The Books of the Bible (Explained): A Summary of What Each Book is About

The Bible is a collection of 66 books inspired by God that guide the life of every believer. These books were written by more than 40 people over approximately 1500 years, and each character and story helps point to one person: Christ Jesus and His act of redemption.

• Genesis - Discusses the creation of the world, sin and its consequences, and God's covenant with Abram.
• Exodus - Tells how God freed His people from slavery and guided them to the Promised Land.
• Leviticus - A sort of manual containing God's laws for His people.
• Numbers - Contains censuses and God's laws for His people, along with stories of the people's rebellion.
• Deuteronomy - A reminder of the law and the importance of obeying God.
• Joshua - Narrates the story of Joshua as a leader and the people's entry into the Promised Land.
• Judges - Relates the life of the people under the leadership of judges and the impact of their decisions.
• Ruth - Tells the story of Ruth, a story of love, loyalty, and redemption.
• 1 Samuel - Chronicles the life of the prophet Samuel (the last judge) and Saul and David, the first kings.
• 2 Samuel - Focuses on David's reign and the importance of obedience to God.
• 1 Kings - Covers the reign of Solomon and the division of the kingdom.
• 2 Kings - Relates the story of the divided kingdom (Israel and Judah).
• 1 Chronicles - Recounts the history of the people and the reign of David, with an emphasis on genealogies.
• 2 Chronicles - Narrates the reign of Solomon and other kings and the consequences of spiritual decline.
• Ezra - Story of the end of the Babylonian exile and the return of the people of Israel.
• Nehemiah - Talks about Nehemiah's perseverance in encouraging the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
• Esther - Story of the beautiful young Jewish woman, Esther, and how she saved her people from extermination.
• Job - Narrates the sufferings of Job, a just and God-fearing man.
• Psalms - A collection of songs, prayers, and poems of praise and worship to God.
• Proverbs - A book of moral instructions and advice emphasizing living with wisdom.
• Ecclesiastes - Discusses vanity and the search for the meaning of life.
• Song of Solomon - A book dedicated to the theme of love in all its expressions.
• Isaiah - Contains the prophecies of Isaiah and emphasizes that salvation comes only from God.
• Jeremiah - Relates how God called Jeremiah and God's call for the people to repent.
• Lamentations - Contains a series of laments for Judah's spiritual decline and Jerusalem's destruction.
• Ezekiel - The book discusses Ezekiel's calling and ministry, with a strong emphasis on God's sovereignty.
• Daniel - Narrates the life of Daniel and his three friends in exile, highlighting God's reign over everything.
• Hosea - Hosea's relationship with his unfaithful wife serves to show God's love and faithfulness toward His unfaithful people.
• Joel - Warnings about God's judgment and calls for national repentance.
• Amos - Announces God's judgment against corruption and sinful living.
• Obadiah - Warns of the punishment that God would bring upon Edom.
• Jonah - Story of the missionary call Jonah received to go to Nineveh and his struggle with that call.
• Micah - Talks about the judgment that God would bring upon the rebellious and idolatrous people and the restoration that would follow.
• Nahum - Announces the fall of the Assyrians and the total ruin of Nineveh.
• Habakkuk - A dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God about the mysteries of God's justice.
• Zephaniah - Announces God's judgment on the nations and the coming of the Day of the Lord.
• Haggai - Exhortation to rebuild the Temple and rebukes for disobedience.
• Zechariah - A call for the people to awaken spiritually and begin rebuilding the Temple.
• Malachi - Expresses God's love and faithfulness toward Israel, His unfaithful people, and announces the coming of the Day of the Lord.

New Testament:

