Books of the Bible: Old Testament Books in Order

Updated May 3, 2023 | Infoplease Staff

As a religious canon or collection of scriptures for the Christian faithful, the books of the Bible are important. The Old Testament and Hebrew Scriptures explore a wide period of human history, from what some individuals believe is the creation of man to the trials of the Jews at the hands of their enemies.

And while the New Testament focuses on Jesus Christ and his ministries to the Romans, Jews, and others, the Old Testament books of the Bible are an essential foundation for the contents of such later Biblical works. The Old Testament books are also split into five main categories: the Pentateuch, the historical books, the wisdom books, the prophets, and the poetic books.

If you've ever wondered about the order of the books of the Old Testament in the Bible, you're not alone. Whether for study or interest, read on to discover a full list of Bible books in order, what it means to have the books of the Bible in chronological order, and a brief overview of their contents and importance.

What Are the 46 Books of the Old Testament in Order?

The Old Testament of the Bible consists of 39 books, but the Catholic and Orthodox churches include additional books, called the Apocrypha, bringing the total to 46. These books were written over a period of more than 1,000 years.

Over millennia, scholars and theologians have studied and debated these texts to unlock their hidden wisdom. Understanding how all 46 books fit together can provide a deeper understanding of Christianity's most sacred text.

An Overview of the Old Testament Books and Their Categories

The Old Testament is a collection of books that are considered sacred by Jews and Christians. These books were written over a period of approximately 1,000 years and are divided into several categories, each one with its unique purpose, message, and style. Together, they tell the story of God's relationship with humanity, offering insights into the nature of God, the meaning of life, and the human condition.

The Five Books of the Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

The first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of the Law, were written by Moses and are considered the foundation of the Jewish faith and the Hebrew bible. They provide a historical account of the creation of the world, the early history of humanity, and the establishment of the covenant between God and the Israelites.

Genesis is the first book of the Old Testament and tells the story of creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah's Ark, and the patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It lays the foundation for the rest of the Bible, introducing themes of sin, redemption, and the promise of a savior.

Exodus recounts the story of Moses and the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. It includes the Ten Commandments and the establishment of the covenant between God and the Israelites. It also introduces the concept of sacrifice and the importance of the law in the Israelite religion.

Leviticus contains laws and regulations regarding worship and sacrifice in the Israelite religion. It emphasizes the importance of holiness and purity, and the need for atonement for sin.

Numbers tells the story of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land and includes the census of the Israelites in the desert. It also highlights the Israelites' disobedience and lack of faith, which resulted in their prolonged wandering in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy contains the final speeches of Moses and a summary of the laws given to the Israelites. It emphasizes the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God, and the consequences of disobedience.

Fun Fact: The Pentateuch is also known as the Torah, which means "instruction" or "law" in Hebrew.

Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles

The Historical Books of the Old Testament recount the history of the Israelites from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile. These books provide insights into the political, social, and cultural developments of ancient Israel, as well as the role of prophets and kings in shaping the destiny of the nation.

Joshua tells the story of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. It emphasizes the importance of faith, courage, and obedience to God's commands.

Judges recounts the period of the Judges, a time of political and social instability in Israel. It highlights the consequences of disobedience and the need for a strong leader to guide the nation.

Ruth is a short story about a Moabite woman who becomes an Israelite and the great-grandmother of King David. It emphasizes the importance of loyalty, faithfulness, and redemption.

1 and 2 Samuel tell the story of the prophet Samuel, the reign of King Saul, and the rise of King David. They highlight the role of prophets in guiding the nation, the consequences of sin and disobedience, and the importance of faith and repentance.

1 and 2 Kings recount the reigns of the Israelite kings from Solomon to the Babylonian exile. They emphasize the importance of wisdom, justice, and obedience to God's law, as well as the consequences of idolatry and disobedience.

1 and 2 Chronicles provide a summary of the history of Israel from Adam to the Babylonian exile. They emphasize the importance of worship, the priesthood, and the temple, as well as the role of kings in leading the nation.

