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Bible Facts — Interesting, Verified Facts from the Bible

Surprising and helpful things the Bible actually says, each with its passage. Every fact is labelled by its evidence, and popular ideas the Bible does not state are marked as such.

Bible fact of the day · Monday 26 October 2026

The Bible begins "In the beginning"

The first words of the Bible are "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

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Amazing Bible facts1 fact People of the Bible54 facts Animals in the Bible22 facts Nature and creation15 facts Miracles and extraordinary events30 facts Numbers and measurements48 facts Places and journeys27 facts Kings, queens and leaders23 facts Jesus and the Gospels51 facts Prophets25 facts Women in the Bible23 facts Books and Bible structure19 facts Unusual events28 facts Bible questions and misconceptions17 facts Facts for children19 facts Connections across Scripture31 facts Translation and language discoveries19 facts

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Direct biblical statementA donkey spoke to BalaamNumbers records that God opened the mouth of Balaam's donkey so that it spoke to him.Direct biblical statementRavens fed ElijahDuring a drought, God sent ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat, morning and evening, by the brook Cherith.Direct biblical statementNoah sent out a raven and a doveAfter the flood Noah first sent out a raven, then a dove three times; the second time it came back with an olive leaf.Translation-dependent observationJonah's fish is not called a whale in JonahThe book of Jonah says the LORD prepared a "huge fish" (or "great fish") to swallow Jonah; it does not say what kind of animal it…Direct biblical statementLions did not harm DanielDaniel was thrown into a den of lions for praying to God, and God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths.Direct biblical statementNot every animal went into the ark two by twoGod told Noah to take seven pairs of every clean animal and one pair of the others.Direct biblical statementSamson found honey in a lionSamson killed a young lion with his bare hands; later he found a swarm of bees and honey in its body.Direct biblical statementJesus rode a colt no one had riddenJesus sent two disciples to bring a young donkey "on which no one has sat", and rode it into Jerusalem.Direct biblical statementA coin in a fish's mouthJesus told Peter to catch a fish and he would find a coin in its mouth to pay the temple tax for them both.Direct biblical statement153 large fishAfter the resurrection the disciples caught 153 large fish, and John notes that the net did not tear.Direct biblical statementQuail covered the campIn the wilderness God sent quail in the evening and manna in the morning.Direct biblical statementFrogs in Pharaoh's bedroomIn one of the plagues on Egypt, frogs came into houses, bedrooms, beds, ovens and kneading bowls.Direct biblical statementJohn the Baptist ate locusts and wild honeyJohn the Baptist wore camel's hair clothing and ate locusts and wild honey.Direct biblical statementA camel through a needle's eyeJesus said it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.Direct biblical statementPaul shook off a snakeOn Malta a viper fastened on Paul's hand; he shook it into the fire and suffered no harm.Direct biblical statementThe rooster crowed twiceJesus told Peter that before the rooster crowed twice he would deny him three times; Mark records it happened.Direct biblical statementThe Spirit came down like a doveAt Jesus' baptism the Spirit descended on him like a dove, and a voice from heaven spoke.Direct biblical statementGideon's fleeceGideon asked God for a sign with a wool fleece: wet when the ground was dry, then dry when the ground was wet.Direct biblical statementJesus pointed to the ravensJesus told his disciples to consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, and God feeds them.Direct biblical statementProverbs points to the antProverbs tells the lazy person to watch the ant, which gathers food in summer without anyone in charge.Direct biblical statementOne lost sheep mattersIn Jesus' parable a shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for one lost sheep, and rejoices when he finds it.Direct biblical statementNot one sparrow is forgottenJesus said that not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from God, and that the hairs of your head are numbered.Direct biblical statementLight on day one, sun on day fourGenesis 1 describes light on the first day and the sun, moon and stars on the fourth day.Direct biblical statementThe rainbow is a covenant signAfter the flood God set the rainbow in the clouds as the sign of his covenant never again to destroy the earth by flood.Direct biblical statementThe sun stood still for JoshuaJoshua records that the sun stood still and the moon stopped until Israel had defeated its enemies at Gibeon.Direct biblical statementThe shadow went back ten stepsAs a sign to King Hezekiah, the shadow went back ten steps on the stairway of Ahaz.Direct biblical statementA star went ahead of the MagiMatthew says the star the Magi had seen went before them until it stood over where the young child was.Direct biblical statementDarkness at middayThe Gospels record darkness over the land from the sixth hour to the ninth hour while Jesus was on the cross.Direct biblical statementAn earthquake opened a prisonAt Philippi, while Paul and Silas sang hymns at midnight, an earthquake opened