Who Wrote the Bible? Meet the 40 Authors and Discover God’s Grand Story
- Karen O'Reilly
- 6 hours ago
- 10 min read
Who wrote the Bible?
It is a Book Written by Many Hands—But One Divine Author!
Have you ever wondered who wrote the Bible? It’s the world’s most read and life-changing book, yet its origins are extraordinary. The Bible wasn’t written by a single person sitting at a desk over a few years—it was written by around forty different authors over fifteen centuries, in three different languages and on three continents.
From shepherds to kings, prophets to fishermen, doctors to tax collectors—God used ordinary people to record His extraordinary story. Each writer had a unique voice and background, yet every page carries the same heartbeat: God’s plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ.
While we often talk about the authors of the Bible, Scripture itself tells us that there’s ultimately one true Author—God Himself.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
In this article, we’ll explore:
Who the authors of the Bible were
How many people wrote the Bible
Who wrote each book of the Old and New Testament
And how this incredible collection of 66 books fits together into one unified story.
Whether you’re new to Bible study or have read Scripture for years, understanding who wrote the Bible will deepen your appreciation for how God worked through human hearts to communicate His eternal Word.
Let’s meet the authors of the Bible and see how their lives—and their writings—point us to the Author of salvation Himself.
Who Is the Author of the Bible?
When people ask, “Who is the author of the Bible?” the most accurate answer is God Himself.Though more than forty individuals penned the words on parchment, scrolls, and letters, the Holy Spirit inspired every word they wrote. The Bible is not a random collection of ancient writings—it’s a divinely orchestrated message from the heart of God to His people.
“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” — 2 Peter 1:20–21 (NIV)
This means the Bible has dual authorship:
God is the divine Author, revealing His truth and will.
Humans are the human writers, faithfully recording what the Spirit revealed to them.
Each writer had their own style and personality. David wrote poetry from the heart of a worshipper. Luke documented history with the precision of a physician. Paul’s letters show a passionate teacher guiding new believers.
And yet, through all their different voices and circumstances, one divine thread runs through every verse — God’s plan to redeem His people through Jesus Christ.
That unity across sixty-six books and fifteen centuries is one of the greatest evidences that Scripture is not man-made but God-breathed.
As you read the Bible, remember this: you’re not just reading about God — you’re reading words inspired by God Himself. Each verse invites you to hear the voice of the Author who still speaks through His Word today.
✨Please note: There is so much awesome information in this post that I have made it available as a digital download with added devotionals and prayers, so you can keep it handy as you read through your Bible. Take a peek at it HERE.
How Many Authors Wrote the Bible?
The Bible wasn’t written by one person in a single moment of history—it’s a collection of 66 books written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of roughly 1,500 years.
These writers came from every walk of life:
Kings and prophets
Shepherds and fishermen
Scholars, poets, and a physician
Despite their differences, each writer recorded God’s truth with remarkable unity and accuracy. From Moses writing the first words of Genesis around 1400 BC to John completing Revelation near AD 95, every book fits together like pieces of one divine story.
“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” — Psalm 119:89 (NIV)
Quick Overview
Total Books: 66
Total Human Authors: ≈ 40
Languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek
Written Across: ~1500 BC – AD 95
Main Message: God’s redemption plan through Jesus Christ
You’ll find a full Biblical Authors Chart below (and in the printable study pack) that lists each book, its author, and how it points to Christ. It’s a wonderful way to see how God worked through many hearts and hands to write one consistent story of grace.
Who Wrote the Books of the Old Testament?
The Old Testament was written over nearly a thousand years of Israel’s history, spanning a period long before Jesus was born. It tells the story of God’s covenant with His people, from creation to the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah.
When people ask, “Who wrote the Old Testament?”, the answer includes a variety of voices:
Moses, who recorded the Law and the beginnings of creation.
David and Solomon, who wrote songs and wisdom literature.
Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who called the nation to repentance and pointed to the hope of redemption.
