Who wrote the Bible?

The Bible was written by about 40 human authors over roughly 1,500 years, including Moses, David, Solomon, the prophets, and apostles such as Peter, John, and Paul. Christians believe God is its ultimate author, since "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16).

The Bible is a library of 66 books written over roughly 1,500 years by about 40 human authors, in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Its writers came from very different walks of life: a lawgiver (Moses, traditionally credited with the first five books - Exodus 24:4 says "Moses wrote all the words of the LORD"), kings (David and Solomon), priests and prophets (Ezra, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel), a tax collector (Matthew), a physician (Luke), fishermen (Peter and John), and a former Pharisee (Paul, who wrote thirteen New Testament letters). Some books, such as Judges, Job, and Hebrews, do not name their author, and scholars continue to discuss the authorship and dating of several books, while many readers hold to the traditional attributions. Some authors worked with scribes: Baruch wrote down Jeremiah's words (Jeremiah 36:4), and Tertius penned Romans for Paul (Romans 16:22). Behind these many hands, the Bible presents itself as having one ultimate Author. Paul writes that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16), and Peter explains that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). This is why Christians speak of the Bible as both truly human, reflecting each writer's personality and setting, and truly the Word of God.

Key Passages

All scripture is given by inspiration of God

2 Timothy 3:16

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Holy men of God moved by the Holy Ghost

2 Peter 1:21

²¹ For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Moses wrote all the words of the LORD

Exodus 24:4

⁴ And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.