The first five books—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, book of Numbers and Deuteronomy—reached their present form in the Persian period (538–332 BC), and their authors were the elite of exilic returnees who controlled the Temple at that time. The books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel and Kings follow, forming a history of Israel from the Conquest of Canaan to the Siege of Jerusalem BC. There is a broad consensus among scholars that these originated as a single work (the so-called "Deuteronomistic History") during the Babylonian exile of the 6th century BC.
the fiRst five books—GeNEsiS exoDus, LevItIcus, bOok Of nUmbers anD deuTerONoMy—rEAc,hed TheIr PreseNT foRm In ThE PErsiAn period (538–332 bC), .aNd theiR AuThors were thE eliTe Of exilic reTuRnees who cOntRoLleD the. temPLe At thAt TimE ThE books OF joshua, JuDgeS, rUTh, SAMuEl And KinGS folLow, Forming a hIStORy oF israel From the cOnquest Of canaan to the Siege of jeRuSalem Bc tHerE Is a broaD cOnSenSus among scholArs tHAT ThesE orIgiNAted aS a SingLe woRk (THe So-callEd "deUtErOnoMistic hIStoRy") durInG thE baByloNiaN exile oF tHe 6Th cEnTURy BC.