The Books of the Bible
FACT: The three most quoted books in the New
Testament are Deuteronomy, Psalms and Isaiah.
FACT: The books of Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes and
Daniel were not included in the Christian canonized books until the Council of
Trent in 1546 A.D. but were included in the Hebrew Bible.
FACT: There are a lot of different Bibles in the
world. I don’t know whether anyone knows
the answer of how many there are.
FACT: The
first five books of the Bible are called The Torah, Pentateuch, or The Five Books
of Moses.
The twelve Minor Prophets,
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah,
Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Haggai, Zechariah,
Malachi, are just one
book in the Hebrew Bible, called, “The Book of Twelve.”
The first and second
Books of Kings are one book titled, ‘Kings,’ as are the first and second Book
of Samuel and the First and Second Books of Chronicles.
The Book of Ezra and the
Book of Nehemiah is one book in the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible is also called the Tanakh,
the Law or the Torah.
The Prophets or Nebhim
FACT: Prophet
is an individual who has contact with a divine supernatural being, an
intermediary between mankind and a divine supernatural being.
The bringing of newfound knowledge, their
message is called a prophecy.
The former prophets were; Joshua, Judges,
Samuel 1 – 2 and Kings 1 – 2
The latter prophets were Isaiah,
Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
The Book of 12 was Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah,
Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
The Writings in the book
are Kethubhim or Hagiographa.
The poetical books are Psalms,
Proverbs, and Job.
The five scrolls are
Megilloth.
Song of Songs is Ruth,
Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther.
The Historical books are Daniel,
Ezra – Nehemiah, and Chronicles 1 – 2.
Here are the books of the Bible most people
read. I have included information about
each book, the author, outline of contents and the number of chapters.
Genesis
Hebrew or B’reshyth means, in the beginning. This may date back to the 8th Century
B.C.E.
The author is Moses, but
could have been penned by as many as three others.
Outline of Content: The Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Able,
Noah and the flood, the Tower of Babel, Shem, Abram, Abraham, Esau, Joseph, and
the Israelites in Egypt. Chapters, 50
Exodus
Hebrew or Shemot means
the second word.
The author is the same as Genesis.
Outline of content: Israelites as slaves in Egypt, the birth and
early life of Moses, Moses and Aaron confront the king, the Passover and
departure from Egypt, from the Red Sea, to Mount Sinai, the Law and Covenant,
and instructions for worship. Chapters, 40
Leviticus
Hebrew or Wayiqra means and he (Jahwe, God)
called. From this book, Chapter 19:18,
which Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as you would love yourself.”
The author is the same as Genesis.
Outline of content: Laws, offerings, sacrifices, ordination of
Aaron and his sons as priests, laws about clean and unclean, Day of Atonement,
Laws about holiness, and life and worship. Chapters, 27
Numbers
Hebrew or Bamidbar means
in the desert. This may date back to the 8th Century B.C.E.
The author is the same as
Genesis.
Outline of content: Israelites prepare to leave Mount Sinai,
first census, laws and rules, second Passover, Mount Sinai to Moab, a summary
of their journey, instructions before crossing the Jordan. Chapters, 36
Deuteronomy
Hebrew or Devarim means spoken word.
This is the last book in
the Books of Moses.
The author is the same as Genesis.
Outline of content: Moses’ first discourse, and second discourse,
the Ten Commandments, laws, rules, warnings, instructions for entering Canaan,
Covenant renewed, Moses’ last words and death. Chapters, 34
Joshua
Hebrew or Yhoshua, parallels
between Joshua and Moses.
The author could be one or more, it never
names the author.
Outline of content: Conquest of the land of Canaan, division of
the land, the land east and west of the Jordan, cities of refuge, cities of the
Levites, eastern tribes return to their lands, Joshua’s farewell, the covenant
is renewed at Shechem. Chapters, 24
Judges
Hebrew, Shoftim.
May be the Books of
Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings actually make up a single work,
written by just one author, called, The Deuteronomistic History.
Author is unknown, maybe just one.
Outline of content: The death of Joshua, the Judges of Israel,
including Samson, Israel’s war against the Benjaminites. Chapters, 21
Ruth
Hebrew, Megilath, or the
scroll of Ruth.
She is the great-grandmother
of David.
The book does not
identify the author, but traditionally given to Samuel.
Outline of content: Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem, Ruth
meets Boaz, they marry. Chapters, 4
Samuel 1
Hebrew, Sh’muel.
This was originally the Book
of Kings, which consisted of Samuel 1 and 2 and the two Books of Kings.
Authors are Samuel, Gad and Nathan.
Outline of content: Samuel as judge, Saul is king, David and Saul,
the deaths of Saul and his sons. Chapters, 31
Samuel 2
Hebrew, Sh’muel.
Authors are Samuel, Gad
and Nathan.
Outline of content: David’s reign, David and Bathsheba, David’s
song of victory. Chapters, 24
Kings 1
Hebrew, Sepher M’lakhim.
Kings 1 and 2 are one
book.
The author is uncertain.
Outline of content: The end of David’s reign, Solomon as king, the
temple is built, the divided kingdom, the kings of Judah and Israel, the
prophet Elijah, King Ahab, Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah. Chapters, 22
Kings 2
Hebrew, Sepher M’lakhim.
Outline of content: The divided kingdom, the Prophet Elisha, kings
of Judah and Israel, fall of Samaria, Kingdom of Judah, kings; from Herzekiah
to Josiah, Josiah’s reign, last King of Judah, fall of Jerusalem. Chapters, 25
Chronicles 1
Hebrew, Dibh’re Hayyamim, meaning, the matter
of the days, book of the days of the kings of Judah, and book of the days of
the kings of Israel.
This material in
Chronicles 1 and 2 was composed of materials from the day books from Samuel and
the kings.
The author is uncertain, but it was more than
one.
Outline of content: Genealogies, death of Saul, reign of David,
preparations for building the temple. Chapters, 29
Chronicles 2
Hebrew, Dibh’re Hayyamim.
This is the final book of the Jewish Bible.
Outline of content: Reign of Solomon, the Temple is built, revolt
of the northern tribes, kings of Judah, fall of Jerusalem. Chapters, 36
Ezra
Was originally the book
of Ezra – Nehemiah
Ezra may have also
authored the books of Chronicles.
The author is Ezra.
Outline of contents: First return from exile, the Temple is rebuilt
and dedicated, Ezra returns from exile. Chapters, 10
Nehemiah
Hebrew, Nehemya,
comforted of the Lord. Hehemiah was a drink server at the royal table for the
King of Persia.
Was originally the Book
of Ezra – Nehemiah.
The author is Nehemiah
Outline of contents: Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem, walls of
Jerusalem rebuilt, the law is read, the Covenant is renewed, dedicates the city
walls, Nehemiah’s reforms. Chapters, 13
Esther
Or Megillah is the
celebration of Purim, the Jewish holiday for the deliverance out of the Persian
Empire. The text is to be read twice
during this celebration, once in the evening and again the following morning.
Author is Mordecai.
Outline of contents: Esther becomes queen, Haman’s plots, Haman is
put to death, and the Jews defeat their enemies. Chapters, 10
Job
The author is Job.
Outline of contents: Satan tests Job, Job and his friends, Job’s
complaint, first, second, and third dialogues, praise of wisdom, Job’s final
statement, speeches of Elihu, the Lord’s answer, conclusion. Chapters, 42
Psalms
Hebrew or Tehillim; praises.
Most say the author of Psalms is the work of
David, others say they are the work of many.
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