It’s a subject of much contention, but I believe Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible.
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
Those five books make up the “Pentateuch.”
Moses was the clear-cut leader of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Moreover, God specifically instructed Moses to ‘write in a book’, ‘write a song,’ and write the Israelites “goings out according to their journeys.”
Aside from Moses, there are no other examples of authorship for the first five books of the Bible. We should not forget, writing was already established during the days of Moses.
However, how could Moses have written about the events of Genesis that occurred before his time?
Scripture tells us,
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost… All scripture is given by inspiration of God”
2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16
Like all writers of the Bible, they penned Scripture with inspiration from God. God informed them about the events of the past, the present, and the future.
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Here are some examples where God specifically told Moses to write.
Write This For A Memorial In A Book
Exodus 17:14
Also: Exodus 24:4, 7
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
This was to record the victory against Amalek. Moses stood on a hill holding his staff in the air. When he lowered it, Amalek would prevail, when he held it high, Joshua would prevail. So “Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands” so Joshua obtained the victory, (Exo 17:11-12).
Write Ye This Song
God required Moses to pen the Song of Moses, to remind the Israelites of their failures.
Deuteronomy 31:19
Also: Deuteronomy 31:22, Revelation 15:3
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
Moses Wrote Their Journeys
Moses recorded the journeys of the Israelites, as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Numbers 33:2
And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out.
Not to mention,
2 Chronicles 34:14
And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.2 Chronicles 35:6
So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.Ezra 6:18
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.