Fun Fact: The Historical Books cover a period of more than 800 years, from around 1400 B.C. to 586 B.C.

Wisdom Literature: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon

The Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament consists of five books that offer insights into the nature of God, the meaning of life, and the human condition. They are characterized by their poetic style, their use of metaphors and imagery, and their emphasis on the importance of wisdom, virtue, and faith.

Job is a poetic dialogue between Job and his friends about the problem of evil and suffering. It emphasizes the importance of faith, perseverance, and trust in God, even in the face of adversity.

Psalms is a collection of 150 hymns and prayers that express the full range of human emotions and experiences. It emphasizes the importance of worship, praise, and thanksgiving, as well as the importance of repentance, confession, and forgiveness.

Proverbs is a book that contains wise sayings and teachings about how to live a good life. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom, virtue, and integrity, as well as the consequences of foolishness, vice, and dishonesty.

Ecclesiastes is a philosophical reflection on the meaning of life and the futility of human efforts. It emphasizes the importance of enjoying life, seeking wisdom, and trusting in God, even in the face of uncertainty and impermanence.

The Song of Solomon is a love poem that celebrates the beauty of romantic love. It emphasizes the importance of fidelity, passion, and intimacy in marriage, as well as the joy and fulfillment that come from a loving relationship.

Fun Fact: The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, with a few portions in Aramaic.

Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel

The Major Prophets of the Old Testament are so-called because of the length of their books. They are also called the "classical prophets" because they were active during the period of the Babylonian exile. They offer insights into the nature of God, the consequences of sin, and the hope of redemption.

Isaiah is the longest prophetic book of the Old Testament and contains messages of judgment, comfort, and hope. It emphasizes the importance of faith, repentance, and obedience to God's will, as well as the promise of a coming Messiah.

Jeremiah contains tones of judgment and warning to the people of Judah before the Babylonian exile. It emphasizes the importance of repentance, faith, and obedience to God's law, as well as the hope of restoration and redemption.

Ezekiel contains messages of atonement and hope for the exiles in Babylon. It emphasizes the importance of faith, repentance, and obedience to God's will, as well as the promise of a new covenant and a restored relationship with God.

Fun Fact: The Major Prophets are so named not because they are more important than the Minor Prophets, but because their books are longer.

Minor Prophets: Hosea Through Malachi

The Minor Prophets of the Old Testament are so called not because of the importance of their message, but because of the length of their books. They contain messages of judgment and hope for the people of Israel and Judah, as well as insights into the nature of God and the consequences of sin.

Hosea contains messages of judgment and hope for the people of Israel in their loyalty to God, as well as the consequences of idolatry and disobedience.

Joel speaks to the people of Judah. The book emphasizes the importance of repentance, prayer, and faith in God's mercy, along with the promise of a coming day of judgment and restoration.

Amos contains messages of judgment against the wealthy and powerful in Israel. It repeats the importance of justice, righteousness, and compassion, as well as the consequences of oppression and exploitation.

Obadiah contains a warning of judgment directed at the Edomite nation. It places a strong emphasis on the negative effects of cruelty, conceit, and pride as well as the hope of atonement.

Jonah is a story about a reluctant prophet who is sent to the city of Nineveh. It highlights the value of submission, penitence, and compassion as well as the unexpected kindness and mercy of God.

Micah contains messages for the people of Israel and Judah. It offers both warnings of judgment and the hope of a future Messiah and a healed connection with God, highlighting the value of justice, mercy, and humility.

Nahum explores a message of judgment against the city of Nineveh. It emphasizes the consequences of cruelty, violence, and oppression, as well as the justice and righteousness of God.

Habakkuk contains a dialogue between the prophet and God about the problem of evil. It emphasizes the importance of faith, trust, and patience, as well as the ultimate justice and sovereignty of God.

Zephaniah contains messages of judgment and hope for the people of Judah. The promise of a repaired connection with God is emphasized, as well as the significance of repentance, faith, and submission to God's plan.

Haggai offers exhortations for Jerusalem's temple's reconstruction. Together with the assurance of blessing and prosperity, it places emphasis on the significance of worshipping, obeying, and remaining devoted to God.

