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.
Cain
Sin & Judgment - Both
Cain was the first son of Adam and Eve. After God regarded Abel’s offering favorably, Cain murdered his brother in jealousy, was judged to be a fugitive, and became an enduring biblical example of sinful anger and unbelief.
Cainan
People & Groups - Both
Cainan is the Greek form of Kenan, an antediluvian patriarch descended from Seth. The New Testament also names a Cainan as a son of Arphaxad in Jesus’ genealogy, though this name is absent from the corresponding Old Testament genealogical passage.
Cake
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A cake was a small baked loaf or wafer made from wheat, barley, or other ingredients. Cakes could be used as ordinary food, gifts, festival provisions, or unleavened offerings at the sanctuary; some were also connected with idolatrous worship.
Calah
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Calah was one of the ancient cities associated with Assyria and Nimrod’s kingdom. It is commonly identified with the extensive ruins at Nimrud near the Tigris and was an important Assyrian royal center.
CALAMITY
Sin & Judgment - Old Testament
Calamity means serious adversity, misfortune, ruin, or distress. In the Old Testament it may describe suffering caused by folly, disease, poverty, persecution, war, wickedness, or divine judgment.
Calamus
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
Calamus was an aromatic reed or sweet cane used in holy anointing oil, perfume, and commerce. It was valued for its fragrant scent and was likely imported into the land of Israel.
Calcol
People & Groups - Old Testament
Calcol was a descendant of Zerah of Judah and is probably the same person called Chalcol, one of the wise men whom Solomon surpassed in wisdom.
Caldron
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A caldron was a large cooking pot used for boiling meat in domestic or sanctuary settings. Different biblical terms may refer to pots of varying size and use.
Caleb
People & Groups - Old Testament
Caleb son of Jephunneh was one of the twelve spies sent to Canaan and, with Joshua, urged Israel to trust God and enter the land. Because of his faithfulness, he survived the wilderness generation and received Hebron as his inheritance.
CALEB-EPHRATHAH
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Caleb-ephrathah is the name associated with the place where Hezron died in 1 Chronicles 2:24. Some ancient readings instead understand the passage to say that Caleb came to Ephrath after Hezron’s death; the location is uncertain.
CALENDAR
Festivals & Holy Days - Old Testament
The biblical calendar was based chiefly on lunar months and regulated the seasons, civil activities, and religious festivals. Israel’s calendar developed from an early observational system into later systems that combined observation with calculation.
Calf
Objects & Symbols - Both
A calf is a young animal of the ox kind, valued as food and frequently used in sacrifice. Scripture also condemns the worship of golden calves made by Israel and describes the fatted calf as a sign of celebration and welcome.
CALF, GOLDEN
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
The golden calf was an image of a bull or calf made for worship, first by Aaron at Sinai and later by Jeroboam at Bethel and Dan. These images represented a serious departure from faithful worship of the LORD and became symbols of Israel’s apostasy.
Calkers
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Calkers were workers who sealed or stopped the seams and openings of ships. The inhabitants of Gebal were employed in strengthening or repairing the vessels of Tyre.
Call
Salvation - Both
To call may mean to cry for help, pray, summon, appoint, or invite. God calls people to offices and service, and the gospel calls all people to receive His grace; the inward, effectual call draws sinners to Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Calling
Salvation - New Testament
Calling may refer to a person’s occupation or condition of life, but especially to God’s invitation to salvation through Jesus Christ. Believers are urged to live worthy of this holy, heavenly calling and to confirm their calling and election.
CALLISTHENES
People & Groups - Inter-testament
Callisthenes was an officer under Nicanor who helped burn the sacred gates of the Jerusalem temple during its desecration under Antiochus Epiphanes. After Nicanor’s defeat, Callisthenes was captured and burned by the Jews.
Calneh
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Calneh was one of the cities of Nimrod’s kingdom, listed with Babel, Erech, and Accad. It is also called Calno and Canneh in other passages; its identification with Nippur has been proposed but remains uncertain.
Calvary
Jesus Christ - New Testament
Calvary is the Latin form of the name translated “place of a skull,” the site outside Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. It is also called Golgotha in the Gospel accounts.
CALVES, OF THE LIPS
Worship & Prayer - Both
“Calves of the lips” is an ancient rendering of Hosea 14:2. The phrase is understood as offering words of repentance and praise rather than animal sacrifices, corresponding to the New Testament idea of the sacrifice of praise.
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