• Matthew - Relates the life of Jesus, the promised Messiah.
• Mark - A narrative of the life of Jesus, the Servant King, and His sufferings.
• Luke - Narrates the life of Jesus and presents Him as the Savior of all: Jews, Greeks, and Gentiles.
• John - Presents Jesus as the Word made flesh through whom we receive eternal life.
• Acts of the Apostles - Details the birth and expansion of the Church.
• Romans - Emphasizes salvation and justification for all through faith in Jesus Christ.
• 1 Corinthians - Discusses how a Christian's conduct should be and the importance of holiness.
• 2 Corinthians - Paul expresses joy at the outcome of his first letter and urges the Corinthians to remain in the truth.
• Galatians - Highlights justification through faith in Christ and God's grace.
• Ephesians - Talks about the importance of unity in the church and salvation through faith in Jesus.
• Philippians - Emphasizes the importance of gratitude, joy, and presents Jesus as an example of humility.
• Colossians - A warning against heresy. Presents Christ as the only one worthy of worship.
• 1 Thessalonians - Discusses the hope of Christ's second coming and persecution.
• 2 Thessalonians - Stresses the importance of standing firm in the faith amid persecution and discusses Christ's second coming.
• 1 Timothy - Paul's advice to Timothy, warnings against legalism and false teachers.
• 2 Timothy - Talks about the importance of persevering in faith amid persecution.
• Titus - Paul's instructions to Titus about the conduct of church leaders and the qualities of a good leader.
• Philemon - Paul's request to Philemon concerning Onesimus. Paul emphasizes the equality among brothers in faith.
• Hebrews - Discusses the preeminence of Christ and the importance of faith in Jesus.
• James - Emphasizes that faith must be demonstrated. Talks about the power of the tongue and wisdom.
• 1 Peter - A letter about encouragement and strength in faith amid persecution.
• 2 Peter - A warning about false teachers in the church and a call to persevere in faith.
• 1 John - Warns against false teachers and emphasizes the importance of obeying God.
• 2 John - Exposes heresy and false teachers in the church and urges growth in discernment.
• 3 John - Talks about hospitality and Christian service.
• Jude - Warns against immorality, false teachers, and libertinism.
• Revelation - Contains the revelation of the end times.

Genesis

This is the book of origins, as it describes the origin of the world, humanity, and the Hebrew people. The early chapters detail the creation of humanity and the flood. From chapter 12, the story of the three patriarchs of the Hebrews - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is told. The story concludes with Jacob’s descendants in Egypt, setting up the narrative for the book of Exodus.

Exodus

Exodus begins with the birth of Moses, his flight from Egypt, and his family formation in Midian. Moses is then called by the Lord to return to Egypt, empowered to perform miracles and undertake the mission of freeing the Hebrews from Egypt.

Upon returning to Egypt, Moses confronts Pharaoh multiple times, warning him about God’s justice. After ten plagues devastate the people and the land, Pharaoh releases them. Soon after, the Egyptian army pursues the fleeing Hebrews. At this moment, Moses parts the sea for the people to cross on dry land.

The Hebrews wander to Mount Sinai, where they settle for a period. During this time, Moses receives God’s Law, rules meant to guide the people of God.

Leviticus

Leviticus is the book of purity, emphasizing the holiness and purity that God’s people should have to reflect God’s own purity. It contains various laws about priests, the tabernacle, and purity procedures, as well as moral teachings.

Numbers

Numbers continues the Hebrews' journey to the promised land. The book is named for the censuses taken among the people, specifically those fit for battle. It also presents new laws and instructions to the people. The main challenge is the Hebrews' obedience in their mission to conquer the land, as they at times consider returning to Egypt.

Deuteronomy

This is the book of the repetition of the Law, as much time has passed since God gave the Law in Exodus. The Hebrew people were about to conquer the land, so Moses reiterates the commandments, making them very practical. The book ends with the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, marked by Moses’ song and account of his death.

Joshua

Joshua is a military book that narrates the conquest of the promised land, Canaan. Among various battle episodes, the conquest of Jericho and the stopping of the sun and moon are well-known. After defeating several kings and armies, Joshua allocates the lands to each tribe of Israel.

Judges

Judges takes place after the land’s conquest with Joshua but before the beginning of the monarchy in Israel. Each tribe acted independently, forming alliances or conflicts. Without a single leader, God periodically raised judges. These judges acted as military and political leaders, sent by God to relieve the people when another nation began to oppress them.

Ruth

Ruth is a calm and serene book compared to Judges and Samuel. The story of Ruth also takes place between these two books, with its introduction placing it in the time of the judges of Israel.

Ruth is Naomi’s daughter-in-law. She stays with her mother-in-law after all the men in the family die. Instead of returning to her homeland as she had the right to do, Ruth decides to stay with Naomi, determined to provide for her. Ruth romantically connects with Boaz, restoring their condition.

