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.
Plague
Sin & Judgment - Both
A plague is a sudden disease, affliction, calamity, or divine judgment. The term is especially associated with the judgments God sent upon Egypt before the Exodus, but it is also used for other outbreaks and disasters.
Plague, The
Sin & Judgment - Both
The plague may refer generally to a severe epidemic or, in some passages, to a special divine judgment. Biblical usage does not always identify the modern disease called plague, and each passage must be understood from its context.
PLAGUES OF EGYPT
Sin & Judgment - Old Testament
The plagues of Egypt were the wonders God brought upon Pharaoh and Egypt when Pharaoh refused to release Israel. They displayed the Lord’s authority over Egypt, judged its gods, and brought about Israel’s deliverance.
Plagues, The Ten
Sin & Judgment - Old Testament
The Ten Plagues were the successive judgments God sent upon Egypt through Moses before Israel’s deliverance. They culminated in the death of Egypt’s firstborn and led Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
Plain
Places & Geography - Both
A plain is a relatively level area of land, but biblical translations use the term for several different landscapes, including broad valleys, lowlands, tablelands, and the Jordan valley. The exact meaning depends on the Hebrew word and context.
Plain of Mamre
Places & Geography - Old Testament
The Plain of Mamre is more accurately rendered the oaks or terebinths of Mamre. It was the area near Hebron where Abraham lived and where he received visitors.
PLAIN OF MOAB
Places & Geography - Old Testament
The Plain, or Steppes, of Moab was the region east of the Jordan near the Dead Sea where Israel camped and Moses delivered his final addresses before entering Canaan.
PLAIN OF THE PILLAR
Places & Geography - Old Testament
The Plain of the Pillar is better understood as the terebinth of the pillar near Shechem, where Abimelech was made king by the men of Shechem and Beth-millo.
Plains
Places & Geography - Old Testament
“Plains” in the Authorized Version represents several Hebrew terms describing meadows, valleys, lowlands, level tablelands, or the Jordan depression. The precise geographical sense varies with the passage.
PLAITING
Jewish Life & Customs - New Testament
Plaiting is the braiding or interweaving of hair or other material. The New Testament warns against making elaborate hair arrangement the chief source of outward adornment.
Plane tree
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
The plane tree is a large tree known for shedding its outer bark. It grew near watercourses in Palestine and is mentioned in connection with Jacob’s rods and the trees of Assyria.
PLANK
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A plank is a thick board or wooden beam used in buildings, altars, temple furnishings, or ships.
PLATE
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
A plate in biblical usage is generally a tablet or sheet of metal, such as the gold plate worn on the high priest’s headpiece or metal plates used in temple furnishings.
PLATTER
Objects & Symbols - Both
A platter was a deep dish, basin, or large serving vessel used for food or sacrificial purposes.
PLEAD
Government & Society - Both
To plead is to present a case, contend, or seek justice in a legal sense. When God pleads with people, the expression means that He brings His case and judgment against them, not that He begs them.
PLEASURE
Christian Life - Both
Pleasure may mean delight, desire, good will, or purpose. Scripture commends delight in God’s will but warns against self-indulgent and sinful pleasures.
Pledge
Law & Covenant - Old Testament
A pledge was security given for a debt, promise, wager, or guarantee. Israelite law protected the poor by restricting what could be taken as security and requiring certain pledges to be returned promptly.
Pleiades
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
The Pleiades are a recognizable cluster of stars mentioned in Job and Amos. Their appearance illustrates God’s sovereignty over the heavens and the created order.
Plough
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A plough was an agricultural tool drawn through the soil by animals, and sometimes by people. Ancient ploughs were simple wooden implements, sometimes strengthened with bronze or iron.
PLOW
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A plow was a light agricultural implement drawn by oxen to break and scratch the soil before sowing. Scripture uses plowing figuratively for labor, judgment, affliction, destruction, peace, and commitment to follow God.
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