Biblical dictionary

Look up biblical words, places, doctrines, and practices in one study shelf.

Use the dictionary to understand important Bible terms more clearly, then move straight into related passages, study tools, and your own notes.

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Browse by letter

Find terms alphabetically

People

7

David, Israel, Apostle

Places

8

Eden, Jerusalem, Temple

Themes

25

Covenant, Faith, Kingdom of God

Practices

9

Baptism, Disciple, Passover

Theology

9

Atonement, Grace, Holy Spirit

People

Apostle

Definition

Apostle refers to one sent with authority, especially the foundational witnesses Christ appointed for the early church.

A sent messenger, especially one commissioned by Christ.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

ChurchDiscipleGospel

Theology

Atonement

Definition

Atonement describes the way sin is dealt with so that fellowship with God can be restored. In Scripture it is tied to sacrifice, cleansing, forgiveness, and finally the once-for-all saving work of Jesus.

God's work of reconciling sinners to Himself through sacrifice and ultimately through Christ.

Why it matters

Atonement helps readers understand why the cross is central to the gospel and how forgiveness can be both holy and merciful.

GraceJustificationRedemption

Practices

Baptism

Definition

Baptism is an act of obedience that visibly marks identification with Jesus in His death and resurrection. It does not replace faith, but it does witness to faith before the church and the world.

A public sign of union with Christ, repentance, and new life in Him.

Why it matters

Baptism connects belief to public obedience and helps believers see their faith as something embodied, communal, and visible.

DiscipleshipRepentanceChurch

Places

Bethlehem

Definition

Bethlehem is a small but significant town in biblical history, tied both to David's story and to the birth of the Messiah.

The town associated with David and the birth of Jesus.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

DavidMessiahJerusalem

Themes

Christ

Definition

Christ is the title used for Jesus as the promised anointed deliverer, king, and savior.

The Greek title meaning 'Anointed One,' equivalent to Messiah.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

MessiahKingdom of GodGospel

Practices

Church

Definition

Church refers to the assembly of believers called out by God, both locally and as the universal body of Christ.

The gathered people of God united to Christ and one another.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

DiscipleHoly SpiritBody of Christ

Themes

Covenant

Definition

Covenant is one of the great threads of Scripture. God relates to His people through solemn promises and commitments that reveal His faithfulness across redemptive history.

A binding relationship established by God with promises, responsibilities, and signs.

Why it matters

Covenant gives readers a framework for seeing how the Bible fits together instead of treating each era as disconnected.

GraceIsraelRedemption

Themes

Creation

Definition

Creation describes God's purposeful making of the heavens and the earth, establishing order, goodness, and human vocation.

God's bringing all things into existence by His word and power.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

EdenNew CreationSabbath
Definition

Crucifixion refers especially to Christ's death on the cross, where He bore sin and accomplished redemption.

The death of Jesus on the cross for sinners.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

AtonementRedemptionResurrection

People

David

Definition

David is remembered as king, psalmist, warrior, and covenant recipient. His life displays both deep devotion and serious failure, while his throne becomes a major backdrop for the coming Messiah.

Israel's shepherd-king whose life and line become central to messianic hope.

Why it matters

David connects historical kingship, worship, repentance, and the promise that a greater Son of David will reign forever.

MessiahJerusalemKingdom of God

Practices

Disciple

Definition

To be a disciple is more than holding Christian beliefs. It means following Christ in trust, obedience, community, and formation over time.

A learner and follower of Jesus shaped by His teaching, example, and mission.

Why it matters

Disciple language keeps Christianity rooted in following Jesus, not merely agreeing with ideas about Him.

SanctificationChurchKingdom of God

Places

Eden

Definition

Eden is the setting of humanity's original blessing, vocation, and rebellion. It serves as a starting point for themes of presence, exile, and restoration throughout the Bible.

The garden where humanity first enjoyed life with God before the fall.

Why it matters

Eden helps readers trace the Bible's movement from creation and loss toward restoration and renewed fellowship with God.

