Books of the Bible in Order
The complete list of all 66 books from Genesis to Revelation -- with author, chapter count, category, and a one-line summary for every book in the Old and New Testament.
66
Books
1,189
Chapters
39 OT
Old Testament
27 NT
New Testament
Understanding the Order of the Books of the Bible
The Bible is a library of 66 books written by approximately 40 authors over a span of roughly 1,500 years. The books of the Bible in order follow an arrangement that is partly chronological and partly thematic. The Old Testament opens with the five books of the Law (the Pentateuch, written by Moses) and moves through history, poetry, and prophecy. The New Testament begins with the four Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -- which record the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then continues through the early Church history in Acts, the apostolic letters (Epistles), and the prophetic visions of Revelation.
Knowing the order of the books of the Bible is foundational for effective Bible study, sermon preparation, and scripture memorization. When you can navigate from Genesis to Revelation with confidence, you unlock the ability to trace themes across the entire canon: creation and fall in Genesis, redemption foreshadowed in the prophets, fulfillment in the Gospels, and consummation in Revelation. The King James Version (KJV) follows the same 66-book ordering used by virtually all Protestant Bibles today.
Below you will find every book listed in canonical order with its author, number of chapters, literary category, and a brief summary. Each book links to its chapter listing page where you can explore chapter-by-chapter quizzes, summaries, and verse studies. Whether you are a new believer learning the books for the first time or a seasoned student refreshing your knowledge, this complete reference covers the full sweep of Scripture from “In the beginning” to “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Old Testament (39 books)
- 1GenesisPentateuch / Law
Moses · 50 chapters
Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
- 2ExodusPentateuch / Law
Moses · 40 chapters
Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, and the tabernacle.
- 3LeviticusPentateuch / Law
Moses · 27 chapters
Laws for worship, sacrifice, holiness, and the priesthood of Israel.
- 4NumbersPentateuch / Law
Moses · 36 chapters
Israel’s wilderness wanderings, census records, and journey toward Canaan.
- 5DeuteronomyPentateuch / Law
Moses · 34 chapters
Moses’ farewell speeches restating the Law before Israel enters the Promised Land.
- 6JoshuaHistorical
Joshua · 24 chapters
The conquest and division of the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership.
- 7JudgesHistorical
Samuel (traditionally) · 21 chapters
Cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance through twelve judges of Israel.
- 8RuthHistorical
Samuel (traditionally) · 4 chapters
A Moabite woman’s loyalty to Naomi and God’s providence in the line of David.
- 91 SamuelHistorical
Samuel, Nathan, Gad · 31 chapters
The transition from judges to monarchy: Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David.
- 102 SamuelHistorical
Nathan, Gad · 24 chapters
David’s reign as king of Israel, his victories, and his failures.
- 111 KingsHistorical
Jeremiah (traditionally) · 22 chapters
Solomon’s glory, the divided kingdom, and the prophet Elijah.
- 122 KingsHistorical
Jeremiah (traditionally) · 25 chapters
The decline of Israel and Judah, the ministry of Elisha, and exile to Babylon.
- 131 ChroniclesHistorical
Ezra (traditionally) · 29 chapters
Genealogies and David’s reign retold with emphasis on temple worship.
- 142 ChroniclesHistorical
Ezra (traditionally) · 36 chapters
Solomon’s temple, the kings of Judah, and the exile.
- 15
- 16NehemiahHistorical
Nehemiah · 13 chapters
Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and renewing the covenant under Nehemiah.
- 17EstherHistorical
Unknown · 10 chapters
A Jewish queen’s courage saves her people from annihilation in Persia.
- 18JobPoetry / Wisdom
Unknown · 42 chapters
A righteous man’s suffering, dialogue with friends, and God’s sovereign answer.
- 19PsalmsPoetry / Wisdom
David and others · 150 chapters
150 songs and prayers expressing praise, lament, thanksgiving, and trust in God.
- 20ProverbsPoetry / Wisdom
Solomon and others · 31 chapters
Practical wisdom for godly living: morality, relationships, and the fear of the LORD.
- 21EcclesiastesPoetry / Wisdom
Solomon · 12 chapters
The Preacher’s search for meaning and the conclusion to fear God and keep His commandments.
- 22Song of SolomonPoetry / Wisdom
Solomon · 8 chapters
A poetic celebration of love between a bride and bridegroom.
- 23IsaiahMajor Prophets
Isaiah · 66 chapters
Prophecies of judgment and salvation, the coming Messiah, and Israel’s restoration.
- 24JeremiahMajor Prophets
Jeremiah · 52 chapters
Warnings of judgment against Judah, the fall of Jerusalem, and a new covenant promise.
- 25LamentationsMajor Prophets
Jeremiah · 5 chapters
Jeremiah’s poetic grief over the destruction of Jerusalem.
- 26EzekielMajor Prophets
Ezekiel · 48 chapters
Visions of God’s glory, judgment on nations, and the future temple.
- 27DanielMajor Prophets
Daniel · 12 chapters
Faithfulness in Babylonian captivity and apocalyptic visions of future kingdoms.
- 28HoseaMinor Prophets
Hosea · 14 chapters
God’s unfailing love for unfaithful Israel portrayed through Hosea’s marriage.
- 29JoelMinor Prophets
Joel · 3 chapters
A plague of locusts, a call to repentance, and the outpouring of the Spirit.
