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.
Perfumes
Jewish Life & Customs - Both
Perfumes and aromatic spices were used in worship, personal care, household enjoyment, and the preparation of the dead. Incense and anointing ointments also had an important place in the tabernacle and temple service.
Perga
Places & Geography - New Testament
Perga was an important city of Pamphylia in Asia Minor. Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark visited it during the first missionary journey, and Paul later preached there.
Pergamos
Places & Geography - New Testament
Pergamos, or Pergamum, was a prominent city of Mysia and the location of one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation. Christ rebuked that church for tolerating false teaching and commended the faithful witness of Antipas.
Pergamum
Places & Geography - New Testament
Pergamum is the form used in the Revised Version for Pergamos, the city in Asia Minor whose church received a message in Revelation.
Perida
People & Groups - Old Testament
Perida, also called Peruda, was the head of a family of Solomon’s servants who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel.
PERIZZITE
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Perizzites were an ancient people of Canaan whose name means villagers or country dwellers. They are frequently mentioned alongside the Canaanites and were among the peoples Israel encountered in the land.
Perizzite, The
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Perizzite was a member of one of the peoples inhabiting Canaan before Israel’s conquest. The name may have referred to villagers or inhabitants of unwalled settlements.
Perizzites
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Perizzites were a Canaanite people living in the land promised to Israel. They were eventually conquered and, in Solomon’s time, reduced to forced labor.
Persecution
Christian Life - Both
Persecution is suffering inflicted on God’s people because of their faith or faithful witness. Scripture records it from the Old Testament through the early church and teaches believers to endure it without returning evil for evil.
Persepolis
Places & Geography - Inter-testament
Persepolis was a principal royal city of ancient Persia, known for its magnificent palaces. It was captured and burned by Alexander and is mentioned in the intertestamental account of 2 Maccabees.
PERSEUS
Government & Society - Inter-testament
Perseus was the last king of Macedonia. Rome defeated and captured him at Pydna in 168 BC, an event remembered in 1 Maccabees as part of Rome’s growing fame.
PERSEVERANCE
Christian Life - New Testament
Perseverance is steadfast continuance in faith, holiness, and prayer. Scripture gives believers strong encouragement to endure while also warning against presumption, self-deception, and falling into sin.
Perseverance of the saints
Doctrine & Theology - Both
The perseverance of the saints is the doctrine that those whom God has justified and regenerated will be preserved in faith and will not finally fall away, but will attain everlasting life. Believers may nevertheless fall into serious sin and require restoration.
Persia
Government & Society - Both
Persia was the ancient land and empire of the Persians, extending at its height across much of western Asia and beyond. Persian kings, especially Cyrus and Darius, played a major role in the return and restoration of the Jewish people.
PERSIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (ANCIENT)
Original Language - Inter-testament
Ancient Persian included the Old Persian language of royal inscriptions, the Median-related Avestic dialect of Zoroastrian writings, and later Pahlavi literature. These languages and writings illuminate Persian history, religion, and culture during and after the biblical era.
PERSIANS
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Persians were an Aryan people who established the great Achaemenian Empire under rulers such as Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes. They appear in Scripture chiefly during the exile and post-exilic period and permitted the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem.
Persis
People & Groups - New Testament
Persis was a Christian woman in Rome whom Paul greeted as beloved and commended for laboring much in the Lord.
PERSON OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ - New Testament
The Person of Christ is the biblical doctrine that Jesus Christ is one person who possesses both true deity and true humanity. He is the eternal Son of God who became man without ceasing to be divine.
Peruda
People & Groups - Old Testament
Peruda was the head of a family whose descendants returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. The family is also called Perida.
PERVERSE
Sin & Judgment - Both
To be perverse is to be morally crooked, obstinate, or turned away from what is right. Biblical usage associates perverseness with wickedness, distorted judgment, and willful wrongdoing.
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