The Essential Bible Dictionary

Moisés Silva

• Publisher: Zondervan
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9780310537533
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Reference

Provides quick and reliable information on the most important people, places, and concepts found in the Bible, as well as explanations for difficult-to-understand terms. The Essential Bible Dictionary is a compact reference tool for any reader of Scripture.

Unlike similar Bible dictionaries and study aids, this essential dictionary is designed to streamline Bible reading and comprehension and is focused exclusively on proper nouns and words for which a special biblical usage requires comment.

In addition to defining words, places, people, and the many themes of the Bible, you'll find:

• Full-color images, maps, illustrations, and diagrams throughout.
• Succinct book overviews (arranged alphabetically) with orientating information on author, content, background, and purpose.
• Phonetic pronunciation key for each entry.
• Important cross-references for further study.

Ideal for use in devotions or personal Bible study, The Essential Bible Dictionary is a storehouse of information that will bring the everyday world of the Bible to life.

Can be used with any translation of the Bible.

A

Aaron (air´uhn). Brother of MOSES and MIRIAM (Num. 26:59). Aaron and his wife Elisheba had four sons (26:60; see NADAB). God appointed him to be Moses’ spokesman (Exod. 4:14 – 16), and he later became the first HIGH PRIEST in Israel (ch. 28). Although highly regarded, Aaron is also faulted for his part in the incident of the golden calf (32:1 – 25) and for his criticism of Moses (Num. 12:1 – 9). He died without being allowed to enter the Promised Land (20:12, 22 – 29). In the NT, the author of Hebrews regards Aaron as a foreshadowing of Christ (Heb. 5:1 – 5), but explains that the Aaronic priesthood was only temporary, whereas Christ’s ministry is eternal (7:11 – 28).

Mt. Hor. The structure on top of the mountain is known as Aaron’s Tomb.

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Aaron’s staff (rod). When KORAH and his confederates challenged the leadership of MOSES and AARON (Num. 16 – 17), Moses placed the staffs of the tribal leaders, including Aaron’s, inside the TABERNACLE. The next day Aaron’s staff was found to have budded, vindicating his divine authority as high priest; it was then placed before the ARK in the HOLY OF HOLIES “as a sign to the rebellious” (17:6 – 10). The staff referred to is very likely the same shepherd’s staff Moses was carrying at the time of his call (Exod. 4:2 – 4; called “the staff of God” in v. 20).

Abaddon (uh-bad´uhn). This Hebrew name means “[place of] destruction, ruin.” With its Greek equivalent Apollyon, it is used once in the NT with reference to the evil angel who reigns over the infernal regions of the ABYSS (Rev. 9:11).

Abana (ab´uh-nuh). The name of a river (today called Barada) that flows through DAMASCUS and makes the area lovely and fertile. It was mentioned by NAAMAN when he objected to bathing in the JORDAN (2 Ki. 5:12).

Abarim (ab´uh-rim). The region E of the JORDAN, and specifically a mountain range in NW MOAB that includes Mount NEBO. The Israelites encamped here just before crossing the Jordan, and from one of its peaks MOSES saw the Promised Land (Num. 33:47 – 48; Deut. 32:49).

Abba (ah´buh, ab´uh). An ARAMAIC term meaning “father,” used with the corresponding Greek term three times in the NT as a way of addressing God (Mk. 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). It is probable that Jesus used this word also in many of the instances where the Gospels record that he referred to God as FATHER.

Abdon (ab´duhn). The eleventh mentioned JUDGE of Israel; he ruled eight years (Jdg. 12:13 – 15).

Abednego (uh-bed´ni-goh). The Babylonian name given to AZARIAH, one of the three Israelite youths who were companions of DANIEL (Dan. 1:7). The other two were SHADRACH and MESHACH. Daniel and his three friends belonged to the Hebrew royal family and determined not to defile themselves with the pagan diet (vv. 8 – 15). Later, the three youths were appointed provincial administrators (2:49). Because they refused to worship the pagan image set up by King NEBUCHADNEZZAR, they were cast into a fiery furnace, but they were miraculously delivered (3:1 – 30). The NT alludes to them when it mentions the heroes of faith who “quenched the fury of the flames” (Heb. 11:34).

Abel (ay´buhl). (1) ADAM and EVE’s second son, who was murdered by his brother CAIN because God looked with favor on Abel’s offering (Gen. 4:1 – 12; see Heb. 11:4; 12:24). (2) Shortened form of Abel Beth Maacah, a town in the extreme N of Palestine (2 Sam. 20:18; see vv. 14 – 15).

Abel Meholah (ay´buhl-mi-hoh´luh). The hometown of ELISHA the prophet (1 Ki. 19:16; also mentioned in Jdg. 7:22, etc.).

Abiathar (uh-bi´uh-thahr). Son of the high priest AHIMELECH. After his father’s death, Abiathar joined DAVID (1 Sam. 22:20 – 23), and later he served as high priest along with ZADOK (2 Sam. 15:24 – 29). When David was near death, Abiathar supported ADONIJAH rather than SOLOMON (1 Ki. 1:7), so when the latter ascended the throne, Abiathar was banished (2:22 – 27).

Abib (ay´bib, ah-veev´). TNIV Aviv. The first month in the Jewish religious CALENDAR (corresponding to March – April), during which the Passover took place (Exod. 13:4; 23:15; 34:18; Deut. 16:1). Abib is the older name for the month of Nisan (Neh. 2:1; Esth. 3:7).

Abigail, Abigal (ab´uh-gayl, ab´uh-gal). (1) The wise and beautiful wife of NABAL, a rich man who refused to give provisions to DAVID. After Nabal died, Abigal married David and bore his second son, KILEAB (1 Sam. 25:2 – 42; 2 Sam. 3:3). (2) A sister of King David and the mother of AMASA (2 Sam. 17:25; 1 Chr. 2:16 – 17).

Abihu (uh-bi´hyoo). Second son of AARON; he and his older brother NADAB, who were priests, presented a type of offering that God had forbidden, and for that reason God took their lives (Exod. 6:23; Lev. 10:1 – 2).

Abijah, Abijam (uh-bi´ juh, uh-bi´ juhm). The name of several persons, especially a son of REHOBOAM who became the second king of Judah after the division of the kingdom (1 Ki. 14:31 – 15:8 [where the Heb. text calls him “Abijam”]; 2 Chr. 12:16 – 14:1). Abijah followed the evil ways of his father and reigned only three years.

Abilene (ab´uh-lee´nee). A region in SYRIA near the Antilebanon mountains (see LEBANON); it was ruled by Lysanias when JOHN the Baptist began his ministry (Lk. 3:1).

Abimelech (uh-bim´uh-lek). TNIV Abimelek. (1) A PHILISTINE king of GERAR who took SARAH to marry her; after being warned by God in a dream, he immediately returned her to ABRAHAM (Gen. 20:1 – 18). The name Abimelech may be a title. (2) A second king of Gerar, probably the son of the previous Abimelech; he rebuked ISAAC for trying to pass off REBEKAH as his sister (Gen. 26:1 – 11). (3) The son of GIDEON by a concubine; after murdering all but one of his half brothers, he became king of SHECHEM (Jdg. 8:31; 9:1 – 57). (4) A Philistine king mentioned in the title of Ps. 34; he is very likely the same as ACHISH king of GATH (1 Sam. 21:10 – 22:1).

Abinadab (uh-bin´uh-dab). (1) A brother of DAVID (1 Sam. 16:8; 17:13). (2) A son of SAUL who died with his father in battle with the PHILISTINES (1 Sam. 31:2). (3) A man of KIR...