A list of the books of the Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi. Beginning with Adam, they trace the series of covenants made and renewed between God and his chosen, including Noah, Abraham, Jacob (Israel), Moses and David.
1
Genesis
The First Book of Moses, called Genesis
The Creation, the Great Flood, the covenant with Abraham, the stories of Isaac and Jacob, and how Joseph brought Israel and his sons to Egypt to save them from famine.
2
Exodus
The Second Book of Moses, called Exodus
How Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, and brought them through forty years in the wilderness to the borders of the Promised Land.
3
Leviticus
The Third Book of Moses, called Leviticus
Laws given to Israel through Moses, with particular reference to the priestly tribe of Levi.
4
Numbers
The Fourth Book of Moses, called Numbers
Further tales from the escape from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan, including the story of Balaam.
5
Deuteronomy
The Fifth Book of Moses, called Deuteronomy
How Israel was given more laws, and how Moses left them with a choice between blessing and curse. to govern her ways in the Promised Land
6
Joshua
The Book of Joshua
How Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, and how he conquered Jericho and the other cities and tribes of Canaan.
7
Judges
The Book of Judges
Tales of the days before the Kings, when Israel was ruled by prophets and mighty warriors including Deborah, Gideon and Samson.
8
Ruth
The Book of Ruth
A love story about Ruth, who found a home with the people of Israel.
9
1 Samuel
The First Book of Samuel Otherwise Called The First Book of the Kings
How the Israelites clamoured to have a king ‘like all the nations’, and how Saul became their first King, but went mad, and how the crown passed to David.
10
2 Samuel
The Second Book of Samuel Otherwise Called The Second Book of the Kings
How David ruled Israel, and made her great, but his reign was marred by rebellions, including that of his own son Absolom.
11
1 Kings
The First Book of the Kings, Commonly Called the Third Book of the Kings
How David died, and his crown passed to his son Solomon, and how Solomon built the Temple at Jerusalem, but afterwards his kingdom was divided; and how Elijah prophesied in the time of King Ahab.
12
2 Kings
The Second Book of the Kings, Commonly Called the Fourth Book of the Kings
How the Kings of Judah and Israel ruled wickedly, and Elijah and Elisha foretold their wickedness would be punished; and how the Northern kingdom was overthrown by Assyria, and Judah by Babylon.
13
1 Chronicles
The First Book of the Chronicles
The tales of the conquest of Canaan, and the struggle of Saul and David, are told again.
14
2 Chronicles
The Second Book of the Chronicles
The tale of Solomon and his Temple is retold, and also how the Northern kingdom fell to Assyria and Judah fell to Babylon owing to the wickedness of their kings.
15
Ezra
Ezra
How Cyrus the King of Persia overcame the Babylonians, and allowed the captive Israelites to return home and rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem.
16
Nehemiah
The Book of Nehemiah
How Nehemiah laboured in Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple after the exiles returned from Babylon.
17
Esther
The Book of Esther
How Esther was chosen to be Queen to the King of Persia, and how she saved the Jews from the evil designs of Haman.
18
Job
The Book of Job
How Job was tested by God, and was tormented by the foolish counsel of three friends; and how he spoke bitterly, and God rebuked him out of a whirlwind, but restored him to prosperity.
19
Psalms
The Book of Psalms
A hundred and fifty songs of repentance, joy and praise, many of them attributed to King David, which were sung in the Temple at Jerusalem.
20
Proverbs
The Proverbs
A collection of wise sayings credited to King Solomon, drawn from all over the ancient Near East.
21
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes or, the Preacher
A reflection on the vanity of human ambition and pride, attributed to King Solomon.
22
Song of Solomon
The Song of Solomon
An erotic song of a man who his lover, attributed to King Solomon.
23
Isaiah
The Book of the Prophet Isaiah
The words of the prophet Isaiah, warning Israel’s kings of the consequences of idolatry; and yet, a virgin would conceive a son, who would sit on David’s throne, a Servant who would comfort and restore his people.
24
Jeremiah
The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah
The words of the prophet Jeremiah, who urged the kings of Israel and Judah to repentance and foretold the sack of Jerusalem, and who promised a New Covenant that God would write upon the hearts of men.
25
Lamentations
The Lamentations of Jeremiah
The words of Jeremiah the prophet, as he grieved over the fall of Jerusalem in the early sixth century BC.
26
Ezekiel
The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel
The words of the prophet Ezekiel, who condemned the idolatry of Israel’s kings, but foretold the glorious rebuilding of the Temple, and foresaw Israel restored like dry bones brought back to life.
27
Daniel
The Book of Daniel
The many tales of Daniel, who prophesied in Babylon during the captivity, interpreting the king’s dreams, and who by trust in God survived a night in a lion’s den.
28
Hosea
Hosea
The words of the prophet Hosea, who foretold the destruction of the Northern kingdom on account of idolatry, but also her restoration.
29
Joel
Joel
The words of the prophet Joel, who foretold that a day would come when God would pour out his Spirit upon those who call upon his name.
30
Amos
Amos
The words of the prophet Amos, who pronounced God’s judgment against Israel for idolatry and injustice, but also promised that God would restore her to prosperity.
31
Obadiah
Obadiah
The words of the prophet Obadiah, who denounced Edom for failing to aid Judah when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, and who promised that the Israelites would be restored despite the Edomites.
32
Jonah
Jonah
The story of a reluctant prophet, who spent three days in the belly of whale before coming back to the lands of men.
33
Micah
Micah
The words of the prophet Micah, who denounced the injustice and idolatry of Israel’s kings, and foretold a time when a king would be born in Bethlehem, and the gentiles would come to Jerusalem.
34
Nahum
Nahum
The words of the prophet Nahum, who foretold the destruction of Nineveh.
35
Habakkuk
Habakkuk
The words of the prophet Habakkuk, who foretold the rise of the Babylonian Empire against Judah, but also that God would cast her down for going too far, and for attributing her power to false gods.
36
Zephaniah
Zephaniah
The words of the prophet Zephaniah, who foretold disaster and destruction among the neighbours of Israel, and promised the restoration of Jerusalem.
37
Haggai
Haggai
The words of the prophet Haggai, who rebuked Israel for failing to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem after the end of the Babylonian captivity.
38
Zechariah
Zechariah
The words of the prophet Zechariah, who foresaw the return of Israel’s king to Jerusalem, riding upon a donkey.
39
Malachi
Malachi
The words of the prophet Malachi, who foretold the return of Elijah before the rising of Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings.