So, you’ve looked at that thick leather-bound book on your shelf, sighed dramatically, and wondered, “Seriously, how long would it take to get through this thing?”
Spoiler: It’s not as terrifying as it looks — but buckle up, because we’re about to unpack some fun, nerdy Bible stats, real-life reading paces, and epic fails from people who tried.
So, What’s the Bible Word Count Anyway?
Let’s kick it off with some juicy numbers. The Bible has around 783,137 words in the King James Version.
Yep, that’s right. Nearly four times the length of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which clocks in at just 198,227 words.
The longest novel ever written? In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust — about 1.2 million words. So the Bible doesn’t even take gold here.
The Old Testament vs. The New Testament – Who’s Wordier?
Here’s the split:
- Old Testament: Roughly 622,771 words
- New Testament: About 180,566 words
That means 79% of the Bible is the Old Testament. So if you’re short on time, now you know what to skip (kidding… kinda).
How Fast Do People Read on Average?
The average adult reads at around 238 words per minute (according to a 2019 Forbes report).
So technically, it would take about:
55 hours to read the entire Bible — straight through, no breaks, just eyes bleeding.
But who does that? We need a game plan.
Skimmers vs. Scholars – What Kind of Reader Are You?
Are you the type who reads every footnote, or do you just glance at the bold print and hope for the best?
Fun fact: Speed readers claim to read at 700+ wpm, which would cut Bible reading time to just 19 hours.
That’s shorter than a Netflix binge of Stranger Things Season 4.
Speed Reading or Soul Searching?
Trying to speed-read Revelation might lead to an existential crisis.
And Leviticus? Trust me, it’s not a sprint. It’s more like… crawling through molasses while reading a tax code.
Real Numbers – Let’s Do the Math
Okay, time to break it down like a YouTube tutorial.
Casual Reading – A Chapter a Day Keeps Confusion Away
- Bible has 1,189 chapters
- One chapter per day = about 3 years and 3 months
So, reading a chapter daily means you’ll finish before your next presidential election. Not bad, right?
Moderate Pace – Like Your Daily Podcast Routine
- Average daily reading time: 15 minutes
- At 238 wpm, that’s 3,570 words/day
- Entire Bible in 219 days or about 7 months
Perfect for New Year’s resolutions that actually stick.
Hardcore Mode – Read It All This Month
- 783,137 words ÷ 30 days = 26,104 words/day
- That’s over 2 hours daily — the reading equivalent of running a marathon each morning with coffee and Psalms.
Famous Bible Reading Challenges (And Failures)
Thousands try, few survive. (Okay, that’s dramatic. But still.)
The 90-Day Bible Plan – Ambitious or Absurd?
This one’s popular in online Bible circles.
Reading 13 chapters a day will get you done in just 3 months. But let’s be real, you’ll probably tap out around Deuteronomy.
1-Year Bible Programs – Still the Gold Standard
Started in 1801 by a Scottish pastor named Robert Murray M’Cheyne, the 1-year Bible plan divides it into daily chunks:
- 3-4 chapters/day
- Around 20 minutes daily
- Finished by New Year’s Eve
Over 5 million people attempted it in 2023 alone.
Breaking It Down by Book Length
Some books are one-verse wonders. Others are Tolkien-level epics.
Longest Books – Psalms Is a Marathon
- Psalms: 150 chapters, 43,743 words
- Jeremiah: Longest by word count: 33,002 words
So grab snacks if you’re diving into those.
Shortest Books – Blink and You’ll Miss ‘Em
- 3 John: Only 219 words
- Takes less than a minute to read
- That’s shorter than most text message breakups
Bible Reading in History – How Did They Do It in the Past?
Before iPads and audiobooks, early Christians used scrolls.
Back in 1455, the Gutenberg Bible was printed. Each copy took 3 years to finish by hand before that.
Imagine copying Isaiah without a Ctrl+C button…
Listening to the Bible – Audiobooks Save Time
Let’s say you’re more of a listener than a reader.
How Long Are the Full Audio Versions?
- KJV Audio Bible: About 72 hours
- That’s 3 days straight, or 6 weeks at 2 hours/day
- Dramatic versions? Slightly longer, with bonus angelic choirs
In 2022, Spotify reported over 12 million Bible chapter streams.
Reading for Study vs. Devotion vs. Speed
Reading to absorb vs. reading to check a box = very different vibes.
Does Speed Even Matter When You’re Reflecting?
If your goal is to understand what Elijah was doing with fire and altars in 1 Kings 18, don’t rush it.
Context takes time. Application takes even longer.
Tips to Actually Finish Reading the Bible
Let’s turn that “I’ll read it someday” into “I crushed it in 2025.”
Make a Reading Plan (and Stick to It)
Apps like YouVersion offer over 350 different Bible plans.
Pick one. Print it. Stick it on your fridge.
Use a Reading App or Audio Tool
In 2024, Bible apps were downloaded over 420 million times worldwide.
There’s no excuse. You literally have it in your pocket.
Read with a Buddy – Accountability Works Wonders
In a 2021 study, people who read with a partner were 47% more likely to finish the Bible than solo readers.
So yes, peer pressure works in holy contexts too.
Final Thoughts – It’s a Journey, Not a Race
Whether you’re reading it in 30 days or 3 years, the Bible isn’t just a bucket list item.
It’s a wild collection of poetry, prophecy, history, law, and love letters that shaped civilizations, inspired revolutions, and, yes, got quoted in over 300 movies.
FAQs
1. Can I really read the Bible in a month?
Yes, but prepare to kiss your social life goodbye. Two hours daily is a serious commitment.
2. What’s the best version for beginners?
Try the NLT or ESV for easier reading. KJV is beautiful but reads like Shakespeare had a thesaurus.
3. Are there any interactive Bible plans?
Absolutely. The Bible App offers videos, highlights, and streak counters like Snapchat. It’s weirdly motivating.
4. How long is the shortest Bible book?
3 John wins the crown with just 219 words — shorter than this FAQ.
5. Do people actually finish the Bible?
Yes. According to Barna Research, about 11% of Christians have read it cover to cover. Be the next one!