How Many Books Are in the Bible?
Introduction: Books In The Bible
The Bible is not just one book—it’s a sacred library made up of multiple writings inspired by God. For Christians, the Bible is the foundation of faith, teaching, and spiritual growth. But how many books make up the Bible? And how did those specific books come to be included?
This guide breaks down the Bible’s book count, the structure of the Old and New Testaments, and the differences between Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions.
How the Bible Is Structured
The Bible is traditionally divided into two main sections:
- Old Testament – 39 books
- New Testament – 27 books
Together, these make up the 66 books of the Bible in most versions. However, Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include additional texts, known as the Deuterocanonical books or Apocrypha.
Books of the Old Testament
The Old Testament traces God’s relationship with Israel, moral law, prophecy, and poetry. It includes:
- Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
- Historical Books: Joshua through Esther
- Wisdom Literature: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
- Prophetic Books: Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah) and Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi)
Books of the New Testament
The New Testament centers on Jesus Christ and the birth of the Christian church:
- The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
- Acts of the Apostles
- The Epistles: Romans through Jude
- Revelation: The final book about future prophecy and God’s eternal kingdom
How the Bible's Books Were Chosen
The formation of the Bible’s canon—its official list of books—happened over centuries. This process is called biblical canonization.
The Old Testament Canon
The Old Testament is based heavily on the Jewish Tanakh. In the 3rd century BCE, Jewish scholars translated Hebrew texts into Greek, forming the Septuagint, which included additional writings like Tobit and Maccabees. These are included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, but considered Apocrypha in Protestant traditions.
The New Testament Canon
New Testament books were written between 50–100 AD. Many were widely circulated and accepted early by Christian communities. The final canon was confirmed in the 4th and 16th centuries during councils such as Trent (Catholic) and through Protestant confessions like the Westminster Confession.
Why the Bible Is a Closed Canon
Today, the Bible is seen as a closed canon—no additional books are added. This preserves its authority and protects its message. Though other writings exist from ancient Christianity (like the Didache or Shepherd of Hermas), they were not included in the final canon.
Conclusion: How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The standard Bible contains 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Catholic Bibles include 73 books, while Orthodox traditions may have more.
Understanding the Bible’s structure and canon helps believers connect more deeply with Scripture. Whether you’re a new reader or long-time follower of Christ, knowing what’s inside the Bible brings clarity to your faith journey.
Want to explore more? Browse our Bible Concepts for in-depth studies, verse breakdowns, and devotional resources.
