When were the books of the
Old Testament Written?
Conservative and liberal scholars listed below have provided the following
opinions in their writings as to when the various Old Testament books
were penned. This list will always be a work in progress and is constantly
being updated. We would
appreciate your input.
Genesis
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 1600-1401 B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible
Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel
The date of the book is a matter of debate. Even
among those who accept the Mosaic authorship the date for Moses varies.
Based on the biblical data, Moses must be placed in the 15th century
b.c. (cf.
Jgs 11:26; 1 Kgs 6:1), but many scholars incline toward a 13th century date.
The liberal view of the date of Genesis
would be from the 9th to the 5th centuries
b.c., with the final editing
coming around the 5th century or perhaps even later.
Believer's Bible Commentary
William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad
Liberal scholars date the various theorized stages of the work
largely as follows: The so-called “J document” is dated about 850
b.c.; the “E document” about 750
b.c.; the “D document” about 621
b.c.
; and the “P document” about 500
b.c.
Conservative scholars generally date the Pentateuch
around the time of the Exodus, in the fifteenth century
b.c. Some prefer a date for this
event of about a century and half later.
Probably the best date to fit all the biblical data is sometime between
1450–1410 b.c.
Believer's study Bible If the early date of the Exodus is
assumed (c. 1445 b.c.), a date
of c. 1400 b.c. is reasonable.
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1445 to 1405 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1430 to 1400 BC Bible Overview
Chart
Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, Revised 1446-1406 BC
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 1450 to
1410 BC
G.C. Wenham, Ph.D. 1250
bc to 950
bc.
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1500 to 1401 BC, The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Exodus
Gleason Archer, Ph.D.
1600-1401 B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1445 to 1405 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1430 to 1400 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 1450 to 1410
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1500 to 1401 BC
The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Leviticus
Gleason Archer, Ph.D.
1600-1401 B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1445 to 1405 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1430 to 1400 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
1450 to 1410 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1500 to 1401 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Numbers
Gleason Archer,
Ph.D. 1600-1401 B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1445 to 1405 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1430 to 1400 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
1450 to 1410 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1406 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Deuteronomy
Gleason Archer, Ph.D.
1600-1401 B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1445 to 1405 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1430 to 1400 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
1450 to 1410 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1500 to 1401 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Joshua
Gleason Archer, Ph.D.
1600-1401 B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1405 to 1385 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1360 to 1350 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
1400 to 1370 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1406 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Judges
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 1100-901
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1043 to 1004 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1040 to 1030 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
1050 to 1000 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1051 to 1004 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Ruth
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 1110-901
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1030 to 1010 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1040 to 1030 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
1000 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1011 to 931 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
First Samuel
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 1000-701
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 931 BC or later
K.E. Malberg, 970 to 960 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 930
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 931 to 722 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Second Samuel
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 1000-701
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 931 BC or later
K.E. Malberg, 970 to 960 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 930
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 931 to 722 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
First Kings
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 587 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 561 to 538 BC
K.E. Malberg, 620 to 580 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 550
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 560 to 538 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Second Kings
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 1000-901
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 561 to 538 BC
K.E. Malberg, 620 to 580 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 550
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 560 to 538 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
First Chronicles
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 450-425
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 450 to 430 BC
K.E. Malberg, 480 to 450 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 450
to 425 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 598 to 400 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Second Chronicles
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 450-425
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 450 to 430 BC
K.E. Malberg, 480 to 450 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 450
to 425 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 598 to 400 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Ezra
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 450-425
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 457 to 444 BC
K.E. Malberg, 480 to 450 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 450
to 444 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 450 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Nehemiah
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 450-425
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 424 to 400 BC
K.E. Malberg, 440 to 430 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 445
to 425 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 430 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Esther
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 500-457
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. before 331 BC
K.E. Malberg, 475 to 470 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 465
BC
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
1450 to 1410 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 470 to 465 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Job
Gleason Archer 2100-1600 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
Believer's Bible Commentary
William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad
As to the time of writing, scholars range all the way from the
patriarchal era (c. 2100–1900 b.c.)
to the second century b.c.! (This
last view is held by extreme liberals, and is virtually impossible to reconcile
with Dead Sea Scroll portions of Job coming from the same era.)
John MacArthur, Ph.D. possibly before 1445 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1585 to 1570 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
Uncertain
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 2100 to 1900 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Psalms
Gleason Archer 1405-500 B.C. A
Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 1410 to 450 BC
K.E. Malberg, 1040 to 960 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
Various, the majority of the Psalms were written during the time of David and
Solomon
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 1500 to 501 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Proverbs
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 800-601
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 971 to 686 BC
K.E. Malberg, 970 to 960 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 950
to 700 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 700 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Ecclesiastes
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 1000-901
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. no later than 931 BC
K.E. Malberg, 970 to 960 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 935
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 971 to 931 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Song of Solomon
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 1000-901
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. shortly after 971 BC
K.E. Malberg, 970 to 960 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 965
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, probably 971 to 931 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Isaiah
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 587 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 700 to 681 BC
K.E. Malberg, 740 to 680 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 740
to 680 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 739 to 686 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Jeremiah
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 700-501
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 627 to 570 BC
K.E. Malberg, 630 to 570 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 627
to 585 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 627 to 582 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Lamentations
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 700-501
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 586 BC
K.E. Malberg, 630 to 570 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 586/5 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 586 to 585 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Ezekiel
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 600-501
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 593 to 570 BC
K.E. Malberg, 590 to 570 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 592
to 570 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 593 to 571 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Daniel
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 600-501
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. before 530 BC
K.E. Malberg, 610 to 525 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 537
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 605 to 536 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Hosea
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 760-720 B.C. A
Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 755 to 710 BC
K.E. Malberg, 745 to 730 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 710
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 800 to 701 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Joel
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 830 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 835 to 796 BC
K.E. Malberg, 840 to 830 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 835
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 516 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Amos
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 760-757
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 760 to 750 BC
K.E. Malberg, 785 to 770 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 755
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 762 to 760 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Obadiah
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 848-841
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 848 to 841 BC
K.E. Malberg, 600 to 570 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 841
or 586 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 848 to 841 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Jonah
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 800 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 793 to 758 BC
K.E. Malberg, 800 to 785 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 760
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 793 to 753 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Micah
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 750-720
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 735 to 710 BC
K.E. Malberg, 740 to 725 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 700
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 750 to 680 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Nahum
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 661-612
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 650 BC
K.E. Malberg, 650 to 640 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 663
to 612 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 663 to 612 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Habakkuk
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 608-607
B.C. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 615 to 605 BC
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 606
to 604 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 606 to 604 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Zephaniah
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 621 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 635 to 625 BC
K.E. Malberg, 630 to 615 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 625
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 622 to 612 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Haggai
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 520 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 520 BC
K.E. Malberg, 530 to 525 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 520
BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 520 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Zechariah
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 480 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 520 to 518 BC
K.E. Malberg, 525 to 520 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible 520
to 518 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 520 to 518 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Malachi
Gleason Archer, Ph.D. 435 B.C.
A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
John MacArthur, Ph.D. approximately 433 to 424 BC
K.E. Malberg, 430 to 420 BC Bible Overview Chart
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., Ryrie Study Bible
450 to 400 BC
J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, 450 to 430 BC The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Compiled by Gary Butner, Th.D.
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