Bible - list of books in grouped
The Bible is traditionally divided into the Old Testament (before Christ) and the New Testament (during and after Christ's earthly ministry). Within those, we can group them by the historical eras and the figures they are associated with.
The Old Testament (The Era of the Promise)
1. The Era of the Patriarchs & The Law
Associated with Moses and the origins of Israel.
- Genesis: Creation through the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
- Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy: The deliverance from Egypt and the Law given to Moses.
2. The Era of the Conquest & Judges
The transition from wandering to settling the Promised Land.
- Joshua: The conquest of Canaan.
- Judges, Ruth: The period of tribal leaders before Israel had a king.
3. The Era of the United Kingdom
The "Golden Age" of Israel under its first three kings (Saul, David, and Solomon).
- 1 & 2 Samuel: The rise of the monarchy and the reign of David.
- 1 Kings (1-11): The reign of Solomon.
- Psalms: Mostly attributed to King David.
- Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon: Attributed to King Solomon.
4. The Era of the Divided Kingdom & Exile
The time of the split into Israel (North) and Judah (South), ending in Babylonian captivity.
- History: 1 Kings (12-22), 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles.
- Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel.
- Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah.
5. The Post-Exilic Era (The Return)
The time of rebuilding Jerusalem after the 70-year exile.
- Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther: The return to the land and life under Persian rule.
- Prophets of the Return: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
The New Testament (The Era of Fulfillment)
1. The Life of Jesus Christ
The four accounts of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.
- The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
2. The Early Church & The Apostles
The birth of the Church and the spread of the Gospel across the Roman Empire.
- History: Acts of the Apostles.
- The Letters of Paul: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.
- The General Epistles: Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, Jude.
3. The Future Hope
The final vision of the end of the age.
- Revelation: Written by the Apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos.