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abased....brought down to the lowest of the low in position, greatly humbled, even humiliated.
Abba....Da Da, Daddy, Pappa, Pop.
abhor....to hate with great contempt, detest, spurn.
abhorrest....see abhor above.
Abia, course of....Zechariah (KJV spells his name: Zacharias) the priest, father of John the Baptist was a member of the "course of Abia." Actually Abia is a KJV version of Abijah. All priests in the tribe of Levi were assigned to a "course." This is something like a platoon or a squadron in the military. It is a grouping of priests who always work together. Because there was only one Temple, but thousands of priests the priests were rotated from one course of priests to the next course of priests. In New Testament times there were so many priests that a priest was fortunate to get to do what Zechariah did once or twice in a lifetime. See Luke 1:5,9.
abide....to rest, or dwell, to wait. **Another important meaning of this word is found in Acts 20:23 where "abide" means "await."
Abilene....located North East of Mount Hermon and West of Damascus. It was a district under a tetrarch. See Lysanias.
abomination(s)....detestable, that which is horribly hated, horrible in the sight of God.
abounded....overflowed with plenty, above and beyond all expectation.
"Abraham's bosom"....this phrase was used by Jesus to describe Paradise, the place where Old Testament believer's spirits resided. No one could enter Heaven until Jesus paid the great price for the sins of all mankind. Jesus tells the story of how, at HIS time and previously the center of the Earth had two areas: Hell and Paradise. The evil rich man died and went into Hell. But Lazarus the godly beggar who had a sad life on Earth died and went to Paradise. There was a great chasm or gulf that separated the two areas so that no one could go from one to the other. After Jesus' death the believers there were led by Christ into Heaven. Hell swallowed up the vacated Paradise and now only fallen souls and demons occupy the center of the Earth. Jesus called Paradise "Abraham's bosom" because Abraham was placed in charge of the believers there at that time.
abroad....all about, everywhere.
abstinence....going without. In Acts 27:21 it is referring to the fact that those on the endangered ship went without eating for many days.
"abusers of themselves with mankind"....the KJV uses this five word phrase to translate a single word in the Greek. That word means "sodomites," or homosexuals. 1st Corinthians 6:9 is where this is found.
acceptation....this word means acceptance or approval.
accord....agreement, harmony of minds, consent.
accursed....devoted to destruction, a doomed thing, vile, vilification, excommunicated.
Achaia....the Roman province that was made up of almost all of ancient Greece south of another province called Macedonia. If you look at a map of modern Greece, Achaia was located on the very Southern portion of modern Greece that is almost an island but for a tiny finger of land that bridges back to the larger land body.
Achor....The valley where Achan and his family were executed for stealing loot that was dedicated for destruction in Jericho. And so Achor means trouble, or Valley of Trouble. Achan got into deadly trouble by stealing forbidden things. His sin brought a curse on the whole Nation causing the deaths of many. They had to cleanse him and his family out of the Nation.
acquit....The hebrew means to make clean. The old English word means to hold guiltless. This word is found only in the Old Testament in Job 10:14 and Nahum 1:3. Both of those verses could be misunderstood by some thinking that God will not "clean" the wicked. But I do believe that these verses mean that God will not acquit or clean those who have chosen to be wicked ones, who have set their focus and desire upon evil.
Acts 1:8 ["shall...after that"]....In a missive you wrote some weeks ago about a concordance you are compiling (or is dictionary more accurate?) anyway, it seems to me you invited input from "studiers" of the Bible. (I like that term better than "students") At any rate, I came across a much used phrase, that is used without what I feel is the proper lexicology. The verse (per above subject) states that "You shall receive power "after that" the Holy Ghost is come upon you, which, in the more commonly used text, implies that the Holy Ghost comes upon you after which you receive 'one-time' power which lasts as long as the recipient does. Up to now, nobody that I ever heard of, received power that was there for him, to be turned on and off like a faucet. As you already know, I delve into Greek and Hebrew terminologies, and, briefly, the words "after that" are not appropriate for the first Christians, nor are they for the present-day Christians either. In my studies, a much more accurate translation is not "after that" but "whenever," which bears the connotation that when the Man of God is confronted with a situation, task, problem, or any level of ministry which requires the power of the Holy Ghost, at that moment the Holy Ghost comes upon him (her), and he/she receives adequate power for that need to be met. That's why the word "shall" is there. This is also borne out by various instances in the Word when a prophet, disciple, judge or other instrument God uses, became empowered by the Holy Ghost when God gave them a task, or when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah (and other non-prophets). I'm sure Acts 1:8 couldn't occur without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, but what I believe is that whenever and wherever a situation or instance arises where you or I as a vessel of the Most High God, Acts 1:8 promises that the Holy Ghost will come upon us and that power will wield us as we wield a hammer or shovel. All this may not be new to you, but it is to me and I feel that's how our Master is pleased to use us, and it excites me. Praise be to Jesus. Love Lucky (F.W.) Hope, July 5, 2004." http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/havenofhope/
adamant....a stone believed to be so hard that nothing can penetrate it.
adder....a venomous snake.
adjure....to command on oath before God.
administrations....In 1st Corinthians 12:5 this word is used as we would speak of managerial directions, or management, leadership methodologies.
admonish....to gently warn, caution, advise or even rebuke, but all in a loving manner.
admonition....a gentle reminding or warning or teaching, even correcting...but with a gentle and tender loving motive.
ado....much activity about nothing.
Adramyttium....a harbor in Mysia in the Northwestern corner of what is now Turkey, minus that part of Turkey that is on the Northwest side of the passage to the Black Sea. This was part of what was then called the Roman province of Asia.
Adria....the sea that is between Italy and Greece, but also that is South of both countries.
Adullam....is a Canaanite town 27 miles due East, airline, from the coastal town of Ashkelon (Ascalon) and 25 miles due West of the shore of the Dead Sea. In other words about halfway between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. **Not far from the town is thought to be the location of a cave, by the same name, that David used as a hideout and headquarters when King Saul was seeking to take his life. The Hebrew word for Adullam means "refuge," "retreat."
adultery....when someone who is married goes outside their marriage to have intimacy with someone they are not married to. Jesus clarifies the definition even more. HE says that "adultery" is committed when a person simply looks longingly upon another person even though they never do anything beyond the mental exercise of longing!! Spiritually adultery is when a person turns away from the true God to worship an idol or to elevate something else as god.
adversaries....those who oppose, enemies, opponents.
adversity....misfortune, calamity, affliction, distress.
Aenon....a location near the Jordan river, not terribly far from Jericho. Different experts have suggested different locations. This place is mentioned in John's Gospel as a locale where John the Baptist ministered.
afar....far.
affections....fondnesses, attachments, loves.
affliction....a state of pain, distress or grief.
affrighted....frightened.
afore....before.
aforehand....before the time, in advance of, earlier.
aforetime....before, before now.
afoot....by foot, walking.
Agrippa....there were two King Agrippas. The first was King of Judea from 41 to 44 a.d., and was the grandson of Herod the Great. He won favorable reactions from the Jews. He knew how to please them. **Agrippa II was the son of Agrippa I and was totally loyal to Rome. He wasn't as great a friend to the Jews and antagonized the Priests of the Temple by not complying with their wishes. Agrippa II is the Agrippa who heard Saint Paul's defense in Ceasarea with Festus.
Ahab....a self serving king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel made famous by his even more wicked Phoenician wife, Jezebel.
Ahaz....a king of Judah, the Southern Kingdom in the period 735-715 B.C. He was the son and heir of King Jotham. He reigned from age 20. This king is remembered for his idolatry and sacrificing his own son by fire.
Ai....this was a city in the Jewish tribal area of Ephraim. It was located just about two miles, a bit South of true East of the spot named Bethel, where Jacob had his dream of the ladder into Heaven. Ai was a city that first defeated the invading Israelites because Achan had secretly kept forbidden loot from the defeat of Jericho. And this brought a curse upon Israel's armies and the death of many soldiers. After Achan was executed Joshua destroyed Ai. Later Aiath and and Aija were built very close to the spot Ai had been built on. And so Aiath and Aija are approximately on the same spot.
Aiath....See Ai above.
Aija....See Ai above.
Alexandria....was the capital city of Egypt during the Greek and Roman eras. It was located on the coast at the western side of the Nile river delta. During the Roman period it was second only to Rome itself in World importance. It was a noted center of knowledge with one of the Worlds most complete libraries of the time.
Alexandrians....generally citizens of the city of Alexandria in Egypt. However in Acts 6:9 it is referring to Jews of the Diaspora or dispersion who live or are from Alexandria and visit or have returned to Jerusalem.
alien(s)....this word has NOTHING to do with extra-terrestrials when it is used in the Bible. It simply means those from a foreign family, country or culture.
alleging....declaring, asserting, indicating.
allegory....a story in which the characters, places and situations have a deeper meaning as you might find in a parable or a fable. An allegory is an important teaching tool, to help people see deep truths.
alms....anything given to relieve the plight of the poor and their suffering such as money, food and clothes.
almsdeeds....You can find this word in Acts 9:36. Almsdeeds are acts of generosity to the poor.
alpha....the first letter in the Greek alphabet. This letter is similar to the letter "A" in the Latin alphabet.
alway....always
Amalek....one of the grandsons of Esau. Out of Amalek came the tribe of the Amalekites. The Edomites and Amalekites early beginnings are intertwined genealogically. But the Amalekites were primarily nomadic desert people. They traveled the wildernesses from Mount Sinai into Arabia and came into Canaan at times. The Amalekites treated the Hebrews so mercilessly on the Exodus that they were forever enemies.
Amalekites....see Amalek above.
ambassage....a delegation perhaps of diplomats with a message, ambassadors. Luke 14:32.
amen....this word originated in Hebrew and has spread to most all languages. It means: truly, so be it. We know it as the final word spoken in a prayer.
amend....get well, get better.
amiable....beloved, well beloved, lovable.
amiss....wrong, out of order, improper.
Ammon....a region and people 20 or 25 miles East of the Jordan river, reaching out into the Syrian/North Arabian Desert. That border is near where the Jabbok River has North and South tributaries coming together. The Ammon people appear to have descended from Lot's youngest daughter. Remember how Lot's daughters drugged Lot on his own wine in order to produce children? Genesis 19:38 indicates that the Ammon people are indeed descendents of Lot through his youngest daughter.
Amorites....one of the nations of people who lived in Canaan prior to the coming of the Jews from Egypt. The Amorites had to be overthrown and defeated by Israel as God helped them take Canaan.
Amphipolis....the capital city of district number one in Macedonia. It was on the river Strymon, about three miles from the sea coast. Paul passed through this city on his way to Thessalonica.
Anathema....the KJV translators decided that instead of translating this word from the Greek to English that they would simply take the Greek word and spell it using the English consonants and vowels. So basically you are looking at a Greek word. This word means: spiritually devoting something or someone to the uses of Satan and evil forever, and totally separating them from the people and the work of God. In other words accursed or cursed as the eternal possession of darkness! It is a very, very strong word. And that is why some translations of the Bible translate it excommunicated or accursed. Paul says that if anyone does not love Jesus Christ let them be "Anathema." I'm sure he is speaking of those who have set themselves against the Lord Jesus in a very strong, permanent and purposeful way. I don't believe he is speaking of lost people who do not understand exactly who Jesus is. [See 1st Corinthians 16:22]
ancients....elders, the respected, seniors. In Jewish culture senior citizens are respected and honored for their counsel in all matters. This word is found nine times, and only in the Old Testament.
angle....a fish hook with or without a line and a pole.
anise....a plant related to carrots that produces a seed that is useful as a medicine and for fragrance. The Pharisees demanded their followers tithe one out of every ten seeds to the temple.
anointing....the pouring of oil upon a king to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit upon that king. Or, the touch of the Holy Spirit on a person or a holy object. Oil is a symbol and a type of the Holy Spirit. Oil lubricates, moistens, refreshes releases the power of a machine. The Holy Spirit lubricates, moistens, refreshes and empowers in a greater way. Perhaps that is why God uses the anointing with oil as one of HIS symbols of HIS Spirit.
anon....at once, immediately.
Antioch....there were two different cities named Antioch. The one spoken of in Acts 11:19 and following is Syrian Antioch. It was a very great and important city in the Roman world, almost as important as Alexandria and even Rome. It is located today in the tiny, disputed Southern finger of Turkey. In fact the modern city of Antakya is Syrian Antioch of old. On a modern map you will find Antakya 174 miles, airline, North of Beirut, Lebanon. It was located in the then Roman province of Syria. It is in Syrian Antioch that the followers of Christ were first called "Christians." ***The second city is Antioch of Pisidia. Although it does not exist today it was located near the Roman district of Pisidia, about 100 miles due North of the Harbor of Pamphylia in South central Turkey.
Antipatris....a town ten miles Northeast of Joppa (Jaffa) and ten miles North of Lydda (also known as Ludd or Lod). In this town was a Roman outpost that gave troops a rest stop on their marches between Jerusalem and Caesare (the Roman capital in the Holy Land). Also, the town of Antipatris marked the border between Judea and Samaria in the First Century.
