The Book in the order it was written

The library on one axis

Every work in the volume, against time. A range is a range and not a date: its width is how much the position it comes from actually commits to. This page is the critical column, which is the one that reorders the library; the reader draws both and lets you switch between them.

WorkWhenEra it is filed underHow it is placed
The Song of the Sea (Exodus 15)before c. 900 BCEI. Earliest Identifiable Materialthe era it is filed under
The Song of Deborah (Judges 5)before c. 900 BCEI. Earliest Identifiable Materialthe era it is filed under
Also Often Dated This Earlybefore c. 900 BCEI. Earliest Identifiable Materialthe era it is filed under
Hosea800–701 BCE — not one date: later Judean editingII. Eighth-Century Prophetic Booksits own dated position
Amosc. 760–750 BCE — not one date: later editorial additionsII. Eighth-Century Prophetic Booksits own dated position
Isaiah 1-39 (First Isaiah)c. 740–700 BCE — not one date: chapters 24-27II. Eighth-Century Prophetic Booksits own dated position
Micahc. 740–700 BCE — not one date: enlarged in the exile and afterII. Eighth-Century Prophetic Booksits own dated position
Deuteronomy700–601 BCEIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
Jeremiahc. 700–587 BCE — not one date: substantial later editingIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activitythe era it is filed under
1 Kingsc. 700–587 BCE — not one date: a first edition under Josiah, a second in exileIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activitythe era it is filed under
Joshua700–501 BCEIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
Judgesc. 700–501 BCE — not one date: around older materialIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
1 Samuel700–501 BCEIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
2 Samuel700–501 BCEIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
Nahum663–612 BCEIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
Zephaniahc. 640–609 BCEIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
Habakkukc. 605 BCEIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
Jobc. 600–301 BCE — not one date: around an older folk taleV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Ezekiel593–571 BCE — not one date: a later editorial schoolIV. The Exilic Periodits own dated position
Lamentationsafter 587 BCEIV. The Exilic Periodits own dated position
Obadiahafter 587 BCEIV. The Exilic Periodits own dated position
2 Kingsafter 561 BCEIII. Seventh Century and Deuteronomic Activityits own dated position
Isaiah 40-55 (Second Isaiah)c. 550–540 BCEIV. The Exilic Periodits own dated position
On the Placement of the Torahc. 539–400 BCEV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodthe era it is filed under
Psalm 151c. 539–400 BCEV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodthe era it is filed under
Exodusc. 539–332 BCE — not one date: CompositeV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Leviticusc. 539–332 BCEV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Numbersc. 539–332 BCE — not one date: CompositeV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Psalmsc. 539–332 BCE — not one date: A collection spanning centuriesV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Proverbsc. 538–332 BCE — not one date: A compilation of several collectionsV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Ruthc. 538–332 BCEV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Isaiah 56-66 (Third Isaiah)c. 537–500 BCEV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Haggai520 BCEV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Zechariah 1-8520–518 BCEV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Malachic. 500–450 BCEV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
Genesisc. 500–400 BCE — not one date: CompositeV. Early Post-Exilic / Persian Periodits own dated position
1 Chroniclesc. 400–350 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
2 Chroniclesc. 400–350 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
Joelc. 400–350 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
Jonahc. 400–300 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
Esther (Hebrew)400–201 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
Zechariah 9-14400–201 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
Ezrac. 400–200 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticthe era it is filed under
Nehemiahc. 400–200 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticthe era it is filed under
1 Enoch: the Astronomical Book (Chapters 72-82)c. 400–200 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticthe era it is filed under
Ecclesiastesc. 300–250 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
Song of Songs300–201 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
1 Enoch: the Book of the Watchers (Chapters 1-36)300–201 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
Tobitc. 225–175 BCEVI. Later Persian to Early Hellenisticits own dated position
The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three (Greek Daniel 3:24-90)c. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
Susanna (Greek Daniel 13)c. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
Bel and the Dragon (Greek Daniel 14)c. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
Baruchc. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
The Letter of Jeremiah (Baruch 6)c. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
Esther, Greek Versionc. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
1 Esdrasc. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
The Prayer of Manassehc. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
1 Enoch: Dream Visions and the Epistle of Enoch (Chapters 83-108)c. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
The Major Dead Sea Scrolls: Summariesc. 200–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodthe era it is filed under
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)c. 190–175 BCE — not one date: Greek translation after 132 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodits own dated position
Danielc. 165 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodits own dated position
Jubileesc. 160–150 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodits own dated position
Judithc. 150–100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodits own dated position
2 Maccabeesc. 124 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodits own dated position
1 Maccabeesafter c. 100 BCEVII. High Hellenistic and Maccabean Periodits own dated position
The Wisdom of Solomon100–1 BCEVIII. Late Hellenistic to Early Romanits own dated position
1 Enoch: the Book of Parables (Chapters 37-71)c. 100 BCE – 50 CEVIII. Late Hellenistic to Early Romanthe era it is filed under
The Psalms of Solomonc. 100 BCE – 50 CEVIII. Late Hellenistic to Early Romanthe era it is filed under
3 Maccabeesc. 100 BCE – 50 CEVIII. Late Hellenistic to Early Romanthe era it is filed under
4 Maccabeesc. 100 BCE – 50 CEVIII. Late Hellenistic to Early Romanthe era it is filed under
Philo of Alexandriac. 100 BCE – 50 CEVIII. Late Hellenistic to Early Romanthe era it is filed under
James45–120 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Judec. 50–100 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
1 Thessaloniansc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
Galatiansc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
1 Corinthiansc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
2 Corinthiansc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
Romansc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
Philippiansc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
Philemonc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
2 Thessaloniansc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
1 Johnc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
2 Johnc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
3 Johnc. 50–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsthe era it is filed under
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (Didache)c. 50–120 CEThe Apostolic Fathersits own dated position
Colossiansc. 60–80 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Hebrewsc. 60–90 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Markc. 65–75 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
1 Peterc. 70–90 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Matthewc. 80–90 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Lukec. 80–90 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Actsc. 80–90 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Ephesiansc. 80–100 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
1 Timothyc. 90–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
2 Timothyc. 90–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Titusc. 90–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Johnc. 90–110 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
Revelationc. 95 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthiansc. 95–97 CEThe Apostolic Fathersits own dated position
2 Esdras (4 Ezra)after c. 100 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
The Rest of the Words of Baruchc. 100–150 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
2 Peterc. 110–150 CEIX. New Testament Writingsits own dated position
The Apocalypse of Peterc. 125–150 CENew Testament Apocryphaits own dated position
The Epistle of Barnabasc. 130–132 CEThe Apostolic Fathersits own dated position
The Book of the Covenantc. 140–160 CENew Testament Apocryphaits own dated position
The Martyrdom of Polycarpc. 155–177 CE — not one date: the closing chapters added laterThe Apostolic Fathersits own dated position
The Ethiopic Didascalia201–300 CEThe Apostolic Fathersits own dated position
The Apostolic Canons301–400 CEThe Apostolic Fathersits own dated position
The Testament of Our Lord301–500 CEThe Apostolic Fathersits own dated position
The Sinodos301–600 CEThe Apostolic Fathersits own dated position

16 of these are not one date

A range is drawn from one position, and some of these books are not one composition. Where a work's own critical position says so, it is quoted here. This volume keeps such books whole rather than splitting them, so saying it is the only warning the arrangement can give.

62 works carry no date under this column

Nothing here is a gap in the data. The later collections — the Testaments, the Apostolic Fathers, the Shepherd — are filed after the numbered eras and have no era range to fall back on.

Open in the reader How the dating was decided