Books of the Bible, The list of Old Testament and their Contents

Books of the Bible

The books of the bible are sixty six books. All books in the bible are inspired by the Holy Ghost and the one reason why that the bible was written by people who inspired by the Holy Spirit on the book of Psalms chapter 102 verse 18 that the bible was written for the generation to come and the purpose is to create the people of God and those people shall praise the Lord God, that was the primary reason why the God ordered to Moses and other people to wrote the His word as His well.

 Here is the list of the Old Testament on the bible.

1. Genesis

2. Exodus

3. Leviticus

4. Numbers

5. Deuteronomy

6. Joshua

7. Judges

8. Ruth

9. 1^st Samuel

10. 2^nd Samuel

11. 1^st King

12. 2^nd King

13. 1^st Chronicles

14. 2^nd Chronicles

15. Ezra

16. Nehemiah

17. Esther

18. Job

19. Psalms

20. Proverbs

21. Ecclesiastes

22. Song of Songs

23. Isaiah

24. Jeremiah

25. Lamentations

26. Ezekiel

27. Daniel

28. Hosea

29. Joel

30. Amos

31. Obadiah

32. Jonah

33. Micah

34. Nahum

35. Habakkuk

36. Zephaniah

37. Haggai

38. Zacharias

40. Malachi

Those are the books on the Old Testament on the bible and here are the contents of those books.

• Genesis

Genesis – the book of Moses that states the creation of the heavens and the earth on Genesis 1:1. The word Genesis means start or origin which means the book of genesis states the start of humanity, start of evilness of the people due to the woman deceived by the snake or known as the Satan.

States whether where the human came from, whether where the universe came from, states the billions of years during the creation that base to the days of the Lord and not the days with 24 hours here on our earth.

The book of genesis has record of killings happened on the time of Cain and Abel. States about the Adam and the Eve and their ages, states the former prophet; the division of earth (Genesis 10: 25)

Also mentioned the history of Abraham, Lot, Melchizedek and other important personalities on the bible especially their life those times and their faith. Mentioned the history of Noah wherein there were many people died due to water; the water was from the rain and all fountains of the great deep broken up that time (Genesis 7:11.)

The existence of Abraham, Sodom and Gomorrah was mentioned on the Genesis but the Sodom and Gomorrah were vanished on earth due to wickedness.

The twelve sons were became the twelve tribes those killed thousands of their enemies before they entered and when they entered in the land of Canaan leaded by Joshua as God’s well to lead His people after Moses. 

Here are the sons of Jacob those became twelve tribes.

1. Benjamin

2. Joseph

3. Zebulun

4. Issachar

5. Asher

6. Gad

7. Naphtali

8. Dan

9. Judah

10. Levi

11. Simeon

12. Reuben

Those are the twelve sons of the Jacob those migrated in the land of Egypt when there was hunger in their land after Joseph disclosed his personality to his brothers.

Those twelve tribes are the tribes which leaded by Moses from the land of Egypt and before they reach the land of Canaan.

The main cause that those tribes were so oppress in the hands of Egyptians caused by the next Pharaoh that did not acknowledged the Joseph as the reason why the Egypt’s survived in the hungriness and those helps as the well of Almighty was the reason why the Joseph became the second in rank in the King and the next Pharaoh.  

When the Joseph died his family was oppressed by Egyptians and those oppressions reach to the ears of God and He remembered His promise to His friends’ Abraham.

God used Moses to deliver His people in the hands of Egyptians and there were many circumstances happened before Pharaoh permitted the Israelites to worship their God and went from the land of promised and after Pharaoh permitted the Israelites, that was the start of their exodus and the one book of Moses called exodus.

• Exodus

The second book of Moses called exodus wherein this book has history about Moses before they leave from the land of Egypt to Canaan as the land of promised by God. On the book of exodus chapter 2 verse three that there was a flaming tree wherein the fire did no consumed the tree; the angel of the Lord that time was on the flame of fire. You can read the conversation between the Angel of the Lord on the midst of flame of fire and Moses from the chapter 2 verse 3 up to verse 17 of the chapter 4.

On the chapter fourteen verse twenty one, when Moses stretched out his hand, the water was divided and when the Moses stretched forth his hand, the water back again to his strength on the chapter 14 verse 27.

On chapter 20 verse 1 up to 17 are the verses where we can find the ten commandments of God in the Israelite that was given in them as the rules those needed to obey. The Ten Commandments was written on the book of exodus and their wars to the people who did not acknowledge the YHWH.

Their wars were not finished after they entered in the land of Canaan and even to the King David, still the wars is ongoing. 

