Table of Contents
The Bible is the most printed and read book in the world. But how old is it really? That question has more than one answer. The Bible is made up of two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each section was written at different times, by different people, over many centuries.
The Old Testament: Ancient Writings
The Old Testament is the oldest part of the Bible. It was written in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic. Scholars believe it was written between 1400 and 400 B.C., depending on the book.
Estimated Writing Dates (Scholarly Sources):
| Book/Section | Estimated Date | Reference Source |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis – Deuteronomy | 1400–1200 B.C. | Mosaic authorship tradition (Deut. 31:24), supported by conservative scholars such as Gleason Archer |
| Psalms | 1000–400 B.C. | Written over centuries; many attributed to David |
| Isaiah | 740–680 B.C. | Based on reigns of Uzziah through Hezekiah (Isa. 1:1) |
| Malachi | ~430 B.C. | Reflects post-exilic temple worship |
Genesis 1:1 — “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Exodus 24:4 — “And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord.”
Malachi 4:5 — “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”
The New Testament: The Time of Jesus and the Early Church
The New Testament was written in Koine Greek between A.D. 45 and 100, during the lives of the Apostles.
Estimated Writing Dates (Scholarly Sources):
| Book/Section | Estimated Date | Reference Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thessalonians | A.D. 50–52 | Paul’s earliest epistle (Carson & Moo) |
| Mark | A.D. 60–65 | Early church tradition and Papias |
| Revelation | A.D. 95–96 | During Domitian’s reign (Irenaeus, c. A.D. 180) |
2 Timothy 3:16–17 — “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine…”
1 Thessalonians 5:27 — “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.”
Revelation 1:11 — “What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches…”
Timeline Summary
| Testament | Time Written | Language | Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Testament | 1400–400 B.C. | Hebrew, Aramaic | Moses, David, Prophets |
| New Testament | A.D. 45–100 | Greek | Jesus, Paul, Apostles |
When Was the Bible First Put Together?
The books of the Bible were gradually collected and recognized as Scripture.
Key Historical Dates:
| Event | Approx. Date | Historical Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Torah accepted as Scripture | ~500 B.C. | Ezra’s reforms (Ezra 7:6, 10) |
| Septuagint (Greek OT) | 250 B.C. | Letter of Aristeas, Jewish tradition |
| NT letters circulated | A.D. 50–100 | Paul’s instruction (Col. 4:16) |
| Muratorian Fragment | c. A.D. 170 | Oldest known list of NT books |
| Athanasius’ Easter Letter | A.D. 367 | First list of all 27 NT books |
Luke 24:44 — “...all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Colossians 4:16 — “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans…”
The Oldest Copies We Have
We do not have the original manuscripts, but ancient copies support the Bible’s age.
| Manuscript | Date Copied | Testament | Reference Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Sea Scrolls | 250 B.C. – A.D. 50 | Old Testament | Discovered in 1947 at Qumran |
| Codex Sinaiticus | A.D. 330–360 | Full Bible | British Library |
| Codex Vaticanus | A.D. 300s | Almost full Bible | Vatican Library |
Isaiah 53:5 — “But He was wounded for our transgressions… and by His stripes we are healed.”
How Old Is the Bible Today?
- If we count from the first books of the Old Testament (~1400 B.C.): About 3,400 years old
- If we count from the final book of the New Testament (~A.D. 100): About 1,900 years old
Psalm 119:89 — “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.”
Matthew 24:35 — “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Why the Bible’s Age Matters
The Bible's long history shows its endurance. Despite being written over centuries by more than 40 authors, it tells one unified story: God's love for mankind.
Isaiah 40:8 — “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Hebrews 4:12 — “For the word of God is living and powerful…”