Apollonia....this was a Greek city in the province of Macedonia that Paul and Silas passed on their way to Thessalonica. Apollonia was on the road called Via Egnatia some 30 miles from Amphipolis and 38 miles distant from Thessalonica.
Apollos....a traveling preacher/evangelist spoken of in the New Testament. From what we can piece together about him this man began his ministry with only a limited understanding of Jesus' ministry. It seems that Apollos may have received Jesus as Saviour under the teaching of some believer who may have come to Apollos' native Alexandria in Egypt. Apollos understood and preached well salvation by faith. But he knew little or nothing of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. Paul's friends, Aquilla and Priscilla enlightened him in these truths that he knew little of. And perhaps he received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost at that time.
apostle(s)....in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts the word apostles refers to the 12 men Jesus chose to be nearest HIM during his ministry. Paul appears to be Jesus' replacement for Judas who betrayed Christ. But in the writings of Paul we learn of the office of apostle which the Lord has established by the power of the Holy Spirit to function even now. The twelve apostles are with the Lord. But there are God ordained ones who function in the office of apostle today. Apostles have wider responsibilities than pastors. Apostles are called of God to open new works, areas and churches. Their office and ministry is primary.
apostleship....the office or calling of apostle. See "apostle" above.
apparelled....appareled
Appii Forum....in Acts 28:15 Paul and his guards pass through this point which was a station on the famous Appian Way (which reached from the Bay of Naples to Rome). The Appii Forum was a market place and trading center about 40 miles from Rome. It was here that some Christians from Rome met Paul as he approached Rome.
apprehend....to seize, to understand, to arrest.
apt....this word means "able" or "prepared" or even "gifted" to do something like warfare or teaching.
archangel....highest ranking angel, like Michael and Gabriel.
Areopagite....a member of the regular council that met on the Areopagus, Mars Hill. See Areopagus below.
Areopagus....this is a rocky hill, 370 feet tall, in Athens, Greece. The remains of this famous meeting place are still visited by historians and tourists today. In ancient times trials and councils were held there. This hill is between the Acropolis and the Pnyx and a bit North of them. Saint Paul was invited here and preached the Gospel to the philosophers and thinkers. This location is also called "Mars Hill."
Arimathea....the home town of a man named Joseph who begged for the body of Jesus and put it in his own tomb. This Joseph of Armathea was a disciple of Jesus'. The town of Arimathea has not been located exactly. However it is believed to have been about 20 miles East of the coastal town of Joppa.
armour....armor
Arpad....a city kingdom in the extreme north of modern day Syria. If you find the modern city of Aleppo in Syria today, Arpad was about 25 miles North of that city. This city was destroyed by the Assyrians in 738 and 720 b.c.
Arphad....KJV spelling of Arpad. See Arpad above.
arrayed....dressed in clothes, perhaps clothes that were more often spectacular than plain.
artificer....a craftsman, a skilled worker in some area of art, construction, building.
Aser....a KJV New Testament spelling for the tribe of Asher, one of the 12 sons of Jacob which formed one of the tribal Jewish clans.
Ashdod....one of the five important cities of the Philistines. It was three miles inland from the coast, between Gaza and Joppa and ten miles North of Ashkelon.
Asia....a Roman province which today would be known as Western Turkey. People from this province were present at Pentecost.
asp(s)....small poisonous snake(s).
ass....a donkey.
assayed....attempted.
Assos....this was a seaport in Mysia, in what is today the Northwestern corner of Turkey. See Mysia.
Assur....KJV form of Asshur. One of the sons of Shem, the founding ancestor of Assyria and the Assyrians. Also Asshur was one of the four various capitals of Assyria during various parts of Assyria's history. The city exists today as Qal'at Sherqat in Northern Iraq. Asshur in Balaam's prophecy probably is referring to the nation of Assyria. [See Numbers 24:22,24]
assuredly....for sure.
asunder....divided, separated in different directions as in an explosion or impact. Rock is broken asunder when struck by a heavy hammer. A divorce puts the man and wife asunder from each other.
Assyria....Assyria and Babylonia both occupied the same area that today is known as Iraq. Assyria was the earlier kingdom. It's capital was Asshur. It goes back to 3,000 b.c. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered and the 10 Jewish tribes living there were carried off and relocated elsewhere in the massive kingdom of Assyria. Assyria had the secret as to where the lost ten tribes were lost to.
astonied....astonished
atonement....the reconciliation between God and man following the terrible separation of sin and darkness. God and man are brought into a condition of being "at one" with each other.
Attalia....a coastal port city of Pamphylia that still exists on the Southern coast of Turkey. It is called Antalya today.
austere....severe, harsh, rigid.
avenge....in Luke 18:3 this word is used to mean "vindicate" or "give justice." The widow was not asking for revenge on her opponent, only justice. **This word can mean "revenge," though, as in Romans 12:19.
averse....turn away. But is also used in KJV in some passages like Micah 2:8 to mean "against."
Azal or Azel....this location is unknown at this time. The great earthquake that will open a valley of escape for the Jews in the last days will run as far as this place. On the other hand it could be that the KJV translators mistook this word for a location. Perhaps the Lord will reveal the answer to this mystery as we get nearer the end of this dispensation??
Azotus....KJV New Testament spelling of the city Ashdod. See Ashdod.
Baal....A Canaanite fertility god. A constantly recurring false worship that Israel is tempted again and again with.
Baali....pagan word for lord.
Baalim....the plural of Baal.
Baalpeor....When Israel was in the Wilderness after leaving Egypt, camped at Shittim they succumbed to temptation. The men were drawn to the Moabite women and entered into illicit intimacies associated with the wicked religion of the Moabites. It was the god of Mount Peor, or Baal of Peor. It is a very dark chapter in Jewish history.
babblings....worthless monologues and worthless discussions.
babe....baby.
babes....babies, small children. Paul uses this term in 1st Corinthians 3:1 to refer to Christians who are so new and/or under-developed and/or immature that he was forced to use very simple and basic teaching. They were unable to handle the rich and deep truths of God.
Baca, valley of....no one knows where or if this valley ever existed. The name is from a word that means "to weep." Perhaps this valley has to do with sadness.
bade....asked. (Another past tense of bid. See "bid.")
baken....baked
Balac....Balak
banquetings....this word, found only in 1st Peter 4:3 is speaking about "alcohol drinking bouts" and other foolish alcohol related social activities. I'm sure Peter would have considered our modern day "cocktail party" one of the "banquetings" to be avoided. This word certainly has changed in meaning since 1611.
barbarians....meaning simply non-Greek, non-Roman, non-Jewish and non-Christian. There is no negative meaning as we connect to the word "barbarian" today, other than such a one might be primitive in their lifestyle and not highly civilized. But today the word barbarian makes us think of a violent, dangerous person with a spear and a bone in his nose.
barbarous....in KJV English this word means simply foreign or those different from yourself. It has no negative meaning as it does today. So in Acts 28:2 it means that the native islanders were non-Roman and non-Greek and also non-Christian.
bare....paste tense of "bear." "...bare witness of him..." means John "bore" or "carried" the witness of Jesus." See John 1:15.
Barjona....Jesus says Peter's full name in Matthew 16:17, Simon Barjona. Barjona literally means "son of Jona."
barren....a word used to describe a married women who cannot conceive, or cannot carry to full term, who is childless.
base....worthless, inferior, low, considered no good.
baser....most worthless, most inferior
Bashan....a fertile, stoneless plateau, East of Lake Galilee, known for excellent wheat, marvelous oak groves and very healthy cattle. It was once part of the Kingdom of Og.
bastard....a child born of parents who were not married to each other.
bath....a unit of liquid measurement equivalent to five and a half (5 1/2) American gallons, or 21 to 23 liters. This volume is supposedly equivalent to the dry measurement called an epahah. This information was derived through estimates made from jar fragments which were labeled as one bath measuring pots.
beam....a two by four or a two by six, a major piece of wood.
Beelzebub....a very negative name for Satan.
befallen....had happened.
befell....came upon, happened to
beforehand....before the event, before the fact, in advance.
beforetime....previously.
begat....to have produced a child or children.
beguile....deceive, fool, delude.
begotten....Jesus is the "only begotten of the Father." Or, HE is the only biological Son of God the Father through the Holy Spirit. All who have received Jesus are adopted sons and daughters of God. Paul uses this term to refer to the disciples he has birthed or "begotten" by the Gospel into the kingdom. See First Corinthians 4:15. NOTE: in Revelation 1:5 Jesus is called "the first begotten of the dead." Jesus is the very first to have been transformed from the body of flesh to the supernatural and forever body that all the saints shall enjoy when we are changed in a "twinkling of an eye." [See 1st Corinthians 15:52] This transformation of Jesus' body took place in the Resurrecton."
behaviour....behavior
beheld....saw, viewed, caught sight of.
beholdest....look upon.
behoved....to be necessary, to be fitting. Today this word is spelled "behooved."
Belial....wickedness, trouble, worthlessness. This word is very probably a nickname for Satan.
Beliar....a variant spelling of Belial. See Belial above.
beloved....loved one, one who receives affection.
benevolence....this word has several meanings: kindness, good will, or it can mean giving to one's marriage partner the kindness of meeting their desire for physical intimacy.
Berea....this is a city in the province of Macedonia that was located 50 miles Southwest of Thessalonica. It lay at the foot of Mount Bermios.
beseech....to beg, implore, pray with urgency, a deep request.
"beside himself"....out of his mind, mentally out of it.
"beside ourselves"....insane, out of our minds. (See 2nd Cor. 5:13)
besought....begged.
bestead....this word only appears in Isaiah 8:21 in the phrase "hardly bestead," which means "hard pressed."
bestow....to deposit, lay up in store, or to give to another.
Bethabara....the KJV translators chose to use this name for the location where John the Baptist baptized. This name means place of crossing or ford. Many ancient copies of the Gospel of John use the word Bethany rather than Bethabara. Neither of these villages or towns have been found. The exact spot where John Baptized has not been found. The way rivers move over the centuries it is quite possible the exact spot is now far from the current path of the River Jordan.
Bethany....small village a little over one and a half miles East of Jerusalem. The village is actually on the Eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.
Bethesda....a pool, spoken of in the Gospel of John where Jesus performed a miracle on a man unable to walk for 38 years. For many years liberals said this pool did not exist and as a result they said that this indicated the Gospel of John was written by one who had imperfect knowledge of Jerusalem. Also they hinted that the Gospel of John must have been put together by someone other than John and maybe long after he lived. But archeologists followed John's directions and found the pool deep under later construction. It was exactly where John said it was. The Bible is never wrong!!
Bethphage....a village that Jesus passed through prior to reaching the village of Bethany on HIS way to Jerusalem. Bethphage's actual location has been debated. It certainly was very near to Bethany.
Bethsaida....a town located on the North shore of Lake Galilee about 700 feet East of the mouth of the Jordan river that empties into the Lake.
betroth....a father pledges he will give his daughter in marriage. This is a part of arranged marriages, the way in Biblical times.
bewail....weep, moan, sob, grieve.
bewitched....this word can mean something as simple as "trickery." In other words someone believes in what another does because that that other has used trickery, even slight of hand to fool them. Or, this word can also mean someone who has taken some kind of dark spiritual control over someone else. This second meaning has to do with the more serious demonic areas. Please see the article connected to the word "sorcery."
betwixt....between.
bewrayeth....(notice the strange spelling, with a "w") This is from an old word "bewray" which means just about what our current word "betray" means. In fact my eyes have often tricked me into thinking I'm seeing "betrayeth."
bid....ask, say.
bidden....told, or asked.
bier....a wooden from with handles on which a dead body or coffin is carried.
bishop....episcopate, overseer, supervisor.
bishop "office of a bishop"....the phrase "office of a bishop," in 1st Timothy 3:1, translates a single Greek word. The word is speaking about the position of overseer or bishop, one who supervises pastors who are over churches. Today we call these folks district superintendents, bishops, overseers and executive directors, etc. But basically these folks supervise churches and church leaders.
bishoprick....KJV spelling for the word "bishopric." This word is used only once in the KJV in Acts 1:20. The word means diocese, which is the district or area over which a certain bishop has jurisdiction or responsibilities. In this scripture Peter is quoting Psalm 109:8 as it prophetically foretells how Judas, the betrayer, as one of the 12 apostles would lose his "office" or "bishoprick." And certainly Judas' suicide insured that he would hold no earthly spiritual office.
blasphemeth....to blaspheme, which is speaking or doing slanderous or reproachful, or cursing, or contemptible, or dishonoring, or reviling things against the Name, the Person or the works of God Almighty.
blaze....to spread news, to divulge, giving a very full report
bless....to speak well of, praise.
boisterous....rough, violent, turbulent.
