Is there proof for when the bible was written?

Question

I read that Genesis was written around 1400 B.C. and Revelations was written around 90 A.D. Is there any solid proof that those dates are accurate?

Answer 1

No.

Answer 2

No solid proof, but some sketchy evidence.

Genesis was compiled and edited in the 7th century BCE (around the reign of King Josiah), from various stories based on ancient Babylonian legends. The remainder of the Torah was written or compiled around the same time. This conclusion was obtained by a parsimonious reading of 2 Kings 22:8-13, analysis of the priestly rivalries between the northern and southern kingdoms, study of the Hebrew vocabularies in Genesis, and various anachronisms that disprove any date within centuries of 1400 BCE, among other clues.

A study of the fulfilled prophecies in Daniel vs the rationalized prophecies dates the book to between 167 BCE and 164 BCE, a lot later than traditionally believed.

The gospels were all written after 70 CE if you think that it's easier to predict the past than to predict the future. Earlier dates are possible if you don't constrain yourself to real life.

There are too many anachronisms in 1 Peter and 2 Peter for them to have been written during Peter's lifetime.

Etc., etc. It ain't pretty.

Again, there is no solid proof, but you cannot take an apologist's word for anything unless you believe in magic.

Answer 3

There is solid proof those dates are inaccurate.

First in 1400BC was the middle of Egyptian slavery, the Exodus didn't happen until late 13th Century (1225BC? give or take a bit)
Genesis could not have been written before the time of David. By 517BC the First 5 books were complete, canonized and have not changed since. So sometime between 1000 BC two authors- "E" and "J" wrote most of the narratives in the Torah, sometime during the monarchy, the priests wrote and added the oral tradion they got from Moses (most of Levititcus), finally in the exile Ezra finished the Torah (and probably wrote most of Deuteronomy).

Josh, Judge, Sam, Kg-probably in the exile 587-517

Psalms-in 5 parts,
Ps1-41 date from David/Solomon/Temple time 1000BC,
Ps42-72 from Joash's reform in 820
Ps73-89 from eiher Hezakiah in 701 or Josiah in 622
Ps90-106 from exile in 587
Ps107-150 from Ezra in 517

Daniel and Ester were the last books in OT, around 4th Century BC.

Paul's letters 40s & 50s AD
Mark-before 70AD
Matthew, Luke-Acts 80s AD
John, 1Jn,2Jn,3Jn 95-100 AD
Revelation of John the Divine-later 110-120 AD

Answer 4

Have a look at "The Bible Unearthed" by Finkelstein and Silberman for an intriguing investigation of the archaeological evidence.

Answer 5

Jerusalem fell to the Romans in AD 70. This fact is not mentioned in the NT (other than a prophecy by Jesus). This would suggest that the NT was completed before AD70.

Answer 6

What do you need proof for?

It's just important to BELIEVE.

Don't ask questions. Just zip those lips and BELIEVE.

You are a slave to Jesus. You ENJOY being a slave to Jesus. You enjoy donating generously to your McMegachurch every Sunday.

Answer 7

By dating old manuscripts.

Answer 8

moses wrote most of the older books of the old testament and John wrote revelation ... the dates sound about right to me ...90ad sounds alittle late tho... john wouldve been pretty old ...

Answer 9

"Gallic Wars" praising the conquest of Caesar in France was found in 900 ad written by Caesar in 50bc.....do you really believe that crap?

Answer 10

JESUS GENEALOGY AND 2007 CALENDAR TIME

~~~~ Gen.1:1,2 All Exist. 1:3-25 Earth prepared. Space Job 38:30-32; John 17:3,5,24;
~~~~ Col.1:15-17; Rev.3:14; Jesus first creation created in image of God.
0130 Adam Gen.5:3; Gen.1:26,"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."
0105 Seth Gen.5:6
0090 Enos Gen.5:9
0070 Cainan Gen.5:12
0065 Mahalaleel Gen.5:15
0162 Jared Gen.5:18
0065 Enoch Gen.5:21
0187 Methusalen Gen.5:25
0182 Lamech Gen.5:28; 1056 Noah born.
0600 age of Noah, Flood Gen.7:6; 1656 flood year at 1656 after Adam.
0000 Noah 350 years Gen.9:28,29; Shem 502 years Gen.11:10,11,
0222 Gen.11:10,11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22,24 is Terah at, 222 years.
0205 427 Gen.11:32 [ 205 dies ]; Gen.12:4; Abraham age 75. Matt.1:1-17;
0430 857 Exo.7,7; 12:40,41; Gal.3:16-18 [ Abraham & 430 to law ];
0040 897 Num.33:38,39 [ Deut.34:7 Aaron & Moses die ];
0000 898th after flood. Josh.5:6,10,12; 14th day of New Year.
0000 Judges 11:26; 300 & 898 after flood, is 1198. 1212 BC
0000 Acts 13:20 450 & 857 is 1307 after flood. Samuel 1103 to 1083 BC
0000 1Ki.2:10,11 David [ 1077 to 1037 BC ]. Ruth 4:18-22; 1Chr.3:1-17;
0480 1Ki.6:1; Promised Land 897 to 1377 after flood. 1033 BC
0036 1Ki.11:42 Solomon dies 1413 after flood. 997BC
3069 & 997 & 2007 is 6073 after Adam as LOST to SAVED.
0000 Rev.20:6; 1000 year reign of Jesus. 1000 is 7073 years accounted for.

