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.
CITY, RULERS OF
Government & Society - New Testament
“Rulers of the city” translates a title for the magistrates of Thessalonica who confronted Jason and other Christians. The term referred especially to officials of free Greek cities, particularly in Macedonia.
CLAP
Worship & Prayer - Old Testament
Clapping the hands can express joy, triumph, or exultation, as in praise to God. It can also show indignation or repudiation; figuratively, Scripture describes floods and trees as clapping their hands in rejoicing.
CLASPS
Temple & Tabernacle - Old Testament
Clasps were fastening devices used to join the curtains and coverings of the tabernacle. Gold clasps connected the inner curtains, while bronze clasps joined the outer goats’ hair curtains.
Clauda
Places & Geography - New Testament
Clauda was a small island south of Crete, passed by Paul’s ship on the voyage to Rome. It is also called Cauda or Gozzo.
Claudia
People & Groups - New Testament
Claudia was a Christian woman in Rome who sent greetings to Timothy through Paul (2 Timothy 4:21). Nothing further about her can be established with certainty.
Claudius
Government & Society - New Testament
Claudius was the fourth Roman emperor, reigning from A.D. 41 to 54. During his reign Jews were expelled from Rome, and a famine occurred in the apostolic period (Acts 11:28; 18:2).
Claudius Lysias
People & Groups - New Testament
Claudius Lysias was the Roman military tribune who rescued Paul from a violent crowd in Jerusalem. He protected Paul as a Roman citizen and sent him under guard to Caesarea (Acts 21–23).
CLAW
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A claw is a hoof or nail-like part of an animal. In biblical usage, the term describes the divided hoof of clean animals, the hoofs of sheep, and the nails of Nebuchadnezzar in his humbled condition.
Clay
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Clay is sticky earth or mud used for pottery, bricks, mortar, and sealing. Scripture also uses it figuratively for human weakness and God’s authority as the potter.
Clean
Law & Covenant - Both
In Scripture, clean may describe physical purity, ceremonial acceptability, or moral and spiritual purity. Under the Mosaic law, clean animals, persons, places, and objects were distinguished from those that caused ceremonial defilement.
CLEANSE
Salvation - Both
To cleanse means to make clean, physically, ceremonially, or spiritually. Scripture uses the term for removing bodily or ritual impurity and, figuratively, for God’s forgiveness, sanctifying work, and removal of sin’s guilt and power.
CLEAVE
Christian Life - Both
“Cleave” has opposite biblical senses: to split or cut apart, and to cling closely or join oneself to another. Scripture speaks both of cleaving wood and of cleaving to a spouse, fellow believer, or what is good.
CLEMENCY
Christian Life - New Testament
Clemency means fairness, gentleness, and considerate treatment rather than harshness. Paul appealed to Felix’s clemency when presenting his case.
Clement
People & Groups - New Testament
Clement was a fellow worker with Paul at Philippi, whose name is associated with those written in the book of life (Philippians 4:3). His identification with Clement of Rome cannot be established with certainty.
Cleopas
People & Groups - New Testament
Cleopas was one of the two disciples who met the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:18). He should not be confidently identified with Clopas mentioned in John 19:25.
CLEOPATRA
People & Groups - Inter-testament
Cleopatra was a daughter of Ptolemy VI and Queen Cleopatra. She was a prominent Hellenistic princess who married Alexander Balas, Demetrius Nicator, and later Antiochus VII during the political struggles surrounding Syria and Judea.
Cleophas
People & Groups - New Testament
Cleophas, more properly Clopas, is named in connection with Mary at the crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:25). His identification with Alphaeus is possible but not certain.
Cloak
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A cloak was a large outer garment worn over the tunic, for warmth and protection. In the New Testament, the cloak Paul left at Troas was likely a heavy traveling garment (2 Timothy 4:13).
CLOD
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A clod is a lump or mass of earth. In Scripture it can describe the crust of sores, the soil of a valley, or earth covering seed; figuratively, plowing and breaking clods represents discipline and preparation.
CLOSE
Other - Both
To close may mean to shut, fold, restrain, hide, or make inaccessible. Biblical uses include closing a book, restraining people, shutting eyes, closing openings, and keeping silent.
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