The Bible, also known as the Holy Scriptures, is one of human history’s most widely read and influential books. It contains sacred texts that billions of people revere and continue to significantly shape some societies and cultures.
While many are familiar with its teachings, numerous intriguing facts about the Bible are still less commonly known. In this article, we will explore 22 interesting facts about the Bible that may surprise you.
1. The Bible is a Bestseller
Did you know that the Bible is the best-selling book of all time? According to Guinness World Records, over 5 billion copies have been sold worldwide.
2. The Bible has been Translated into Over 700 Languages
According to Wikipedia, the Bible is available in over 700 languages, making it one of the most translated books in history. This not only allows more people to access its teachings but also showcases its global impact and influence.
The new testament and other smaller portions have been translated into even further languages.
3. It Took Over 1,500 Years to Write
While some books are written quickly over a small amount of time, the Bible takes over a century to compete. The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years. Despite this vast time span and numerous authors, the Bible maintains a cohesive message and theme throughout its entirety.
4. It Was Written in 3 Different Continents
The Bible was written on three different continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. Its authors came from various backgrounds, cultures, and languages but were all inspired by God to write the sacred texts.
5. It Has Over 40 Authors
While there are a few key authors that are well known, such as Moses, David, and Paul, the Bible was written by over 40 different authors. These included kings, fishermen, doctors, farmers, and more. Despite their diverse backgrounds and experiences, the message remains unified.
6. The Smallest Book in the Bible
The smallest books in the Bible are less than 500 words. These include 3 John, 2 John, Philemon, Obadiah, and Jude. Although short in length, these books still contain powerful messages and teachings.
7. The Longest Book in the Bible
On the other end of the spectrum is the book of Psalms, which contains a whopping 150 chapters. It is also one of the most widely read and quoted books in the Bible.
8. The Word “Bible” Comes from Greek
The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word “biblia,” which means “books.” This is fitting since the Bible is a collection of 66 books, divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
9. The Old Testament
The Old Testament contains 39 books in the Protestant version and 46 books in the Catholic version. It covers the history of the Jewish people, their laws, prophecies, and writings. It was written primarily in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic.
10. The New Testament
The New Testament contains 27 books that focus on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the early Christian Church. It was originally written in Greek and includes the four Gospels, Acts, letters from early church leaders, and Revelation.
11. The Bible contains 17 historical books
The Bible contains 17 historical books that are as follows: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. These books present the historical events that took place in the Old Testament.
12. The Bible includes 5 poetical books
The Bible’s poetical books – Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon – serve as a bridge between the historical past and the prophetic books of the future.
13. The Bible has 17 prophetic books
These 17 prophetic books of the Bible were written by the “minor” prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
14. The Bible includes 4 Gospels
The Bible contains four Gospels named after their authors – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The word “Gospel” comes from the Old English term “Gos” which means “God” or “good” and “Spel” which means “news. In Christianity, the term “Good News” refers to the story of Jesus’ birth, death, sacrifice, and resurrection, which are believed to be part of His mission to save humanity.
15. The Bible has 21 Epistles
These are the 21 Epistles of the Bible: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. These books are all attributed to the apostle Paul, although some dispute whether he wrote all 13.
16. A 1631 Edition Accidentally Promoted Adultery
In 1631, a printing mistake led to the misprint of “thou shalt commit adultery” in the Ten Commandments instead of “thou shalt not commit adultery.” This edition became known as the “Wicked Bible.”
17. The Bible has been Banned and Burned
Throughout history, there have been numerous attempts to ban or burn the Bible. For example:
- In the 1600s, King James I of England authorized a new translation of the Bible, which was met with opposition from some religious groups.
- In the 1800s, Protestant copies of the bible were burned by an Italian Archbishop.
- In more recent years, the Bible has been banned in countries like North Korea and Saudi Arabia.
18. The Longest Word in the Bible
The longest word in the Bible is “Mahershalalhashbaz,” which appears in Isaiah 8:3 and has a total of 18 letters. It means “hurry to plunder” and was the name given to Isaiah’s son.
19. The Shortest Verse
The shortest verse in the Bible is found in John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” It contains only two words and is a powerful example of Jesus’ humanity and compassion.
20. The Largest Producer of Bibles
China is the largest producer of Bibles in the world that are distributed worldwide. The biggest company in China is Amity Printing Company.
21. The Most Expensive Bible
The most expensive Bible is from the 9th or 10th century, known as the Codex Sassoon. It is valued at over $50 million dollars.
22. The Were No Verses in the First Bible
The original Bible did not have chapter and verse divisions, which were added in the 13th century. This was done to help with referencing and studying the text.
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JayDee Vykoukal is a writer, author, mom, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has been writing about everything motherhood and health-related since 2018 when her first daughter was born, and she wanted to stay home. She loves to research new topics and fun facts with her kids to teach them about the world.
