Overview

Scripture in time

One story from creation to new creation. Use the era overview for themes and periods, or books by events to compare canonical order with a conservative event-time order for all 66 books (not composition dates). Both views are keyed to the King James Bible as in this app. Dates and ordering are approximate; orientation, not precision, is the goal. Read Scripture in Read (KJV).

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66 books, KJV names. Compare table-of-contents order with event-time order—longer explanations are below the list.

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Canonical is table-of-contents (1–66). Chronological by events follows each book’s main historical setting. Genre tags name each book’s primary kind of writing—see How to read by genre under Reference.

01
Creation through Joseph
Genesis
Narrative / history
Primeval history and patriarchs
Why this positionShowHide
Genesis narrates the earliest events: creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the patriarchs through Joseph.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
02
The exodus and Sinai
Exodus
Narrative / history
Moses and the covenant at Sinai
Why this positionShowHide
The narrative centers on Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the covenant law given at Sinai (Exodus–Deuteronomy).
Old TestamentOpen in reader
03
Wilderness / tabernacle
Leviticus
Law
Israel at Sinai in Levitical law
Why this positionShowHide
Prescribes worship and holiness for the camp around the tabernacle during the wilderness generation.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
04
Wilderness wandering
Numbers
Narrative / history
From Sinai toward Canaan
Why this positionShowHide
Records Israel journey and trials in the wilderness after Sinai.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
05
Moab before entry
Deuteronomy
Law
Moses final words before Canaan
Why this positionShowHide
Moses restates the law on the plains of Moab as Israel prepares to enter the land.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
06
Conquest of Canaan
Joshua
Narrative / history
Israel under Joshua
Why this positionShowHide
The conquest and allotment of the land under Joshua leadership.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
07
Judges period
Judges
Narrative / history
Tribes in the land before monarchy
Why this positionShowHide
The cycles of judges when Israel had no king; events before the united monarchy.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
08
Time of the judges
Ruth
Narrative / history
David ancestors in the judges era
Why this positionShowHide
Set in the days when judges ruled; the line toward David.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
09
Samuel through Saul
1 Samuel
Narrative / history
From judgeship to Saul reign
Why this positionShowHide
Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David; the transition to monarchy.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
10
David reign
2 Samuel
Narrative / history
United kingdom under David
Why this positionShowHide
David reign in Jerusalem and the Davidic covenant.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
11
Solomon through divided kingdom
1 Kings
Narrative / history
Solomon temple through early divided monarchy
Why this positionShowHide
Solomon reign, kingdom split, and prophetic ministry in the north and south.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
12
Divided kingdom to exile
2 Kings
Narrative / history
Ahab through fall of Jerusalem
Why this positionShowHide
Continuation to Assyrian exile of Israel and Babylonian exile of Judah.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
13
Retelling Adam through David
1 Chronicles
Narrative / history
Genealogies and David (overlaps Samuel)
Why this positionShowHide
Retrospective narrative from Adam through David; much overlap with Samuel–Kings in content.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
14
Solomon through exile
2 Chronicles
Narrative / history
Temple and kings to Cyrus edict
Why this positionShowHide
Focus on Judah kings and temple from Solomon through exile and Cyrus decree.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
15
Return from exile
Ezra
Narrative / history
Post-exilic restoration under Ezra
Why this positionShowHide
The return to rebuild the temple and restore the law under Persian rule.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
16
Return and wall
Nehemiah
Narrative / history
Nehemiah in Persian period
Why this positionShowHide
Nehemiah return, wall rebuilding, and covenant renewal.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
17
Persian diaspora
Esther
Narrative / history
Esther in Ahasuerus court
Why this positionShowHide
Jewish survival in the Persian empire; events distinct from the return narrative in Ezra–Nehemiah.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
18
Wisdom debate (setting debated)
Job
Wisdom
Patriarchal or wisdom context (uncertain)
Why this positionShowHide
A poetic exploration of suffering; placed here after Ruth as a conservative patriarchal/wisdom block before the monarchy narratives in Samuel—many other placements are debated.
Note: The story setting is not firmly dated; genre is wisdom dialogue, not annalistic history.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
19
Davidic monarchy and later
Psalms
Poetry
Largely pre-exilic with post-exilic collection
Why this positionShowHide
Many psalms relate to David and the first temple period; the Psalter spans centuries and was shaped over time.
