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Bible Reader’s
Concise KJV Glossary
(A Dictionary of 17th Century Biblical English Words & Expressions from the AV 1611)
Editor’s Preface
The Editor disclaims originality. Other men have labored, I have but entered into their labors. The results
of the study of God’s Word by learned and spiritual servants, in every division of the church and in many
lands, has netted a bounty of wonder in the matter of Bible study. The Editor has only proposed to himself
the modest task of summarizing, arranging and condensing this mass of material into a convenient form.
The Home Bible Study Library
Bible Reader’s Concise KJV Glossary
(A Dictionary of 17th Century Biblical English Words & Expressions from the AV 1611)
This Glossary is made up of words that have appeared in my own study and needed to be defined as I
read the Bible, study helps and reference books. Some of the words are from the Bible itself or are the names
of characters who appear in the books of the Bible. Also the KJV has a large number of words that are found
to be “archaic” (only about 150), or are obscure in our day or have changed meaning modern usage.
Those who believe and read the Bible generally have a much larger vocabulary than the average person
on the street. Those who never read the Bible are often the biggest critics of the language used in it. Why
should they complain if they don’t even read it? The Bible has become an unread book like most other
informational or educational books such as encyclopedias and dictionaries. They sit on shelves and gather
dust. The best way to handle confrontation with the unknown words is to look up their definitions and learn
them. Using them in conversation in your daily life will soon eliminate the problem and increase your
enjoyment of the English language as you are blessed when you read the Word.
–A–
Abase – To make or bring low; to humble. (Luke 14:11)
Abased – Humbled. (Matt. 23:1; Luke 14:11; 18:14)
Abated – Reduced to a lower state; decreased; subsided; declined. (Gen. 8:3, 8, 11; Lev. 27:18; Deut. 34:7;
Jude 8:3).
Abhor – Despise; spurn; regard with horror. (Job 19:18-19)
Abhorring – An object of disgust. (Isa. 66:24).
Abide – wait. (Acts 20:23).
Abroad – (Adv. Judges 12:9) Out of one house, away from home, from abroad, from a distance. (1 Sam.
9:26; 1 Kings 2:42)
Abstinence – Means to refrain from. (Ex. 34:15; Acts 15:20, 29; 27:2 1; Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 8:4-13; 1 Peter
2:11).
Abba – Aramaic or Hebrew for “father.” (Rom. 8:15).
Abject – An outcast. (noun/adj. - Psa. 35:15).
Abraham – who lived about 4,000 years ago, the ancestor of both the Arabs and the Jews. God made a
covenant (special agreement) with Abraham that, if he remained faithful to God, he would have many
descendants and the land of Canaan would be theirs for ever (Gen. 13:15-6). Furthermore, God promised
Abraham that all people on earth would be blessed through him (Gen. 12:3). Abraham’s story is told in
Gen. 11-25.
Acceptation – Kind reception, a receiving with favour or approbation. (1 Tim. 1:14; 4:9)
Accursed – “anathema,” was a devotion to utter destruction. (Josh. 6:17-18; 7:1, 11-13, 15; 22:20; 1 Chron.
2:7).
Acquit – To hold guiltless. (Naham 1:3).
Acts – the fifth book of the New Testament. It gives a record of the early Christian Church after Jesus’
resurrection. It was written by Luke.
Adam & Eve – the first man and woman created by God. Adam was created first and then Eve was created
as a companion for him. They lived in the Garden of Eden, but after disobeying God, they were cast out
of His presence. Their story is told in Genesis chapters 2 and 3.
Adamant stone – (noun - Zec. 7:12) An extremely hard rock, possibly a diamond.
Adder – A venomous snake. (noun - Psa. 58:-5; Prov. 23:32) .
Adjure – An appeal in the most impressive manner. (1 Sam. 14:24; 1 Kings 22-16; Mark 5:7).
Admiration –Wonder, astonishment (Rev. 17:6).
Admonish – To instruct; advise, warn. (Acts 27:9-10).
Ado – Fuss, bother, bustle, trouble, tumult. (noun - Mark 5:39).
Adonai – the name for God meaning “my Lord” or “my Master.” (Gen.15:2).
Adoption – the act of God whereby He takes a person and make him legally His own child (son-places) (Ex.
2:10; 1 Kings 11:20; Est. 2-7, 15; Rom. 8:15-18, 23; Gal. 4:1-3, 5; Eph. 1:4-5; 4:12).
Adoration – Homage paid to one held in high esteem, or worship. (Dan. 3:5-6; Matt. 2-11).
Adultery – The act or wanting sexual intercourse outside one’s marriage (Ex. 20:14); a figure for idolatrous
worship. (Jer. 3:9; Ezek. 23:37; Matt. 5:27-30).
Advanced – Appointed. (1 Sam. 12:6).
Adventure – To venture or go (Deut. 28:56; Judges 9:17; Acts 19:31).
Adversary – An enemy. (Ex. 23:22; Matt. 5:25).
Advertise – (verb - Num. 24:14) Inform; advise; reveal to. (Ruth 4:4).
Advise – To deliberate, weigh well, consider. (2 Sam. 24:13)
Affect – To desire earnestly, seek after. (Gal. 4:17).
Affectioned – Disposed (Rom. 12:10)
Affections – Passions. Gal. 5:24
Affinity – (noun - 1 Kings 3:1) Relationship or alliance by marriage.
Afoot (adv. - Mark 6:33) On foot.
Afore (adv. - Psa. 129:6; Isa. 18:2) Before.
Aforetime (adv. - Rom. 15:4) Previously, formerly, of old.
Afresh (adv. - Heb. 6:6) Again, anew.
Agate – A colorful and plentiful gemstone. It can be translucent, or have integral swirls and designs. Agates
are still very popular gems and are found nearly everywhere in the world. (Ex.28:19, 39:12; Ezek.27:16).
Agone (adj., adv. - 1 Sam. 30:13) Gone by, past, ago.
Ague (noun - Lev. 26:16) A fever. A bodily shaking or shivering similar to that occasioned by terror. In the
verb form it is to cause a shivering or strike with a cold fit.
Agony – Anguish. (Luke 22:44).
Alabaster – Stalagmitic carbonate of lime used for vases and boxes for perfume and ointments. (Matt. 26:7).
Alamoth – Virgins, a musical term, denoting that the Psalm which bears this inscription was to be sung by
soprano or female voices. (Psa. 46:1; 1 Chron. 15:20).
Alleluia – Praise the Lord God. (Psa. 104:35; 105:45; Rev. 19:1).
Alleging – Proving. (Acts 17:3).
Albeit – (conj. - Phlm. 19) Although, even though.
Alexander the Great – a king of Macedonia and one of the greatest generals in history. He conquered much
of the then civilized world and brought Greek culture to those places. He lived from 356 to 323 BC.
Notable figure for Israel during the 400 “silent years” between the books of the OT and NT (Malichi and
Matthew).
Alms, almsdeeds – (noun - Acts 10:31) Acts or deeds of mercy; to give food, clothing and money to the
needy (Lev. 19:9-10; Acts 9:36).
Almug – A tree of wood, possibly sandalwood (I Kings 10.11-12)
Aloof – At a distance, but within view. (Psa. 3 8:9-11).
Alloweth – Approved, (Luke 11:48; Rom. 14:22; 1 Thes. 2:4) accept, (Acts 24:15), knoweth, (Rom. 7:15).
Alpha – The first letter of the Greek alphabet.
Altar – A raised structure to place a sacrifice offering to God.
Al-taschith – A title notation (meaning “destroy not”) (Psa. 57, 58, 59, 75).
Amazement – Terror (1 Peter 3-6).
Ambassage – Embassy, (Luke 14:32).
Amber – Used only to describe the color of divine glory. (Ezek. 1:4, 27; 8:2).
Amen – Dependable; faithful; certain; so let it be, truly, indeed. (Rev. 3-.14-15).
Amend – Mend (John 4:52).
Amerce – (verb) To punish by pecuniary penalty or fine, the amount of which is not fixed by law, but left
to the discretion of the court. (Deut. 22.19)
Amethyst – A pale blue to dark purple blue quartz like crystal, a gemstone. Used in jewelry and
ornamentations. Very much still a favorite stone today. (Ex. 28:19; 39:12; Rev. 21:20).
Amiable – Dear- lovely; beloved. (Psa. 84:1-2).
Anathema – An accursed thing; judged. (noun - 1 Cor. 16:22).
Andrew – The name means “manly.” Son of Jonah and brother of Simon Peter. (Matt. 4:1 8)
Angel – a created being who is God’s messenger and minister to mankind. (Matt. 25:41; 1 Tim. 5:21; Jude
6; Rev. 1:1).
Angel of the Lord – a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. (Gen. 16:1-13; 21:17-
19; 22:11-16; 31:11-13; Ex. 3:2-4; John 2:1; 6:12-16; 13:3-22).
