The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, divided into 46 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books. This represents seven more books than Protestant Bibles, which contain 66 books. The difference stems from the Catholic inclusion of deuterocanonical books like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, and the Maccabees, along with additional sections in Esther and Daniel. The Council of Trent officially confirmed this 73-book canon in 1546, establishing the foundation that continues to shape Catholic biblical scholarship today.
How many books make up the Catholic Bible, and why does this number differ from Protestant versions? The Catholic Bible contains 73 books total, divided into 46 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. This differs from Protestant Bibles, which include 66 books with 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The New Testament remains identical between both traditions, but the Old Testament reveals a significant difference of seven additional books. Scholars generally date many Old Testament texts between the 12th and 2nd centuries BCE, and the Septuagint served as the common Greek scripture for early Christians.
These seven extra books are called the deuterocanonical books, consisting of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 Maccabees, and 2 Maccabees. Protestant traditions sometimes refer to these texts as the Apocrypha. Catholic tradition considers these books canonical and authoritative Scripture, while Protestant reformers removed them based on Jewish canon tradition and doctrinal considerations.
The deuterocanonical books remain a key theological dividing line between Catholic and Protestant biblical traditions.
The Catholic Bible also includes additional chapters or sections in the books of Esther and Daniel that Protestant Bibles generally exclude. These additions provide more historical and theological detail, and their inclusion was officially affirmed during the Catholic Council of Trent in 1546.
The difference stems from historical development of biblical canons. The Catholic Bible’s 73-book canon reflects the ancient Septuagint, a Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures that early Christians widely used. This Greek translation included the seven deuterocanonical books not found in the Hebrew Masoretic Text. Catholics maintain the Septuagint as authoritative for determining the Old Testament canon, while Protestants base their Old Testament primarily on the Hebrew Masoretic Text.
The Council of Trent officially confirmed the 73-book canon in response to Protestant reforms, though early Christian scholars had debated the inclusion of deuterocanonical books for centuries. The Catholic canon has deep roots in early Christianity and the Latin Vulgate translation by St. Jerome. Despite Jerome’s personal reservations about some of these texts, he included them in his Latin Vulgate translation, which became the dominant Catholic Bible for approximately 1200 years. Catholics are often accused of adding seven books to the Bible, though this misconception overlooks the historical development of the biblical canon.
Some older Catholic traditions counted 72 books by combining Lamentations and Jeremiah into one book. Modern Catholic Bibles typically count them separately, leading to the current total of 73 books seen in contemporary editions like the New American Bible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does the Catholic Bible Have More Books Than Protestant Bibles?
The Catholic Bible contains more books because it includes the Deuterocanonical texts from the ancient Greek Septuagint translation.
Protestant Reformers chose to follow the Hebrew Bible canon instead, excluding these seven additional books: Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Wisdom, Sirach, and 1-2 Maccabees, plus longer versions of Esther and Daniel.
This gives Catholics 46 Old Testament books versus Protestants’ 39.
When Were the Deuterocanonical Books Added to the Catholic Bible?
The deuterocanonical books weren’t added to the Catholic Bible at a specific moment but were gradually recognized through early Christian usage. These texts appeared in the Septuagint that Jesus and apostles used.
The Council of Rome formally listed them in 382 AD, with subsequent councils at Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397, 419 AD) confirming their canonical status.
The Council of Trent definitively reaffirmed them in 1546 AD.
Are the Extra Catholic Books Considered Equally Authoritative as Other Scriptures?
The Catholic Church considers the deuterocanonical books equally authoritative as all other Scripture. These seven books hold the same canonical status as protocanonical texts, serving as inspired Word of God in Catholic doctrine.
The Church uses them in liturgy, moral teaching, and doctrinal formation without distinction. While Protestants view them as non-canonical apocrypha, Catholic theology maintains their full scriptural authority for faith and practice.
Do Eastern Orthodox Bibles Contain the Same Number of Books?
No, Eastern Orthodox Bibles contain more books than Catholic Bibles.
While Catholic Bibles have 73 books, Eastern Orthodox Bibles typically contain 76-81 books, depending on the specific tradition.
Greek and Russian Orthodox versions often include 79 books, while Ethiopian Orthodox Bibles contain 81 books.
The additional texts include 1 Esdras, 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151, and sometimes 4 Maccabees, reflecting the Orthodox churches’ broader Septuagint-based canon.
Can Catholics Read Protestant Bibles or Is It Discouraged?
Catholics are not forbidden from reading Protestant Bibles, though the Church encourages using Catholic editions for complete understanding.
Protestant Bibles omit seven Deuterocanonical books that inform Catholic doctrine and appear in liturgy. While the New Testament remains identical across versions, Catholic teaching emphasizes reading Scripture alongside Sacred Tradition and Magisterium guidance, making Catholic Bibles preferable for doctrinal accuracy and thorough study.