Eph.2:7; 3:21; The world with Jesus is without end. John 3:16; 2Pet.3:13 All made new.

THIS IS NOT THE AGE OF THE EARTH.

WORLD HISTORY

#00. Earth has no time or age given.
#01. Egypt Empire 2083 after Eden, 427 after flood, 1983 to 1883 BC Abraham
000. Egypt Empire 2513 after Eden, 857 after flood, 1553 BC Moses 1513 BC
#02. Assyria Empire 3239 after Eden, 1583 after flood, 827 to 714 BC Isaiah
#03. Babylon Empire 3460 after Eden, 1804 after flood, 606 to 533 BC Daniel
#04. Medo-Persia Empire 3530 after Eden, 1874 after flood, 536 BC Cyrus and Ezra
#05. Greece Empire 3730 after Eden, 2074 after flood, 336 BC Alexander the great
#06. Roman Empire 4066 after Eden, 2410 after flood, Herod at end of bible years.
#07. Ends 2520 years after Babylon Empire #3.
#08. The 8th is of the 7. Ends 2670 years after Babylon Empire #3, if not sooner.
#09. The 1000 year kingdom to 7130 years after Eden, No Satan.
#10. No end to all remaining in Paradise.

Answer 11

Authenticity. The veracity of the Bible has been assailed from many quarters, but none of these efforts has undermined or weakened its position in the least.

Bible history. Sir Isaac Newton once said: “I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever.” (Two Apologies, by R. Watson, London, 1820, p. 57) Its integrity to truth proves sound on any point that might be tested. Its history is accurate and can be relied upon. For example, what it says about the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians cannot be successfully contradicted (Jer 51:11, 12, 28; Da 5:28), neither can what it says about people like Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 27:20; Da 1:1); Egyptian King Shishak (1Ki 14:25; 2Ch 12:2); Assyrians Tiglath-pileser III and Sennacherib (2Ki 15:29; 16:7; 18:13); the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, and Claudius (Lu 2:1; 3:1; Ac 18:2); Romans such as Pilate, Felix, and Festus (Ac 4:27; 23:26; 24:27); nor what it says about the temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Areopagus at Athens (Ac 19:35; 17:19-34). What the Bible says about these or any other places, people, or events is historically accurate in every detail.—See ARCHAEOLOGY.

Races and languages. What the Bible says about races and languages of mankind is also true. All peoples, regardless of stature, culture, color, or language, are members of one human family. The threefold division of the human family into the Japhetic, Hamitic, and Semitic races, all descending from Adam through Noah, cannot be successfully disputed. (Ge 9:18, 19; Ac 17:26) Says Sir Henry Rawlinson: “If we were to be guided by the mere intersection of linguistic paths, and independently of all reference to the Scriptural record, we should still be led to fix on the plains of Shinar, as the focus from which the various lines had radiated.”—The Historical Evidences of the Truth of the Scripture Records, by G. Rawlinson, 1862, p. 287; Ge 11:2-9.

Practicality. The Bible’s teachings, examples, and doctrines are most practical for modern man. The righteous principles and high moral standards contained in this book set it apart as far above all other books. Not only does the Bible answer important questions but it also provides many practical suggestions which, if followed, would do much to raise the physical and mental health of earth’s population. The Bible lays down principles of right and wrong that serve as a straightedge for just business dealings (Mt 7:12; Le 19:35, 36; Pr 20:10; 22:22, 23), industriousness (Eph 4:28; Col 3:23; 1Th 4:11, 12; 2Th 3:10-12), clean moral conduct (Ga 5:19-23; 1Th 4:3-8; Ex 20:14-17; Le 20:10-16), upbuilding associations (1Co 15:33; Heb 10:24, 25; Pr 5:3-11; 13:20), good family relationships (Eph 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col 3:18-21; De 6:4-9; Pr 13:24). As the famous educator William Lyon Phelps once said: “I believe a knowledge of the Bible without a college course is more valuable than a college course without a Bible.” (The New Dictionary of Thoughts, p. 46) Regarding the Bible, John Quincy Adams wrote: “It is of all books in the world, that which contributes most to make men good, wise, and happy.”—Letters of John Quincy Adams to His Son, 1849, p. 9.

Scientific accuracy. When it comes to scientific accuracy the Bible is not lacking. Whether describing the progressive order of earth’s preparation for human habitation (Ge 1:1-31), speaking of the earth as being spherical and hung on “nothing” (Job 26:7; Isa 40:22), classifying the hare as a cud chewer (Le 11:6), or declaring, “the soul of the flesh is in the blood” (Le 17:11-14), the Bible is scientifically sound.

