WRITERS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

 

MOSES wrote the five books of Law--Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, except for a few explanatory notes added later (cf. Deut 34:10).  c. 1400 BC

 

Joshua: probably written by Joshua.  

 

Judges: probably written by Samuel 

 

Ruth: probably written by Samuel

 

1 Samuel: Chapters 1-24, probably by Samuel.  The rest is unclear.

 

2 Samuel:  Author unclear 

 

1 & 2 Kings: Author unknown

 

1 & 2 Chronicles: Probably Ezra

 

Ezra wrote Ezra

 

Nehemiah:  Written by Nehemiah

 

Esther:  Unknown.  Various suggestions have been given, including Mordecai.

 

Job: Written by Job  c.1500 BC (?)

 

Psalms: Mostly by David.  Asaph wrote 12 psalms.  The sons of Korah wrote 11. Ethan wrote 1 along with Heman.  Solomon’s name appears before Ps. 72 and 127.  c. 1000 BC

 

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon: mostly written by Solomon.  Proverbs chapter 30 is ascribed to Agar.  Chapter 31 is ascribed to Lemuel. 

 

Isaiah: by Isaiah c. 721 BC

 

Jeremiah and Lamentations: by Jeremiah c. 600 BC

 

Ezekiel: by Ezekiel, carried to Babylon 597 BC

 

Daniel: by Daniel, c. 600-530 BC

 

Hosea: by Hosea, c. 750 BC

 

Joel: by Joel, c. 800 BC

 

Amos: by Amos, c. 760 BC

 

Obadiah: Obadiah, c 585 BC

 

Jonah: by Jonah, c. 800 BC

 

Micah: by Micah c. 721 BC

 

Nahum: by Nahum  c. 720 BC

 

Habakkuk: by Habakkuk c. 610 BC

 

Zephaniah by Zephaniah c. 630 BC

 

Haggai: by Haggai  c. 520 BC

 

Zachariah: by Zachariah  c. 520 BC

 

Malachi: by Malachi c. 420 BC