The term “restoration” conveys a number of ideas in the Scriptures, depending upon the immediate context. (a) It may refer to the restitution of property or money in compliance to law (Dt. 22:2), o...

The book of Ruth has to do with a godly Moabite woman, Ruth by name, who joined herself to the Hebrew people during the days of the judges. She was a widow who married an Israelite by the name of B...

The term “heaven” is used in different ways in the Bible.

The expression may refer to the atmospheric region just above the earth where the birds fly, the rain forms, and the wind blows (Gen. 1:10...

The English word “church” is derived from the Greek kurikon, meaning “belonging to the Lord.”

The actual word in the Greek text, which stands behind the modern rendition, “church,” is ekklesia, "...

The Greek term pascha has been mistranslated as “Easter” in the King James Version of the Bible (Acts 12:4). The term is consistently rendered “passover” elsewhere in the New Testament (see Mt. 26:...

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 Flood, recorded in Genesis 6-8, was the most widespread disaster ever to affect this planet. Waters from the atmosphere above and from chasms beneath the earth inundated the entire globe (Gen. ...

This historical book covers a period of about 126 years — from the death of David, Israel’s great king, to the death of Jehoshaphat, one of Judah’s rulers. It embraces the reign of Solomon, the tr...

The third book of the Hebrew Pentateuch is Leviticus, the title of which suggests “that which pertains to the tribe of Levi.” This Mosaic document provides information regarding the sacrifices, the...

Malachi is the last prophet of the O.T. record. In the final era of O.T. history (mid to late fifth century B.C.), the people of God fell into a state of spiritual lethargy. They were insensitive, ...

The New Testament is a collection of twenty-seven documents: (a) They are classified as “scripture,” a term suggesting a divine writing (1 Tim. 5:18; 2 Pet. 3:16). (b) Eight known writers — Matthe...

The term Catholic originates with a Greek word, katholikos, which means “general” or “universal.” The expression is not found in the Scriptures but has been employed in various senses in church his...

A genealogy is a record of the names of a person’s ancestors or descendants.

Several genealogical lists are recorded in the Bible, for example, in Genesis, Chronicles, Matthew, and Luke. These ar...

Marriage is a covenant between a man and woman, whereby they pledge to belong to one another in a life-long union. There are several elements relative to this institution that are important to unde...

The Book of Daniel records the life and prophetic visions of the prophet Daniel. 

As a young man, he was taken into Babylonian captivity in 605 B.C., during the first deportation under King Nebuch...

The third book of the N.T., the Gospel of Luke, was intended as a defense of the historical data regarding Jesus — especially on behalf of the Greeks. Authored by Luke, a Gentile physician (Col. 4...

“Communion” is a term applied to the Lord’s Supper because of its usage in 1 Corinthians 10:16. This act of worship emphasizes the fellowship (koinonia — sharing, participation) we enjoy with Chris...

“Gospel” derives from the Greek euangelion, literally “good tidings” (see Lk. 2:10, where it is fully translated). The gospel is mentioned more than 75 times in the New Testament. It is the good ne...

A word that denotes the commencement of anything with a point of origin. 

The “heavens and the earth” had a beginning (Gen. 1:1); hence, they are not eternal. Material origins must be explained su...

The prophet Zephaniah was the great, great-grandson of King Hezekiah (1:1). His prophetic ministry was conducted in the days of Judah’s good king, Josiah (ca. 639-09 B.C.). 

Josiah came to the thr...