The 66 Books of the Bible

Categorized and sectioned for easier memorization, with short summations.

Note: all theological classifications herein are given by men as teaching aids, as are summations and commentary. It is by the wholly inspired Scriptures (2Tim. 3:16) that all are to be tested by. To GOD be the glory.

(See here for printing, and here for home page. Underlined words are links)

THE OLD TESTAMENT

(The “Preparation”)

• The TORAH

• Historical Books

• Wisdom Books

• The Prophets

THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Gospels (The “Presentation”)

• The Book of Acts (The “Propagation")

• Letters and Epistles (The “Explanation”)

• Revelation (The "Consummation")

For the Apocrypha see here

Section and Titles

Principle themes and persons (mostly from Halley's Bible Handbook).

Section + Titles

Principle themes and souls. For more I would recommend the free E-Sword Bible program (see commentaries).

THE TORAH

5 Books: Creation, Giving of the Law, + Journeys.

Gospels

4 Books. The story of Christ from four aspects.

1. Genesis

The Book of Beginnings: Creation to beginning of the Hebrew Nation (Israel; Noah, Abraham, Joseph).

1. Matthew

1. Matthew — Jesus, the Promised Jewish Messiah, of the seed of David. Emphasis upon Jesus fulfilling prophecy. See "spoken by".

2. Exodus

Deliverance of the Hebrew Nation from Egypt to Wilderness Chastisement; Giving of The Law and Covenant; Instructions for the Temple (Moses). Made be seen to correspond in part to the Book of Acts in N.T.

2. Mark

Jesus, the Son of God and perfect servant. Shortest gospel: thought to be best suited for slaves, which made up a large portion of the church (and had less free time). Common word, "straightway" (KJV), as slaves had to do things immediately.

3. Leviticus

Laws for Israel, Ordinances for Temple Service and for Aaronic Priesthood (Moses, Aaron). Key word: = holiness (87 times).

3. Luke

Jesus, the Son of Man. More emphasis upon humanity of Christ, the perfect man, yet Son of God. Shows Jesus prayed more than other accounts. This is the first treatise, the second being Acts (Acts 1:1), penned by Luke (Lucas), apparently a Jewish proselyte, “the beloved Physician” (Col_4:14).

4. Numbers

Numbering of Israel and Journey to the Promised Land (Moses).

5. Deuteronomy

Laws for Hebrew Nation, reiterated and expanded; Warnings of Chastisement if not obeyed (Moses + Aaron).

4. John

Jesus, the Son of God. Reveals the Deity of Christ more than other gospels. See Jn. 1:1-3; 12:34b-50; 20:28, etc., and HERE.

The Historical Books

9 books. The History of Israel from the conquest of Canaan (most of it) to the establishment of the Kingdom, it's division, and the captivity.

5. Acts

Principally the Acts of the apostles. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and birth (as some mark it) and history of early church.

6. Joshua

Conquest of the promised land of of Canaan under Joshua, the prior inhabitant being wicked. See Yahweh Wars and the Canaanites.

Church Epistles and Letters

The gospel and salvation explained, and ecclesiastical matters dealt with, and heart expressed.

7. Judges

Death of Joshua and Backsliding of Israel and effects (various Judges; Gideon, Samson)

6. Romans

Foundational doctrines on justification, election, and application. Very important doctrinal book. Link.

8. Ruth

Story God's mercy outside Israel. Beginning of Messianic Line (Ruth, Naomi Boaz).

7. First Corinthians

Church discipline and order. Paul's patience, love, and teaching toward the immature Corinthians, with various disorders. Rapture of believers.

9. First Samuel

Birth and life of Samuel (the last judge); Israel's choice of a King and establishment of the Kingdom (Samuel, Saul, David, Jonathan, Goliath)

8. Second Corinthians

Paul's heartfelt love, exhortations, entreaty and warning to the carnal church at Corinth. The exchanged life, and power, and travails of the apostle Paul and company.

10. Second Samuel

Establishment of Davidic Kingdom centered in Jerusalem (David, Joab, Absalom).

9. Galatians

Paul's correction and exhortations to the Galatian church. Emphasis is upon salvation by grace, not by the law, contrary to "Judaizers."

11. First Kings

Reign of Solomon, the building of the Temple; The Kingdom Divided after his death into North (Israel/Eprahim) and South (Judah). (Adonijah, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Elijah, Ahab, Asa, Jehoram, Ahaziah).

