In the context of the Bible, the term "verse" refers to the division of the biblical text into numbered sections, which are used to facilitate reference, study, and memorization. The division into verses is a relatively modern development in the history of the biblical text, with the current system being attributed to Robert Estienne, a 16th-century French printer, who introduced it in his 1551 edition of the Greek New Testament. This system was later applied to the Hebrew Bible and has since become standard in most editions of the Bible.

Purpose and Use

The division into verses allows for precise citation and easy location of specific passages within the Bible. This is particularly useful for study, teaching, and preaching, as it enables readers to quickly find and reference specific parts of Scripture. Verses are often memorized by believers to aid in meditation, prayer, and the application of biblical principles to daily life.

Structure

Each verse typically contains a single sentence or a part of a sentence, although the length and structure can vary significantly depending on the literary style and content of the passage. For example, poetic books like Psalms may have shorter, more rhythmic verses, while narrative books like Genesis may have longer, more complex verses.

Significance in Interpretation

While the division into verses is a helpful tool, it is important to remember that these divisions are not part of the original manuscripts and should not dictate interpretation. Readers are encouraged to consider the broader context of a passage, including the surrounding verses, chapters, and books, to gain a fuller understanding of the text's meaning.

Example from the Berean Standard Bible

An example of a verse from the Berean Standard Bible is John 3:16, which states: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse is one of the most well-known and frequently cited in the Christian faith, encapsulating the core message of the Gospel.

Historical Development

The chapter and verse divisions were not present in the original manuscripts of the Bible. The Hebrew Bible was divided into sections called "parashot" for reading in synagogues, while the New Testament was divided into sections known as "kephalaia" in early manuscripts. The modern chapter divisions were developed by Stephen Langton in the 13th century, and the verse divisions were later added by Robert Estienne.

Impact on Christian Practice

The division into verses has had a profound impact on Christian practice, enabling the development of concordances, commentaries, and other study tools that enhance the ability to engage with Scripture. It also facilitates the practice of "proof-texting," where individual verses are cited to support theological arguments or doctrinal points, though this practice requires careful consideration of context to avoid misinterpretation.

Conclusion

The concept of a "verse" in the Bible is a testament to the enduring effort to make Scripture accessible and understandable to believers throughout history. While not part of the original text, the division into verses serves as a valuable tool for study, teaching, and personal devotion, helping believers to navigate and internalize the Word of God.1. (n.) A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet (see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules.

2. (n.) Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed in metrical form; versification; poetry.

3. (n.) A short division of any composition.

4. (n.) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses.

5. (n.) One of the short divisions of the chapters in the Old and New Testaments.

6. (n.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part.

7. (n.) A piece of poetry.

8. (v. t.) To tell in verse, or poetry.

9. (v. i.) To make verses; to versify.

1921. epiginosko -- to know exactly, to recognize
... also P. Hughs at 2 Cor 1:13). 1097 () is used once in this verse, and 1921 ()
twice. Both uses of 1921 () work in conjunction with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1921.htm - 10k

302. an -- usually untranslatable, but generally denoting ...
... 302 () is often called the " particle." However, it always influences ("conditions")
its sentence and is key to properly understanding the verse (passage) in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/302.htm - 8k

537. hapas -- all, the whole
... sky" (). In this verse, "everything" ("all," 537 ) has two : animal; and
the Levitical food-system. all things, everyone, whole. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/537.htm - 7k

4917. sunthlao -- to crush together
... with) Christ. (Mt 21:44) This verse "graphically pictures the fate of
the man who rejects Christ. The verb means to shatter. We ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4917.htm - 7k

Verse the Fifteenth
... FIRST PART VERSE THE FIFTEENTH. 1. He does not approve of that which he
does, neither does he do that which he would, but he does ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the fifteenth.htm

Verse the Fourteenth 1.
... FIRST PART VERSE THE FOURTEENTH 1. A closer investigation of this question
and a demonstration taken from the text itself, that ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the fourteenth 1.htm

