I did not realize at the time I started the thread with the OP that the program I am using to count lines, words, and characters was counting newlines...Here's character counts for the whole Bible, with all stylings removed (everything except a-z, 0-9, whitespace, dot, comma and hyphen):
KJV: 4 085 314
Verse numbers are not included in the total count, but I included numbers just to be sure no text that is talking something about numbers would be missing (I'm not actually sure if there are any plain number characters in the scripture).I am assuming that your '0-9' is referring to verse numbers.
$str = preg_replace("/[^A-Za-z'\.\, \-]/u", '', $str);
$str = preg_replace("/[^A-Za-z'\.\, \-;:]/u", '', $str);
Here's some amazing facts:
The Central Chapter of the Bible: Psalms 118
The fact can be argued depending on what Bible version you are using, but by most reckoning, the very center of the Bible when measured by chapter count is Psalms 118.
Here are some other fun facts surrounding Psalm 118:
- The longest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter-- Psalm 119.
- The shortest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter-- Psalm 117.
[*]There are exactly 594 chapters before Psalm 118, and exactly 594 chapters after it. When you add the number of chapters before Psalms 118 and those after, the sum is 1,118. And the verse at the very center of the Bible is Psalms 118:8.
The Center Verse
Psalm 118:8 - "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." (NIV)
This central verse of the Bible reminds believers to ask the question, "Are you centered in your trust in God?" It is a particular verse that reminds Christians to trust in God over trusting in themselves or other people. As Christians understand, God consistently provides for us and His grace is given to us freely. Even in the most difficult times, we should center ourselves by trusting in God. He is there making us strong, giving us joy, and carrying us when life weighs heavily on us.
Psst... 594 x 2 is 1188, not 1118.There are exactly 594 chapters before Psalm 118, and exactly 594 chapters after it. When you add the number of chapters before Psalms 118 and those after, the sum is 1,118. And the verse at the very center of the Bible is Psalms 118:8.
Yes, "when measured by chapter count," that is the center "chapter" (the underlined part being important to note, on this particular "fact").
When I add "594 + 594" the sum is (instead) "1188"... I think the above (underlined) must be a typo.
Psalm 118:8 is not the "center verse" of the Bible. (Even if you go by the same "central chapter ['when measured by chapter count']" method.)
The OP has the correct info on "number of verses in the Bible" (true of both the kjv and nasb, if I recall correctly). So using THAT (correct) number, and then divided by 2, one comes to a completely DIFFERENT (set of 2) verses as being the CENTER VERSES of the Bible (from that of any verse in Ps118--nothing in Ps118 is "center verse" of the Bible).
Many people mistakenly use the (incorrect) notion of there being "31,175 verses" in the Bible [there aren't--the OP has the correct number, on this point], and yet somehow still repeat the supposed fact that Psalm 118:8 is the center verse (though the "math" doesn't add up!) lol
Psalm 118:8 is "verse # 15878" (doubling that, and add 1 for the center verse, and one does not come up with THAT "total" either)
Yes, it's a typo from the author and I actually looked at it and thought 'why doesn't 1118 match the middle Scripture Psa 118.8 (1188)' and was too busy to check it. God is very precise, lol.Psst... 594 x 2 is 1188, not 1118.
I know... typo.
Yes, it's a typo from the author and I actually looked at it and thought 'why doesn't 1118 match the middle Scripture Psa 118.8 (1188)' and was too busy to check it.
God is very precise, lol.
I looked it up again and most think it is Psa 118:8 and it makes sense with the Psa before it and after being the longest and shortest Psalms. So either way I'm good with it.I figured it was indeed a "typo" (and I "get" it about being too busy to check it). The only thing I would say here ^ , is that Psalm 118:8 is not "the middle Scripture" (the author of that piece was actually mistaken here).
Yes, He is.![]()
I looked it up again and most think it is Psa 118:8 and it makes sense with the Psa before it and after being the longest and shortest Psalms. So either way I'm good with it.
The "middle" based on the number of total chapters (1189):
Psalms 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 LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
The "middle" based on the number of total verses (31102):
Psalms 103:
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
I like simple math. Wish I had thought of it, but I don't know who to credit.I concur with your equation.