Angelology – the doctrine of angels. (Ezek.6:2).
Angle – A (fish) hook. (noun - Isa. 19:8; Hab. 1.15).
Anon – (adv. - Matt. 13:20; Mark l:30). Quickly; immediately; in a short time. Used by Christ in the Gospel
of Matthew.
Anthropology – the doctrine of man. (Psa. 8:4).
Antichrist – an individual who will rise to prominence after the rapture, deceive the nation of Israel, and
bring tremendous persecution upon God’s people. (Compare 2 Tim. 3:13; Matt. 24:24; 1 Thes. 2:1-12;
1 John 2:22; Rev. 13). Also anyone denying the Father and the Son.
Apace – (adv. - Psa. 68:12) At a quick pace, swiftly.
Apple – (noun - Zec. 2:8) The pupil of the eye.
Apocrypha – a group of extra-biblical books written during the intertestamental time and rejected as non-
canonical. (Psa. 12:6-7).
Apothecary – One whose craft, science, & art prepared medicinals, perfumery, exotic ointments, embalmary,
and incenses. (Ex. 30:25; Eccl. 10.1).
Apostles – the twelve men whom Jesus chose to be with Him during His ministry on earth. They were:
Andrew, Bartholomew, James and John (sons of Zebedee), James (son of Alphaeus), Judas Iscariot,
Matthew, Philip, Simon Peter, Simon the Zealot, Thaddaeus and Thomas. After Judas’ death, Matthias
took his place as an apostle. Paul and Barnabas are also called apostles sometimes.
Apparently – Manfestly, openly. (Num. 12.8)
Approve – To prove, demonstrate (Acts 2.22; 2 Cor. 6.4; 7.11); to test, put to the proof (Rom. 2.18; Phil.
1:10).
Approved – Liked; commended; shown or proved to be worthy of approbation; having the approbation and
support of. (2 Cor. 6:4; 7:11).
Archangel – Chief angel. (1 Thes. 4:16; Jude 9).
Archer – A hunter or warrior whose skill is with the bow. (Gen. 21:20; Judges 5:11; 1 Sam. 21:17-42; Isa.
21:17).
Ark – Box, chest, ark of the covenant was a chest containing the tables of the law, Aaron’s rod, book of the
law and manna. It was made of wood and gold. (Ex. 25:10). It symbolized the presence of God. (Deut.
31:26; Ex. 16:33; 25:16-22; Num. 17:10; 1 Sam. 3:3). A boat, Noah built a ship of gopher wood 450 by
75 by 30 feet. (Gen. 6-8).
Armholes – Armpits, elbows. (Jer. 38:12; Ezek. 13:18).
Array – To put on; to clothe. (Matt. 6:27-29).
Artificer – Skilled craftsman (Gen. 4.22).
Ascension – the dramatic departure of and the return of the risen Christ from earth to heaven, which took
place forty days after His resurrection. The accounts of the ascension can be found in Acts 1:9-11; Mark
16:19; Luke 24:50-51; John 6:62.
Asp – A small and hooded serpent of the Middle East, mostly Egypt and Lybia. It is venomous and deadly
poisonous. The bite is almost always fatal. (Isa. 11:8-9).
Assay(Assaying) – (verb - Acts 9:26; 16:7; Heb. 11:29; Deut. 4:34; 1 Sam. 17-39). To try, attempt
(attempting).
Assent – To agree upon. (Acts 24:5-9).
Asswage – (verb - Gen. 8:1; Job 16:6-5) To restrain; to hold back; abate; subside; decrease; reduce.
Astonied – (verb - Ezra 9:3; Isa. 52:13-14) To bewilder, to stun, amaze, overwhelm.
Astonished – To be taken by surprise. (Acts 9:6).
Atonement – to cover, cancel, satisfactory reparation for an offence or injury; that which produces
reconciliation. (verb Ex. 30-16). A covering (for sin). The covering of man’s sins through the shedding
of blood: O.T. - the blood of animals; NT- the blood of man’s Redeemer, Jesus Christ the Son of God.
(noun - Lev. 5:18).
Attendance – Attention. (1 Tim. 4-13).
Audience – Hearing. (Gen. 23:10, 13, 16; 1 Sam. 25:24; Neh. 13:1).
Aul – The modern day spelling is Awl - (Ex. 21:6; Deut. 15:7). An iron instrument with a sharp point for
piercing holes in leather. It is also used by sail, tent, and rope makers.
Austere – As applied to a man Stern; rigid, steadfast. (Luke 19:21-22).
Autograph – an original manuscript in the author’s handwriting.
Averse – To turn away from. (Micah 2:8-9).
Avoid – To depart, withdraw, escape. (1 Sam. 18.11).
Avouch – To acknowledge as one’s own. (verb - Deut. 26:17).
Axe – A tool to chop wood, also used as a weapon. (2 Kings 6:4-7; Jer. 10:3).
Axletree – (noun -1 Kings 7:32). A piece of timber or bar of iron fitted for insertion in the homs (hubs) or
naves of wheels on which they turn. The spindle of a wheel.
–B–
Baal – The Sun god. (1 Kings 16:21).
Backbitings – Evil speakings; slanders. (2 Cor. 12:20).
Badger [Skins] – Tanned skins used to cover the holy things of the Sanctuary; not of the omnivorous
[unclean] ‘badger’ per se, but possibly of a ruminant, streaked species of antelope making fine pelts
(Num. 14).
Bag – A sack or pouch to carry belongings. (Deut. 25:13).
Bakemeats (noun - Gen. 40:17) Pastery, esp. meat pies , the works of a baker.
Balm – A medicine; odoriferous gum/rosin from a bush, (Jer. 46:10-11) applied to wounds. (Jer. 51:8)
Band – a company of men (Acts 10:1; 27:1).
Baptism – The religious ceremony by which one is initiated into the visible church of Christ. The ordinance
pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Traditionally the word required that it be performed
by immersion but some churches pour or sprinkling and call it Baptism; even though there is no Biblical
record of any practice but immersion. Immersing the believer in water, signifies his identification with
Christ after his salvation experience. (Acts 8:38-39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 12:12).
Barbarian – (noun - 1 Cor. 14:11) A non-Greek, foreigner.
Barren – Bereaved. (Song of Sol. 4:2; 6:6).
Base – (adj. - 1 Cor. 1:28) Low, humble, meek. (2 Cor. 10:1).
Bath – Hebrew liquid measure approximating 23 litres or 5.8 gallons. (1 Kings 7:26; Ezek. 47:11)
Battlement – Retaining wall. (Deut. 22:8).
Bdellium – Might be a pearl or a substance with pearl appearance. It is quite impossible to say whether
bdellium denotes a mineral or an animal production or a vegetable exudation. A gummy resin produced
by a tree that is reddish brown in exterior color and internally clear much like glue. Slightly bitter to the
taste, but with a pleasant aroma. It is used as a perfume and as a medicine. (Gen. 2:12; Num. 11:7).
Beast – (noun - Gen. 1:24) Any kind of living creature.
Became – Was exactly suited for; was fitting. (Heb. 7:24-26).
Bed – Couch, blanket (Song of Sol. 1:16); litter, (Song of Sol. 3:7).
Beeves – (noun - Lev. 22:19) Horned cattle fit to plough.
Begotten – To have born- brought forth. (1 John 5:1).
Behalf – Account, as in ‘On this behalf’ (1 Peter 4.16)
Behaved – Stilled. (Psa. 131:20).
Behemoth – (noun - Job 40:15) A huge strong animal.
Behind – Get back, lacking. (Col. 1:24).
Belial – Worthless, wickedness; in the O.T. “Belial” is used as a proper name to refer to the Devil. (Deut.
13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Sam. 1:16; 2:12; 10:2).
Belied – To lie against; to speak falsely. (Jer. 5:11-12).
Belly – The torso of the body. (Psa. 31:9).
Beryl – (noun - Rev. 21:20) The a precious stone so called by the Hebrew word for “tarshiysh” (Strong’s
#H8658) meaning that the color was like the Cilician Sea. (Ex. 28:20; 39:13; Song of Sol. 5:14; Dan.
10:6). A mineral, considered as a subspecies of Emerald. Its prevailing color is green of various shades,
but always pale.
Beseech – To call upon; appeal; beg. (Rom. 12:1).
Beset – To surround, enclose; to harass, obstruct, embarrass (Judges 19.22)
Besom – (noun - Isa. 14:23) A broom or brush made of twigs for sweeping.
Besought – Entreated; asked; called. (2 Cor. 12:8-9).
Bestead – (adj.) Hard pressed, oppressed, situated, circumstanced, beset; imperiled or oppressed (only at Isa.
