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Translation Words

Barnabas

Facts:

Barnabas was one of the early Christians who lived during the time of the apostles.

• Barnabas was from the Israelite tribe of Levi and was from the island of Cyprus.
• When Saul (Paul) became a Christian, Barnabas urged the other believers to accept him as a fellow believer.
• Barnabas and Paul traveled together to preach the good news about Jesus in different cities.
• His name was Joseph, but he was called "Barnabas," which means "son of encouragement."

(See also: Christian, Cyprus, good news, Levite, Paul)

Bible References:

• Acts 04:36
• Acts 11:26
• Acts 13:03
• Acts 15:33
• Colossians 04:10-11
• Galatians 02:9-10
• Galatians 02:13

Word Data:

• Strong's: G921

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Barnabas, Barnabas'

Christ

Related Ideas:

Christ Jesus, Jesus Christ, Messiah

Facts:

The terms "Messiah" and "Christ" mean "Anointed One" and refer to Jesus, God's Son.

• Both "Messiah" and "Christ" are used in the New Testament to refer to God's Son, whom God the Father appointed to rule as king over his people, and to save them from sin and death.
• In the Old Testament, the prophets wrote prophecies about the Messiah hundreds of years before he came to earth.
• Often a word meaning "anointed (one)" is used in the Old Testament to refer to the Messiah who would come.
• Jesus fulfilled many of these prophecies and did many miraculous works that proves he is the Messiah; the rest of these prophecies will be fulfilled when he returns.
• The word "Christ" is often used as a title, as in "the Christ" and "Christ Jesus." "Christ" also came to be used as part of his name, as in "Jesus Christ." These names emphasize that God's Son is the Messiah, who will reign forever.
• Jesus the Messiah is the one who was chosen and anointed as a Prophet, High Priest, and King.

Translation Suggestions:

• In many languages "Jesus" and "Christ" are spelled in a way that keeps the sounds or spelling as close to the original as possible. For example, "Jesucristo," "Jezus Christus," "Yesus Kristus", and "Hesukristo" are some of the ways that these names are translated into different languages.
• For the term "Christ," some translators may prefer to use only some form of the term "Messiah" throughout.
• This term could be translated using its meaning, "the Anointed One" or "God's Anointed Savior."
• Many languages use a transliterated word that looks or sounds like "Christ" or "Messiah."
• The transliterated word could be followed by the definition of the term, as in "Christ, the Anointed One."
• Be consistent in how this is translated throughout the Bible so that it is clear that the same term is being referred to.
• Make sure the translations of "Messiah" and "Christ" work well in contexts where both terms occur in the same verse (such as John 1:41).

(See also: Son of God, David, Jesus, anoint)

Bible References:

• 1 John 05:1-3
• Acts 02:35
• Acts 05:40-42
• John 01:40-42
• John 03:27-28
• John 04:25
• Luke 02:10-12
• Matthew 01:16

Word Data:

• Strong's: H4899, G3323, G5547

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Christ, Christ Jesus, Jesus Christ, Messiah

Colossae

Related Words:

Colossae, Colossians

Facts:

In New Testament times, Colossae was a city located in the Roman province of Phrygia, an area of land that is now southwestern Turkey. The Colossians were the people who lived in Colossae.

• Located about 100 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea, Colossae was on an important trade route between the city of Ephesus and the Euphrates River.
• While in prison in Rome, Paul wrote a letter to the "Colossians" to correct false teachings among the believers at Colossae.
• When he wrote this letter, Paul had not visited the church at Colossae, but had heard about the believers there from his coworker, Epaphras.
• Epaphras was probably the Christian worker who started the church at Colossae.
• The book of Philemon was a letter by Paul addressed to a slave owner in Colossae.

(See also: Ephesus, Paul)

Bible References:

• Colossians 01:03

Word Data:

• Strong's: G2857

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Colossae, Colossians

Gentile

Facts:

The term "Gentile" refers to anyone who is not a Jew. Gentiles are people who are not descendants of Jacob.

• In the Bible, the term "uncircumcised" is also used figuratively to refer to Gentiles because many of them did not circumcise their male children as the Israelites did.
• Because God chose the Jews to be his special people, they thought of the Gentiles as outsiders who could never be God's people.
• The Jews were also called "Israelites" or "Hebrews" at different times in history. They referred to anyone else as a "Gentile."
• Gentile could also be translated as "not a Jew" or "non-Jewish" or "not an Israelite" (Old Testament) or "non-Jew.".
• Traditionally, Jews would neither eat with nor associate with Gentiles, which at first caused problems within the early church.

(See also: Israel, Jacob, Jew)

Bible References:

• Acts 09:13-16
• Acts 14:5-7
• Galatians 02:16
• Luke 02:32
• Matthew 05:47
• Matthew 06:5-7
• Romans 11:25

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1471, G1482, G1484

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Gentile, Gentiles

God

Related Ideas:

the living God

Facts:

In the Bible, the term "God" refers to the eternal being who created the universe out of nothing. God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God's personal name is "Yahweh."

• God has always existed; he existed before anything else existed, and he will continue to exist forever.
• He is the only true God and has authority over everything in the universe.
• God is perfectly righteous, infinitely wise, holy, sinless, just, merciful, and loving.
• He is a covenant-keeping God, who always fulfills his promises.
• People were created to worship God and he is the only one they should worship.
• God revealed his name as "Yahweh," which means "he is" or "I am" or "the One who (always) exists."
• The Bible also teaches about false "gods," which are nonliving idols that people wrongly worship.

Translation Suggestions:

• Ways to translate "God" could include "Deity" or "Creator" or "Supreme Being."
• Other ways to translate "God" could be "Supreme Creator" or "Infinite Sovereign Lord" or "Eternal Supreme Being."
• Consider how God is referred to in a local or national language. There may also already be a word for "God" in the language being translated. If so, it is important to make sure that this word fits the characteristics of the one true God as described above.
• Many languages capitalize the first letter of the word for the one true God, to distinguish it from the word for a false god.
• Another way to make this distinction would be to use different terms for "God" and "god."
• The phrase "I will be their God and they will be my people" could also be translated as "I, God, will rule over these people and they will worship me."

(See also: create, false god, God the Father, Holy Spirit, false god, Son of God, Yahweh)

Bible References:

• 1 John 01:07
• 1 Samuel 10:7-8
• 1 Timothy 04:10
• Colossians 01:16
• Deuteronomy 29:14-16
• Ezra 03:1-2
• Genesis 01:02
• Hosea 04:11-12
• Isaiah 36:6-7
• James 02:20
• Jeremiah 05:05
• John 01:03
• Joshua 03:9-11
• Lamentations 03:43
• Micah 04:05
• Philippians 02:06
• Proverbs 24:12
• Psalms 047:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H136, H410, H426, H430, H433, H2623, H3069, H4136, H6697, G112, G516, G932, G935, G2098, G2124, G2128, G2152, G2153, G2299, G2304, G2312, G2314, G2315, G2316, G2317, G2318, G2319, G2320, G4151, G5207, G5377, G5463, G5537, G5538

Forms Found in the English ULB:

God, God's, the living God

God the Father

Related Ideas:

Father, heavenly Father, my Father

Facts:

The terms "God the Father" and "heavenly Father" refer to Yahweh, the one true God. Another term with the same meaning is "Father," used most often when Jesus was referring to him.

• God exists as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each one is fully God, and yet they are only one God. This is a mystery that mere humans cannot fully understand.
• God the Father sent God the Son (Jesus) into the world, and he sends the Holy Spirit to his people.
• Anyone who believes in God the Son becomes a child of God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit comes to live in that person. This is another mystery that human beings cannot fully understand.

Translation Suggestions:

• In translating the phrase "God the Father," it is best to translate "Father" with the same word that the language naturally uses to refer to a human father.
• The term "heavenly Father" could be translated by "Father who lives in heaven" or "Father God who lives in heaven" or "God our Father from heaven."
• Usually "Father" is capitalized when it refers to God.

(See also: ancestor, God, heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Son of God)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 08:4-6
• 1 John 02:01
• 1 John 02:23
• 1 John 03:01
• Colossians 01:1-3
• Ephesians 05:18-21
• Luke 10:22
• Matthew 05:16
• Matthew 23:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1, H2, G3962

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Father, God the Father, heavenly Father, my Father

Greek

Related Words:

Grecian

Facts:

The term "Greek" refers to the language spoken in the country of Greece. It is also a person from the country of Greece. Greek was also spoken throughout the Roman Empire. The term "Grecian" means "Greek-speaking."

• Since most non-Jewish people in the Roman Empire spoke Greek, Gentiles are often referred to as "Greeks" in the New Testament, especially when contrasted with Jews.
• The phrase "Grecian Jews" referred to Jews who spoke Greek in contrast to the "Hebraic Jews" who spoke only Hebrew, or perhaps Aramaic.
• Other ways to translate "Grecian" could include, "Greek-speaking" or "culturally Greek" or "Greek."
• When referring to non-Jews, "Greek" could be translated as "Gentile."

(See also: Aram, Gentile, Greece, Hebrew, Rome)

Bible References:

• Acts 06:1
• Acts 09:29
• Acts 11:20
• Acts 14:1-2
• Colossians 03:11
• Galatians 02:3-5
• John 07:35

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3125, G1672, G1673, G1674, G1675, G1676

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Greek, Greeks, Grecian

Jesus

Related Ideas:

the Lord Jesus

Facts:

Jesus is God's Son. The name "Jesus" means "Yahweh saves."

• In a miraculous way, the Holy Spirit caused the eternal Son of God to be born as a human being. His mother was told by an angel to call him "Jesus" because he was destined to save people from their sins.
• Jesus did many miracles that revealed that he is God and that he is the Christ, or the Messiah.

Translation Suggestions:

• In many languages "Jesus" is spelled in a way that keeps the sounds or spelling as close to the original as possible. For example, "Jesu," "Jezus," "Yesus", and "Hesu" are some of the ways that this name is translated into different languages.
• Also consider how this names are spelled in a nearby local or national language.

(See also: Christ, God, God the Father, high priest, kingdom of God, Mary, Savior, Son of God)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 06:11
• 1 John 02:02
• 1 John 04:15
• 1 Timothy 01:02
• 2 Peter 01:02
• 2 Thessalonians 02:15
• 2 Timothy 01:10
• Acts 02:23
• Acts 05:30
• Acts 10:36
• Hebrews 09:14
• Hebrews 10:22
• Luke 24:20
• Matthew 01:21
• Matthew 04:03
• Philippians 02:05
• Philippians 02:10
• Philippians 04:21-23
• Revelation 01:06

Word Data:

• Strong's: G2424

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Jesus, the Lord Jesus

Jew

Related Ideas:

Jewish, person of Judah

Facts:

Jews are people who are descendants of Abraham's grandson Jacob. The word "Jew" comes from the word "Judah."

• People began to call the Israelites "Jews" after they returned to Judah from their exile in Babylon.
• Jesus the Messiah was Jewish. However, the Jewish religious leaders rejected Jesus and demanded that he be killed.
• Often the phrase "the Jews" refers to the leaders of the Jews, not all the Jewish people. In those contexts, some translations add "leaders of" to make this clear.

(See also: Abraham, Jacob, Israel, Babylon, Jewish leaders)

Bible References:

• Acts 02:05
• Acts 10:28
• Acts 14:5-7
• Colossians 03:11
• John 02:14
• Matthew 28:15

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3054, H3061, H3062, H3064, H3066, G2450, G2451, G2452, G2453

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Jew, Jewish, Jews, Jews', a person of Judah, the language of Judah, the people of Judah

Luke

Facts:

Luke wrote two books of the New Testament: the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

• In his letter to the Colossians, Paul refers to Luke as a doctor. Paul also mentions Luke in two of his other letters.
• It is thought that Luke was a Greek and a Gentile who came to know Christ. In his gospel, Luke includes several accounts that highlight Jesus' love for all peoples, both Jews and Gentiles.
• Luke accompanied Paul on two of his missionary journeys and helped him in his work.
• In some early church writings, it is said that Luke was born in the city of Antioch in Syria.

(See also: Antioch, Paul, Syria)

Bible References:

• 2 Timothy 04:11-13
• Colossians 04:12-14
• Philemon 01:24

Word Data:

• Strong's: G3065

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Luke, Luke's

Paul

Related Words

Saul

Facts:

Paul was a leader of the early church who was sent by Jesus to take the good news to many other people groups.

• Paul was a Jew who was born in the Roman city of Tarsus, and was therefore also a Roman citizen.
• Paul was originally called by his Jewish name, Saul.
• Saul became a Jewish religious leader and arrested Jews who became Christians because he thought they were dishonoring God by believing in Jesus.
• Jesus revealed himself to Saul in a blinding light and told him to stop hurting Christians.
• Saul believed in Jesus and began teaching his fellow Jews about him.
• Later, God sent Saul to teach non-Jewish people about Jesus and started churches in different cities and provinces of the Roman empire. At this time he started being called by the Roman name "Paul."
• Paul also wrote letters to encourage and teach Christians in the churches in these cities. Several of these letters are in the New Testament.

(See also: christian, jewish leaders, rome)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 01:03
• Acts 08:03
• Acts 09:26
• Acts 13:10
• Galatians 01:01
• Philemon 01:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: G3972, G4569

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Paul, Saul, Paul's

Sabbath

Definition:

The term "Sabbath" refers to the seventh day of the week, which God commanded the Israelites to set apart as a day of rest and doing no work.

• After God finished creating the world in six days, he rested on the seventh day. In the same way, God commanded the Israelites to set aside the seventh day as a special day to rest and worship him.
• The command to "keep the Sabbath holy" is one of the ten commandments that God wrote on the stone tablets that he gave Moses for the Israelites.
• Following the Jewish system of counting days, the Sabbath begins on Friday at sundown and lasts until Saturday at sundown.
• Sometimes in the Bible the Sabbath is called "Sabbath day" rather than only the Sabbath.

Translation Suggestions:

• This could also be translated as "resting day" or "day for resting" or "day of not working" or "God's day of rest."
• Some translations capitalize this term to show that it is a special day, as in "Sabbath Day" or "Resting Day."
• Consider how this term is translated in a local or national language.

(See also: rest)

Bible References:

• 2 Chronicles 31:2-3
• Acts 13:26-27
• Exodus 31:14
• Isaiah 56:6-7
• Lamentations 02:06
• Leviticus 19:03
• Luke 13:14
• Mark 02:27
• Matthew 12:02
• Nehemiah 10:32-33

Word Data:

• Strong's: H7676, H7677, G4315, G4521

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Sabbath, Sabbaths

Timothy

Facts:

Timothy was a young man from Lystra. He later joined Paul on several missionary trips and helped shepherd new communities of believers.

• Timothy's father was a Greek, but both his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice were Jews and believers in Christ.
• The elders and Paul formally appointed Timothy for the ministry by placing their hands on him and praying for him.
• Two books in the New Testament (I Timothy and 2 Timothy) are letters written by Paul that provide guidance to Timothy as a young leader of local churches.

(See also: appoint, believe, church, Greek, minister)

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 03:02
• 1 Timothy 01:02
• Acts 16:03
• Colossians 01:01
• Philemon 01:01
• Philippians 01:01
• Philippians 02:19

Word Data:

• Strong's: G5095

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Timothy, Timothy's

Tychicus

Facts:

Tychicus was one of Paul's fellow ministers of the gospel.

• Tychicus accompanied Paul on at least one of his missionary journeys to Asia.
• Paul described him as "beloved" and "faithful."
• Tychicus carried Paul's letters to Ephesus and Colosse.

(See also: Asia, beloved, Colossae, Ephesus, faithful, good news, minister)

Bible References:

• 2 Timothy 04:11-13
• Colossians 04:09
• Titus 03:12

Word Data:

• Strong's: G5190

Forms Found in the English ULB:

Tychicus, Tychicus'

afflict

Related Ideas:

affliction, difficulty

Definition:

The term "afflict" means to cause someone distress or suffering. An "affliction" is the disease, emotional grief, or other disaster that results from this.

• God afflicted his people with sickness or other hardships in order to cause them to repent of their sins and turn back to him.
• God caused afflictions or plagues to come on the people of Egypt because their king refused to obey God.
• To "be afflicted with" means to be suffering some kind of distress, such as a disease, persecution, or emotional grief.

Translation Suggestions:

• To afflict someone could be translated as "cause someone to experience troubles" or "cause someone to suffer" or "cause suffering to come."
• In certain contexts "afflict" could be translated as "happen to" or "come to" or "bring suffering."
• A phrase like "afflict someone with leprosy" could be translated as "cause someone to be sick with leprosy."
• When a disease or disaster is sent to "afflict" people or animals, this could be translated as "cause suffering to."
• Depending on the context, the term "affliction" could be translated as "calamity" or "sickness" or "suffering" or "great distress."
• The phrase "afflicted with" could also be translated as "suffering from" or "sick with."

(See also: leprosy, plague, suffer)

Bible References:

• 2 Thessalonians 01:06
• Amos 05:12
• Colossians 01:24
• Exodus 22:22-24
• Genesis 12:17-20
• Genesis 15:12-13
• Genesis 29:32

Word Data:

• Strong's: H205, H3013, H3905, H3906, H5221, H6031, H6039, H6040, H6041, H6862, H6869, H6887, H7451, H7489, G1453, G2346, G2347, G2852, G3804, G4912

Forms Found in the English ULB:

afflict, afflicted, afflicting, affliction, afflictions, difficulties

age

Related Ideas:

aged, from ancient times, old age

Definition:

The term "age" refers to the length of time a person has lived. The term "aged" describes a person who is very old. The term "age" is also used to refer generally to a time period.

• Jesus refers to "this age" as the present time when evil, sin, and disobedience fill the earth.
• There will be a future age when righteousness will reign over a new heaven and a new earth.
• Other words used to express an extended period of time include "era" and "season."
• The phrase "ancient times" refers to times long ago.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, the term "age" could also be translated as "era" or "number of years old" or "time period" or "time."
• The phrase "at a very old age" could be translated as "when he was very old" or "when he had lived a very long time."
• The phrase "this present evil age" means "during this time right now when people are very evil."

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 29:28
• 1 Corinthians 02:07
• Hebrews 06:05
• Job 05:26

Word Data:

• Strong's: H5769, H7872, G165, G166, G1074

Forms Found in the English ULB:

age, aged, ages, from ancient times, old age

alms

Related Ideas:

merciful deeds for the poor

Definition:

The term "alms" refers to money, food, or other things that are given to help poor people.

• Often the giving of alms was seen by people as something that their religion required them to do in order to be righteous.
• Jesus said that giving alms should not be done publicly for the purpose of getting other people to notice.
• This term could be translated as "money" or "gifts to poor people" or "help for the poor."

Bible References:

• Acts 03:1-3
• Matthew 06:01
• Matthew 06:03

Word Data:

• Strong's: G1654

Forms Found in the English ULB:

alms, merciful deeds ... for the poor

amen

Related Ideas:

let it be so

Definition:

The term "amen" is a word used to emphasize or call attention to what a person has said. It is often used at the end of a prayer. Sometimes it is translated as "truly."

• When used at the end of a prayer, "amen" communicates agreement with the prayer or expresses a desire that the prayer be fulfilled.
• In his teaching, Jesus used "amen" to emphasize the truth of what he said. He often followed that by "and I say to you" to introduce another teaching that related to the previous teaching.
• When Jesus uses "amen" this way, some English versions (and the ULB) translate this as "verily" or "truly."

Translation Suggestions:

• Consider whether the target language has a special word or phrase that is used to emphasize something that has been said.
• When used at the end of a prayer or to confirm something, "amen" could be translated as "let it be so" or "may this happen" or "that is true."
• When Jesus says, "truly I tell you," this could also be translated as "Yes, I tell you sincerely" or "That is true, and I also tell you."
• The phrase "truly, truly I tell you" could be translated as "I tell you this very sincerely" or "I tell you this very earnestly" or "what I am telling you is true."

(See also: fulfill, true)

Bible References:

• Deuteronomy 27:15
• John 05:19
• Jude 01:24-25
• Matthew 26:33-35
• Philemon 01:23-25
• Revelation 22:20-21

Word Data:

• Strong's: H543, G281

Forms Found in the English ULB:

amen, let it be so

angel

Related Ideas:

archangel

Definition:

An angel is a powerful spirit being whom God created. Angels exist to serve God by doing whatever he tells them to do. The term "archangel" refers to the angel who rules or leads all the other angels.

• The word "angel" literally means "messenger."
• The term "archangel" literally means "chief messenger." The only angel referred to in the Bible as an "archangel" is Michael.
• In the Bible, angels gave messages to people from God. These messages included instructions about what God wanted the people to do.
• Angels also told people about events that were going to happen in the future or events that had already happened.
• Angels have God's authority as his representatives and sometimes in the Bible they spoke as if God himself was speaking.
• Other ways that angels serve God are by protecting and strengthening people.
• A special phrase, "angel of Yahweh," has more than one possible meaning: 1) It may mean "angel who represents Yahweh" or "messenger who serves Yahweh." 2) It may refer to Yahweh himself, who looked like an angel as he talked to a person. Either one of these meanings would explain the angel's use of "I" as if Yahweh himself was talking.

Translation Suggestions:

• Ways to translate "angel" could include "messenger from God" or "God's heavenly servant" or "God's spirit messenger."
• The term "archangel" could be translated as "chief angel" or "head ruling angel" or "leader of the angels."
• Also consider how these terms are translated in a national language or another local language.
• The phrase "angel of Yahweh" should be translated using the words for "angel" and "Yahweh." This will allow for different interpretations of that phrase. Possible translations could include "angel from Yahweh" or "angel sent by Yahweh" or "Yahweh, who looked like an angel."

(See also: chief, head, messenger, Michael, ruler, servant)

Bible References:

• 2 Samuel 24:16
• Acts 10:3-6
• Acts 12:23
• Colossians 02:18-19
• Genesis 48:16
• Luke 02:13
• Mark 08:38
• Matthew 13:50
• Revelation 01:20
• Zechariah 01:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H47, H4397, G32, G743, G2465

Forms Found in the English ULB:

angel, angels, archangel

anger

Related Ideas:

angry, indignant, indignation, quick-tempered

Definition:

To "be angry" or to "have anger" means to be very displeased, irritated, and upset about something or against someone.

• When people get angry, they are often sinful and selfish, but sometimes they have righteous anger against injustice or oppression.
• God's anger (also called "wrath") expresses his strong displeasure regarding sin.
• The phrase "provoke to anger" means "cause to be angry."
• A "quick-tempered" person becomes angry quickly and easily.
• To be "indignant" is to grieve to the point of anger or to be angry because someone has been arrogant.

(See also: wrath)

Bible References:

• Ephesians 04:26
• Exodus 32:11
• Isaiah 57:16-17
• John 06:52-53
• Mark 10:14
• Matthew 26:08
• Psalms 018:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H599, H639, H1149, H1984, H2152, H2194, H2195, H2198, H2534, H2734, H2740, H2787, H3179, H3707, H3708, H3824, H4751, H4843, H5674, H5678, H6225, H7107, H7110, H7266, H7307, H7852, G23, G1758, G2371, G2372, G3164, G3709, G3710, G3711, G3947, G3949, G3950, G4360, G5520

Forms Found in the English ULB:

anger, anger burned, angered, angry, burning anger, indignant, indignation, quick-tempered

apostle

Related Ideas:

apostleship

Definition:

The "apostles" were men sent by Jesus to preach about God and his kingdom. The term "apostleship" refers to the position and authority of those who were chosen as apostles.

• The word "apostle" means "someone who is sent out for a special purpose." The apostle has the same authority as the one who sent him.
• Jesus' twelve closest disciples became the first apostles. Other men, such as Paul and James, also became apostles.
• By God's power, the apostles were able to boldly preach the gospel and heal people, and were able to force demons to come out of people.

Translation Suggestions:

• The word "apostle" can also be translated with a word or phrase that means "someone who is sent out" or "sent-out one" or "person who is called to go out and preach God's message to people."
• It is important to translate the terms "apostle" and "disciple" in different ways.
• Also consider how this term was translated in a Bible translation in a local or national language.

(See also: authority, disciple, James (son of Zebedee), Paul, the twelve)

Bible References:

• Jude 01:17-19
• Luke 09:12-14

Word Data:

• Strong's: G651, G652, G2491, G5376, G5570

Forms Found in the English ULB:

apostle, apostles, apostles', apostleship

ark

Related Ideas:

chest

Definition:

The term "ark" literally refers to a rectangular wooden box that is made to hold or protect something. An ark can be large or small, depending on what it is being used for.

• In the English Bible, the word "ark" is first used to refer to the very large, rectangular, wooden boat that Noah built to escape the worldwide flood. The ark had a flat bottom, a roof, and walls.
• Ways to translate this term could include "very large boat" or "barge" or "cargo ship" or "large, box-shaped boat."
• The Hebrew word that is used to refer to this huge boat is the same word used for the basket or box that held baby Moses when his mother put him in the Nile River to hide him. In that case it is usually translated as "basket."
• In the phrase "ark of the covenant," a different Hebrew word is used for "ark." This could be translated as "box" or "chest" or "container."
• When choosing a term to translate "ark," it is important in each context to consider what size it is and what it is being used for.

(See also: ark of the covenant, basket)

Bible References:

• 1 Peter 03:20
• Exodus 16:33-36
• Exodus 30:06
• Genesis 08:4-5
• Luke 17:27
• Matthew 24:37-39

Word Data:

• Strong's: H727, H8392, G2787

Forms Found in the English ULB:

ark, chest

authority

Related Ideas:

authority to judge, place in charge, put in charge, right

Definition:

The term "authority" refers to the power of influence and control that someone has over someone else.

• Kings and other governing rulers have authority over the people they are ruling.
• The word "authorities" can refer to people, governments, or organizations that have authority over others.
• The word "authorities" can also refer to spirit beings who have power over people who have not submitted themselves to God’s authority.
• Masters have authority over their servants or slaves. Parents have authority over their children.
• Governments have the authority or right to make laws that govern their citizens.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "authority" can also be translated as "control" or "right" or "qualifications."
• Sometimes "authority" is used with the meaning of "power."
• When "authorities" is used to refer to people or organizations who rule people, it could also be translated as "leaders" or "rulers" or "powers."
• The phrase "by his own authority" could also be translated as, "with his own right to lead" or "based on his own qualifications."
• The expression, "under authority" could be translated as, "responsible to obey" or "having to obey others' commands."

(See also: citizen, command, obey, power, ruler)

Bible References:

• Colossians 02:10
• Esther 09:29
• Genesis 41:35
• Jonah 03:6-7
• Luke 12:05
• Luke 20:1-2
• Mark 01:22
• Matthew 08:09
• Matthew 28:19
• Titus 03:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2940, H4475, H4910, H4915, H6486, H6666, H6680, H7980, H7990, H8633, G831, G1413, G1849, G1850, G2003, G2525, G2715, G2917, G2963, G5247

Forms Found in the English ULB:

authorities, authority, authority to judge, places ... in charge, put ... in charge, puts ... in charge, right, was ... in charge, were ... in charge

bear

Related Ideas:

bearer, bear with, birth, carry, childbirth, support, sustain, tolerate

Definitions:

The term "bear" literally means "carry" something. There are also many figurative uses of this term.

• When speaking of a woman who will bear a child, this means "give birth to" a child.
• To "bear a burden" means to "experience difficult things." These difficult things could include physical or emotional suffering.
• To "bear with" someone means to be patient with them and their faults.
• A common expression in the Bible is "bear fruit," which means "produce fruit" or "have fruit."
• The expression "bear witness" means "testify" or "report what one has seen or experienced."
• The statement that "a son will not bear the iniquity of his father" means that he "will not be held responsible for" or "will not be punished for" his father's sins.
• In general, this term could be translated as "carry" or "be responsible for" or "produce" or "have" or "endure," depending on the context.

(See also: burden, Elisha, endure, fruit, iniquity, report, sheep, strength, testimony, testimony)

Bible References:

• Lamentations 03:27

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2032, H2232, H3201, H3205, H3211, H4138, H4853, H5375, H5445, H5449, H5582, H6030, H6403, H6509, H6779, H7617, G142, G430, G941, G1080, G1627, G2592, G3140, G4722, G4828, G5041, G5088, G5342, G5409, G5576

Forms Found in the English ULB:

bear, bearer, bearing, bearing with, bears, birth, bore, born, borne, carried, carry, carrying, childbirth, gave birth, give birth, given birth, gives birth, has ... borne, have ... borne, support, supported, supports, sustain, sustains, tolerate

bear

Definition:

A bear is a large, four-legged furry animal with dark brown or black hair, with sharp teeth and claws. Bears were common in Israel during Bible times.

