When Was The Old Testament Written and by Whom? All You Need To Know

The Old Testament, a cornerstone of religious history, was written across several centuries by multiple authors. These texts span a wide range of literary genres, from historical narratives to laws, prophecies, poetry, and wisdom literature.

Understanding when and how the Old Testament was written offers insights into the ancient world and the religious traditions that shaped Judaism and Christianity.

When Was the Old Testament Written and By Whom?

The writing of the Old Testament took place over a vast time period, with estimates ranging from around 1200 BCE to 400 BCE. The earliest books, such as those in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), are traditionally attributed to Moses and date back to around 1400-1200 BCE, though modern scholars debate this and suggest that the text could have been composed or edited over a longer period, possibly between 1000 and 500 BCE.

The historical books (like Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles) and prophetic writings (like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) were written during different historical events, including the rise and fall of kingdoms, the Babylonian exile (around 586 BCE), and the return to Jerusalem. The wisdom literature, such as Psalms, Proverbs, and Job, reflects different times and experiences of Israel’s history and may have been written anywhere between 1000 and 400 BCE.

In short, the Old Testament was written by multiple authors over a long period of time. Some books were written in response to specific historical events, while others, like the wisdom literature, provide timeless reflections on life, suffering, and the relationship between God and humanity.

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When Was the Old Testament Canonized?

The process of canonizing the Old Testament, or deciding which books should be officially considered Scripture, was a long and gradual one. The Torah (the first five books) was likely accepted as authoritative by around 400 BCE. The Prophets and Writings sections of the Old Testament, which include books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Psalms, and Proverbs, were canonized later.

By the time of the Second Temple period (around 500-300 BCE), many of the Old Testament texts had been widely recognized as authoritative. However, the exact closing of the canon—the point when no more books were added to the Old Testament—is debated. Some scholars suggest that the Old Testament canon was finalized around 200 BCE, while others argue it wasn’t officially closed until after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.

The Council of Jamnia (circa 90 CE) is often cited as the moment when Jewish leaders formally closed the canon, although this is a matter of debate among scholars. By this time, the books of the Old Testament that are familiar to modern readers had been accepted as Scripture within Judaism.

When Was the Old Testament Translated into Greek?

The Old Testament was translated into Greek in the 3rd century BCE, in a version known as the Septuagint. This translation was made for the benefit of Greek-speaking Jews who lived in the diaspora, particularly in Alexandria, Egypt. Since many Jews in this period no longer spoke Hebrew, there was a need to have their sacred texts in the language they used every day.

According to tradition, the translation was done by 70 or 72 scholars, which is why the Greek Old Testament is called the Septuagint (from the Latin word for seventy). The Septuagint played an important role in the spread of Judaism and Christianity in the Hellenistic world. It also influenced later Christian translations of the Old Testament and was frequently quoted in the New Testament.

When Was the Old Testament Canon Closed?

As mentioned earlier, the closing of the Old Testament canon is somewhat difficult to pinpoint. While much of the Old Testament was recognized as authoritative by 200 BCE, it is believed that the final list of books was not completely agreed upon until the Council of Jamnia around 90 CE. However, this council may not have been as decisive in closing the canon as once thought.

The Septuagint contains several additional books that are not found in the Hebrew Bible. These books, known as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books, were included in the Greek translation but were later excluded from the Protestant Old Testament. The Catholic and Orthodox traditions, however, still include these books in their Bibles.

The closing of the canon reflects the growing need in Jewish and Christian communities to define the limits of Scripture and to establish an authoritative set of texts for teaching and worship.

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What Was the Old Testament Originally Called?

In its earliest form, the Old Testament was not known by that name. For Jews, these texts are referred to as the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh. The term “Old Testament” only came into use with the rise of Christianity, as a way to distinguish these books from the New Testament writings about Jesus and the early Church.

The Hebrew Bible is divided into three main sections:

1. Torah (Law) – This includes the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
2. Nevi’im (Prophets) – This section contains books like Joshua, Judges, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
3. Ketuvim (Writings) – This includes books like Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes.

The acronym for these three sections, TaNaKh, is how Jewish tradition refers to the Hebrew Bible. The term Old Testament became common in Christian contexts to differentiate the older writings from the New Testament.

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Conclusion

The Old Testament was written over many centuries by different authors and reflects the complex history, culture, and faith of ancient Israel. Its canonization was a gradual process, and different religious traditions recognize slightly different books. The translation of the Old Testament into Greek via the Septuagint helped spread its teachings throughout the ancient world and played a key role in the development of both Judaism and Christianity.

Understanding when the Old Testament was written, canonized, and translated provides valuable insight into its significance and lasting influence.

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