In the Bible, there are different books that tell the story of God’s people. There are also different ways of referring to these books. Sometimes they are referred to by their first words, like “Genesis” or “Revelation.” Sometimes they are referred to by their first word and chapter number, like “Matthew 1” or “John 3:16.” The abbreviations for these books can be a little confusing, so we’ve put together a cheat sheet for you!
Genesis: Gn
Exodus: Ex
Leviticus: Lv
Numbers: Nm
Deuteronomy: Dt
Joshua: Jos
Judges: Jgs
Ruth: Rut
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Abbreviations For The Books Of The Bible
The books of the Bible are divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament includes books written before Jesus Christ’s birth, including Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 3 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi
The New Testament includes books written after Jesus Christ’s birth and resurrection. These include Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation
The Bible is comprised of 66 books. It is often cited by scholars, pastors and people in general. An accurate way to cite the book and chapter you are referencing allows others to find the reference that you are making. Although there are several styles for citing the Bible, this article will focus on one specific style: The Chicago Manual of Style. Within this style, locating a passage in the Bible can be accomplished through what is known as an “abbreviated Bible citation.”
Genesis (Gen)
– Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Exodus (Exod)
– Exodus 3:14 – “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.'”
Leviticus (Lev)
– Leviticus 19:18 – “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”
Numbers (Num)
– Numbers 6:24-26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Deuteronomy (Deut)
– Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Joshua (Josh)
– Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Judges (Judg)
– Judges 6:12 – “When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.'”
Ruth (Ruth)
– Ruth 1:16 – “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'”
1 Samuel (1 Sam)
– 1 Samuel 16:7 – “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'”
2 Samuel (2 Sam)
– 2 Samuel 22:31 – “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”
1 Kings (1 Kings)
– 1 Kings 3:9 – “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
2 Kings (2 Kings)
– 2 Kings 6:16 – “Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'”
1 Chronicles (1 Chron)
– 1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
2 Chronicles (2 Chron)
– 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Ezra (Ezra)
– Ezra 7:10 – “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”
Nehemiah (Neh)
– Nehemiah 8:10 – “Nehemiah said, Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Esther (Esther)
– Esther 4:14 – “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” References: 1. Holy Bible, New International Version.
All 66 Books of the Bible
News flash: the Bible is huge: about 611,000 words long, all divvied up across 66 smaller documents called the “books” of the Bible.
That’s because the Bible is a collection of writings from different authors writing at different times. In some ways, that makes it easier to approach the Bible: we can read it in “chunks” rather than needing to read the whole Bible at once.
But it also makes it a bit confusing. The Bible itself is a book. In fact, the word “bible” comes from the Latin and Greek words for “book” (biblia and biblos, respectively). But it’s a book of books. That means if you want to know the Bible better, you’ll need to get acquainted with the 66 documents it comprises.
Here’s a snapshot of every book of the Bible
Old Testament books of the Bible
The Old Testament includes 39 books which were written long before Jesus was born.
The first five books of the Bible are called the Torah, or the Law of Moses.
1. Genesis
Genesis answers two big questions: “How did God’s relationship with the world begin?” and “Where did the nation of Israel come from?”
Author: Traditionally Moses, but the stories are much older.
Fun fact: Most of the famous Bible stories you’ve heard about are probably found in the book of Genesis. This is where the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Ark, the Tower of Babel, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob’s ladder, and Joseph’s coat of many colors are recorded.
2. Exodus
God saves Israel from slavery in Egypt, and then enters into a special relationship with them.
Author: Traditionally Moses
3. Leviticus
God gives Israel instructions for how to worship Him.
Author: traditionally Moses
4. Numbers
Israel fails to trust and obey God, and wanders in the wilderness for 40 years.
Author: Traditionally Moses
5. Deuteronomy
Moses gives Israel instructions (in some ways, a recap of the laws in Exodus–Numbers) for how to love and obey God in the Promised Land.
