Knowing the books of the Bible in order gives you a useful map for navigating Scripture. For someone new to Bible reading, the long list of names can initially seem difficult to remember. However, once the books are grouped into their major sections, their arrangement becomes much easier to understand.
For most Protestant Christian Bibles, there are 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. These books include different types of writing, from law and history to poetry, prophecy, the Gospels and letters. The order of the books is not simply chronological; they are broadly arranged according to literary groupings.
If you are starting Bible study from the beginning, it is also useful to understand what the Bible is, how Scripture is organised and why its books are divided between the Old and New Testaments.
Books of the Bible in Order
The complete list below follows the traditional Protestant order. Learning this sequence can make it easier to find passages, understand biblical references and move confidently between different parts of Scripture.
Old Testament
The Old Testament contains 39 books in the Protestant Bible. They can be grouped into the Law, Historical Books, Poetry and Wisdom, Major Prophets and Minor Prophets.
The First Five Books of the Bible
The first five books are often called the Pentateuch, Torah or Books of the Law:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
These are the first five Bible books and provide the foundation for much of the biblical story. Genesis introduces creation, humanity, the patriarchs and God’s covenant promises. Exodus describes Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the giving of the Law. Leviticus focuses heavily on worship, holiness and religious laws. Numbers follows Israel’s journey through the wilderness, while Deuteronomy presents a renewed presentation of the Law before Israel enters the Promised Land.
Readers wanting to understand how to study the Bible for beginners can benefit from learning how these foundational books connect with later Scripture.
Historical Books
The next section contains books that continue the history of Israel and describe important leaders, events, kingdoms, exile and restoration:
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
These books cover a broad period of biblical history. Joshua describes Israel’s entry into the land, while Judges records the period of the judges. Ruth tells a shorter story set during this era. Samuel introduces the transition toward kingship and the stories of Samuel, Saul and David.
Kings and Chronicles describe Israel’s monarchy from different perspectives. Ezra and Nehemiah focus on restoration after exile, while Esther tells the story of a Jewish woman living within the Persian Empire.
Poetry and Wisdom Books
The Bible’s poetic and wisdom literature contains some of its most widely read passages:
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Solomon
These books explore suffering, worship, wisdom, meaning, relationships and the realities of human life. Psalms contains prayers and songs that cover subjects including praise, sorrow, trust, repentance and worship. Proverbs presents concise wisdom concerning character, speech, work, relationships and decision-making.
Readers exploring worship verses will encounter many relevant passages within Psalms, while those interested in practical wisdom can spend time studying Proverbs.
Major Prophets
The next group contains the five books traditionally known as the Major Prophets:
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
The term “Major” refers primarily to the length and scope of these prophetic books rather than suggesting that their messages are more important than those of the Minor Prophets.
Isaiah contains messages concerning judgment, hope, restoration and God’s purposes. Jeremiah records prophetic warnings surrounding the fall of Jerusalem. Lamentations expresses grief following the destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel contains prophetic messages delivered during the period of exile, while Daniel combines narratives and visions.
Minor Prophets
The final 12 books of the Old Testament are traditionally called the Minor Prophets:
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
Again, “Minor” describes the relative length of these books rather than their importance. Together, they address themes such as covenant faithfulness, justice, repentance, judgment, restoration and hope.
New Testament Books in Order
The New Testament contains 27 books in the Protestant Bible. It begins with the four Gospels, followed by Acts, the New Testament letters and Revelation.
The Four Gospels
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the four Gospels. Each presents the life, ministry, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while each Gospel has its own structure, emphasis and perspective.
Someone beginning Christian Bible study may find the Gospels an accessible place to learn about Jesus. If you are developing a structured reading routine, our guide to how to study the Bible for beginners can help you approach a Gospel systematically.
Acts
- Acts
Acts follows the Gospel of Luke and describes the growth of the early Christian movement. It includes the activity of the apostles, the spread of the Christian message and the journeys of important early Christian leaders.
Paul’s Letters
The New Testament then contains a collection of letters traditionally associated with Paul:
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
These letters address Christian belief, church life, ethical questions, relationships, leadership and practical discipleship. Because letters were written to particular audiences and situations, understanding their context is especially important when studying them.
This is where a study Bible can be helpful. Introductions and notes can provide background about the recipients, historical setting and major themes.
General Letters
The remaining letters are commonly grouped as the General Epistles:
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
These books address a range of Christian themes, including faith, perseverance, holiness, Christian conduct, love, false teaching and hope.
Revelation
- Revelation
Revelation is the final book of the New Testament and therefore the final book in the traditional Protestant Bible. It contains letters to churches, symbolic visions and messages concerning God’s purposes and ultimate victory.
Books of the Bible by Number
If you want to remember the books of the Bible by number, the simplest starting point is to learn the two major divisions:
- Old Testament: 39 books
- New Testament: 27 books
- Total: 66 books
Within those divisions, the books are arranged into recognisable groups. Memorising the groups first is generally easier than trying to memorise all 66 names as one long sequence.
How Many Books Are in the Bible?
When people ask how many books are in the Bible, the answer depends on the Christian tradition being discussed. The Protestant Bible contains 66 books, while Catholic and Orthodox traditions have different collections of Old Testament books.
This means that the exact number should always be considered alongside the biblical tradition and edition being used. When comparing different Bibles, check the contents page to see which books are included.
Understanding these differences can also help when exploring resources related to Catholic Bible study and other Christian traditions.
How Many Chapters and Verses Are in the Bible?