10. Ephesians

The first of the “Prison Epistles” by Paul. The richness of the grace of God in Christ. The mystery and unity of the church, with Jews and Gentiles constituting the "one new man". The believers blessed position and empowerment in Christ revealed, with commands, exhortations to live it out.

12. Second Kings

History of Divided Kingdom; Various Kings over Israel and Judah, respectively (Elisha, Athaliah, Jehoash, Jehoahaz, Joash, Hezekiah).

11. Philippians

2^nd “Prison Epistle. Letter to a stable church, exhortations to greater unity and maturity. “Press toward the mark ...”

13. First Chronicles

Death of Saul and history of the Reign of King David to his death; Preparation for the building of the Temple.

12. Colossians

3^rd Prison Epistle. Warning against gnosticism; exhortations to live out the faith. The Deity of Christ declared.

14. Second Chronicles

Reign of Solomon, his building of the Temple and his death: Israel's spiritual declension, the Kingdom Divided; History of the Southern Kingdom to the Captivity (Solomon, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, Josiah).

Beginning of 5 “T” books

13. First Thessalonians

Commendations and exhortations to the holy and evangelistic church at Thessalonica. The Lord's 2^nd coming foretold and described.

Post – captivity historical

books

(see also post – captivity prophets Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)

14. Second Thessalonians

More of the above. Faith and Patience in Persecutions.

15. Ezra

Temple rebuilt in Jerusalem by a Remnant and dedicated; Prayer and repentance

15. First Timothy

Paul's instructions to young pastor Timothy, and to all who would follow. Give attendance to doctrine...

16. Nehemiah

Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem and est. of civil authority; Perseverance over Persecution by Sanballat, and Tobiah and company. Wise Leadership. Repentance, Revival according to the Truth and discipline.

16. Second Timothy

More instructions + exhortations to young pastor Timothy, Paul's "dearly beloved son." Be a good soldier, endure all things. Rebuke, reprove, exhort...

17. Titus

Paul's instructions to pastor Titus, over the churches of Crete. Ordain elders. Similar to 1Timothy.

17. Esther

Fasting and Prayer, Deliverance from extermination (Virtuous Vashti, Enduring Esther, Moral Mordecai).

18. Philemon

Paul's intercession for a converted runaway slave, Onesimus,. Entreats/requires Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother, even as Paul himself.

The Wisdom Books

5 Books. Trials, Heart Experience, Observation and Discernment, Folly, and Love (cf. Rm. 5:1-5) .

19. Hebrews

After Romans, the 2nd important doctrinal book. Christ, His Deity + our great high priest, the new and superior Covenant declared. Key word, "better".

18. Job

Story of affliction and deliverance of just Job, and God's compassion. The Problem of Suffering, and need of Patience.

20. James

The Proverbs of the New Testament. Faith without works is not saving faith; Exhortations to repentance, prayer and humility, etc.

19. Psalms

Hymn (150) Book of Israel.

“P+J” books.

20. Proverbs

The God - given Wisdom of Solomon.

21. 1 Peter

Exhortations to a persecuted church.

21. Ecclesiastes

Solomon's folly: The vanity of material wealth, and reasoning of the natural man.

22. 2 Peter

Prediction of apostasy, and description of the Day of the Lord to come. Exhortations to holiness.

22. Song of Solomon

The Glory of Wedded love - between a Man and a Women (not man with man).

23. 1 John

Heart and Works of True Christian Faith delineated. LOVE.

The Prophetic Books:

The Major Prophets.

5 Books. Prophesying to the Northern or Southern Kingdoms, sometimes to both or to heathen nations, they also warn all mankind of the blessings lost + ruin gained by transgressing the just laws of God, + call all to repentance.

24. 2 John

Caution against false teachers.

25. 3 John

Helping Christian laborers.

26. Jude

Warnings and examples of False Teachers/Prophets and their end, and of Imminent Apostasy.

24. Jeremiah

The “Weeping Prophet” warning Judah The last effort to save Jerusalem before going into captivity.

"Sacred Contents"
(Writer unknown, to men)

"The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are unchangeable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter.

Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and God's glory its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.

It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.

It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and will be remembered forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents."

SUMMARY OF KING JAMES BIBLE STATISTICS:

Total Books in the King James Bible = 66

Total Chapters in the King James Bible = 1,189

Total verses in the King James Bible = 31,102

Total words in the 31,102 verses = 788,258 (not including the Hebrew Alphabet in Psalm 119 or the superscriptions listed in some of the Psalms)

Total Books in the Old Testament = 39

Total Chapters in the Old Testament = 929

Total verses in the Old Testament = 23,145

Total Books in the New Testament = 27

Total Chapters in the New Testament = 260

Total verses in the New Testament = 7,957

Middle Book in the King James Bible = There are 2 – Micah & Nahum

Longest Book in the King James Bible = Psalms

Shortest Book in the King James Bible = 2 John (verses) & 3 John (words)

Middle Chapter in the King James Bible = Psalm 117

Longest Chapter in the King James Bible = Psalm 119

Shortest Chapter in the King James Bible = Psalm 117

Middle verse in the King James Bible = There are 2 – Psalm 103:1 & Psalm 103:2

Longest verse in the King James Bible = Esther 8:9

Shortest verse in the King James Bible = John 11:35

Statistics from¹ http://www.biblebelievers.com/believers-org/kjv-stats.htm 

New Testament memory list by color: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; Acts, Romans, 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians; Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians; 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, 1^st and 2^nd Timothy, Titus; Philemon, Hebrews, James; 1^st and 2^nd Peter, 1^st and 2^nd and 3^rd John, Jude, Revelation

25. Lamentations

A poetic dirge over the loss of Jerusalem + the Temple.

26. Ezekiel

Declaring the sins of "the whole house of Israel," as well as future restoration and rebuilt Temple. “They shall know that I am the LORD.”

27. Daniel

The prophet at Babylon, foretelling the course of Gentile world-rule to its judgment, and establishment of of the Messianic kingdom.

The “Minor” Prophets

12 Books. Not minor in spiritual stature, but in the size of their books

28. Hosea

A prophet of the N. Kingdom. The apostasy of Israel likened to the adulterous wife of a faithful husband.

29. Joel

A prophet of Judah, Prediction of the Holy Spirit age and the coming of the Day of the LORD.

30. Amos

A prophet of Judah to the N. Kingdom. Ultimate, universal reign of Messiah.

31. Obadiah

Doom of Edom, Israel's enemy of old.

28. Hosea

A prophet of the N. Kingdom. The apostasy of Israel likened to the adulterous wife of a faithful husband.

32. Jonah

Call of God to Jonah to call Nineveh to repent; Jonah's rebellion, and Nineveh's obedience; God's mercy.

33. Micah

A prophet in Judah. The soon fall of Israel and Judah, and future birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem.

34. Nahum

The destruction of Nineveh.

35. Habakkuk

In Judah. The holiness of God, coming judgment though it tarries. "The just shall live by faith."

36. Zephaniah

Of Judah. The coming Day of the Lord upon Judah, other nations, and the coming of a “pure language.”

37. Haggai

Rebuke, reproofs, and exhortation regarding the rebuilding the temple.

38. Zechariah

Judgments and Messianic Prophecies.

39. Malachi

Last O.T. message to a disobedient people. The coming of the Day of the Lord.

Old Testament memory list by color:

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy;

Joshua, Judges, Ruth;

1^st +2^nd Samuel, 1^st + 2^nd Kings, 1^st +2^nd Chronicles;

Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther;

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Solomon;

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel;

Hosea, Joel, Amos,Obadiah;

Jonah, Micah, Nahum Habakkuk;

Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

The Apocrypha

The Apocrypha (extra books which Roman Catholicism later officially included) are not included in the Protestant (and most popular) canon of inspired Scripture, as they are manifested to be of an inferior quality. The best evidence shows they were not included in the Jewish Canon of Jesus day (which canon internal evidence itself indicates existed), nether did He quote from them (in the gospels) nor does the rest of the New Testament (though this itself is not a sure text for validation: see Jude 1:14, Acts 17:28). Although some apocryphal books were occasionally quoted in early church writings, the apocrypha was not accepted in such early O.T. lists as that of Melito (AD 170, and minus Esther) and the Muratorian Canon. The preeminent 3rd century scholar Jerome rejected the Apocrypha, as they did not have the sanction of Jewish antiquity, and were not received by all, and did not generally work toward "confirmation of the doctrine of the Church". The ancient 1st century Jewish historian Josephus absented the Apocrypha in his list, reflecting the Jewish canon at the time of Jesus. Anastasius of Antioch in the 4th century, John of Damascus in the 8th century, and Nicephorus, patriarch of Constantinople in the 9th century also rejected the apocrypha, as did others, in part or in whole. Some, such as Origen in the 2nd century, and St. Hilary of Poitiers and Rufinus, formally rejected the apocrypha, but used them or parts thereof in practice.

