How many books are in the Bible? Explore the answer with this guide on the different canons, from the Protestant 66 to the Catholic 73, and what it means for your faith journey in 2025.
Have you ever wondered why some Bibles look different from others? You might have noticed a friend’s Bible contains books you’ve never seen, or perhaps you’ve heard a sermon referencing a book that isn’t in your own. The question, “How many books are in the Bible?” might seem simple, but its answer is a profound journey through Christian history, tradition, and theology.
It’s a question that touches upon the very foundation of our faith—the inspired, authoritative Word of God. The number of books isn’t a modern-day debate; it’s a conversation that has spanned centuries, shaping the various Christian denominations we know today.
As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NIV).
This foundational truth reminds us that whether a Bible contains 66 books or more, the purpose remains the same: to equip us for a life of faith. The core of this issue isn’t about the number itself, but about the history and theology behind the different canons, or official lists of books.
This comprehensive guide will not only give you the numbers for the most common Christian Bibles but will also explore the reasons for the differences, helping you to understand the history of the biblical canon. You will learn about the Old and New Testament divisions, the concept of the Apocrypha, and how this knowledge can deepen your appreciation for the Bible as a whole.
Highlights of The Books in the Bible
- The Protestant Canon: The most widely used Bible in Protestant Christianity contains a total of 66 books, divided into 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. This canon is the result of the Protestant Reformation’s return to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) as the basis for the Old Testament.
- The Catholic Canon: The Catholic Bible includes 73 books. It has the same 27 books in the New Testament as the Protestant Bible, but its Old Testament contains 46 books, including seven additional books known as the Deuterocanonical books (also called the Apocrypha by Protestants), such as Tobit, Judith, and 1 & 2 Maccabees.
- The Orthodox Canon: Eastern Orthodox Churches have an even larger biblical canon, typically including 79 books in some traditions, and up to 81 books in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. This includes all the books in the Catholic Bible plus other texts like 3 & 4 Maccabees and the Prayer of Manasseh.
- Old and New Testaments: The Bible is universally divided into two major sections. The Old Testament recounts the history of God’s relationship with Israel from creation up until the time of Jesus, while the New Testament focuses on the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the establishment of the early church.
- Canonical Formation: The process by which books were included in the Bible was a long and complex one, guided by the Holy Spirit and the consensus of the early church. Key criteria included apostolic authorship or association, widespread use in the early church, and doctrinal consistency with established Christian teachings.
- The Hebrew Bible: The Old Testament of the Protestant Bible is based on the Hebrew Bible, which has 39 books. This is the same collection of sacred writings revered by the Jewish people.
- Why the Difference?: The primary difference in the number of books across Christian traditions stems from the Old Testament canon. The Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include books that were part of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) but were not ultimately included in the Jewish Masoretic Text canon.
Detailed Exploration
The Old Testament: A Tale of Two Canons
The Old Testament is the first and foundational part of the Bible, tracing the story of God’s covenant with His people from creation to the return from Babylonian exile. For most Christians, it contains a wealth of wisdom, prophecy, history, and law. However, the exact number of books in the Old Testament differs significantly among denominations.
The Protestant Old Testament contains 39 books, which align with the canon of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) used in Judaism. This includes the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), the historical books (Joshua, Judges, Kings, Chronicles, etc.), the poetic and wisdom books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs), and the major and minor prophets. The Protestant reformers argued that only those books originally written in Hebrew and accepted by the Jewish people as authoritative should be considered canonical.
In contrast, the Catholic and Orthodox Old Testaments are larger. The Catholic Bible includes 46 books in its Old Testament. The seven additional books—Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 & 2 Maccabees—are known as the Deuterocanonical books. These books were part of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures used by many early Christians. The Council of Trent in 1546 officially confirmed these books as part of the Catholic canon in response to the Protestant Reformation.
A Comparison of Old Testament Books by Canon
| Category | Protestant Canon (39 Books) | Catholic Canon (46 Books) |
| Pentateuch | Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy | Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy |
| Historical Books | Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther | Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 & 2 Maccabees |
| Poetic & Wisdom | Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs | Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach |
| Prophetic Books | Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, the 12 Minor Prophets | Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, the 12 Minor Prophets |
This table clearly highlights the difference in the number of books and the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical texts. The Orthodox churches, particularly the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, have an even more extensive list of books, including Enoch, Jubilees, and others, which are considered non-canonical by most other Christian denominations. This demonstrates the diversity of biblical canons around the world.