Note: Individual psalms range across periods; the book is placed here after the narrative of David monarchy.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
20
Solomonic wisdom
Proverbs
Wisdom
Mostly associated with Solomon wisdom tradition
Why this positionShowHide
Solomon and other wise men; traditional setting is the united monarchy.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
21
Wisdom reflection
Ecclesiastes
Wisdom
The Preacher’s words (Ecclesiastes 1:1)
Why this positionShowHide
The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem; vanity under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:1–2).
Old TestamentOpen in reader
22
Wisdom poetry
Song of Solomon
Poetry
Song tradition
Why this positionShowHide
Poetic love poetry; traditionally linked to Solomon in title.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
23
Judah in the days of named kings
Isaiah
Prophecy
As Isaiah 1:1 (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah)
Why this positionShowHide
Prophecy concerning Judah and Jerusalem before Jerusalem’s later captivity (Isaiah 1:1–39).
Old TestamentOpen in reader
24
Late monarchy and exile
Jeremiah
Prophecy
Before and after Jerusalem’s fall (Jeremiah 1:3; 39; 52)
Why this positionShowHide
Prophecy through Judah’s last kings and the captivity; lament over Jerusalem (Jeremiah, Lamentations).
Old TestamentOpen in reader
25
After Jerusalem fall
Lamentations
Poetry
Mourning the temple
Why this positionShowHide
Laments for destroyed Jerusalem; follows Jeremiah era.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
26
Babylonian exile
Ezekiel
Prophecy
Among the exiles by Chebar
Why this positionShowHide
Prophecy to the exiles in Babylon before and after Jerusalem fall.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
27
Exile and Persian courts
Daniel
Apocalyptic
Daniel in Babylon and Persia
Why this positionShowHide
Narratives and visions in the royal courts from exile through Persian rule.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
28
Northern kingdom
Hosea
Prophecy
As Hosea 1:1 (Jeroboam, days of Uzziah, etc.)
Why this positionShowHide
The word of the LORD to Hosea in the days named in Hosea 1:1.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
29
(Tradition varies)
Joel
Prophecy
Locust plague and day of the Lord
Why this positionShowHide
The word of the LORD that came to Joel (Joel 1:1); locusts and the day of the LORD.
Note: Joel 1:1 does not name kings as other prophets often do; placement among the prophets is conventional, not a claim of precision from the text alone.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
30
Northern kingdom
Amos
Prophecy
As Amos 1:1 (Jeroboam, two years before the earthquake)
Why this positionShowHide
Judgments on Israel and the nations as Amos 1–2 declare.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
31
Edom judgment
Obadiah
Prophecy
Short oracle against Edom
Why this positionShowHide
A vision of Obadiah concerning Edom’s fall (Obadiah 1).
Old TestamentOpen in reader
32
Assyrian Nineveh
Jonah
Narrative / history
Jonah mission
Why this positionShowHide
Prophetic narrative set in Nineveh under Assyrian power.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
33
Judah
Micah
Prophecy
As Micah 1:1 (Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah)
Why this positionShowHide
Prophecy concerning Samaria and Jerusalem in the days named in Micah 1:1.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
34
Nineveh fall
Nahum
Prophecy
Nineveh’s end (Nahum 1–3)
Why this positionShowHide
The burden of Nineveh; the LORD is slow to anger but will not acquit the wicked (Nahum 1:1–3).
Old TestamentOpen in reader
35
Judah before Babylon
Habakkuk
Prophecy
Before the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 1:6)
Why this positionShowHide
The prophet’s burden and dialogue with the LORD before Judah’s trouble (Habakkuk 1–2).
Old TestamentOpen in reader
36
Judah in Josiah’s days
Zephaniah
Prophecy
As Zephaniah 1:1 (Josiah son of Amon)
Why this positionShowHide
The word of the LORD in the days of Josiah (Zephaniah 1:1); the day of the LORD against Judah.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
37
Post-exilic temple
Haggai
Prophecy
After return under Zerubbabel
Why this positionShowHide
Temple rebuilding in the early Persian return.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
38
Post-exilic temple
Zechariah
Prophecy
With Haggai and later visions
Why this positionShowHide
Prophecy after return, temple restoration, and messianic hope.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
39
Post-exilic community
Malachi
Prophecy
The LORD’s word to Israel by Malachi (Malachi 1:1)
Why this positionShowHide
The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi (Malachi 1:1); closes the Old Testament in the KJV order.
Old TestamentOpen in reader
40
Life of Jesus
Matthew
Parables
Public ministry and passion
Why this positionShowHide
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1); his life, death, and resurrection.
New TestamentOpen in reader
41
Life of Jesus
Mark
Parables
Public ministry and passion
Why this positionShowHide
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; his ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection (Mark 1:1; 16).
New TestamentOpen in reader
42
Life of Jesus
Luke
Parables
Public ministry and passion
Why this positionShowHide
A declaration of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection; good tidings to all people (Luke 1–2; 24).
New TestamentOpen in reader
43
Life of Jesus
John
Narrative / history
Public ministry and passion
Why this positionShowHide
