Welcome to FaithTime’s Bible Glossary. Here you’ll find clear, biblically grounded definitions for important terms beginning with the letter B, complete with Scripture references and explanations to enrich your study and spiritual growth.
Babylon
Definition: A historic empire and symbolic representation of pride, idolatry, and human power apart from God.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 137:1
Simple Meaning: Babylon represents both a real ancient city and a spiritual picture of a culture that resists God.
Baptism
Definition: A Christian practice of immersion or sprinkling with water that symbolizes repentance, cleansing, and new life in Christ.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:19
Simple Meaning: Baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment to follow Jesus.
Beatitudes
Definition: A series of blessings Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that describe the attitudes and character of those who belong to God’s kingdom.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:3–12
Simple Meaning: The Beatitudes show what a blessed life looks like from God’s perspective.
Belief
Definition: Trusting in God’s character, promises, and truth revealed in Scripture.
Scripture Reference: John 3:16
Simple Meaning: Belief is more than agreeing with facts—it is placing trust in God.
Bible
Definition: The sacred text of Christianity, composed of the Old and New Testaments, inspired by God and authoritative for faith and life.
Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 3:16
Simple Meaning: The Bible is God’s Word that teaches, guides, and reveals His will.
Blameless
Definition: Living with integrity, without guilt or moral fault before God—not meaning perfection, but sincere obedience.
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:15
Simple Meaning: Being blameless means living in a way that honors God and avoids wrongdoing.
Blessing
Definition: God’s favor, protection, provision, or spiritual benefit given to a person or group.
Scripture Reference: Numbers 6:24–26
Simple Meaning: A blessing is God giving us what is good for our lives.
Born Again
Definition: A spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ, resulting in a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Reference: John 3:3
Simple Meaning: Being born again means starting a new life with God.
Bread of Life
Definition: A title Jesus uses to describe Himself as the One who satisfies spiritual hunger.
Scripture Reference: John 6:35
Simple Meaning: Jesus is the only source of true spiritual nourishment.
Burden
Definition: A weight, worry, or responsibility carried emotionally, physically, or spiritually.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 55:22
Simple Meaning: God invites us to give our heavy burdens to Him.
Bride of Christ
Definition: A symbolic term referring to the Church as the spiritual bride united with Christ.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 5:25-27
Simple Meaning: The Church is called to be pure, holy, and devoted to Jesus as its Lord.
Bridle
Definition: A device used to control a horse; in the Bible, often symbolic of self-control and discipline.
Scripture Reference: James 3:3-4
Simple Meaning: Just as a bridle guides a horse, self-control guides our words and actions.
Brother
Definition: Term used for a fellow believer in Christ, signifying spiritual kinship.
Scripture Reference: 1 John 4:20
Simple Meaning: Christians are called to love one another as family.
Burial
Definition: The act of placing a dead body in a grave; in Scripture, often representing respect for the deceased and anticipation of resurrection.
Scripture Reference: John 19:40
Simple Meaning: Burial demonstrates obedience, honor, and faith in God’s promises.
Babel
Definition: The city where humanity attempted to build a tower reaching heaven, resulting in God confusing their language.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 11:1-9
Simple Meaning: Babel represents human pride and God’s authority over creation.
Barabbas
Definition: A criminal released instead of Jesus during the Passover, illustrating God’s substitutionary justice.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 27:16-17
Simple Meaning: Jesus took the place of sinners like Barabbas, showing God’s mercy.
Barnabas
Definition: An early Christian disciple known for encouragement and support of other believers.
Scripture Reference: Acts 4:36-37
Simple Meaning: Barnabas models how to encourage and strengthen others in their faith.
Beseech
Definition: To urgently and earnestly ask, beg, or implore.
Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:6
Simple Meaning: Christians are called to approach God in prayer with both urgency and humility.
Bethel
Definition: Literally “House of God,” a significant place of worship and revelation in the Old Testament.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 28:19
Simple Meaning: Bethel is a reminder of encountering God and experiencing His presence.
