How Many Books Are In A Catholic Bible

Let’s talk about the Catholic Bible. You might think you know the answer. But buckle up—this is wilder than you think.

The short answer? It’s 73 books. Yes, seventy-three. Your friend’s Protestant Bible? That’s only 66. Catholics are packing some extra spiritual reading.

Wait, why does the Catholic Bible have more books?

It’s all about history. Centuries ago, Jewish scholars in Alexandria translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. That collection included seven extra books that later Jewish leaders in Palestine decided to drop.

When the early Church formed the Bible, they said, “Keep them all!” Those seven books became known as the deuterocanon—a fancy word for “second canon.” Protestants later removed them during the Reformation.

So Catholics have books like Tobit, Judith, and 1 & 2 Maccabees. Ever heard of a guy named Baruch? He’s in there too. It’s like finding secret levels in a video game.

Let’s break down the list (because numbers are fun)

The Catholic Bible has 46 books in the Old Testament. That’s the big chunk. The New Testament is the same as every Christian Bible—27 books.

So 46 + 27 = 73. Simple math, big impact. If you’re Protestant, your Old Testament has 39 books. Catholics have seven extra, like a bonus track on a deluxe album.

Those extras include Wisdom, Sirach (also called Ecclesiasticus), and parts of Daniel and Esther that other Bibles leave out. It’s like finding deleted scenes from a classic movie.

The funny part? Nobody agrees on the exact count (sort of)

Wait—I said 73, but some Catholic Bibles have different numbers. The Orthodox tradition includes even more books. They can have up to 78 in their Old Testament!

And the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church? Their Bible has 81 books. Yes, eighty-one. They include books like Enoch and Jubilees. Catholics just look over and say, “You do you.”

So when someone says, “The Bible has 66 books,” you can smile and say, “Which one?” Because the Catholic Bible is a bit of a rebel.

Why should you care? Because it’s a conversation starter

Imagine a dinner party. Someone says, “I love the story of Judith.” You can nod, because you’ve got that book. Your Protestant friend might say, “Judith who?” Boom—you’re the biblical expert.

Or try this: “Did you know the Catholic Bible has a book about a war elephant?” Check out 1 Maccabees 1:17. Elephants in the Bible. That’s pure gold.

And Bel and the Dragon? That’s a story with a dragon, a lion pit, and a prophet. It’s in the Catholic version of Daniel. Indiana Jones stuff right there.

The sneaky truth: Catholics read more than they think

If you grew up Catholic, you probably heard readings from Tobit at weddings. “Love each other forever”—it’s beautiful! But did you know Tobit is a whole book about a guy who goes blind and a girl who married seven demons? Yes, really.

Or 2 Maccabees, where the author says, “I’m going to summarize a longer work because I’m tired.” Actual verse: “I will try to please my readers… and to help the memory of those who read it” (2 Maccabees 2:25). That’s honesty.

These books are weird, wonderful, and often ignored. But they’re part of the Catholic canon. So next time you see a Catholic Bible, treat it like a grab bag.

How do you tell which Bible is Catholic?

Look at the spine. It might say “Catholic Edition” or “Approved by the Church.” But the real clue? Check the table of contents. If you see Baruch, Wisdom, or 1 and 2 Maccabees, you’ve got a Catholic Bible.

Fun fact: The RSV Catholic Edition and the New American Bible are popular. But beware—some Bibles called “King James” are missing those books. Don’t get tricked.

And if you want to impress your friends, tell them the Catholic Bible also includes extra chapters in Esther and Daniel. The bit about the fiery furnace? That’s in Daniel chapter 3—but only in Catholic Bibles.

So, 73 books. End of story? Not quite.

The number is solid for Catholics. But don’t be afraid to admit it’s a bit messy. Early Church councils debated what to include. Even today, scholars argue over whether 2 Peter or Revelation should be in the New Testament. Spoiler: they made the cut.

But the 73 books are what Catholics trust. They’re the official list, the canon. And it’s a canon that’s full of surprises.

Next time you see a thick Bible in a church pew, count the books. If it’s Catholic, it’s got 73. And now you know a little secret: those extra seven are often the most fun to read.

Go ahead—pick one up. Flip to Judith or Wisdom. You might just find your new favorite story.

Just don’t blame me if you get hooked on dragons, demons, and ancient war elephants.