What are the books of the Old Testament?

The Old Testament is the first section of the Christian Bible, and it is made up of several books. The number of books can vary slightly depending on the religious tradition. Here’s a list of the books of the Old Testament according to the Protestant version, which includes 39 books:

The Pentateuch (The Torah or the Law)

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

Historical Books

6. Joshua
7. Judges
8. Ruth
9. 1 Samuel
10. 2 Samuel
11. 1 Kings
12. 2 Kings
13. 1 Chronicles
14. 2 Chronicles
15. Ezra
16. Nehemiah
17. Esther

Wisdom Literature (Poetry and Philosophy)

18. Job
19. Psalms
20. Proverbs
21. Ecclesiastes
22. Song of Solomon (also known as Song of Songs)

Major Prophets

23. Isaiah
24. Jeremiah
25. Lamentations (traditionally attributed to Jeremiah)
26. Ezekiel
27. Daniel

Minor Prophets (The Twelve “Minor Prophets” are often grouped together)

28. Hosea
29. Joel
30. Amos
31. Obadiah
32. Jonah
33. Micah
34. Nahum
35. Habakkuk
36. Zephaniah
37. Haggai
38. Zechariah
39. Malachi

This list includes the Protestant Old Testament. Other traditions, such as the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, include additional books, often referred to as the Deuterocanonical books or Apocrypha. Examples of these additional books include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and several others.