Selected books of the Bible
This starter set covers 12 books. For each one: when tradition says it was written, what scholars date it to, and how long we have to wait for our earliest copy.
Old Testament
Genesis
Claimed: 1450 BC – 1400 BC
Earliest MS: 4Q Genesis Fragments · gap 1,375 years
Exodus
Claimed: 1450 BC – 1400 BC
Earliest MS: Nash Papyrus · gap 1,300 years
Numbers
Claimed: 1410 BC – 1400 BC
Earliest MS: Ketef Hinnom Silver Scrolls · gap 780 years
Deuteronomy
Claimed: 1410 BC – 1400 BC
Earliest MS: Papyrus Rylands 458 · gap 1,280 years
Psalms
Claimed: 1000 BC – 400 BC
Earliest MS: Great Psalms Scroll · gap 750 years
Isaiah
Claimed: 740 BC – 680 BC
Earliest MS: Great Isaiah Scroll · gap 585 years
New Testament
Matthew
Claimed: AD 50 – AD 65
Earliest MS: Papyrus P45 (Chester Beatty I) · gap 168 years
Mark
Claimed: AD 50 – AD 70
Earliest MS: Papyrus P45 (Chester Beatty I) · gap 165 years
Luke
Claimed: AD 60 – AD 85
Earliest MS: Papyrus P75 (Bodmer XIV-XV) · gap 128 years
John
Claimed: AD 70 – AD 100
Earliest MS: Papyrus P52 (Rylands Library Papyrus P52) · gap 65 years
Romans
Claimed: AD 55 – AD 58
Earliest MS: Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II) · gap 144 years
Revelation
Claimed: AD 90 – AD 96
Earliest MS: Papyrus P98 · gap 82 years