8:21)
Bestir – To put into brisk or vigorous action (only at 2 Sam. 5:24).
Betroth – (verb - Hos. 2:19) To espouse, to be engaged.
Bestow – To gather together, to give, impart, confer (often followed by ‘upon’) (Ex. 32:29); to store, lay up,
stow away. (Luke 12:16-18).
Bethlehem – a small town 6 miles south of Jerusalem. It was the birth place of Jesus as prophesied in Micah
5:2.
Betimes – (adv. - Prov. 13:24) Quickly, soon, early, seasonably (Job 8:5)
Betwixt – Between; in an intermediate position. (Song of Sol. 1:13).
Bewitched – Amazed. (Acts 8:9, 11).
Bewrayeth (bewray) – (verb - Isa. 16:3) To uncover, to make manifest, clear, evident, betrays – often of
oneself, as by a guilty carriage or demeanour, or by an act of folly (Matt. 26:73) reveals. (Prov. 29:24).
Bewitch – (verb - Gal. 3:1) To charm or fascinate.
Bibliology – the doctrine of the Bible. (Psa. 119:140, 165; 138:2).
Billow – A swelling or heap of water. (Psa. 42:7).
Bishop – (noun - Titus 1:17) An overseer, supervisor.
Bishopric – Guardianship; office of overseeing. (Acts 1:18-20).
Bittern – (noun) Pocupine or hedgehog. Possibly a roosting heron, wild fowl, hawk, or wilderness bird;
dubiously a porcupine or hedgehog – Hebrew, ‘kip-pode’ (Isa. 14.23).
Blains – (noun) Inflamed skin swilling tumors; pustules; blisters; inflamatory sores or or boil (only in the
plural, at Ex. 9:9-10).
Blaze – Circulate information far and wide. (only at Mark 1:45)
Bolster – Long, narrow cusion or pillow (several occurences only at 1 Sam. 19:13; 26:11).
Blessed – Happy. (Psa. 1:1-2).
Bloody – Blood thirsty. (Psa. 5:6; 26:9; 139:19).
Bolled – (verb) Blossomed, in the seed or pod. (only in Ex. 9:31)
Bonnet – (noun - Isa. 3:20) Turban, headdress.
Boss(es) – Knob or protuberance of any kind (only in plural, at Job 15:26)
Botch – (noun - Deut. 28:27) An ulcer or boil.
Bottles – A container for stored liquids, usually a wineskin. (Matt. 9-.17; Mark 2:22- Luke 5:37-38).
Bottles of Wine – Wineskins. (Josh. 9:13; 1 Sam. 1:24; 10:3- 16:20; 2 Sam. 16:1; Job 32:19); heat of wine.
(Hos. 7:5).
Bound – (noun - Hos. 5:10) Landmark.
Bowels – (noun - Col. 3:12) 1) Compassionate feelings, as in ‘bowels of mercies’ , 2) Intestines, heart, (Gen.
43:30; 1 Kings 3-26; Psa. 109:18; Song of Sol. 5:4; Isa. 16:1 1; 63:15; Jer. 31:20; Lam. 1:20- 2:11; Phil.
12-20; 1 John 3:17) hearts, (Col. 3:12; Phil. 7); affections, (2 Cor. 6:12; Phil. 2:1); anguish, (Jer. 4:19);
tender mercies. (Phil. 1:8).
Box – A jar (Matt. 26:7; Mark 14:3; Luke 7:37).
Bravery – (noun - Isa. 3:18) Beauty, splendor.
Bray – (verb) To crush as in a mortar. To pound or grind into powder (Proverbs 27:22); to make noise as
of an ass or donkey (Job 6:5).
Branch – A song. (Isa. 25:5).
Brawler – One who is inclined to fight. (1 Tim. 3:2-3).
Brayed – To groan, wall; make a foul noise. (Job 30:7).
Breaches – (noun - Judges 5:17) Bays, harbors, creeks.
Breaking up – Breaking in. (Ex. 22:2).
Breeches – (noun - Ex. 28:42; Ezek. 44:18) Trousers.
Brigadine – (noun - Jer. 51:3) A kind of armor or coat of mail (Jer. 46:4; 51:3).
Brimstone – (noun - Gen. 19:24; Psa. 11:6) Sulphur, bitumen. The element Sulfur, bitumen, especially in
molten, fuming state as by volcanic action (Genesis 19:24; Luke 17:29).
Broided – (verb - 1 Tim. 2:9) Twined, plaited, braided.
Brood – A group of young animals. (Luke 13:34).
Bruit – (noun) A report, tidings, message, clamour; rumour (Jer. 10:22; Nahum 3:19)
Brutish – (adj. Prov. 12:1) Like a brute or beast; insensible; stupid; unfeeling; savage; ferocious; brutal;
gross; carnal; bestial; ignorant; uncivilized; untaught.
Buckler – (noun) Small, round shield worn mainly by archers (2 Sam. 22:31; Psa. 18:2; 91:4; Job 15:26)
Buffet – To strike with a clenched fist. (Matt. 26:66-68).
Bullock – (noun - Jer. 46:21) Bull, steer, ox.
Bulwark – A defensive structure. (Psa. 48:12-13).
Bunch – Hump, bump, swelling, as hump on a camel (Isa. 30:5); group of things tied together, bundle, or
pressed cake (1 Chron. 12:40).
By and by – (adv. - Matt. 13:21) At once, immediately.
–C–
Cab – Hebrew dry measurement approximating 1.3 quarts or 1.2 litres (only at 2 Kings 6:25).
Cabins – (noun - Jer. 37:16) Prison or dungeon wall or cell (only in the plural, at Jer. 37:16)
Calamus – A sort of reed, or sweet scented cane, used by the Jews as a perfume. (Ex. 30:23; Song of Sol.
4:14; Ezek. 27:19).
Caldron – A pot; kettle. (Jer. 52:17-18).
Calkers – (noun - Ezek. 27:9, 27) Those who caulked the seams in ships. It was a job that required a lot of
attention to detect and caulk leaks that began as the ship’s timbers worked at sea.
Campfire – Spelling reduced to Camphor with the passing of time. It is an aromatic substance extracted
from Asian camphor trees. It has an overpowering aroma and is said to induce sweating with prolonged
exposure. (Song of Sol. 1:14; 4:13).
Candlestick – (noun - Ex. 25:31; 40:24) Lampstand.
Cankered – Eaten away with rust (James 5:3)
Sabbath – the day of rest; cessation from work. God completed the creation of the universe in six days.
Therefore, God requires us to set one day apart for worship and rest. Christians set Sunday apart, as this
is the day upon which Jesus rose from the dead. (Ex. 20:9-10).
Sabaoth – Epithet of GOD connoting His Dominion over the Hosts of Heaven, the obedient angels who
Love Him, and His absolute rulership over all; often in Heb. ‘ YHVH Tsabaoth ‘, LORD of Hosts [Rom.
9.29; James 5.4 – in the O.T. read ‘of Hosts’, Isaiah 18:7; see Haggai 2:4-11).
Sackbut – From the Aramaic, a musical wind instrument of ‘twisted’ piping, a primitive trombone (Daniel
3).
Sacrifice – the offering of the blood or flesh of an animal to God as payment for sin or to show gratitude.
By offering an animal to God, the Hebrew people were giving another life in place of their own. God
demanded that they offer Him the best – a young unblemished male animal.
Sacrile – (to commit) To rob temples. (Rom. 2:22).
Saffron – The stigmae (pollen receiving part of the pistil) of a crocus, expensive, carmen-red and
delightfully and peculiarly flavoursome & coloring bright orangish yellow; which might generally
connotate goodly similarly colored spices, e.g., turmeric (wholesome mild spice found in curry) or the
similarly derived zedoary (‘an aromatic gingerlike substance made from the rootstock of E. Indian plants
of the genus Curcuma and used in medicine, perfumery, and dyeing’); the volatile essential oils of spices
necessary for high quality are easily lost by evaporation, and so were expensive to preserve and highly
apprecated for flavour and scent. (Song of Sol. 4:14).
Sanctification – the quality of being set apart from the world and unto God’s service. (Rom.6:19-22; 1
Thes.4:3).
Saint – (noun - Phlp. 4:21) A holy or separated one.
Salutation – A greeting. (Mark 12:38-40).
Sanctify – (verb - Ex. 13:2; Ezek. 37:27-28) To make sacred or holy, to set apart.
Sapphire – A very hard gemstone, second only to the diamond. Colors can be blue, red, violet, yellow,
green, white or transparent. Some reflect as a star, others radiate like a cat’s eye. (Ex .24:10; Job 28:16;
Lam. 4:7; Ezek.1:28; Rev. 21:19).
Sardine (Sardius) – Sard, gemstone of yellow or orange-red cornelian or chalcedony. One of these was in
Aaron’s breastplate (Ex. 28:17; Rev. 4:3).
