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Posted by on Dec 17, 2015 in TellMeWhy |

Where Did the Bible’s Name Come From?

Where Did the Bible’s Name Come From?

Where Did the Bible’s Name Come From? The Bible gets its name from the Greek word “biblia,” meaning “little books.” The Bible is not a single book but a collection of works written over a period of many centuries.

The name “Bible,” then, can be said to mean “the Book of books.” “Biblia,” in turn, comes from “biblos,” a word that meant both “book” and the “papyrus” plant that was used at that time for paper.

The earliest books were written on scrolls made from papyrus. And, originally, the word “biblos” derives from the ancient Phoenician city of “Byblos,” from which papyrus was exported.

The Bible comprises of 66 books with two major divisions: the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books).

The Old Testament has four major divisions: (1) the Law – 5 books; (2) History – 12 books; (3) Poetry – 5 books; and, (4) Prophecy – 17 books.

Similarly, the New Testament has four major divisions: (1) the Gospels – 4 books; (2) the Acts of the Apostles – 1 book; (3) the Epistles – 21 books; and, (4) the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ – 1 book.

The Bible is far more than a compilation of books; it is the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is read and understood to be God’s instructions and revelations to the individual members of Christ’s church and to the Body of Christ, as a whole.

Content for this question contributed by Dave Burkhart, resident of Mountain Home, Baxter County, Arkansas, USA