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.
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
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Places
Ark of the Covenant
The ark held covenant testimony and symbolized God's holy presence among His people, especially in tabernacle and temple worship.
The sacred chest associated with God's covenant presence and testimony.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Theology
Atonement
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.
Atonement helps readers understand why the cross is central to the gospel and how forgiveness can be both holy and merciful.
Practices
Baptism
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.
Baptism connects belief to public obedience and helps believers see their faith as something embodied, communal, and visible.
Places
Bethlehem
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Canon
Canon refers to the body of writings recognized by God's people as authoritative Scripture.
The recognized collection of books received as Holy Scripture.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Christ
Christ is the title used for Jesus as the promised anointed deliverer, king, and savior.
The Greek title meaning 'Anointed One,' equivalent to Messiah.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Practices
Church
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Covenant
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.
Covenant gives readers a framework for seeing how the Bible fits together instead of treating each era as disconnected.
Themes
Creation
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Crucifixion
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
People
David
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.
David connects historical kingship, worship, repentance, and the promise that a greater Son of David will reign forever.
People
Deacon
Deacon language is associated with practical service and faithful care within the church's ministry.
A servant-leader role within the life of the church.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Practices
Disciple
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.
Disciple language keeps Christianity rooted in following Jesus, not merely agreeing with ideas about Him.
Places
Eden
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.
Eden helps readers trace the Bible's movement from creation and loss toward restoration and renewed fellowship with God.
People
Elder
Elders are spiritually qualified leaders called to guide, teach, and care for the church.
A mature overseer charged with shepherding and guarding the church.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Exodus
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.
Exodus imagery shapes how later Scripture explains rescue, worship, holiness, and God's faithfulness to save.
Themes
Faith
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.
Faith is foundational because it describes how people receive God's promises and continue walking with Him.
Themes
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is God's gracious removal of sin's guilt and also a pattern believers are called to extend toward others.
The release of guilt and debt through God's mercy.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
People
Gentiles
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Glory
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Gospel
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.
The gospel is the center of Christian faith and the interpretive key for understanding the work of Christ.
Theology
Grace
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.
Grace keeps study from becoming self-salvation and reminds readers that the Christian life begins and continues through God's initiative.
Themes
Holiness
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Theology
Holy Spirit
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.
Understanding the Spirit helps believers see that Christian growth, conviction, power, and comfort are not self-generated.
Themes
Hope
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.
Hope strengthens endurance and keeps suffering from having the final word in the Christian life.
Theology
Incarnation
Incarnation describes the mystery that the Word became flesh without ceasing to be truly God.
The eternal Son taking on human nature in Jesus Christ.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Theology
Inspiration
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
People
Israel
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.
Israel is essential for understanding the historical and covenant framework in which the Messiah comes.
Places
Jerusalem
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.
Jerusalem anchors major biblical events and helps readers place prophecy, kingship, worship, and the ministry of Jesus in context.
Theology
Justification
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.
Justification guards the heart of the gospel by clarifying how sinners are counted righteous before God.
Themes
Kingdom of God
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.
Kingdom language helps readers understand Jesus' mission, ethics, miracles, and future hope as part of one larger reign of God.
Themes
Law
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Mercy
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Messiah
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.
Messiah ties together Old Testament hope and New Testament fulfillment in the person of Jesus.
Themes
New Creation
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.
New creation helps readers see that salvation is not escape from creation but its final renewal under Christ.
Practices
Passover
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.
Passover helps readers see how Jesus' death fulfills one of Scripture's most important rescue patterns.
Themes
Pentateuch
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.
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.
Practices
Prayer
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.
Prayer moves study from observation into relationship, dependence, and worship.
People
Prophet
Prophets call God's people to covenant faithfulness, expose sin, announce judgment, and proclaim hope.
A spokesperson through whom God reveals His word to His people.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Theology
Redemption
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.
Redemption shows that salvation is not abstract improvement but deliverance from slavery into belonging and freedom.
Practices
Repentance
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.
Repentance keeps the gospel personal and practical, calling for real turning rather than only intellectual agreement.
Themes
Resurrection
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Righteousness
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Romans
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.
Romans is one of the clearest biblical explanations of the gospel and helps readers connect doctrine to worship, obedience, and hope.
Practices
Sabbath
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.
Sabbath teaches that rest is an act of trust and that life with God is not sustained by endless self-reliance.
Practices
Sacrifice
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Salvation
Salvation includes forgiveness, reconciliation, deliverance, and final restoration through Jesus Christ.
God's rescue of sinners from judgment, sin, and death.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Theology
Sanctification
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.
Sanctification helps believers understand the slow, real process of Christian change without confusing it with justification.
Themes
Scripture
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Sheol
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Themes
Sin
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Places
Tabernacle
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Places
Temple
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.
Temple themes explain holiness, sacrifice, presence, and why Jesus and the church are described in temple language.
Theology
Trinity
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.
The Trinity shapes how Christians speak about God, worship Him, and understand salvation as the work of Father, Son, and Spirit.
Places
Wilderness
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.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Practices
Worship
Worship includes praise, prayer, sacrifice, obedience, and whole-life devotion directed toward God alone.
The honor, love, reverence, and obedience offered to God.
This term helps connect doctrine, reading context, and personal study more clearly.
Places
Zion
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.
Zion gathers themes of worship and hope, helping readers see how place language becomes redemptive-symbolic language in Scripture.