Sardonyx – A gemstone; a reddish yellow or orange colored agate with an undulating surface. (Rev. 21:20).
Satan – (noun - Psa. 109:6; Matt. 16:22-23) The adversary.
Satiate – To fill; to satisfy appetite or desire; to feed to the full, or to furnish enjoyment to the extent of
desire. To gratify desire to the utmost. (Jer. 31:14; 46:10).
Satyr – (noun - Isa. 13:21; 34:13-14) “Hairy one”, animal; a he-goat.
Savour – A smell; taste; odor. (Matt. 5:13).
Scabbard – (noun - Jer. 47:6) A sheath of a sword.
Scall – A scaly skin eruption; scab, scabbiness, leprosy. (Lev. 13:30-37; 14:54-57).
Schism – A division or separation in a church or denomination or among Christians, occasioned by a
diversity of opinion; breach of unity among people of the same religious faith. In Scripture, the word
seems to denote a breach of charity, rather than a difference of doctrine. ( Noah Webster) (1 Cor 12:25).
Scour – To whip; flog. (Acts 22:25-26).
Scrabble – To scribble or scrawl (1 Sam. 21:13).
Scrabbled – (verb - 1 Sam. 21:13) To scribble, scrawl.
Scrip – (noun - Luke 9:3) SCRIP: A knapsack or pouch for carrying travellers’ or shepherds personal
essentials. Our Lord teaches us to be dependent on Him and to prepare for the time of trial. (compare
Luke 10:4 with 22:35-36).
Scripture – (noun - Matt. 28:56; 2 Tim. 3:15) Writing, something written.
Season – To salt whether internally – to season with salt, or externally – to rub with salt (Lev. 2:13). A time
or while. (Heb. 11:25).
Second coming of Christ – Christ’s coming to the earth with His saints to begin His millennial rule.
(Matt.24-25; Acts 1:11; 1 Thes.4:13-18).
Sect – (noun - Acts 5:17; 26:4-5) A group or division; a choice, opinion, party.
Seethe – (verb - Ex. 16:23; Ezek. 24:3-5) To cook, to boil; to prepare food by boiling. (Deut 14:21; 2 Kings
4:38; Zec. 14:21).
Selah – A musical instruction meaning a pause, to reflect upon that which came before or which follows,
for a meditational attitude. (Psa. 9:16) – following the meditative ‘Higgaion’, apparently to connote
meditative emphasis. (Hab. 3:3, 9, 13).
Selvedge – (noun - Ex. 26:4; 36:11) The end or edge of a cloth, where it is closed by complicating the
threads; a woven border, or border of close work.
Sepulchre – A place of burial; grave. (Matt. 23:27).
Septuagint – the oldest Greek translation of the Old Testament. It is believed that an Egyptian king had
seventy Jewish scholars translate the Torah (Tawrat) for the benefit of Greek-speaking Jews. This
translation began around 250 BC. The most famous manuscripts of the Septuagint are the Vaticanus, the
Alexandrinus and the Sinaiticus.
Serjeant – Sargeant, a Roman lictor – ‘an officer attending the counsel or other magistrate, bearing the
fasces [symbol of senatorial authority, a bundle of tied reeds or rods encasing an axe], and executing
sentence on offenders’ (Acts 16:35)
Servile – (adj. - Lev. 23:8) Laborious.
Servitor – Attendant; he who performs as a servant. (Only in 2 Kings 4:42-43).
Settle – (noun - Ezek. 43:14) A ledge around the altar.
Sevenfold – Multiplied by seven. (Isa. 30:26).
Severally – (1 Cor. 12:11) Individually.
Shadow of death – (Psalm 23:4) “Deep darkness.”
Shambles – (noun - 1 Cor. 10:25) Slaughter house’s meat marketplace, often connected in NT times with
sacrificial ritual, as the Muslim’s utterance upon slaughtering an animal.
Shamefacedness – (noun - 1 Tim. 2:9) Modesty, bashfulness.
Share – From ‘shear’, a farm implement for that purpose (Only at 1 Sam. 13:20).
Sheaf – Bundle of grain. (Gen. 37:6-7).
Sheepcote – (noun - 2 Sam. 7:8) Pasture, habitation of flocks.
Shekel – Hebrew unit of weight equal to about 11.42 g or 0.4 oz. Before the 4th & 3rd centuries BC, when
coinage was being introduced by the Persians followed by the Greeks, and minted in Jerusalem under
Simon Maccabaeas (although precursers of coinage existed from at least the 7th century BC): the shekel
was the standard of money weighed out in silver, unless otherwise specified in gold.
Sheriff – One knowledgeable in the law. (Dan. 3:3).
Sheol – (noun - Eccl. 9:10) Beyond the Grave, death; the unseen state.
Sherd – (noun - Isa. 30:14) A fragment. (see Potsherd)
Shew, shewing – (verb - Gen. 12:1) To show, reveal, or display openly for view.
Shewbread – Loaves of unleavened bread (lit. ‘bread of the face’ or ‘presence bread’), an intimate ritual part
connected, under the Law, with the Temple (a type of Jesus Christ, the Messiah), q.v., Bible Dictionary.
(Ex. 25:30).
Shibboleth – A stream, ear of grain, branch; password that distinguished Gileadites from Ephraimites by
pronunciation in Judges 10:6, and now a part of the English vocabulary for any such touchstone or test.
Shittah, Pl. Shittim – Wood of the acacia, a thorned tree, probably because of its resinous content a
desirable wood which was specified for the Temple, Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenent, which
contained the Testimony of the Law and Aaron’s budded almond staff (staves), and upon which rested
the Glory or Presence of the LORD [Exodus 25.5, 10; See Ch. 40 for the whole concise picture].
Shivers – Splintered fragments (only at Rev. 2:27)
Shroud – Linen sheet for wrapping body for burial; a branching treetop (Ezek. 31:3).
Silverlings – Preweighed silver used as money; possibly rudimentary quasi-coinage made of electrum (silver
naturally alloyed with gold or other metals): from the Hebrew for ‘dull lustre’; see SHEKEL (Only at
Isaiah 7.23)
Signet – A seal or stamp; an ornate badge. (Gen 38:18; Ex 28:11; Ex 39:14; Jer 22:24; Dan 6:17; Hag 2:23).
Silly – (adj. - Hos. 7:11) Simple, harmless, guileless.
Simon – Given a special name by Jesus: Cephas (Syriac) or Petros (Greek) which means “stone or rock.”
See John 1:42. He was the son of a man named Jonah and brother to Andrew. (Matthew 16:17;John
1:42). Called “the Canaanite” (Matthew 10:4) and “the Zealot” (Luke 6:15). The Hebrew word for
zealots was Kananim. This would explain the title “Canaanite.” He probably had been a member of the
Hebrew group which advocated fierce allegiance to Israel and violent overthrow of Roman domination.
Simon of Cyrene – the man from the area called Cyrene who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross. (Matthew
27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26).
Single – Having one aim or purpose, not prevaricating or forked-tongued: hence sincere, honest, without
deceit (Matt. 6:22).
Sin – the transgression of, deviation from the law sin, or will of God, the “missing of the mark” (Matt. 1:21).
Sin is rebellion against God and because God is holy, He cannot tolerate sin. The “Original Sin” is the
First human sin which is passed on through Adam to all succeeding generations. (Deut.6:24; Rom.3:9-
23). However, God himself has provided in Jesus the solution to this problem of sin. (Read Romans 3:23
and 6:23).
Sinew – a tendon; that which unites muscle to a bone. (Gen. 32:32; Isa. 48:4; Job 10:11; Ezek. 37:6, 8).
Single – Clear; sound; healthy. (Luke 11:34-35).
Sith – (adv. - Ezek 35:6) Since; seeing that.
Sleight – Trickery; entrapment by deceit. (Eph. 4:14).
Slime – (noun - Gen. 11:3) Bitumen tar from ground, pitch.
Slips – (noun - Isa. 17:10) Branches.
Slow bellies – Idle gluttons. (Titus 1:12).
Smart – To be sore distressed. (Prov. 11:15).
Smite, smote – (verb - Matt. 5:39) To strike, to beat.
Sod, sodden – (verb - Ex. 12:9) To cook, to boil.
Sodomite – Euphamism for homosexual, from a city God destroyed for its gross immorality, thought to be
located at the wastes South of the Dead Sea (Gen. 13:13; and esp. in the historical Books).
Solemnity – (noun - Deut. 31:10, 16:8) 1) Set time, 2) Festival.
Soothsayer – A foreteller of the future by astrology. (Dan. 4:6-7).
Sop – (noun - John 13:26) A little bit, a morsel, a piece of bread dipped in a liquid, like gravy, bean sauce,
or wine.
Sope – (noun - Mal. 3:2) Used for cleansing; scouring.
