deuterocanonical books: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Theological
Quick answer
What does “deuterocanonical books” mean?
A set of Old Testament books and passages which are part of the biblical canon for some Christian traditions (primarily Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) but not for others (primarily Protestant and Jewish).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A set of Old Testament books and passages which are part of the biblical canon for some Christian traditions (primarily Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) but not for others (primarily Protestant and Jewish).
Texts considered canonical by the Eastern Orthodox Church, and canonical but secondary in authority by the Roman Catholic Church, typically included in the Septuagint but not the Hebrew Masoretic Text. The term can also refer more broadly to writings of disputed or secondary canonical status in religious contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The theological distinctions are based on Christian denomination, not geography.
Connotations
In UK contexts with a strong Anglican history, the term might be associated with ecumenical or historical discussion. In the US, with its diverse Protestant landscape, it often signals a specifically Catholic or Orthodox context.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, appearing almost exclusively in academic religious studies, theological texts, or interdenominational dialogue.
Grammar
How to Use “deuterocanonical books” in a Sentence
The deuterocanonical books [VERB: are included/are considered/contain]...Scholars [VERB: debate/discuss/accept] the deuterocanonical books.The [NOUN: canon/council/tradition] added the deuterocanonical books.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “deuterocanonical books” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The deuterocanonical writings were affirmed at the Council of Trent.
- There is a distinct deuterocanonical section in this edition.
American English
- Deuterocanonical texts like Tobit and Judith are included in the Catholic Bible.
- The deuterocanonical status of these books has been debated for centuries.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and historical analysis of biblical texts and canon formation.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Precise term within Christian theology and biblical scholarship to categorize specific texts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “deuterocanonical books”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “deuterocanonical books”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “deuterocanonical books”
- Misspelling as 'deuterocanocial', 'deuterocanonic'.
- Using 'deuterocanonical' interchangeably with 'apocryphal' without specifying the theological tradition.
- Assuming it is a singular noun ('a deuterocanonical'); it is primarily an adjective modifying 'books'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Examples include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 & 2 Maccabees, as well as additions to Esther and Daniel.
Most Protestant denominations do not consider them part of the inspired canon of Scripture. They may be read for their historical or moral value but are not used to establish doctrine.
From a Catholic/Orthodox perspective, 'deuterocanonical' means canonical but secondary. 'Apocryphal' refers to other writings never accepted into their canon. From a Protestant perspective, the same books are often called the 'Apocrypha' (meaning non-canonical).
They are important for understanding the development of Jewish thought and practice between the Old and New Testaments, and they are scripture for over a billion Christians worldwide (Cathics and Orthodox).
A set of Old Testament books and passages which are part of the biblical canon for some Christian traditions (primarily Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) but not for others (primarily Protestant and Jewish).
Deuterocanonical books is usually formal, academic, theological in register.
Deuterocanonical books: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdjuːtərəʊkəˈnɒnɪkəl bʊks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌduːtəroʊkəˈnɑːnɪkəl bʊks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DEUtero = DEUty to a SECOND canon. Think: 'Deuteronomy' is the 'second law'; 'deuterocanonical' means the 'second' or 'later' accepted canon.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SECOND SHELF in the library of scripture.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'deuterocanonical' primarily refer to?