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Chronological Book Order Chart
English Old Testament Bible
Paul J. Bucknell
Purpose: Graphically show the Old Testament (OT) chronological Bible book order. Click here to see the Hebrew Bible book order
Chronological Book Order Chart
English Old Testament Bible
Click chronological chart for bigger chart.
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THE OT BOOKS
The English(1) OT Bible is separated into four sections according to emphasis rather than time sequence.
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The OT Law or Torah or Pentateuch stands as a foundation for all the other OT books and in many ways the New Testament(2) . This is the reason the five books of Moses are placed on the bottom of the chart above. The Law is where the terms for the relationship with God were established. The Law is also called the OT covenant. All the laws set forth two major themes which described:
- how God would care and respond to man's needs
- what is expected of man in both his relationships with God and other men.
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The twelve Historical Books chronologically follow the Law but are grouped together because of their common purpose. They describe how God differently responded to His people depending on their response to His Law. They are commonly separated into three sections:
- Pre–Kingdom Era.
Joshua, Judges and Ruth were written before the Israelites insisted and gaining a king. - Kingdom Era
These six books were written during the united kingdom period as well as the divided kingdom period. The later period was split into the south (Judah) and the north (Israel). Each had its own king. The north was captured in 721 B.C.; the south in 586 B.C.
- Post–Kingdom Era
Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther were written during this period that led God's people back into the land. They had no king during this time.
- Pre–Kingdom Era.
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The five Poetical Books were mostly written during the time of 2 Samuel by Kings David and Solomon. The book of Job was written during the period of Genesis. These books relate the inner and outer struggles God's people have as they try to live by God's law.
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The Prophetical Books are chronologically separated into three distinct periods.
- Pre– exilic period. Most of the prophetical books were written in this pre–exilic period before Judah and Israel were taken captive. These prophets challenged God's people to return to the LORD as the Law said lest the judgments written in the Law would take place including captivity. These twelve books were written during the 2 Kings period.
- Exilic– period. Only Ezekiel and Daniel were written during the time God's people were hostage in foreign lands.
- Post–exilic period. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi were written after the exiles returned back to the land. The northern kingdom which was taken to Assyria was not heard from again. Only a remnant of Judah returned from Babylon.
There are other ways to view the prophets such as major (longer) and minor (shorter) or the place of their recipients (i.e. north or south kingdom, other countries).
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Chronological Perspective of the Old Testament
This chronological perspective of the Old Testament helps us understand the background of each book. Every Christian should have a good understanding of the Old Testament in general and a good understanding of at least several of the OT books. See our historical and chronological map of the Old Testament!
A good Bible reading program is available and should be utilized before one develops the habit of regularly reading through the Old Testament. By regularly referring to the above chart, one can keep from getting 'lost.' We suggest that the Old Testament be read once a year.
Free OT and NT Chronological Bible Book mark!
Check out out chronological Bible book order and traditional Bible book order free bookmarks. Complete with and OT and NT chronological chart on the back!
Notes
(1) The Hebrew canon is set up somewhat differently. We always need to remember this above chart is a learning tool. The English Bible does not have the 'biblical' way. Other than the Law being the first five foundational books, there seems to be no 'biblical' order. This is true of the New Testament too.
(2) Matthew 5:17-19
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19, NASB).
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40).
The Extent of the BibleWhy aren't other books part of the Bible? |
OLD TESTAMENT ARTICLESIncluding many maps and diagrams |
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| OT Survey Chronological Chart of OT Books Hebrew Bible Books/ Canon Old Testament Geographical Historical Map OT Law, Pentateuch Genesis Index Introduction to Genesis Outline and Genealogies Unified Themes of Genesis Genealogy Time Chart: Genesis 5 Genealogy Time Chart: Genesis 11 Ancient History - Chronology Tracing the Two Seeds Of Mankind Genesis 1:1-2:3 The Worship of the Creator The Meaning of Creation Creation Lessons on God. God and the World's Religions Genesis & Birth Control Genesis 2:4-17 Preparation for Man (Genesis 2:4-6) Creation of Man (Gen. 2:7, 1:26-27) Purpose for Man (Genesis 2:8-17) Good and evil from Genesis 2 Genesis 2-9 Genesis 2:18-25 Great Marriages Happen! Genesis 2:18-25 The Foundation of Marriage Genesis 2:24 Leave & Cleave: Practical thoughts Genesis 5: Time chart of patriarchs (1) Genesis 5: Enoch's Secret Word: Methusaleh (1) Genesis 6:1-3 Finding a Wife the wrong and right way Genesis 12-22 Abraham's Life Genesis 12.1 The Call Genesis 12.2-3 The Promises Genesis 12:10-20; 20; Place Detour: Genesis 12.13-14 Person Detour Genesis 15 The Means Genesis 16-17 Procedure Detour Genesis 16,17,22 Consequences of failing to wait for God Genesis 22 The Testing Genesis 25-37 Jacob's Life Influence of Sin God and Man's Sin Understanding Man's Sin Nature Understanding Jacob's Sins Genesis 50:15-26 Grace to Freely Forgive (Joseph) Exodus Exodus 3:14 Discussion of "I am" and Yahweh Exodus 20:5-6 Influence of Parents Exodus 33:7-11 Building Excitement for Devotions Exodus 33:12-19 Biblical Word Study on 'Grace' Numbers Numbers Overview, Intro, Themes (The Lord's Battle) Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 22:5 Gender Culture Sins |
OT Historical Books Joshua Introduction, Outline and Purpose of Joshua Historical/Geographical Map of Joshua Map of Palestine before the Conquest Joshua & Resolving Marital Conflict (many passages) Joshua 1:8 Diagram of Meditation's Importance Judges Background Outline Theme (Cycle of Decline and Revival) Judges 2:10-19 Evaluating our Spiritual Lives Judges 13-16 Samson 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 16:6-13 Full-time Ministry 2 Chronicles/Ezra 2 Chronicles 6-7 Prayer & Revival 2 Chronicles 6:14-42 King Solomon's prayer 2 Chronicles 7.12-15 God's Promise for Revival 2 Chronicles 7.14 Revival P A R (3) 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 Prayer: Study Questions Ezra Ezra Overview, Ezra Outline Ezra Questions Ezra 9-10 Marrying a Non-Christian Ezra 9:8-10 At the Heart of Revival Nehemiah Overview of Nehemiah Historical Picture of Nehemiah and Ezra Complete Nehemiah series (21 sermons+)
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Micah
Micah Themes & Background Micah Outline Summary Micah 4:1-5 Mountain of the Lord Questions Micah 4:11-5:5 Commentary Zephaniah study - Call to Revival Gathering Before His Throne Relevance to our Lives | Historical | Overview A.Voluntarily Gathering 1:1-2:3 Questions | Notes | Outline B.Willingly Gathering 2:3-3:13 Questions | Notes | Outline C. Gladly Gathering 3:14-3:20 Questions | Notes | Outline Haggai studies: Rebuilding the Temple Haggai Introduction Haggai 1:1-11 Notes Questions Haggai 1:12-2:9 Notes Questions Haggai 2:10-23 Notes Questions Discovering Effective Leadership in Haggai Overcoming Discouragement and Depression in Haggai |