bolster....this word appears five times in the Bible, all in the book of 1st Samuel. The English word "bolster" means simply "head rest" or pillow. But the Hebrew word it translates means any place where one lays there head. It is more the position or spot the head rests on and might be a stone, a pillow a block or a bed, whatever the head is resting on.
bond....in 1st Corinthians 12:13 it refers to a person in slavery. In other passages it can mean a vow or obligation, pledge, reproof, warning, band, shackle, ligament, control. This word is used to translate six Hebrew and Greek words.
bondmaid....generally a young slave girl.
bonds....chains.
bondwoman....a female slave.
booty, booties....material for barter, spoils of war or violence, plunder, loot, prizes of robbery and/or war.
borne....carried.
bosom....in John 1:18 we read, "...in the bosom of the Father..." This is the "heart" of the Father.
bottles....wine containers that are made from an animal stomach. They did not have glass bottles in Bible times. The animal flesh that held the wine would swell during fermentation. This stretched the skin. Later the skin hardened or cured in that swollen condition. If new wine was placed in an old, swollen and hardened bottle the fermentation gases would rupture or explode the skin.
bound....[Hosea 5:10] An old English word for "boundary."
bowels....anguish, tenderness, pity, affection, deep feelings, the emotions, but also the intestines or digestive tract.
blasphemy....to speak slanderously, or wickedly or negatively, especially against God or that which is holy.
blasting....blight
"Branch of the Lord"....This expression can be found in Isaiah 4:2. Also in Isaiah 11:1 we find the word "branch" used for the same purpose. This expression is speaking of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Branch of the Lord, and Jesus is the "root out of dry ground." This is one of many names for Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Son of God.
brand....(see the definition of "firebrand.")
brasen....brazen
breadth....width.
bridechamber....the bridal room, the honeymoon suite.
broided....braided
bruised....crushed, oppressed by the powers of darkness (in Luke 4:18).
bruit....this word is found in Jeremiah 10:22 and Nahum 3:19. It means "a rumor" or "a report." The Hebrew refers to an "announcement or something that is heard."
buffeted....knocked about, perhaps hit in the face, harassed, forced into adverse situations.
bushel....this KJV word only appears in the Gospels where it says that one doesn't light a candle to put a "bushel" over it. The word used in the Greek means "a vessel or bowl used for measuring dry volume." So think of this "bushel" as a "quart measuring bowl."
Bithynia....a Roman district or province along the Southern coast of the Black Sea only 60 to 20 miles wide and running perhaps 250 miles. This area is today the Northwest to middle North of Turkey.
busybodies....this word and it's singular (busybody) are used to translate three original language words that refer to those who are "meddlers" or "gossips." And one of the words has a secondary meaning of "magic." And so perhaps this might mean someone who uses some occult practice in which to meddle in other people's affairs.
Caesar....the first Caesar of Rome truly carried Caesar as a surname, Julius Caesar (102 b.c. to 44 b.c.). Augustus Caesar (27 b.c. to 14 a.d) the adopted son of Julius was the last Caesar in Julius' family. After that Caesar ceased to be a surname and became a title of authority. Augustus was the Caesar in power at Christ's birth. Tiberius (14 a.d. to 37. a.d.) was the Caesar during Jesus' ministry and the first few years of the Church Age. Caligula (37 a.d. to 41 a.d.) is not mentioned in the New Testament, but was certainly in power as the Church began to spread out of Jerusalem. Claudius (41 a.d. to 54 a.d.) was the Caesar in the time of the greatest spread of the early Church about the Mediterranean. Nero (54 a.d. to 68 a.d.) was the Caesar when persecution began to be more organized against the Church. Vespasian (69 a.d. to 79 a.d.) was the Caesar when Jerusalem rebelled and was utterly destroyed in 70 A.D. per Jesus' prophetic warnings. Domitian (81 a.d. to 96 a.d.) is the Caesar who probably killed the greatest numbers of believers. There are about five other Caesars that I have not mentioned who played lesser rolls because of shortened ruling time or because of other factors.
Caesarea....a coastal city located 23 miles South of Mount Carmel.
Caesarea Philippi....a Gentile city located on the lower South West slope of Mount Hermon, on a terrace 1150 feet above sea level, with a view of the fertile upper end of the Jordan valley. This area is watered by one of the head water feeder streams of the Jordan. The location is about 25 miles, airline, North, Northeast of Galilee making it probably a 40 to 50 mile trek on foot from Capernaum. Caesarea Philippi is about as far North as Jesus ever went. It is way up in the area given to the tribe of Dan, a very lush and beautiful place.
caldron....large boiling pot.
Calneh....This city's exact location has not been discovered. There may have been two cities by this name. In Genesis 10:9-10 Calneh appears to be associated with the kingdom of king Nimrod. Isaiah and Amos mention a city of Calneh that might be in the same general area as the city of Arpad. Others think there was only one city of Calneh. This is a mystery. One map I looked at showed Calneh about where the current city of Aleppo is located in modern day northern Syria. Perhaps archeologists will discover more in days to come???
Calno....KJV spelling of Calneh. See Calneh above.
Calvary....from the Latin meaning skull. The place where Jesus was crucified. See Golgotha.
Cana....Cana of Galilee has not been absolutely located. But the best information indicates it to be nine miles North of Nazareth. The remains of a village are at that point.
Canaan....the homeland of the Jew, the land God gave them as an inheritance for all time. This is the land in which God aided HIS people in removing the Canaanite peoples, those who lived there previously who were child sacrificers and fertility worshipers. Some older KJV manuscripts spell this word "Chanaan."
canst....can.
Capernaum....located right on the Northwestern shore of Lake Galilee, was the headquarters of Jesus' early ministry. Here Peter and Andrew and perhaps James and John had homes. The Town today is only an archaeological site.
Cappadocia....a Roman province in what today would be far eastern Turkey. People from this province were present in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost.
captivity...."bring again the captivity of Israel" and such phrases mean the opposite of what the modern mind would see it. It means to release or end the captivity.
Carchemish....an important city on the Euphrates river in today's modern, Southern Turkey. This was a provincial capital city of the Hittite empire. Then the Assyrians captured it. Later the Babylonians ruled it and defeated Pharaoh Neco when he brought his army to that city so far North of Egypt to attack. Pharaoh lost his entire army to a man.
care....worry, stress.
careful....anxious, full of cares or to worry. Thus the phrase, "be careful for nothing..." does NOT mean you should cross busy streets without looking! Instead it means, "don't worry."
Carmel....Mount Carmel juts out into the Mediterranean Sea. It is known for it's beauty. There Elijah called fire down on the sacrifice.
carnal....in Romans 7:14 we find this word used. It refers to the evil and fallen Adam and Eve nature. See "old man." In First Corinthians 3:1, and following, we find this term again. Paul is referring to believers who have not been truly taken over by the Holy Spirit. They are very much of the World still. The "old man" the old nature, the fallen nature still rules in them. They are not "spiritual" or under full control of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to raise up the "new man," the Holy Ghost man, that person who has a nature after the heart of God. **In 1st Corinthians 9:11 this word is used to refer to "material" things, as opposed to "spiritual" things. For example money is "carnal," while heavenly blessings are "spiritual."
"carnal mind"....this phrase can be found in Romans 8:7. Our physical body reverts to soil or earth. The body was a perfect creation. But when Adam sinned death invaded the human body. All bodies begin to die from the moment of birth. The body loses ground until death overtakes it. Then it decomposes into soil, earth, dust. God told Adam that the ground, the Earth, the dust, if you will, was cursed because Adam's sin brought evil side-effects into the creation of God. Our minds are made of dust. As a result the mind's natural tendency is to operate along the lines of the curse that is upon the dust. It takes the touch of the Holy Ghost to lift the mind from it's cursed rut. We need to operate with the mind of Christ and retreat from the "carnal mind" set. The Holy Spirit is the only ONE who can reverse this cursed operation. Otherwise we are often spiritually deceived by the mind's cursed logic.
carriages....in the New Testament this word only appears in Acts 21:15. It does not mean anything remotely having to do with horses and carriages. Here the word refers to "carry-along" items. In other words Paul and his companions packed their bags, picked up the load and carried all that stuff to the next stop.
cast....thrown, throw, threw.
castaway....one who has backslidden far enough to have thrown themselves into the trash can that is about to be dumped into Hell. But God can reach one in this condition if they will repent and call upon the name of Jesus.
Castor and Pollux....In Acts 28:11 it is reported that the ship Paul and his guards took from Malta had the sign or figure head of Castor and Pollux. They were the mythological twin brothers who supposedly protected sailors because they had power over the winds.
caterpiller....caterpillar
cauls....in Isaiah 3:18 the KJV translators had difficulty translating Hebrew words for ancient, Hebrew women's clothing accessories. Probably the best translation would be "head bands."
cedar(s)....an evergreen tree found in the mountains of Lebanon. The wood was imported to Israel. The large logs were tied together to form huge rafts that were moved by sea from Lebanon to Israel. The wood was used for the masts of ships. Solomon used massive amounts in the temple and other buildings. This wood is superior in quality, aromatic (marvelous odor), useful for shingles and carvings. It was used in Jewish Temple rituals as well. The Cedars of Lebanon are a powerful Biblical symbol of strength.
Cenchrea....a variant spelling of Cenchreae. This was a seaport city seven miles East of the city of Corinth.
Cenchreae....the spelling found in Romans 16:1 of a seaport city seven miles East of the city of Corinth.
centurion....an officer in the Roman military with about a hundred soldiers under his command.
Cesar....a KJV spelling of Caesar. See Caesar.
chaff....the useless and very combustible covering over grains, like the thin papery stuff on a peanut between the nut and the shell. The chaff was removed from grain in ancient times by throwing the grain up into the air with a winnowing fork. The wind would blow the light chaff away allowing the pure and cleaned kernels to fall back into the grain pile.
Chaldaeans....KJV spelling of "Chaldeans" who were a people who lived in what today is Southern Iraq. Long after Abraham, in Daniel's period, during the last dynasty of the Babylonians, 626 to 539 b.c., the word Chaldeans referred to the Babylonians themselves.
chambering....the old KJV word for what today is called "an arrangement," or "shacking up," people sleeping together without the benefit of marriage, "one night stands."
chamberlain....in the old testament a servant who had access to the bed chambers of kings and queens. This person was in that case often a eunuch. *In the New Testament in Romans 16:23 the word is used referring to a city official, probably meaning what we would call a commissioner or bureaucrat, or a city council member.
Chanaan....KJV spelling of Canaan, the homeland of God's people the Jews. See Canaan.
Charchemish....KJV spelling of Carchemish. See Carchemish.
charged....very strongly demanded. Jesus "charged" them not to tell who he was.
charity....love. In 1611 this word had less to do with giving money or clothes to the poor!! "Charity" was the agape love, the highest form of love from God. When you showed Christian "charity" you were showing unconditional love. You were loving your enemy, the one who persecuted you, the one who hated you.
charitably....in Romans 14:15 we find this word. It also has nothing whatsoever to do with giving to a rescue mission or to an agency that takes care of the poor. Like "charity," above, it means with the love of God, the highest form of agape love. Paul is implying that we ought to show godly love even in what we eat. If a brother feels that eating meat is unholy and that you must be a vegetarian to be a devout Christian, then you should avoid eating meat in front of him. You should avoid it because you love the brother too much to cause him to stumble and lose his faith, even though his faith may be based on some mistaken view.
Charran....this is a KJV New Testament spelling of Haran, a city in North Mesopotamia, now part of Turkey, where Abraham lived in his earlier days.
chastened....disciplined.
chastise....to punish even with blows.
Chemarims....idolatrous priests.
Cherethites....some very loyal members of David's personal army. They probably had Cretan ancestry and had settled with the Philistines on the coast. David must have come in contact with them through his Philistine contacts. In later years two prophets condemned them. It is not known if they were still separate from the Philistines or part of them.
cherubims....a supernatural angelic being whose likeness was given to Moses to be added to design of the Ark of the Covenant. These beings guarded the Garden of Eden preventing Adam from returning. Also these beings appear in Ezekiel's visions of the glory realm around the throne of God.
Chios....a rough and mountainous island in the central Eastern Aegean Sea.
Chisleu....the ninth month in the Hebrew calendar.
Chorazin....an elite city two miles North of Capernaum, built on the hills overlooking Capernaum. The general area is near the North West corner of Lake Galilee.
