Nelson's Student Bible Dictionary: A Complete Guide to Understanding the World of the Bible

Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1992 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Verses marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975 by Lockman Foundation.

Verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

Verses marked RSV are taken from the Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version, second edition, copyright © 1946, 1951, 1972 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

The Scripture quotations contained herein from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible are © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Verses marked REB are from the Revised English Bible, copyright © 1989 by the delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press.

Book composition by Rainbow Graphics, Kingsport, Tennessee.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nelson’s student Bible dictionary.

p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN 1-4185-0330-4

1. Bible—Dictionaries. I. Title: Student Bible dictionary. II.

Thomas Nelson (Firm)

BS440.N3495 2005

220.3—dc22

2005004472

ISBN 1-4185-0330-4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9—09 08 07 06 05 04

Printed in China

Contents

Preface

Bible History Chart

Dictionary Articles A to Z

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

XYZ

ARTICLES AND TEACHING OUTLINES ON BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Old Testament

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

New Testament

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jude

Revelation

CHARTS, TABLES, AND MAPS

Bible History

Alexander’s Greek Empire

Books of the Apocrypha

The Twelve Apostles

The Jewish Calendar

David’s Triumphs

David’s Troubles

Jewish Feasts

Does the Bible Really Say That?

Old Testament Names for God

Pagan Gods of Egypt

Why Four Gospels?

The I Am Statements

Titles of Christ

The Period of the Judges

The Levitical Offerings

The Miracles of Jesus Christ

Monies of the Bible

Palestine in Christ’s Time

The Parables of Jesus Christ

Paul’s First and Second Missionary Journeys

Paul’s Third and Fourth Missionary Journeys

The Pentateuch

Chronology of Israel in the Pentateuch

The Ten Plagues on Egypt

Chronology of Old Testament Kings and Prophets.

Fulfilled Prophecies from Isaiah

The Preservation of the Remnant

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Names of Satan

Solomon’s Empire

Solomon’s Twelve Districts

New Testament Lists of Spiritual Gifts

The Plan of the Tabernacle

The Furniture of the Tabernacle

The Temples of the Bible

Weights

Measures of Length

Dry Measures

Liquid Measures

Old Testament Women

New Testament Women

Preface

Nelson’s Student Bible Dictionary is a portable and engaging sourcebook of biblical information that is accurate, thorough,dependable, and easy to understand. Entries covering the essential people,places, things, events, and doctrines of the Bible appear in the book, making it the perfect Bible dictionary for students of all ages.

Nelson’s Student Bible Dictionary complements the alphabetically-arranged articles and definitions with visual guides to the Bible. Readers will appreciate the full-color photographs throughout; the easy-to-use study and teaching outlines for every book of the Bible; tables, charts, and diagrams that illustrate Bible teachings and life in Bible times; and maps to biblical places.

Users will benefit from the book’s extensive cross-reference system, which makes it easy to use with most of the popular English translations of the Bible. The key words in each article are based on the New King James Version of the Bible (NKJV), but variant names from five additional translations—the King James Version (KJV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), the Revised English Bible (REB), the New International Version (NIV), and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)—are fully cross-referenced. Readers are also referred to related articles in the dictionary for further information. The article on the Levites, for example, contains a reference to priests (the word appears in small capital letters: PRIESTS). This format refers the reader to the article on priests that contributes to a better understanding of the Levites.

The publisher sends forth Nelson’s Student Bible Dictionary trusting that it will enrich your study of the Word of God.

A

AARON [a'-ur-un] — brother of Moses and first high priest of the Hebrew nation. He was married to Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab (Ex. 6:23).

When God called Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt, Moses protested that he would not be able to speak convincingly to the Pharaoh, so God designated Aaron to be Moses’ official spokesman (Ex. 4:14–16).

AARON’S ROD — a rod used by Aaron to perform miracles.

When Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh, Aaron cast down his rod and it became a serpent. When the magicians of Egypt did the same thing,Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods (Ex. 7:12). Later, Aaron struck the waters of Egypt with his rod and they turned to blood (7:15–20). During the wilderness wandering, Aaron’s rod was the only staff that produced buds, blossoms, and almonds, indicating God’s choice of Aaron and his descendants as priests (Num. 17:1–10).