Sore – Sorely, very, exceedingly, extremely, severely (Judges 21:2; 1 Sam. 31:3).
Soteriology – the doctrine of salvation (Heb.7:25; 9:12).
Sottish – (adj. - Jer. 4:22) Stupid, senseless, foolishness, as though drunk by.
Soul – (noun - Matt. 10:28) Being, self, life, heart, etc.
Sovereignty – God’s right to do what He wants with what is His. (Psa. 24:1; Isa.53:4; Rom.8:28; 2
Cor.5:19).
Span – Unit of length based upon the distance between the thumb and end of little finger when extended,
about 0.22 metre or 8.75 inches.
Spikenard – An East Indian plant, ‘Nardostachys grandiflora’, and a costly perfumed ointment made from
this (See Mark 14:3-9).
Spite – Vexation-, anger; grief. (Psa. 10:12-14).
Spoil – Booty; prey. (Isa. 8:4).
Stablisheth – Establishes; makes steadfast. (2 Cor. 1:21-22).
Stacte – A fatty resinous liquid matter, of the nature of liquid myrrh, very odoriferous and highly valued.
One of the four ingredients composing the sacred perfume, the Holy incense. (Ex. 30:34-35).
Stanched – (verb - Luke 8:44) To cause to stop or stand still. To restrained from flowing.
Standard – (noun - Isa. 59:19; Jer. 50:1-2) Flag, banner, signal lifted up.
Stand upon – To attack. (2 Samuel 1:9-10).
Staves – (noun - Ex. 25:13; Luke 22:50-52) Poles, bars, rods, staffs.
Stay – (verb - Isa. 26:3) To support, to rely on.
Stayed – Detained; held. (Luke 4:42).
Strait – (adj. - Matt. 7:13) Narrow.
Strakes – (noun - Gen. 30:37) Streaks, stripes, peelings on a surface. (Lev. 14:37).
Steward – Manager. (Luke 12:42).
Stoick – Stoic, One of a Greek philosophical school founded at Athens c. BC 308 by Zeno, which sought
virtue as the greatest good and taught control of one’s passions (Acts 17:18).
Stomacher – A fine robe; an ornamental garb for the upper front of the body, a figured mantle for holidays
(Only in Isa. 3:24).
Straight way – Immediately. (Mark 1:17-18).
Strait – Restricted in space, limited [from root meaning emptiness, desolation]; also, as a Maritime
narrowing of land masses to form a passageway. (2 Kings 6:1; Phil. 1:23).
Straitened – Hindered; impeded. (Prov. 4:11-12).
Straitly – Strictly, closely. (Luke 9:21).
Straitness: Narrowness, hence distress; see Strait (2 Cor. 6:12).
Strake – Nautical: past tense of ‘strike’, unfurl sail to get underway. (Acts 27:17).
Strawed, strowed – (verb - Matt. 21:8) Scattered, spread by scattering. (2 Chron. 34:34).
Stripling – (noun - 1 Sam. 17:56) A young man.
Stuff – (noun - Gen. 31:37; 1 Sam. 30:24) Baggage of an army, furniture.
Suborned – (verb - Acts 6:11) Induced, bribed, prompted.
Suburbs – Occurring some 50 times, Heb. always ‘migraash’ [Strong’s #H4054]: ‘Open country whither
flocks are driven for pasture’, from a root suggesting contention or proprietyship (the cause of frequent
disputes among the pastoral nations) (Josh. 14:4; 21:2-3, 8, 11, 13; Ezek. 48:17).
Suffer – (verb - 1 Tim. 2:12) To allow, to permit. (See Matt. 19:14; Mark 10:14).
Succour (Succor) – To help, give aid or relieve when in difficulty, want, or distress; to assist and to deliver
from suffering; as, to succor a besieged city. (2 Sam. 8:5; 18:3; Heb 2:17-18).
Sumptuously – Splendidly. (Luke 16:19-21).
Sunder – Asunder, into parts or pieces. (Isa. 45:2).
Sup – To dine, have supper; to gather together; to slurp up & gulp tremendously, as of a liquid or air (in the
last sense, only at Hab. 1:9, from the Hebrew root ‘to gather’). (Rev. 3:20).
Superfluity – (noun - James 1:21) Super abundance, overflowing; a greater quantity than is wanted;
something beyond what is wanted.
Superfluous – Over and above; more than enough. (2 Cor. 9:1-2).
Supple – To cleanse and make comfortable, free from the birth encumbrance, as of a newborn baby (Ezek.
16:4).
Supplant – To deceive; defraud. (Jer. 9:3-5).
Suppliant – Worshiper. (Zep. 3:9-10).
Surfeiting – (noun - Luke 21:34) Intoxication, overindulgence, the act of feeding to excess.
Surmisings – (noun - 1 Tim. 6:4) Suspicions; imagining upon slight evidence. The act of suspecting; as, evil
surmisings.
Swaddle – Babes were wrapped comfortably in cloth in the Mideast (Luke 2.7)
Swaddling Clothes – Clothes used for wrapping. (Luke 2:7).
Swine – Pigs. (Matt. 7:6).
Sycamine – A different orthography of sycamore; a sycamore tree. (Luke 17:6).
Synagogue – From the Greek root, ‘to assemble together, convene’, and used of the building in which the
Jews congregated for worship. (Acts 22:19).
Syriack – Syrian; Syriac, the Semetic dialect, Aramaic. Jesus speaks so at the cross (Matt. 27.46); the
ancient Syriac Bible is the Peshetta, which agrees with the ‘Textus Receptus’, the majority text of the
AV. (Dan. 2:4).
–T–
Tabering, tabring – (verb - Nah. 2:7) To strike or beat a tabret, or small drum, usu. used to accompany a
pipe.
Tabret – (noun - Isa. 30:32) Tambourine, timbrel.
Tabernacle – A tent, booth or dwelling. (Job 18:5-6).
Tablet – That used for writing onto which letters are engraved or written -- of stone, clay, wax-board, vellum
(fine prepared hide) or paper; an ornament appended to a necklace, a locket [Ex. 35:22).
Tabor – (Defined here because it appears in several places with different identities). 1. A mountain in
Issachar & Zebulon (Josh. 19:22; Judges 4:6, 12, 14; 8:18; Psa. 89:12; Jer. 46:18; Hos. 5:1). 2. A plain
in Benjamin (1 Sam. 10:3). 3. A Levitical city in Zebulon (1 Chron. 6:77).
Taches – (noun - Ex. 26:6, 11, 33) Hooks, fasteners; something used for taking hold or holding; a catch; a
loop; a button. (Ex. 35:11; 36:13,18; 39:33).
Tale – (noun - Ex. 5:8) A carefully counted number.
Talent – Semitic unit of money as weight of silver or gold, about 35 kg or 78 lbs.; the probable Attic talent
(Rev. 16:1), about 26 kg or 57 lbs. Spiritual gifts or endowments are called “talents. (Matt. 25:16-18).
Tare – The past tense of ‘to tear’, tore. 2 Sam. 13:31 A noxious weed (Matt. 13:24-40).
Target – Small, round shield; target (1 Kings 10:16; 2 Chron. 9:15).
Taunt – An object of scorn and derision. (Ezek. 5:14-15).
Teats – The female ‘paps’ or mammary nipples (Ezek. 23:2, 21), where both used derisively to Israel’s
shame.
Teil – The Hebrew root means strength or support; therefore, an oak-like hardwood tree, the terebinth, from
which when cut exudes a fragrant resinous juice (only at Isaiah 6:13).
Tell – To count or ascertain; to narrate; number; count. (Gen. 15:4-5).
Testament – similar meaning to covenant. The Bible is made up of two Testaments, the New and the Old.
Temperance – Self-control. (Gal. 5:22-24).
Tempest – Storm; whirlwind. (Psa. 11:5-6).
Tempt – To try, test, put to the test. (Gen. 22:1; Ex. 17:7; Matt. 4:7).
Tenons – In building and cabinet work, the end of a piece of timber, which is fitted to a mortise for
insertion, or inserted, for fastening two pieces of timber together. (Ex. 26:17, 19; 36:22, 24).
Teraphim – (noun) The Hebrew plural meaning “household gods”, probably a family’s sort of ‘coat of arms’
or hereditary identification figures, statuettes poss. formerly worship icons peculiar of a family, and
which may have been evidence of hereditary ownership rights; possibly during pagan relapses, still
worshiped by the Hebrews, perhaps in corruption of true worship. (Gen. 31:19; Judges 17:5; 18:14, 17-
18, 20; Hos. 3:4).
Terrestrial – Pertaining to the earth; existing on the earth; as terrestrial animals; bodies terrestrial. (1 Cor.
15:40).
Testament – (noun - Matt. 26:28) Covenant; an agreement. (Heb. 9:16-18).
