Table of Contents
Who wrote Genesis? Who wrote the Bible's first book?
Moses is the writer of the book of Genesis by inspiration of Almighty God.
Quick facts about the Writer of Genesis
- According to many bible scholars, the prophet Moses of the Jewish exodus wrote the book of Genesis by inspiration of God as all scripture is given.
- It's interesting, the book of Revelation was written before it happened by a person not in that time, and the first book of the Bible was written by Moses about events before his time.
- The writing of Genesis shows the truth - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever, and that there is no limitation with God for with Him all things are possible
When was Genesis Written?- Genesis was written according to many scholars between 1445 B.C. or 1290 B.C
- Another belief among scholars is that Genesis was written around 1500 BC, somewhere around 3,500 years ago.
Here's a scholarly table on its compilation:
| Scholar / Institution / Major Work | View (with Scriptural Reference) |
|---|---|
| Kenneth Kitchen – University of Liverpool – On the Reliability of the Old Testament (2003) | Genesis reflects early second millennium BCE traditions preserved through oral and later written forms (Genesis 12:4–5; Genesis 15:18). |
| Umberto Cassuto – Hebrew University – A Commentary on the Book of Genesis (1961) | Genesis preserves authentic patriarchal material likely compiled during the late second millennium BCE (Genesis 5:1–32; Genesis 12:1–9). |
| Gleason Archer – Trinity Evangelical Divinity School – A Survey of Old Testament Introduction (1974) | While written later, the material reflects genuine events and oral traditions of the patriarchal age (Genesis 14; Genesis 26:12–14). |
| F.F. Bruce – University of Manchester – The Books and the Parchments (1952) | The text shows evidence of multiple editorial layers but preserves traditions from the second millennium BCE (Genesis 1–11; Genesis 12–50). |
| John Sailhamer – Talbot School of Theology – The Pentateuch as Narrative (1992) | Compiled by Moses or his school around 15th–13th century BCE, preserving early oral and written traditions (Genesis 1:1–2:4; Genesis 5:1–32). |
| Herman Gunkel – University of Göttingen – Genesis (1901) | Source-critical analysis suggests Genesis draws on J, E, P, and D sources, compiled mainly during the exilic/post-exilic period (Genesis 1–11; Genesis 12–50). |
| Richard Elliott Friedman – University of California, Berkeley – The Bible with Sources Revealed (1987) | Multiple sources (J, E, P) indicate compilation during the 10th–5th centuries BCE, reflecting both oral and early written traditions (Genesis 2:4–4:26; Genesis 12–50). |
| John Van Seters – University of Toronto – Prologue to History (1992) | Written during the late monarchy or exilic period (7th–6th centuries BCE), incorporating earlier oral traditions (Genesis 1–11; Genesis 12–50). |
| Moshe Weinfeld – Hebrew University – Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomic School (1992) | Material in Genesis likely compiled over centuries, with final redaction around the 6th century BCE (Genesis 1–50). |
| R. K. Harrison – Trinity Evangelical Divinity School – Introduction to the Old Testament (1969) | Oral traditions date to the second millennium BCE, but final compilation may have occurred during the Babylonian exile (Genesis 1–11; Genesis 12–50). |
How do we know Moses wrote Genesis?
This one is simple. The Lord Jesus said so by inference. In the books of Matthew and Mark while The Lord was discussing marriage and divorce He attributed His response to the Pharisees from the book of the law, specifically to Genesis. He refuted their stance on Moses with the writings of Moses in Genesis.
Let's look at this here with my additions for the sake of clarity:
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? (Deuteronomy- Moses)
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Genesis- Moses)
He answers their misunderstanding about the law with the before the fall basis in the law, establishing the original intent and order.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? (Deuteronomy- Moses)
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. (Genesis- Moses)
Do you see it. He answers the question with foundational assertion of the same writer, Moses.
The Story of The Man of God, Moses
Moses and Joshua in Egypt with Hebrew Slaves before Moses encountered God at the burning bush.
I hope that this was an informative read for you on the orgins of the Book of Genesis and its Mosaic authorship. Here is a final article that I've assembled for you showing scholarly basis for the Moses attribution.
| Scholar | View on Authorship of Genesis (with Scriptural Reference) |
|---|---|
| Moses Maimonides – 12th century | Moses authored Genesis and the Pentateuch entirely. Scriptural basis: Exodus 24:4, “And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord,” showing Moses’ role in recording God’s commands and narratives. |
| Thomas Aquinas – University of Paris, 13th century | Mosaic authorship guided by divine inspiration; Moses wrote Genesis as historical record. Scriptural basis: Numbers 33:2, “And Moses wrote their starting places according to their journeys at the command of the Lord.” |
| Kenneth Kitchen – University of Liverpool | Moses as author of Genesis, preserving authentic patriarchal traditions. Scriptural basis: Exodus 17:14, Moses recording events at God’s command. |
| Umberto Cassuto – Hebrew University | Moses compiled Genesis from oral and early written traditions. Scriptural basis: Deuteronomy 31:9, “And Moses wrote this law and delivered it,” demonstrating Moses’ writing of God’s instructions. |
| Gleason Archer – Trinity Evangelical Divinity School | Moses authored Genesis, with minor editorial adjustments later. Scriptural basis: Exodus 24:12–13, Moses recording the laws and events on Sinai. |
| John Sailhamer – Talbot School of Theology | Moses or his school compiled Genesis; oral traditions included. Scriptural basis: Numbers 33:2, Deuteronomy 31:9, 24, showing Moses’ historical record-keeping. |
| Matthew Henry – Gray’s Inn, 1708–1710 | Mosaic authorship of Genesis; Moses as divinely inspired historian. Scriptural basis: Deuteronomy 31:24–26, Moses wrote the law and historical records as commanded by God. |
| John Gill – University of Aberdeen (Honorary), 1720–1771 | Moses wrote Genesis under God’s inspiration. Scriptural basis: Exodus 24:4, “Moses wrote all the words of the Lord,” affirming his authorship. |
| F.F. Bruce – University of Manchester | Moses compiled Genesis using preserved traditions. Scriptural basis: Deuteronomy 31:24–26, Moses’ role in writing covenantal law as historical record. |
| Richard Bentley – Cambridge University, 17th–18th century | Moses as author of Genesis, recording history faithfully. Scriptural basis: Numbers 33:2 and Exodus 17:14, Moses’ writing under divine guidance. |
