Kings, shepherds, prophets, fishermen, a physician, and a tax collector — traditionally, more than 40 individual writers contributed to the Bible's 66 books over some 1,500 years. Below, books are grouped under the person (or people) traditionally credited as their primary author, which groups a few jointly written or co-attributed books together.
Traditional author of the first five books, sometimes called the Torah or the Law.
Moses' successor as Israel's leader, traditionally credited with the book bearing his name.
The prophet and last judge of Israel, traditionally credited with these two books.
Tradition credits the prophets Samuel, Nathan, and Gad with compiling this account, since Samuel dies partway through the book.
With Samuel's ministry ending in the previous book, tradition attributes the remainder of David's story to the prophets Nathan and Gad.
The "weeping prophet," credited both with the book of Jeremiah and, by tradition, with compiling Kings and Lamentations.
A priest and scribe who led a return from exile; traditionally credited with Chronicles as well as the book of Ezra.
A Persian official who returned to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and recorded the effort in his own words.
These books don't name their author, and scholars continue to debate who wrote them — especially Hebrews.
David wrote roughly half of the 150 psalms; the rest are credited to other poets, including Asaph and the sons of Korah.
David's son and Israel's wisest king, traditionally credited with these three wisdom books (Proverbs also includes sayings from other writers).
A prophet in Jerusalem whose long ministry produced the Old Testament's longest prophetic book.
A Jewish exile who rose to prominence in the Babylonian and Persian royal courts.
A prophet to the northern kingdom whose own troubled marriage illustrated his message.
A prophet whose exact dates are uncertain, known for his vivid imagery of a locust plague.
Little is known of Obadiah beyond his short prophecy against the nation of Edom.
A reluctant prophet best known for fleeing his call and being swallowed by a great fish.
A prophet who ministered alongside Isaiah, known for his call to justice and mercy.
A prophet, possibly of royal descent, who warned Judah of a coming day of judgment.
A prophet who ministered alongside Haggai, known for his elaborate visions of the future.
The Old Testament's final prophet, confronting a spiritually apathetic postexilic community.
A physician and traveling companion of Paul, who researched and wrote both his Gospel and Acts.
One of Jesus' twelve apostles, traditionally credited with a Gospel, three letters, and Revelation.
A former persecutor of the church turned apostle, whose missionary journeys and letters shaped much of the New Testament.
One of Jesus' twelve apostles and a leading figure in the early church.
Another of Jesus' half-brothers, writing a short, urgent letter about false teaching.