overview of the Bible

The 66 books of the Bible, written over 1,500 years by more than 40 authors, present a cohesive narrative of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. They are traditionally divided into the Old Testament (39 books, otherwise known as the Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament (27 books), which can be further categorized by genre: Law, History, Poetry, Prophecy, Gospels, Acts, Letters, and Revelation.


The Hebrew Bible narrates the story of God’s relationship with the Israelites, covering creation, law, history, wisdom, and prophecy. The New Testament continues this story, focusing on the life, preaching, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah, followed by the establishment of the Christian church and letters from apostles.

Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) Summary 

The Hebrew Bible focuses on God’s covenant with the nation of Israel and points toward a coming Savior. 

The Law (Pentateuch)

  • Genesis: Describes creation, the origin of sin and humanity, the flood, and God’s choice of Abraham’s progeny (Isaac then Jacob also known as Israel) through whom a Savior would come.

     

  • Exodus: Details Israel’s liberation from slavery in Egypt under Moses, the parting of the Red Sea, and the receiving of the Law (including the Ten Commandments) at Mount Sinai.

     

  • Leviticus: Outlines the ceremonial laws, sacrificial systems, and holiness requirements for the priests (Levites) and the nation of Israel.

     

  • Numbers: Records the census of the Israelites and their journey and wandering in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. Because of disobedience, the nation of Israel had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.

     

  • Deuteronomy: A restatement and explanation of the Law given to the new generation of Israel before they entered Canaan. 

History

 

  • Joshua: The story of the conquest and division of the land of Canaan by the Israelites under Joshua’s leadership. The land is then divided into different territories for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

     

  • Judges: Chronicles the period after Joshua’s death, where Israel is ruled by various judges and cycles of sin, judgement, and deliverance. These are ongoing cycles that include turning from God, falling captive to oppressive nations, crying out to God, and being rescued by the leaders that God sends their way, called “judges”.

     

  • Ruth: A short narrative about a faithful woman from Moab who becomes an ancestor of King David and Jesus the Messiah.

     

  • 1 & 2 Samuel: Describes the establishment of the monarchy in Israel, from the judge Samuel to the reign of King Saul and the rise of King David.
    • 1 Samuel: A king is demanded by Israel. Subsequently, King Saul turns out to be a disappointment.
    • 2 Samuel: God seeks for a man after His own heart, namely, David,
      who becomes king of Israel.

       

  • 1 & 2 Kings: Covers the history of the Israelite kings, the division of the kingdom, the prophets Elijah and Elisha, and the eventual exile to Babylon.
    • 1 Kings: There is peace and prosperity under King Solomon, but afterward, the kingdom splits, and the two lines of kings, namely, Israel and Judah, turn away from God.
    • 2 Kings: After both kingdoms (Israel and Judah) ignored God and His prophets, they both fell under the control of Babylon and Persia.

       

  • 1 & 2 Chronicles: Provides a historical summary focusing on the history of Judah and the temple worship.
    • 1 Chronicles: This book commences with genealogies of the nation of Israel beginning with Adam, continuing through to David. It ends with David’s commission of the temple of God in Jerusalem.
    • 2 Chronicles: David’s son, King Solomon builds a magnificent temple to the glory of God. Sadly, after centuries of rejecting God, Israel is captured by the Babylonians and the temple is destroyed.

       

  • Ezra & Nehemiah: Details the return of the Jewish people from exile in Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem.
    • Ezra: The Israelites rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and a scribe by the name of Ezra teaches the people how to obey God’s laws once again.
    • Nehemiah: Nehemiah rallies the Israelites to rebuild the city wall of Jerusalem.

       

  • Esther: The story of a Jewish queen in Persia who saves her people from a plot to annihilate them. 

Poetry and Wisdom

  • Job: Explores the problem of evil and undeserved suffering through the story of a righteous man called Job. Job’s so-called “friends” argue about why terrible things are happening to him.

     

  • Psalms: A collection of 150 songs and prayers that express a full range of human emotions and guide worship.

     

  • Proverbs: A collection of wise sayings and teachings about how to live a life that honours God.

     

  • Ecclesiastes: A philosophical reflection on the meaning of life, concluding that true meaning is found in fearing God and keeping His commandments.

     

  • Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs): A poetic book celebrating love, often interpreted as an allegory for God’s love for His people. 


Prophecy (Major and Minor Prophets)


These books contain God’s messages to Israel and surrounding nations, calling them to repent, warning them of judgement, and promising a coming Messiah.

 

  • Isaiah: Warnings of judgement but points to a coming servant and king, who will establish God’s kingdom.

     

  • Jeremiah & Lamentations: Prophesy Jerusalem’s destruction and express sorrow over the city’s fall.
    • Jeremiah: Israel is warned by God by the prophet Jeremiah that Babylonian captivity is coming, but Israel rejects what Jeremiah has to say.
    • Lamentations: Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonians, and a number of dirges were composed to lament the fall of the city.

       

  • Ezekiel & Daniel: Written during the Babylonian exile, they offer hope through visions of future glory and the coming Messiah.

     

    • Ezekiel: A man is chosen by God, namely Ezekiel, to teach Israel the error of their ways and the right way to live.
    • Daniel: In the Babylonian and Persian empires, Daniel becomes a prominent, wise man who sees the future of Israel with prophetic visions.

       

  • The 12 Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) offer specific warnings and promises of restoration.

