Welcome to FaithTime’s Bible Glossary. Here you’ll find clear, biblically grounded definitions for important terms beginning with the letter A, complete with Scripture references and explanations to enrich your study and spiritual growth.
A.D.
Definition: “A.D.” is an abbreviation derived from the Latin phrase “Anno Domini,” meaning “In the year of our Lord.” It is used to designate the time period in history following the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mentions:
- Acts 11:28 – “One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)”
- Luke 3:1 – “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea…”
Ab
Definition: The word “Ab” is Hebrew for “father” and is often used to refer to the month of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, marking the beginning of the Jewish religious year.
Mentions:
- Exodus 12:2 – “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.”
Abaddon
Definition: Abaddon, derived from Hebrew, means “destruction” or “place of destruction.” It refers to a spiritual being or a personification of the realm of the dead, often associated with Sheol or Hell.
Mentions:
- Revelation 9:11 – “They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon.”
Abba
Definition: A term of endearment and familiarity used by Jesus to address and refer to God the Father, expressing a close and intimate relationship.
Mentions:
- Mark 14:36 – “‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’”
Abib
Definition: The first month of the Jewish religious calendar, corresponding to the period between mid-March and mid-April in the Gregorian calendar. It marks the beginning of the harvest season.
Mentions:
- Deuteronomy 16:1 – “Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the LORD your God because in the month of Abib he brought you out of Egypt by night.”
Abomination
Definition: Something or someone that is detestable, sinful, or morally offensive in the eyes of God.
Mentions:
- Leviticus 18:22 – “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
Abyss
Definition: A deep or bottomless place; sometimes associated with Hell or the realm of the dead.
Mentions:
- Genesis 1:2 – “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep…”
- Revelation 9:2 – “And when he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace…”
Achaia
Definition: A region in ancient Greece, including Corinth, often referenced in the New Testament in relation to Paul’s ministry.
Mentions:
- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 – Passage describing Paul’s ministry and God’s power displayed through human weakness.
Adar
Definition: The twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding to late winter or early spring.
Mentions:
- Esther 9:19 – “Therefore the Jews of the rural areas… make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting…”
Adoption
Definition: Being spiritually reborn into God’s family, receiving the status of His children.
Mentions:
- Galatians 4:4-5 – “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son… that we might receive adoption to sonship.”
Adultery
Definition: Engaging in sexual relations with someone other than one’s spouse.
Mentions:
- Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you…”
Advocate
Definition: Someone who pleads on behalf of another and provides assistance or defense.
Mentions:
- 1 John 2:1-2 – “…if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ…”
Alabaster
Definition: A fine-grained, translucent gypsum used for carvings, ornaments, or vessels.
Mentions:
- Matthew 26:6-7 – “…a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume…”
Alamoth
Definition: A term in the Hebrew Bible indicating a musical direction or instrument; exact meaning uncertain.
Mentions:
- Psalm 46 & 48 – Titles indicating “According to Alamoth.”
Aleppo Codex
Definition: The oldest authoritative manuscript of the Hebrew Bible, dating back to the 10th century CE.
Mentions:
- Psalm 119:11 – “I have hidden your word in my heart…” (context of Scripture preservation)
Allegory
Definition: A literary device using symbolic characters, actions, or events to convey moral or spiritual meanings.
Mentions:
- Galatians 4:21-31 – Paul’s allegory of Ishmael and Isaac.
Alpha
Definition: The first letter of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing beginning; a title for Jesus Christ.
Mentions:
- Revelation 22:13 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega…”
Alpha And Omega
Definition: First and last letters of Greek alphabet, symbolizing the beginning and the end; title for God or Jesus.
Mentions:
- Revelation 1:8 – “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega…’ says the Lord God…”
Altar
Definition: A sacred structure used for sacrifices or worship.
Mentions:
- Genesis 8:20 – “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD…”
- Exodus 20:24 – “Build an altar of earth for me…”
Amen
Definition: Expression of affirmation or agreement; “so be it.”
Mentions:
- Matthew 6:13 – “…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
- Revelation 22:20 – “…He who testifies… says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen.”
Analogy
Definition: A comparison between two things for explanation or clarification.
Mentions:
- Mark 4:30 – “‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God…?’”
Ancient Near East
Definition: Geographic region covering Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, the Levant; significant in biblical history.
Mentions:
- Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Angel
Definition: A celestial being created by God, often messengers or servants.
Mentions:
- Luke 1:35 – “The Holy Spirit will come upon you… the child to be born will be called holy…”
Annunciation
Definition: The event where Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear Jesus.
Mentions:
- Luke 1:26-38 – “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Anoint
Definition: Applying oil as a symbol of consecration or blessing.
Mentions:
- Psalm 23:5 – “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
- Exodus 29:21 – “…sprinkle it on the altar, and on his garments…”
Antichrist
Definition: A false messiah who opposes Christ.
Mentions:
- 1 John 2:18 – “…as you have heard that the antichrist is coming…”
Antinomianism
Definition: The belief that Christians are not bound by the moral law but justified by faith alone.
Mentions:
- Romans 6:1-2 – “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!”
