The Bible 101
The Bible is an enigma to most. Perhaps if one had the desire to know a little more, it would still be confusing going to a gazillion websites with no guidance. In this article, I will give just a few facts about each book of the Bible in order to get you to want to read them. Reading the Bible can be a daunting task, especially if you approach it in that way. People read the Bible for various and sundry reasons. However, in this chaotic climate, most are seeking answers.
In order to fully grasp the Bible, all you have to do is understand a few things. First, it is NOT in chronological order all the way through. This confuses people but it is necessary when studying certain portions. Two, like most Holy books, it has life changing words if one cares to look for them. Once found, they must be applied to your life. Third, enjoy it. Reading the Bible is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Instead of trying to read and comprehend an entire chapter at once, try reading a select verse over and over and see if it applies to your life. For example, everyone knows John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life". The main challenge here for a new reader of the Bible is to know who John is and what do the numbers 3:16 mean.
Because there are 66 books, I will keep these brief. However, the information for each should be very helpful to a beginner. I will do subsequent articles on each book with a little more detail. By the way, when you see 3:16, as is above, that simply means the 3 is the chapter it is found in and the 16 is the verse in that chapter. John 3:16 would be the book of John, the third chapter, and the sixteenth verse.
Genesis -
Written by Moses
Date written is around 1,688 B.C.
It is the first book of the Bible
The general idea of Genesis is it takes you from the creation of everything through the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob (Israel). It covers quite a bit of history and is broken down into two sections. The first 11 chapters are the beginning of mankind. Chapters 12-50 are the account of a family that becomes the nation of Israel.
Exodus -
Written by Moses
Date written is around 1,688 B.C.
It is the second book of the Bible
The general idea of Exodus is the nation of Israel leaving their bondage in Egypt and learning to trust in God
Leviticus -
Written by Moses
Date written is around 1,686 B.C.
It is the third book of the Bible
The general idea of Leviticus is where the Israelites learn the law and sacrifices from God. This ensures holiness for the people to be able to communicate with a Holy God.
Numbers -
Written by Moses
Date written is around 1,686 B.C.
It is the fourth book of the Bible
The general idea of Numbers is the wilderness wanderings. What was supposed to be a few weeks turned into forty years.
Deuteronomy -
Written by Moses
Date written is around 1,645 B.C.
It is the fifth book of the Bible
The general idea of Deuteronomy is Moses gives three amazing sermons to remind the people exactly what God has done for them before entering the Promised Land.
Joshua -
Written by Joshua (a few believe Samuel)
Date written is between 1,646-1,616 B.C.
It is the sixth book of the Bible
The general idea of Joshua is it is a book of victory and conquest. The Promised Land is taken by the Israelites with the help of God
Judges -
Written by most likely, Samuel.
Date written is unknown but if by Samuel, it would have been around 1,126 B.C.
It is the seventh book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Judges is to see just how far the people had fallen by not honoring God. A judge was someone set over the people and while some were good, some were very bad.
Ruth -
Written by most likely Samuel
Date written would be between 1,163-1,23 B.C.
It is the eighth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Ruth is a young woman who married the kinsman redeemer in which shows the very model of Jesus Christ redeeming us.
1 Samuel -
Written by Isaiah who put it together from records accumulated by Samuel, David, Nathan, and Gad.
Date written would be between 743 and 683 B.C.
It is the ninth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of 1 Samuel is a priest's view of the first king of Israel, Saul, and the second king of Israel, David.
2 Samuel -
Written Isaiah who put it together as was done with 1 Samuel. The two were originally one text
Date written would be between 743 and 683 B.C.
It is the tenth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of 2 Samuel is the details of the life of King David, the greatest king in Israel's history.
1 Kings -
Written by Isaiah and Jeremiah from records compiled.
Date written would be about 782-616 B.C.
It is the eleventh book of the Bible.
The general idea of the book of 1 Kings is a look at King Solomon's reign and life. It also includes subsequent kings of Israel.
2 Kings -
Written by Isaiah and Jeremiah as 1 Kings
Date written would be about 782 -616 B.C.
It is the twelfth book of the Bible.
The general idea of the book of 2 Kings is the completion of the kings of Israel on record.
1 Chronicles -
Written by Isaiah and Ezra
Date written would be between 743-683 b.c. and 546-461 B.C.
It is the thirteenth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of 1 Chronicles is to lay out the recorded history of Israel with lots of records, facts, and figures.
2 Chronicles -
Written by Isaiah and Ezra from compiled records
Date written would be about 743-683 b.c. and 546-461 B.C.
It is the fourteenth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of 2 Chronicles is a completion of the recorded history of Israel with lots of records, facts, and figures.
Ezra -
Written by Ezra
Date written would be about 546-461 B.C.
It is the fifteenth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Ezra is about a group of exiles returning to their land and restoring worship of the Lord. Ezra leads the second group of exiles back and reestablishes Mosaic law.
Nehemiah -
Written by either Ezra or Nehemiah. Most agree it would include both in the work.
Date written would be between 446 and 430 B.C.
It is the sixteenth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Nehemiah is the newly returned people rebuilt the walls of Israel and renewed their commitment to God as His covenant people.
Esther -
Written by Ezra
Date written would be around 516-506 B.C.
It is the seventeenth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Esther is the courage of a young Jewish girl that becomes queen to save her people from guaranteed extinction.
Job -
Written by an unknown author. Some ascribe it to Moses and some to Job himself.
