Brothers and Sisters World

Authors and Time Span of the Bible

Genesis

Genesis is a book about beginnings:
*The Creation
*The new world after the Flood
*The beginning of the Jewish Nation
Author: Moses
Time span: about 2000-1650 B.C.
Setting: An area of the Middle East known as the "fertile crescent".

Exodus

Under Moses' leadership, God rescued His people from slavery
in Egypt. Exodus contains
* The Plagues
* Crossing the Red Sea
* The Ten Commandments
Author: Moses
Time span: about 1325-1225 B.C.
Setting: The Nile Delta in Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula. MAP

Leviticus

The duties of the priests and Levites; How to offer sacrifices and carry out ceremonial law.
Author: Moses
Time span: about 1325-1225 B.C.
Setting: The Sinai Peninsula.

Numbers

The life of Israel's clans after they leave Mount Sinai.
Author: Moses
Time span: 1325-1225 B.C.
Setting: Mount Sinai and the Sinai Peninsula.

Deuteronomy

The second record of God's laws. Israel is about to enter the Promised Land.
Author: Moses
Time span: about 1230 B.C.
Setting: The plains east of the River Jordan.

Joshua

Led by Joshua, the Israelites invade Canaan (known as Israel, the Promised Land).
Author: unknown
Time span: about 1230-1200 B.C.
Settings: The plains east of the River Jordan; Canaan.

Judges

Even though Israel is being disobedient, God provides some "heroes" to rescue them during the time between Israel's taking of Canaan and the first kings.
Author: unknown
Time span: about 1200-1070 B.C.
Setting: Canaan (the land of Israel).

Ruth

The story of Ruth. A Story of love, loyalty, and God's care for everyone who is faithful to Him, even people of different nationalities.
Author: unknown
Time span: 1375-1050 B.C.
Setting: Bethlehem and Moab.

1 and 2 Samuel

The history of Israel from the last of the judges (Eli and Samuel), and the first two kings (Saul and David).
Author: unknown
Time span: about 1200-1070 B.C.
Setting: Canaan (the land of Israel).

1 and 2 Kings

Israel's history from David's death, through the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death, to the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple by the Babylonians.
Author: unknown
Time span: about 970-586 B.C.
Setting: the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

1 and 2 Chronicles

These 2 books try to tell the Jews, who are back in Jerusalem, that they are still God's people, despite their troubled history. These books also tell of the same events written in 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings.
Author: unknown, but many scholars believe Ezra may have written it.
Time span: about 1000-586 B.C.
Setting: Israel and Judah.

Ezra

Tells about two groups of Jews who return to their homeland from exile in Babylon. They rebuild the temple, and begin to observe the Law, under Ezra's leadership.
Author: possibly Ezra
Time span: about 538-428 B.C.
Setting: Jerusalem

Nehemiah

Nehemiah, a Jewish exile, leads another group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He becomes governor of Judea and begins the rebuilding of the city walls.
Author: Nehemiah
Time span: about 458-432 B.C.
Setting: Jerusalem

Esther

Esther, a beautiful Jewish girl, becomes queen to the Persian Emperor, Ahasuerus (Xerxes). Mordecai (her guardian) helps Esther stops a plot to have all the Jews in the kingdom killed.
Author: unknown
Time span: about 460 B.C.
Setting: Susa (Persia)

Job

The Story of Job, a godly man, who loses everything yet never loses his faith in God.
Author: unknown
Time span: unknown
Setting: unknown

Psalms

A collection of 150 hymns, poems, and prayers, expressing deep faith and love for God.
Author: Many different writers. Many titles are linked to King David.
Time span: These were made throughout Israel's history.

Proverbs

A large collection of wise sayings. The main theme of this book is to find and follow godly wisdom.
Author: Solomon and other wisdom teachers.
Time span: Throughout Israel's kingdom period.

Ecclesiastes

The Author of this book trusts God, but believes that we can never know what God's intentions really are. For the writer, a life of faith is difficult.
Author: Solomon or a Jewish sage.
Time span: uncertain

Song of Songs
(also known as "Song of Solomon")

A collection of six songs expressing the wonder of unselfish love between a husband and wife.
Author: possibly Solomon
Time span: about 971-931 B.C.
Setting: The countryside in springtime.

Isaiah

God tells Isaiah (a prophet) to warn people of the judgement on those who turn from Him. Isaiah's message is that Israel must depend on God alone. This book contains many prophecies, and is full of promises about the coming Messiah.
Author: Isaiah
Time Span: Around 790-722 B.C.
Settings: Jerusalem

Jeremiah

All of Jeremiah's prophecies came true. He spoke of the coming judgement on Israel because of sin and idolatry.
Author: Jeremiah
Time Span: About 627-586 B.C.
Setting: Judah

Lamentations

A collection of five poems expressing the sorrow of the Jews at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Most of this book is written in an acrostic (based on the letters of the Hebrew alphabet),expressing the fear that God had abandoned his people. The writer, however, puts his faith on God's unfailing mercy.
Author: Uncertain, but possibly Jeremiah.
Time Span: Probably 586 B.C.
Setting: Jerusalem

Ezekiel

Most of Ezekiel's message is about sin and judgement. Ezekiel (a prophet and priest) proclaims that God's glory and holiness can not tolerate impurity and idolatry. He predicted the fall of Jerusalem.
Author: Ezekiel
Time Span: About 593-571 B.C.
Setting: Babylon

Daniel

Daniel's story is one of courage and faith in the middle of persecution. The book of Daniel also includes visions of the future and a prayer.
Author: Daniel
Time Span: about 605-536 B.C.
Setting: Babylonia

Hosea

Hosea (a compassionate man), warns against Israel's corrupt lifestyle. Dealing with his own family problems makes him sensitive to Israel's unfaithfulness. Hosea warns Israel of destruction and urges the people to return to God and His blessings.
Author: Hosea
Time Span: about 790-715 B.C.
Setting: Northern kingdom of Israel.

