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.
DOCTRINE
Doctrine & Theology - Both
Doctrine means teaching, whether the act of instruction or the truths taught. Biblical doctrine includes the teaching of Christ and the apostles concerning God, salvation, faith, and Christian life.
Dodai
People & Groups - Old Testament
Dodai was an Ahohite who commanded David’s military division for the second month. He is probably the same man called Dodo in related records.
Dodanim
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Dodanim were a people descended from Javan, son of Japheth. The name may refer to the Dardani, though the parallel reading “Rodanim” has led others to identify them with the Rhodians.
Dodavah
People & Groups - Old Testament
Dodavah was a man of Mareshah and the father of Eliezer. His son condemned King Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah of Israel.
DODAVAHU
People & Groups - Old Testament
Dodavahu was the father of Eliezer of Mareshah, a prophet during the reign of Jehoshaphat. His name means “loved of God.”
Dodo
People & Groups - Old Testament
Dodo was the name of several men, including a judge or leader from Issachar, the father of David’s warrior Eleazar, and the father of Elhanan, one of David’s heroes.
Doeg
People & Groups - Old Testament
Doeg was an Edomite servant of Saul who reported David’s visit to Ahimelech and later killed the priests of Nob at Saul’s command. His treachery is associated with the setting of Psalm 52.
Dog
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Dogs were used for guarding homes and flocks, but packs of semi-wild dogs also scavenged and were viewed with contempt. Scripture uses “dog” figuratively for humiliation, fierce enemies, evildoers, and those excluded from God’s kingdom.
DOGMA
Doctrine & Theology - New Testament
Dogma means a decree, ordinance, or authoritative formulation of teaching. In the New Testament it refers to civil decrees, religious ordinances, and the decisions delivered by the Jerusalem council.
DOK
Places & Geography - Inter-testament
Dok was a small fortress near Jericho, also called Dagon. Ptolemy son of Abubus used it as the place where he murdered Simon Maccabeus and two of his sons.
DOLEFUL
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Doleful means mournful or wailing. The doleful creatures of Isaiah 13:21 are probably jackals, while the related expression in Micah describes lamentation.
Doleful creatures
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
“Doleful creatures” occurs in Isaiah’s description of ruined Babylon. The expression probably refers to howling animals, commonly understood as jackals or possibly screeching owls inhabiting the desolate ruins.
DOMINION
Angels & Spiritual Beings - New Testament
Dominion in several New Testament passages denotes a rank or order of spiritual beings, commonly understood as an angelic order. The word can also refer to authority or rule.
DOOR
Objects & Symbols - Both
A door is the movable entrance to a house, room, city gate, or sacred enclosure. Scripture also uses the image figuratively for Christ, access to salvation, opportunity, and spiritual service.
Door-keeper
Jewish Life & Customs - Both
A door-keeper was a person stationed at the entrance of a house or sacred place. The term can also describe the humble position of standing at the threshold of God’s house.
Door-posts
Jewish Life & Customs - Old Testament
Door-posts are the upright sides of a doorway. Israel was commanded to place God’s words upon the door-posts, a practice later expressed through the mezuzah attached to Jewish doorways.
DOORKEEPER
Temple & Tabernacle - Both
Doorkeepers guarded the entrances of cities and the temple. Levitical doorkeepers opened and closed the temple gates, protected sacred areas and vessels, and received offerings; the New Testament also mentions household doorkeepers.
Doors
Objects & Symbols - Both
Doors were hinged, barred, or locked entrances to houses and sacred buildings. Scripture also uses the door figuratively for access, opportunity, heaven, and, in Jesus’ teaching, Christ Himself as the entrance to salvation.
Dophkah
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Dophkah was one of the encampments of Israel during the wilderness journey after leaving the wilderness of Sin. Its exact location is uncertain.
Dor
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Dor was an ancient Canaanite coastal city later allotted to Manasseh. Solomon made it one of his administrative districts, and its people supplied provisions for the royal court.
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