Another common question is how many books chapters and verses are in the Bible. In the traditional Protestant Bible, there are 66 books, 1,189 chapters and more than 31,000 verses, although verse counts can vary slightly depending on how particular translations and textual traditions number passages.
The chapter and verse divisions are useful for locating passages, but they were added to the biblical text after the original books were written. They should therefore be treated as navigation tools rather than assuming that every chapter or verse represents a separate idea.
When studying a passage, read beyond the verse number and consider the surrounding paragraphs and chapter. This helps maintain the context of the original writing.
How Many Chapters Are in the Bible?
The Protestant Bible contains 1,189 chapters in total. The Old Testament contains 929 chapters and the New Testament contains 260.
However, chapter numbers should not determine how you study Scripture. Some chapters are very short, while others contain several connected events or arguments. A natural paragraph or section can sometimes be a better unit of study than an individual chapter.
If you are new to Bible reading, consider using a structured approach rather than attempting to read a fixed number of chapters simply to meet a target. Our guide on Bible studies can support a more focused approach.
What Is the Second Book of the Old Testament?
The second book of the Old Testament is Exodus. It follows Genesis and continues the story of the descendants of Israel.
Exodus is particularly important for understanding Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, the covenant at Sinai and the development of Israel’s worship and community life. It also introduces themes that appear repeatedly throughout later Scripture.
What Is the Third Book of the Bible?
The third book of the Bible is Leviticus. It follows Exodus and forms part of the first five books known as the Pentateuch.
Leviticus contains laws and instructions concerning worship, sacrifices, holiness, priests and community life. Its subject matter can initially seem unfamiliar to modern readers, which makes context particularly important when studying it.
What Is the Fourth Book of the Bible?
The fourth book of the Bible is Numbers. It follows Leviticus and continues the account of Israel’s journey through the wilderness.
The book includes censuses, laws, journeys, events involving Israel’s community and episodes showing the challenges faced during the wilderness period.
How Many Books Are in the New Testament?
There are 27 books in the New Testament in the traditional Protestant Bible. They begin with Matthew and end with Revelation.
The New Testament’s 27 books can be remembered through four broad groups: the four Gospels, Acts, the letters and Revelation. This structure provides an easy framework for finding different types of New Testament writing.
Knowing where each book belongs becomes particularly useful when following Bible study topics that cross between the Old and New Testaments.
Why Learn the Books of the Bible in Order?
Memorising the biblical books is not a requirement for meaningful Christian faith, but it is a valuable practical skill for anyone who regularly reads or studies Scripture.
Knowing the order makes it faster to locate passages, follow Bible reading plans and understand references made during sermons or group studies. It also gives you a clearer picture of how the Bible’s different sections fit together.
As you learn the sequence, try to associate each book with its broad category. Think “Genesis to Deuteronomy” for the Law, “Joshua to Esther” for history, “Job to Song of Solomon” for poetry and wisdom, followed by the prophets. Then use the same method for the New Testament.
How to Memorise the Books of the Bible
Start with small groups instead of attempting all 66 books at once. Learn the first five, then the historical books, then the poetry and wisdom books. Continue through the prophets before moving to the New Testament.
Writing the names repeatedly, saying them aloud, using flashcards and practising a few minutes each day can help. Another useful technique is to open your Bible and locate each book as you say its name.
Over time, repeated use will make the order increasingly familiar. The objective is not simply memorisation; it is becoming comfortable navigating Scripture.
The Books of the Bible Form a Connected Collection
The books of the Bible are distinct writings, but they also contain numerous connections in themes, people, events, promises and ideas. Learning their order provides the basic framework for exploring these relationships.
For example, themes introduced in Genesis appear again throughout the Law and later historical and prophetic books. The Gospels present Jesus within the broader story of Israel and the Old Testament. The New Testament letters also contain numerous references to earlier Scripture.
This is why understanding the structure of the Bible and learning its books are valuable first steps toward deeper Bible study.
Using the Book List for Bible Study
Once you know the order of the books, use the list as a foundation for a systematic reading plan. Choose one book and study it section by section rather than jumping randomly between passages.
Read the introduction, identify the main themes and consider the historical setting. Then work through the text while recording questions and observations. When you encounter an important connection, use cross-references to investigate other passages.
You can also explore specific Bible study topics after completing a book, allowing you to trace a theme across several sections of Scripture.
Books of the Bible in Order: Quick Review
The traditional Protestant Bible contains 66 books divided into 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. The Old Testament begins with Genesis and ends with Malachi. The New Testament begins with Matthew and ends with Revelation.
The main Old Testament groups are the Law, Historical Books, Poetry and Wisdom, Major Prophets and Minor Prophets. The New Testament contains the Gospels, Acts, Paul’s letters, General Epistles and Revelation.
Learning these groups first makes the complete list much easier to remember. More importantly, it gives you a framework for navigating Scripture and understanding where each book belongs.
Start Exploring Scripture
Learning the books of the Bible in order is a simple but valuable step toward becoming more confident in Bible study. Once the names and sections become familiar, finding passages and understanding the overall structure of Scripture becomes much easier.
Start with the first five books, continue through the historical and wisdom books, learn the prophets, and then work through the New Testament. At the same time, develop a consistent approach to studying the Bible so that memorising the book list becomes part of a broader habit of engaging with Scripture.
Whether you are a new reader, preparing for a Bible study group or simply wanting to navigate Scripture more confidently, knowing the order of the biblical books provides a useful foundation. From there, you can explore individual books, themes, worship scriptures and deeper Bible lessons with a clearer understanding of where each passage belongs.