• These animals live in forests and mountain areas; they eat fish, insects, and plants.
• In the Old Testament, the bear is used as a symbol of strength.
• While tending sheep, the shepherd David fought a bear and defeated it.
• Two bears came out of the forest and attacked a group of youths who had mocked the prophet Elisha.

(See also: David, Elisha)

Bible References:

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1677, G715

Forms Found in the English ULB:

bear, bears

beg

Related Ideas:

ask, beggar, needy

Definition:

The term "beg" means to urgently ask someone for something. It often refers to asking for money, but it is also commonly used to refer to pleading for something.

• Often people beg or plead when they strongly need something, but don't know if the other person will give them what they ask for.
• A "beggar" is someone who regularly sits or stands in a public place to ask people for money.
• Depending on the context, this term could be translated as, "plead" or "urgently ask" or "demand money" or "regularly ask for money."

(See also: plead)

Bible References:

• Luke 16:20
• Mark 06:56
• Matthew 14:36
• Psalm 045:12-13

Word Data:

• Strong's: H34, H577, H1245, H6035, H7592, G154, G1189, G1871, G2065, G3726, G3870, G4319, G4434

Forms Found in the English ULB:

ask, asking, asks, beg, beggar, begged, begging, needy

beloved

Related Ideas:

dear, lovely, treasured

Definition:

The term "beloved" is an expression of affection that describes someone who is loved and dear to someone else.

• The term "beloved" literally means "loved (one)" or "(who is) loved."
• God refers to Jesus as his "beloved Son."
• In their letters to Christian churches, the apostles frequently address their fellow believers as "beloved."
• Something or someone who is "lovely" attracts the love and good desires of others.

Translation Suggestions:

• This term could also be translated as "loved" or "loved one" or "well-loved," or "very dear."
• In the context of talking about a close friend, this could be translated as "my dear friend" or "my close friend." In English it is natural to say "my dear friend, Paul" or "Paul, who is my dear friend." Other languages may find it more natural to order this in a different way.
• Note that the word "beloved" comes from the word for God's love, which is unconditional, unselfish, and sacrificial.

(See also: love)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 04:14
• 1 John 03:02
• 1 John 04:07
• Mark 01:11
• Mark 12:06
• Revelation 20:09
• Romans 16:08
• Song of Solomon 01:14

Word Data:

• Strong's: H157, H1730, H2532, H3033, H3039, H4261, G25, G26, G27, G5207

Forms Found in the English ULB:

beloved, dear, lovely, treasured

blameless

Related Ideas:

blamelessly, faultless, without blame

Definition:

The term "blameless" literally means "without blame." It is used to refer to a person who obeys God wholeheartedly, but it does not mean that the person is sinless.

• Abraham and Noah were considered blameless before God.
• A person who has a reputation for being "blameless" behaves in a way that honors God.
• According to one verse, a person who is blameless is "one who fears God and turns away from evil."

Translation Suggestions:

• This could also be translated as "with no fault to his character" or "completely obedient to God" or "avoiding sin" or "keeping away from evil."

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 02:10
• 1 Thessalonians 03:11-13
• 2 Peter 03:14
• Colossians 01:22
• Genesis 17:1-2
• Philippians 02:15
• Philippians 03:06

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1368, H2135, H2136, H8535, H8549, G273, G274, G298, G299, G410, G423, G677

Forms Found in the English ULB:

blameless, blamelessly, faultless, without blame

blood

Related Ideas:

bleeding

Definition:

The term "blood" refers to the red liquid that comes out of a person's skin when there is an injury or wound. Blood brings life-giving nutrients to a person's entire body.

• Blood symbolizes life and when it is shed or poured out, it symbolizes the loss of life, or death.
• When people made sacrifices to God, they killed an animal and poured its blood on the altar. This symbolized the sacrifice of the animal's life to pay for people's sins.
• Through his death on the cross, Jesus' blood symbolically cleanses people from their sins and pays for the punishment they deserve for those sins.
• The expression "flesh and blood" refers to human beings.
• The expression "own flesh and blood" refers to people who are biologically related.

Translation Suggestions:

• This term should be translated with the term that is used for blood in the target language.
• The expression "flesh and blood" could be translated as "people" or "human beings."
• Depending on the context, the expression "my own flesh and blood" could be translated as "my own family" or "my own relatives" or "my own people."
• If there is an expression in the target language that is used with this meaning, that expression could be used to translate "flesh and blood."

(See also: flesh)

Bible References:

• 1 John 01:07
• 1 Samuel 14:32
• Acts 02:20
• Acts 05:28
• Colossians 01:20
• Galatians 01:16
• Genesis 04:11
• Psalms 016:4
• Psalms 105:28-30

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1818, H5332, G129, G130, G131

Forms Found in the English ULB:

bleeding, blood

body

Related Ideas:

bodily, body of Christ, carcass, corpse

Definition:

The term "body" literally refers to the physical body of a person or animal. This term is also used figuratively to refer to an object or whole group that has individual members.

• Often the term "body" refers to a dead person. Sometimes this is referred to as a "dead body" or a "corpse." The dead body of an animal is called a "carcass."
• When Jesus said to the disciples at his last Passover meal, "This (bread) is my body," he was referring to his physical body that would be "broken" (killed) to pay for their sins.
• In the Bible, Christians as a group are referred to as the "body of Christ." Just as a physical body has many parts, the "body of Christ" has many individual members. Each individual believer has a special function in the body of Christ to help the whole group work together to serve God and bring him glory.
  • Jesus is also referred to as the "head" (leader) of the "body" of his believers. Just as a person's head tells his body what to do, so Jesus is the one who guides and directs Christians as members of his "body."

Translation Suggestions:

• The best way to translate this term would be with the word that is most commonly used to refer to a physical body in the project language. Make sure that the word used is not an offensive term.
• When referring collectively to believers, for some languages it may be more natural and accurate to say "spiritual body of Christ."
• When Jesus says, "This is my body," it is best to translate this literally, with a note to explain it if needed.
• Some languages may have a separate word when referring to a dead body, such as "corpse" for a person or "carcass" for an animal. Make sure the word used to translate this makes sense in the context and is acceptable.

(See also: head, spirit)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 10:12
• 1 Corinthians 05:05
• Ephesians 04:04
• Judges 14:08
• Numbers 06:6-8
• Psalm 031:09
• Romans 12:05

Word Data:

• Strong's: H990, H1320, H1472, H1480, H1655, H3409, H4191, H5038, H5315, H6297, H7607, G4430, G4561, G4954, G4983

Forms Found in the English ULB:

bodies, bodily, body, carcass, carcasses, corpse, corpses

brother

Related Ideas:

brotherhood

Definition:

The term "brother" usually refers to a male person who shares at least one biological parent with another person.

• In the Old Testament, the term "brothers" is also used as a general reference to relatives, such as members of the same tribe, clan, or people group.
• In the New Testament, the apostles often used "brothers" to refer to fellow Christians, including both men and women, since all believers in Christ are members of one spiritual family, with God as their heavenly Father.
• A few times in the New Testament, the apostles used the term "sister" when referring specifically to a fellow Christian who was a woman, or to emphasize that both men and women are being included. For example, James emphasizes that he is talking about all believers when he refers to "a brother or sister who is in need of food or clothing."

Translation Suggestions:

• It is best to translate this term with the literal word that is used in the target language to refer to a natural or biological brother, unless this would give wrong meaning.
• In the Old Testament especially, when "brothers" is used very generally to refer to members of the same family, clan, or people group, possible translations could include "relatives" or "clan members" or "fellow Israelites."
• In the context of referring to a fellow believer in Christ, this term could be translated as "brother in Christ" or "spiritual brother."
• If both males and females are being referred to and "brother" would give a wrong meaning, then a more general kinship term could be used that would include both males and females.
• Other ways to translate this term so that it refers to both male and female believers could be "fellow believers" or "Christian brothers and sisters."
• Make sure to check the context to determine whether only men are being referred to, or whether both men and women are included.

(See also: apostle, God the Father, sister, spirit)

Bible References:

• Acts 07:26
• Genesis 29:10
• Leviticus 19:17
• Nehemiah 03:01
• Philippians 04:21
• Revelation 01:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H251, H252, H264, H1730, H2993, H7453, G80, G81, G2385, G2500, G4613, G5360, G5569

Forms Found in the English ULB:

brother, brother's, brotherhood, brothers, brothers'

call

Related Ideas:

appeal to, invite, summon

Definition:

The terms "call to" and "call out" mean to say something loudly to someone who is not nearby. To "call" someone means to summon that person. There are also some other meanings.

• To "call out" to someone means to shout or speak loudly to someone far away. It can also mean to ask someone for help, especially God.
• Often in the Bible, "call" has a meaning of "summon" or "command to come" or "request to come."
• God calls people to come to him and be his people. This is their "calling."
• When God "calls" people, it means that God has appointed or chosen people to be his children, to be his servants and proclaimers of his message of salvation through Jesus.
• This term is also used in the context of naming someone. For example, "His name is called John," means, "He is named John" or "His name is John."
• To be "called by the name of" means that someone is given the name of someone else. God says that he has called his people by his name.
• A different expression, "I have called you by name" means that God has specifically chosen that person.
• To appeal to someone is to ask someone to do something.
• To invite someone is to ask them to do something that they might like to do.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "call" could be translated by a word that means "summon," which includes the idea of being intentional or purposeful in calling.
• The expression "call out to you" could be translated as "ask you for help" or "pray to you urgently."
• When the Bible says that God has "called" us to be his servants, this could be translated as, "specially chose us" or "appointed us" to be his servants.
• "You must call his name" can also be translated as, "you must name him."
• "His name is called" could also be translated as, "his name is" or "he is named."
• To "call out" could be translated as, "say loudly" or "shout" or "say with a loud voice." Make sure the translation of this does not sound like the person is angry.
• The expression "your calling" could be translated as "your purpose" or "God's purpose for you" or "God's special work for you."
• To "call on the name of the Lord" could be translated as "seek the Lord and depend on him" or "trust in the Lord and obey him."
• To "call on" an official is to tell him to do what he is supposed to do as part of his job.
• To "call for" something could be translated by "demand" or "ask for" or "command."
• The expression "you are called by my name" could be translated as, "I have given you my name, showing that you belong to me."
• When God says, "I have called you by name," this could be translated as, "I know you and have chosen you."

(See also: pray)

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 18:24
• 1 Thessalonians 04:07
• 2 Timothy 01:09
• Ephesians 04:01
• Galatians 01:15
• Matthew 02:15
• Philippians 03:14

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2199, H3259, H4744, H6817, H7121, H7123, H7769, H7773, G154, G1528, G1793, G1941, G1951, G2028, G2046, G2564, G2821, G2822, G2840, G2919, G3004, G3106, G3333, G3343, G3603, G3686, G3687, G3870, G4341, G4377, G4779, G4867, G5455, G5537, G5581

Forms Found in the English ULB:

appeal to, appealed to, appealing to, call, called, called on, called out, calling, calling out, calls, calls out, invite, invited, summon, summoned, summoning

children

Related Ideas:

child, childhood, childless

Definition:

In the Bible, the term "child" is often used to generally refer to someone who is young in age, including an infant.

• The word "childhood" refers to the time that a person is a child.
• The word "childless" describes a person who has no children.
• The word "children" is the plural form of "child."

The words "child" and "children" also have several figurative uses.

• In the Bible, disciples or followers are sometimes called "children."
• Often the term "children" is used to refer to a person's descendants.
• The phrase "children of" can refer to being characterized by something. Some examples of this would be:
  • children of the light
  • children of obedience
  • children of the devil
• This term can also refer to people who are like spiritual children. For example, "children of God" refers to people who belong to God through faith in Jesus.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "children" could be translated as "descendants" when it is referring to a person's great-grandchildren or great-great-grandchildren, etc.
• Depending on the context, "children of" could be translated as, "people who have the characteristics of" or "people who behave like."
• If possible, the phrase, "children of God" should be translated literally since an important biblical theme is that God is our heavenly Father. A possible translation alternate would be, "people who belong to God" or "God's spiritual children."
• When Jesus calls his disciples "children," this could also be translated as, "dear friends" or "my beloved disciples."
• When Paul and John refer to believers in Jesus as "children," this could also be translated as "dear fellow believers."
• The phrase, "children of the promise" could be translated as, "people who have received what God promised them."

(See also: descendant, promise, son, spirit, believe, beloved)

Bible References:

• 1 John 02:28
• 3 John 01:04
• Galatians 04:19
• Genesis 45:11
• Joshua 08:34-35
• Nehemiah 05:05

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1069, H1121, H1123, H1129, H1397, H1580, H2029, H2030, H2056, H2145, H2233, H2945, H3173, H3205, H3206, H3243, H3490, H4392, H5288, H5290, H5759, H5953, H6185, H7908, H7909, H7921, G730, G815, G1025, G1064, G3439, G3515, G3516, G3808, G3812, G3813, G3816, G4690, G5040, G5041, G5042, G5043, G5044, G5207, G5388

Forms Found in the English ULB:

child, childhood, childless, children

church

Definition:

In the New Testament, the term "church" refers to a local group of believers in Jesus who regularly met together to pray and hear God's word preached. The term "the Church" often refers to all Christians.

• This term literally refers to a "called out" assembly or congregation of people who meet together for a special purpose.
• When this term is used to refer to all believers everywhere in the whole body of Christ, some Bible translations capitalize the first letter ("Church") to distinguish it from the local church.
• Often the believers in a particular city would meet together in someone's home. These local churches were given the name of the city such as the "church at Ephesus."
• In the Bible, "church" does not refer to a building.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "church" could be translated as a "gathering together" or "assembly" or "congregation" or "ones who meet together."
• The word or phrase that is used to translate this term should also be able to refer to all believers, not just one small group.
• Make sure that the translation of "church" does not just refer to a building.
• The term used to translate "assembly" in the Old Testament could also be used to translate this term.
• Also consider how it is translated in a local or national Bible translation.

(See also: assembly, believe, Christian)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 05:12
• 1 Thessalonians 02:14
• 1 Timothy 03:05
• Acts 09:31
• Acts 14:23
• Acts 15:41
• Colossians 04:15
• Ephesians 05:23
• Matthew 16:18
• Philippians 04:15

Word Data:

• Strong's: G1577

Forms Found in the English ULB:

church, churches

circumcise

Related Ideas:

circumcision, uncircumcision

Definition:

The term "circumcise" means to cut off the foreskin of a man or male child. A circumcision ceremony may be performed in connection with this.

• God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male among his family and servants as a sign of God's covenant with them.
• God also commanded Abraham's descendants to continue to do this for every baby boy born into their households.
• The phrase, "circumcision of the heart" refers figuratively to the "cutting away" or removal of sin from a person.
• In a spiritual sense, "the circumcised" refers to people whom God has purified from sin through the blood of Jesus and who are his people.
• The term "uncircumcised" refers to those who have not been circumcised physically. It can also refer figuratively to those who have not been circumcised spiritually, who do not have a relationship with God.

The terms "uncircumcised" and "uncircumcision" refer to a male who has not been physically circumcised. These terms are also used figuratively.

• Egypt was a nation that also required circumcision. So when God talks about Egypt being defeated by the "uncircumcised," he is referring to people whom the Egyptians despised for not being circumcised.

• The Bible refers to people who have an "uncircumcised heart" or who are "uncircumcised in heart." This a figurative way of saying that these people are not God's people, and are stubbornly disobedient to him.

• If a word for circumcision is used or known in the language, "uncircumcised" could be translated as "not circumcised."

• The expression "the uncircumcision" could be translated as "people who are not circumcised" or "people who do not belong to God," depending on the context.

• Other ways to translate figurative senses of this term could include "not God's people" or "rebellious like those who don't belong to God" or "people who have no sign of belonging to God."

• The expression "uncircumcised in heart" could be translated as "stubbornly rebellious" or "refusing to believe." However, if possible it is best to keep the expression or a similar one since spiritual circumcision is an important concept.

Translation Suggestions:

• If the culture of the target language performs circumcisions on males, the word used to refer to this should be used for this term.
• Other ways to translate this term would be, "cut around" or "cut in a circle" or "cut off the foreskin."
• In cultures where circumcision is not known, it may be necessary to explain it in a footnote or glossary.
• Make sure the term used to translate this does not refer to females. It may be necessary to translate this with a word or phrase that includes the meaning of "male."

(See also: Abraham, covenant)

Bible References:

• Genesis 17:11
• Genesis 17:14
• Exodus 12:48
• Leviticus 26:41
• Joshua 05:03
• Judges 15:18
• 2 Samuel 01:20
• Jeremiah 09:26
• Ezekiel 32:25
• Acts 10:44-45
• Acts 11:03
• Acts 15:01
• Acts 11:03
• Romans 02:27
• Galatians 05:03
• Ephesians 02:11
• Philippians 03:03
• Colossians 02:11
• Colossians 02:13

Word Data:

• Strong's: H4135, H4139, H5243, H6188, H6189, G203, G564, G1986, G4059, G4061

Forms Found in the English ULB:

circumcise, circumcised, circumcision, uncircumcised, uncircumcision

clean

Related Ideas:

cleanness, cleanse, unclean, uncleanness, wash

Definition:

The term "clean" literally means to not have any dirt or stain. In the Bible, words like "clean" and "washed" are often used figuratively to mean, "pure," "holy," "free from sin," or "innocent".

• "Cleanse" is the process of making something "clean." It could also be translated as "wash" or "purify."
• In the Old Testament, God told the Israelites which animals he had specified as ritually "clean" and which ones were "unclean." Only the clean animals were permitted to be used for eating or for sacrifice. In this context, the term "clean" means that the animal was acceptable to God for use as a sacrifice.
• A person who had certain skin diseases would be unclean until the skin was healed enough to no longer be contagious. Instructions for cleansing the skin had to be obeyed in order for that person to be declared "clean" again.
• Sometimes "clean" is used figuratively to refer to moral purity.

In the Bible, the term "unclean" is used figuratively to refer to things that God declared to be unfit for his people to touch, eat, or sacrifice.

• God gave the Israelites instructions about which animals were "clean" and which ones were "unclean." The unclean animals were not permitted to be used for eating or for sacrifice.
• People with certain skin diseases were said to be "unclean" until they were healed.
• If the Israelites touched something "unclean," they themselves would be considered unclean for a certain period of time.
• Obeying God's commands about not touching or eating unclean things kept the Israelites set apart for God's service.
• This physical and ritual uncleanness was also symbolic of moral uncleanness.
• In another figurative sense, "unclean spirit" refers to an evil spirit.

Translation Suggestions:

Translating "clean":

• This term could be translated with the common word for "clean" or "pure" (in the sense of being not dirty).
• Other ways to translate this could include, "ritually clean" or "acceptable to God."
• "Cleanse" could be translated by "wash" or "purify."
• Make sure that the words used for "clean" and "cleanse" can also be understood in a figurative sense.

Translating "unclean""

• The term "unclean" could also be translated as "not clean" or "unfit in God's eyes" or "physically unclean" or "defiled."
• When referring to a demon as an unclean spirit, "unclean" could be translated as "evil" or "defiled."
• The translation of this term should allow for spiritual uncleanness. It should be able to refer to anything that God declared as unfit for touching, eating, or sacrifice.

(See also: defile, demon, holy, sacrifice)

Bible References:

• Genesis 07:02
• Genesis 07:08
• Deuteronomy 12:15
• Psalms 051:07
• Proverbs 20:30
• Ezekiel 24:13
• Matthew 23:27
• Luke 05:13
• Acts 08:07
• Acts 10:27-29
• Colossians 03:05
• 1 Thessalonians 04:07
• James 04:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1249, H1252, H1305, H1351, H2134, H2135, H2141, H2398, H2889, H2890, H2891, H2893, H2930, H2931, H2932, H3722, H5079, H5352, H5355, H5356, H6663, H7137, H8552, H8562, G167, G169, G2511, G2512, G2513, G2514, G2839, G2840

Forms Found in the English ULB:

clean, cleaned, cleanness, cleans, cleanse, cleansed, cleanses, cleansing, purge, unclean, uncleanness, wash, washed, washes, washing

comfort

Related Ideas:

comforter, console, consolation

Definition:

The terms "comfort" and "comforter" refer to helping someone who is suffering physical or emotional pain.

• A person who comforts someone is called a "comforter."
• In the Old Testament, the term "comfort" is used to describe how God is kind and loving to his people and helps them when they are suffering.
• In the New Testament, it says that God will comfort his people through the Holy Spirit. Those who receive the comfort are then enabled to give the same comfort to others who are suffering.
• The expression "comforter of Israel" referred to the Messiah who would come to rescue his people.
• Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the "Comforter" who helps believers in Jesus.
• To "appease" someone is to do something that causes that person to no longer be angry about the wrong that someone else has done to him.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, "comfort" could also be translated as, "ease the pain of" or "help (someone) overcome grief" or "encourage" or "console."
• A phrase such as "our comfort" could be translated as "our encouragement" or "our consoling of (someone)" or "our help in times of grieving."
• The term "comforter" could be translated as "person who comforts" or "someone who helps ease pain" or "person who encourages."
• When the Holy Spirit is called "the Comforter" this could also be translated as "the Encourager" or "the Helper" or "the One who helps and guides."
• The phrase "comforter of Israel" could be translated as, "the Messiah, who comforts Israel."
• An expression like, "they have no comforter" could also be translated as, "No one has comforted them" or "There is no one to encourage or help them."

(See also: encourage, Holy Spirit)

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 05:8-11
• 2 Corinthians 01:04
• 2 Samuel 10:1-3
• Acts 20:11-12

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2505, H5150, H5162, H5165, H5564, H8575, G3870, G3874, G3875, G3888, G3890, G3931

Forms Found in the English ULB:

comfort, comforted, comforter, comforters, comforting, comforts, consolation, consolations, consoling, uncomforted

command

Related Ideas:

commandment, forbid, order, requirement, solemn command

Definition:

The term to "command" means to order someone to do something. A "command" or "commandment" is what the person was ordered to do.

• Although these terms have basically the same meaning, "commandment" often refers to certain commands of God which are more formal and permanent, such as the "Ten Commandments."
• A command can be positive ("Honor your parents") or negative ("Do not steal").
• To "take command" means to "take control" or "take charge" of something or someone.
• To "forbid" is to command that someone not do something.

Translation Suggestions

• It is best to translate this term differently from the term "law." Also compare with the definitions of "decree" and "statute."
• Some translators may prefer to translate "command" and "commandment" with the same word in their language.
• Others may prefer to use a special word for commandment that refers to lasting, formal commands that God has made.

(See decree, statute, law, Ten Commandments)

Bible References:

• Luke 01:06
• Matthew 01:24
• Matthew 22:38
• Matthew 28:20
• Numbers 01:17-19
• Romans 07:7-8

Word Data:

• Strong's: H560, H565, H1696, H1697, H1881, H2706, H2708, H2710, H2942, H2951, H3027, H3245, H3982, H3983, H4406, H4687, H4931, H5713, H5749, H6346, H6490, H6673, H6680, H7101, H7218, H7227, H7262, H7970, H8269, G1263, G1291, G1296, G1297, G1299, G1690, G1778, G1781, G1785, G2003, G2004, G2008, G2036, G2753, G3056, G3143, G3726, G3852, G3853, G4367, G4487, G5506

Forms Found in the English ULB:

command, commanded, commanding, commandment, commandments, commands, forbid, forbidden, forbidding, give ... solemn command, given ... solemn commands, given an order, given orders, order, ordered, orders, requirement, solemn commands

courage

Related Ideas:

brave, courageous, discourage, discouragement, encourage, encouragement

Definitions:

The term "courage" refers to boldly facing or doing something that is difficult, frightening, or dangerous.

• The term, "courageous" describes someone who shows courage, who does the right thing even when feeling afraid or pressured to give up.
• A person shows courage when he faces emotional or physical pain with strength and perseverance.
• The expression "take courage" means, "don't be afraid" or "be assured that things will turn out well."
• When Joshua was preparing to go into the dangerous land of Canaan, Moses exhorted him to be "strong and courageous."
• The term "courageous" could also be translated as "brave" or "unafraid" or "bold."
• Depending on the context, to "have courage" could also be translated as, "be emotionally strong" or "be confident" or "stand firm."
• To "speak with courage" could be translated as, "speak boldly" or "speak without being afraid" or "speak confidently."

The terms "encourage" and encouragement" refer to saying and doing things to cause someone to have comfort, hope, confidence, and courage.

• A similar term is "exhort," which means to urge someone to reject an activity that is wrong and to instead do things that are good and right.
• The apostle Paul and other New Testament writers taught Christians to encourage one another to love and serve others.

The term "discourage" refers to saying and doing things that cause people to lose hope, confidence, and courage and so to have less desire to keep working hard to do what they know they should do.

Translation Suggestions

• Depending on the context, ways to translate "encourage" could include "urge" or "comfort" or "say kind things" or "help and support."
• The phrase "give words of encouragement" means "say things that cause other people to feel loved, accepted, and empowered."

(See also: confidence, exhort, fear, strength)

Bible References:

• Deuteronomy 01:37-38
• 2 Kings 18:19-21
• 1 Chronicles 17:25
• Matthew 09:20-22
• 1 Corinthians 14:1-4
• 2 Corinthians 07:13
• Acts 05:12-13
• Acts 16:40
• Hebrews 03:12-13
• Hebrews 13:5-6

Word Data:

• Strong's: H47, H533, H553, H1368, H2388, H2388, H2428, H3820, H3824, H7307, G2114, G2115, G2174, G2292, G2293, G2294, H2865, G3870, G3874, G3954, G4389, G4837, G5111

Forms Found in the English ULB:

brave, bravest, courage, courageous, dare, dared, discourage, discouraged, discouragement, discouraging, encourage, encouraged, encouragement, encouraging, take courage

create

Related Ideas:

creation, creator, workmanship

Definition:

The term "create" means to make something or to cause something to be. Whatever is created is called a "creation." God is called the "Creator" because he caused everything in the entire universe to come into existence.

• When this term is used to refer to God creating the world, it means he made it out of nothing.
• When human beings "create" something, it means they made it out of things that already existed.
• Sometimes "create" is used in a figurative way to describe something abstract, such as creating peace, or creating a pure heart in someone.
• The term "creation" can refer to the very beginning of the world when God first created everything. It can also be used to refer generally to everything that God created. Sometimes the word "creation" refers more specifically to just the people in the world.
• "Workmanship" is anything that a person makes.

Translation Suggestions:

• Some languages may have to directly say that God created the world "out of nothing" to make sure this meaning is clear.
• The phrase, "since the creation of the world" means, "since the time when God created the world."
• A similar phrase, "at the beginning of creation" could be translated as, "when God created the world at the beginning of time," or "when the world was first created."
• To preach the good news to "all creation" means to preach the good news to "all people everywhere on earth."
• The phrase "Let all creation rejoice" means "Let everything that God created rejoice."
• Depending on the context, "create" could be translated as "make" or "cause to be" or "make out of nothing."
• The term "the Creator" could be translated as "the One who created everything" or "God, who made the whole world."
• Phrases like "your Creator" could be translated as "God, who created you."

(See also: God, good news, world)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 11:9-10
• 1 Peter 04:17-19
• Colossians 01:15
• Galatians 06:15
• Genesis 01:01
• Genesis 14:19-20

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1254, H3335, H4639, H6213, H7069, G2041, G2675, G2936, G2937, G2938, G2939, G5480

Forms Found in the English ULB:

create, created, created thing, creates, creation, creator, thing that has been created, workmanship

cross

Definition:

In Bible times, a cross was an upright wooden post stuck into the ground, with a horizontal wooden beam attached to it near the top.

• During the time of the Roman Empire, the Roman government would execute criminals by tying or nailing them to a cross and leaving them there to die.
• Jesus was falsely accused of crimes he did not commit and the Romans put him to death on a cross.
• Note that this is a completely different word from the verb "cross" that means to go over to the other side of something, such as a river or lake.

Translation Suggestions:

• This term could be translated using a term in the target language that refers to the shape of a cross.
• Consider describing the cross as something on which people were killed, using phrases such as "execution post" or "tree of death."
• Also consider how this word is translated in a Bible translation in a local or national language.

(See also: crucify, Rome)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 01:17
• Colossians 02:15
• Galatians 06:12
• John 19:18
• Luke 09:23
• Luke 23:26
• Matthew 10:38
• Philippians 02:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: G4716

Forms Found in the English ULB:

cross

darkness

Related Ideas:

dark, darken, gloom

Definition:

The terms "darkness" and "gloom" literally means an absence of light. There are also several figurative meanings of these terms:

• As a metaphor, "darkness" means "impurity" or "evil" or "spiritual blindness."
• It also refers to anything related to sin and moral corruption.
• The expression "dominion of darkness" refers to all that is evil and ruled by Satan.
• The term "darkness" can also be used as a metaphor for death.
• People who do not know God are said to be "living in darkness," which means they do not understand or practice righteousness.
• God is light (righteousness) and the darkness (evil) cannot overcome that light.
• The place of punishment for those who reject God is sometimes referred to as "outer darkness."
• The term "gloom" can be used as a metaphor for sadness.

