The Christian Bible has had an enormous amount of influence throughout mankind’s history, and a great deal of work has been put into translating its pages. Even with the most modern translations, plenty of verses can reach surprisingly high word counts. Most of the longest books of the Bible are in the Old Testament, and so are many of its longest verses!
So, just how long can the wordiest Bible verses get? Today we’ll be looking at 10 of the longest verses in the Bible and ranking them according to how many words long they are. We’ll also learn a little bit about the figures and events featured in each of the books these verses were pulled from!
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: Isaiah
Key Book Character: Baruch
Source: wikimedia.org
In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah confides in his friend and scribe, Baruch, about how he feels he has little good news to share. He says that many of the people of Israel are unfaithful and deserve the misery brought upon them. This verse, on a more optimistic note, encourages people to open their hearts to the love of god and hear his message.
Did you know?
The point of this verse is said to be that, while the prophesied downfall of the city will come to be, so will salvation for those deserving.
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: Ezekiel
Key Book Character: King Belshazzar
Source: wikimedia.org
Chapter five in the book of Daniel details the iconic scene where King Belshazzar and his noble subjects throw a blasphemous party, drinking from the sacred vessels of a Jewish temple. In the midst of their sacrilegious revelry and their acknowledgement of other gods, a disembodied hand appears and writes on the wall. The terrified king asks Daniel what it means, and is told that he will lose his kingdom for blasphemy–and, surely enough, he dies soon afterwards.
Did you know?
The events in the book of Daniel have inspired a number of artistic masterpieces, including “Belshazzar’s Feast” by Rembrandt.
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: 1 Kings
Key Book Character: Ahaz
Source: wikimedia.org
The primary content of this verse comprises the great priest or high priest Ahaz detailing how and where burnt offerings will all be performed in the future. Ahaz describes that daily sacrifices, personal offerings, and royal offerings should all be moved to the new altar. The books of Kings are described as being a combination of historical details, lore, and miracle stories woven together into a compelling final piece.
Did you know?
The reference to “the brasen altar” seems to imply that the new altar was made from a different material than the old one.
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: Lamentations
Key Book Character: Ezekiel
Source: wikimedia.org
Chapters 33-48 of the book of Ezekiel go into god’s promises of salvation and hope, with this verse in particular detailing how kingdom and property will be divided between princes and priests. Ezekiel held a particularly strong focus on one of the names of god and his return to Zion, as well as the recreation of god’s kingdom.
Did you know?
The domain of the Levites’ city and their priests totaled around 25,000 cubits.
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: Isaiah
Key Book Character: Baruch
Source: wikimedia.org
This verse details that the remnant of the kingdom of Judah that fled to Egypt will die by sword and famine. The “remnant” that is repeatedly referenced in the Bible is defined as what is left of a lifestyle or civilization following a catastrophe. As such, chapter 44 of the book of Jeremiah describes his prophecy of how the last men standing from Judah will be wiped out, resulting in the civilization’s complete eradication.
Did you know?
The book of Jeremiah is categorized as one of the Books of the Prophets.
Testament: New Testament
Preceding Book: 1 Chronicles
Key Book Character: Jeroboam I
Source: wikimedia.org
The majority of the Chronicles books summarize content from other books of the Bible and were originally a single work before they were split into two books. 1 Chronicles begins with genealogies and the beginning of the time period surrounding the rules of David and Solomon. The tales of David and Solomon also spill into the early chapters of 2 Chronicles.
Did you know?
This verse details the descent of a skilled artificer and describes all the materials he is trained to work with.
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: Deuteronomy
Key Book Character: Ephraim
Source: wikimedia.org
The book of Joshua is actually the first book of Deuteronomistic history, and it outlines the history of Israel, including several of their campaigns and the division of their land. This particular verse begins the description of how Joshua represented Israel at Shechem in order to renew their covenant with god. His role has been closely compared with that of Moses at Mount Sinai, speaking on behalf of the Isrealites before Yahweh.
Did you know?
Joshua serves as the primary icon of the Jewish Zionist movement.
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: Lamentations
Key Book Character: Ezekiel
Source: wikimedia.org
The book of Ezekiel is the third of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, and is considered to be one of the major prophetic books as well alongside the book of Jeremiah. This verse describes some of the pilgrimage festivals that faithful followers should attend, and gives some details on how to keep the flow in the temple orderly. Some people theorize that pilgrims are encouraged to enter and leave through opposite gates in order to increase their sense of wonder.
Did you know?
The book of Ezekiel describes the destruction of Jerusalem as a purification process.
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: Isaiah
Key Book Character: King Zedekiah
Source: wikimedia.org
This chapter of the book of Jeremiah contains special warnings that the prophet gave to King Zedekiah’s emissaries about the coming days of war. It highlights the ruthlessness of the Chaldeans and states that King Zedekiah of Judah will not die of starvation or disease during the siege, but will fall into their hands. Jeremiah is sometimes called the “Weeping Prophet” because of the gravity of the news he had to deliver.
Did you know?
Depending on the placement in the book of Jeremiah, the spellings “Nebuchadrezzar” and “Nebuchadnezzar” are both used.
Testament: Old Testament
Preceding Book: Nehemiah
Key Book Character: King Ahasuerus
Source: wikimedia.org
Esther 8:9 is the longest verse in the Bible by number of words. This verse states that all the king’s scribes were summoned and commanded to write out a distinct language and script for each province and region. The book of Esther as a whole goes into a twist of fate in which the Jews, seeming to be condemned, are instead saved and preserved. Esther is chosen as a new bride by King Ahasuerus and influences him without revealing her Jewish heritage.
Did you know?
King Ahasuerus is believed to be the same Persian king historically referred to as Xerxes I.