How old is the Bible?

Answer  
  

Since the Bible was written by around [40 different authors](Bible-authors.html) over a period of around 1,500 years, the question “How old is the Bible?” cannot be answered with a single number. The first book of the Bible to be written, likely Genesis or Job, was completed around 1400 BC. The last book of the Bible to be written, likely Revelation, was completed around AD 90\. So, if you go by when the Bible was first started to be written, the Bible is over 3,400 years old. But, if you go by when the Bible was completed, the Bible is over 1,900 years old.  
  

Most conservative Bible scholars believe that either the [Book of Genesis](Book-of-Genesis.html) or the [Book of Job](Book-of-Job.html) was the first book of the Bible to be written, likely by Moses, and likely during the 40 years of wilderness wandering in between the exodus from Egypt and the death of Moses. This would put the date of authorship somewhere between 1450 BC and 1400 BC.  
  

Also, most conservative Bible scholars believe the [Book of Revelation](Book-of-Revelation.html) was the last book of the Bible to be written, by the apostle John, between AD 90 and 95, during John’s exile on the island of [Patmos](Patmos-in-the-Bible.html). It is possible that John wrote 1, 2, or 3 John, or even the [Gospel of John](Gospel-of-John.html), after the Book of Revelation. But the consensus is that the Book of Revelation was the last of John’s writings.  
  

The Bible is truly an amazing book. The Bible is between 3,400 and 1,900 years old and has influenced many people and cultures all around the world. Even as it dates back to ancient history, the Bible’s message is completely true and [applicable today](Bible-apply-today.html). Only through divine inspiration could the Bible have been written so long ago, and over such a long period of time, and still be [free of error and contradiction](Bible-errors.html).  
  

