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About This Quiz
Just in case you weren't aware, the Bible is huge. Some versions contain more than 800,000 words. This enormous volume is divided up into 66 different books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament -- although different versions used by some denominations contain even more books. The Old Testament books were written over a long period of time, perhaps a span of more than 1,000 years. These books include historical accounts, lists of laws, poetry, prophecies and songs of worship.Â
The New Testament books were written over a much shorter period, about 50 years. Four of the books are essentially biographies of Jesus. These are known as the Gospels. Many of the books are actually letters written to various churches, sharing both criticism and advice. The majority of these letters were written by Paul.
Whether you're focused on the Old Testament, the New Testament or both, reading the Bible can be a pretty overwhelming task. Even tackling a single book can be a monumental endeavor. In fact, the book of Jeremiah alone is over 33,000 words! Others are a little shorter. You can always start with 3 John; it only contains 219 words. However, many of the main ideas of any of the books, big or small, can be summed up in as little as one sentence. Have faith in this quiz and see if you can name the books of the Bible from a one-sentence description!
The future of mankind is foretold.
Revelation
In the Book of Revelation, John informs readers of the final showdown between God and Satan. Believers will prevail when Christ returns, and God's people will enter an eternity of glory.
Jude
3 John
James
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The history of Israel, from the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy, is told.
Judges
The book of Judges tells about the life of the nation of Israel. It tells of appeals to God to raise up leaders (judges) to help restore the land to peace. This book describes the 12 original tribes of Israel and how they began to settle into the land.
Joshua
Ruth
Numbers
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This books tells the story of the conquest of Canaan.
Joshua
Joshua is a story of conquest. After generations of slavery in Egypt and 40 years in the desert, the Israelites were finally allowed to enter the Promised Land. The narrative follows the Lord, Joshua his servant and the people of Israel.
2 John
Solomon
Mathew
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This book reflects a time of peace between the nations of Israel and Moab and gives a glimpse into the lives of an Israelite family.
Ruth
The author of Ruth focuses on the title character's unwavering devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi, as well as on Boaz's kindness to the widows. It's a great look into the lives of a Moab family of faith. This book describes a lesson that men and women are equal in God's eyes.
Ezra
Samuel
Esther
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Describes the creation and the history of the old world.
Genesis
Genesis outlines how God created the heavens and the earth, as well as man, woman, and every creature. It also chronicles early history, including the Great Flood and the lives of Abraham, Jacob and Joseph.
Exodus
Leviticus
Deuteronomy
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The Israelites leave Egypt after slavery.
Exodus
After generations of slavery, Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt. This book also outlines a foundational theology in which God reveals his Name and the Ten Commandments. This book also recounts the parting of the Red Sea by Moses.
Numbers
Kings
1 Chronicles
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The Israelites journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, where a rebellion brews.
Numbers
God led his people from slavery in Egypt but was met with unbelief and repeated acts of rebellion. They refused God's request to overtake Canaan and were condemned to live the rest of their lives in the desert for a whole generation.
Leviticus
Isaiah
Lamentations
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A righteous man suffers.
Job
When good people suffer, the human spirit struggles to understand. Righteous sufferers must trust in God, knowing that he will continue to watch over his people. The book of Job tells the story of a man who suffers terribly at the hands of Satan but never stops trusting in God.
Isaiah
Micah
Malachi
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This book serves as a reminder to God's people regarding his covenant.
Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy includes three sermons delivered to the Israelites by Moses. These sermons serve as a reminder that the covenant between God and his people is a two-way street. This book also recounts Moses's final actions before transferring leadership to Joshua.
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
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The story of a nation under the rule of Saul.
1 Samuel
The author describes the political system of Israel headed by a human king, Saul. Samuel provides judgeship. The narrative is divided into 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. 2 Samuel describes David as the ideal king.
1 Kings
The Books of the Chronicles
Ezra
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Recounts the history of the Israelites, from David's death to Solomon's ascension to the destruction of the Kingdom.
