1. Genesis
   Leviticus
2. Isaiah
   Colossians

Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is referred to as the book of beginnings. The first part of the book, the prologue, consists of chapters one through eleven. The rest of the book details God's dealings with Abraham and his family.

1. Revelation
   Exodus
2. 1 Peter
   Jeremiah

This first verse of Exodus suggests that the book was written as a continuation of the first book, Genesis. Exodus is about the plight of Israel, also called Jacob, who were a people in bondage in Egypt, and it serves as a record of their subsequent release under the leadership of Moses.

1. Joel
   Haggai
2. Malachi
   Ezekiel

Ezekiel's book explores the "visions of God" that the prophet experienced. Throughout each chapter, Ezekiel admits to God's main purpose, which is to incite spiritual correctness and behavior among his people.

1. Matthew
   Mark
2. Titus
   Nahum

This first verse from the gospel of Matthew offers a snapshot of Jesus's lineage. Specifying that Jesus was descended of Abraham confirms his Jewish origins, while his relation to King David establishes a sovereign entitlement.

1. Zechariah
   1 Kings
2. Hosea
   Ezra

The second verse explains events iniated in the first verse: "Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin...let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat." Sickly, 70-year-old David was ill and body-warming was a medical notion.

1. Romans
   Leviticus
2. Exodus
   2 Samuel

The book of Leviticus is named for "Levi," which is the tribe of Israel that furnished the priesthood. Leviticus is a book of laws meant to set standards of spiritual and cultural righteousness among the people.

1. Hebrews
   1 Corinthians
2. Numbers
   Deuteronomy

The events that occur in the book of Numbers take place in a wilderness. "[T]he first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt" specifies the time from Israel's deliverance out of Egyptian slavery.

1. Obadiah
   Galatians
2. Deuteronomy
   Jude

The first verse of Deuteronomy confirms Moses's role to teach "unto all Israel." The name Deuteronomy means, "second law." In the book, Moses attempts to explain God's law as well as the importance of following it.

1. Haggai
   2 Timothy
2. 1 John
   James

In John's first book, he and the early church bear witness to "the beginning," which is most likely a reference to Jesus Christ and his ministry. In the book, John implores followers to substantiate belief with action.

1. Habakkuk
   Psalms
2. John
   Hebrews

The introduction of Hebrews reassures new Christians of God's timelessness. The Old Testament prophets are deliberately referenced as vessels of God's unchanging message to the people, delivered in various ways (visions, dreams, foretold events, etc.).

1. Joel
   2 Timothy
2. Ruth
   Micah

In the book of 2 Timothy, Paul continues to preach of the "promise of life," which is salvation through Jesus Christ. By doing so, Paul adheres to his role as an apostle, missionary and teacher.

1. Nehemiah
   Acts
2. Romans
   Jude

Paul considers himself to be "separated" and, in essence, a slave of God who accepted the divine calling to preach to both Jew and Gentile. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul prepares the beleivers for his missionary travels to Rome and Spain.

1. 2 Peter
   Ezekiel
2. Judges
   John

The events that unfold in the book of Judges occur after the death of Joshua, who had been a prominent leader among the people of Israel. Judges explains the period in which Israel transitioned to sovereignty.

1. Ruth
   Lamentations
2. Numbers
   Song of Solomon

The book of Ruth explores the notion of God extending divine consideration for all who believe, be they Jew or Gentile. Ruth's events chronicle the period prior to Israel's monarchy and include trials of Jews and Moabites, who were non-Israelites.

1. Ecclesiastes
   Proverbs
2. 1 Samuel
   Daniel

First Samuel establishes the ascendency of Israel's monarchy which occurred during Samuel's tenure. The book's initial setting, as the first verse indicates, is the mountainous region of Ephraim where the tribe of Ephraim dwelled.

1. 1 Corinthians
   Titus
2. 2 Samuel
   2 Peter

Second Samuel recounts David's development as an Israel king appointed by God. Second Samuel is a continuation of 1 Samuel, but the books were combined as one initially. Second Samuel is edited so as to highlight David as the central figure of the book.

1. Zephaniah
   Matthew
2. Galatians
   Ephesians

As is typical of Paul's epistle introductions, the apostle makes light of his unique calling to the faith. Paul was simaltaneously called as a divine teacher and saved during a trip to Damascus, as chronicled in the book of Acts.

1. Jeremiah
   Job
2. Daniel
   Nahum

Daniel was a prophet of God who chose to begin his book by mentioning kings that greatly affected the destiny of exiled Israel. King Jehoiakim of Judah was subjected to Babylonian rulership until he died.

