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.
DAMSEL
Jewish Life & Customs - Both
A damsel is a young unmarried woman or girl. Depending on the context, the word may refer to a maidservant, a young female slave, or a child.
Dan
People & Groups - Old Testament
Dan was Jacob’s fifth son and the ancestor of one of Israel’s tribes. His name means “judge”; the tribe received territory in the west but later migrated north and settled at the city also called Dan.
Dan-jaan
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Dan-jaan was a place visited by Joab’s officers during David’s census. The text is uncertain, and its location is not securely identified; some connect it with a northern site near Dan.
Dance
Christian Life - Both
Dancing in Scripture commonly expressed joy, celebration, thanksgiving, or mourning’s opposite. It was often performed by women with music and timbrels, while David famously danced before the ark of the Lord.
DANDLE
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
To dandle means to caress or gently move a child upon the knees. Isaiah uses the image to portray comfort and tender care in Jerusalem.
DANGER
Sin & Judgment - New Testament
Danger is the possibility of harm or judgment. In some New Testament passages, however, the word refers more certainly to liability or guilt before judgment, including the consequences of rejecting God’s truth.
Daniel
Prophecy - Old Testament
Daniel was a Jewish exile who served God faithfully in the courts of Babylon and Persia. God gave him wisdom to interpret dreams and visions, and he received prophetic revelations concerning kingdoms and the future triumph of God’s rule.
Daniel, Apocryphal Additions To
Scripture - Inter-testament
The apocryphal additions to Daniel are Greek sections absent from the Hebrew text, including the Song of the Three Holy Children, Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon. They recount deliverance, judgment, and Daniel’s wisdom in expanded form.
Daniel, Book of
Scripture - Old Testament
The Book of Daniel contains historical narratives about Jewish exiles and prophetic visions concerning earthly kingdoms and God’s kingdom. It is written partly in Hebrew and partly in Aramaic and emphasizes God’s sovereignty over rulers and history.
Daniel, The Book Of
Scripture - Old Testament
The Book of Daniel combines historical accounts of Daniel and his companions with visions concerning the kingdoms of the world and the people of God. Its Hebrew and Aramaic sections present God’s providence, judgment, and promised triumph.
DANITES
People & Groups - Old Testament
Danites were members of the tribe of Dan. The term identifies Samson’s family and other people belonging to Dan in the period of the judges and the early monarchy.
Danites, The
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Danites were the descendants and tribal members of Dan. Their territory was first allotted in the west, but part of the tribe later migrated north and captured the city of Laish, renaming it Dan.
Danjaan
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Danjaan means “belonging to Dan” and is probably another form of Dan. It is mentioned in the account of David’s census.
Dannah
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Dannah was a town in the hill country of Judah, probably southwest of Hebron. It is identified by some with Idhna, though the identification is not certain.
DAPHNE
Places & Geography - Inter-testament
Daphne was a famous suburb and sanctuary near Antioch on the Orontes. It became known for its grove, temple of Apollo, asylum, luxury, and moral corruption during the Hellenistic period.
Dara
People & Groups - Old Testament
Dara is another form of Darda, a wise man associated with the family of Zerah in 1 Chronicles 2:6.
Darda
People & Groups - Old Testament
Darda was one of the wise men compared with Solomon. He may have been a son of Mahol or a descendant of Judah through Zerah.
DARE
Christian Life - New Testament
To dare means to show courage or boldness. In Scripture it does not ordinarily mean to defy or challenge, but to act confidently in undertaking something.
Daric
Measures & Money - Old Testament
A daric was a Persian gold coin used after the Jewish return from Babylon. It is mentioned in the post-exilic records, while the earlier reference in Chronicles may denote a weight rather than an actual coin.
Darius
Government & Society - Old Testament
Darius was the name of several Persian or Median rulers mentioned in Scripture. They include Darius the Mede, associated with Daniel’s deliverance, Darius Hystaspes, who supported the rebuilding of the temple, and a later Persian king named in Nehemiah.
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