Translation Suggestions:

• It is best to translate this term literally, with a word in the project language that refers to the absence of light. This could also be a term that refers to the darkness of a room with no light or to the time of day when there is no light.
• For the figurative uses, it is also important to keep the image of darkness in contrast to light, as a way to describe evil and deception in contrast to goodness and truth.
• Depending on the context, other ways to translate this could be, "darkness of night" (as opposed to "light of day") or "not seeing anything, like at night" or "evil, like a dark place".

(See also: corrupt, dominion, kingdom, light, redeem, righteous)

Bible References:

• 1 John 01:06
• 1 John 02:08
• 1 Thessalonians 05:05
• 2 Samuel 22:12
• Colossians 01:13
• Isaiah 05:30
• Jeremiah 13:16
• Joshua 24:7
• Matthew 08:12

Word Data:

• Strong's: H652, H653, H2816, H2821, H2822, H2825, H3990, H3991, H4285, H5890, H6205, H6751, H6937, G2217, G4652, G4653, G4654, G4655, G4656

Forms Found in the English ULB:

dark, darken, darkened, darker, darkness, gloom, thick darkness, turned dark

day

Related Ideas:

daily, daytime, morning, today

Definition:

The term "day" literally refers to a period of time lasting 24 hours beginning at sundown. It is also used figuratively.

• For the Israelites and the Jews, a day began at sunset of one day and ended at sunset of the next day.
• Sometimes the term "day" is used figuratively to refer to a longer period of time, such as the "day of Yahweh" or "last days."
• Some languages will use a different expression to translate these figurative uses or will translate "day" nonfiguratively.
• Other translations of "day" could include, "time" or "season" or "occasion" or "event," depending on the context.

(See also: judgment day, last day)

Bible References:

• Acts 20:06
• Daniel 10:04
• Ezra 06:15
• Ezra 06:19
• Matthew 09:15

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3117, H3118, H3119, H6242, G2250, G4594

Forms Found in the English ULB:

daily, day, day's, days, days', daytime, morning, today

death

Related Ideas:

breathed their last, dead, deadly, deadness, deathly, die, lethal, mortal, stop breathing

Definition:

This term is used to refer to both physical and spiritual death. Physically, it refers to when the physical body of a person stops living. Spiritually, it refers to sinners being separated from a holy God because of their sin.

1. Physical death

• To "die" means to stop living. Death is the end of physical life.
• A person's spirit leaves his body when he dies.
• When Adam and Eve sinned, physical death came into the world.
• The expression "put to death" refers to killing or murdering someone, especially when a king or other ruler gives an order for someone to be killed.
• The words "deadly" and "lethal" describe something that causes someone to die.
• Something that is "mortal" can die; it does not live forever.

2. Spiritual death

• Spiritual death is the separation of a person from God.
• Adam died spiritually when he disobeyed God. His relationship with God was broken. He became ashamed and tried to hide from God.
• Every descendant of Adam is a sinner, and is spiritually dead. God makes us spiritually alive again when we have faith in Jesus Christ.

Translation Suggestions:

• To translate the words "die," death," and dead," it is usually best to use the everyday, natural word or expression in the target language that refers to death. This is true both when “death” refers to physical death and when it refers to spiritual death.
• In some languages, to "die" may be expressed as to "not live." The term "dead" may be translated as "not alive" or "not having any life" or "not living."
• The expression "the dead" is a nominal adjective that refers to people who have died. Some languages will translate this as "dead people" or "people who have died."
• The expression "put to death" could also be translated as "kill" or "murder" or "execute."

(See also: believe, faith, life, spirit)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 15:21
• 1 Thessalonians 4:17
• Acts 10:42
• Acts 14:19
• Colossians 2:15
• Colossians 2:20
• Genesis 2:15-17
• Genesis 34:27
• Matthew 16:28
• Romans 5:10
• Romans 5:12
• Romans 6:10

Word Data:

• Strong's: H6, H1478, H1826, H1934, H2491, H4191, H4192, H4193, H4194, H4463, H5038, H5315, H6297, H6757, H7496, H7523, H7819, H8045, H8546, H8552, G336, G337, G520, G599, G615, G622, G1634, G2079, G2253, G2286, G2287, G2288, G2289, G2348, G2837, G2966, G3498, G3499, G3500, G4430, G4880, G4881, G5053, G5054

Forms Found in the English ULB:

about to die, breathed ... last, causes ... death, dead, deadly, deadness, death, deathly, deaths, die, die with, died, dies, dying, fatal, lethal, mortal, stop breathing, stops breathing

dominion

Related Ideas:

control, dominate, subjugate

Definition:

The term "dominion" refers to power, control, or authority over people, animals, or land.

• Jesus Christ is said to have dominion over all the earth, as prophet, priest, and king.
• Satan's dominion has been defeated forever by Jesus Christ's death on the cross.
• At creation, God said that man is to have dominion over fish, birds, and all creatures on the earth.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, other ways to translate this term could include "authority" or "power" or "control."
• The phrase "have dominion over" could be translated as "rule over" or "manage."

(See also: authority, power)

Bible References:

• 1 Peter 05:10-11
• Colossians 01:13
• Jude 01:25

Word Data:

• Strong's: H4474, H4475, H4910, G4912, H4915, H7287, H7985, G1849, G2634, G2904, G2963

Forms Found in the English ULB:

control, controls, dominate, dominion, dominions, subjugate

earth

Related Ideas:

clay, dust, earthen, earthly, ground, land, soil

Definition:

The term "earth" refers to the world that human beings live on, along with all other forms of life.

• "Earth" can also refer to the ground or soil that covers the land.
• This term is often used figuratively to refer to the people who live on the earth.
• The expressions "let the earth be glad" and "he will judge the earth" are examples of figurative uses of this term.
• The term "earthly" usually refers to physical things in contrast to spiritual things.
• The term "earthen" describes something that is made of clay

Translation Suggestions:

• This term can be translated by the word or phrase that the local language or nearby national languages use to refer to the planet earth on which we live.
• Depending on the context, "earth" could also be translated as "world" or "land" or "dirt" or "soil" or "clay."
• When used figuratively, "earth" could be translated as "people on the earth" or "people living on earth" or "everything on earth."
• Ways to translate "earthly" could include "physical" or "things of this earth" or "visible."

(See also: spirit, world)

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 01:38-40
• 2 Chronicles 02:11-12
• Daniel 04:35
• Luke 12:51
• Matthew 06:10
• Matthew 11:25
• Zechariah 06:05

Word Data:

• Strong's: H80, H127, H772, H776, H778, H2789, H3007, H3335, H6083, H7494, G1093, G1919, G2709, G2868, G2886, G3625, G5517, G5522

Forms Found in the English ULB:

clay, dust, earth, earth's, earthen, earthly, ground, land, lands, soil

evil

Related Ideas:

deal violently, displeasing, evil actions, evil deeds, evil plans, fraudulent, harm, harmful, violate, violence, violent, wicked, wicked deeds, wickedly, wickedness, wretched, wretchedly

Definition:

The terms "evil" and "wicked" both refer to anything that is opposed to God's holy character and will.

• While "evil" may describe a person's character, "wicked" may refer more to a person's behavior. However, both terms are very similar in meaning.
• The term "wickedness" refers to the state of being that exists when people do wicked things.
• The results of evil are clearly shown in how people mistreat others by killing, stealing, slandering and being cruel and unkind.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, the terms "evil" and "wicked" can be translated as "bad" or "sinful" or "immoral."
• Other ways to translate these could include "not good" or "not righteous" or "not moral."
• Make sure the words or phrases that are used to translate these terms fit the context that is natural in the target language.

(See also: disobey, sin, good, righteous, demon)

Bible References:

• 1 Samuel 24:11
• 1 Timothy 06:10
• 3 John 01:10
• Genesis 02:17
• Genesis 06:5-6
• Job 01:01
• Job 08:20
• Judges 09:57
• Luke 06:22-23
• Matthew 07:11-12
• Proverbs 03:07
• Psalms 022:16-17

Word Data:

• Strong's: H205, H1100, H1431, H1681, H1942, H2154, H2554, H2555, H5765, H2162, H2248, H2254, H3238, H3399, H3415, H4849, H5753, H5766, H5767, H5771, H5807, H5999, H6090, H6184, H6293, H7451, H7455, H7489, H7561, H7562, H7563, H7564, H7701, H8133, G92, G93, G94, G932, G983, G984, G987, G988, G2549, G2551, G2554, G2555, G2556, G2559, G2560, G2635, G2636, G4151, G4189, G4190, G4191, G4550, G5337

Forms Found in the English ULB:

deal violently, deal worse, displeasing, do ... evil, do ... violence, done ... violence, evil, evil actions, evil deeds, evil plans, evils, fraudulent, harm, harmful, violate, violated, violates, violence, violent, wicked, wicked deeds, wickedly, wickedness, wretched, wretchedly, wretches

face

Related Ideas:

before, facedown, facial, presence, surface

Definition:

The word "face" literally refers to the front part of a person's head. This term also has several figurative meanings.

• The expression "your face" is often a figurative way of saying "you." Similarly, the expression "my face" often means "I" or "me."
• In a physical sense, to "face" someone or something means to look in the direction of that person or thing.
• To "face each other" means to "look directly at each other."
• Being "face to face" means that two people are seeing each other in person, at a close distance.
• When Jesus "steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem," it means that he very firmly decided to go.
• To "set one's face against" people or a city means to firmly decide to no longer support, or to reject that city or person.
• The expression "face of the land" refers to the surface of the earth and often is a general reference to the whole earth. For example, a "famine covering the face of the earth" refers to a widespread famine affecting many people living on earth.
• The figurative expression "do not hide your face from your people" means "do not reject your people" or "do not desert your people" or "do not stop taking care of your people."

Translation Suggestions:

• If possible, it is best to keep the expression or use an expression in the project language that has a similar meaning.
• The term to "face" could be translated as to "turn toward" or to "look at directly" or to "look at the face of."
• The expression "face to face" could be translated as "up close" or "right in front of" or "in the presence of."
• Depending on the context, the expression "before his face" could be translated as "ahead of him" or "in front of him" or "before him" or "in his presence."
• The expression "set his face toward" could be translated as "began traveling toward" or "firmly made up his mind to go to."
• The expression "hide his face from" could be translated as "turn away from" or "stop helping or protecting" or "reject."
• To "set his face against" a city or people could be translated as "look at with anger and condemn" or "refuse to accept" or "decide to reject" or "condemn and reject" or "pass judgment on."
• The expression "say it to their face" could be translated as "say it to them directly" or "say it to them in their presence" or "say it to them in person."
• The expression "on the face of the land" could also be translated as "throughout the land" or "over the whole earth" or "living throughout the earth."

Bible References:

• Deuteronomy 05:04
• Genesis 33:10

Word Data:

• Strong's: H600, H639, H2122, H6440, H8389, G3799, G4383, G4750

Forms Found in the English ULB:

before, face, faced, facedown, faces, facial, facing, presence, surface

faith

Definition:

In general, the term "faith" refers to a belief, trust or confidence in someone or something.

• To "have faith" in someone is to believe that what he says and does is true and trustworthy.
• To "have faith in Jesus" means to believe all of God's teachings about Jesus. It especially means that people trust in Jesus and his sacrifice to cleanse them from their sin and to rescue them from the punishment they deserve because of their sin.
• True faith or belief in Jesus will cause a person to produce good spiritual fruits or behaviors because the Holy Spirit is living in him.
• Sometimes "faith" refers generally to all the teachings about Jesus, as in the expression "the truths of the faith."
• In contexts such as "keep the faith" or "abandon the faith," the term "faith" refers to the state or condition of believing all the teachings about Jesus.

Translation Suggestions:

• In some contexts, "faith" can be translated as "belief" or "conviction" or "confidence" or "trust."
• For some languages these terms will be translated using forms of the verb "believe."
• The expression "keep the faith" could be translated by "keep believing in Jesus" or "continue to believe in Jesus."
• The sentence "they must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith" could be translated by "they must keep believing all the true things about Jesus that they have been taught."
• The expression "my true son in the faith" could be translated by something like "who is like a son to me because I taught him to believe in Jesus" or "my true spiritual son, who believes in Jesus."

(See also: believe, faithful)

Bible References:

• 2 Timothy 04:07
• Acts 06:7
• Galatians 02:20-21
• James 02:20

Word Data:

• Strong's: H529, H530, G1680, G3640, G4102, G4103

Forms Found in the English ULB:

faith

faithful

Related Ideas:

faithfully, faithfulness, reliable

Definition:

To be "faithful" to God means to consistently live according to God's teachings. It means to be loyal to him by obeying him.The state or condition of being faithful is "faithfulness."

• A person who is faithful can be trusted to always keep his promises and to always fulfill his responsibilities to other people.
• A faithful person perseveres in doing a task, even when it is long and difficult.
• Faithfulness to God is the consistent practice of doing what God wants us to do.

The term "unfaithful" describes people who do not do what God has commanded them to do. The condition or practice of being unfaithful is "unfaithfulness."

• The people of Israel were called "unfaithful" when they began to worship idols and when they disobeyed God in other ways.
• In marriage, someone who commits adultery is "unfaithful" to his or her spouse.
• God used the term "unfaithfulness" to describe Israel's disobedient behavior. They were not obeying God or honoring him.

Translation Suggestions:

Translating "faithful" and "faithfulness"

• In many contexts, "faithful" can be translated as "loyal" or "dedicated" or "dependable."
• In other contexts, "faithful" can be translated by a word or phrase that means "continuing to believe" or "persevering in believing and obeying God."
• Ways that "faithfulness" could be translated could include "persevering in believing" or "loyalty" or "trustworthiness" or "believing and obeying God."

Translating "unfaithful" and "unfaithfulness"

• Depending on the context, "unfaithful" could be translated as "not faithful" or "unbelieving" or "not obedient" or "not loyal."
• The phrase "the unfaithful" could be translated as "people who are not faithful (to God)" or "unfaithful people" or "those who disobey God" or "people who rebel against God."
• The term "unfaithfulness" could be translated as "disobedience" or "disloyalty" or "not believing or obeying."
• In some languages, the term "unfaithful" is related to the word for "unbelief."

(See also: adultery, believe, disobey, faith, believe)

Bible References:

• Genesis 24:49
• Leviticus 26:40
• Numbers 12:07
• Joshua 02:14
• Judges 02:16-17
• 1 Samuel 02:9
• Psalm 012:1
• Proverbs 11:12-13
• Isaiah 01:26
• Jeremiah 09:7-9
• Hosea 05:07
• Luke 12:46
• Luke 16:10
• Colossians 01:07
• 1 Thessalonians 05:24
• 3 John 01:05

Word Data:

• Strong's: H529, H530, H539, H540, H571, H2181, H2616, H2623, H4603, H4820, G569, G4102, G4103

Forms Found in the English ULB:

faithful, faithful one, faithful people, faithfully, faithfulness, reliable, show ... self ... faithful

fast

Definition:

The term to "fast" means to stop eating food for a period of time, such as for a day or more. Sometimes it also includes not drinking.

• Fasting can help people to focus on God and pray without being distracted by preparing food and eating.
• Jesus condemned the Jewish religious leaders for fasting for the wrong reasons. They fasted so that others would think they were righteous.
• Sometimes people fast because they are very sad or grieved about something.
• The verb to "fast" can also be translated as to "refrain from eating" or to "not eat."
• The noun "fast" could be translated as "time of not eating" or "time of abstaining from food."

(See also: Jewish leaders)

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 21:8-10
• 2 Chronicles 20:03
• Acts 13:1-3
• Jonah 03:4-5
• Luke 05:34
• Mark 02:19
• Matthew 06:18
• Matthew 09:15

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2908, H5144, H6684, H6685, G3521, G3522

Forms Found in the English ULB:

fast, fasted, fasting, fastings, fasts

festival

Definition:

In general, a festival is a celebration held by a community of people.

• The word for "festival" in the Old Testament literally means "appointed time."

• The festivals celebrated by the Israelites were specially appointed times or seasons that God had commanded them to observe.

• In some English translations, the word "feast" is used instead of festival because the celebrations included having a large meal together.

• There were several main festivals that the Israelites celebrated every year:

• Passover

• Festival of Unleavened Bread

• Firstfruits

• Festival of Weeks (Pentecost)

• Festival of Trumpets

• Day of Atonement

• Festival of Shelters

• The purpose of these festivals was to thank God and to remember the amazing things he had done to rescue, protect, and provide for his people.

• A person who "celebrates" acts as if he were at a festival.

(See also: feast)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 23:31
• 2 Chronicles 08:13
• Exodus 05:01
• John 04:45
• Luke 22:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1974, H2166, H2282, H2287, H6213, H4150, H8057, G1456, G1858, G1859

Forms Found in the English ULB:

festival, festivals

fir

Definition:

A fir tree is a kind of tree that stays green all year and has cones that contain seeds.

• Fir trees are also referred to as "evergreen" trees.
• In ancient times, the wood of fir trees was used for making musical instruments and for building structures such as boats, houses, and the temple.
• Some examples of fir trees mentioned in the Bible are pine, cedar, cypress, and juniper.

(See also: cedar, cypress)

Bible References:

• Ezekiel 27:4-5
• Isaiah 37:24-25
• Isaiah 41:19-20
• Isaiah 44:14
• Isaiah 60:12-13
• Psalms 104:16-18

Word Data:

• Strong's: H766, H1265, H1266

Forms Found in the English ULB:

fir, firs

firstborn

Related Ideas:

first issue

Definition:

The term "firstborn" refers to an offspring of people or animals that is born first, before the other offspring are born.

• In the Bible, "firstborn" usually refers to the first male offspring that is born.
• In Bible times, the firstborn son was given a place of prominence and twice as much of his family inheritance as the other sons.
• Often it was the firstborn male of an animal that was sacrificed to God.
• This concept can also be used figuratively. For example, the nation of Israel is called God's firstborn son because God gave it special privileges over other nations.
• Jesus, the Son of God is called God's firstborn because of his importance and authority over everyone else.
• The phrase "first issue of the womb" is another way of saying "firstborn."

Translation Suggestions:

• When "firstborn" occurs in the text alone, it could also be translated as "firstborn male" or "firstborn son," since that is what is implied.
• Other ways to translate this term could include "the son who was born first" or "the eldest son" or "the number one son."
• When used figuratively to refer to Jesus, this could be translated with a word or phrase that means "the son who has authority over everything" or "the Son who is first in honor."
• Caution: Make sure the translation of this term in reference to Jesus does not imply that he was created.

(See also: inherit, sacrifice, son)

Bible References:

• Colossians 01:15
• Genesis 04:3-5
• Genesis 29:26-27
• Genesis 43:33
• Luke 02:6-7
• Revelation 01:05

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1060, H1062, H1067, H1069, H6363, G4416, G5207

Forms Found in the English ULB:

first ... issue, firstborn

flesh

Related Ideas:

fleshly, human, living creatures, meat, physical

Definition:

In the Bible, the term "flesh" literally refers to the soft tissue of the physical body of a human being or animal.

• The Bible also uses the term "flesh" in a figurative way to refer to all human beings or all living creatures.
• In the New Testament, the term "flesh" can be used to talk about something that is associated with being human. For example, to decide something according to the flesh means to decide something according to human standards.
• In the New Testament, the term "flesh" can be used to refer to the sinful nature of human beings. This is often used in contrast to their spiritual nature.
• The expression "own flesh and blood" refers to someone who is biologically related to another person, such as a parent, sibling, child, or grandchild.
• The expression "flesh and blood" can also refer to a person's ancestors or descendants.
• The expression "one flesh" refers to the physical uniting of a man and woman in marriage.

Translation Suggestions:

• In the context of an animal's body, "flesh" could be translated as "body" or "skin" or "meat."
• When it is used to refer generally to all living creatures, this term could be translated as "living beings" or "everything that is alive."
• When referring in general to all people, this term could be translated as "people" or "human beings" or "everyone who lives."
• The expression "flesh and blood" could also be translated as "relatives" or "family" or "kinfolk" or "family clan." There may be contexts where it could be translated as "ancestors" or "descendants."
• Some languages may have an expression that is similar in meaning to "flesh and blood."
• The expression "become one flesh" could be translated as "unite sexually" or "become as one body" or "become like one person in body and spirit." The translation of this expression should be checked to make sure it is acceptable in the project language and culture. . It should also be understood that this is figurative, and does not mean that a man and a woman who "become one flesh" literally become one person.

Bible References:

• 1 John 02:16
• 2 John 01:07
• Ephesians 06:12
• Galatians 01:16
• Genesis 02:24
• John 01:14
• Matthew 16:17
• Romans 08:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H120, H829, H1320, H1321, H2878, H7607, H7683, G2907, G4559, G4561

Forms Found in the English ULB:

flesh, fleshly, human, humans, living creatures, meat, physical

forgive

Related Ideas:

forgiven, forgiveness, pardon

Definition:

To forgive someone means to not hold a grudge against that person even though they did something hurtful. "Forgiveness" is the act of forgiving someone.

• Forgiving someone often means not punishing that person for something he has done wrong.
• This term can be used figuratively to mean "cancel," as in the expression "forgive a debt."
• When people confess their sins, God forgives them based on Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross.
• Jesus taught his disciples to forgive others as he has forgiven them.

The term "pardon" means to forgive and not punish someone for his sin.

• This word has the same meaning as "forgive" but may also include the meaning of a formal decision to not punish someone who is guilty.
• In a court of law, a judge can pardon a person found guilty of a crime.
• Even though we are guilty of sin, Jesus Christ pardoned us from being punished in hell, based on his sacrificial death on the cross.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, "forgive" could be translated as "pardon" or "cancel" or "release" or "not hold against" (someone).
• The term "forgiveness" could be translated by a word or phrase that means "practice of not resenting" or "declaring (someone) as not guilty" or "the act of pardoning."
• If the language has a word for a formal decision to forgive, that word could be used to translate "pardon."

(See also: guilt)

Bible References:

• Genesis 50:17
• Numbers 14:17-19
• Deuteronomy 29:20-21
• Joshua 24:19-20
• 2 Kings 05:17-19
• Psalms 025:11
• Psalms 025:17-19
• Isaiah 55:6-7
• Isaiah 40:02
• Luke 05:21
• Acts 08:22
• Ephesians 04:31-32
• Colossians 03:12-14
• 1 John 02:12

Word Data:

• Strong's: H5546, H5547, H3722, H5375, H5545, H5547, G859, G863, G2433, G5483

Forms Found in the English ULB:

forgave, forgive, forgiven, forgiveness, forgives, pardon, pardoned

free

Related Ideas:

freedom, freeman, liberty, volunteer, without cost, without paying for it

Definition:

The terms "free" or "freedom" refer to not being in slavery, or any other kind of bondage. Another word for "freedom" is "liberty."

• The expression to "set someone free" or to "free someone" means to provide a way for someone to no longer be in slavery or captivity.
• In the Bible, these terms are often used figuratively to refer to how a believer in Jesus is no longer under the power of sin.
• Having "liberty" or "freedom" can also refer to no longer being required to obey the Law of Moses, but instead being free to live by the teachings and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• To "volunteer" is to freely and willingly agree to do something.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "free" could be translated with a word or phrase that means "not bound" or "not enslaved" or "not in slavery" or "not in bondage."
• The term "freedom" or "liberty" could be translated with a word or phrase that means "the state of being free" or "the condition of not being a slave" or "not being bound."
• The expression to "set free" could be translated as to "cause to be free" or to "rescue from slavery" or to "release from bondage."
• A person who has been "set free" has been "released" or "taken out of" bondage or slavery.

(See also: bind, enslave, servant)

Bible References:

• Galatians 04:26
• Galatians 05:01
• Isaiah 61:1
• Leviticus 25:10
• Romans 06:18

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1865, H2600, H2666, H2668, H2670, H3318, H4800, H5068, H5069, H5071, H5337, H5352, H5355, H5425, H5674, H5800, H6299, H6340, H6362, H7342, H7971, G425, G525, G558, G629, G630, G859, G1344, G1432, G1657, G1658, G1659, G1849, G3089, G3955, G4506, G5483

Forms Found in the English ULB:

free, freed, freedom, freeing, freely, freely gave, freeman, frees, liberty, set ... free, volunteer, volunteered, without cost, without paying for it

fruit

Related Ideas:

bear fruit, crop, fruitful, produce, productive land, unfruitful

Definition:

The term "fruit" literally refers to the part of a plant that can be eaten.

• A "fruitful" plant is one that has a lot of good fruit.
• The expression "fruit of the land" refers generally to everything that the land produces for people to eat. This includes not only fruits such as grapes or dates, but also vegetables, nuts, and grains.
• The term "crop" can refer to what people have planted for for food.
• The term "crop" can refer to the food that is harvested at one time.

Sometimes the term "fruit" and ideas related to it are used figuratively.

• In general, the expression "fruit of" refers to anything that comes from or that is produced by something else. For example, the "fruit of wisdom" refers to the good things that come from being wise.
• The expression "fruit of the womb" refers to "what the womb produces"—that is, children.
• The Bible often uses "fruit" to refer to a person's actions. Just as fruit on a tree shows what kind of tree it is, in the same way a person's words and actions reveal what his character is like.
• The expression "fruit of the Spirit" refers to godly qualities that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of people who obey him.
• The term "fruitful" can be used figuratively to mean "prosperous." This often refers to having many children and descendants, as well as having plenty of food and other wealth.

Translation Suggestions:

• It is best to translate this term using the general word for "fruit" that is commonly used in the project language to refer to the edible fruit of a fruit tree. In many languages it may be more natural to use the plural "fruits" whenever it refers to more than one fruit.
• Depending on the context, the term "fruitful" could be translated as "producing much spiritual fruit" or "having many children" or "prosperous."
• The expression "fruit of the land" could also be translated as "food that the land produces" or "food crops that are growing in that region."
• When God created animals and people, he commanded them to "be fruitful and multiply," which refers to having many offspring. This could also be translated as "have many offspring" or "have many children and descendants" or "have many children so that you will have many descendants."
• The expression "fruit of the womb" could be translated as "what the womb produces" or "children a women gives birth to" or just "children." When Elizabeth says to Mary "blessed is the fruit of your womb," she means "blessed is the child you will give birth to." The project language may also have a different expression for this.
• Another expression "fruit of the vine," could be translated as "vine fruit" or "grapes."
• Depending on the context, the expression "will be more fruitful" could also be translated as "will produce more fruit" or "will have more children" or "will be prosperous."
• The apostle Paul's expression "fruitful labor" could be translated as "work that brings very good results" or "efforts that result in many people believing in Jesus."
• The "fruit of the Spirit" could also be translated as "works that the Holy Spirit produces" or "words and actions that show that the Holy Spirit is working in someone."

(See also: descendant, grain, grape, Holy Spirit, vine, womb)

Bible References:

• Galatians 05:23
• Genesis 01:11
• Luke 08:15
• Matthew 03:08
• Matthew 07:17

Word Data:

• Strong's: H4, H1061, H1063, H1069, H2233, H2981, H3018, H3581, H3759, H3899, H3978, H4022, H5108, H6499, H6509, H6529, H6631, H7019, H8393, H8570, G1081, G2590, G2592, G2593, G3703, G5052, G5352

Forms Found in the English ULB:

bear fruit, crop, crops, fruit, fruitful, fruits, produce, productive land, unfruitful

fulfill

Related Ideas:

carry out, fill to the limit, finish, fulfillment, in full, make something full

Definition:

The term "fulfill" means to complete or accomplish something that was expected.

• When a prophecy is fulfilled, it means that God causes to happen what was predicted in the prophecy.
• If a person fulfills a promise or a vow, it means that he does what he has promised to do.
• To fulfill a responsibility means to do the task that was assigned or required.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, "fulfill" could be translated as "accomplish" or "complete" or "cause to happen" or "obey" or "perform."
• The phrase "has been fulfilled" could also be translated as "has come true" or "has happened" or "has taken place."
• Ways to translate "fulfill," as in "fulfill your ministry," could include "complete" or "perform" or "practice" or "serve other people as God has called you to do."

(See also: prophet, Christ, minister, call)

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 02:27
• Acts 03:17-18
• Leviticus 22:17-19
• Luke 04:21
• Matthew 01:22-23
• Matthew 05:17
• Psalms 116:12-15

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1214, H4390, H5487, H7999, G378, G4135, G4137, G4138, G5048, G5055

Forms Found in the English ULB:

carried out, fill up ... to the limit, finishing, fulfill, fulfilled, fulfillment, fulfills, in full, make ... full

gate

Related Ideas:

doorkeeper, entrance, gate bars, gatekeeper, gateposts, gateway

Definition:

A "gate" is a hinged barrier at an access point in a fence or wall that surrounds a house or city.