ABADDON [ab-ad'-dun] (destruction) — a term found only once in most English translations of the Bible (Rev. 9:11). Abaddon is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that occurs six other times in the Bible, usually translated destruction (Job 26:6; 28:22; 31:12; Ps. 88:11; Prov. 15:11; 27:20).

In the Book of Revelation, Abaddon is not a place—the realm of the dead—but a person—the angel who reigns over the abyss.

ABASE — humble oneself or be humbled; get a right perspective either from within or from another (Phil. 4:12).

ABATE — recede or withdraw (Gen. 8:8, Lev. 27:18).

ABBA [ab'-bah] (father) — an Aramaic word that corresponds to our Daddy or Papa. It is found three times in the New Testament, Mark 14:36, Rom. 8:15, and Gal. 4:6. Expresses the approachability of our loving Creator.

ABED-NEGO [ab-ed'-ne-go] (servant of Nebo) — the Chaldean name given to Azariah in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court when he was chosen as one of the king’s servants (Dan. 1:7; 2:49). Abed-Nego was thrown into the fiery furnace, along with Shadrach and Meshach, for refusing to bow down and worship a golden image. The three men were miraculously protected from the fire (Dan. 3:12–30).

ABEL [a'-bel] (breath, vapor) — the second son of Adam and Eve (Gen. 4:2) murdered by his jealous brother, Cain (Gen. 4:4–5).

Also, a large stone in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh on which the ARK OF THE COVENANT was set by the Philistines (1 Sam. 6:18), as well as a city in northern Israel (2 Sam. 20:14–15, 18).

ABHOR — to hate or reject (Rom. 12:9).

ABIATHAR [ab-i'-uth-ur] (father of abun-dance) — a chief priest in the court of David and the son of Ahimelech.

When Saul massacred the village of Nob for helping David, Abiathar was the only one to escape (1 Sam. 22:6–23). David eventually became king and appointed Abiathar and Zadok as priests in the royal court (2 Sam. 8:17; 1 Chr. 18:16).

During the struggle over who would succeed as king, Abiathar supported Adonijah. When Solomon emerged as the new ruler, Zadok was appointed priest of the royal court, and Abiathar escaped execution only because of his earlier loyalty to David. He and his family were banished to Anathoth, and his rights and privileges as a Jerusalem priest were taken away (1 Kin. 1:7–25; 2:22–35).

ABIDE — stay, continue (1 Sam. 1:22).

ABIGAIL [ab'-e-gul] (father of joy) — wife of Nabal the Carmelite and, after Nabal’s death, of David (1 Sam. 25:3, 14–42; 2 Sam. 2:2; 1 Chr. 3:1). Also a sister or half–sister of David and mother of Amasa.

ABIHU [a-bi'-hew] (he is my father) — second son of Aaron and Elisheba (Ex. 6:23). Abihu was destroyed, along with his brother NADAB, in the Wilderness of Sinai for offering profane fire (Lev. 10:1) before the Lord.

ABIMELECH [a-bim'-e-lek] (my father is king) — the name of five men in the Old Testament:

1. The king of Gerar in the time of Abraham (Gen. 20:1–18; 21:22–34).

2. The king of Gerar in the time of Isaac (Gen. 26:1–31).

3. The ruler of the city of Shechem during the period of the judges (Judg. 8:30—10:1; 2 Sam. 11:21). Abimelech was a son of Gideon by a concubine from Shechem.

4. A priest in the time of David (1 Chr. 18:16).

5. A Philistine king whom David met while fleeing from King Saul (Psalm 34, title). Abim-elech is apparently the royal title of Achish the king of Gath (1 Sam. 21:10–15).

ABLUTION — the ceremonial washing of one’s body, vessels, and clothing for the purpose of religious purification.

Ablutions had nothing to do with washing one’s body for sanitary or hygienic purposes, but were performed in order to remove ritual defilement (Heb. 9:10, RSV).

ABNER [ab'-nur] (the father is a lamp) — the commander-in-chief of Saul’s army (1 Sam. 14:50–51; 17:55).

After the death of Saul and his three sons in a battle with the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:1–6),Abner established Saul’s son Ishbosheth as king. In the ensuing warfare between the forces of David and Ishbosheth, Abner killed a brother of Joab—one of David’s military officers—in self-defense (2 Sam. 2:12—3:1).

Abner was killed by David’s commander Joab in an act of vengeance over the death of his brother (2 Sam. 3:22–30).

