The 66 books of the Bible list can be misleading if you don’t know much about Bible history.
The Bible has different ‘books’ because each book really is a separate document all on its own, written at various points in time throughout history.
Although we now have the Bible between two covers, it did not start out that. One person did not sit down and write all these books.
This is why Bible study is so very vast and interesting. In this post, we will explore the 66 books of the Bible, how they are organized, their authors and meaning.
How many books are in the Old and New Testament
There 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament.
Despite the way they have been organized, the stories are not all chronologically placed.
That’s why there are such things as the chronological Bible reading plan.
What are the 66 books of the Bible in order
The order books of the Bible does not mean that the stories are all in order. Remember that the books are all separate, written by different people at different points in historical time
This list is only how they are currently organized in the Bible you buy or come across.
Old Testament books of the Bible
Here are the 39 books of the Old Testament in order
- 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
Download Old Testament Books of the Bible List and Checklist
New Testament books of the Bible
Here are the 27 books of the New Testament in order
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- Acts (of the Apostles)
- 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
- Revelation
Download New Testament Books of the Bible List and Checklist
DOWNLOAD 66 Books of the Bible list – Old and New Testament
How do you organize the books of the Bible
The Old Testament is basically the entire Jewish bible. It is called the Tanahk which is actually an acronym for the divisions of the Hebrew Scripture.
Tanahk means Torah (Instruction, or Law, also called the Pentateuch), Neviʾim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).
The a’s were added to make it pronounceable.
TNK can be used to remember how the books of the Old Testament are organized by their genres.
Old Testament – Books of Law (known as the Pentateuch)
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
Old Testament Books – History
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
Old Testament Books – Poetry Or Wisdom Literature
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song Of Solomon
Download the Old Testament Books of the Bible by Genre
Old Testament Books – Major Prophets
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
Old Testament Books – Minor Prophets
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
66 Books of the Bible list – New Testament
The New Testament is divided into 4 literary genres: Gospels, History, Epistles (Letters), and Prophecy.
New Testament Books – Gospels
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
New Testament Books – History
- Acts
New Testament Books – Epistles
- 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
Download the New Testament Books of the Bible by Genre
New Testament Books – Prophecy
- Revelation
DOWNLOAD Old Testament and New Testament Books of the Bible by Genre
66 Books of the Bible and their meanings and authors
A popular question about the Scriptures is: who wrote the Bible?
Well, no one person would be the answer. The Bible has approximately 40 authors.
This is why the Bible has “books”.
For the most part, the books of the Bible, got their names based on:
- the purpose of the book
- who wrote the book
- who the book was addressed to
- the name of the person who is the subject of the book
- the name of the person delivering the message of the book
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – The Pentateuch
- Genesis
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Bereshith. It means in the beginning. In greek it means birth or origin.
Author: Moses
- Exodus
Meaning: The word is Veelleh Shemoth. It means the way out. Exodus is said to be written by Moses.
Author: Moses
- Leviticus
Meaning: The Hebrew word Isvayyikra. It means worship.
Author: Moses
- Numbers
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Bemidbar. It means in the wilderness.
Author: Moses
- Deuteronomy
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Mishnah Torah and means repeated/law. Another Hebrew title for the book is Devarim which means words and was taken from the opening of the book “These are the words which Moses’ spoke…”
Author: Moses
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – History books
- Joshua
Meaning: The Hebrew is Yahsua (Jesus) or Yahvah (God). The name means The Savior or Yahweh is salvation.
Author: Unknown
- Judges
Meaning: The Hebrew is Shophetim. It means ruler. It could also mean deliverer or savior.
Author: Unknown
- Ruth
Meaning: The Hebrew word is re’ut which could be loosely translated as friend or companion. Author: Unknown
- 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel
Meaning: The Hebrew is Shemuel. It means asked of God or God has heard. However, the book was named based on the life of the Prophet Samuel from his birth until the death of Saul.
