While the canonical Bible contains 66 (Protestant) to 73 (Catholic) books, the number 88 offers a unique structure for study. Whether you are attempting an 88-Day Overview Plan or studying the 5 Books of the Bible that contain exactly 88 chapters (Genesis, Isaiah, Matthew, Acts, Romans), this guide will help you navigate the scriptures with fresh intentionality.
Here is everything you need to know about the 88 books of the Bible, how they are counted, and what they contain. The Structure of the 88-Book Canon
42. Tobit 43. Judith 44. 1 Maccabees 45. 2 Maccabees 46. Wisdom of Solomon 47. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 48. Baruch (including Letter of Jeremiah) 49. Jubilees (unique) 50. 1 Enoch (unique) 51. 2 Enoch (unique – sometimes included) 52. Joseph ben Gurion (Josippon – unique historical work) 88 books in the bible
80. 1 Clement 81. 2 Clement 82. Didascalia (Apostolic Church Order) 83. Book of the Covenant (1 & 2 – sometimes split) 84. Ethiopic Clement 85. Ethiopic Didescalia 86. Sinodos (Ethiopic church order) 87. Testament of Our Lord 88. 8th book: Canon of the Fathers (or Book of Clement)
72. James 73. 1 Peter 74. 2 Peter 75. 1 John 76. 2 John 77. 3 John 78. Jude While the canonical Bible contains 66 (Protestant) to
The Catholic canon. Includes books like Tobit, Judith, and 1 & 2 Maccabees.
Dedicate one month to each of these five books. In just 5 months, you will have covered the entire narrative arc of scripture through the lens of its longest, most comprehensive texts. The Structure of the 88-Book Canon 42
20. Job 21. Psalms (150 psalms + Psalm 151) 22. Proverbs 23. Ecclesiastes 24. Song of Solomon
Enoch is arguably the most famous "extra" book. It describes the fall of the Watchers (angels) and provides a detailed cosmic geography. It was highly influential in early Christianity before falling out of favor in the West. 2. The Book of Jubilees
For those who want a slower, deeper pace, selecting 88 key verses (one for each "book" in a hypothetical expanded canon or simply a symbolic number) provides a solid foundation.