CreationFallNew Creation

People

Elder

Definition

Elders are spiritually qualified leaders called to guide, teach, and care for the church.

A mature overseer charged with shepherding and guarding the church.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

ChurchPastorDeacon

Themes

Exodus

Definition

The exodus is both a historic event and a theological pattern. God hears His people, judges oppression, redeems them, and brings them into covenant relationship.

God's rescuing deliverance of His people from slavery, forming a central pattern for salvation.

Why it matters

Exodus imagery shapes how later Scripture explains rescue, worship, holiness, and God's faithfulness to save.

PassoverRedemptionCovenant

Themes

Faith

Definition

Biblical faith is not vague optimism. It is confidence directed toward God Himself, expressed in dependence, obedience, and perseverance.

Trusting God, His character, and His promises rather than relying on self.

Why it matters

Faith is foundational because it describes how people receive God's promises and continue walking with Him.

GraceJustificationHope

People

Gentiles

Definition

Gentiles is a biblical term for the peoples of the nations distinct from Israel, though they are also included in God's saving purpose through Christ.

The nations outside ethnic Israel.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

IsraelGospelCovenant

Themes

Glory

Definition

Glory describes the majesty and radiance of God made known in His presence, character, works, and ultimately in Christ.

The weight, beauty, splendor, and manifest worth of God.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

HolinessWorshipKingdom of God

Themes

Gospel

Definition

The gospel centers on Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and lordship. It is not merely advice for living but the announcement of God's saving act in history.

The good news of what God has done in Jesus Christ to save sinners and establish His kingdom.

Why it matters

The gospel is the center of Christian faith and the interpretive key for understanding the work of Christ.

GraceKingdom of GodJustification

Theology

Grace

Definition

Grace means God acts generously toward people who cannot earn His mercy. It is central to salvation and also to the continuing Christian life.

God's undeserved favor and empowering kindness toward sinners and saints.

Why it matters

Grace keeps study from becoming self-salvation and reminds readers that the Christian life begins and continues through God's initiative.

FaithAtonementSanctification

Themes

Holiness

Definition

Holiness means separation from sin and dedication to God. It belongs perfectly to God and is progressively worked into His people.

God's utter purity and the set-apart life He calls His people to.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

SanctificationTempleGlory

Theology

Holy Spirit

Definition

The Holy Spirit is fully divine and personally active in creation, revelation, regeneration, and the life of the church. He glorifies Christ and applies God's work to believers.

The third person of the Trinity who indwells, empowers, guides, and sanctifies believers.

Why it matters

Understanding the Spirit helps believers see that Christian growth, conviction, power, and comfort are not self-generated.

SanctificationChurchTrinity

Themes

Hope

Definition

Biblical hope looks forward with confidence because God is faithful. It is tied to resurrection, endurance, inheritance, and the return of Christ.

Confident expectation rooted in God's promises rather than uncertain wishfulness.

Why it matters

Hope strengthens endurance and keeps suffering from having the final word in the Christian life.

FaithNew CreationGrace

Theology

Inspiration

Definition

Inspiration means Scripture is breathed out by God, carrying divine authority through human authors.

God's superintending work by which Scripture is truly His word.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

CanonScriptureProphet

People

Israel

Definition

Israel can refer to Jacob himself, the nation that came from him, or the covenant people more broadly in Scripture. The term is deeply tied to election, promise, law, exile, and restoration.

The covenant people descended from the patriarchs and central to the unfolding story of redemption.

Why it matters

Israel is essential for understanding the historical and covenant framework in which the Messiah comes.

CovenantExodusJerusalem

Places

Jerusalem

Definition

Jerusalem becomes a focal point for God's covenant people, Davidic kingship, temple worship, prophetic warning, and messianic expectation.

A central city in biblical history tied to temple worship, kingship, exile, and hope.

Why it matters

Jerusalem anchors major biblical events and helps readers place prophecy, kingship, worship, and the ministry of Jesus in context.