Cultures and customs. On points relating to cultures and customs, in no regard is the Bible found to be wrong. In political matters, the Bible always speaks of a ruler by the proper title that he bore at the time of the writing. For example, Herod Antipas and Lysanias are referred to as district rulers (tetrarchs), Herod Agrippa (II) as king, and Gallio as proconsul. (Lu 3:1; Ac 25:13; 18:12) Triumphal marches of victorious armies, together with their captives, were common during Roman times. (2Co 2:14) The hospitality shown to strangers, the Oriental way of life, the manner of purchasing property, legal procedures in making contracts, and the practice of circumcision among the Hebrews and other peoples are referred to in the Bible, and in all these details the Bible is accurate.—Ge 18:1-8; 23:7-18; 17:10-14; Jer 9:25, 26.

Candor. Bible writers displayed a candor that is not found among other ancient writers. From the very outset, Moses frankly reported his own sins as well as the sins and errors of his people, a policy followed by the other Hebrew writers. (Ex 14:11, 12; 32:1-6; Nu 14:1-9; 20:9-12; 27:12-14; De 4:21) The sins of great ones such as David and Solomon were not covered over but were reported. (2Sa 11:2-27; 1Ki 11:1-13) Jonah told of his own disobedience. (Jon 1:1-3; 4:1) The other prophets likewise displayed this same straightforward, candid quality. Writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures showed the same regard for truthful reporting as that displayed in the Hebrew Scriptures. Paul tells of his former sinful course in life; Mark’s failure to stick to the missionary work; and also the apostle Peter’s errors are related. (Ac 22:19, 20; 15:37-39; Ga 2:11-14) Such frank, open reporting builds confidence in the Bible’s claim to honesty and truthfulness.

Integrity. Facts testify to the integrity of the Bible. The Bible narrative is inseparably interwoven with the history of the times. It gives straightforward, truthful instruction in the simplest manner. The guileless earnestness and fidelity of its writers, their burning zeal for truth, and their painstaking effort to attain accuracy in details are what we would expect in God’s Word of truth.—Joh 17:17.

Prophecy. If there is a single point that alone proves the Bible to be the inspired Word of Jehovah it is the matter of prophecy. There are scores of long-range prophecies in the Bible that have been fulfilled. For a partial listing, see the book “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” pp. 343-346.

Preservation. Today none of the original writings of the Holy Scriptures are known to exist. Jehovah, however, saw to it that copies were made to replace the aging originals. Also, from and after the Babylonian exile, with the growth of many Jewish communities outside Palestine, there was an increasing demand for more copies of the Scriptures. This demand was met by professional copyists who made extraordinary efforts to see that accuracy was attained in their handwritten manuscripts. Ezra was just such a man, “a skilled copyist in the law of Moses, which Jehovah the God of Israel had given.”—Ezr 7:6.

For hundreds of years handwritten copies of the Scriptures continued to be made, during which period the Bible was expanded with the addition of the Christian Greek Scriptures. Translations or versions of these Holy Writings also appeared in other languages. Indeed, the Hebrew Scriptures are honored as the first book of note to be translated into another language. Extant today are thousands of these Bible manuscripts and versions.—See MANUSCRIPTS OF THE BIBLE; VERSIONS.

The first printed Bible, the Gutenberg Bible, came off the press in 1456. Today distribution of the Bible (the whole or in part) has reached over two billion copies in upwards of 1,800 languages. But this has not been accomplished without great opposition from many quarters. Indeed, the Bible has had more enemies than any other book; popes and councils even prohibited the reading of the Bible under penalty of excommunication. Thousands of Bible lovers lost their lives, and thousands of copies of the Bible were committed to the flames. One of the victims in the Bible’s fight to live was translator William Tyndale, who once declared in a discussion with a cleric: “If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the Scripture than thou doest.”—Actes and Monuments, by John Foxe, London, 1563, p. 514.

All credit and thanksgiving for the Bible’s survival in view of such violent opposition is due Jehovah, the Preserver of his Word. This fact gives added meaning to the apostle Peter’s quotation from the prophet Isaiah: “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like a blossom of grass; the grass becomes withered, and the flower falls off, but the saying of Jehovah endures forever.” (1Pe 1:24, 25; Isa 40:6-8) We, therefore, do well to pay “attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place” in this 20th century. (2Pe 1:19; Ps 119:105) The man whose “delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night” and who puts in practice the things he reads is the one who prospers and is happy. (Ps 1:1, 2; Jos 1:8) To him Jehovah’s laws, reminders, orders, commandments, and judicial decisions contained in the Bible are “sweeter than honey,” and the wisdom derived therefrom is “more to be desired than gold, yes, than much refined gold,” for it means his very life.—Ps 19:7-10; Pr 3:13, 16-18; see CANON.