List of Biblical Books

This list of biblical books includes the books of the Bible . The arrangement in the Tanach and the Old Testament differs between Judaism and the major denominations of Christianity . For practical reasons, it essentially follows the Catholic and Protestant tradition. The Ethiopian Bible also contains a few other books such as the Book of Enoch (which is also quoted in the New Testament and found in Qumran ), for which various lists exist.

The respective Christian book names (column 1) are followed by their abbreviations according to the Loccumer guidelines widely recognized in Germany (column 2). Original Hebrew and Greek book names and variants are in column 3, translated if necessary. The contents (column 5) are largely taken from the Thompson Study Bible .

Books of the Tanakh without a note are common to Jews and Christians of all denominations. Special book divisions and books that only belong to the Bible for some Christian denominations are noted in each case (column 6). For these different versions of the Bible, see the Biblical Canon .

Tanach / Old Testament

Torah / Pentateuch

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Genesis Genesis	1 Mos Gen	בְּרֵאשִׁית Bəreschit ("In the beginning")	50	Creation , parent accounts as the prehistory of the Israelites	The five books of Moses together form the Torah ( Hebrew תּוֹרָה = “instruction”), also called the Pentateuch ( Greek Πεντάτευχος = “five vessel”). As the Samaritan Pentateuch, they also represent the only sacred scripture of the Samaritans .
Exodus Exodus	2 Mos Ex	שְׁמוֹת Shəmot ("name")	40	Exodus of Israel from Egypt, covenant at Sinai , instructions for the building of the tabernacle
3. Moses Leviticus	3 Mos Lev	וַיִּקְרָא Wajikra ("And he called")	27	Ritual and Sacrifice Laws
4. Moses Numbers	4 Mos Num	בַּמִּדְבָּר Bamidbar ("In the desert")	36	Desert migration of Israel
5. Moses Deuteronomy	5 Mos Dtn	דְּבָרִים Dəvarim ( "words, sayings")	34	Farewell speech of Moses as a repetition of many commandments, review of the Exodus

History books

The books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings are called the “front” prophets in the Hebrew Bible , immediately followed by the “rear prophets” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Book of the Twelve Prophets). All other books form the third part of the canon in the Hebrew Bible, Ketuvim ("Scriptures").

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Joshua	Jos	יְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yhoshua	24	Conquest of Canaan , division among the twelve tribes of Israel	-
Judge	Ri	שֹׁפְטִים Schofətim	21st	Repeated submission of Israel and deliverance by the judges	-
Ruth	Ruth	רוּת Ruth	4th	Life story of Rut's	-
1 Samuel	1 Saturday	שְׁמוּאֵל Schəmuel	31	Life of Samuel, beginnings of kingship in Israel under Saul and David	The book of Samuel is divided into two books in Christian Bibles.
2 Samuel	2 sat	שְׁמוּאֵל Schəmuel	24
1st kings	1 Kings	מְלָכִים Məlachim	22nd	The climax and decline of the great empire of Israel , division of the country, the prophets Elijah and Elisha	The book of kings is divided into two books in Christian Bibles.
2nd kings	2 kings	מְלָכִים Məlachim	25th
1. Chronicle	1 Chr	דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים Diwrei hajjamim ("events of the days")	29	Report from the kingship of David to the Babylonian exile	The chronicle book is divided into two books in Christian Bibles. In the Eastern Churches they are called "Books of Omissions"
2. Chronicle	2 Chr	דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים Diwrei hajjamim ("events of the days")	36	Report from the kingship of David to the Babylonian exile
Esra	Esra	עֶזְרָא Esra (modern also: עֶזְרָא – נְחֶמְיָה Esra – Nəchemja )	10	Reconstruction of the temple, return from Babylonian captivity, social and religious reforms	The books Ezra and Nehemiah form a unit in the Tanakh, as well as in the Septuagint, where they are counted together as the second Ezra book (Εσδρας β ' Esdras beta ). In the Vulgate , both parts are counted individually and referred to as the 1st book Esra (= Esr) and 2nd book Esra (= Neh).
Nehemiah	Neh		13	Reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah , introduction of the Torah as a state law by Ezra
3rd book of Ezra	3 Esr	Εσδρας α ' Esdras alpha ("1st Esra")	10	From the Passover celebration of Josiah to the rebuilding of the temple and the reading of the Torah in Jerusalem (largely parallel to Ezra-Nehemiah)	Late writing , only in Orthodox and Ethiopian Bibles, counted there as the first Ezra book
4th book of Ezra	4 Esr	liber Ezrae quartus	10	Dialogue with the Archangel Uriel	Late writing, counted as the fourth Ezra book in modern Vulgate editions; in Ethiopian Bibles as "Esra Sutuel" in third place in the Esra scriptures
Tobit	Tob	Τωβίτ Tobit ( טוֹבְיָה Tobia )	14th	Life story of Tobit	Late script, only in Catholic, Ethiopian and Orthodox Bibles
Judit	Jdt	Ιουδίθ Iudith (יְהוּדִית Jəhudit )	16	Killing of the Nebuchadneza general Holofernes and rescue of Israel by Judit
Ester	Est	מְגִילַּת אֶסְתֵּר Məgillat Ester (" Scroll / Book Esters")	10	Rescue of Israel by Esther from a blow of destruction by the Persians, establishment of the festival of Purim	In Catholic and Orthodox Bibles the book contains additional parts (late writings)
1. Maccabees	1 Makk	Μακκαβαίων Α ' Makkabáiōn Álpha	16	Struggle for independence of the Maccabees against the Seleucids	Late writings, only in the Catholic, Ethiopian and Orthodox Bibles
2. Maccabees	2 Makk	Μακκαβαίων Β ' Makkabáiōn Béta	15th	Prehistory of the Maccabees Rebellion
3. Maccabees	3 Makk	Μακκαβαίων Γ ' Makkabáiōn Gámma	7th	Unsuccessful attempt by Ptolemy IV to force the Jews in Alexandria to worship Dionysus and to destroy them after their refusal	Late script, only in the Ethiopian and Orthodox Bibles
4. Maccabees	4 Makk	Μακκαβαίων Δ ' Makkabáiōn Délta	18th	Philosophical speech about the "rule of reason over instincts"	Late writing, only as an appendix in the Orthodox Bible; traditionally attributed to Flavius Josephus