Date written is unknown although most agree it was between 1,843-1,703 B.C.
It is the eighteenth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Job is the amazing trials that Job endured and the insight given by God to us about spiritual warfare, His creation, and so much science.
Psalms -
Written by a number of authors which include Moses, David, Asaph, Solomon, Ethan, Heman, the Sons of Korah, and unknown contributors.
Date written would have them compiled around 400 B.C. although they were actually written between 1,500 and 450 B.C.
It is the nineteenth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Psalms is it is a compilation of songs that speak to the heart of any matter that you encounter. The most beautiful words ever written are found within these 150 songs.
Proverbs -
Written by Solomon with additions by Hezekiah and an unknown author.
Date written would be around 950 B.C.
It is the twentieth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Proverbs is great wisdom that was given to Solomon by God. He shares this wisdom that is timeless.
Ecclesiastes -
Written by Solomon
Date written would be around 1,000 B.C.
It is the twenty-first book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Ecclesiastes is no matter how much you accumulate here on earth, you will leave it behind. What you do with it in that time matters most.
Song of Solomon -
Written by Solomon
Date written would be about 1,000 B.C.
It is the twenty-second book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Song of Solomon show the love between a man and a woman in its physical, emotional, and spiritual form.
Isaiah -
Written by Isaiah
Date written would be between 792-722 B.C.
It is the twenty-third book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Isaiah is that the prophet tells of predicted Babylonian captivity and that God would restore His people through the coming Messiah.
Jeremiah -
Written by Jeremiah
Date written would be between 685-616 B.C.
It is the twenty-fourth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Jeremiah is the prophet is anguished by the burden of his call and the rejection of his message. He warns of the Babylonian captivity and how God will restore His people.
Lamentations -
Written by Jeremiah
Date written would be about 616 B.C.
It is the twenty-fifth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Lamentations is Jeremiah's complete sorrow for his country and their judgment. He describes the devastation of the Jerusalem and his personal sorrow.
Ezekiel -
Written by Ezekiel
Date written would be between 622-600 B.C.
It is the twenty-sixth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Ezekiel is that the prophet, while in captivity, writes stunning visions and symbolic acts to teach God's sovereign plan over the history of His kingdom.
Daniel -
Written by Daniel
Date written would be between 616-536 B.C.
It is the twenty-seventh book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Daniel is the prophet shows tremendous trust in God and prophetic plans for the future that God has for the entire world.
Hosea -
Written by Hosea
Date written would be between 781-711 B.C.
It is the twenty-eighth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Hosea is the prophet is told to marry a harlot to show the relationship between God and His people.
Joel -
Written by Joel
Date written would be between 795-755 B.C.
It is the twenty-ninth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Joel is that the people should interpret a severe plague of locusts as forerunner of "The Day of the Lord" and that He will consume pagan nations.
Amos -
Written by Amos
Date written would be between 8240810 B.C.
It is the thirtieth book of the Bible.
The general idea of the book of Amos is a general rebuke of the nations surrounding Israel but also for Israel to repent of injustice and idolatry or they will be sent into exile; again.
Obadiah -
Written by Obadiah
Date written would be between 899-795 B.C.
It is the thirty-first book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Obadiah is it prophesies against Edom because of its pride and violence as well as it looking down on Judah's misfortune.
Jonah -
Written by Jonah
Date written would be between 853-824 B.C.
It is the thirty-second book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Jonah is the repentance of one of the worst cities on the planet by a reluctant prophet who was a true patriot to his country.
Micah -
Written by Micah
Date written would be between 772-722 B.C.
It is the thirty-third book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Micah is the land of Judah must repent of their idolatry and injustice or else go into exile. They would be restored by the coming Ruler from Bethlehem.
Nahum -
Written by Nahum
Date written would be between 786-757 B.C.
It is the thirty-fourth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Nahum is the prophet prophecies against Nineveh because of its wickedness and that it would never rise again.
Habakkuk -
Written by Habakkuk
Date written would be between 679-648 B.C.
It is the thirty-fifth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Habakkuk is the prophet questioning God on the nature of evil and its punishment. God answers by revealing His sovereignty and righteousness. Habakkuk responds by worship and faith.
Zephaniah -
Written by Zephaniah
Date written would be between 679-648 B.C.
It is the thirty-sixth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Zephaniah is that although the prophet's message was against the nations, it was mainly against Judah. Judah's sins were serious enough to send them into exile but later be restored to righteousness
Haggai -
Written by Haggai
Date written would be between 557-525 B.C.
It is the thirty-seventh book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Haggai is God commanding the people to rebuild the temple. God promises the glory of the second temple will exceed the first.
Zechariah -
Written by Zechariah
Date written would be between 557-525 B.C.
It is the thirty-eighth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Zechariah is the prophet, through night visions and prophecies, predicts the welfare of Jerusalem as God's Holy city as well as the "King, Servant, Branch" would ride into town on a donkey.
Malachi -
Written by Malachi
Date written would be between 557-525 B.C.
It is the thirty-ninth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Malachi is God rebukes His people for specific violations of the covenant; laws, sacrifices, divorce, tithe, etc. He also prophecies of the coming Messenger who will set all things right.
Matthew -
Written by Matthew
Date written would be about 37 A.D.
It is the fortieth book of the Bible
The general idea of the book of Matthew is to give one of the four perspectives of the life of Jesus Christ. This book shows Jesus as the awaited Messiah.
Mark -
Written by Mark
Date written would be between 57-63 A.D.