Blessed
Definition: Experiencing divine favor, joy, or spiritual well-being.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 1:1-2
Simple Meaning: Blessedness comes from delighting in God and following His ways.
Blasphemy
Definition: Speaking or acting in a way that shows contempt or disrespect toward God, His name, or His sacred works.
Scripture Reference: Mark 3:29
Simple Meaning: Blasphemy is insulting God or treating Him as unholy.
Bondservant
Definition: A servant or slave fully committed to serving a master; used in the New Testament to describe wholehearted devotion to Christ.
Scripture Reference: Romans 1:1
Simple Meaning: A bondservant is someone who belongs to Jesus and serves Him willingly.
Bounty
Definition: God’s generous provision and abundant blessings given to His people.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 65:11
Simple Meaning: God gives more than enough out of His goodness.
Barren
Definition: Unable to produce children or fruit; in Scripture, often used physically and spiritually.
Scripture Reference: Luke 1:7
Simple Meaning: Barren means unable to grow or produce until God brings life.
Boast
Definition: To speak with pride; the Bible contrasts worldly boasting with boasting in God.
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 10:17
Simple Meaning: Christians should boast only in what God has done.
Bondage
Definition: A state of being enslaved physically or spiritually, especially to sin.
Scripture Reference: Galatians 5:1
Simple Meaning: Bondage means being trapped, but Jesus sets us free.
Beginning
Definition: The starting point of creation, time, and God’s redemptive story.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 1:1
Simple Meaning: God created everything from the very beginning.
Bitter / Bitterness
Definition: Deep anger, resentment, or emotional hardness that harms relationships and spiritual life.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:31
Simple Meaning: Bitterness is holding onto hurt instead of letting God heal us.
Boaz
Definition: A righteous man from the book of Ruth who acted with kindness, integrity, and became part of Christ’s lineage.
Scripture Reference: Ruth 2:1
Simple Meaning: Boaz shows God’s kindness, protection, and faithful love.
Bruised Reed
Definition: A biblical image describing the weak, wounded, or vulnerable whom God tenderly restores.
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 42:3
Simple Meaning: God cares gently for those who feel broken.
Brotherly Kindness
Definition: Warm, sacrificial love for fellow believers as spiritual family.
Scripture Reference: 2 Peter 1:7
Simple Meaning: Treat other Christians like true family, with love and kindness.
Burnt Offering
Definition: An Old Testament sacrifice completely burned on the altar as an act of worship, atonement, and surrender.
Scripture Reference: Leviticus 1:3–4
Simple Meaning: A burnt offering symbolized giving ourselves fully to God.
Bethlehem
Definition: A small town in Judea known as the birthplace of Jesus and King David.
Scripture Reference: Micah 5:2
Simple Meaning: Bethlehem is where God sent Jesus into the world.
Blinded
Definition: Unable to see truth, whether physically or spiritually, often due to sin or unbelief.
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:4
Simple Meaning: Spiritual blindness keeps people from seeing God clearly.
Boldness
Definition: Courage empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak or act for God without fear.
Scripture Reference: Acts 4:31
Simple Meaning: Boldness is God-given courage to live out your faith.
Builder
Definition: One who constructs physically or spiritually; God is described as the builder of His people.
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 3:4
Simple Meaning: God builds our lives with purpose and strength.
Beloved
Definition: A term describing someone deeply loved by God or by fellow believers.
Scripture Reference: 1 John 4:7
Simple Meaning: Beloved means you are deeply loved by God.
Beryl
Definition: A precious stone mentioned in biblical descriptions of beauty, heaven, and priestly garments.
Scripture Reference: Ezekiel 28:13
Simple Meaning: Beryl is a gemstone representing God’s beauty and glory.
Balm of Gilead
Definition: A healing ointment used metaphorically for God’s restoring power.
Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 8:22
Simple Meaning: God provides healing for the wounds of the heart.
Blot Out
Definition: To completely erase or remove, especially referring to sin being wiped away.
