sabachthani
(suh-bak-thah-nee)

Part of Jesus' cry of anguish on the cross, taken from Psalm 22:1. The word is Hebrew or Aramaic, but its exact meaning is unknown.
Psalm 22:1
Mark 15:34 Return

See Lord of Sabaoth Return

Rest; a time when a person does no work. The fourth of the Ten Commandments tells people to do no work every seventh day, because God rested on the seventh day of creation. This was called the Sabbath day. God also required the Israelites to stop planting and harvesting one year out of every seven. The year of jubilee was a Sabbath year. The term comes from the Hebrew word for "cease."
Jesus had several conflicts with the Pharisees because of the Sabbath day. The Pharisees said no one could do any work of any kind on the Sabbath. Jesus said it was permitted to heal people and to rejoice on the Sabbath.
Exodus 20:8-11
Leviticus 25:2
John 5:1-15 Return

A distance of two thousand cubits.
Acts 1:12 Return

A time of Sabbath for the land. The Israelites were to observe this by not planting or harvesting any food once every seven years. Return

A rough cloth usually made from black goats' hair. It was called sackcloth because it was often used to make sacks, being too rough for clothing. People wore sackcloth to show mourning, sadness, or repentance.
Genesis 37:34
Jonah 3:8 Return

A ceremony or ritual that has a sacred purpose or meaning. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are examples of sacraments. The term does not appear in the Bible.
Matthew 3:13-16
Luke 22:19 Return

Holy; set apart to God's use; devoted to God.
Exodus 28:2
1 Corinthians 3:17 Return

• Noun: Something that is offered or given up, usually as an act of worship. The offerings that God required of the Israelites were sacrifices of animals, food, money, or time. God condemned all sacrifices to idols.
Proverbs 15:8
Hebrews 9:26
• Verb: To offer or give up something, usually as an act of worship.
Exodus2O:24
Hebrews 11:17 Return

A group of religious leaders the time of Jesus. The Sadducees believed only in the law of Moses; they ignored the Pharisees' oral law. Many Sadducees were priests, and many members of the Sanhedrin were Sadducees. They were very unpopular because they concerned themselves mostly with political power.
Matthew 16:1
Acts 23:6-8 Return

God's people.
2 Chronicles 6:41
Philippians 4:21-22 Return

Husband of Rahab and father of Boaz; son of Nahshon; great-great-grandfather of David. Salmon is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.
Ruth 4:20-22
Matthew 1:5 Return

Forgiveness of sins; God's gift of eternal life. Salvation is explained in Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:8-10.
Psalm 51:12
Hebrews 2:3-4
Revelation 7:10 Return

• A fortified city in the territory of Manasseh that served as the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. Omri built the city after reigning at Ti'zah for seven years. The city was on a high hill directly northwest of Mount Ebal.
1 Kings 16:23-24
John 4:4-5
• The whole area of Palestine between Judea and Galilee in New Testament times. The city of Samaria had been renamed to Sebaste by this time. The region of Samaria was part of the kingdom of Herod the Great. People who lived in this area were called Samaritans.
2 Kings 17:24
Acts 9:31 Return

People who lived in Samaria and held to the religion of that area in New Testament times. The Samaritans believed that they were descended from the Israelite tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. They also believed they had a more pure version of the Pentateuch than the Jews.  The Jews believed that the Samaritans were descended from the Assyrians and changed the Pentateuch to say what they wanted it to say. This is why Jews and Samaritans disliked each and did not get along.
Matthew 10:5
Luke 10:30-36
John 4:7-9 Return

Son of Manoah and twelfth judge of Israel after Abdon. Samson became famous for his great strength and many victories over the Philistines. Samson was a Nazirite from the day he was born, and this is the reason he was not supposed to cut his hair. Samson judged Israel 20 years. His story is told in Judges 13:1-16:31.
Judges 14:19
Judges 16:4-31
Hebrews 11:32 Return

