What does biblically mean?
Biblically is an adverb meaning 'in accordance with the Bible' or 'as described or named in the Bible.' It is formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to 'biblical,' which itself derives from 'Bible.' In everyday usage it appears most often in two contexts: religious discussion, where something is said to be supported, justified, or mandated biblically (meaning according to scripture), and historical or geographical writing, where a place or people is said to be known or mentioned biblically (meaning it appears under that name in the biblical text). The word carries no strong emotional connotation of its own, but because it invokes scripture, statements framed with it often carry an implicit appeal to religious authority. It belongs chiefly to formal, academic, and theological registers rather than casual conversation.
adverbIn accordance with, or as described in, the Bible; also, in a manner relating to or characteristic of the Bible.
- In accordance with the Bible or its teachings.
- As named, described, or attested in the Bible.
- Relating to the Bible or biblical scholarship.
"The city was described biblically as flowing with milk and honey."
"The land is known biblically as Canaan."
"She argued that the practice could not be justified biblically."
When scholars say a place was known 'biblically,' they're reaching back thousands of years — to the most widely printed book in human history — for a name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of biblically
Biblically derives from 'biblical,' the adjective form of 'Bible,' combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly.' The word 'Bible' comes via Latin 'biblia' from Greek 'biblia,' meaning 'books' — originally a plural referring to the collection of sacred writings. The Greek root 'biblos' or 'byblos' referred to papyrus, taking its name from the ancient Phoenician port city of Byblos, a hub of the papyrus trade. English words such as 'bibliography' and 'bibliophile' share this same Greek root.
Related word forms
How biblically is actually used
Neutral register, common in religious, historical, and academic writing. The sense 'as named in the Bible' is especially frequent in archaeology and geography (e.g., 'biblically known as...').
Easily confused with biblically
Bibliographically relates to the description and cataloguing of books as physical objects, whereas biblically relates specifically to the Bible.