What are the names of the books in the Bible? The Bible contains 66 books: 39 Old Testament books — from Genesis to Malachi — and 27 New Testament books — from Matthew to Revelation. They fall into groups like the Law, History, Poetry, Prophets, Gospels, Letters, and Revelation. Each book’s name tells you something about its story, author, or theme.
The Bible may look like a single book, but its very name gives away a secret: “Bible” comes from the Greek word biblia, meaning “books” — plural. The Bible is actually a small library of 66 books, written over roughly 1,500 years by about 40 different authors, yet telling one unified story of God’s love for His people.
If you have ever flipped through its pages and felt lost, you are not alone. Many new readers wonder what are the names of the books in the Bible and how they all fit together. Knowing the names — and the simple groups they belong to — turns the Bible from an intimidating giant into a friendly, organized collection you can actually navigate.
In this guide, you will find every book name in order, grouped the way most Bibles arrange them. You will learn where the names come from, why some Bibles list 73 books instead of 66, and an easy way to start remembering them all. Let’s open the library together.
How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The Protestant Christian Bible — the version most English readers use, including the King James Version — contains 66 books. The Old Testament holds 39 books, and the New Testament holds 27 books. Together they form one complete story: the Old Testament prepares the way, and the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as its fulfillment.
Here is something fascinating: those 66 books were written by kings and shepherds, priests and fishermen, prophets and a doctor, across three continents and three languages — Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Yet as 2 Peter 1:21 explains, “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” One divine Author stands behind every human writer.
All 39 Old Testament Book Names in Order
The Old Testament is the Bible’s first and longer section. Its 39 books are usually grouped into five categories. Here they are, in the order you will find them in most English Bibles:
The Law (Pentateuch) — 5 Books
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. These first five books are also called the Pentateuch, from a Greek word meaning “five scrolls.” Traditionally attributed to Moses, they cover creation, the patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the exodus from Egypt, and God’s law given at Sinai.
Historical Books — 12 Books
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. These books tell Israel’s story: entering the Promised Land, the time of the judges and kings, the exile to Babylon, and the return home. Ruth and Esther show God’s quiet providence working through faithful individuals.
Poetry and Wisdom Books — 5 Books
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. This is the Bible’s songbook and wisdom section. Psalms is the longest book in the Bible with 150 chapters of prayers and songs; Proverbs offers practical wisdom for daily life; Job wrestles honestly with suffering and God’s sovereignty.
Major Prophets — 5 Books
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Don’t let the word “major” fool you — these prophets are called major only because their books are longer, not because they were more important. They spoke God’s warnings and promises to kings and nations, and Daniel served God faithfully while in exile in Babylon.
Minor Prophets — 12 Books
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. These twelve are called “minor” simply because their books are short — some only a single chapter. But their messages are mighty: Hosea pictures God’s faithful love, Jonah carries mercy to Nineveh, and Malachi closes the Old Testament looking forward to the coming Messiah.
All 27 New Testament Book Names in Order
The New Testament’s 27 books center on Jesus Christ — His life, His church, and His promised return. They fall into four natural groups:
The Four Gospels
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Each Gospel tells the story of Jesus from a different angle: Matthew presents Him as the promised King, Mark as the suffering Servant, Luke as the Savior of all people, and John as the Son of God. A wonderful place for any beginner to start is the Gospel of John.
History — Acts
Acts (full title: the Acts of the Apostles). Written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, Acts tells how the Holy Spirit launched the church at Pentecost and carried the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome.
Paul’s Letters — 13 Books
Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. These letters from the apostle Paul teach churches how to believe and how to live. Romans explains the gospel most fully; Philippians overflows with joy even though Paul wrote it from prison.
General Letters — 8 Books
Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude. Written by various apostles and leaders to believers everywhere, these letters encourage holy living, warn against false teaching, and celebrate God’s love — “for God is love” (1 John 4:8).
Prophecy — Revelation
Revelation. The Bible’s final book, given to the apostle John, unveils Jesus Christ in glory and promises His victorious return. It ends with the Bible’s closing prayer: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Where Do the Names of the Books of the Bible Come From?
Book names were not printed on the original scrolls — they were added later to help readers find their way. Most Old Testament books are named after their main person (Joshua, Ruth, Esther, Job, Jonah), their traditional author (the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel), or their theme: Genesis means “beginnings,” Exodus means “departure,” Psalms means “songs,” and Proverbs means “sayings.”
