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.
Atad
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Atad was the place where Joseph and his brothers mourned Jacob for seven days during the journey from Egypt to Canaan. It was also called Abel-mizraim, “the mourning of Egypt.”
Atarah
People & Groups - Old Testament
Atarah was a wife of Jerahmeel and the mother of Onam. Her name means “crown.”
ATARGATIS
People & Groups - Inter-testament
Atargatis was a goddess worshiped in parts of the ancient Near East, including Karnion and Ashkelon. She was associated with a woman’s form and a fish’s tail, and fish were regarded as sacred to her.
Ataroth
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Ataroth was the name of several towns, including a city east of the Jordan, places on the boundaries of Ephraim and Benjamin, and a settlement associated with the house of Joab.
Ater
People & Groups - Old Testament
Ater was the name of families who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. One family was associated with Hezekiah, and another served among the temple porters.
Athach
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Athach was a town of Judah to which David sent part of the spoil recovered from the Amalekites. Its location is unknown and it may have been the town called Ether.
Athaiah
People & Groups - Old Testament
Athaiah was a descendant of Judah who lived in Jerusalem after the return from Babylon. He is also called Uthai in Chronicles.
Athaliah
People & Groups - Old Testament
Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, became queen of Judah and promoted Baal worship. After seizing the throne, she attempted to destroy the royal family but was overthrown and killed when Joash was revealed as the rightful king.
ATHARIM
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Atharim is understood either as a place or as “the way of the spies.” It was the route where the king of Arad attacked Israel and took captives during Israel’s wilderness journey.
ATHEISM
Doctrine & Theology - Both
Atheism is denial of God or conduct that disregards Him as though He did not exist. Scripture especially condemns this practical form of unbelief, which rejects God’s authority and moral claims.
Athenians
People & Groups - New Testament
The Athenians were the inhabitants of Athens. In Paul’s time they were known for their interest in new ideas and their extensive religious devotion.
ATHENOBIUS
People & Groups - Inter-testament
Athenobius was a representative of Antiochus VII sent to Jerusalem to demand that Simon Maccabeus surrender captured territories or pay a large sum of silver. Simon refused the demand, and Athenobius returned unsuccessful.
Athens
Places & Geography - New Testament
Athens was the celebrated Greek city of learning, art, philosophy, and pagan worship. Paul visited it and proclaimed the true God at the Areopagus, addressing the altar dedicated to an unknown god.
Athlai
People & Groups - Old Testament
Athlai was a son of Bebai who had married a foreign woman and put her away following Ezra’s instruction concerning intermarriage after the exile.
Atonement
Salvation - Both
Atonement is the reconciliation of sinners to God through the sacrificial and obedient work of Jesus Christ. It fulfills the biblical pattern of sin being covered and guilt removed, restoring fellowship between God and those who trust him.
Atonement, Day of
Festivals & Holy Days - Old Testament
The Day of Atonement was Israel’s annual day of fasting, rest, confession, and sacrifice on the tenth day of the seventh month. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place, offered sin offerings, and sent the second goat into the wilderness as a sign of sin’s removal.
Atonement, The Day Of
Festivals & Holy Days - Old Testament
The Day of Atonement was the central annual day of national humiliation and expiation under the Mosaic law. Through the high priest’s sacrifices and the sending away of the scapegoat, Israel’s uncleanness and guilt were symbolically dealt with before God.
Atroth
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Atroth was a city of Gad east of the Jordan. Its name means “crowns.”
ATROTH-BETH-JOAB
People & Groups - Old Testament
Atroth-beth-joab, meaning “crowns of the house of Joab,” is probably the name of a Judahite family or settlement mentioned in the genealogy of Judah.
ATROTH-SHOPHAN
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Atroth-shophan was a town built or fortified by the descendants of Gad east of the Jordan. Its exact location is uncertain, and some interpreters have understood the name as referring to two places.
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