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.
Bravery
Jewish Life & Customs - Old Testament
“Bravery” in Isaiah 3:18 is an old English term meaning beauty, adornment, splendor, or elegance. It refers to the decorative ornaments of the daughters of Zion, not to courage.
BRAWLER
Christian Life - New Testament
A quarrelsome or contentious person. Scripture warns against brawling conduct, especially in domestic life and among those who serve as leaders in the church.
BRAY
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
To make the harsh cry of a donkey, or to pound something thoroughly in a mortar. Scripture uses both senses literally and as figures for lamentation, mockery, or severe but ineffective discipline.
Brazen Serpent
Salvation - Both
The brazen serpent was the copper or bronze serpent Moses lifted on a pole in the wilderness. Those who looked upon it in faith were healed from the serpent bites; Jesus used it as a figure of His being lifted up for salvation.
Breach
Other - Both
A breach is a break, gap, fracture, or opening, whether in a wall, building, body, relationship, or covenant. Scripture also uses the term for a harbor or opening in a shoreline and for the need of restoration.
Bread
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Bread was the chief staple food of biblical peoples, commonly made from wheat or barley and baked as thin cakes. It was also used in offerings, including the showbread, and figuratively represents daily provision, sorrow, wickedness, fellowship, and God’s sustaining care.
BREADTH
Measures & Money - Both
The measure of how wide or spacious something is. Scripture applies breadth to the ark, tabernacle, temple, heavenly city, God's law, the human heart, and the immeasurable love of God.
BREAK
Other - Both
To break, destroy, burst, open, scatter, profane, or violate, depending on context. Scripture also uses the word for breaking bread in Christian fellowship and for breaking faith or covenant.
BREAST
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The front part of the human body or the corresponding area of an animal. Scripture uses the breast literally, for sacrificial portions, nursing, affection, sorrow, and symbolic descriptions of nations.
Breastplate
Temple & Tabernacle - Both
A breastplate could be protective armor or the sacred garment worn by Israel’s high priest. The priestly breastplate bore twelve precious stones engraved with the names of Israel’s tribes and was called the breastplate of judgment.
BREASTPLATE OF THE HIGH PRIEST
Temple & Tabernacle - Old Testament
The sacred pouch worn over the high priest's heart, containing twelve precious stones representing Israel's tribes. It was fastened to the ephod and associated with the Urim and Thummim for priestly judgment and decision.
Breeches
Temple & Tabernacle - Old Testament
Breeches were linen undergarments worn by Israel’s priests beneath their other priestly garments. They extended from the waist toward the knee or lower and provided modesty during sacred service.
BREED
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
To produce or multiply, especially in the sense of swarming or bringing forth abundantly. In Exodus 16 it also describes manna becoming infested when selfishly hoarded.
Brethren Of Jesus
People & Groups - New Testament
The brethren of Jesus are the persons called His brothers in the New Testament. The supplied source identifies the entry with James the Less; the broader biblical term refers to those regarded as His close family or relations.
BRETHREN OF THE LORD
People & Groups - New Testament
The men called Jesus' brothers in the Gospels and Acts, including James and Jude. They initially did not believe in His mission but later joined the disciples after His resurrection; their precise family relationship has been discussed in Christian tradition.
Bribe
Law & Covenant - Old Testament
A bribe is an improper gift or payment intended to influence judgment. Scripture forbids accepting bribes because they blind the discerning and pervert the cause of the righteous.
BRIBERY
Government & Society - Old Testament
Giving or receiving a gift to corrupt judgment or obtain an improper advantage. Biblical law condemns bribery because it blinds judges, perverts justice, and harms the innocent and poor.
Brick
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A brick was a building block commonly made from Nile or local mud, often strengthened with straw and dried in the sun. Israelite laborers were forced to make bricks in Egypt, and bricks were also used in ancient Mesopotamian construction.
BRICK-KILN
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A brick mould or brickmaking work, associated with forced labor. The term appears in accounts of construction and slavery and is better understood as referring to a brick mould or brickwork than to a kiln.
Bricks
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Bricks were widely used in ancient building, especially sun-dried bricks made from mud and straw. The Israelites made them under compulsion in Egypt, while the builders of Babel used fired bricks joined with bitumen.
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