Books of the Catholic Bible: All 73 in Order (and Why Protestant Bibles Have 66)

The Catholic Bible has 73 books: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Protestant Bibles have 66 books because they do not include seven Old Testament books—Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch—along with the additions to Esther and Daniel.

This guide lists all 73 books in the order used in Catholic editions such as the New American Bible Revised Edition. Use it as a quick Bible book list, a study reference, or a starting point for memorizing the books of the Catholic Bible with confidence.

Why do Catholic and Protestant Bibles have different numbers of books?

Catholic and Protestant Bibles have different totals because they follow different Old Testament canons. Catholics include the deuterocanonical books and additions received in the Church’s biblical tradition, while most Protestant Bibles follow the shorter Hebrew canon for the Old Testament and place those writings outside the Old Testament canon.

The New Testament is the same 27-book collection in both Catholic and Protestant Bibles. The difference is in the Old Testament: Catholic Bibles include 46 books, while Protestant Old Testaments include 39. That seven-book difference is why the Catholic Bible has 73 books and the Protestant Bible has 66.

The Catholic Bible order at a glance

The Catholic Bible order below is grouped into the major sections used in many Catholic editions: Pentateuch, Historical books, Wisdom books, Prophets, Gospels, Acts, Pauline letters, Hebrews, Catholic letters, and Revelation. Grouping the books this way shows not only their names, but also where each book belongs in the larger structure of Scripture.

Old Testament: Pentateuch (5)

1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy

Old Testament: Historical books (16)

1. Joshua
2. Judges
3. Ruth
4. 1 Samuel
5. 2 Samuel
6. 1 Kings
7. 2 Kings
8. 1 Chronicles
9. 2 Chronicles
10. Ezra
11. Nehemiah
12. Tobit
13. Judith
14. Esther
15. 1 Maccabees
16. 2 Maccabees

Old Testament: Wisdom books (7)

1. Job
2. Psalms
3. Proverbs
4. Ecclesiastes
5. Song of Songs
6. Wisdom
7. Sirach

Old Testament: Prophets (18)

1. Isaiah
2. Jeremiah
3. Lamentations
4. Baruch
5. Ezekiel
6. Daniel
7. Hosea
8. Joel
9. Amos
10. Obadiah
11. Jonah
12. Micah
13. Nahum
14. Habakkuk
15. Zephaniah
16. Haggai
17. Zechariah
18. Malachi

New Testament: Gospels (4)

1. Matthew
2. Mark
3. Luke
4. John

New Testament: Acts of the Apostles (1)

1. Acts of the Apostles

New Testament: Pauline letters (13)

1. Romans
2. 1 Corinthians
3. 2 Corinthians
4. Galatians
5. Ephesians
6. Philippians
7. Colossians
8. 1 Thessalonians
9. 2 Thessalonians
10. 1 Timothy
11. 2 Timothy
12. Titus
13. Philemon

New Testament: Hebrews (1)

1. Hebrews

New Testament: Catholic letters (7)

1. James
2. 1 Peter
3. 2 Peter
4. 1 John
5. 2 John
6. 3 John
7. Jude

New Testament: Revelation (1)

1. Revelation

What are the deuterocanonical books?

The word deuterocanonical means “second canon,” not in the sense of being second-class, but in the sense that these books were discussed later and formally distinguished from the books accepted by all Christians. In Catholic usage, the term refers to Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, and the additions to Esther and Daniel.

These writings were included in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of Jewish Scriptures that was widely used in the Greek-speaking world. Because the early Church spread through Greek-speaking regions, early Christians frequently read and cited Scripture in forms connected with the Septuagint. Over time, these books became part of the Old Testament as received in the Catholic tradition.

The canon was affirmed in regional councils such as Hippo and Carthage, which reflected the Church’s developing clarity about the books read as Scripture. Later, during the Reformation era, Protestant Reformers followed the shorter Hebrew canon for the Old Testament and often printed the deuterocanonical books separately as the Apocrypha. In response to debates about the canon, the Council of Trent formally defined the Catholic canon in 1546.

It is worth saying this respectfully: Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christians share the same New Testament and a deep reverence for Scripture, even where their Old Testament canons differ. Orthodox Bibles also include additional books beyond the Catholic canon, so the Catholic-Protestant comparison is not the only Christian canon difference.

The seven-book difference in simple terms

If you are comparing a Catholic Bible to a Protestant Bible, the quickest way to understand the difference is to look at the Old Testament. The Catholic Bible contains all the books found in Protestant Old Testaments, plus the deuterocanonical books and additions.

Here is the simple comparison:

The deuterocanonical books are not placed in one separate section in most Catholic Bibles. Instead, they appear within the Old Testament order: Tobit, Judith, and 1 and 2 Maccabees among the Historical books, Wisdom and Sirach among the Wisdom books, Baruch among the Prophets, and the additions within Esther and Daniel.

Practical ways to learn the books of the Catholic Bible

Memorizing the books of the Catholic Bible is easier when you learn them by section rather than trying to absorb all 73 names at once. The structure gives your memory a path: Law, history, wisdom, prophets, the life of Christ, the early Church, letters, and Revelation.

Try these simple study methods:

1. Use a chart: A visual chart helps you see the whole Bible at once, including which books belong to each section. This is ideal for classrooms, homeschool lessons, parish studies, and personal reference.
2. Learn by song: Bible book songs can make the order stick, especially for children or anyone who remembers rhythm better than plain lists.
3. Add Bible tabs: Tabs help you physically locate each book while you are still learning the order. They are especially useful when moving between Old Testament prophets, letters, and the Gospels.
4. Practice one section at a time: Start with the Pentateuch, then the Gospels, then the Pauline letters. Small wins build confidence.
5. Read with context: When you begin a new book, note its section. Knowing that Sirach is Wisdom literature or that Amos is a prophet helps you understand what kind of writing you are reading.

A printed chart of the Catholic books of the Bible can also be useful beside a study Bible, on a classroom wall, or inside a prayer corner where it stays visible.

Tips for choosing a Catholic Bible

Choosing a Catholic Bible is easier when you know what you need it to do. A Bible for daily prayer may not be the same as one for academic study, family reading, or classroom teaching.

Look for these features:

1. A Catholic edition: Make sure the Bible includes all 73 books and is clearly marked as Catholic or approved for Catholic use.
2. A readable translation: Many readers choose a translation that balances accuracy with clarity. The USCCB publishes the New American Bible Revised Edition online and also provides a list of approved Bible translations.
3. Helpful notes and introductions: Study notes, book introductions, maps, charts, and timelines can make unfamiliar books easier to understand.
4. Durable binding and readable print: If the Bible will be used often, choose a size, font, and cover style that fit your reading habits.
5. Study aids for navigation: Tabs, ribbons, indexes, and charts are practical tools, especially for new readers learning the Catholic Bible order.

A final takeaway

The Catholic Bible has 73 books because it includes the full Catholic Old Testament canon of 46 books together with the 27-book New Testament. Protestant Bibles have 66 books because they use the shorter 39-book Old Testament canon while sharing the same 27 New Testament books.

Once you understand the sections, the list becomes much less intimidating. Keep a chart nearby, learn the books in groups, and let the order help you see the Bible as one unfolding story. For a visual reference, see the Books of the Bible chart, Catholic edition and explore Bible maps, charts, and timelines at CFaithS.

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