Different canons were sanctioned by the Council in Trullo (Quinisext Council) in 692 and the seventh Ecumenical Council (787) and disagreement existed within Roman Catholicism even in Luther's time, with Roman Catholic theologian Cardinal Cajetan stating,

"Here we close our commentaries on the historical books of the Old Testament. For the rest (that is, Judith, Tobit, and the books of Maccabees) are counted by St. Jerome out of the canonical books, and are placed amongst the apocrypha, along with Wisdom and Ecciesiasticus, as is plain from the Protogus Galeatus. Nor be thou disturbed, like a raw scholar, if thou shouldest find anywhere, either in the sacred councils or the sacred doctors, these books reckoned as canonical. For the words as well of councils as of doctors are to be reduced to the correction of Jerome.” Cardinal Cajetan, "Commentary on all the Authentic Historical Books of the Old Testament," Bruce Metzger, An Introduction to the Apocrypha (New York: Oxford, 1957), p. 180.)

The Polyglot Bible (1514) of Cardinal Ximenes separated the Apocrypha from the canon of the Old Testament and soon received papal sanction.

An infallibly defined (as to the Roman church presumes to decree) canon was not provided until 1546, by a majority vote of 24 to 15, which was in reaction to the Reformation. Renowned scholar, B.F. Westcott, commented regarding this decree of Trent:

“This fatal decree, in which the Council…gave a new aspect to the whole question of, the Canon, was ratified by fifty-three prelates, among whom there was not one German, not one scholar distinguished for historical learning, not one who was fitted by special study for the examination of a subject in which the truth could only be determined by the voice of antiquity. How completely the decision was opposed to the spirit and letter of the original judgments of the Greek and Latin Churches, how far in the doctrinal equalization of the disputed and acknowledged books of the Old Testament it was at variance with the traditional opinion of the West, how absolutely unprecedented was the conversion of an eccelesiatical usage into an article of belief, will be seen from the evidence which has already been adduced.” (B.F. Westcott, A General Survey of the History of the Canon of the New Testament (London: Macmillan, 1889), p. 478.)

Ecclesiastical decrees themselves are not what formulates Scripture, much less can ecclesiastics decree that their decrees are infallible, which self-proclamation is the basis for R.C. claims, but as with true believers, wholly inspired writing is known by its fruits, and which the born-again church recognizes and confirms, as they that are spiritual. (1Cor. 2:15) The apocryphal books lack the power of the 66 inspired books, which over time most consistently made discerning saints (1 Cor. 2:15) “best seller list,” while the apocryphal books remain relatively obscure to this day. Moreover, certain apocryphal writings contain (and thus can promote) serious doctrinal error (such as praying for dead idolaters: 2 Maccabees 12:39-45).

For more on why such books are not included in the canon of inspired Scripture, see

http://www.christiantruth.com/apocryphaintroduction.html

http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/the_apocrypha_inspired_of_god,

http://www.xenos.org/essays/canon.htm

http://www.apuritansmind.com/Apologetics/ApocryphaArticle1.htm

(Such sites have many good articles, but as with all links, such references do not imply that I agree with everything that may be presented).

As indicated above, here is the way i memorize the names of the 66 books of the Bible:

OLD TESTAMENT

Section:

TORAH

(The Law)

Section:

Historical

Section:

Wisdom

Section: Prophetic: Major Prophets

Section:

Prophetic;

Minor Prophets

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuter-onomy

Joshua
Judges
Ruth

1^st and 2^nd Samuel
1^st + 2^ndKings

1^st + 2^nd

Chronicles

Ezra
Nehe-miah
Esther

Job
Psalms
Proverbs

Eccl-esiastes
Songs of Solomon

Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lament-ations
Ezekiel
Daniel

Hosea
Joel
Amos

Obad-iah

Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habak-kuk

Zeph-aniah
Haggai
Zecha-riah
Malachi

NEW TESTAMENT

Section:

Gospels

Sections:

Acts (history) then Church Epistles

Church Epistles continued, and letters + Revelation

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Acts
Romans
1^st + 2^nd Corinth-ians

Galatians
Ephesians Philippians
Colossians

1^st + 2^nd Thess-alonians
1^st + 2^nd Timothy
Titus

Philemon
Hebrews
James

1^st and 2^nd Peter
1^st and 2^nd and 3^rd John
Jude

Revelation