Tetrarch – (noun - Matt. 14:1) A Roman governor of the fourth part of a province; a subordinate prince. In
time, this word came to denote any petty king or sovereign. Used of Herod Antipas, Herod Philip (sons
of Herod the Great), and Lysanias (Luke 3:1, 19; 9:7; Acts 13:1).
Thee – (pronoun) You - singular object.
Thence – (adv. - Acts 14:26) There, from there.
Theology – the doctrine of God. (Hosea 6:3).
Theos – the New Testament name for God. (John 20:28).
Thither – (adv. - 1 Sam. 9:6) There, in that place.
Thitherward – In that direction; towards. (Jer. 50:4-5).
Thomas – He is also called Didymus, from the Greek, meaning “twin.” (John 11:16; 20:24). Didymus may
have been his surname.
Thou – (pronoun) You; singular subject.
Thrice – Three times. (Matt. 26:35-36).
Throughly – (adv. - 2 Cor. 11:6) In every way, thoroughly.
Thummim – ‘Light’, see Urim & Thummim.
Thyine – North African conifer tree ‘Tetraclinis articulata’, from which is exuded sandarac, a gummy resin
used to make varnish and; also scented strongly aromatic and probably used as an incense and balm
component. (Rev. 18:12).
Timbrel – A small hand drum, tambourine, or like musical instrument, perhaps similar to those oft seen in
Egyptian paintings held in the hand and raised up. (Psa. 150:4).
Tire – To attire or dress; crescent shaped head ornament or turban. (Ezek. 24:17).
Tirshatha – (noun - Neh. 8:9) A title of a Persian governor.
Tithe – (noun - Lev. 27:30; Heb. 7:8) A tenth part; 1/10.
Tittle – (noun - Matt. 5:18) A point of a Hebrew letter.
Token(s) – Prearranged signal; some sort of that considered evidence of a maiden’s virginity. (Mark 14:44).
Told out – Numbered; tallied. (2 Chron. 2:1-2).
Topaz – A yellowish color gemstone found in Arabia. (Ex. 28:17; 39:10; Job 28:19; Ezek. 28:13; Rev.
21:20).
Tow – The coarse or broken part of flax or hemp that is left when it is combed into good fiber. Weak and
useless for any good purpose. (Judges 16:9; Isa. 1:31; 43:17).
Transgression – Wrong-doing; a violation of a law. (Job 33:8-9).
Translate – To transfer, convey, or transport from one place, situation, domain, or ontological state to
another (2 Sam. 3:10; as Translated, of Enoch at Heb. 11:5 from Gen. 5:24).
Trespass – Wrong-doing-, sin. (Matt. 6:14-15).
Tribulation – the seven-year period of turmoil on earth between the rapture and the second coming of
Christ. (Dan.9:24-27; Matt.24-25; Rev.4-19).
Trinity – one God in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matt.28:19; John 14:16-17; 2 Cor. 13:14).
Trode – Trampled. (Luke 12:1).
Trow – (verb - Luke 17:9) To believe; to trust; to think or suppose.
Trump – Trumpet. (1 Thes. 4:16).
Truth – the attribute of God whereby He cannot lie nor tolerate untruth in others. (Zac.8:16; 1 Tim.4:3).
Turtle – (noun - Lev. 15:29) Turtle dove.
Twain – (adj. - Isa. 6:2; Mark 10:7-9) Two, together.
–U–
Unbelieving – faithless, infidel. (Rev. 21:8).
Unclean – impure, foul. (Rev. 16:13; 18:2).
Unction – (noun) An anointing. Richness of gracious affections; divine or sanctifying grace administered
by God, not men. (1 John 2:20).
Under colour – (Acts 27:30) In pretense.
Undersetter – (noun - 1 Kings 7:30) Prop, support, shoulder; structural reinforcement.
Understanding – intellect, mind, thought. (Rev. 13:18).
Unlade – To discharge; unload. (Acts 21:2-3).
Unicorn – (noun - Num. 23:22) An animal with one horn; the monoceros. This name is often applied to the
rhinoceros. Wild ox?
Unity – the Divine nature is indivisible; there is but one infinite and perfect Spirit. (Acts 2:1, 43; 4:32;
Rom.12:5; 1 Cor.12:13).
Untempered – Not properly blended or mixed. (Ezek. 13:10).
Untimely – out of season. (Rev. 6:13).
Untoward – (adj. - Acts 2:40) Crooked, bent, perverse.
Upbraid – To charge with something wrong or disgraceful; to reproach; to chide; to reprove with severity.
(Judges 8:15; Matt. 11:20; Mark 16:14).
Urim and Thurum – Lit. ‘light’ and ‘perfection’, possibly two precious stones put into the pouch bound
around Aaron’s heart and used as commanded by GOD to know His Will; their exact nature is
speculative (yet possibly discernable), and they may not have been stones, but that they were ordained
of God precludes their being pseudo-divination (Ex. 28:30; Ezra 2:63). Some commentators think that
James 1:17 is an illusion to the “Urim and Thurum” (“...the Father of lights...”).
Usury – The practice of lending money or anything for gain, prohibited among the Israelites towards each
other as brethren (this is “passive” income, that not earned by productive labor) (See Lev. 25:36-37;
Deut. 23:19-20)
Usurp – To seize and take hold of. (1 Tim. 2:12).
–V–
Vail – Veil, covering or partition of cloth. (2 Cor. 13:13-16).
Vain – Empty- foolish; useless. (Matt. 6:7).
Vehemently – Violently; intensely. (Luke 6:48).
Venison – Cloven hoofed ruminant game, e.g., deer and antelope (Gen. 25:28).
Venture – Committal to chance or risk (1 Kings 22:34).
Verbal – the sword indicating that every word of the Bible is inspired. (2 Sam. 23:2; Psa. 12:6-7; 1 Cor.
2:13).
Verily – (adv. - Matt. 5:18) Sure, trustworthy, amen.
Verity – (noun - 1 Tim. 2:7) Truth.
Vermilion – A deep scarlet red color, formerly obtained from the mineral cinnabar (Mercuric Oxide [HgS])
(Jer. 22:14; Ezek. 23:14).
Version – A translation of a book of the Bible or a translation of the entire Bible. (Psa. 119:140, 165; 138:2).
Vestments – Garments; clothing. (2 Kings 10:21-22).
Vesture – (noun - Psa. 102:26; Rev. 19:12-13) Garment, cloak, clothing.
Vial – (noun - Rev. 16:1-2; 21:9) Bowl, goblet, a broad shallow cup.
Victory – conquer, overcome, prevail. (Rev. 15:2).
Victuals – (noun - Josh. 1:11) Food, sustenance.
Vigilant – Watchful. (1 Tim. 3:2).
Villany – Folly. (Jer. 29:23).
Viol – (noun - Isa. 14:11) A kind of harp or lyre. A largish curved harp or psaltery. (Isa. 5:12).
Viper – Snake. (Matt. 3:7).
Virtue – Manliness [ Latin, ‘vir’ = man], worth, bravery, power inherent in a supernatural being, worth,
moral excellence [of healing power coming from Jesus], (Luke 8:46).
Vocation – A calling; invitation, summons. (Eph. 4:1-3).
Void – Empty; vacant; not occupied with matter. Having no legal or binding force; null; not effectual to bind
parties, or to support a right. Free; clear; as, a conscience void of offense. Destitute; as, void of learning;
void of reason or common sense. Unsubstantial; vain. To render useless or of no effect. (Gen. 1:2; Num.
30:12-13, 15; Deut. 38:8; 1 Kings 22:10; 2 Chron. 18:9; Psa. 89:39; 119:126; Prov. 7:7; 11:12; Isa.
55:11; Jer. 4:23; Naham 2:10; Acts 24:16; Rom. 3:31; 1 Cor. 9:15).
Volume – (noun - Heb. 10:7) A roll [manuscript].
–W–
Wail, Wailing – grieve, lament, mourn. (Rev. 1:7; 18:19, 15).
Wanton – Excessive; rebellious. (1 Tim. 5-11-12).
Wantonness – (noun - 2 Pe. 2:18) Sensuality, debauchery.
Ward – In prison; in ward, in custody or, custodianship; gaol. (Gen. 41:9-10; Num. 15:34).
Ware – The several meanings of aware; wary; merchandise; wore, past tense of ‘to wear’. (Acts 14:6).
Wast – was, were. (Rev. 5:9; 11:17).
Watch, Watcheth, Watchful – keep awake, be vigilant. (Rev. 3:2; 6:15; 3:3).
Waymarks – Signs identifying road or man-made boundary marks (Jer. 31:21).
Wax – To grow; become; advance. (Luke 12:33).
Weaver’s Beam – The heavy bar around which the warp cords were wrapped in a loom. (1 Sam. 17:7; 1
Chron. 11:23; Matt. 7:3-5).
