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.
Penny
Measures & Money - New Testament
A penny in the New Testament usually represents the Roman denarius, a silver coin commonly understood as about a day’s wage for a laborer or soldier.
Penny, Pennyworth
Measures & Money - New Testament
“Penny” or “pennyworth” is an English rendering of the Roman denarius in several New Testament passages. The coin was a common unit of payment and was often associated with a day’s labor.
Pentateuch
Scripture - Old Testament
The Pentateuch is the five-book volume consisting of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It is also called the Law of Moses or the Torah and forms the foundation of Israel’s covenant law and history.
Pentateuch, The
Scripture - Old Testament
The Pentateuch, or five books of Moses, comprises Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It records creation, the patriarchs, the Exodus, Israel’s wilderness journey, and the covenant law given through Moses.
PENTATEUCH, THE SAMARITAN
Scripture - Inter-testament
The Samaritan Pentateuch is the Samaritan recension of the five books of Moses. It closely resembles the Hebrew text while containing various textual, grammatical, and intentional differences, and it is written in the Samaritan script.
Pentecost
Festivals & Holy Days - Both
Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth,” was Israel’s Feast of Weeks, celebrating the completion of the grain harvest. In the New Testament, Pentecost became the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and many were brought into the church.
Penuel
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Penuel, also called Peniel, was the place near the Jabbok where Jacob saw God and was preserved. It later became a fortified town whose inhabitants were punished by Gideon for refusing help.
PENURY
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Penury means poverty, want, or severe lack. In biblical usage it describes material need, as in the poor widow’s offering, and the poverty resulting from empty talk.
PEOPLE
People & Groups - Both
People refers generally to a nation, community, population, or crowd. Scripture uses the term for Israel, other nations, inhabitants of a land, and the common people in contrast with rulers or religious leaders.
Peor
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Peor was a mountain in Moab from which Balaam viewed Israel and pronounced blessing instead of a curse. The name also appears as a shortened form of Baal-peor, a pagan deity whose worship led Israel into sin.
PERAEA
Places & Geography - New Testament
Peraea was the district east of the Jordan, extending roughly from Pella in the north to Macherus in the south. In the time of Jesus it was associated with the tetrarchy of Antipas and was a setting for portions of His ministry.
Perazim
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Mount Perazim was a place associated with a divine breakthrough or breach. It is mentioned by Isaiah and is generally identified with Baal-perazim, where David defeated the Philistines.
Perazim, Mount
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Mount Perazim, meaning “mount of breaches,” is identified with Baal-perazim, the site of one of David’s victories over the Philistines. Isaiah later used it as an image of God’s decisive action.
PERDITION
Sin & Judgment - Both
Perdition means ruin, destruction, or final loss, in contrast with salvation. In its fullest biblical sense it describes the judgment and eternal destruction of the ungodly; “son of perdition” is applied to Judas and the man of sin.
Peres
Prophecy - Old Testament
Peres was one of the words written on the wall during Belshazzar’s feast. It announced that the kingdom had been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
Peresh
People & Groups - Old Testament
Peresh was a son of Machir and a descendant of Manasseh through Machir’s family.
Perez
People & Groups - Old Testament
Perez, also called Pharez, was the son of Judah and Tamar. His descendants became an important family in Judah, including the royal line leading to David.
Perez-uzzah
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Perez-uzzah was the name David gave to the threshing floor where Uzzah died after touching the ark. The name commemorated God’s sudden judgment there.
Perezuzza
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Perezuzza, also called Perez-uzzah, was the place where Uzzah died after reaching out to steady the ark. David named the site in remembrance of this event.
Perfection
Doctrine & Theology - Both
Perfection in Christian doctrine is associated with sanctification: the work by which God sets believers apart and conforms them to holiness. See Sanctification.
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