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.
Bakbuk
People & Groups - Old Testament
Bakbuk was the ancestor of a family of Nethinim who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel after the exile.
Bakbukiah
People & Groups - Old Testament
Bakbukiah was the name of several Levites who served after the return from Babylon, including singers, a gatekeeper, and one who lived in Jerusalem.
Bake
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
To bake is to prepare bread or cakes by heat. In biblical times bread was commonly baked in an oven, on hot stones, or on heated coals, often by women or household servants.
Bake-meats
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Bake-meats were baked provisions prepared by a baker, such as cakes or biscuits, mentioned in Pharaoh’s dream concerning his chief baker.
Balaam
Prophecy - Both
Balaam was a diviner from Pethor whom Balak hired to curse Israel. God compelled him to bless Israel instead, though Balaam later gave harmful counsel that led Israel into sin and was eventually killed with the Midianites.
Balac
People & Groups - Old Testament
Balac is the Greek form of Balak, the Moabite king who hired Balaam to curse Israel.
Baladan
People & Groups - Old Testament
Baladan was the father of Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, who sent messengers to Hezekiah.
Balah
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Balah was a city allotted to Simeon, also called Bilhah and possibly identical with Baalah in Judah.
Balak
People & Groups - Old Testament
Balak was king of Moab when Israel approached his territory. Fearing Israel, he hired Balaam to curse them, but God turned the intended curse into blessing.
Balamo
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Balamo is a variant or related form of a place-name associated with Baal; the supplied source provides no further certain details.
Balance
Measures & Money - Both
A balance was a two-pan weighing instrument used in trade. Scripture uses it as a symbol of justice and condemns false balances and dishonest weights; in Revelation it represents scarcity.
Balances
Measures & Money - Old Testament
Balances were used to weigh money and goods. God required honest balances and weights, while dishonest weighing was condemned as deceitful and wicked.
BALANCINGS
God - Old Testament
The “balancings of the clouds” describes the mysterious way clouds appear poised, spread across the sky, and move through the air. Job presents this as evidence of the wonder and wisdom of God’s works.
Baldness
Jewish Life & Customs - Both
Baldness in Scripture commonly refers to shaving the head as a sign of mourning or calamity, rather than natural loss of hair. Israelites were forbidden to imitate pagan mourning practices.
BALL
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A ball is mentioned in Isaiah as something wound up and tossed into a distant land. The image portrays forceful removal and exile.
Balm
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Balm was a fragrant resin or gum associated especially with Gilead and used as a valuable trade product. Its medicinal reputation provided the image behind the “balm in Gilead” that could soothe wounds.
BALM OF GILEAD
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
The balm of Gilead was a valued healing or fragrant substance associated with Gilead. Its exact ancient plant is uncertain; proposed sources include balsam-producing trees and the storax tree.
Bamah
Worship & Prayer - Old Testament
Bamah means “high place” and refers to a height used for idolatrous worship. Ezekiel uses the term with contempt for such unlawful worship sites.
Bamoth
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Bamoth, meaning “heights,” was a station of the Israelites in the territory of Moab during their wilderness journey.
Bamoth-baal
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Bamoth-baal, meaning “heights of Baal,” was a place or sanctuary of Baal in Moab east of the Jordan.
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