Signs that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; his passion and resurrection (John 20:31).
New TestamentOpen in reader
44
Early church
Acts
Narrative / history
From ascension to Paul Rome
Why this positionShowHide
The acts of the apostles after Christ’s ascension; the gospel spread to Samaria and the Gentiles (Acts 1:8; 28).
New TestamentOpen in reader
45
Pauline mission
Romans
Epistles
Paul’s letter to Rome
Why this positionShowHide
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, writes to the Romans (Romans 1:1–17).
New TestamentOpen in reader
46
Pauline mission
1 Corinthians
Epistles
Corinth church issues
Why this positionShowHide
Paul addresses divisions, worship, and resurrection in Corinth.
New TestamentOpen in reader
47
Pauline mission
2 Corinthians
Epistles
Paul defense and appeal
Why this positionShowHide
Paul apostolic ministry and collection for Jerusalem.
New TestamentOpen in reader
48
Pauline mission (early)
Galatians
Epistles
Paul apostolic letters
Why this positionShowHide
Paul, an apostle, writes to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2); justification by faith without the deeds of the law.
New TestamentOpen in reader
49
Pauline imprisonment (traditional)
Ephesians
Epistles
Prison letters
Why this positionShowHide
Paul’s epistle to the saints at Ephesus; Christ’s headship and the church as his body (Ephesians 1:22–23).
New TestamentOpen in reader
50
Pauline imprisonment (traditional)
Philippians
Epistles
Prison letters
Why this positionShowHide
Joy and partnership from prison to Philippi.
New TestamentOpen in reader
51
Pauline imprisonment (traditional)
Colossians
Epistles
Prison letters
Why this positionShowHide
Supremacy of Christ in Colossae.
New TestamentOpen in reader
52
Pauline mission
1 Thessalonians
Epistles
Early Pauline letters
Why this positionShowHide
Encouragement about Christ return and the church in Thessalonica.
New TestamentOpen in reader
53
Pauline mission
2 Thessalonians
Epistles
Follow-up to Thessalonica
Why this positionShowHide
Clarification on the day of the Lord and perseverance.
New TestamentOpen in reader
54
Pastoral letters
1 Timothy
Epistles
Pauline pastoral
Why this positionShowHide
Instructions to Timothy in Ephesus.
New TestamentOpen in reader
55
Pastoral letters
2 Timothy
Epistles
Paul final charge
Why this positionShowHide
Paul final words to Timothy.
New TestamentOpen in reader
56
Pastoral letters
Titus
Epistles
Pauline pastoral
Why this positionShowHide
Instructions to Titus in Crete.
New TestamentOpen in reader
57
Pauline imprisonment (traditional)
Philemon
Epistles
Prison letter
Why this positionShowHide
Personal appeal to Philemon on Onesimus.
New TestamentOpen in reader
58
Apostolic age
Hebrews
Epistles
God spake by his Son (Hebrews 1:1–2)
Why this positionShowHide
God’s speech by his Son, better than angels and Moses; exhortation to faith and perseverance (Hebrews 1–12). The text does not name the human author.
Note: The letter does not name its writer; order among the epistles in this list follows a common arrangement, not a claim from the text.
New TestamentOpen in reader
59
Apostolic age
James
Epistles
James 1:1 (twelve tribes scattered abroad)
Why this positionShowHide
James, a servant of God, to the twelve tribes; faith and works (James 1:1; 2:14–26).
New TestamentOpen in reader
60
Apostolic age
1 Peter
Epistles
Peter to the dispersion
Why this positionShowHide
Suffering and hope in the churches.
New TestamentOpen in reader
61
Apostolic age
2 Peter
Epistles
Peter final warnings
Why this positionShowHide
False teachers and day of the Lord.
New TestamentOpen in reader
62
Apostolic age
1 John
Epistles
Letters of John
Why this positionShowHide
That which was from the beginning; fellowship with God and trying the spirits (1 John 1:1–4; 4:1).
New TestamentOpen in reader
63
Apostolic age
2 John
Epistles
Letter of John
Why this positionShowHide
The elder’s letter to the elect lady; walk in truth (2 John 1–6).
New TestamentOpen in reader
64
Apostolic age
3 John
Epistles
Letter of John
Why this positionShowHide
The elder to Gaius; hospitality and Diotrephes (3 John 1–10).
New TestamentOpen in reader
65
Apostolic age
Jude
Epistles
Jude exhortation
Why this positionShowHide
Contend for the faith once delivered.
New TestamentOpen in reader
66
Apocalyptic vision
Revelation
Apocalyptic
Patmos vision; future consummation
Why this positionShowHide
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to John on Patmos (Revelation 1:1, 9); letters to the seven churches and visions of judgment and the new heaven and earth.
Note: The book itself speaks of things which must shortly come to pass and of the time at hand (Revelation 1:1, 3); much of the content is prophecy of judgment and final glory—ordering here is by the narrative frame of the text, not a full chronology of the age to come.
New TestamentOpen in reader

About this book order

Book titles and the 66-book canon match the King James Bible as used in this app. Ordering reflects the narrative setting of each book’s content as the KJV text presents it—not composition dates and not invented chronology. Where the KJV does not name a king or year, placement is approximate and uncertainty is noted. Stable book IDs (1–66) are unchanged for URLs; use Read with translation KJV to check wording.

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Sort the book list

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 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

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

Sort the book list

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings