How old is the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible was written over a span of approximately fifteen hundred years, by around forty different authors. It begins with books like Genesis or Job around 1450–1400 BC and ends with Revelation around AD 90–95. That makes parts of the Bible over 3,400 years old and the newest portions nearly two thousand years old. Despite its age, the Bible is unified, consistently pointing to Jesus as the Messiah. It contains no contradictions and shows God’s character and His work throughout history. Despite how old it is, when we read the Bible, we encounter the living God who still speaks, leads, and transforms lives today.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Scholars believe Genesis or Job to be the first book written down, likely by Moses during the wilderness wandering somewhere between 1450 BC and 1400 BC—3,400 years ago.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Revelation, the last book in the Bible, is probably also the last to be written. The apostle John wrote it when he was exiled on the isle of Patmos between AD 90 and 95. So, that makes Revelation over 1,900 years old.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Bible was written by around forty different authors who wrote during fifteen hundred or so years. The Bible contains sixty-six books. So the answer to the question, "How old is the Bible?", depends a bit on which part is meant.

God arranged it so that all of these authors, writing history, poetry, eyewitness accounts, wisdom, and more over centuries and centuries, stayed true to the narrative He desired, pointed to the coming of a Messiah, Jesus Christ, and made no errors or contradictions. The Bible is truly the inspired Word of God.

Even though the Bible was written thousands of years ago, it still speaks directly into our lives today because it reveals the heart of a God who never changes (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). In a world that constantly shifts—morals, opinions, and priorities—God’s Word remains steady, offering us truth we can stand on and hope we can base our lives on. The same God who parted the Red Sea, walked with Daniel in the lion’s den, and raised Jesus from the dead is the same God who walks with us today and calls us to find salvation in Him. His promises haven’t faded, and His wisdom hasn’t aged out; every page of Scripture still pulses with relevance and power. When we open the Bible, we’re not just reading history—we’re hearing the voice of the living God who still transforms lives.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible was written over a span of about fifteen hundred years by around forty different authors, with the earliest books dating back over 3,400 years and the newest written nearly two thousand years ago.
• Despite its age, the Bible is a unified, error-free story that reveals God's unchanging character and plan through history.
• The Bible is still powerfully relevant today because it is the living Word of God.

REFLECT

• How does knowing the Bible was written thousands of years ago shape the way you read and trust it today?
• How have you seen the unchanging truth of God's Word speak into your current circumstances?
• What steps can you take to engage more deeply with Scripture, trusting it as God’s living and active voice in your life?

ENGAGE

• How might understanding the Bible’s ancient origins and long development help someone appreciate its unity and authority?
• Why is it important for believers to view the Bible as both historically grounded and spiritually relevant?
• What are some reasons people might doubt the Bible’s relevance, and how can we respond to these doubts with truth and encouragement?