The Bible is composed of 66 books written by multiple human authors over the course of 1,500 years. It is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and tells one unified story: God’s redemption of His people through Jesus Christ. The current order of Scripture is established by historical precedence. The Old Testament follows the traditional order found in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible used by Jesus and His contemporaries. The Synoptic Gospels of the New Testament were ordered under the oversight of Augustine. The Pauline epistles (or letters) were placed according to length. Of note, all of the books were written by confirmed Jewish authors except for Luke-Acts, which were written by the Gentile Luke, and the Letter to the Hebrews, author unknown.

For reference, below is a brief overview of Holy Scripture in the order the books appear according to Reformed Tradition. A downloadable PDF is also available.

Old Testament

The Books of Law (The Pentateuch)

Genesis – Creation, covenant with Abraham, foundations of Israel.

Exodus – Deliverance from Egypt, Mosaic covenant, tabernacle.

Leviticus – Holiness laws, priesthood, sacrificial system.

Numbers – Israel’s wilderness journey and rebellion.

Deuteronomy – Covenant renewal.

The Books of History

Joshua – Conquest and settlement of Canaan.

Judges – Cycles of sin, judgment, and deliverance.

Ruth – Faithfulness and redemption through Ruth’s story.

1–2 Samuel – Transition from judges to monarchy; Saul and David.

1–2 Kings – Division and decline of the kingdom; exile.

1–2 Chronicles – Retelling of Israel’s history with focus on worship.

Ezra – Return from exile and rebuilding the temple.

Nehemiah – Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and covenant renewal.

Esther – God’s providence and protection of His people.

The Books of Wisdom & Poetry

Job – Suffering, sovereignty, and faith.

Psalms – Prayers and songs of worship.

Proverbs – Wisdom for godly living.

Ecclesiastes – Meaning of life under the sun.

Song of Solomon – Love and covenant relationship.

The Major Prophets

Isaiah – Judgment and hope; the coming Messiah.

Jeremiah – Warning of judgment and promise of a new covenant.

Lamentations – Mourning Jerusalem’s destruction.

Ezekiel – Visions of judgment and restoration.

Daniel – God’s sovereignty in exile.

The Minor Prophets

Hosea to Malachi – Calls to repentance and hope for restoration.

New Testament

The Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John – The life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Book of History

The Acts of the Apostles – Emergence of the early Church.

Pauline Epistles –  Romans to Philemon. Doctrine and instruction for Gentile Christians, letters of encouragement and exhortation for both individuals and congregations. 

General Epistles

Hebrew, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, Jude – Exhortation and guidance regarding the Christian life and first written for the early Jewish Christians. 

Book of Prophecy

Revelation

PDF Download of Overview of Scripture

Editor’s note: Summary overview adapted from Blue Letter Bible – Don Stewart FAQs. Edits made to reflect additional clarity and theological emphasis.