The Bible stands as the best-selling, most shared, and spiritually significant book ever written. If you’ve ever been curious about the number of chapters and verses in each book of the Bible, you’re in the right place.
As the cornerstone of faith and guidance for millions of Christians worldwide, the Bible offers vast wisdom. Here’s a detailed look at the chapters and verses in the Bible, along with some intriguing facts to enhance your understanding.
Whether you’re looking to memorize a book of the Bible or just want to enjoy some interesting Bible trivia, below you’ll find a list of all 66 books of the Bible, including:
- The number of chapters in each book
- The number of verses in each book
- The average number of verses per chapter in each book
We have not included word counts here since they vary significantly depending on the Bible version used (find a full Bible word count breakdown here). However, the structure of chapters and verses remains largely consistent across versions.
Old Testament: Book and Chapter Breakdown
It’s important to note that the chapter and verse divisions we see in modern Bibles didn’t exist in the original manuscripts. These numbers can also vary depending on the Bible translation.
There are 39 books and 929 chapters in the Old Testament. When I first started reading the Bible as a new Christian in my early twenties, I found the Old Testament, with its minor prophets, prophetic books, historical books, and deuterocanonical books, quite confusing. However, with time, I came to appreciate its depth and significance.
Every chapter in the Bible, from the shortest verse to the longest, is a blessing. Using a Bible reading plan is a great way to ensure you read through each book. There are many free Bible reading plans available.
Comparing the King James Version and Other Translations
For example, the King James Bible, New International Version (NIV), and Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) have fourteen verses in 3 John. However, the New American Standard Bible (NASB), NET Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), and New Century Bible have fifteen verses. The word count varies even more between translations.
The information provided below is based on the New American Standard Bible (NASB). In the Suggested Links section, you can download a PDF with all the chapters and verses of the Bible.
New Testament: Book and Chapter Breakdown
The New Testament contains 27 books, with a total of 260 chapters.
The Gospels provide firsthand accounts of Jesus and His disciples. For those new to the Bible, I highly recommend starting with the Gospel of John.
These counts can vary slightly between different Bible translations such as the New Living Translation, New Century Bible, New International Version, and New American Standard Bible.
Total Count of Books and Chapters in the Bible
Adding up the 27 books of the New Testament and the 39 books of the Old Testament, the Bible comprises a total of 66 books.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible contains 1,189 chapters. We haven’t included the verse count here due to significant variations between translations. It’s best to refer to your own Bible for the total number of verses.
Below is a table showing the total number of books and chapters by book name. (Download Free)
Distinguishing Between the Old and New Testaments
The Bible is divided into two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
- Old Testament: Contains books written before the time of Jesus.
- New Testament: Contains books written after Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the four Gospels, which record Jesus’ words and deeds.
Identifying the Longest Chapter in the Bible
You might not need to memorize the number of chapters and verses, but here are some fascinating facts: Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible.
In contrast, the shortest chapter is Psalm 117. Some might think it’s 2 John or 3 John, which have only one chapter but several verses. However, Psalm 117, with only two verses, is indeed the shortest.
Books with a Single Chapter
Several books in the Bible have only one chapter.
- Old Testament: Obadiah
- New Testament: Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude
- Additionally, the book of Haggai in the Old Testament has only two chapters.
Divisions Within the Old Testament
The Old Testament is divided into four main sections:
- Books of Moses (the Law)
- Historical Books
- Poetry and Wisdom Books
- Major and Minor Prophets
1. The Books of Moses (the Law)
Also known as the Pentateuch, this section includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Moses is traditionally credited with writing these five books, which contain the Law given by God, extensive historical accounts, speeches, and songs.
These books cover significant events like creation, the fall, the flood, Babel, the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, Mount Sinai, and the 40-year wilderness wandering.
2. Historical Books
Following the Pentateuch, the historical books begin with the conquest of Canaan and cover the period of the Judges, the united kingdom, the divided kingdom, the Babylonian exile, and the return from exile. There are twelve historical books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.
3. Poetry and Wisdom Books
Five books are classified as poetry or wisdom: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Wisdom literature, mainly found in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, teaches us how to live according to God’s intentions. Psalms and Song of Solomon use Hebrew poetry to convey messages.
4. Major and Minor Prophets
A prophet is a spokesperson, interpreter, or mediator of God’s will. Seventeen Old Testament books fall into this category. The distinction between major and minor prophets is based on the length of the books, not the importance of the prophets. The five Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The twelve Minor Prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
Where to Start Reading the Bible
Knowing the chapters and verses is helpful, but if you’re new to the Bible, here’s a good starting point:
- The Gospel of John: Great for new believers as it tells the story of Jesus’ life.
- The Book of Romans: Contains essential Christian doctrines and beliefs.
- The Book of Proverbs: Offers practical advice for living a God-honoring life.
- Ephesians: Teaches how to live a holy life.
- Psalms: Provides examples of authentic praise and prayer.
- Philippians: Shows how to find joy during trials.
- Ecclesiastes: Imparts godly wisdom.
- Genesis: Explores creation and beginnings.
Studying the Bible and knowing Jesus through His Word is a transformative journey. Keeping a journal as you study can be a powerful tool. The Holy Spirit will guide you along the way. God’s blessings as you embark on this spiritual adventure!