• Israelite prophet who anointed Saul and David as kings; son of Elkanah and Hannah reared by Eli in the tabernacle. Samuel was leader of Israel when the elders of Israel demanded a king. Samuel's story is told in First Samuel 1-28.
1 Samuel 1:20
Jeremiah 15:1
Acts 13:20
• One of Issachar's grandsons and head of his clan; son of Tola.
1Chronicles 7:2 Return

Ninth book of the Old Testament and fourth of the books of history. First Samuel tells how Saul became king over Israel, and about his troubles. It begins in the days of the prophet Samuel and continues through Saul's tragic death at Gilboa. The book is also famous for the account of David and Goliath.
1 Samuel 8:1-22 Return

Tenth book of the Old Testament and fifth of the books of history. Second Samuel tells about David's deeds as king, including his mistakes and the many problems he had
2 Samuel 5:1-3 Return

The Christian doctrine that God works to make a person more and more like Christ, or more and more holy. The term comes from the verb sanctify.
Romans 15:16 Return

To make holy; to set apart as holy.
John 17:17
1 Corinthians 1:2 Return

Any place of God's presence.
Exodus 36:3-4
Hebrews 9:24 Return

The official group of ruling priests and Levites among the Jews during New Testament times. The Sanhedrin held the highest authority over all religious matters and could try offenders for religious crimes such as blasphemy. Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin for calling himself God.
Matthew 26:59
Acts 6:12 Return

Wife of Ananias who lied to church leaders about the money she and her husband gave. Ananias and Sapphira were struck down for their sin.
Acts 5:1-2 Return

Wife of Abraham; mother of Isaac. Her name means "princess"; God changed it from Sarai. God created a nation through Sarah and Abraham.
Genesis 17:15
Genesis 21:1-3 Return

Means, adversary, or enemy. Satan is God's enemy and the enemy of all God's people. Jesus called Satan the father of lies. Satan hates God and tries to stop God's work in the world.  He is also called the devil.
Job 1:6-9
1 Timothy 5:15 Return

Two of the Bible's most important people:
• Saul son of Kish: First king of Israel. God chose Saul to be Israel's king after the elders of Israel insisted that Samuel give them one. But Saul quickly became famous for his short temper, extreme jealousy of David, and lack of concern for obedience to God. He ruled from Gibeah for 40 years.
Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. He had several sons, the most famous is Jonathan and Ishbosheth.
1 Samuel 9:15-10:1
1 Chronicles 10:4-6
• Saul of Tarsus: Hebrew name of the apostle Paul.
Acts 9:1-9
Acts 13:9 Return

Short for: saved from sin; forgiven of all sin; born again.
John 10:9
Ephesians 2:4-5 Return

The one who saves people from their sins; Jesus Christ.
Psalm 25:5
2 Timothy 1:10 Return

A goat used to make atonement for the people of Israel on the Day of Atonement, The goat, or "goat of removal," was sent out into the wilderness as a symbol of the removal of sin.
Leviticus 16:8,10,26 Return

A barbed leather strap attached to a stiff rod, used by the Romans to beat criminals before execution; a barbed whip.
2 Chronicles 10:11,14
John 2:15 Return

• A person who wrote and copied important documents. In Old Testament times, kings often had scribes write letters, record happenings, and take notes on legal matters. Scribes also copied the Scriptures.
Jeremiah 36:32
• An older word for teacher of the law.
Nehemiah 8:13 Return

Written words of God.
Daniel 9:2
Luke 24:25-27
2 Peter 3:16 Return

A piece of paper rolled into a cylinder and used for writing. Scrolls were read from side to side, with individual "pages" marked off with lines.
1 Samuel 10:25
Luke 4:16-20 Return

The freshwater lake in the northern end of Palestine between Lake Huleh and the Dead Sea. In Old Testament times the Israelites called it the Sea of Kinnereth. In New Testament times the Romans called it the Sea of Tiberias.
Jesus spent a lot of time in the region of Galilee and did several miracles involving the sea. He provided a miraculous catch of fish; he walked on the water; he calmed a storm.
The Sea of Galilee is fed by the Jordan River at the north end, and it empties into the Jordan River at the south end. Sudden storms affect the lake whenever strong winds come from the east off the Golan Heights.
Mark 1:16
Mark 7:31
John 6:1 Return

