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.
SUBORN
Government & Society - New Testament
To suborn is to procure or instruct someone secretly to act for another, often through collusion or false testimony. The term describes the covert use of a person as a substitute or agent.
Subscriptions
Scripture - New Testament
The subscriptions attached to Paul’s letters are not part of the original apostolic text. They were added later and sometimes contain inaccurate information about where or when the letters were written.
SUBSTANCE
Doctrine & Theology - Both
Substance ordinarily means material goods, possessions, or property. In Hebrews 11:1 it can mean the assurance or firm basis of hoped-for things, and in Hebrews 1:3 it refers to God’s underlying being or essence.
Suburbs
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Suburbs were the surrounding districts or open areas belonging to a city or town. In Israel, such areas could include pastureland assigned around Levitical cities.
SUBVERT
Sin & Judgment - Both
To subvert is to overturn, overthrow, or pervert. In Scripture it may describe undermining a person’s cause, disturbing believers, overthrowing households, or twisting someone away from the truth.
SUCATHITES
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Suchathites, or Sucathites, were a family of scribes living at Jabez. They are mentioned only once in the Bible.
Succoth
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Succoth means “booths.” It was both an early Israelite encampment after the Exodus and a town east of the Jordan associated with Jacob, Gideon, and later the preparation of metalwork for the temple.
Succoth-benoth
God - Old Testament
Succoth-benoth was a deity or idolatrous worship associated with Babylonian settlers in Samaria. Its exact identity is uncertain, though it has been connected with Babylonian religious practices and gods.
Succothbenoth
God - Old Testament
Succoth-benoth is the name of an idol or deity worshiped by Babylonian colonists settled in Samaria. The name has been variously understood as “booths of daughters” or identified with a Babylonian god.
Suchathites
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Suchathites were a family or clan of scribes associated with Jabez. They are mentioned in the genealogical records of Judah.
SUD
Other - Old Testament
“Sud” is an older form of the name Sua, a biblical personal or place name depending on the passage. The entry is simply a cross-reference to Sua.
SUFFERING
Christian Life - Both
Suffering may mean permitting, experiencing hardship, tolerating another, undergoing punishment, sustaining loss, or enduring death. Christ’s suffering culminated in His sacrificial death, and His followers are called to share in suffering for God’s sake.
Sukkiim
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Sukkiim were a people who joined the Libyans and Cushites in Shishak’s invasion of Judah. Their precise identity is uncertain; they may have been a wandering or tent-dwelling people.
Sukkiims
People & Groups - Old Testament
The Sukkiims were a tribe or people included in the army of Shishak when he invaded Judah. They are described as tent-dwellers or, in some ancient versions, cave-dwellers.
SUMMER
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Summer was the dry season in Palestine, generally extending from about April to October. It was associated with fruit gathering, heat, drought, and the ripening of crops.
SUMMER-HOUSE
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A summer-house was a separate residence or room used during the hot season. Wealthy people and kings could have both winter and summer quarters as signs of comfort and luxury.
Sun
Objects & Symbols - Both
The sun is the greater heavenly light appointed by God to rule the day and mark times and seasons. Scripture forbids worshiping it, while also using it figuratively for glory, blessing, and the presence of the Savior.
SUN-WORSHIP
Sin & Judgment - Old Testament
Sun-worship is the idolatrous veneration of the sun as a deity or divine power. Israel was repeatedly warned against it, and reforms under Josiah removed sun-images and related practices from Judah’s worship.
SUNRISING
Places & Geography - Both
Sunrising is a biblical designation for the east, the direction from which the sun rises. The term is used geographically in both the Old and New Testaments.
SUPERSCRIPTION
Jesus Christ - New Testament
A superscription is an inscription identifying the authority of a coin or stating an accusation. At Jesus’ crucifixion, it was the written charge fixed to the cross, declaring Him “King of the Jews.”
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