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What Is the Shortest Book of the Bible?
Jun 28, 2026 5:44 AM

  

What Is the Shortest Book of the Bible?1

  Gutenberg Bible Two-page spread of the Book of Ecclesiastes from Johannes Gutenberg's 42-line Bible, c. 1450–55. (more) What Is the Shortest Book of the Bible? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/What-Is-the-Shortest-Book-of-the-Bible Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

  External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Melissa Petruzzello Melissa Petruzzello is Assistant Managing Editor and covers a range of content including plants, algae, and fungi; insects and spiders; and renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles... Melissa Petruzzello Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 12, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot The Second Letter of John in the New Testament is arguably the shortest book in the Christian Bible, with just 13 verses in a single chapter. However, the Third Letter of John, with 15 verses, sometimes has fewer words, depending on the source and translation. Both are shorter than the shortest book of the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament): the Book of Obadiah, which has 21 verses. Other short New Testament books include the Letter of Jude and the Letter of Paul to Philemon, both of which have 25 verses. If you’re looking to say you’ve read an entire ...(100 of 113 words)

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