BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL
The Bible at a Glance
An easy-to-navigate outline of all 66 books. Browse by section, get a short summary of each book, and dive deeper with a Learn More link.
Books
0
Chapters
0
Verses
0
THE BIBLE · PART ONE
The Old Testament
39 books · 929 chapters · 23,145 verses
Pentateuch (The Law)
A Greek word meaning a five-fold book
Genesis
50 chapters · 1,533 verses
The book of beginnings. It records the creation of the universe, earth and man, humanity’s fall from grace, Noah’s flood and the tower of Babel. It also tells of God’s plan to redeem both man and the world, and relates the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
Exodus
40 chapters · 1,213 verses
Records the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, ending a period of oppression for Abraham’s offspring and beginning the fulfillment of the covenant promised to Abraham. It records the tremendous growth of Jacob’s family in Egypt into a vast nation.
Leviticus
27 chapters · 859 verses
Gives the laws and regulations for worship at the tabernacle, including instructions on ceremonial cleanness, moral laws, holy days, the sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee. Explains how the Israelites are to be the Lord’s holy people and worship Him in a holy manner.
Numbers
36 chapters · 1,288 verses
Gives the history of the accounts during the 39 years of wandering in the wilderness.
Deuteronomy
34 chapters · 959 verses
A restatement of the law that God had given 40 years earlier on Mt. Sinai.
Historical Books
A connected history of Israel from the death of Moses to the restoration after the Babylonian captivity
Joshua
24 chapters · 658 verses
Chronicles the Israelites’ entry into the promised land, their victories over the enemies in the land, and the allotting of the land to the tribes.
Judges
21 chapters · 618 verses
Tells of Israel’s history for the period between the death of Joshua and the ministry of Samuel.
Ruth
4 chapters · 85 verses
The story of Naomi’s transformation from despair to happiness through the selfless, God-blessed acts of Ruth and Boaz.
1 Samuel
31 chapters · 810 verses
Highlights two major events: the establishment of the monarchy in Israel and the rise of David to be king after Saul.
2 Samuel
24 chapters · 695 verses
Chronicles the reign of David. It starts with word reaching him of Saul’s death, and it ends near the end of David’s life.
1 Kings
22 chapters · 816 verses
The story of Israel’s decline, showing how Israel divides and falls into the hands of her enemies. It describes the rule of Solomon and the split of the kingdom after his death.
2 Kings
25 chapters · 719 verses
A continuation of the story of Israel’s decline and how Israel divides and falls into the hands of her enemies. The key personalities are David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel.
1 Chronicles
29 chapters · 942 verses
Retells the story of King David, from 2 Samuel, from a more uplifting point of view. This is done by linking David to the ark of the covenant, worship in Jerusalem and the preparations for building the temple.
2 Chronicles
36 chapters · 822 verses
Continues from 1 Chronicles with a new point of view. It is more concerned with proper worship than with political matters, concentrating on Solomon’s building of the temple.
Ezra
10 chapters · 280 verses
Provides a link in the historical record of the Israelite people. When their king was dethroned and the people exiled to Babylon, Judah ceased to exist as an independent nation. Ezra gives an account of the Jews’ regathering and their struggle to survive and rebuild what had been destroyed.
Nehemiah
13 chapters · 406 verses
Records the reconstruction of the wall of Jerusalem, Judah’s capital city. Nehemiah discovers the wall in disrepair, convinces the king to allow it to be rebuilt, and organizes the project. They must overcome danger and severe opposition to complete it.
Esther
10 chapters · 167 verses
Can be divided into three main sections: Esther replaces Vashti as queen, Mordecai overcomes Haman, and Israel survives Haman’s attempt to destroy them. Queen Esther risked her own life to save the Jewish people from death.
Wisdom Books
Named because of the prominence they give to wisdom and folly
Job
42 chapters · 1,070 verses
The story of a righteous man who loses nearly everything and wrestles with the question of why the innocent suffer. Through his conversations with his friends and God’s answer, the book reveals God’s sovereignty and wisdom.
Psalms
150 chapters · 2,461 verses
A collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper’s thoughts on God in praise and adoration. Parts of this book were used as a hymnal in the worship services of ancient Israel.
Proverbs
31 chapters · 915 verses
A summary of wisdom sayings and thoughts from King Solomon.
Ecclesiastes
12 chapters · 222 verses
Provides instruction on how to live meaningfully, purposefully and joyfully under the reign of God.
Song of Solomon
8 chapters · 117 verses
The story of a king and his wife and the passion, devotion and trials of a loving couple through courtship and marriage.
Major Prophets
Called “major” because of the longer length of their books, not their significance
Isaiah
66 chapters · 1,292 verses
Isaiah issues God’s message of impending judgment to several kings. He also issues warnings to other countries and prophesies the coming Messiah.
Jeremiah
52 chapters · 1,364 verses
Jeremiah, the “Weeping Prophet,” again preaches to the Jewish people about the coming punishment of Judah, but also promises restoration and return for the Jews.
