Bible (disambiguation)

Bible (disambiguation). The term **Bible** most commonly refers to the central **religious text** of **Christianity**, a collection of **canonical** books divided into the **Old Testament** and the **New Testament**. However, "Bible" is also widely used metaphorically to denote an authoritative or foundational handbook in various secular fields, from **science** and **hobbies** to **popular culture**. This page lists the primary religious meaning and other significant uses of the word.

The Bible as a religious text

The **Christian Bible** is a **sacred scripture** comprising the **Hebrew Bible**, shared with **Judaism**, and the distinct **Christian** additions that form the **New Testament**. Key versions include the **Latin Vulgate**, the **King James Version**, and modern translations like the **New International Version**. The process of determining the official **canon** was formalized by early **church councils**, such as the **Council of Carthage**. For **Judaism**, the core text is the **Tanakh**, while other **Abrahamic religions** have their own scriptures, like the **Quran** in **Islam**. The study and interpretation of these texts is central to **theology**, **biblical criticism**, and the history of **Western civilization**, influencing figures from **Augustine of Hippo** to **Martin Luther**.

Other uses of "Bible"

In a secular context, "bible" often describes an essential reference manual. In **publishing**, **The Chicago Manual of Style** is considered a bible for **editors** and **writers**. The **MLA Handbook** serves a similar role in **academia**. For **engineers** and **technicians**, **The Machinery's Handbook** is a foundational text. In **aviation**, the **Federal Aviation Regulations** are colloquially called the pilot's bible. The field of **investing** has its bibles, such as **Benjamin Graham**'s **The Intelligent Investor**. These works are regarded as definitive authorities within their respective **professions** and **industries**, from **medicine** to **computer programming**.

Works with "Bible" in the title

Many instructional books use "Bible" in their titles to denote comprehensiveness. Examples include **The Joy of Cooking** for **home cooks**, **The Baseball Encyclopedia** for **sports** statistics, and **The SAS Survival Handbook** for **outdoor** skills. In **music**, **The Real Book** is a standard **jazz** fake book. The **Anarchist Cookbook** gained notoriety in the **1970s**. In **business**, titles like **Guerrilla Marketing** are marketed as bibles for **entrepreneurs**. These publications, often from houses like **McGraw-Hill** or **Penguin Random House**, aim to be the single most authoritative volume on their topic.

"Bible" in media and entertainment

In **film**, **television**, and **gaming**, "bible" can refer to a foundational production document. A **series bible** outlines the **characters**, **settings**, and **story arcs** for a **TV show** like **Star Trek** or **Game of Thrones**. In **video games**, a **game design bible** details the **gameplay** mechanics and **narrative**. The **Hollywood Reporter** and **Variety** often report on these industry documents. Furthermore, the term appears in titles such as the film **The Basketball Diaries** or the **Heavy Metal** magazine, cementing its use within **entertainment** **culture**.

"Bible" in other contexts

The metaphor extends to **subcultures** and **geography**. **The Satanic Bible** by **Anton LaVey** is a central text for **LaVeyan Satanism**. In **surfing** culture, **The Encyclopedia of Surfing** is a key reference. Places can also bear the name, such as **Bible Hill** in **Nova Scotia**, **Canada**, or **Bible Ridge** in **Tennessee**, **United States**. The term is used in **military** slang for essential manuals and appears in **branding**, like the former **Bible Society** distribution networks. Its pervasive use underscores the concept of a singular, indispensable guide across human activity. Category:Disambiguation pages