Christ....from the Greek word "Christos" meaning anointed one. Remember, the New Testament was written originally in Greek and the translators wanted to bring that name to us. They could have translated Christos as Messiah which is the Hebrew equivalent.
church....this word should NEVER, EVER be understood as a building or an organization or an institution. The church is the "called out ones," those who have responded to the call of Jesus and are now part of HIS family. The church is Jesus' family, an organism. The "organization" called the church may or may not have those in its ranks who are in Jesus' forever family. At its best the church organization is merely the visible part of the church, the tip of the iceberg you might say. So when you see a worship building or an organizational symbol remember that such things are "add-ons" that we human beings seem to be unable to get along without. We humans seem to be addicted to institutionalize and organize everything we touch. Our meddling never brings life. Only the Lord brings life. The real church of Jesus Christ operates in a realm that is above anything you can form in brick or jot down on paper. **Note: Here is an instance where I take a position that the KJV translators would have me thrown in prison for. They were strong believers in institutionalization. But, here I choose to defer with them because I have learned what Jesus and the Bible writers meant by the word "church." The reason I know is because I understand the Greek word, "ekklesia," that the KJV translators replaced with "church." "Ekklesia" means the "called out ones," called out from the World into Christ Jesus. You can see right away that the emphasis that Jesus and His apostles understood was different. They were looking for those whom God called out of the World into Christ Jesus. Do you see the difference? It isn't what you joined up with...it is what you were "called out from" by God Almighty.
churl....one of lowest rank, ill-bred, a miser, a very negative term!
ciel....used to translate Hebrew words that mean "cover" and "panel."
Cilicia....a Roman province located in the Northeast corner of the Mediterranean. The long pointing finger of land on the Island of Cyprus points directly at it. This province is where Saint Paul's home city of Tarsus was located.
circumcise....every Hebrew male child received a minor surgery on the eighth day of their life from the priest: circumcision. The priest would cut off the child's foreskin that covers the end of the male organ. This became a physical mark that the man-child was a member of God's holy people. From this physical ceremony God was able to begin to get across to HIS people that what HE really desired was a mark upon their heart. He wanted their hearts marked or circumcised, the cutting off of the fallen, fleshly nature. God was trying to get the concept of HOLINESS and PURITY into the understanding of HIS people. And HE had to begin with this simple physical ceremonial marking.
circumcision....In the New Testament Saint Paul speaks of "the circumcision." He is using this term to refer to legalistic Jewish Christians who believe that one must still follow all the Jewish laws plus believe in Jesus to be saved. Paul taught that Gentiles need not become Jews. They need not have the surgery on their physical body. But all followers of Christ need spiritual surgery, the circumcision of the heart. **At other times Paul uses the word "circumcision" simply to mean Jews in general, and "uncircumcision" to mean Gentiles in general. See Romans 3:30. See circumcise above for more background.
circumspectly....exactly, carefully. You can see this word in Ephesians 5:15.
clamour....clamor
clamorous....this word is found only once in the KJV Bible. It is in Proverbs 9:13. It means loud, noisy, in an uproar, disquieted, boisterous, or to be in great commotion.
Clauda....KJV spelling of "Cauda." This is a small island about 20 miles South of the island of Crete. Today that little island is called Gaudos or Gozzo.
Claudius....Claudius Caesar, the Caesar mentioned in Acts 18:2. See Caesar above.
clave....this word is a past tense of "cleave" below.
cleave....this word has two very different meanings in the KJV. You have to understand the context to know which one. The first meaning is to cut, and or separate. The second meaning is to stick close, hang on to, as in "they cleave to each other."
cleaveth....in Luke 10:11 this word refers to the dust of that city that "sticks" on their shoes.
cloak....an outer garment to keep out the weather. Jesus uses the word "cloak" to describe a covering used by some to hide their sins. He says that HIS coming has removed this "cloak," this covering that hid sins. See John 15:22.
cloke....cloak
cloven....divided, parted, split.
Cnidus....a port city on the tip of a long finger of land thrust out into the Aegean Sea on the Southwester corner of what is now Turkey. To locate it find the island of Rhodes and then just to the Northwest of that Island is the long finger of land on which Cnidus resided.
coast(s)....border(s).
cock....a rooster.
cockatrice....this word is definitely a KJV word. It represented a frightening, mythical serpent creature spoken of in 1611. Some believe the word is a corruption of the word "crocodile." The KJV translators used this word in translating Jewish meaning having to do with a very deadly viper or snake. This word is only found three places in the KJV Bible, and only in the book of Isaiah.
cockcrowing....early in the morning when roosters begin to crow.
colour....in Acts 27:30 this word means pretense or pretending.
colour....today we spell this word "color."
Colossae....The New Testament book of Colossians was written by Saint Paul to the church in this city. What little remains of Colossae are to be found in modern day Turkey. It was located about 112 miles, airline, due East of Ephesus. (Ephesus was located near modern day Selcuk, near the coast of Western Turkey.) Colossae was 80 miles, airline, North of the Mediterraean Sea. A Turkish tourism site reports that Colossae is 15.53 miles East of Denizli Province and 1.25 miles North of Honaz District. Eight miles West of Colossae was where the city of Laodicea was located. About eight miles Northwest of Colossae, and on the opposite, North bank of the Lycus River, was the city of Hieropolis. Colossae was in the Roman province of Phrygia in what is called Asia Minor. It was located in the Lycus River valley. That river today is called Curuksucay, a part of the Maeander River system that runs to the West. The city became extinct about 700 A.D., later used as a rock quarry. There are few visible ruins. Not much archeological digging has been reported at the former site of Colossae.
comeliness....beauty, grandeur, majesty.
comely....beautiful, good looking, handsome, graceful.
cometh....comes.
Comforter....the name Jesus used to speak of the Holy Spirit. The actual Greek word Jesus used means "One who comes beside." The precious Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost comes along side to comfort us and aid us. He is God on Earth today. He is the one who is full of power. He is the carrier. See Holy Ghost.
commend....this word appears in Romans 16:1 where Paul calls attention or honors certain key workers, indicating his approval of their work.
commendeth....to commit, to deliver, to entrust, or even to put into the care of another.
commotions....violent movements, disorders, tumults.
communicate....to share and/or participate together. In 1611 this word did not have very much to do with what we would call telecommunications, or communication. The reason for this is, of course, because such things didn't exist back then, with the exception of postal mail, or courier carried notes. In 1611 the word "communicate" had more to do with sharing an offering of money, or ministering food to someone rather than writing them a letter or talking to them.
companied....this word appears only once in the KJV in Acts 1:21. The closest word to it today would be the word "accompanied." Peter is suggesting that Judas' replacement should, in his opinion, be someone who had "accompanied" the remaining eleven disciples all through the ministry of Jesus.
company....in 1st Corinthians 5:9 it means "to associate."
compass....a circular boundary, to surround. **Also can mean cross over, traverse, travel. In Acts 28:13 the expression "fetched a compass" means set sail.
compassed....encircled, circled.
compassion....feeling another's suffering with a desire to help that one, having sympathy, feeling deeply for another's misery.
conceits....in Romans 11:25 this word means "imaginations, perceptions."
concision....In Philippians 3:2 Saint Paul uses this word to refer to a group of false teachers. He refers to the false teachers as "the concision." They taught that one must also follow Jewish ceremonial laws (such as circumcision for men) in order to follow Christ. In other words, these false teachers believed that you must convert to Judiasm to receive Jesus, because Jesus was a Jew. But Paul taught that Gentiles do not have to become Jews to receive Jesus. By calling the false teachers "the concision," he was calling them "mutilators of the human body." That gives you an idea of just how upset Paul was with this false doctrine. Paul knew that the physical marking of circumcision, taught in the Old Testament, was a type or shadow of the marking of our spirit that is essential. Physical mutilation or circumcision was a sign that aided Jews to understand purity and being devoted to God. But now, THAT sign is performed internally by the Holy Spirit, in the believer's spirit. Remember, many things start out in the natural realm first (the physical world) and then proceed to the spiritual realm. God begins in the natural to teach us the supernatural. Circumcision is still a very common surgery. But for Christians it should not be a spiritual activity. Gentiles circumcise their male babies for custom or health reasons. Jews still circumcise for spritual reason, and justly so because circumcision is still a part of the Jewish religion.
concluded....enclosed, boxed off, locked in, fenced in..
concourse....gathering, meeting.
concupiscence....In Romans 7:8 and Colossians 3:5 it means "covetousness." In 1st Thessalonians 4:5 it means "sexual lust." Generally this word means "longing, desire, yearning." Therefore "evil concupiscence" in Colossians 3:5 is wicked longing.
condemnation....judgment that has been handed down.
condemneth....hands down judgment.
condescend....let oneself down from, to descend voluntarily.
confederacy....this word only appears in two verses in the Bible. In Isaiah 8:12 it means a "conspiracy," an unholy or unlawful alliance. In Obadiah 1:7 the word means an "alliance."
confirm....this word found in 1st Corinthians 1:8 means to establish or strengthen.
conformable....this appears in Philippians 3:10 in the phrase "made conformable." That two word phrase is used to translate a single Greek word that means "formed together like unto..."
confound....confuse, bewilder.
confounded....confused, bewildered.
conscience....an ability, if undamaged, in every person to sense what is good and what is evil.
consent....agreement, one mind, alike.
considerest....think upon, analyze.
consolation....comfort, that which brings comfort and solace.
"consolation of Israel"....in Luke 2:25 Simeon is looking for the "consolation of Israel" which literally means the comfort of Israel...but this is a phrase which refers to the coming of Messiah, the anointed one, the Christ. Simeon knew that the comfort of Israel could only come through the Messiah.
consorted....associated, met with.
constrained....compelled.
constraineth....this word is only found twice in the Bible, in Job 32:18 and Second Corinthians 5:14. In both places it means pressed in like one might be pressed in when moving in a huge crowd. This reminds me of exiting out of a huge baseball stadium and being pressed by people, in the thousands, pressing from all sides. I was forced to move by the movement of the crowd!
consumption....in Isaiah 10:22 this word is referring to total and utter eradication and removal.
contemn....to scorn, despise, disdain.
contended....disputed, argued, disagreed.
contention(s)....disagreement(s), difference(s).
contentious....quarrelsome, perverse.
contrariwise....today we would replace this word with the phrase, "on the contrary." Or we might use the word "instead" or "but rather."
contrary....In the book of Leviticus "contrary" means "a hostile encounter." In Ezekiel it is used to translate a word that means "reverse" and "perversion." In Matthew and Mark it means "opposite." And in the rest of the New Testament the meaning is generally "opposite" or "against."
convenient....fit, fitting, suitable, appropriate, opportune, proper. In Proverbs 30:8 the KJV translators used "convenient" to translate a word that means "allotment" or "apportioned."
conversation....here is a word that in 1611 meant something very different than it does today. Back then the word was used to refer to a person's "way of living or way of life, their behavior." Of course today the word means dialog, people speaking to each other.
converted....turned around, changed, turned back again, returned.
conveyed....transferred, carried, moved.
Coos....KJV spelling of Cos. This was an island with a city that was also named Cos. It was located in the Aegean Sea just off the Southwest corner of what is now Turkey. A peninsula of Turkey sticks out almost to it.
corban....a gift consecrated to God for religious purposes. Once given the gift may not be used for any other purpose. Jesus criticized the Pharisees trick of allowing adult children to neglect their aged parents, even letting the parents fall into poverty. The Pharisees allowed the children to say that whatever they would have given the parents is a gift to the Lord and therefore it is corban and the parents will have to go without. Jesus indicated this was a very wicked religious trick and displeasing to God.
Corinth....the most important city on the Isthmus of Corinth, also the capital of the province of Achaia. Paul ministered here and a church was formed.
cornet....this is a musical instrument. For some reason the KJV translators used this word most often for the shofar or rams horn. In Second Samuel 6:5 some kind of rattling instrument they call a cornet. The important thing is that what we call a cornet today (a small trumpet with three valves) is not what was used in Biblical times.
corruptible....that which decays, rusts, rots, decomposes, dissolves away, ages.
counselour....counselor.
countenance....the face, or the facial expression or look, the appearance.
course....Levite priests were divided up into sections each called a "course." These groups were like platoons or squadrons in the military. Each "course" would be rotated with all the others so that a certain course would minister in the Temple at a certain time. For more info on this please see the definition for "Abia."
covenant....a binding agreement usually between God and man.
covert....a covering or a covering place, a place of shelter.
covet....desiring that which is another's possession.
craftiness....Today this word is associated with someone who has a gift to decorate, quilt, embroider, or is handy with a glue gun. But in 1611 this word had an entirely different meaning: deception, trickery, reasoning that is sound in appearance only, but in reality is totally or partially false.
craved....desired.
Crete....the next large Island 340 miles West of the island of Cyprus.
crew....old KJV past tense of "crow," as a rooster crows. "Then the cock crew..."
crimson....a bright red color used to dye cloth obtained from an insect. The word "scarlet" is used in conjunction with "crimson." They seem to be two words that mean about the same thing in both English and Hebrew. See "scarlet." See Isaiah 1:18.
