Time Required to Read the Bible

I often share how reading the Bible does not take as much the time we think.  Sometime people ask about it the numbers. Hence sharing here to make it easy to share.

I have often heard it takes  about 40 hours. It all depends on the speed at which you read. When you are reading the Bible, comprehension is also critical. Without comprehension, it is not beneficial to read the Bible.  We can also use audio Bible if it works better. 

I also understand that reading time can be different based on version and language. I personally took a reading test and averaged about 200 with 100% comprehension.  You can go faster but will not understand the subject. Hence this is a guideline. 

General Estimates:

• Slow Reader (100 words per minute): ~100 hours
• Average Reader (200-250 words per minute): ~50-60 hours

• Fast Reader (300+ words per minute): ~35-40 hours

Breakdown by Sections:

1. Old Testament: ~39 hours
2. New Testament: ~11 hours

Daily Reading Plans:

• 1 Year Plan: ~12-15 minutes per day
• 6 Month Plan: ~25-30 minutes per day
• 3 Month Plan: ~45-60 minutes per day

Average Reading Time

The time required to read each book of the Bible varies based on its length and the average reading speed of about 200-250 words per minute. Below is an estimate of the time it takes to read each book.

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Old Testament

The Pentateuch (Law)

1. Genesis: ~4 hours
2. Exodus: ~3.5 hours
3. Leviticus: ~2 hours
4. Numbers: ~3 hours
5. Deuteronomy: ~2.5 hours

Historical Books

6. Joshua: ~1.5 hours
7. Judges: ~1.5 hours
8. Ruth: ~15 minutes
9. 1 Samuel: ~2.5 hours
10. 2 Samuel: ~2 hours
11. 1 Kings: ~2 hours
12. 2 Kings: ~2 hours
13. 1 Chronicles: ~2 hours
14. 2 Chronicles: ~2.5 hours
15. Ezra: ~30 minutes
16. Nehemiah: ~1 hour
17. Esther: ~30 minutes

Poetry and Wisdom Literature

18. Job: ~2 hours
19. Psalms: ~5 hours
20. Proverbs: ~1.5 hours
21. Ecclesiastes: ~30 minutes
22. Song of Solomon: ~20 minutes

Major Prophets

23. Isaiah: ~3.5 hours
24. Jeremiah: ~4 hours
25. Lamentations: ~20 minutes
26. Ezekiel: ~3.5 hours
27. Daniel: ~1.5 hours

Minor Prophets

28. Hosea: ~30 minutes
29. Joel: ~15 minutes
30. Amos: ~30 minutes
31. Obadiah: ~5 minutes
32. Jonah: ~10 minutes
33. Micah: ~20 minutes
34. Nahum: ~10 minutes
35. Habakkuk: ~10 minutes
36. Zephaniah: ~10 minutes
37. Haggai: ~10 minutes
38. Zechariah: ~1 hour
39. Malachi: ~15 minutes

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New Testament

The Gospels

40. Matthew: ~2.5 hours
41. Mark: ~1.5 hours
42. Luke: ~2.5 hours
43. John: ~2 hours

History

44. Acts: ~2.5 hours

Pauline Epistles

45. Romans: ~1 hour
46. 1 Corinthians: ~1 hour
47. 2 Corinthians: ~40 minutes
48. Galatians: ~20 minutes
49. Ephesians: ~20 minutes
50. Philippians: ~15 minutes
51. Colossians: ~15 minutes
52. 1 Thessalonians: ~15 minutes
53. 2 Thessalonians: ~10 minutes
54. 1 Timothy: ~20 minutes
55. 2 Timothy: ~15 minutes
56. Titus: ~10 minutes
57. Philemon: ~5 minutes

General Epistles

58. Hebrews: ~1 hour
59. James: ~20 minutes
60. 1 Peter: ~20 minutes
61. 2 Peter: ~15 minutes
62. 1 John: ~20 minutes
63. 2 John: ~5 minutes
64. 3 John: ~5 minutes
65. Jude: ~5 minutes

Prophecy

66. Revelation: ~1.5 hours

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Total Reading Time

• Old Testament: ~39 hours
• New Testament: ~11 hours
• Entire Bible: ~50 hours

Adjustments can be made based on individual reading speed or familiarity with the text.

In summary, it should be between 42 to 50 hours for most people.