Author: Traditionally Moses
6. Joshua
Joshua (Israel’s new leader) leads Israel to conquer the Promised land, then parcels out territories to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Author: Nobody knows
Fun fact: You’ve probably heard of a few fantastic stories from this book (the Battle of Jericho and the day the sun stood still), but most of the action happens in the first half of this book. The last half is pretty much all about divvying up the real estate.
7. Judges
Israel enters a cycle of turning from God, falling captive to oppressive nations, calling out to God, and being rescued by leaders God sends their way (called “judges”).
Author: Nobody knows
8. Ruth
Two widows lose everything, and find hope in Israel—which leads to the birth of the future King David.
Author: Nobody knows
9. 1 Samuel
Israel demands a king, who turns out to be quite a disappointment.
Author: Nobody knows
10. 2 Samuel
David, a man after God’s own heart, becomes king of Israel.
Author: Nobody knows
11. 1 Kings
The kingdom of Israel has a time of peace and prosperity under King Solomon, but afterward splits, and the two lines of kings turn away from God.
Author: Nobody knows
12. 2 Kings
Both kingdoms ignore God and his prophets, until they both fall captive to other world empires.
Author: Nobody knows
13. 1 Chronicles
This is a brief history of Israel from Adam to David, culminating with David commissioning the temple of God in Jerusalem.
Author: Traditionally Ezra
14. 2 Chronicles
David’s son Solomon builds the temple, but after centuries of rejecting God, the Babylonians take the southern Israelites captive and destroy the temple.
Author: Traditionally Ezra
15. Ezra
The Israelites rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and a scribe named Ezra teaches the people to once again obey God’s laws.
Author: Ezra
16. Nehemiah
The city of Jerusalem is in bad shape, so Nehemiah rebuilds the wall around the city.
Author: Nehemiah
17. Esther
Someone hatches a genocidal plot to bring about Israel’s extinction, and Esther must face the emperor to ask for help.
Author: Nobody knows
Books of Poetry in the Old Testament
18. Job
Satan attacks a righteous man named Job, and Job and his friends argue about why terrible things are happening to him.
Author: Nobody knows
19. Psalms
A collection of 150 songs that Israel sang to God (and to each other)—kind of like a hymnal for the ancient Israelites.
Author: So many authors
20. Proverbs
A collection of sayings written to help people make wise decisions that bring about justice.
Author: Solomon and other wise men
21. Ecclesiastes
A philosophical exploration of the meaning of life—with a surprisingly nihilistic tone for the Bible.
Author: Traditionally Solomon
22. Song of Solomon (Song of Songs)
A love song (or collection of love songs) celebrating love, desire, and marriage.
Author: Traditionally Solomon (but it could have been written about Solomon, or in the style of Solomon)
Books of prophecy in the Old Testament
23. Isaiah
God sends the prophet Isaiah to warn Israel of future judgment—but also to tell them about a coming king and servant who will “bear the sins of many.”
Author: Isaiah (and maybe some of his followers)
24. Jeremiah
God sends a prophet to warn Israel about the coming Babylonian captivity, but the people don’t take the news very well.
Author: Jeremiah
25. Lamentations
A collection of dirges lamenting the fall of Jerusalem after the Babylonian attacks.
Author: Traditionally Jeremiah
26. Ezekiel
God chooses a man to speak for Him to Israel, to tell them the error of their ways and teach them justice: Ezekiel.
Author: Ezekiel
27. Daniel
Daniel becomes a high-ranking wise man in the Babylonian and Persian empires, and has prophetic visions concerning Israel’s future.
Author: Daniel (with other contributors)
28. Hosea
Hosea is told to marry a prostitute who leaves him, and he must bring her back: a picture of God’s relationship with Israel.
Author: Hosea
29. Joel
God sends a plague of locusts to Judge Israel, but his judgment on the surrounding nations is coming, too.
Author: Joel
30. Amos
A shepherd named Amos preaches against the injustice of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Author: Amos
31. Obadiah
Obadiah warns the neighboring nation of Edom that they will be judged for plundering Jerusalem.
Author: Obadiah
32. Jonah
A disobedient prophet runs from God, is swallowed by a great fish, and then preaches God’s message to the city of Nineveh.
