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.
SLEIGHT
Sin & Judgment - New Testament
Sleight means cunning or trickery. In Ephesians 4:14, “the sleight of men” portrays deceptive teaching as the craft or cheating of gamblers using dice.
Slime
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Slime in the Bible refers to bitumen or asphalt, a sticky substance used as mortar in building and as waterproofing for Moses’ basket. Bitumen pits were found in the region of the Dead Sea.
Sling
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
A sling was a weapon used to hurl stones. David used one against Goliath, and skilled Benjamite slingers could strike accurately even with the left hand.
SLUGGARD
Christian Life - Old Testament
A sluggard is a sluggish, lazy, or foolish person. The term is used in Proverbs for one who avoids diligence and neglects proper work.
SLUICE
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
In the King James Version, “sluice” refers to a channel or structure for managing water, mentioned with ponds for fish. Later translations understand the difficult passage in Isaiah 19:10 differently, referring to workers for hire or those who make dams.
SMELL
Worship & Prayer - Both
Smell refers to scent or fragrance, whether pleasant or offensive. Scripture uses it literally and also figuratively: sacrifices and faithful conduct may be a sweet savor to God, while sinful conduct is hateful; believers may spread the savor of Christ.
Smith
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A smith was a worker skilled in shaping metal, especially for weapons and tools. The Philistines restricted smithing among the Israelites to prevent them from making swords and spears.
SMOKE
Objects & Symbols - Both
Smoke can represent divine jealousy or anger. It may also symbolize the glory and holiness of God, especially when associated with His manifest presence.
Smyrna
Places & Geography - New Testament
Smyrna was an important city on the western coast of Asia Minor and one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation. The church there was commended amid tribulation and promised the crown of life.
Snail
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The Bible uses two different terms sometimes translated snail: one probably denotes a sand-lizard, while the other refers to a snail or slug whose trail suggested melting away.
Snare
Objects & Symbols - Both
A snare was a concealed trap or noose used to catch birds and animals. Scripture frequently uses it figuratively for temptation, sudden judgment, dangerous schemes, and the devil’s entrapment.
SNEEZE
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
To sneeze is to forcefully expel air through the nose. Scripture records the child’s repeated sneezing when restored to life, while a related expression describes the flashing snorts of Leviathan.
Snow
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Snow falls in Palestine during winter and remains year-round on high mountains such as Lebanon and Hermon. Scripture uses its whiteness as a picture of purity, cleansing, and the brightness of divine glory.
So
People & Groups - Old Testament
So was the king of Egypt to whom Hoshea appealed for help against Assyria. His assistance did not prevent the fall of Samaria, and he is commonly identified with Shabaka of the Ethiopian dynasty.
Soap
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Soap in biblical passages refers mainly to alkaline cleansing material made from plant ashes, rather than modern soap. It was used for washing and as a cleansing or refining agent.
Socho
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Socho, also called Socoh or Shochoh, was the name of towns in Judah. One was near the valley of Elah, where the Philistines camped before David defeated Goliath.
Sochoh
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Sochoh is another form of Socoh, the name of a town or towns in Judah.
SOCKET
Temple & Tabernacle - Old Testament
Sockets were bases into which the boards and pillars of the wilderness tabernacle were fitted. Silver sockets supported the tabernacle boards and veil pillars, while bronze sockets supported the court pillars and entrance screen.
Socoh
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Socoh was the name of two towns in the territory of Judah.
SODERING
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Sodering is an old English spelling of soldering, the joining of metal by a soldering substance. The word occurs in the older translation of Isaiah 41:7.
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