The Bible is a remarkable collection of 66 books, written by more than 40 different authors over a span of roughly 1,500 years. The holy scriptures are filled with intricate historical narratives, some long and others short and to the point. It covers everything from ancient history and poetry to prophecy, moral law, personal letters, and the life of Jesus Christ.
While books like Psalms and Isaiah stretch over many chapters, there are also concise books that can be read in just a few minutes. These shorter writings are no less powerful. In fact, their brevity often makes their messages more direct, urgent, and memorable. They strip away long narrative build-ups and dive straight into the heart of the message—whether it’s a prophetic warning, a personal encouragement, or a call to return to God.
When we talk about the “shortest” books of the Bible, we’re focusing on verse count, which can vary slightly between translations such as the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), or English Standard Version (ESV). These books are a mix of prophetic warnings, personal letters, and urgent calls to faith.
In this article, we’ll explore the shortest books in the Bible from both the Old and New Testaments, ranked by verse count, compared by chapters, and even identify the shortest Gospel book. Along the way, you’ll see why these small portions of Scripture are worth reading and revisiting.
Understanding How “Shortest” is Measured
The length of a Bible book can be measured in number of verses or word count. Verse count is the most common standard since it remains relatively consistent across translations, whereas word counts can differ more dramatically.
When scholars and Bible readers rank books by length, the most common method is counting verses. Verse counts remain relatively stable across most translations, even though word counts may vary slightly.
Here’s the top list of the shortest books by verse count, starting with the shortest overall:
| Rank | Book | Testament | Verses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 John | New | 13 |
| 2 | 3 John | New | 15 |
| 3 | Obadiah | Old | 21 |
| 4 | Philemon | New | 25 |
| 5 | Jude | New | 25 |
| 6 | Haggai | Old | 38 |
| 7 | Titus | New | 46 |
| 8 | Nahum | Old | 47 |
| 9 | Jonah | Old | 48 |
| 10 | Habakkuk | Old | 56 |
These books are especially approachable if you’re looking for quick but meaningful Bible study sessions. You can read several of them in one sitting and still take away life-changing insights.
The Shortest Books in the Old Testament
You must have read the Bible a lot of times, but have you wondered which book is the shortest in the Old Testament? Filled with mostly prophetic works, and though brief, they carry messages that have echoed for thousands of years, the Old Testament has some short books that are concise in their message.
1. Obadiah — 21 verses
Obadiah, with a single chapter, is the shortest book in the Old Testament. This single-chapter Old Testament book is a sharp, poetic indictment of Edom for its arrogance and violence against Judah. It assures God’s people that justice will come, and it points forward to a time when the kingdom will belong to the Lord. In a world still filled with injustice, Obadiah’s confidence in God’s ultimate victory is timeless.
2. Haggai — 38 verses
With just two chapters, Haggai is the second shortest book in the Old Testament. Haggai delivers two short but urgent messages encouraging the Israelites to resume work on the temple after years of delay. His prophecies reminded them that God’s presence would dwell with them if they put Him first. Even in its brevity, Haggai captures the balance between practical action and spiritual devotion.
3. Nahum — 47 verses
Ranked as the 3rd shortest book in the Old Testament, Nahum is essentially a poetic war oracle announcing Nineveh’s destruction for its brutality and arrogance. While Jonah revealed God’s mercy to Nineveh about a century earlier, Nahum’s prophecy shows that persistent evil will not go unpunished.
4. Jonah — 48 verses
With four chapters, Jonah is the fourth shortest book in the Old Testament. Though famous for the “great fish” episode, Jonah’s message is far deeper—it’s about God’s compassion for even the most wicked cities and His desire for repentance rather than destruction.
5. Habakkuk — 56 verses
Ranked as the 5th shortest Old Testament book, Habakkuk records a profound conversation between the prophet and God, moving from doubt and questioning to faith and trust. It’s a powerful reminder that believers can bring their honest struggles before God and still come away with renewed hope.
The Shortest Books in the New Testament
Most of the New Testament’s shortest books are personal letters, or epistles, written to specific individuals or churches.
