As I’m sure you know, each verse offers profound wisdom and insights within the Bible – but have you ever wondered which Bible verse is the longest?
That distinction is held by Esther 8:9. This verse consists of 90 words in the King James Version and 80 words in the ESV translation. Despite its long length, this encapsulates a crucial moment in biblical history.
Let’s delve deeper into understanding the context and significance of this longest Bible verse.
The Longest Verses in Different Bible Translations
As we explore the Bible, we find that different translations may vary the length of verses.
Here, we will quickly discuss the longest verses of the Bible in different translations, each with their quotes attached.
King James Version (KJV)
The King James Version is one of the most well-known translations of the Bible. In this version, Esther 8:9 is considered the longest verse in the Bible, with 90 words.
Here is the verse:
Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Another popular translation of the Bible is the English Standard Version. In this version, the longest verse is still Esther 8:9, with 80 words.
However, we can see below that the wording from the ESV is slightly different than the KJV.
Here is the verse:
The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language.
Context of the Longest Verse
As we know from the previous section, the longest verse in the Bible can be found in the Book of Esther.
But what is the context of this verse, and why is it so long?
To understand the context of Esther 8:9, we must first understand the story of Esther itself.
Esther is a book in the Old Testament that tells the story of a Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction.
The story takes place during the reign of King Ahasuerus, who ruled over a vast empire stretching from India to Ethiopia.
In Esther 8:9, we see the aftermath of a plot by the king’s advisor, Haman, to destroy all the Jews in the empire. Esther, who is herself a Jew, has revealed her identity to the king and has begged him to spare her people.
The king has granted her request and has given her and her cousin Mordecai the authority to issue a proclamation allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies.
The verse is a detailed description of the process by which this proclamation is issued.
It tells us that the king’s scribes were summoned in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. The mandate is then written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring.
It is sent to all the governors and officials of the provinces and is written in the language of each province.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we have some questions that users have asked previously. We hope some of these answers clear things up for everyone.
What is the shortest and longest verse of the Bible?
The longest verse in the Bible can be found in the Old Testament, specifically Esther 8:9. This verse, in English translations like the New International Version, has a word count of 70 words. The shortest verse in the Bible is found in the New Testament, specifically John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” It only has two words. (See the verse here)
Is the shortest verse always the same in all translations of the Bible?
The shortest verse can change based on the translation. For instance, in the English Bible, the shortest verse is John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” while in the original Hebrew Bible, the shortest verse is 1 Chronicles 1:25.
How did the shortest verse in the Bible come about?
A: The shortest verse, John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” comes from the New Testament. It is part of the narrative of the death of Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus. His emotional response showcases his empathy and humanity.
How did the chapter and verse divisions in the Bible occur?
The original Hebrew Bible did not have chapters and verses. Verse numbers were added by Robert Estienne in 1551, while the chapters were divided in the 13th Century by Archbishop Stephen Langton. The Geneva Bible, published in 1560, was the first English Bible to use both chapter and verse divisions.
What is the shortest book in the Bible?
The shortest book in the Bible by word count is 3 John, with only one chapter and about 219 words in English translations like the New International Version and New Living Translation.
Are the longest verses found exclusively in the Old Testament?
While the longest verse is found in the Old Testament, many long verses exist in both the Old and New Testaments. The division between long and short verses was created when the Bible was divided into verses, and does not necessarily correspond to any logic from/with Old and New Testaments.
Has the longest verse always been the same, even in different versions of the Bible?
Regardless of different versions or translations of the Bible, Esther 8:9 has maintained its status as the longest verse, although the exact word count can vary slightly with other translations.
