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.
Spider
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The spider’s web is used in Scripture as a picture of frailty, false confidence, and useless human works. The creature translated “spider” in Proverbs may instead be a kind of lizard.
Spies
People & Groups - Old Testament
Spies were scouts sent to examine a land and report on its condition. Moses sent twelve into Canaan, while Joshua later sent two spies to view Jericho.
Spikenard
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Spikenard was a costly perfume made from an aromatic plant imported from the East. Mary used precious nard to anoint Jesus, expressing devoted love and honor.
Spinning
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Spinning was the handcraft of drawing and twisting fibers such as flax, wool, cotton, or goats’ hair into thread. In Scripture it is especially associated with women’s work and with the lilies’ lack of labor.
Spirit
Holy Spirit - Both
Spirit may mean wind, breath, the life-principle, the human inner self, an angel or demon, or a moral disposition. In its highest biblical use it refers to the Holy Spirit, the divine Person active in creation, revelation, and redemption.
Spirit, Holy
Holy Spirit - Both
The Holy Spirit is the divine Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, who gives life, reveals truth, empowers God’s servants, and applies redemption and sanctification to believers.
SPIRITUAL
Holy Spirit - New Testament
Spiritual describes what belongs to or proceeds from the spirit. In its usual New Testament sense, it refers to a person renewed, indwelt, enlightened, and guided by the Holy Spirit rather than governed by the flesh or merely natural life.
SPIRITUAL BLESSING
Salvation - New Testament
Spiritual blessing is blessing received in the realm of the Spirit through union with Christ. It includes the fullness of God’s saving gifts and the believer’s position in the heavenly places in Christ.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Holy Spirit - New Testament
Spiritual gifts are abilities and ministries granted by the Holy Spirit for the service and strengthening of Christ’s church. Scripture lists gifts such as teaching, prophecy, healing, miracles, leadership, helps, tongues, and their interpretation, while indicating that the lists are not exhaustive.
SPIRITUAL HOUSE
Holy Spirit - New Testament
A spiritual house is a community of believers made into a dwelling place of God by the Spirit. Christians are described as living stones and a holy priesthood offering spiritual service to God.
SPIRITUAL MAN
Holy Spirit - New Testament
The spiritual man is a person renewed and ruled by the Holy Spirit, in contrast with the natural or unrenewed person. The Spirit gives such a person spiritual understanding, moral renewal, and power for Christian witness.
SPIRITUAL MEAT
Salvation - New Testament
Spiritual meat is nourishment for the inner life. It includes Christ Himself, obedience to God’s will, the truths of Scripture, and the spiritual provision prefigured by Israel’s manna.
SPIRITUAL ROCK
Jesus Christ - New Testament
The spiritual rock refers especially to Christ, whom Paul identifies with the rock that supplied water to Israel in the wilderness. It signifies God’s supernatural provision and Christ as the sustaining source of spiritual life.
SPIRITUAL SACRIFICE
Worship & Prayer - Both
A spiritual sacrifice is the consecrated offering of the believer’s life and service to God. It includes praise, obedience, mercy, generosity, doing good, and sharing with others rather than merely performing outward ritual.
SPIRITUAL SONGS
Worship & Prayer - New Testament
Spiritual songs are songs of praise and devotion associated with the Holy Spirit. Along with psalms and hymns, they may be used in public worship, personal devotion, family fellowship, and the joyful expression of Christian faith.
SPIRITUAL THINGS
Holy Spirit - New Testament
Spiritual things are realities that proceed from the Holy Spirit and concern salvation, worship, Christian service, and the regenerate life. They include such blessings as faith, hope, love, justification, sanctification, peace, and the gifts of the Spirit.
SPIRITUALITY
Holy Spirit - New Testament
Spirituality is the condition of a person made alive to God and directed by the Holy Spirit. It involves the renewal of understanding, affections, and will so that the whole person is centered on God and conformed to Christ.
SPIRITUALLY
Holy Spirit - New Testament
Spiritually means by the work or understanding of the spirit, especially through the Holy Spirit’s renewal and illumination. It can also describe a figurative or moral characterization, as when Babylon is spiritually called Sodom.
SPOILER
Government & Society - Old Testament
A spoiler is an invader or destroyer who plunders and devastates a land. The prophets use the term especially for enemies who desolate Judah, Moab, and Babylon.
Sponge
Agriculture & Daily Life - New Testament
A sponge is a soft, porous marine substance. At the crucifixion, a sponge soaked with sour wine was raised to Jesus on a reed.
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