     

    • Hosea: As a picture of God’s relationship with Israel, Hosea is told to marry a prostitute who leaves him and Hosea must bring her back.
    • Joel:Israel is judged by a plague of locusts, but God’s judgment on surrounding nations is coming as well.
    • Amos: A shepherd who preaches against the injustice of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
    • Obadiah: In his warning to Edom, Obadiah warns that the nation will be judged for plundering Jerusalem.
    • Jonah: After fleeing from God, a disobedient prophet named Jonah, is swallowed by a great fish. After the fish vomited out the repentant Jonah, he goes on to preach God’s message to Nineveh.
    • Micah: This prophet confronts Israel’s and Judah’s leaders about their injustice, and prophesies that one day, God Himself through His Messiah, will rule with perfect justice.
    • Nahum: This prophet prophesies about God’s judgment on Nineveh.
    • Habakkuk: This prophet implores God to stop the injustice and violence in Judah. Only to find out that God will do so through the even more violent Babylonians.
    • Zephaniah: Israel and the surrounding nations will be judged by God, but they will also be restored in peace and justice.
    • Haggai: This prophet admonishes the people for abandoning the restoration of God’s temple at Jerusalem.
    • Zechariah: As prophet Zechariah calls Israel back to God, he records prophetic visions that reveal what is going on behind the scenes.
    • Malachi: This prophet is sent by God to call Israel to repentance for living disconnected from God.

New Testament Summary

The New Testament focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah and the establishment of the early Christian church. 


The Gospels

 

    • Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John: These four books detail the life, miracles, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah, demonstrating that he is the promised Prophet through his preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Moreover, demonstrating that he is the promised Saviour who came to die for humanity’s sins who was subsequently resurrected by the One God, the Father; proving without doubt, that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah.

       

      • Matthew: portrays Jesus as Israel’s true king.
      • Mark: focuses on both Jesus’ servanthood and authority.
      • Luke: tells the full story of Jesus’ life, drawing together eyewitness testimonies.
      • John: In order to convince readers that Jesus is the Messiah, John tells stories of signs and miracles performed by Jesus, in the hope that readers would believe in Jesus.
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History

 

  • Acts: Chronicles the spread of the “Gospel” (Good News) from Jerusalem to the rest of the world by the apostles and early believers, guided by God’s holy spirit. 

Letters (Epistles)

Letters written to various churches and individuals to encourage them in their faith, address specific issues, and provide theological teaching. The letters are:

 

  • Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
    1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, Philemon
    (all attributed to Paul).

     

    • Romans: In a letter to the churches in Rome, where he intends to visit, Paul summarises how the gospel of Jesus works.
    • 1 Corinthians: An answer to some questions about Christian behavior is given in
      Paul’s disciplinary letter to a fractured church in Corinth.
    • 2 Corinthians: In this letter, Paul offers reconciliation to the church at Corinth, and addresses concerns they may have.
    • Galatians: When Paul hears the Galatian churches are bewitched/duped by false teachers that salvation comes through the law of Moses, he writes a very stern letter explaining where they are wrong.
    • Ephesians: The apostle Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about walking in grace, peace, and love.
    • Philippians: Paul’s encouraging letter to the church of Philippi explains how to have joy in Christ.
    • Colossians:
      Paul writes to the church at Colossae about what it means to be a Christian and how to walk as a Christian.
    • 1 Thessalonians: Having heard a good report about the church in Thessalonica,
      Paul urges them to “excel still more” in faith, hope, and love.
    • 2 Thessalonians: The church in Thessalonica is instructed by Paul to stand firm until Jesus returns.
    • 1 Timothy: Paul instructs young Timothy on how to lead a church with sound teaching and godly example.
    • 2 Timothy: Timothy is encouraged by Paul to carry on preaching the word of God as Paul nears the end of his life.
    • Titus: Titus receives advice from Paul on how to organise and lead the church on the island of Crete.
    • Philemon: Philemon is strongly advised to accept his runaway slave as a brother, not as a slave.
  • Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude
    (General Epistles by various authors).

     

    • Hebrews: This letter encourages Christians to hold onto Christ despite persecution, as he is greater than any persecution they may face.
    • James: This letter explains that Christian living should demonstrate their faith in action.
    • 1 Peter: In this letter, Peter writes to Christians who are being persecuted encouraging them to testify and live according to the truth.
    • 2 Peter: In this letter, Peter reminds Christians of Jesus’ truth and warns them about the coming of false teachers.
    • 1 John: Keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and knowing important things are among the things John writes to Christians.
    • 2 John: The purpose of this letter is to encourage Christians to walk in truth, love, and obedience.
    • 3 John: This letter is about Christian fellowship.
    • Jude: In spite of ungodly persons creeping into the church unnoticed, Christians are encouraged to contend for the faith.


Prophecy

 

  • Revelation: A book of prophecy using symbolic imagery to depict end-times events, the ultimate triumph of God over evil, and the promise of Jesus’ second coming. 

Overall theme

  • The Bible tells a single, unified story of God’s plan to save humanity and restore this planet to Paradise.
  • The Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) sets up the need for a saviour, and the New Testament presents Jesus as that Saviour, who came to confirm the promises of the Hebrew Bible.
  • The New Testament concludes with the promise of Jesus’ future return to bring about the final change and restoration of all things.
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