These men wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, giving us history, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom that still speak to our hearts today.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” — Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)
Below you’ll find a chart highlighting who wrote each book of the Old Testament and how their writings reveal God’s unfolding plan. (If you want the full printable version — complete with both Old and New Testament author charts, Bible quiz questions for use in church groups— you can find it inside the Bible Authors Study Pack.)
Old Testament - Bible Books and Authors List
The Old Testament includes 39 books written by prophets, kings, scribes, and poets. Each one reveals a piece of God’s story — from creation, to covenant, to the promise of redemption.
Book | Traditional Author | Main Theme / Focus |
Genesis | Moses | God’s creation, humanity’s fall, and covenant beginnings. |
Exodus | Moses | God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. |
Leviticus | Moses | Holiness and worship laws for God’s people. |
Numbers | Moses | Israel’s wilderness journey and God’s faithfulness. |
Deuteronomy | Moses | Moses’ final words and covenant renewal. |
Joshua | Joshua | Conquest of Canaan and God’s fulfilled promises. |
Judges | Samuel (trad.) | Cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance. |
Ruth | Samuel (trad.) | Redemption through Ruth and Boaz. |
1–2 Samuel | Samuel, Nathan, Gad | Rise of the monarchy; life of David. |
1–2 Kings | Jeremiah (trad.) | History of Israel’s kings leading to exile. |
1–2 Chronicles | Ezra (trad.) | A priestly retelling of Israel’s story. |
Ezra | Ezra | Return from exile and temple restoration. |
Nehemiah | Nehemiah | Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and faith. |
Esther | Mordecai (trad.) | God’s providence and protection of His people. |
Job | Unknown (possibly Moses) | God’s sovereignty in suffering. |
Psalms | David & others | Worship through every emotion. |
Proverbs | Solomon, Agur, Lemuel | Wisdom for godly living. |
Ecclesiastes | Solomon | Meaning of life apart from God is vanity. |
Song of Solomon | Solomon | Love that reflects divine devotion. |
Isaiah | Isaiah | Judgment and salvation; the coming Messiah. |
Jeremiah | Jeremiah | Warning before exile and hope of new covenant. |
Lamentations | Jeremiah | Grief and God’s mercy after Jerusalem’s fall. |
Ezekiel | Ezekiel | God’s glory, judgment, and restoration. |
Daniel | Daniel | God’s sovereignty over kingdoms. |
Hosea | Hosea | God’s faithful love for unfaithful Israel. |
Joel | Joel | The Day of the Lord and call to repentance. |
Amos | Amos | Justice and righteousness in society. |
Obadiah | Obadiah | Judgment on Edom; justice for Israel. |
Jonah | Jonah | God’s mercy for all nations. |
Micah | Micah | Justice, mercy, and hope in the coming Messiah. |
Nahum | Nahum | Judgment on Nineveh. |
Habakkuk | Habakkuk | Living by faith amid injustice. |
Zephaniah | Zephaniah | The coming “Day of the Lord.” |
Haggai | Haggai | Encouragement to rebuild God’s temple. |
Zechariah | Zechariah | Visions of restoration and Messiah’s reign. |
Malachi | Malachi | Call to return to faithful worship. |
Each of these writers contributed to a single unfolding story — God’s covenant love and promise of a Redeemer.
You can explore these authors in greater depth — with fascinating facts, reflection prompts, and how each book points to Christ — inside the Bible Authors Study Pack, available individually and in the Super Saver Bible Study Bundle.
Who Wrote the Books of the New Testament?
The New Testament was written after the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It completes the story begun in the Old Testament—revealing how God’s promises were fulfilled in Christ and how the early Church was established through the Holy Spirit’s power.
When people ask, “Who wrote the books of the New Testament?” the answer includes eight or nine key authors, all of whom were eyewitnesses to Jesus or close companions of those who were.
These writers—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and possibly the anonymous writer of Hebrews—recorded the Gospel accounts, the history of the Church, and letters of encouragement to believers. Each one wrote with the same divine inspiration, yet from a unique perspective and purpose.
