biblical

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adjective bib·li·cal \ ˈbi-bli-kəl \

Definition of biblical

1 :of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible (see bible 1)

a biblical passage

biblical references

2 :suggestive of the Bible or Bible times

his biblical beard

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biblically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See biblical defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of biblical from the Web

At stake was whether Melania’s look — slim black pants, face-framing blowout, green silk bomber, mirrored aviators, and sky-high snakeskin stilettos — was appropriately sober and practical for communing with victims of biblical-level flooding.

— rhonda garelick, The Cut, "Melania Trump and the Chilling Artifice of Fashion," 30 Aug. 2017
And Houston’s flood is truly a disaster of biblical proportions: The sky unloaded 9 trillion gallons of water on the city within two days, and much more might fall before Harvey dissipates, producing as much as 60 inches of rain.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Houston's Flood Is a Design Problem," 28 Aug. 2017
In his sermon on the morning of Trump’s inauguration in January, Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, compared Trump to the story of the biblical leader Nehemiah who helped rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

— sarah pulliam bailey, Philly.com, "'God has given Trump authority to take out Kim Jong Un,' evangelical adviser says," 9 Aug. 2017
Benedictine College assistant professor of physics and astronomy, Ryan Maderak, uses science and theology to explain the biblical accounts of darkened skies during the crucifixion.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Morning Rush: Slain Clinton officer loved serving; what happened in sky when Jesus died?," 8 Aug. 2017
Muslim faithful revere it as the place the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven, while Jews, who call it Temple Mount, venerate it as the location of their biblical temple, Judaism’s holiest site.

— jonathan ferziger, Bloomberg.com, "Palestinians Call Off Prayer Ban at Jerusalem Muslim Shrine," 27 July 2017
Jews revere the 37-acre (15-hectare) raised platform as the site of their biblical temples.

— aron heller, The Seattle Times, "Israeli minister: Metal detectors crucial for Jerusalem site," 20 July 2017
What Frank Baker heard was the biggest explosion of the pre-atomic age, a catastrophe of almost biblical proportions.

— marc wortman, Smithsonian, "A Newly Discovered Diary Tells the Harrowing Story of the Deadly Halifax Explosion," 15 July 2017
Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon, published in 1830, incorporates indigenous Native American groups into the European Biblical narrative.

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "Why Religious Freedom and Diversity Flourished in Early America," 15 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biblical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of biblical

Medieval Latin biblicus, from biblia

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1652

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Other Bible Terms

antediluvian, apocalyptic, apocrypha, behemoth

BIBLICAL Defined for English Language Learners

biblical

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adjective

Definition of biblical for English Language Learners

: relating to, taken from, or found in the Bible

BIBLICAL Defined for Kids

biblical

play

adjective bib·li·cal \ ˈbi-bli-kəl \

Definition of biblical for Students

:relating to, taken from, or found in the Bible

Learn More about biblical

Spanish Central: Translation of biblical Nglish: Translation of biblical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of biblical for Arabic speakers

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biblical

Definition of biblical

biblically

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Origin and Etymology of biblical

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BIBLICAL Defined for English Language Learners

biblical

Definition of biblical for English Language Learners

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biblical

Definition of biblical for Students

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