1. 1 Peter
   Ezra
2. Genesis
   Revelation

The book of Ezra is replete with manifestations of events that God had promised through the prophets. The prophet Jeremiah had foretold that captivity under Babylon would last 70 years. King Cyrus of Persia was instrumental in the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy.

1. Philemon
   Proverbs
2. Ezra
   Mark

Mark makes it clear early on that his cause for writing the book was to elucidate Jesus's divine status as "Christ, the Son of God." Mark's gospel does not include Jesus's exlusion of Gentiles from the teachings, as Mark wrote primarily for Gentile Christians.

1. Amos
   Psalms
2. 2 Kings
   Romans

Second Kings picks up where 1 Kings left off during the rulerships of Jehoshaphat of the southern kingdom and Ahaziah of the northern kingdom. At the start of the book, Ahab's death signals the independence of the oppressed Moabites from Israel .

1. 3 John
   Joel
2. Ruth
   2 John

Christian theologians debate whether John wrote his letter, 2 John, to a specific "lady and her children" or if he is figuratively referencing the early church as "elect lady." The issues that John raises seem to concern those of a church community rather than a particular person.

1. 2 Samuel
   Esther
2. 1 Peter
   Matthew

The yearly festival of Purim is one focal point of the book of Esther. Jewish deliverance during Xerxes's reign is another reference point that Esther references throughout, stressing that subsequent generations commemorate the event.

1. Micah
   Exodus
2. Psalms
   James

There are five sections in the book of Psalms. The first two books are termed "Davidic psalms"; the third book includes authorship from sons of Korah and Asaph; and the fourth and fifth books are mostly anonymous.

1. Colossians
   Ezekiel
2. Obadiah
   Luke

The book of Acts serves as a follow-up to the book of Luke; none of the other three gospels have sequel texts. Luke is the longest gospel of the four books and tends to give a more complete depiction of Jesus from his birth until his death.

1. 1 Corinthians
   3 John
2. Amos
   Numbers

In 3 John, John confirms his status as church leader by the title "elder." He pens the letter to someone named "Gaius," which was a common name in Rome. Not much is known about this recipient, though many speculate that he was a member of one of the early churches.

1. Deuteronomy
   John
2. 2 Kings
   Ephesians

The gospel of John highlights the miracles of Jesus, lending credence to the argument that the book's first verse references Jesus Christ as the "Word [that] was God." The first verse equates God's everlasting powers with Christ.

1. Ecclesiastes
   Micah
2. Habakkuk
   Esther

The author of Ecclesiates implies Solomon, who was son of David, in the first verse. The book explores ecclesiastic topics, such as the meaning of life and the existence of God in the lives of people.

1. Acts
   1 Peter
2. Joel
   Ezra

The book of Acts is an extension of Luke's gospel, as well as a continuation of Jesus's teachings through the works of the apostles. Acts, which is addressed solely to Theophilis, documents the establishment of the early Christian church.

1. Jeremiah
   Ruth
2. Exodus
   1 Corinthians

First Corinthians answers points from two letters Paul had received concerning the early church. Paul is compelled to offer his wisdom concerning order during worship services, the purpose of spiritual gifts and the formality of the Lord's Supper.

1. Genesis
   Nehemiah
2. Lamentations
   Hebrews

As the name implies, Lamentations explores human suffering in general, and Judah's suffering in particular. The conditional term "how" in the introductory verse sets an interrogative tone that's manifested throughout the book.

1. Romans
   Matthew
2. 2 Chronicles
   Isaiah

What God had promised to King David in previous texts are continued through David's son Solomon in 2 Chronicles. In the book, the restored children of Israel face Persian control, leaving many to wonder if God's covenants were still in effect.

1. Revelation
   Isaiah
2. Amos
   Daniel

The book of Isaiah spans several significant periods for Israel. The first part presents Israel's trials during Assyrian invasions. The second section references Babylonian exiles, and the last portion of the book explores the concerns of former exiles.

1. Haggai
   Amos
2. Joshua
   Exodus

The book of Joshua primarily deals with God's covenant and the land promised to Israel. The conquest of Canaan described in the text signifies the fulfilment of God's land promises to Israel.

1. 2 Samuel
   Mark
2. Job
   Malachi

The book of Job investigates the plight of the sufferer, a theme that all major religions explore. Human suffering, as Job personifies, also invites suppositions concerning the impartiality of God, a notion that emerges throughout the text.