1. 2 John — 13 verses
2 John, with one chapter and 13 verses, is ranked as the shortest book in the New Testament, as well as the shortest book in the Bible. Addressed to “the elect lady and her children”, this letter is the briefest in the Bible. It warns against welcoming false teachers and urges believers to remain steadfast in Christ’s truth.
2. 3 John — 15 verses
Ranked as the second shortest book in the New Testament with a single chapter, John commends Gaius for his support of traveling missionaries, warns against Diotrephes’ pride, and praises Demetrius’ good testimony. It’s a glimpse into early church life and the value of personal relationships in ministry.
3. Philemon — 25 verses
With a single chapter, Philemon is ranked as the 3rd shortest New Testament book. In this single chapter book, Paul appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave turned believer. It’s one of the most personal letters in Scripture, showing how the gospel transforms human relationships.
4. Jude — 25 verses
The book of Jude also ranks as one of the shortest books in the New Testament. Jude warns about false teachers creeping into the church and calls believers to stand firm. Its short length doesn’t diminish its intensity or its beautiful closing doxology.
5. Titus — 46 verses
Titus is ranked as the 5th shortest books in the New Testament. In this book, Paul instructs Titus on appointing elders, teaching sound doctrine, and promoting good works among believers in Crete.
Shortest Books in the Bible by Chapters
While most short books naturally have only one chapter, it’s worth noting that a few have slightly more but still remain very brief.
Books with 1 Chapter:
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Obadiah (Old Testament) — 21 verses
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Philemon (New Testament) — 25 verses
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2 John (New Testament) — 13 verses
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3 John (New Testament) — 15 verses
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Jude (New Testament) — 25 verses
These one-chapter books are perfect for reading in a single sitting, making them excellent for quick devotionals or Bible memorization projects.
Shortest Gospel Book
The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—record the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of these, the Gospel of Mark is the shortest.
Mark contains 16 chapters and about 678 verses (depending on translation).
The book of Mark omits long genealogies and extended teaching sections found in Matthew and Luke, focusing instead on the works of Jesus—His miracles, confrontations, and ultimate sacrifice. Its brevity makes it an ideal Gospel for first-time readers of the New Testament.
Combined Ranking: 10 Shortest Books in the Bible
When you put both Testaments together, here’s the combined ranking by verse count:
| Rank | Book | Testament | Verses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 John | New | 13 |
| 2 | 3 John | New | 15 |
| 3 | Obadiah | Old | 21 |
| 4 | Philemon | New | 25 |
| 5 | Jude | New | 25 |
| 6 | Haggai | Old | 38 |
| 7 | Titus | New | 46 |
| 8 | Nahum | Old | 47 |
| 9 | Jonah | Old | 48 |
| 10 | Habakkuk | Old | 56 |
Why Short Books of the Bible Matter
The shortest books of the Bible prove that spiritual impact is not determined by word count. These books often get straight to the point, delivering urgent calls to repentance, guidance for Christian living, or assurances of God’s justice and mercy.
Their brevity makes them:
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Accessible — perfect for quick reading or study.
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Memorable — concise messages are often easier to recall.
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Practical — their focused nature makes them ideal for personal application.
Whether you’re new to the Bible or a lifelong reader, spending time with these smaller books can refresh your faith and understanding.
From the 13-verse letter of 2 John to the short yet action-packed Gospel of Mark, the Bible’s shortest books carry weight far beyond their size. They challenge, encourage, and inspire, showing us that God’s truth is not bound by length.
If you want to dive deeper into Scripture but feel pressed for time, start with these small books. In a single afternoon, you could read them all—and in doing so, grasp lessons that will last a lifetime.
FAQ Section
What is the shortest book in the Bible by verse count?
2 John is the shortest, with just 13 verses.
Which is the shortest book in the Old Testament?
Obadiah, with only 21 verses.
Which is the shortest Gospel book?
Mark, with 16 chapters, is the shortest Gospel.
Which books of the Bible have only one chapter?
Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude.
