Bible Dictionary for Christian Scripture Study
Search hundreds of entries covering people, places, doctrines, objects, and events from the Old and New Testaments. Every definition written from a Christian perspective with cross-references to the Bible.
What is the Bible Dictionary?
A Bible dictionary is a reference tool that defines and explains the people, places, doctrines, objects, and events found in the biblical text. Unlike a standard English dictionary that defines words by their modern usage, a Bible dictionary provides historical, cultural, and theological context specific to the world of scripture. Gospel Daily's Bible Dictionary is written from a Christian perspective, drawing on the unique insights of Christian tradition to illuminate biblical terms.
The Bible Dictionary contains entries organized into categories: Person entries cover patriarchs, prophets, kings, apostles, and other key figures with biographical summaries and scripture references. Place entries describe cities, mountains, rivers, and regions with their historical significance. Doctrine entries explain theological concepts like atonement, grace, priesthood, and resurrection. Object entries cover items like the Ark of the Covenant, the bronze serpent, and the tabernacle furnishings. Event entries describe major occurrences from the Creation to the early Christian church.
What sets this Bible dictionary apart from others is its Christian perspective. Every entry considers how the full biblical witness -- Old and New Testaments together -- illuminates the topic. When you look up 'Melchizedek,' you do not just learn about the mysterious priest-king of Salem in Genesis 14 -- you also see how the book of Hebrews and Psalm 110 expand our understanding of his priesthood. When you look up 'baptism,' the entry draws on the full New Testament witness to explain its theological significance.
The Bible Dictionary includes a powerful search function, alphabetical browsing by letter, and category filtering so you can explore all entries of a particular type. Each entry includes cross-references and 'see also' links to related terms, creating a network of connected knowledge that supports deep, multi-layered study.
How It Works
Search or browse
Type any term into the search bar for instant results, or browse alphabetically by clicking a letter. Filter by category to see only people, places, doctrines, objects, or events.
Read the full entry
Select any term to see its complete definition, including historical context, doctrinal significance, and scripture references drawn from the Bible.
Follow cross-references
Each entry includes 'see also' links to related terms and direct scripture references, letting you trace connections across the dictionary and into the scriptural text itself.
Key Features
Searchable Reference Library
Hundreds of entries searchable by keyword with instant results, alphabetical browsing, and category filtering for focused study.
People of Scripture
Detailed biographical entries for patriarchs, prophets, kings, apostles, and other figures with their scriptural roles and significance.
Places of Scripture
Geographic entries for every major biblical location with historical context, modern identification, and links to the Scripture Map tool.
Christian Perspective
Every entry enriched with insights from Christian tradition, drawing on the Bible alongside the Bible.
A real entry from the Bible Dictionary:
Grace (χάρις — Charis)
The unmerited favor of God toward sinful humanity. Grace is the foundation of the Christian doctrine of salvation: God freely offers forgiveness and eternal life not because of human achievement but because of His love expressed through Jesus Christ.
Definition & Theological Importance
Paul's declaration that 'by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works' (Ephesians 2:8-9) is a cornerstone of Protestant theology. Grace is not merely a one-time gift but a sustaining power enabling believers to live godly lives (2 Corinthians 12:9; Titus 2:11-12).
Scripture References
Key passages: Ephesians 2:8-9 | Romans 3:24 | 2 Corinthians 12:9 | Titus 2:11-12 | John 1:14-16. See also: Faith, Justification, Redemption, Sanctification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Bible dictionary used for?
A Bible dictionary is used to look up the meaning and significance of people, places, doctrines, objects, and events mentioned in the Bible. It provides historical, cultural, and theological context that helps you understand scripture more deeply. The Gospel Daily Bible Dictionary adds a Christian perspective, incorporating insights from Christian tradition and biblical scholarship.
How is this Bible dictionary different from printed Bible dictionaries?
Traditional printed Bible dictionaries contain limited entries and lack cross-linking. Gospel Daily's Bible Dictionary provides a searchable, browsable digital experience with categorized entries, cross-references, and direct links to scripture text. It is designed for deep, connected study rather than quick lookup.
Can I look up people and places in the Bible Dictionary?
Yes. The Bible Dictionary covers people, places, doctrines, objects, and events from across the Old and New Testaments. For example, the entry on 'Isaiah' would reference the book of Isaiah as well as New Testament passages that quote him. Each entry includes cross-references to related scripture passages.
What categories of entries does the Bible Dictionary include?
The Bible Dictionary organizes entries into five categories: Person (patriarchs, prophets, kings, apostles, and other figures), Place (cities, mountains, rivers, regions), Doctrine (theological concepts and teachings), Object (significant physical items mentioned in scripture), and Event (major occurrences from Creation through the early Church). You can filter by any category to focus your study.
Does the Bible Dictionary include scripture references?
Yes. Every entry in the Bible Dictionary includes direct references to relevant scripture passages across the Bible. These references let you move from the dictionary definition directly into the scriptural text to read the term in its original context. Entries also include 'see also' links to related terms within the dictionary.
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