When was the Book of Genesis written? A question many devout Christians of faith have pondered over the centuries. As the first book of the Bible, Genesis lays the foundation for the entire biblical narrative, from creation to the origins of God’s chosen people, Israel. Understanding its authorship and timing not only deepens our appreciation for Scripture but also strengthens our faith in its divine inspiration. In this article, we’ll explore the historical context, the traditional authorship by Moses, and scholarly perspectives on when Genesis was likely written. Join us on this journey as we uncover the timeless truths of Genesis and its place in God’s redemptive plan.
🔗 Related Content
🌐 Trusted Resources for Further Study
✍️ Who Wrote the Book of Genesis?
The traditional view held by both Jewish and Christian communities for millennia is that Moses was the inspired author of the Book of Genesis, along with the other first four books of the Bible. Together, these five books form what is commonly known as the Pentateuch (Greek for “five scrolls”) or the Torah in Hebrew tradition.
Moses: Prophet, Leader, and Lawgiver
Moses stands as one of the most pivotal figures in biblical history. He was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, receive the Law at Mount Sinai, and guide the people through the wilderness. Given his intimate relationship with God—speaking to Him “face to face” (Exodus 33:11)—Moses is uniquely positioned among biblical figures as both a spiritual and national leader.
The internal testimony of the Bible consistently supports Mosaic authorship:
“And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord…” — Exodus 24:4
“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write this as a memorial in a book…’” — Exodus 17:14
“Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests…” — Deuteronomy 31:9
These and other verses suggest that Moses was actively engaged in recording God’s words, historical events, and laws as commanded.
Genesis as Part of the Pentateuch
Although Genesis covers events that predate Moses by many centuries (including the creation of the world, the Flood, and the lives of the patriarchs), early Jewish and Christian tradition still ascribes its authorship to him. Genesis serves as the foundation for the rest of the Pentateuch—it introduces key theological themes such as creation, covenant, sin, judgment, redemption, and God’s plan for humanity.
The continuity of literary style, thematic development, and narrative flow across Genesis through Deuteronomy strongly supports the idea that these books were composed or compiled by a single inspired author—Moses—even if he drew upon earlier sources or oral traditions, as we’ll discuss below.
Scholarly Debate: Traditional vs. Modern Critical Views
In the modern era, higher criticism—a scholarly approach that gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries—challenged Mosaic authorship. Critics proposed the Documentary Hypothesis, suggesting that Genesis (and the rest of the Pentateuch) was written by multiple anonymous sources (labeled J, E, P, and D) and compiled centuries later during or after the Babylonian exile.
However, this theory remains highly speculative, relying on linguistic patterns and presumed editorial motives rather than concrete textual evidence. Furthermore, archaeological and textual studies over the last few decades have re-opened scholarly space for Mosaic authorship or at least Mosaic-era composition.
Many conservative scholars argue that the Documentary Hypothesis is rooted more in naturalistic assumptions (i.e., denying divine inspiration) than in rigorous historical methodology.
Christian Affirmation of Mosaic Authorship
The New Testament affirms Moses as the author of the Pentateuch multiple times:
“If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.” — John 5:46
“For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law…” — Romans 10:5
Jesus and the apostles clearly regarded Moses as the author of the Law, which includes Genesis. Rejecting Mosaic authorship undermines not only the integrity of Scripture but also the testimony of Christ Himself.
Was Genesis Written from Scratch?
It’s reasonable—even likely—that Moses used earlier written records or oral traditions as source material for Genesis. These traditions may have been passed down faithfully from the patriarchs (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), or even from pre-flood ancestors like Noah and Adam, preserved through oral storytelling or primitive record-keeping methods.
Evidence for such source use includes the frequent use of “toledot” statements in Genesis (e.g., “These are the generations of…”). These phrases act as narrative markers or colophons, possibly indicating the conclusion of a section originally preserved in family records.
