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Who wrote the books of the Torah, Prophets and Writings?

by Rabbi Yossi Marcus

  

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Every letter and word in the twenty-four books of the Bible is of Divine origin. However, G-d's message contained in these books was penned by different scribes:

Five Books of Moses—Moses

Joshua—Joshua (except for last couple of verses that speak of his death, which were written by Phineas)

Judges—Samuel

Samuel—Samuel wrote up until Samuel I 25:1. The rest was written by Gad and Nathan.

Kings—Jeremiah

Jeremiah—Jeremiah (and completed by the Men of the Great Assembly*)

Ezekiel—Men of the Great Assembly

Isaiah—published by the School of King Hezekiah

Twelve Minor Prophets—published by the Men of the Great Assembly in one scroll

Psalms—David (but includes psalms from others such as Adam, Abraham and Moses)

Proverbs—Solomon

Ecclesiastes—Solomon

Song of Songs—Solomon

Job—Moses1

2Ruth—Samuel

Lamentations—Jeremiah

Esther—published by the Men of the Great Assembly

Daniel—published by the Men of the Great Assembly

Ezra and Nehemiah—Ezra

Book of Chronicles—Ezra (and by Nehemiah from Chronicles II 21:2 and on)3

*Click here to read about "Who were the "Anshei Knesset Hagedolah"; "Men of the Great Assembly"?"

Footnotes

  • 1. Or, according to another Talmudic opinion, the Men of the Great Assembly.
  • 2. Or, according to another Talmudic opinion, the Men of the Great Assembly.
  • 3. Talmud Baba Batra 14b-15a.

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RELATED CATEGORIES

Torah » The Bible » The Prophets
Torah » The Bible » Five Books of Moses
Joshua
1. Assumed the leadership of the Jewish people after Moses died in 1267 BCE. He split the Jordan River and led the Jewish people in their conquest of the Promised Land. 2. One of the 24 books of the Bible, which chronicles Joshua's leadership.
Esther
1. Jewish wife of Persian King Ahasuerus in the 4th century BCE. Foiled the plot of Haman, the prime minister, to exterminate all the Jews. The holiday of Purim commemorates this miraculous salvation. 2. One of the 24 Books of the Bible, which chronicles the abovementioned story.
Moses
[Hebrew pronunciation: Moshe] Greatest prophet to ever live. Led the Jews out of Egyptian bondage amidst awesome miracles; brought down the Tablets from Mount Sinai; and transmitted to us word-for-word the Torah he heard from G-d's mouth. Died in the year 1272 BCE.
Men of the Great Assembly
An institution of 120 rabbis who led the Jewish people at the onset of the Second Temple Era. They canonized the 24 books of the Bible and composed most of the prayers we have today. This institution lasted approximately 200 years.
Abraham
First Jew, and first of our three Patriarchs. Born into a pagan society in Mesepotamia in 1812 BCE, he discovered monethieism on his own. He was told by G-d to journey to the Land of Canaan where he and his wife Sarah would give birth to the Jewish People.
Adam
The first man, created by G-d on the sixth day of creation. He was banished from the Garden of Eden after eating from the forbidden fruit of the forbidden knowledge. Died in 2830 BCE.
Samuel
1. A prophet and judge who appointed Saul as the first king of Israel in the 9th century BCE. 2. One of the 24 books of the Bible, named after the abovementioned Samuel, one of the main characters of the book.
David
King of Israel who succeeded Saul, becoming king of Israel in 876 BCE. Originally a shepherd, he became popular after he killed the Philistine strongman, Goliath. He is the progenitor of the Davidic royal dynasty -- which will return to the throne with the arrival of King Messiah.
Solomon
Son of King David, and succeeded him on the throne of Israel in the year 836 BCE. he was the wisest man to ever live. He built the first Holy Temple and authored several books of the Bible.
Isaiah
1. One of the greatest prophets, lived in the 7th century BCE. 2. One of the 24 books of the Bible, containing the prophecies of Isaiah. The book is filled with prophecies concerning the Messianic redemption.
Jeremiah
1. Jewish prophet who lived in the 5th century BCE. 2. One of the 24 books of the Bible, containing the prophecies of Jeremiah. The book is replete with prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple.
Ezekiel
1. Major Jewish prophet who lived in the 5th century BCE. 2. One of the 24 books of the Bible, containing the prophecies which Ezekiel transmitted.
Psalms
The Book of Psalms. One of the 24 books of the Bible. Compiled by King David; mostly comprised of poetic praise for G-d. A large part of our prayers are culled from this book.
Proverbs
One of the 24 books of the Bible. A collection of moral writings authored by King Solomon.
Song of Songs
One of the 24 books of the Bible, authored by King Solomon. This book, which ostensibly is a love poem, is an analogy meant to depict the love between G-d and His bride, the Jewish Nation.
Ruth
1. A Moabite woman who accompanied Naomi, the Jewish mother of her deceased husband, back to Israel. She converted, married, and was the ancestor of King David. 2. One of the 24 books of the Bible, which chronicles the events of Naomi's life.
Lamentations
One of the 24 books of the Bible, this poetic scripture, authored by Jeremiah, prophetically details the destruction of Jerusalem.
Ecclesiastes
One of the 24 books of the Bible. This book of wise sayings was authored by King Solomon.
Daniel
1. A Jerusalemite exiled in Babylon after the destruction of the 1st Temple. He interprets dreams, gives accounts of apocalyptic visions, and is divinely delivered from a den of lions. 2. One of the 24 Books of the Bible, which describes the events of Daniel's life.
Ezra
1. A Hebrew priest and scribe, who, together with Nehemiah, revived Judaism in the 4th century BCE. He was instrumental in the building of the 2nd Temple. 2. One of the 24 books of the Bible, which describes the events of Ezra's lifetime.
Nehemiah
1. A Jewish leader who lived in the 4th century BCE. He, together with Ezra, supervised the rebuilding of the Jerusalem city walls and the 2nd Temple, and instituted religious reforms in the city. 2. Commonly accepted to be one of the books of the Bible. In Jewish tradition, however, the "Book of Nehemiah" is actually considered part of the Book of Ezra.
Chronicles
The final book of the Bible. This book summarizes the events described in the first 23 books of the Bible, from Creation until the destruction of the 1st Temple.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.