Category: Bible Terms

Definitions to key words found in the Bible and words that relate to faith and Bible reading.

Bible Term: Meek

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Jesus, said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). What then does it mean to be meek?

One thought is that meekness is strength under control. In this perspective, we see Jesus as a preeminent example of meekness (Matthew 11:29).

We also see meek as showing patience and humility (James 3:13): a calm temper of mind, that is not easily provoked.

Moses, the great leader of ancient Israel, was characterized as being meek. Even more so, Jesus himself claimed to be meek. Plus, Paul taught that meekness is a trait followers of Jesus are encouraged to pursue.

In a biblical context, meekness is not weakness or being easily imposed upon.

Key verse about Meek: But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord (Zephaniah 3:12, NIV)

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: Meditation

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Meditation is simply the act of reflecting or contemplating something.

For followers of Jesus, meditation can refer to carefully considering a Bible verse or passage, the listening part of prayer, thankfully considering all God has done, or taking time to appreciate the creation he made.

In today’s fast-paced, activity-filled life, the practice of meditation is a lost art for many or an impossible task for others. Yet, God wants us to do just that. Psalms 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Meditation is one of several spiritual disciplines.

Key verse about Meditation: My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding (Psalm 49:3, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Mediator

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

A mediator is one who intervenes between two others in a dispute for the purpose of reconciling their differences.

Specifically, Jesus acts as our mediator with God the Father, by paying for the penalty of our wrong doing (that is, sin), thereby reconciling us to God.

His role of mediator continues with his ongoing intercession for his followers (1 John 2:1 and Hebrews 7:25).

Key verse about Mediator: For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Major Prophets

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

A prophet can mean the same thing as a preacher. It can also refer to someone who has insight into the future or predicts future events, which is called a prophecy.

Many books in the Old Testament were written by or about prophets and contained their messages for repentance or predictions for future events. Many of these prophetic predictions anticipated Jesus, though some had a more current focus, while a few looked at the end times.

Major Prophets are not those that are more important, but merely those who wrote longer books. (Compare to Minor Prophets.)

The Major Prophets are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Their books are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Four of these books are named after their respective prophet. The fifth, Lamentations, was also written by Jeremiah.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Love

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Love is a central and reoccurring theme in the Bible and among the followers of Jesus. Succinctly, God is love (1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16)

Although the modern usage of love expresses it as an emotion (as in, “I love rain”) or an intensifier (as in, “I’d love to!”), we’ll do well to consider love as an attitude, an act of will and determination. Even to claim love for a pet, is stretching things a bit.

We can rightly love a person and we should love God. A person can love us back, but such love is often ultimately conditional; God’s love for us is unconditional.

Supreme love is shown by giving one’s life to save another (Romans 5:7). Jesus embodied this in dying to make us right with God; that is, to save us (Romans 5:8).

Faith, hope, and love are a major triad in the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:13, Colossians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Key verse about Love:
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you (Genesis 22:2, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Lord’s Prayer

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Jesus‘ disciples saw that prayer was an important part of his life and work. They realized he prayed in a new and fresh way, not the stale and ritualistic way they had been taught.

Though the prayer that Jesus taught to them is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer (or the “Our Father”), a more accurate label would be “the disciple’s prayer,” since it was a prayer for the disciples, not Jesus, to pray.

Some people recite the prayer as it is recorded in the Bible, whereas others use it as a template for prayer or illustrative example.

The prayer is simple and succinct; it is:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, you will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

The Lord’s Prayer is recorded in Matthew 6:9-13; an alternate version is in Luke 11:2-4.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Loose

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Loose literally means not fastened, restrained, contained, fixed, or rigid. A secondary understanding is to release from obligation or to absolve.

In Bible times, a yoke was essentially a Rabbi‘s teaching of what was prohibited and what was allowed, according to his interpretation of Scripture. The process of determining what things were allowed was the act of “losing.” To “lose” something was to allow it, that is, to let it go. To “loose” implies freedom.

Since Jesus‘ yoke was light, there must have been many things that he had “loosed.”

Contrast to bind.

Key verse about Loose: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Leviathan

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

The leviathan is an unknown marine animal that is referenced in the Old Testament of the Bible. It’s mentioned three times in Job, twice in Psalms, and once in Isaiah.

It’s precise identity is debated. Suggestions include a mythical sea creature or a crocodile. It’s described in some translations as a sea beast (in Job) or a serpent (Isaiah). Regardless, it was respected for its massive power and might.

Key verse about Leviathan: “Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope? ( Job 41:1, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Letter

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

The New Testament contains many letters written by church leaders to various groups or people. See epistle for more information.

Key verse about Letter: So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. Acts 15:30, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Leprosy

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Leprosy is a mildly contagious, progressive skin disease that until recently could not be treated and as such would lead to permanent damage of skin, nerves, eyes, and appendages.

In biblical times, because of a lack of treatment and its infectious nature, the Jewish law contained strict guidelines for how leprosy and lepers would be handled.

People with leprosy were segregated from the general population and were required to call out “unclean” when other people approached them.

It is noteworthy that Jesus healed many lepers, as did the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5).

Key verse about Leprosy: She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” ( 2 Kings 5:3, NIV)

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