Écritures

Écritures is a term used to refer to sacred or authoritative writings within multiple religious traditions. More generally, it denotes important or recognized writings. In Christian usage, les Écritures or l'Écriture often means the Bible; in Judaism, it refers to the canonical scriptures of the Hebrew Bible; in broader interfaith contexts, it can designate sacred texts collectively.

Etymologically, the term comes from Latin scriptura, through Old French escriture, meaning writing or handwritten text. In French, Écritures with capitalization varies by tradition, and the plural form often carries religious connotations, particularly when referring to revered texts.

The contents and canons of Écritures vary by tradition. Judaism recognizes the Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, Writings); Christianity includes the Old and New Testaments, with Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox canons differing on certain books. In Islam, the Qur’an is the primary scripture, with references in commentary to earlier revelations such as the Tawrat (Torah) and Zabur (Psalms). Other traditions classify additional writings as scriptures or sacred literature.

Transmission and interpretation have shaped Écritures: manuscript transmission, translations (Septuagint, Vulgate, and others), and approaches such as textual criticism and exegesis influence doctrine and practice. Apocrypha or deuterocanonical books may be included or excluded depending on tradition.

In modern usage, Écritures appear in theology, liturgy, history, and literary studies as sources for belief, ethics, and culture. The term emphasizes authority and sacred status, while scholars examine historical context, redaction, and reception to understand how these texts function within communities.