How Many Chapters Are in Each Book of the Bible?
Reading the Bible can be a fulfilling journey, but knowing where to start can sometimes be a challenge. Whether you’re planning a structured reading schedule or simply curious, understanding how many chapters are in each book of the Bible can be incredibly helpful.
This guide will give you a clear breakdown of the chapters in all 66 books, making it easier to navigate through the scriptures. Dive in and discover the structure of the Bible, helping you plan your study time and deepen your understanding of these sacred texts.
Overview of the Bible’s Structure
The Bible is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Together, they contain a total of 66 books, each with its own unique content, purpose, and structure. Understanding the division and grouping of these books can help readers navigate the scriptures more effectively.
Old Testament
The Old Testament consists of 39 books and is primarily written in Hebrew. It is divided into several categories:
- The Pentateuch (Torah or Law): The first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) form the foundation of the Bible, outlining the creation, the early history of humanity, and God’s covenant with Israel.
- Historical Books: These 12 books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) detail the history of the Israelite people from their conquest of Canaan to their return from exile.
- Wisdom Literature: These five books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) contain poetry, songs, proverbs, and reflections on life and faith.
- Major Prophets: Comprising five books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel), these writings contain the messages of prophets who addressed major events in Israel’s history.
- Minor Prophets: This section includes 12 shorter prophetic books (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi), each named after the prophet who authored it.
New Testament
The New Testament consists of 27 books and is primarily written in Greek. It is divided into the following categories:
- The Gospels: The first four books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) provide accounts of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- History: The Book of Acts details the history of the early Christian church and the spread of the Gospel following Jesus’ ascension.
- Pauline Epistles: These 13 letters (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon) were written by the Apostle Paul to various churches and individuals, offering doctrinal teachings and practical advice.
- General Epistles: These eight letters (Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude) are addressed to broader audiences and cover a range of theological and practical topics.
- Prophecy: The Book of Revelation is an apocalyptic text that provides visions of the end times and the ultimate victory of good over evil.
Number of Chapters in Each Book of the Old Testament
| Category | Book | Chapters | Verses | Avg Verses/Chapter |
| The Pentateuch | Genesis | 50 | 1533 | 31 |
| Exodus | 40 | 1213 | 30 | |
| Leviticus | 27 | 859 | 32 | |
| Numbers | 36 | 1288 | 36 | |
| Deuteronomy | 34 | 959 | 28 | |
| Historical Books | 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 | |
| Wisdom Literature | Job | 42 | 1070 | 25 |
| Psalms | 150 | 2461 | 16 | |
| Proverbs | 31 | 915 | 30 | |
| Ecclesiastes | 12 | 222 | 18 | |
| Song of Solomon | 8 | 117 | 15 | |
| Major Prophets | Isaiah | 66 | 1292 | 20 |
| Jeremiah | 52 | 1364 | 26 | |
| Lamentations | 5 | 154 | 31 | |
| Ezekiel | 48 | 1273 | 27 | |
| Daniel | 12 | 357 | 30 | |
| Minor Prophets | 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 |
Number of Chapters in Each Book of the New Testament
| Category | Book | Chapters | Verses | Avg Verses/Chapter |
| The Gospels | Matthew | 28 | 1071 | 38 |
| Mark | 16 | 678 | 42 | |
| Luke | 24 | 1151 | 48 | |
| John | 21 | 879 | 42 | |
| History | Acts | 28 | 1007 | 36 |
| Pauline Epistles | 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 | |
| General Epistles | 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 | 15 | 15 | |
| Jude | 1 | 25 | 25 | |
| Prophecy | Revelation | 22 | 404 | 18 |
Common Questions About the Number of Chapters in the Bible
1. What is the longest book in the Bible?
The longest book in the Bible by the number of chapters is the Book of Psalms, which has 150 chapters. It is a collection of songs, prayers, and poems that cover a wide range of human emotions and experiences.
2. What is the shortest book in the Bible?
The shortest book in the Bible by the number of chapters is 3 John, which has only one chapter. It is a brief letter written by the Apostle John.
3. Which book has the most chapters in the New Testament?
The book with the most chapters in the New Testament is the Gospel of Matthew, which has 28 chapters. It provides a detailed account of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection.
4. How many chapters are in the Old Testament?
The Old Testament contains a total of 929 chapters across 39 books.
5. How many chapters are in the New Testament?
The New Testament contains a total of 260 chapters across 27 books.
6. How many chapters are in the entire Bible?
The entire Bible, combining both the Old and New Testaments, contains a total of 1,189 chapters.
7. How many chapters are in the Book of Genesis?
The Book of Genesis has 50 chapters. It covers the creation of the world, the early history of humanity, and the stories of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
8. How many chapters are in the Book of Revelation?
The Book of Revelation has 22 chapters. It contains apocalyptic visions and prophecies about the end times and the ultimate victory of God over evil.
9. Are there any books with exactly 12 chapters?
Yes, there are several books with exactly 12 chapters, including the Book of Daniel and the Book of Ecclesiastes.
10. How many books in the Bible have only one chapter?
There are five books in the Bible that have only one chapter: Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. These are some of the shortest books in the Bible.
11. Which book has the most chapters in the Old Testament?
The book with the most chapters in the Old Testament is the Book of Psalms, which has 150 chapters. It is a collection of lyrical compositions that have been used in worship for centuries.
12. How many verses are in the Bible?
The entire Bible contains a total of approximately 31,102 verses. The Old Testament has about 23,145 verses, and the New Testament has about 7,957 verses.
13. How many words are in the Bible?
The total number of words in the Bible varies slightly depending on the translation, but most commonly, the Bible has approximately 783,137 words. The Old Testament contains about 602,585 words, and the New Testament contains about 180,552 words.
