The 66 books of the Bible in order

All 66 books of the Bible in order

1. Genesis

   Creation, the flood, and the families of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

2. Exodus

   Israel's escape from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, and the building of the tabernacle.

3. Leviticus

   Laws for offerings, priests, holiness and the feasts of Israel.

4. Numbers

   Israel's censuses and forty years of wandering in the wilderness.

5. Deuteronomy

   Moses' farewell speeches to Israel before they enter the promised land.

6. Joshua

   Israel crosses the Jordan, takes Jericho and divides the land among the tribes.

7. Judges

   A repeating cycle of sin and rescue under leaders like Deborah, Gideon and Samson.

8. Ruth

   A Moabite widow's loyalty to Naomi, and her marriage to Boaz of Bethlehem.

9. 1 Samuel

   Samuel the prophet, King Saul, and young David's rise.

10. 2 Samuel

    The reign of King David, his triumphs and his sins.

11. 1 Kings

    Solomon's reign and temple, the kingdom divided, and Elijah the prophet.

12. 2 Kings

    Elisha, the kings of Israel and Judah, and the fall of both kingdoms.

13. 1 Chronicles

    Genealogies from Adam, then David's reign told with a focus on worship.

14. 2 Chronicles

    Solomon and the kings of Judah, ending with the exile and Cyrus' decree.

15. Ezra

    The return from Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple.

16. Nehemiah

    The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the renewal of the people.

17. Esther

    A Jewish queen in Persia saves her people from Haman's plot.

18. Job

    A righteous man's suffering, his friends' debate, and God's answer from the whirlwind.

19. Psalms

    150 songs and prayers of praise, lament and trust, many credited to David.

20. Proverbs

    Short sayings of wisdom for daily life, many credited to Solomon.

21. Ecclesiastes

    The Preacher weighs the meaning of life under the sun.

22. Song of Solomon

    A love song between a bride and her beloved.

23. Isaiah

    Warnings to Judah and promises of a coming Saviour and King.

24. Jeremiah

    Often called the weeping prophet, Jeremiah warns Jerusalem before its fall to Babylon.

25. Lamentations

    Five laments over the destruction of Jerusalem.

26. Ezekiel

    Visions given to a prophet among the exiles in Babylon.

27. Daniel

    Daniel in Babylon: the fiery furnace, the lions' den and visions of kingdoms.

28. Hosea

    A prophet's marriage to an unfaithful wife pictures God's love for Israel.

29. Joel

    A plague of locusts and the promise of God's Spirit poured out.

30. Amos

    A herdman from Tekoa calls Israel to justice.

31. Obadiah

    The shortest Old Testament book, a warning to Edom.

32. Jonah

    A prophet runs from God, is swallowed by a great fish, and preaches to Nineveh.

33. Micah

    Judgment and hope, including the promise of a ruler from Bethlehem.

34. Nahum

    The coming fall of Nineveh.

35. Habakkuk

    A prophet questions God and learns to live by faith.

36. Zephaniah

    The day of the LORD and the promise of a restored remnant.

37. Haggai

    A call to finish rebuilding the temple after the exile.

38. Zechariah

    Visions of restoration and promises of a coming King.

39. Malachi

    The last book of the Old Testament, promising Elijah the prophet before the day of the LORD.

40. Matthew

    The life and teaching of Jesus, including the Sermon on the Mount.

41. Mark

    The shortest Gospel, a fast-moving account of Jesus' ministry.

42. Luke

    An orderly account of Jesus' life written for Theophilus.

43. John

    Signs and sayings of Jesus, written that ye might believe.

44. Acts

    The early church from Jesus' ascension to Paul in Rome.

45. Romans

    Paul's fullest explanation of the gospel, sin and salvation.

46. 1 Corinthians

    Paul answers problems in the church at Corinth, including the love chapter.

47. 2 Corinthians

    Paul defends his ministry and speaks of strength in weakness.

48. Galatians

    Freedom in Christ, and the fruit of the Spirit.

49. Ephesians

    The church as one body, and the armour of God.

50. Philippians

    A letter of joy written by Paul in bonds.

51. Colossians

    The supremacy of Christ over all things.

52. 1 Thessalonians

    Encouragement to a young church and teaching on the Lord's return.

53. 2 Thessalonians

    More on the day of the Lord, and a call to keep working.

54. 1 Timothy

    Instructions to Timothy on leading the church at Ephesus.

55. 2 Timothy

    Traditionally Paul's last letter, urging Timothy to preach the word.

56. Titus

    Guidance for appointing elders and living well in Crete.

57. Philemon

    A short appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a servant who had left him.

58. Hebrews

    Jesus as the great high priest, and the faith chapter.

59. James

    Practical faith that shows itself in works.

60. 1 Peter

    Hope and holy living for believers who suffer.

61. 2 Peter

    A warning against false teachers and a reminder of the Lord's coming.

62. 1 John

    Assurance, love and walking in the light.

63. 2 John

    A short letter urging love and truth.

64. 3 John

    A short letter to Gaius about hospitality.

65. Jude

    A call to contend for the faith against false teachers.

66. Revelation

    John's visions on Patmos, ending with a new heaven and a new earth.

Old Testament: 39 books

The Law (5): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These are also called the Pentateuch or the books of Moses.

History (12): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.

Poetry and Wisdom (5): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.

Major Prophets (5): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel. Major means longer, not more important; Lamentations is placed here because it is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah.

Minor Prophets (12): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. They are shorter books, and in the Hebrew Bible they were counted together as one book, the Twelve.

New Testament: 27 books

Gospels (4): Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Four accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

History (1): Acts, the story of the early church. Acts 1:1 is addressed to the same Theophilus as Luke's Gospel.

Paul's Epistles (13): Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Each opens by naming Paul as the writer.

General Epistles (8): Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude. Letters to wider audiences. Hebrews does not name its writer.

Prophecy (1): Revelation, the visions given to John on the isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9).

Why some Bibles have more books

Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include additional books in the Old Testament, such as Tobit, Judith and the books of Maccabees, often called the Apocrypha or deuterocanonical books. The 1611 King James Version printed the Apocrypha in a separate section between the Testaments, but it was not counted among the 66, and most later KJV printings leave it out.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:16 · KJV