• A "gate bar" is a wooden or metal bar that can be moved into place to lock the gate.
• A "gatekeeper" was a person who was responsible to control who could go through the gateway.
• A city gate could be opened to allow people, animals, and cargo to travel in and out of the city.
• To protect the city, its walls and gates were thick and strong. Gates were closed and locked with a metal or wooden bar to prevent enemy soldiers from entering the city.
• A city gate was often the news and social center of a village. It was also where business transactions occurred and judgments were made, because city walls were thick enough to have gateways that produced cool shade from the hot sun. Citizens found it pleasant to sit in the shade to conduct their business and even to judge legal cases.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, other ways to translate "gate" could be "door" or "wall opening" or "barrier" or "entranceway."
• The phrase "bars of the gate" could be translated as "gate bolts" or "wooden beams to lock the gate" or "metal locking rods of the gate."

Bible References:

• Acts 09:24
• Acts 10:18
• Deuteronomy 21:18-19
• Genesis 19:01
• Genesis 24:60
• Matthew 07:13

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1817, H5592, H6607, H8179, G2374, G4259, G4439, G4440, G2377

Forms Found in the English ULB:

entrance, gate, gate bars, gateposts, gates, gateway, gateways

generation

Definition:

The term "generation" refers to a group of people who were all born around the same time period.

• A generation can also refer to a span of time. In Bible times, a generation was usually considered to be about 40 years.
• Parents and their children are from two different generations.
• In the Bible, the term "generation" is also used figuratively to refer generally to people who share common characteristics.

Translation Suggestions

• The phrase "this generation" or "people of this generation" could be translated as "the people living now" or "you people."
• "This wicked generation" could also be translated as "these wicked people living now."
• The expression "from generation to generation" or "from one generation to the next" could be translated as "people living now, as well as their children and grandchildren" or "people in every time period" or "people in this time period and future time periods" or "all people and their descendants."
• "A generation to come will serve him; they will tell the next generation about Yahweh" could also be translated as "Many people in the future will serve Yahweh and will tell their children and grandchildren about him."

(See also: descendant, evil, ancestor)

Bible References:

• Acts 15:19-21
• Exodus 03:13-15
• Genesis 15:16
• Genesis 17:07
• Mark 08:12
• Matthew 11:16
• Matthew 23:34-36
• Matthew 24:34

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1755, H1859, H8435, G1074

Forms Found in the English ULB:

generation, generations

glory

Related Ideas:

beautiful, beauty, glorify, glorious, take pride

Definition:

In general, the term "glory" means honor, splendor, and extreme greatness. Anything that has glory is said to be "glorious."

• Sometimes "glory" refers to something of great value and importance. In other contexts it communicates splendor, brightness, or judgment.
• For example, the expression "glory of the shepherds" refers to the lush pastures where their sheep had plenty of grass to eat.
• Glory is especially used to describe God, who is more glorious than anyone or anything in the universe. Everything in his character reveals his glory and his splendor.
• The expression to "glory in" means to boast about or take pride in something.

The term "glorify" means to show or tell how great and important something or someone is. It literally means to "give glory to."

• People can glorify God by telling about the wonderful things he has done.
• They can also glorify God by living in a way that honors him and shows how great and magnificent he is.
• When the Bible says that God glorifies himself, it means that he reveals to people his amazing greatness, often through miracles.
• God the Father will glorify God the Son by revealing to people the Son's perfection, splendor, and greatness.
• Everyone who believes in Christ will be glorified with him. When they are raised to life, they will be changed to reflect his glory and to display his grace to all creation.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, different ways to translate "glory" could include "splendor" or "brightness" or "majesty" or "awesome greatness" or "extreme value."

• The term "glorious" could be translated as "full of glory" or "extremely valuable" or "brightly shining" or "awesomely majestic."

• The expression "give glory to God" could be translated as "honor God's greatness" or "praise God because of his splendor" or "tell others how great God is."

• The expression "glory in" could also be translated as "praise" or "take pride in" or "boast about" or "take pleasure in."

• "Glorify" could also be translated as "give glory to" or "bring glory to" or "cause to appear great."

• The phrase "glorify God" could also be translated as "praise God" or "talk about God's greatness" or "show how great God is" or "honor God (by obeying him)."

• The term "be glorified" could also be translated as, "be shown to be very great" or "be praised" or "be exalted."

(See also: exalt, obey, praise)

Bible References:

• Exodus 24:17
• Numbers 14:9-10
• Isaiah 35:02
• Luke 18:43
• Luke 02:09
• John 12:28
• Acts 03:13-14
• Acts 07:1-3
• Romans 08:17
• 1 Corinthians 06:19-20
• Philippians 02:14-16
• Philippians 04:19
• Colossians 03:1-4
• 1 Thessalonians 02:05
• James 02:1-4
• 1 Peter 04:15-16
• Revelation 15:04

Word Data:

• Strong's: H117, H142, H155, H1342, H1926, H1927, H1935, H1984, H2896, H3367, H3513, H3519, H3520, H5278, H6286, H6643, H7623, H8231, H8597, G1391, G1392, G1740, G1741, G2570, G2744, G4888

Forms Found in the English ULB:

beautiful, beauty, glories, glorified, glorifies, glorify, glorifying, glorious, glory, take pride

good

Related Ideas:

best, better, fair, good things, goodness, improved, prefer, proper, well

Definition:

The word "good" has different meanings depending on the context. Many languages will use different words to translate these different meanings.

• In general, something is good if it fits with God's character, purposes, and will.
• Something that is "good" could be pleasing, excellent, helpful, suitable, profitable, or morally right.
• Land that is "good" could be called "fertile" or "productive."
• A "good" crop could be a "plentiful" crop.
• A person can be "good" at what they do if they are skillful at their task or profession, as in, the expression, "a good farmer."
• In the Bible, the general meaning of "good" is often contrasted with "evil."
• The term "goodness" usually refers to being morally good or righteous in thoughts and actions.
• The goodness of God refers to how he blesses people by giving them good and beneficial things. It also can refer to his moral perfection.
• Actions that are "proper" are those that are good and right for the situation in which they are done.
• "Goods" are good things, valuable possessions.
• To "prefer" something is to think it is better than other things.

Translation Suggestions:

• The general term for "good" in the target language should be used wherever this general meaning is accurate and natural, especially in contexts where it is contrasted to evil.
• Depending on the context, other ways to translate this term could include "kind" or "excellent" or "pleasing to God" or "righteous" or "morally upright" or "profitable."
• "Good land" could be translated as "fertile land" or "productive land"; a "good crop" could be translated as a "plentiful harvest" or "large amount of crops."
• The phrase "do good to" means to do something that benefits others and could be translated as "be kind to" or "help" or "benefit" someone.
• To "do good on the Sabbath" means to "do things that help others on the Sabbath."
• Depending on the context, ways to translate the term "goodness" could include "blessing" or "kindness" or "moral perfection" or "righteousness" or "purity."

(See also: evil, holy, profit, righteous)

Bible References:

• Galatians 05:22-24
• Genesis 01:12
• Genesis 02:09
• Genesis 02:17
• James 03:13
• Romans 02:04

Word Data:

• Strong's: H155, H410, H1580, H1926, H2532, H2617, H2623, H2895, H2896, H2898, H3190, H3191, H3276, H3787, H3966, H4399, H5232, H6743, H7225, H7368, H7399, H7999, H8231, H8232, G14, G15, G18, G19, G515, G744, G865, G979, G1342, G1380, G1832, G2095, G2097, G2106, G2107, G2108, G2109, G2140, G2163, G2293, G2565, G2567, G2570, G2573, G2986, G3140, G4147, G4632, G4851, G5224, G5358, G5543, G5544, G5623

Forms Found in the English ULB:

best, better, do ... good, fair, good, good things, goodness, goods, improved, made ... better, prefer, proper, seemed good, well

grace

Related Ideas:

generous, gracious, graciously

Definition:

The word "grace" refers to help or blessing that is given to someone who has not earned it. The term "gracious" describes someone who shows grace to others.

• God's grace toward sinful human beings is a gift that is freely given.
• The concept of grace also refers to being kind and forgiving to someone who has done wrong or hurtful things.
• The expression to "find grace" is an expression that means to receive help and mercy from God. Often it includes the meaning that God is pleased with someone and helps him.

Translation Suggestions:

• Other ways that "grace" could be translated include "divine kindness" or "God's favor" or "God's kindness and forgiveness for sinners" or "merciful kindness."
• The term "gracious" could be translated as "full of grace" or "kind" or "merciful" or "mercifully kind."
• The expression "he found grace in the eyes of God" could be translated as "he received mercy from God" or "God mercifully helped him" or "God showed his favor to him" or "God was pleased with him and helped him."

Bible References:

• Acts 04:33
• Acts 06:08
• Acts 14:04
• Colossians 04:06
• Colossians 04:18
• Genesis 43:28-29
• James 04:07
• John 01:16
• Philippians 04:21-23
• Revelation 22:20-21

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2580, H2587, H2589, H2603, G5485, G5543

Forms Found in the English ULB:

act of grace, generous, grace, gracious, graciously, graciously given

hand

Related Ideas:

handbreadth, handful, lay a hand on

Definition:

There are several figurative ways that "hand" is used in the Bible:

• To "hand" something to someone means to put something into that person's hands.

• The term "hand" is often used in reference to God's power and action, such as when God says "Has not my hand made all these things?"

• Expressions such as "hand over to" or "deliver into the hands of" refer to causing someone to be under the control or power of someone else.

• Some other figurative uses of "hand" include:

• To "lay a hand on" means to "harm."

• To "save from the hand of" means to stop someone from harming someone else.

• The position of being "on the right hand" means "on the right side" or "to the right."

• The expression "by the hand of" someone means "by" or "through" the action of that person. For example, "by the hand of the Lord" means that the Lord is the one who caused something to happen.

• Placing hands on someone is often done while speaking a blessing over that person.

• The term "laying on of hands" refers to placing a hand on a person in order to dedicate that person to God's service or to pray for healing.

• When Paul says "written by my hand," it means that this part of the letter was physically written down by him, rather than spoken to someone else to write down.

Translation Suggestions

• These expressions and other figures of speech could be translated using other figurative expressions that have the same meaning. Or the meaning could be translated using direct, literal language (see examples above).
• The expression "handed him the scroll" could also be translated as "gave him the scroll" or "put the scroll in his hand." It was not given to him permanently, but just for the purpose of using it at that time.
• When "hand" refers to the person, such as in "the hand of God did this," it could be translated as "God did this."
• An expression such as "delivered them into the hands of their enemies" or "handed them over to their enemies," could be translated as, "allowed their enemies to conquer them" or "caused them to be captured by their enemies" or "empowered their enemies to gain control over them."
• To "die by the hand of" could be translated as "be killed by."
• The expression "on the right hand of" could be translated as "on the right side of."
• In regard to Jesus being "seated at the right hand of God," if this does not communicate in the language that it refers to a position of high honor and equal authority, a different expression with that meaning could be used. Or a short explanation could be added: "on the right side of God, in the position of highest authority."

(See also: adversary, bless, captive, honor, power)

Bible References:

• Acts 07:25
• Acts 08:17
• Acts 11:21
• Genesis 09:05
• Genesis 14:20
• John 03:35
• Mark 07:32
• Matthew 06:03

Word Data:

• Strong's: G710, G1188, G2176, G2902, G4084, G5495, G5496, G5497, H2026, H2651, H2947, H2948, H3027, H3028, H3231, H3233, H3709, H7126, H7138, H8042, H8168

Forms Found in the English ULB:

by the hand of, fist, from the hand of, hand, handbreadth, handed, handful, handfuls, handing, hands, lay a hand on, lays his hand on

hard

Related Ideas:

hardly, hardness, hardship

Definition:

The term "hard" has several different meanings, depending on the context. It usually describes something that is difficult, persistent, or unyielding.

• An object that is "hard" is solid and firm. It is not easily broken, bent, dented, or pierced.
• Work that is "hard" is difficult to do.
• When a person works "hard", he does that work diligently and with a lot of effort to do it well.
• A person who "hardly" does something either does not do it completely or does it rarely.
• A person who goes through "hardship" is suffering or does not have what he needs.

The term "hard" can be used figuratively

• A person who has a "hard heart" is stubborn. He continues to disobey God and will not repent.
• A person whose heart is hardened has become stubbornly disobedient.

Translation Suggestions

• The terms "hardness" or "hardness of heart" or "hard heart" could be translated as "stubbornness" or "persistent rebellion" or "rebellious attitude" or "stubborn disobedience" or "stubbornly not repenting."
• The term "hardened" could also be translated as "stubbornly unrepentant" or "refusing to obey."
• "Do not harden your heart" could be translated as "do not refuse to repent" or "do not stubbornly keep disobeying."
• Other ways to translate "hard-hearted" could include "stubbornly disobedient" or "continuing to disobey" or "refusing to repent" or "always rebelling."
• In expressions such as "work hard" or "try hard," the term "hard" could be translated as "with perseverance" or "diligently."
• The expression "press hard against" could also be translated as "shove with force" or "push strongly against."
• To "oppress people with hard labor" could be translated as "force people to work so hard that they suffer" or "cause people to suffer by forcing them to do very difficult work."
• A different kind of "hard labor" is experienced by a woman who is about to deliver a baby.

(See also: disobey, evil, heart, labor pains, stiff-necked)

Bible References:

• 2 Corinthians 11:23
• Deuteronomy 15:07
• Exodus 14:04
• Hebrews 04:07
• John 12:40
• Matthew 19:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H553, H1692, H2388, H2389, H2420, H2864, H3021, H3332, H3513, H3515, H3966, H4164, H4165, H4522, H4751, H4784, H4843, H5450, H5647, H5797, H5810, H5980, H5999, H6089, H6381, H7185, H7188, H7280, H8068, H8307, H8513, H8631, G917, G1421, G1422, G1423, G2205, G2478, G2553, G2872, G2873, G3425, G3433, G4053, G4183, G4456, G4457, G4641, G4642, G4643, G4645, G4912

Forms Found in the English ULB:

hard, harden, hardened, hardening, hardens, harder, hardest, hardly, hardness, hardship, hardships

head

Definition:

In the Bible, the word "head" is used with several figurative meanings.

• Often this term is used to refer to a ruler or to someone who has authority over people, as in "you have made me the head over nations."
• Jesus is called the "head of the church." Just as a person's head guides and directs the members of its body, so Jesus guides and directs the members of his "body," the Church.
• The New Testament teaches that a husband is the "head" or authority of his wife. He is given the responsibility of leading and guiding his wife and family.
• The term "head" can also represent the whole person, as in "this gray head," referring to an elderly person, or as in "the head of Joseph," which refers to Joseph.
• The expression "no razor will ever touch his head" means" he will never cut or shave his hair."
• The expression "let their blood be on his own head" means that the man is responsible for their deaths and will receive the punishment for that.
• The expression "heads of grain" refers to the top parts of a wheat or barley plant that contains the seeds.
• The term "head" can also refer to the beginning or source of something, as in the "head of the street."

Translation Suggestions

• Depending on the context, the term "head" could be translated as "ruler" or "the one who leads and directs" or "the one who is responsible for."
• The expression "head of" can refer to the whole person and so this expression could be translated using just the person's name. For example, "the head of Joseph" could simply be translated as "Joseph."
• The expression "will be on his own head" could be translated as "will be on him" or "he will be punished for" or "he will be held responsible for" or "he will be considered guilty for."
• Depending on the context, other ways to translate this term could include "beginning" or "source" or "ruler" or "leader" or "top."

(See also: grain)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 01:51-54
• 1 Kings 08:1-2
• 1 Samuel 09:22
• Colossians 02:10
• Colossians 02:19
• Numbers 01:04

Word Data:

• Strong's: H441, H1538, H4425, H4761, H4763, H5110, H5324, H6285, H6915, H6936, H7139, H7144, H7146, H7217, H7226, H7218, H7541, H7636, H7641, H7872, G346, G755, G2775, G2776, G4719

Forms Found in the English ULB:

head, heads

heart

Related Ideas:

kidneys

Definition:

In the Bible, the term "heart" is often used figuratively to refer to a person's thoughts, emotions, desires, or will.

• To have a "hard heart" is a common expression that means a person stubbornly refuses to obey God.
• The expressions "with all my heart" or "with my whole heart" mean to do something with no holding back, with complete commitment and willingness.
• The expression "take it to heart" means to treat something seriously and apply it to one's life.
• The term "brokenhearted" describes a person who is very sad. That person has been deeply hurt emotionally.
• The kidneys are also used as a synecdoche for the physical inner organs and as a metonym for a person's innermost thoughts and emotions.

Translation Suggestions

• Some languages use a different body part such as "stomach" or "liver" to refer to these ideas.
• Other languages may use one word to express some of these concepts and another word to express others.
• If "heart" or other body part does not have this meaning, some languages may need to express this literally with terms such as "thoughts" or "emotions" or "desires" or "inner self".
• Depending on the context, "with all my heart" or "with my whole heart" could be translated as "with all my energy" or "with complete dedication" or "completely" or "with total commitment."
• The expression "take it to heart" could be translated as "treat it seriously" or "carefully think about it."
• The expression "hard-hearted" could also be translated as "stubbornly rebellious" or "refusing to obey" or "continually disobeying God."
• Ways to translate "brokenhearted" could include "very sad" or "feeling deeply hurt."

(See also: hard)

Bible References:

• 1 John 03:17
• 1 Thessalonians 02:04
• 2 Thessalonians 03:13-15
• Acts 08:22
• Acts 15:09
• Luke 08:15
• Mark 02:06
• Matthew 05:08
• Matthew 22:37

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2436, H2504, H2910, H3519, H3629, H3820, H3821, H3823, H3824, H3825, H3826, H4578, H5315, H7307, H7356, G1282, G1271, G2133, G2588, G2589, G4641, G4698, G5590

Forms Found in the English ULB:

heart, hearts, kidneys

heaven

Related Ideas:

heavenly, in midair, overhead, sky

Definition:

The term that is translated as "heaven" usually refers to where God lives. The same word can also mean "sky," depending on the context.

• The term "heavens" refers to everything we see above the earth, including the sun, moon, and stars. It also includes the heavenly bodies, such as far-off planets, that we can't directly see from the earth.
• The term "sky" refers to the blue expanse above the earth that has clouds and the air we breathe. Often the sun and moon are also said to be "up in the sky."
• In some contexts in the Bible, the word "heaven" could refer to either the sky or the place where God lives.
• When "heaven" is used figuratively, it is a way of referring to God. For example, when Matthew writes about the "kingdom of heaven" he is referring to the kingdom of God.

Translation Suggestions:

• When "heaven" is used figuratively, it could be translated as "God."
• For "kingdom of heaven" in the book of Matthew, it is best to keep the word "heaven" since this is distinctive to Matthew's gospel.
• The terms "heavens" or "heavenly bodies" could also be translated as, "sun, moon, and stars" or "all the stars in the universe."
• The phrase, "stars of heaven" could be translated as "stars in the sky" or "stars in the galaxy" or "stars in the universe."

(See also: kingdom of God)

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 08:22-24
• 1 Thessalonians 01:8-10
• 1 Thessalonians 04:17
• Deuteronomy 09:01
• Ephesians 06:9
• Genesis 01:01
• Genesis 07:11
• John 03:12
• John 03:27
• Matthew 05:18
• Matthew 05:46-48

Word Data:

• Strong's: H7834, H8064, H8065, G932, G2032, G3321, G3770, G3771, G3772

Forms Found in the English ULB:

heaven, heavenly, heavens, in midair, overhead, skies, sky

heir

Definition:

An "heir" is a person who legally receives property or money that belonged to a person who has died.

• In Bible times, the main heir was the firstborn son, who received most of the property and money of his father.
• The Bible also uses "heir" in a figurative sense to refer to person who as a Christian receives spiritual benefits from God, his spiritual father.
• As God's children, Christians are said to be "joint heirs" with Jesus Christ. This could also be translated as "co-heirs" or "fellow heirs" or "heirs together with."
• The term "heir" could be translated as "person receiving benefits" or whatever expression is used in the language to communicate the meaning of someone who receives property and other things when a parent or other relative dies.

(See also: firstborn, inherit)

Bible References:

• Galatians 04:1-2
• Galatians 04:07
• Genesis 15:01
• Genesis 21:10-11
• Luke 20:14
• Mark 12:07
• Matthew 21:38-39

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1121, H3423, G2816, G2818, G2820, G4789

Forms Found in the English ULB:

heir, heirs

holy

Related Ideas:

holiness, sacred, unholy

Definition:

The terms "holy" and "holiness" refer to the character of God that is totally set apart and separated from everything that is sinful and imperfect.

• Only God is absolutely holy. He makes people and things holy.
• A person who is holy belongs to God and has been set apart for the purpose of serving God and bringing him glory.
• An object that God has declared to be holy is one that he has set apart for his glory and use, such as an altar that is for the purpose of offering sacrifices to him.
• People cannot approach him unless he allows them to, because he is holy and they are merely human beings, sinful and imperfect.
• In the Old Testament, God set apart the priests as holy for special service to him. They had to be ceremonially cleansed from sin in order to approach God.
• God also set apart as holy certain places and things that belonged to him or in which he revealed himself, such as his temple.
• Believers in Jesus are holy people, not because of what they have done, but rather because of their faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who makes them holy.
• When people of any religion, true or false, consider something "sacred," they consider it holy according to their religion.

Literally, the term "unholy" means "not holy." It describes someone or something that does not honor God.

• This word is used to describe someone who dishonors God by rebelling against him.
• A thing that is called "unholy" could be described as being common, profane or unclean. It does not belong to God.

The term "sacred" describes something that relates to worshiping God or to the pagan worship of false gods.

• In the Old Testament, the term "sacred" was often used to describe the stone pillars and other objects used in the worship of false gods. This could also be translated as "religious."
• "Sacred songs" and "sacred music" refer to music that was sung or played for God's glory. This could be translated as "music for worshiping Yahweh" or "songs that praise God."
• The phrase "sacred duties" referred to the "religious duties" or "rituals" that a priest performed to lead people in worshiping God. It could also refer to the rituals performed by a pagan priest to worship a false god.
• The phrase "sacred gifts" refers to things that someone has set apart for God and then given to God at the temple.

Translation Suggestions:

• Ways to translate "holy" might include "set apart for God" or "belonging to God" or "completely pure" or "perfectly sinless" or "separated from sin."

• To "make holy" is often translated as "sanctify" in English. It could also be translated as "set apart (someone) for God's glory."

• Ways to translate "unholy" could include "not holy" or "not belonging to God" or "not honoring to God" or "not godly."

• In some contexts, "unholy" could be translated as "unclean."

(See also: Holy Spirit, consecrate, sanctify, set apart)

Bible References:

• Genesis 28:22
• 2 Kings 03:02
• Lamentations 04:01
• Ezekiel 20:18-20
• Matthew 07:6
• Mark 08:38
• Acts 07:33
• Acts 11:08
• Romans 01:02
• 2 Corinthians 12:3-5
• Colossians 01:22
• 1 Thessalonians 03:13
• 1 Thessalonians 04:07
• 2 Timothy 03:15
• 1 Timothy 05:10
• 2 Corinthians 09:12-15
• Revelation 16:06
• Revelation 20:9-10

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2455, H2623, H4676, H4720, H6918, H6922, H6942, H6944, H6948, G37, G38, G39, G40, G41, G42, G462, G2150, G2413, G2839, G3741, G3742

Forms Found in the English ULB:

holier, holiest, holiness, holy, holy duties, honored as holy, makes ... holy, sacred, sacred gifts, sacred places, unholy

hope

Definition:

Hope is strongly desiring something to happen. Hope can imply either certainty or uncertainty regarding a future event.

• In the Bible, the term "hope" also has the meaning of "trust," as in "my hope is in the Lord." It refers to a sure expectation of receiving what God has promised his people.
• To have "no hope" means to have no expectation of something good happening. It means that it is actually very certain that it will not happen.

Translation Suggestions:

• In some contexts, the term to "hope" could also be translated as to "wish" or to "desire" or to "expect."
• The expression "nothing to hope for" could be translated as "nothing to trust in" or "no expectation of anything good"
• To "have no hope" could be translated as "have no expectation of anything good" or "have no security" or "be sure that nothing good will happen."
• The expression "have set your hopes on" could also be translated as "have put your confidence in" or "have been trusting in."
• The phrase "I find hope in your Word" could also be translated as "I am confident that your Word is true" or "Your Word helps me trust in you" or "When I obey your Word, I am certain to be blessed."
• Phrases such as "hope in" God could also be translated a, "trust in God" or "know for sure that God will do what he has promised" or "be certain that God is faithful."

(See also: bless, confidence, good, obey, trust, word of God)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 29:14-15
• 1 Thessalonians 02:19
• Acts 24:14-16
• Acts 26:06
• Acts 27:20
• Colossians 01:05
• Job 11:20

Word Data:

• Strong's: H982, H983, H986, H1891, H2976, H3176, H3689, H4009, H4723, H7663, H7664, H8431, H8615, G1679, G1680, G2070, G4276

Forms Found in the English ULB:

hope, hoped, hopes, look to ... in hope, uselessly hope

house

Related Ideas:

home, residence

Definition:

The term "house" is often used figuratively in the Bible.

• Sometimes it means "household," referring to the people who live together in one house.
• Often "house" refers to a person's descendants or other relatives. For example, the phrase "house of David" refers to all the descendants of King David.
• The terms "house of God" and "house of Yahweh" refer to the tabernacle or temple. These expressions can also refer generally to where God is or dwells.
• In Hebrews 3, "God's house" is used as a metaphor to refer to God's people or, more generally, to everything pertaining to God.
• A "residence" is any place in which people live without plans to move to another place.

Translation Suggestions

• Depending on the context, "house" could be translated as "household" or "people" or "family" or "descendants" or "temple" or "dwelling place."
• The phrase "house of David" could be translated as "clan of David" or "family of David" or "descendants of David." Related expressions could be translated in a similar way.
• Different ways to translate "house of Israel" could include "people of Israel" or "Israel's descendants" or "Israelites."
• The phrase "house of Yahweh" could be translated as "Yahweh's temple" or "place where Yahweh is worshiped" or "place where Yahweh meets with his people" or "where Yahweh dwells."
• "House of God" could be translated in a similar way.

(See also: David, descendant, house of God, household, kingdom of Israel, tabernacle, temple, Yahweh)

Bible References:

• Acts 07:42
• Acts 07:49
• Genesis 39:04
• Genesis 41:40
• Luke 08:39
• Matthew 10:06
• Matthew 15:24

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1004, H1005, H4585, H5116, G3609, G3613, G3614, G3624

Forms Found in the English ULB:

home, homes, house, house's, houses, residence

image

Related Ideas:

carved figure, cast metal figure, statue

Definition:

These terms are all used to refer to idols that have been made for worshiping a false god. In the context of worshiping idols, the term "image" is a shortened form of "carved image."

• A "carved image" or "carved figure" is a wooden object that has been made to look like an animal, person, or thing.
• A "cast metal figure" is an object or statue created by melting metal and pouring it into a mold that is in the shape of an object, animal, or person.
• These wooden and metal objects were used in the worship of false gods.
• The term "image" when referring to an idol could either refer to a wooden or metal idol.

Translation Suggestions:

• When referring to an idol, the term "image" could also be translated as "statue" or "engraved idol" or "carved religious object."
• It may be more clear in some languages to always use a descriptive word with this term, such as "carved image" or "cast metal figure," even in places where only the term "image" or "figure" is in the original text.

(See also: false god, God, false god, image of God)

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 14:9-10
• Acts 07:43
• Isaiah 21:8-9
• Matthew 22:21
• Romans 01:23

Word Data:

• Strong's: H457, H1544, H1823, H4541, H4676, H4853, H4906, H5257, H5262, H5566, H6091, H6456, H6459, H6754, H6755, H6816, H8403, H8544, H8655, G1504, G5179

Forms Found in the English ULB:

carved figure, carved figures, carved image, carved images, cast metal figure, cast metal figures, cast metal images, castings, figure, figures, image, images, statue

in Christ

Related Ideas:

in Christ Jesus, in Jesus, in the Lord, in the Lord Jesus, into Christ

Definition:

The phrase "in Christ" and related terms refer to the state or condition of being in relationship with Jesus Christ through faith in him.

