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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Some facts about the Bible



About the Bibleā€¦


The Bible

The Bible is unique among “Holy Books;” it is rooted in and intertwined with actual human history.

The Bible claims to be “the word of God.” It records the interaction of God with historical people and nations. It reveals the meaning of life and the responsibility of human beings to their Creator.

66books—The Bible is actually a collection of books, some long, some short. This book of books is the world’s all-time best seller and the world’s most translated book.
Two major sections

The Bible’s two major sections are the Old Testament and the New Testament. (What’s so new about the New Testament?(Answer also available in HungarianSpanish)
The Old Testament has…
  • 39 books
  • 929 chapters
  • 23,214 verses
  • 593,493 words
  • Longest book: Psalms
  • Shortest book: Obadiah (3rd shortest book in the Bible)
The New Testament has…
The nine sub-sections of the Bible

The Bible’s books are arranged by TYPE, rather than chronologically.
1.
Books of Moses and the Law
2.
History books
3.
Wisdom books
4.
Prophets' books
5.
Gospels
Jesus Life and the way of salvation

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Also see:About the Gospels
6.
History of the early church
7.
Paul’s letters
8.
Other letters
9.
Apocalypse

Learn about each of the 66 books (description and background)…
OLD TESTAMENT:
NEW TESTAMENT:


  • The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
  • Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are unchangeable.
  • Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.
  • It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
  • It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter.
  • Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
  • Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and God's glory its end.
  • It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
  • Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.
  • It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
  • It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and will be remembered forever.
  • It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents."


Fun facts
Last word in the Bible:Amen (Rev. 22:21)
Longest word (and name):Mahershalalhashbaz (Isaiah 8:1)
Shortest verse:John 11:35 (2 words: “Jesus wept”)
Longest verse:Esther 8:9
Shortest book (number of words):3 John
Longest book:Psalms (150 chapters)
Middle books:Micah and Nahum
Chapters:1,189
Longest chapter:Psalm 119 (176 verses)
Shortest chapter (number of words):Psalm 117
Number of times the word “God” appears:3,358 (It appears in every book except Esther andSong of Solomon.)
Number of times the word “Lord” appears:7,736
Number of different authors:Over 40
Number of languages the Bible has been translated into:More than 1,200 (as of 2001)
Number of new Bibles distributed (sold or given away) in the U.S.:


Number of existing Bible manuscripts: 5,300 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, 10,000 Latin Vulgates, and 9,300 other early versions = more than 24,000
manuscript copies of portions of the New Testament.
In contrast to the nearly 800,000 words in the Bible (and over 180,000 in the New), the number of Arabic Words in the Quran is 77,439 (reported by Al-Fadl bin Shadhan as said by ‘Ata bin Yasar). [77,473 in English] Other sources provided somewhat different numbers.

The Bible can be read aloud in 70 hours.

Number of verses in the Bible (KJV) contain all but 1 letter of the alphabet:
Ezra 7:21 contains all but the letter j; Joshua 7:24, 1 Kings 1:9, 1 Chronicles 12:40, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Ezekiel 28:13, Daniel 4:37, and Haggai 1:1 contain all but q; 2 Kings 16:15 and 1 Chronicles 4:10 contain all but z; and Galatians 1:14 contains all but k. (http://www.artbible.info/concordance)
Stephen Cardinal Langton (c. 1150 – 9 July 1228), an Archbishop of Canterbury, is credited with having divided the Bible into the standard modern arrangement of books and chapters used today.

Frenchman Robert Estienne (1503-1559), also referred to as Robert Stephens, a Catholic who became a Protestant late in his life, is credited with being the first to print the Bible divided into standard numbered verses
About 168,000 per day (as of 2001)

Read the Bible

Read it!
We urge you to read the Bible for yourself. It’s an adventure. If you don’t have time to read the whole thing immediately, we suggest that you begin withGenesis (the book of beginnings) and then read the book of John.
We offer two plans to help you get through reading the entire Bible: a One-Year program (arranged by book type) or a Three-Year program (arranged simply from Genesis to Revelation).
Our annotated, cross-referenced, red-letter Web Bible…
Old Testament: 

New Testament: 