Author: Unknown
- 1 Kings and 2 Kings
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Melachim which means king. These books were named because they tell the history kings of ancient Israel.
Author: Unknown
- 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles
Meaning: The Hebrew is Dibrei hayyamim. It means word of the days.
Author: Ezra the prophet.
- Ezra
Meaning: The name means help.
Author: Ezra the prophet
- Nehemiah
Meaning: The name means comforter of Yahweh or Yahweh comforts.
Author: Nehemiah
- Esther
Meaning: The book was named based on the main character. It means star.
Author: Unknown
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – Poetry/ Wisdom
- Job
Meaning: The Hebrew is Lyyob and it means persecuted or hated.
Author: Unknown
- Psalms
Meaning: The Hebrew is Tehillim and it means songs to rejoice.
Authors: It was written by Many different authors: David, Solomon, Moses, the sons of Korah, sons of Asaph, Heman, Ethan the Ezrahit.
- Proverbs
Meaning: The Hebrew is Mashal which means to rule or to have dominion.
Author: It was written mostly by King Solomon but chapters 30 and 31 were written by Agur and Lemuel.
- Ecclesiastes
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Koheleth which means preacher.
Author: King Solomon.
- Song of Solomon
Meaning: The Hebrew is Shir Hashshirim which means Song of Songs.
Author: King Solomon.
Download the OLD TESTAMENT Books of the Bible, authors and meanings.
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – Major Prophets
- Isaiah
Meaning: The Hebrew is Yesha’yahu and it means salvation of Yahweh or Yahweh is salvation or God saves.
Author: The prophet Isaiah
- Jeremiah
Meaning: The Hebrew is Yirmiyahu which means yahweh will exalt or Yahweh will uplift.
Author: The prophet Jeremiah
- Lamentations
Meaning: The book was named from the very first word in the book. The Hebrew word is ekah which means how. However, in english Lamentations mean a ‘mourning song’. These are hymns of Jeremiah.
Author: The prophet Jeremiah
- Ezekiel
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Yehezkel and it means strength of God or God will strengthen.
Author: Prophet Ezekiel.
- Daniel
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Daniyyel and it means judgement of God or God is my judge.
Author: The Prophet Ezekiel
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – Minor Prophets
- Hosea
Meaning:The Hebrew word is Hoshea and it means salvation.
Author: The Prophet Hosea
- Joel
Meaning: The Hebrew is Yow’el which mean Jehovah is his God
Author: The Prophet Joel
- Amos
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Amowc and it means burden or load.
Author: The Prophet Amos
- Obadiah
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Obadyah and it means serving Yahweh.
Author: The Prophet Obadiah
- Jonah
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Yonah and it means dove.
Author: The Prophet Jonah
- Micah
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Miykayah and it means who is like Yahweh.
Author: The Prophet Micah
- Nahum
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Nachuwm and it means comfortable.
Author: The Prophet Nahum
- Habakkuk
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Chabaqquwq which means to embrace.
Author: The Prophet Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Tsephanyah and it means hidden of God.
Author: The Prophet Zephaniah
- Haggai
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Chaggay and it means festive.
Author: The Prophet Haggai
- Zechariah
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Zekaryah and it means remembered by God.
Author: The Prophet Zechariah
- Malachi
Meaning: The Hebrew word is Malakiy which means my messenger.
Author: The Prophet Malachi
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – The Gospels
The word gospel comes from the word euangelion which means good news.
This is what the Gospels are about – how Jesus and his work brought the best news ever to humanity.
- Matthew
Meaning: This book was named based on the author who wanted to capture the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Author: Matthew a former a tax collector who became a disciple of Jesus
- Mark
Meaning: This book was named based on the author who wanted to capture Jesus’s ministerial life on earth.
Author: John-Mark, a companion of Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys.
- Luke
Meaning: This book was named from the author who was an eye witness to Jesus’s life and ministry.