Textbooks and psalms

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Job (job, job)	Job / Hi	אִיּוֹב Ijjow	42	Job's sufferings and trials and his question about God	-
Psalms (Psalter)	Ps	תְּהִילִים Təhilim ("hymns of praise")	150	Collection of sacred songs and poems, hymn book of the second temple	-
Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Solomon	Spr	מִשְׁלֵי Mischlē ("Proverbs")	31	Moral instructions for daily life, especially for young people	The Proverbs of Solomon are divided in the Ethiopian Bible into Messals (Prov 1–24) and Tägsas (Prov 25–31).
Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes	Koh / Pred	קֹהֶלֶת Kohelet ("assembler")	12	Folly and wisdom, transience of the earthly	-
Song of Songs Song of Songs Song of Songs	Hld	שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים Shir haschirim ("Song of Songs")	8th	Love and longing between lovers; Collection of love songs	-
Wisdom wisdom of Solomon	Know	Σοφία Σολομώντος Sofía Solomōntos	19th	Consolation and admonition to believing Jews, threats and warnings to their persecutors, representation of the revealed religion as a gift of wisdom	Late writings, only in the Catholic, Ethiopian and Orthodox Bibles
Jesus Sirach Ecclesiasticus	Sir	Σοφία Σίραχ Sofía Sirach (" Sirach's wisdom") (בֶּן סִירָה ben Sira "son of Sira")	52	Exhortation of a Jewish heir to a godly and godly life; Collection of wisdom proverbs
Manasseh's prayer	GebMan / OrMan	Προσευχὴ Μαννασσή Proseuchē Manasseh	1	Manasses review of his life after his capture by the Assyrians , confession of guilt and asking God for forgiveness	Late writing, only in some Orthodox Bibles and in the appendix to the Catholic Bible; in the Septuagint 12th chapter of the Book of Odes , in the Ethiopian Bible part of 2nd Chronicles
Psalms of Solomon	PsSal	Ψαλμοὶ Σολομῶντος Psalmoi Solomōntos	18th		Only in some Orthodox Bibles and some manuscripts in the Aramaic Bible.

Prophets

In the Hebrew Bible , the books Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Book of the Twelve Prophets are called the “rear prophets”, in contrast to the “front” prophets (books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings).

