Amazing Bible Facts

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“These are the question throughout the internet that compiled; All are subject to change if necessary.

Last Update 6-25-14

The Writing of the Bible

- When was the Bible written?

The Bible was written over a 1600 year period by approximately 40 men. It was written over a period of some 1,500 B.C., from around 1450 B.C. (the time of Moses) to about 100 A.D. (following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ).

- Who wrote the Bible?

The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by over 40 different authors from all walks of life: shepherds, farmers, tent-makers, physicians, fishermen, priests, philosophers and kings. Despite these differences in occupation and the span of years it took to write it, the Bible is an extremely cohesive and unified book.

- Which single author contributed the most books to the Old testaments?

Moses. He wrote the first 5 books, referred to as the Pentateuch; the foundation of the Bible.

- Which single author contributed the most books to the New testaments?

The Apostle Paul wrote at least 14 books (over half) of the New Testament.

- What languages was the Bible written in?

The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek.

- Which single author contributed the most books to the Old Testament?

Moses. He wrote the first five books of the Bible, referred to as the Pentateuch; the foundation of the Bible.

- Which single author contributed the most books to the New Testament?

The Apostle Paul, who wrote 14 books (over half) of the New Testament.

- How many books are in the Bible?

The Bible contains 66 books, divided among the Old Testament were written before the birth of Jesus Christ and New Testaments covers the life of Christ and beyond.

The Divisions of the Bible

- How many books are in the Old Testament?

There are 39 books in the Old Testament. (It contains 592,493 words, 23,214 verses, 929 chapters)

- How many books are in the New Testament?

There are 27 books in the New Testament. (It contains 181,253 words, 7,959 verses, 260 chapters

The total for Old and New Testament – 723,746 words, 31,173 verses, 1,189 chapters and 66 books.

- What does "testament" mean?

Testament means "covenant" or "contract."

- What is the oldest book in the Old Testament?

Many scholars agree that Job is the oldest book in the Bible, written by an unknown Israelite about 1500 B.C. Others hold that the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) are the oldest books in the Bible, written between 1446 and 1406 B.C.

- What is the youngest book in the Old Testament?

The book of Malachi, written about 400 B.C.

- What is the oldest book of the New Testament?

Probably the book of James, written as early as A.D. 45.

- What is the youngest book in the New Testament?

The Book of Revelation is the youngest book of the New Testament, written about 95 A.D.

The Chapters and Verses

Each of the books, except 5, are divided into chapters and verses. The 5 which aren’t divided by chapters are Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. These are short books which only have verse divisions.

Chapters were introduced to the Bible in 1238 by Cardinal Hugo de S. Caro. Verse divisions were not added until 1551 by Robertus Stephanus.

- What is the longest book in the Bible?

The book of Psalms with 150 chapters, or psalms. It contains 43,743 words.

- What is the shortest book in the Bible?

3 John. (The other author is 2 John)

Comparison:

3 John --- 1 chapter, 14 verses, 299 words
2 John --- 1 chapter, 13 verses, 303 words

- What is the longest chapter in the Bible?

Psalm 119 with 176 verses.

- What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?

Psalm 117 with only 2 verses.

- What is the middle chapter & verse of the Bible?

     There are actually a number of unusual coincidences surrounding Psalm 118. For instance, there are 1189 chapters in the Bible. That means that the middle chapter is the 595th chapter, Psalm 117.
     What about the middle verse? According to Snopes, there are 31,174 verses in the Bible. Therefore, the middle verses are the 15,587th and 15,588th. Interestingly enough, those verses are verses 8 and 9 in Psalm 118. Also, the notation for verse 9 in Psalm 118 is Psalms 118:9, which is the same number as the total number of chapters in the Bible, 1189.
     What does this all mean? Probably nothing. These coincidences only work for the King James version of the Bible, which isn't the only Bible out there. And when dealing with a book with this many numbers in it, interesting coincidences are bound to come up.

- What is the longest verse in the Bible?

Esther 8:9 with 90 words.

- What is the shortest verse in the Bible?

John 11:35 with only 2 words, “Jesus wept.”

- Which book in the Bible does not mention the word "God?"

The book of Esther.

