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.
Legion
Government & Society - New Testament
A legion was the principal division of the Roman army, ordinarily numbering about six thousand infantry with supporting cavalry. In the Gospels the word also expresses a very large and organized multitude.
Lehabim
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Lehabim were a people descended from Mizraim, or Egypt, in the genealogies of Genesis and Chronicles. They are probably connected with the Lubim or ancient Libyans of North Africa.
Lehi
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Lehi means “jawbone” and was the place where Samson defeated a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. It was located in the territory of Judah, near the Philistine border.
Lemuel
People & Groups - Old Testament
Lemuel was a king whose mother instructed him with wise sayings recorded in Proverbs 31. His identity is uncertain; the name may refer to an otherwise unknown ruler or tribal leader.
Lentiles
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Lentiles are lentils, small reddish leguminous seeds used as food. Jacob prepared red lentil stew, and lentils were also among the provisions brought to David and his followers.
Lentils
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Lentils are small beans cultivated as a common food in Palestine and surrounding lands. They were used in pottage and bread, and a field of lentils was defended by one of David’s warriors.
Leopard
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The leopard was a swift, spotted, and dangerous animal found in the lands around Israel. Scripture uses its speed, fierceness, watchfulness, and spots in descriptions of judgment and symbolic kingdoms.
Leper, Leprosy
Sin & Judgment - Both
Leper and leprosy refer to the skin diseases and ceremonial conditions described in Leviticus 13–14. Those judged unclean were separated from the community until examined and pronounced clean; the condition also became a picture of defilement and sin.
Leprosy
Sin & Judgment - Both
Leprosy was a serious skin disorder or comparable spreading condition governed by Israel’s laws of diagnosis, separation, and cleansing. Jesus demonstrated His mercy and authority by healing lepers and restoring them to fellowship.
Leshem
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Leshem was another name for Laish, the northern city later called Dan. It appears in the account of the territorial inheritance of the tribe of Dan.
LESSAU
Places & Geography - Inter-testament
Lessau was a place where Nicanor and the Jews fought, mentioned only in 2 Maccabees 14:16. It may be identical with Adasa, though this is uncertain.
LET
Other - New Testament
In older English, let may mean either to permit or to hinder. In 2 Thessalonians 2:7 it has the older meaning “restrain,” referring to what holds back the lawless one.
Letter
Scripture - New Testament
“Letter” can mean the written form of a command or the outward form of obedience. Paul contrasts the oldness of the letter, associated with the written Mosaic law, with the newness of the Spirit.
Letushim
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Letushim were a North Arabian tribe descended from Dedan through Jokshan. They are listed with the Asshurim and Leummim in Genesis.
Leummim
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Leummim were a North Arabian tribe descended from Dedan. Their name means “peoples” or “nations,” and they are listed with the Asshurim and Letushim.
Levi
People & Groups - Both
Levi was Jacob’s third son by Leah and the ancestor of the Levitical tribe. The name also belongs to several New Testament figures, including the apostle and tax collector Matthew and ancestors listed in Jesus’ genealogy.
Leviathan
Angels & Spiritual Beings - Old Testament
Leviathan is a poetic name for a great water creature, most clearly a crocodile in Job 41 and Psalm 74. In other passages it represents a mighty sea creature or a symbolic enemy subdued by God.
Levirate Law
Law & Covenant - Old Testament
The levirate law required a man to marry his deceased brother’s childless widow so that the family line and inheritance might continue. This custom is described in Deuteronomy and illustrated in the accounts of Tamar and Ruth.
Levite
People & Groups - Old Testament
A Levite was a descendant of Levi set apart for service connected with Israel’s worship. Levites assisted the priests, cared for the tabernacle and temple, taught the law, guarded the sanctuary, and received cities and tithes rather than a normal tribal territory.
Levites
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Levites were the tribe descended from Levi, including the priestly family of Aaron and the other families assigned to sanctuary service. They carried and guarded the tabernacle, assisted in temple worship, taught the law, and served as singers and gatekeepers.
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