Search the Bible in several versions (off-site):
Version: 
Passage (eg. John 3:16):

Search word(s) (eg. saved):


Searches Bible Gateway
Page taken from http://www.christiananswers.net

Books of the Bible with its Theme



Section and Titles
Principle themes and persons (mostly from Halley's Bible Handbook).
^
Section and Titles
Principle themes and souls. For more info I would recommend the freeE-Sword Bible program (see commentaries).
THE TORAH (Est. composition: 1445 - 1405 B.C., mostly by Moses)
Five Books: Creation, Giving of the Law, + Journeys.
^
Gospels
4 Books. The story of Christ from four aspects.
1. Genesis

The Book of Beginnings: Creation to beginning of the Hebrew Nation (Israel; Noah, Abraham, Joseph).
^
1. Matthew (Est. 60's)
Matthew — Jesus, the Promised Jewish Messiah, of the seed of David. Emphasis upon Jesus fulfilling prophecy. Common word, "spoken by".
2. Exodus
Deliverance of the Hebrew Nation from Egypt to Wilderness Chastisement;
Giving of The Law and Covenant; Instructions for the Temple (Moses).
Made be seen to correspond in part to the Book of Acts in N.T.
^
2. Mark (Est. late 50's - early 60's)
Jesus, the Son of God and perfect servant. Shortest gospel: thought to be best suited for slaves, which made up a large portion of the church (and had less free time). Common word, "straightway" (KJV), as Jesus was prompt as needed, and slaves were also often to do things immediately.
3. Leviticus
Laws for Israel, Ordinances for Temple Service and for Aaronic Priesthood (Moses, Aaron). Key word: = holiness (87 times).
^
3. Luke (Est. 60)
Jesus, the Son of Man. More emphasis upon humanity of Christ, the perfect man, yet Son of God. Shows Jesus prayed more than other accounts. This is the 1st treatise, the 2nd being Acts (Acts 1:1), penned by Luke (Lucas), apparently a Jewish proselyte, “the beloved Physician” (Col. 4:14).
4. Numbers
Numbering of Israel and Journey to the Promised Land and its trials, and Moses leadership.
5. Deuteronomy
Laws for Hebrew Nation, reiterated and expanded; Warnings of Chastisement if not obeyed (Moses + Aaron).
^
4. John (Est. late 80's - early 90's)
Jesus, the Son of God. Reveals the Deity of Christ more than other gospels. See Jn. 1:1-3; 12:34b-50; 20:28, etc., and HERE.
The Historical Books
Nine books. The History of Israel from the conquest of Canaan (most) to the establishment of the Kingdom, it's division, and the captivity.
^
5. Acts (Est. 61)

Principally the Acts of the apostles. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and birth (as some mark it) and history of early church.
6. Joshua (Est. 1404-1390 B.C.)
Conquest of the promised land of of Canaan under Joshua, the prior inhabitant being wicked.
^
Church Epistles and Letters
The gospel and salvation explained, and ecclesiastical matters dealt with, and heart expressed.
7. Judges (Est. 1374-1129 B.C.)
Death of Joshua and Backsliding of Israel and effects (various Judges; Gideon, Samson)
^
6. Romans (Est. 55)
Foundational doctrines on justification, election, and application. Very important doctrinal book. Link.
8. Ruth (Est. 1150? B.C.)
Story God's mercy outside Israel. Beginning of Messianic Line (Ruth, Naomi Boaz).
^
7. First Corinthians(Est. 54)
Church discipline and order. Paul's patience, love, and teaching toward the immature Corinthians, with various disorders. Rapture of believers.
9. First Samuel (Est. 1043-1011 B.C.)
Birth and life of Samuel (the last judge); Israel's choice of a King and establishment of the Kingdom (Samuel, Saul, David, Jonathan, Goliath)
^
8. Second Corinthians (Est. 55)
Paul's heartfelt love, exhortations, entreaty and warning to the carnal church at Corinth. The exchanged life, and power, and travails of the apostle Paul and company.
10. Second Samuel(Est. 1011-1004 B.C.)
Establishment of Davidic Kingdom centered in Jerusalem (David, Joab, Absalom).
^
9. Galatians (Est. 49)
Paul's correction and exhortations to the Galatian church. Emphasis is upon salvation by grace, not by the law, contrary to "Judaizers."
11. First Kings (Est. 971-852 B.C.)
Reign of Solomon, the building of the Temple.
The Kingdom Divided after his death into North (Israel/Eprahim) and South (Judah). (Adonijah, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Elijah, Ahab, Asa, Jehoram, Ahaziah).
^
10. Ephesians (Est. 60)
The first of the “Prison Epistles” by Paul. The richness of the grace of God in Christ. The mystery and unity of the church, with Jews and Gentiles constituting the "one new man". The believers blessed position and empowerment in Christ revealed, with commands, exhortations to live it out.
12. Second Kings(Est. 852-587 B.C.)
History of Divided Kingdom; Various Kings over Israel and Judah, respectively (Elisha, Athaliah, Jehoash, Jehoahaz, Joash, Hezekiah).
^
11. Philippians (Est. 61)
2nd “Prison Epistle. Letter to a stable church, exhortations to greater unity and maturity. “Press toward the mark ...”
13. First Chronicles(Est. 450 - 425 B.C.)
Death of Saul and history of the Reign of King David to his death; Preparation for the building of the Temple.
^
12. Colossians (Est. 60)

