Who Wrote the Most Books of the Bible?
Quick Summary
Who wrote the most books of the Bible? The Apostle Paul is traditionally credited with writing more books than any other individual, contributing 13 epistles in the New Testament. However, depending on how authorship is defined and whether disputed books are included, Moses may be considered the author of the most words. This article explores both quantity and word count, offering clarity on how biblical authorship is calculated.
Introduction: Measuring Authorship in the Bible
When someone asks, "Who wrote the most books in the Bible?" the answer can vary based on how we count. Do we mean the number of separate books? The total number of words? Or do we only count the authors whose names are explicitly stated? In this article, we’ll look at biblical authorship through a few lenses—traditional attribution, scholarly consensus, and word count—to provide a full picture of who may be considered the Bible's most prolific writer.
Paul: The Most Books (Traditionally)
Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, is traditionally credited with writing 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. These include:
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
These epistles (letters) were written to early Christian communities and individuals, often addressing theology, ethics, and church life.
Authorship Disputed?
Modern scholars question the Pauline authorship of several of these letters—especially the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Some suggest these were written by disciples or later followers of Paul in his name, a practice not uncommon in antiquity. Still, tradition holds that Paul wrote these thirteen, making him the individual credited with the most distinct books in the Bible.
Moses: The Most Words?
While Paul may have written the most individual books, Moses is traditionally credited with authoring the Torah (Pentateuch), the first five books of the Bible:
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
These five books comprise a large portion of the Old Testament and contain extensive genealogies, laws, and narratives. While it's only five books, the total word count is significantly higher than Paul's writings. Some estimates place Moses' contribution at over 125,000 words in English translations.
Scholarly Perspective
Modern biblical scholarship tends to see the Pentateuch as a composite work written and edited over time by multiple authors or groups (commonly referred to as the JEDP theory), rather than by Moses alone. Still, the traditional view remains influential in many religious communities.
Other Significant Contributors
While Paul and Moses top the list in terms of book count and word volume respectively, several other biblical figures are worth noting:
Luke: Author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts. When combined, these two books make Luke the largest contributor to the New Testament by word count.
David: Credited with composing many of the Psalms, though others contributed as well.
Solomon: Traditionally credited with Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
John: Traditionally credited with the Gospel of John, 1-3 John, and Revelation—a total of five books.
How to Count: Books, Words, or Influence?
So who wrote the most? It depends on the metric:
Most Books: Paul (13 letters)
Most Words: Likely Moses (if we credit him with the entire Torah) or Luke (if we go by New Testament word count)
Most Influential: This is subjective, but Paul certainly shaped Christian theology more than any other apostle, and Moses is foundational for Judaism.
Summary Table of Leading Biblical Authors
| Author | Traditionally Attributed Books | Total Number of Books | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul | Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon | 13 | Some dispute authorship of a few letters (e.g. 1–2 Timothy) |
| Moses | Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy | 5 | Traditional Jewish and Christian attribution; modern scholars debate |
| Luke | Luke, Acts | 2 | Longest total word count in the New Testament |
| John | John, 1–3 John, Revelation | 5 | Traditional attribution; some question Revelation’s authorship |
| Solomon | Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs | 3 | Traditional wisdom authorship; some date texts later |
| David | Many Psalms | Partial | Credited with ~73 Psalms, but not all 150 |
Meaning for Today: Why Authorship Still Matters
Understanding biblical authorship helps us see the Bible not as a monolithic book, but as a rich library composed over centuries. Each author's voice, setting, and audience help us interpret the text more clearly. Knowing that Paul addressed specific church communities gives us insight into early Christian struggles. Recognizing the ancient narrative traditions in the Pentateuch helps us understand the origins of Israel's faith. And understanding disputed authorship reminds us to approach Scripture with both reverence and thoughtful inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote the most books in the Bible?
Traditionally, Paul is credited with writing the most books (13 epistles). Moses, however, wrote more total words if the Pentateuch is attributed to him.
Who wrote the most words in the Bible?
By word count, Moses likely wrote the most if credited with Genesis through Deuteronomy. Luke also wrote a large portion of the New Testament when counting Luke and Acts.
Is Paul's authorship of all 13 epistles certain?
No. While tradition holds he wrote all 13, many scholars dispute the authorship of six letters, especially the Pastorals (1-2 Timothy and Titus).
Did Moses really write the Torah?
Traditional belief says yes, but many modern scholars believe the Pentateuch was written by multiple authors and later compiled.
Works Consulted
Raymond E. Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament, Doubleday, 1997.
Richard Elliott Friedman, Who Wrote the Bible?, HarperOne, 1997.
