Bible

The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are very important to Christianity and Judaism, and it is also respected in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. These texts were originally written in Hebrew (with some parts in Aramaic) and Koine Greek. They include many different kinds of writing such as stories, instructions, poetry, letters, and prophecies.

Different religious groups put these texts together in various ways. The earliest part is called the Torah, which means 'Teaching' and includes the first five books. Other parts include histories, prophecies, and collections of songs and wise sayings. In Judaism, the whole collection is often called the Tanakh. Christianity later added more writings about the life and teachings of Jesus, called the gospels, and letters known as the Pauline epistles, forming what is now known as the New Testament.

The Bible is the most printed book in history, with over five billion copies sold. It has greatly shaped Western culture and many other parts of the world. People study the Bible in different ways, and while some think it gives good moral guidance, others question certain parts of its content. Today, the Bible is being translated into many languages so that people all over can read it.

Etymology

The word Bible can mean either the Hebrew Bible, which matches the Christian Old Testament, or the Christian Bible, which includes both the Old and New Testaments.

In English, the word Bible comes from a Greek phrase, ta biblia, meaning "the books." This Greek word itself came from an even older word for "scroll" or "book." Over time, it became the common way to refer to important written works.

Development and history

The Bible is a collection of important books that tell stories, give instructions, and share teachings for many religions. These books were written over many years, with the oldest ones starting as songs and stories told from one person to another. They were later written down on special paper called papyrus.

People from many different places and times wrote these books. They were written in Hebrew, some in Aramaic, and later in Greek. The Bible includes five main books called the Torah, stories of prophets, and writings like psalms and proverbs. These books were carefully copied by hand for many years, and different groups of people kept their own versions. Over time, these books became important religious texts for Judaism and later for Christianity.

Content and themes

The Bible is a collection of important stories, laws, and writings that guide many people in their beliefs and daily lives. It covers many topics that matter to everyone, such as relationships, right and wrong, nature, money, and joy.

The Bible has many different parts, like stories, poems, and letters. Some parts tell what happened long ago, while others give advice on how to live. Because it is written in many ways, people sometimes find it hard to understand what the writers meant. The Bible also talks about big ideas like what is good or bad, and how people should treat each other.

Textual history

See also: Biblical manuscript and Textual criticism

The original writings of the New Testament have not survived, but copies of these writings exist. These copies were passed down through different traditions. The three main traditions are called the Alexandrian text-type, the Byzantine text-type, and the Western text-type. Early Christians changed scrolls to bound books called codexes, and by the 3rd century, collections of biblical books were copied together.

Because all ancient texts were written by hand, they are not exactly the same. These small differences are called textual variants. Most of these differences are small mistakes, but some were made on purpose to improve the text or fix small issues.

Influence

Main article: Role of Christianity in civilization

Further information: History of Christian thought on persecution and tolerance, The Bible and violence, and Women in the Bible

See also: Category:Works based on the Bible

The Bible is one of the most important books ever written, with a history spanning over two thousand years. It has shaped many parts of life, including health practices, laws, art, and education. Many ideas about fairness, peace, and helping others come from stories and teachings in the Bible.

The Christian Bible is the most printed book in the world, with over five billion copies made. Because of this, it has greatly influenced many parts of daily life, especially in places like the Western world. For example, the first book printed in Europe using special printing letters was the Gutenberg Bible. The Bible helped shape laws, art, writing, and schools.

Politics and law

The Bible has been used to support and challenge leaders and governments. It has inspired big changes, like movements fighting for freedom and equality. Ideas such as democracy, letting people practice their own religions freely, and treating everyone fairly come from Bible teachings. These ideas helped start important movements, like fighting against unfair treatment of people because of their race.

Many of today’s laws about being fair and just come from Bible teachings. For example, judges should not take money to change their decisions, and everyone should be treated the same, no matter who they are. The Bible also says to protect children, women, and strangers, showing that everyone deserves kindness and safety.

Social responsibility

Bible teachings often talk about helping others, especially those who are poor or sick. Many stories show the importance of caring for people who need help. Because of these teachings, some early groups started the first hospitals to care for the sick and poor. The Bible also encouraged learning and reading, which helped start schools and universities.

Literature and the arts

See also: Films based on the Bible, Category:Operas based on the Bible, Category:Books based on the Bible, Category:Plays based on the Bible, and Category:Music based on the Bible

Many famous books, paintings, and music come from Bible stories. For example, writers like Dante and artists like Michelangelo used Bible events in their work. The Bible has inspired art for hundreds of years, with many paintings and sculptures showing Bible characters and stories.

Interpretation and inspiration

Main articles: Bibliology, Biblical inspiration, Biblical literalism, Biblical infallibility, and Biblical inerrancy

See also: Islamic view of the Bible

People have always needed to understand the Bible, leading to many different ways of thinking about it.

Jews mainly use the Talmud, a collection of old teachings and discussions, to explain their holy books. It helps them understand Jewish laws and traditions.

Christians see the Bible as very important but have different views. Some think it is perfect, while others see it as a collection of great writings. They also interpret it in their own ways, unlike Jews. The Bible means different things to different groups.

