One of the most common questions people have about the Catholic Bible is how many books are included in it. The Catholic Bible has a unique composition compared to other versions of the Bible, and it’s important to understand what books are contained within it. In this article, we will explore the composition of the Catholic Bible and provide a comprehensive answer to this question.

What are the main sections of the Catholic Bible?

The Catholic Bible consists of two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains the sacred scriptures that were written before the birth of Jesus Christ, while the New Testament includes the accounts of Jesus’ life, teachings, and the early Christian Church.

How many books are in the Catholic Old Testament?

The Catholic Old Testament contains a total of 46 books. These books are further divided into different categories:

  • The Pentateuch: This section includes the first five books of the Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books contain the foundational laws and narratives of the Jewish people.
  • The Historical Books: These include 16 books that recount the history of the Jewish people from their entrance into the Promised Land to their exile.
  • The Wisdom Books: This category consists of 7 books, including Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. These books contain prayers, poetry, and philosophical reflections.
  • The Prophets: The Prophets section is further divided into two categories. The Major Prophets include books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, while the Minor Prophets include shorter books like Micah, Obadiah, and Malachi.

How many books are in the Catholic New Testament?

The Catholic New Testament is made up of 27 books. Here’s how they are divided:

  • The Gospels: The New Testament begins with the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books contain the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • The Acts of the Apostles: This book, written by Luke, details the early days and actions of the apostles after Jesus’ ascension.
  • The Pauline Epistles: These include letters written by the apostle Paul to various early Christian communities.
  • The Catholic Epistles: Also known as general epistles, these letters were written by apostles other than Paul and are addressed to the universal Church.
  • The Book of Revelation: The final book in the New Testament, the Book of Revelation, contains apocalyptic visions and prophecies.

Are there any additional books in the Catholic Bible?

Yes, the Catholic Bible includes seven additional books in the Old Testament that are not found in other versions of the Bible. These books are:

  • Tobit
  • Judith
  • Wisdom
  • Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus)
  • Baruch
  • 1 Maccabees
  • 2 Maccabees

These books are often referred to as the “Deuterocanonical Books” or the “Apocrypha” by Protestant denominations.

The Catholic Bible consists of 73 books overall, with 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. It includes additional books compared to other versions of the Bible, and these books are of great significance to Catholic theology and tradition. Understanding the composition of the Catholic Bible is essential for anyone seeking to delve deeper into the teachings and scriptures of the Catholic Church.

Quest'articolo è stato scritto a titolo esclusivamente informativo e di divulgazione. Per esso non è possibile garantire che sia esente da errori o inesattezze, per cui l’amministratore di questo Sito non assume alcuna responsabilità come indicato nelle note legali pubblicate in Termini e Condizioni
Quanto è stato utile questo articolo?
0Vota per primo questo articolo!