TempleDavidKingdom of God
Definition

Justification is a legal and relational declaration rooted in Christ's work, not human merit. Believers stand accepted before God because of Jesus.

God's act of declaring sinners righteous through faith in Christ.

Why it matters

Justification guards the heart of the gospel by clarifying how sinners are counted righteous before God.

AtonementFaithGrace
Definition

The kingdom of God is not merely a place but the reality of God's sovereign rule. Jesus announces, embodies, and advances this kingdom in His ministry.

God's reign, rule, and redemptive authority breaking into history and reaching fulfillment in Christ.

Why it matters

Kingdom language helps readers understand Jesus' mission, ethics, miracles, and future hope as part of one larger reign of God.

GospelDiscipleNew Creation

Themes

Law

Definition

Law can refer specifically to the Mosaic law or more broadly to God's instruction, revealing both His righteousness and humanity's need.

God's revealed instruction, especially in the covenant life of Israel.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

PentateuchCovenantHoliness

Themes

Mercy

Definition

Mercy highlights God's pity, compassion, and readiness to help those in distress and guilt.

God's compassionate withholding of deserved judgment and His tender care for the needy.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

GraceForgivenessAtonement

Themes

Messiah

Definition

Messiah means 'anointed one.' In the Bible it gathers hopes for a king, deliverer, and servant through whom God rescues and rules His people.

The anointed deliverer promised by God and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Why it matters

Messiah ties together Old Testament hope and New Testament fulfillment in the person of Jesus.

ChristKingdom of GodDavid
Definition

New creation language points to both present renewal in Christ and the future restoration of heaven and earth. It gathers themes of resurrection, holiness, healing, and hope.

God's renewing work that culminates in the restoration of all things in Christ.

Why it matters

New creation helps readers see that salvation is not escape from creation but its final renewal under Christ.

EdenKingdom of GodHope

Practices

Passover

Definition

Passover remembers God's judgment passing over the homes marked by sacrificial blood. It becomes a major backdrop for understanding Christ's redemptive work.

Israel's memorial feast recalling God's deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lamb.

Why it matters

Passover helps readers see how Jesus' death fulfills one of Scripture's most important rescue patterns.

CovenantAtonementRedemption
Definition

Pentateuch is a term used for the opening five books of Scripture. These books lay the foundation for creation, covenant, law, worship, wilderness testing, and the identity of God's people.

The first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Why it matters

Understanding the Pentateuch helps readers see the theological foundation that the rest of the Bible builds on, especially themes of creation, holiness, sacrifice, and covenant.

CovenantExodusLaw

Practices

Prayer

Definition

Prayer is a central expression of dependence on God. Scripture presents it as relational, honest, shaped by God's character, and strengthened through faith.

Communion with God through praise, confession, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession.

Why it matters

Prayer moves study from observation into relationship, dependence, and worship.

FaithHoly SpiritGrace

Theology

Redemption

Definition

Redemption language draws on release, rescue, and purchase. In Scripture it points to God's power to free His people from bondage and bring them into restored life.

Deliverance secured by a price, culminating in Christ's saving work.

Why it matters

Redemption shows that salvation is not abstract improvement but deliverance from slavery into belonging and freedom.

AtonementGracePassover

Practices

Repentance

Definition

Repentance is not mere regret. It is a Spirit-enabled turning of heart and life away from sin and back toward God in trust and obedience.

A turning from sin toward God marked by grief, faith, and changed direction.

Why it matters

Repentance keeps the gospel personal and practical, calling for real turning rather than only intellectual agreement.

FaithDiscipleshipSanctification
Definition

Resurrection is central to Christian hope, confirming Christ's victory and promising final life for His people.

Rising from the dead, especially the bodily resurrection of Jesus and the future hope of believers.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

GospelHopeNew Creation
Definition

Righteousness refers to moral rightness, covenant faithfulness, and the standing believers receive through Christ.

