The Bible is the most read and studied book in the world. People often ask, How many chapters are in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation? This question is important because it shows how the Bible is arranged. Each chapter carries meaning and helps readers understand God’s message.
From the first words in Genesis to the final vision in Revelation, the Bible has a clear structure. It contains 1,189 chapters in total, divided between the Old and New Testament. Knowing these numbers makes Bible study easier and more organized. It also inspires readers to explore each part with purpose.
Total Number of Chapters in the Bible
The total number of chapters in the Bible is 1,189, split between Old Testament chapters and New Testament chapters in 66 books of the Bible list. Books like Genesis chapters and verses and Psalms number of chapters are popular for Bible study by chapters. Understanding chapter divisions in the Bible and average verses per chapter helps readers navigate Scripture with ease.
Shorter books, such as Obadiah 1 chapter, Philemon single chapter book, and 2 John and 3 John chapters, still contain meaningful messages. Following a Bible reading plan chapters per day supports Bible topical study and scripture memory by chapter. Key Bible statistics and facts, like most quoted Bible verses, John 3:16 meaning, and Psalm 23 significance, enhance understanding of prophetic books of the Bible and New Testament letters and epistles.
Chapters and Verses in the Old Testament of the Bible
| Book | Chapters | Verses | Avg Verses/Chapter |
| Genesis | 50 | 1,533 | 31 |
| Exodus | 40 | 1,213 | 30 |
| Leviticus | 27 | 859 | 32 |
| Numbers | 36 | 1,288 | 36 |
| Deuteronomy | 34 | 959 | 28 |
| Joshua | 24 | 658 | 27 |
| Judges | 21 | 618 | 29 |
| Ruth | 4 | 85 | 21 |
| 1 Samuel | 31 | 810 | 26 |
| 2 Samuel | 24 | 695 | 29 |
| 1 Kings | 22 | 816 | 37 |
| 2 Kings | 25 | 719 | 29 |
| 1 Chronicles | 29 | 942 | 32 |
| 2 Chronicles | 36 | 822 | 23 |
| Ezra | 10 | 280 | 28 |
| Nehemiah | 13 | 406 | 31 |
| Esther | 10 | 167 | 17 |
| Job | 42 | 1,070 | 25 |
| Psalms | 150 | 2,461 | 16 |
| Proverbs | 31 | 915 | 29 |
| Ecclesiastes | 12 | 222 | 18 |
| Song of Songs | 8 | 117 | 15 |
| Isaiah | 66 | 1,292 | 20 |
| Jeremiah | 52 | 1,364 | 26 |
| Lamentations | 5 | 154 | 31 |
| Ezekiel | 48 | 1,273 | 26 |
| Daniel | 12 | 357 | 30 |
| Hosea | 14 | 197 | 14 |
| Joel | 3 | 73 | 24 |
| Amos | 9 | 146 | 16 |
| Obadiah | 1 | 21 | 21 |
| Jonah | 4 | 48 | 12 |
| Micah | 7 | 105 | 15 |
| Nahum | 3 | 47 | 16 |
| Habakkuk | 3 | 56 | 19 |
| Zephaniah | 3 | 53 | 18 |
| Haggai | 2 | 38 | 19 |
| Zechariah | 14 | 211 | 15 |
| Malachi | 4 | 55 | 14 |
| 1 Esdras | 9 | 210 | 23 |
| Tobit | 14 | 180 | 13 |
Chapters & Verses in the New Testament of the Bible
| Book | Chapters | Verses | Avg Verses/Chapter |
| Matthew | 28 | 1,071 | 38 |
| Mark | 16 | 678 | 42 |
| Luke | 24 | 1,151 | 48 |
| John | 21 | 879 | 42 |
| Acts | 28 | 1,007 | 36 |
| Romans | 16 | 433 | 27 |
| 1 Corinthians | 16 | 437 | 27 |
| 2 Corinthians | 13 | 257 | 20 |
| Galatians | 6 | 149 | 25 |
| Ephesians | 6 | 155 | 26 |
| Philippians | 4 | 104 | 26 |
| Colossians | 4 | 95 | 24 |
| 1 Thessalonians | 5 | 89 | 18 |
| 2 Thessalonians | 3 | 47 | 16 |
| 1 Timothy | 6 | 113 | 19 |
| 2 Timothy | 4 | 83 | 21 |
| Titus | 3 | 46 | 15 |
| Philemon | 1 | 25 | 25 |
| Hebrews | 13 | 303 | 23 |
| James | 5 | 108 | 22 |
| 1 Peter | 5 | 105 | 21 |
| 2 Peter | 3 | 61 | 20 |
