Christians often speak of “standing on the promises,” but determining the exact number of promises in the bible is a complex task. Estimates vary widely depending on the source, ranging from 3,000 to as many as 30,000. Considering there are 31,173 verses in the Bible, the higher estimates suggest nearly every verse contains a pledge from God, which some scholars find unlikely.
However, the most detailed and widely accepted count comes from a dedicated Canadian schoolteacher named Everet R. Storms.
The Definitive Count: 8,810 Promises
Everet R. Storms undertook the massive task of tallying every promise during his 27th reading of the Bible. According to the book All the Promises in the Bible by Herbert Lockyer, this project took Storms a year and a half to complete.
Storms did not just count them; he categorized them. His final tally of 8,810 promises is broken down into specific interactions:
- God to Man: 7,487 promises (85% of the total).
- One Man to Another: 991 promises.
- Man to God: 290 promises.
- God the Father to God the Son: 2 promises.
- Promises made by Satan: 9 promises.
- Other combinations: Various miscellaneous pledges.
While the exact number may be debated, the consensus is that the Bible contains thousands of specific commitments, with the vast majority being positive assurances from God to humanity.
Major Promises by Category
Scripture distinguishes between different types of promises. Some are conditional (based on obedience, like the Mosaic Covenant) while others are unconditional (based on God’s character).
Promises in the Old Testament
The Old Testament is filled with covenants and assurances of protection and presence.
- The Abrahamic Covenant: God promised to bless Abraham and the entire world through his lineage.”I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2)
- Presence and Protection: God promised Israel that He would be their God.”I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” (Leviticus 26:12)
- Forgiveness: Restoration is promised to those who turn back to God.”If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Promises in the New Testament
The New Testament shifts the focus toward spiritual blessings, salvation, and eternal security in Jesus Christ.
- Salvation: The promise that belief in Jesus results in eternal life.”For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
- Provision: God pledges to take care of daily needs.”And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
- Comfort and Peace: Believers are promised peace that surpasses understanding.”Do not be anxious about anything… And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
The Promises of Jesus
Jesus Christ made direct pledges to His disciples and followers regarding their future and their spiritual state.
- Rest: A promise of relief for the weary.”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
- Security: The assurance that believers cannot be lost.”I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)
- The Second Coming: The promise that He will return.”And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3)
Appropriating the Promises
Knowing the number of promises is less important than “appropriating” them—making them a personal reality in your life. While there are generally agreed to be 613 laws in the Old Testament, the promises far outnumber them.
The Apostle Peter explains that these promises allow believers to participate in the divine nature:
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4)
The Example of Russell Carter
The hymn “Standing on the Promises” was written by Russell Carter in 1886. Carter, a teacher, coach, and musician, faced a critical heart condition at age 30. Facing death, he knelt and consecrated his life to God, regardless of whether he was healed.
He decided to lean entirely on the promises of Scripture. Carter survived and lived another 49 years. His hymn reflects that determination to trust God’s word regardless of the “howling storms of doubt and fear.”
The Reliability of God’s Word
The Bible emphasizes that God’s promises are not casual commitments. Unlike human promises, which are often broken, God’s character ensures His word is kept.
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)
The Apostle Paul affirms that every promise in the Bible finds its ultimate “Yes” in Jesus.
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Whether the count is 3,000 or 8,810, the instruction for believers is to trust that God is faithful to perform what He has spoken.
