Lesson 3: Who wrote the Books of the Bible?
OT: The Nebhim
The book of Joshua is attributed to Moses’ personal attendant and successor, a man from the tribe of Ephraim. (2) It is thought to have been written between 1300 BC and 1500 BC. It deals with Joshua’s conquest of Canaan for the Hebrew nation.
The book of Judges (3) neither names an author, nor are there any conclusive evidences that point to him. Some schools of thought attribute this book to Samuel. Samuel was a Hebrew from the tribe of Levi, raised by Eli, one of the judges, and called by God to be a prophet. This book chronicles the first 300 years the Hebrews spent in the Promised Land, and may have been written sometime around 1000 BC.
The two books of Samuel do not state a clear authorship as well, yet many scholars favor Samuel’s penmanship of these books around 1000 BC to 900 BC. The books mark the movement away from a theocracy and its replacement with a monarchy. It follows the rise and fall of Israel’s first king, and the selection, training, and rule of its greatest king: David. (4)
The two books of Kings start up with the reign of King Solomon, David’s son, and chronicle the eventual division of the kingdom, and the histories of both so created kingdoms. Again, an author is not explicitly named, yet it is generally assumed that the prophet Jeremiah penned these books around 600 BC to 500 BC. Jeremiah, sometimes called the “Weeping Prophet”, witnessed much destruction and desolation in his life and preached to a deaf Jerusalem, steeped in idol worship. Hotly persecuted for his unwelcome message, he lived to see the destruction he warned against, come about.
The book of Isaiah is attributed to the prophet Isaiah himself. Isaiah was a prophet of the Southern Kingdom of Judah who was later on martyred for his faith under Manasseh. He was considered to be one of the first prophets declaring the coming of the Messiah. This book may have been written between 700 BC and 600 BC.
The book of Jeremiah is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah himself. This book is said to have been written sometime between 630 BC and 570 BC and is a last effort to save Jerusalem from its self-imposed, divine punishment.
The book of Ezekiel is attributed to Ezekiel the prophet, the son of a priest. The book may have been written around 570 BC, dealing with the fall of Jerusalem and the eventual restoration of Israel.
The book of Hosea is attributed to Hosea the prophet. His prophesies were written down around 755 BC to 710 BC. Hosea was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom.
The book of Joel is attributed to the prophet Joel. The writings are said to have been made around the years of 830 BC to perhaps 750 BC. One of this prophet's major teachings was the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The book of Amos is attributed to the prophet Amos, who was a shepherd by profession. It may have been written during the middle of 7th century BC. It foreshadows the future glory of King David’s eternal kingdom.
The book of Obadiah is attributed to the prophet Obadiah. It is said to have been written around 845 BC. It foretells the destruction of Edom, the descendants of Esau.
The book of Jonah is attributed to Jonah the prophet. It may have been written in the 7th century BC. Best known for it tale of a man having been swallowed by a fish, remaining inside that fish for three days, and then being spat out again, the book actually deals with an errand of mercy to a doomed city, and a prophet who learns that one cannot run away from God.
The book of Micah is attributed to the prophet Micah, and it is dated to about the first half of the 7th century BC. Micah’s main prophecy deals with the birthplace of the Messiah.
The book of Nahum is attributed to the prophet Nahum. It is said to have been written around 630 BC. Nahum is again sent to the city of Nineveh, but at this time there is no prophecy of mercy, only of destruction.
The book of Habakkuk is attributed to the prophet Habakkuk. It may have been written around 600 BC. The lesson of his teaching is that all shall live by faith, no matter what the circumstances.
The book of Zephaniah is attributed to the prophet Zephaniah, a descendant of Hezekiah. It is said to have been written in the first half of the 6th century BC. It again foreshadows the coming of the Messianic age.
The book of Haggai is attributed to the prophet Haggai. The book has been dated to 520 BC. It again mentions the rebuilding of the temple, but it also foreshadows a much more glorious temple.
The book of Zechariah is in large part attributed to the prophet himself. Chapters 1-8 are attributed to Zechariah, who was a priest, and may have been written around 520 BC; chapters 9-14 were not written by Zechariah and may be attributed to Jeremiah. The date would then be sometime around 600 BC. The chapters 12-14 do not have an established author. This book again foreshadows the coming of the Messiah.
The book of Malachi has been attributed to the prophet himself, yet some believe it was actually written by the prophet Isaiah. Because of this, it is impossible to correctly date this book, although many assume that Malachi is the rightful author, and so date it to about 400 BC. It is a final message to a disobedient Hebrew nation that has gotten not only spiritually, but also monetarily stingy with God. If Isaiah was the author of this book, it would date it to about 700 BC to 600 BC.
To better understand what time frame the prophets fell into, it is useful to subdivide them with respect to the current events.
For example, Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Amos, and Hosea were prophets before the Assyrian invasion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Isaiah and Micah prophesied during the Assyrian invasion. First mention of the coming of the Messiah and the new Covenant the Messiah would establish is made. Nahum, Zephaniah, and Habakkuk prophesied after the Assyrian invasion.
Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied before the Babylonian invasion of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This is the first time that there is a Messianic prophesy made from within Judah. Daniel prophesied during the Babylonian captivity. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Nehemiah prophesied after the captivity ended and a remnant returned from Babylonian Exile.