1 Samuel

This book tells the story of three people: Samuel, the last judge of Israel; Saul, the first king of Israel; and David, the greatest king of Israel. Samuel’s story begins with his mother, Hannah, a woman of prayer. When God grants Hannah a child, she dedicates Samuel to the Lord, and he grows up serving with the priest Eli.

Saul’s story details his rise to kingship, his sins, and his downfall, especially his persecution of David. David is found by Samuel as the youngest son of Jesse, anointed as king but hunted by Saul. The book concludes with Saul’s suicide.

2 Samuel

2 Samuel continues the story from 1 Samuel, essentially being the same book. At the beginning, David is officially recognized as king, conquers Jerusalem, and brings the Lord’s Tabernacle there. Another significant character is the prophet Nathan, who serves as David’s advisor.

A notable episode is David’s adultery with Bathsheba, Nathan’s denunciation of David’s sin, and the death of the child from this union.

1 Kings

This book starts with the reign of David’s son, Solomon. God grants him all the wisdom needed to guide His people. Solomon then builds the Lord’s Temple. After his death, the book narrates the division of the kingdom into North and South and the succession of kings in each region. Concurrently, the ministry of the prophet Elijah begins.

2 Kings

This book directly continues the story from 1 Kings. After Elijah’s death, Elisha becomes the main figure, performing various miracles. The succession of kings in Israel and Judah continues, and the fall of Israel by the Assyrian Empire, and later the fall of Judah by Babylon, is recorded.

1 Chronicles

This book was written after the Babylonian Exile to reinforce the history and journey of the Jews up to that point. Chronicles recalls events from Samuel and Kings. After nine chapters of genealogies of the tribes, Saul’s suicide and David’s life are recounted again. 1 Chronicles ends with Solomon’s coronation.

2 Chronicles

Continuing the historical recap of the Jewish people, this second part of Chronicles begins with King Solomon’s acts, especially the construction of the temple. The book progresses to the division of the kingdom and follows the reigns of the North and South, highlighting their focus on following the Lord or idols. It concludes with the fall of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

Ezra

Ezra takes place after the fall of the Babylonian Empire. The Jews, who were in exile, were now under the Persian Empire, which was more generous and allowed them to return to their sacred land. This book narrates the return of the people to Jerusalem, the rebuilding of the Altar, the Temple, and Jerusalem as a city.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah is very similar to Ezra but provides different perspectives. It also recounts the return of the Jewish people to the promised land, with an emphasis on manual labor, such as the rebuilding of the walls. A major highlight is the opposition from neighboring kings.

Esther

This story also takes place after the fall of Babylon, during the Persian Empire. Esther is the protagonist, a Jewish woman chosen to be the wife of the Persian king Xerxes. Thanks to her wisdom and cunning, the Jewish people were saved.

Job

Job is a book of wisdom. Its first and last chapters are in narrative form, but the main content consists of debates between Job and his friends. These debates contain much metaphor, poetry, and figures from that time and region, making them very profound and significant. Not everything said in these dialogues is absolute truth, as even God condemns and refutes some points by the end of the narrative. The most notable element of the book is that Satan’s actions in the world are subject to God’s permission.

Psalms

The book of songs of Israel, written by various authors over different periods. The main author is David, the king of Israel, who, in addition to being a great warrior, was a musician and skilled composer. Some say that Psalms is an anatomy of the human heart, as it describes all kinds of feelings a person can experience in a beautiful and powerful way. Psalms is divided into 5 parts (also called 5 books).

Proverbs

Proverbs is a form of wisdom, consisting of various sayings and maxims that offer teachings for life. Its content is highly practical, focusing on living a life with prudence and fear of the Lord.

Ecclesiastes

This is the book of the deepest reflections and meditations by King Solomon. Its tone is pessimistic and may seem strange to contemporary readers. Ecclesiastes does not have Christian conclusions, but its ideas can be complemented by the eternal perspectives provided by Jesus.

Song of Songs

Also known as Song of Solomon, it is a musical poem by King Solomon dedicated to his beloved Shulammite. The content of this book is romantic and contains metaphors pointing to married life. Many interpret the relationship between Solomon and Shulammite as a metaphor for Christ and the Church.

Isaiah

Isaiah is one of the books called "Major Prophets." Its relevance is very significant, being the prophet who announced the coming of the Messiah the most. His vision of the savior is that of the 'suffering servant,' someone who would take on the pains of the people.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah is also a major prophet. His career begins while the Jews were still in Judah. His life is marked by proclaiming God's judgment while no one listened to him. He lived to witness the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem as divine punishment for the people's lack of repentance.

