How the Bible Came to be
Introduction. How the Bible came to be is a fascinating story, albeit complicated. I shall herein attempt to present the facts of the origin and development of the Greatest Book of all as simply and briefly as possible.
The Bible did not just simply happen nor has it been preserved by accident or without effort. A complete study of our topic would necessitate a consideration of the making and writing of ancient books. Some of the earliest preserved examples of writings we are told were found in Egypt, consisting of inscriptions which appear to date back as far as 4000-5000 B.C. Research has now revealed that writing existed many centuries before Moses (some have argued that writing did not even exist in Moses' day; therefore, the Bible is false). Ancient writing materials consisted of many things before our modern type book evolved. Stone (cp. Ten Commandments, Ex. 20), clay, wood, pottery, leather, and papyrus were commonly used at different periods as material upon which to write. Leather (animal skins) was the primary material used by the Hebrews (“Old Testament”) and papyrus (plant material) appears to have been the material mainly used for the first writings of the New Testament. Papyrus rolls, as they were called, were often used. Such “rolls” were widespread by 500 B.C. Papyrus sheets were sometimes joined together (top and bottom), thus, the papyrus roll (average length appears to have been about 30 feet long and nine to ten inches wide, the writing was usually on one side, cp. an exception, Rev. 5: 1). This was often the “book” during this time period (see Rev. 5: 1). The Papyrus roll (so-called because when not in use, it was rolled up) was simply laid down, usually on the floor or ground, and rolled out to be read. About 600 years later (ca. first or second century A.D.), the papyrus roll began to be replaced by what is known as the papyrus codex. The codex manuscript is what we know today as a book, papyrus sheets placed together in the form of a book, instead of a roll). Parchment (improved animal skins) was also used. Vellum (parchment) became popular in about 199 B.C. For about 1, 000 years parchment was commonly used in the making of some of the first copies of the original writings of the New Testament.
The birth of the Bible. We cannot assign an exact date or circumstance to the origin of the Bible. For a considerable time, God orally communicated with man (Patriarchal Age, Gen. 2-Ex. 20, about 2,500 years). The first person mentioned in the Bible as writing down God's communiqué was Moses, who lived about 1500 B.C. The Bible itself contributes six distinct writings to Moses (Ex. 17: 14; 24: 4; 34: 27, 28; Num. 33: 2; Deut. 31: 9, 24; 32: 1-43, cp. 31: 22). According to strict Jewish tradition, Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Some have scoffed at the idea that Moses who lived 1500 B.C. could have written about creation, seeing how creation was antecedent to Moses' time. Herein, the Bible is set apart from all other writings - the Bible is inspired or God breathed (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17). The very words were supplied to the men who wrote; hence, plenary inspiration (I Cor. 2: 13, I Pet. 1: 11, 2 Pet. 1: 21). The Bible also mentions writings by Joshua, Samuel, Jeremiah, and others (Josh. 24: 26; I Sam. 10: 25; Jere. 36: 2). The books of law came first, then the prophets, until it grew into the collection we now know as the Hebrew scriptures (“Old Testament”). Josephus, Jewish secular historian of the first century, indicated that the sacred Hebrew text was completed with Malachi (Against Apion 1. 8).
The New Testament also gradually came into being. The twenty-seven books of the New Testament were written during a span of about 50 years (50-100 A.D.). These books are letters penned by inspired men that were initially addressed to different churches (ex. Ephesians) and individuals (ex. 3 John). At the time of writing, these books were viewed as authoritative (I Thes. 5: 27, I Pet. 4: 11, I Cor. 4: 6, 14: 37). These letters were at first exchanged among the churches. Consider Paul's language and instruction to the church at Colosse:
The Bible consists of two major divisions. These two primary divisions are the 39 books that constitute the Hebrew scriptures and the 27 books of the New Testament. Even though these books were written at different times and varying circumstances, they harmoniously complement each other and constitute a whole. It has been aptly remarked that the Hebrew scriptures are the New Testament in prophecy and the New Testament is the Hebrew scriptures in fulfillment (Jere. 31: 31-34, cp. Heb. 8: 7-13). When one considers there were about 40 persons, many of whom from totally different backgrounds, and about 1500 and 50 years, respectively, consumed in the making of the Bible, the Bible truly bespeaks inspiration - a book beyond the scope of mere men.
