Final answer:
The Old Testament was written by at least 40 different authors, who were kings, prophets, priests, and other individuals, contributing to its diverse content.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the number of human authors that were involved in the writing of the Old Testament. Scholars generally agree that at least 40 different human beings were employed by God to complete the task of writing the Old Testament. These individuals came from a variety of backgrounds, including kings, prophets, priests, and others, each contributing to the rich tapestry of historical, poetic, legislative, and prophetic books that make up the Old Testament.