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.
Veil, vail
Temple & Tabernacle - Both
The Bible uses “veil” for several kinds of coverings, including garments, shawls, Moses’ face covering, and the curtains at the entrances and inner division of the tabernacle. The temple veil symbolized restricted access to the holy presence of God.
VEIN
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
In Job 28:1, “vein” refers to the source or course from which silver comes. Modern translations commonly render the word “mine,” emphasizing the place where silver is extracted.
VENISON
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
In Scripture, “venison” refers generally to hunted game or the spoils of the chase, not necessarily to deer’s flesh specifically.
VERILY, VERITY
Original Language - Both
“Verily” means truly, surely, or indeed, and is often used to emphasize the certainty of a statement. “Verity” means truth, faithfulness, or reality.
Version
Scripture - Both
A version is a translation of the Holy Scriptures. Ancient versions included the Aramaic Targums, Greek Septuagint, Syriac and Latin translations, and numerous Greek manuscripts that help preserve and interpret the biblical text.
Versions, Ancient, Of The Old And New Testaments
Scripture - Both
Ancient versions are early translations of the Old and New Testaments into languages such as Greek, Aramaic, Syriac, Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic. They provide important evidence for the transmission and interpretation of Scripture.
VERY
Original Language - Both
“Very” means true, real, or actual when used as an adjective, and greatly or exceedingly when used as an adverb. Biblical translations sometimes use “surely,” “truly,” or “exceeding” instead.
VESTRY
Temple & Tabernacle - Old Testament
A vestry was a place used for storing or keeping vestments. The term appears once in Scripture, in connection with Jehu’s reforms.
VEX, VEXATION
Sin & Judgment - Both
To vex is to trouble, distress, afflict, or harass severely. In Scripture, “vexation” may describe anguish, terror, oppression, or deep disturbance.
VILE, VILLANY
Sin & Judgment - Both
“Vile” can mean despised, dishonorable, filthy, foolish, humble, or of little account, depending on its context. “Villany” refers to emptiness, folly, or wicked conduct.
Village
Government & Society - Both
A village is a small settlement, often unwalled and dependent upon a larger town. Biblical villages could consist of permanent houses, tent groups, cattle enclosures, or scattered dwellings in open country.
Villages
Government & Society - Old Testament
Villages were unwalled settlements or habitations in the open country, often surrounding fortified towns. The Hebrew term may also be understood in some passages as referring to rulers, depending on the textual interpretation.
Vine
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The vine was a major cultivated plant of biblical lands, producing grapes, raisins, syrup, and wine. Scripture also uses the vine as a figure for prosperity, Israel, the people of God, and Christ’s spiritual union with his disciples.
Vine of Sodom
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
The “vine of Sodom” is mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:32 as a picture of corruption producing bitter or worthless fruit. Its precise botanical identification is uncertain, though it has been associated with plants near the Dead Sea.
Vinegar
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
Vinegar was sour wine or another fermented liquid containing acetic acid. It was used as a condiment and diluted drink, forbidden to Nazirites, and offered to Jesus during the crucifixion.
Vineyards, Plain Of The
Places & Geography - Old Testament
The Plain of the Vineyards was a place east of the Jordan and beyond Aroer, mentioned only in the account of Jephthah’s victory over the Ammonites.
Viol
Objects & Symbols - Old Testament
“Viol” is an older English rendering of the Hebrew nebel, a stringed musical instrument. The term is better understood as a lute or psaltery rather than the bowed instrument now called a viol.
VIOLENCE, VIOLENT
Sin & Judgment - Both
Violence means forceful or oppressive action, often involving harm or seizure. The difficult phrase about the kingdom of heaven being “taken by violence” has received several interpretations, and its precise meaning is uncertain.
Viper
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A viper is a poisonous snake. Biblical terms translated “viper” may refer to particular poisonous serpents in the Old Testament or more generally to venomous snakes in the New Testament.
Virgin
Jesus Christ - Both
A virgin is an unmarried woman who has not had sexual relations. Isaiah’s prophecy of a virgin conceiving and bearing a son is applied in the New Testament to the birth of Jesus Christ.
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