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If you are wondering how many books are in the Bible, the answer depends on which Christian Bible you are referring to.
The Protestant Bible contains 66 books: 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament.
The Bible is not one single book written by one person. It is a collection of many individual books written by different authors over many centuries, brought together as Scripture.
There are also differences between Christian traditions. The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, while Eastern Orthodox Bibles contain additional books and can vary in their exact number.
So, if you are asking how many books are in the Bible most commonly used by Protestant Christians, the answer is:
66 books — 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
Quick Answer: How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The Bible used by most Protestant churches contains 66 books.
They are divided into two major sections:
- Old Testament — 39 books
- New Testament — 27 books
- Total — 66 books
The Old Testament tells the story of God’s relationship with humanity leading up to the coming of Jesus Christ.
The New Testament focuses on Jesus Christ, His life, death and resurrection, the beginning and growth of the early Church, Christian teaching, and the hope of Christ’s return.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 — Scripture Is Given by God
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The Bible is therefore more than simply a collection of ancient writings. Christians believe Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, correction, instruction and living according to His will.
How Is the Bible Divided?
The 66 books of the Protestant Bible are divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament contains 39 books.
The New Testament contains 27 books.
Together, they make up the 66 books of the Protestant Bible.
Hebrews 1:1–2 — God Spoke Through the Prophets and Through His Son
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”
The two Testaments are distinct, but they are also deeply connected.
The Old Testament contains the history of Israel, God’s covenant with His people, the Law, wisdom literature and the writings of the prophets.
The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah and records His ministry, death and resurrection, followed by the teaching and ministry of His apostles and the early Church.
How Many Books Are in the Old Testament?
The Protestant Old Testament contains 39 books.
These books cover a wide range of subjects, including creation, the history of Israel, God’s Law, poetry and wisdom, and prophetic messages.
The 39 books 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
Luke 24:44 — Jesus Referred to the Scriptures
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
Jesus referred to the Scriptures as containing the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms.
The Old Testament provides the background and promises that point forward to God’s plan of redemption, which is fulfilled in Christ.
How Many Books Are in the New Testament?
The Protestant New Testament contains 27 books.
These books begin with the four Gospels, which tell us about Jesus’ life and ministry.
They are followed by Acts, the letters written by the apostles and other early Christian leaders, and Revelation.
The 27 books are:
- 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
- Revelation
John 20:30–31 — Why the Gospels Were Written
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
The New Testament was written to teach about Jesus Christ and the salvation found through Him.
The Gospel accounts record His life, teachings, miracles, crucifixion and resurrection, while the rest of the New Testament teaches believers how to live as followers of Christ and looks forward to His return.
Why Are There 66 Books in the Protestant Bible?
The 66 books of the Protestant Bible were recognized as the books belonging to the biblical canon used by Protestant Christians.
It is important to understand that the Bible did not originally exist as one bound volume containing 66 books.
The individual books were written at different times and circulated among God’s people and the early Church.
Over time, the collection of writings recognized as Scripture was established.
The Protestant Old Testament contains the same 39 books traditionally found in the Hebrew Bible, although the Jewish tradition organizes and counts those books differently.
The New Testament contains 27 books.
2 Peter 1:20–21 — Scripture Came Through Men Moved by God
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Christians believe the human authors of Scripture wrote under God’s inspiration.
The fact that the Bible contains many books does not mean it contains many unrelated messages.
Rather, the books together tell the unfolding story of God’s work in creation, humanity’s fall into sin, God’s covenant promises, the coming of Christ, salvation through Him and God’s ultimate plan for His people.
Do All Christians Have the Same Number of Books in the Bible?
No.
This is an important distinction.
The number of books depends on the Christian tradition.
Protestant Bible
Most Protestant Bibles contain 66 books:
- 39 Old Testament books
- 27 New Testament books
Catholic Bible
The Catholic Bible contains 73 books:
- 46 Old Testament books
- 27 New Testament books
The additional Old Testament books are commonly referred to as the Deuterocanonical books.
They include:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom
- Sirach
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
There are also additional portions of Esther and Daniel.
Eastern Orthodox Bible
Eastern Orthodox churches recognize additional Old Testament writings beyond those found in the Protestant Bible.
However, there is not one single universally identical list used by every Eastern Orthodox tradition, so the exact number can vary.
This is why you may sometimes see different answers when asking how many books are in the Bible.
Why Does the Catholic Bible Have More Books?
The difference largely concerns which Old Testament writings are included in the biblical canon.
Catholic Christians include the Deuterocanonical books as Scripture.
Most Protestant Christians do not include these books within the Old Testament canon.
This does not mean that Catholics and Protestants have different New Testaments.
Both have the same 27 books of the New Testament.
The primary difference in the number of books is found in the Old Testament.
Romans 3:2 — The Jews Were Entrusted With the Oracles of God
“Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”
The history of the biblical Scriptures is closely connected with the Jewish people, through whom God gave the Old Testament Scriptures and through whom the Messiah came.
Are the Apocrypha Part of the Bible?