ABODE — residence, dwelling place (John 14:23).

ABOLISH — terminate (2 Tim. 1:10).

ABOMINABLE, ABOMINATION — anything that offends the spiritual, religious, or moral sense of a person and causes extreme disgust, hatred, or loathing. Among the objects described as an abomination were the carved images of pagan gods (Deut. 7:25–26); the sacrifice to God of inferior, blemished animals (Deut. 17:1); the practice of idolatry (Deut. 17:2–5); and the fashioning of a carved or molded image of a false god (Deut. 27:15; Is. 44:19).

ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION — a despicable misuse of the temple of the Lord during a time of great trouble—an event foretold by the prophet Daniel.

The phrase is found in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 as a quotation from Daniel 11:31 and 12:11. In Daniel, the words mean the abomination that makes desolate. In other words, Daniel prophesied that the temple would be used for an abominable purpose at some time in the future. As a result, God’s faithful people would no longer worship there—so great would be their moral revulsion, contempt, and abhorrence at the sacrilege—and the temple would become desolate.

ABOUND — increase, develop abundantly Prov. 28:20).

ABRAHAM [a'-bra-ham] (father of a multi-tude) — originally Abram (exalted father) the first great PATRIARCH of ancient Israel and a primary model of faithfulness for Christianity. The accounts about Abraham are found in Genesis 11:26—25:11.

Abraham was the father of the Hebrews and the prime example of a righteous man. In spite of impossible odds,Abraham had faith in the promises of God. Therefore, he is presented as a model for human behavior. Hospitable to strangers (Gen. 18:1–8), he was a God-fearing man (Gen. 22:1–18) who was obedient to God’s Laws (Gen. 26:5). The promises originally given to Abraham were passed on to his son Isaac (Gen. 26:3), and to his grandson Jacob (Gen. 28:13; 35:11–12). In later biblical references, the God of Israel is frequently identified as the God of Abraham (Gen. 26:24), and Israel is often called the people of the God of Abraham (Ps. 47:9; 105:6). Abraham was such an important figure in the history of God’s people that when they were in trouble, Israel appealed to God to remember the covenant made with Abraham (Ex. 32:13; Deut. 9:27; Ps. 105:9).

Traditional well of Abraham in the plains of Mamre (Gen. 21:22–32). Photo by Howard Vos

ABRAHAM’S BOSOM — a figure of speech for the life hereafter. According to the Old Testament, when a person died he went to be with his fathers (Gen. 15:15; 47:30; Deut. 31:16; Judg. 2:10).

ABRAM [a'-brum] (exalted father) — the original name of ABRAHAM, the great patriarch of Israel (Gen. 17:5).

ABSALOM [ab'-sal-um] (father of peace) —the arrogant and vain son of David who tried to take the kingship from his father by force (2 Sam. 15—2 Sam. 18)

ABSTAIN, ABSTINENCE — the voluntary, self-imposed, and deliberate denial of certain pleasures, such as food, drink, and sex. The noun abstinence is found only once in the KJV (Acts 27:21), where the apostle Paul is described as having experienced long abstinence. The verb abstain is found six times in the KJV (Acts 15:20, 29; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:22; 1 Tim. 4:3; 1 Pet. 1:11).

ABUNDANCE — much; greater than necessary (John 10:10).

ABUSE — malicious treatment; intentional harm (Heb. 10:33).

ABYSS [a-biss] — the bottomless pit or the chaotic deep. Sumerian in origin, the term referred to a deep mass of waters surrounding the earth. Darkness is said to have been on the face of the deep or abyss (Gen. 1:2).

The term is used in several other ways in the Bible. It describes the prison of disobedient spirits, or the world of the dead (Luke 8:31; Rom. 10:7; Rev. 20:1–3). Terms like the pit and bottomless pitrepresent the abode of all the wicked dead.

ACACIA [a-cay'-shih] — large tree that was an excellent source of wood. The ark of the covenant was made from the wood of this tree (Deut. 10:3).

ACCEPT— to receive or treat with favor. In the Bible, a person is accepted by the grace, mercy, or covenant-love of God through faith and repentance (Eph. 1:6).

ACCESS — the privilege of having an audience with one’s superior. Access to God is that positive, friendly relationship with the Father in which we have confidence that we are pleasing and acceptable to Him. Jesus is the new and living way (Heb. 10:20) who gives us access to God.

