As an expert in religious studies, I would like to share some insights into the terminology used to refer to the sacred texts of Christianity, which are collectively known as "The Bible". The Bible is a compilation of religious texts and scriptures sacred in Christianity, which is divided into the Old Testament, which is largely based on Jewish scriptures, and the New Testament, which primarily documents the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and his early followers. The term "Bible" itself is derived from the Latin word "biblia", which is short for "libra bibliorum", meaning "the book of books". This term was used to distinguish the collection of texts from other religious writings and to emphasize its comprehensive nature. By the 2nd century BCE, Jewish groups began referring to their sacred texts as the "scriptures". They also described them as "holy", or in Hebrew קדש (Kodesh), which translates to "sacred" or "holy". The term קדשים (Kodashim) is used to describe sacred objects or places in the Hebrew Bible. When Christianity emerged, it adopted and adapted many of the Jewish scriptures, which became the Old Testament. Christians added their own texts, which became the New Testament, and the entire collection came to be known as "The Holy Bible". The word "holy" in this context is used to denote the sacredness and divine inspiration of the texts. In Greek, the language in which much of the New Testament was originally written, "The Holy Bible" can be referred to as ἡ Αγία Γραφή (he Agía Graphḗ), which translates to "The Holy Writings" or "The Holy Scripture". It's important to note that the Bible is not a single book but a collection of texts written by various authors over a long period of time. It contains a wide range of literary forms, including history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, and letters. The Bible has been a foundational text for Christian faith and has had a profound influence on Western culture, art, and literature. The Bible has been translated into numerous languages, and its influence extends far beyond the realm of religion. It has shaped laws, inspired countless works of art, and has been a source of moral and ethical guidance for many. In conclusion, "The Bible" is a term that encompasses a vast collection of sacred texts that are central to the Christian faith. Its name signifies its comprehensive and authoritative nature, and it is revered as the word of God by billions of Christians around the world. read more >>

By the 2nd century BCE, Jewish groups began calling the books of the Bible the "scriptures" and they referred to them as "holy", or in Hebrew ???????? ????????? (Kitvei hakkodesh), and Christians now commonly call the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible "The Holy Bible" (in Greek --? -¦ɦ¦-?-- --? ?-æɦ-, t-- bibl--a ...read more >>