Ever wondered what the longest chapters in the Bible are? The Bible is a fascinating mix of literary styles—poetry, history, prophecy, law, parables, and letters—each with its rhythm and pace. Some chapters are so short they can be read in under a minute, like Psalm 117 with only two verses. Others stretch across dozens or even hundreds of verses, telling sweeping stories, reciting lengthy laws, or celebrating God’s Word in rich detail.
The longest chapters in the Bible are not long by accident. Their length reflects the weight of their subject matter. Whether it’s Psalm 119’s deep meditation on Scripture, Numbers 7’s detailed record of offerings, or Luke 1’s careful retelling of the events leading up to Christ’s birth, these chapters are expansive because the content requires it.
In this article, we’ll explore the longest chapters in the Bible—both in the Old and New Testaments—using the King James Version (KJV) as our reference point. We’ll identify the longest overall, examine their structure and themes, compare verse and word counts, and see why length often correlates with theological depth.
How “Longest Chapter” is Measured
When determining the longest chapters, the most common measurement is verse count. This method is straightforward and consistent across translations, though exact word counts may differ due to variations in vocabulary and syntax.
However, a chapter’s word count can sometimes tell a different story. For instance, a narrative chapter with long descriptive sentences might have fewer verses than a poetic chapter but more total words.
It’s also important to remember:
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Chapter divisions were introduced around 1227 AD by Stephen Langton.
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Verse divisions in the Old Testament are ancient (present in the Hebrew Masoretic Text), while New Testament verse divisions were added in 1551 by Robert Estienne.
These divisions were created for convenience, not as part of the inspired original manuscripts, but they have become an essential way for us to navigate the holy Scripture.
Longest Chapter in the Old Testament
Psalm 119 — The Longest Chapter in the Bible
With 176 verses and approximately 2,445 words (KJV), Psalm 119 is the undisputed longest chapter in the entire Bible by both verse and word count in the KJV. It is an extended meditation on the beauty, value, and necessity of God’s Word.
Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem—it is divided into 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contains 8 verses, and every verse within a stanza begins with the same Hebrew letter. This literary structure not only shows poetic craftsmanship but also serves as a memory aid.
Famous Verses
Psalm 119:105 — “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:11 — “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
In Jewish tradition, Psalm 119 is read on certain festivals. In Christian devotion, it has been a favorite for centuries, often read in sections for meditation.
Other Long Old Testament Chapters
While Psalm 119 stands far above the rest, several other Old Testament chapters are also notably long:
Numbers 7 — 89 verses
This chapter records the dedication offerings brought by the leaders of Israel for the altar. The detailed repetition of each leader’s identical gift makes it long, but the repetition underscores the equality of the tribes before God.
1 Kings 8 — 66 verses
This chapter recounts King Solomon’s dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem, including his lengthy prayer and God’s response.
Nehemiah 7 — 73 verses
Lists the families who returned from Babylonian exile. Though it may read like a census, it serves as a record of God’s faithfulness in restoring His people.
Longest Chapter in the New Testament
Luke 1 — Longest Chapter in the NT
With 80 verses and approximately 1,462 words (KJV), Luke 1 is the longest chapter in the New Testament. It is the first of two chapters in Luke devoted to the events leading up to the birth of Jesus.
Luke’s careful historical detail, inclusion of hymns, and parallel accounts of John and Jesus contribute to the chapter’s length.
Other Long New Testament Chapters
Matthew 26 — 75 verses
Covers the plot to kill Jesus, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, and His arrest.
John 6 — 71 verses
Includes the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse.
Acts 7 — 60 verses
Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin—a sweeping summary of Israel’s history—followed by his martyrdom.
Longest Chapters in the Bible by Verse Count
Here are the top 10 longest chapters in the KJV:
| Rank | Chapter | Testament | Verses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119 | Old | 176 |
| 2 | Numbers 7 | Old | 89 |
| 3 | Luke 1 | New | 80 |
| 4 | Nehemiah 7 | Old | 73 |
| 5 | Matthew 26 | New | 75 |
| 6 | 1 Kings 8 | Old | 66 |
| 7 | John 6 | New | 71 |
| 8 | Leviticus 13 | Old | 59 |
| 9 | Acts 7 | New | 60 |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 28 | Old | 68 |
Longest Chapters in the Bible by Word Count
When we count words instead of verses, the ranking shifts slightly because some chapters contain fewer but much longer verses.
For example:
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Psalm 119 remains #1 by a wide margin.
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Luke 1 has fewer verses than Numbers 7 but more narrative detail, resulting in a higher word count.
Longest Chapter in the Gospels
Among the four Gospels, Luke 1 is the longest, followed by:
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Matthew 26 — 75 verses.
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John 6 — 71 verses.
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Mark’s longest chapter is chapter 14 with 72 verses.
Why Long Chapters Are Significant
Long chapters often appear at turning points in the biblical narrative or in sections where detail is crucial:
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Psalm 119 — An exhaustive meditation on God’s Word.
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Numbers 7 — Equal representation of all tribes in worship.
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Luke 1 — Theological and historical foundation for the life of Christ.
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Matthew 26 — The beginning of Christ’s passion.
Length allows these chapters to develop themes fully, include multiple scenes, or record speeches and prayers without breaking them into separate chapters.
Longest Chapter vs. Shortest Chapter
The shortest chapter, Psalm 117, has just 2 verses, while Psalm 119 has 176 verses—an 88-fold difference in length. Yet both speak of God’s glory: Psalm 117 calls all nations to praise Him, and Psalm 119 explains why His Word is worthy of that praise.
Conclusion
The longest chapters in the Bible are long because the truths they carry require space to unfold. Whether it’s Psalm 119’s alphabetic celebration of God’s law or Luke 1’s detailed introduction to the Savior’s coming, these chapters invite us to linger, reflect, and take in the richness of God’s Word.
If you’ve never read these chapters in one sitting, consider setting aside time to do so. You’ll find that their length is not a burden—it’s a blessing, offering layer upon layer of meaning.