3rd Prison Epistle. Warning against gnosticism; exhortations to live out the faith. The Deity of Christ declared.
14. Second Chronicles (Est. 450 - 425 B.C.)
Reign of Solomon, his building of the Temple and his death:
Israel's spiritual declension, the Kingdom Divided;
History of the Southern Kingdom to the Captivity (Solomon, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, Josiah).
^
Beginning of 5 “T” books
13. First Thessalonians (Est. 50 - 51)
Commendations and exhortations to the holy and evangelistic church at Thessalonica. The Lord's 2nd coming foretold and described.
14SecondThessalonians (Est. 50 - 51)
More of the above. Faith and Patience in Persecutions.
Post – captivity historical books
(see also post – captivity prophets Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)
^
15. First Timothy (Est. 62)
Paul's instructions to young pastor Timothy, and to all who would follow. Give attendance to doctrine...
15. Ezra (Est. 538-520 B.C.)
Temple rebuilt in Jerusalem by a Remnant and dedicated; Prayer and repentance
^
16. Second Timothy(Est. 63)
More instructions + exhortations to young pastor Timothy, Paul's "dearly beloved son." Soldiering, enduring all. Rebuke, reprove, exhort...
16. Nehemiah (Est. 445 - 425 B.C.)
Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem and est. of civil authority; Perseverance over Persecution by Sanballat, and Tobiah and company.
Wise Leadership. Repentance, Revival according to Truth and discipline.
^
17. Titus (Est. 62)
Paul's instructions to pastor Titus, over the churches of Crete. Ordain elders. Similar to 1Timothy.
18. Philemon (Est. 60)
Paul's intercession for a converted runaway slave, Onesimus,. Entreats/requires Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother, even as Paul himself.
17. Esther (Est. after 464 B.C.)
Fasting and Prayer, Deliverance from extermination (Virtuous Vashti, Enduring Esther, Moral Mordecai).
19. Hebrews (Est. 60's)
After Romans, the 2nd important doctrinal book. Christ, His Deity + our great high priest, the new + superior Covenant declared. Key word: "better".
The Wisdom Books
5 Books. Trials, Heart Experience, Observation and Discernment, Folly, and Love (cf. Rm. 5:1-5) .
^
20. James (Est. 50's)
The Proverbs of the New Testament. Faith without works is not saving faith; Exhortations to repentance, prayer, humility, etc.
18. Job (Est. 2150 B.C.)
Story of affliction and deliverance of just Job, and God's compassion. The Problem of Suffering, and need of Patience.
^
P+J” books.
21. 1 Peter (Est. 63)
Exhortations to a persecuted church.
19. Psalms (Est. 965-1000 B.C.)
Hymn (150) Book of Israel.
^
22. 2 Peter (Est. 63 - 64)
Prediction of apostasy, and description of the Day of the Lord to come. Exhortations to holiness.
20. Proverbs (Est. 950-700 B.C.)
The God - given Wisdom of Solomon.
21. Ecclesiastes (Est. around 935 B.C.)
Solomon's folly: The vanity of material wealth, and reasoning of the natural man.
^
23. 1 John (Est. late 80's - early 90's)
Heart and Works of True Christian Faith delineated. Holiness and Love in the faith.
24. 2 John (Est. late 80's - early 90's)
Caution against false teachers.
22. Song of Solomon (Est. before 965 B.C.)
The Glory of Wedded love - between a Man and a Women (not man with man).
^
25. 3 John (Est. late 80's - early 90's)
Helping Christian laborers.
^
26. Jude (Est. 60's or 70's
Warnings and examples of False Teachers/Prophets and their end, and of Imminent Apostasy.
The Prophetic Books: The Major Prophets.
Five Books. Prophesying to the Northern or Southern Kingdoms, sometimes to both or to heathen nations, they also warn all mankind of the blessings lost and ruin gained by transgressing the just laws of God, + call all to repentance.
^
27. Revelation: The "Consummation.Est. late 80's - early 90's)
The Ultimate Triumph of Christ, and the redemption of His elect. Exaltation of “Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Armageddon, Submission and Judgment of the Wicked. Rest and Reward of the righteous Redeemed, to God's glory. The last book of the Bible, nothing to be subtracted from or added to.
23. Isaiah (Est. 740 - 680 B.C.)
Prophet to Judah. The “Gospel according to Isaiah.”
The reproof of the Jews for idolatry and empty ritualism. Forecasts of Judgments, as well as the Foretelling of the Messiah, the Suffering Servant.
Key chapter: 53. Future restoration of Israel to faith and redemption.
^

