Deuterocanonical

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to books considered canonical by some Christian traditions but not included in the Hebrew Bible, often regarded as secondary scripture or apocryphal writings
2. Pertaining to texts accepted as part of the biblical canon by certain denominations, usually found in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons
3. Concerning writings that hold authoritative status in some branches of Christianity, serving as supplementary sacred texts distinct from the protocanonical books of the Bible

Etymology: The adjective "deuterocanonical" traces its origins to theological discussions about the biblical canon, particularly within Christian traditions. Formed in the 19th century, it combines the prefix "deutero-" meaning "second" and "canonical," which relates to the canon or official list of sacred scriptures. The prefix itself comes from the Greek "deuteros," signifying "second" or "secondary," while "canonical" derives from the Greek "kanon," meaning "rule" or "measuring rod," which came to mean an accepted standard, especially for sacred texts. The term was coined to distinguish a specific set of biblical books that some Christian traditions accept as canonical but others do not. These books, often included in the Septuagint but absent from the Hebrew Bible, were debated over centuries and ultimately received a "second" or secondary level of canonical status, hence "deuterocanonical." This status implies that while these books are considered inspired and authoritative in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, they are not part of the "protocanonical" books recognized by all Christian denominations. The distinction became especially important during the Reformation in the 16th century when Protestant reformers rejected these books as non-canonical, labeling them "apocrypha" instead. The term "deuterocanonical" was later employed by Catholic scholars and theologians to affirm the value and authority of these texts within their tradition, emphasizing their inclusion in the canon as a matter of ecclesiastical decision rather than mere tradition. Thus, the adjective encapsulates a nuanced theological and textual history, reflecting centuries of debate over sacred scripture and the boundaries of religious authority. It emerged from scholarly efforts to clarify how certain biblical books relate to the core canon, marking a "second" tier of canonical status rather than outright rejection or full equivalence.

Synonyms: apocryphal, non-canonical

Antonyms: canonical, scriptural