Zechariah conveys messages about the Messiah's impending arrival and the need to restore the temple in Jerusalem. It highlights the value of faith, repentance, and hope and makes the promise of a healed connection with God as well as a brand-new age of peace and prosperity.

Malachi conveys both warnings of judgment and words of encouragement to the Israelites. It focuses on the value of worship, submission, and fidelity to God as well as the proclamation of an impending day of judgment and restoration.

Fun Fact: The Old Testament was actually written on scrolls at first, rather than in book form.

Books of Poetry and Songs: Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah

The Books of Poetry and Songs of the Old Testament include a variety of genres, including laments, prayers, and songs of praise. They offer insights into the emotional and spiritual life of the Israelites, as well as the role of faith and prayer in their relationship with God.

Lamentations is a collection of poems that mourn the destruction of Jerusalem. It emphasizes the pain, sorrow, and despair of the Israelites, as well as the importance of lament and mourning in the process of healing and restoration.

Esther is a story about a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and saves her people from genocide. Courage, faith, and trust in God are key, as well as the surprising ways in which God works in the world.

Daniel contains stories about Daniel and his three friends in Babylon and visions of the end times. It recounts the importance of faith, courage, and obedience to God's will, as well as the promise of a coming Messiah and a new era of justice and righteousness.

Ezra and Nehemiah recount the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. It emphasizes the essentials of worship, obedience, and faithfulness to God, as well as the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding a community and a nation.

Fun Fact: The Poetic Books include the Book of Psalms, which is the longest book in the Bible.

Other Writings in the Old Testament

Finally, there are several other writings in the Old Testament that do not fit neatly into any of the other categories. They offer insights into the literary, historical, and cultural context of the Old Testament, as well as the diversity and richness of ancient Jewish literature.

Job is categorized as a Wisdom book, but it also has poetic and narrative passages.It emphasizes the value of having faith, enduring hardship, and having confidence in God.

Psalm 151, an additional psalm, appears in some editions of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Bible. It highlights the value of praise, thanksgiving, and worship as well as the Psalms' influence on Israelites' spiritual development.

1 and 2 Maccabees are historical works that describe the Jewish uprising against the Seleucid Empire in the second century BCE. They place a strong emphasis on the value of hope for freedom and independence as well as the virtues of courage, faith, and resistance to injustice.

Tobit is a story about a man who is helped by an angel. It emphasizes the importance of faith, trust, and obedience to God, as well as the role of angels in the spiritual life of the Israelites.

Judith tells the tale of a woman who saves her people from an invading army. It focuses on the importance of faith, courage, and resourcefulness, as well as the role of women in the history and destiny of the Israelites.

Baruch contains prayers and teachings attributed to the prophet Baruch. It emphasizes the importance of repentance, faith, and obedience to God's law, as well as the hope of restoration and redemption.

The Wisdom of Solomon is a philosophical reflection on the nature of wisdom and the relationship between wisdom and God. It highlights the importance of wisdom, virtue, and righteousness, as well as the role of wisdom in shaping the moral and spiritual life of the Israelites.

Fun Fact: The Book of Job is considered one of the most challenging books of the Bible to interpret due to its complex poetry and philosophical themes.

Summing Up the Old Testament Books

The books of the Old Testament are a rich and diverse collection of literature that reflect the history, culture, and faith of the Jewish people. And while they can be read in any manner, the books of the Bible in order can be a great experience.

They offer insights into the nature of God, the meaning of life, and the human condition. Whether we read them for spiritual guidance, academic study, or personal inspiration, the books of the Old Testament continue to speak to us today, inviting us to explore the depths of our own faith and the mysteries of God's love and grace.

Are you interested in the rest of the Bible books? Take our Books of the Bible Quiz to test your knowledge! And if you want to explore the New Testament in order, from Matthew to Galatians, Luke to Philippians, check out the Books of the Bible: New Testament Books in Order.

See also: The King James Bible, Old Testament Names, and Kings of Judah & Israel

Return to Top of Page