| 1 John | 5 | 105 | 21 |
| 2 John | 1 | 13 | 13 |
| 3 John | 1 | 14 | 14 |
| Jude | 1 | 25 | 25 |
| Revelation | 22 | 404 | 18 |
| Matthew 2.0* | 29 | 1,080 | 37 |
| Luke 2.0* | 25 | 1,160 | 46 |
Breakdown by Key Books of the Bible
The New Testament contains books that vary widely in length and style, making each unique in its message and purpose. Books like Matthew, Luke, and Acts are extensive, offering detailed narratives of Jesus’ life, the early church, and teachings for believers.
In contrast, shorter letters such as Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude are concise yet powerful, delivering guidance on love, faith, and righteous living in just a few chapters. Despite their brevity, they carry significant theological insights and practical advice for everyday life. This range in chapter length allows readers to explore Scripture in both topical studies and quick devotional readings.
Books with the Most Chapters
The following books of the Bible have the greatest number of chapters, offering rich content for study and reflection:
- Psalms: 150 chapters – A collection of prayers, songs, and praises used in worship.
- Isaiah: 66 chapters – A prophetic book highlighting judgment, hope, and God’s promises.
- Jeremiah: 52 chapters – Contains warnings, laments, and visions of the prophet Jeremiah.
- Genesis: 50 chapters – Covers creation, early history, and the lives of the patriarchs.
- Ezekiel: 48 chapters – Features visions, prophecies, and symbolic acts illustrating God’s plans.
- Exodus: 40 chapters – Describes the journey from slavery to freedom and God’s covenant with His people.
These books, due to their length and depth, provide profound insights into God’s character, teachings, and plans, making them essential for detailed study and spiritual growth.
Books with the Fewest Chapters
Even though some books of the Bible are very short, each delivers meaningful lessons and spiritual guidance:
- Obadiah: 1 chapter – Highlights God’s judgment and justice for Edom.
- Philemon: 1 chapter – A personal note from Paul about forgiveness and reconciliation.
- 2 John: 1 chapter – Encourages love, truth, and faithful living.
- 3 John: 1 chapter – Focuses on hospitality and supporting fellow believers.
- Jude: 1 chapter – Warns against false teachers and corrupt influences.
- Titus: 3 chapters – Provides guidance on church leadership and godly living.
Even the shortest books in the Bible, though brief, offer profound wisdom, practical guidance, and encouragement for personal faith, spiritual growth, and understanding God’s plans for humanity.
The Significance of Chapter Divisions
Before the Bible had chapter divisions, it was written as continuous text, making Bible study by chapters more difficult. Stephen Langton introduced chapters, and Robert Estienne later added verse numbers to organize Old Testament chapters and New Testament chapters. These divisions make it easy to follow the books of the Bible list and track Genesis chapters and verses or Psalms number of chapters.
Today, chapter divisions in the Bible help create Bible reading plans chapters per day or a one year Bible reading plan. They assist in memorizing Scripture by scripture memory by chapter, locating most quoted Bible verses like John 3:16 meaning, and understanding prophetic books of the Bible and New Testament letters and epistles. This system simplifies Bible topical study and highlights key Bible statistics and facts for organized learning.
