Biblical: meaning, definitions and examples

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biblical

 

[ ˈbɪblɪkəl ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

religion

Relating to the Bible or the teachings of the Bible.

Synonyms

Scriptural, religious, sacred.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
biblical

Used when referring to events, stories, or themes that are directly from the Bible. Often implies historical or large-scale significance.

  • The flood described in the book of Genesis is a biblical event.
  • She referred to the biblical teachings during the discussion.
Scriptural

Used specifically for matters related to scriptures, generally referring to religious texts like the Bible. Often used in academic or theological discussions.

  • Her interpretation of the scriptural passage was unique.
  • A scriptural basis is required for the argument.
religious

Appropriate when discussing practices, beliefs, or items pertaining to a religion in general. This term is broad and can apply to any religion.

  • He goes to religious services every Sunday.
  • Religious holidays are observed by many different faiths.
sacred

Best used when talking about something considered holy or deserving great respect and reverence within a religious context.

  • The temple is a sacred place for the local community.
  • They handled the sacred texts with great care.

Examples of usage

  • The painting depicts a biblical scene.
  • She has a deep knowledge of biblical stories.
  • The film explores biblical themes of redemption and forgiveness.
Context #2 | Noun

religion

A passage from the Bible.

Synonyms

passage, scripture, verse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
biblical

Used when referring to matters related to or derived from the Bible, often associated with a grand or profound nature.

  • The flood was of biblical proportions
  • The city has biblical significance
scripture

Used to refer to the sacred writings of Christianity contained in the Bible, or other religious texts regarded as authoritative.

  • She spent her morning study pouring over scripture
  • Different religions have different scriptures
verse

Most appropriate when referring to a single line or a group of lines in poetry or a specific numbered section of a chapter in the Bible.

  • She memorized her favorite Bible verse
  • The poet wrote a memorable verse
passage

Used when talking about a specific section or excerpt from a written text, often used in a more general sense or when the exact location isn't important.

  • He read a passage from the new novel
  • There is a beautiful passage in that poem

Examples of usage

  • He read a biblical aloud during the church service.
  • The sermon was based on a biblical about forgiveness.

Translations

Translations of the word "biblical" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bíblico

🇮🇳 बाइबिल

🇩🇪 biblisch

🇮🇩 alkitabiah

🇺🇦 біблійний

🇵🇱 biblijny

🇯🇵 聖書の

🇫🇷 biblique

🇪🇸 bíblico

🇹🇷 kutsal kitapla ilgili

🇰🇷 성경의

🇸🇦 كتاب مقدس

🇨🇿 biblický

🇸🇰 biblický

🇨🇳 圣经的

🇸🇮 biblijski

🇮🇸 biblískur

🇰🇿 библияға қатысты

🇬🇪 ბიბლიური

🇦🇿 biblik

🇲🇽 bíblico

Etymology

The word 'biblical' originated in the early 17th century, derived from the Latin word 'biblicus' which means 'pertaining to the Bible'. The Bible is a sacred text in Christianity, consisting of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The term 'biblical' is commonly used to describe things or concepts that are related to the Bible or its teachings.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,020 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.