• Leviticus

The word Leviticus was originated from Levites tribe, they are the responsible of bring the offering to the God as God’s well. Aaron was a Levite and they dress in accordance to the Lord’s commandments to wear during the offering. 

They practiced offering during their course into the places where there in those times. They offer a specific offer for the specific sin to make them clean from their sins. The Levites tribe was prohibited to work and just focus on their service and the other tribe other than to them had rule that they should give 10 percent for the Levite. The Leviticus book was one of the 5 books of Moses.

• Numbers

The book of the numbers contains of numbers and that was the reason that book was called numbers.

• Deuteronomy

The word Deuteronomy word is an English word which came from the Greek word deuteronomion which means "second law" according to Wikipedia free encyclopedia the Greek was the mistranslation of the Hebrew; in the Hebrew phrase it was "misneh ha torah hazoth" which means "a copy of this law but might the correct might the Hebrew due to the Deuteronomy was written by Moses in Hebrew words or if written in Greek words, the correct was the Greek phrase if we are not mistaken.

If the original text was Greek word therefore the correct translation was the "second law" that written by Moses.

• Book of Joshua

After Moses died; God spoke with Joshua as son of Nun and He commanded Joshua to go over the Jordan river and God promise that He will not forsake Joshua and He will be in him and no one man can stand against him ( Joshua 1:1 – 5)

On the book of Joshua; Rahab (The prostitute) and her family were saved from the attacked due to she was hidden the spies those sent by Joshua to spy their place before they attack in Jericho.

There was also circumstanced that happened like in the time of Moses wherein the water was divided and back from the normal but the water that divided in the time of Joshua was the river.

The bones of Joseph were buried in the shechem and were mentioned on the second verse on the last part on the book of Joshua on the chapter 24 verse 32. Joshua was died in the age of 110 on the chapter 24 verse 29.

• Book of Judges

On the chapter 1 verse 1 on the book of Judges, stated there that the Israelite asked the Lord whether who shall go against Canaanites first after Joshua was died. We can simply conclude that the book of Judges was written after the book of Judges due to the book of judge tells the word "after Joshua die." Which means the continuation after Joshua was died therefore this book was possibly written after the book of Joshua.

On the chapter one verse 12 that there was name Caleb and that name Caleb might the Caleb that exist in the time of Moses and the Caleb that entered together with Joshua in the land of Canaan.

• Book of Ruth

The book of Ruth had history about Ruth as ascendant of King David and the ascendant of Christ. According to the bible, Ruth was a just woman – a poor just woman. 

The book of Ruth was possibly written after the book of judges due to the chapter 1 verse 1 on the book of Ruth mentioned that after the people those judge the people in their land, there were people those migrated from the land of Beth-lehem-Juda to the land of Moab. Those people are one family.

Ruth; in order to survive in this world gleaned in the field after the reapers ( Ruth 2 verse 3) which manifest those their life status are in the status of poor. Rich man may ashamed to glean after the reapers. Ruth became wife of Boaz and their son was Obed, the father (Ruth 4:17) of Jesse, the father of King David.

• The Book of 1^st Samuel

Prophet Samuel was a son of Hannah. The first book tells the story of this prophet who used by God. The existence of this man of God was together with King David and King Saul but the King Saul was the first King of Israel and after his transgression in the sight of God, the Holy Ghost leaved him and the Holy Ghost was with King David.

Before these two Kings became Kings; Prophet Samuel used oil poured in their heads and the oil symbolized to the word of God and the story of King David might in the second book of Samuel.

On the chapter 3 verse 3 that Samuel was called by God three times from the verse 3 up to verse 14 on the first book and Eli asked him whether what said by God with Samuel.

The first war that recorded on the first Samuel was on the chapter 4 verse 2 and the army those killed by Philistines about four thousand men.  Eli was died in the age of 98 years old caused by accident when he was surprised about the ark of God that was taken by Philistines after they killed the thirty thousand footmen Israelites.

The manner of accident of Eli, he was fell from off the seat backward by the side (1^st Samuel 4:18) of the gate; his nick was broken due to his oldness and heavy body.

The first speak of Samuel as Prophet in all house of Israel was on the chapter 7:3 and his first prayer for all Israelite was on the verse 5. There was time that the Israelites asked Samuel to have a king to reign them and God heard it through the prayer of Samuel and God gave their well even though against to the well of God and God gave pattern with Samuel the manner of the king that shall reign over them on chapter 8 verse 11.

The first recorded name Saul on the 1^st Samuel was on the verse 2 chapter 9. He was the higher than any of the people (Israelite in his time) Samuel poured the oil upon the head of Saul on the chapter 10 verse 1.

The transgression of King Saul when he was not killed the King Agag of Amalekites, sheep, oxen and other animals which commanded by God to kill them all even the infants. 