What is right, just, and in full conformity with God's character and will.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

JustificationHolinessFaith

Themes

Romans

Definition

Romans is an epistle written by the apostle Paul that carefully unfolds humanity's need, God's righteousness, justification by faith, union with Christ, the role of Israel, and practical Christian living.

Paul's New Testament letter explaining the gospel, righteousness, grace, and life in Christ with unusual depth.

Why it matters

Romans is one of the clearest biblical explanations of the gospel and helps readers connect doctrine to worship, obedience, and hope.

GospelJustificationFaith

Practices

Sabbath

Definition

Sabbath begins in creation and becomes part of Israel's covenant life. It carries themes of rest, holiness, trust, and final restoration.

A God-given pattern of rest, worship, and trust that resists endless striving.

Why it matters

Sabbath teaches that rest is an act of trust and that life with God is not sustained by endless self-reliance.

CreationCovenantKingdom of God

Practices

Sacrifice

Definition

Sacrifice in Scripture often involves offering something to God for worship, fellowship, thanksgiving, or atonement.

An offering made to God, especially in the old covenant system of worship.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

AtonementPassoverTemple

Themes

Salvation

Definition

Salvation includes forgiveness, reconciliation, deliverance, and final restoration through Jesus Christ.

God's rescue of sinners from judgment, sin, and death.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

GraceRedemptionGospel
Definition

Sanctification describes growth in holiness after conversion. God is the one who works in believers, yet believers are also called to active obedience and endurance.

The ongoing work by which believers are made more holy in Christ.

Why it matters

Sanctification helps believers understand the slow, real process of Christian change without confusing it with justification.

Holy SpiritGraceDisciple

Themes

Scripture

Definition

Scripture refers to the inspired writings that carry divine authority and are given for teaching, correction, and formation.

The sacred writings received as the word of God.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

CanonInspirationProphet

Themes

Sheol

Definition

Sheol is an Old Testament word used for the grave or the place of the dead, often with poetic and theological nuance.

An Old Testament term associated with the realm of the dead.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

DeathHopeResurrection

Themes

Sin

Definition

Sin includes wrong actions, corrupted desires, and failure to love God and neighbor as one should.

Rebellion against God, falling short of His glory and will.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

RepentanceAtonementGrace
Definition

The tabernacle was the tented meeting place where God dwelt among His people and where sacrificial worship was carried out.

Israel's portable sanctuary before the temple was built.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

TempleArk of the CovenantAtonement

Places

Temple

Definition

The temple stands at the heart of Israel's worship life and points forward to greater realities fulfilled in Christ and His people.

The place associated with God's dwelling presence, worship, sacrifice, and holiness.

Why it matters

Temple themes explain holiness, sacrifice, presence, and why Jesus and the church are described in temple language.

JerusalemAtonementHoly Spirit

Theology

Trinity

Definition

The Trinity affirms both God's oneness and the real distinction of persons within the Godhead. Though the term itself is later, the doctrine arises from the total witness of Scripture.

The one God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Why it matters

The Trinity shapes how Christians speak about God, worship Him, and understand salvation as the work of Father, Son, and Spirit.

Holy SpiritMessiahGrace
Definition

The wilderness in Scripture is both geographic and symbolic, often associated with trial, repentance, preparation, and God's sustaining care.

A place of testing, dependence, formation, and divine provision.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

ExodusFaithRepentance

Practices

Worship

Definition

Worship includes praise, prayer, sacrifice, obedience, and whole-life devotion directed toward God alone.

The honor, love, reverence, and obedience offered to God.

Why it matters

This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.

GloryTemplePrayer

Places

Zion

Definition

Zion begins as a geographical designation but becomes richly theological in Scripture. It speaks of God's presence, worship, kingship, and the hope of restoration.

A name associated with Jerusalem that grows into a symbol of God's dwelling, reign, and future hope.

Why it matters

Zion gathers themes of worship and hope, helping readers see how place language becomes redemptive-symbolic language in Scripture.

JerusalemTempleKingdom of God