Bible Terms Dictionary
The Beginner's Bible Dictionary is a guide for children as they read through the The Beginner's Bible. Try using these words in everyday conversation to reinforce the learning and each word's unique meaning. We're sure that each word in and of itself will lead to great discussions and a better understanding of God's love!
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A-H | I-P | Q-Z
Some of the words in this book may be new to you. Throughout the stories you will see these words in italics. You can find out what they mean by using this dictionary.
A
Altar: A platform or raised place on which a gift, or sacrifice, was offered to God.
Amen: A Hebrew word that means “so be it” or “let it become true.”
Anoint: 1. To pour olive oil on people or things. This sets them apart for God. 2. To pour oil on people as part of praying for their healing. 3. A sign of God’s blessing or favor.
Armor: A special outer covering like clothes made of metal and leather. People wore it to help keep them safe in battle.
Army: A group of people who fight in wars.
B
Baptize: To sprinkle, pour on, or cover a person with water. It is a sign that the person belongs to Jesus.
Bethesda: A pool in Jerusalem where miracles sometimes happened.
Book of the Law: The first five books of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
C
Christians: People who believe Jesus has forgiven their sins and will someday live with him forever in heaven.
Commandment: A law or order that God gives.
D
Disciple: A person who follows a teacher. This person does what their teacher says to do.
F
Faith: Trust and belief in God. Knowing God is real, even though we can’t see him.
H
Heaven: 1. The place where God lives. 2. The sky. 3. Where Christians go after they die.
Holy Spirit: God’s Spirit who creates life. He helps people do God’s work. He helps people to believe in Jesus, to love him and to live like him.
I
Israelites: People from the nation of Israel. God’s chosen people.
J
Jewish: Another name for a person from Israel.
L
Leprosy: A word used in the Bible for many different skin diseases and infections. People with leprosy during Bible times had to live in separate communities so they wouldn’t infect others.
M
Manna: Special food sent from heaven. It tasted like wafers, or crackers, sweetened with honey. God gave it to the Israelites in the desert, after they left Egypt.
Miracle: An amazing thing that happens that only God can do. This includes such things as calming a storm or bringing someone back to life.
O
Offering: Something people give to God. It was and is a part of their worship.
P
Passover: A feast that was celebrated every year to remember the time when God set the people of Israel free from Egypt. God “passed over” their homes if they were marked with blood in the doorways.
Pentecost: 1. A Jewish celebration held 50 days after Passover. 2. The day the Holy Spirit came in a special way to live in Christians.
Priest: A man who offered gifts and prayers to God on behalf of himself or other people. He often worked in the holy tent or the temple.
Proverbs: 1. Wise sayings. 2. (cap) A book of the Bible that contains many wise sayings.
Psalms: A poem of praise, prayer, or teaching. The book of Psalms is full of these poems.
Q
Quail: Small birds the Israelites ate when they were in the desert.
S
Sabbath: The seventh day of the week when the Jews rested and worshiped God.
Sacrifice: 1. To give something to God as a gift. 2. Something that is given to God as a gift of worship. See also offering.
Savior: The One who saves us from our sins. A name belonging to Jesus Christ.
T
Tabernacle: A traveling house of worship. When the Israelites were in the desert, their tabernacle was a tent.
Temple: The building where the Jewish people worshiped God and brought their sacrifices. God was present there in a special way.
W
Widow: A woman whose husband has died.