• Noun: An engraved picture or image used to make an impression in soft material. A seal could be round or flat. In Old Testament and New Testament times, people would stamp things with a metal seal to show that those things belonged to them or were authentic.
Exodus 28:11
Matthew 27:66
Revelation 5:5
• Verb: To stamp with a seal. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit seals his people.
Esther 8:8
Ephesians 4:30 Return

A reference to the return of Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 Return

See death Return

Rule of oneself; choosing how to behave despite feelings or desires. Self-control is one of the nine Fruits of the Spirit.
Proverbs 25:28
Galatians 5:22-23
2 Peter 1:5-7 Return

An older word for grave or tomb.
Genesis 23:6
Luke 11:47 Return

Spiritual beings mentioned only in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah saw seraphs in his vision of God's throne. They sang praise to God and therefore may have been angels.
Isaiah 6:2-6 Return

The name given to the teachings of Jesus recorded in Matthew 5:1- 7:29, one of the most important collections of commands in the Bible. The Sermon on the Mount includes the Beatitudes; instructions on keeping the law; teachings on anger, lust, and hatred; teaching on prayer giving, and fasting.
Matthew 5:1-7:29 Return

A snake.
Genesis 3:1-4
Revelation 12:9 Return

• A slave; a person forced to work against his or her will
Exodus 21:2-6
• A hired worker; a person who works for another person for pay.
Genesis 18:7
• A person who chooses to serve or help another person.
Romans 16:1 Return

Third son of Adam and Eve. Seth was an ancestor of Noah.
Genesis 4:25-26
Luke 3:23, 38 Return

Babylonian name given to Hanoniah, a Hebrew exile in the service of King Nebuchadnezzar. Shadrach was one of the three men thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to an idol of gold. The other men were Meshach and Abednego
Daniel 1:7
Daniel 3:26-3O Return

Isaiah's firstborn son. Shear-Jashub's name means "a remnant will return." God told Isaiah to take his son with him as a message of hope to King Ahaz as Jerusalem was about to be attacked.
Isaiah 7:3 Return

See queen of Sheba Return

One of the six cities of refuge, a city in the territory allotted to Manasseh but also near Ephraim and often described as being in the hill country of Ephraim. Shechem was between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. The city played a big part in Abimelech's power struggle.
Joshua 21:21 Return

A animal that chews the cud and has cloven hooves and a coat of wool, one of the kinds of animals the Israelites were allowed to sacrifice for sin. Sheep are closely related to goats. People who could not afford sheep or goats were allowed to sacrifice doves or pigeons instead.
In some parts of the Bible, sheep are used as a symbol of those who love God. Psalm 23 is one famous example.
Exodus 20:24
Psalm 119:176
John 10:14-15 Return

A unit of weight equal to about eleven-and-a-half grams, or two-fifths of an ounce; two bekas. Like the mina and the talent, the shekel could be used as a standard unit of money in trade.
Exodus 30:13
2 Kings 7:16 Return

Firstborn son of Noah. Shem and his family were on the ark during the flood. His descendants became nations that settled north and east of Canaan.
Genesis 5:32
1 Chronicles 1:17 Return

A person who tended sheep. A shepherd's duties included leading the sheep to good pasture, providing water for the sheep, keeping sheep close by, protecting sheep from wild animals, tending to sheeps' cuts and wounds, giving rest to birthing mothers and lambs, and doing anything else necessary to care for the flock. These duties often required shepherds to spend weeks away from home at a time, so they had to live in tents and walk wherever needed to find pasture for the flock.  Shepherds had to be skilled and resourceful. They used a rod or staff to guide sheep and to protect them. Many, like David, were also skilled with a sling as a weapon against wild animals. When David was a shepherd, he passed the time by playing his harp.
The Bible refers to shepherds well over 100 times because of their importance. Many people depended on sheep for food and wool, and sheep were a key part of Israel's sacrifices and offerings. Shepherds also cared for sheep much the way God cares for people, and this led many of the prophets and writers of Psalms to speak of God as a shepherd. Psalm 23 is one of the Bible's most famous passages about shepherds. Jesus called himself "the Good Shepherd."
Isaiah 40:10-11
John 10:1-18
Hebrews 13:20-21 Return

