The Bible is the most widely read and studied book in human history — a divine library of wisdom, prophecy, and truth. But have you ever wondered how many verses the Bible actually contains?
Though verse numbers were not part of the original manuscripts, they help us navigate God’s Word today. Let’s take a closer look at how many verses make up the Bible, where they come from, and what we can learn from these divisions.
📜 When Were Bible Verses Added?
Originally, the Bible’s texts were written as continuous scrolls without punctuation, chapters, or verse numbers.
- Chapters were first divided by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, around 1227 AD.
- Verses in the Old Testament were added earlier by Jewish scholars called the Masoretes between the 6th and 10th centuries AD.
- New Testament verse divisions were introduced by Robert Estienne (also known as Stephanus) in 1551 during the printing of the Greek New Testament.
Since then, nearly all Bible translations have followed this general structure.
📚 How Many Verses Are in the Bible?
The exact number of verses can vary slightly by translation, but here’s the traditional count based on the King James Version (KJV) — one of the most widely referenced editions:
| Section | Number of Verses | Books |
|---|---|---|
| Old Testament | 23,145 verses | 39 books |
| New Testament | 7,957 verses | 27 books |
| Total | 31,102 verses | 66 books |
That’s 31,102 verses across both testaments — a remarkable testament to the Bible’s depth and divine inspiration.
📘 Breakdown by Testament
Old Testament (23,145 verses)
The Old Testament is the larger portion of Scripture, filled with history, prophecy, poetry, and wisdom. The Book of Psalms contains the most verses (2,461), while Obadiah has the fewest (21).
Top 3 longest books by verse count:
- Psalms – 2,461 verses
- Jeremiah – 1,364 verses
- Genesis – 1,533 verses
New Testament (7,957 verses)
The New Testament centers on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Luke is the longest book in the New Testament (1,151 verses), while 3 John is the shortest (14 verses).
Top 3 longest books by verse count:
- Luke – 1,151 verses
- Matthew – 1,071 verses
- Acts – 1,007 verses
🕊️ Why Verse Counts Differ Between Translations
Modern Bible translations such as the NIV, ESV, or CSB may show minor differences in total verse count. These variations occur due to:
- Differences in ancient manuscripts used as sources
- Translation methods (word-for-word vs. thought-for-thought)
- Textual footnotes or combined verses (for example, Matthew 17:21 in some versions is omitted or footnoted)
Even so, the meaning and message of Scripture remain unchanged — the Word of God endures forever (Isaiah 40:8).
💡 Fun Facts About Bible Verses
- Shortest verse: “Jesus wept.” — John 11:35
- Longest verse: Esther 8:9 (90 words in English, KJV)
- Middle verse (by order): Psalm 118:8 — “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
- Total chapters: 1,189
- Average verses per chapter: About 26
🙏 Reflection
Every verse of Scripture — whether a line of genealogy or a word of hope — serves a divine purpose. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
So the next time you read your Bible, remember: each verse is part of God’s grand story, crafted and preserved through centuries to speak directly to your heart today.
✍️ Final Thoughts
Knowing how many verses are in the Bible might seem like trivia, but it points to something greater — the extraordinary precision, preservation, and unity of God’s Word.
Whether you read one verse a day or many chapters, remember that every line is alive with purpose and truth.
FAQ
How many verses are in the Bible in total?
There are 31,102 verses in the Bible — 23,145 in the Old Testament and 7,957 in the New Testament, based on the traditional King James Version (KJV) count.
How many chapters are in the Bible?
The Bible contains 1,189 chapters — 929 in the Old Testament and 260 in the New Testament.
What is the shortest verse in the Bible?
The shortest verse is John 11:35, which simply says, “Jesus wept.” Though brief, it reveals the compassion and humanity of Christ.
What is the longest verse in the Bible?
The longest verse is Esther 8:9, containing about 90 words in English (KJV). It describes a royal decree written during Queen Esther’s time.
Why do verse counts differ between Bible versions?
Different Bible translations (like NIV, ESV, NASB) may vary slightly due to:
* Differences in ancient manuscripts used
* Combined or omitted verses
* Alternative punctuation or translation choices
Despite these minor differences, the meaning of Scripture remains consistent.
Who divided the Bible into chapters and verses?
* Chapters were added by Stephen Langton (Archbishop of Canterbury) around 1227 AD.
* Verses were added by Robert Estienne (Stephanus) in 1551 for the New Testament.
These divisions help us study and reference Scripture more easily.
Which book has the most verses?
The Book of Psalms has the most verses — 2,461 in total. It’s also the Bible’s longest and most poetic book.
Which book has the fewest verses?
Obadiah in the Old Testament has just 21 verses, making it the shortest book in the Bible.
How many verses are in each Testament?
Old Testament: 23,145 verses
New Testament: 7,957 verses
What is the middle verse in the Bible?
The middle verse is traditionally considered Psalm 118:8: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
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