ACCOMPLISH — succeed, finish, complete (Is. 55:11).

ACCORD — agreement, conformity, harmony (Acts 2:46; 7:57; 15:25).

ACCOUNT, ACCOUNTABILITY — the biblical principle that we are answerable to our Maker for our thoughts, words, and deeds. The Bible plainly teaches the whole world [is] accountable to God (Rom. 3:19, NASB) and that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

ACCURSED — under a curse, doomed; anything on which a curse has been pronounced (Josh. 6:17–18; Gal. 1: 8–9).

ACCUSE — to blame; charging with improper actions (Luke 11:54).

ACHAIA [ak-ah'-yah] — in Roman times, the name for the whole of Greece, except Thessaly (Acts 19:21). The Romans gave the region this name when they captured Corinth and destroyed the Achaian League in 146 B.C. Later it comprised several Greek cities, including Athens.

ACHAN [a'-kan] — son of Carmi of the tribe of Judah who unintentionally brought about the Israelites’ defeat at Ai (Josh. 7:1, 18–24). He is called Achar in 1 Chronicles 2:7 and is described as the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the accursed thing.

ACHOR [a'-kor] (trouble) — a valley near Jericho where Achan was stoned to death during the time of Joshua (Josh. 7:24, 26). The prophets used the phrase the Valley of Achor (Is. 65:10) to symbolize the idyllic state of contentment and peace of the messianic age (Hos. 2:15).

ACKNOWLEDGE — recognize, agree with, (Deut. 21:17; 1 Cor. 14:37).

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES — the one historical book of the New Testament, which traces the development of the early church after the Ascension of Jesus. Standing between the Gospels and the Epistles, the Book of Acts is a bridge between the life of Jesus and the ministry of the apostle Paul. As such, it offers invaluable information about the development of the early church.

The Acts of the Apostles could justly be entitled The Acts of the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit is mentioned nearly 60 times in the book. In His parting words, Jesus reminds the disciples of the promise of the Father (1:4–8); ten days later the power of the Spirit descends at PENTECOST (2:1–4). Persons from every nation under heaven (2:5) are enabled by the Holy Spirit to hear the wonderful works of God (2:11), and so the Christian church was born.

A.D. — abbreviation for Anno Domini, which is Latin for in the year of our Lord.

ADAM [ad'-um] (red, ground) — the name of the first man, created by God on the sixth day of creation, and placed in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:19–23; 3:8–9, 17, 20–21; 4:1, 25; 5:1–5). He and his wife EVE, created by God from one of Adam’s ribs (Gen. 2:21–22), became the ancestors of all people now living on the earth. Adam was unique and distinct from the animals in several ways. His creation is described separately from that of the animals and the rest of God’s creative acts (Gen. 1:3–25; 1:26–27; 2:7).

ACTS:

A Study and Teaching Outline

Part One: The Witness in Jerusalem (1:1—8:3)

Part Two: The Witness in Judea and Samaria (8:4—12:24)

Part Three: The Witness to the Ends of the Earth (12:25—28:31)

ADAR [a'-dar] (cloudy) — the name of a town in southern Judah (Josh. 15:3) also called Hazar Addar (Num. 34:4). Also the Babylonian name of the 12th month of the Jewish year (Ezra 6:15; Esth. 3:7, 13; 8:12; 9:1, 15–21).

ADDER — snake; SERPENT (Gen. 49:17).

ADHERE — stick to, obey, show loyalty (2 Kin. 17:34, NIV).

This Greek inscription at Athens contains the text of Paul’s speech which he delivered at the Areopagus (Acts 17:22–31). Photo by Gustav Jeeninga

ADJURE, ADJURATION — an earnest urging or advising (Matt. 26:63); the action by which a person in authority imposes the obligations of an oath upon another (1 Sam. 14:24; 1 Kin. 22:16; Mark 5:7; Acts 19:13).

ADMONISH — to suggest, encourage, inspire, motivate (Col 3:16; 2 Thess. 3:15).

ADONIJAH [ad-on-i'-jah] (the Lord is my Lord) — the name of three men in the Old Testa-ment:

1. The fourth of the six sons born to David while he was at Hebron (2 Sam. 3:4). With the exception of Absalom, David apparently favored Adonijah over his other five sons. When David was old, Adonijah attempted to seize the throne, although he probably knew that his father intended Solomon to succeed him (1 Kin. 1:13).