The term Apocrypha is commonly used by Protestants for a collection of ancient Jewish writings that are included in Catholic and some Orthodox Bibles but are not included in the Protestant Old Testament.
Catholics generally refer to the books included in their canon as the Deuterocanonical books rather than simply calling them Apocrypha.
These writings include books such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch and 1 and 2 Maccabees.
There has been a long history of discussion among Christians concerning the status and authority of these writings.
For that reason, it is better not to simply say that one group has “removed books from the Bible” without explaining the historical and denominational differences involved.
Different Christian traditions have different understandings of the Old Testament canon.
Is the Bible One Book or 66 Books?
Technically, the Bible is a collection of books rather than a single book.
The word Bible comes from a term meaning books.
The Bible contains different types of writing, including:
- historical accounts
- law
- poetry
- wisdom literature
- prophecy
- biographies of Jesus
- letters
- apocalyptic literature
Yet these individual books are brought together as one biblical canon.
Psalm 119:105 — God’s Word Gives Direction
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Although the Bible contains many individual books, Christians read them as part of God’s larger revelation.
The books have different authors, styles and historical settings, but together they reveal God’s character, His purposes and His plan of salvation.
Who Wrote the Books of the Bible?
The Bible was written by many different human authors.
These included prophets, kings, apostles and other servants of God.
The books were written over many centuries and in different historical circumstances.
For example, Moses is traditionally associated with the writing of the Pentateuch, David is associated with many of the Psalms, Solomon is associated with several wisdom writings, and the apostles and their companions wrote much of the New Testament.
The Bible therefore has many human authors.
However, Christians believe that Scripture ultimately comes from God.
2 Timothy 3:16 — All Scripture Is Inspired by God
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
This is why Christians regard the Bible as God’s Word rather than simply a collection of historical and religious writings.
What Is the Main Message of the Bible?
Although the Bible contains 66 books in the Protestant canon and covers thousands of years of history, its message is not simply a collection of unrelated stories.
The Bible tells the story of God and humanity.
It begins with creation.
Humanity falls into sin.
God establishes His covenant with His people.
The Old Testament contains promises concerning the coming Messiah.
Jesus Christ comes into the world.
He dies for our sins and rises from the dead.
The Gospel is proclaimed to the nations.
And the New Testament looks forward to the ultimate fulfilment of God’s purposes.
John 3:16 — God’s Plan of Salvation
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
At the centre of the Christian Bible is the message of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Bible is therefore not merely a book to count, study or understand historically.
It is God’s Word pointing people toward Him.
What Is the Shortest Book in the Bible?
Among the 66 books of the Protestant Bible, 2 John is generally considered the shortest book by word count in the original Greek text.
However, the answer can vary depending on which language and method of counting is used.
2 John 1:3 — Grace, Mercy and Peace
“Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
Even the shortest biblical books contain important teaching for Christians.
What Is the Longest Book in the Bible?
Psalms is the longest book of the Protestant Bible by number of chapters, containing 150 chapters.
It contains prayers, worship, songs, praise, lament, wisdom and expressions of trust in God.
Psalm 150:6 — Praise the Lord
“Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”
The length of a biblical book does not determine its importance.
Every book contributes to the larger message of Scripture.
The 66 Books of the Bible
The Protestant Bible contains 66 books, which you can find in this complete list:
Old Testament — 39 Books
Law:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
History:
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
Poetry and Wisdom:
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Solomon
Major Prophets:
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
Minor Prophets:
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
New Testament — 27 Books
Gospels:
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
History:
- Acts
Paul’s Letters:
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
Other New Testament Letters:
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
Prophecy:
- Revelation
Revelation 22:18–19 — A Warning Concerning the Words of Prophecy
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
This passage specifically concerns the prophecy contained in Revelation, but it also demonstrates the seriousness with which Scripture treats God’s revealed Word.
Why Should Christians Read the Bible?
Knowing that there are 66 books in the Protestant Bible is useful, but the most important thing is not simply knowing how many books there are.
God calls us to read and understand His Word.
The Bible teaches us who God is, reveals the story of salvation, teaches us about Jesus Christ and gives believers instruction for how to live.
Joshua 1:8 — Meditate on God’s Word
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
The Bible is not intended to be something we simply own or count.
It is God’s Word, given so that we can know Him, grow in wisdom and live according to His truth.
Final Answer: How Many Books Are in the Bible?
So, how many books are in the Bible?
If you are reading a standard Protestant Bible, there are:
66 books total
- 39 books in the Old Testament
- 27 books in the New Testament
However, Catholic Bibles contain 73 books, and Eastern Orthodox traditions include additional books beyond the Protestant canon, with the exact number varying between traditions.
The important thing is to understand that these differences exist because different Christian traditions recognize different Old Testament canons.
Regardless of these differences, the Bible remains central to the Christian faith.
John 1:1 — The Word
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The Bible contains many books, written by many human authors across many centuries.
Yet its pages tell one great story of God, humanity, sin, redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ.
There are 66 books in the Protestant Bible—but together they point us toward the one God who created us and the one Saviour, Jesus Christ, through whom we can have eternal life.
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