Who wrote the Bible?
About 40 writers by traditional accounts, from Moses to the apostle John. Paul is credited with 13 of the 27 New Testament books, and 12 books name no author.
| Book | Traditional author | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis | Moses | Jewish and Christian tradition credits Moses with the first five books; most modern scholars see several sources edited over time. |
| Exodus | Moses | Traditionally attributed to Moses. |
| Leviticus | Moses | Traditionally attributed to Moses. |
| Numbers | Moses | Traditionally attributed to Moses. |
| Deuteronomy | Moses | Traditionally attributed to Moses; the account of his death (chapter 34) was added by another hand. |
| Joshua | Joshua | Traditionally attributed to Joshua, with later additions such as the account of his death. |
| Judges | Unknown | Jewish tradition names Samuel. |
| Ruth | Unknown | Jewish tradition names Samuel. |
| 1 Samuel | Unknown | Tradition links it to Samuel, Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29). |
| 2 Samuel | Unknown | Tradition links it to Nathan and Gad. |
| 1 Kings | Unknown | Jewish tradition names Jeremiah. |
| 2 Kings | Unknown | Jewish tradition names Jeremiah. |
| 1 Chronicles | Unknown | Jewish tradition names Ezra. |
| 2 Chronicles | Unknown | Jewish tradition names Ezra. |
| Ezra | Ezra | Traditionally attributed to Ezra. |
| Nehemiah | Nehemiah | Written largely in Nehemiah’s own voice. |
| Esther | Unknown | |
| Job | Unknown | |
| Psalms | David and others | The titles name David for 73 psalms, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, Heman and Ethan; about a third have no author named. |
| Proverbs | Solomon and others | Mostly attributed to Solomon, with sayings of the wise, Agur (chapter 30) and King Lemuel (chapter 31). |
| Ecclesiastes | Solomon (traditional) | The author calls himself “the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem,” traditionally taken to be Solomon. |
| Song of Songs | Solomon (traditional) | Also called the Song of Solomon. |
| Isaiah | Isaiah | Many scholars think chapters 40–66 come from later disciples of Isaiah. |
| Jeremiah | Jeremiah | Dictated in part to his scribe Baruch (Jeremiah 36). |
| Lamentations | Jeremiah (traditional) | Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah; the book does not name its author. |
| Ezekiel | Ezekiel | |
| Daniel | Daniel | Traditionally attributed to Daniel; many scholars date it later. |
| Hosea | Hosea | |
| Joel | Joel | |
| Amos | Amos | |
| Obadiah | Obadiah | |
| Jonah | Unknown | A book about Jonah, traditionally attributed to him. |
| Micah | Micah | |
| Nahum | Nahum | |
| Habakkuk | Habakkuk | |
| Zephaniah | Zephaniah | |
| Haggai | Haggai | |
| Zechariah | Zechariah | |
| Malachi | Malachi | |
| Matthew | Matthew | Traditionally attributed to Matthew, the tax collector who became an apostle; the Gospel does not name its author. |
| Mark | Mark | Traditionally attributed to John Mark, drawing on Peter’s preaching. |
| Luke | Luke | Traditionally attributed to Luke, the physician who traveled with Paul. |
| John | John | Traditionally attributed to the apostle John. |
| Acts | Luke | Written by the author of Luke, traditionally Luke the physician. |
| Romans | Paul | |
| 1 Corinthians | Paul | |
| 2 Corinthians | Paul | |
| Galatians | Paul | |
| Ephesians | Paul | Some scholars think a follower of Paul wrote it. |
| Philippians | Paul | |
| Colossians | Paul | |
| 1 Thessalonians | Paul | |
| 2 Thessalonians | Paul | |
| 1 Timothy | Paul | Many scholars think a follower of Paul wrote the letters to Timothy and Titus. |
| 2 Timothy | Paul | Traditionally Paul’s last letter, written from prison in Rome. |
| Titus | Paul | |
| Philemon | Paul | |
| Hebrews | Unknown | The author is not named; Paul, Barnabas and Apollos have all been suggested. |
| James | James | Traditionally James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem. |
| 1 Peter | Peter | |
| 2 Peter | Peter | Many scholars think a follower of Peter wrote it. |
| 1 John | John | Traditionally the apostle John. |
| 2 John | John | The writer calls himself “the elder.” |
| 3 John | John | The writer calls himself “the elder.” |
| Jude | Jude | Traditionally Jude, brother of James and of Jesus. |
| Revelation | John | The author is named John; tradition identifies him with the apostle. |
Questions
Who wrote the Bible?
About 40 people over roughly 1,500 years, by traditional accounts: kings, prophets, priests, a tax collector, a physician, fishermen and others. Christians believe they wrote under God’s inspiration.
Which books did Paul write?
13 letters are traditionally credited to Paul: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Some scholars think followers of Paul wrote a few of them.
Who wrote Genesis?
Jewish and Christian tradition credits Moses with the first five books; many modern scholars see several sources edited over time.
Which books have no known author?
Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Esther, Job, Jonah, Hebrews.