• Other related terms include "in Christ Jesus, in Jesus Christ, in the Lord Jesus, in the Lord Jesus Christ."
• Possible meanings for the term "in Christ" could include "because you belong to Christ" or "through the relationship you have with Christ" or "based on your faith in Christ."
• These related terms all have the same meaning of being in a state of believing in Jesus and being his disciple.
• Note: Sometimes the word "in" belongs with the verb. For example, "share in Christ" means to "share in" the benefits that come from knowing Christ. To "glory in" Christ means to be glad and give praise to God for who Jesus is and what he has done. To "believe in" Christ means to trust him as Savior and know him.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, different ways to translate "in Christ" and "in the Lord" (and related phrases) could include:

• "who belong to Christ"

• "because you believe in Christ"

• "because Christ has saved us"

• "in service to the Lord"

• "relying on the Lord"

• "because of what the Lord has done."

• People who "believe in" Christ or who "have faith in" Christ believe what Jesus taught and are trusting him to save them because of his sacrifice on the cross that paid the penalty for their sins. Some languages may have one word that translates verbs like "believe in" or "share in" or "trust in."

(See also: Christ, Lord, Jesus, believe, faith)

Bible References:

• 1 John 02:05
• 2 Corinthians 02:17
• 2 Timothy 01:01
• Galatians 01:22
• Galatians 02:17
• Philemon 01:06
• Revelation 01:10
• Romans 09:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: G2962, G5547

Forms Found in the English ULB:

in Christ, in Christ Jesus, in Jesus, in him, in the Lord, in the Lord Jesus, into Christ

inherit

Related Ideas:

heritage, inheritance,legacy

Definition:

The term "inherit" refers to receiving something valuable from a parent or other person because of a special relationship with that person. The "inheritance" is what is received.

• A physical inheritance that is received may be money, land, or other kinds of property.

• A spiritual inheritance is everything that God gives people who trust in Jesus, including blessings in the present life as well as eternal life with him.

• The Bible also calls God's people his inheritance, which means that they belong to him; they are his valued possession.

• God promised Abraham and his descendants that they would inherit the land of Canaan, that it would belong to them forever.

• There is also a figurative or spiritual sense in which people who belong to God are said to "inherit the land." This means that they will prosper and be blessed by God in both physical and spiritual ways.

• In the New Testament, God promises that those who trust in Jesus will "inherit salvation" and "inherit eternal life." It is also expressed as, "inherit the kingdom of God." This is a spiritual inheritance that lasts forever.

• There are other figurative meanings for these terms:

• The Bible says that wise people will "inherit glory" and righteous people will "inherit good things."

• To "inherit the promises" means to receive the good things that God has promised to give his people.

• This term is also used in a negative sense to refer to foolish or disobedient people who "inherit the wind" or "inherit folly." This means they receive the consequences of their sinful actions, including punishment and worthless living.

Translation Suggestions:

• As always, consider first whether there are already terms in the target language for the concept of an heir or an inheritance, and use those terms.
• Depending on the context, other ways that the term "inherit" could be translated might include "receive" or "possess" or "come into possession of."
• Ways to translate "inheritance" could include "promised gift" or "secure possession."
• When God's people are referred to as his inheritance this could be translated as "valued ones belonging to him."
• The term "heir" could be translated with a word or phrase that means "privileged child who receives the father's possessions" or "person chosen to receive (God's) spiritual possessions or blessings."
• The term "heritage" could be translated as "blessings from God" or "inherited blessings."

(See also: heir, Canaan, Promised Land)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 06:09
• 1 Peter 01:04
• 2 Samuel 21:03
• Acts 07:4-5
• Deuteronomy 20:16
• Galatians 05:21
• Genesis 15:07
• Hebrews 09:15
• Jeremiah 02:07
• Luke 15:11
• Matthew 19:29
• Psalm 079:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2490, H2506, H3423, H3425, H4181, H5157, H5159, G2816, G2817, G2819

Forms Found in the English ULB:

heritage, inherit, inheritance, inheritances, inherited, legacy

instruct

Related Ideas:

instruction, instructor

Definitions:

The terms "instruct" and "instruction" refer to giving specific directions about what to do.

• To "give instructions" means to tell someone specifically what he is supposed to do.
• When Jesus gave the disciples the bread and fish to distribute to the people, he gave them specific instructions about how to do it.
• Depending on the context, the term "instruct" could also be translated as "tell" or "direct" or "teach" or "give instructions to."
• The term "instructions" could be translated as "directions" or "explanations" or "what he has told you to do."
• When God gives instructions, this term is sometimes translated as "commands" or "orders."

(See also: command, decree, teach)

Bible References:

• Exodus 14:04
• Genesis 26:05
• Hebrews 11:22
• Matthew 10:05
• Matthew 11:01
• Proverbs 01:30

Word Data:

• Strong's: H631, H1696, H1697, H3256, H3289, H3384, H3948, H4148, H4156, H4687, H4931, H4941, H6098, H6490, H6680, H7919, H8451, G1256, G1291, G1299, G1319, G1321, G1378, G1781, G1785, G2012, G2727, G2753, G3559, G3560, G3807, G3810, G3811, G3852, G3853, G4264, G4367, G4822, G4929

Forms Found in the English ULB:

gave ... instructions, instruct, instructed, instructing, instruction, instructions, instructor, instructors, instructs

joy

Related Ideas:

enjoy, enjoyment, glad, gladness, greet, joyful, joyfulness, jubilant, merry-hearted, rejoice, source of gladness

Definition:

Joy is a feeling of delight or deep satisfaction that comes from God. The related term "joyful" describes a person who feels very glad and is full of deep happiness.

• A person feels joy when he has a deep sense that what he is experiencing is very good.
• God is the one who gives true joy to people.
• Having joy does not depend on pleasant circumstances. God can give people joy even when very difficult things are happening in their lives.
• Sometimes places are described as joyful, such as houses or cities. This means that the people who live there are joyful.
• To "salute" is to greet a high-ranking government or military official.
• "Jubilant" is another word for "joyful."

The term "rejoice" means to be full of joy and gladness.

• This term often refers to being very happy about the good things that God has done.
• It could be translated as "be very happy" or "be very glad" or "be full of joy."
• When Mary said "my soul rejoices in God my Savior," she meant "God my Savior has made me very happy" or "I feel so joyful because of what God my Savior has done for me."

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "joy" could also be translated as "gladness" or "delight" or "great happiness."
• The phrase, "be joyful" could be translated as "rejoice" or "be very glad" or it could be translated "be very happy in God's goodness."
• A person who is joyful could be described as "very happy" or "delighted" or "deeply glad."
• A phrase such as "make a joyful shout" could be translated as "shout in a way that shows you are very happy."
• A "joyful city" or "joyful house" could be translated as "city where joyful people live" or "house full of joyful people" or "city whose people are very happy."

Bible References:

• Nehemiah 08:10
• Psalm 048:02
• Isaiah 56:6-7
• Jeremiah 15:15-16
• Matthew 02:9-10
• Luke 15:07
• Luke 19:37-38
• John 03:29
• Acts 16:32-34
• Romans 05:1-2
• Romans 15:30-32
• Galatians 05:23
• Philippians 04:10-13
• 1 Thessalonians 01:6-7
• 1 Thessalonians 05:16
• Philemon 01:4-7
• James 01:02
• 3 John 01:1-4

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1288, H1523, H1524, H1525, H2287, H2302, H2304, H2305, H2654, H2896, H2898, H3190, H4885, H5727, H5937, H5947, H5965, H5970, H6342, H6670, H7440, H7442, H7444, H7445, H7797, H7832, H7965, H8055, H8056, H8057, H8342, H8643, G20, G21, G782, G2165, G2167, G2744, G4640, G4796, G4913, G5463, G5479

Forms Found in the English ULB:

be glad, be merry, enjoy, enjoyed, enjoying, enjoyment, enjoys, glad, gladness, greet, greeted, greeting, greetings, greets, joy, joyful, joyful shouting, joyfully, joyfulness, jubilant, make ... glad, makes ... glad, merry-hearted, rejoice, rejoiced, rejoiced greatly, rejoices, rejoices greatly, rejoicing, shout for joy, shout joyfully, shout of joy, shouts of joy, source of gladness, was merry

judge

Related Ideas:

act of judging, consider, decide, decision, give justice, give judgment, judgment, judgment seat

Definition:

The terms "judge" and "judgment" often refer to making a decision about whether something is morally right or wrong.

• The "judgment of God" often refers to his decision to condemn something or someone as sinful.
• God's judgment usually includes punishing people for their sin.
• The term "judge" can also mean "condemn." God instructs his people not to judge each other in this way.
• Another meaning is "arbitrate between" or "judge between," as in deciding which person is right in a dispute between them.
• In some contexts, God's "judgments" are what he has decided is right and just. They are similar to his decrees, laws, or precepts.
• "Judgment" can refer to the ability to make decisions. A person with "sound judgment" is wise, able to make good decisions, while a person who lacks "judgment" does not have the wisdom to make wise decisions.
• The "judgment seat" is a place where a judge sits while he listens to testimonies and gives his decision.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, ways to translate to "judge" could include to "decide" or to "condemn" or to "punish" or to "decree."
• The term "judgment" could be translated as "punishment" or "decision" or "opinion" or "verdict" or "decree" or "condemnation."
• In some contexts, the phrase "in the judgment" could also be translated as "on judgment day" or "during the time when God judges people."

(See also: decree, judge, judgment day, just, law, law)

Bible References:

• 1 John 04:17
• 1 Kings 03:09
• Acts 10:42-43
• Isaiah 03:14
• James 02:04
• Luke 06:37
• Micah 03:9-11
• Psalm 054:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H148, H430, H1777, H1778, H1779, H1781, H1782, H2664, H2713, H2742, H2803, H2940, H3198, H4406, H4941, H6414, H6416, H6417, H6419, H6485, H7081, H7378, H7379, H7663, H7760, H8196, H8199, H8201, G350, G968, G1097, G1106, G1252, G1341, G1345, G1348, G1380, G1492, G2233, G2917, G2919, G2920, G2922, G2923, G4997, G5272

Forms Found in the English ULB:

acts of judgment, consider, considered, considering, decide, decided, decided on, decision, give justice, giving judgment, have decided, insightful decisions, judge, judged, judges, judging, judgment, judgment seat, judgments, renders judgment, will judge

judge

Definition:

A judge is a person who decides what is right or wrong when there are disputes between people, usually in matters that pertain to the law.

• In the Bible, God is often referred to as a judge because he is the one perfect judge who makes the final decisions about what is right or wrong.
• After the people of Israel entered the land of Canaan and before they had kings to rule them, God appointed leaders called "judges" to lead them in times of trouble. Often these judges were military leaders who rescued the Israelites by defeating their enemies.
• The term "judge" could also be called "decision-maker" or "leader" or "deliverer" or "governor," depending on the context.

(See also: governor, judge, law)

Bible References:

• 2 Timothy 04:08
• Acts 07:27
• Luke 11:19
• Luke 12:14
• Luke 18:1-2
• Matthew 05:25
• Ruth 01:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H148, H430, H1777, H1778, H1779, H1781, H1782, H6414, H6416, H6419, H8199, G350, G1252, G1348, G2919, G2922, G2923

Forms Found in the English ULB:

judge, judges, the judge, the judges, their judges, you judges

kin

Related Ideas:

kindred, kinfolk, kinsman, relative

Definition:

The term "kin" refers to a person's blood relatives, considered as a group. The word "kinsman" refers specifically to a male relative.

• "Kin" can only refer to a person's close relatives, such as parents and siblings, or it can also include more distant relatives, such as an aunts, uncles, or cousins.
• In ancient Israel, if a man died, his nearest male relative was expected to marry his widow, manage his property, and help carry on his family name. This relative was called a "kinsman-redeemer."
• This term "kin" could also be translated as, "relative" or "family member."

Bible References:

• Romans 16:9-11
• Ruth 02:20
• Ruth 03:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H251, H1350, H1353, H1730, H4129, H4130, H4138, H4940, H7138, H7607, G1085, G4773

Forms Found in the English ULB:

kin, kindred, kinfolk, kinsfolk, kinsman, kinsmen, relative, relatives

kind

Definition:

The terms "kind" and "kinds" refer to groups or classifications of things that are connected by shared characteristics.

• In the Bible, this term is specifically used to refer to the distinctive kinds of plants and animals that God made when he created the world.
• Often there are many different variations or species within each "kind." For example, horses, zebras, and donkeys are all members of the same "kind," but they are different species.
• The main thing that distinguishes each "kind" as a separate group is that members of that group can reproduce more of their same "kind." Members of different kinds cannot do that with each other.

Picture showing Kinds:

<a href="https://content.bibletranslationtools.org/WycliffeAssociates/en_tw/raw/branch/master/PNGs/k/Kinds.png"><img src="https://content.bibletranslationtools.org/WycliffeAssociates/en_tw/raw/branch/master/PNGs/k/Kinds.png" ></a>

Translation Suggestions

• Ways to translate this term could include "type" or "class" or "group" or "animal (plant) group" or "category."

Bible References:

• Genesis 01:21
• Genesis 01:24
• Mark 09:29
• Matthew 13:47

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2178, H4327, G1085

Forms Found in the English ULB:

kind, kinds

king

Related Ideas:

kingly, kingship

Definition:

The term "king" refers to a man who is the supreme ruler of a city, state, or country.

• A king was usually chosen to rule because of his family relation to previous kings.
• When a king died, it was usually his oldest son who became the next king.
• In ancient times, the king had absolute authority over the people in his kingdom.
• Rarely the term "king" was used to refer to someone who was not a true king, such as "King Herod" in the New Testament.
• In the Bible, God is often referred to as a king who rules over his people.
• The "kingdom of God" refers to God's rule over his people.
• Jesus was called "king of the Jews," "king of Israel," and "king of kings."
• When Jesus comes back, he will rule as king over the world.
• This term could also be translated as "supreme chief" or "absolute leader" or "sovereign ruler."
• The phrase "king of kings" could be translated as "king who rules over all other kings" or "supreme ruler who has authority over all other rulers."

(See also: authority, Herod Antipas, kingdom, kingdom of God)

Bible References:

• 1 Timothy 06:15-16
• 2 Kings 05:18
• 2 Samuel 05:03
• Acts 07:9-10
• Acts 13:22
• John 01:49-51
• Luke 01:05
• Luke 22:24-25
• Matthew 05:35
• Matthew 14:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H4427, H4428, H4430, G935, G936, G937

Forms Found in the English ULB:

king, king's, kingly, kings, kingship, made ... king, set up ... king, set up kings

kingdom

Related Ideas:

power to rule

Definition:

A kingdom is a group of people ruled by a king. It also refers to the realm or political regions over which a king or other ruler has control and authority.

• A kingdom can be of any geographical size. A king might govern a nation or country or only one city.
• The term "kingdom" can also refer to a spiritual reign or authority, as in the term "kingdom of God."
• God is the ruler of all creation, but the term "kingdom of God" especially refers to his reign and authority over the people who have believed in Jesus and who have submitted to his authority.
• The Bible also talks about Satan having a "kingdom" in which he temporarily rules over many things on this earth. His kingdom is evil and is referred to as "darkness."

Translation Suggestions:

• When referring to a physical region that is ruled over by a king, the term "kingdom" could be translated as "country (ruled by a king)" or "king's territory" or "region ruled by a king."
• In a spiritual sense, "kingdom" could be translated as "ruling" or "reigning" or "controlling" or "governing."
• One way to translate "kingdom of priests" might be "spiritual priests who are ruled by God."
• The phrase "kingdom of light" could be translated as "God's reign that is good like light" or "when God, who is light, rules people" or "the light and goodness of God's kingdom." It is best to keep the word "light" in this expression since that is a very important term in the Bible.
• Note that the term "kingdom" is different from an empire, in which an emperor rules over several countries.

(See also: authority, king, kingdom of God, kingdom of Israel, Judah, Judah, priest)

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 02:12
• 2 Timothy 04:17-18
• Colossians 01:13-14
• John 18:36
• Mark 03:24
• Matthew 04:7-9
• Matthew 13:19
• Matthew 16:28
• Revelation 01:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H4410, H4437, H4438, H4467, H4468, H4474, H4475, G932

Forms Found in the English ULB:

kingdom, kingdoms, power to rule, kingship

kingdom of God

Related Ideas:

kingdom of Christ and God, kingdom of heaven

Definition:

The terms "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" both refer to God's rule and authority over his people and over all creation.

• The Jews often used the term "heaven" to refer to God, to avoid saying his name directly.
• In the New Testament book that Matthew wrote, he referred to God's kingdom as "the kingdom of heaven," probably because he was writing primarily for a Jewish audience.
• The kingdom of God refers to God ruling people spiritually as well as ruling over the physical world.
• The Old Testament prophets said that God would send the Messiah to rule with righteousness. Jesus, the Son of God, is the Messiah who will rule over God's kingdom forever.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, "kingdom of God" can be translated as "God's rule (as king)" or "when God reigns as king" or "God's rule over everything."
• The term "kingdom of heaven" could also be translated as "God's rule from heaven as king" or "God in heaven reigning" or "heaven's reign" or "heaven ruling over everything." If it is not possible to translate this simply and clearly, the phrase "kingdom of God" could be translated instead.
• Some translators may prefer to capitalize "Heaven" to show that it refers to God. Others may include a note in the text, such as "kingdom of heaven (that is, 'kingdom of God')."
• A footnote at the bottom of the page of a printed Bible may also be used to explain the meaning of "heaven" in this expression.

(See also: God, heaven, king, kingdom, King of the Jews, reign)

Bible References:

• 2 Thessalonians 01:05
• Acts 08:12-13
• Acts 28:23
• Colossians 04:11
• John 03:03
• Luke 07:28
• Luke 10:09
• Luke 12:31-32
• Matthew 03:02
• Matthew 04:17
• Matthew 05:10
• Romans 14:17

Word Data:

• Strong's: G932, G2316, G3772

Forms Found in the English ULB:

kingdom of Christ and God, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven

know

Related Ideas:

knowledge, make known, unknowingly, unknown

Definition:

To "know" means to understand something or to be aware of a fact. The expression "make known" is an expression that means to tell information.

• The term "knowledge" refers to information that people know. It can apply to knowing things in both the physical and spiritual worlds.
• To "know about" God means to understand facts about him because of what he has revealed to us.
• To "know" God means to have a relationship with him. This also applies to knowing people.
• To know God's will means to be aware of what he has commanded, or to understand what he wants a person to do.
• To "know the Law" means to be aware of what God has commanded or to understand what God has instructed in the laws he gave to Moses.
• Sometimes "knowledge" is used as a synonym for "wisdom," which includes living in a way that is pleasing to God.
• The "knowledge of God" is sometimes used as a synonym for the "fear of Yahweh."
• If a person does something "unknowingly," he does it without knowing that he is doing it.

Translation Suggestions

• Depending on the context, ways to translate "know" could include "understand" or "be familiar with" or "be aware of" or "be acquainted with" or "be in relationship with."
• Some languages have two different words for "know," one for knowing facts and one for knowing a person and having a relationship with him.
• The term "make known" could be translated as "cause people to know" or "reveal" or "tell about" or "explain."
• To "know about" something could be translated as "be aware of" or "be familiar with."
• The expression "know how to" means to understand the process or method of getting something done. It could also be translated as "be able to" or "have the skill to."
• The term "knowledge" could also be translated as "what is known" or "wisdom" or "understanding," depending on the context.
• To "train for" an activity is to learn now to do it well. To train for war is to learn by practice how to be a good fighter.

(See also: law, reveal, understand, wise)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 02:12-13
• 1 Samuel 17:46
• 2 Corinthians 02:15
• 2 Peter 01:3-4
• Deuteronomy 04:39-40
• Genesis 19:05
• Luke 01:77

Word Data:

• Strong's: H502, H1843, H1844, H1847, H1875, H2713, H2372, H3045, H3046, H3925, H4093, H4486, H5046, H5234, H5475, H5869, G50, G56, G1097, G1107, G1108, G1492, G1834, G1921, G1922, G1987, G2467, G5319, G2589, G2657, G4267, G4894, G5318

Forms Found in the English ULB:

knew, know, know ... beforehand, knowing, knowledge, known, knows, made ... known, made known, make ... known, makes known, unknowingly, unknown

labor

Related Ideas:

fellow laborers, forced labor, hard labor, hard-working, laborer, occupation, strive, struggle, toil

Definition:

The term "labor" refers to doing physical work of any kind.

• In general, labor is any task which uses energy. It is often implied that the task is difficult.
• A laborer is a person who does any type of labor.
• In English, the word "labor" is also used for part of the process of giving birth. Other languages may have a completely different word for this.
• Ways to translate "labor" could include "work" or "hard work" or "difficult work" or to "work hard."
• "Toil" is hard, unpleasant work, and to "toil" is to do hard, unpleasant work.
• An "occupation" is the work or labor that a person does to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and the other things he needs to live.
• Sometimes "strive" and "struggle" mean to work very hard to do something.

(See also: hard, labor pains)

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 02:09
• 1 Thessalonians 03:05
• Galatians 04:10-11
• James 05:04
• John 04:38
• Luke 10:02
• Matthew 10:10

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3018, H3021, H3022, H3205, H4522, H4639, H5447, H5450, H5647, H5656, H5998, H5999, H6001, H6089, H6468, H8104, G75, G2038, G2040, G2041, G2716, G2872, G2873, G3449, G4866, G4904

Forms Found in the English ULB:

fellow laborers, forced labor, hard labor, hard-working, labor, labored, laborer, laborer's, laborers, laboring, labors, occupation, product of ... labor, products of ... labor, strive, strives, striving together, struggle, toil, toiled, toiling, toils

letter

Related Ideas:

epistle

Definition:

A letter is a written message sent to a person or group of persons who are usually a distance away from the writer. An epistle is a special type of letter, often written in a more formal style, for a special purpose, such as teaching.

• In New Testament times, epistles and other types of letters were written on parchment made from animal skins or on papyrus made from plant fibers.
• The New Testament epistles from Paul, John, James, Jude, and Peter were letters of instruction that they wrote to encourage, exhort, and teach the early Christians in various cities throughout the Roman Empire.
• Ways to translate this term could include "written message" or "written down words" or "writing."

(See also: encourage, exhort, teach)

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 05:27
• 2 Thessalonians 02:15
• Acts 09:1-2
• Acts 28:21-22

Word Data:

• Strong's: H104, H107, H3791, H4385, H5406, H5407, H5612, G1121, G1992

Forms Found in the English ULB:

epistle, letter, letters

life

Related Ideas:

alive, come to life, conduct, exist, fresh, life-giving, lifetime, live, revive, survive, survivor

Definition:

All these terms refer to being physically alive, not dead. They are also used figuratively to refer to being alive spiritually. The following discusses what is meant by "physical life" and "spiritual life."

1. Physical life

• Physical life is the presence of the spirit in the body. God breathed life into Adam's body, and he became a living being.
• A "life" can also refer to an individual person as in "a life was saved".
• Sometimes the word "life" refers to the experience of living as in, "his life was enjoyable."
• It can also refer to a person's lifespan, as in the expression, "the end of his life."
• The term "living" may refer to being physically alive, as in "my mother is still living." It may also refer to dwelling somewhere as in, "they were living in the city."
• In the Bible, the concept of "life" is often contrasted with the concept of "death."
• To "revive" is for someone who is dead or almost dead to live again, or to take something or someone who is dead or almost dead and make him live again.
• A person who "survives" has almost died for some reason but is still alive.
• The same Hebrew words can be translated "fresh" water or "living" water.
• Things that are "lifeless" either have never been alive or were once alive but are now dead.
• The way a person "conducts" himself or his life is the way he lives his life, most importantly the morally good or bad things he does.

2. Spiritual life

• A person has spiritual life when he believes in Jesus. God gives that person a transformed life with the Holy Spirit living in him.
• This life is also called "eternal life" to indicate that it does not end.
• The opposite of spiritual life is spiritual death, which means being separated from God and experiencing eternal punishment.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, "life" can be translated as "existence" or "person" or "soul" or "being" or "experience."
• Depending on the context, the term "live" could be translated by "dwell" or "reside" or "exist."
• The expression "end of his life" could be translated as "when he stopped living."
• The expression "spared their lives' could be translated as "allowed them to live" or "did not kill them."
• The expression "they risked their lives" could be translated as "they put themselves in danger" or "they did something that could have killed them."
• Depending on the context, the expression "give life" could also be translated as "cause to live" or "give eternal life" or "cause to live eternally." The word "life-giving" can be translated as "something that causes to live" or "something that gives life."

(See also: death, everlasting)

Bible References:

• 2 Peter 01:03
• Acts 10:42
• Genesis 02:07
• Genesis 07:22
• Hebrews 10:20
• Jeremiah 44:02
• John 01:04
• Judges 02:18
• Luke 12:23
• Matthew 07:14

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2416, H2417, H2418, H2421, H2425, H2465, H2673, H3351, H3824, H3885, H4241, H5315, H5397, H5564, H6106, H7611, H8141, H8300, G326, G386, G390, G895, G979, G980, G981, G982, G1127, G1236, G1514, G2198, G2222, G2225, G2227, G2450, G3118, G4176, G4684, G4748, G4763, G4800, G4806, G5171, G5225, G5590

Forms Found in the English ULB:

alive, come to life, conduct, conducted, existed, fresh, keep ... alive, life, life-giving, lifeless, lifetime, live, lived, lives, living, revive, revived, survive, survived, survivor, survivors

light

Related Ideas:

bright, brightness, enlighten, shine

Definition:

There are several figurative uses of the term "light" in the Bible. It is often used as a metaphor for righteousness, holiness, and truth.

• Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" to express that he brings God's true message to the world and rescues people from the darkness of their sin.
• Christians are commanded to "walk in the light," which means they should be living the way God wants them to and avoiding evil.
• The apostle John stated that "God is light" and in him there is no darkness at all.
• Light and darkness are complete opposites. Darkness is the absence of all light.
• Jesus said that he was "the light of the world" and that his followers should shine like lights in the world by living in a way that clearly shows how great God is.
• "Walking in the light" represents living in a way that pleases God, doing what is good and right. Walking in darkness represents living in rebellion against God, doing evil things.

Translation Suggestions:

• When translating, it is important to keep the literal terms "light" and "darkness" even when they are used figuratively.
• It may be necessary to explain the comparison in the text. For example, "walk as children of light" could be translated as, "live openly righteous lives, like someone who walks in bright sunlight."
• Make sure that the translation of "light" does not refer to an object that gives light, such as a lamp. The translation of this term should refer to the light itself.

(See also: darkness, holy, righteous, true)

Bible References:

• 1 John 01:07
• 1 John 02:08
• 2 Corinthians 04:06
• Acts 26:18
• Isaiah 02:05
• John 01:05
• Matthew 05:16
• Matthew 06:23
• Nehemiah 09:12-13
• Revelation 18:23-24

Word Data:

• Strong's: H216, H217, H3313, H3974, H5051, H5094, H5105, H5216, G681, G796, G1391, G1645, G2985, G2986, G3088, G5338, G5457, G5458, G5460, G5462

Forms Found in the English ULB:

bright, brightness, enlighten, enlightened, light, lighting, lights, shining

love

Related Ideas:

brotherly love

Definition:

To love another person is to care for that person and do things that will benefit him. There are different meanings for "love" some languages may express using different words:

1. The kind of love that comes from God is focused on having good things happen to others even when those good things do not happen to the one who loves. This kind of love cares for others, no matter what they do. God himself is love and is the source of true love.

• Jesus showed this kind of love by sacrificing his life in order to rescue us from sin and death. He also taught his followers to love others sacrificially.
• When people love others with this kind of love, they act in ways that show they are thinking of what will cause the others to thrive. This kind of love especially includes forgiving others.
• In the ULB, the word "love" refers to this kind of sacrificial love, unless a Translation Note indicates a different meaning.

2. Another word in the New Testament refers to brotherly love, or love for a friend or family member.

• This term refers to natural human love between friends or relatives.
• The term can also be used in such contexts as, "They love to sit in the most important seats at a banquet." This means that they "like very much" or "greatly desire" to do that.

3. The word "love" can also refer to romantic love between a man and a woman.

4. In the figurative expression "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated," the term "loved" refers to God's choosing of Jacob to be in a covenant relationship with him. This could also be translated as "chosen." Although Esau was also blessed by God, he wasn't given the privilege of being in the covenant. The term "hated" is used figuratively here to mean "rejected" or "not chosen."

Translation Suggestions:

• Unless indicated otherwise in a Translation Note, the word "love" in the ULB refers to the kind of sacrificial love that comes from God.
• Some languages may have a special word for the kind of unselfish, sacrificial love that God has. Ways to translate this might include, "devoted, faithful caring" or "care for unselfishly" or "love from God." Make sure that the word used to translate God's love can include giving up one's own interests to benefit others and loving others no matter what they do.
• Sometimes the English word "love" describes the deep caring that people have for friends and family members. Some languages might translate this with a word or phrase that means, "like very much" or "care for" or "have strong affection for."
• In contexts where the word "love" is used to express a strong preference for something, this could be translated by "strongly prefer" or "like very much" or "greatly desire."
• Some languages may also have a separate word that refers to romantic or sexual love between a husband and wife.
• Many languages must express "love" as an action. So for example, they might translate "love is patient, love is kind" as, "when a person loves someone, he is patient with him and kind to him."