- 30AmosMinor Prophets
Amos · 9 chapters
God’s justice and judgment against Israel and the surrounding nations.
- 31
- 32JonahMinor Prophets
Jonah · 4 chapters
A reluctant prophet, a great fish, and God’s mercy toward Nineveh.
- 33
- 34
- 35HabakkukMinor Prophets
Habakkuk · 3 chapters
A prophet’s questions about evil and God’s sovereign plan through Babylon.
- 36ZephaniahMinor Prophets
Zephaniah · 3 chapters
The day of the LORD’s judgment and the promise of a faithful remnant.
- 37
- 38ZechariahMinor Prophets
Zechariah · 14 chapters
Messianic visions and a call to repentance during the temple rebuilding.
- 39MalachiMinor Prophets
Malachi · 4 chapters
God’s final Old Testament message: repentance, tithing, and the coming messenger.
New Testament (27 books)
- 40MatthewGospel
Matthew (Levi) · 28 chapters
Jesus as the promised Messiah and King, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
- 41MarkGospel
John Mark · 16 chapters
The servant ministry of Jesus: action-packed miracles, death, and resurrection.
- 42LukeGospel
Luke · 24 chapters
A careful historical account of Jesus’ life, emphasizing compassion for all people.
- 43JohnGospel
John the Apostle · 21 chapters
The deity of Christ: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God."
- 44ActsHistory
Luke · 28 chapters
The birth and spread of the early Church through the Holy Spirit’s power.
- 45RomansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 16 chapters
Paul’s theological masterpiece: justification by faith and life in the Spirit.
- 461 CorinthiansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 16 chapters
Paul addresses divisions, immorality, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection.
- 472 CorinthiansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 13 chapters
Paul’s defense of his apostleship and the ministry of reconciliation.
- 48GalatiansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 6 chapters
Freedom in Christ: salvation by grace through faith, not by works of the Law.
- 49EphesiansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 6 chapters
God’s eternal purpose, the Church as Christ’s body, and the armor of God.
- 50PhilippiansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 4 chapters
Joy in Christ regardless of circumstances, and the mind of Christ.
- 51ColossiansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 4 chapters
The supremacy and sufficiency of Christ over all things.
- 521 ThessaloniansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 5 chapters
Encouragement for a young church and the second coming of Christ.
- 532 ThessaloniansPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 3 chapters
Correction about the Day of the Lord and a call to faithful living.
- 541 TimothyPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 6 chapters
Instructions to a young pastor on church leadership, doctrine, and godliness.
- 552 TimothyPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 4 chapters
Paul’s final letter: endure hardship, preach the Word, finish the race.
- 56TitusPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 3 chapters
Godly leadership and sound doctrine for the church in Crete.
- 57PhilemonPauline Epistle
Paul the Apostle · 1 chapters
Paul’s appeal for the forgiveness and restoration of a runaway slave.
- 58HebrewsGeneral Epistle
Unknown · 13 chapters
The superiority of Christ over the old covenant: a better priest, sacrifice, and hope.
- 59JamesGeneral Epistle
James, brother of Jesus · 5 chapters
Practical Christian living: faith without works is dead.
- 601 PeterGeneral Epistle
Peter the Apostle · 5 chapters
Hope and endurance through suffering for believers scattered abroad.
- 612 PeterGeneral Epistle
Peter the Apostle · 3 chapters
Warnings against false teachers and encouragement to grow in grace.
- 621 JohnGeneral Epistle
John the Apostle · 5 chapters
God is love: walking in the light, testing the spirits, and assurance of salvation.
- 632 JohnGeneral Epistle
John the Apostle · 1 chapters
A brief letter on truth, love, and guarding against false teaching.
- 643 JohnGeneral Epistle
John the Apostle · 1 chapters
Commendation for hospitality and a warning against Diotrephes’ pride.
- 65JudeGeneral Epistle
Jude, brother of Jesus · 1 chapters
A call to contend for the faith against false teachers who corrupt grace.
- 66RevelationApocalyptic / Prophecy
John the Apostle · 22 chapters
Apocalyptic visions of the end times, Christ’s return, and the new heaven and earth.
Can You Name All 66 Books? Take a Quiz.
Test your knowledge of every book of the Bible. Chapter quizzes for all 1,189 chapters with instant scoring and verse-by-verse explanations.
Take a Quiz NowFrequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Bible?
The Bible contains 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Together they contain 1,189 chapters and 31,102 verses in the King James Version. These books were written by approximately 40 authors over a period of roughly 1,500 years.
What are the books of the Bible in order?
The 66 books in order 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, Malachi, 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?
The first book is Genesis (“beginning”), written by Moses, covering creation through the patriarchs. The last book is Revelation, written by the apostle John, containing prophetic visions of the end times and Christ's return.
What are the categories of books in the Bible?
The Old Testament is grouped into Law (Genesis–Deuteronomy), History (Joshua–Esther), Poetry & Wisdom (Job–Song of Solomon), Major Prophets (Isaiah–Daniel), and Minor Prophets (Hosea–Malachi). The New Testament is grouped into Gospels, History (Acts), Pauline Epistles, General Epistles, and Apocalyptic Prophecy (Revelation).
What is the longest and shortest book of the Bible?
By chapter count, Psalms is the longest with 150 chapters. By word count, Jeremiah is the longest. The shortest books are 3 John (14 verses), 2 John (13 verses), and Obadiah (21 verses in a single chapter).