The Bible Claims to be God’s Word

There are many books written about and by various religions. But the Bible is the only one which claims to be the actual words of God. Those who believe the Bible also believe that God inspired various people through the years to write down His actual words for mankind. The Bible says more than 3,000 times “thus saith the Lord.” It claims that the words which follow are quotes from God.

Bible Verse(s):

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

The Character in the Bible

- Who was the oldest man that ever lived?

Methuselah who lived to be 969 years old (Genesis 5:27).

- Who were the two men in the Bible who never died but were caught up to heaven?

Enoch, who walked with God and was no more (Genesis 5:22-24). Elijah, who was caught up by a whirlwind into heaven (II Kings 2:11).

- Who does the Bible say was the meekest man in the Bible (not including Jesus)?

Moses (Numbers 12:3).

- Who is the person with the longest name in the Bible?

Mahershalalhashbaz: Isaiah 8:1, 8:3. The child of Isaiah and 'the prophetess.'

Other longest name in the Bible

Berodachbaladan: Kings 2 20:12. King of Babylon
Merodachbaladan: Isaiah 39:1. Another spelling of Berodachbaladan, King of Babylon
Tilgathpilneser: Chronicles 1 5:6, {5:20;} Chronicles 2 28:20. King of Assyria
Zaphnathpaaneah: Genesis 41:45. Joseph's Egyptian name
Bashanhavothjair: Deuteronomy 3:14. The name Jair son of Manasseh
Chushanrishathaim: Judges 3:8-10. King of Mesopotamia

Other Amazing Bible Facts

- The Bible Never Contradicts Itself

There are no contradictions in the Bible. Various people claim to find contradictions but they have to take verses out of context to do so. When looking at the Bible as a whole and understanding its teachings there are no contradictions. This is amazing when one considers that the Bible was written over such a long period of time.

- The Prophecies of the Bible

There are more than 3,200 verses with fulfilled prophecy either within the Bible itself or since the Bible was written. But there are still more than 3,100 verses with unfulfilled prophecies.

- When was the Bible canonized?

The entire New Testament as we know it today, was canonized before the year 375 A.D. The Old Testament had previously been canonized long before the advent of Christ.

- What does "canon" mean?

"Canon" is derived front the Greek word "Kanon," signifying a measuring rod. Thus, to have the Bible "canonized" meant that it had been measured by the standard or test of divine inspiration and authority. It became the collection of books or writings accepted by the apostles and leadership of the early Christian church as a basis for Christian belief. It is the standard by which all Christians throughout the ages live and worship.

- When was the first translation of the Bible made into English?

1382 A.D., by John Wycliffe.

- When was the Bible printed?

The Bible was printed in 1454 A.D. by Johannes Gutenberg who invented the "type mold" for the printing press. It was the first book ever printed.

What is the oldest almost-complete manuscript of the Bible now in existence?

The Codex Vaticanus, which dates from the first half of the fourth Century. It is located in the library of the Vatican in Rome. There are older fragments of the Bible that are still preserved however-- the oldest being a tiny scrap of the Gospel of John was found in Egypt, dating back to the beginning of the second century. (It is currently in the Rayland's Library in Manchester, England).

- How many languages has the Bible been translated into?

The Holy Bible has been translated into 2,018 languages, with countless more partial translations, and audio translations (for unwritten languages). (This is an enormous amount of translations. In comparison, Shakespeare, considered by many to be the master writer of the English language, has only been translated into 50 languages.)

- Is the Bible still the best-selling book in the world?

Yes, indeed!

References

American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1927, 1965).
Maxwell, Arthur. Your Bible And You (Washington D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1959).
Mickelson, A. Berkley and Alvera. Understanding Scripture (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1982, 1992).
Unger, Merrill F. TH.D., PH.D. Unger's Bible Handbook (Chicago: Moody Press, 1967)

Page References:

http://ministerbook.com/topics/facts-about-bible/

http://christunlimited.com/answers/afacts.html

http://www.holybible.com/resources/poems/ps.php?sid=626

http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-amazing-bible-facts/

http://www.omg-facts.com/History/The-Longest-Chapter-In-The-Bible-Is-Psal/19303