Kings
These two books -- 1 Kings and 2 Kings -- reveal how each ruler answered God's call (or failed to listen). The rulers are judged and their people are exiled for disobedience. The guiding thesis of these books is that the welfare of Israel and her kings depended on their submission to and reliance on Israel's covenant with God.
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
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God's covenant is restored and the Jews return from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple.
Ezra
The book of Ezra reveals two main issues regarding the Jews' return: the struggle to rebuild the temple and the need for spiritual reformation. In the end, the book of Ezra shows that God keeps his promises.
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
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A collection of songs and poems written to worship God.
Psalms
Psalms is a collection of songs and poems written to worship God that spans multiple centuries. Psalms contain beautiful images, similes and metaphors. Three themes can be found in the book of Psalms: God is active in history, the necessity of human response to God through praise and the wisdom of trusting in God.
Daniel
Amos
Obadiah
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This book contains the many wise sayings of Solomon.
Proverbs
Written by Solomon and others, the goal of Proverbs is to make the wise even wiser. The purpose is to instruct young people in a way of life that provides them with the love of God.
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekial
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This book examines the human experience and assesses the human situation with respect to earthly things.
Ecclesiastes
The book of Ecclesiastes provides instruction on how to live meaningfully while keeping God at the center of one's life. This wisdom is shared by a single author based on his own experiences.
Lamentations
Daniel
Obadiah
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God shares his laws with the people, including sacrifices and restrictions.
Leviticus
Leviticus describes how God wants to be worshipped. It includes details on how God's people should live, eat, celebrate and more. These instructions were given to the Israelites through Moses after they escaped Egypt. It's his plea for the people to be holy.
Revelation
Genesis
Exodus
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Includes the history of Israel, from Adam to David's commissioning of the temple in Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles
The book of 1 Chronicles begins by tracing David's ancestry along with the histories of the 12 tribes of Israel. Then it shares the story of David's reign and his quest to build the temple. The temple is in modern-day Jerusalem.
1 Kings
1 Samuel
2 Kings
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Nehemiah rebuilds the wall around the city of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah
After the Jews returned to Jerusalem following their 70-year-long exile, they rebuilt the temple. However, the rest of the city remained in ruin. Nehemiah sets out to restore the city's walls as well as economic justice.
Ruth
Ecclesiastes
Ezra
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Esther asks the emperor for help to thwart a genocidal plot.
Esther
Queen Esther learns about Haman's plot to kill all the Jews in the Persian provinces. She courageously decides to use her position to help her people (she had been hiding her Jewish descent). Esther's cousin, Mordecai, helps her in this endeavor.
Ezra
Ruth
Job
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A love song that celebrates love and marriage.
Song of Solomon
The Song of Solomon tells the story of a young shepherd girl preparing to marry her love. The song culminates in their marriage and their mutual delight in one another. It's one of the few books of the Bible that doesn't mention God, although it may be read as an allegory of the relationship between God and God's people.
Psalms
Proverbs
Ruth
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God sends a prophet to warn Israel of future judgment, but also of a coming King who will bear the sins of many.
Isaiah
God sends the prophet Isaiah to let the people know that both Israel and Judah will soon fall. However, Isaiah also brings good of a coming King, one who will rule Israel with justice and peace. This King will also bear all the sins of the people.
Jeremiah
Job
Ezra
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Babylonia attacks and Jerusalem falls.
Lamentations
Lamentations is a collection of poems that all mourn the fall of Jerusalem. The temple is destroyed, the gates are burned down and the Babylonians have ransacked all of the holy places. The prophet Jeremiah writes these poems pondering the question, "how could this have happened?"
Ezekial
Exodus
Leviticus
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A man marries a prostitute who then leaves him.
Hosea
God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute. He listens and has children with her. However, she then leaves him and commits adultery. God then tells Hosea to go get her back. This relationship is symbolic with God's relationship with Israel. Even though Israel has been disobedient, he still loves his people.
Job
Daniel
Joel
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A man warns the nation of Edom that they will be judged for plundering Jerusalem.
Obadiah
Israel has a longstanding rivalry with Edom. However, when Edom cheered as the Babylonians attacked the temple, they went a little too far. God sends his messenger, Obadiah, to Edom to let them know that they will not get away with it.