Lamentations

This is the most negative and even sad book in the Bible. In the face of Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon, the prophet Jeremiah deeply laments every detail of this defeat.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel is another of the major prophets. His content is dense and often confusing because Ezekiel has the most supernatural visions, which are difficult to understand. Ezekiel prophesied when Judah was still standing but was on the brink of destruction according to his predictions. Ezekiel strongly condemned the corruption of prophets, priests, and other elites in Jerusalem.

Daniel

Daniel and his three friends were part of the first group of Jews exiled in Babylon. Daniel was a young man who trusted in God and refused to worship other gods. He was also blessed by God with the ability to interpret dreams, which brought him close to the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who granted him many advantages.

Hosea

Hosea is famous for being the prophet whom God commanded to marry a prostitute. This episode occurs because God wanted to portray the relationship between the people and the Lord Himself. In other words, Israel was prostituting itself with other gods and leaders instead of being faithful to God.

Joel

Joel announces and mentions a locust plague that would come upon Israel as a form of God's judgment. In response, Joel calls for repentance for Israel.

Amos

Amos is a book focused on divine justice concerning the injustices on earth. This prophet denounces corruption in Israel, including among leaders, priests, and other prophets.

Obadiah

This is a very short book, with only one chapter. The main target of God, through Obadiah, is Edom, for taking pleasure in the destruction of Jerusalem.

Jonah

This book is somewhat different from the other prophetic books because it contains a lot of narrative. Jonah was called by God to preach repentance to an enemy nation of Israel, known for its violence and sinfulness. Due to these elements, the prophet refused to follow God's call and fled in the opposite direction.

In response, God intervened by causing a great fish to swallow Jonah for three days, leading him to repent and eventually preach repentance to that nation.

Micah

Micah preaches against Israel and Judah. His message alternates between condemnation and salvation and predicts the fall of Israel and Jerusalem. One of the most famous passages of this prophet is the prophecy that a ruler would come from Bethlehem.

Nahum

This prophet preaches against Nineveh, a foreign nation known for its violence. For this reason, Nahum stands out from other prophets. Many, especially the major prophets, criticized foreign nations, but not as the main focus, making Nahum distinctive for targeting a foreign nation.

Habakkuk

In the face of the Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk argues with God about the world's evil. In a beautiful dialogue between the prophet and the Lord, the conclusion is that the wicked will receive condemnation and the righteous justice.

Zephaniah

Of all the prophets, Zephaniah speaks the most about the Day of the Lord, the day when God will judge the earth and all its inhabitants. Justice will be done to the righteous, and punishment will be given to the wicked.

Haggai

The first prophet to speak after the Babylonian exile, Haggai encourages the people to resume and persist in the reconstruction of the Temple, which was destroyed during the Babylonian invasion.

Zechariah

Zechariah prophesied during the time when the Jews were allowed to return to the promised land. This prophet is the most apocalyptic, meaning he focuses the most on the end of the world and the new creation of God.

Malachi

This prophet lived after the Jews returned to Jerusalem. His words reflect the spiritual purity brought about by Ezra and Nehemiah. Therefore, the prophet denounces forbidden marriages, issues with the priests, and empty worship.

From here on you will find the books of the New Testament.

Matthew

The Gospel according to Matthew tells the life and ministry of Jesus, including His miracles and teachings. The key feature of Matthew is the five major discourses of Jesus that are spread throughout the book.

Mark

The Gospel according to Mark also recounts the life and ministry of Jesus. It is the shortest of the four gospels and does not include Jesus' birth. It strongly emphasizes the practical actions of Christ and dedicates a significant portion of its content to the Passion Week.

Luke

The Gospel according to Luke provides a more detailed account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Luke, being a historian, gathered valuable information about Jesus' birth and childhood. As a historian, he also presents the events in a more chronological order.

John

The Gospel according to John is the most distinct of the four gospels, having been written after the others. John includes unique stories about Jesus’ life and ministry, with details and information that only someone very close to Jesus could provide.

Acts of the Apostles

The second book of Luke, it is a continuation of the Gospel after Jesus’ ascension. The focus here is on the development of the early church, how it expanded, and how it overcame difficulties. The two main protagonists in this book are the apostles Peter and Paul.

