die Bibel
Bible
The holy scripture of Christianity, comprising the Old and New Testaments.
EXAMPLE
Im Religionsunterricht lesen die Schüler eine Geschichte aus der Bibel.
In religion class, the students read a story from the Bible.
die Bibel
Bible
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Meanings
die Bibel
bible
In a figurative sense, a book regarded as the fundamental and most important standard work for a particular subject.
EXAMPLE
Dieses dicke Handbuch ist die Bibel für jeden Softwareentwickler.
This thick manual is the bible for every software developer.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In a religious context, 'die Bibel' (the Bible) is often used with fixed phrases such as 'in der Bibel lesen' (to read in the Bible), 'etwas steht in der Bibel' (something is written in the Bible), or 'eine Stelle aus der Bibel zitieren' (to quote a passage from the Bible).
EXAMPLE
Der Priester zitierte eine bekannte Stelle aus der Bibel.
The priest quoted a well-known passage from the Bible.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is often followed by a specification with 'für' (for). This names the field or target group for which the book is considered the standard work.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Kochbuch ist die Bibel für alle, die gerne backen.
This cookbook is the bible for everyone who likes baking.
Cultural context
The Bible is a central work of European culture. Quotations and allusions to it are often found in literature, in idioms, and even in everyday language, including among non-religious people.
EXAMPLE
Die Redewendung „Auge um Auge, Zahn um Zahn“ stammt ursprünglich aus der Bibel.
The expression 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth' originally comes from the Bible.
Compare with
Bibel vs Schrift
writing / script
In a Christian context, Schrift and Bibel can refer to sacred texts. Bibel means the complete collection containing the Old and New Testaments, whereas Heilige Schrift is also used more generally or for individual biblical texts. Use Bibel when the specific complete work is meant.
Bibel
Im Gottesdienst las die Pfarrerin aus der Bibel vor.
During the service, the pastor read from the Bible.
Schrift
Im Gottesdienst las die Pfarrerin eine Stelle aus der Heiligen Schrift vor.
During the service, the pastor read a passage from Holy Scripture.
In real life
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