2. One of the Levites sent by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people of Judah in the law (2 Chr. 17:8).

3. A chieftain who, with Nehemiah, sealed the covenant (Neh. 10:14–16); he is also called Adonikam (Ezra 2:13).

ADULTERY — willful sexual intercourse with someone other than one’s spouse. Jesus expanded the meaning of adultery to include the cultivation of lust: Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart(Matt. 5:28).

ADVERSARY — one who opposes or hinders another, enemy. In the Bible, this word is often used of SATAN, the Adversary of God and His plan of righteousness and redemption in the world (1 Pet. 5:8; 1 John 2:1).

ADVERSITY — difficult situation (Prov. 24:10).

ADVOCATE — one who pleads another’s cause before a tribunal or judicial court. The word advocate is found only once in the NKJV: If anyone sins,we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). The Greek word translated as advocate here is also found four times in the Gospel of John, all referring to the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; helper, NKJV).

AFFECTION — a feeling; liking (Rom. 1:26).

AFFLICTION — any condition or problem that produces suffering or pain. The Bible speaks of two types of affliction—suffering that represents God’s judgment on sin (Is. 53:4; Matt. 24:29; Rom. 2:9), and suffering that brings about the purifying of believers as they identify with Christ (Rom. 5:3–5; 2 Thess. 1:4–7).

AGABUS [ag'-ab-us] — a Christian prophet of Jerusalem who went to Antioch of Syria while Paul and Barnabas were there, and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world(Acts 11:28).

AGAPE [a-gah'-pay] — a Greek word for love used often in the New Testament (John 13:35; 1 Cor. 13; 1 John 4:7–18). Contrary to popular understanding, the significance of agape is not that it is an unconditional love, but that it is primarily a love of the will rather than the emotions.

AGE — an aeon; a specified period of time during which certain related events come to pass. As used in the New Testament, age generally refers to the present era, as opposed to the future age (Col. 1:26).

AGRIPPA I [a-grip'-pah] — Roman ruler of Galilee and eventual ruler of the territory previously governed by his grandfather, Herod the Great. Agrippa persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 12:1–23) during his reign in Judea from A.D. 41 until his death in A.D. 44.

AGRIPPA II [a-grip'-pah] — son of Herod Agrippa I and great-grandson of Herod the Great. He was appointed by the Roman Emperor Claudius as ruler of Abilene, part of Galilee, Iturea, and Trachonitis. Shortly before the apostle Paul was taken prisoner to Rome, he appeared before Herod Agrippa II (Acts 25:13—26:32).

AHAB [a'-hab] (father is brother) — the name of two men in the Old Testament:

1. The son of Omri and the seventh king of Israel (1 Kin. 16:30). Under the influence of Jezebel his wife, Ahab gave Baal equal place with God. Ahab also built a temple to Baal in which he erected a wooden image of the Canaanite goddess Asherah (1 Kin. 16:33). At Jezebel’s urging, Ahab opposed the worship of the Lord, destroyed His altars, and killed His prophets. He reigned over Israel in Samaria for 22 years (873—852 B.C.) (1 Kin. 16:29).

Remains of a palace from Ahab’s time, uncovered in an excavation at the site of ancient Samaria. Photo by Howard Vos

2. The son of Kolaiah, and one of two false prophets denounced by Jeremiah (Jer. 29:21– 23). Because Ahab prophesied falsely in God’s name, Jeremiah declared that he would die at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and would be cursed by all Babylonian captives from Judah.

AHASUERUS [a-has-u-e'-rus] (mighty man) — the name of two kings in the Old Testament:

1. A king of Persia and the husband of ESTHER. Scholars generally agree that Ahasuerus is the same person as Xerxes I (485—464 B.C.).

2. A king of the Medes and the father of DARIUS (Dan. 9:1).

AHAZ [a'-haz] — the name of two men in the Old Testament:

1. A son of Jotham and the eleventh king of Judah (2 Kin. 15:38; 16:1–20; Achaz, KJV). He was an ungodly king who promoted the worship of Molech, with its pagan rites of human sacrifice (2 Chr. 28:1–4).