Romans

A letter from Paul to the church in Rome. It is one of the most important letters in church history, where Paul develops his entire theology, from the universality of sin to the work of salvation by Jesus Christ. From chapter twelve onward, Paul gives many practical instructions.

1 Corinthians

The first letter to the church in Corinth. In this letter, Paul’s tone is notably stern as the church was divided and filled with sins. Paul addresses these issues from a distance and teaches them the correct mindset. The letter includes the famous text on Christian love.

2 Corinthians

The second letter to the Corinthians, it continues from the first letter. Here, Paul highlights his sufferings as an apostle and his celestial dwelling. He also encourages the church to support financially the church in Judea.

Galatians

A letter from Paul to the church in Galatia. This letter is marked by Paul's indignation at the church's willingness to abandon the true gospel for a false, legalistic gospel. The letter includes well-known teachings on the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit.

Ephesians

A letter from Paul to the brothers in Ephesus. It is definitely a letter but contains elements of a theological treatise, as it does not address specific local problems but develops much theology, working concept by concept. The Christian family ethics and the armor of God are well-known elements of this letter.

Philippians

A letter from the apostle Paul, known as the 'letter of joy,' because the author was very pleased with the church's performance in faith. The faith of these brothers was being known in various regions, which delighted the apostle. A well-known element of this letter is the famous description of Jesus' humiliation, where He gave up His divine form and took on human form.

Colossians

A letter from Paul to the brothers in Colossae. In this brief letter, the apostle expresses his joy in this church, praises Christ's supremacy, and instructs them against legalism.

1 Thessalonians

A short letter, and likely one of Paul’s first letters. It encourages the brothers in Thessalonica to persist in their Christian walk with excellence. The most notable content of the letter is Paul's description of Jesus' return and our meeting with Him in the air.

2 Thessalonians

In this short letter addressing the needs of the Thessalonian church, Paul warns about the end times and provides descriptions of the anti-Christ. In the face of difficulties, the apostle also encourages the brothers to persevere.

1 Timothy

A personal letter between Paul and Timothy, his disciple. This letter contains valuable instructions regarding Christian offices (pastor and deacon), with rigorous moral requirements, so that the servant of God may be exemplary.

2 Timothy

Paul’s second letter to his disciple. Now facing death, Paul encourages his pupil to continue steadfastly in the Christian walk and faithful service to God. He concludes content, knowing that he has fought the good fight of faith.

Titus

A personal letter from Paul to Titus, a colleague and fellow worker in the faith. In this letter, Paul provides instructions regarding Christian offices (pastor and deacon).

Philemon

In this short letter, Paul advocates on behalf of Onesimus, a Christian slave who ran away from his master.

Hebrews

A long and complex letter, the authorship of Hebrews is unknown. This letter is a substantial theological treatise that develops ideas about Jesus Christ and His place before God. It concludes by encouraging the brothers to remain firm in faith.

James

Written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary. James became one of the leaders of the Jerusalem church shortly after Jesus’ ascension. This letter contains very practical content, resembling the wisdom books of the Old Testament. Many verses are well-known, but one that stands out is the author’s emphasis on practicing what one hears.

1 Peter

Written by the apostle Peter, this letter has a pastoral tone, as Peter is caring for the Lord’s flock. He encourages holiness, good civil behavior among Christians, and Christian values in home and society.

2 Peter

In the face of persecution that Christians were suffering, Peter warns his readers about the false teachings being spread within the church.

1 John

Known as the letter of love, as love is key to all relationships (between God and humans, humans and God, and between humans).

2 John

A short and personal letter, John encourages Christian love and warns against false teachers.

3 John

A short and personal letter from John to Gaius. The value of this letter lies in the quality of John’s relationship with his friend.

Jude

A small letter written by Jude, the half-brother of Jesus Christ. This letter contains a strong exhortation against the false teachers threatening the church.

Revelation

Revelation is also a letter, describing a revelation of how the end of the world will be. It contains various visions and revelations about the future, using many images and making several criticisms of the context in which it was written. These factors make its interpretation quite challenging and require significant dedication.

More about the Bible:

• Where Did The Bible Come From And How Was It Put Together?
• YHWH: The Meaning of God's Name in Hebrew