Weight – The measure of. (Rev. 16:21).
Wen – (noun) A running sore, ulcer, blemish or imperfection on the body, running sore, tumer, cyst,
deformed bodily protuberance. (Lev. 22:22).
Wench – (noun - 2 Sam. 17:17) Maidservant.
Wert – Were, second person singular past tense of ‘to be’, as “thou wert”. (Rev. 3:15).
Wheat – Food grain, corn. (Rev. 6:6; 18:13).
Whence – (adv. - Matt. 13:54; Rev. 2:5; 7:13) From where, place, state, source.
Wherefore – Why?; for what reason?- for what cause? (Rom. 9:31-32).
Wherewith – The things with which... (Psa. 119:41-42).
Whet – To sharpen. (Psa. 7:12).
Whether – Which, of two. (Luke 3:15).
Whit – (noun - 2 Cor. 11:5) Least bit.
White – whiten, make white, bright, gay, clear, clean. (Rev. 1:14; 7:13).
Whither – (adv. - Jer. 40:12; John 8:13-14) Where, in what place.
Whore – strumpet, harlot. (17:1, 17:16; 19:2).
Whoremonger – (noun - Eph. 5:5) A sexually immoral person. Those who follow after prostitutes, a
fornicator. Male prostitute (Strong), debauchee, lbertine, or procurer [of whores]; from the Greek
‘pornos’, with root meaning ‘merchandiser’ from ‘thoroughness’ from ‘to pierce through’ – very strong
NT word denoting extreme sexual libertinage, lisciviousness or depravation. (1 Tim. 1:10; Rev. 21:8;
22:15).
Wiles – (noun - Eph. 6:11) Methods, cunning devices.
Wimples – (noun - Isa. 3:22) Shawls, upper garments; a hood or veil. A folded garment worn by ladies to
cover the head and neck.
Winebibber – (noun - Matt. 11:19) Winedrinker.
Winefat – (noun - Mark 12:1) Winepress collection trough.
Wings (of the morning) – Possibly Mediterranean flying fish, dolphins, or regularly prevailing winds [Psa.
139.9 cf. Psa. 18:10).
Wipe – to obliterate, blot out. (Rev. 7:17; 21:4).
Wist – (verb - Mark 9:16) Knew (past tense).
Wit – (verb - Gen. 24:21) To know, to become aware of, the past tense of ‘wist’, as ‘wot’.
Witness, Witnesses – record, report, testimony. (Rev. 1:5; 11:3).
Withal – With, besides. (Job 2:7-8).
Withs – (noun - Judges 16:7) Ropes made of green tree fibers, cords.
Wonder, Wonders – miracle, sign, token. (Rev. 12:1; 13:13).
Wont – (adj. - Ex. 21:29; Luke 22:39-41) Accustomed to, apt, likely, used to, habituated. (2 Sam. 2:18).
Woof – The weft or threads that cross the warp in weaving. (Lev. 13:48-59)
Wool – Figuratively exceedingly or perfectly white like the fuller’s wool (Mark 9:3). (Rev. 1:14).
World – (noun - Matt. 24:3). Age, dispensation.
Wormwood – (noun - Jer. 9:15) A bitter plant, a type of bitterness, calamity. (Rev. 8:11).
Wot – (verb - Gen. 21:26) Know (present tense). (Ex. 32:1; Num. 22:6; Josh. 22:5; Acts 3:17; Rom. 11:12;
Phil. 1:22). The present tense of ‘wit’, “to know” (Rom. 11:2); so, ‘wotteth’ (Gen. 39:8).
Wreathen – Twisted, like a wreath (Ex. 28:14).
Wroth – To be provoked; angered. (Matt. 2:16).
Wrought – (adj. - Ex. 26:36) Worked, made, woven.
–Y–
Yahweh, (Jehovah) – the name for GOD meaning “the Self-Existent One.” (Ex.3:14).
Ye – (pronoun) You - plural subject. You, in the sense of “each of you all”, a peculiarly intimate or particular
emphatic form inclusive of the plurality (see Matt. 21:42-44).
Yea – Yes- certainly, even so, truly, verily. (Matt. 5:37; Rev. 14:13).
Yokefellow – Comrade (Phil. 4:3).
Yonder – ‘Beyond’, over there, away there, farther along, beyond or something beyond (Matt. 26:36).
–Z–
Zealous – covet, desire, jealous. (Rev. 3:19).
Zebulun – habitation (Rev. 7:8).
Zechariah – a prophet who lived about 520 BC and wrote the book in the Old Testament bearing his name.
He urged the people of Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and prophesied about God’s victory over evil and
the coming Messiah.
Zion (Sion) – a monumental or guiding pillar. (Rev. 14:1).
Appendix A
Bible Names – Their Meanings
Among the Hebrews each person received but a single name. In the case of boys this was conferred upon
the eighth day, in connection with the rite of circumcision. To distinguish an individual from others of the
same name it was customary to add to his own proper name that of his father or ancestors. Sometimes the
mother’s name was used instead. Simple names in Hebrew, as in all languages, were largely borrowed from
nature; e.g. Deborah, “bee;” Tamar, “a palm tree;” Jonah, “dove.” The majority of compound names have
special religious or social significance, being compounded either 1) with terms denoting relationship, as
“Abi” or “Ab”, [father], as Abihud, “father of praise,” Abimelech, “father of the king;” “Ben,” [son], as
Benoni, “son of my sorrow,” Benjamin, “son of the right hand;” or 2) with names of God, as “El,” [God], and
“Jah” or “Yah”, shortened from “Yahweh.”
The seemingly endless assault on the Authorized Translation of the Holy Scriptures appears to me to have
added a word to the English Language. Whether or not this is a fact is of little import, but in searching the
Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English language, you will find the word ‘archaic’ is
missing. There is a listing for ‘archaism,’ which is undoubtedly the root word, since it means ‘an ancient or
obsolete phrase or expression.’ What is done here is to investigate the claim of detractors of the Authorized
Version, that it contains too many archaic and difficult words for the reader to understand and solve that
perceived problem with this listing.
With the exception of the proper names, the Bible is written with 7th to 8th grade vocabulary. The vital
need to read the Bible is largely a forgotten dedication among the saints of our day. At a normal rate of
reading it will take the average Christian 3 hours to read the Gospel of Luke, 4 ½ hours to read the book of
Psalms, 52 hours to read the Old Testament, 19 hours to read the New Testament, and less than 72 hours to
read the entire Bible. The problem arises when the reader is exposed to a vernacular that contains words
unknown to the modern eye.
I can, without picking up a Bible, think of quite a few words that we do not see much in print or hear in
conversation anymore, but words are words. A word is not embalmed and laid to rest in a hole in the ground
or cremated. It may fall into disuse, but it and its meaning will always be just what they were intended to be.
Of course, some have done a lot of good words the disservice of connecting a totally different meaning to
them, other than they were originally intended to convey. When archaic words did not fit the coloquial usage
of the day, they were given different meanings. I cannot help but think such a thing has happened in reguards
to the language of the very Word of God. It is sure that this approach has been effective in modern times by
many with the intention of changing His clear statements into wishy-washy, compromiseable interpretations.
This volume seeks to set this condition aright and give the meanings, intended by the translators, back
to the readers. The Editor disclaims originality. Other men have labored, I have but entered into their labors.
The results of the study of God’s Word by learned and spiritual servants, in every division of the church and
in many lands, has netted a bounty of wonder in the matter of Bible study. The Editor has only proposed to
himself the modest task of summarizing, arranging and condensing this mass of material into a convenient
form. This list is a complete (exhaustive) listing of all the words from the King James Version of the Bible
(AV 1611). It includes the frequency of use, definitions and Biblical applications in the KJV Bible (for the
complete, whole word). This work is not intended to be a scholarly reference; but, a book for the common
reader who needs to gain the truths found in the Word of God.
There cannot be the slightest doubt in the mind of any reflecting person but that a much greater amount
of error in reference to the truths of the Word of God arises from simple ignorance or inattention to the
language than from any other worse cause whatever. Words, in the course of time, lose their original
meaning, and acquire a conventional one very often considerably different, and which, from constant use,
becomes a functional corruption of the translators’ mind. Very many are accustomed to use Scripture
language without at all being able to understand its real meaning, and thus they are rather injured than
benefitted by their familiarity with Scripture phraseology.
In 2 Corinthians 11:1-4, Paul warned of the false teachers and their tactics, which would even include a
perverted gospel. To avoid this “other gospel,” (Gal. 1:6-9); learn the meanings of the words, don’t accept
the ‘modernization’ which is an abomination to God. It is my hope to put the meaning of these “Bible” words
back into focus and replace the modern, contemporary meanings with the translators intention. I believe the
AV 1611 to be the version of the Bible for English speaking peoples and am sure that this “Word List” will
help in our study of its truths.