That transgression; the spirit of God leaf King Saul and he was not the King anymore of Israel said by Prophet Samuel on the chapter 15 verse 26.

After the transgression of former King Saul; God ordered Prophet Samuel to full his horn oil and that time Samuel has mission to go with Jesse the Bethlehemite.

David after poured by Samuel of oil, the spirit of God was with Him and that was the start that the name David became a king even though not officially king in the sight of the all Israelites but a king in the sight of God and Prophet Samuel.

The verse that the spirit of the Lord departed from the former King Saul was on the chapter 16 verse 14 and was replaced of bad spirit that troubled to the former king.

On the 1^st Samuel had recorded that the hight of Goliath was six cubit and a span on the 17:4 and if convert on the feet, it was 9 feet, so, the hight of Goliath was 9 feet.

The war between King David and Goliath was on the verse 42 chapter 17 up to verse 51.

• The book of 2^nd Samuel

The history of the former King Saul was ended on the first Samuel and on the chapter one verse one on the second book of Samuel was mentioned the word “after the death of Saul” which signifies that and the second Samuel, according to that book the former King was died already. The former King was died together with his son Jonathan.

• The book of the 1^st King

On the 1^st king 1:1, in that verse and chapter, the King David was old and stricken in years. In his oldness he had priest Abiathar. The King was reminded by Bath – Sheba that the next King was the Solomon shall reign after him and the King promised it and the person who attested it was the Prophet Nathan that will enter after Bath – Seba as in accordance to their conversation on the chapter 1 verse 14.

On the book of first king was the appointed by King David with Solomon that became a prince and the next King after the King David.

When the time of the David was near and he told King Solomon that he should walk in the path of the Lord, keep His statutes, His commandments, the judgments, and His testimonies which are on the book of Moses (Chapter 2:4)

• The 2^nd King of the Bible

There was no King Solomon in this book, but his name was only mentioned to the things those he had done and the book of the second King was the continuation of the other King other than King Salomon.

We have no idea why this book was called as second King. The successful King only was the King David, his son Salomon was failed due to transgression in the Lord. Solomon as King became successful but he was failed in the sight of God.

• 1^st Chronicle

The word chronicle might the synonym of the history, see the screen shot below.

If you read the first book, the content states the history of the humanity on the previous era. The 1^st Chronicle on 1:1 starts from the word Adam. This tells from the first man on the earth.

According to 1^st Chronicles, the works of the King David — the first and the last was written on the book of 1^st Samuel and the 2^nd Samuel tells that the King was so old that time, so, the 1^st Samuel has broad information about the former King. In short, the chronicle of the King David was on the 1^st Samuel and on the 2^nd Samuel. The 1^st Chronicle has 29 chapters.

• The 2^nd Chronicle

This book mentioned the former King Solomon and the Lord was with him. On the verse 11 up to 12 God gave wisdom, knowledge, riches, honor and wealth that no one kings had neither shall raise like Solomon.

Roboam was the next King after the former King Salomon died. He was the son of the King Solomon which stated on the chapter nine verse thirty one.

• The book of Ezra

The first verse of the book of Ezra introduced Cyrus as a King of Persia together with Prophet Jeremiah. Ezra was the priest base on the chapter 7:12, 21 and chapter 10:16.

• Book of Nehemiah

Nehemiah was the son of Azbuk and the ruler of the half part of Beth – zur base on the chapter 3:16. Nehemiah and Ezra might existed together base on the chapter 8 verse 9.

• Book of Esther

In this book, there was word India and we have no idea whether this India in the Bible was the India that exists in this current time as a place in the Asia. The India word as a place was mentioned on the chapter one verse one on this book.

Esther was a woman — a pretty woman with two names — we can call her as Hadassha as well and we have no exact information whether which her nick name (Esther or Hadassha)

She was adopted by Mordecai on the chapter 2 verse 7.

• Job in the bible

Job was a just man and never surrendered until he passed the test as given by God. His sons and daughters died and after those tests he possessed again the things which destroyed as consequence of the test. There was belief that the book of Job was written by Moses in the Sinai, some believed that this book was written by friend of Job.

• Psalms in the bible

Here are the famous personalities those had contributed the psalms on the bible.

1. King David

2. Moses

3. Solomon

This book had phrase of “The Lord said to my Lord” which signifies that the Lord of King David were two base on the Luke 20:42.

• Proverbs

In the book of proverbs; there was wisdom spoke and that wisdom was the Lord Jesus Christ.  The proverbs were written by King Solomon base on the chapter one verse one on the book of proverbs.

