The Early Stages: Before Chapters and Verses
The Dead Sea Scrolls did not have chapter or verse numbers. The scrolls were written in continuous text, often without spaces between the words. The system of chapters and verses that we know today was introduced much later:
Chapters:
Stephen Langton, an Archbishop of Canterbury, divided the Bible into chapters in the early 13th century (around 1227 AD). His division later became the standard in Bible editions.
Verses:
The Old Testament was divided into verses by a Jewish rabbi named Nathan in 1448 AD.
The New Testament was divided into verses by Robert Estienne (Stephanus), a French printer, in 1551 AD.
The chapter and verse divisions were standardized in printed editions, such as the Geneva Bible (1560 AD), one of the first major translations to include these divisions.
Die Vroeë Stadiums: Voor Hoofstukke en Verse
Die Dooie See-rolle het nie hoofstuk- of versnommers gehad nie. Die rolle is geskryf in aaneenlopende teks, dikwels sonder spasies tussen die woorde. Die stelsel van hoofstukke en verse wat ons vandag ken, is eers baie later ingevoer:
Hoofstukke:
Stephen Langton, ‘n aartsbiskop van Canterbury, het die Bybel in hoofstukke verdeel in die vroeë 13de eeu (ongeveer 1227 n.C.). Sy verdeling het later die standaard geword in Bybeluitgawes.
Verse:
Die Ou Testament is in verse verdeel deur ‘n Joodse rabbi genaamd Nathan in 1448 n.C.
Die Nuwe Testament is in verse verdeel deur Robert Estienne (Stephanus), ‘n Franse drukker, in 1551 n.C.
Die hoofstuk- en versindeling is gestandaardiseer in gedrukte uitgawes, soos die Geneva Bible (1560 n.C.), wat een van die eerste groot vertalings was wat hierdie indelings ingesluit het.
