Discover the Exact Number of Books in the Catholic Bible

I’ve been answering this question for 25 years, and I still get a kick out of how many people assume the Catholic Bible is just like the Protestant one—minus a few books. Spoiler: It’s not. The Catholic Bible has 73 books, not the 66 you’ll find in most Protestant versions. That extra seven (or in some cases, 14, depending on how you count the deuterocanonical texts) is where things get interesting.

Here’s the thing: the debate over how many books are in the Catholic Bible isn’t just about numbers. It’s about history, tradition, and a few centuries of theological sparring. The Catholic Church has always included books like Tobit, Judith, and the Wisdom of Solomon, while Protestant Bibles—especially since the Reformation—left them out. And no, it’s not just a matter of opinion. The Catholic Bible’s 73 books were settled long before Luther ever picked up a quill.

So why does this matter? Because the books you read shape your faith. And if you’re looking for the exact number of books in the Catholic Bible, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll cut through the noise and give it to you straight—no fluff, no guesswork. Just the facts, as they’ve been for centuries.

The Truth About Why the Catholic Bible Has 73 Books (Not 66)"*

I’ve been editing religious content for 25 years, and one question still stumps people: why does the Catholic Bible have 73 books while Protestant Bibles have 66? The answer isn’t just about tradition—it’s about history, translation, and a 4th-century council that changed everything.

The extra seven books (plus parts of Daniel and Esther) are called the Deuterocanonical books. They’re not “lost” or “hidden”—they’ve been in the Jewish Septuagint since the 2nd century BCE. The table below shows the books in question:

Here’s the kicker: the Council of Jamnia (c. 90 CE) didn’t “remove” these books—it just clarified the Hebrew canon. The Septuagint, used by early Christians, kept them. When Martin Luther translated the Bible in 1534, he moved them to an appendix, calling them “Apocrypha.” But Catholics, following the Council of Trent (1546), kept them as Scripture.

I’ve seen arguments over this for decades. Some say the extra books add wisdom (like Wisdom of Solomon’s take on divine justice). Others argue they’re later additions. Either way, the numbers don’t lie:

• Catholic Bible: 46 Old Testament books (including 7 Deuterocanonical) + 27 New Testament = 73 total.
• Protestant Bible: 39 Old Testament books (Hebrew canon) + 27 New Testament = 66 total.

So why does it matter? Because these books shape theology—from prayers for the dead (2 Maccabees 12:44) to the Eucharist (Wisdom 16:20). The numbers aren’t arbitrary. They’re a battle over what’s sacred.

How to Count the Exact Number of Books in the Catholic Bible (Step-by-Step)"*

If you’ve ever tried to count the books in the Catholic Bible, you know it’s not as simple as flipping through and tallying. The Catholic canon includes 73 books—46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New—but the devil’s in the details. I’ve seen well-meaning folks miss the deuterocanonical books or double-count the Psalms. Here’s how to do it right, step by step.

Step 1: Grab a Catholic Bible
Not all Bibles are created equal. The New American Bible (NAB) or Douay-Rheims are reliable choices. Protestant Bibles omit the deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, etc.), so they’re out. Digital versions? Fine, but double-check the publisher’s canon statement.

Step 2: Break It Down
The Catholic Bible is split into two testaments. Here’s the breakdown:

Step 3: Count the Old Testament
Start with the Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy—5 books). Then move to the Historical Books (Joshua to 2 Maccabees—12 books). Wisdom literature? That’s Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, and Sirach (7 books). Prophets? Major and minor, totaling 18. Add ‘em up: 5 + 12 + 7 + 18 = 42. Wait, no—46. (I’ve seen people forget Baruch or Lamentations.)

Step 4: Verify the New Testament
This one’s easier. The Gospels (4), Acts (1), Pauline epistles (13), Hebrews (1), General epistles (7), and Revelation (1). That’s 27. No surprises here.

Pro Tip: Use a checklist. I’ve seen editors miss Tobit or Baruch because they’re tucked between Esther and Jeremiah. Here’s a quick reference:

• Old Testament: 46 (including Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1-2 Maccabees)
• New Testament: 27 (no exceptions)

Still unsure? Open a Catholic Bible’s table of contents. The numbers are there—if you know where to look.

5 Key Reasons the Catholic Bible Includes the Deuterocanonical Books"*

The Catholic Bible isn’t just a slightly longer version of the Protestant one—it’s a carefully curated collection that includes the Deuterocanonical books, and there are five key reasons why they’re there. I’ve spent decades explaining this, and the answers aren’t always what people expect.

First, historical continuity. The Deuterocanonical books (like Tobit, Judith, and 1 Maccabees) were part of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures used by early Christians. The Church didn’t just pull them out of thin air—these books were in circulation for centuries before the New Testament was even written. In fact, Jesus and the apostles likely referenced them. Ever notice how James 5:10-11 echoes the story of Job? That’s not a coincidence.

• Tobit: Wisdom on charity and perseverance
• Judith: A bold heroine’s story of faith and courage
• 1 Maccabees: The backdrop for Hanukkah

Second, theological depth. These books fill gaps in the narrative. Take Wisdom of Solomon—it’s a profound meditation on divine justice that complements Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. And Baruch? It’s a poignant lament that echoes Jeremiah’s sorrow over Jerusalem’s fall. Without them, the Old Testament feels incomplete.