A password used by Jephthah's Gileadite forces. Their enemies could not say "Shibboleth" right, and this enabled them to tell friend from foe. Forty-two thousand men died for failing the test.
Judges 12:4-6 Return

City in the hill country of Ephraim where the Israelites set up the tabernacle right after the conquest of Canaan. Shiloh was Israel's capital and center of worship all during the time of the judges. Samuel grew up in the tabernacle at Shiloh.
Joshua 18:1
Judges 18:31 Return

King of Egypt during the later years of Solomon's reign and at the beginning of Rehoboam's; pharaoh Sheshonq I. Shishak did a lot of damage to the cities of Judah that Rehoboam had spent years fortifying.
1 Kings 11:40
2 Chronicles 12:9 Return

See bread of the presence Return

A place of idol worship, usually a small building or shelter.
Judges 17:5
2 Kings 10:25 Return

A deed or event that indicates Deity; a wonder; a miracle or miraculous sign.
Genesis 9:12-13
Luke 2:11-13 Return

A ring with a seal on it.
Genesis 41:42
Daniel 6:17 Return

See signs Return

Jewish Christian and leader in the church at Jerusalem during the early days of Christianity; also called Silvanus. Silas went with Paul on his second missionary journey and helped with the ministry at Corinth. He also helped with the writing of First Peter.
Acts 15:22-35
1 Thessalonians 1:1
1 Peter 5:12 Return

A common name among the Israelites:
• Jacob's son, the tribe of Israel named after him, and the land allotted to that tribe. Leah was Simeon's mother. The land of Judah surrounded the land of Simeon.
Genesis 29:33
Joshua 19:1
• Another spelling for Simon.
Acts 15:14
• Jewish prophet who recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah.
Luke 2:25-35
• "Simeon called Niger;" one of the Christian leaders at Antioch
when God sent Paul on his first missionary journey.
Acts 13:1-2
• One of the people mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.
Luke 3:30 Return

A common name among the Israelites:
• Simon Peter: son of John and disciple of Jesus.  Jesus gave him the name Peter as a nickname (the Greek form of Cophas). He was the first disciple to express belief in Jesus as the Son of God and one of the most important of Jesus' twelve disciples. He wrote First Peter and Second Peter.
Matthew 10:2
• Simon the Zealot: Jewish man who became one of the Twelve disciples of Jesus.
Matthew 10:2-4
• Judas Iscariot's father.
John 6:71
•  Leper from Bethany who welcomed Jesus into his home; possibly related to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
Matthew 26:6
• A Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner.
Luke 7:36-50
• A passerby from Cyrene forced to carry Jesus' cross.
Mark 15:21
• Simon Magus: A sorcerer who clashed with Peter while he was in Samaria shortly after the stoning of Stephen.
Acts 8:9-24
• Simon the tanner: leatherworker who gave lodging to Peter while he was in Joppa.
Acts 9:43 Return

• Noun: Any act of wrongdoing; any violation of God's law. In Old Testament times, God allowed the Israelites to make atonement for their sins through the offerings. Today, God allows a person to make atonement by receiving the atonement that Jesus Christ provides.
Second, sin is a part of human nature that cannot be removed. Every person is a sinner. God seeks to change that in us by sanctification.
Leviticus 5:56
John 3:16-21
Romans 6:23
2 Corinthians 5:21
1 John 1:7-9
• Verb: To do wrong; to break God's commands; to do what God says not to do. All people sin, but Christians have the benefit of sanctification.
2 Chronicles 6:36-39 Return

One of three kinds of sacrifices that the Israelites made to pay for sin. The sin offering was required of anyone who broke God's commands accidentally or without meaning to. It involved the offering of a perfect bull, goat, lamb, pair of doves, or pair of pigeons, depending on what the person could afford. A very poor person could bring fine flour instead. The rules for sin offerings can be found in Leviticus 4:1-5:13 and 6:24-30.
Leviticus 4:1-5:13
Leviticus 6:24-30 Return