Those who believe and read the Bible generally have a much larger vocabulary than the average man on
the street. Those who never read the Bible are often the biggest critics of the language in it. Why should they
complain if they don’t even read it? The Bible has become an unread book like most other informational or
educational books such as encyclopedias and dictionaries. They sit on shelves and gather dust. The best way
to handle confrontation with the unknown words is to look up their definitions and learn them. Using them
in conversation in your daily life will soon eliminate the problem and increase your enjoyment of the English
language as you are blessed when you read the Word.
Appendix C
The Joy Of A Bible Believing Position
Why I Believe The King James Bible Is The Word Of GOD
III- It is MY cause – I have adopted it and: (1 Sam.17:29 “...is there not a cause...”)
A- I HAVE gone to seed on it:
1) Breaking up the fallow ground
2) Planting the seed of the WORD
3) Reaping the harvest of the souls of men
B- I rode this “hobby-horse” over here
1) This BOOK is all I should be occupied with
2) I have no other authority
3) My heart is so evil that I must force my eyes into its pages
C- I am, ABSOLUTELY, trying to cram this down your throat
The freedom afforded me by my “Bible-Believing” position is a joy in the light of modern scholarship.
Those under the power of “Doubters-Syndrome” are in a poor state of affairs. The absence of a believable
Bible brings confusion and a loss of the Joy of confidence in GOD’S word. (Gen.3:1 - Here they doubted.)
The fact is that GOD has honored HIS WORD is a well documented truth. No other religious leader has
supported his documents of faith in the way that the GODHEAD has embodied HIMSELF in the paper of
Scripture, that it needs no other defense. You could say, about my firm interjection on this matter, that I am,
ABSOLUTELY, trying to cram this down your throat. If you don’t like this attitude about this matter you
surely would not like Nehemiah. In the thirteenth chapter of his book in the Old Testament we read that he
“commanded” some of them (He yelled at them), “contended” with the people several times (He demanded
that they obey the Word of GOD), “testified against” those who were disobedient (He talked about them to
others to mark them as enemies of the cause of GOD), “cursed” them (Used abrasive language toward them),
“plucked off their hair” (He took up arms of opposition against their ways), and made them “swear by GOD”
(He called for them to respond to his message and repent). He was just a preacher with a “CAUSE.”
The Authorized Version was translated in 1611, just before the Puritans departed from England, so that
they carried it with them across stormy seas to lay the foundation of one of the greatest governments the
world has ever known. The Authorized Version of GOD’S Holy Word had much to do with the laying of the
foundation of our great country.
When the Bible was translated in 1611, GOD foresaw the wide, extended use of the English language;
and, therefore, in our Authorized Bible, gave the best translation that has ever been made, not only in the
English language, but as many Scholars say, ever made in any language.
When apostasy had cast its dark shadow over the Western lands of opportunity, GOD raised up the men of
1611. They were true Protestants. Many of their friends and associates had already fallen before the sword
of despotism while witnessing for the Holy Writ. And in a wonderful way GOD worked to give us through
them an English version from the genuine manuscripts. It grew and soon exercised a mighty influence upon
the whole world.
Through the Reformation, the Received Text was again given to the Church. In the ages of twilight and
gloom, the dark ages, the corrupt church did not think enough of their corrupt Bible to circulate it. But the
reformed church soon spread the Received Text, both Hebrew and Greek through the world. Wherever it is
accurately translated, regardless of whatever the language may be, it is as truly the Word of GOD as our own
Authorized Version. In a remarkable way, GOD has honored the King James Version.
The King James Version has been translated into many other languages. One writer claims 886. It is the
Book of the human race. It is the author of vastly more missionary enterprises than any other version. The
AV 1611 is GOD’S missionary Book.
Then arose false theologies and false Bibles based on inferior manuscripts and long discarded versions
used to support this systematic depravation of the teaching of the Gospel. Hence once again the true people
of GOD are called upon to face a subtle and insidious attack. The attack is to have some admixture of the old
and the new. The AV 1611 will be found to be the factor that will turn the tide and restore the Truth to the
churches of our day. Through HIS Word we receive the power of GOD, the same Word by which HE upholds
all things, by which HE swings the mighty worlds and suns through the deeps of the stellar universe.
This preserved Word is able to save us and keep us forever. This Word shall conduct us to the
FATHER’S throne on high. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our GOD shall stand for
ever.”
Thy Word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
(Psa. 119:140)
“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thes. 5:17-18)
Sources --
1. Vance, Laurence M.; ARCHAIC WORDS AND THE AUTHORIZED VERSION; Vance Publications;
Pensacola, Florida; 1996, 1997.
2. Strong, James, LL.D., S.T.D.; THE NEW STRONG’S EXHUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE,
Comfort Print edition; Thomas Nelson Publishers; Nashville, Tennessee; (c. 1870) 1995 (Note: Every
word is included, the extremely common are found in the Apendices; published prior to transfer of
ownership from Sir Nelson to an Armenian, c. 1985).
3. The Authorised Version of THE HOLY BIBLE, under Royal Letters Patent; The Revisers, authorised of
King James I; THE CONCORD REFERENCE EDITION with A Short Glossary (Skeats, W. W.) &
Concise Bible Dictionary; Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge; Cambridge, England; (revised
text as, or similar to, THE PARALLEL BIBLE, 1886) Concord Edition [as of 1999] and also included
in other Cambridge Editions, e.g., THE PRESENTATION BIBLE and where specified.
4. OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY; Oxford University Press; various formats of the 1st & 2nd Editions;
Oxford, England; [1884], 1936, ~1989, [1995].
5. THE RANDOM HOUSE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, 2nd Edition; WEBSTER’S
NEW UNIVERSAL UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY; Random House Publishing; [pres.] New York,
New York; 1987, 1993, 1996.
6. Ryrie, Charles Caldwell, Th.D., Ph.D.; THE RYRIE STUDY BIBLE : King James Version -- Expanded
Edition; The Moody Bible Institute; Chicago, Illinois; [1986], 1994.
7. Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., Ph.D.; THE THOMPSON CHAIN-REERENCE BIBLE, 5th Improved
Edition; B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Company; Indianapolis, Indiana; [1908-], 1988.
8. Bullinger, E. W., Dr.; THE COMPANION BIBLE; Kriegel Publications (but printed in England); Grand
Rapids, Michigan; ~1890, 1990; note: may no longer credit Dr. Bullinger (omitting the original Title
Page, still included by this publisher as late as 1985) The regular-type editions being in very small print,
a “large-print” edition is now available as of IX 2000.
9. Metzger, Bruce M., and Coogan, Michael D.; THE OXFORD COMPANION TO THE BIBLE; Oxford
University Press; Oxford, England (New York, New York); 1993; note: a secularist work, of use for
monies and weights & measures. The older Cambridge Companion is excellent and written from
Christian orientation; see CONCORD BIBLE, above.
10. Jamieson, Robert; Fausset, A. R.; & Brown, David. A COMMENTARY, 3 vv., Eerdmans, Grand Rapids,
Michigan (USA), c. 1875, reprinted 1978.
11. McGee, the late Dr J. Vernon; Through the Bible Ministries; Pasadena, California, USA:
http://www.ttb.org/ .
12. Webster, Noah; 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language – Over 60,000 definitions. Uses
Scripture frequently in definitions.
“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thes. 5:17-18)
Dr. Terry Wayne Preslar (1947- )
Dr. Terry Wayne Preslar has pastored First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, North Carolina for over
30 years. It is his second call with two and one half years having been served at Howie Baptist Church of
Waxhaw, North Carolina. Brother Preslar and his wife are happily married with five children, with the
youngest being eighteen years old and eight grandchildren. He is an old fashion Baptist Preacher with firm
convictions and a passion for souls.
The Editor organized Mineral Springs Baptist Mission late in 1975. Since then Pastor Preslar has worked
in this calling. He works with the “Preaching Mission” of the church, at the rest-home several times each
month and three services each week in the pulpit at First Baptist. Given the occasion he preaches on the street
and in prisons. He teaches Bible College Classes in Monroe in the Gospel Schools of the Bible in Monroe
N.C. and writes Sunday-School material for several classes. He preaches several revival meetings, speaks in
mission revivals and Bible conferences and attends a number of campmeetings each year. He can be contacted
for appointments at the below address or phone number. (No church is ever too small – God’s people need
a preacher...)
This document is distributed by Gospel Publishing & Colportage through The Fresh Waters
Digital Library as a ministry of The First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, North Carolina.
For more information on this or other subjects of BIBLE research please call or write: P.O.
Box 388 Mineral Springs, N.C. 28108 1(704)843-3858
Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2
E-Mail: preslar12@windstream.net