What is the shortest written book in the Bible?

Answer 1

If counting by the number of verses in a book/letter, then 1 John has 257 words and 10 verses (2 John only has 13 verses while 3 John has 14 and is often used to answer this question - incorrectly. However, if answering this question by the number of words used it is correct as 3 John only has 299 words while 2 John has 304 words.)

All these 3 books of 1, 2, & 3 John are in the New Testament and they are actually letters and not books. They are the shortest in the whole Bible, that is in both the New Testament and the Old Testament. However, if the New Testament is excluded, the shortest book in the Old Testament is the book of Obadiah at 20 verses and 668 words, while the shortest song is Psalm 117 with just 2 verses and 35 words.

Psalm 117

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 LORDendurethfor ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Answer 2

The smallest book of the Old Testament is the book of Obadiah having only 1 chapter with 669 words in the King James Version (KJV). But note that this book was part of a single book called "The Twelve" for the 12 books of the minor prophets in the original Hebrew Bible so such counts really depend on which Bible you're using. The number of words also vary depending on the translation and language.

Answer 3

3rd John has the fewest words in The Bible and is therefore the shortest. 2nd John has the fewest verses and Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament.

Answer 4

2 John, It only has one chapter consisting of 13 verses.

Or- 3 John. It has one chapter, consisting of 14 verses, but only 299 words.

2 John has 303 words

Answer 5

There are five books in the Bible that are a single chapter:

• Obadiah
• Philemon
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Jude

Answer 6

The shortest book in the Old Testament is the book of Obadiah.

Answer 7

Obidiah Obadiah

Answer 8

john 2 or john 3

Answer 9

3rd John