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Bible FAQsQ: What are all the strange reference notations? A: The reference notations in the Bible (such as Romans 3:23) are analogous to line numbers assigned to a Shakespearean play; they are a study aid. Since the Bible is much longer and more complex, its reference notations are more involved. The Bible is divided into 66* books, or sections, such as Genesis, Psalms, John, or Acts. These were the names given, over time, based on the pieces' author, audience, or purpose. In the 1200s each book was divided into chapters, such as Acts 2. In the 1500s the chapters were further subdivided into versus, such as John 3:16. The name of the book is listed first, followed by the chapter number, a colon, and then the verse number. This is sometimes called a "chapter-verse" reference notation; it was done in order to aid people in discussing various passages or quickly locating them. Although an effort was made for these divisions to be make at reasonable and logical breaks, they sometimes appear to be arbitrary and misplaced. Therefore, it is a good practice to read what precedes and follows each break, as it may contain relevant information or insight into the portion you are studying. * see Apocrypha for more information <--- Previous FAQ ∙ FAQ Home ∙ Next FAQ ---> |
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