Bible timeline
When each book was written, approximately. Traditional view bars show the long-held attribution; Scholarly debate bars show a common range in modern critical scholarship. Neither is presented as settled. Each date summary links to its source, and none has been reviewed by a Bible scholar yet.
Traditional view Scholarly debate
Genesis
- Traditional view · 1450 BC – 1400 BC
- Moses. About the 15th century BC (early-date view; some prefer 13th century).
- Scholarly debate · 600 BC – 400 BC
- Final form often placed in the Persian period, drawing on older traditions (theories debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Pentateuch dating and Mosaic-authorship framing need expert review.
Exodus
- Traditional view · 1450 BC – 1400 BC
- Moses. About the 15th century BC in an early-date Mosaic view; late-date views place it in the 13th century.
- Scholarly debate · 600 BC – 400 BC
- Final form often placed in the Persian period, drawing on older traditions (theories debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Early vs late Exodus chronology caveat needs expert review.
Leviticus
- Traditional view · 1450 BC – 1400 BC
- Moses. About the 15th century BC in an early-date Mosaic view; late-date views place it in the 13th century.
- Scholarly debate · 600 BC – 400 BC
- Final form often placed in the Persian period, drawing on older traditions (theories debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Pentateuch dating caveat needs expert review.
Numbers
- Traditional view · 1450 BC – 1400 BC
- Moses. About the 15th century BC in an early-date Mosaic view; late-date views place it in the 13th century.
- Scholarly debate · 600 BC – 400 BC
- Final form often placed in the Persian period, drawing on older traditions (theories debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Pentateuch dating caveat needs expert review.
Deuteronomy
- Traditional view · 1410 BC – 1400 BC
- Moses. End of Moses' life in an early-date view (15th century BC); late-date views prefer the 13th century.
- Scholarly debate · 650 BC – 450 BC
- Core often linked to 7th-century BC reforms, expanded later (debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Pentateuch / Josianic dating caveat needs expert review.
Joshua
- Traditional view · 1400 BC – 1350 BC
- Joshua (with later additions). Late 15th–14th centuries BC in an early-date conquest chronology; later chronologies differ.
- Scholarly debate · 650 BC – 500 BC
- Often dated as part of a 'Deuteronomistic History' edited in the 7th–6th centuries BC (debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Date label consistency with conquest chronology needs review.
Judges
- Traditional view · 1050 BC – 1000 BC
- Samuel (Jewish tradition). About the 11th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 650 BC – 500 BC
- Often dated as part of a 'Deuteronomistic History' edited in the 7th–6th centuries BC (debated).
Ruth
- Traditional view · 1050 BC – 950 BC
- Samuel (Jewish tradition). About the 11th–10th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 950 BC – 400 BC
- Ranges from the monarchy to after the exile (debated).
1 Samuel
- Traditional view · 1000 BC – 930 BC
- Samuel, Nathan and Gad. About the 10th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 650 BC – 500 BC
- Often dated as part of a 'Deuteronomistic History' edited in the 7th–6th centuries BC (debated).
2 Samuel
- Traditional view · 1000 BC – 930 BC
- Nathan and Gad. About the 10th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 650 BC – 500 BC
- Often dated as part of a 'Deuteronomistic History' edited in the 7th–6th centuries BC (debated).
1 Kings
- Traditional view · 561 BC – 540 BC
- Jeremiah (Jewish tradition). Mid-6th century BC, after the last event it records (2 Kings 25:27).
- Scholarly debate · 620 BC – 540 BC
- Often dated as part of a 'Deuteronomistic History' edited in the 7th–6th centuries BC (debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Deuteronomistic History dating needs expert review.
2 Kings
- Traditional view · 561 BC – 540 BC
- Jeremiah (Jewish tradition). Mid-6th century BC, after the last event it records (2 Kings 25:27).
- Scholarly debate · 620 BC – 540 BC
- Often dated as part of a 'Deuteronomistic History' edited in the 7th–6th centuries BC (debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Deuteronomistic History dating needs expert review.
1 Chronicles
- Traditional view · 450 BC – 425 BC
- Ezra (Jewish tradition). 5th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 400 BC – 250 BC
- Persian or early Hellenistic period, 4th century BC common.
2 Chronicles
- Traditional view · 450 BC – 425 BC
- Ezra (Jewish tradition). 5th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 400 BC – 250 BC
- Persian or early Hellenistic period, 4th century BC common.
Ezra
- Traditional view · 450 BC – 430 BC
- Ezra. 5th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 400 BC – 300 BC
- Combined with Nehemiah later, often 4th century BC (debated).
Nehemiah
- Traditional view · 430 BC – 420 BC
- Nehemiah (memoir) / Ezra. Late 5th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 400 BC – 300 BC
- Memoir material plus later editing (debated).
Esther
- Traditional view · 470 BC – 400 BC
- Mordecai or the Men of the Great Assembly. 5th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 400 BC – 200 BC
- Persian or Hellenistic period (debated).
