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The Bible is the most-read, most-translated, and most-sold book in the history of the world. It’s a vast and ancient library of 66 books, written by around 40 different authors over a period of 1,500 years. But beyond the grand statistics, it's also filled with surprising details, hidden gems, and fascinating facts that can give us a fresh sense of wonder for this incredible book.
Whether you're a lifelong student of Scripture or just curious, these ten amazing facts are sure to surprise and delight you, offering a new perspective on the Bible.
Some of the most amazing facts about the Bible are that its shortest verse is only two words long (John 11:35), its longest verse contains 176 parts (Psalm 119:8), and the oldest person mentioned, Methuselah, lived to be 969 years old.
1. The shortest verse in the Bible is just two words long.
In the Gospel of John, when Jesus learns of his friend Lazarus's death, his response is profound in its simplicity. The shortest verse in the entire Bible is John 11:35: "Jesus wept."
2. The longest book in the Bible is the Psalms.
The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 songs and prayers, making it the longest book in the Bible by number of chapters. It's also the most varied, containing everything from cries of anguish to shouts of praise.
3. The shortest book in the Bible can be read in about a minute.
The shortest book by word count is 3 John, a short personal letter from the Apostle John. It has only 219 words in the original Greek and can be read from start to finish in less than 60 seconds!
4. The Bible was written by around 40 different authors.
The Bible isn't a single book, but a library. Its 66 books were written by a diverse group of people over 1,500 years. The authors included kings (like David and Solomon), prophets (like Isaiah and Jeremiah), fishermen (like Peter and John), a doctor (Luke), and a tax collector (Matthew).
5. The word "Bible" simply means "book."
The English word "Bible" comes from the Greek word biblia, which simply means "the books." It's a fitting name for this incredible library of writings.
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6. The longest verse in the Bible is in the book of Esther.
While the longest chapter is the famous Psalm 119, the longest single verse is Esther 8:9. This incredibly detailed verse, describing a royal decree, contains around 90 words, depending on the translation.
7. The Bible is the bestselling book of all time.
No book in history comes close to the Bible's circulation. It has been translated into over 700 languages, and it's estimated that more than 5 billion copies have been sold to date.
8. The oldest person in the Bible lived to be 969.
According to Genesis 5:27, Methuselah, the grandfather of Noah, lived to be 969 years old, making him the longest-living person mentioned in the Bible.
9. A famous saying isn't actually in the Bible.
The popular phrase "God helps those who help themselves" is often quoted as if it's from Scripture, but it's not in the Bible at all! The phrase can be traced back to ancient Greece and was popularised in modern times by Benjamin Franklin.
10. The last word in the Bible is "Amen."
The very last word of the very last verse of the Bible (Revelation 22:21) is a fitting and final "Amen," a word that means "so be it" or "truly." It's the perfect final seal on the story of God's love and redemption.
The Bible is a deep and endlessly fascinating book. These fun facts are just the tip of the iceberg, a small glimpse into the incredible world that awaits when you open its pages.
Ready to start your own journey of discovery? Our Bible Finder can help you find the perfect Bible to begin.
Still not sure which Bible is right for you? You can learn more in our complete, free 97-page ebook, 'How to Choose Your Bible'.
