old testament books

Genesis

Beginning of creation, sin, and God's covenant with Abraham.

Origins.

Exodus

God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt

“Exit-us” = They exit Egypt.

Leviticus

Rules for worship and holiness, especially for priests

Priest tribe

Numbers

Census and desert wandering of the Israelites.

Counting people.

Deuteronomy

Moses' final speeches and a review of the Law.

Second law.

Joshua

Israelites conquer the Promised Land.

Military leader.

Judges

srael’s cycle of sin, judgment, and rescue.

Deliverers.

Ruth

A love story showing loyalty and redemption.

Relationship & redemption.

1 Samuel

Samuel anoints Saul and David as kings.

Starter of kings.

2 Samuel

King David’s reign and personal struggles.

David’s journey continues.

1 Kings

Solomon's reign and division of the kingdom.

Kings begin to rule.

2 Kings

Decline and fall of Israel and Judah.

Two kingdoms fall.

1 Chronicles

David’s reign with focus on worship and the temple.

Highlights of history.

2 Chronicles

Focus on Judah's kings; ends in exile.

Ends in exile.

Ezra

Jews return from exile and rebuild the temple.

Temple builder.

Nehemiah

Rebuilds Jerusalem’s walls and leads reform.

Wall organizer.

Esther

Queen Esther saves the Jews from genocide.

Courage and deliverance.

Job

A righteous man suffers but stays faithful

Perseverance.

Psalms

Songs and prayers to God in all seasons.

Songbook.

Proverbs

Sayings of wisdom for godly living.

Practical advice.

Ecclesiastes

Life is meaningless without God.

Life’s big questions.

Song of Songs

A poetic love story.

Strong love .

Isaiah

Judgment and future hope in the coming Messiah.

Immanuel prophecy.

Jeremiah

The “weeping prophet” warns Judah of exile

Jeremiah cries for the people.

Lamentations

Poems mourning Jerusalem’s fall.

Lament = Deep sorrow.

Ezekiel

Strange visions and restoration promises.

Dry bones and visions.

Daniel

Stories of faith in exile and future kingdoms.

Lions and dreams.

Hosea

God’s faithful love despite Israel’s betrayal.

Husband to unfaithful wife.

Joel

Day of the Lord and a call to repent.

Judgment and joy

Amos

Condemns injustice and calls for righteousness.

Advocate for the poor.

Obadiah

Judgment against Edom for pride.

Only 1 chapter.

Jonah

Prophet runs; Nineveh repents

Big fish.

Micah

Judgment and peace under a ruler from Bethlehem

Do justly, love mercy.

Nahum

God’s judgment on Nineveh.

Nineveh 2.0

Habakkuk

Asks God why evil prospers

“How long, Lord?”

Zephaniah

Judgment followed by restoration.

Zap sin, then restore

Haggai

Urges people to rebuild the temple.

Hammer and nails.

Zechariah

Visions of restoration and the coming King

Zion’s King is coming.

Malachi

Final prophet warns against spiritual laziness.

Last messenger