How long did it take to write the Bible? — Sarah of Glasgow, KY

Dear Sarah,

The Bible is a collection of different books. These books were written by different men who lived at different times. The first five books of the Old Testament (called the Pentateuch) were written by Moses. He lived about 1,500 years before Jesus was born. John wrote the last book of the New Testament (Revelation). Most scholars believe that he had finished this book by about 96 A.D. The time from when Moses wrote the Pentateuch until John completed Revelation is about 1,600 years.