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 43:25
Simple Meaning: God can erase our sins as if they never existed.
Balaam
Definition: A non-Israelite prophet mentioned in the Old Testament known for his attempts to curse Israel but ultimately blessing them by God’s intervention.
Scripture Reference: Numbers 22:5-12
Simple Meaning: Balaam shows how God can turn intended curses into blessings.
Barn
Definition: A storage place for harvested grain and crops, often used metaphorically for judgment or gathering.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:12
Simple Meaning: A barn is a place where what is valuable is kept safe and where judgment separates wheat from chaff.
Basileia
Definition: The Greek word for “kingdom,” commonly referring to the Kingdom of God or Heaven in the New Testament.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:33
Simple Meaning: Basileia means God’s reign or rule over people’s hearts and lives.
Beatific Vision
Definition: The ultimate direct self-communication of God to the individual believer, experiencing God’s presence in full glory.
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:12
Simple Meaning: The beatific vision is the joyful experience of seeing God face to face.
Belial
Definition: A term meaning “worthlessness” or “wickedness,” used in the Bible to personify evil or lawlessness.
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 6:15
Simple Meaning: Belial represents people or spirits opposed to God’s purposes.
Bethany
Definition: A village near Jerusalem where Jesus stayed and where Lazarus was raised from the dead.
Scripture Reference: John 11:1-44
Simple Meaning: Bethany is known as a place of friendship and miraculous restoration.
Bethesda
Definition: A pool in Jerusalem believed to have healing properties, where Jesus healed a paralytic.
Scripture Reference: John 5:2-9
Simple Meaning: Bethesda symbolizes God’s power to heal and restore.
Blesser
Definition: One who pronounces or imparts God’s blessing or favor on others.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 27:28
Simple Meaning: A blesser shares God’s goodness and favor with others.
Blood of Christ
Definition: The sacrificial blood Jesus shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 9:14
Simple Meaning: The blood of Christ cleanses believers and restores their relationship with God.
Boldness
Definition: Courage and confidence in approaching God or facing challenges, empowered by faith.
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4:16
Simple Meaning: Boldness allows believers to approach God with confidence and live courageously.
Behemoth
Definition: A massive creature symbolizing God’s unmatched power over creation.
Scripture Reference: Job 40:15
Simple Meaning: Behemoth reminds us that God reigns supreme over all mighty forces.
Belteshazzar
Definition: Babylonian name given to Daniel, meaning “Bel protects his life.”
Scripture Reference: Daniel 1:7
Simple Meaning: God preserves His faithful amid foreign oppression.
Bether
Definition: Mountain ranges symbolizing separation overcome by love.
Scripture Reference: Song of Solomon 2:17
Simple Meaning: Christ pursues us across every barrier.
Bozrah
Definition: Edomite city of judgment where God redeems with might.
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 63:1
Simple Meaning: God’s victory brings salvation through righteous wrath.
Branch
Definition: Messianic title for the righteous descendant of David.
Scripture Reference: Zechariah 3:8
Simple Meaning: Jesus grows as God’s promised Savior from humble roots.
Burnt Offering
Definition: Complete sacrifice consumed by fire, symbolizing total devotion.
Scripture Reference: Leviticus 1:9
Simple Meaning: God desires our wholehearted surrender.
Bush
Definition: Burning bush from which God revealed His name to Moses.
Scripture Reference: Exodus 3:2
Simple Meaning: God speaks from the ordinary, unharmed by His holy fire.
Byword
Definition: A proverb of reproach or warning to others.
Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 28:37
Simple Meaning: Disobedience makes nations cautionary tales.
Bdellium
Definition: A fragrant resin like manna, symbolizing God’s provision.
Scripture Reference: Numbers 11:7
Simple Meaning: God’s gifts sustain through wilderness journeys.
Balm
Definition: Healing ointment from Gilead, picturing spiritual remedy.
Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 8:22
Simple Meaning: Only Christ truly heals sin’s incurable wound.
