The story of the Bible's origin and development is fascinating, albeit complicated. In this article, I'm going to attempt to present, as simply and as briefly as possible, a factual history of the Greatest Book ever written.
The Bible did not just simply happen; nor has it been preserved by accident, or without considerable effort. A complete study of this topic would necessitate consideration of ancient books, their origins, and how they were written. We are told that some of the earliest preserved writing examples, consisting of inscriptions that appear to date back as far as 4000 to 5000 B.C., were found in Egypt. Research has revealed that writing existed many centuries before Moses. (Some have argued that written communication was nonexistent in Moses' day; therefore, the Bible is false.)
Before the evolution of the modern-type books with which we're familiar, ancient writing was done on varied surfaces. During different time periods, stone (cp. Ten Commandments, Exodus 20), clay, wood, pottery, leather, and papyrus were commonly used materials on which to write.
- Leather (animal skins) was the primary material used by the Hebrews (Old Testament).
- Papyrus (plant material) appears to have been the material mainly used for the first New Testament writings. Papyrus rolls, as they were called, were often used. By 500 B. C., use of such "rolls" was widespread.
Papyrus sheets were sometimes joined together (top and bottom); thus, the papyrus roll (average length appears to have been about 30 feet, and width nine to ten inches, with the writing usually on one side, cp. an exception, Revelation 5:1). During the New Testament time period, this roll was often referred to as the "book" (see Rev. 5:1). The Papyrus roll (so called because when not in use, it was wound into a roll) was simply laid down, usually on the floor or ground, and rolled out to be read.
About 600 years later (ca. first or second century A.D.), the papyrus roll began to be replaced by what is known as the papyrus codex. The codex manuscript is what we know today as a book (papyrus sheets placed together in the form of a book, instead of a roll).
- Parchment (improved animal skins) was also used. About 199 B.C., vellum (parchment) became popular. For about 1,000 years, parchment was commonly used in making some of the first copies of the original New Testament writings.
The birth of the Bible. We cannot assign an exact date or circumstance to the Bible's origin. For a considerable time--about 2,500 years (Patriarchal Age, Genesis 1 to Exodus 20)--God orally communicated with men. The first person mentioned in the Bible as having written what God communicated was Moses, who lived about 1500 B.C. The Bible itself ascribes six distinct writings to Moses (Exodus 17:14; 24:4; 34:27,28; Numbers 33:2; Deuteronomy 31:9,22,24; 32:1-43). According to strict Jewish tradition, Moses authored the Bible's first five books (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Some have scoffed at the idea that Moses, who lived 1500 years B.C., could have written about the creation, since it occurred prior to his time.
One thing sets the Bible apart from all other writings - the Bible is inspired, or God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The very words were supplied to the men who wrote; hence, plenary inspiration (1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 1:21). The Old Testament also mentions writings by Joshua, Samuel, Jeremiah, and others (Joshua 24:26; 1 Samuel 10:25; Jeremiah 36:2). The books of law were given first, then the prophets, until it grew into the collection we now know as the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). Josephus, the first-century secular Jewish historian, indicated that the sacred Hebrew text was completed with Malachi (Against Apion 1.8).
The New Testament also came into being gradually. The 27 New Testament books were written over a span (50-100 A.D.) of about 50 years. The letter books, penned by inspired men, were initially addressed to different churches (ex. Ephesians) and individuals (ex. 3 John). At the time of writing, these books were viewed as authoritative (1 Thessalonians 5:27; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 14:37). At first, these letters were exchanged among the churches. Consider Paul's language and instruction to the church at Colosse:
"And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." (Colossians 4:16, probably Ephesians, dm)
During the early years of the infant church, New Testament prophets and the apostles contributed invaluably to the determination of truth (Acts 15:1-29, see vs.28). Spiritual gifts, such as the "discerning of spirits," were given to protect the early Christians from error until the New Testament was written and available (1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:29).
The book of Revelation (ca. 96 A.D.) completed God's revelation to man. Hence, the faith has been "once delivered" (Jude 3), with no additional revelations. God has provided everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). What we've received is not simply the "words of men" or "cunningly devised fables," but "as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:16) While men have arranged (Genesis followed by Exodus, etc.) the books comprising the Bible, the books follow and flow, as a rule, in chronological order.
The Bible consists of two major divisions. These two primary divisions are:
- The 39 books that constitute the Hebrew Scriptures, and
- The 27 New Testament books.
Even though these books were written at different times, and under varying circumstances, they harmoniously complement each other and constitute the whole. It has aptly been said that the Hebrew Scriptures are the New Testament in prophecy, and the New Testament is the Hebrew Scriptures fulfilled (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13). When one considers that, over about 1500 (O.T.) and 50 (N.T.) years, respectively, about 40 writers, many from totally different backgrounds, were involved in the Bible's compilation, it truly bespeaks inspiration. It's a book beyond the scope of mere men.
The 66 books of the Bible have undergone careful scrutiny. Before each book was admitted into the sacred canon of Scripture, its internal and external evidence was subjected to critical analysis unlike that subjected to by any other books.