The Bible is important to both Judaism and Christianity. It helps people understand their history and beliefs. It is used in worship, teaching, and guiding people in life. Even though it is very important, it is not the only source of teachings for these religions.

In the past, some Christians focused mainly on the Bible as the most important guide. Today, views still differ. Some Christians also look at traditions and other sources along with the Bible. Muslims respect the Bible but believe it was changed over time. Other groups, like Rastafarians, also value the Bible highly.

Versions and translations

The original books of the Tanakh were mostly written in Hebrew, with a small part in Aramaic. The very first translation of any Bible text was the Septuagint, which turned Hebrew into Greek. This was a big deal in the ancient world because it happened in a time when Greek culture was strongly influenced by Semitic traditions. Greek was the only language allowed for translation, according to ancient Jewish teachings.

There were different ancient versions of the Tanakh in Hebrew, copied and edited in three places, which led to small differences. Scholars in Tiberias, in ancient Palestine, copied the texts in Tiberian Hebrew. One famous copy is the Aleppo Codex, dating to around 920. Though much of it was lost later, it remains very important for studying different versions of the text. The oldest complete version we have today is the Leningrad Codex from 1008.

Early Christians translated the New Testament into languages like Old Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, and Latin. In the 4th century, a leader named Pope Damasus I asked Jerome to create a reliable Latin translation from the original Greek and Hebrew texts. This became known as the Latin Vulgate Bible. In 1546, leaders of the Roman Catholic Church declared this translation to be the official Bible for the Latin Church. The Greek-speaking parts of the Christian world kept using the Septuagint for the Old Testament and did not need to translate the New Testament from Greek.

Translations into everyday languages began around the time alphabets were invented. These early translations are important for studying the history of those languages and their literature.

Translations of the Bible into English go back to the seventh century. Important milestones include the work of Alfred the Great, the translators at the Toledo School, and the efforts of Roger Bacon. The Wycliffite Bible from the late Middle English period was very influential. William Tyndale’s translation in 1525 helped shape English Christian writing and the language itself. Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German in 1522, and both parts of the Bible later, which played a role in the wars of the Reformation period. Other key translations include the Polish Jakub Wujek Bible from 1535 and the famous English King James Version from 1604–1611, though many modern translations have since replaced it.

Some religious groups have extra books besides the Bible. These include the Standard Works of the Latter Day Saints movement and the Divine Principle in the Unification Church.

Most modern English versions of the Old Testament are based on one main manuscript, the Leningrad Codex, copied in 1008 or 1009. It is a full example of the Masoretic Text and is used by most scholars. The Aleppo Codex is the basis of the Hebrew University Bible Project in Jerusalem.

Since the time of the Reformation, the Bible has been translated into many everyday languages. Christian groups such as Wycliffe Bible Translators, New Tribes Mission, and various Bible societies continue this work today. These translations have helped local cultures grow and renew themselves.

Archaeological and historical research

Main articles: Biblical archaeology school, Historicity of the Bible, and Religiously motivated pseudoarchaeology

See also: Dating the Bible

Biblical archaeology is a special part of archaeology that helps us learn about the people and times described in the Bible. Scholars have different ideas about how much of the Bible is based on real events. Some believe much of the Bible tells true stories, while others think it was written much later and may not match exactly with history.

There is much discussion about stories like the Exodus from Egypt and the time of the Judges. While the Bible tells these stories, finding proof can be hard. However, archaeologists have found clues that support some parts of the Bible, like the time when people from Judah were taken to Babylon. They have also found an old stone with writing that mentions a "house of David," showing that David was not just made up later. Still, finding proof for some famous Bible characters and events remains a challenge for researchers.

Biblical criticism

Main articles: Biblical studies, Biblical criticism, Historical criticism, and Textual criticism

See also: Biblical authority

Biblical criticism is the careful study of the Bible as a book. It looks at questions like who wrote it, when it was written, and what the writers meant. This kind of study is different from simply saying the Bible is wrong or talking about mistakes in translating it.

Studying the Bible this way has changed how people think about it. It is no longer just a religious object, and anyone can study it, not just people who believe in it. Some people feel this kind of study helps make faith stronger by understanding it better. Others have different feelings about it, but many agree that careful study can help us understand the Bible more honestly.

Bible museums

There are several special places around the world where you can see rare and special Bibles. One is the Dunham Bible Museum at Houston Baptist University in Texas, which has Bibles in many different languages. Another is the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., which opened in 2017. Other Bible museums can be found in St Arnaud, Victoria in Australia, at The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Bible Museum on the Square in Collierville, Tennessee, and the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens in Monroe, Louisiana.

Illustrations

The grandest medieval Bibles were special books called illuminated manuscripts. These books had beautiful decorations added to the text, like fancy letters, borders, and small pictures. Up until the 12th century, most of these books were made in monasteries by monks. By the 14th century, monks began hiring people from outside the monastery to help make these books because there was such a big demand for them.

One famous example is the Book of Kells, made around the year 800. It contains the four Gospels of the New Testament with many beautiful decorations. When making these books, the text would first be written, and then a special person called a rubricator would add colored titles and headings. If the book needed pictures, it would then go to an illuminator to add illustrations.