the prison doors and loosened everyone's chains.Direct biblical statementThe tiny mustard seedJesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed: small when sown, but growing larger than the garden plants.Direct biblical statementThe lilies are dressed better than SolomonJesus said not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like the lilies of the field.Direct biblical statementIt rained forty days, but the waters lasted longerGenesis says rain fell forty days and nights, and the waters prevailed on the earth for 150 days.Direct biblical statementJesus' first sign was at a weddingJohn says Jesus' first sign was turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.Direct biblical statementThe crowd was bigger than "five thousand"Matthew says about five thousand men ate, "in addition to women and children". The total number is not given.Direct biblical statementTwelve baskets of leftoversAfter the five thousand ate, the disciples gathered twelve baskets full of broken pieces.Direct biblical statementJesus fed a crowd twiceBesides the five thousand, Mark and Matthew record Jesus feeding about four thousand people with seven loaves.Direct biblical statementPeter also walked on waterWhen Jesus walked on the sea, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus before he began to sink.Direct biblical statementJesus slept through a stormDuring a fierce storm Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the boat; he woke and calmed the wind and waves.Direct biblical statementLazarus had been dead four daysWhen Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days; Jesus called him out alive.Direct biblical statementIsrael crossed the sea on dry groundExodus says God drove back the sea with a strong east wind all night, and Israel walked through on dry ground.Direct biblical statementThe Jordan stopped at flood timeIsrael crossed the Jordan at harvest time, when it overflowed its banks; the water stopped as the priests' feet touched it.Direct biblical statementSeven days, seven times on the seventhIsrael marched around Jericho once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, before the walls fell.Direct biblical statementElijah went up by a whirlwindSecond Kings says a chariot of fire separated Elijah and Elisha, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.Direct biblical statementAn iron axe head floatedWhen a borrowed axe head fell into the Jordan, Elisha threw in a stick and the iron floated.Direct biblical statementNaaman washed seven timesNaaman, an army commander with leprosy, was healed after washing seven times in the Jordan as Elisha told him.Direct biblical statementElijah soaked the altar firstBefore God sent fire on Mount Carmel, Elijah had the altar and sacrifice drenched with water three times.Direct biblical statementPeople hoped Peter's shadow would fall on themActs says people brought the sick into the streets so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them.Direct biblical statementTabitha was raised to lifeIn Joppa, Peter prayed and said "Tabitha, get up!" and she opened her eyes.Direct biblical statementA young man fell asleep during a long sermonIn Troas, Eutychus fell asleep while Paul talked until midnight, fell from a third-floor window and was picked up dead; Paul embraced him and he was…Direct biblical statementA man revived on touching Elisha's bonesSecond Kings records that a dead man thrown into Elisha's tomb came to life when he touched Elisha's bones.Direct biblical statementNot even the smell of fireShadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the furnace with no hair singed and no smell of fire; the king had seen a fourth man walking…Direct biblical statementAn angel led Peter out of prisonWhile Peter slept chained between two soldiers, an angel woke him, his chains fell off, and the iron gate opened by itself.Direct biblical statementLot's wife looked backAs Lot's family fled Sodom, Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt; Jesus later said "Remember Lot's wife."Direct biblical statementZechariah could not speak until John was namedZechariah doubted the angel's message and could not speak until he wrote "His name is John".Direct biblical statementJohn leaped before he was bornWhen Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy.Direct biblical statementEzekiel ate a scroll as sweet as honeyIn a vision God told Ezekiel to eat a scroll; it was as sweet as honey in his mouth.Text-derived calculationMethuselah's 969 yearsGenesis gives Methuselah's age at death as 969 years, the highest age recorded for anyone in the Bible.Direct biblical statementEnoch walked with GodGenesis says Enoch walked with God, "and he was not found, for God took him".Direct biblical statementAbraham was 100 when Isaac was bornAbraham was one hundred years old when Isaac was born, and Sarah about ninety.Direct biblical statementMoses' eyes were not dim at 120Moses died at 120 years old; Deuteronomy says his eye was not dim and his strength had not gone.Direct biblical statementMoses was 80 when he spoke to PharaohExodus gives Moses' age as 80 and Aaron's as 83 when they spoke to Pharaoh.Direct biblical statementJoseph: 17 when sold, 30 before PharaohJoseph was seventeen when he was feeding the flock with his brothers, and thirty when he stood before Pharaoh.Translation-dependent observationJoseph's special robeJacob made Joseph "a tunic of many colours" (or a long robe with sleeves), which made his brothers jealous.Direct biblical statementDavid was the youngest sonWhen Samuel came