In closing, please consider that if we combined into one book, the great books of all time, that book's contribution to mankind could not even begin to compare to the contribution the Bible has made. Abraham Lincoln, perhaps, put it best when he wrote: "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book."
Addendum: For your consideration, I've provided a list of the Bible's 66 books, the dates they're believed to have been written, and their authors. Keep in mind that the dates are approximate (and in a few cases, may be subject to debate), but the list does provide a general overview.
| BOOK | DATE | AUTHOR |
|---|---|---|
| JOB | UNKNOWN | ANONYMOUS |
| GENESIS | 1445-1405 B.C. | MOSES |
| EXODUS | 1445-1405 B.C. | MOSES |
| LEVITICUS | 1445-1405 B.C. | MOSES |
| NUMBERS | 1445-1405 B.C. | MOSES |
| DEUTERONOMY | 1445-1405 B.C. | MOSES |
| PSALM | 1410-450 B.C. | MULTIPLE |
| JOSHUA | 1405-1385 B.C. | JOSHUA |
| JUDGES | 1043 B.C. | SAMUEL |
| RUTH | 1030-1010 B.C. | SAMUEL |
| SONG OF SOLOMON | 971-965 B.C. | SOLOMON |
| PROVERBS | 971-686 B.C. | SOLOMON (primarily) |
| ECCLESIASTES | 940-931 B.C. | SOLOMON |
| 1 SAMUEL | 931-722 B.C. | ANONYMOUS |
| 2 SAMUEL | 931-722 B.C. | ANONYMOUS |
| OBADIAH | 850-840 B.C. | OBADIAH |
| JOEL | 835-796 B.C. | JOEL |
| JONAH | 775 B.C. | JONAH |
| AMOS | 750 B.C. | AMOS |
| MICAH | 735-710 B.C. | MICAH |
| HOSEA | 750-710 B.C. | HOSEA |
| ISAIAH | 700-681 B.C. | ISAIAH |
| NAHUM | 650 B.C. | NAHUM |
| ZEPHANIAH | 635-625 B.C. | ZEPHANIAH |
| HABAKKUK | 615-605 B.C. | HABAKKUK |
| EZEKIEL | 590-570 B.C. | EZEKIEL |
| LAMENTATIONS | 586 B.C. | JEREMIAH |
| JEREMIAH | 586-570 B.C. | JEREMIAH |
| 1 KINGS | 561-538 B.C. | ANONYMOUS |
| 2 KINGS | 561-538 B.C. | ANONYMOUS |
| DANIEL | 536-530 B.C. | DANIEL |
| HAGGAI | 520 B.C. | HAGGAI |
| ZECHARIAH | 480-470 B.C. | ZECHARIAH |
| EZRA | 457-444 B.C. | EZRA |
| 1 CHRONICLES | 450-430 B.C. | EZRA |
| 2 CHRONICLES | 450-430 B.C. | EZRA |
| ESTHER | 450-331 B.C. | ANONYMOUS |
| MALACHI | 433-424 B.C. | MALACHI |
| NEHEMIAH | 424-400 B.C. | EZRA |
| JAMES | 44-49 A.D. | JAMES |
| GALATIANS | 49-50 A.D. | PAUL |
| MATTHEW | 50-60 A.D. | MATTHEW |
| MARK | 50-60 A.D. | MARK |
| 1 THESSALONIANS | 51 A.D. | PAUL |
| 2 THESSALONIANS | 51-52 A.D. | PAUL |
| 1 CORINTHIANS | 55 A.D. | PAUL |
| 2 CORINTHIANS | 55-56 A.D. | PAUL |
| ROMANS | 56 A.D. | PAUL |
| LUKE | 60-62 A.D. | LUKE |
| EPHESIANS | 60-61 A.D. | PAUL |
| PHILIPPIANS | 60-62 A.D. | PAUL |
| COLOSSIANS | 60-62 A.D. | PAUL |
| PHILEMON | 60-62 A.D. | PAUL |
| ACTS | 62 A.D. | LUKE |
| 1 TIMOTHY | 62-64 A.D. | PAUL |
| TITUS | 62-64 A.D. | PAUL |
| 1 PETER | 64-65 A.D. | PETER |
| 2 TIMOTHY | 66-67 A.D. | PAUL |
| 2 PETER | 67-68 A.D. | PETER |
| HEBREWS | 67-69 A.D. | PAUL (probably) |
| JUDE | 68-70 A.D. | JUDE |
| JOHN | 80-90 A.D. | JOHN |
| 1 JOHN | 90-95 A.D. | JOHN |
| 2 JOHN | 90-95 A.D. | JOHN |
| 3 JOHN | 90-95 A.D. | JOHN |
| REVELATION | 94-96 A.D. | JOHN |
The Old and New Testaments were written over a period of 1500-1600 years. The writers had different levels of education, were from different cultures, and wrote during different time periods. Never once did they all confer. But if you spend the time to study the entire book, you will find NOT ONE CONTRADICTION. The entire Bible is in perfect harmony. It could not possibly have originated from men? It harmonizes because all of its writers received their inspired words from the same source-GOD! (KMG)