Chronological list of Old Testament books

Here’s a complete chronological list of Old Testament books, arranged based on historical events, periods, and when the books were likely written or set.

1. Early Beginnings
Genesis – Creation, early history, and the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph).
Job – Set during the patriarchal period (though exact dating is uncertain).

2. The Exodus and Conquest
Exodus – Moses, the liberation from Egypt, and the giving of the Law.
Leviticus – Laws given at Mount Sinai.
Numbers – Israel’s journey through the wilderness.
Deuteronomy – Moses’ final speeches and instructions before entering Canaan.

3. Settlement in Canaan (Judges Period)
Joshua – Conquest and settlement of Canaan.
Judges – The period of the judges before Israel had a king.
Ruth – Set during the time of the judges.

4. United Monarchy (Saul, David, Solomon)
1 Samuel – The end of the judges, Samuel’s ministry, and the rise of King Saul and David.
2 Samuel – King David’s reign.
1 Chronicles (parallel with 1–2 Samuel) – Covers David’s reign.
1 Kings 1–11 / 2 Chronicles 1–9 – The reign of Solomon.

5. Divided Kingdom (Israel and Judah)
1 Kings 12–22 / 2 Kings – The division of the kingdom and the histories of Israel and Judah.
2 Chronicles 10–36 – Primarily focused on Judah’s kings.

Prophets of the Divided Kingdom (in approximate chronological order):
Joel – Hard to date, but often considered early or in the 9th century BCE, during the Divided Kingdom, with themes of repentance and the Day of the Lord.
Jonah – Prophesied to Nineveh, possibly during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel (around 760 BCE).
Amos – Prophesied in Israel around 760–750 BCE.
Hosea – Prophesied in Israel, overlapping with Amos (circa 750–722 BCE).
Micah – Prophesied in Judah, around the same time as Isaiah (circa 740–700 BCE).
Isaiah – Ministry began around 740 BCE, primarily in Judah.
Nahum – Prophesied against Nineveh, likely in the late 7th century BCE.
Zephaniah – Prophesied in Judah, likely during King Josiah’s reign (640–609 BCE).
Habakkuk – Prophesied shortly before the Babylonian invasion (late 7th century BCE).

6. Exile in Babylon (586–538 BCE)
Jeremiah – Prophesied before and during the Babylonian exile.
Lamentations – Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, mourning Jerusalem’s fall.
Ezekiel – Prophesied among the exiles in Babylon.
Obadiah – Prophesied against Edom, likely after the fall of Jerusalem.
Daniel – Set during the Babylonian exile, with some sections in the Persian period.

7. Post-Exile (Return and Rebuilding in Judah)
Haggai – Encouraged the rebuilding of the temple (around 520 BCE).
Zechariah – Also supported rebuilding, around the same time as Haggai.
Ezra – Chronicles the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple.
Nehemiah – Focuses on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and religious reforms.
Esther – Set in the Persian Empire, likely after the Jews had returned but before full restoration in Judah.

8. Later Prophets (Post-Exilic Period)
Malachi – The final prophetic book, addressing issues in Judah around 450–400 BCE.

9. Wisdom Literature and Psalms (Various Periods)
Psalms – Spans many periods, including David, Solomon, and post-exilic times.
Proverbs – Primarily attributed to Solomon, with later additions.
Ecclesiastes – Traditionally linked to Solomon, though likely compiled later.
Song of Solomon – Traditionally attributed to Solomon.