(7 minutes read time)
Want to better understand each book of the Bible? Bible book introductions help by offering important context and background information about the book we want to study. Introductions are not all the same, but for the most part, they tend to offer all or some of the following information:
- the author
- the date the author wrote
- the original audience
- a synopsis of the audience’s needs or message God wanted the author to communicate
- the audience’s historical, cultural, and spiritual background
- theological themes in the book
- how the book points us to Christ
- common challenges in rightly interpreting the book
- other helpful information to prepare us to read and study the book
Most study Bibles provide a book introduction at the beginning each book of the Bible. If yours doesn’t, or you’d like to read other introductions, I recommend checking out the free online resources and the printed resources I describe below. I’m sure there are other great ones, but the ones below should give you what you need.
FREE ONLINE BOOK INTRODUCTIONS
1. BlueLetterBible.org Book Introductions and Outlines
The BlueLetterBible website carries a full list of Bible Book Introductions & Outlines.
2. Bibles.Net Book Introductions and Backgrounds
Bibles.net also provides a couple of different ways to read their Bible book introductions for each book of the Bible.
The following list shows a grid of each book of the Bible. You can click on any of the books to read a story form explanation of what each book of the Bible is about.
The other way to read their introductions takes you to the whole Bible.
Click on the “Read” tab at the top of the home page. It will take you to an ESV and NLT translation of the Bible. (Choose between the two translations in the drop down menu at the top of the page.)
You can jump to any book of the Bible using a drop down menu.
Once you’ve chosen a book, click on the “Book Intro” tab.
For each book, you’ll find a “Book Introduction.” These are the story form introductions that help explain what the book is about.
You’ll also find a “Book Background” for each book of the Bible.
Below is a link to the book of Mark. From there, you can jump to any other book.
PRINTED BOOK INTRODUCTIONS AND HANDBOOKS/GUIDES
The following handbooks and guides all include introductions to each book of the Bible. They also include other resources to help you understand the Bible.
1. The MacArthur Bible Handbook
My husband and I use this handbook regularly.
Description quoted from Amazon:
“The MacArthur Bible Handbook is the ultimate book-by-book survey of the Bible, including charts, graphs, and illustrations from today’s leading expository teacher.
A unique reference tool that is committed to quality and biblical teaching—will help you easily understand each book of the Bible, its historical context, and its place in Scripture.
Bible Book Basics at a Glance!
- The meaning of each Bible book’s name
- Who wrote it
- The date and setting
- The theme and purpose
- Its key words, verses, and chapters
- How Christ is presented (even in the Old Testament)
- Its contribution to the Bible as a whole
- A broad summary of the events and highlights it records
- A detailed outline of the book
MacArthur has put in over 60,000 hours of sermon preparation time in his 35 year ministry!”
Get it on Amazon here.
2. MacArthur’s Quick Reference Guide to the Bible: A Book-By-Book Overview of Essential Bible Information
My husband and I also use this reference guide regularly.
Description Quoted from Amazon:
“Study the Bible Deeply, Faithfully, and Effectively
“There is a big difference between simply reading the Bible and studying the Bible well, so it transforms your life. That difference often boils down to having the right resources not just to read but to understand and apply what you are reading to your life.
“In MacArthur’s Quick Reference Guide to the Bible, noted pastor and teacher John MacArthur takes you through the key aspects of the Bible. This valuable companion to reading the Bible has been prepared to help you develop good Bible-reading habits and a better understanding of the depth and breadth of God’s Word.
“For all 66 books in the Bible it highlights:
- Author and date
- Key people
- Background and setting
- Key doctrines
- Key aspects of how God’s character is illustrated
- How Christ can be found in that book
- Key words in the book
- Quick overview with a brief outline of contents
- Historical notes about what else what happening in the world when the book was written
- Frequently asked questions about the book
- Questions for reflection
“Other valuable features include :
- “How We Got the Bible” section
- “How to Study the Bible” section
- “Chronology of the Bible” section
- Appendix with Quick Notes on Theology
- Chronology of Old Testament Patriarchs and Judges
- Chronology of Old Testament Kings and Prophets
- Timeline of the Ministry of Jesus Christ
- Index of Key Words
“Filled with the fruit of decades of study and teaching MacArthur’s Quick Reference Guide to the Bible is an essential tool for anyone who wants to seriously study the Bible deeply, faithfully, and effectively.”
Get it on Amazon here.
3. Willmington’s Bible Handbook
I also have this handbook, which I’ve enjoyed very much.
Description Quoted from Amazon:
“Willmington’s Bible Handbook gives a verse-by-verse commentary of each book of the Bible and is written with both new believers and seasoned students of the Bible in mind. This special Bible handbook also includes many special features that provide fresh, new insights into the most inspirational book ever written.
“Special Features
- Focus on the unity of the Bible shows how each part of the Bible relates to the whole.
- “How We Got the Bible” explains how 40 authors over 2,000 years spoke the same saving message.
- Emphasis on the historical accuracy of the Bible explores how thousands of archeological discoveries verify Scripture.
- “People to Remember” brings the stories of Bible people to life.
- Lists and background material give an overview of Scripture through comprehensive, comparitive lists and charts
- Indexes to topics, Scripture references, Bible people, maps, charts,
- Harmony of the Gospels
- Chronology of Bible events
- . . . And more!”
Get it on Amazon here.
4. Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook
I don’t own this handbook, so I make no promises about it’s greatness, but I’ve been so pleased with their CSB Bible translation that I imagine I’d be pleased with their Bible handbook.
Description quoted from Amazon:
“Many people would love to search for truth in the Bible but are intimidated by its size, or the length of time its story spans, or the distance between our day and the cultural settings of the biblical authors, or certain questions about the historical reliability and contemporary relevance of Scripture.
“The Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook is designed to overcome the obstacles people have to understanding the Bible. It begins with an essay on ‘How to Read and Study the Bible’ and then provides a brief and basic overview of each of the Bible’s 66 books: each book’s author, main message, evidences of authenticity, and historical context.
“In addition to the full-color maps, photographs, reconstructions, and charts that equip readers throughout the volume, a smartphone-accessible QR code is included for each chapter that leads to related online teaching from noted Bible scholar Gene Getz.”
Get it on Amazon here.
