Glossary Definitions S - Z

Scripture

The sacred writings of a religious tradition. In a Christian context, the sacred writings of the Old Testament or the New Testament or both together in the Bible. May be applied to a single book of the Bible or the whole collection.

Septuagint

The earliest extant Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures from the original Hebrew. The term comes from the Latin for seventy and refers to the seventy books contained in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is sometimes abbreviated with the Roman numerals for seventy: LXX.

It is estimated that the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or Pentateuch, were translated in the mid-3rd century BCE and the remaining texts were translated in the 2nd century BCE

Shema

Shema Israel (Sh’ma Yisrael) comprises the first two words of a section of the Torah. It translates as, “Hear, O Israel”. It comes from Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: the lord our God, the lord is one." It is an essential statement of monotheistic belief.

The shortened form, ‘Shema’, serves as the title of a prayer that is the centrepiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services.

Sin

Any act that is regarded as a transgression, especially a wilful or deliberate violation of some religious or moral principle. The biblical terms in Greek and Hebrew related to ‘sin’ literally refer to missing a target (in archery or spear throwing) that is an error.

Socio-historical criticism

A method of studying and making meaning from a scriptural text by studying and analysing it in relation to the social structures and historical period in which that text was composed.

Tabernacle

Variously refers to a place of worship, an ornamental receptacle for the reserved Eucharist and a portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt. The word originally referred to a dwelling place.

Tanach

A name used in Judaism for the canon of the Hebrew Bible (also Tanakh, Tenakh, Tenak). The Tanach is also known as the Masoretic Text or the Miqra. The name is an acronym formed from the initial letters of the Masoretic text’s three traditional subdivisions: The Torah (‘Teaching’), Nevim (‘Prophets’), and Ketivim (‘Writings’) – hence TaNaKh. The alternative name ‘Miqra’ means ‘that which is read”.

Theophany

The appearance or manifestation of God to a human. e.g. God’s appearance to Moses in a burning bush, the heavenly visions of Ezekiel and Isaiah.

Torah

The first of the Jewish divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), the word means Instruction or Teaching or the Law. Comprises the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, or the Pentateuch. Also refers to the entire body of Jewish literature, law and teaching as contained chiefly in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Talmud.

Trinity

The doctrine of the Blessed Trinity that asserts the union of three divine persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in one Godhead.

Venerate

To regard or treat with reverence and particular respect. In a religious context, believers venerate particular places, objects and persons considered worthy of such reverence and respect. For example, Christians venerate places in the Holy Land associated with the life and death of Jesus. Likewise, Catholics venerate the Saints of the Church and express their reverence through devotions, rituals and objects associated with a particular Saint.

Virgin Mary

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke (and the Qur’an) describe Mary as a virgin. Traditionally, Christians believe that Mary conceived her son, Jesus, miraculously by the agency of the Holy Spirit and remained a virgin before, during and after the birth of Jesus.

Wisdom

In a Judaeo-Christian context, this term refers to biblical texts and biblical books focused on wise sayings, teaching and precepts. Collectively these are referred to as the Wisdom Literature. There are seven of these books, namely the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon), the Book of Wisdom and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus). Not all the Psalms are usually regarded as belonging to the Wisdom tradition.