Verse the Twentieth
... FIRST PART VERSE THE TWENTIETH. If he does that ... We have already taken the
twentieth verse into consideration. But I here briefly ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the twentieth.htm

Verse the Seventeenth
... FIRST PART VERSE THE SEVENTEENTH. 1. He no longer himself perpetrates this
evil, but it is done by sin that dwelleth in him, a second ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the seventeenth.htm

Verse the Sixteenth.
... FIRST PART VERSE THE SIXTEENTH. 1. He consents to the law that it is good;
a consectary deduced.2. An objection answered.3. A second ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the sixteenth.htm

Verse the Twenty-Fourth
... FIRST PART VERSE THE TWENTY-FOURTH. The lamentable exclamation, O wretched
man that I am! " a two-fold reading of it.2. The body ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the twenty-fourth.htm

Verse the Twenty-First
... FIRST PART VERSE THE TWENTY-FIRST. He finds that, where he would do good,
evil is present with him. The twenty-first verse contains ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the twenty-first.htm

Verse the Twenty-Fifth
... FIRST PART VERSE THE TWENTY-FIFTH. ... Chrysostom reads the former part of this verse
thus: "I thank," &c., which is also the reading of Theophylact. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the twenty-fifth.htm

A Heart-Breaking Verse.
... II The Wooing Lover (John i. 1-18.) A Heart-breaking Verse. Then comes
John's second heart-breaking verse; but it is just a bit ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/a heart-breaking verse.htm

Verse 1. What Will Ye See in the Shulamite, but the Companies of ...
... CHAPTER VII. VERSE 1. What will ye see in the Shulamite, but the companies of camps?
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/verse 1 what will ye.htm

Verse (5 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A piece of poetry. 8. (vt) To tell in verse, or poetry. 9. (vi) To make
verses; to versify. Multi-Version Concordance Verse (5 Occurrences). ...
/v/verse.htm - 8k

Susanna (1 Occurrence)
... Versions 1-4 seem to have been prefixed for clearness by Theodotion, for in Susanna
verse 7 of the Septuagint Susanna is introduced for the first time: "These ...
/s/susanna.htm - 17k

Acrostic (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A composition, usually in verse, in which the first or the last letters
of the lines, or certain other letters, taken in order, form a name, word ...
/a/acrostic.htm - 15k

Devils (48 Occurrences)
... Omitting to translate the word we have: (verse 3) "Saul had put away 'obhoth, and
yidh`onim"; (verse 7), a woman, a mistress of an 'obh; (verse 8) "Divine unto ...
/d/devils.htm - 31k

Demons (54 Occurrences)
... Omitting to translate the word we have: (verse 3) "Saul had put away 'obhoth, and
yidh`onim"; (verse 7), a woman, a mistress of an 'obh; (verse 8) "Divine unto ...
/d/demons.htm - 34k

Poem (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A metrical composition; a composition in verse written in certain measures,
whether in blank verse or in rhyme, and characterized by imagination and ...
/p/poem.htm - 8k

Evil (1503 Occurrences)
... "Knowing God" (verse 21), they were "without excuse" (verse 20), but "glorified
him not as God ... "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (verse 22). ...
/e/evil.htm - 47k

Communion (8 Occurrences)
... Omitting to translate the word we have: (verse 3) "Saul had put away 'obhoth, and
yidh`onim"; (verse 7), a woman, a mistress of an 'obh; (verse 8) "Divine unto ...
/c/communion.htm - 30k

With (66342 Occurrences)
... Omitting to translate the word we have: (verse 3) "Saul had put away 'obhoth, and
yidh`onim"; (verse 7), a woman, a mistress of an 'obh; (verse 8) "Divine unto ...
/w/with.htm - 20k

Bench (1 Occurrence)
... thy benches of ivory inlaid in boxwood, from the isles of Kittim," where the word
evidently stands for the "benches" of the boat whose "mast" (verse 5) and ...
/b/bench.htm - 8k

Is it ever appropriate to take a single verse of Scripture out of its context? | GotQuestions.org

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Verse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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