Amos
Joel
Jonah
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Paul writes a letter to the churches of Rome summarizing the gospel of Jesus.
Romans
Romans is the first of Paul's letters. He wrote this letter to explain the gospel of Jesus to the community of believers in Rome and to encourage and remind the churches how they should act.
1 Corinthians
Galatians
Malachi
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Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about grace, peace and love.
Ephesians
Paul writes to the church urging its members to show the same traits as God: grace, peace and love. The church had already turned away from false idols, so they're moving in the right direction. Paul acknowledges this and encourages further good acts.
Galatians
1 Corinthians
Romans
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Paul writes to the church of Philippi explaining how Christ can bring them joy.
Philippians
Life is difficult in the city of Philippi. Christians are being persecuted for their faith, Paul is in prison and one of their key members has fallen deathly ill. Yet, Paul writes a letter telling them to rejoice. No matter what happens, he knows that the good news of Jesus will spread, and that is reason enough to rejoice.
Colossians
1 Corinthians
Ephesians
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Paul gives Timothy instruction on how to lead a church.
1 Timothy
Timothy was Paul's protege. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy encouraging him to persevere through challenges and continue to "fight the good fight." Many pastors today face the same challenges as did Timothy. They may find refuge in Paul's letter.
Titus
1 Corinthians
1 Thessalonians
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Paul encourages a man to accept his runaway slave as a brother rather than a slave.
Philemon
Philemon was seen as a good man in the eyes of his contemporaries. He owned a slave, Onesimus, who ran away. Onesimus met Paul in his travels and received the gospel from him. Onesimus was so thankful that he wanted to assist Paul during his imprisonment. However, Paul sends Onesimus back to his master, Philemon, with a letter urging the master to treat Onesimus as a brother.
Titus
Hebrews
Colossians
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Paul gives advice to a man on how to run a church on the island of Crete.
Titus
The churches on the island of Crete are struggling with chaotic leadership. Paul knows he can trust Titus to enact his advice and bring order to the churches. His advice includes appointing elders, instructing people to be sensible and encouraging good deeds.
Philemon
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
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An encouraging letter was written to persecuted Christians telling them to cling to Christ.
Hebrews
The book of Hebrews gives a long list of reasons to cling to Jesus. It compares Jesus to other heroes and icons of the Bible but ultimately explains his superiority in each comparison. An unknown author asks readers to hold fast to the confession and to live in ways that demonstrate faith, obedience, and love.
1 Thessalonians
Ephesians
Galatians
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God chooses a man to tell Israelis the error of their ways and to teach them justice.
Ezekiel
The second time the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, they kidnapped the king and 10,000 captives, one of them being Ezekiel. Instead of turning to God in these hard times, the Israelites continued to disregard his laws. God chose Ezekiel to return to Jerusalem to inform the people of the error of their ways.
Daniel
Lamentations
Hosea
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God sends a plague of locusts to judge Israel.
Joel
A devastating swarm of locusts destroyed all the crops. Hundreds of years earlier, God had sent a similarly devastating plague on the Egyptians' crops. This time he also sent a prophet, Joel. He explains that the Lord wants repentance from the poeple and that he will restore them once they repent.
Amos
Hosea
Daniel
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A prophet runs from God and is swallowed by a big fish.
Jonah
God instructs Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh, a place of great wickedness, but Jonah boards a ship headed in the opposite direction. God sends a storm after Jonah. He jumps into the ocean and the storm dissipates, but then he is swallowed by a fish. He prays from within the fish, and God has him spit up onto land. God once again tells Jonah to go to Nineveh, and this time he obeys.
Micah
Obadiah
Nahum
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A man chastises the people for abandoning their work on God's temple.
Haggai
The people began their work on God's temple, but when the surrounding nations interfered, the temple construction stopped. The people were left with an incomplete temple, a drought and a shortage of food and money. Haggai explained to the people that they were in this predicament because they ignored God's temple. They get back to work and God shows his appreciation.
Zechariah
Malachi
Zephaniah
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