What Is the Bible?

The Bible at a Glance

The Bible is a collection of sacred texts central to Christianity and Judaism. The word "Bible" comes from the Greek biblia, meaning "books" — and that's exactly what it is: a library of 66 books (73 in Catholic traditions) written by dozens of authors over roughly 1,500 years, from approximately 1200 BCE to 100 CE.

These books span an extraordinary range of literary genres: history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, apocalyptic visions, and narrative storytelling. Despite this diversity, the Bible tells a coherent story — the relationship between God and humanity, from creation to redemption.

The Bible remains the best-selling and most widely distributed book in history. An estimated 5 billion copies have been printed. It has been translated into over 700 languages, with portions available in more than 3,500 languages. Whether you approach it as sacred scripture, historical literature, or cultural artifact, understanding the Bible is essential to understanding Western civilization.

The Two Main Divisions

The Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)

The Old Testament contains 39 books (in Protestant traditions) that form the Hebrew Bible, known in Judaism as the Tanakh. These books record the creation of the world, the history of ancient Israel, the laws given to Moses, the wisdom of kings and prophets, and poetry that captures the full range of human experience.

The Old Testament is organized into four sections:

• The Pentateuch (Torah): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy — the foundational books covering creation, the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, and the Law
• Historical Books: Joshua through Esther — the story of Israel from conquest to exile and return
• Wisdom & Poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon — reflections on life, suffering, love, and devotion
• Prophets: Isaiah through Malachi — calls to justice, warnings of judgment, and visions of hope

The New Testament

The New Testament contains 27 books written in the first century CE, all focused on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church. These include:

• The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John — four accounts of Jesus's life, ministry, death, and resurrection
• Acts of the Apostles: The history of the early church after Jesus's ascension
• The Epistles (Letters): Paul's letters to early churches and individuals, plus general letters from other apostles
• Revelation: An apocalyptic vision of God's ultimate plan for creation

How the Bible Was Written

The Bible was not written as a single book by a single author. It is the collected writings of prophets, kings, fishermen, tax collectors, scholars, and shepherds across more than a millennium. Some books were oral traditions before being written down; others were composed as letters to specific communities.

The original languages are:

• Hebrew: Most of the Old Testament
• Aramaic: Portions of Daniel and Ezra, and likely the spoken language of Jesus
• Greek: The entire New Testament, written in Koine (common) Greek

The process of deciding which books belong in the Bible — called canonization — occurred over centuries. The Jewish canon was broadly settled by the 2nd century CE. The Christian New Testament canon was largely agreed upon by the 4th century, with the councils of Hippo (393 CE) and Carthage (397 CE) confirming the 27 books we have today.

Why Read the Bible?

People read the Bible for many different reasons:

• Faith and devotion: For billions of believers, the Bible is the Word of God — a guide for living, a source of comfort, and a foundation for spiritual practice
• Wisdom and guidance: The Bible addresses virtually every human experience — love, loss, injustice, hope, fear, purpose, and meaning
• Cultural literacy: Western art, literature, music, law, and philosophy are deeply rooted in biblical texts. Understanding the Bible unlocks layers of meaning in works from Shakespeare to Martin Luther King Jr.
• Historical understanding: The Bible provides a window into ancient civilizations, religious practices, and the development of monotheistic thought

How to Start Reading

The Bible is not meant to be read cover to cover like a novel (though you can). Here are some recommended starting points:

• The Gospel of John: The most accessible account of Jesus's life and teachings
• Genesis: The grand opening — creation, the fall, the flood, and the patriarchs
• Psalms: Beautiful poetry for any mood — praise, lament, thanksgiving, and petition
• Proverbs: Practical wisdom for daily living
• Romans: Paul's systematic explanation of Christian theology

The Bible Companion offers 31 translations, side-by-side comparison, and a powerful search engine to help you explore Scripture at your own pace. Whether you prefer the poetic King James Version or a modern translation like the Berean Standard Bible, there's a version that speaks to you.