Category: Bible Terms

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

Bible Term: Bind

Bind literally means to tie or secure, as with a rope or cord. A secondary meaning is to compel or obligate.

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 ascertaining what things were prohibited, was the act of binding. To bind something, then was to prohibit it, that is, to hold to it tightly. To bind implies an obligation of performance.

Jesus‘ yoke was light; there were only a few things he wanted to bind, that is, to prohibit.

Contrast to loose.

Key verse about Bind: Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads (Deuteronomy 6:8, 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: Biblical Times

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 30, 2014

Biblical times refers to the time in which the accounts of the Bible were written and occurred. The various books of the Bible were written over a span of roughly 1,500 years from about 1400 BC to 100 CE.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Bible

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 30, 2014

The Bible, or Holy Bible, is God’s written word to us. It is from God and, if we let it, it can teach us, correct us, and train us in godliness (2 Timothy 3:16). The purpose of this website is to encourage people to regularly read the Bible, the greatest book ever written.

The Bible is actually a collection of books, written by various authors over a period of several hundred years. Think of the Bible as a diverse anthology of godly communication.

It contains historic accounts, poetry, letters of instruction and encouragement, messages from God sent through his emissaries (prophets), and future prophecies.

Altogether, the Bible contains 66 books. (See Apocrypha for more informatio.)

The Bible is grouped into two main sections. The Old Testament contains 39 books* that precede and anticipate Jesus. The New Testament contains 27 books that cover Jesus’ life and the work of his followers.

Also see Scripture.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Believer

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 30, 2014

A believer is someone who follows Jesus.

In a literal sense it means the same as Christian, although that word has become so maligned and distorted that many true Christians prefer to call themselves Christ followers, followers of Jesus, or simply believers.

The usage of the label believer is predominately found in the New Testament book of Acts and various epistles.

Key verse about Believer: Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (John 21:23, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Believe

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 30, 2014

To believe is to accept the existence and reality of God through faith, having conviction, confidence, and trust in him; to accept him as real and true.

The word believe occurs hundreds of times in the Bible. Jesus instructed people to believe in him. He said that if we believe in him, we will be saved (Mark 16:16).

Key verse about Believe: Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Behemoth

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 30, 2014

References to an animal called a behemoth is only found in the book of Job. It’s precise identity is debated. Suggestions include a mythical sea creature, a hippopotamus, or a dinosaur.

Regardless of what it was, it is safe to understand that a behemoth was a large powerful animal, to be both feared and admired.

Key verse about Behemoth: Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox (Job 40:15, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Baptize

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 30, 2014

To baptize is to wash or clean (perhaps by immersing or dipping into water) as a symbolic gesture signifying a repentance or commitment.

First, John the Baptist baptized people who repented of their sins, that is those who had remorse over their wrong actions (Mark 1:4-5).

Interestingly, Jesus (who was sinless – without fault) insisted that John baptize him prior to starting his ministry on earth (Matthew 3:13-17).

Later, Jesus had his disciples baptize his followers (John 4:2).

While John baptized with water, Jesus’ baptism was with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, and Matthew 3:11).

Key verse about Baptize: “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: Awesome

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 28, 2014

Awesome means inspiring, displaying awe, or worthy of awe. In a strict, literal sense, only God is truly awesome, that is only God is worthy of our awe.

However, awesome is now more frequently used as a slang term meaning remarkable, excellent, or outstanding. As a result, the impact of awesome has been lessened and can now be applied to virtually anything, from a great movie to a delicious pizza to a chic ensemble — as well as to God.

Key verse about Awesome: Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Atonement

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 28, 2014

In a generic sense, atonement is the act of making amends or reparation for a wrong or injury; it is to reconcile.

When considering God, atonement then becomes the action by which we are made right with him for the wrong things we have done.

Jesus provided that atonement for us when he was executed for our crimes (that is, when he died for our sins).

Prior to Jesus, in the Old Testament, the priests offered periodic sacrifices as a temporary atonement for the sins of the people.

Key verse about Atonement: For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy (Exodus 29:37, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Ascension

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 28, 2014

In the Bible, the Ascension occurred after Jesus rose from the dead and left the earth by rising up to heaven. In this, he literally ascended from the earth up into the sky, as recorded in Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:9-11.

Key verse about Ascension: Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”(John 20:17, NIV).

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