The Bible’s chapters vary dramatically in length. Some, like Psalm 119, stretch across 176 verses and require considerable time to read in full. Others are so brief that you can read them in less than a minute. While short chapters are often overlooked in favor of longer, more famous passages, their brevity does not diminish their value. In fact, many of the shortest chapters in the Bible contain some of the most concentrated and impactful truths in all of Scripture.
These brief chapters may be short in verse count, but they are rich in meaning. They can serve as quick devotional readings, easy memory passages, and powerful reminders of God’s love, truth, and promises.
In this article, we’ll examine the shortest chapters in both the Old and New Testaments using the King James Version (KJV) as our reference. We’ll identify the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, the shortest in the Old Testament, and the shortest in the New Testament. We’ll also provide rankings, discuss why some chapters are so short, and explore their theological significance.
How “Shortest Chapter” is Measured
When Bible scholars or trivia enthusiasts talk about “shortest chapters,” they almost always measure them by verse count, not word count. Verse count is more stable across translations, while word counts can vary significantly depending on translation choices.
For example, Psalm 117 has 2 verses in the KJV, NIV, and ESV, making it the universal winner for shortest chapter by verses. But when counting words, some chapters that have 3–5 verses might technically be shorter in certain translations because their verses are very brief.
It’s also worth remembering that chapter and verse divisions were added long after the Bible was written:
-
Chapters: Introduced around 1227 AD by Stephen Langton.
-
Verses: Old Testament verse divisions date back to ancient Hebrew scribal traditions, but New Testament verses were added in 1551 by Robert Estienne.
These divisions make reading and referencing the Bible easier, but they’re not part of the inspired original text.
Shortest Chapter in the Old Testament
Psalm 117 — The Shortest Chapter in the Bible
With just 2 verses and 33 words, Psalm 117 stands as the shortest chapter in the Bible by both verse and word count in the KJV.
KJV
1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.
This chapter is traditionally attributed to King David, though the psalm’s universal scope suggests it may have been intended for public worship in the Temple.
It also falls within the “Hallel Psalms” (Psalms 113–118), recited by Jews during major feasts such as Passover. It is written as a call-and-response hymn, where a worship leader would call the people to praise and the congregation would affirm.
Psalm 117 shows that worship doesn’t require lengthy speeches. In just two verses, it calls the whole world to glorify God and grounds that command in His character.
Other Short Chapters in the Old Testament
While none are as short as Psalm 117, several chapters come close:
-
Psalm 134 — 3 verses
A night psalm for Temple workers, urging them to bless the Lord and ending with a blessing from Zion. -
Psalm 131 — 3 verses
A psalm of David expressing humility and trust in the Lord. -
Obadiah — 1 chapter, 21 verses
The shortest book in the Old Testament, prophesying Edom’s downfall and Israel’s restoration. -
Haggai 1 — 15 verses
A concise prophetic call to rebuild the Temple after the Babylonian exile.
Shortest Chapter in the New Testament
2 John — Single Chapter, 13 Verses
Written by the Apostle John, 2 John with a single chapter, 13 verses, and approximately 298 words, is the shortest chapter in the New Testament. This short epistle addresses “the elect lady and her children,” encouraging them to walk in truth and love while warning against false teachers.
Other Short Chapters in the New Testament
-
3 John — 15 verses
Commends hospitality (Gaius), warns against pride (Diotrephes), and praises good testimony (Demetrius). -
Philemon — 25 verses
Paul’s plea for Onesimus, showing the gospel’s power to transform relationships. -
Jude — 25 verses
Urges believers to contend for the faith and beware of false teachers.
Shortest Chapters in the Bible by Verse Count
Using the KJV, the shortest chapters are:
| Rank | Chapter | Testament | Verses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 117 | Old | 2 |
| 2 | Psalm 134 | Old | 3 |
| 3 | Psalm 131 | Old | 3 |
| 4 | 2 John | New | 13 |
| 5 | 3 John | New | 15 |
| 6 | Obadiah | Old | 21 |
| 7 | Philemon | New | 25 |
| 8 | Jude | New | 25 |
Shortest Chapters in the Bible by Word Count
-
Psalm 117: 33 words (KJV)
-
Psalm 134: 44 words
-
Psalm 131: 50 words
While most rankings use verses, looking at word count shows these psalms as extremely concise.
Shortest Chapter in the Gospels
The Gospels have no ultra-short chapters like Psalms or short epistles, but the smallest by verse count in the KJV are:
-
Matthew 28: 20 verses — The resurrection account.
-
Mark 16: 20 verses — Also narrates the resurrection.
This highlights an interesting fact: the shortest Gospel chapters often contain the most important events in Christian belief.
Why Short Chapters Are Significant
Short chapters are powerful because:
-
They distill a message: No filler, just the core truth.
-
They are memorable: Easy to recall and repeat.
-
They invite reflection: Their brevity encourages deep meditation on each phrase.
In Jewish and Christian traditions, many short psalms are regularly used in worship because they’re both easy to recite and packed with theological depth.
Shortest Chapter vs. Longest Chapter
The shortest chapter, Psalm 117, has just 2 verses. The longest, Psalm 119, has 176 verses—an 88-fold difference in size.
-
Psalm 117: Universal call to praise.
-
Psalm 119: Extended meditation on God’s Word.
The contrast demonstrates how Scripture can use both brevity and expansiveness to convey truth.
Conclusion
The shortest chapters of the Bible may take seconds to read, but they can take a lifetime to fully appreciate. From Psalm 117’s two-verse global invitation to worship, to 2 John’s compact yet urgent letter on truth and love, these chapters prove that length is no measure of importance in God’s Word.
When time is short, these chapters are perfect for quick devotionals. When time is plentiful, they can be read repeatedly, mined for deeper meaning each time.