The New Testament: A Unified Canon
Fortunately, the New Testament canon is a point of near-universal agreement among the major Christian traditions. All three—Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox—recognize the same 27 books as divinely inspired scripture. This collection was finalized and affirmed by the early church in the 4th century. The books include:
- The Gospels (4 books): Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which are the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection.
- The Book of Acts (1 book): A historical narrative of the early church, chronicling the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome.
- The Pauline Epistles (13 books): Letters written by the Apostle Paul to churches and individuals (Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon).
- The General Epistles (8 books): Letters from other apostles (Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, Jude).
- The Book of Revelation (1 book): A prophetic book revealing the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
The unity of the New Testament canon is a powerful testament to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in preserving the foundational texts of the Christian faith. It’s in these 27 books that we find the heart of the Gospel message: salvation through Jesus Christ.
Practical Applications for Your Faith Journey in 2025
Knowing about the different canons can strengthen your faith in several ways. It reminds you that the Bible is a historical document, a living testament to a faith passed down through generations. While the number of books may differ, the core message of God’s love and redemption is consistent across all versions. This understanding encourages Christian discipleship in modern times.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
This verse reminds us that the power of scripture lies not in its quantity but in its quality. Whether you read a 66-book Bible or a 73-book Bible, the truth of God’s Word is sufficient for your spiritual growth. The knowledge of the different canons can also help you engage in respectful dialogue with believers from other traditions. It’s a chance to learn about church history and appreciate the diversity within the body of Christ.
Legacy of The Bible’s Canon in 2025
The legacy of the biblical canon is not a static number but a living testimony to the faithfulness of God. It shows how the church, guided by the Holy Spirit, discerned which writings were truly inspired and which were not.
In 2025, this legacy continues to inspire believers worldwide, reminding us that we have a firm foundation for our faith. The Bible’s impact on culture, law, and individual lives is immeasurable, a testament to the power of God’s Word. It continues to be the primary source for spiritual guidance.
Conclusion
So, how many books are in the Bible? The answer depends on the Christian tradition you follow. For Protestants, there are 66 books, while Catholics count 73, and Orthodox Christians have even more. This difference stems from the Old Testament canon and the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books.
Regardless of the number, the New Testament’s 27 books are a universal foundation for Christian faith. The Bible’s enduring message of salvation, love, and hope remains unchanged, a timeless guide for believers on their faith journey.
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” — Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)
FAQs About the Books of the Bible
How Many Books Are in the Protestant Bible?
The Protestant Bible contains 66 books in total. This is made up of 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. This canon was established during the Protestant Reformation, based on the Hebrew Bible.
Why Do Catholic Bibles Have More Books?
Catholic Bibles contain 73 books because they include seven additional Old Testament books known as the Deuterocanonical books (or the Apocrypha). These books were part of the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures widely used by early Christians, and were officially affirmed by the Council of Trent in the 16th century.
What Are the Books of the Apocrypha?
The Apocrypha, or Deuterocanonical books, are a collection of writings found in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but not in the Protestant canon. They include books such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 & 2 Maccabees. These books are considered historically and spiritually valuable by Protestants but not divinely inspired scripture.
How Were the Books of the Bible Chosen?
The process of canonization was a long and prayerful one guided by the Holy Spirit. Books were included based on criteria such as apostolic authorship (or connection to an apostle), doctrinal consistency with established Christian teachings, and their widespread acceptance and use in early Christian communities.
Can Reading a Bible with a Different Number of Books Help My Faith?
Yes. Reading a different version of the Bible can provide a richer understanding of Christian history and tradition. While the core message of the gospel is the same, engaging with different biblical canons can broaden your perspective and help you appreciate the diversity within the global church. It’s an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper appreciation of the scriptures.
What is the Difference Between the Old and New Testaments?
The Old Testament tells the story of God’s relationship with Israel and contains the Law, history, poetry, and prophecies. The New Testament, on the other hand, is centered on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Christian church. Together, they form one complete, divinely-inspired narrative of God’s redemptive plan.
Are All Bible Translations the Same?
No. While all reputable translations are based on the same original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, they can differ in their translation philosophy (e.g., word-for-word vs. thought-for-thought) and language style. These differences can affect readability and interpretation, but a good translation remains faithful to the original meaning.