Author: Traditionally Jonah
33. Micah
Micah confronts the leaders of Israel and Judah regarding their injustice, and prophecies that one day the Lord himself will rule in perfect justice.
Author: Micah
34. Nahum
Nahum foretells of God’s judgment on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria.
Author: Nahum
35. Habakkuk
Habakkuk pleads with God to stop the injustice and violence in Judah, but is surprised to find that God will use the even more violent Babylonians to do so.
Author: Habakkuk
36. Zephaniah
God warns that he will judge Israel and the surrounding nations, but also that he will restore them in peace and justice.
Author: Zephaniah
37. Haggai
The people have abandoned the work of restoring God’s temple in Jerusalem, and so Haggai takes them to task.
Author: Haggai
38. Zechariah
The prophet Zechariah calls Israel to return to God, and records prophetic visions that show what’s happening behind the scenes.
39. Malachi
God has been faithful to Israel, but they continue to live disconnected from him—so God sends Malachi to call them out.
New Testament books of the Bible
40. The Gospel of Matthew
This is an account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, focusing on Jesus’ role as the true king of the Jews.
Author: Matthew
41. The Gospel of Mark
This brief account of Jesus’ earthly ministry highlights Jesus’ authority and servanthood.
Author: John Mark
42. The Gospel of Luke
Luke writes the most thorough account of Jesus’ life, pulling together eyewitness testimonies to tell the full story of Jesus.
Author: Luke
43. The Gospel of John
John lists stories of signs and miracles with the hope that readers will believe in Jesus.
Author: John
44. Acts
Jesus returns to the Father, the Holy Spirit comes to the church, and the gospel of Jesus spreads throughout the world.
Author: Luke
Paul’s epistles
45. Romans
Paul summarizes how the gospel of Jesus works in a letter to the churches at Rome, where he plans to visit.
Author: Paul
46. 1 Corinthians
Paul writes a disciplinary letter to a fractured church in Corinth, and answers some questions that they’ve had about how Christians should behave.
Author: Paul
47. 2 Corinthians
Paul writes a letter of reconciliation to the church at Corinth, and clears up some concerns that they have.
Author: Paul
48. Galatians
Paul hears that the Galatian churches have been lead to think that salvation comes from the law of Moses, and writes a (rather heated) letter telling them where the false teachers have it wrong.
Author: Paul
49. Ephesians
Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about how to walk in grace, peace, and love.
Author: Paul
50. Philippians
An encouraging letter to the church of Philippi from Paul, telling them how to have joy in Christ.
Author: Paul
51. Colossians
Paul writes the church at Colossae a letter about who they are in Christ, and how to walk in Christ.
Author: Paul
52. 1 Thessalonians
Paul has heard a good report on the church at Thessalonica, and encourages them to “excel still more” in faith, hope, and love.
Author: Paul
53. 2 Thessalonians
Paul instructs the Thessalonians on how to stand firm until the coming of Jesus.
Author: Paul
54. 1 Timothy
Paul gives his protegé Timothy instruction on how to lead a church with sound teaching and a godly example.
Author: Paul
55. 2 Timothy
Paul is nearing the end of his life, and encourages Timothy to continue preaching the word.
Author: Paul
56. Titus
Paul advises Titus on how to lead orderly, counter-cultural churches on the island of Crete.
Author: Paul
57. Philemon
Paul strongly recommends that Philemon accept his runaway slave as a brother, not a slave.
Author: Paul
The general, or Catholic, epistles
58. Hebrews
A letter encouraging Christians to cling to Christ despite persecution, because he is greater.
Author: Nobody knows
59. James
A letter telling Christians to live in ways that demonstrate their faith in action.
Author: James (likely the brother of Jesus)
60. 1 Peter
Peter writes to Christians who are being persecuted, encouraging them to testify to the truth and live accordingly.
Author: Peter
61. 2 Peter
Peter writes a letter reminding Christians about the truth of Jesus, and warning them that false teachers will come.
Author: Peter
62. 1 John
John writes a letter to Christians about keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and important things they should know.
