Bible Dictionary
Explore biblical people, places, events, objects, ideas, and other terms. Search the dictionary directly, browse alphabetically, or narrow the list by category or Testament.
Fable
Scripture - Both
A fable is a story in which animals, plants, or other creatures speak and act like people, often to teach a moral lesson. In the New Testament the term also refers to religious myths or speculative tales contrasted with the truth of the gospel.
Face
God - Both
The face may mean a person’s presence, favor, attitude, or visible countenance. To seek God’s face means to seek His presence and favor, while the light of His face signifies blessing and acceptance.
FACT
Other - Inter-testament
Literally, a deed or action. In the biblical usage it refers to a particular deed, including the murder of Onias, which others condemned as wickedness.
FAIL
Christian Life - Both
To fall short, cease, be lacking, perish, or become exhausted. In the New Testament, faith and love are especially contrasted with things that fail or pass away.
FAIN
Other - Both
An older expression meaning gladly, willingly, or desirously. In different passages it describes a person wishing to flee, satisfy a desire, kill, or persuade.
FAINT
Christian Life - Both
To become physically exhausted, weak, or discouraged in spirit. Scripture uses the word for weariness from hunger, thirst, labor, grief, fear, and spiritual discouragement.
Fair Havens
Places & Geography - New Testament
Fair Havens was a harbor on the southern coast of Crete where Paul’s ship stopped during his voyage to Rome. Because the harbor was considered unsuitable for wintering, the crew continued sailing and later encountered a disastrous storm.
Fairs
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
“Fairs” in the King James Version of Ezekiel 27 refers to merchandise or wares, not modern fairs or marketplaces. The Revised Version consistently translates the underlying word as “wares.”
Faith
Salvation - Both
Faith is trust and reliance upon God and His word. Saving faith receives and rests upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation, bringing justification, peace with God, spiritual life, and sanctification; Scripture also uses the term for faithfulness or the body of Christian truth.
Faithful
Christian Life - Both
Faithful describes one who trusts God and remains dependable, as well as God’s word and covenant, which are true and worthy of trust. Christians are repeatedly called to display this steadfast character.
FAITHFUL SAYINGS
Scripture - New Testament
“Faithful sayings” are recurring trustworthy declarations in the Pastoral Epistles, especially concerning Christ’s saving mission, Christian service, godliness, union with Christ, and salvation by God’s mercy.
FAITHLESS
Sin & Judgment - New Testament
Faithless means unbelieving, disbelieving, or lacking fidelity. Scripture uses the term both for those who refuse faith and, in some contexts, for those who prove unfaithful.
FALCON
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
The falcon is a bird of prey associated with the smaller hawk or kestrel family. In Job, its keen sight is mentioned in describing the hidden path to a mine.
FALL
Other - Both
Fall commonly means descending, collapsing, being defeated, entering trouble, bowing in worship, or falling into apostasy. Its meaning depends on the context, whether literal or figurative.
Fall of man
Sin & Judgment - Both
The Fall of man is the first human rebellion against God when Adam and Eve disobeyed His command. Their sin brought shame, guilt, separation from God, corruption, and death into human experience, affecting all their descendants.
FALL, THE
Sin & Judgment - Both
The Fall is humanity’s first disobedience to God’s command in Genesis 3. It brought the loss of innocence, sin, suffering, and death, and stands behind the biblical teaching of judgment and redemption.
FALLOW
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
To leave land fallow is to let it rest without cultivation. Israel’s law required the ground to lie unused every seventh year, while related terms can also mean tilled or prepared ground.
Fallow Deer
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
The fallow deer is the animal called yahmur in the Hebrew Scriptures, mentioned among creatures permitted as food. Its exact identification is uncertain; it may refer to a deer, roebuck, or the bubale, a stag-like wild animal.
Fallow-ground
Christian Life - Old Testament
Fallow-ground is uncultivated land that has become covered with weeds and thorns. The prophetic command to break it up figuratively calls people to abandon sinful ways and prepare their hearts to receive God’s word and righteousness.
FAME
Government & Society - Both
Fame may mean a report or rumor about someone, or the renown and reputation that become widely known. Biblical usage applies it to both people and significant events.
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