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.
Booths
Festivals & Holy Days - Both
Booths refers to temporary shelters made from branches, especially those used during the Feast of Tabernacles. The term is also associated with Succoth and Israel’s wilderness dwelling.
Booty
Government & Society - Old Testament
Booty consisted of captives, animals, valuables, and other goods taken in war. Israelite law regulated its treatment and division, and David required those guarding the baggage to share equally with the fighting men.
Booz
People & Groups - New Testament
Booz is the Greek form of Boaz, the Bethlehemite who married Ruth and became an ancestor of David and Jesus’ human lineage.
BOR-ASHAN
Places & Geography - Old Testament
A textual correction in 1 Samuel 30:30 for Chor-ashan or Cor-ashan. It is probably the same place as Ashan, a town associated with Judah.
BORDERER
Government & Society - Inter-testament
A person living on the border or near the confines of a country. The term occurs in the account of neighboring rulers in 2 Maccabees.
BORE
Jewish Life & Customs - Old Testament
To pierce a slave's ear with an awl as a sign that he freely chose permanent service in his master's household. The ceremony expressed lasting attachment and obedience.
Borrow
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
To borrow means to receive something for temporary use with an obligation to return it. In Exodus, however, the Israelites “borrowed” from the Egyptians in the sense of requesting or receiving valuables before leaving Egypt.
BORROWING
Measures & Money - Old Testament
In the Old Testament, borrowing was generally a response to poverty rather than commercial enterprise. Israel's law protected the poor by forbidding interest on loans to fellow Israelites and providing periodic release of debts.
Boscath
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Boscath, or Bozkath, was a town in Judah. It was the birthplace of Adaiah, the mother of King Josiah.
Bosom
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The bosom is the breast or fold of a garment where objects could be carried. Figuratively, it denotes intimacy, affection, secrecy, tender care, or close fellowship, as in Christ’s relationship with the Father and His care for His people.
Bosor
People & Groups - Both
Bosor is the Aramaic or Greek form of Beor, the father of Balaam, mentioned in 2 Peter 2:15. It was also the name of a city taken by Judas Maccabeus in Gilead.
BOSORA
Places & Geography - Inter-testament
A strong city in Gilead captured by Judas Maccabeus. It is identified with Bostra, whose ruins lie southeast of the Hauran on the ancient Roman road.
BOSS
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
The raised or curved central knob of an ancient shield. The term occurs in the plural in Job 15:26 as an image of a shield's protuberances.
Bosses
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
Bosses are the projecting or convex parts of a shield. The term can also refer generally to a rounded or arched prominence.
BOTANY
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
The study of plant life. Biblical botany concerns the diverse flora of Palestine, including trees, shrubs, crops, and plants mentioned in Scripture and the natural conditions affecting their growth.
Botch
Sin & Judgment - Old Testament
“Botch” is an old English rendering for a boil or inflammatory skin disease. It is listed among the judgments threatened in Deuteronomy and associated with the Egyptian plague of boils.
BOTRYS
Places & Geography - Both
A Phoenician coastal town north of Gebal, modern Batroun. It is said to have been founded by Ithobal, king of Tyre, but it is not mentioned in Scripture.
Bottle
Objects & Symbols - Both
A bottle in biblical times was commonly a container made from an animal skin, used for water, milk, wine, or oil; earthen vessels were also used. Jesus used old and new wineskins to illustrate the incompatibility of old forms with the newness of His teaching.
BOTTOM
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The lowest part or base of something, including the bottom of the sea, a valley, a hollow, or the lower part of a structure. Biblical usage varies with the Hebrew word and context.
BOTTOMLESS, PIT
Angels & Spiritual Beings - New Testament
The pit of the abyss, a term used in older English versions for what later translations call the Abyss. It denotes the deep realm associated with demonic confinement and judgment.
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