Great prophets

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Isaiah	Jes / Is	יְשַׁעְיָהוּ Jəscha'jahu	66	Promise of a salvation king, announcement of redemption	-
Jeremiah	Jer	יִרְמְיָהוּ Yirməjahu	52	Temple criticism; Apostasy, bondage, and restoration of Jude	-
Lamentations Jeremiah's Lamentations	Klgl	אֵיכָה Echa ("Oh, woe")	5	Complaints about the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem	In the Tanakh not counted among the prophets, but among the Ketuvim .
Baruch	bar	Βαρούχ Baruch	6th	Report on the reading of the book four years after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans in Babel and in a congregation of the former king Jehoiachin and other Jews in exile in Babylon, weeping and prayer of the congregation, collecting money as an offering for the temple	Late script, only in the Catholic, Ethiopian and Orthodox Bibles
Letter of Jeremiah	BrJer	᾽Επιστολὴ ᾽Ιερεμίου Baruch	1	Appeal to the deported Jews to remain faithful to the first of the Ten Commandments and not to worship the Babylonian idols	Late writing, only in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, there usually as the last, sixth chapter of Baruch; in the Septuagint after the Lamentations of Jeremiah
Ezekiel	Ez / Hes	יְחֶזְקֵאל Jəcheskel	48	Words of judgment against Jerusalem, Judah, neighboring peoples as well as words of salvation, vision of the heavenly Jerusalem	-
Daniel	Dan	דָּנִיֵּאל Daniel	14th	Life of the prophet Daniel, who, deported and brought up at the Babylonian court, becomes a statesman and advisor	In the Tanakh not counted among the prophets, but among the Ketuvim . Chapter 0 or, according to another number, 13 ( Susanna ), 3b (Asarja's prayer and The Song of the Three) and 13 and 14 (Vom Bel and Vom Drachen) are only available as late writings in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, incorporated into some Bibles , in some as an attachment

Little prophets

In Judaism these are summarized in one book: the Book of the Twelve ( Dodecapropheton ).

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Hosea	Hos	הוֹשֵעַ Oshea	14th	Israel's unfaithfulness to God	-
Joel	Joel	יוֹאֵל Jo'el	4th	Judgment of God through locusts and drought as an announcement of enemy invasions	4th in the Septuagint, after Micah
Amos	At the	עָמוֹס Amos	9	Warning against self-confidence and a full life	2nd position in the Septuagint, after Hosea
Obadja	Obd	עֹבַדְיָה Owadja	1	Impending judgment on Edom, Edom's conduct against Judah, future restoration of Israel	5th in the Septuagint, after Joel
Jonah	Jonah	יוֹנָה Jonah	4th	Story of Jonas, the unwilling prophet	in the Septuagint at the 6th position, after Obadja
Micha	Wed	מִיכָה Micha	7th	Judgment and salvation, right worship	3rd position in the Septuagint, according to Amos
Nahum	Close	נַחוּם Nachum	3	Fall of Nineveh	-
Habakkuk	Have	חֲבַקּוּק Chawakuk	3	God's providence and righteousness	-
Zefaniah	Zef	צְפַנְיה Zəfanja	3	God's judgment and promise	-
Haggai	Hag	חַגַּי Chagai	2	Haggai asked the Israelites to continue with the discontinued rebuilding of the temple	-
Zechariah	Sach	זְכַרְיָה Səcharja	14th	The future salvation of God	-
Malachi	Times	מַלְאָכִי Mal'achi	3	Reforms to prepare the way for the coming messenger	-

New Testament

Gospels

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Matthew	Mt	Κατὰ Μαθθαῖον Katá Matthaîon ("according to Matthew")	28	Life story of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel announced in OT in word and deed	In the Syrian Bible , the Gospels form a book.
Markus	Mk	Κατὰ Μᾶρκον Katá Mârkon ("according to Mark")	16	Life story of Jesus as the Son of God, also for Gentiles
Luke	Lk	Κατὰ Λουκᾶν Katá Loukân ("according to Luke")	24	Life story of Jesus as the righteous man for Jews and Gentiles, written with historical claims
John	Joh	Κατὰ ᾿Ιωάννην Katá Ioánnen ("according to John")	21st	Life story of Jesus as the pre-existing Son of God who conquered death and sin on the cross

History book

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Acts of the Apostles	Act / Act	Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων Práxeis Apostólon also Latin: Acta apostolorum ("deeds of the apostles")	28	History of the early church in Jerusalem and the missionary journeys of Paul	Continuation of the gospel according to Luke

Apostles' letters

Paul's letters

All letters traditionally attributed to Paul are listed here. Seven of them (Röm, 1 / 2Kor, Gal, 1Thess, Phil, Phlm) are unequivocally genuine.

