Christan scripture terms

Canon

The collection of books recognized as Scripture.

BCE

Before Common Era.

CE

Common Era.

The Bible

A collection of sacred writings that make up Christian Scripture.

Testament

A major division of the Bible; also means covenant.

Tanak

The Jewish Bible: Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

Apocrypha

Religious books included in some Christian traditions but not Protestant canon.

Deuterocanonical

Books accepted as Old Testament Scripture by Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

Languages of the Bible

Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

Septuagint

An ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Vulgate

A Latin translation of the Bible associated with Jerome.

Autographs

The original manuscripts written by the biblical authors.

Critical Tools

Methods scholars use to study biblical texts, manuscripts, and history.

Dead Sea Scrolls

Ancient Jewish manuscripts containing some of the oldest biblical texts.

Formal Correspondence

Translation that stays close to original wording and structure.

Dynamic Equivalence

Translation focused on communicating the original meaning naturally.

Hermeneutics

The study and practice of interpreting texts, especially Scripture.

Exegesis

Careful interpretation of a specific biblical passage.

70 CE

Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple.

Ancient Near East

Region including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Canaan, and surrounding areas.

Ancient Writing

Early systems and materials used to record information.

Via Maris

An ancient trade and military route along the Mediterranean coast.

King's Highway

An ancient trade route through Transjordan.

722–721 BCE

Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

586 BCE

Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple.

Babylonian Exile

The period when many Judahites were taken captive to Babylon.

Persian Period

The period after Persia conquered Babylon and allowed exiles to return.

Documentary Hypothesis

The theory that the Pentateuch combines several major sources.

Yahwist (J)

A source associated with the use of YHWH for God.

Elohist (E)

A source associated with the use of Elohim for God.

Deuteronomy (D)

A source associated especially with the book of Deuteronomy.

Priestly Source (P)

A source emphasizing priests, rituals, genealogy, and worship.

YHWH

The personal covenant name of God, often translated LORD.

Elohim

A Hebrew word or title for God.

El Shaddai

A Hebrew name or title for God, often translated God Almighty.

Genesis 1

The Priestly creation account; creation is structured over six days.

Genesis 2

The Yahwist creation account; focuses on Adam, Eve, and Eden.

Enuma Elish

An ancient Babylonian creation story.

Marduk

The chief Babylonian god in the Enuma Elish.

Tiamat

A chaos/sea goddess defeated by Marduk in Enuma Elish.

Imago Dei

The belief that humans are created in the image of God.

Torah

The first five books of the Bible; means instruction or teaching.

Primeval History

Genesis 1–11; humanity's earliest history.

Genealogies

Lists tracing family lines and descendants.

Eponymous Ancestors

Ancestors whose names represent a people, tribe, or nation.

Ur

An ancient Mesopotamian city associated with Abraham.

Haran

The place where Abraham's family settled before going to Canaan.

Abrahamic Covenant

God's covenant with Abraham involving land, blessing, and descendants.

Land, Blessing, Descendants

The three major promises of the Abrahamic Covenant.

Endangered Matriarch

A recurring Genesis story where a patriarch's wife is placed in danger.

Twelve Tribes

The twelve tribes traditionally descended from Jacob's twelve sons.

River Jabbok

The place where Jacob wrestled with a mysterious divine figure.

Liberation

Freedom from oppression and slavery.

Theocracy

A government in which God is understood as the ultimate ruler.

Horeb/Sinai

The mountain associated with Moses, revelation, covenant, and law.

Name of Moses

Traditionally connected with “drawing out,” from the water.

Sargon

An ancient Mesopotamian ruler associated with the Akkadian Empire.

Midian

The region where Moses lived after fleeing Egypt.

Theophany

A manifestation or appearance of God.

Call of Moses

God called Moses through the burning bush to lead Israel from Egypt.

Song of the Sea

Exodus 15; a song celebrating Israel's deliverance from Egypt.

City of Rameses

A city named in Exodus as one built by Israelites for Pharaoh.

Stele of Merneptah

An Egyptian inscription containing the earliest known extra-biblical reference to Israel.

Decalogue

The Ten Commandments.

Book of the Covenant/Covenant Code

A collection of laws in Exodus 20:22–23:19.

Holiness Code

Laws in Leviticus 17–26 about living as God's holy people.

Deuteronomic Code

Laws in Deuteronomy 12–26 about worship, justice, and covenant.

Tabernacle

A portable sanctuary where God's presence dwelled among Israel.

Ark of the Covenant

A sacred chest associated with God's presence and covenant.

Code of Hammurabi

An ancient Babylonian collection of laws associated with Hammurabi.

Genesis

The first book of the Bible; tells creation, primeval history, and ancestor narratives.

Primeval History

Genesis 1–11.

Priestly Creation

Genesis 1; an ordered creation account associated with the Priestly source.

Yahwist Creation

Genesis 2–4; focuses on Adam, Eve, Eden, and Cain.

Noah and the Flood

Genesis 6–9; God judges the world through a flood and saves Noah's family.

Babel

Genesis 11; humanity builds a tower and God confuses their language.

Ancestor Narratives

Genesis 12–50; stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

Call of Abram

Genesis 12; God calls Abram to leave his homeland.

Covenant Ceremony

Genesis 15; God makes a covenant with Abram.

Sign of the Covenant

Genesis 17; circumcision becomes the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant.

Isaac

Abraham's son who continues the covenant promises.

Jacob

Isaac's son who becomes the father of the Twelve Tribes.

Joseph

Jacob's son who is sold into Egypt and rises to power.

Jacob Blesses His Sons

Genesis 49; Jacob blesses his twelve sons.

Exodus

The second book of the Bible; tells Israel's liberation from Egypt and covenant at Sinai.

The Exodus

Exodus 1–15; Israel is liberated from slavery in Egypt.

Sinai

Exodus 16–40; Israel receives covenant, law, and instructions for worship.

Theophany at Sinai

Exodus 19; God appears to Israel at Mount Sinai.

Covenant Ceremony

Exodus 24; Israel enters into covenant with God.

Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1–17; the Decalogue.

Covenant Code

Exodus 20:22–23:19; laws governing Israelite life and society.

Breaking and Restoring the Covenant

Exodus 32–34; the golden calf, covenant breaking, and restoration.

Manual of Sacrifice

Leviticus 1–7; laws concerning sacrifices.

Manual of Purity

Leviticus 11–16; laws concerning ritual purity.

Holiness Code

Leviticus 17–26; laws about holiness and living as God's people.

Ritual Law

Numbers 5–10; laws concerning Israel's worship and community.

Deuteronomic Code

Deuteronomy 12–26; laws concerning worship, justice, and covenant faithfulness.