Author: John
63. 2 John
A very brief letter about walking in truth, love, and obedience.
Author: John
64. 3 John
An even shorter letter about Christian fellowship.
Author: John
65. Jude
A letter encouraging Christians to contend for the faith, even though ungodly persons have crept in unnoticed.
Author: Jude
66. Revelation
John sees visions of things that have been, things that are, and things that are yet to come.
Author: John
The books of the Bible are often abbreviated, but are often not identical to standard abbreviations for books.
The books of the Bible are often abbreviated, but are often not identical to standard abbreviations for books. The three-letter abbreviations come from Jerome’s Latin Vulgate; the two-letter abbreviations come from early Greek manuscripts. Strong’s Concordance uses different abbreviations than the NIV and RSV, which is why we use them here.
This list is of the abbreviations used for each book of the Bible in the first edition of Strong’s Concordance.
This list is of the abbreviations used for each book of the Bible in the first edition of Strong’s Concordance. These abbreviations are from a different system than what you will find on modern Bibles.
For example, if you look at your NIV or RSV Bible and see that Genesis 1-11 is labeled “Ge”, this means that it is using “Ge” as an abbreviation for “Genesis”. But if you’re looking at an older Bible like Strong’s concordance, they use a different abbreviation (Gn) for “Genesis”.
It’s important to note here that not all books have their initials spelled out as two letters; some use three letters and some even more than three!
The abbreviations used in Strong’s Concordance are different from those used in many other major English Bibles, including the NIV and the RSV.
These abbreviations are derived from the Latin Vulgate translations. They are also sometimes used by Bible publishers when space is limited. The two letter codes are derived from Greek contractions found in early manuscripts, while the three letter abbreviations are derived from the Latin Vulgate translations (as opposed to being a direct translation of Greek words).
These abbreviations are also sometimes used by Bible publishers when space is limited.
You can find abbreviations for books of the Bible in a concordance. These abbreviations are not always as you might expect, however.
For example, if you look up “1 Kings” in a concordance, it won’t be listed as 1KG but rather as 1KGS. A concordance will show you the most common ways that people have used to abbreviate words and passages throughout history.
Bible publishers sometimes use these same abbreviations when they’re publishing their Bibles or other Bible-related materials because it takes less space on each page than printing out all 26 letters of a word (like “Kings”).
The three letter abbreviations are derived from the Latin Vulgate translations.
The three-letter codes are derived from the Latin Vulgate translations. These abbreviations were originally developed by Benedictine monks in the 9th century, and they’re still used today. The Latin Vulgate was translated from Greek to Latin by St. Jerome (A.D. 340–420).
In addition to the three-letter codes, there are also two-letter codes that represent a single book of the Bible:
The two letter codes are derived from Greek contractions found in early manuscripts.
The two letter codes are derived from Greek contractions found in early manuscripts. The first letter of the book is abbreviated with a single capital letter, and the last letter of the book is abbreviated with a single lowercase letter. For example, Genesis begins with “Bereshit” and ends with “Vayechi” (or “and he died”). Therefore, it has an abbreviation of BRASH VECHI.
The two-letter codes are the same for both Old Testament books and New Testament books.
There are many different ways to refer to books of the bible
There are many different ways to refer to books of the Bible. However, most people use one or two-letter abbreviations for each book.
- The two-letter convention is older and uses Greek contractions for each book’s title: “G” for Genesis, “P” for Psalms, etc. It was popularized by Hebrew Bible scholar Robert Lowth in 1750 (though its origins go back even further). This system is used by Roman Catholics and Protestants alike; however, certain groups have their own unique conventions based on this basic format: Lutherans use “T” instead of “P” while Anglicans use “E” instead of “P” (see below); some Lutheran churches also use “J” instead of “Josue/Joshua”. Eastern Orthodox Christians may also include an abbreviation of one or more words from each book’s title (but do not follow the standard Latin order).
Conclusion
If all this seems a little confusing, then take heart. It took decades for people to arrive at these abbreviations in the first place. But hopefully, learning them will make it easier for you to read and refer to the Bible.