The book of Judges narrates the administrations of fifteen national leaders (judges, deliverers) during that era when the land of Canaan was being settled by the Hebrew people. It covers a period o...

This document is a historical narrative of a period of about 270 years, from the time of Jehoshaphat’s death, to the fall of Jerusalem, when Judah’s final group was taken into Babylonian captivity ...

The book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah. It actually is a funeral song designed to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem by the invading Babylonians (586 B.C.). The song is ...

The text of the Bible consists of three languages. (a) The O.T. was composed principally in Hebrew. This Semitic tongue was well adapted to emotional, poetic, and religious expression. It was ideal...

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...

“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...

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...

Roman numeral; seventy. Common abbreviation for the Greek Version of the O.T. (third century B.C.). See SEPTUAGINT.

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, ...

Mark’s account of the life of Christ begins with the Savior’s baptism. It is primarily directed to the Romans, one of the major cultures of the first century. It is designed to emphasize the action...

“Materialism” is commonly used in two different senses. (a) Philosophical materialism is the idea that nothing exists except that which is material in nature (i.e., composed of matter). There is, t...

The book of Matthew is especially directed to Jews (hence, the heavy appeal to the O.T.). It is designed to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies of the...

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.

Micah lived south of Jerusalem during the reigns of Jothan, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (cir. 749-697 B.C.). He was a contemporary of both Hosea and Isaiah. Micah’s mission was to rebuke the sins of both Is...

The term “millennium” signifies a period of 1,000 years. It is a common belief among many who are identified with “Christendom” that Jesus Christ will return to this earth to set up his kingdom in ...

See TALMUD.

This book contains the inspired record of Israel’s final return from the Babylonian captivity. The leader of the trek was Nehemiah, who brought the Hebrews back in 444 B.C. It is the story of the r...

The descendants of Esau (brother of Jacob) were the Edomites. They settled in the region southeast of Palestine. They became a tribe that was very hostile to the Israelite people, providing comfort...

The day of Pentecost was an annual Jewish festival which came fifty days (the word signifies “fiftieth”) after the Passover celebration (Lev. 23:15-21; Dt. 16:9-12). It was known also as the feast ...

Philemon was a Christian who lived in the city of Colossae. Philemon owned a slave whose name was Onesimus. Onesimus fled to Rome where he came in contact with, and was converted by, Paul. The apos...