The English word "Bible" means "book of books", deriving from the Latin word for "books", biblia (in Greek letters, biblia). But this "book of books" is a melange of primary manuscripts, of different versions, and of different translations. If some one says, "I believe in the Bible!", it is difficult to know what that person means.
BIBLICAL CANON The term "canon" is used for "an official list or catalog of writingss". The literature is replete with distinct or overlapping citations of "Biblical Canon".In the Jewish traditions and manuscripts from which canonical and noncanonical portions of "The Bible" derive, there were two different acounts of the creation, now codified in "Genesis". In one, God is labeled as "Elohim"; in the other, as "Yahweh" ("Jehovah"). So Biblical scholar refer to the "E" tradition and as the "J" tradition. (Briefly noted ONLINE under "Elohim" in the Wikkipedia International Encyclopedia).
- Jewish canon
- Samaritan canon
- Christian conon
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Eastern Orthodox OT canon
- Roman Catholic OT canon
- Protestant OT canon
Besides translations into other language, there are many English translations, as discussed under "Bible" in the Wikkipedia International Encyclopedia. Question: Considering that the above ia only a simple of the complications existing it the vast literature, when some one uses the term "Bible", what is the reference? To ignore this question, or the need for it, is a DENIAL.