"crisping pins"....Frankly, I haven't been able to find out, thus far, what the KJV translators meant by this phrase in Isaiah 3:22. However, I have found out what the Hebrew they were trying to translate means. They were translating Hebrew words for lady's hand bags or purses, or at least something close to that. The KJV translators sometimes had trouble translating words referring to Old Testament lady's accessories and clothing items. I believe that problem has existed and will exist for all time. I can't keep up with all the names for all the different things ladies wear and carry these days myself.
crucify, crucification....a unique form of capital punishment invented by the Romans. The condemned person was nailed to a heavy wooden cross and left in the open weather to die a slow death. The Romans were known to line highways with people dying on crosses as a teaching tool. Their form of education made some obey the rule of law. Death on the cross often took several days or a week. Death came from dehydration, blood loss, suffocation. This is why the Roman commander at the cross of Jesus was so amazed and believed, for Jesus gave up HIS life willingly. Jesus died at the moment HE chose, not the moment that nature chose.
cubit....about 18 inches.
cumbered....overloaded, over burdened.
cumbereth....weighs down, loads, steals strength from. This word is used in reference to a fig tree that produces no figs but loads down or wastes the soil it is planted in. See Luke 13:7.
cummin....a plant related to carrots that produces an aromatic seed used in cooking, pickling and the making of curry powder. The Pharisees required that one out of every ten seeds be tithed to the Lord.
Cushan....another name for Midian. Moses' wife was a Midian and she is referred to as a Cushite.
Cyprus....the island located in the Northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea.
Cyrene....a city on the North coast of Africa in what is now Libya. The city is an archaeological site today.
Cyreneius....the KJV spelling of Quirinius. By the way, this passage of Scripture, in Luke 2:1 and following, has been pointed to by those who are sceptical of the Bible's historical accuracy. The skeptics say there was no census as Luke reports. You can study about this elsewhere. But don't take the arguments of the skeptics too seriously. The Bible has "scooped" secular history again and again. Modern archaeology has discovered so many things correct in the Bible historically. These were all things that skeptics questioned. The skeptics have been proved wrong again and again by recent archaeology. Instead read Josh McDowell's works, like Evidence that Demands a Verdict and More than a Carpenter. Don't let those spreaders of doubt cause you to doubt. The Bible is the most historically accurate book of the ancient World. That is why these skeptics keep trying to put it down. They just can't accept that a book of miracles could be for real.
Dalmanutha....see Magdala.
Damascus....an important crossroads city located 64 miles airline Northeast of the center of Lake Galilee. Today it is the capital of Syria. It has often been a strategic point of control of trade and dominance. Although it is totally a Muslim place today, in the first century it had thriving Jewish and Christian communities.
Dalmatia....This is a geographic region which was contained within and along the coast of the Roman province of Illyricum. The Dalmations were a difficult people for the Romans to control. They rebelled at times. On today's maps you can see where Dalmatia was by first finding Italy. Next locate Rome. Then run your finger due East across Italy and across the finger of the Mediterranean Sea that reaches up between Italy and Greece (The Adriatica Sea). When your finger touches the next land mass East of Italy and Rome, you will be touching what was Dalmatia. Today Dalmatia runs up and down the coast line of modern Croatia.
damnation....condemned to endless punishment first to Hell and then all those in that place will be finally judged at the throne of God and cast into the most horrible Lake of Fire. The Lake of Fire seems to be a universe sized place of burning, so endless that the millions of souls in that place may never cross paths.
damsel....a young girl or young woman of nobility.
dasheth....smash.
Day, (that day)....the expression "that day" is a prophetic phrase that usually is referring to the end times when Israel will enter into her greatest period of all. "That day" will be a day of great birth pangs and upheaval and trials followed by the time when Messiah, Christ Jesus, will return to reign, setting up HIS kingdom on Earth.
dayspring....the light springing up in the east, the dawning. Zacharias (Zechariah, John the Baptists father) speaks these words under the prophetic power of the Holy Spirit in Luke 1:78. The Holy Spirit speaks through him that they have experienced the "dayspring from on high." That can only mean that Almighty God had sent the dawning, the light springing from the Eastern skies of Heaven itself to them and to us. God the Father, God the Son Jesus and God the Holy Ghost are that dayspring that can enter the life of the one who believes and trusts in the Name of Jesus.
deacon....attendant, helper.
dearth....scarcity, lack, famine.
debate(s)....quarrel, wrangling.
Decapolis....a region on the East side of Lake Galilee, for the most part, and running from Damascus in the North to a city named Philadelphia (not to be confused with Philadelphia in the Book of Revelation) in the South. Hippos and Gadera were two of these cities located quite close to the Eastern Shore of Galilee. The ten were non-Jewish cities filled with immigrants of Greek and Mediterranean ancestry. They were very loyal to Rome and not in political unity with the Jews, definitely Gentile areas.
deceive....to mislead, to make others believe something that is not true.
decree....generally, a sweeping ruling from the lips of a king or governor that is written and sent throughout the domain of that leader informing or ordering their subjects to do, or to obey, or to take serious note of something.
debase....to reduce to a lower level of character or dignity.
debts....in the prayer that Jesus taught HIS disciples to pray "debts" and "trespasses" refer to our sins.
decease....death.
deceitfulness....tendency to mislead.
deceivableness....You can find this word in 2nd Thessalonians 2:10. Today we would substitute the word "delusion."
Dedication, Feast of....this feast is mentioned in John 10:22. It is also known as the Feast of Lights. But we know it today as the famous Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It has it's beginnings in 165 b.c. when Judas Maccabeus rededicated the temple following the Greek desecration. Specifically it memorializes the small amount of oil that miraculously continued to burn for many days in the temple until a new supply could be obtained.
defamed....slandered, attacked the reputation of, spoken evil against, spread lies concerning the honor of.
defile....to make filthy, to pollute, to make impure, to debauch, to adulterate.
defraud....cheat, deceive, rob, dupe.
deliver....to save, to rescue, to set free.
Deliverer....in Romans 11:26 this word is referring to Jesus Christ.
denieth....denies.
Derbe....is only a mound today. The best way to find it is to find the most Western point of the Island of Cyprus and to measure due North 160 miles and then East about 20 miles. This location today is in the country of Turkey.
derided....ridiculed, made fun of, mocked.
desolation....nothingness, ravaged to nothing, uselessness, done for.
despised....looked down upon, scorned, distained, rejected.
despisest....to look down upon, to scorn, to disdain.
despite....this word, used as a noun, appears only in Ezekiel 25:6 and in Hebrews 10:29. It means insult, shame, evilness, wrongness, terrible things done unto a pure one or a pure thing.
despitefully....maliciously.
destitute....wanting, not having or possessing, lacking.
Devil....another name for the leader of fallen angels, Satan, Lucifer, the enemy, the Prince of the power of the air, Beelzebub, the Serpent.
devils....demons or fallen angels that fell with Satan from Heaven and now serve Satan in the working of evil activity.
devourer....Malachi 3:11 referring to bugs, blight, plant diseases. In our day it would mean anything that eats up your resources and even attacks your family. The Devil is a devourer!
devout....holy, a person devoted totally to the Lord.
diddest....did.
digged....in Isaiah 5:6 this word is used in regard to a vineyard. Today we would say "cultivated," "hoed," and/or "weeded."
diligence....constant focus on the business at hand, careful thought and preparation and work.
discerning....discriminating, knowing.
disciples....the name given to followers of Jesus, John, the Pharisees or any teacher. They put themselves under the teacher's discipline. They do more than learn. They totally submit to their teacher. They surrender in total commitment. They truly "follow" that teacher and live as he lives and walk as he walks.
discover....often this word means to expose, to make bare, to strip off ones clothing. See Isaiah 3:17 where the Lord inspires the prophet to foretell that the wicked women will be humiliated by having their clothes taken from them, apparently by enemies. This is a sad, but true occurrence in human history. During wars women are often terribly mis-treated.
discretion....being careful about what one says or does.
disorderly....this word is used to translate two words. One means simply to act improperly in general. The second word means to act improperly in a wrong moral way.
dispensation....St. Paul is the only person in the Bible who uses the Greek word in this manner that has been translated by the KJV translators as "dispensation." We really need help today understanding "dispensation," because in the KJV it has nothing at all to do with a modern doctrine called "dispensationalism." No this word in the KJV means "administration." So this is one of those words that can really throw you, if you accidently put some modern day definition on it.
dispersed....in John 7:35 this word is used to speak of the Diaspora. The Diaspora were the Jews that had been dispersed throughout the known world of that day. Many of these Jews traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles and other feasts, annually. They and their ancestors were dispersed about the World of that day due to the Assyrian, Babylonian and other upheavals that befell Israel.
disputation....controversial discussion and reasoning. **You may want to also read "doubtful disputations" below.
disputings....considerations, debates, meddlesomeness.
dissembled....In the Old Testament this word is used to translate a word that means "deceived." In Galatians 2:13 "dissembled" is used to translate a word that means "to vacillate, to reel, or to stray."
dissension....strong objections.
dissimulation....In Romans 12:9 this word is used to translate a word that means "insincerity." In Galatians 2:13 this word is used to translate a word that means "deceit or hypocrisy."
divers....this KJV word can have two meanings. First it sometimes directly translates to our word "diverse." Secondly, it can mean simply "many." See Mark 8:3.
diversities....1st Corinthians 12:6 uses this word in a way that we would use the word "varieties."
diviners....those who work in divination. Divination is a demonic practice strictly forbidden by the Bible. Reading tea leaves or practicing astrology are two forms of divination. See "soothsayer."
doctors....in Luke 2:46 this means great teachers, or what we might call doctors of religion or theology.
doctrine....teachings, body of beliefs, truth.
doest....do.
doeth....does.
doleful....sad, mournful.
dominions....rulers, masters.
doth....does.
doting....to be sick or ill. This word appears in 1st Timothy 6:4. It speaks there of "...doting about questions and strifes of words..." This use of the word "doting," is speaking about someone who has a sick or morbid interest in questions that are controversial.
"doubtful disputations"....this phrase is found in Romans 14:1. It means "uncertain arguments and discussions." Basically this verse is saying don't argue with new or weak Christians about matters that are not clearly spoken about in the Word of God. Many of these matters are for the Holy Spirit to deal with in each believer in detail. For example, I once knew a preacher whom I saw mowing his lawn on Sunday. I personally am convicted about doing that. For me to argue with that man over that matter would be breaking the Word of God! That is between him and the Holy Spirit. Now, if I had seen him caressing his neighbor's wife that would be another matter that I might need to take up.
drag....in fishing a net dragged along the bottom of a river or lake.
dragons....[see Micah 1:8] a hideous sea or land animal. Could be a whale, a crocodile or large lizard. We don't know.
draught....this word in the KJV has two different meanings. It is used meaning "catch of fish" as when the disciples let down their nets. And it is used by Jesus in reference to those things that go into the belly do not defile because they are cast into the draught. Here the word is used to mean "the outhouse, the privy, literally "the place of sitting."
drave....drove.
dresser....a vineyard worker, a vine dresser, one who prunes and routes the grape vines.
dropsy....edema or swelling in the legs and/or feet caused by excessive water in the tissues. In Jesus' day this condition was thought to be a disease in and of itself. In reality this is a symptom of other infirmities. Those who suffer blood clot, leg infection, congestive heart failure, damaged veins, starvation, prolonged standing, overweight, increased age, injury to the leg and other problems may suffer with this condition.
dross....garbage, refuse, ugly slag that gathers on molten metals. In Isaiah 1:22 it speaks of silver becoming dross. Silver is notorious for how it easily and quickly oxidizes producing an ugly black coating. If silver is not properly cared for it quickly oxidizes
drunken....drank (past tense of drink).
Drusilla....the Jewish wife of Felix (see Felix). Drusilla was from the famous Herod family. She was born about 38 a.d. She had been married to Azizus, King of Emesa. Felix saw her and desired her to be his wife. He sent a messenger who persuaded her to violate Jewish law and marry Felix. They had a son who died in the 79 a.d. eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy.
dumb....not able to speak words. In KJV "dumb" has nothing to do with one's IQ. A person who is dumb has had their tongue immobilized, removed, may have had a stroke or they were born unable to properly move their tongue because they are "tongue-tied," that is the tongue is more tightly fastened at the bottom of the mouth making it impossible to talk. Sometimes the lack of speech is caused by demonic activity.
dung....human or animal manure.
dunghill....a manure pile, or a place where garbage, including dung, is taken.
dureth....endureth, endures.
durst....dared.
earnest....this word is used by Saint Paul to refer to the Holy Spirit as God's down payment, or security pledge to us of greater things to come. Also this word is used in the more common meaning of a strong desire or longing. Therefore it is important to check the context of the verse in which you find this word.
earrings....In Isaiah 3:20 the KJV translators had difficulty translating a Hebrew word for a particular women's accessory item. They translated it "earrings," when in fact the Hebrew word is referring to "amulets." An amulet is a charm worn as a necklace. It has occult meaning. It is a pagan and unholy thing in God's sight.
edification....the process of building up someone or even yourself. This does NOT mean self glory...it means praying, praying in the heavenly language (See Jude 1:20) reading the Bible, seeking God, quoting memorized Scriptures, praising and giving glory to the Lord, etc.
edify....build up, strengthen.
