About the Bible
Facts, history, and reference questions about how the Bible came together.
Who wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written by around 40 authors over roughly 1,500 years — including kings (David, Solomon), prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah), apostles (Paul, Peter, John), and historians (Luke).
When was the Bible written?
Between roughly 1400 BC and AD 100 — about 1,500 years. The Old Testament was written first, the New Testament in the decades after Jesus's life.
How many books are in the Bible?
The Protestant Bible has 66 books — 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Catholic Bibles have 73, Orthodox Bibles slightly more.
How many chapters and verses are in the Bible?
The Protestant Bible has 1,189 chapters and around 31,100 verses. The Old Testament has 929 chapters; the New Testament has 260.
What language was the Bible written in?
The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew, with a few sections in Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Koine Greek — the common Greek of the 1st-century Mediterranean.
What's the difference between the Old and New Testament?
The Old Testament is the Hebrew Scriptures — the story of Israel before Jesus. The New Testament records Jesus's life and the founding of the church. Christians read both as one continuous story.
How many words are in the Bible?
About 780,000 words in most modern English translations — around 600,000 in the Old Testament and 180,000 in the New Testament.
Is the Bible historically accurate?
Many people and events in the Bible are confirmed by archaeology and external sources. Scholars distinguish historical narrative, prophecy, poetry and apocalyptic — each is read differently.
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