How Many Books in the Old Testament?
There are 39 books in the Old Testament of the Protestant Christian Bible. You might also wish to note that the 39 Old Testament Books are divided into 5 different segments, or groups. These segments are:
For your convenience, Play video to hear the list of Old Testament Books in Order, or simply scroll down to read.
Old Testament Books in Order
The first segment of books in the Old Testament are known as the Books of Law. In Hebrew, these books are known as the Torah, and in Greek they are known as the Pentateuch. The Books of Law are then followed by 12 Books of History, 5 Books of Poetry and the 17 Books of Prophets.
Books of Law (5):
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
The next segment of books are known as the:
Books of History (12):
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
Books of Poetry (5):
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Songs
Major Prophets (5):
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
Minor Prophets (12):
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
Comparing the Current English Protestant, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Original Hebrew Old Testament
The first segment of books in the current English Old Testament are known as the Books of Law. In Hebrew, these books are known as the Torah, and in Greek they are known as the Pentateuch. Though you will soon discover the Hebrew Old Testament is separated differently, the current English OT Books of Law are then followed by 12 Books of History, 5 Books of Poetry and the 17 Books of Prophets.
Different from the current English version of the Old Testament, the original Hebrew Old Testament was divided into 24 books. However, it is important to note that the Hebrew Old Testament didn’t have less material than the current English version, rather, the Hebrew OT considered 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles as single books, instead of 2 separate books. You will also notice Ezra – Nehemiah were also treated as a single writing in the Hebrew text.
English Old Testament
Books of Law:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
Books of History:
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
Books of Poetry:
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Songs
Major Prophets:
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
Minor Prophets:
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
Hebrew Old Testament
The Law (Torah):
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
The Prophets:
Former Prophets:
- Joshua
- Judges
- Samuel
- Kings
The Latter Prophets:
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Ezekiel
- The Twelve
The Writings
Poetical Books:
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Job
Five Scrolls:
- Song of Songs
- Ruth
- Lamentations
- Ecclesiastes
- Esther
Historical Books:
- Daniel
- Ezra-Nehemiah
- Chronicles
Roman Catholic Old Testament
The Pentateuch:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
The Historical Books:
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- 1 Esdras
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Tobit
- Judith
- Esther (includes additions to Esther)
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
The Wisdom Books:
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Songs (Song of Solomon)
- Wisdom of Solomon
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
The Prophetic Books:
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Baruch (includes Letter of Jeremiah)
- Ezekiel
- Daniel (includes Susanna and Bel and the Dragon)
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
Greek Orthodox Old Testament
The Pentateuch:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
The Historical Books:
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- 1 Esdras
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther (includes additions to Esther)
- Judith
- Tobit
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
- 3 Maccabees
The Wisdom Books:
- Psalms
- Psalm 151
- Prayer of Manasseh
- Job
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Songs (Song of Solomon)
- Wisdom of Solomon
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
The Prophetic Books:
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Baruch
- Lamentations
- Letter of Jeremiah
- Ezekiel
- Susanna
- Daniel (includes Susanna and Bel and the Dragon)
- 4 Maccabees (in Appendix)