to anoint a king, Jesse's youngest son David was out keeping the sheep.Translation-dependent observationGoliath's heightFirst Samuel gives Goliath's height as "six cubits and a span", roughly three metres by common estimates.Direct biblical statementDavid chose five stones and used oneDavid chose five smooth stones from the brook, and one stone struck Goliath.Direct biblical statementA king at seven years oldJehoash (Joash) became king of Judah when he was seven years old.Direct biblical statementJosiah became king at eightJosiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and later led a great reform after the book of the law was found.Direct biblical statementGod called the boy Samuel four timesGod called Samuel at night; three times he ran to Eli, and the fourth time he answered "Speak, for your servant hears."Direct biblical statementZacchaeus climbed a sycamore treeZacchaeus, a short chief tax collector, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus.Direct biblical statementNicodemus came at nightNicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler, came to Jesus by night; later he helped bury Jesus.Text-derived calculation"Jesus wept" is the shortest verse in this editionIn the World English Bible on BibleKenya, John 11:35 "Jesus wept." is the shortest verse by number of letters.Text-derived calculationEsther 8:9 is the longest verse in this editionIn the World English Bible on BibleKenya, Esther 8:9 is the longest verse, with 86 words.Text-derived calculationPsalm 119 is the longest chapterPsalm 119 has 176 verses, the most of any chapter in the Bible.Text-derived calculationPsalm 117 is the shortest chapterPsalm 117 has just two verses, the fewest of any chapter.Translation-dependent observation3 John: 14 verses in this editionIn the World English Bible, 3 John has 14 verses; some editions divide its last verse in two and count 15.Translation-dependent observationGod is not named in EstherThe book of Esther, as it appears in Protestant Bibles, never uses the word God or the LORD's name.Translation-dependent observation66 books in Protestant BiblesProtestant Bibles have 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include additional books.Historical or external claimPart of Daniel was written in AramaicMost of the Old Testament is in Hebrew, but Daniel 2:4b–7:28 and parts of Ezra are in Aramaic.Direct biblical statementThe sign on the cross was in three languagesJohn says the title on Jesus' cross was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.Text-derived calculationThe word "Trinity" is not in the BibleThe English word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible, though passages such as Matthew 28:19 name the Father, Son and Holy Spirit together.Direct biblical statementThe forbidden fruit is not called an appleGenesis speaks of "fruit" from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; it does not name the kind of fruit.Direct biblical statementThe Bible does not say there were three wise menMatthew records three kinds of gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) but does not say how many Magi there were.Direct biblical statementThe Magi found Jesus in a houseMatthew says the Magi came "into the house" and saw "the young child", not a newborn in a manger.Direct biblical statementLuke does not mention a donkey or an innkeeperLuke says Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem and laid the baby in a manger; he does not mention a donkey or an innkeeper.Direct biblical statementThe angels "said", not "sang"Luke says the heavenly army was "praising God and saying" Glory to God in the highest; it does not say they sang.Direct biblical statementSaul was not renamed Paul on the Damascus roadActs keeps calling him Saul for years after his conversion; Acts 13:9 then says "Saul, who is also called Paul".Direct biblical statement"The love of money", not money, is a root of evilThe verse often quoted as "money is the root of all evil" says "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil".Direct biblical statementDelilah called a man to shave Samson's hairJudges says Delilah called a man to shave off the seven locks of Samson's head while he slept.Direct biblical statementEve is named in Genesis 3The woman is first called "Eve" in Genesis 3:20, after the fall: "because she would be the mother of all the living".Literary or interpretive observationGenesis 3 calls the tempter a serpentGenesis 3 speaks of a serpent; Revelation later calls the devil "the old serpent".Translation-dependent observationAnna's age can be read two waysLuke 2:37 can mean that Anna was a widow of eighty-four years of age, or that she had been a widow for eighty-four years.Translation-dependent observationForgive "seventy times seven"When Peter asked if he should forgive seven times, Jesus said "until seventy times seven" (or "seventy-seven times").Translation-dependent observationThe Ten Commandments are called "ten words"Exodus and Deuteronomy call the commandments "the ten commandments", literally "ten words" in Hebrew.Direct biblical statementJesus was about thirty when he beganLuke says Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.Direct biblical statementJesus stayed behind in the temple at twelveWhen Jesus was twelve, he stayed in the temple in Jerusalem, listening to the teachers and asking questions.Direct biblical statementJesus welcomed the childrenWhen the disciples rebuked people for bringing children, Jesus was indignant and said "Allow the little children to come to me!"Literary or