Third, liturgical tradition. These books are woven into the Church’s worship. Ever heard the Magnificat at Mass? It’s rooted in the themes of Wisdom literature. The Deuterocanonical books shape prayers, hymns, and even the Liturgy of the Hours. You can’t separate them without losing part of the liturgical soul.

Fourth, apostolic authority. The early Church Fathers quoted them freely. Augustine, Jerome, and Origen all treated them as Scripture. Even Martin Luther, who later rejected them, initially accepted them as canonical. The Council of Trent (1546) codified their inclusion, but the decision was based on centuries of precedent.

Finally, spiritual guidance. These books offer practical advice. Sirach’s teachings on friendship and humility? They’re timeless. The story of Susanna in Daniel? It’s a lesson in integrity. Without them, the Bible’s moral framework feels narrower.

So no, the Catholic Bible isn’t just “extra.” It’s a fuller, richer tradition—one that’s stood the test of time. And in my experience, once you see the depth these books add, you won’t want to read the Bible without them.

The Surprising History Behind the Catholic Bible’s Extra Books"*

You’ve probably heard the Catholic Bible has more books than the Protestant one. But why? The answer isn’t just about tradition—it’s a story of politics, power, and a few well-timed translations. I’ve spent years digging into this, and let me tell you, the history is messier (and more fascinating) than most people realize.

The Catholic Bible includes 73 books, while Protestant Bibles typically have 66. The extra seven—often called the Deuterocanonical books—are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 & 2 Maccabees, and parts of Esther and Daniel. These weren’t just randomly added. They were part of the Greek Septuagint, the Bible used by early Christians, and later affirmed by the Council of Trent in 1546 as divinely inspired.

But here’s the twist: The Septuagint wasn’t the original Hebrew Bible. The Jewish community in Alexandria, Egypt, translated their scriptures into Greek around 200 BCE. By the time Jesus walked the earth, Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians were using this expanded version. The books we now call “extra” were written in Greek, not Hebrew, and dealt with themes like martyrdom (1 & 2 Maccabees) and wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon).

Why the split? When Martin Luther translated the Bible into German in the 1500s, he moved these books to an appendix, calling them “apocryphal”—not false, but not on par with the rest. His followers later dropped them entirely. The Catholic Church, meanwhile, doubled down, declaring them canonical at Trent. The result? A divide that still shapes Bibles today.

Key Takeaway: The “extra” books aren’t extras at all. They’re ancient texts that shaped Jewish thought, early Christianity, and even the New Testament. Want proof? The Book of Wisdom influenced Paul’s letters, and 2 Maccabees inspired the idea of praying for the dead (which Catholics still do).

Quick Comparison:

Bottom Line: The Catholic Bible’s extra books aren’t some medieval add-on. They’re part of a 2,000-year-old debate about what counts as scripture—and who gets to decide. I’ve seen this debate play out in academic circles, church pews, and even family arguments. The numbers might seem simple, but the history? That’s a whole other story.

How the Catholic Bible Differs from Protestant Bibles (And Why It Matters)"*

The Catholic Bible and Protestant Bibles don’t just differ in book count—they’re built on different historical and theological foundations. The Catholic Bible includes 73 books, while most Protestant Bibles have 66. The seven extra books (plus sections) in the Catholic canon are called the Deuterocanonicals, and they’re the heart of the debate.

Here’s the breakdown:

So why the split? It’s not just about counting. The Catholic Church, following Jewish tradition as preserved by the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), includes books like Tobit, Judith, and Wisdom. Protestants, influenced by the Hebrew Masoretic Text, dropped them in the 16th century, arguing they weren’t part of the original Jewish canon.

Here’s where it gets messy:

• Tobit – A story of faith and divine intervention, often cited for its teachings on charity.
• Wisdom of Solomon – A profound reflection on God’s wisdom, heavily referenced in Catholic theology.
• 1 & 2 Maccabees – Historical accounts of Jewish resistance, crucial for understanding martyrdom and religious freedom.

I’ve seen this debate play out in ecumenical discussions. Protestants argue these books lack the same divine authority, while Catholics point to early Church councils (like Hippo and Carthage in the 4th century) that affirmed them. The Reformation’s rejection of these texts wasn’t just about scripture—it was about authority. If the Bible alone (sola scriptura) is the rule, then the Church’s tradition can’t dictate canon.

For practical purposes, this matters in liturgy, doctrine, and even personal study. A Catholic reading the Old Testament will encounter themes like purgatory (2 Maccabees 12:45) or the intercession of the dead (Wisdom 3:1-9) that Protestants often miss. And yes, it’s why your Catholic friend’s Bible has a different table of contents.

Bottom line: The difference isn’t just academic. It’s about how you understand salvation, tradition, and the very nature of scripture.

The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, including the 46 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, with the Deuterocanonical books setting it apart from Protestant versions. This rich collection preserves sacred texts that shape faith, tradition, and spiritual guidance for millions worldwide. Whether you’re studying scripture, deepening your understanding, or simply curious, knowing the exact number of books helps navigate its profound teachings. For a deeper dive, explore commentaries or study guides to uncover the layers of meaning within these texts. As you reflect on this knowledge, consider: how might a closer look at these books inspire your own journey of faith and discovery?