Words · Meanings · Passages
Bible Glossary — Meanings of Bible Words
Clear explanations of the words you meet in the Bible, each grounded in the passages where they are used. Where a meaning depends on interpretation, we say so.
30 words
A
- AltarA raised place for offering sacrifices or incense to God. Noah, Abraham and others built altars; the tabernacle and temple had an…
- AnointingPouring or rubbing oil on someone. In the Bible it set apart kings, priests and sometimes prophets; it was also used for…
- Ark of the covenantA gold-covered wooden chest kept in the most holy place, holding the tablets of the covenant. It represented God's presence and throne…
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F
- FastingGoing without food for a time, usually to pray, mourn or seek God. The Bible records fasts by individuals and whole communities.
- Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)An autumn harvest festival when Israel lived in shelters for seven days to remember living in tents in the wilderness.
- FirstfruitsThe first and best of a harvest, offered to God in thanks. Paul calls the risen Christ the firstfruits of those who…
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L
- LampstandThe seven-branched gold lampstand in the holy place of the tabernacle, whose lamps the priests kept burning.
- Laying on of handsPlacing hands on a person to bless, heal, commission or pray. It appears in both Testaments.
- Leprosy (skin disease)In the Bible, a range of serious skin diseases, and even mould in fabric or walls, that made a person ritually unclean.…
- Lord's Supper (Communion)The meal of bread and cup that Jesus shared with his disciples the night before he died, telling them to do it…
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- SabbathThe seventh day, a day of rest set apart for God. It recalls God resting after creation and Israel's freedom from slavery.
- SackclothRough, dark cloth, often of goat hair, worn as a sign of mourning or repentance, sometimes with ashes.
- SacrificeSomething offered to God, often an animal or food, given at an altar. The law describes several kinds of sacrifices; the New…
T
U
- Unleavened breadBread made without yeast. Israel left Egypt in haste with unleavened dough, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread followed Passover each year.
- Urim and ThummimObjects kept in the high priest's breastpiece and used to learn God's decision. Scripture does not describe what they looked like or…
V
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