Books of the Bible
Understanding the Catholic Bible, the Septuagint, and the Biblical Canon
What Is the Bible?
The Bible is the inspired Word of God written in human language.
Through Sacred Scripture, God reveals Himself, His covenant, His plan of salvation, and the coming of Jesus Christ.
“All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice.” — 2 Timothy 3:16
Old Testament and New Testament
The Bible is divided into two major parts:
- Old Testament: God’s covenant with Israel and the preparation for Christ.
- New Testament: The life, death, Resurrection, and saving work of Jesus Christ and the early Church.
The Old Testament prepares for Jesus. The New Testament reveals Him.
How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The Catholic Bible contains 73 books.
- 46 books in the Old Testament.
- 27 books in the New Testament.
Most Protestant Bibles contain 66 books.
- 39 books in the Old Testament.
- 27 books in the New Testament.
Why the Difference?
Catholics and Protestants have the same 27 New Testament books.
The difference is in the Old Testament.
Catholic Bibles include seven Old Testament books, along with portions of Daniel and Esther, that most Protestant Bibles do not include in the Old Testament canon.
These books are called the Deuterocanonical books.
What Are the Deuterocanonical Books?
The Deuterocanonical books are Old Testament books received by the Catholic Church as inspired Scripture.
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom
- Sirach
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
Catholic Bibles also include additional portions of:
- Esther
- Daniel
What Is the Septuagint?
The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament produced before the time of Christ.
It was widely used in the Jewish world and became the Old Testament commonly used by many early Christians.
Many Old Testament quotations in the New Testament closely follow the wording of the Septuagint.
The Septuagint included books such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1–2 Maccabees.
Why Catholics Have 73 Books
The Catholic Church recognizes 73 inspired books because these books were received, read, and handed on within the life of the Church.
The early Christians frequently used the Greek Septuagint Old Testament, which included the Deuterocanonical books.
These books were later affirmed by Church councils and have remained part of the Catholic Bible.
Why Many Protestant Bibles Have 66 Books
During the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, several Old Testament books included in Catholic Bibles were removed from the Old Testament canon used by most Protestants.
As a result, most Protestant Bibles today contain 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books.
Catholics retained the 46-book Old Testament because these books had long been received and used in the Church’s Scripture and worship.
Are These Books “Apocrypha”?
Catholics usually call these books Deuterocanonical, meaning they belong to the canon but were disputed by some.
Many Protestants call them the “Apocrypha.”
Catholics do not treat them as lesser Scripture. They are part of the inspired Old Testament.
Complete List of the Catholic Bible
Old Testament: 46 Books
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Tobit
- Judith
- Esther
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Songs
- Wisdom
- Sirach
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Baruch
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
New Testament: 27 Books
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- Acts of the Apostles
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
- Revelation
Key Truths About the Books of the Bible
- The Catholic Bible contains 73 books.
- The Catholic Old Testament contains 46 books.
- The New Testament contains 27 books.
- Most Protestant Bibles contain 66 books.
- The difference is in the Old Testament.
- The Deuterocanonical books are part of the Catholic Bible.
- The Septuagint was widely used by early Christians.
- All Scripture points ultimately to Jesus Christ.
What Does This Mean For Me?
When Catholics read the Bible, they receive the full canon of Scripture handed on through the life of the Church.
Understanding why Catholic Bibles have 73 books helps us read Scripture with greater confidence.
The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings. It is God’s inspired Word leading us to Jesus Christ.
Explore Scripture Resources
Continue Learning
Next, explore: Bible Reading Plans