The term “sabbath” is derived from the Hebrew shabath, to “cease.” The use of this word for the “seventh day” reflects the Genesis account of creation, when, after six days of creative activity, Je...

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 ...

“Salvation” is the result of having been “saved.” The verb “save” (sozo) had a variety of ancient meanings. It could signify to deliver, to heal, to liberate, to preserve, etc., depending upon the ...

This book contains the historical record of the change in Israel’s form of government from judges to that of the kings. The nation, in an act of rejecting God, desired a king to be like their pagan...

This book contains the record of the forty-year administration of the Hebrews’ most illustrious ruler, David, who was an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ. The book details David’s victories, his w...

Sanctified suggests “having been separated from (something), set apart.” The term is used in a variety of ways in the Bible. (a) Both God the Father and Christ the Son are to be sanctified (Num. 20...

The Hebrew term satan (“adversary” – one who “cherishes animosity”) comes over into Greek as diabolos (“slanderer, accuser”). Satan is a spirit-being who is the arch-enemy of God and man. His chara...

The Greek term graphe (“writing”) comes into the English Bible (via Latin, scriptura) as “scripture.” The word almost always has the definite article “the scriptures.” The expression may refer to a...

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 ...

Near the end of that historical period known as the Babylonian captivity, the prophet Daniel received a marvelous revelation that involved the unveiling of future events relative to the coming of C...

More than a dozen words are used in the Greek N.T. to represent various aspects of “sin” (e.g., bad, evil, transgression, iniquity, trespass, godless, unrighteous, etc.). The most frequently employ...

The term “slave” (Grk. doulos) is used in the Bible in both a literal and a figurative sense. (a) Literal slaves were common in the ancient world. A person could be purchased as a slave, become a s...

Before Jesus was born, the angel informed Mary: “the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God” (Lk. 1:35). The descriptive reveals something of the unique essence of Christ. The ...

The expression “Son of Man” is found mostly in the Gospel accounts (some 80 times) — especially the Synoptics (see) — and it is the term Christ used more than any other to designate himself. In f...

This small book contains one of the 1,005 songs penned by king Solomon (1 Kgs. 4:32). It extols the passion and bliss of wedded love, and praises the king’s “beloved.” Many scholars have suggested ...

The word “soul” is used in several senses in the Bible. (a) It may signify an individual person (Ezek. 18:20). (b) It may be employed of mere biological life (Gen. 1:30). (c) It can have to do with...

The noun “baptism” and the corresponding verb, “baptize,” come directly from Greek to English with only slight spelling modification. The word used literally, denotes to immerse, dip, or submerge. ...

The adjective “spiritual” has several senses. (a) It may refer to a being that is “spirit” in nature, e.g., angels (Eph. 6:12). (b) Spiritual may denote that which is from God, thus is lofty in its...

“Suffering” is a term that embraces the various physical and emotional ills to which the human family is heir. Skeptics charge that human suffering is irreconcilable with the idea of an all-powerfu...

The term “synoptic” derives from the Greek word sunoptikos, which means “seeing the whole together.” The word is used to describe the first three Gospel narratives — Matthew, Mark, and Luke — bec...