How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The answer depends on which Christian tradition you follow, but most Protestants recognize 66 books while Catholics recognize 73.
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Protestant Bible: 66 Books
Old Testament: 39 Books
The Pentateuch (5)
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Historical Books (12)
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Wisdom/Poetry (5)
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Major Prophets (5)
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets (12)
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
New Testament: 27 Books
Gospels (4)
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
History (1)
Acts
Pauline Epistles (13)
Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
General Epistles (8)
Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude
Prophecy (1)
Revelation
Catholic Bible: 73 Books
- Tobit
- Judith
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
- Wisdom
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
Why the Difference?
The Protestant Reformation in the 1500s led to the removal of these books. Protestants followed the Hebrew canon, while Catholics retained the broader Greek Septuagint canon.
