Year: 2014

Bible Term: Holocaust

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 21, 2014

The word holocaust is not found in most versions of the Bible, but when it is used, it refers to a burnt offering, specifically a sacrificial offering that is entirely burned up in fire. This was prescribed by Moses, as handed down by God.

In modern usage, the Holocaust was the mass genocide of European Jews by the Nazis during World War II.

In general, holocaust refers to any wide-scale loss of life or a massive slaughter.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Penance

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date March 19, 2014

The word penance is not found in most versions of the Bible, but when it is used, it refers to a voluntary act of self-mortification or devotion to show sorrow for sin or to seek God’s attention.

In some churches, penance is a sacrament that includes contrition, confession, acceptance of punishment, and absolution.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Paraclete

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 5, 2014

In general, a paraclete is a mediator or advocate.

Specifically, the Paraclete is the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost), serving as our comforter or advocate.

Paraclete was not found in any versions of the Bible consulted but is sometimes used by people when discussing the role and function of the Holy Spirit.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Fornication

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 5, 2014

Fornication is voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried people, more often called adultery. Fornication (and adultery) is prohibited in the Bible.

The King James Version of the Bible uses the word fornication, whereas most other versions use the word adultery instead.

Key verse about fornication: Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21, NKJV).

[Read other verses in the Bible about fornication in the KJV.]

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Holy

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

Holy is both a characteristic of God as well as a lifestyle for us to emulate.

In reference to God, holy means sacred, worthy of worship, praise, and adoration. In the Hebrew culture, a word was repeated three times to place emphasis on it.

This is used with holy in reference to God: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come,”(Revelation 4:8; also see Isaiah 6:3).

In regard to people, holy means living according to a moral code or standard. Throughout the Bible, God commands and implores us to be holy. In Leviticus 11:44, God says, “Be holy, because I am holy,” (which is quoted in 1 Peter 1:16.)

The word holy is also attached to other words to elevate them, such as Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost), Holy Communion, Holy of Holies, Holy Bible, and so forth.

Compare to righteous.

Key verse about Holy Spirit: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11,NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Yoke

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

From a simple perspective, a yoke is a means to harness a draft animal in order to pull a load.

However, a deeper understanding of this comes from considering it in an historical perspective. Back in Jesus’ day, the learned Rabbi‘s would study the Scriptures.

They did not see them as a definitive, fixed set of rules, but rather as a document to be explored and interpreted. A Rabbi’s interpretation of what the scriptures said, of what should be allowed and what should be prohibited, was called his yoke.

When Jesus said his yoke was easy and his burden light, he was letting it be known that he allowed many more things then he prohibited.

He didn’t want his followers weighed down with a long list of don’ts, of heavy, burdensome requirements, but instead, he wanted them to be free to focus on him—and not a bunch of rules.

Also see bind and loose.

Key verse about Yoke: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Yeast

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

Yeast is used symbolically in the Bible to represent influence, often negatively. Just as a little bit of yeast, permeates dough and produces a noticeable result, so does influence, be it good or bad.

In the Books of Moses, there are thirty-two references to not using yeast (and more for its counterpart, leaven) in various religious practices, which symbolically shows the removal of sin.

The theme continues in Judges 6:19, I Samuel 28:24, and Ezekiel 45:21. (Leviticus 7:13 and 23:17 are two exceptions, when yeast should be used.)

Paul compares false teaching to yeast (Galatians 5:9).

Another negative connotation is when Jesus says to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy (Luke 12:1), as well as the yeast of Sadducees (Matthew 16:6-12) and the yeast of Herod (Mark 8:14-15).

Another reference to yeast is in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, where Paul uses yeast as a metaphor for boasting. Paul says to get rid of bread with old yeast (malice and wickedness) and use new bread without yeast (sincerity and truth).

In likely the only positive usage of yeast in the Bible, Jesus says that the Kingdom of God (Heaven) is like yeast (Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:18-21).

Key verse about Yeast: He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”(Matthew 13 :33, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Worship

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

Worship is an act of displaying devotion, paying homage, or offering reverence to God.

True worship is not a meaningless ritual or a mindless, mechanical act but instead, heartfelt love and adoration to God, which is manifested in actions, be it by prayer, song, meditation, acts of service, and even through a lifestyle that honors him.

This may be best captured in John 4:23-24 which says we are to worship God in spirit and in truth.

Key verse about Worship: Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Wisdom Literature

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

The wisdom literature (sometimes called poetry literature) of the Bible are all found in the Old Testament; they include the books of:

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Unleavened

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

Unleavened bread is made without yeast, or leaven so that it will not rise. It is more like a cracker than bread.

The Jews celebrated Passover using unleavened bread. It symbolically represents the haste in which they left Egypt after the first Passover celebration (that is, they did not have time for the bread to rise).

Today, some followers of Jesus carry this practice over to communion, by using unleavened bread or crackers.

Key verse about Unleavened: Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. (1 Corinthians 5:7, NIV)

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