But even if earlier sources were used, the final form of Genesis is attributed to Moses, who compiled, edited, and wrote under divine inspiration.
📅 When Was the book of Genesis Written?
So when was the book of genesis written? Determining the precise date of the writing of Genesis involves examining both biblical chronology and historical context. If we hold to Mosaic authorship, as affirmed by centuries of Judeo-Christian tradition, then Genesis would have been composed during the Israelites’ 40-year wilderness journey after their dramatic deliverance from Egypt.
🕰️ The Traditional (Early) Date: 1446–1406 BC
The most widely accepted traditional date for the Exodus—on which the dating of Genesis hinges—is 1446 BC, based on internal biblical evidence:
“In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt… Solomon began to build the house of the Lord.” — 1 Kings 6:1
Solomon began construction of the temple around 966 BC. Counting backward 480 years places the Exodus at 1446 BC. This would situate the writing of Genesis (and the rest of the Pentateuch) sometime between 1446 and 1406 BC, during Moses’ leadership and prior to his death on the edge of the Promised Land.
Under this view, Moses would have had both ample time and divine commission to record the origins of the world, the history of the patriarchs, and the theological foundation of Israel’s identity as God’s covenant people.
🏺 The Alternative (Late) Date: 1260–1220 BC
Some scholars propose a later date for the Exodus and, by extension, the writing of Genesis. This late date theory suggests the Israelites left Egypt around 1260 BC, primarily based on certain archaeological findings and historical interpretations—such as references to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11) and Egyptian construction patterns.
Supporters of this view often cite a lack of clear archaeological evidence for a 15th-century Exodus and instead look to 13th-century BC contexts, aligning Israelite settlement in Canaan with later historical layers.
However, critics argue that the late-date theory is heavily dependent on assumptions about Egyptian chronology and is not necessarily incompatible with a biblical early date when read carefully.
🛐 Theological Significance Beyond Dating
Regardless of the exact historical date, Christian theology affirms that Genesis is not merely a human-authored document but was written under divine inspiration:
“All Scripture is God-breathed…” — 2 Timothy 3:16
This belief elevates Genesis beyond the confines of its time of writing. It is timeless in authority, providing foundational truths about God, creation, humanity, sin, and redemption that remain relevant for every generation.
While scholars may continue to debate historical timelines, the spiritual and doctrinal weight of Genesis remains unchanged. Whether it was penned in the 15th or 13th century BC, it carries the divine authority of Scripture, shaping how believers understand the world and God’s unfolding plan of salvation.
📚 What Sources Did Moses Use?
Genesis recounts events that predate Moses by thousands of years, including the creation of the universe, the fall of mankind, the global flood, and the lives of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This naturally raises the question: How could Moses have written about events he did not witness?
🗣️ Oral Tradition and Early Records
A widely accepted explanation among conservative and evangelical scholars is that Moses relied on ancient oral traditions and possibly early written documents that had been meticulously preserved by the patriarchal line.
In the ancient Near East, oral tradition was not informal storytelling—it was a highly disciplined process of memorization and transmission, often performed by designated family heads, priests, or scribes. The Hebrew culture, in particular, placed great value on the accurate transmission of genealogies, covenants, and historical events. This practice would have preserved key accounts over generations, especially within the line of Seth, Noah, and Abraham.
It is also plausible that written records—clay tablets, scrolls, or inscriptions—existed and were handed down through generations. Ancient Mesopotamian cultures (such as the Sumerians and Akkadians) used cuneiform writing long before Moses’ time, making the existence of pre-Mosaic records entirely reasonable from a historical perspective.
🧩 The “Toledot” Structure
One of the strongest internal textual clues supporting the use of source materials in Genesis is the recurring use of “toledot” (תּוֹלְדוֹת), a Hebrew word meaning “generations” or “account.” These statements divide the book into sections and are often interpreted as colophons or editorial headings, possibly referencing distinct historical records or family archives.
