Dan J. Harkey

Educator & Private Money Lending Consultant

From “Ta Biblia” to “Holy Bible”: The Evolution of a Sacred Name

The phrase “Holy Bible” is so familiar today that it feels timeless. Yet, the name we use for Christianity’s foundational text has a long and fascinating history, shaped by language, culture, and theology. Here’s how the term evolved from ancient Greek scrolls to the English title we know today.

by Dan J. Harkey

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1. The Greek Roots: Ta Biblia (“The Books”)

The word Bible comes from the Greek phrase τὰ βιβλία (ta biblia), meaning “the books.”

  • Initially, this was a plural term, referring to a collection of writings rather than a single volume.
  • It was first applied to the Jewish Scriptures (the Septuagint) well before the rise of Christianity.
  • By the 2nd century CE, early Christians used the term “ta biblia” to describe both the Old and New Testament writings collectively.

2. Adding “Holy”: Ta Biblia Ta Hagia and Biblia Sacra

As Christian communities grew, they began to distinguish their sacred writings from other literature by calling them holy:

  • Greek writers used τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια (ta biblia ta hagia), meaning “the holy books.”
  • Latin translations rendered this as biblia sacra, which became the standard phrase in the Western church by the 4th century.
  • Church fathers like John Chrysostom and Jerome used these terms when discussing the canon of Scripture.

3. From Plural to Singular

Interestingly, the word biblia is plural in Greek but was treated as a singular noun in Latin during the Middle Ages. This linguistic shift reinforced the idea of the Bible as a single, unified book, despite its many writings.

4. The English Phrase “Holy Bible”

  • The earliest English Bibles, such as John Wycliffe’s translation (1382), used the phrase “Holy Bible” on title pages.
  • The King James Version (1611) cemented the phrase in English-speaking culture, making it the standard title worldwide.
  • Today, nearly every printed edition of Scripture includes “Holy Bible” on its cover—a tradition rooted in centuries of linguistic and theological development.

Timeline

  • Pre-Christian Era: The Bible was used for Jewish Scriptures.
  • 2nd Century CE: Christians adopt the term for their writings.
  • 4th Century CE: “Holy” added → ta biblia ta hagia / biblia sacra.
  • Medieval Period: Treated as singular; appears in Latin manuscripts.
  • 1382: Wycliffe Bible uses “Holy Bible” in English.
  • 1611: King James Bible popularizes the phrase globally.

Why This Matters

The evolution of the name reflects more than language—it mirrors the church’s understanding of Scripture as both a collection of writings and a unified, sacred text. From Greek scrolls to printed English Bibles, the title “Holy Bible” carries centuries of history in just two words.