• Book of Ecclesiastes

Written by King Solomon as well, as we know this King might consider as the brightest ever that lived on our earth. King Solomon said on the verse two that all is vanity, no new things under the sun on the verse 9, all works those did by people will turn into nothing according to his observation.

On the chapter 2:2 he mentioned the laughter there as mad. For what is the laugh? On the verse 9 chapter two, even he was transgressed the Lord, the wisdom remained in Him.

• Song of Songs

This part on the bible was composed by King Solomon on the chapter one verse one. If there was/were portion on this book that written by some people/ person please correct us.

• Book of Prophet Isaiah

The vision of Prophet Isaiah was for Judah and Jerusalem, no other countries involved. Even there was no word only on the chapter one verse one still the vision is concerning for that two above mentioned places. There was no United Kingdom there, no United States, No Switzerland and the likes.

•   Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah a son of Hilkia; this prophet might considered as an international Prophet due to God ordained him as a prophet of the nations on the chapter one verse 5.

• Book of Lamentations

According to some people, this book was written by Prophet Jeremiah, the contents of that book were the destruction of Jerusalem. The cause of destruction might cause of transgression as like to the former Israelite on the time of King David and below circumstances.

• Ezekiel/ Book of Ezekiel

This Prophet was called by God as a son of man as well like Christ on the 47: 6.  In this book the dry bones can hear the word of God on the 37:4. This man prophesied as commanded by God to resurrect the people of God and the resurrection have two stages – the first stages were the bones gathered, flesh was existed and covered by skin.

The last stage of resurrection was the breath of the people which came from 4 winds and we can read these verses on the chapter 37: 3 – 10.

•  The book of Daniel

There was time on the time of Prophet Daniel that he was explained the dream of the King and the reason he was given a position in the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar after the explanation. They were captive on that time in Babylon. Might this book was written during the captivity in the Babylon.

• Book of Hosea

This man was sent by God base on the chapter one verse two. The name Hosea denotes to salvation. His book states that God no more have mercy upon the house of Israel but he has mercy upon the house of Judah but not in the bow, sword and more base on chapter one verse 7.

• The book of Joel

Joel was a son of Pethuel; this book has length of chapter three and with verse 21. The Joel was also a prophet like the above mentioned personalities.

• The book of Amos

His vision was for Israel like Isaiah but the vision of Isaiah for two places. We base on the chapter one verse one of the book of Amos.

• Obadiah

This book is concerning to the land of Edom and used Prophet Obadiah. This book has one chapter and 21 verses only.

• Book of Jonah

Jonah was a son of Amettai and he was used by God for Nineveh. As instrument of God, God prepared a fish that devoured him as instrument used for the people of Nineveh. This book have 4 chapters and with 11 verses on the last part.

• Book of Micah

The vision was for Samaria and Jerusalem, this book has only 7 chapters and with 20 verses only.

• Book Nahum

The vision of Nahum was for Nineveh base on the chapter one verse one. This book has 3 chapters and with 19 verses length.

• Book of Habakkuk

Habakkuk was a Prophet and he saw the burden. He was mentioned the idols which was a false gods on the chapter 2:18 – 20.  Habakkuk’s prayer to the Lord was on the 3:2. The length of this book has 3 chapters and with 19 verses on the last part.

• Book of Zephaniah

Zephaniah was a son of Cushi; according to the Lord that He will utterly consume all things here on earth base on the 1:2 on this book both man, beast, fowls of the heaven and the fishes of the sea on the verse 3. On the 2:13, this portion was the visions of Prophet Zephaniah about Assyria and Nineveh due to angriness of God as the consequence of the transgression.

The length of this book has three chapters and with 20 verses on the last portion of the chapters. This book mentioned that our earth shall end due to angriness of God.

• Haggai

Haggai the Prophet sent by God during the reign of King Darius. In 2:6, God said there that he will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. These circumstances are now currently happening in us that there were many earthquakes those happened in the dry land, on the sea and we cannot identify whether how the God shakes the heavens.

• Zachariah

The prophet Zachariah was a son of Berechiah, the word of the Lord was came in this Prophet during the reign of Darius as a King. Zachariah 1:3, God encourage his people to back in Him and He will back in them.

In the 14:21, we can conclude that this book was for those places not for the other countries and was stated on the 8:7 that He will save His people from the east to the west and in the verse 9 stated there that “hear in these days these words by the mouth of the Prophets.” And the word “these days” so we can conclude that not in the future but in their time and back to the last portion of the chapter and verse was mentioned the Judah and Jerusalem no other countries nor mentioned the future.

• Malachi

Malachi was a prophet; this book is the last part of the books within the Old Testament. This book has length 4 chapters and 6 verses.