Author: Luke, a physician, wrote the book based on interviews.
- John
Meaning: The book was named from the author who wanted to capture the power and holiness of Jesus as God so that his readers would believe.
Author: John, a disciple of Jesus, the one whom Jesus loved.
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – History
- Acts (of the Apostles)
Meaning: This book was named from the author who was an eye witness to Jesus’s life and ministry. The book captures the life and missionary work of the of the Apostles mostly, Peter and Paul.
Author: Luke, a physician, wrote the book based on interviews.
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – Epistles
These books were written after Jesus died, was raised and went back to heaven.
Christianity as a religion was new and young. Judaism was still the primary religion.
Many people who embraced Christianity experienced confusion as they converted from one belief to the next.
Some got weary and discouraged because of persecution and mistreatment.
These facts shape the names, meanings and authors of the Epistles.
- Romans
Meaning: This was a letter written to the church located in Rome.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- 1 Corinthians & 2 Corinthians
Meaning: These were letters written to the church located in Corinth.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- Galatians
Meaning: This was a letter written to the church located in Galatia.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- Ephesians
Meaning: This was a letter written to the church located in Ephesus.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- Philippians
Meaning: This was a letter written to the church located in Phillipi.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- Colossians
Meaning: This was a letter written to the church located in Colossae.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- 1 Thessalonians & 2 Thessalonians
Meaning: This was a letter written to the church located in Thessalonica.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- 1 Timothy & 2 Timothy
Meaning: These were letter written to Timothy who was a young man, a missionary and a leader in the early church. The aim was to give him leadership advice as well as to encourage him.
Author: The Apostle Paul
Download NEW TESTAMENT Books of the Bible, authors and meanings
- Titus
Meaning: This was a letter written to Titus who was a missionary in the early church and a mentee of the Apostle Paul.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- Philemon
Meaning: This was written to a man named Philemon. His slave ran away and the author wrote a letter to him asking him to take back his slave in the spirit of freedom for the slave. The name comes from the Greek word philema which means kiss. The name means affectionate.
Author: The Apostle Paul
- Hebrews
Meaning: This was a letter written to Christians of the early church who were struggling in their faith because they were being mistreated and harassed for their beliefs.
Author: Unknown
- James
Meaning: This was a letter written to an unknown group of Christians. The author wanted to encourage them to live out their faith in practical ways.
Author: James, the brother of Jesus
- 1 Peter & 2 Peter –
Meaning: These letters were written to Christians who were having a hard time because of their beliefs. The Greek word is Petros which means stone.
Author: The Apostle Peter, a disciple of Jesus
- 1 John, 2 John, & 3 John
Meaning: These letters were written to Christians about how to love each other.
Author: The Apostle John, a disciple of Jesus and the one whom “Jesus loved”.
- Jude
Meaning: This was a letter written to Christians about staying faithful in hard times.
Author: Jude, the brother of James
66 Books of the Bible list and their meanings and authors – Prophecy
- Revelation
Meaning: The Greek word is Apokalupsis and it means to reveal prophecy.
Author: The Apostle John, a disciple of Jesus and the one whom “Jesus loved”.
BROWSE ALL the printables in this post.
DOWNLOAD ALL the printables in this post.
How do you remember the 66 books of the Bible?
I confess. I don’t always remember where to find some of the Books of the Bible.
When I used to use a physical Bible more often, this was never the case.
Now, my iPad and phone are taking away this aspect of my Bible knowledge.
But there is nothing like a song to help us remember anything.
If you want to commit the order of these books to memory, you can use the 66 books of the Bible song.
And you can use the 66 books of the bible coloring pages pdf too.
Terms of use: The printables on The Faith Space blog are forpersonal use only. The filesmay notbe altered or redistributed for monetary gain without written consent from the author. This includes but is not limited to selling the printed product, selling the file, or uploading the file to any other website other than to have it printed for personal use. You may not use anything on our site for any commercial purposes.