Job
- Traditional view · Unknown
- Moses in one Jewish tradition; others vary. Unknown; traditions differ widely.
- Scholarly debate · 600 BC – 400 BC
- Often placed between the 6th and 4th centuries BC (debated).
Psalms
- Traditional view · 1000 BC – 450 BC
- David and others named in the titles. Written over many centuries, from David onward.
- Scholarly debate · 900 BC – 200 BC
- Individual psalms span centuries; collection finalised after the exile.
Flagged for scholar review: Historical claims about individual psalms need expert review.
Proverbs
- Traditional view · 950 BC – 700 BC
- Solomon and others (Agur, Lemuel). 10th century BC, collected under Hezekiah (Prov 25:1).
- Scholarly debate · 700 BC – 300 BC
- Older sayings, final collection in the Persian period (debated).
Ecclesiastes
- Traditional view · 950 BC – 930 BC
- Solomon. 10th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 450 BC – 200 BC
- Usually 3rd century BC on language grounds (debated).
Song of Solomon
- Traditional view · 970 BC – 930 BC
- Solomon. 10th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 500 BC – 200 BC
- Date widely debated; often Persian or Hellenistic.
Isaiah
- Traditional view · 740 BC – 680 BC
- Isaiah son of Amoz. 8th–early 7th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 740 BC – 450 BC
- Often divided into parts from the 8th century to after the exile.
Flagged for scholar review: Multiple-authorship dating claims need expert review.
Jeremiah
- Traditional view · 627 BC – 580 BC
- Jeremiah, with Baruch. Late 7th–early 6th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 600 BC – 400 BC
- Jeremiah's words expanded by later editors (debated).
Lamentations
- Traditional view · 586 BC – 580 BC
- Jeremiah. Soon after Jerusalem's fall, 6th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 586 BC – 500 BC
- 6th century BC; Jeremiah's authorship doubted by many.
Ezekiel
- Traditional view · 593 BC – 570 BC
- Ezekiel. Early 6th century BC, in exile.
- Scholarly debate · 593 BC – 500 BC
- Largely 6th century BC, with some later editing.
Daniel
- Traditional view · 540 BC – 530 BC
- Daniel. 6th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 170 BC – 160 BC
- Most critical scholars: final form about 167–164 BC (traditional dating defended by others).
Hosea
- Traditional view · 750 BC – 715 BC
- Hosea. 8th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 750 BC – 500 BC
- 8th-century prophet, edited later in Judah.
Joel
- Traditional view · 835 BC – 800 BC
- Joel. Dates vary in tradition; one view is 9th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 500 BC – 350 BC
- Often Persian period (debated).
Amos
- Traditional view · 760 BC – 750 BC
- Amos. 8th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 760 BC – 500 BC
- 8th-century prophet, with later additions.
Obadiah
- Traditional view · 590 BC – 580 BC
- Obadiah. Tradition varies (some place it in the 9th century BC); often linked to Jerusalem's fall, 6th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 586 BC – 500 BC
- Early 6th century BC common.
Flagged for scholar review: Wide dating range (pre- or post-exilic) needs expert review.
Jonah
- Traditional view · 785 BC – 760 BC
- Jonah. 8th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 500 BC – 300 BC
- Often Persian period (debated).
Micah
- Traditional view · 735 BC – 700 BC
- Micah. Late 8th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 735 BC – 500 BC
- 8th-century core with later additions.
Nahum
- Traditional view · 660 BC – 612 BC
- Nahum. 7th century BC, before Nineveh fell.
- Scholarly debate · 660 BC – 612 BC
- 7th century BC.
Habakkuk
- Traditional view · 610 BC – 600 BC
- Habakkuk. Late 7th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 610 BC – 590 BC
- Late 7th century BC.
Zephaniah
- Traditional view · 640 BC – 620 BC
- Zephaniah. 7th century BC, under Josiah.
- Scholarly debate · 640 BC – 500 BC
- 7th-century core, later editing.
Haggai
- Traditional view · 520 BC
- Haggai. 520 BC (dated in the book).
- Scholarly debate · 520 BC – 515 BC
- Late 6th century BC.
Zechariah
- Traditional view · 520 BC – 480 BC
- Zechariah. Late 6th–early 5th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 520 BC – 300 BC
- Chapters 1–8 late 6th century BC; 9–14 often later (debated).
Malachi
- Traditional view · 450 BC – 430 BC
- Malachi. 5th century BC.
- Scholarly debate · 500 BC – 400 BC
- Persian period, 5th century BC.
Matthew
- Traditional view · AD 50 – AD 70
- Matthew the apostle. AD 50–70 in an early-date view; ancient authorship tradition alone does not fix the date.
- Scholarly debate · AD 80 – AD 90
- Commonly AD 80–90 (debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Early-date attribution caveat needs expert review.
Mark
- Traditional view · AD 55 – AD 65
- John Mark, recording Peter. AD 50s–60s.
- Scholarly debate · AD 66 – AD 74
- Around AD 66–74 common.
