What does bibliolatry mean?
Bibliolatry is a noun denoting excessive or idolatrous reverence for the Bible, or, more broadly, for any book or written authority. Formed from the Greek roots biblos (book) and latreia (worship), it literally means 'book-worship,' and it is almost always employed as a criticism. In theological disputes, particularly among Protestants, one party may accuse another of bibliolatry for treating scripture as an object of devotion in itself rather than as a witness to divine truth. By extension, the term can be applied metaphorically to secular contexts, describing uncritical deference to canonical texts, founding documents, or authoritative editions. Because it carries a strong pejorative charge, the word is best suited to formal, academic, or polemical writing rather than neutral description. Related forms include bibliolatrous (adjective) and bibliolater (one who commits bibliolatry).
nounExcessive reverence for the Bible, or by extension for any book or books in general. The term is typically used critically to describe a devotion to scripture regarded as undue or idolatrous.
- Excessive or idolatrous reverence for the Bible as a physical or textual object.
- By extension, excessive devotion to any book, text, or written authority.
"The reformer accused his opponents of bibliolatry, arguing that they worshipped the letter of the text rather than its spirit."
"Critics within the denomination warned against bibliolatry, insisting that faith should rest on God rather than on the printed page."
"In literary circles, he dismissed the cult of the author's definitive edition as mere bibliolatry."
Rarely pluralized; the word is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The essay surveyed the various bibliolatries that had grown up around national epics."
Coined as an accusation, not a compliment — 'bibliolatry' literally means treating the Bible as an idol.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bibliolatry
Bibliolatry derives from Greek biblos or biblion, meaning 'book,' combined with latreia, meaning 'service' or 'worship.' It entered English in the mid-nineteenth century, during a period of intense Protestant debate over the nature of biblical authority. The word was coined on the model of 'idolatry,' deliberately framing scriptural reverence as a form of false worship. Its components also appear in words such as bibliography, bibliophile, and bibliography's sibling bibliomania.
Related word forms
How bibliolatry is actually used
The word is almost always used pejoratively or critically, usually in religious or theological debate; it is rare in everyday speech and belongs to formal or polemical register.
Easily confused with bibliolatry
Bibliophilia is a love or fondness for collecting and reading books, whereas bibliolatry is an excessive, worshipful veneration of a book, especially the Bible.