The question of how many books are in the Greek Orthodox Bible touches on a rich tapestry of history, theology, and linguistic tradition. Often referred to as the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament contains a different number of books compared to the Hebrew canon familiar to most Protestant readers. Understanding this difference requires looking beyond a simple count and exploring the context of ancient Judaism, the development of the Christian canon, and the specific authorities of various Orthodox churches.
The Foundational Difference: Septuagint vs. Hebrew Canon
At the heart of the answer lies the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures completed in Alexandria around 200-100 BCE. While the Hebrew Bible traditionally contains 24 books, the Septuagint includes several additional works written during the intertestamental period. These books, known as the Deuterocanonicals by Catholics and Orthodox or the Apocrypha by Protestants, were composed in Greek and provide historical, wisdom, and prophetic literature that was widely read by early Christians.
Books Added in the Greek Tradition
The additional books found in the Greek Orthodox canon but not in the Hebrew version include Tobit, Judith, the Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), Baruch, and the Additions to Esther and Daniel. Furthermore, the Greek Orthodox Church recognizes specific prayers known as the Prayer of Manasseh and the Psalm of Solomon, bringing a distinct liturgical and theological texture to their scriptural collection that differs from other Christian traditions.
Counting the Books: The Orthodox Old Testament
When attempting to answer the question of the total number, one must consider the structure of the Orthodox Old Testament. The count is typically presented as 46 books. This total combines the 39 books found in the Protestant Old Testament with the 7 additional Deuterocanonical books. This number reflects the historical acceptance of these texts as divinely inspired by the early Church Fathers who used the Septuagint as their primary scripture.
The New Testament: A Point of Unity
Unlike the variations in the Old Testament, the Greek Orthodox New Testament is in complete agreement with other Christian traditions regarding its contents. It consists of the 27 books accepted universally: the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. Consequently, when a Greek Orthodox priest or scholar references the total number of books in their Bible, they are usually referring to the 46 Old Testament books plus these 27 New Testament books, totaling 73.
