Books of the Bible – Overview
This page provides a full listing of the books of the Bible - both Old and New Testaments together with a one line summary.
Old Testament
Pentateuch (Law)
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| Genesis |
The book of beginnings—creation, the fall, the flood, and God's covenant with Abraham. |
| Exodus |
God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt and gives the Law at Mount Sinai. |
| Leviticus |
Laws on worship, sacrifice, and holiness for Israel. |
| Numbers |
Israel's wilderness journey and preparation to enter the Promised Land. |
| Deuteronomy |
Moses’ final sermons, reviewing the Law and renewing the covenant. |
Historical Books
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| Joshua |
Israel enters and conquers the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. |
| Judges |
Israel cycles through sin and deliverance under God-appointed judges. |
| Ruth |
A Moabite woman’s faithfulness leads to the line of King David. |
| 1 Samuel |
Israel demands a king; Saul rises and falls. |
| 2 Samuel |
David’s reign: triumphs, sins, and God’s covenant. |
| 1 Kings |
Solomon builds the Temple; the kingdom divides. |
| 2 Kings |
Israel and Judah fall into idolatry and are conquered. |
| 1 Chronicles |
Genealogies and King David’s reign from a priestly perspective. |
| 2 Chronicles |
Solomon’s reign and Judah’s kings up to the exile. |
| 1 Esdras |
Alternate history of Ezra-Nehemiah with Temple rebuilding. |
| Ezra |
Return from exile and the restoration of Jerusalem. |
| Nehemiah |
Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and spiritual renewal. |
| Tobit |
A righteous man and his son guided by the angel Raphael. |
| Judith |
A widow saves Israel by bravery and faith. |
| Esther |
A Jewish queen saves her people in Persia. |
| 1 Maccabees |
The Maccabean revolt against Hellenistic oppression. |
| 2 Maccabees |
Martyrdom and resurrection hope during Jewish resistance. |
| 3 Maccabees |
God protects Jews from persecution in Egypt. |
| 4 Maccabees |
Philosophical reflection on reason and faith under trial. |
Wisdom Books
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| Job |
A righteous man’s suffering and dialogue about justice. |
| Psalms |
Songs and prayers of worship, lament, and hope. |
| Proverbs |
Sayings offering wisdom for daily life. |
| Ecclesiastes |
A search for meaning in a fleeting world. |
| Song of Songs |
A poetic dialogue of love and longing. |
| Wisdom of Solomon |
Praise of wisdom and critique of idolatry. |
| Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) |
A manual of ethical and religious instruction. |
Major Prophets
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| Isaiah |
Prophecies of judgment, hope, and the coming Messiah. |
| Jeremiah |
Warnings before Jerusalem’s fall and promises of a new covenant. |
| Lamentations |
Poetic grief over Jerusalem’s destruction. |
| Baruch |
Reflections on sin, exile, and hope. |
| Ezekiel |
Visions of judgment and future restoration. |
| Daniel |
Stories of faith in exile and apocalyptic visions. |
Minor Prophets
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| Hosea |
God’s faithful love symbolized in a troubled marriage. |
| Joel |
Locusts and future hope in the Day of the Lord. |
| Amos |
Prophecies against injustice and empty worship. |
| Obadiah |
Judgment against Edom’s pride. |
| Jonah |
A prophet’s reluctant mission to Nineveh. |
| Micah |
Judgment and the promise of a humble king. |
| Nahum |
Fall of Nineveh foretold. |
| Habakkuk |
Faith in the face of injustice. |
| Zephaniah |
The Day of the Lord brings both wrath and renewal. |
| Haggai |
Encouragement to rebuild the Temple. |
| Zechariah |
Visions of restoration and a coming king. |
| Malachi |
Final call to covenant faithfulness. |
New Testament
Gospels and Acts
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| Matthew |
Jesus as the Messiah, fulfilling Jewish prophecy. |
| Mark |
A fast-paced Gospel focused on action and suffering. |
| Luke |
Jesus’ compassion and inclusion of the marginalized. |
| John |
Jesus’ divinity, signs, and personal encounters. |
| Acts of the Apostles |
The Holy Spirit builds the early Church. |
Pauline Epistles
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| Romans |
Salvation by grace through faith. |
| 1 Corinthians |
Correcting church issues and celebrating resurrection. |
| 2 Corinthians |
Paul defends his apostleship and ministry. |
| Galatians |
Freedom in Christ and life by the Spirit. |
| Ephesians |
Unity of the Church as the body of Christ. |
| Philippians |
Joy and humility in Christ. |
| Colossians |
Christ as the fullness of God and head of the Church. |
| 1 Thessalonians |
Encouragement and teaching on Christ’s return. |
| 2 Thessalonians |
Clarification on the Second Coming. |
| 1 Timothy |
Guidance for leadership and doctrine. |
| 2 Timothy |
Final exhortations to a young pastor. |
| Titus |
Sound teaching and church order. |
| Philemon |
A personal appeal for forgiveness and freedom. |
| Hebrews |
Christ as High Priest and fulfillment of the Law. |
Catholic Epistles
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| James |
Faith and works in everyday life. |
| 1 Peter |
Hope in suffering and Christian conduct. |
| 2 Peter |
Warnings about false teachers. |
| 1 John |
Love and assurance in the truth. |
| 2 John |
Walking in truth and avoiding deception. |
| 3 John |
Hospitality and faithfulness. |
| Jude |
Contending for the faith. |
Apocalypse
| Book | Summary |
|---|
| Revelation |
Visions of judgment and the ultimate victory of Christ. |