(See also: covenant, death, sacrifice, save, sin)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 13:07
• 1 John 03:02
• 1 Thessalonians 04:10
• Galatians 05:23
• Genesis 29:18
• Isaiah 56:06
• Jeremiah 02:02
• John 03:16
• Matthew 10:37
• Nehemiah 09:32-34
• Philippians 01:09
• Song of Solomon 01:02

Word Data:

• Strong's: H157, H158, H159, H160, H1730, H2245, H2532, H2617, H2836, H3039, H4261, H5689, H5690, H7355, H7356, H7453, H7474, G25, G26, G5360, G5361, G5362, G5363, G5365, G5367, G5368, G5369, G5377, G5383, G5388

Forms Found in the English ULB:

brotherly love, love, loved, loves, loving

member

Definition:

The term "member" refers to one part of a complex body or group.

• The New Testament describes Christians as "members" of the body of Christ. Believers in Christ belong to a group that is made up of many members.
• Jesus Christ is the "head" of the body and individual believers function as the members of the body. The Holy Spirit gives each member of the body a special role to help the entire body to function well.
• Individuals who participate in groups such as the Jewish Council and the Pharisees are also called "members" of these groups.

(See also: body, Pharisee, council)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 06:15
• 1 Corinthians 12:14-17
• Numbers 16:02
• Romans 12:05

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1004, H1121, H3338, H5315, G1010, G3196, G3609

Forms Found in the English ULB:

member, members

mercy

Related Ideas:

kindness, merciful, spare

Definition:

The terms "mercy" and "merciful" refer to helping people who are in need, especially when they are in a lowly or humbled condition.

• The term "mercy" can also include the meaning of not punishing people for something they have done wrong.
• A powerful person such as a king is described as "merciful" when he treats people kindly instead of harming them.
• To "be merciful" or "spare" someone who has done wrong to another means to forgive that person.
• An evil person who "spares" those who have done nothing wrong does not do the same wrong to them that he has done to others.
• We show mercy when we help people who are in great need.
• God is merciful to us, and he wants us to be merciful to others.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, "mercy" could be translated as "kindness" or "compassion" or "pity."
• The term "merciful" could be translated as "showing pity" or "being kind to" or "forgiving."
• To "show mercy to" or "have mercy on" could be translated as "treat kindly" or "be compassionate toward."

(See also: compassion, forgive)

Bible References:

• 1 Peter 01:3-5
• 1 Timothy 01:13
• Daniel 09:17
• Exodus 34:06
• Genesis 19:16
• Hebrews 10:28-29
• James 02:13
• Luke 06:35-36
• Matthew 09:27
• Philippians 02:25-27
• Psalms 041:4-6
• Romans 12:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2550, H2551, H2603, H2604, H2617, H3722, H7349, H7355, H7356, H7359, H8467, G1653, G1655, G1656, G2433, G2436, G3628, G3629, G4698, G5363, G5544

Forms Found in the English ULB:

kindness, mercies, merciful, mercy, spare, spared, spares, tender mercy

mind

Related Ideas:

expect, intention, likeminded, mindful, sober, think

Definition:

The term "mind" refers to the part of a person that thinks and makes decisions.

• The mind of each person is the total of his or her thoughts and reasoning.
• To "have the mind of Christ" means to think and act as Jesus Christ would think and act. It means being obedient to God the Father, obeying the teachings of Christ, being enabled to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• To "change his mind" means someone made a different decision or had a different opinion than he had previously.
• To "expect" something is to think that it will happen.
• To "think" can mean to use one's mind to form ideas.
• To "think" can also mean to have a belief or opinion about something.
• To "intend" or "have an intention" to do something is to decide or to plan to do that thing. That thing may be good or evil, and the person may or may not want to do it, but he plans to do it.
• A person who is "sober" is able to think clearly, especially in contrast to a person who has harmed his mind by drinking to much wine.

Translation Suggestions

• The term "mind" could also be translated as "thoughts" or "reasoning" or "thinking" or "understanding."
• The expression "keep in mind" could be translated as "remember" or "pay attention to this" or "be sure to know this."
• The expression "heart, soul, and mind" could also be translated as "what you feel, what you believe, and what you think about."
• The expression "call to mind" could be translated as "remember" or "think about."
• The expression "double-minded" could also be translated as "doubting" or "unable to decide" or "with conflicting thoughts."

(See also: believe, heart, soul)

Bible References:

• Luke 10:27
• Mark 06:51-52
• Matthew 21:29
• Matthew 22:37
• James 04:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H226, H1079, G1380, H1843, H3629, H3820, H3824, H3825, H4093, H4150, H5162, H6419, H6725, H6734, H7217, H7725, G364, G1271, G1374, G1839, G2233, G2657, G3328, G3525, G3539, G3540, G3563, G4102, G4993, G5280, G5426, G5427, G5590

Forms Found in the English ULB:

expect, expected, intention, likeminded, mind, minded, mindful, minds, sober, think, think carefully about, thinks, thought, thoughts

mystery

Related Ideas:

hidden meaning, hidden truth, secrets

Definition:

In the Bible, the term "mystery" refers to something unknown or difficult to understand that God is now explaining.

• The New Testament states that the gospel of Christ was a mystery that was not known in past ages.
• One of the specific points described as a mystery is that Jews and Gentiles would be equal in Christ.
• This term could also be translated as "secret" or "hidden things" or "something unknown."

(See also: Christ, Gentile, good news, Jew, true)

Bible References:

• Colossians 04:2-4
• Ephesians 06:19-20
• Luke 08:9-10
• Mark 04:10-12
• Matthew 13:11

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1219, H7328, G3466

Forms Found in the English ULB:

hidden meaning, hidden truth, hidden truths, mysteries, mystery, secrets

name

Related Ideas:

fame, nameless, notorious, reputation

Definition:

In the Bible, the word "name" was used in several figurative ways.

• In some contexts, "name" could refer to a person's reputation, as in "let us make a name for ourselves."
• The term "name" could also refer to the memory of something. For example, "cut off the names of the idols" means to destroy those idols so that they are no longer remembered or worshiped.
• Speaking "in the name of God" meant speaking with his power and authority, or as his representative.
• The "name" of someone could refer to the entire person, as in "there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."
• People who are "nameless" are unimportant, so few people know about them or care about them.
• A person who is "notorious" is one who has a reputation for evil or foolishness.

Translation Suggestions:

• An expression like "his good name" could be translated as "his good reputation."
• Doing something "in the name of" could be translated as "with the authority of" or "with the permission of" or "as the representative of" that person.
• The expression "make a name for ourselves" could be translated "cause many people to know about us" or "make people think we are very important."
• The expression "call his name" could be translated as "name him" or "give him the name."
• The expression "those who love your name" could be translated as "those who love you."
• The expression "cut off the names of idols" could be translated as "get rid of pagan idols so that they are not even remembered" or "cause people to stop worshiping false gods" or "completely destroy all idols so that people no longer even think about them."

(See also: call)

Bible References:

• 1 John 02:12
• 2 Timothy 02:19
• Acts 04:07
• Acts 04:12
• Acts 09:27
• Genesis 12:02
• Genesis 35:10
• Matthew 18:05

Word Data:

• Strong's: H5344, H7761, H8034, H8036, G2028, G2564, G3140, G3141, G3686, G3687, G5122

Forms Found in the English ULB:

fame, name, name's, named, nameless, names, notorious, reputation

new moon

Definition:

The term "new moon" refers to the moon when it looks like a small, crescent-shaped sliver of light. This is the beginning phase of the moon as it moves in its orbit around the planet Earth at sunset. It also refers to the first day a new moon should be visible after the moon has been dark for a few days.

• In ancient times, new moons marked the beginnings of certain time periods, such as months.
• The Israelites celebrated a new moon festival that was marked by the blowing of a ram's horn.
• The Bible also refers to this time as the "beginning of the month."

(See also: month, earth, festival, horn, sheep)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 23:31
• 1 Samuel 20:05
• 2 Kings 04:23-24
• Ezekiel 45:16-17
• Isaiah 01:12-13

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2320, G3376, G3561

Forms Found in the English ULB:

new moon, new moons

obey

Related Ideas:

follow, give ear, hear, hold securely, hold to, keep, listen, obedience, obedient

Definition:

The term "obey" means to do what is required or commanded. The term "obedient" describes someone who obeys. "Obedience" is the characteristic that an obedient person has.

• Usually the term "obey" is used in the context of obeying the commands or laws of a person in authority.
• For example, people obey laws which are created by the leaders of a country, kingdom, or other organization.
• Children obey their parents, slaves obey their masters, people obey God, and citizens obey the laws of their country.
• When someone in authority commands people not to do something, the people obey by not doing that.
• To "observe" a law or command is to obey it.
• Other words used to refer to obeying someone or something are: follow, give ear, hear, hold securely, hold to, keep, listen.

Translation Suggestions:

• Ways to translate "obey" could include a word or phrase that means "do what is commanded" or "follow orders" or "do what God says to do."
• The term "obedient" could be translated as "doing what was commanded" or "following orders" or "doing what God commands."

(See also: citizen, command, disobey, kingdom, law)

Bible References:

• Acts 05:32
• Acts 06:7
• Genesis 28:6-7
• James 01:25
• James 02:10
• Luke 06:47
• Matthew 07:26
• Matthew 19:20-22
• Matthew 28:20

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2388, H3349, H4928, H5341, H6213, H7181, H8085, H8086, H8104, G191, G2722, G2902, G3980, G3982, G5083, G5084, G5218, G5219, G5255, G5292, G5293, G5426, G5442

Forms Found in the English ULB:

following, give ... ear, hear, heard, hold ... securely, hold to, keep, keeps, kept, listen, listened, listened to, obedience, obedient, obediently, obey, obeyed, obeying, obeys

partial

Related Ideas:

partiality

Definition:

The terms "be partial" and "show partiality" refer to making a choice to treat certain people as more important than other people.

• This is similar to showing favoritism, which means to treat some people better than others.
• Usually partiality or favoritism is shown to people because they are richer or more popular than other people.
• God instructs his people to not show partiality or favoritism to people who are rich or of high status.
• In his letter to the Romans, Paul teaches that God judges people fairly and with no partiality.
• The book of James teaches that it is wrong to treat rich people better than poor people.

(See also: favor)

Bible References:

• Deuteronomy 01:17
• Malachi 02:09
• Mark 12:13-15
• Matthew 22:16
• Romans 02:10-12

Word Data:

• Strong's: H5234, H5375, H6440, G991, G2983, G4299, G4381, G4382, G4383

Forms Found in the English ULB:

be partial, partial, partiality, show partiality

peace

Related Ideas:

peaceable, peaceful, peacemaker, quiet

Definition:

The term "peace" refers to a state of being or a feeling of having no conflict, anxiety, or fearfulness. A person who is "peaceful" feels calm and assured of being safe and secure.

• "Peace" can also refer to a time when people groups or countries are not at war with each other. These people are said to have "peaceful relations."
• To "make peace" with a person or a group of people means to take actions to cause fighting to stop.
• A "peacemaker" is someone who does and says things to influence people to live at peace with each other.
• To be "at peace" with other people means being in a state of not fighting against those people.
• A good or right relationship between God and people happens when God saves people from their sin. This is called having "peace with God."
• The greeting "grace and peace" was used by the apostles in their letters to their fellow believers as a blessing.
• The term "peace" can also refer to being in a good relationship with other people or with God.
• A person who is "peaceable" acts in a way that enables him to live in peace with other people. He acts "peaceably."
• To "quiet" someone is to get them to be at peace. To quiet a quarrel is to get the people to stop quarreling and be at peace with each other.

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 05:1-3
• Acts 07:26
• Colossians 01:18-20
• Colossians 03:15
• Galatians 05:23
• Luke 07:50
• Luke 12:51
• Mark 04:39
• Matthew 05:09
• Matthew 10:13

Word Data:

• Strong's: H5117, H7961, H7962, H7965, H7999, H8001, H8002, H8003, H8252, H8535, G269, G1514, G1515, G1516, G1517, G1518, G2272

Forms Found in the English ULB:

peace, peaceable, peaceably, peaceful, peacefully, peacemakers, quiet, quiets

perfect

Related Ideas:

perfecter, perfection, perfectly

Definition:

The term "perfect" describes something that has no flaw. To "perfect" something means to work at it until it is excellent and without flaws.

• Only God and what he does is absolutely perfect.
• When Christians study the Bible and obey it, they become perfect and mature because they become more like Christ in their character.
• Being perfect and mature means that a Christian is obedient; it does not mean that he is sinless.
• The term "perfect" also has the meaning of being "complete" or "whole."

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "perfect" could be translated as "without flaw" or "without error" or "flawless" or "without fault" or "not having any faults."
• The term "perfectly" could be translated "completely" or "fully."

Bible References:

• Hebrews 12:02
• James 03:02
• Matthew 05:46-48
• Psalms 019:7-8

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3615, H3632, H3634, H4359, H4390, H8003, H8503, H8535, H8537, H8549, H8552, G2005, G2038, G2675, G2676, G3647, G4135, G4137, G5046, G5047, G5048, G5050, G5055

Forms Found in the English ULB:

perfect, perfected, perfecter, perfection, perfectly

perish

Related Ideas:

imperishable, perishable

Definition:

The term "perish" means to die or be destroyed, usually as the result of violence or other disaster.

• The word "perish" can also be a metaphor for being punished in hell either presently or in the future.
• Something that is "imperishable" will never perish.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, ways to translate this term could include "die" or "be destroyed" or "be punished in hell" or "will be punished in hell."
• When perish is a metaphor, make sure that the translation of "perish" does not only mean "cease to exist."

(See also: death, everlasting)

Bible References:

• 1 Peter 01:23
• 2 Corinthians 02:16-17
• 2 Thessalonians 02:10
• Jeremiah 18:18
• Psalms 049:18-20
• Zechariah 09:5-7
• Zechariah 13:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H6, H7, H622, H1197, H1478, H1820, H1826, H5486, H5595, H7921, H8045, G599, G622, G684, G853, G5356

Forms Found in the English ULB:

imperishable, perish, perishable, perished, perishes, perishing

power

Related Ideas:

ability, able, mastered, can, capable, could, impossible, incapable, powerful, won, unable

Definition:

The term "power" refers to the ability to do things or make things happen, often using great strength. "Powers" refers to people or spirits who have great ability to cause things to happen.

• The "power of God" refers to God's ability to do everything, especially things that are not possible for people to do.
• God has complete power over everything that he has created.
• God gives his people power to do what he wants, so that when they heal people or do other miracles, they do this by the power of God.
• Because Jesus and the Holy Spirit are also God, they have this same power.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, the term "power" could also be translated as "ability" or "strength" or "energy" or "ability to do miracles" or "control."
• Possible ways to translate the term "powers" could include "powerful beings" or "controlling spirits" or "those who control others."
• An expression like "save us from the power of our enemies" could be translated as "save us from being oppressed by our enemies" or "rescue us from being controlled by our enemies." In this case, "power" has the meaning of using one's strength to control and oppress others.

(See also: Holy Spirit, Jesus, miracle)

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 01:05
• Colossians 01:11-12
• Genesis 31:29
• Jeremiah 18:21
• Jude 01:25
• Judges 02:18
• Luke 01:17
• Luke 04:14
• Matthew 26:64
• Philippians 03:21
• Psalm 080:02

Word Data:

• Strong's: H410, H1368, H1369, H1370, H2220, H2393, H2428, H2632, H3027, H3201, H3581, H4475, H4910, H5794, H5797, H5807, H6109, H6184, H7980, H7981, H7983, H7989, H8592, H8633, G1410, G1411, G1415, G1743, G1754, G1832, G1849, G1850, G2159, G2478, G2479, G2480, G2904, G3168

Forms Found in the English ULB:

ability, able, am ... able, are ... able, are ... possible, be ... unable, be able, be mastered, can, cannot, capable, could, could not, impossible, incapable, is ... able, may ... be able, miraculous powers, possible, power, powerful, powerfully, powers, was ... able, were ... able, will ... be able, won

pray

Related Ideas:

prayer

Definition:

The terms "pray" and "prayer" refer to talking with God. These terms are used to refer to people trying to talk to a false god.

• People can pray silently, talking to God with their thoughts, or they can pray aloud, speaking to God with their voice. Sometimes prayers are written down, such as when David wrote his prayers in the Book of Psalms.
• Prayer can include asking God for mercy, for help with a problem, and for wisdom in making decisions.
• Often people ask God to heal people who are sick or who need his help in other ways.
• People also thank and praise God when they are praying to him.
• Praying includes confessing our sins to God and asking him to forgive us.
• Talking to God is sometimes called "communing" with him as our spirit communicates with his spirit, sharing our emotions and enjoying his presence.
• This term could be translated as "talking to God" or "communicating with God." The translation of this term should be able to include praying that is silent.

(See also: false god, forgive, praise)

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 03:09
• Acts 08:24
• Acts 14:26
• Colossians 04:04
• John 17:09
• Luke 11:1
• Matthew 05:43-45
• Matthew 14:22-24

Word Data:

• Strong's: H577, H1156, H2470, H3908, H6279, H6293, H6419, H6739, H7592, H7879, H8034, H8605, G154, G1162, G1189, G1783, G2065, G2171, G2172, G3870, G4335, G4336

Forms Found in the English ULB:

heard ... prayer, pray, prayed, prayer, prayers, praying, prays, urgently pray

prison

Related Ideas:

custody, dungeon, imprison, imprisonment, prisoner

Definition:

The term "prison" refers to a place where criminals are kept as a punishment for their crimes. A "prisoner" is someone who has been put in the prison.

• The term "prisoners" can also refer in general to people who have been captured by an enemy and kept somewhere against their will.
• The term "imprisoned" means "kept in a prison" or "kept in captivity."
• Many prophets and other servants of God were put in prison even though they had not done anything wrong.
• To "hold someone in custody" is to put him in a prison or other place from which he cannot escape. Sometimes people were held in custody while they waited to be judged in a trial.
• A "dungeon" is an underground prison that is dark and damp.

Translation Suggestions:

• Another word for "prison" is "jail."
• The term "prison" could also be translated as "dungeon" in contexts where the prison is probably underground or beneath the main part of a palace or other building.
• The term "prisoners" can also be translated as "captives." Other ways to translate "imprisoned" could be "kept as a prisoner" or "kept in captivity" or "held captive" or "shut up."

(See also: captive)

Bible References:

• Acts 25:04
• Ephesians 04:01
• Luke 12:58
• Luke 22:33-34
• Mark 06:17
• Matthew 05:26
• Matthew 14:03
• Matthew 25:34-36

Word Data:

• Strong's: H612, H613, H615, H616, H631, H953, H1004, H1540, H3608, H3628, H3947, H4115, H4307, H4455, H4525, H5470, H6495, H7617, H7622, H7628, G1198, G1199, G1200, G1201, G1202, G1210, G2252, G3612, G4788, G4869, G5084, G5438, G5439

Forms Found in the English ULB:

custody, dungeon, held ... in custody, hold ... in custody, holding ... in custody, imprison, imprisoned, imprisonment, imprisonments, imprisons, prison, prisoner, prisoners, prisons

provoke

Related Ideas:

provocation

Definitions:

The term "provoke" means to cause someone to experience a negative reaction or feeling.

• To provoke someone to anger means to do something that causes that person to be angry. This could also be translated as to "cause to become angry" or to "anger."
• When used in a phrase such as, "do not provoke him," this could be translated as "do not anger him" or "do not cause him to be angry" or "do not make him angry with you."

(See also: angry)

Bible References:

• Ezekiel 20:27-29

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3707, H3708, H4784, H4843, H5006, H7065, H7069, H7107, H7264, G2042, G3863, G3947, G3949, G4292

Forms Found in the English ULB:

provocation, provoke, provoke ... to anger, provoked, provoked ... to anger, provokes, provoking

psalm

Related Ideas:

praise in song, psalmist, psalm of praise, song

Definition:

The term "psalm" refers to a sacred song, often in the form of a poem that was written to be sung.

• The Old Testament Book of Psalms has a collection of these songs written by King David and other Israelites such as Moses, Solomon, and Asaph, among others.
• The psalms were used by the nation of Israel in their worship of God.
• Psalms can be used to express joy, faith, and reverence, as well as pain and sorrow.
• In the New Testament, Christians are instructed to sing psalms to God as a way of worshiping him.
• A "psalmist" is someone who composes or sings psalms.

(See also: David, faith, joy, Moses, holy)

Bible References:

• Acts 13:33
• Acts 13:35
• Colossians 03:16
• Luke 20:42

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2158, H2167, H4210, G5567, G5568

Forms Found in the English ULB:

praise ... in song, psalm, psalmist, psalms, psalms of praise, songs

puffed up

Definition:

The term "puffed up" refers literally to something that is full of air and so larger than its normal size. is a figurative expression that refers to being boastful, proud, or arrogant.

• A person who is puffed up has an attitude of feeling superior to others.
• Paul taught that knowing a lot of information or having religious experiences can lead to being "puffed up" or proud.
• Other languages may have a similar idiom or a different one that expresses this meaning, such as "having a big head."
• This could also be translated as "very proud" or "disdainful of others" or "haughty" or "thinking oneself better than others."

(See also: arrogant, proud)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 04:6-7
• 1 Corinthians 08:01
• 2 Corinthians 12:6-7
• Habakkuk 02:04

Word Data:

• Strong's: H6075, G5448

Forms Found in the English ULB:

puffed up, puffs up

rage

Related Ideas:

enrage

Definitions:

Rage is excessive anger what is out of control. When someone rages, it means that person is expressing anger in a destructive way.

• Rage happens when the emotion of anger causes a person to lose self control.
• When controlled by rage, people commit destructive acts and say destructive things.
• When the "nations rage," their to ungodly people disobey God and rebel against him.
• To be "filled with rage" means to have an overwhelming feeling of extreme anger.
• "Senseless rage" is rage that comes from no good reason or that prevents the angry person from thinking clearly.
• To "enrage" someone means to make them extremely angry.
• To "enrage" against someone is to be extremely angry with someone.
• When someone is "enraged" he is extremely angry."

"Rage" can also be used figuratively.

• The term to "rage" can also mean to move powerfully, in descriptions such as a "raging" storm or ocean waves that "rage."

(See also: angry, self-control)

Bible References:

• Acts 04:25
• Daniel 03:13
• Luke 04:28
• Numbers 25:11
• Proverbs 19:03

Word Data:

• Strong's: H398, H1348, H1993, H2121, H2195, H2196, H2197, H2528, H2534, H2734, H2740, H3820, H5590, H5678, H7264, H7265, H7266, H7267, H7857, G454, G1693, G2372, G2830, G3710, G5433

Forms Found in the English ULB:

enrage, enraged, rage, raged, rages, raging, senseless rage

raise

Related Ideas:

arise, rise, risen

Definition:

raise, raise up

In general, the word "raise" means to "lift up" or "make higher."

• The figurative phrase "raise up" means to cause something to come into being or to appear. It can also mean to appoint someone to do something.
• Sometimes "raise up" means to restore or rebuild.
• "Raise" has a specialized meaning in the phrase "raise from the dead." It means to cause a dead person to become alive again.
• Sometimes "raise up" means to exalt someone or something or make someone or something truly great.

rise, arise

To "rise" or "arise" means to "go up" or "get up." The terms "risen," "rose," and "arose" express past action.

• When a person gets up to go somewhere, this is sometimes expressed as "he arose and went" or "he rose up and went."
• If something "arises" it means it "happens" or "begins to happen."
• Jesus predicted that he would "rise from the dead." Three days after Jesus died, the angel said, "He has risen!"
• A person who suddenly becomes important is said to "arise."

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "raise" or "raise up" could be translated as "lift up" or "make higher."
• To "raise up" could also be translated as to "cause to appear" or to "appoint" or to "bring into existence."
• To "raise up the strength of your enemies" could be translated as, "cause your enemies to be very strong."
• The phrase "raise someone from the dead" could be translated as "cause someone to return from death to life" or "cause someone to come back to life."
• Depending on the context, "raise up" could also be translated as "provide" or to "appoint" or to "cause to have" or "build up" or "rebuild" or "repair."
• The phrase "arose and went" could be translated as "got up and went" or "went."
• Depending on the context, the term "arose" could also be translated as "began" or "started up" or "got up" or "stood up."

(See also: resurrection, appoint, exalt)

Bible References:

• 2 Chronicles 06:41
• 2 Samuel 07:12
• Acts 10:40
• Colossians 03:01
• Deuteronomy 13:1-3
• Jeremiah 06:01
• Judges 02:18
• Luke 07:22
• Matthew 20:19

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1804, H2210, H2224, H5375, H5549, H5782, H5927, H5975, H6965, H6966, H7613, G305, G386, G393, G450, G1127, G1326, G1453, G1525, G1817, G1825, G1892, G1999, G4891, G5312

Forms Found in the English ULB:

arise, arisen, arises, raise, raise up, raised, raises, raising, raising up, rise, rise up, risen, rises, rising, rose

receive

Related Ideas:

abstain, receiver

Definition:

The term "receive" generally means to get or accept something that is given, offered, or presented.

• To "receive" can also mean to suffer or experience something, as in "he received punishment for what he did."
• There is also a special sense in which we can "receive" a person. For example, to "receive" guests or visitors means to welcome them and treat them with honor in order to build a relationship with them.
• To "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" means we are given the Holy Spirit and welcome him to work in and through our lives.
• To "receive Jesus" means to accept God's offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.
• When a blind person "receives his sight" means that God has healed him and enabled him to see.
• The word "abstain" means to refuse to take or receive or have something.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, "receive" could be translated as "accept" or "welcome" or "experience" or "be given."
• The expression "you will receive power" could be translated as "you will be given power" or "God will give you power" or "power will be given to you (by God)" or "God will cause the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in you."
• The phrase "received his sight" could be translated as "was able to see" or "became able to see again."

(See also: Holy Spirit, Jesus, lord, save)

Bible References:

• 1 John 05:09
• 1 Thessalonians 01:06
• 1 Thessalonians 04:01
• Acts 08:15
• Jeremiah 32:33
• Luke 09:05
• Malachi 03:10-12
• Psalms 049:14-15

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3557, H3925, H3947, H5144, H6901, H6902, H8254, G308, G324, G353, G354, G568, G588, G618, G1183, G1184, G1209, G1523, G1653, G1926, G2865, G2983, G3028, G3335, G3336, G3549, G3858, G3880, G4047, G4327, G4355, G4356, G4687, G5264, G5562

Forms Found in the English ULB:

abstain, receive, receive back, received, received ... in full, receiver, receives, receiving

reconcile

Related Ideas:

reconciliation

Definition:

The term "reconcile" refers to "making peace" between people who were formerly enemies of each other. "Reconciliation" is that act of making peace

• In the Bible, this term usually refers to God reconciling people to himself through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ.
• Because of sin, all human beings are God's enemies. But because of his compassionate love, God provided a way for people to be reconciled to him through Jesus.
• Through trusting in Jesus' sacrifice as payment for their sin, people can be forgiven and have peace with God.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "reconcile" could be translated as "make peace" or "restore good relations" or "cause to be friends."
• The term "reconciliation" could be translated as "restoring good relations" or "making peace" or "causing peaceful relating."

(See also: peace, sacrifice)

Bible References:

• 2 Corinthians 05:19
• Colossians 01:18-20
• Matthew 05:24
• Proverbs 13:17-18
• Romans 05:10

Word Data:

• Strong's: G525, G604, G1259, G2643, G2644

Forms Found in the English ULB:

reconcile, reconciled, reconciles, reconciliation, reconciling

redeem

Related Ideas:

redeemer, redemption

Definition:

To "redeem" and "redemption" refer to buy back something or someone that was previously owned or held captive. "Redemption" is the action of doing that. A "redeemer" is someone who redeems something or someone.

• God gave laws to the Israelites about how to redeem people or things.
• For example, someone could redeem a person who was in slavery by paying the price so that the slave could go free. The word "ransom" also refers to this practice.
• If someone's land had been sold, a relative of that person could "redeem" or "buy back" that land so that it would stay in the family.
• These practices show how God redeems people who are in slavery to sin. When he died on the cross, Jesus paid the full price for people's sins and redeemed all those who trust in him for salvation. People who have been redeemed by God are set free from sin and its punishment.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, the term "redeem" could also be translated as "buy back" or "pay to free (someone)" or "ransom."
• The term "redemption" could be translated as "ransom" or "freedom payment" or "the buying back."
• The words "ransom" and "redeem" have basically the same meaning, so some languages may have only one term to translate both these terms. The word "ransom," however, can also mean the payment necessary.