Lamentations
5 chapters · 154 verses
A long acrostic poem in which Jeremiah weeps over the destruction of the land of Judah.
Ezekiel
48 chapters · 1,273 verses
A prophetic book that deals with the cause of God’s judgment against Judah. The book also speaks of judgment against other nations.
Daniel
12 chapters · 357 verses
Tells the story of how remaining faithful to God carried Daniel through Babylonian captivity to very high-ranking leadership under several kings.
Minor Prophets
Shorter books with more specific content, compared to the broader subjects of the Major Prophets
Hosea
14 chapters · 197 verses
A book of sin, salvation, judgment, and restoration. It describes the marriage of Hosea and Gomer; Gomer betrays the marriage covenant, and God uses this as a metaphor for the relationship between God and Israel.
Joel
3 chapters · 73 verses
A prophet whom God uses to call His people to repentance and to let them know He is with them during a devastating locust invasion that destroys Israel’s crops.
Amos
9 chapters · 146 verses
God speaks through the prophet Amos to call for social justice as the essential expression of true devotion, and announces judgment for Israel’s injustice. Amos makes two prophecies: King Jeroboam II will die and Israel will be carried off into exile.
Obadiah
1 chapter · 21 verses
The shortest book of the Old Testament. God shows His justice by calling even pagan Edom and the nations to account for their hurtful actions against His chosen nation. Obadiah prophesies that Edom will be brought down from Mount Seir, Israel will be gathered back to her land, and Edom will be plundered.
Jonah
4 chapters · 48 verses
One of the most famous stories in the Bible: a rebellious prophet who realizes he cannot run from God. After being swallowed by a big fish, Jonah follows God’s instructions and goes to the evil city of Nineveh to tell them to repent.
Micah
7 chapters · 105 verses
The prophet Micah is sent to warn God’s people, both the northern and southern tribes of Israel and Judah, of coming judgment for sin, and to offer hope based on the mercy of God.
Nahum
3 chapters · 47 verses
The focus of Nahum is the Lord’s judgment on Nineveh for its oppression, cruelty, idolatry and wickedness. The book ends with a prophecy of the destruction of the city.
Habakkuk
3 chapters · 56 verses
Unique in that it includes no messages addressed to Israel. It describes a discussion between the prophet and God: in the first two chapters Habakkuk argues with God over ways he believes are unjust, and after God’s replies he responds with a confession of faith.
Zephaniah
3 chapters · 53 verses
The main theme is the coming day of the Lord, when God will severely punish the nations, including Judah. Zephaniah announces that God has bigger plans than the end of the world: He will remove all things, but then He will restore all things.
Haggai
2 chapters · 38 verses
The prophet reminds the Jews about the neglected temple, and the book ends with an example of how God delights when His people obey.
Zechariah
14 chapters · 211 verses
God uses the prophet’s symbols and visions to encourage the Jews to finish rebuilding the temple.
Malachi
4 chapters · 55 verses
God uses the prophet Malachi to assure the Jewish community that when the Lord comes to judge, He will spare those who serve Him.
THE BIBLE · PART TWO
The New Testament
27 books · 260 chapters · 7,957 verses
The Gospels
The accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, proclaiming the good news of God’s victory over death
Matthew
28 chapters · 1,071 verses
Presents Jesus as the Jewish Messiah sent by God to bring salvation to Israel and the nations in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. The account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection focuses on His role as the true king of the Jews.
Mark
16 chapters · 678 verses
Like all four gospels, an account of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection. Mark’s account is much more brief and focuses more on what Jesus did than on what He said.
Luke
24 chapters · 1,151 verses
Like all four gospels, an account of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection. Luke is the first part of a two-part work that includes the book of Acts, and is known for its orderly presentation of Jesus’ account.
John
21 chapters · 879 verses
A little different from the other three gospels, John highlights matters that are underdeveloped in the others. The focus is on the “signs” of Jesus’ mission, along with lengthy theological discourses.
Church History
Luke shows how the gospel spread rapidly from Jerusalem to the whole Roman Empire, and from its Jewish roots to the Gentile world
Acts
28 chapters · 1,007 verses
Chronicles the spread of the gospel, not only geographically but also culturally. It records the transition from taking the gospel to an exclusively Jewish audience, with Peter preaching to a small group in the Upper Room, to the gospel going out among the Gentiles, primarily under the ministry of the apostle Paul.
Pauline Epistles
The thirteen books of the New Testament attributed to Paul the Apostle
Romans
16 chapters · 433 verses
Paul writes to the church in Rome to present his basic statement of the gospel: God’s plan of salvation is for all peoples, Jew and Gentile alike.
1 Corinthians
16 chapters · 437 verses
Both complements and contrasts Romans. While Romans emphasizes biblical theology, 1 Corinthians is concerned with practical theology and its application to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians
13 chapters · 257 verses
Paul encourages the believers in Corinth to give generously, to be reconciled with him, and to reject false apostles who are challenging his authority and creating dissension in the church.
