What is the Oldest Book in the Holy Bible? Find the Answers Here
It is difficult to say that which book is the oldest in the Bible. As in Ancient time, the message was conveyed orally or verbally, not written down. Modern Scholars stated that the composition of the teaching was started at about 900 B.C and terminated in 400 B.C. It is uncertainly believed that the book of “Genesis” emerged as oldest book in the Holy Bible.
Most Scholars assumed that the written composition began between 7 and 4 B.C century. Therefore, book of “Job” is considered as oldest book containing dates which are assigned primarily Mosaic era and late Maccabean era.
The Pentateuch
The Pentateuch is a cumulative term related to first 5 books including Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy of oldest Testaments and written or complied in 9-5 centeries B.C by Moses. Further, The Pentateuch word originated from Greek word “Penta_Five” and “Teukhos_book, implement” and in Latin language it is converted into “Pentateuch”.
Genesis Book
Genesis covered the primitive events from the “Creation and Fall of Mankind” in the Bible. Therefore, assumed as oldest book of Bible. Exodus 34:1-4 informed us that God’ Moses engrave a number of messages on rock or stone table. It is not assured that when final form of composition emerged.
Job Book
Job is considered by ome scholars as oldest testament or book as it explained some circumstances that occurred before Moses’ lifetime, nevertheless it dosen’t signify that it wrote at that moment.
Theological focus within Job cuntructed on the educated heuristics spot on its writing in the course of Exilic Period as a book for Israelites. Hence, this scenario positioning it as behind the book of Genesis.
The book of Job is the least reading book of Bible as it is frequently used as allusion across Scripture. Job is written in the form of Drama not as prose or poetry.
According to this book, an angel in God’s court summons that job is faithful as he has a pleasant and satisfactory life. God proclaimed that Job has determined faith as he will not give up his faith inspite of horrible things happen to him. Due to this fact, God blesses him more.
Composition of Book Job
The book of Job assumed that it was written between 1900 and 1700 BC in the era of Patriarchs. This book has similar theme as Babylonion work “Ludlul-Bel-Nimeqi” but it doesn’t mean that they are the derivatives of each other.
Job is a drama although Ludlul-Bel-Nimeqi is a monologue. The book Job containing themes are more likely to ancient era while its language is not. Job is written in the Hebrew that is not much like ancient Hebrew Tanakh which composed most of oldest Testamnet.
The book Job’s age can be estimated as some events are noticeably missing in this book as it contains many traditions and cultures that are not famous in this modern age. There is no referrence of the moses or priesthood, Israelites and Promised land.
Job’s wealth can 26 be determined by the dimension of his herds and unique silver coins called as “Qesiytah” which are under his supervision or possession. These are used as way of money in ancient era between 1900-1700 BC. Job is the oldest book of bible than Gensis as it covers events that occur before the Gensis and composed them 400 years older than Genesis.
Other Oldest Books of Bible
There are six oldest books of Bible that are listed below;
Book of Judges
The book of judges written in 10 century BCE by the writer Samual unknown writer and containing 21 chapters. It covers the tale of Israelities after the death of Joshua for the formation of kingdom. In this book , the ancestors of Joshua and his follower Israelites vanquish the Promised Land and are blessed by the God’s blessings.
Book of Joshua
The book of Joshua consisting of 26 chapters and written by the Joshua and Eleazar son of Aaron in 15 century BCE. This book proceed with the story of Israelities from the Pantateuch.
After the death of Moses, God assign the powers of israelites as leadership to Joshua. There is authentications that most of the book is written by Joshua and final term containing funeral of Joshua written by Eleazar son of Aaron.
Book of Deuteronomy
Book of Deuteronomy was written by Moses having 34 chapters in 1406-1446 century BCE. It is the 5th book in Bible and the concluding in the Pantateuch. This book culminates the story of Moses. In this book , Moses summons his concluding word and composing the transfer of leadership of the Israelites to Joshua.
Book of Numbers
This book is written by Moses containing 36 chapters in 1406-1446 BCE. Some part of it is edited later. The book of numbers carry with tale from Exodus and exhibit Israelities ready to depart Mount Sinai for the sake of Promised land.
Book of Leviticus
This book is also write by Moses in 1406-1446 CBE consisting of 27 chapters. This book contains God’s allocution to Moses to instruct the Moses to redo the rest of the Israelites. It also explain the God’s rule and code of jurisprudance for worship in promised land of Israelites.
Book of Exodus
The book of Exodus containing 40 chapters and written by Moses in 1406-1446 BCE. It is the second book in the Bible and continue teachings from where the Genesis ended. In this book, story of Israelites Freedom and departure from Egypt explained. The significant part of the book Exodus is that God divulges the Ten Commandments and the book of the Covenant to Moses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
In this article, all the oldest books of the Bible are explained with their year of composition. The book Job is considered written 400 years ago than Gensis and includes proceedings that occur before the composition of Gensis.
Although, it is not confirmed that which book is the oldest as many scholars think that before the composition of books, the teachings were written down on the stone tables.
