Unraveling the earliest chapters of the Christian Scriptures, "The First Chapters" embarks on a fascinating journey to uncover the origins of paragraph and chapter divisions in ancient manuscripts. At its core lies the majestic Codex Vaticanus, a fourth-century treasure trove and the oldest material witness to the earliest known numbered chapter divisions of the Bible. This groundbreaking study delves into the evolution of textual division, from the unbroken script of ancient Greek literary works to the innovative use of spaces, marks, and graphic techniques that transformed the reading experience. Beyond the renowned Eusebian Canons, "The First Chapters" sheds light on the enigmatic Capitulatio Vaticana, a system of numbered chapters intrinsic to Codex Vaticanus. By tracing its precursors in earlier manuscripts, this book reveals a rich, continuous tradition of visual guides that have shaped the interpretation of Scriptural books for centuries. Ultimately, "The First Chapters" uncovers fresh evidence of the profound impact of this early system on the history of exegesis, redefining our understanding of the Bible's most ancient and revered texts.