Which Book of the Old Testament Was Written First: Exploring the Origins

Dating any of the books of the Old Testament Bible is a complex and often debated topic. The society of the time was primarily an oral culture, where writing was not a ubiquitous practice. Therefore, the authors of these books are known to have existed long before they were written down.

Job: The First Written Book?

Some scholars suggest that the Book of Job was the first to be written. While the exact date of its composition is unknown, it is believed to have been written around 2000 BC, several centuries before the books of the Torah, including Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The Genesis and Moses Controversy

The Book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses. However, this attribution could be misleading. It appears that Moses did not necessarily write it as much as compile it. The book is thought to be a compilation of older documents, merged into a coherent narrative, with updates in place names and events.

Throughout Genesis, scholars identify what they call “toledoth collophons.” This is a term for what is essentially a byline, indicating the author or authorship of the section at the end of each section. These phrases, such as “this is the account of Adam” or “this is the account of the sons of Noah,” suggest that these sections could have been written by the mentioned individuals or groups of people. For example, the phrase “this is the account of Adam” appears in the section that describes Adam’s life in the Garden of Eden and the story of one of his sons murdering another.

The Role of Moses

Moses is seen as the compiler rather than the sole author. He was believed to have gathered these older documents and ancient writings from his predecessors, who were also contemporary with him, and compiled them into a single cohesive volume. This collection process, while combining diverse sources and older documents, is believed to have taken place around 1400 BC.

Some parts of Genesis, particularly those that describe the events from the time of creation, might have been written very early and hence are considered among the very oldest books in human history. However, the definitive form of the book as we know it today was not completed until Moses compiled it around 1400 BC.

Conclusion

The dating and authorship of the books in the Old Testament are subjects of ongoing scholarly discussion. Understanding the complex process of compilation and the period of writing helps us appreciate the rich history and diverse sources that contributed to the formation of the Bible as we know it today.

Keywords: Old Testament, Job, Moses, Genesis, Biblical Dating