Bibles

The Bible is a collection of religious texts regarded as sacred by Christians and, in part, by Jews. Its composition spans several centuries, with the earliest writings dating to the 12th century BCE. The collection is divided into two major sections: the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh, which includes the Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings); and the Christian Scriptures, which add the New Testament, consisting of the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. The canon of books accepted as authoritative varies among religious traditions, resulting in differing numbers of books across denominations. Protestant Bibles typically contain 66 books, while Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles include additional deuterocanonical texts.

The original languages of the biblical texts are primarily Hebrew, with portions in Aramaic, and Greek for the New Testament. Over the centuries, the Bible has been translated into a vast array of languages; a standard English translation is the King James Version (1611), while more recent scholarly translations aim for contemporary readability, such as the New Revised Standard Version. Translation efforts have focused on balancing literal fidelity with linguistic accessibility.

Beyond its religious function, the Bible has exerted a profound influence on literature, art, law, and ethics throughout history. It serves as a source of moral guidance for many adherents and is studied academically in fields including theology, history, archaeology, and literary criticism. The text’s widespread dissemination, aided by printing technology and digital media, continues to shape cultural and spiritual discourse worldwide.