The Torah, according to Jewish tradition, was written by Moses in the 2nd millennium BCE during the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert. However, modern scholarly consensus generally dates the final composition of the Torah to the Persian period, around 450–350 BCE, with some scholars suggesting a later Hellenistic period composition (333–164 BCE). The Torah in its completed form likely was established no later than about 250 BCE, as evidenced by its translation into Greek by that time. Manuscript fragments such as those found among the Dead Sea Scrolls also date to around the late third or early second centuries BCE, supporting a later final compilation. The process of writing and compilation likely spanned centuries, with earlier sources possibly dating back to the late 7th century BCE and later redactions happening in the 5th century BCE or even later.

Traditional view

• Torah written by Moses (2nd millennium BCE).
• Moses wrote down what was dictated over 40 years during the desert journey.

Modern scholarly view

• Multiple authorship over centuries.
• Final compilation during the Persian period (~450–350 BCE).
• Some suggest a Hellenistic period origin (333-164 BCE).
• Earliest manuscript fragments date from late 3rd to early 2nd centuries BCE.
• The Torah was translated into Greek by around 250 BCE, implying completed form by then.

This gives a nuanced picture combining traditional beliefs and modern historical scholarship on when the Torah was written.