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Holy Scripture

Holy Scripture

5 5.2
Religious books of Christianity that include the Old and New Testaments
  • noun
  • /ˈhoʊli ˈskrɪpʧər/
translation icon : Sagrada Escritura
  • In church, the priest read passages from the Holy Scripture during the service.
  • disbelief in the Holy Scripture

So if you want wisdom and you want to practice these virtues, you need to actually engage with Holy Scripture.

Examples

  • Many people turn to the Holy Scripture for guidance in times of trouble.

  • There are many clear connections in Holy Scripture that seem to elude even the scholarly.

    Blog text (6)
  • Listen to the words of the Holy Scripture.

  • According to the Holy Scriptures, people can see Mary and Jesus Christ in different ways.

    Academic text (2009)
  • I shall speak out as I have all my life on behalf of the living truth of the Holy Scriptures.

  • We are instructed in the Holy Scriptures to rule our children.

    Blog text (25)
  • For the Holy Scripture tells us, Joshua 9:20:

  • If counsel can advance the case for the defendant through the use of the Holy Scriptures, the prosecution will take no exception.

  • The Church believes that both the Old and New Testaments, comprising the Holy Scriptures, were written by individuals through guidance by the Holy Spirit.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Now let us listen to the words of the Lord in the holy scripture, that gives us reassurance of the Lord's love for us in life and death.

Synonyms

Word
vsHoly Scripture
  • Formal
178 8.4

The holy book used by Christians, called the Bible

is the formal written-collection name rather than an oral or poetic label
Scripture
vsHoly Scripture
118 7.0

The holy writings of the Christian religion, especially the Bible

is the formal collective name for the Old and New Testament writings
Word of God
vsHoly Scripture
  • Formal
41 6.5

Sacred writings and teachings believed to come from God that give guidance for living

refers to the recognized written collection rather than divine message emphasis
Bible
vsHoly Scripture
12 1.3

A book of holy writings used by Christians

is the standard term for that same collection in religious contexts
Good Book
vsHoly Scripture
  • Informal
3 7.5

The Christian holy book used for teaching and comfort

is the formal title used in religious or academic texts rather than informally
Christian Bible
vsHoly Scripture
2 2.3

A collection of holy books for Christians including the Old and New Testaments

is the identical organized set described by the formal phrase
Holy Writ
vsHoly Scripture
  • Archaic
2 9.2

The sacred writings of Christianity, especially the Bible

is the formal term used in modern contexts rather than the archaic tone

Surface Forms

Morphology

holy + Scripture

The meaning 'the sacred writings' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'holy' (sacred/divine) with 'Scripture' (religious writings). This composition follows a straightforward adjective+noun pattern found across many languages (e.g. Spanish Sagrada Escritura), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Holy Scripture comes from a simple image: holy means 'sacred' and scripture is an old word for 'writing', so it pointed to writings set apart for worship. That's why Holy Scripture is the name for the sacred writings Christians call the Bible, meaning 'the sacred writings of Christianity'.