How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The Bible is not a single book but a library of sacred writings composed over centuries. Its contents, however, differ slightly depending on religious tradition. Protestants, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Jews all affirm the authority of Scripture, but they arrange and count the books differently. Behind this question lies not only historical detail but also a deeper reality: the Bible centers on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promises of God revealed in these writings.
This article will explore how many books are in the Bible, why different traditions count them differently, and what unites the Scriptures as a testimony to Christ.
1. The Protestant Bible: 66 Books
In Protestant tradition, the Bible contains 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Old Testament begins with Genesis, recounting the creation of the world and the covenant with Abraham, and continues through the law, history, poetry, and prophets. The New Testament begins with the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—which testify to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It continues with Acts, the letters of the apostles, and concludes with Revelation, which proclaims the ultimate victory of God.
This arrangement, inherited from the early Reformers, emphasizes both continuity with Israel’s Scriptures and the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ. As Paul explains, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
2. The Roman Catholic Bible: 73 Books
Roman Catholic tradition includes 73 books: the same 27 in the New Testament, but 46 in the Old Testament. The difference comes from the Deuterocanonical books, such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, and 1–2 Maccabees. These writings were included in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) widely used in the early church, though not in the Hebrew Bible.
The Catholic Church affirms that these books provide valuable testimony to God’s work among His people and point forward to Christ. For example, Wisdom 2 describes the suffering of the righteous one, a passage many Christians see as anticipating Jesus’ rejection and crucifixion.
3. The Orthodox Bible: More than 73 Books
Eastern Orthodox churches often include even more books in the Old Testament, bringing the total closer to 76. These additional writings include 3–4 Maccabees, Psalm 151, and in some traditions, the Prayer of Manasseh. Like Roman Catholics, the Orthodox emphasize the Septuagint as their Old Testament, regarding it as the version most widely read by Jews in the first century and quoted by the apostles.
Although differences exist in number and arrangement, all Christian traditions affirm the 27 New Testament books. This unity reflects the centrality of Christ: “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
4. The Jewish Bible: 24 Books
The Jewish Bible, or Tanakh, contains the same writings as the Protestant Old Testament but is arranged differently and therefore counted as 24 books. The Tanakh is divided into three parts:
Torah (Law): Genesis through Deuteronomy
Nevi’im (Prophets): including historical books like Joshua and prophetic writings like Isaiah
Ketuvim (Writings): including Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and others
For example, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles are each counted as one book rather than two, and the Twelve Minor Prophets are grouped as a single book. Jesus Himself referred to this threefold division when He said, “Everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44).
5. The Canon and the Gospel
While traditions differ on the exact count, the deeper truth is that the Bible is unified around God’s redemptive plan in Christ. The Law, Prophets, and Writings in the Old Testament point forward to Him; the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation in the New Testament testify to His saving work.
The process of forming the canon was gradual. The church did not create the Bible but recognized which writings carried the authority of God. Jesus promised His apostles that the Spirit would guide them into truth (John 16:13), and their writings became foundational for the church. By the fourth century, the New Testament canon of 27 books was widely affirmed, though discussions about the Old Testament continued.
The final number of books, therefore, matters less than the central message: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).
6. Why the Number of Books Matters
Understanding how many books are in the Bible helps Christians appreciate both the diversity and unity of Scripture. It reminds believers that God has spoken across centuries, cultures, and languages, yet with a single voice pointing to His Son. It also shows how the church has always wrestled with the authority of Scripture, seeking to preserve what is true and faithful.
Moreover, this awareness strengthens the believer’s confidence in the Gospel. Whether reading the Torah, the prophets, the Gospels, or Revelation, one encounters the same God who is faithful to His covenant promises and victorious in Christ.
Conclusion: One Word, Many Books
So, how many books are in the Bible? The answer depends on tradition: 66 in the Protestant canon, 73 in the Catholic, around 76 in the Orthodox, and 24 in the Jewish Tanakh. Yet behind these numbers is a single truth: the Bible is the word of God, pointing to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The number of books may vary, but the message is one. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures declare that God is faithful, that sin is defeated, and that salvation is found in Christ alone.
Bible Verses About the Scriptures
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Luke 24:44 – The Law, Prophets, and Psalms fulfilled in Christ.
John 5:39 – The Scriptures bear witness about Jesus.
John 20:31 – Written so that you may believe in Christ.
Romans 15:4 – Written for our instruction and hope.
2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is God-breathed.
Hebrews 1:1–2 – God spoke through the prophets and now through His Son.
2 Peter 1:20–21 – Men spoke from God as carried by the Spirit.
Revelation 22:18–19 – A warning not to add or take away from the words of Scripture.