The sixty-six books of the Bible have undergone careful scrutiny. The internal and external evidence regarding each of the books has been subjected to critical analysis unlike any other books before they are admitted into the sacred canon of scripture.
Conclusion. All the combined great books of all time do not even begin to compare to the contribution the Bible has made to mankind. Abraham Lincoln perhaps summed it up best when he wrote: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”
Addendum: For your consideration, I shall provide a list of the sixty-six books of the Bible along with the attendant believed date and author. Below this material, you will find some interesting facts about the Bible as a book:
Keep in mind that the dates are approximate (and in a few cases may be subject to debate). However, it should give you a general overview.
BOOK DATE AUTHOR
Books in the Hebrew scriptures most often referred to in the New Testament (the following compilation is taken from The Complete Book of Bible Lists)
New Testament books containing material from the greatest number of Hebrew books:
Men most mentioned in the Bible:
Twenty-one great topical chapters found in the Bible:
Statistics regarding the Hebrew books (the Old Covenant):
Statistics regarding the New Testament
The New Testament is the authority and creed of and for the Christian, being the fulfillment of the Old Covenant God made with the Jews (Deut. 5: 1-3, Heb. 8: 5-13).
The Bible did not just simply happen nor has it been preserved by accident or without effort. A complete study of our topic would necessitate a consideration of the making and writing of ancient books. Some of the earliest preserved examples of writings we are told were found in Egypt, consisting of inscriptions which appear to date back as far as 4000-5000 B.C. Research has now revealed that writing existed many centuries before Moses (some have argued that writing did not even exist in Moses' day; therefore, the Bible is false). Ancient writing materials consisted of many things before our modern type book evolved. Stone (cp. Ten Commandments, Ex. 20), clay, wood, pottery, leather, and papyrus were commonly used at different periods as material upon which to write. Leather (animal skins) was the primary material used by the Hebrews (“Old Testament”) and papyrus (plant material) appears to have been the material mainly used for the first writings of the New Testament. Papyrus rolls, as they were called, were often used. Such “rolls” were widespread by 500 B.C. Papyrus sheets were sometimes joined together (top and bottom), thus, the papyrus roll (average length appears to have been about 30 feet long and nine to ten inches wide, the writing was usually on one side, cp. an exception, Rev. 5: 1). This was often the “book” during this time period (see Rev. 5: 1). The Papyrus roll (so-called because when not in use, it was rolled up) was simply laid down, usually on the floor or ground, and rolled out to be read. About 600 years later (ca. first or second century A.D.), the papyrus roll began to be replaced by what is known as the papyrus codex. The codex manuscript is what we know today as a book, papyrus sheets placed together in the form of a book, instead of a roll). Parchment (improved animal skins) was also used. Vellum (parchment) became popular in about 199 B.C. For about 1, 000 years parchment was commonly used in the making of some of the first copies of the original writings of the New Testament.
The birth of the Bible. We cannot assign an exact date or circumstance to the origin of the Bible. For a considerable time, God orally communicated with man (Patriarchal Age, Gen. 2-Ex. 20, about 2,500 years). The first person mentioned in the Bible as writing down God's communiqué was Moses, who lived about 1500 B.C. The Bible itself contributes six distinct writings to Moses (Ex. 17: 14; 24: 4; 34: 27, 28; Num. 33: 2; Deut. 31: 9, 24; 32: 1-43, cp. 31: 22). According to strict Jewish tradition, Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Some have scoffed at the idea that Moses who lived 1500 B.C. could have written about creation, seeing how creation was antecedent to Moses' time. Herein, the Bible is set apart from all other writings - the Bible is inspired or God breathed (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17). The very words were supplied to the men who wrote; hence, plenary inspiration (I Cor. 2: 13, I Pet. 1: 11, 2 Pet. 1: 21). The Bible also mentions writings by Joshua, Samuel, Jeremiah, and others (Josh. 24: 26; I Sam. 10: 25; Jere. 36: 2). The books of law came first, then the prophets, until it grew into the collection we now know as the Hebrew scriptures (“Old Testament”). Josephus, Jewish secular historian of the first century, indicated that the sacred Hebrew text was completed with Malachi (Against Apion 1. 8).
