030:


[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Ancient history]]
[[Category:Ancient Israel and Judah]]

Latest revision as of 17:19, 6 July 2024

The oldest Hebrew Bible writings that are still here today, the Dead Sea Scrolls, were written in about the 2nd century BCE. The oldest writing that has no pieces missing is a Greek translation called the Septuagint. It is from the 4th century - the Codex Sinaiticus. The oldest parts of the Masoretic Text, which is where we get modern Hebrew Bibles, are from the 9th century.[1] Almost no biblical writing was written at the same time as the events it talks about.[2] Most of the writings about Jesus Christ were written long after he lived, some of them hundreds of years after.

Table I: Chronological overview of the Hebrew Bible

[change | change source]

These tables show the chronology (order) of the Bible and when in history they were written. Much of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament may have been put together in the 5th century BCE. [3] Most of the New Testament books were written in the second half of the 1st century CE.[4] The Deuterocanonical books fall in between.

Period Date or dates when books were written
During the monarchic period of Ancient Israel and Ancient Judah

8th–7th centuries BCE c. 745–586 BCE

Exilic period: when people were in exile in Babylon.

6th-century BCE 586–539 BCE

  • Most of Obadiah around the fall of Jerusalem, 586 BCE. [13]
  • The completion of the so-called "Deuteronomistic history": (Joshua/Judges/Samuel/Kings). [14]
  • Deuteronomy expanded with the addition of chapters 1–4 and 29–30. It now served as an introduction to the Deuteronomistic history.[15]
  • Jeremiah [16]
  • Ezekiel [17]
  • So-called "Second Isaiah" ,Isaiah 40–55 [18]
  • Expansion and reshaping of Hosea, Amos, Micah and Zephaniah.[19]
  • Some early Psalms collection (psalms "of David") ending with psalm 89.[19]
  • Lamentations written between 586 BCE and the end of the 6th century BCE [20]
The post-exilic period when Judah was under Persian control

6th–4th centuries BCE 538–330 BCE

  • The books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers (The Torah). Finally completed by 250 BCE [21]
  • Deuteronomy completed, expanding chapters 19–25 and addition of chapters 27 and 31–34. This then served as the conclusion to the Torah.[15]
  • So-called "Third Isaiah" (Isaiah 56–66) [18]
  • Final version of Jeremiah [22]
  • Haggai written at the end of the 6th century [23]
  • Zechariah chapters 1–8 at the same time as Haggai, chapters 9–14 from the 5th century [24]
  • Ruth written in the Persian period [25]
  • Malachi 5th century BCE [26]
  • Esther to the 3rd or 4th centuries BCE
  • Joel – late Persian or Hellenistic [27]
  • The books of Chronicles written between 400–250 BC [28]
  • Proverbs is impossible to date [29] and could be anywhere from the 8th to 4th centuries BCE
  • Origins of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. They may have reached their final version as late as the Ptolemaic period, c. 300–200 BCE, during the time of the Ptolemaic dynasty. [30]
Post-exilic during the Hellenistic period

3rd–2nd centuries BCE 330–164 BCE

  • Job, [31] Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs. They may have their origins in the 4th or even 5th centuries, but they seem to reflect contact with the Hellenistic world. [32] [33]
  • Book of Jonah (Persian or Hellenistic, no later than 2nd century BCE).[34]
  • Most of the individual psalms making up the final third of the Book of Psalms.[35]
Maccabean/Hasmonean

2nd -1st centuries BCE 164 - 4 BCE

  • Daniel 164 BCE, combining newly-written visions, chapters 7–12, with the Persian and Hellenistic tales of chapters 1–6. [36]

Table II: Chronological overview of Deuterocanonical Old Testament

[change | change source]
Period Date or range of dates when books written
Post-exilic during the Hellenistic period

3rd–2nd centuries BCE 330–164 BCE

Tobit 225–175 BCE [37]
Maccabean/Hasmonean

2nd -1st centuries BCE 164 - 4 BCE

Table III: Chronological overview of the New Testament

[change | change source]
Period Date or range of dates when book or letter was written
Roman rule of Judea.

Roman Emperors:

Claudius - 41–54 CE

Nero - 54–68 CE

Galba - 68–69 CE

Otho -January–April 69 CE

Aulus Vitellius - July–December 69 CE

Vespasian - 69–79 CE

Titus - 79–81 CE

Domitian - 81–96 CE

Nerva - 96–98 CE

Trajan - 98–117 CE

References

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Citations

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  1. Evans, Craig A. (October 2008). "Introduction". In Evans, Craig A.; Tov, Emanuel (eds.). Exploring the Origins of the Bible: Canon Formation in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective. Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology. Baker Academic (published 2008). ISBN 9781585588145. Retrieved May 16, 2015. The oldest Masoretic manuscripts date from the late ninth century CE (e.g., Codex Cairensis [C] on the Prophets).
  2. Bernstein 1996, p. 134
  3. Berquist 2007, p. 3–4.
  4. Perkins 2012, p. 19ff..
  5. Radine 2010, p. 71.
  6. Brettler 2010, p. 161–162.
  7. Emmerson 2003, p. 676.
  8. Rogerson 2003a, p. 690.
  9. O'Brien 2002, p. 14.
  10. Gelston 2003c, p. 715.
  11. Gelston 2003b, p. 710.
  12. Campbell & O'Brien 2000, p. 2 and fn.6.
  13. Gelston 2003a, p. 696.
  14. Brettler 2007, p. 316.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Rogerson 2003b, p. 154.
  16. Biddle 2007, p. 1073.
  17. Goldingay 2003, p. 623.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Blenkinsopp 2007, p. 974.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Carr 2011, p. 342.
  20. Hayes 1998, p. 168.
  21. Greifenhagen 2003, p. 212.
  22. Allen 2008, p. 11.
  23. Nelson 2014, p. 214.
  24. Nelson 2014, p. 214-215.
  25. Grabbe 2004, p. 105.
  26. Carroll 2003b, p. 730.
  27. Nelson 2014, p. 216.
  28. McKenzie 2004, p. 32.
  29. Clements 2003, p. 438.
  30. Grabbe 2003, p. 321.
  31. Dell 2003, p. 337.
  32. Seow 2007, p. 944.
  33. Bloch & Bloch 1995, p. 23.
  34. Nelson 2014, p. 217.
  35. Day 1990, p. 16.
  36. Collins 1984, p. 101.
  37. Fitzmyer 2003, p. 51.
  38. 38.0 38.1 West 2003, p. 748.
  39. Bartlett 2003, p. 807.
  40. Alexander 2003, p. 866.
  41. deSilva 2003, p. 888.
  42. Hayman 2003, p. 763.
  43. Snaith 2003, p. 779.
  44. 44.0 44.1 Harlow 2003, p. 805.
  45. Spencer 2002, p. 90.
  46. Schmitt 2003, p. 799,802.
  47. Powell 2018, p. 327.
  48. 48.00 48.01 48.02 48.03 48.04 48.05 48.06 48.07 48.08 48.09 48.10 48.11 48.12 48.13 48.14 Perkins 2012, p. 19ff.
  49. Powell 2018, p. 295.
  50. Powell 2018, p. 314.
  51. Powell 2018, p. 275.
  52. Powell 2018, p. 166
  53. Powell 2018, p. 166.
  54. Boring 2012, p. 587.
  55. Duling 2010, p. 298-299.
  56. Kim 2003, p. 250.
  57. Lincoln 2005, p. 18.

Bibliography

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