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.
Dinhabah
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Dinhabah was the royal city of Bela, son of Beor, one of the early kings of Edom. Its precise location has not been established with certainty.
DIONYSIA
Jewish Life & Customs - Inter-testament
The Dionysia were Greek festivals honoring Dionysus, the god associated with wine. They included feasts, processions, music, contests, and dramatic performances, and belonged to pagan religious culture.
Dionysius
People & Groups - New Testament
Dionysius the Areopagite was one of the few Athenians who believed Paul’s message at the Areopagus. The New Testament provides no further reliable details about his life.
DIONYSUS, (BACCHUS)
Jewish Life & Customs - Inter-testament
Dionysus, also called Bacchus, was a Greek deity associated with wine, fertility, ecstasy, and drama. His worship and festivals are mentioned in connection with Jewish and Hellenistic history.
DIOSCURI
Jewish Life & Customs - New Testament
The Dioscuri were the twin figures Castor and Pollux, regarded by Greeks as protectors of sailors. Their image appeared as the sign of the ship carrying Paul from Malta.
Diotrephes
People & Groups - New Testament
Diotrephes was a man in a Christian congregation who loved prominence, resisted John’s authority, spoke maliciously, and rejected Christian hospitality. John rebuked his conduct and warned against imitating his evil.
DIP
Worship & Prayer - Both
To dip means to immerse or moisten something, especially in blood, water, or another liquid. Priests dipped their fingers in sacrificial blood before sprinkling it in worship.
DIPHATH
People & Groups - Old Testament
Diphath was a son of Gomer in the genealogy of Japheth. The parallel genealogy in Genesis calls him Riphath.
DISALLOW
Doctrine & Theology - Both
To disallow means either to oppose or refuse permission, or to reject something as unacceptable. The New Testament uses the word especially of Christ being rejected.
DISCERN
Christian Life - Both
To discern means to observe, recognize, distinguish, or judge carefully. Biblical discernment includes distinguishing good from evil and understanding whether teaching or spiritual activity is genuine.
DISCERNINGS OF SPIRITS
Holy Spirit - New Testament
Discernings of spirits was a spiritual gift enabling believers to distinguish between speech prompted by God’s Spirit and teaching or activity arising from a false spirit.
Disciple
Christian Life - New Testament
A disciple is a learner and committed follower of a teacher. In the New Testament the term especially describes those who believe in Jesus, receive His teaching, follow His example, and confess Him as Lord.
DISCIPLINE
Christian Life - Both
Discipline means moral instruction, training, or corrective education. Scripture presents it as a means of cultivating righteousness and correcting believers, especially through instruction and chastening.
DISCOURSE
Christian Life - New Testament
Discourse means reasoned conversation, discussion, or public speaking. In Acts it describes Paul’s reasoning and teaching among Jews and Gentiles.
DISCOVER
Other - Both
To discover means to find out, perceive, reveal, or uncover. In older biblical English it often means to strip bare or disclose what had been concealed.
DISCREPANCIES, BIBLICAL
Scripture - Both
Biblical discrepancies are alleged or apparent differences between biblical statements, such as variations in numbers, chronology, wording, or arrangement. Many may reflect different perspectives or human transmission, while the Scriptures retain a unified witness to God’s saving revelation.
DISCUS
Agriculture & Daily Life - Inter-testament
A discus was a heavy stone or metal disk thrown as an athletic contest in Greek gymnasia. It was introduced at Jerusalem during the Hellenistic period and associated with pagan Greek games.
Diseases
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Biblical references to diseases include bodily illnesses and afflictions affecting individuals or communities. Scripture records healing as an act of God’s mercy and, in some cases, judgment or discipline.
Dish
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A dish was a bowl, platter, or serving vessel used for meals or offerings. Biblical dishes could be ordinary household utensils or valuable vessels made of silver or gold for tabernacle service.
Dishan
People & Groups - Old Testament
Dishan was the youngest son of Seir the Horite and a chief associated with the clans of Edom. His name is associated with an antelope or gazelle.
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