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.
Closet
Agriculture & Daily Life - New Testament
A closet in older English Bible usage means an inner room or private chamber. Jesus used the term when teaching his disciples to pray privately rather than for public display (Matthew 6:6).
CLOTHED UPON
Death & Afterlife - New Testament
“Clothed upon” describes being covered with an additional garment. In 2 Corinthians 5 it expresses Paul’s longing for the mortal body to be enveloped and transformed by heavenly life, in connection with incorruption and immortality.
CLOTHES, RENDING OF
Jewish Life & Customs - Both
The rending of clothes was a customary expression of deep grief, calamity, or indignation among the Hebrews. Scripture records it at deaths, disasters, and perceived blasphemy, though the phrase can also refer simply to tearing a garment.
Clothing
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Clothing in the Bible includes garments used for ordinary dress, protection, status, mourning, worship, and ceremonial service. Clothing could also symbolize purity, authority, or changed spiritual condition.
Cloud
Objects & Symbols - Both
Clouds provide rain and shade, but Scripture also uses them as symbols of God’s hidden glory, presence, guidance, judgment, and the transitory nature of life. God led Israel by a pillar of cloud, and Christ is described as coming with clouds.
Cloud, Pillar Of
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
The pillar of cloud was the visible sign of God’s presence and guidance with Israel in the wilderness. By day it went before the camp, while by night it appeared as a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21–22).
CLOUT
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A clout is a patch, rag, or fragment of cloth or leather. As a verb, to clout means to patch or mend, as with the worn and patched shoes of the Gibeonites.
Clouted
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Clouted means patched or repaired. The worn clothing and footwear of the Gibeonites were described as clouted in their attempt to deceive Israel (Joshua 9:5).
CLOVEN
Jewish Life & Customs - Both
Cloven means split or divided into two parts. Under the Mosaic law it describes animals with divided hoofs; in Acts 2 it describes tongues appearing as divided or bifurcated flames.
CLUSTER
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A cluster is a bunch of things growing or gathered together, especially grapes. Scripture also speaks of clusters of henna flowers and dates, and uses vine clusters figuratively in judgment imagery.
Cnidus
Places & Geography - New Testament
Cnidus was a city and harbor at the southwestern extremity of Asia Minor. Paul’s ship passed near it on the voyage to Rome (Acts 27:7).
Coal
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Coal in the Bible generally refers to charcoal, burning embers, or glowing stones rather than mineral coal. It is used literally as fuel and figuratively for lightning, judgment, or overcoming an enemy with kindness.
Coast
Places & Geography - Both
Coast usually means a boundary or border in older Bible translations, not necessarily land beside the sea. In some passages it refers specifically to a seacoast or coastland.
Coat
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A coat was generally a tunic worn next to the skin, sometimes woven without a seam or made with sleeves. The word can also refer to an outer garment in certain passages.
Coat of mail
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
A coat of mail was protective armor made of linked or overlapping metal pieces. It was worn by warriors such as Goliath and is also called a breastplate or corselet.
Cock
Agriculture & Daily Life - New Testament
The cock, or domestic rooster, is mentioned in the New Testament chiefly because of its crowing. Jesus used cockcrowing as a time marker and foretold that Peter would deny Him before the cock crowed.
Cock-crowing
Agriculture & Daily Life - New Testament
Cock-crowing was a recognized period of the night, especially toward morning. Jesus referred to it when warning of His return and when foretelling Peter’s three denials.
Cockatrice
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Cockatrice is an old translation for a deadly serpent, probably a viper or basilisk. The biblical passages do not require the medieval fabulous creature associated with the name.
Cockle
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Cockle refers to offensive or stinking weeds in Job 31:40. The word probably describes noisome weeds generally rather than one particular plant.
Coele-Syria
Places & Geography - Inter-testament
Coele-Syria means “hollow Syria” and denotes the long valley between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon. The term was used with varying boundaries in ancient times.
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