The New Testament also gradually came into being. The twenty-seven books of the New Testament were written during a span of about 50 years (50-100 A.D.). These books are letters penned by inspired men that were initially addressed to different churches (ex. Ephesians) and individuals (ex. 3 John). At the time of writing, these books were viewed as authoritative (I Thes. 5: 27, I Pet. 4: 11, I Cor. 4: 6, 14: 37). These letters were at first exchanged among the churches. Consider Paul's language and instruction to the church at Colosse:
- “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Col. 4: 16, probably Ephesians, dm).
The Bible consists of two major divisions. These two primary divisions are the 39 books that constitute the Hebrew scriptures and the 27 books of the New Testament. Even though these books were written at different times and varying circumstances, they harmoniously complement each other and constitute a whole. It has been aptly remarked that the Hebrew scriptures are the New Testament in prophecy and the New Testament is the Hebrew scriptures in fulfillment (Jere. 31: 31-34, cp. Heb. 8: 7-13). When one considers there were about 40 persons, many of whom from totally different backgrounds, and about 1500 and 50 years, respectively, consumed in the making of the Bible, the Bible truly bespeaks inspiration - a book beyond the scope of mere men.
The sixty-six books of the Bible have undergone careful scrutiny. The internal and external evidence regarding each of the books has been subjected to critical analysis unlike any other books before they are admitted into the sacred canon of scripture.
Conclusion. All the combined great books of all time do not even begin to compare to the contribution the Bible has made to mankind. Abraham Lincoln perhaps summed it up best when he wrote: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”
Addendum: For your consideration, I shall provide a list of the sixty-six books of the Bible along with the attendant believed date and author. Below this material, you will find some interesting facts about the Bible as a book:
Keep in mind that the dates are approximate (and in a few cases may be subject to debate). However, it should give you a general overview.
BOOK DATE AUTHOR
- Job Unknown Anonymous
- Genesis 1445-1405 B.C. Moses
- Exodus 1445-1405 B.C. Moses
- Leviticus 1445-1405 B.C. Moses
- Numbers 1445-1405 B.C. Moses
- Deuteronomy 1445-1405 B.C. Moses
- Psalms 1410-450 B.C. Multiple
- Joshua 1405-1385 B.C. Joshua
- Judges 1043 B.C. Samuel
- Ruth 1030-1010 B.C. Samuel
- Song of Solomon 971-965 B.C. Solomon
- Proverbs 971-686 B.C. Solomon primarily
- Ecclesiastes 940-931 B.C. Solomon
- 1 Samuel 931-722 B.C. Anonymous
- 2 Samuel 931-722 B.C. Anonymous
- Obadiah 850-840 B.C. Obadiah
- Joel 835-796 B.C. Joel
- Jonah 775 B.C. Jonah
- Amos 750 B.C. Amos
- Micah 735-710 B.C. Micah
- Hosea 750-710 B.C. Hosea
- Isaiah 700-681 B.C. Isaiah
- Nahum 650 B.C. Nahum
- Zephaniah 635-625 B.C. Zephaniah
- Habakkuk 615-605 B.C. Habakkuk
- Ezekiel 590-570 B.C. Ezekiel
- Lamentations 586 B.C. Jeremiah
- Jeremiah 586-570 B.C. Jeremiah
- 1 Kings 561-538 B.C. Anonymous
- 2 Kings 561-538 B.C. Anonymous
- Daniel 536-530 B.C. Daniel
- Haggai 520 B.C. Haggai
- Zechariah 480-470 B.C. Zechariah
- Ezra 457-444 B.C. Ezra
- 1 Chronicles 450-430 B.C. Ezra
