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How to Determine Bible
Verse Numbering Method

The Old Testament usually follows one of these common verse numbering and chapter division methods: that used in the Masoretic text (circa 8^th century Hebrew), that used in the Vulgate (4^th century Latin translated from the Greek Septuagint), or a combination of the two which I call Traditional. Here are some differences which allow you to determine which method your bible uses.

If Psalm 9 has 38 or 39 verses, your bible follows the Vulgate/Septuagint system of verse numbering, which combines Masoretic Psalms 9 and 10.

If Psalm 9 has only 20 or 21 verses, your bible divides the book of Psalms in the Masoretic fashion. Now check Genesis 32:1. If the verse speaks of Laban kissing his grandchildren, your bible probably follows the Masoretic text divisions throughout. If the verse speaks of Jacob and the angels of God, it is using the Traditional method for English bibles, which follows the Vulgate method throughout most of the Old Testament. In this case, you’ll find Laban kissing his grandchildren in 31:55.

There are dozens of other differences among the three methods, and someday I may enumerate more of them here. — JEP