interpretive observationFour of Jesus' brothers are namedMatthew and Mark name James, Joses (Joseph), Simon and Judas as Jesus' brothers, and mention sisters without naming them.Direct biblical statementJesus prayed alone early in the morningMark records that very early, while it was still dark, Jesus went to a deserted place to pray.Direct biblical statementThe risen Jesus made breakfastAfter the resurrection Jesus cooked fish and bread on a charcoal fire and invited the disciples: "Come and eat breakfast!"Direct biblical statementJesus was buried in a new rock tombJoseph of Arimathea laid Jesus' body in his own new tomb cut in the rock and rolled a great stone against the door.Direct biblical statementJesus answered temptation with DeuteronomyIn the wilderness Jesus answered each temptation with words from Deuteronomy: "It is written."Translation-dependent observationTwo versions of the Lord's PrayerMatthew and Luke both record the Lord's Prayer; Luke's version is shorter and comes after a disciple asks to be taught to pray.Text-derived calculation"It is finished" is only in JohnJesus' words "It is finished" from the cross are recorded only in John's Gospel.Direct biblical statementSimon of Cyrene carried the crossSoldiers made Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, carry Jesus' cross.Direct biblical statementWomen were the first at the empty tombAll four Gospels say women came first to the tomb; Mary Magdalene is named in each account.Direct biblical statementThomas was invited to touch the woundsThomas said he would not believe unless he touched Jesus' wounds; a week later Jesus invited him to, and Thomas said "My Lord and my God!"Direct biblical statementSeen by more than 500 at oncePaul writes that the risen Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people at one time, most of whom were still alive.Direct biblical statementThe name "Christians" began in AntiochActs says the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.Direct biblical statementPeople heard in their own languagesAt Pentecost visitors from many lands heard the disciples speaking about God's mighty works in their own languages.Direct biblical statementSolomon asked for wisdom, not richesWhen God told Solomon to ask for anything, he asked for an understanding heart to judge the people; God also gave him riches and honour.Direct biblical statementSolomon's temple took seven yearsFirst Kings says Solomon spent seven years building the temple, and thirteen years building his own house.Direct biblical statementNo hammer was heard at the templeThe stones for Solomon's temple were prepared at the quarry, so no hammer, axe or iron tool was heard at the building site.Direct biblical statementDavid danced before the arkWhen the ark came to Jerusalem, David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a linen ephod.Direct biblical statementA king ate grass like an oxDaniel records that King Nebuchadnezzar was driven from people and ate grass like an ox until he acknowledged that the Most High rules.Direct biblical statementA hand wrote on the palace wallAt Belshazzar's feast, fingers of a man's hand wrote on the wall; Daniel read and explained the words.Direct biblical statementA Persian king sent the exiles homeCyrus king of Persia issued a decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.Direct biblical statementJerusalem's wall rebuilt in 52 daysUnder Nehemiah's leadership the wall of Jerusalem was finished in fifty-two days.Direct biblical statementGideon's army was cut to 300God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men, so that Israel would not boast that they saved themselves.Direct biblical statementDeborah judged under a palm treeDeborah, a prophetess, judged Israel sitting under "Deborah's palm tree" between Ramah and Bethel.Direct biblical statementEsther risked her life for her peopleQueen Esther went to the king without being called, risking death, to plead for her people.Direct biblical statementA baby prince was hidden for six yearsWhen Queen Athaliah killed the royal family, Jehosheba hid the infant Joash in the temple for six years.Direct biblical statementIsaiah saw seraphim with six wingsIn Isaiah's vision each seraph had six wings: two covering the face, two the feet, and two for flying.Direct biblical statementA valley of dry bones came to lifeIn a vision Ezekiel prophesied to dry bones; they came together, were covered with flesh, and breath entered them.Direct biblical statementJeremiah wrote a letter to the exilesJeremiah sent a letter to the exiles in Babylon telling them to build houses, plant gardens and seek the peace of the city.Direct biblical statementJonah was angry about a plantAfter Nineveh repented, Jonah was angry; God gave him shade with a vine and then taught him through it.Direct biblical statementElisha asked for a double portionBefore Elijah was taken up, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit.Translation-dependent observationHosea's children had message namesHosea's children were named Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah ("not pitied") and Lo-Ammi ("not my people") as signs to Israel.Direct biblical statementMicah named BethlehemMicah prophesied that a ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah; Matthew quotes this in the account of the Magi.Direct biblical statementMiriam watched over Moses and later led a songMoses' sister watched over the baby in the reeds; later Miriam the prophetess led the women in a song by the sea.Direct biblical statementRuth was David's