- 2 Chronicles 450-430 B.C. Ezra
- Esther 450-331 B.C. Anonymous
- Malachi 433-424 B.C. Malachi
- Nehemiah 424-400 B.C. Ezra
- James 44-49 A.D. James
- Galatians 49-50 A.D. Paul
- Matthew 50-60 A.D. Matthew
- Mark 50-60 A.D. Mark
- 1 Thessalonians 51 A.D. Paul
- 2 Thessalonians 51-52 A.D. Paul
- 1 Corinthians 55 A.D. Paul
- 2 Corinthians 55-56 A.D. Paul
- Romans 56 A.D. Paul
- Luke 60-62 A.D. Luke
- Ephesians 60-61 A.D. Paul
- Philippians 60-62 A.D. Paul
- Colossians 60-62 A.D. Paul
- Philemon 60-62 A.D. Paul
- Acts 62 A.D. Luke
- 1 Timothy 62-64 A.D. Paul
- Titus 62-64 A.D. Paul
- 1 Peter 64-65 A.D. Peter
- 2 Timothy 66-67 A.D. Paul
- 2 Peter 67-68 A.D. Peter
- Hebrews 67-69 A.D. Anonymous (probably Paul)
- Jude 68-70 A.D. Jude
- John 80-90 A.D. John
- 1 John 90-95 A.D. John
- 2 John 90-95 A.D. John
- 3 John 90-95 A.D. John
- Revelation 94-96 A.D. John
Books in the Hebrew scriptures most often referred to in the New Testament (the following compilation is taken from The Complete Book of Bible Lists)
- Isaiah referred to 419 times in 23 New Testament books.
- Psalms, 414 times in 23 books
- Genesis, 260 times in 21 books.
- Exodus, 250 times in 19 books.
- Deuteronomy, 208 times in 21 books.
- Ezekiel, 141 times in 15 books.
- Daniel, 133 times in 17 books.
- Jeremiah, 125 times in 17 books.
- Leviticus, 107 times in 15 books
- Number, 73 times in 4 books.
New Testament books containing material from the greatest number of Hebrew books:
- Revelation, material from 32 Hebrew books.
- Luke, 31.
- John, 26.
- Acts, 25.
- Mark, 24.
- Romans, 23.
- Hebrew, 21
- I Corinthians, 18.
- James, 17.
- I Peter, 15.
Men most mentioned in the Bible:
- David, mentioned 1118 times.
- Moses, 740.
- Aaron, 339.
- Saul, 338.
- Abraham, 306.
- Solomon, 295.
- Jacob, 270.
- Joseph, 208.
- Joshua, 197.
- Paul, 185.
- Peter, 166.
- Joab, 137.
- Jeremiah, 136.
- Samuel, 135.
- Isaac, 127.
- Jesus, of course, is mentioned more than anyone else is.
Twenty-one great topical chapters found in the Bible:
- The Ten commandments chapter, Ex. 20.
- The faithfulness of God chapter, Josh. 14.
- The shepherd chapter, Ps. 23.
- The confession of sin chapter, Ps. 51.
- The praise of God “chapter,” Ps. 103.
- The word of God “chapter,” Ps. 119.
- The wisdom chapter, Prov. 8.
- The virtuous woman chapter, Prov. 31.
- The majesty of God chapter, Isa. 40.
- The Beatitudes chapter, Matt. 5.
- The sower and seed chapter, Matt. 13.
- The abiding chapter, John 15.
- The justification chapter, Rom. 5.
- The marriage chapter, I Cor. 7.
- The love chapter, I Cor. 13.
- The resurrection chapter, I Cor. 15.
- The fruit of the Spirit chapter, Gal. 5.
- The faith chapter, Heb. 11.
- The tongue chapter, Jas. 3.
- The reason for suffering chapter, I Pet. 4.
- The fellowship chapter, I John 1.
Statistics regarding the Hebrew books (the Old Covenant):
- 39 books.
- 929 chapters.
- 23,214 verses.
- 593,493 words.
- Longest book, Psalms.
- Shortest book, Obadiah.
- Two recognized dispensations (Patriarchy, Gen. 3-Ex. 20, and the Law of Moses, Ex. 20 ff.)
Statistics regarding the New Testament
- 27 books.
- 260 chapters.
- 7,959 verses.
- 181,253 words.
- Longest book, Acts.
- Shortest book, 2 John.
The New Testament is the authority and creed of and for the Christian, being the fulfillment of the Old Covenant God made with the Jews (Deut. 5: 1-3, Heb. 8: 5-13).