What Is the Last Book of the Old Testament?

The Old Testament is a foundational collection of religious texts for Judaism and Christianity. It encompasses a wide range of literary genres, including history, law, prophecy, poetry, and wisdom literature. For those approaching the Bible, a common question arises: what is the last book of the Old Testament? The answer depends on religious tradition, canon variations, and historical development.

This article explores the identity of the final book of the Old Testament, its place within the canon, and the significance of its message. We will also consider how different faith traditions view the conclusion of the Old Testament and what the last book reveals about the biblical narrative as a whole.

Understanding the Old Testament Canon

What Is the Old Testament?

The Old Testament, sometimes called the Hebrew Bible, is the first major division of the Christian Bible and the entire sacred scripture for Judaism. It consists of texts originally written mostly in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic, spanning centuries of religious history.

Variations in the Old Testament Canon

The content and order of the Old Testament books vary among religious traditions:

Jewish Canon (Tanakh): Divided into Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings), with a total of 24 books.

Protestant Old Testament: Contains 39 books, ordered somewhat differently but corresponding mostly to the Jewish canon.

Catholic Old Testament: Includes additional books called the Deuterocanonical books, expanding the number.

Eastern Orthodox Old Testament: Contains even more books in some traditions.

These differences affect which book is considered last.

The Last Book of the Old Testament in Different Traditions

Jewish Tradition: Chronicles as the Final Book

In the Jewish Tanakh, the last book is 2 Chronicles. This book concludes the Writings (Ketuvim) section and serves as a historical summary that ends with the decree of Cyrus the Great allowing the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple.

Significance of 2 Chronicles

It retells Israel’s history with a focus on Judah and the Temple.

It ends on a hopeful note, pointing toward restoration and return from exile.

It provides a fitting conclusion to the Hebrew Bible’s narrative arc.

Protestant Tradition: Malachi as the Final Book

In most Protestant Bibles, the last book of the Old Testament is Malachi, one of the twelve Minor Prophets.

Characteristics of Malachi

Contains prophetic messages addressing spiritual apathy and social injustice.

Emphasizes covenant faithfulness and warns of the coming “Day of the Lord.”

Prepares the way for the New Testament, bridging the Old and New Covenants.

Catholic and Orthodox Traditions: Malachi or Other Books

In Catholic Bibles, Malachi is typically the last book of the prophetic section, but the Old Testament continues with Deuterocanonical books such as 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees, which come after Malachi in their canon order.

Eastern Orthodox Bibles sometimes include additional writings at the end, like 3 Maccabees and Psalm 151.

The Book of Malachi: An In-Depth Look

Background of Malachi

Malachi is believed to have prophesied in the 5th century BCE, after the return from Babylonian exile and during the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

His name means “my messenger,” emphasizing his role as a prophet delivering God’s message.

Key Themes in Malachi

Covenant Faithfulness: Malachi challenges the people to honor their commitments to God, especially in offerings and marriage.

Social Justice: He confronts issues like divorce, oppression, and corruption among priests.

The Coming Messenger: Malachi foretells the arrival of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord (interpreted by Christians as John the Baptist).

The Day of Judgment: The prophet warns of a coming day of reckoning that will purify and restore.

Malachi’s Role as the Old Testament’s Conclusion

Malachi closes the prophetic voice of the Old Testament with a call for repentance and hope, setting the stage for the New Testament narrative about Jesus Christ.

Theological Significance of the Last Book

A Call to Faithfulness

The final books of the Old Testament, whether Chronicles or Malachi, emphasize returning to God wholeheartedly and living in obedience.

Transition to the New Testament

Malachi’s prophecy about a coming messenger and a day of judgment creates anticipation for the New Testament fulfillment.

Hope and Restoration

These closing books affirm God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises, encouraging hope amid challenges.

The Book of 2 Chronicles: An Overview

Content and Structure

2 Chronicles picks up where 1 Chronicles ends, recounting the history of Judah from King Solomon’s reign through the Babylonian exile.

It focuses heavily on the Temple, worship, and the spiritual condition of the nation.

Ending of 2 Chronicles

The book concludes with Cyrus’s decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple, a significant moment of restoration.

Why Is 2 Chronicles the Last Book in the Tanakh?

It provides a historical and theological conclusion, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and mercy.

How the Old Testament Ends in Various Bible Editions

Why Does the Identity of the Last Book Matter?

Influence on Biblical Interpretation

The final book frames how readers understand the Old Testament’s overall message and its connection to the New Testament.

Liturgical and Devotional Implications

In many traditions, the last Old Testament readings during worship reflect themes of judgment, hope, and preparation.

Historical and Canonical Insights

Differences in the final book reveal much about the history of the biblical canon’s development.

Additional Considerations: Deuterocanonical and Apocryphal Books

What Are the Deuterocanonical Books?

These are books included in Catholic and Orthodox canons but not in the Jewish or most Protestant canons, such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, and Maccabees.

Their Place in the Old Testament

Some of these books appear after Malachi in Catholic Bibles, expanding the Old Testament’s conclusion.

Significance

They offer historical, ethical, and theological perspectives valuable to certain traditions.

Conclusion

The answer to “What is the last book of the Old Testament?” depends largely on religious tradition.

In the Jewish Tanakh, 2 Chronicles ends the collection, concluding with the hopeful restoration of the Temple.

In Protestant Bibles, Malachi is the final prophetic book, closing with a call to repentance and promise of a coming messenger.

Catholic and Orthodox traditions include additional books after Malachi, expanding the canon.

Each final book reflects themes of judgment, faithfulness, and hope, preparing readers for the unfolding story of God’s relationship with humanity.

Understanding the last book of the Old Testament helps readers appreciate the continuity and progression of the biblical narrative, linking the Old Testament’s promises to the New Testament’s fulfillment.