2. A Benjamite and descendant of King Saul. Ahaz was a son of Micah and the father of Jehoaddah (1 Chr. 8:35–36; 9:42).

AHAZIAH [a-haz-i'-ah] (the Lord sustains)—the name of two kings in the Old Testament:

1. The son and successor of Ahab and the ninth king of Israel (1 Kin. 22:40, 49, 51). Ahaziah reigned from 853 to 852 B.C.

The son of JEZEBEL, Ahaziah followed policies that showed evidence of his mother’s pagan influence.

2. The son and successor of Joram and the nephew of Ahaziah No. 1 (2 Kin. 8:24–26). Ahaziah is also called Jehoahaz (2 Chr. 21:17; 25:23) and Azariah (2 Chr. 22:6). The sixth king of Judah, Ahaziah reigned for only one year (841 B.C.).

Ahaziah became king at age 22 (2 Kin. 8:26; 2 Chr. 22:1). His wicked reign was heavily influenced by his mother Athaliah. She was the evil power behind his throne: He walked in the way of the house of Ahab (2 Kin. 8:27).

AI [a'-i] (the ruin) — a Canaanite city (Josh. 10:1) located east of Bethel (Gen. 12:8). Many years before Joshua’s time, Abraham pitched his tent at Ai before journeying to Egypt (Gen. 12:8). Also an Ammonite city in Moab (Jer. 49:3).

ALABASTER — smooth stone used to make containers for perfumes and ointments (Matt. 26:7;Mark 14:3; Luke 7:37).

ALAS — expression of sadness or grief; can be used in a warning (Josh. 7:7).

ALEXANDER [al-ex-an'-dur] (defender of men) — the name of five or six men in the Bible, but most notably, Alexander III (the Great), son of Philip II (King of Macedon) and founder of the Hellenistic (Greek) Empire. Also the son of Simon (Mark 15:21), and a brother of Rufus; a member of the family of Annas, the Jewish high priest (Acts 4:6); a Jew who lived at Ephesus during the riot started by Demetrius and the silversmiths who opposed Paul’s preaching (Acts 19:21–41); one of two heretical teachers at Ephesus mentioned by the apostle Paul (1 Tim. 1:19–20); and the coppersmith who did Paul much harm (2 Tim. 4:14).

Bust of Alexander the Great, Greek military conqueror. Photo by Howard Vos

Alexander’s Greek Empire

(Daniel 2, 7, 8, 11)

ALIEN — a foreigner, sojourner, or stranger from a country other than Israel. Aliens did not enjoy the rights of Israelites (Deut. 14:21; Job 19:15; Ps. 69:8).

ALLEGORY — a symbolic representation of a truth about human conduct or experience. The word allegory is found only once in the King James Version. In Galatians 4:24 it translates the Greek verb allegoreo, which means to say something different from what the words normally imply. The NKJV translates it by the word symbolic.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:24–30) is a good example of allegory. The apostle Paul also used allegories when writing. In Ephesians 6:11–17 he urges his readers to put on the whole armor of God and then gives the symbolic spiritual designation for each article worn by the Christian soldier. And in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul gives an allegory that compares the experience of Moses and the Israelites to Christian baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

ALLELUIA [al-e-loo'-yah] (praise the Lord) —a Greek form of the Hebrew word Hallelujah, used to express joy, praise, and thanksgiving.

The words, Praise the Lord, found often in the Psalms, are a translation of the Hebrew Hallelujah (Ps. 104:35; 116:19; 147:1). The word was probably a standardized call to worship in the temple, since it usually appears at the beginning or end of a psalm.

ALLOTMENT — in the Old Testament a system of land tenure used in Israel to distribute the land to the tribes, clans and families (Joshua 13—19).

ALMIGHTY — all powerful; possessing complete control (Gen. 17:1).

ALMS — money given out of mercy for the poor (Deut. 15:11).

ALPHA AND OMEGA [al'-fah, oh-may'-guh] — the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This title is given to God the Father and God the Son (Rev. 1:8; 21:6). The risen Christ says, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last (Rev. 22:13). By calling Jesus Christ the Alpha and the Omega, the writer of the Book of Revelation acknowledged that He is the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Final Judge of all things.

ALPHAEUS [al-fe'-us] (leader or chief) —the name of two men in the New Testament:

1. The father of the apostle James the Less (Matt. 10:3; Acts 1:13).

2. The father of Levi (or Matthew), the apostle and writer of the first Gospel (Mark 2:14).

ALTAR