Old Testament

Genesis

50 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Moses

Genesis records the origins of the heavens and the earth, of mankind, of sin, and of God's plan of redemption through the calling of Abraham and the establishment of the nation of Israel.

Exodus

40 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Moses

Exodus records God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and the instructions for the tabernacle where God would dwell among His people.

Leviticus

27 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Moses

Leviticus provides the laws and regulations for worship, sacrifices, and holy living that would govern the Israelites' relationship with God and their life as a set-apart nation.

Numbers

36 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Moses

Numbers records Israel's wilderness wanderings, their failures of faith, and God's continued faithfulness and provision as He prepared them to enter the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy

34 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Moses

Deuteronomy records Moses' final addresses to Israel, restating the Law and calling the people to love and obey God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

Joshua

24 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Joshua, with possible later additions

Joshua records the conquest and division of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership, fulfilling God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham.

Judges

21 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Samuel

Judges records the recurring cycle of Israel's sin, oppression by enemies, crying out to God, and deliverance through judges whom God raised up.

Ruth

4 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Samuel

Ruth tells the story of a Moabite woman's loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi and her redemption through Boaz, showing God's providential care and His inclusion of all peoples in His plan.

1 Samuel

31 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Samuel, with contributions from Nathan and Gad (see 1 Chronicles 29:29)

1 Samuel records the transition of Israel from the period of the judges to the monarchy, covering the lives of Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David.

2 Samuel

24 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Nathan and Gad (see 1 Chronicles 29:29)

2 Samuel records the reign of King David over Israel, including God's covenant with him, his triumphs, his sin and its consequences, and God's faithfulness to His promise.

1 Kings

22 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah

1 Kings records Solomon's reign, the building of the temple, the division of the kingdom, and the early history of the divided monarchy, showing the consequences of faithfulness and unfaithfulness to God.

2 Kings

25 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah

2 Kings continues the history of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, recording their decline into idolatry and the resulting exile of both nations.

1 Chronicles

29 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Ezra

1 Chronicles provides a genealogical and historical record of Israel from Adam through the reign of David, emphasizing the worship of God and the Davidic line.

2 Chronicles

36 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Ezra

2 Chronicles records the history of Judah's kings from Solomon through the Babylonian exile, emphasizing the temple, worship, and the pattern of blessing through faithfulness and judgment through unfaithfulness.

Ezra

10 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Ezra

Ezra records the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, along with Ezra's efforts to restore faithfulness to God's Law.

Nehemiah

13 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Nehemiah, with possible compilation by Ezra

Nehemiah records the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership and the spiritual renewal of the people through obedience to God's Law.

Esther

10 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Mordecai, though the author is unknown

Esther records how God preserved the Jewish people from destruction during the Persian Empire through the courage of Queen Esther and the wisdom of Mordecai.

Job

42 chapters

By Unknown; traditionally attributed to Moses or Job himself

Job addresses the problem of suffering by recording the trials of a righteous man and God's ultimate response, revealing that God's wisdom and sovereignty transcend human understanding.

Psalms

150 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to multiple authors, primarily David, as well as Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and others

Psalms is a collection of songs, prayers, and poems expressing the full range of human emotion in worship and relationship with God.

Proverbs

31 chapters

By Traditionally attributed primarily to Solomon, with contributions from Agur (chapter 30) and King Lemuel (chapter 31)

Proverbs provides practical wisdom for daily living, teaching the fear of the Lord as the foundation of true knowledge and wisdom.

Ecclesiastes

12 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Solomon, identified in the text as "the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (Ecclesiastes 1:1)

Ecclesiastes explores the meaning of life and concludes that apart from God, all human endeavor is vanity, and that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments.

Song of Solomon

8 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Solomon (Song of Solomon 1:1)

Song of Solomon is a poetic celebration of love between a bridegroom and his bride, portraying the beauty and purity of marital love as designed by God.

Isaiah

66 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Isaiah the son of Amoz

Isaiah proclaims God's judgment upon sin and His promise of salvation and restoration, containing some of the most detailed prophecies about the coming Messiah and the future glory of God's kingdom.

Jeremiah

52 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, with Baruch as his scribe (Jeremiah 36:4)

Jeremiah calls Judah to repentance before the coming Babylonian judgment, warns of the consequences of continued disobedience, and promises a new covenant and future restoration.

Lamentations

5 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah

Lamentations is a collection of mournful poems grieving the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, while affirming God's faithfulness and mercy even in judgment.

Ezekiel

48 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi

Ezekiel proclaims God's judgment on Judah and the nations, the departure and future return of God's glory, and the promise of restoration and a new heart for His people.

Daniel

12 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Daniel

Daniel demonstrates God's sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms through the faithfulness of Daniel and his companions in exile and through prophetic visions of future kingdoms and the ultimate reign of God.

Hosea

14 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Hosea the son of Beeri

Hosea uses the prophet's marriage to an unfaithful wife as a picture of God's faithful love for Israel despite their spiritual adultery, calling them to return to the Lord.

Joel

3 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Joel the son of Pethuel

Joel uses a devastating locust plague as a call to repentance and proclaims the coming Day of the Lord, along with God's promise to pour out His Spirit on all flesh.

Amos

9 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa

Amos pronounces God's judgment on Israel and surrounding nations for social injustice, oppression of the poor, and religious hypocrisy, calling for justice and righteousness.

Obadiah

1 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Obadiah; nothing else is known about the author

Obadiah pronounces God's judgment on the nation of Edom for their pride and their mistreatment of Judah, and declares that the Lord's kingdom will prevail.

Jonah

4 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Jonah the son of Amittai

Jonah records how God sent a reluctant prophet to Nineveh, demonstrating God's compassion for all nations and His desire that even the wicked repent and be spared.

Micah

7 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Micah of Moresheth

Micah proclaims judgment against Israel and Judah for injustice and idolatry, while promising a future ruler from Bethlehem and declaring what God truly requires of His people.

Nahum

3 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Nahum the Elkoshite

Nahum proclaims God's judgment on Nineveh and the Assyrian Empire for their cruelty and wickedness, declaring that God is both a refuge for those who trust Him and an avenger of evil.

Habakkuk

3 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Habakkuk the prophet

Habakkuk records the prophet's honest dialogue with God about injustice and the use of a wicked nation as His instrument of judgment, concluding with a declaration of faith regardless of circumstances.

Zephaniah

3 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Zephaniah, a descendant of Hezekiah

Zephaniah warns of the coming Day of the Lord as a day of worldwide judgment, calls Judah to repentance, and promises that God will rejoice over a faithful remnant.

Haggai

2 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Haggai the prophet

Haggai calls the returned exiles to finish rebuilding the temple, rebuking them for prioritizing their own houses while the house of God lies in ruins.

Zechariah

14 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Zechariah the son of Berechiah

Zechariah encourages the returned exiles to complete the temple and provides prophetic visions of God's future plans, including the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom.

Malachi

4 chapters

By Traditionally attributed to Malachi

Malachi rebukes the returned exiles for their spiritual apathy, corrupt worship, and unfaithfulness, and promises the coming of a messenger to prepare the way for the Lord.