Luke
- Traditional view · AD 59 – AD 63
- Luke the physician. Around AD 60.
- Scholarly debate · AD 80 – AD 110
- Commonly AD 80–110 (debated).
John
- Traditional view · AD 85 – AD 95
- John the apostle. Late 1st century AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 90 – AD 110
- AD 90–110 common; authorship debated.
Acts
- Traditional view · AD 62 – AD 64
- Luke. Early AD 60s.
- Scholarly debate · AD 80 – AD 110
- Commonly AD 80–110 (debated).
Romans
- Traditional view · AD 55 – AD 58
- Paul. Mid-50s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 55 – AD 58
- Undisputed letter of Paul, mid-50s AD.
1 Corinthians
- Traditional view · AD 53 – AD 55
- Paul. Mid-50s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 53 – AD 55
- Undisputed letter of Paul.
2 Corinthians
- Traditional view · AD 55 – AD 57
- Paul. Mid-50s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 55 – AD 57
- Undisputed; some see several letters combined.
Galatians
- Traditional view · AD 48 – AD 55
- Paul. Late 40s–mid 50s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 48 – AD 55
- Undisputed; exact date debated.
Ephesians
- Traditional view · AD 60 – AD 62
- Paul, from prison. Early 60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 80 – AD 100
- Many scholars see a later follower writing in Paul's name; others defend Paul (debated).
Philippians
- Traditional view · AD 60 – AD 62
- Paul, from prison. Early 60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 52 – AD 62
- Undisputed; written from Rome or Ephesus (debated).
Colossians
- Traditional view · AD 60 – AD 62
- Paul, from prison. Early 60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 60 – AD 90
- Many scholars see a later follower writing in Paul's name; others defend Paul (debated).
1 Thessalonians
- Traditional view · AD 50 – AD 51
- Paul. About AD 50.
- Scholarly debate · AD 50 – AD 51
- Undisputed; likely Paul's earliest surviving letter.
2 Thessalonians
- Traditional view · AD 51 – AD 52
- Paul. About AD 51.
- Scholarly debate · AD 51 – AD 100
- Many scholars see a later follower writing in Paul's name; others defend Paul (debated).
1 Timothy
- Traditional view · AD 62 – AD 66
- Paul. Mid-60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 90 – AD 140
- Many scholars see a later follower writing in Paul's name; others defend Paul (debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Authorship labelling (Pastoral Epistles) needs expert review.
2 Timothy
- Traditional view · AD 64 – AD 67
- Paul, shortly before his death. Mid-60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 90 – AD 140
- Many scholars see a later follower writing in Paul's name; others defend Paul (debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Authorship labelling (Pastoral Epistles) needs expert review.
Titus
- Traditional view · AD 63 – AD 65
- Paul. Mid-60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 90 – AD 140
- Many scholars see a later follower writing in Paul's name; others defend Paul (debated).
Flagged for scholar review: Authorship labelling (Pastoral Epistles) needs expert review.
Philemon
- Traditional view · AD 60 – AD 62
- Paul, from prison. Early 60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 53 – AD 62
- Undisputed letter of Paul.
Hebrews
- Traditional view · AD 64 – AD 69
- Paul in many traditions; the letter itself names no author. Before AD 70.
- Scholarly debate · AD 60 – AD 95
- Author unknown; AD 60–95 common.
James
- Traditional view · AD 45 – AD 62
- James, brother of Jesus. AD 40s–60s.
- Scholarly debate · AD 60 – AD 100
- Authorship and date debated.
1 Peter
- Traditional view · AD 62 – AD 64
- Peter the apostle. Early 60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 70 – AD 100
- Many see a later writer in Peter's name (debated).
2 Peter
- Traditional view · AD 64 – AD 68
- Peter the apostle. Mid-60s AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 100 – AD 150
- Widely regarded as later and pseudonymous (debated).
1 John
- Traditional view · AD 85 – AD 95
- John the apostle. Late 1st century AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 90 – AD 110
- Author tied to the Johannine community (debated).
2 John
- Traditional view · AD 85 – AD 95
- John the apostle ('the elder'). Late 1st century AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 90 – AD 110
- Author tied to the Johannine community (debated).
3 John
- Traditional view · AD 85 – AD 95
- John the apostle ('the elder'). Late 1st century AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 90 – AD 110
- Author tied to the Johannine community (debated).
Jude
- Traditional view · AD 65 – AD 80
- Jude, brother of James. Later 1st century AD.
- Scholarly debate · AD 70 – AD 110
- Authorship and date debated.
Revelation
- Traditional view · AD 90 – AD 96
- John the apostle. About AD 95, under Domitian (an established minority view places it around AD 68–70).
- Scholarly debate · AD 90 – AD 96
- Most favour about AD 95; a minority about AD 68–70.
Flagged for scholar review: Early (Neronian) vs late (Domitianic) dating balance needs review.
Axis runs from 1500 BC to AD 150. Sources: Wikipedia articles on each book (CC BY-SA), which cite the underlying scholarship.