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” — John 20:31 (NIV)
Here’s a quick look at who wrote each New Testament book and the main theme of their writing:
Authors Of The New Testament
Book | Author | Main Theme / Focus |
Matthew | Matthew (Levi) | Jesus as the promised Messiah and King. |
Mark | John Mark | Jesus as the Suffering Servant. |
Luke | Luke | Jesus as the perfect Son of Man. |
John | John | Jesus as the eternal Son of God. |
Acts | Luke | Growth of the early Church through the Spirit. |
Romans | Paul | Salvation by grace through faith. |
1–2 Corinthians | Paul | Christian living and unity in the Church. |
Galatians | Paul | Freedom from the law through grace. |
Ephesians | Paul | Our identity and unity in Christ. |
Philippians | Paul | Joy and contentment in Christ. |
Colossians | Paul | The supremacy of Christ. |
1–2 Thessalonians | Paul | Hope in Christ’s return. |
1–2 Timothy, Titus | Paul | Guidance for pastors and leaders. |
Philemon | Paul | Forgiveness and brotherhood in Christ. |
Hebrews | Unknown (possibly Paul, Apollos, or Luke) | Christ as our great High Priest. |
James | James (half-brother of Jesus) | Faith proven through action. |
1–2 Peter | Peter | Perseverance and holiness under trial. |
1–3 John | John | Living in truth, love, and assurance. |
Jude | Jude (half-brother of Jesus) | Contending for the faith. |
Revelation | John | Christ’s ultimate victory and eternal kingdom. |
Just like the Old Testament, these books—though written by different people—form one clear message: Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of every promise God ever made.
💡 Want to Dive Deeper?
The printable Bible Authors Study Pack includes fascinating author insights, historical context, and reflection prompts to help you understand how each writer points to Christ. It’s included inside the Super Saver Bible Study Bundle, so you’ll have a beautiful, printable chart of all 66 books and their authors to study and teach from.
How the Bible Came Together
The Bible as we know it today didn’t appear all at once. God’s Word was written over centuries, then faithfully collected, preserved, and recognized by His people.
The Old Testament books were treasured by Israel long before Jesus was born. The New Testament writings were recognized by the early Church as the inspired record of Christ’s life, His teachings, and the work of the apostles.
The process of gathering these books is called the “canon of Scripture.”The word canon simply means “measuring rod” — the standard by which writings were recognized as God’s Word.
The books included in our Bible were chosen not by popularity, but because they met clear spiritual marks:
They were written by prophets or apostles (or their close companions).
They agreed fully with the rest of Scripture.
They were widely accepted and used by believers from the beginning.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” — Matthew 24:35 (NIV)
Through wars, exiles, persecutions, and generations of copying by hand, God faithfully preserved His Word. What we hold today is the same message He spoke through His prophets and apostles — His living Word that still transforms lives.
Conclusion: Many Writers, One Divine Author
So, who wrote the Bible?
In human terms, about forty authors — kings, prophets, shepherds, tax collectors, fishermen, and scholars — each guided by the Holy Spirit. In divine terms, there is only one true Author: God Himself.
Across 66 books and 1,500 years of history, these men recorded one unified message — the story of God’s love, His covenant with His people, and His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.
The Bible’s diversity of voices shows us that God can speak through anyone willing to listen. And its unity reminds us that every book, from Genesis to Revelation, points to the same Savior.
“For the word of God is alive and active… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Understanding who wrote the Bible helps us appreciate not only the depth of Scripture but also its miraculous preservation. It strengthens our faith to know that the same God who inspired these authors is still speaking through His Word today.
✍️ Ready to Go Deeper?
If you enjoyed learning about how many authors wrote the Bible and who wrote each book, you’ll love the Bible Authors Study Pack — a beautiful printable guide that includes:
A complete Biblical Authors Chart (Old and New Testament)
Fascinating facts about each writer
How each author points to Christ.
You’ll find it inside the Super Saver Bible Study Bundle, where you’ll also get dozens of printable Bible studies designed to help you grow in faith and fall in love with God’s Word.
Because once you know the authors of Scripture, you’ll never read your Bible the same way again.
Super-Saver Bible Study & Prayer Bundle (Digital/Printable) Perfect for Churches, Home Groups & Personal Study
Let’s Stay Connected!
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Blessings,
Karen xo