Edom....A people and nation on the South East corner of the Dead Sea. These peoples were descendents of Esau, Jacob's twin brother. There was much fighting and bad feeling between Israel and Edom.
effectual....effective, efficient, active, operative.
effectually....to be effective, to be efficient, to work.
effeminate....1st Corinthians 6:9 uses this word in the KJV. It is the best the KJV translators could do with a Greek word that speaks of young boys forced into homosexual acts with adult men.
Ekron....The most northern of the five main cities of the Philistines. It was nine miles to the east of the Mediterranean Sea, close to the start of the Valley of Sorek, on the way towards Jerusalem.
Elamites....a people from the Nation of Elam who were present at Pentecost. Their capital was Susa in what is today Iran.
elder....this word in the Greek means an older, mature man. And in the church of the first century an elder was a Godly, mature, gentleman-believer. The older "ordained" men were included in this grouping, but the title of "elder" did NOT exclude those who were not prophets, apostles, presbyters or deacons in the early church! The idea that when you call for the elders, that only licensed and ordained people respond is not Bible! It is unbiblical tradition that was created around 200 to 300 A.D. by a cooling church approaching the dark ages! And it is unfortunate that the term "elder" today is used, in some churches, to mean only preachers, missionaries, evangelists, prophets and others with ordinations and licenses! It is my personal feeling that in the first century church, elders were men that the Holy Spirit highlighted in the congregations. Then, when the Holy Spirit's governance of the church was grieved away, the church hierarchy took over the control of who was and who wasn't an elder. And finally the hierarchy formalized eldership, restraining the officially un-ordained in the pew from this position.
elect....in Romans 8:33 Paul speaks of "God's elect." This is referring to those whom God knew before the foundation of the World, whom HE chose or elected. Please read the definition of "predestinate" to understand more fully this complex concept.
"elect of God"....chosen of God. Found in Colossians 3:12.
election....the divine process that occurred before the foundation of the world when God chose those who would choose HIM. See "elect" above and "predestinate."
eleventh hour....5 P.M. in the late afternoon, early evening.
Elias....Elijah the prophet of Old Testament fame.
Eliseus....Elisha the prophet from the Old Testament.
emboldened....gave courage to, added boldness, encouraged.
Emmaus....a village mentioned by Luke 24:13. Luke tells us that the village is about seven and a half miles from Jerusalem. Archeologists are not certain which of four locations may be this village.
Emmor....this is a New Testament KJV spelling of "Hamor" in the Old Testament. See "Shechem" or "Hamor" for more info.
emulation....envy that causes someone to want to arise in competition to equal or surpass another. You can find this word in Romans 11:14. Paul was hoping to cause his fellow Jews to see what he had such that they would try to better him and in the process discover their Messiah. He would try almost anything to see his people, the Jews, saved.
emulations....in Galations 5:20 this word is used to translate a word that means jealousy or malice.
endeavour....endeavor
En-Dor....this was a city located in the tribal area of Manasseh. It was noteworthy because a witch, or medium resided there that King Saul wrongly consulted. Also Psalm 83 indicates that the battle Barak fought against the Canaanite confederacy ended there. En-Dor is located four miles from Mount Tabor.
"ends of the World"....1st Corinthians 10:11. This phrase means the final epic, the last days, the terminal period, the finale of World history.
endued....placed upon, clothed, covered with.
engrafted....implanted. This word is only found in James 1:21 where it speaks of the implanted Word of God. God wants to plant HIS Word within our very being. God's Word is far more than information. It is alive and God wants to graft it into our lifeless stump. HIS Word is so powerful that it will bring our dead stump to life and a new tree of righteousness will spring up by the power of the Word of God Almighty touching us.
enmity....hostility, hatred, strong opposition one to another.
enquire....KJV spelling of "inquire."
ensample(s)....example(s).
ensign....a signal, or a sign, possibly associated with a military activity.
entreat....to deal with. See Acts 7:6. *Also it can mean to ask earnestly, to beseech, to even pray or beg.
"shamefully entreated"....You can find this phrase in 1st Thessalonians 2:2. It means to spitefully or wickedly use or treat.
entreaty....earnest petition.
envieth....envies, has envy.
envying....having a discontent, anger or ill will toward another because of their supposed greater opportunity or possessions.
ephah....a unit of dry measure, about a half bushel.
Ephesus....a very large seaport city in the Roman province of Asia, today the West coast of Turkey. Paul ministered in this city for about three years. This city was such an important commercial, political and religious center that it certainly was a key to the spread of Christianity.
ephod....this word has two meanings. In some passages the word refers to an article worn about the shoulders of the priest. There simply is not enough information to fully suggest exactly what the ephod looked like when worn by the priests. In other scriptures the word "ephod" describes an image made of gold or other material and was worshiped or reverenced. The reader can tell by the passage whether or not the word is referring to a priestly piece of apparal or an object of worship.
Ephraim....the name of one of Joseph's sons. Joseph's tribe is split under the names of his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, born in that order. But Joseph's father, Jacob, blesses Ephraim over Manasseh. Much later after Solomon, when the Kingdom splits the name of Ephraim is sometimes used to refer to the northern 10 tribes. The Tribe of Ephraim surpassed the tribe of Manasseh in size. **In Jesus' time there was a town by the name of Ephraim. One possible location for this town is four miles Northeast of Bethel. John tells us that Jesus went there after the authorities began to seek HIS life more vigorously.
Ephratah....a village perhaps absorbed by Bethlehem. Caleb's second wife was named Ephratah and his family lived in the Bethlehem area.
Epicureans....these were followers of a philosophy which was begun by a man named Epicurus. Epicurus migrated to Athens where his ideas became headquartered. In 306 b.c. his followers purchased him a house and garden in Athens where he taught until his death in 270 b.c. His philosophy was that one must get totally free from all religion. Even though the gods exist they live in a total happiness and calm and have no concern for mankind, nor any desire to help or hinder man. They are apart and man must seek for the joy of the gods without having any fear of them. Happiness and pleasure are the goal, however the happiness is internal. Epicurus did not believe in debauchery and drunkenness to find happiness. Instead one was to think of pleasant thoughts and memories. The Epicureans who listened to Saint Paul in Athens would have looked down upon him as some crazy religionist and especially Paul's teaching of the resurrection from the dead would have repulsed them. Life after death is stupidity to them and to them there is nothing to come back to life from. This is all there is right here on Earth now.
epistle....KJV word for a "letter," a handwritten communication.
equity....justice, impartiality.
ere....before.
err....make an error.
erred....past tense of "err." See "err" above.
Esaias....KJV spelling of Isaiah the prophet.
eschew....This word only appears in 1st Peter 3:11, "eschew evil". It is used to translate a Greek word that means to shun or to decline. Peter reminds us that it is our job, as believers, to give evil the "cold shoulder," to turn away from it, to decline it, to run from it.
eschewed....This word only appears in Job 1:1. It is used to explain that Job "eschewed evil". The Hebrew word that "eschewed" is used to translate means "to turn away from."
escheweth....Found only in Job 1:8 and Job 2:3; used to translate a Hebrew word meaning "to turn away from."
espoused....similar to our word engaged. However, in Bible times an engagement was almost as strong an agreement as marriage, so strong that Joseph considered getting a divorce in order to break the engagement.
esteem....this word is used to translate three words in the original languages. It can mean to consider, to arrange or set in proper order, to regard or think about, or even plot.
esteemeth....in Romans 14:14 it means supposes, reasons, figures.
estranged....to be foreign or strange, or it can mean to treat someone as a foreigner.
eunuch(s)....in ancient societies where kings had many wives the rulers fostered a very abusive practice. In order to have servants that they could be sure would have no interest in carrying on secret relationships with their many wives they would surgically alter a corp of servants. These castrated servants would be assigned duties in the harem of wives. Jesus taught that some are born as eunuchs, in other words their male hormone levels are so low that they have no romantic interests.
Euroclydon....Northeaster, the name of a certain kind of storm. This the storm from which God saved Paul and 275 other people on their way to Italy in a ship. In Acts 27:14 this wonderful miracle is related.
even....sometimes the word "even" means evening. At other times it means "equal." You have to check the context.
eventide....evening.
exact....Luke quotes John the Baptist who tells the tax collectors (publicans) not to "exact" more than is appointed. This use of "exact" means "demand" or "charge."
exalt....to elevate in rank, power, dignity, to praise, to extol.
exceedingly....this word is used to translate well over a dozen original language words. I believe that it would be best just to give a general meaning here. This word generally means "great," to increase, totally disturb or change, over abundantly, beyond.
execute....to do or to operate something. For example the Bible has many occurrences of the phrase "execute judgment."
exhortation....motivational speaking, giving guidance and help. Not a sermon, but something close to a sermon.
exorcists....this word only appears in Acts 19:13. It refers to those who attempted to cast out fallen angels off and out of the lives of some who were under the powers of those fallen angels. They failed to free the people and indeed the evil powers used those possessed to terribly assault them. Exorcists are those who try to remove wrong spirits by means other than the true and pure power of the Holy Ghost.
experiment....test, proof, trial.
extortioner....one who by force or by pressure causes another to unwillingly give up that which they have.
expedient....fit and suitable to achieve a certain purpose.
expounded....explained, amplified, clarified.
eyeservice....Service designed to be seen, service that may well cease if the boss or supervisor is not looking on. This word is found in Ephesians 6:6.
fables....this word refers to "tall tales," or fictions and myths.
Fair Havens....a harbor on the South coast of Crete. This harbor is known today as Kalous Limionas.
fain....gladly.
faith....is trust, belief in Jesus, God's Son, that Jesus' death and resurrection fully pay the price of eternal life for any and all who receive Jesus as Saviour, who trust Jesus as Lord, who repent of and turn away from their sins to put their hand into Jesus' hand to walk with HIM. This miracle of faith usually happens when a person calls upon Jesus in prayer. After salvation faith is what the Christian exercises each day when they pray and KNOW that God hears and is working in their behalf, even though they may not see anything tangible immediately, they believe, or extend their faith, in God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit that God is working on whatever they have placed in God's hands. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that faith is absolutely mandatory, without it there is no hope. God will not move unless someone, somewhere is believing in HIM.
familiar spirits....those who work in the dark powers claim to communicate with the spirits of dead relatives and friends, thus the phrase "familiar spirits." In actuality some of these channelers are fakes. But there are those who do communicate with spirits, BUT are deceived as to what spirits they truly are!! Beware!! They are in actuality communicating with demonic entities that can easily impersonate anyone. There are human impersonaters who can make their voice sound so much like a famous person that they can fool many. If that is true in the natural how much easier for a powerful fallen angel to impersonate your relative. Thus the Bible strongly warns us to stay away from those who call up or claim to call up spirits of the departed.
famine....crop failures resulting in mass starvation.
fan....Matthew 3:12 states that the one (Jesus) who comes after John the Baptist has his "fan" in his hand and he will clear the threshing floor. The "fan" was a winnowing fork used to toss the grain into the air where the wind might blow the useless chaff off the grain and away. The chaff is very combustible and burns fast and hot. Left over chaff was burned.
fare....to pass, to move forward, to go forth. "Fare ye well" is a blessing meaning "may you go forward and do well."
fared....progressed, moved forward, lived.
farthing....is a small British coin worth one quarter of a British cent! In Matthew 5:26 where it speaks of the "uttermost farthing" we could translate that as "the last penny."
fashion....the form or appearance of something or someone. Don't be confused by todays meaning that has to do with popular clothing designs.
fathoms....plural of fathom. A fathom is six feet. It is used by sailors to determine the depth of water to prevent running the ship aground. Ten fathoms is 60 feet of water.
fatling(s)....young animal(s), lambs or kids, fattened to eat before they mature.
favour....favor.
feebleminded....You can find this word in 1st Thessalonians 5:14. This word is a case where most of us would need help in understanding the meaning. I personally thought this word was referring to those with mental conditions, or large learning disabilities, or dementia. But that is NOT the case. No, this word is used to translate a Greek word that means "timid" or "faint-hearted." I suppose this would include a person who has fear of crowds. And so the definition of this word was a big surprise.
feign....to pretend.
Felix....Felix Antonius was the Procurator of Judea from the year 52 a.d. to 60 a.d. Felix was in charge of Judea at the time of Saint Paul's arrest. He was recalled by Nero and barely missed punishment because of his governing methods. Some have thought that it was his errors that eventually led to the Jewish uprising that led to Rome's destruction of Jerusalem in 70 a.d. See Drusilla concerning his wife.
fellowship....this word has deep meaning to the Body of Christ, the people of God's church. The simple meaning of "fellowship" is "communion." In the 1970s and 1980s there was a movement in the church called the "commune movement" where believers lived communally. They lived in purity. This was not an immoral movement. But they shared food, living quarters, Bible study, and built relationships with God and each other. All this to say that the word "fellowship" is better defined by the Greek work behind it "koinonia." The Early Church in the Book of Acts was almost a "commune." Today "fellowship" in the church has a much deeper meaning than pot-luck supper and after church gatherings. "Fellowship" is family at the deepest spiritual level.
fervent....earnest.