(See also: free, ransom)

Bible References:

• Colossians 01:13-14
• Ephesians 01:7-8
• Ephesians 05:16
• Galatians 03:13-14
• Galatians 04:05
• Luke 02:38
• Ruth 02:20

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1350, H1353, H6299, H6302, H6306, H6304, H7069, G629, G1805, G3084, G3085

Forms Found in the English ULB:

redeem, redeemed, redeemer, redeems, redemption

reed

Definitions:

The term "reed" refers to a plant with a long stalk that grows in the water, usually along the edge of a river or stream.

• The reeds in the Nile River where Moses was hidden as a baby were also called "bulrushes." They were tall, hollow stalks growing in dense clumps in the river water.
• These fibrous plants were used in ancient Egypt for making paper, baskets, and boats.
• The stalk of the reed plant is flexible and is easily bent over by the wind.

(See also: Egypt, Moses, Nile River)

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 14:15
• Luke 07:24
• Matthew 11:07
• Matthew 12:20
• Psalm 068:30

Word Data:

• Strong's: H98, H100, H260, G4464, H5488, H6169, H7070, G2563

Forms Found in the English ULB:

reed, reeds

reveal

Related Ideas:

revelation

Definition:

The term "reveal" means to cause something to be known. A "revelation" is something that has been made known.

• God has revealed himself through everything he has created and through his communication with people by spoken and written messages.
• God also reveals himself through dreams or visions.
• When Paul said that he received the gospel by "revelation from Jesus Christ," he means that Jesus himself explained the gospel to him.
• In the New Testament book "Revelation," God revealed events that will happen in the end times. He revealed them to the apostle John through visions.

Translation Suggestions:

• Other ways to translate "reveal" could include "make known" or "disclose" or "show clearly."
• Depending on the context, possible ways to translate "revelation" could be "communication from God" or "things that God has revealed" or "teachings about God." It is best to keep the meaning of "reveal" in the translation.
• The phrase "where there is no revelation" could be translated as "when God is not revealing himself to people" or "when God is not speaking to people" or "among people whom God has not communicating."

(See also: dream, vision)

Bible References:

• Daniel 11:1-2
• Ephesians 03:05
• Galatians 01:12
• Lamentations 02:13-14
• Matthew 10:26
• Philippians 03:15
• Revelation 01:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1540, H1541, H1540, H5046, H7200, G601, G602, G1213, G1453, G3377, G5318, G5319, G5537

Forms Found in the English ULB:

reveal, revealed, revealing, reveals, revelation, revelations

reward

Related Ideas:

pay, penalty, prize, recompense, retribution, rewarder, wage

Definition:

The term "reward" refers to what a person receives or earns because of something he has done, either good or bad. To "reward" someone is to give someone something he deserves.

• A reward can be a good thing that a person receives because he has done something well or because he has obeyed God.
• Sometimes a reward can refer to bad things that may result from bad behavior, such as "the reward of the wicked." This is either punishment or other painful things that happen to people because of their sinful actions.
• "Payment" and "wages" refer to what a person earns for working. These ideas can also be used to refer to a reward for doing good or to punishment for doing bad.
• A "prize" is a reward that someone receives for winning a contest.
• A "penalty" is a punishment for breaking the law.
• "Recompense" can be either good or bad. Good recompense is for good deeds, and bad recompense is for bad deeds.
• "Retribution" is punishment for doing wrong.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, the term "reward" could be translated as "payment" or "something that is deserved" or "punishment."
• To "reward" someone could be translated by to "repay" or to "punish" or to "give what is deserved."

(See also: punish)

Bible References:

• Deuteronomy 32:06
• Isaiah 40:10
• Luke 06:35
• Mark 09:40-41
• Matthew 05:11-12
• Matthew 06:3-4
• Psalms 127:3-5
• Revelation 11:18

Word Data:

• Strong's: H314, H319, H814, H866, H868, H1576, H1578, H1580, H2506, H3519, H4909, H4991, H5023, H6118, H6468, H6529, H7936, H7938, H7939, H7966, H7999, H8254, G469, G514, G591, G2603, G3405, G3406, G3408, G5485

Forms Found in the English ULB:

pay, pay ... back, pays ... back, payment, penalty, prize, recompense, repay, repayment, retribution, reward, rewarded, rewarder, rewarding, rewards, wage, wages

right hand

Related Ideas:

righthand side

Definition:

The figurative expression "right hand" refers to the place of honor or strength on the right side of a ruler or other important individual.

• The right hand is also used as a symbol of power, authority, or strength.
• The Bible describes Jesus as sitting "at the right hand of" God the Father as the head of the body of believers (the Church) and in control as ruler of all creation.
• A person's right hand was used to show special honor when placed on the head of someone being given a blessing (as when the patriarch Jacob blessed Joseph's son Ephraim).
• To "serve at the right hand" of someone means to be the one whose service is especially helpful and important to that person.

Translation Suggestions:

• Sometimes the term "right hand" literally refers to a person's right hand, as when Roman soldiers put a staff into Jesus' right hand to mock him. This should be translated using the term that the language uses to refer to this hand.
• Regarding figurative uses, if an expression that includes the term "right hand" does not have the same meaning in the project language, then consider whether that language has a different expression with the same meaning.
• The expression "at the right hand of" could be translated as "on the right side of" or "in the place of honor beside" or "in the position of strength" or "ready to help."
• Ways to translate "with his right hand" could include "with authority" or "using power" or "with his amazing strength."
• The figurative expression "his right hand and his mighty arm" uses two ways of emphasizing God's power and great strength. One way to translate this expression could be "his amazing strength and mighty power."
• The expression "their right hand is falsehood" could be translated as, "even the most honorable thing about them is corrupted by lies" or "their place of honor is corrupted by deception" or "they use lies to make themselves powerful."

(See also: accuse, evil, honor, mighty, punish, rebel)

Bible References:

• Acts 02:33
• Colossians 03:01
• Galatians 02:09
• Genesis 48:14
• Hebrews 10:12
• Lamentations 02:03
• Matthew 25:33
• Matthew 26:64
• Psalms 044:03
• Revelation 02:1-2

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3225, H3231, G1188

Forms Found in the English ULB:

right hand, right hands, righthand side

righteous

Related Ideas:

right, rightly, righteousness, rightful, upright

Definition:

The term "righteousness" refers to God's absolute goodness, justice, faithfulness, and love. Having these qualities makes God "righteous." Because God is righteous, he must condemn sin.

• These terms are also often used to describe a person who obeys God and is morally good. However, because all people have sinned, no one except God is completely righteous.
• Examples of people the Bible who were called "righteous" include Noah, Job, Abraham, Zachariah, and Elisabeth.
• When people trust in Jesus to save them, God cleanses them from their sins and declares them to be righteous because of Jesus' righteousness.

The term "unrighteous" means to be sinful and morally corrupt. "Unrighteousness" can refer to sin or the condition of being sinful.

• These terms especially refer to living in a way that disobeys God's teachings and commands.
• Unrighteous people are immoral in their thoughts and actions.
• Sometimes "the unrighteous" refers specifically to people who do not believe in Jesus.
• "Unrighteousness" can be an abstract noun that refers to words or actions that are unrighteous.

The terms "upright" and "uprightness" refer to acting in a way that follows God's laws.

• The meaning of these words includes the idea of standing up straight and looking directly ahead.
• A person who is "upright" is someone who obeys God's rules and does not do things that are against his will.
• Terms such as "integrity" and "righteous" have similar meanings and are sometimes used in parallelism constructions, such as "integrity and uprightness."

Translation Suggestions:

• When it describes God, the term "righteous" could be translated as "perfectly good and just" or "always acting rightly."

• God's "righteousness" could also be translated as "perfect faithfulness and goodness."

• When it describes people who are obedient to God, the term "righteous" could also be translated as "morally good" or "just" or "living a God-pleasing life."

• The phrase "the righteous" could also be translated as "righteous people" or "God-fearing people."

• Depending on the context, "righteousness" could also be translated with a word or phrase that means "goodness" or "being perfect before God" or "acting in a right way by obeying God" or "doing perfectly good

• Sometimes "the righteous" was used figuratively and referred to "people who think they are good" or "people who seem to be righteous."

• The term "unrighteous" could simply be translated as "not righteous."

• Depending on the context, other ways to translate this could include "wicked" or "immoral" or "people who rebel against God" or "sinful."

• The phrase "the unrighteous" could be translated as "unrighteous people."

• The term "unrighteousness" could be translated as "sin" or "evil thoughts and actions" or "wickedness."

• If possible, it is best to translate this in a way that shows its relationship to "righteous, righteousness."

• Ways to translate "upright" could include "acting rightly" or "one who acts rightly" or "following God's laws" or "obedient to God" or "behaving in a way that is right."

• The term "uprightness" could be translated as "moral purity" or "good moral conduct" or "rightness."

• The phrase "the upright" could be translated as "people who are upright" or "upright people."

(See also: evil, faithful, good, holy, integrity, just, law, law, obey, pure, sin, unlawful)

Bible References:

• Deuteronomy 19:16
• Job 01:08
• Psalms 037:30
• Psalms 049:14
• Psalms 107:42
• Ecclesiastes 12:10-11
• Isaiah 48:1-2
• Ezekiel 33:13
• Malachi 02:06
• Matthew 06:01
• Acts 03:13-14
• Romans 01:29-31
• 1 Corinthians 06:09
• Galatians 03:07
• Colossians 03:25
• 2 Thessalonians 02:10
• 2 Timothy 03:16
• 1 Peter 03:18-20
• 1 John 01:09
• 1 John 05:16-17

Word Data:

• Strong's: H205, H2555, H3072, H3474, H3476, H3477, H3483, H4334, H4339, H5228, H5229, H5324, H5765, H5766, H5767, H5977, H6662, H6663, H6664, H6665, H6666, H8535, H8537, H8549, H8552, G93, G94, G458, G824, G1341, G1342, G1343, G1344, G1345, G1346, G2118

Forms Found in the English ULB:

acts rightly, do right, does what is right, in the right, made ... appear ... righteous, right treatment, righteous, righteously, righteousness, rightful, that are right, that is right, unrighteous, unrighteously, unrighteousness, upright, uprightly, uprightness, what is ... right, what was right

ruler

Related Ideas:

overrule, rule

Definition:

The term "ruler" is a general reference to a person who has authority over other people, such as a leader of a country, kingdom, or religious group. A ruler is one who "rules," and his authority is his "rule."

• In the Old Testament, a king was sometimes referred to generally as a "ruler," as in the phrase "appointed him ruler over Israel."
• God was referred to as the ultimate ruler, who rules over all other rulers.
• In the New Testament, the leader of a synagogue was called a "ruler."
• Another type of ruler in the New Testament was a "governor."
• Depending on the context, "ruler" could be translated as "leader" or "person who has authority over."
• The action to "rule" means to "lead" to "have authority over." It is means the same thing as "reign" when it refers to the ruling of a king.
• To "overrule" people or their plans is to use one's higher authority to prohibit people from doing what they have planned.

(See also: authority, governor, king, synagogue)

Bible References:

• Acts 03:17-18
• Acts 07:35-37
• Luke 12:11
• Luke 23:35
• Mark 10:42
• Matthew 09:32-34
• Matthew 20:25
• Titus 03:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H117, H995, H1166, H1167, H1404, H2708, H2710, H3027, H3548, H3920, H4043, H4410, H4428, H4438, H4467, H4474, H4475, H4896, H4910, H4941, H5057, H5065, H5387, H5401, H5461, H5633, H5715, H6113, H6213, H6485, H6957, H7101, H7218, H7287, H7336, H7786, H7860, H7980, H7981, H7985, H7989, H7990, H8199, H8269, H8323, H8451, G746, G752, G757, G758, G932, G936, G1018, G1203, G1299, G1778, G1785, G2232, G2233, G2525, G2888, G2961, G3545, G3841, G4165, G4291

Forms Found in the English ULB:

overruled, overrules, rule, ruled, ruler, rulers, rules, ruling, rulings

seek

Related Ideas:

go to find, look out for, search, try

Definition:

The term "seek" means to look for something or someone. The past tense is "sought." It can also mean "try hard" or "make an effort" to do something.

• To "seek" or "look for" an opportunity to do something can mean to "try to find a time" to do it.
• To "seek Yahweh" means to "spend time and energy getting to know Yahweh and learning to obey him."
• To "seek protection" means to "try to find a person or place that will protect you from danger."
• To "seek justice" means to "make an effort to see that people are treated justly or fairly."
• To "seek the truth" means to "make an effort to find out what the truth is."
• To "search out" something is to look for the truth about that thing.
• To "seek favor" means to "try to get favor" or to "do things to cause someone to help you."
• To "charge someone for something" is to hold that person responsible for the damage that person has done.

(See also: just, true)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 10:14
• Acts 17:26-27
• Hebrews 11:06
• Luke 11:09
• Psalms 027:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H579, H1156, H1239, H1243, H1245, H1556, H1875, H2470, H2603, H2658, H2664, H2713, H3289, H7125, H7592, H7760, H7836, H8446, G327, G1567, G1934, G2045, G2052, G2212, G3987, G4648

Forms Found in the English ULB:

diligently seek, go to find, look out for, looked for, looking for, looks for, search, search carefully, search for, searched, searched for, searched out, searches ... out, searches for, searching, searching for, seek, seek ... out, seeking, seeks, sought, tried, try, trying

servant

Related Ideas:

assistant, attendant, hired worker, maidservant, office, serve, service

Definition:

The word "servant" refers to a person who works for another person, either by choice or by force. Some servants were slaves, and the surrounding text usually makes it clear whether or not a particular servant was a slave. In Bible times, there was less of a difference between a servant and a slave than there is today. Both servants and slaves were an important part of their master's household and many were treated almost like members of the family. Sometimes a servant would choose to become a lifetime servant to his master.

• A slave was a kind of servant who was the property of the person he worked for. The person who bought a slave was called his "owner" or "master." Some masters treated their slaves very cruelly, while other masters treated their slaves very well, as a servant who was a valued member of the household.
• In ancient times, some people became slaves to a person they owed money to in order to pay off their debt to that person.
• In the Bible, the phrase "I am your servant" was used as a sign of respect and service to a person of higher rank, such as a king. It did not mean that the person speaking was an actual servant.
• In the Old Testament, God's prophets and other people who worshiped God were often referred to as his "servants."
• In the New Testament, people who obeyed God through faith in Christ were often called his "servants."
• Christians are also called "slaves to righteousness," which is a metaphor that compares the commitment to obey God to a slave's commitment to obey his master.

The word "serve" means to do things to help other people. It can also mean to "worship."

• In the context of a person serving guests, this term means "care for" or "serve food to" or "provide food for." When Jesus told the disciples to "serve" the fish to the people, this could be translated as, "distribute" or "hand out" or "give."
• To "serve God" can be translated as to "worship and obey God" or to "do the work that God has commanded."
• People who teach others about God are said to serve both God and the ones they are teaching.
• The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians about how they used to "serve" the old covenant. This refers to obeying the laws of Moses. Now they "serve" the new covenant. That is, because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, believers in Jesus are enabled by the Holy Spirit to please God and live holy lives.

The word "service" refers to the work that a servant does. It may also refer to worship.

The word "office" refers to the position or job that a servant has.

(See also: commit, enslave, household, lord, obey, righteous, covenant, law)

Bible References

• Acts 04:29-31
• Acts 10:7-8
• Colossians 01:7-8
• Colossians 03:22-25
• Genesis 21:10-11
• Luke 12:47-48
• Mark 09:33-35
• Matthew 10:24-25
• Matthew 13:27-28
• 2 Timothy 02:3-5
• Acts 06:2-4
• Genesis 25:23
• Luke 04:8
• Luke 12:37-38
• Luke 22:26-27
• Mark 08:7-10
• Matthew 04:10-11
• Matthew 06:24

Word Data:

• Strong's: H327, H519, H519, H4931, H5288, H5647, H5649, H5650, H5656, H5657, H5659, H5673, H6402, H6635, H7916, H8120, H8198, H8278, H8334, H8335, G1199, G1247, G1248, G1249, G1397, G1398, G1401, G1402, G2038, G2322, G2324, G2615, G2999, G3000, G3008, G3009, G3010, G3011, G3407, G3411, G3610, G3814, G3816, G4342, G5256, G5257

Forms Found in the English ULB:

female servant, female servants, hired servant, hired servants, hired worker, maidservants, male servant, male servants, office, offices, one who serves, servant, servant girl, servant girls, servant's, servants, servants', serve, served, serves, service, services, serving

sexual immorality

Related Ideas:

fornicate, fornication, immoral

Definition:

The term "sexual immorality" refers to sexual activity that takes place outside the marriage relationship of a man and a woman. This is against God's plan. Older English Bible versions call this "fornication."

• This term can refer to any kind of sexual activity that is against God's will, including homosexual acts and pornography.
• One type of sexual immorality is adultery, which is sexual activity specifically between a married person and someone who is not that person's spouse.
• Another type of sexual immorality is "prostitution," which involves being paid to have sex with someone.
• This term is also used figuratively to refer to Israel's unfaithfulness to God when they worshiped false gods.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "sexual immorality" could be translated as "immorality" as long as the correct meaning of the term is understood.
• Other ways to translate this term could include "wrong sexual acts" or "sex outside of marriage."
• This term should be translated in a different way from the term "adultery."
• The translation of this term's figurative uses should retain the literal term if possible since there is a common comparison in the Bible between unfaithfulness to God and unfaithfulness in the sexual relationship.

(See also: adultery, false god, prostitute, faithful)

Bible References:

• Acts 15:20
• Acts 21:25-26
• Colossians 03:5-8
• Ephesians 05:03
• Genesis 38:24-26
• Hosea 04:13-14
• Matthew 05:31-32
• Matthew 19:7-9

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2181, H8457, G1608, G4202, G4203

Forms Found in the English ULB:

fornicate, fornicates, fornication, fornications, immoral, immorality, sexual immorality

shadow

Related Ideas:

overshadow, shade

Definition:

The word "shadow" literally refers to the darkness that is caused by an object blocking the light. The shadow has a shape similar to the shape of the object that blocks the light.

• The word "overshadow" means to block the light from above and cause a shadow to appear on something.
• The word "shade" means a dark area where the sunlight is blocked, perhaps by a cloud or a trees.

The word "shadow" also has several figurative meanings.

• The "shadow of death" means that death is present or near, just as a shadow indicates the presence of its object.
• Many times in the Bible, the life of a human being is compared to a shadow, which does not last very long and has no substance.
• Sometimes "shadow" is used as another word for "darkness."
• The Bible talks about being hidden or protected in the shadow of God's wings or hands. This is a picture of being protected and hidden from danger. Other ways to translate "shadow" in these contexts could include "shade" or "safety" or "protection."
• It is best to translate "shadow" literally using the local term that is used to refer to an actual shadow.

(See also: darkness, light)

Bible References:

• 2 Kings 20:09
• Genesis 19:08
• Isaiah 30:02
• Jeremiah 06:04
• Psalms 017:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H2927, H6738, H6751, H6752, H6754, H6757, G644, G1982, G2683, G4639

Forms Found in the English ULB:

overshadow, overshadowed, shade, shadow, shadows

sin

Related Ideas:

sinful, sinner

Definition:

The term "sin" refers to actions, thoughts, and words that are against God's will and laws. Sin can also refer to not doing something that God wants us to do.

• Sin includes anything we do that does not obey or please God, even things that other people don't know about.
• Thoughts and actions that disobey God's will are called "sinful."
• Because Adam sinned, all human beings are born with a "sinful nature," a nature that that controls them and causes them to sin.
• A "sinner" is someone who sins, so every human being is a sinner.
• Sometimes the word "sinners" was used by religious people like the Pharisees to refer to people who didn't keep the law as well as the Pharisees thought they should.
• The term "sinner" was also used for people who were considered to be worse sinners than other people. For example, this label was given to tax collectors and prostitutes.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "sin" could be translated with a word or phrase that means "disobedience to God" or "going against God's will" or "evil behavior and thoughts" or "wrongdoing."
• To "sin" could also be translated as to "disobey God" or to "do wrong."
• Depending on the context "sinful" could be translated as "full of wrongdoing" or "wicked" or "immoral" or "evil" or "rebelling against God."
• Depending on the context the term "sinner" could be translated with a word or phrase that means, "person who sins" or "person who does wrong things" or "person who disobeys God" or "person who disobeys the law."
• The term "sinners" could be translated by a word or phrase that means "very sinful people" or "people considered to be very sinful" or "immoral people."
• Ways to translate "tax collectors and sinners" could include "people who collect money for the government, and other very sinful people" or "very sinful people, including (even) tax collectors."
• In expressions like "slaves to sin" or "ruled by sin," the term "sin" could be translated as "disobedience" or "evil desires and actions."
• Make sure the translation of this term can include sinful behavior and thoughts, even those that other people don't see or know about.
• The term "sin" should be general, and different from the terms for "wickedness" and "evil."

(See also: disobey, evil, flesh, tax collector)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 09:1-3
• 1 John 01:10
• 1 John 02:02
• 2 Samuel 07:12-14
• Acts 03:19
• Daniel 09:24
• Genesis 04:07
• Hebrews 12:02
• Isaiah 53:11
• Jeremiah 18:23
• Leviticus 04:14
• Luke 15:18
• Matthew 12:31
• Romans 06:23
• Romans 08:04

Word Data:

• Strong's: H817, H819, H2398, H2399, H2400, H2401, H2402, H2403, H2408, H2409, H6588, H7683, H7686, G93, G264, G265, G266, G268, G361, G3781, G3900, G4258

Forms Found in the English ULB:

sin, sinful, sinned, sinner, sinners, sinning, sins

slander

Related Ideas:

slanderer, slanderous, speak evil about

Definition:

Slander consists of negative, defaming things spoken (not written) about another person. To say such things (not to write them) about someone is to slander that person. The person saying such things is a slanderer.

• Slander may be a true report or a false accusation, but its effect is to cause others to think negatively of the person being slandered.
• To "slander" could be translated as to "speak against" or to "spread an evil report" or to "defame."
• The word "slanderer" could also be translated as "tale-bearer."

(See also: blasphemy)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 04:13
• 1 Timothy 03:11
• 2 Corinthians 06:8-10
• Mark 07:20-23

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1681, H1696, H1848, H3960, H5791, H7270, H7400, H8267, G987, G988, G1228, G1426, G2635, G2636, G2637, G3059, G3060

Forms Found in the English ULB:

slander, slandered, slanderer, slanderers, slandering, slanderous, slanders, speak evil about, spoken of as evil

son

Definition:

The male offspring of a man and a woman is called their "son" for his entire life. He is also called a son of that man and a son of that woman. An "adopted son" is a male who has been legally placed into the position of being a son.

• "Son" was often used figuratively in the Bible to refer to any male descendant, such as a grandson or great-grandson.
• The term "son" can also be used as a polite form of address to a boy or man who is younger than the speaker.
• Sometimes "sons of God" was used in the New Testament to refer to believers in Christ.
• God called Israel his "firstborn son." This refers to God's choosing of the nation of Israel to be his special people. It is through them that God's message of redemption and salvation came, with the result that many other people have become his spiritual children.
• The phrase "son of" often has the figurative meaning "person having the characteristics of." Examples of this include "sons of the light," "sons of disobedience," "a son of peace," and "sons of thunder."
• The phrase "son of" is also used to tell who a person's father is. This phrase is used in genealogies and many other places.
• Using "son of" to give the name of the father frequently helps distinguish people who have the same name. For example, "Azariah son of Zadok" and "Azariah son of Nathan" in 1 Kings 4, and "Azariah son of Amaziah" in 2 Kings 15 are three different men.

Translation Suggestions:

• In most occurrences of this term, it is best to translate "son" by the literal term in the language that is used to refer to a son.
• When translating the term "Son of God," the project language's common term for "son" should be used.
• When used to refer to a descendant rather than a direct son, the term "descendant" could be used, as in referring to Jesus as the "descendant of David" or in genealogies where sometimes "son" referred to a male descendant who was not an actual son.
• Sometimes "sons" can be translated as "children," when both males and females are being referred to. For example, "sons of God" could be translated as "children of God" since this expression also includes girls and women.
• The figurative expression "son of" could also be translated as "someone who has the characteristics of" or "someone who is like" or "someone who has" or "someone who acts like."

(See also: Azariah, descendant, ancestor, firstborn, Son of God, sons of God)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 18:15
• 1 Kings 13:02
• 1 Thessalonians 05:05
• Galatians 04:07
• Hosea 11:01
• Isaiah 09:06
• Matthew 03:17
• Matthew 05:09
• Matthew 08:12
• Nehemiah 10:28

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1060, H1121, H1123, H1247, H1248, H3173, H3206, H3211, H5209, H5220, G3816, G5043, G5207

Forms Found in the English ULB:

son, son's, sons

soul

Related Ideas:

person

Definition:

The soul is the inner, invisible part of a person. It refers to the non-physical part of a person. It is the part of a person that continues living after the body dies.

• The terms "soul" and "spirit" may be two different concepts, or they may be two terms that refer to the same concept.
• When a person dies, his soul leaves his body.
• The word "soul" is sometimes used figuratively to refer to the whole person. For example, "the soul who sins" means "the person who sins" and "my soul is tired" means,"I am tired."

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "soul" could also be translated as "inner self" or "inner person."
• In some contexts, "my soul" could be translated as "I" or "me."
• Usually the phrase "the soul" can be translated as "the person" or "he" or "him," depending on the context.
• Some languages might only have one word for the concepts "soul" and "spirit."
• In Hebrews 4:12, the figurative phrase "dividing soul and spirit" could mean "deeply discerning or exposing the inner person."

(See also: spirit)

Bible References:

• 2 Peter 02:08
• Acts 02:27-28
• Acts 02:41
• Genesis 49:06
• Isaiah 53:10-11
• James 01:21
• Jeremiah 06:16-19
• Jonah 02:7-8
• Luke 01:47
• Matthew 22:37
• Psalms 019:07
• Revelation 20:4

Word Data:

• Strong's: H5315, G5590

Forms Found in the English ULB:

person, persons, soul, souls

spirit

Related Ideas:

ghost, spiritual

Definition:

The term "spirit" refers to the non-physical part of people which cannot be seen. When a person dies, his spirit leaves his body. "Spirit" can also refer to an attitude or emotional state.

• The term "spirit" can refer to a being that does not have a physical body, especially an evil spirit.
• A person's spirit is the part of him that can know God and believe in him.
• In general, the term "spiritual" describes anything in the non-physical world.
• In the Bible, it especially refers to anything that relates to God, specifically to the Holy Spirit.
• For example, "spiritual food" refers to God's teachings, which give nourishment to a person's spirit, and "spiritual wisdom" refers to the knowledge and righteous behavior that come from the power of the Holy Spirit.
• God is a spirit and he created other spirit beings, who do not have physical bodies.
• Angels are spirit beings, including those who rebelled against God and became evil spirits.
• The term "spirit of" can also mean "having the characteristics of," such as in "spirit of wisdom" or "in the spirit of Elijah."
• Examples of "spirit" as an attitude or emotion would include "spirit of fear" and "spirit of jealousy."

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, some ways to translate "spirit" might include "non-physical being" or "inside part" or "inner being."
• In some contexts, the term "spirit" could be translated as "evil spirit" or "evil spirit being."
• Sometimes the term "spirit" is used to express the feelings of a person, as in "my spirit was grieved in my inmost being." This could also be translated as "I felt grieved in my spirit" or "I felt deeply grieved."
• The phrase "spirit of" could be translated as "character of" or "influence of" or "attitude of" or "thinking (that is) characterized by."
• Depending on the context, "spiritual" could be translated as "non-physical" or "from the Holy Spirit" or "God's" or "part of the non-physical world."
• The figurative expression "spiritual milk" could also be translated as "basic teachings from God" or "God's teachings that nourish the spirit (like milk does)."
• The phrase "spiritual maturity" could be translated as "godly behavior that shows obedience to the Holy Spirit."
• The term "spiritual gift" could be translated as "special ability that the Holy Spirit gives

(See also: angel, demon, Holy Spirit, soul, divination)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 05:05
• 1 John 04:03
• 1 Thessalonians 05:23
• Acts 05:09
• Colossians 01:09
• Ephesians 04:23
• Genesis 07:21-22
• Isaiah 04:04
• Mark 01:23-26
• Matthew 26:41
• Philippians 01:27

Word Data:

• Strong's: H178, H5397, H7307, H7308, G4151, G4152, G4153, G4861, G5326, G5427

Forms Found in the English ULB:

ghost, spirit, spirits, spiritual, spiritually

strength

Related Ideas:

strengthen, strong, stronger, strongest

Definitions:

The term "strength" refers to physical, emotional, or spiritual power. To "strengthen" someone or something means to make that person or object stronger.