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Romans	Rom	Πρὸς Ῥωμαίους Prós Rhomaíous ("to the Romans")	16	Justification by faith, sanctification by the Spirit of God, duties as a Christian	guaranteed authentic Pauline letters ("Protopaulinen")
1st Corinthians	1 cor	Πρὸς Κορινθίους α ' Prós Korinthíous prôte ("to the Corinthians first")	16	Dispute settlement between the divided parties of the Corinthian church, denunciation of sexual immorality in the church
2nd Corinthians	2 Cor	Πρὸς Κορινθίους β ' Prós Korinthíous deutéra ("to the Corinthians second")	13	Apostle ministry of Paul, his love for God and the church
Galatians	Gal	Πρὸς Γαλάτας Prós Galátas ("to the Galatians")	6th	Justification of the Christian by faith alone
Ephesians	Eph	Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους Prós Ephesíous ("to the Ephesians")	6th	Unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians in the church	probably letter in the tradition of Paul ("Deuteropaulinum")
Philippians	Phil	Πρὸς Φιλιππησίους Prós Philippesíous ("to the Philippians")	4th	Praise the church in Philippi	guaranteed authentic Pauline letters ("Protopaulinen")
Colossians	Col	Πρὸς Κολοσσαεῖς Prós Kolossaeîs ("to the Colossians")	4th	Christ as head of the community, defense against false teachings (philosophers, religions etc.)	probably letter in the tradition of Paul ("Deuteropaulinum")
1. Thessalonians	1 Thess	Πρὸς Θεσσαλονικεῖς α ' Prós Thessalonikeîs prôte ("to the first of the Thessalonians")	5	Reminders, thanks, advice, encouragement, etc. from Paul	guaranteed authentic Pauline letter ("Protopaulinum")
2. Thessalonians	2 thes	Πρὸς Θεσσαλονικεῖς β ' Prós Thessalonikeîs deutéra ("to the Thessalonians second")	3	Calming the insecure community after Pauli declaration of the imminent return of Christ	probably letter in the tradition of Paul ("Deuteropaulinum")
1 Timothy	1 Tim	Πρὸς Τιμόθεον α ' Prós Timótheon prôte ("to Timothy first")	6th	Advice to Timothy, the young church leader	probably letters in the tradition of Paul ("Deuteropaulinen"), the three so-called pastoral letters
2. Timothy	2 Tim	Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β ' Prós Timótheon deutéra ("to Timothy second")	4th	Encouragement and instruction to Timothy
Titus	Tit	Πρὸς Τίτον Prós Títon ("to Titus")	3	Doctrine, Church, etc. Advice
Philemon	Phlm	Πρὸς Φιλήμονα Prós Philémona ("to Philemon")	1	Ask for reconciliation between fellow believers Philemon and Onesimus, his slave	guaranteed authentic Pauline letter ("Protopaulinum")

Letter to the Hebrews and Catholic Letters

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Hebrews	Hebrew	Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Prós Hebraíous ("to the Hebrews")	13	Comparison of the old and the new covenant	is counted among the "Deuteropaulinen" (but is controversial)
James	Jak	Ἰακώβου Iakóbu ("of James")	5	Practical life as a Christian, lived faith instead of paying lip service	-
1. Peter	1 petr	Πέτρου α ' Pétrou prôte ("the first of Peter")	5	“Grazing” the flock, strengthening the fellow believers	-
2. Peter	2 petr	Πέτρου β ' Pétrou deutéra ("the second of Peter")	3	Warning against false teachings and scoffers	-
1. John	1 Joh	Ἰωάννου α ' Ioánnou prôte ("the first of John")	5	Presentation of God as life, light and love, a call to a life of sanctification and brotherly love	-
2. John	2 Joh	Ἰωάννου β ' Ioánnou deutéra ("the second of John")	1	Unity of believers, obeying the commandments of God, warning against false teachers	-
3. John	3 Joh	Ἰωάννου γ ' Ioánnou tríte ("the third of John")	1	Christian hospitality	-
Judas	Jud	Ἰούδα Ioúda ("of Judas")	1	Warning of false teachers	-

Apocalyptic book

book	Abbreviation	Original designation	chapter	content	Remarks
Revelation or Apocalypse	Offb / Apk	Ἀποκάλυψις Ἲωάννου Apokálypsis Ioánnou ("Revelation of John")	22nd	Presentation of the events of the end times, battle of the satanic forces against God and the church, strengthening and encouragement of the persecuted church	not in the Syrian Bible