Joel

Joel, the prophet, calls for national repentance. He looks forward to a time of rich blessings when God's Spirit will be poured out on to everyone.
Author: attributed to Joel
Time Span: uncertain
Setting: Judah

Amos

Amos speaks out against the unfairness, greed, and hypocrisy of Israel and other nations.
Author: Amos
Time Span: about 790-722 B.C.
Setting: Northern Kingdom of Israel

Obadiah

Obadiah is a short prophesy against the Edomites, a nation that had taken advantage of Jerusalem. Obadiah also warns that God will destroy Edom. Israel will not only get back their land, but also the land of the Edomites.
Author: Obadiah
Time Span: uncertain
Setting: Jerusalem

Jonah

Jonah doesn't like the idea that God's mercy extends beyond Israel, to it's enemies. This book shows how God sets out to change Jonah's thinking. This book tells about Jonah and the great fish.
Author: Jonah
Time Span: 793-753 B.C.
Setting: The Great Sea and Assyria

Micah

Micah, a prophet, is sickened by the false sacrifices and empty worship of Israel. His main concerns are for social justice and true religion. His hope is in God's future peace and blessing.
Author: Micah
Time Span: 750-722 B.C.
Setting: Israel and Judah

Nahum

This book is an oracle against Nineveh, capital of the cruel and powerful Assyrians.
Author: Nahum
Time Span: around 612 B.C.
Setting: Judah

Habakkuk

Habakkuk wrestles with some difficult questions: Why does God allow wicked people to prosper? Why is the evil Babylonia allowed to overpower weaker, less evil nations? Habakkuk decides that God can be trusted.
Author: Habakkuk
Time Span: 612-597 B.C.
Setting: Judah

Zephaniah

Zephaniah predicts that Jerusalem is doomed for being so disobedient, but that a small number of the population will survive and have a great future.
Author: Zephaniah
Time Span: 640-609 B.C.
Setting: Judah

Haggai

Haggai the prophet encourages God's people who have returned from exile, to finish rebuilding the temple. The people had abandoned the project, and built fine homes for themselves instead. But with Haggai's encouragement, the rebuilding of the temple resumes.
Author: Haggai
Time Span: 520 B.C.
Setting: Jerusalem

Zechariah

The prophet declares that a new age has begun. He speaks of the blessings of Jerusalem and the whole world. Zechariah speaks of the coming of a Messiah, who is sent by God.
Author: Zechariah
Time Span: 520-515 B.C.
Setting: Jerusalem

Malachi

Malachi the prophet challenges Israel to keep God's commandments and to rely on God for future blessings.
Author: Malachi
Time Span: about 430 B.C.
Setting: Jerusalem

Matthew

This Gospel links the Old Testament and the New. It tells about Jesus the Messiah, as foretold by the prophets. Matthew tells about:
* the birth of Jesus
* Jesus' baptism
* Jesus' temptations
* the trial and crucifixion of Jesus
* Jesus' resurrection
Some of the famous passages in Matthew:
* The Lord's Prayer
* The Great Commission
* Sermon on the Mount
Author: Matthew
Time span: 60-80 A.D
Setting: Jerusalem and Galilee

Mark

Author: John Mark
Time span: 60-70 A.D.
Setting: Jerusalem and Galilee

Luke

Author: Luke
Time span: 60-80 A.D.
Setting: Jerusalem and Galilee

John

Author: John
Time span: 60-90 A.D.
Setting: Jerusalem and Galilee

Acts

Author: Luke
Time span: 60-80 A.D.
Setting: The Roman Empire

Romans

Author: Paul
Time span: 55-60 A.D.

1 Corinthians

Author: Paul
Time span: 55-60 A.D.

2 Corinthians

Author: Paul
Time span: 55-60 A.D.

Galatians

Author: Paul
Time span: 45-55 A.D.

Ephesians

Author: Paul
Time span: 60 A.D.

Philippians

Author: Paul
Time span: 55-60 A.D.

Colossians

Author: Paul
Time span: 55-60 A.D.

1 Thessalonians

Author: Paul
Time span: 45-50 A.D.

2 Thessalonians

Author: Paul
Time span: 45-50 A.D.

1 Timothy

Author: Paul
Time span: 60-65 A.D.

2 Timothy

Author: Paul
Time span: 60-65 A.D.

Titus

Author: Paul
Time span: 60-65 A.D.

Philemon

Author: Paul
Time span: 60-65 A.D.

Hebrews

Author: unknown
Time span: before 70 A.D.

James

Author: James (brother of Jesus)
Time span: 50-70 A.D.

1 Peter

Author: Peter
Time span: 60-65 A.D.

2 Peter

Author: Peter
Time span: uncertain

1 John

Author: John
Time span: 50-70 A.D.

2 John

Author: John
Time span: 50-70 A.D.

3 John

Author: John
Time span: 50-70 A.D.

Jude

Author: Jude
Time span: 60-80 A.D.

Revelation

Author: John
Time span: 80-100 A.D.