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.
BAR-JONAH
People & Groups - New Testament
Bar-Jonah means “son of Jonah” and is the patronymic given to Simon Peter by Jesus. The name indicates Peter’s father was called Jonah, or possibly John.
Barabbas
People & Groups - New Testament
Barabbas was a notorious prisoner involved in rebellion and murder. At the Passover, Pilate released him at the crowd’s demand instead of Jesus, who was then crucified.
Barachel
People & Groups - Old Testament
Barachel was a Buzite and the father of Elihu, the young man who spoke to Job and his friends.
BARACHIAH
People & Groups - New Testament
Barachiah is named as the father of Zechariah, whose murder Jesus connected with the guilt of his generation. The identification of this Zechariah with the son of Jehoiada is uncertain.
Barachias
People & Groups - New Testament
Barachias is a form of Berechiah, the name associated with the father of Zechariah mentioned in connection with the death of a righteous witness.
Barachias, Berechiah
People & Groups - Old Testament
Barachias, or Berechiah, means “whom the Lord has blessed” and was the father of the prophet Zechariah.
Barak
People & Groups - Both
Barak was the Israelite commander who, summoned by Deborah, led Israel against Jabin and Sisera. God gave victory through him, and his faith is commended in Hebrews.
Barbarian
Government & Society - New Testament
In the New Testament, barbarian means a person of another nation or language, especially one who did not speak Greek. It does not carry the modern sense of a savage or uncivilized person.
Barber
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A barber was one who shaved or trimmed the hair and beard. In Ezekiel, a barber’s razor represents the judgment and mourning symbolized by shaving the head and beard.
Barefoot
Jewish Life & Customs - Both
Going barefoot could express mourning, distress, humiliation, or calamity. Removing shoes was also associated with reverence on holy ground and with certain ancient worship practices.
Barhumite, The
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Barhumite was a person from Bahurim, the village associated with David’s flight from Absalom.
Bariah
People & Groups - Old Testament
Bariah was a descendant of David in the royal line through Solomon, mentioned among the descendants of Shemaiah.
Barjesus
People & Groups - New Testament
Barjesus is another form of Bar-jesus, the name of Elymas, the sorcerer who opposed Paul at Paphos.
Barjona
People & Groups - New Testament
Barjona is another form of Bar-jona, meaning “son of Jonah,” a name applied to Peter.
Barkos
People & Groups - Old Testament
Barkos was the ancestor of a family of Nethinim who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel after the Babylonian captivity.
Barley
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Barley was a hardy grain used for bread, especially by poorer people, and as fodder for animals. Its harvest preceded the wheat harvest and provided the loaves used in Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand.
Barn
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A barn was a storehouse for grain, often a dry underground pit or cistern in biblical lands. Jesus used the image of barns when teaching about storing crops and trusting God.
Barnabas
People & Groups - New Testament
Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus and an important early Christian leader. He encouraged the church, introduced Paul to the apostles, served with Paul in Antioch and missionary work, and later traveled with Mark.
Barrel
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A barrel in the King James Version was a large earthenware jar used to store flour or carry water. In other passages the same kind of vessel is more accurately called a pitcher.
Barren
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Barrenness refers especially to a woman’s inability to bear children, which was regarded in biblical society as a serious affliction. Several important biblical births occurred after a period of barrenness.
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