Festus....Porcius Festus was procurator of Judea from about 60 to 62 a.d., following Felix who was recalled to Rome by Nero. Paul who had been in prison for two years in Caesarea was called before Festus, who was joined by King Agrippa.
figure....in Romans 5:14 the word "figure" means a type, or a shadow of, or a pattern of. Adam was a type or shadow or pattern of Jesus who was to come later. Adam failed, but Jesus Christ, the second Adam, succeeded in representing all mankind in a SAVING way. Adam succeeded in representing all mankind in a FALLEN way.
"finger of God"....In Luke 11:20 we find this expression. Jesus indicates that HE sets people free from devils by the "finger of God." God is a spirit. The "finger of God" must surely be the power of the Holy Ghost, or the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 tells us that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Ghost and power and went about healing and setting those free who were bound by the forces of darkness.
firebrand....piece of burning wood pulled out of a fire.
firkin....a unit of liquid measure; about ten gallons.
firmament....in Genesis this word is used to describe the expanse or visible arch of the sky. The ancient Hebrews thought of it as a polished screen, like a movie screen. That is where the Sun, Moon and stars appeared above.
firstfruit(s)....in the law of firstfruit the Jews were to tithe a tenth. But when that first orange appears on the tree and you are to tithe from that firstfruit how do you know what a tenth is going to be? You only have the first fruit, you only have the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. How do you know what you should tithe to the Lord? The answer is you tithe on what you hope to harvest. So the wise Jew would give a tenth of what he hoped to harvest, a generous firstfruits offering to the Lord. Notice in 2nd Chronicles 31:5 that they brought in the firstfruit tithe "abundantly." Jesus Christ was a firstfruits offering of God. See 1st Corinthians 15:23. Giving a firstfruits tithe is a gift of great faith that God will reward!
fishers....fisherman.
flagons....pitchers, usually for wine.
flay....to skin, to pull the skin from the bone.
flee....run away from, escape from, get away from.
flesh....when you run across this word in the KJV you will need to be careful how you understand it. At times it is referring to physical tissue (from man or beast). For example in Philippians 1:22 where Paul is saying that if he lives in his "flesh" or body it is the fruit of his labor, rather than to die and be with Christ. But in Romans 7:5 Paul uses the same word "flesh" to refer to something he had in the past, but in Christ does not have. He speaks of how he used to be in "the"flesh." When he wrote those words he was living in the same physical body he was in when he wrote the other Scripture. So, in the Romans 7:5 case Paul is refering to the fallen nature that came to us from Adam and Eve. He calls that "the flesh." Check carefully when you see the word "flesh."
flux....a flow. A bloody flux is a flow of blood.
foes....enemies.
folly....foolishness.
fool....in Matthew 5:22 (KJV) Jesus warns that anyone who calls his brother a "fool" will be in danger of Hell fire. The word translated "fool" in KJV here is a close relative to a word come to us from the Greek: moron. I think Jesus strongly advises that we stay far away from negative labels.
"foolish talking"....this phrase, found in Ephesians 5:4, translates a word that means "silly talk, buffoonery." This truth is covered in the definition of "jesting." See "jesting" below.
forasmuch....because, since, seeing that.
forbad....past tense of forbid. See forbid below.
forbad....today we spell it "forbade."
forbear....to refrain from or to avoid. Please see "forbearing" below to gain the wide set of meanings the KJV translators connected this word and it's relatives to.
forbearing....This particular word appears five times in the Bible, twice in the Old Testament and three times in Paul's letters. The KJV translators used it to translate four different words! In Proverbs 25:15 it is used to translate a Hebrew word for "nose," "nostril," "face," or "person." Basically that Scripture means that if you want to change the mind of a prince you must gently, but firmly stay "in his face" until he changes his mind. In Jeremiah 20:9 the word appears again. Here it is used to translate a Hebrew word meaning "to maintain." Jeremiah says that he tried to not prophecy for the Lord, because God's word was so poorly received and so rejected. But the prophetic word burned so strongly inside him that he could not "maintain" his silence. The Words of God burned so hot and heavy that they exploded forth, "forbearing" or maintaining silence would not work! In Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:13 the word is used to translate a Greek word meaning "to put up with, to endure, to suffer with." Paul is inspired to tell us that we must endure the eccentricities, the weirdnesses of our brothers and sisters in Christ! Finally in Ephesians 6:9 the word is used to translate a Greek word that means "to slacken, to loosen." Paul is telling those who have slaves to slacken up on the threats and to loosen up from the harsh ways that worldly masters treated their slaves.
forbearance....patient restraint. God patiently waits for us to turn from sin giving us time to repent.
forbid....prohibit.
foreknew....in Romans 11:2 Paul tells us that God "foreknew" the Jews. That means that the Jewish people were totally understood and chosen by God before they ever existed in time. HE knew them before HE created the Earth and God chose them for a special work. Also, since the words "knew" and "know" in the Bible often mean intimacy, as in marital intimacy, this means God was married to HIS people, the Jews, before time began. Isn't God glorious!!
foreship....bow or front of the ship.
foreskin....the covering skin removed surgically on the eighth day of a male Jewish child's life by the priest in a process called circumcision.
foretell....predict, tell in advance, tell before it happens.
forgat....forgot.
forsake....abandon, give up, turn away from, surrender.
forsaken....from forsake, past tense.
forsook....from forsake, past tense plural.
fornication....KJV's translation of the Greek word "pornea" from which we get words like "pornographic." Basically fornication is unmarried people having marital intimacy, or when one member of a marriage commits adultery or fornication outside of the marriage then they bring fornication into their marriage and thus break the marriage bond. Jesus says in Matthew 5:32 that fornication is the only sin that HE considers just cause for the righteous partner to end the marriage through divorce. Jesus sees no other just cause for divorce. Otherwise marriage is for life. Fornication is really any kind of sex outside marriage. Adultery is a particular kind of fornication. See Adultery.
fornicators....those who practice fornication. See "fornication" above.
forswear....to swear falsely.
forthwith....immediately, without delay, directly.
foretold....correctly spoken the facts of the event before the event ever happened.
forewarn....give a warning well in advance of the coming danger.
foul....unclean, evil, dirty, wicked.
fourfold....four times or the amount multiplied by four.
fowl(s)....bird(s).
fray....brawl, fight, combat.
fret....angry, worked up, worried. Also, oddly this word is used in Leviticus 13:55 to describe a hole in a garment caused by mildew. In Isaiah 8:21 it means "enraged" or greatly angered. Today the word seems more connected to "worry." But in the KJV it is more connected to anger and rage. Nevertheless "fret" is a negative and destructive emotion.
froward....perverse, wayward, unyielding, ungovernable, disobedient, cross, peevish.
fulfil....fulfill
fuller....as in fuller's soap in Malachi 3:2. The fuller was a person in past times who cleaned, whitened, shrunk and thickened cloth using heat, soap and moisture processes.
furbushed....today we spell it "furbished"
furlong....an English unit of measure equivalent to one eighth of a mile.
furnished....this word is used to translate five words in the original languages. It can mean to equip or properly set up. It can mean lift up. It can mean to arrange something properly. It can mean to complete or fulfill. And it can mean to spread, as in spreading a carpet.
Gadarenes....see "Gergesenes."
gainsay....deny, contradict, oppose.
gainsaying....denying, contradicting, opposing.
Galatia....a Roman Province in what is today central Turkey. This province was shaped something like the letter "s." It did not touch either the Black Sea on the North or the Mediterranean on the South. Pamphylia on the South and Bithynia and Pontus on the North kept it, though barely, from reaching the seas. The geographic center of this province was about 300 miles East of the West coast of Turkey and 150 miles North of the mid-southern coastline.
Galilaeans....persons who are residents or were residents of the areas around Lake Galilee.
Galilee....a region in the Northern part of Israel, during the New Testament period on the West side of Lake Galilee. The borders of that region can be approximated by placing the point of a compass in the center of the Lake and drawing a half circle with a varying radius of from 12 to 22 miles from below the South end of the Lake to a point above the North end.
gall....a bitter, poisonous herb. This word is used sometimes in place of the word "poison." Also the word "gall" is sometimes used to mean bitter. Matthew reports that gall was mixed in vinegar and offered to Jesus during the crucifixion process. Mark says the substance in the vinegar was myrrh, a narcotic pain killer. See Myrrh. Whatever was in that drugged drink Jesus refused to have any after he tasted it.
garner(s)....a storage place(s) for grain on the farm.
garnished....decorated, all ready to use.
gay....this word appears only once in the KJV, in James 2:3, where it is used to refer to a style of apparel or clothing. Because of recent modification of the meaning of the word "gay," and the attachment of that word to the homosexual lifestyle, I believe it is important to point out that the word "gay" had no such implication in 1611. The 1611 translators were attempting to translate a Greek word that meant: "radiant, magnificent in appearance or gorgeous." James was referring to those showing up in the fellowship of the church wearing expensive clothes getting more respect than those who have but rags to wear. James wanted the believers to know that God was deeply offended when we give more attention to the well dressed than we give to those who are poorly dressed. I believe that this also speaks to denominations that have a problem when worshipers do not wear suits and ties. There are still groups of believers who believe that once you get saved you need to switch to a suit and tie for church for men and special clothes for women also. They believe we must wear our best clothing to church because we are to give God our best looks and the best of everything. Giving God our best is a good idea, but God's Word points out that God does not consider our outside wrapping very seriously as long as we are modest and pure about what we wear. God does not appreciate us dressing in a way that is designed to allure romantic interests in HIS house. But other than that, fine clothing is NOT a requirement for the house of worship. In fact clothing of moderate worth probably makes it easier for the pour to enter and not feel put down by the wealth of some. I knew a very rich Christian who knew this truth and would drive a very small and conservative car to visit the poor and attend church, but in his garage he had a Cadillac luxury limousine which was used in his business. His great wealth was kept out of sight so he could visit the poor and bring help and aid, but not make the poor feel badly in the presence of great wealth. He would visit the sick in the hospitals and bring them gifts.
Gaza....a city and an area on the Southern Mediterranean coast of the Holy Land. Basically where Gaza is located today.
Geba....a town six miles north, northeast of Jerusalem. Today the town is called Jeba. It was in the tribal area of Benjamin.
Gebal....a Phoenician city built on the Mediterranean coast between what is today Tripoli and Beirut. Gebal exists today as Jebeil. Gebal was very influential because it was the doorway to the famous Cedars of Lebanon that were considered the greatest ship building material. As a result this city had an almost never ending demand to export Cedar. Business flourished.
gendereth....In the Old Testament it is used to mean: to transition, or cross into or move over. In the New Testament it is used to translate the meaning of regeneration or procreation.
Gentile(s)....any non-Jewish or non-Hebrew person(s).
Gennesaret....a very well watered and fruitful valley North West of Lake Galilee. ***Lake Galilee is called Lake Gennesaret in the Gospel of Luke.
Gergesenes....Gadarenes, people of the city of Gadara which was a Greek city, one of the ten cities of the Decapolis. This city was located just five miles from the South Eastern shore of Lake Galilee. And the Gadarene territory may well have extended right up to the Lake shore.
Gethsemane, Garden of....see the definition of Olives, Mount of.
ghost....KJV word for spirit. When a person died they gave up the ghost.
Gibeah....means hill or height in Hebrew. It is the name of the town of King Saul. It is located about three miles North of Jerusalem.
Gilead....originally a name for one branch of the tribe of Manasseh, a group called Gileadites. However, this word has come to be used in a much wider sense as you read the whole Bible. It is a territory in the Holy Land whose borders are not fully known today. The area believed to be Gilead is marked on the South by the Arnon river, the valley of the Jordan River on the West, part of the Jabbok river on the North and the desert on the East.
gin....a bird trap or snare.
gird....to put on clothes, to dress.
"give suck"....this phrase means "breast-feed a baby."
glass....a mirror, and/or a glass as in crystal.
glorify....exalt, give honor to, magnify, lift up, extol.
glory....books have been written to explain this word. But briefly the reader needs to know if the "glory" being spoken of is of God, the glory of a human being, or the glory of some object. These are different. The "glory" of an object might be the outward beauty and design. The "glory" of a person might be their status, their position, their looks. The "glory" of God is an awesome, powerful, pure, heavy brilliance, even a blinding radiance. Artists have tried to show the glory using light and halos and glows of various kinds. Those who have had near death experiences and anointed visions and visitations seem to have a better handle on what the glory of God is. They report a brightness and a brilliance. God's "glory" is awesome to say the least!
gluttonous....excessive over eating.
gnashing....smashing, crushing together the teeth usually.
Godhead....divinity.