Notable examples include:
Genesis 2:4 – “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth…”
Genesis 5:1 – “This is the book of the generations of Adam…”
Genesis 10:1 – “These are the generations of the sons of Noah…”
Each “toledot” functions like a chapter heading and might reflect a transition between source documents or family records that Moses compiled and shaped under divine inspiration. This lends Genesis a literary coherence while also pointing to the likelihood of pre-existing materials being used.
✍️ Moses as Compiler and Prophet
It’s important to remember that Moses was not merely a historian—he was a prophet of God, chosen to receive and communicate divine revelation. While he may have used historical sources, the ultimate authorship of Genesis is credited to the Holy Spirit working through him:
“No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” — 2 Peter 1:21
Therefore, even if Moses drew from earlier traditions or records, God sovereignly guided the selection, compilation, and wording of what became sacred Scripture. The final result is not just a historical document—it is divinely inspired truth, perfectly preserved for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
🧠 Why This Matters
Understanding when and how the Book of Genesis was written is far more than a question of historical curiosity—it’s central to the integrity of the Christian faith, the unity of the Bible, and the trustworthiness of Scripture.
If Genesis was authored by Moses under divine inspiration, then what we read is not a myth or ancient legend—it is God’s authoritative revelation about the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and redemption. It sets the theological foundation for every major doctrine that unfolds in the rest of Scripture: the holiness of God, the fall of man, the promise of a Redeemer, the covenant relationship between God and His people, and more.
🔗 Theological Continuity
Genesis is not an isolated story. It forms the first act in a divine drama that stretches from creation to new creation. This narrative arc continues through the Law, Prophets, and Writings of the Old Testament, and finds its fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
To question the authorship or historical reliability of Genesis is, in many ways, to tug at the threads that hold together the entire biblical tapestry. The unity of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—depends on the trustworthiness of its beginning.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
For apologetics and discipleship, affirming Mosaic authorship and divine inspiration offers believers a firm foundation when confronted with skepticism or critical theories that undermine biblical authority. It allows Christians to confidently proclaim that Genesis is not just ancient literature—it is eternal truth, revealed by the Creator Himself.
💬 What Does the New Testament Say?
The New Testament strongly affirms both the authorship and authority of the writings attributed to Moses, including Genesis. Jesus Himself testifies to this in John 5:46:
“If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.” — John 5:46
This declaration by Christ is profoundly significant. It affirms three critical truths:
Moses was the author of the foundational books of Scripture, including Genesis.
Jesus validates the authority of the Old Testament, including its earliest chapters.
Genesis ultimately points to Christ—even from its opening chapters, the Bible is Christ-centered.
🧩 Apostolic Confirmation
Other New Testament writers echo this view. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15, builds deep theological arguments around the historical reality of Adam, whom we meet in Genesis. Paul contrasts Adam (as the representative of fallen humanity) with Christ, the new and perfect representative. This only works if Genesis is historical and authoritative.
Similarly, Hebrews 11 lists key figures from Genesis—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph—as exemplars of faith. The New Testament treats Genesis not as allegory or myth, but as factual, God-breathed history that reveals His redemptive purposes from the beginning.
🔍 Affirming the Bible’s Unity
Taken together, the New Testament’s references to Genesis and its figures are not incidental—they are foundational. Jesus and the apostles viewed Genesis as a true record of God’s dealings with humanity. This affirms the inseparable connection between the Testaments and underscores that Genesis remains vital for understanding the Gospel itself.
🙏 Final Thoughts
Genesis is not just ancient literature—it is the foundation of God’s Word. While debates over exact dates continue, Christians can be confident that Genesis was written by Moses, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to provide a true and trustworthy account of our origins.
Whether you’re reading it for the first time or listening to it through an audiobook, Genesis offers a powerful beginning to God’s unfolding story.
🔗 Related Content
🌐 Trusted Resources for Further Study
