Vocabulary Flashcards: The Bible, Canons, and Related Terms

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the Bible, its canonicity, and the various canons.

Ta biblia

Greek for 'The Books'; a collection of sacred writings considered inspired by God.

biblion

Greek word meaning 'book' or 'scroll'.

Reed Sea / Red Sea

The 'Red Sea' is a mistranslation of 'Reed Sea,' referring to the area with papyrus reeds.

Canon / Canonicity

The official list of sacred books regarded as inspired and normative for faith.

Kanon

Greek word meaning 'norm' or 'rule' (basis for the term 'canon').

Protocanonical

Original books of the Old Testament recognized as canonical from the start.

Deuterocanonical

'Second canon'; books included in the Catholic Old Testament but not in the Protestant canon (e.g., Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1–2 Maccabees).

Apocryphal (Catholic)

Term used for Deuterocanonical books in Catholic tradition; not accepted in most Protestant canons.

Latin Vulgate

Latin translation of the Bible completed by Saint Jerome.

Lamentations

A prophetical book, noted as prophetical even though it does not bear a prophet’s name.

Torah

The Hebrew Law; Genesis through Deuteronomy; traditionally attributed to Moses.

Genesis–Deuteronomy

The five books of the Torah (the Law).

Moses

Traditionally regarded as the author of the Torah.

TaNaK

The Hebrew Scriptures: Torah (Law), Nebiim (Prophets), Ketubim (Writings).

Nebiim

The Prophets, a division within TaNaK.

Ketubim

The Writings, a division within TaNaK.

Palestinian Canon

Hebrew canon used by Jews in Palestine; consists of 39 books.

Alexandrian Canon

Old Testament canon used by Diaspora Jews; consists of 46 books.

Diaspora

Jews living outside Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.

13 Letters of Paul

Romans to Philemon; Paul’s epistles included in the New Testament.

Protestant Canon

Canon used by Protestant traditions; generally excludes the Deuterocanonical books.

Catholic Canon

Canon used by Catholics; includes Deuterocanonical books.