Fun Facts About Bible Chapters
- Shortest Chapter: Psalm 117 contains only 2 verses, making it the briefest chapter in the Bible.
- Longest Chapter: Psalm 119 has 176 verses, emphasizing God’s Word and teachings.
- Middle Chapter: Psalm 118 sits at the center of the Bible, offering balance and reflection.
- Book with Most Verses: Jeremiah contains 1,364 verses, making it one of the longest books.
- Average Chapter Length: Most chapters in the Bible have around 18–30 verses.
- Most Translated Book: The Bible is the most translated book in the world, available in thousands of languages.
- Unique Literary Style: Chapters vary in style from poetry and prophecy to historical narratives, enriching Bible study.
These fascinating facts about Bible chapters help readers appreciate the structure, depth, and variety of Scripture, making study more meaningful, insightful, and engaging for personal growth and reflection.
Why Knowing the Chapter Count Matters?
Understanding the chapter count in the Bible is more than just interesting trivia; it provides practical guidance for study, devotion, and teaching:
- Structured Reading: Knowing the total chapters allows you to plan daily or yearly Bible reading schedules.
- Organized Study: Chapters help group Scripture into themes like faith, hope, love, and obedience.
- Memory and Recall: Chapter references make it easier to memorize and quickly locate verses.
- Sermon and Lesson Planning: Accurate chapter knowledge supports clear teaching and devotional preparation.
- Spiritual Growth: Familiarity with the Bible’s structure deepens understanding and encourages consistent engagement.
Additional Bible-Related Facts and Numbers
Here are some key Bible-related numbers and facts:
- Books in the Bible: 66 total (39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament)
- Chapters Count: 1,189 chapters across all books
- Total Verses: 31,102 verses recorded in Scripture
- Old Testament Verses: About 23,145 verses
- New Testament Verses: Around 7,957 verses
- Approximate Word Count: Nearly 785,000 words in most English Bibles
- Well-Known Chapter: Psalm 23, often called the Shepherd’s Psalm
- Famous Verse: John 3:16, central to the message of salvation
These Bible statistics and facts show why the chapter divisions in the Bible are important for study and teaching. From prophetic books of the Bible like Isaiah chapters explained to New Testament letters and epistles such as 2 John and 3 John chapters, each part serves a unique role.
Key verses like John 3:16 meaning and the Psalm 23 significance remain central for faith and reflection. Whether through a Bible reading plan chapters per day or a one year Bible reading plan, these insights help believers grow in clarity and spiritual depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Chapters Are in the Bible From Genesis to Revelation?
There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible, spanning from Genesis to Revelation.
How Many Chapters Are in the Old Testament and New Testament?
The Old Testament has 929 chapters, while the New Testament contains 260 chapters.
What Is the Total Number of Verses in the Bible?
The Bible includes 31,102 verses in total.
Which Book Has the Most Chapters in the Bible?
The Book of Psalms has the most, with 150 chapters.
Which Book Has the Fewest Chapters in the Bible?
Books like Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John each contain just 1 chapter.
Conclusion
The Bible from Genesis to Revelation is more than just a collection of chapters and verses it is a journey through God’s plan, wisdom, and promises. Knowing the total number of chapters in the Bible helps readers appreciate its structure, but the real value lies in how each book points us toward faith, hope, and transformation. Whether it’s the creation story in Genesis or the eternal vision in Revelation, every chapter has a purpose.
As you reflect on the 1,189 chapters of Scripture, let this knowledge inspire you to go beyond counting and start applying God’s Word in daily life. A simple reading plan, regular study, and prayerful reflection can bring the Bible’s message alive. From the longest chapters in Psalms to the shortest in Obadiah, each passage is an opportunity to grow closer to God.
Hi, I’m Michael Grant. I have 4 years of experience writing for BibleTruthsNow.com, sharing insights on prayer, Bible meaning, and faith to encourage believers in their spiritual journey.