Golgotha....the physical location where Jesus and two criminals were crucified. The word means skull from the Aramaic. The word Calvary comes from the Latin form of skull. Although a church has been built on one supposed location of Golgotha some today believe that "Gordon's Calvary" location is Golgotha. The hill has skull-like indentations in the side and is near to the Garden Tomb that many visit.
goodman....the ranking person in charge, the master of a house, the husband of a home.
grace....gift, God's Riches At Christ's Expense, unmerited spiritual riches poured out by the Lord God.
graff....graft. This is a process used in fruit trees when slips are grafted into a root to create a stronger fruit tree.
graffed....grafted. See graff above.
grave....this word has several meanings in the KJV. The common meaning of a place of burial is used. Also the verb "to grave" is talking about drawing, sculpting, or carving. But the most unusual meaning of the word is found in the writings of Paul. Paul says wives should be "grave." This does NOT mean "grim." A forgotten meaning of the word "grave" is "noble," or "honorable."
graven....as in "graven" image. Graven means carved upon, sculpted. Also graven means drawn as in what is called an engraving which is used to produce a printed picture. God wants us to be very careful what we carve and what we draw and the attitude we have about those pieces of art. Images can become idols very easily, more easily than we know.
gravity....this word has nothing to do with what holds us down on planet Earth in the KJV. This word means "venerableness," which is a noble and high quality. But since "venerableness" is itself a difficult word let's talk about that. It means worthy of respect by reason of age or dignity, character or position.
"great with child"....eight or nine months pregnant, about to give birth, about to have the baby.
Grecians....in the book of Acts this word comes up. It refers to those who are Greek speakers and of Greek culture. Sometimes, as for example when the location is Jerusalem, you will know that these people may be of Jewish racial background. At other times, as in Syrian Antioch (see Antioch) you will know that these Grecians may or may not be of Jewish ancestry.
greviously....very, very terribly.
grisled....dappled.
gross....fat or thick. In Acts 28:27 the word "gross" means dull, unresponsive, insensitive, even deaf.
habergeons....found in only two places, 2nd Chronicles 6:14 and Nehemiah 4:16. This a very primitive, by today's standards, type of "body armor" or flak jacket. You might think of it as a "coat of mail." It might have been small pieces of metal overlaying each other, or tight metal links of chain. It was all for the purpose of giving the soldier something to resist or at least limit injury from arrows and/or sword blows.
habitation....the place where a person or a thing lives or dwells.
Hadadrimmon....[See Zech. 12:11] referring to a mourning ritual in the Amorite Baal religion that occurred in the valley of Megiddo in ancient times. This ritual must have been very dramatic with great weeping and sadness. Zechariah mentions that this is how the Jews will mourn when they realize that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and they missed him the first time he came.
Hagarene....KJV form of Hagrite. This people were a Bedouin clan living in the area East of Gilead. Some have thought that they might be descendents of Hagar, the servant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. But this cannot be confirmed. Not much is known about these people.
hale....to drag with force.
haling....This word only appears in Acts 8:3. It means dragging or hauling people out of their homes.
hallelujah....a Hebrew word that has come into almost every other language. It is a shout of praise. It's meaning is something very close to our phrase of "praise ye the Lord." The "jah" is God's Name. And so I would warn the many people who use this word as a secular expression when they are pleased with something that you are saying the Name of God. Personally I try to speak this word only as a praise to God, or a thanksgiving to HIM. I have tried to curb myself from saying it when I am simply happy about something, or agreeing with something and not thinking of my wonderful Lord and God. I do not want to be guilty of using God's Name in a wrong way.
hallowed....holy.
halt....one who limps.
halteth....stops temporarily, or one who is lame and hobbles or limps.
Hamath....same as Hemath in First Chronicles 13:5. A town on the Orontes River in Syria, none today as Nahr el-'Asi. On a modern map the location of the town is between modern Aleppo and Damascus. The town was built on both sides of the Orontes River on a level portion of the valley which is 1,015 feet above sea level. This city was an independent city-state during several extended periods of history. At times the southern most portions of this kingdom touched the northern most portions of Israel's frontier. It was an Amorite kingdom during one period of it's history.
Hananeel....a tower which was part of the Northern rampart in old Jerusalem.
hand....the expression "at hand" means "near."
handmaid....female servant or attendant.
handmaiden....female servant or attendant, perhaps a young and unmarried girl.
haply....by chance, through the law of averages.
hardly....In Mark 10:23 if we understand "hardly" to mean "difficultly" we can more easily understand the phrase to mean: "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God."
harlot....prostitute.
haste....speed.
hasteth...hurries.
hath....has.
haughty....full of pride.
haughtily....with pride, pridefully.
havock....KJV spelling of "havoc," meaning wide spread destruction and carnage.
head(s)....top, beginning.
headstone....cornerstone, or principal stone of a foundation.
hearken....to listen, take note and make obedient changes based on what was said. We need to hearken to the Lord God!
heathen....meaning those who do not serve God Almighty, often the enemies of God. To Jews this means unbelieving Gentiles, because there were Gentiles who honored and feared God.
hedges....thickets of brush or areas that are fenced in by bushes.
heed....careful notice, close attention.
heirs....those who inherit or are legally entitled to inherit someone else's riches, property or titles. See Romans 8:17.
hell....scientists believe the deep recesses of the Earth to be made up of molten rock or lava. The Bible teaches that in the center of the Earth there is a spiritual piece of geography called the "bottomless pit." This spiritual place was designed as a holding tank or prison for the most wicked fallen angels who are chained in that location. Apparently the fallen angels are so unruly and so powerful that they are being held there until the time of the Tribulation when they will be released. They will come up out of the pit and torture the sinful inhabitants of the Earth during that worst of all times in Earth history. Hell is the prison of the spirits of all persons who have died not knowing Christ. Hell was not designed for mankind. God is not willing that any should perish. But those who refuse God's loving advances have only hell and the Lake of Fire as possible destinations. The Bible says that hell has enlarged itself to swallow many. Jesus tells of a rich man who had much on earth except a closeness to God. He was spiritually poor and ended up in hell, a place of dreadful torture. Apparently the evil chained beings in Hell are allowed to torture the lost souls of sinners that end up there.
Hemath....same as Hamath in Zechariah 9:2. See definition for "Hamath" above.
hence....away from here.
henceforth....from now on.
henceforward....from here on, from now on.
herbs....in Romans 14:2 this word is used to mean vegetables. In 1611 this word had not gotten so specific. Today if a person only ate herbs we would be amazed because that would mean they were living on dill, parsley, mustard and cummin. But in 1611 eating only herbs meant a vegetarian eater. All plants were then thought of as herbs, not simply spices and flavorings as we have narrowed the definition today.
hereof....of this, or concerning this, or from this, or hence.
heresy (heresies)....here is an example of how a word can change through the effect of its use from 1611 to the present. This English word actually comes from the Greek word it translates, "hairesis." It's original meaning, which the KJV translators were thinking of, means "sect(s), or "party (parties)." In other words divisions within the body of Christ. These divisions had a variation of belief that was unacceptable to others within the Body of the Lord. So as a result the word evolved to mean "false doctrine." So in 1st Corinthians 11:19 Paul is saying, "there are differences, sects, groupings among you." But the modern reader with the new, evolved definition of the word "heresy" thinks Paul was saying "there are false doctrines, untruths, bad teaching among you." Perhaps Paul would agree with the fact in the modern reading, but it still communicates something which he wasn't saying in that verse. This is why it is so helpful to check the 1611 definitions of the English words in a verse.
heretick....heretic
herewith....a long with this, by this method or means.
Herod....whenever you see this name in the New Testament you need to remember that it is the name of a ruling family that controlled much of the Holy Land from 37 b.c. to 70 a.d! A Herod is on the throne through Jesus' life, the young church and beyond. The Herods are hardened and tough power brokers.
Herodians....there is an argument among scholars as to who the Herodians are, exactly. Perhaps all we need to know for certain is that if there had been an election in that day with Jesus and Herod the only two on the ballot that the Herodians would have voted against Jesus. The Herodians may not have liked the Pharisees very much, but they liked them more than they liked Jesus.
hewed....cut, chopped, dug.
hewn....cut, chopped, dug, even in stone to make a cave.
Hierapolis....a city in the Roman province of Phrygia in what today is modern Turkey. The city was located about eight miles Northwest of Colossae, but on the North side of the Lycus River. The city was famous for its hot mineral springs. The ruins of Hierapolis are rather extensive. It is located in an area named Pamukkale today. See Colossae for more location information.
high-minded....arrogant, cocky, prideful, feeling superior.
"high things"....in Romans 12:16 we find this phrase. It is referring to what today some might call "cool, in, trendy, glamorous, popular" things.
"high time"....this phrase means the moment is very close. Time is very short. This is the appropriate second to move quickly.
hinder....back, rear.
hines....mountain goats.
hire(s)....wage, wages.
hireling....an employee, one who is hired to do a job.
hiss....a noise made by pushing air between the tongue and the teeth. This noise expressed astonishment or derision. Or, as in Zechariah 10:8 the hiss is used to call God's people. Perhaps it does even mean whistle??
hither....here.
hitherto....to this time, until now.
ho....a call for attention.
holden....held.
holily....with piety.
holpen....helped.
holy....spiritually pure or ceremonial pure and also separated solely for the purposes of the Lord Almighty, not used for common or evil things. God HIMSELF is holy, and the "holy" that HE is cannot be put into words. HIS holiness is beyond numbers, beyond understanding, so infinite that it literally will burn up or consume anything evil. In short, a sacred, separate purity that is beyond measure.
holyday....festival.
Holy Ghost....KJV name for the Holy Spirit of God Almighty. The Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. HE is a real person with a real personality just as Jesus, the Son, and God the Heavenly Father are persons with personalities. However, the Holy Ghost does not lift up HIMSELF. And for that reason HE spends HIS time and energy making the Father and the Son known to those who respond to the Holy Spirit. As a result some have thought HIM to have no personality. HE is not simply a force or a presence. HE is the ONE of the Trinity that is on Earth today. The Father and Son are both in Heaven. HE is the carrier of the Word of God and the power of God. He is the ONE who makes things happen. He has been sent to be our Comforter. He is very sensitive and can easily be grieved. There is no forgiveness for anyone who says negative things about HIM. (Never do it, never approach it, always speak good of the precious Spirit of God if you value your eternal life!!!) Christians need to seek to be baptized or filled with and by the Holy Spirit. This is a second experience after salvation which has been greatly neglected. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to those who seek God with all of their heart. Read of these things in Acts chapter two and First Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.
Holy Spirit....See "Holy Ghost" above.
homer....a dry measure equivalent to about 5 bushels.
honour....honor.
honourable....honorable.
Horeb....another name for Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Law.
horn(s)....referring to strength. The "horn" of the wicked would refer to the strength of the wicked.
hosanna....comes to us by way of the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible. Those translators attempted to use the Latin vowel and consonant sounds to get as close as they could to the actual sound of the word from the Hebrew in Psalm 118:25 which means, literally, "save us, we beseech thee." The Hebrew word the Jews were shouting, as Jesus came in on that colt of a donkey to Jerusalem, had great connection to the long hoped for Messiah. Although the crowd was looking forward to a Messiah who would set up a new physical Kingdom, truly Jesus was their Messiah, but HE had difficult spiritual work to do before HE could become King of the World. HE did that work by giving HIS life to pay a debt HE didn't owe that our sins might be removed. But truly the day is very near when HE will return to rule with a rod of iron over the entire Earth, to establish a Kingdom more glorious and mighty and pure than mankind has ever seen.
host(s)....often refers to God's armies of angels, great numbers, myriads of millions of God's mighty ones. Also it can simply mean a large group of some kind.
householder....owner.
howbeit....however, nevertheless.
hundredfold....one hundred times, or multiplied by one hundred.
hungred....hungered.
husbandman....generally a farmer, but often referring to a farmer who owns a vineyard where wine grapes are grown.
husbandry....this word is found in First Corinthians 3:9. In that passage husbandry means the farm field, the place of cultivation. We are God's field, HIS garden, HIS soil. If we are good soil we will produce much fruit.
Huzzab....[Nahum 2:7] KJV translators mistakenly took this word for a proper name. It is really the word "natsab" which means fixed, stationed or settled. So the first phrase should have been translated: "It is settled, she shall be led away captive,..."
hymn(s)....religious song or ode.
hypocrite....says one thing, but does another, a person who mis-leads others.
Iconium....this city was located in the province of Galatia. A fast way to find the location is to locate the most Western tip of the Island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean. Then measure exactly 200 miles airline due North across sea and Land and you will see Iconium's location. It is located about 70 miles inland from the Mediterranean coast. Today that town is called Konya, a provincial capital in Turkey.
idle....of little importance, useless.
idol(s)....in the Bible it usually meant some kind of figure or statue that was worshiped as a god. More generally the word refers to anything that has been elevated to such importance that it has become something to be worshiped or adored beyond reason.
idolaters....those who worship something or someone other than God Almighty. Traditionally the first definition that comes to mind is "image worshipers." However, anyone who has elevated anything too high is an idol worshiper or idolater. How high is "too high?" When someone has gotten religious about something then they are getting that something into idol ball park. I'm thinking about certain hobbyists who will impoverish their family to practice their hobby. I'm thinking about several people who are obsessed with certa