Scripture was written over a 1600 year span, over three continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe), in three different languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic), and by over 40 different authors. It exists as one coherent, sacred document, and it remains an indestructible best seller. This is fascinating in itself. But let’s look into some of these writers. Each of them was directed by the Holy Spirit in composing their part of this book we call the Bible.
It may surprise you to know that there are six books of the Bible to which we must attach the “anonymous authorship” label. We could, of course, speculate – and we do – but most of us come to the honest conclusion that we just don’t know who wrote them. These include both books called Samuel, both Kings, and Hebrews. But of course, this mystery does not at all diminish their impact.
Many of the books bear the names of their authors. In the Old Testament, this includes the book of Joshua as well as all the men writing in the genre of the prophets. Note that Jeremiah also wrote Lamentations as a poetic sequel to his documented history of what was happening to God’s people when they were exiled to Babylon. In the New Testament, the Gospels each bear the name of their author. Luke also wrote Acts as a continuation to his gospel. Peter wrote two epistles (letters), and John, the gospel author, also wrote three epistles and the book of Revelation. After Christ’s resurrection, two of His half-brothers believed, and they wrote James and Jude. The rest of the New Testament books are writings Paul sent to various congregations of believers or to individuals; these bear the names of the people and places they were sent to.
Moses probably wrote the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament); he probably did not scribe the part about his own death. Now we get to an area of authorship where most Christians might be stumped by a trivia challenge: Samuel probably wrote Judges and Ruth. Ezra is credited with the Chronicles, Nehemiah, and the book bearing his name.
Psalms – which was originally divided into 5 books – had several different authors. Though many assume David composed all of them, we know he wrote 73; Asaph wrote 12, sons of Korah -11, Solomon, two, and Moses wrote one: Psalm 90. Fifty of the psalms are by that “anonymous” person. And who can forget Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman the Erzahite, who each composed one.
Solomon wrote most of the book of Proverbs except a chapter by Agur, son of Jakeh, (ch.30) and one by King Lemuel (ch.31). Solomon also wrote the Song of Solomon, which is interesting when reflecting on the fact of his having hundreds of wives and concubines. After he took his indulgences to the limit, he wrote Ecclesiastes as well.
Researching some of the “other” or lesser-known authors makes an interesting pursuit. In the next post, let’s get to know Asaph, the Sons of Korah, Ethan and Heman (Ezrahites), Agur, and King Lemuel.