Category: Bible Terms

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

Bible Term: Disciple

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In general terms, a disciple is someone who follows another. John the Baptist had disciples (John 1:35), the Jewish religious leaders had disciples (Luke 5:33), and Jesus had disciples (Matthew 10:1).

Also, the Pharisees affirmed that they were Moses’ disciples, albeit centuries after Moses’ death (John 9:28).

Sometimes Disciple, as a proper noun, refers to one of Jesus’ original twelve followers, whereas other times it refers to any follower of Jesus (John 8:31).

Often the terms disciple and apostle are used interchangeably, although some would say that a Disciple is one of the original twelve followers, whereas an Apostle is a more generic term that applies to all followers of Jesus.

Key verse about Disciple: Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14, 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: Diadem

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

A diadem is a crown worn by a king or royalty. It can also signify holiness.

Diadem only occurs a couple of times in the Bible, all in the Old Testament. Usually it’s in reference to the first priest, Aaron, on whose head it was place by Moses. Interestingly, the diadem was attached to his turban. In this instance, it is called a sacred diadem.

Isaiah refers to a royal diadem or crown of splendor as a visual image of how much God values his people.

Key verse about Diadem: You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God (Isaiah 62:3, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Demon

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In the Bible a demon is a malevolent spirit, fallen angel, or unclean or evil spirit that follows and obeys Satan (the devil).

Key verse about Demon: When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way (Matthew 8:28, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Curse

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In modern usage, curse is generally considered synonymous with swear.

In the Bible curse takes on different meanings, such as to invoke misfortune, to afflict, to make an oath, and to insult, as well as to swear. Here are some ways curse is used in the Bible:

Curses, or ill-will, can be given to people (Canaan in Genesis 9:25), the disobedient (Jeremiah 11:3), a house (Job 5:3), animals (the serpent in Genesis 3:14), plants (the fig tree in Mark 11:12-14), and earth (Isaiah 24:6); the ground (Genesis 3:17); and the land (Hebrews 6:8).

Curse is the opposite of bless, Luke 6:28 and Romans 12:14.

The curse can also mean “to swear at”(Goliath cursed David), 1 Samuel 17:43.

When Peter denied knowing Jesus he swore and called down curses on himself, Matthew 26:74 and Mark 14:71.

A curse is sometimes the self-imposed penalty for failing to keep a promise or oath, Nehemiah 10:29 or Numbers 5:21.

Key verse about Curse: May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed” (Genesis 27:29, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Covetousness

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Covetousness is a longing or compelling desire for possessions, especially those of others. The root word is covet, which the Ten Commandments says to avoid.

Today, we commonly call covetousness, materialism.

Key verse about covetousness: And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15, NKJV).

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Bible Term: Covenant

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In a general sense, a covenant is a binding agreement or contract between two people.

In the Bible, covenant is sometimes used to describe an agreement between two people, though it’s more common use to describe an agreement, or promise, between God and mankind.

A biblical example of a covenant is that after the great flood, God promises to Noah that he will never again destroy the earth with a flood

Key verse about Covenant: This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised (Genesis 17:10, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Cornerstone

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In constructing a stone building, a cornerstone is a main support element where two walls intersect. It was critical to select a quality stone because if the cornerstone would crack, break, or crumble, a major section of the structure would be at risk and likely fall.

As such, usage of the word cornerstone has come to reference anything that is indispensable or critical.

Therefore, it’s not surprising that the Bible calls Jesus a cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). This is prophesied in Zechariah 10:4 and Isaiah 28:16, which Peter quotes in 1 Peter 2:6.

Other uses of cornerstone occur in Job 38:6 (referencing the creation of the earth), Isaiah 19:13 (prophecy about Egypt’s leaders), and Jeremiah 51:26 (prophecy about Babylonia).

Key verse about Cornerstone: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; (Psalm 118:22, NIV)

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Bible Term: Consecrate

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

To consecrate is to set apart, to declare as sacred or holy, or to dedicate to God for service.

In the Old Testament of the Bible, items used for the worship of God or in service to him, were consecrated for that purpose.

The main context for consecrate is for people to set someone or something apart for God or for religious service. This includes consecrating priests, God’s people, clothes, offerings, bread, animals, the temple, and temple furnishings.

Consecrate is a synonym for sanctify.

Key verse about Consecrate: Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them” (Exodus 19:22, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Communion

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Communion (sometimes called Holy Communion, the Eucharist, or the Lord’s Supper) is a time of fellowship with God and others who follow Jesus.

Communion was instituted by Jesus (hence the alternate name of the Lord’s Supper), as a replacement for or extension of the Old Testament Passover celebration.

Communion celebrates Jesus’ work (that is, his sacrifice) to make us right with God.

Key verse about Communion: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16, NKJV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Command

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In the Bible, commands are generally used to refer to instructions from God to his people to do or not do a certain activity. The most familiar commands from God are known as the Ten Commandments, but they represent only a small portion of the many commands found throughout the Bible.

Sometimes the Bible records commands God gave to individuals at specific times in their lives. These commands aren’t intended to be followed by everyone, as there were meant only for the person they were given to.

Some people follow the commands in the Bible (or at least some of them) with an unwavering, legalistic fervor; their pursuit of God becomes a list of dos and don’ts. This was largely how the Hebrew people approached God in the Old Testament, even though that wasn’t the response God desired.

Jesus said that he came, not to replace the law (God’s commands) but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). This signaled a change of perspective away from the letter of the law to the intent behind it.

Key vser about Command: And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; (Genesis 2:16, NIV).

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