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.
Sow
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Sow is an older dictionary reference to the female swine, or pig.
Sower, Sowing
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Sowing is the scattering of seed by hand for planting crops. In biblical lands it occurred mainly from autumn through winter, and the Mosaic law prohibited sowing mixed kinds of seed.
Spain
Places & Geography - New Testament
Spain was the western country Paul intended to visit after traveling to Rome. It was associated with the distant western region known in earlier Scripture as Tarshish.
Sparrow
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The sparrow represents the small, common birds sold cheaply in the marketplace. Jesus used their value and God’s care for them to assure his disciples that the Father also cares for them.
Sparta
Places & Geography - Inter-testament
Sparta was a prominent Greek city whose people were believed by some Jews to share a relationship with Israel. Ancient correspondence between the two communities is mentioned in the inter-testamental record.
Spear
Objects & Symbols - Both
A spear was a military weapon consisting of a long shaft and pointed head, used in battle throughout the biblical world.
Spearmen
People & Groups - New Testament
Spearmen were lightly armed troops assigned to accompany mounted soldiers, particularly in the force sent to escort Paul.
SPECIALLY
Other - New Testament
Specially means particularly, chiefly, or above all. In the New Testament it often emphasizes a person or duty receiving special attention, such as providing for one’s own household.
SPECKLED
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
Speckled is a color description used in the King James Version for a horse in Zechariah’s vision. The Revised Version renders the word “sorrel.”
SPECTACLE
Government & Society - New Testament
A spectacle is an exhibition or public show, and by extension a visible object of attention. Paul uses the term figuratively of the apostles being displayed before the world in suffering.
SPEECH
Christian Life - Both
Speech is articulate expression of thought through words. Scripture uses the term for ordinary conversation, persuasive or gracious words, communication, and the proclamation of God’s message.
SPELT
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Spelt is a kind of wheat, identified with the seed of Triticum spelta. It is mentioned among the crops and grains in passages describing agriculture and the plagues of Egypt.
Spice, Spices
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Spices were fragrant substances used in perfume, worship, food, and burial customs. Scripture gives particular attention to their use in anointing oil and embalming.
Spicery
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Spicery refers to an aromatic gum, probably gum tragacanth, obtained from plants found in Palestine and used as a fragrant substance.
Spices
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Spices were aromatic substances used in sacred anointing oil, perfume, embalming, and royal stores. They were valued for their fragrance and practical uses.
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.
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