24. Jeremiah (Est. 627 - 585 B.C.)
The “Weeping Prophet” warning Judah The last effort to save Jerusalem before going into captivity.
^
25. Lamentations(Est. 586 B.C.)
A poetic dirge over the loss of Jerusalem + the Temple.
^
26. Ezekiel (Est. 593-560 B.C.)
Declaring the sins of "the whole house of Israel," as well as future restoration and rebuilt Temple. “They shall know that I am the LORD.”
^
27. Daniel (Est. 605-536 B.C.)
The prophet at Babylon, foretelling the course of Gentile world-rule to its judgment, and establishment of of the Messianic kingdom.
^
28. Hosea (Est. 710 B.C.)
A prophet of the N. Kingdom. The apostasy of Israel likened to the adulterous wife of a faithful husband.
^
29. Joel (Est. 835 B.C.)
A prophet of Judah, Prediction of the Holy Spirit age and the coming of the Day of the LORD.
^
30. Amos (Est. 755 B.C.)
A prophet of Judah to the N. Kingdom. Ultimate, universal reign of Messiah.
^
31. Obadiah (Est. 840 or 586 B.C.)
Doom of Edom, Israel's enemy of old.
^
32. Jonah (Est. 760 B.C.)
Call of God to Jonah to call Nineveh to repent; Jonah's rebellion, and Nineveh's obedience; God's mercy.

33. Micah (Est. 700 B.C.)
A prophet in Judah. The soon fall of Israel and Judah, and future birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem.
^
34. Nahum (Est. 663 - 612 B.C.)
The destruction of Nineveh.
^
35. Habakkuk (Est. 607 B.C.)
In Judah. The holiness of God, coming judgment though it tarries. "The just shall live by faith."
^
36. Zephaniah (Est. 625 B.C.)
Of Judah. The coming Day of the Lord upon Judah, other nations, and the coming of a “pure language.”
^
37. Haggai (Est. 520 B.C.)
Rebuke, reproofs, and exhortation regarding the rebuilding the temple.
^
38. Zechariah (Est. 520 - 518 B.C.)
Judgments and Messianic Prophecies.

39. Malachi (Est. 450 - 600 B.C.)
Last O.T. message to a disobedient people. The coming of the Day of the Lord.
^

1 comment:

  1. Hi Blogger,
    This is really very informative.
    A quick guide, a good reference page
    Thanks a Ton.
    Keep adding the latest info/developments
    Best regards
    Philip

    ReplyDelete