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What is the Bible?

A library of 66 books gathered into one: history, poetry, wise sayings, letters and visions. Christians read it as God's word; the first part is also the Jewish scriptures.

How many Bibles are there?

Somewhere between 5 and 7 billion copies have been printed, and around 80 million more are printed every year. The whole Bible has been translated into 795 languages, so about 6.2 billion people can read all of it in their own language.

How is it organised?

Two parts. The Old Testament (39 books, Genesis to Malachi) tells of creation and the people of Israel before Jesus. The New Testament (27 books, Matthew to Revelation) tells of Jesus' life, the first Christians, their letters, and a vision of the end. Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include a few more books; this reading uses the 66-book Bible.

What does “John 3:16” mean?

Book, then chapter, then verse: the book of John, chapter 3, verse 16. The original books had no numbers. Chapters were added in the 1200s and verses in the 1500s, so anyone could find the same line. On the slide, the small gold number is the verse.

Who wrote it?

Around 40 writers over roughly 1,500 years, by traditional count: shepherds, kings, prophets, a doctor, fishermen, a tax collector. Moses is traditionally linked with the first five books, David with many Psalms, and Paul wrote many of the letters. Christians believe God inspired them.

Who decided which books are in it?

No single person. Jewish communities had settled on the Hebrew scriptures (the Old Testament) by the early centuries AD. For the New Testament, churches kept reading the same books for generations; in the year 367 a bishop named Athanasius wrote down the 27 books we have today, and church councils in 393 and 397 confirmed them.

Were some books taken out?

Sort of. A group of Jewish writings from just before Jesus' time (such as Tobit, Judith and 1 and 2 Maccabees) is kept in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. Protestants call them the Apocrypha and treat them as useful, but not scripture. The first King James Bible of 1611 actually printed them between the Testaments; most English Bibles dropped them in the 1800s, partly to save printing costs. Other ancient writings, like the “Gospel of Thomas”, were never part of any church's Bible.

Why are there so many translations?

English changes. The King James Version (1611) is beautiful but old: “thee”, “thou”, “saith”. Modern translations say the same thing in today's words. Tap KJV (1611), WEB (modern) or Simple at the top to switch. Simple is the Bible in Basic English, written with a small everyday vocabulary, so it's the easiest to follow.

What language was it written in?

Hebrew, a little Aramaic, and Greek. You're hearing an English translation: the King James Version from 1611, the modern World English Bible, or the Bible in Basic English (Simple).

Where should I start?

Anywhere is fine; just tap Listen now. Many people start with the Gospel of John for Jesus' life, Psalms for comfort, or Genesis for the beginning. Use “Find a book or chapter” to get a reminder.

Some of it doesn't make sense. Is that normal?

Completely. It was written thousands of years ago, in other languages and cultures. Tap “Learn more about this part” under Now reading for study notes on the verses being read, or turn on Study mode in the menu (☰) to have them follow along.

Do I have to be religious to listen?

No. Everyone is welcome: believers, the curious, and people who just want something calm to listen to.