Many Books & Types of Literature
The word “Bible” literally means books. The Bible is a collection of sixty-six different books. Each book of the Bible is unique. There are different authors, different types of literature, and different circumstances and purposes for which each book was written.
To understand the Bible it is important to be aware of the type of literature, background, and the context of each book:
Old Testament
Pentateuch Books of Moses FIVE books pages 1-231
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Historical Books TWELVE books pages 232-542
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Writings Wisdom Literature FIVE books pages 543-733
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Major Prophets FIVE books pages 734-973
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets TWELVE books pages 974-1054
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, , Zecharaiah, Malachi
New Testament
Gospels FOUR books pages 1057-1169
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Acts History ONE book pages 1170-1242
Acts of the Apostles
Letters of Paul THIRTEEN books pages 1243-1339
Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
General Letters & Revelation NINE books pages 1340-1401
Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2& 3 John, Jude, Revelation
The word “Bible” literally means books. The Bible is a collection of sixty-six different books. Each book of the Bible is unique. There are different authors, different types of literature, and different circumstances and purposes for which each book was written.
To understand the Bible it is important to be aware of the type of literature, background, and the context of each book:
Old Testament
Pentateuch Books of Moses FIVE books pages 1-231
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Historical Books TWELVE books pages 232-542
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Writings Wisdom Literature FIVE books pages 543-733
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Major Prophets FIVE books pages 734-973
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets TWELVE books pages 974-1054
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, , Zecharaiah, Malachi
New Testament
Gospels FOUR books pages 1057-1169
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Acts History ONE book pages 1170-1242
Acts of the Apostles
Letters of Paul THIRTEEN books pages 1243-1339
Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
General Letters & Revelation NINE books pages 1340-1401
Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2& 3 John, Jude, Revelation
What did you learn?
God’s Word – what, where, when, how, who?
B. H______________
C. W______________
D. P_______________
5. How many books in the Old Testament: ________
4. The New Testament:
a.How far back do the stories in the New Testament go? _________________________________
b.Which and when were first books in the New Testament written? ________________________
c. Which and when were the last books in the New Testament written? _____________________
d.Into what different types of literature is the New Testament often divided?
i.G____________ or _______________________
ii.H______________
iii.L____________ of _______________
iv.U____________ L_______________
e.How many books in the New Testament: ________
f.How many books total in the Bible: _________
- The Bible is divided into two parts:
- Written before Jesus is _____________________________
- Written after Jesus is _______________________________
- The purpose of God’s Word is to declare God’s gifts & promises:
- The word for God’s gifts & promises directly offered and given to us: _______________
- Other meanings for this word: ______________________________________________
- Two ways God announces and gives this Covenant: W ______ & S _________________
- The Old Testament:
- How far back do the stories in the Old Testament go? ______________________________
- Which and when were first books in the Old Testament written? ________________________
- Which and when were the last books in the Old Testament written? ______________________
- Into what different types of literature is the Old Testament often divided?
B. H______________
C. W______________
D. P_______________
5. How many books in the Old Testament: ________
4. The New Testament:
a.How far back do the stories in the New Testament go? _________________________________
b.Which and when were first books in the New Testament written? ________________________
c. Which and when were the last books in the New Testament written? _____________________
d.Into what different types of literature is the New Testament often divided?
i.G____________ or _______________________
ii.H______________
iii.L____________ of _______________
iv.U____________ L_______________
e.How many books in the New Testament: ________
f.How many books total in the Bible: _________