Understanding Bible Book Order
The Bible is a collection of books that appear in a traditional order. This guide explains why they are arranged that way and what the Old and New Testaments contain.
Old Testament and New Testament
The Bible is usually divided into two main parts. The Old Testament contains books that were written before the birth of Jesus, including the Law (Torah), history of Israel, wisdom literature (e.g. Psalms, Proverbs), and the writings of the prophets. The New Testament contains the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), the book of Acts, letters (Epistles) to early churches and individuals, and the book of Revelation.
On the Read page, books are listed in this standard order. You can jump to any book using the Book dropdown. For a short overview of each book, see our Books of the Bible page.
Why this order?
The order of books in the Bible has developed over centuries. The Old Testament order often follows a pattern: the five books of Moses first (Genesis through Deuteronomy), then historical books, then wisdom and poetry, then the prophets. The New Testament typically places the four Gospels first, then Acts, then the letters, with Revelation last. This arrangement helps readers move from the story of Israel and the coming of Jesus to the life of the early church and the hope of Christ's return.
Different traditions (e.g. Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox) may order or number some books slightly differently, but the content is largely the same. Pro Bible uses a common Protestant order that is familiar to most readers.
Reading in order vs. by topic
You do not have to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Many people read the Gospels first, or Psalms, or jump between books. The order is there for reference and tradition; use the Read page to choose any book and chapter. For ideas on where to start, see How to Start Reading the Bible and Reading Plans.