great-grandmotherRuth, a Moabite woman, married Boaz; their son Obed was the father of Jesse, the father of David.Direct biblical statementRahab hid the spies under flaxRahab hid Joshua's two spies on her roof under stalks of flax and let them down by a rope through her window.Direct biblical statementHannah's prayer was answeredHannah prayed for a son so earnestly that Eli thought she was drunk; she named her son Samuel.Direct biblical statementLydia sold purple clothLydia, a seller of purple cloth from Thyatira, became the first named believer in Europe in Acts and hosted Paul's team.Direct biblical statementPriscilla and Aquila taught ApollosWhen Apollos preached knowing only John's baptism, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately.Direct biblical statementKing Josiah's officials consulted HuldahWhen the book of the law was found, King Josiah's officials went to the prophetess Huldah for God's word.Direct biblical statementPaul commended PhoebePaul commended Phoebe, a servant (deacon) of the church at Cenchreae, and asked the Romans to help her.Direct biblical statementWomen supported Jesus' workLuke names women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna, who travelled with Jesus and supported him from their own means.Direct biblical statementDorcas made clothes for widowsWhen Tabitha (Dorcas) died, the widows showed Peter the coats and garments she had made for them.Direct biblical statementIsrael wandered forty yearsAfter refusing to enter the land, Israel wandered in the wilderness forty years, one year for each day the spies explored.Direct biblical statementAbram set out at seventy-fiveAbram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran as God had told him.Direct biblical statement276 people on Paul's shipActs says there were 276 people on the ship that was wrecked on the way to Rome, and all reached land safely.Direct biblical statementJonah sailed the opposite wayGod sent Jonah east to Nineveh, but he boarded a ship going to Tarshish, in the far west.Direct biblical statementAn Ethiopian official was reading IsaiahPhilip met an Ethiopian court official in a chariot reading Isaiah aloud, explained it to him, and baptized him.Direct biblical statementTwo disciples walked to Emmaus with JesusOn the day of the resurrection, two disciples walked to Emmaus, sixty stadia from Jerusalem; Jesus walked with them but they did not recognise him.Direct biblical statementNineveh took three days to crossJonah describes Nineveh as "an exceedingly great city, three days' journey across".Direct biblical statementPaul escaped in a basketIn Damascus, the disciples let Paul down through an opening in the city wall in a basket.Literary or interpretive observationForty days, three timesForty days marks Moses on the mountain, Elijah's journey to Horeb and Jesus in the wilderness.Literary or interpretive observationTwelve tribes and twelve apostlesJesus chose twelve apostles and spoke of them sitting on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.Text-derived calculationMatthew's three groups of fourteenMatthew arranges Jesus' genealogy in three groups of fourteen generations.Direct biblical statementIshmael also had twelve sonsLike Jacob, Ishmael had twelve sons, called "twelve princes, according to their nations".Literary or interpretive observationMoriah: Abraham's mountain and the temple siteGod sent Abraham to "the land of Moriah", and Chronicles says Solomon built the temple on Mount Moriah.Literary or interpretive observationJohn called Jesus "the Lamb of God"John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"Literary or interpretive observationHannah's song and Mary's songMary's song in Luke 1 shares many themes with Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2: God lifts the humble and fills the hungry.Literary or interpretive observationMelchizedek brought bread and wineMelchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, brought bread and wine and blessed Abram; Hebrews reflects on him at length.Literary or interpretive observationJesus spoke of "the sign of Jonah"Jesus compared Jonah's three days in the fish with the Son of Man's three days in the heart of the earth.Direct biblical statementThirty pieces of silverJudas agreed to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver; Matthew connects the later purchase of a field with a prophecy.Direct biblical statementSoldiers cast lots for Jesus' tunicThe soldiers divided Jesus' clothes and cast lots for his seamless tunic; John links this to Psalm 22.Direct biblical statementThe Bible ends with graceThe last verse of the Bible is a blessing of grace: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen."Literary or interpretive observationThe Bible begins "In the beginning"The first words of the Bible are "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."Direct biblical statementA young girl pointed Naaman to the prophetNaaman's healing began with a young Israelite girl, taken captive, who told her mistress about the prophet in Samaria.

How facts are labelled

Direct biblical statement: Scripture states this.
Text-derived calculation: Worked out from the passages named, by the method described.
Translation-dependent observation: True of particular translations or editions, which are named.
Literary or interpretive observation: A connection or reading supported by the passages, not a direct statement.
Historical or external claim: From history, archaeology or manuscript study, not from Scripture itself.

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