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.
STRAIN
Sin & Judgment - New Testament
To strain is to filter liquid by removing small impurities. Jesus used the image of straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel to condemn attention to minor matters while neglecting greater righteousness.
Strain at
Doctrine & Theology - New Testament
“Strain at” in Matthew 23:24 is an old translation and should read “strain out.” Jesus used the expression to expose religious hypocrisy: carefully avoiding a small impurity while overlooking greater matters.
STRANGE WOMAN
Sin & Judgment - Old Testament
The “strange woman” in Proverbs is a woman outside the proper covenant and moral order, especially a harlot or adulterous woman. The expression warns against sexual immorality and its destructive influence.
STRANGE, FIRE
Worship & Prayer - Old Testament
“Strange fire” refers to the unauthorized fire offered by Nadab and Abihu before the Lord. Their profane approach to the holy service brought divine judgment and death.
Stranger
Jewish Life & Customs - Old Testament
A stranger was a non-Israelite residing among the people of Israel. The law regulated his religious and civil status and repeatedly required that he be treated with fairness and compassion.
STRANGER AND SOJOURNER (IN THE OLD TESTAMENT)
Jewish Life & Customs - Old Testament
The Old Testament distinguishes several kinds of non-Israelites: resident aliens, temporary sojourners, foreigners, and those treated as strangers in a particular religious or social setting. Israel’s law required protection and fair treatment for resident strangers, while restricting some covenant privileges.
STRANGLED
Law & Covenant - Both
An animal described as strangled had died by choking rather than by the shedding of blood. Because its blood remained in it, the Mosaic law forbade eating it, and the Jerusalem council instructed Gentile Christians to abstain from such meat.
Straw
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
Straw was used as fodder and was mixed with clay in making bricks. Pharaoh’s refusal to supply straw forced the Israelites to gather their own while maintaining the required production of bricks.
STRAWED
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
“Strawed” is an older past-tense form meaning scattered, spread, or strewn about. Scripture uses related actions for powder, branches, and seed.
Stream of Egypt
Places & Geography - Old Testament
The Stream of Egypt was the Wadi el-‘Arish, also called the Brook or River of Egypt. It formed a recognized boundary near the southwestern edge of the land of Israel.
Street
Places & Geography - Both
A street was a public way through a town or city. Ancient streets were commonly narrow and irregular, though Damascus had a notable broad thoroughfare called Straight.
STRENGTH, OF ISRAEL
God - Old Testament
“The strength of Israel” is a title or description of the Lord as the stronghold and protection of His people. The expression emphasizes God’s power to defend Israel.
Stripes
Sin & Judgment - Both
Stripes were blows inflicted as judicial punishment. Mosaic law limited the number of lashes, later observed by the Jews as thirty-nine, and Jesus and Paul are both recorded as having endured scourging or beating.
STUDS
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
Studs were small ornamental points, apparently of silver, intended to be attached to decorative golden plaits or borders. They formed part of a bride’s jewelry.
Suah
People & Groups - Old Testament
Suah was a descendant of Asher, identified as a son of Zophah. He is mentioned in the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles.
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.
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