How Many Chapters Are in the Bible From Genesis to Revelation?

The Bible is made up of many books, and each book has its own chapters and verses. From Genesis to Revelation, there are 66 books in total. These books are divided into 1,189 chapters—929 in the Old Testament and 260 in the New Testament. Chapters make it easier to read, study, and find verses. 

Some books, like Psalms, are very long, while others, like Obadiah or Philemon, are just one chapter. Knowing the number of chapters helps readers plan their study and understand the Bible better.

Total Number of Chapters in the Bible

The Bible, one of the most widely read and studied texts in human history, is composed of 66 books that are divided into chapters and verses. These divisions help readers navigate its stories, teachings, prophecies, and letters with ease. In total, the Bible contains 1,189 chapters. This vast structure offers a rich framework for spiritual growth, biblical scholarship, and personal reflection. 

The Bible is split into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament consists of 39 books and includes 929 chapters, while the New Testament has 27 books and contains 260 chapters. Together, they provide a comprehensive account of God’s relationship with humanity from creation to redemption.

📘 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

📗 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

Breakdown by Key Books of the Bible

Some books of the Bible are more prominent due to their length, literary style, or theological impact. Among the longest books, Psalms stands out with 150 chapters, offering a collection of songs, prayers, and laments. Isaiah is another lengthy book with 66 chapters filled with prophecy and poetic language. 

On the other end of the spectrum are short books like Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Obadiah, each containing only one chapter. These books still hold great value, often offering profound truths and practical guidance in just a few verses. This diversity in size and content allows readers to engage with Scripture in different ways, from in-depth studies to quick reflections.

Books with the Most Chapters

The books with the highest number of chapters are:

• Psalms: 150 chapters – A poetic collection of worship songs, prayers, and praises.
• Isaiah: 66 chapters – A major prophetic book addressing judgment and hope.
• Jeremiah: 52 chapters – Contains prophecies and laments from the prophet Jeremiah.
• Genesis: 50 chapters – The book of beginnings, including creation, the flood, and the patriarchs.
• Ezekiel: 48 chapters – Features vivid visions and symbolic acts of prophecy.

These books provide comprehensive insights into God’s character, plans, and interactions with His people. They often require deeper study and reflection due to their complexity and theological depth.

Books with the Fewest Chapters

Not all books in the Bible are lengthy. Some contain only a single chapter but still offer powerful messages:

• Obadiah: 1 chapter – A prophecy against the nation of Edom.
• Philemon: 1 chapter – A personal letter from Paul about forgiveness and reconciliation.
• 2 John & 3 John: 1 chapter each – Brief letters emphasizing love, truth, and hospitality.
• Jude: 1 chapter – A strong warning against false teachers.

These short books are excellent for quick reading and memorization. Despite their brevity, they contribute significantly to biblical theology and personal spiritual development.

The Significance of Chapter Divisions

Interestingly, the Bible was not originally written with chapters or verses. The texts were continuous scrolls without divisions. The chapter system was developed by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the 13th century to aid in navigation and teaching. Later, Robert Estienne, a French printer, added verse numbers in the 16th century. 

These divisions revolutionized Bible reading by making it easier to locate passages, compare texts, and structure study plans. Today, we rely heavily on these divisions for everything from sermon preparation to daily devotionals. They bring order to the vast amount of content and allow for efficient study and memorization.

Fun Facts About Bible Chapters

• Shortest Chapter: Psalm 117 with just *2 verses.
• Longest Chapter: Psalm 119 with *176 verses, focusing on the Word of God.
• Middle Chapter of the Bible: Psalm 118.
• Longest book by verse count: Jeremiah with *1,364 verses.
• Average Chapter Length: Roughly 18 verses.
• The Bible is the most translated book in the world.

These facts highlight the Bible’s literary structure and richness. They also make Bible study more engaging by giving readers interesting entry points into Scripture.

Why Knowing the Chapter Count Matters?

Understanding the number of chapters in the Bible is not just trivia. It has practical benefits for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Scripture:

• Reading Plans: Knowing there are 1,189 chapters helps in creating reading schedules. Reading 3-4 chapters a day can take you through the entire Bible in one year.
• Topical Study: Chapters help organize Scripture around themes like love, forgiveness, justice, and salvation.
• Scripture Memory: Knowing chapter locations aids memorization and quick recall of verses.
• Teaching and Preaching: Chapters and verses provide clear references for sermons and Bible lessons.

For anyone looking to grow spiritually, being familiar with the Bible’s structure is a valuable tool.

Additional Bible-Related Facts and Numbers

Here are some more insightful facts for Bible readers:

• Total Books: 66 (39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament)
• Total Chapters: 1,189
• Total Verses: 31,102
  • Old Testament: 23,145 verses
  • New Testament: 7,957 verses
• Estimated Word Count: Around 785,000 words in most English translations
• Most Quoted Chapter: Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd…”)
• Most Quoted Verse: John 3:16

These numbers offer a framework for understanding the Bible’s depth and organization. While translations may vary slightly in wording and verse count, the overall structure remains consistent across most versions.

By grasping the structure and details of the Bible—from chapter counts to verse statistics—readers can approach it with greater confidence and clarity. Whether you’re new to the Bible or a seasoned reader, these insights equip you to explore its truths more effectively. The Bible isn’t just a book; it’s a library, a guide, and a life-transforming resource that invites daily discovery