The Greek word eirene ("peace") may derive from an original term meaning, "to weave together." This is a very significant Bible word. (a) There is a peace to be sought with God. Sin has separated m...

"Prophecy" is a message from God; the act of bringing forth that message is "prophesying." "Prophecy" derives from a compound Greek term consisting of pro ("forth") and phemi, "to speak," hence, "t...

The Bible is filled with affirmations of the generosity of our Creator. Every good and perfect gift is from him (Jas. 1:17). Surely our gratitude must be lavishly expressed for his graciousness. (a...

During the period between the first and second Jewish returns from Babylonian captivity (536 and 457 B.C.), many Hebrews remained in Persia. At that time, a dreadful plot to exterminate the Jews wa...

The fourth book of the Pentateuch, Numbers, derives its title from the fact that a census of the Israelite people was taken after they had departed from Egypt. There were some 603,550 men, above th...

The Philippian church was established by Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 16:11ff). These people quickly secured a place in the great apostle's heart. This letter, written some ten years ...

The word "accursed" (KJV) translates the Greek anathema four times in the New Testament. It carries the weighty idea of being "devoted to destruction," a term that should be approached with caution...

The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. It dates from the third century before Christ. The "Letter of Aristeas" (cir. 100 B.C.) suggests that this version was translated ...

Each year, the ancient Hebrews would offer the "firstfruits" of their crops to God as a token of their thanksgiving for the bounty to come (Lev 2:12, 23; 23:17, 39). In his initial letter to the s...

The word "Messiah" is of O.T. origin. It derives from a Hebrew term meaning to "anoint." It becomes a special title that applies to Jesus of Nazareth. See: ANOINT, CHRIST.

A version of the Bible is a translation of the Scriptures from the original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) into another language. Versions may be classified as ancient or modern. Some anc...

This book aims to re-acquaint the Jews who had been released from Babylonian captivity with the history of David's administration, which lasted about forty years. The book focuses on the temple and...

Apocalyptic language is a highly symbolic form of expression. Vivid figures of speech convey the ideas. When the figures are interpreted, the meaning of the message is uncovered. The word derives f...

In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was used ceremonially to set apart special roles, especially those of prophets (1 Kgs. 19:16), priests (Ex. 28:41), and kings (1 Sam. 9:16). The most comm...

This word is derived from a Greek term meaning "separated." (a) "Saint" refers to an ordinary member of Christ's church who has submitted to gospel obedience (Phil. 1:1; 4:21; 2 Thes. 1:10). (b) A ...

"Liberalism" (in the classical sense of the word) is a rather flexible term for an ideological disposition that developed in the 1800's, and reached an intense level in America during the days prec...

Woman was fashioned from flesh and bone taken from the side of man (Gen. 2:21-24). Male and female qualities were designed by God (Mt. 19:4); these characteristics are not accidental developments o...

Though this word is not found in most English translations of the New Testament, the thought is there in the Greek text. It is an anglicized form of the original term antitupos. The term is rendere...

The term "brother" is from the Greek adelphos. It technically signifies "from the same womb." The word is used in different senses in the New Testament.  • It is employed literally to identify sibl...