See Desert of Sin
Deuteronomy 33:2 Return

• The V-shaped portion of land between Egypt and the land of Palestine, bounded on the southwest and southeast by the Red Sea.
• A region of rocky desert in the south of the Sinai peninsula. Sinai is home to Mount Sinai and the Desert of Sinai. The Israelites traveled through this area during the Exodus.
Exodus 19:1 Return

Wicked; evil; bad.
Deuteronomy 9:21
Proverbs 12:13 Return

The part of human nature that loves wrongdoing; evil or wicked desires.
Romans 7:18
Galatians 5:16-17 Return

• A person who is hostile to God's will; an unbeliever; a wicked person.
Psalm 1:1
• A person who is guilty of obvious sins.
Luke 7:37-39
Mark 14:41
• A person who has sinned even once.
Romans 5:8 Return

• Commander of Jabin's army defeated in battle by Barak and Deborah, and
killed in his tent by Jael
Judges 4:2,17-22
• A temple servant during the time of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 7:55 Return

Another name for Hermon.
Deuteronomy 4:48 Return

See Golgotha Return

A person who is owned by another. Joseph was a slave of Potiphar. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon. The Exodus came about because of God's desire to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt
Exodus 1:11
Genesis 39:17
Philemon 1:16 Return

• Noun: A long, narrow strip of leather with a wide portion in the middle used for throwing stones. David used a sling to kill Goliath.
1Samuel 17:40-50
• Verb: To throw a stone with a sling. The warriors of Benjamin were once famous for their slinging skills.
Judges 20:16 Return

 Lazy
Proverbs 12:27
Matthew 25:26 Return

A city where Lot lived. God destroyed the city because it was so wicked.
Genesis 13:10
Genesis 18:26 Return

Son of David and third king of Israel. Solomon was famous for his wisdom, but he also had hundreds of wives and concubines who turned him away from God. Solomon wrote the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
2 Samuel 5:13-14
1 Kings 1:38-39
1 Kings 7:1 Return

A title of Jesus Christ. It means that Jesus is descended from David. The messianic prophecies say that the Messiah would be a descendant of David.
Luke 18:38 Return

A title of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 27:54
Galatians 2:20 Return

• "son of man": A human being; a person.
Numbers 23:19
Psalm 144:3
• "Son of Man": A title of Jesus Christ. It means that Jesus is a human being; a man.
Mark 10:45
John 8:28 Return

One of fifteen Psalms (120-134) that are also called "Pilgrim Psalms." These Psalms were sung by worshipers going to Jerusalem for one of the three annual feasts (the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of Booths).
Psalm 121:1
Psalm 128:1 Return

See Song of Songs Return

Twenty-second book of the Old Testament and fifth of the books of poetry. Solomon wrote the Song of Songs for his wife. The book is about the joys of marriage.
Song of Songs 1:1 Return

• Angels
Job 1:6
• God's people; also called "children of God."
Deuteronomy 14:1-2
Romans 8:14-19
1John 3:1-2
Matthew 5:9 Return

A fortune-teller; a diviner.
Isaiah 3:1-2 Return

A person who uses or controls supernatural forces through magic or sorcery; a diviner; a magician.
Jeremiah 27:9-10
Malachi 3:5
Acts 13:6 Return

Use of supernatural powers; magic.
Leviticus 19:26
Deuteronomy 18:9-16 Return

The synagogue ruler in Corinth during Paul's second missionary journey who was beaten by an angry mob. Certain Jews did not like Paul's preaching about Jesus and wanted Galilo to take him to trial. Gallio refused and Sosthenes was beaten.
Acts 18:14-17 Return

The essence of a person; the emotions, personality, and spiritual part of a person God created every soul, and the soul lives on after the body dies.
Deuteronomy 11:13
Hebrews 4:12 Return

