Determining the oldest book in the Bible is not a straightforward task. There are a few different ways scholars look at this question:
Oldest Book by Composition
If we go by the date when scholars believe the books were originally composed, most agree that the Book of Job is likely the oldest book in the Bible. Job is part of the Wisdom Literature and is estimated to have been written around 2000-1800 BC. The events described in Job probably occurred during the patriarchal period (Genesis 12-50), so the composition dates back to that time even if it was written down later.
Other contenders for oldest book by composition include:
- Genesis – written around 1500-1400 BC
- Exodus – written around 1440-1400 BC
- Leviticus – written around 1440-1400 BC
- Numbers – written around 1440-1380 BC
- Deuteronomy – written around 1400-1370 BC
All of these dates are approximate and based on internal textual clues as well as scholars’ analysis of the development of the Hebrew language. Some more conservative scholars would date these books earlier, while more liberal scholars would date them later. Either way, Job still seems to predate the Torah books.
Oldest Book in the Hebrew Bible
The books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) are organized differently than the Christian Old Testament. In the Hebrew Bible, the first five books are the Torah, followed by the books of the Prophets, and then the Writings which include poetry like Psalms and wisdom literature like Proverbs.
The first book in this organization is Genesis, so by this ordering Genesis would be considered the oldest book in the Hebrew Bible. However, the books are not necessarily ordered chronologically, so Genesis being first does not definitively make it the oldest.
Oldest Book Manuscript
If we look at the oldest physical manuscript evidence we have for biblical books, fragments of Deuteronomy in the Dead Sea Scrolls may take the prize. A fragment known as 4QDeutn dates to around 250-150 BC. Other Dead Sea Scroll fragments dated to the 3rd or 2nd century BC include parts of Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers, Psalms, Isaiah, and more.
The oldest nearly-complete manuscripts are Codex Vaticanus (c. 300s AD) and Codex Sinaiticus (c. 330-360 AD) which include Greek versions of both the Old and New Testament. But for partial manuscripts, Deuteronomy has some of the oldest fragments.
Earliest Canonical Status
Another approach is looking at which book was the first to be recognized as canonical Scripture. From this perspective, the Book of Psalms has a good case for being considered the oldest book in the Bible.
Although composed over a period of centuries, Psalms began to be compiled into its canonical form around 400 BC. The Torah books were still debated as Scripture at this point. Many scholars believe the Book of Psalms was the first section of the Hebrew Bible to be officially canonized, which happened no later than 200 BC.
So while Genesis may be older in composition, Psalms was recognized as authoritative Scripture earlier. This canonical status sets it apart from other books that were not yet affirmed as part of the Hebrew Bible.
Nehemiah’s Library
We find an interesting clue about the oldest biblical books in Nehemiah 8. Around 445-425 BC, after the Jews had returned from exile, Nehemiah assembled the people and had the priest Ezra read the Book of the Law of Moses to them (Nehemiah 8:1-3). This event provides evidence that the books written by Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) had already been completed and were recognized as Scripture at this time.
In addition, Nehemiah later gathered together other books that would have likely included recently written or compiled texts like Ruth, Psalms, Esther, Chronicles, and possibly Job. Nehemiah’s library gives us insight into how the Hebrew Bible began taking shape in the 5th century BC (Nehemiah 8:1, 13:1).
Conclusion
Dating the biblical books is not an exact science, so scholars debate many of the details. However, based on current evidence, Job seems to be the oldest book by composition, written sometime between 2000-1800 BC. Genesis is considered the oldest book in the Hebrew Bible based on its placement, though the order is not strictly chronological.
Psalms has the earliest evidence of canonical status, being affirmed as Scripture around 200 BC. And Nehemiah’s assembly after the exile gives us a snapshot of the books of Moses and other texts being preserved as the Hebrew Bible began to take shape in the 5th century BC.
While we may never be able to determine with complete certainty the identity of the oldest book, these are some of the ways scholars look at the question from different angles. Understanding the background, dating, and context of the biblical books helps us better grasp God’s Word and its ancient roots.