Galatians
6 chapters · 149 verses
Paul writes to encourage the Galatian believers to reject the legalistic demands of the Judaizers and to embrace the gospel of freedom in the Spirit.
Ephesians
6 chapters · 155 verses
Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about union with Christ, unity in the body, and holiness.
Philippians
4 chapters · 104 verses
Paul writes to the church at Philippi to report on his own circumstances, to encourage them to stand firm in the face of persecution and to rejoice regardless of circumstances, and to exhort them to humility and unity.
Source: NIV Study Bible, © 1985, 1995, 2002, 2008
Source: NIV Study Bible, © 1985, 1995, 2002, 2008
Colossians
4 chapters · 95 verses
Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae on how they should clarify and magnify the Person of Christ.
Source: Living the 66 Books of the Bible by David Jeremiah (Turning Point for God, 2022, p. 219)
Source: Living the 66 Books of the Bible by David Jeremiah (Turning Point for God, 2022, p. 219)
1 Thessalonians
5 chapters · 89 verses
Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica, commending them for their “work of faith,” “labor of love,” and “steadfastness of hope” and encouraging them to do more. He also spoke of Christ’s return.
2 Thessalonians
3 chapters · 47 verses
Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica, discussing the troubles of the church: persecution from outside, false doctrine, and “busybodies” within (2 Thess. 3:11).
1 Timothy
6 chapters · 113 verses
Paul wrote this letter “to encourage Timothy, to explain how a local church should be managed, and to enforce his own authority as a servant of God.”
Source: NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible, © 2021 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Source: NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible, © 2021 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
2 Timothy
4 chapters · 83 verses
Paul’s letter to Timothy with instructions to guard and fight for the gospel, pursue righteousness, continue sound teaching, and preach the word.
Titus
3 chapters · 46 verses
Written to give Paul’s companion Titus encouragement and instruction, this epistle contains valuable theological insight relating to the Christian faith and ministry in the local church.
Source: NKJV Evangelical Study Bible, © 2023 Thomas Nelson.
Source: NKJV Evangelical Study Bible, © 2023 Thomas Nelson.
Philemon
1 chapter · 25 verses
Paul writes primarily to Philemon, but also to the members of the church at Colossae, about forgiveness and equality in Christ.
Source: NIV Case for Christ Study Bible, © 2009 Lee Strobel. All rights reserved.
Source: NIV Case for Christ Study Bible, © 2009 Lee Strobel. All rights reserved.
General Epistles
The books of the New Testament that do not appear to have been written by Paul the apostle
Hebrews
13 chapters · 303 verses
The author (unknown) wrote to exhort believers not to fall away but to persevere in Christ, showing that Jesus is greater than everything that came before Him.
Source: NIV Jesus Bible, © 2016 Zondervan.
Source: NIV Jesus Bible, © 2016 Zondervan.
James
5 chapters · 108 verses
“James may be the most practical book in the New Testament, emphasizing our behavior as believers rather than our doctrinal beliefs. James is interested in right belief that behaves rightly.”
Source: Vines Expository Bible Notes, © 2020 Jerry Vines.
Source: Vines Expository Bible Notes, © 2020 Jerry Vines.
1 Peter
5 chapters · 105 verses
“Peter wrote to encourage weary, hurting people to stand firmly on God’s promises and remain faithful to the end. While the suffering of God’s saints makes up a sizable portion of Peter’s letters, the saints’ victory through their victorious Savior makes up an even greater portion.”
Source: Vines Expository Bible Notes, © 2020 Jerry Vines.
Source: Vines Expository Bible Notes, © 2020 Jerry Vines.
2 Peter
3 chapters · 61 verses
“In this book, Peter is not afraid to tell the truth, to clearly expose the actions and motives of false teachers… drawing sharp distinctions between false belief and true faith.”
Source: Vines Expository Bible Notes, © 2020 Jerry Vines.
Source: Vines Expository Bible Notes, © 2020 Jerry Vines.
1 John
5 chapters · 105 verses
“John wrote to Christians, he speaks of obedience, walking with God in righteousness, submission to the truth, and functioning together in love as being key elements of intimacy with God.”
Source: CSB Tony Evans Study Bible, © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Source: CSB Tony Evans Study Bible, © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
2 John
1 chapter · 13 verses
A short book that continues 1 John, urging followers to look carefully at traveling teachers, as many false teachers were also traveling teachers.
3 John
1 chapter · 14 verses
A short, personal letter commending Gaius for walking in the truth and showing hospitality to traveling teachers.
Jude
1 chapter · 25 verses
A short letter urging believers to contend for the faith against false teachers who had slipped into the church.
Apocalyptic Epistle
The culmination of end-times prophecies
Revelation
22 chapters · 404 verses
Written by the Apostle John, Revelation is lavish in colorful descriptions of the visions which proclaim the last days before Christ’s return and the ushering in of the new heaven and new earth.