Books of the Bible and Their Traditional Authors

📜 Old Testament

BookTraditional AuthorNotes
GenesisMosesPart of the Torah
ExodusMosesIsrael’s deliverance
LeviticusMosesPriestly laws
NumbersMosesWilderness journey
DeuteronomyMosesCovenant renewal
JoshuaJoshuaConquest of Canaan
JudgesSamuelEarly Israelite history
RuthSamuelLineage of David
1 SamuelUnknown (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, Gad)Early monarchy
2 SamuelSame as aboveDavid’s reign
1 KingsUnknown (traditionally Jeremiah)Solomon to exile
2 KingsSame as aboveFall of Israel & Judah
1 ChroniclesEzraGenealogies & David
2 ChroniclesEzraKings of Judah
EzraEzraReturn from exile
NehemiahNehemiahRebuilding Jerusalem
EstherUnknown (traditionally Mordecai)Persian‑era story
JobUnknown (traditionally Moses)Wisdom literature
PsalmsMultiple authorsDavid, Asaph, Korah, etc.
ProverbsSolomon (with others)Wisdom sayings
EcclesiastesSolomonReflections on life
Song of SolomonSolomonLove poetry
IsaiahIsaiahMajor prophet
JeremiahJeremiahWarnings to Judah
LamentationsJeremiahPoems of mourning
EzekielEzekielVisions in exile
DanielDanielApocalyptic visions
HoseaHoseaNorthern kingdom prophet
JoelJoelDay of the Lord
AmosAmosJustice and judgment
ObadiahObadiahJudgment on Edom
JonahJonahProphet to Nineveh
MicahMicahJudgment and hope
NahumNahumFall of Nineveh
HabakkukHabakkukDialogue with God
ZephaniahZephaniahDay of the Lord
HaggaiHaggaiRebuilding the temple
ZechariahZechariahVisions and prophecy
MalachiMalachiFinal OT prophet

📗 New Testament

BookTraditional AuthorNotes
MatthewMatthewApostle, tax collector
MarkJohn MarkBased on Peter’s preaching
LukeLukePhysician, companion of Paul
JohnJohnApostle, “beloved disciple”
ActsLukeSequel to the Gospel of Luke
RomansPaulFoundational theology
1 CorinthiansPaulChurch correction
2 CorinthiansPaulDefense of ministry
GalatiansPaulFaith vs. law
EphesiansPaulUnity in Christ
PhilippiansPaulJoy in suffering
ColossiansPaulSupremacy of Christ
1 ThessaloniansPaulEncouragement & hope
2 ThessaloniansPaulClarifying end times
1 TimothyPaulPastoral instruction
2 TimothyPaulFinal letter
TitusPaulChurch leadership
PhilemonPaulAppeal for Onesimus
HebrewsUnknown (traditionally Paul, others suggested)High priesthood of Christ
JamesJames (brother of Jesus)Faith and works
1 PeterPeterSuffering & hope
2 PeterPeterWarnings & growth
1 JohnJohnLove & truth
2 JohnJohnTruth & discernment
3 JohnJohnHospitality & leadership
JudeJude (brother of Jesus)Contending for the faith
RevelationJohnApocalyptic visions

In One Sentence

The books of the Bible were written by kings, prophets, apostles, priests, poets, and anonymous scribes across more than a thousand years, forming a unified yet diverse library of sacred history, wisdom, prophecy, and testimony.