Reading the entire Old Testament aloud takes roughly fifty hours, since it makes up about three-quarters of the Bible.
This estimate is approximate and will vary depending on reading speed and translation.
Approximate reading time
A common way to summarize the time commitment is to distinguish between reading aloud and reading silently. If read aloud from beginning to end, the Old Testament takes roughly fifty hours. That figure is a broad estimate, not a guaranteed total for every reader or every translation.
Because times are approximate, two people can read the same material aloud and finish at noticeably different times. Translation choice can also affect pacing, since some translations read more quickly than others when spoken.
Why it takes longer
The Old Testament is much longer than the New Testament, so it takes considerably more time to read. One reason the “roughly fifty hours aloud” estimate can make intuitive sense is that the Old Testament makes up about three-quarters of the Bible. If most of the Bible’s content is found in the Old Testament, most of the total reading time is naturally spent there as well.
This difference in length is also why many yearly Bible plans spend most of their reading in the Old Testament. In those plans, the schedule reflects the simple fact that there is more material to cover in the Old Testament than in the New.
Aloud versus silent
Silent reading is generally faster than reading aloud. For that reason, “roughly fifty hours aloud” should be understood as an oral-reading estimate; a silent reader will often complete the Old Testament in less time.
Even so, neither silent nor aloud reading times can be pinned down exactly from length alone. Individual reading speed and the translation being used make a real difference, which is why any single hour estimate needs to be held loosely.
Yearly plan expectations
Many yearly Bible plans spend most of their reading in the Old Testament. This does not necessarily mean those plans are “Old Testament–heavy” for theological reasons; it may simply mirror the proportion of the Bible’s content found in the Old Testament (about three-quarters).
So, if someone is following a one-year schedule and feels that the Old Testament occupies much of the calendar, that experience is consistent with the Old Testament’s greater length and the added time it typically requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to read the Old Testament out loud?
Roughly fifty hours, as an approximate estimate. The total depends on reading speed and translation.
Why does the Old Testament take so much longer than the New?
The Old Testament is much longer than the New Testament. It makes up about three-quarters of the Bible, so it takes considerably more time to read.
Is the fifty-hour estimate exact?
No. Times are approximate and depend on reading speed and translation, so the actual time can vary from person to person.
Will silent reading take less time than reading aloud?
Generally, yes. Silent reading is generally faster than reading aloud, so many people will finish sooner when reading silently.
Why do many yearly Bible plans spend most of their reading in the Old Testament?
Because the Old Testament is much longer than the New Testament. Since it makes up about three-quarters of the Bible, many one-year plans naturally assign most of the reading there.