How Many Books Are in the Old Testament? A Complete Guide

 

How Many Books Are in the Old Testament? A Complete Guide

The Old Testament is one of the most important collections of sacred writings in human history. Shared by both Judaism and Christianity, it forms the foundation of religious teachings, historical accounts, poetry, and prophecies. A common question many readers have is: how many books are in the Old Testament? The answer depends on the religious tradition you are looking at.

What Is the Old Testament?

The Old Testament is the first part of the Christian Bible and closely corresponds to the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Tanakh). It contains stories about creation, God’s covenant with Israel, laws, historical events, wisdom literature, and prophecies.

Number of Books in the Old Testament by Tradition

The exact number of books in the Old Testament varies depending on the religious tradition.

1. Protestant Old Testament

  • Total Books: 39
    The Protestant Old Testament includes historical books (like Genesis, Exodus, Kings), wisdom literature (Psalms, Proverbs), and prophetic books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.).

2. Catholic Old Testament

  • Total Books: 46
    The Catholic Old Testament includes all 39 books found in the Protestant version plus seven additional books, known as the Deuterocanonical books: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 & 2 Maccabees.

3. Eastern Orthodox Old Testament

  • Total Books: 49 or more (depending on tradition)
    The Eastern Orthodox Church accepts additional books, such as 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151, and the Prayer of Manasseh.

4. Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)

  • Total Books: 24
    The Hebrew Bible contains the same writings as the Protestant Old Testament but groups them differently. For example, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles are counted as one book each rather than two.

Why the Number of Books Differs

The differences in the number of Old Testament books are due to:

  • Historical traditions of Judaism and Christianity

  • Canonization decisions made by religious leaders over centuries

  • Different groupings of texts (some combined in one tradition but separated in another)

Conclusion

So, how many books are in the Old Testament? The answer varies:

  • Protestant Old Testament: 39 books

  • Catholic Old Testament: 46 books

  • Eastern Orthodox Old Testament: 49+ books

  • Hebrew Bible (Tanakh): 24 books

Regardless of the numbers, the Old Testament remains a sacred text that has shaped faith, culture, and literature for thousands of years.

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