The Old Testament portion of the Catholic Bible contains how many books?

The Old Testament portion of the Catholic Bible contains how many books?

• A. 40
• B. 39
• C. 27
• D. 46

Answer: (D)

The Old Testament in Catholic Bibles includes seven additional writings not found in the Hebrew Bible or most Protestant editions, so it contains more books overall. These extra books are known as the deuterocanonical writings: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. Some parts of Esther and Daniel also appear with additions in Catholic editions. When you add these seven to the 39 books common to Protestant and Hebrew canons, you reach a total of 46. This is why the Catholic Old Testament lists 46 books.

The Old Testament in Catholic Bibles includes seven additional writings not found in the Hebrew Bible or most Protestant editions, so it contains more books overall. These extra books are known as the deuterocanonical writings: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. Some parts of Esther and Daniel also appear with additions in Catholic editions. When you add these seven to the 39 books common to Protestant and Hebrew canons, you reach a total of 46. This is why the Catholic Old Testament lists 46 books.