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.
Barsabas
People & Groups - New Testament
Barsabas was the surname of Joseph, also called Justus, and of Judas, a prophet and leader who was sent with Paul and Barnabas from the Jerusalem church.
Barsabbas
People & Groups - New Testament
Barsabbas is the surname of Joseph, one of the two men proposed with Matthias to replace Judas among the apostles.
Bartholomew
People & Groups - New Testament
Bartholomew was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He is traditionally identified with Nathanael, though the New Testament does not explicitly establish this identification.
Bartimaeus
Jesus Christ - New Testament
Bartimaeus was a blind beggar near Jericho whom Jesus healed as He journeyed toward Jerusalem. His healing is presented as an answer to faith.
Baruch
People & Groups - Old Testament
Baruch was Jeremiah’s faithful secretary and companion who wrote, read, and preserved the prophet’s messages. Several other men named Baruch are also mentioned after the exile.
Baruch, Book Of
Scripture - Inter-testament
The Book of Baruch is an apocryphal or deuterocanonical writing associated by tradition with Jeremiah’s secretary. It contains confession, prayer, praise of wisdom, and encouragement for Israel in exile.
Barzillai
People & Groups - Old Testament
Barzillai was a wealthy Gileadite who supplied David and his army during Absalom’s rebellion. David later commended his descendants to Solomon; other men of this name are also recorded.
BASE
Temple & Tabernacle - Both
A base is a foundation, pedestal, or supporting structure, especially those used for the lavers, altar, and candlestick in the tabernacle and temple. Figuratively, “base” may describe what is low, humble, worthless, or of low social standing.
Bashan
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Bashan was a fertile region east of the Jordan, extending from Gilead toward Hermon. Israel conquered it from King Og, and much of it was allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Bashan-havoth-jair
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Bashan-havoth-jair means “Bashan of the villages of Jair.” It was the name given to the district of Argob after Jair conquered it, a region containing many fortified towns.
Bashan, Hill of
Places & Geography - Old Testament
The hill of Bashan is a mountainous region mentioned in Psalm 68:15. It is commonly understood as referring to the highlands of Bashan, possibly including Hermon.
Bashanhavothjair
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Bashanhavothjair is another spelling of Bashan-havoth-jair, the name given to Argob after its conquest by Jair of Manasseh.
Bashemath
People & Groups - Old Testament
Bashemath was the name of Esau’s wife, daughter of Ishmael, also called Mahalath. Another Bashemath was Solomon’s daughter and wife of Ahimaaz, one of Solomon’s officers.
Basilisk
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Basilisk is a biblical term for a venomous serpent. Although later tradition described a fabulous “king serpent,” the biblical passages most likely refer generally to a dangerous snake.
Basin
Objects & Symbols - Both
A basin was a vessel used for washing, holding liquids, sprinkling, or receiving sacrificial blood. Basins served both ordinary household purposes and the worship of God in the tabernacle and temple.
Basket
Objects & Symbols - Both
Baskets were woven containers used for bread, fruit, grain, firstfruits, and other goods. In the New Testament, baskets also held the fragments left after Jesus’ feedings and carried Paul during his escape from Damascus.
Basmath
People & Groups - Old Testament
Basmath was a daughter of Solomon who married Ahimaaz, one of the officers appointed over Solomon’s provisions.
Bastard
Law & Covenant - Both
In Scripture, bastard refers either to offspring excluded from Israel’s assembly under the Mosaic law or, in the New Testament, to one without the privileges of a legitimate son. Zechariah may use the term for a mixed or foreign population.
Bastinado
Government & Society - Old Testament
Bastinado was a form of beating or scourging used as punishment. Israelite law limited the number of blows to forty, protecting the offender from excessive punishment.
Bat
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
The bat was listed among the unclean flying creatures in Israel’s dietary law. Isaiah pictures idols being cast to moles and bats, emphasizing their abandonment to darkness and ruin.
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