New Testament names follow similar patterns. The Gospels and several letters are named for their authors (Matthew, John, Peter, James, Jude), Paul’s letters are named for the churches or people who received them (Romans, Corinthians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon), and Revelation means “unveiling” — exactly what the book does.
Just as each book’s name points to its message, the names God gives Himself reveal who He is. If you enjoy exploring biblical names, our guide to the names of God in the Bible walks through them with Scripture.
Why Do Some Bibles Have 73 Books Instead of 66?
You may have noticed the search results mention 73 books. Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles include seven additional Old Testament books — Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach (also called Ecclesiasticus), and Baruch — plus longer versions of Esther and Daniel. These are called the deuterocanonical books, meaning “second canon.”
Protestant Bibles contain 66 books and place these extra writings in a separate section called the Apocrypha, or leave them out entirely. Importantly, all Christian traditions agree on the same 27 New Testament books — the difference concerns only some Old Testament writings.
An Easy Way to Remember the Books of the Bible
Sixty-six names sound like a lot — but nobody memorizes them by staring at a list. Try these simple methods instead:
- Learn them in groups. Master the five books of the Law first, then the four Gospels, and build outward. Small wins keep you going.
- Sing them. Children’s “books of the Bible” songs set the names to catchy tunes, and they work for adults too.
- Read through them. A one-year reading plan walks you through every book in order — by December, the names will feel like old friends.
- Start where it matters. Begin with John, then Genesis, Psalms, and Proverbs. Familiarity with a few books makes the whole list less intimidating.
Names carry meaning — that is true of Bible books and of people too. Our article on the biblical meaning of William shows how even a modern name can connect to timeless Scripture themes.
Bible Verses About God’s Word
The Bible has a lot to say about itself. These verses remind us why all 66 books matter:
“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)
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” — Matthew 24:35 (KJV)
From Genesis to Revelation, Jesus Himself affirmed these writings. On the road to Emmaus, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Every book — all 66 names — points to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Names of the Books in the Bible
What are the names of the books in the Bible?
The Bible contains 66 books. The 39 Old Testament books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The 27 New Testament books are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation.
How many books are in the Bible?
The Protestant Bible has 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles have 73 books, adding seven Old Testament books — Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch — plus extra passages in Esther and Daniel.
What are the 39 books of the Old Testament in order?
In order, they are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
What are the 27 books of the New Testament in order?
In order, they are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation.
What is the first and last book of the Bible?
Genesis is the first book of the Bible — its name means “beginnings,” and it opens with the creation of the world. Revelation is the last book — its name means “unveiling,” and it closes with the promise of Christ’s return and the Bible’s final prayer, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Why do Catholic Bibles have 73 books?
Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles include seven additional Old Testament books — Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch — known as the deuterocanonical books. Protestant Bibles contain 66 books and either place these writings in a separate Apocrypha section or omit them. All traditions agree on the same 27 New Testament books.
What is the longest and shortest book of the Bible?
Psalms, with 150 chapters, is by far the longest book in the Bible. By verse count, 3 John is the shortest book with just 14 verses. Several books contain only a single chapter, including Obadiah, Philemon, Jude, 2 John, and 3 John.
Are the books of the Bible in chronological order?
No — the books are grouped by type of literature rather than by date. For example, Job probably lived around the time of the patriarchs, but his book sits in the Poetry section, and the prophets are grouped by length (major and minor) rather than by when they lived. This arrangement helps readers find the kind of writing they are looking for.
Where should a beginner start reading the Bible?
Start with the Gospel of John to meet Jesus, then read Mark for the fast-paced story of His ministry. After that, try Genesis for the beginning of the story, Psalms for prayer, and Proverbs for daily wisdom. Many new readers then continue with Romans to understand the gospel more deeply.
What does the Bible say about itself?
The Bible claims divine inspiration: “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). It also promises lasting power: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35, KJV).
Conclusion
From Genesis to Revelation, the 66 books of the Bible form one magnificent library with one Author and one hero: Jesus Christ. Their names — Law, History, Poetry, Prophets, Gospels, Letters — are like signs on library shelves, guiding you to exactly the help, hope, or wisdom you need today.
Don’t try to master all the names at once. Open one book — perhaps the Gospel of John — and start reading. As Jesus promised, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). These 66 books have guided believers for centuries, and they are ready to guide you too.
I’m Emma, an AI content writer with 4 years of experience creating heartfelt prayers, Bible-based messages, blessings, and inspiring faith-filled content.