Why is the Bible Called The Bible? (A Simple Explanation)

Estimated Read Time: 1 Minute

We use the word "Bible" every day, but have you ever stopped to wonder where the name actually comes from? It feels singular, like one giant book, but its origins tell a slightly different story. Understanding the name gives us a clue about the nature of this incredible text itself.

The word "Bible" comes from the Greek term ta biblia, meaning "the books," which accurately reflects that the Bible is not a single volume but a collection or library of 66 individual books written over centuries.

The English word "Bible" traces its roots back through Latin (biblia) to the ancient Greek phrase ta biblia, which simply means "the books." This plural term was used because the Bible isn't actually one single book written at one time. Instead, it's a collection – a library – containing 66 distinct books (or scrolls, originally) written by around 40 different authors across roughly 1,500 years.

These individual books include history, poetry, prophecy, letters, and law. Over time, as these sacred texts were gathered together into a single volume, the plural Greek term ta biblia came to be treated as a singular noun in Latin and eventually gave us the English word "Bible."

So, while we call it the Bible, its very name reminds us that we hold in our hands a rich and diverse library, miraculously unified into one incredible story of God's relationship with humanity.

Want to learn more fun facts? Check out our post: 10 Amazing Facts About the Bible You Probably Don't Know.