According to Josephus, all twenty-two books of the canon were inspired by God and therefore are authoritative and free of contradictions. All were written by prophets who lived before the reign of Artaxerxes (465–425 BCE, the period of Ezra). All were transmitted accurately by the priests. The canon is divided in three parts: the five books of Moses, the thirteen prophetic writings, and four books of hymns and precepts.
