Introduction
The Bible contains 66 books, divided into two main parts. The Old Testament has 39 of them, written before Jesus came, and the New Testament has 27, written after. Together they form a library written by about forty authors over roughly fifteen centuries, telling one story: the story of God and humanity.
Opening a Bible for the first time can feel like walking into a huge library without a map. Where is everything? What order should you read in? This page gives you the map. You will find the complete list of books in order, arranged by category (the Law, history, poetry, the prophets, the Gospels, the letters), then what the Bible says about itself and a simple tip for choosing which book to start with.
How many books are in the Bible?
There are 66: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. The word “Bible” comes from a Greek word that simply means “the books.” So it is not a single work written in one sitting, but a collection of texts of very different kinds: stories, laws, songs, proverbs, prophecies, biographies, letters.
The word “testament” here means “covenant,” that is, a solemn commitment. The Old Testament tells of God’s covenant with the people of Israel. The New Testament announces a new covenant, offered to all peoples, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The number 66 matches the books recognized by all Christian traditions.
The 39 Books of the Old Testament in Order
They are arranged in four groups. First the Law, also called the five books of Moses, which tells of the origins of the world and the birth of the people of Israel: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Next come the historical books, which follow the people into the land they receive: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
The poetry and wisdom books gather songs and reflections on life: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Then come the prophets, messengers who speak on God’s behalf. The five so-called major prophets, named for the length of their books, are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
The twelve so-called minor prophets, because their books are shorter, close the Old Testament: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. The total comes to 5 books of the Law, 12 historical books, 5 poetry books, 5 major prophets and 12 minor prophets, for a total of 39 books.
The 27 Books of the New Testament in Order
The New Testament opens with the four Gospels, four accounts of the life of Jesus seen by four witnesses: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. The word “gospel” means “good news.” Next comes a book of history, the Acts of the Apostles, which tells how the first Christian communities were born and spread across the world of the time.
Then come the letters of the apostle Paul, written to churches or co-workers: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. They are arranged from longest to shortest, not in the order in which Paul wrote them.
The other letters follow: Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude. The last book is Revelation, a text full of images that speaks of God’s final victory. That makes 4 Gospels, 1 historical book, 13 letters of Paul, 8 other letters and 1 prophetic book, for a total of 27 books.
What Does the Bible Say About Itself?
The biblical authors reflected on the purpose of their writings. These texts give the key to reading the whole collection: a message from God, passed on through human beings, to enlighten and transform those who read it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Paul affirms that all Scripture is God-breathed, meaning it comes from God’s own breath. Its purpose is practical: to teach, correct, and prepare a person to act well. The Bible is not only meant to be known; it is meant to be put into practice. Read all of 2 Timothy 3.
Hebrews 1:1-2
"God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds."
This passage sums up the thread running through both Testaments. God once spoke through the prophets, and then he spoke through his Son. The first 39 books therefore prepare for the coming of Jesus, and the last 27 tell that story and draw out its consequences. Read all of Hebrews 1.
Luke 24:44
"He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled."
The risen Jesus explains to his disciples that the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms all spoke about him. In this way he takes the major parts of the Old Testament and shows that they form a single story leading to him. Read all of Luke 24.
John 20:30-31
"Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name."
John admits that his Gospel does not tell everything. He chose certain events for a specific purpose: to help the reader believe and receive life. The authors of the Bible selected their accounts for a reason, not to record everything. Read all of John 20.
Romans 15:4
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Paul reminds us that ancient texts were written to teach us. They give patience, comfort, and hope. The stories of the Old Testament are therefore not curiosities of the past; they still speak to readers today. Read all of Romans 15.
Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path."
The psalmist compares God’s word to a lamp that lights the next step. It does not illuminate the whole road at once, but it is enough to move forward without stumbling. It is a fine picture of what we seek when we read one book after another. Read all of Psalm 119.
Which Book of the Bible Should You Start With?
You do not need to read the Bible from the first page to the last. Many people start with the Gospel of John or Mark to meet Jesus directly. Mark is the shortest and fastest, while John is the most contemplative. Then the book of Acts shows what happened next.
For the Old Testament, Genesis tells of the beginnings and remains accessible. The Psalms are prayers to read day by day, and Proverbs offers short sayings of wisdom for everyday life. Paul’s letters, such as Romans or Philippians, are best read after you have read a Gospel. A few verses a day are worth more than a marathon abandoned after a week.
What Are the Deuterocanonical Books?
Some Bibles contain more books than the 66 presented here. These are texts from the period between the two Testaments, such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, or 1 and 2 Maccabees. The Catholic and Orthodox traditions accept them as part of Scripture, while the Protestant tradition sets them apart or does not include them.
The word “deuterocanonical” means “admitted at a second stage,” which indicates that their place was debated over the centuries. All traditions, however, agree on the 66 books on this page: if you are just starting out, you can read them without wondering which Bible to choose.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Old and New Testaments?
The Old Testament has 39 books: 5 of the Law, 12 historical books, 5 poetry books, and 17 prophetic books. The New Testament has 27: 4 Gospels, Acts, 21 letters, and Revelation. Together, that makes 66 books.
What are the first and last books of the Bible?
The first book is Genesis, which tells of the origins of the world, of humanity, and of the people of Israel. The last is Revelation, which describes in images God’s final victory and the restoration of all things. One opens the Bible, the other closes it.
Who wrote the Bible?
About forty authors wrote it over roughly fifteen centuries: shepherds, kings, fishermen, physicians, prophets. Christians believe God inspired these people, each of whom wrote in his or her own style and from his or her own experience, to convey one message.
In what order should a beginner read the Bible?
A simple path is to start with one Gospel, such as Mark or John, then Acts, then a few of Paul’s letters. You can then move on to Genesis, the Psalms, and Proverbs. It is better to read a little regularly than to try to read everything at once.