One of the gates in the walls of Solomon's temple. Obed-Edom was its gate-keeper. Ezekiel also mentioned a south gate in the temple he saw in his vision.
1 Chronicles 26:14-19 Return

The kingdom known as Judah that was formed after the split between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.  The southern kingdom became known as Juda; because only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin stayed loyal to Rehoboam, and Judah was the larger of the two. Over the years, this kingdom had 18 kings and one queen.
2 Chronicles 11:1-4 Return

It means "Lord Yahweh," a name for God.
Deuteronomy 3:24
Judges 6:22 Return

A measure of distance used in Old Testament times: The distance from the tip of the little finger to the tip of the thumb of a spread-out hand. The Israelites used the span as a standard unit of length. It was equal to about twenty-three centimeters, or nine inches; one-half a cubit; three handbreadths.
Psalm 39:5
Ezekiel 43:13 Return

A pole with a sharp point or blade at one end, a very common stabbing weapon used in Old Testament times. Spears were used in hand-to-hand combat, like swords. Spears were longer than javelins but shorter than lances.
1 Samuel 19:9-10
1 Samuel 26:5-25
John 19:34 Return

• Human emotions and attitudes.
Psalm 51:12, 17
Haggai 1:14
Luke 9:37-43
• Any supernatural being such as an angel.
• The Holy Spirit.
Psalm 51:11
Joel 2:28-29 Return

Having to do with the spirit or soul.
1 Corinthians 2:13
Ephesians 1:3
Galatians 6:1 Return

A special talent or ability that God gives to us so we can help people.
Every Christian has spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 1:7
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Ephesians: 4:4-13 Return

Clean in behavior or attitude; blameless.
Daniel 12:10
2 Peter 3:14 Return

A stick or rod used to guide sheep, to steady a person while walking.
Exodus 4:2-4
Mark 6:8
Mark 15:19 Return

First person to become a Christian in Greece, a Corinthian.
1 Corinthians: 1:16
1 Corinthians 16:15-18 Return

Jewish Christian noted for his spiritual wisdom and also the first Christian martyr. Stephen was stoned to death by an angry mob after he preached about Jesus.
Acts 6:1-15
Acts 7:54-60 Return

Noun: A rock.
Genesis 28:20-22
Exodus 24:4
Verb: To kill by hitting with rocks; stoning.
Deuteronomy 17:5
John 8:5-7
Acts 7:58 Return

Punishment used in Old Testament times. Several violations of the law, including idolatry, were punishable by stoning. Mediums were also stoned.
Leviticus 20:2,27
Deuteronomy 13:6-11
John 10:31-39 Return

A fortification, fortified city, or fortress.
1 Samuel 22:5
Psalm 144:2 Return

To fall down. "Stumble" is sometimes used as a synonym for sin.
Leviticus 26:37
Psalm 119:165 Return

• A town near the Jabbok River and east of the Jordan in the territory allotted to Gad. Jacob named the place after setting up shelters for his animals there. "Succoth" means "booths" or "shelters."
Genesis 33:17
Judges 8:4-6
• A city in Egypt on the eastern border with Sinai and first place the Israelites stopped.
Exodus 12:37
Exodus 13:20 Return

Request.
1 Kings 8:30
Psalm 119:170 Return

Capital city of Elam and of Persia during the time of Esther. Susa was about 80 kilometers north of the Persian Gulf.
Nehemiah 1:1
Esther 2:3 Return

One of the women who gave money to help support Jesus' ministry.
Luke 8:1-3 Return

A town in Samaria on the east slope of Mount Ebal and one kilometer north of Jacob's well, where Jesus once talked with a Samaritan woman.
John 4:5 Return

A place of worship and learning for a local congregation of Jews. Synagogues were not part of the tabernacle or temple worship; they arose during the Exile in Babylonia among Jews who loved God but could not worship at the temple in Jerusalem. Both Jesus and the apostle Paul preached in synagogues.
Matthew 13:54
Mark 5:38 Return

A large port city on the east coast of Sicily in New Testament times. Paul stopped there on his way to Rome. Return

Another word for the land of Aram.
Matthew 4:24 Return