<P> The majority of modern biblical scholars believe that the Torah ( the books of Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers , and Deuteronomy ) reached its present form in the post-Exilic period ( i.e. , after c. 520 BCE ) , based on pre-existing written and oral traditions and `` contemporary geographical and demographic details but even more importantly from contemporary political realities '' . The five books are often described as being drawn from four `` sources '' - schools of writers rather than individuals - the Yahwist and the Elohist ( frequently treated as a single source ) , the Priestly source and the Deuteronomist . There is ongoing dispute over the origins of the non-Priestly source ( s ) , but it is generally agreed that the Priestly source is post-exilic . </P>
<P> The majority of modern biblical scholars believe that the Torah ( the books of Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers , and Deuteronomy ) reached its present form in the post-Exilic period ( i.e. , after c. 520 BCE ) , based on pre-existing written and oral traditions and `` contemporary geographical and demographic details but even more importantly from contemporary political realities '' . The five books are often described as being drawn from four `` sources '' - schools of writers rather than individuals - the Yahwist and the Elohist ( frequently treated as a single source ) , the Priestly source and the Deuteronomist . There is ongoing dispute over the origins of the non-Priestly source ( s ) , but it is generally agreed that the Priestly source is post-exilic . </P>
when was the book of numbers written in the bible
when was the book of numbers written in the bible
after c. 520 BCE
after c. 520 BCE