• "Strength" can also refer to the power to withstand some kind of opposing force.
• A person has "strength of will" if he is able to avoid sinning when tempted.
• One writer of the Psalms called Yahweh his "strength" because God helped him to be strong.
• If a physical structure like a wall or building is being "strengthened," people are rebuilding the structure, reinforcing it with more stones or brick so that it can withstand an attack.

Translation Suggestions

• In general, the term "strengthen" can be translated as "cause to be strong" or "make more powerful."

• In a spiritual sense, the phrase "strengthen your brothers" could also be translated as "encourage your brothers" or "help your brothers to persevere."

• The following examples show the meaning of these terms in longer expressions and how they can be translated.

• "puts strength on me like a belt" means "causes me to be completely strong, like a belt that completely surrounds my waist."

• "in quietness and trust will be your strength" means "acting calmly and trusting in God will make you spiritually strong."

• "will renew their strength" means "will become stronger again."

• "by my strength and by my wisdom I acted" means "I have done all this because I am so strong and wise."

• "strengthen the wall" means "reinforce the wall" or "rebuild the wall."

• "I will strengthen you" means "I will cause you to be strong"

• "in Yahweh alone are salvation and strength" means "Yahweh is the only one who saves us and strengthens us."

• "the rock of your strength" means "the faithful one who makes you strong"

• "with the saving strength of his right hand" means "he strongly rescues you from trouble like someone who holds you safely with his strong hand."

• "of little strength" means "not very strong" or "weak."

• "with all my strength" means "using my best efforts" or "strongly and completely."

(See also: faithful, persevere, right hand, save)

Bible References:

• 2 Kings 18:19-21
• 2 Peter 02:11
• Luke 10:27
• Psalm 021:01

Word Data:

• Strong's: H193, H202, H353, H360, H386, H410, H553, H556, H1368, H1369, H1396, H2220, H2388, H2389, H2391, H2392, H2393, H2428, H3027, H3028, H3559, H3581, H3811, H3955, H4392, H4581, H5326, H5331, H5582, H5794, H5797, H5807, H5810, H5934, H5975, H6099, H6106, H6109, H6697, H6965, H7292, H7307, H8003, H8443, H8623, H8624, H8631, H8632, H8633, G461, G950, G1411, G1412, G1415, G1743, G1765, G1840, G1991, G2159, G2478, G2479, G2480, G2901, G2904, G3619, G4599, G4732, G4733, G4741

Forms Found in the English ULB:

become strong, made ... strong, made ... stronger, make ... strong, makes ... strong, strength, strengthen, strengthened, strengthening, strengthens, strong, stronger, strongest

submit

Related Ideas:

submission

Definition:

To "submit" usually means to voluntarily place oneself under the authority of a person or government.

• The Bible tells believers in Jesus to submit to God and other authorities in their lives.
• The instruction to "submit to one another" means to humbly accept correction and to focus on the needs of others rather than on our own needs.
• To "live in submission to" means to put oneself under the authority of something or someone.

Translation Suggestions:

• The command "submit to" could be translated as "put yourself under the authority of" or "follow the leadership of" or "humbly honor and respect"
• The term "submission" could be translated as "obedience" or "the following of authority."
• The phrase "live in submission to" could be translated as "be obedient to" or "put oneself under the authority of."
• The phrase "be in submission" could be translated as "humbly accept authority."

(See also: subject)

Bible References:

• 1 Corinthians 14:34-36
• 1 Peter 03:01
• Hebrews 13:15-17
• Luke 10:20

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3584, G5226, G5292, G5293

Forms Found in the English ULB:

in submission, submission, submit, submits, submitted, submitting

suffer

Related Ideas:

misery

Definition:

The terms "suffer" and "suffering" refer to experiencing something very unpleasant, such as illness, pain, or other hardships.

• When people are persecuted or when they are sick, they suffer.
• Sometimes people suffer because of wrong things they have done; other times they suffer because of sin and disease in the world.
• Suffering can be physical, such as feeling pain or sickness. It can also be emotional, such as feeling fear, sadness, or loneliness.
• 'Misery' is what a person feels when they suffer.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "suffer" can be translated as "feel pain" or "endure difficulty" or "experience hardships" or "go through difficult and painful experiences."
• Depending on the context, "suffering" could be translated as "extremely difficult circumstances" or "severe hardships" or "experiencing hardship" or "time of painful experiences."
• The phrase "suffer thirst" could be translated as "experience thirst" or "suffer with thirst."
• To "suffer violence" could also be translated as "undergo violence" or "be harmed by violent acts."

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 02:14-16
• 2 Thessalonians 01:3-5
• 2 Timothy 01:08
• Acts 07:11-13
• Isaiah 53:11
• Jeremiah 06:6-8
• Matthew 16:21
• Psalms 022:24
• Revelation 01:09
• Romans 05:3-5

Word Data:

• Strong's: H816, H943, H1741, H1934, H4531, G4912, H5142, H5375, H5999, H6001, H6031, H6040, H6041, H6090, H6770, H6869, H6887, H7489, H7661, G91, G941, G971, G2210, G2346, G2347, G2552, G2553, G2561, G3804, G3958, G4310, G4778, G4777, G4841, G5004

Forms Found in the English ULB:

miseries, suffer, suffered, suffering, sufferings, suffers

teach

Related Ideas:

educated, teaching, untaught

Definition:

To "teach" someone is to tell him something he doesn’t already know. It can also mean to "provide information" in general, with no reference to the person who is learning. Usually the information is given in a formal or systematic way. A person’s "teaching" is or his "teachings" are what he has taught.

• A "teacher" is someone who teaches. The past action of "teach" is "taught."
• When Jesus was teaching, he was explaining things about God and his kingdom.
• Jesus' disciples called him "Teacher" as a respectful form of address for someone who taught people about God.
• The information that is being taught can be shown or spoken.
• The phrase "what you have been taught" could also be translated as, "what these people have taught you" or "what God has taught you," depending on the context.
• Other ways to translate "teach" could include "tell" or "explain" or "instruct."
• Often this term can be translated as "teaching people about God."
• A person who is "educated" has been taught formally.
• A person who is "untaught" has not been taught.
• A "teaching" is the information that someone teaches.

(See also: instruct, teacher, word of God)

Bible References:

• 1 Timothy 01:03
• Acts 02:40-42
• John 07:14
• Luke 04:31
• Matthew 04:23
• Psalms 032:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H502, H995, H2094, H2449, H2596, H3045, H3046, H3256, H3384, H3925, H3948, H7919, H8150, H8451, G1317, G1319, G1321, G1322, G2085, G2605, G2727, G2312, G2567, G3811

Forms Found in the English ULB:

educated, taught, teach, teaches, teaching, teachings, untaught

tent

Related Ideas:

camp, encamp, tentmaker

Definition:

A tent is a portable shelter made of sturdy fabric that is draped over a structure of poles and attached to them.

• Tents can be small, with just enough space for a few people to sleep in, or they can be very large, with space for an entire family to sleep, cook, and live in.
• For many people, tents are used as permanent dwelling places. For example, during most of the time that Abraham's family lived in the land of Canaan, they dwelled in large tents constucted from sturdy cloth made of goat hair.
• The Israelites also lived in tents during their forty-year wanderings through the desert of Sinai.
• The tabernacle building was a kind of very large tent, with thick walls made of cloth curtains.
• When the apostle Paul traveled to different cities to share the gospel, he supported himself by making tents.
• The term "tents" is sometimes used figuratively to refer generally to where people live. This could also be translated as "homes" or "dwellings" or "houses" or even "bodies."
• To "camp" is to sleep in tents or other temporary shelters.
• To "encamp" is for an army to set up camp near a place they will attack.

(See also: Abraham, Canaan, curtain, Paul, Sinai, tabernacle, tent of meeting)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 05:10
• Daniel 11:45
• Exodus 16:18
• Genesis 12:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H167, H168, H2918, H3407, H4908, H6898, G3925, G4633, G4636

Forms Found in the English ULB:

camp, camped, camping, camps, encamp, encamped, encampments, encamps, tent, tentmakers, tents

test

Related Ideas:

put to the test

Definition:

The term "test" refers to a difficult or painful experience that reveals a person's strengths and weaknesses.

• God tests people, but he does not tempt them to sin. Satan, however, tempts people to sin.
• God sometimes uses tests to expose people's sin. A test helps a person to turn away from sin and to draw closer to God.
• Gold and other metals are tested with fire to find out how pure and strong they are. This is a picture of how God uses painful circumstances to test his people.
• To "put to the test" can mean, "challenge something or someone to prove its value."
• In the context of putting God to the test, it means to try to make him do a miracle for us, taking advantage of his mercy.
• Jesus told Satan that it is wrong to put God to the test. He is the almighty, holy God who is above everything and everyone.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term to "test" could also be translated as, to "challenge" or to "cause to experience difficulties" or to "prove."
• Ways to translate "a test" could be, "a challenge" or "a difficult experience."
• To "put to the test" could be translated as to "test" or to "set up a challenge" or to "force to prove oneself."
• In the context of testing God, this could be translated as, "trying to force God to prove his love."
• In some contexts, when God is not the subject, the term "test" can mean "tempt."

(See also: tempt)

Bible References:

• 1 John 04:01
• 1 Thessalonians 05:21
• Acts 15:10
• Genesis 22:01
• Isaiah 07:13
• James 01:12
• Lamentations 03:40-43
• Malachi 03:10
• Philippians 01:10
• Psalm 026:02

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1305, H2713, H5254, H5713, H5715, H5749, H6030, H8584, G350, G1252, G1263, G1381, G1382, G1598, G1957, G2983, G3140, G3141, G3142, G3143, G3984, G3985, G3986, G4451, G4828

Forms Found in the English ULB:

put ... to the test, test, tested, testing, tests

throne

Related Ideas:

enthroned, seat of authority

Definition:

A throne is a specially-designed chair where a ruler sits when he decides important matters and listens to requests from his people.

• A throne is also a symbol of the authority and power that a ruler has.
• The word "throne" is often used figuratively to refer to the ruler, his reign, or his power.
• In the Bible, God was often portrayed as a king who sits on his throne. Jesus was described as sitting on a throne at the right hand of God the Father.
• Jesus said that heaven is God's throne. One way to translate this could be, "where God reigns as king."
• "Seat of authority" is another way to refer to a throne.
• "Enthroned" means "sitting on a throne." In the Bible, this talks about Yahweh ruling from heaven or his presence being between the cherubim on the ark of the covenant.

(See also: authority, power, king, reign)

Bible References:

• Colossians 01:15-17
• Genesis 41:40
• Luke 01:32
• Luke 22:30
• Matthew 05:34
• Matthew 19:28
• Revelation 01:4-6

Word Data:

• Strong's: H3676, H3678, H3764, H7675, G968, G2362

Forms Found in the English ULB:

enthroned, seat of authority, throne, thrones

time

Definitions:

In the Bible the term "time" was often used to refer to a specific season or period of time when certain events took place. It has a meaning similar to "age" or "epoch" or "season."

• In both Daniel and Revelation speak of a "time" of great trouble or tribulation that will come upon the earth.
• In the phrase "time, times, and half a time" the term "time" means "year." This phrase refers to a three-and-a-half-year period of time during the great tribulation at the end of this present age.
• "Time" can mean "occasion" in a phrase like "third time." The phrase "many times" can mean "on many occasions."
• To be "on time" means to do something when expected or needed, not late.
• Depending on the context, the term "time" could be translated as, "season" or "time period" or "moment" or "event" or "occurrence."

(See also: age, tribulation)

Bible References:

• Acts 01:07
• Daniel 12:1-2
• Mark 11:11
• Matthew 08:29
• Psalms 068:28-29
• Revelation 14:15

Word Data:

• Strong's: H116, H227, H1697, H1755, H2165, H2166, H2233, H2465, H3027, H3117, H3118, H3119, H3259, H3427, H4150, H4279, H4489, H4557, H4592, H5331, H5703, H5732, H5750, H5769, H6235, H6256, H6440, H6471, H6924, H7105, H7138, H7223, H7272, H7637, H7651, H7655, H7659, H7674, H8027, H8032, H8138, H8145, H8160, H8462, H8543, G744, G530, G1074, G1208, G1441, G1597, G1626, G2034, G2119, G2121, G2250, G2540, G3461, G3568, G3764, G3819, G3999, G4181, G4183, G4218, G4287, G4340, G4455, G5151, G5305, G5550, G5551, G5610

Forms Found in the English ULB:

time, times

tradition

Definition:

The term "tradition" refers to a custom or practice that has been kept over time and which is passed down to people in later generations.

• Often in the Bible the word "traditions" referred to teachings and practices that people made, not God's laws. The expression "tradition of men" or "human tradition" makes this clear.
• Phrases such as "traditions of the elders" or "traditions of my fathers" referred specifically to Jewish customs and practices that Jewish leaders over time had added to the laws God gave to the Israelites through Moses. Even though these added traditions had not come from God, people thought they had to obey them in order to be righteous.
• The apostle Paul used the term "tradition" in a different way to refer to teachings about Christian practice that came from God and that he and other apostles had taught new believers.
• In modern times, there are many Christian traditions that are not taught in the Bible, but rather are the result of historically accepted customs and practices. These traditions should always be evaluated in light of what God teaches us in the Bible.

(See also: apostle, believe, Christian, ancestor, generation, Jew, law, Moses)

Bible References:

• 2 Thessalonians 03:6-9
• Colossians 02:08
• Galatians 01:13-14
• Mark 07:02
• Matthew 15:03

Word Data:

• Strong's: G3862

Forms Found in the English ULB:

tradition, traditions

trespass

Definition:

To "trespass" means to break a law or to violate the rights of another person. A "trespass" is the action of "trespassing."

• A trespass can be a violation of moral or civil law or a sin committed against another person.
• This term is related to the terms "sin," and "transgress," especially as it relates to disobeying God.
• All sins are trespasses against God.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, to "trespass against" could be translated as to "sin against" or to "break the rule."
• Some languages may have an expression like "cross the line" that could be used to translate "trespass."
• Consider how this term fits with the meaning of the surrounding Bible text and compare it to other terms that have a similar meaning, such as "transgress" and "sin."

(See also: disobey, iniquity, sin, transgress)

Bible References:

• 1 Samuel 25:28
• 2 Chronicles 26:16-18
• Colossians 02:13
• Ephesians 02:01
• Ezekiel 15:7-8
• Romans 05:17
• Romans 05:20-21

Word Data:

• Strong's: H819, H4604, H6588, G264, G3900

Forms Found in the English ULB:

trespass, trespassed, trespasses

understand

Related Ideas:

argument, craftiness, insight, intelligent, realize, unintentionally, without understanding

Definition:

The term "understand" means to hear or receive information and know what it means.

• The term "understanding" can refer to "knowledge" or "wisdom" or realizing how to do something.
• To understand someone can also mean to know how that person is feeling.
• A person who is "without understanding" does not understand.
• While walking on the road to Emmaus, Jesus caused the disciples to understand the meaning of the scriptures about the Messiah.
• Depending on the context, the term "understand" could be translated by "know" or "believe" or "comprehend" or "know what (something) means."
• Often the term "understanding" can be translated by "knowledge" or "wisdom" or "insight."
• "Arguments" are statements that one person makes to share his understanding with another person and to convince that other person to understand something the same way.
• "Craftiness" is understanding used for evil.
• An "intelligent" person thinks clearly and learns quickly.
• To do something "unintentionally" is to do it without knowing or by accident or without intending to do it.

(See also: believe, know, wise)

Bible References:

• Job 34:16-17
• Luke 02:47
• Luke 08:10
• Matthew 13:12
• Matthew 13:14
• Proverbs 03:05

Word Data:

• Strong's: H995, H998, H999, H1847, H2940, H3045, H3820, H3823, H3824, H4486, H7200, H7919, H7922, H7924, H8085, H8394, G50, G144, G145, G191, G801, G1097, G1108, G1271, G1380, G1492, G1921, G1922, G1987, G1990, G2638, G2657, G3539, G3563, G4894, G4907, G4908, G4920, G5424, G5428, G5429

Forms Found in the English ULB:

arguments, craftiness, gain understanding, gives ... insight, insight, intelligent, realize, realized, understand, understanding, understands, understood, unintentionally, without understanding

walk

Definition:

The term "walk" is often used in a figurative sense to mean "live."

• "Enoch walked with God" means that Enoch lived in a close relationship with God.
• To "walk by the Spirit" means to be guided by the Holy Spirit so that we do things that please and honor God.
• To "walk in" God's commands or God's ways means to "live in obedience to" his commands, that is, to "obey his commands" or "do his will."
• When God says he will "walk among" his people, it means that he is living among them or closely interacting with them.
• To "walk contrary to" means to live or behave in a way that is against something or someone.
• To "walk after" means to seek or pursue someone or something. It can also mean to act in the same way as someone else.

Translation Suggestions:

• It is best to translate "walk" literally, as long as the correct meaning will be understood.
• Otherwise, figurative uses of "walk" could also be translated by "live" or "act" or "behave."
• The phrase "walk by the Spirit" could be translated by, "live in obedience to the Holy Spirit" or "behave in a way that is pleasing to the Holy Spirit" or "do things that are pleasing to God as the Holy Spirit guides you."
• To "walk in God's commands" could be translated by "live by God's commands" or "obey God's commands."
• The phrase "walked with God" could be translated as, "lived in close relationship with God by obeying and honoring him."

(See also: Holy Spirit, honor)

Bible References:

• 1 John 01:07
• 1 Kings 02:04
• Colossians 02:07
• Galatians 05:25
• Genesis 17:01
• Isaiah 02:05
• Jeremiah 13:10
• Micah 04:02

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1869, H1980, H1981, H3212, H4108, G1704, G4043, G4748

Forms Found in the English ULB:

walk, walk around, walked, walking, walking around, walks

well

Related Ideas:

cistern

Definition:

The terms "well" and "cistern" refer to two different kinds of sources for water in Bible times.

• A well is a deep hole dug into the ground so that underground water can flow into it.
• A cistern is a deep hole dug into rock that was used as a holding tank for collecting rain water.
• Cisterns were usually dug into rock and sealed with plaster to keep the water in. A "broken cistern" happened when the plaster became cracked so that the water leaked out.
• Cisterns were often located in the courtyard area of people's homes to catch the rainwater that would run off the roof.
• Wells were often located where they could be accessed by several families or a whole community.
• Because water was very important for both people and livestock, the right to use a well was often a cause of strife and conflict.
• Both wells and cisterns were usually covered with a large stone to prevent anything falling in it. Often there was a rope with a bucket or pot attached to it to bring the water up to the surface.
• Sometimes a dry cistern was used as a place to imprison someone, such as happened to Joseph and Jeremiah.
• These terms are similar in meaning. The main difference is that a well continually receives water from underground springs, whereas a cistern is a holding tank for water that usually comes from rain.

Translation Suggestions:

• Ways to translate "well" could include "deep water hole" or "deep hole for spring water" or "deep hole for drawing water."
• The term "cistern" could be translated as "stone water pit" or "deep and narrow pit for water" or "underground tank for holding water."

(See also: Jeremiah, prison, strife)

Bible References:

• 1 Chronicles 11:17
• 2 Samuel 17:17-18
• Genesis 16:14
• Luke 14:4-6
• Numbers 20:17

Word Data:

• Strong's: H875, H953, H1360, H4002, H4599, H4726, H4841, G4077, G5421

Forms Found in the English ULB:

cistern, cisterns, well, wells

will of God

Related Ideas:

God's will, desire of God, he wishes, his will, will of my Father, will of our God and Father, will of the Lord

Definition:

The "will of God" refers to God's desires and plans.

• God's will especially relates to his interactions with people and how he wants people to respond to him.
• It also refers to his plans or desires for the rest of his creation.
• The term to "will" means to "determine" or to "desire."

Translation Suggestions:

• The "will of God" could also be translated as "what God desires" or "what God has planned" or "God's purpose" or "what is pleasing to God."

Bible References:

• 1 John 02:15-17
• 1 Thessalonians 04:3-6
• Colossians 04:12-14
• Ephesians 01:1-2
• John 05:30-32
• Mark 03:33-35
• Matthew 06:8-10
• Psalms 103:21

Word Data:

• Strong's: H6634, H7522, G1012, G1013, G2307, G2308, G2309

Forms Found in the English ULB:

God's will, desires of God, he desires, he wishes, his will, will of God, will of my Father, will of our God and Father, will of the Lord, will of your Father, you are willing, your will

word

Definition:

A "word" refers to something that someone has said. In the Bible, it almost always refers to an entire message, not just one word.

• An example of this is when the angel told Zechariah, "You did not believe my words," which means, "You did not believe what I said."
• Sometimes "word" refers to speech in general, such as "powerful in word and deed" which means "powerful in speech and behavior."
• Often in the Bible "the word" refers to everything God has said or commanded, as in "the word of God" or "the word of truth."
• A very special use of this term is when Jesus is called "the Word." For these last two meanings, see word of God

Translation Suggestions:

• Different ways of translating "word" or "words" include "teaching" or "message" or "news" or "a saying" or "what was said."

(See also: word of God)

Bible References:

• 2 Timothy 04:02
• Acts 08:04
• Colossians 04:03
• James 01:18
• Jeremiah 27:04
• John 01:03
• John 01:14
• Luke 08:15
• Matthew 02:08
• Matthew 07:27

Word Data:

• Strong's: H561, H562, H565, H1697, H1703, H2656, H2706, H4405, H4406, H7878, H8052, G518, G1024, G1310, G3054, G3055, G3056, G4086, G4487, G5023, G5537, G5542

Forms Found in the English ULB:

word, words, message, messages

word of God

Related Ideas:

God's word, his words, my word, scripture, word of Yahweh, word of the Lord, word of truth, writings

Definition:

In the Bible, the term "word of God" refers to anything that God has communicated to people. This includes spoken and written messages. Jesus is also called "the Word of God."

• The term "scriptures" means "writings." It is only used in the New Testament and refers to the Hebrew scriptures, which is the Old Testament. These writings were God's message that he had told people to write down so that many years in the future people could still read it.
• The related terms "word of Yahweh" and "word of the Lord" often refer to a specific message from God that was given to a prophet or other person in the Bible.
• Sometimes this term occurs as simply "the word" or "my word" or "your word" (when talking about God's word).
• In the New Testament, Jesus is called "the Word" and "the Word of God." These titles mean that Jesus fully reveals who God is, because he is God himself.

The term "word of truth" is another way of referring to "God's word," which is his message or teaching. It does not refer to just one word.

• God's word of truth includes everything that God has taught people about himself, his creation, and his plan of salvation through Jesus.
• This term emphasizes the fact that what God has told us is true, faithful, and real.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, other ways to translate this term could include "the message of Yahweh" or "God's message" or "the teachings from God."

• It may be more natural in some languages to make this term plural and say "God's words" or "the words of Yahweh."

• The expression "the word of Yahweh came" is often used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. This could be translated as "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words."

• The term "scripture" or "scriptures" could be translated as "the writings" or "the written message from God." This term should be translated differently from the translation of the term "word."

• When "word" occurs alone and it refers to God's word, it could be translated as "the message" or "God's word" or "the teachings." Also consider the alternate translations suggested above.

• When the Bible refers to Jesus as "the Word," this term could be translated as "the Message" or "the Truth."

• "Word of truth" could be translated as "God's true message" or "God's word, which is true."

• It is important for the translation of this term to include the meaning of being true.

(See also: prophet, true, word, Yahweh)

Bible References:

• Genesis 15:01
• 1 Kings 13:01
• Jeremiah 36:1-3
• Luke 08:11
• John 05:39
• Acts 06:02
• Acts 12:24
• Romans 01:02
• 2 Corinthians 06:07
• Ephesians 01:13
• 2 Timothy 03:16
• James 01:18
• James 02:8-9

Word Data:

• Strong's: H561, H565, H1697, H3068, G3056, G4487

Forms Found in the English ULB:

God's word, God's words, his words, my word, scripture, scriptures, word of God, word of Yahweh, word of the Lord, word of truth, words of God, writings

work

Related Ideas:

act, deed, fellow worker

Definition:

In the Bible, the terms "work," "deed," and "act" are used to refer generally to things that God or people do.

• God's "works" and the "work of his hands" are expressions that refer to all the things he does or has done, including creating the world, saving sinners, providing for the needs of all creation and keeping the entire universe in place. The terms "deeds" and "acts" are also used to refer to God's miracles in expressions such as "mighty acts" or "marvelous deeds."
• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to do good works, which are also called "good fruit."
• The term "work" can also refer to "service" or "ministry."
• People are not saved by their good works; they are saved through faith in Jesus.
• The term "fellow worker" means someone who does a ministry along with someone else.

Translation Suggestions:

• Other ways to translate "works" or "deeds" could be "actions" or "things that are done."
• When referring to God's "works" or "deeds" and the "work of his hands," these expressions could also be translated as "miracles" or "mighty acts" or "amazing things he does."
• The expression "the work of God" could be translated as "the things that God is doing" or "the miracles God does" or "the amazing things that God does" or "everything God has accomplished."
• The expression "your work in the Lord" could also be translated as "what you do for the Lord."
• The expression "examine your own work" could also be translated as "make sure what you are doing is God's will" or "make sure that what you are doing pleases God."
• The expression "the work of the Holy Spirit" could be translated as "the empowering of the Holy Spirit" or "the ministry of the Holy Spirit" or "the things that the Holy Spirit does."

(See also: fruit, Holy Spirit, miracle)

Bible References:

• 1 John 03:12
• Acts 02:8-11
• Daniel 04:37
• Exodus 34:10-11
• Galatians 02:15-16
• James 02:17
• Matthew 16:27-28
• Micah 02:07
• Romans 03:28
• Titus 03:4-5

Word Data:

• Strong's: H1576, H4399, H4566, H4567, H4611, H4639, H4659, H5673, H5949, H5998, H6213, H6466, H6468, G1754, G2038, G2040, G2041, G2716, G3173

Forms Found in the English ULB:

act, action, actions, activities, acts, deed, deeds, fellow worker, fellow workers, work, works

world

Related Ideas:

universe, worldly

Definition:

The term "world" usually refers to the part of the universe where people live: the earth. The term "worldly" describes the evil values and behaviors of people living in this world.

• In its most general sense, the term "world" refers to the heavens and the earth, as well as everything in them.
• In many contexts, "world" actually means "people in the world."
• Sometimes it is implied that this refers to the evil people on earth or the people who do not obey God.
• The apostles also used "world" to refer to the selfish behaviors and corrupt values of the people living in this world. This can include self-righteous religious practices which are based on human efforts.
• People and things characterized by these values are said to be "worldly."

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, "world" could also be translated as "universe" or "people of this world" or "corrupt things in the world" or "evil attitudes of people in the world."
• The phrase "all the world" often means "many people" and refers to the people living in a certain region. For example, "all the world came to Egypt" could be translated as "many people from the surrounding countries came to Egypt" or "people from all the countries surrounding Egypt came there."
• Another way to translate "all the world went to their hometown to be registered in the Roman census" would be "many of the people living in regions ruled by the Roman empire went..."
• Depending on the context, the term "worldly" could be translated as, "evil" or "sinful" or "selfish" or "ungodly" or "corrupt" or "influenced by the corrupt values of people in this world."
• The phrase "saying these things in the world" can be translated as "saying these things to the people of the world."
• In other contexts, "in the world" could also be translated as "living among the people of the world" or "living among ungodly people."

(See also: corrupt, heaven, Rome, godly)

Bible References:

• 1 John 02:15
• 1 John 04:05
• 1 John 05:05
• John 01:29
• Matthew 13:36-39

Word Data:

• Strong's: H776, H2309, H2465, H2717, H5769, H8398, G165, G1093, G2886, G2889, G3625

Forms Found in the English ULB:

universe, world, world's, worldly

worship

Related Ideas:

worshiper

Definition:

To "worship" means to honor, praise and obey someone, especially God.

• When the Israelites worshiped God, it often included sacrificing an animal on an altar.
• Often people bow down when they worship someone.
• Some people worshiped false gods.

Translation Suggestions:

• The term "worship" could be translated as "bow down to" or "honor and serve" or "honor and obey."
• In some contexts, it could also be translated as "humbly praise" or "give honor and praise."

(See also: sacrifice, praise, honor)

Bible References:

• Colossians 02:18-19
• Deuteronomy 29:18
• Exodus 03:11-12
• Luke 04:07
• Matthew 02:02
• Matthew 02:08

Word Data:

• Strong's: H5457, H5647, H7812, G1391, G2151, G2152, G2323, G2356, G2999, G3000, G3008, H3372, G4352, G4353, G4573, G4574, G4576

Forms Found in the English ULB:

worship, worshiped, worshiper's, worshipers, worshiping, worships

worthy

Related Ideas:

deserve, nullify, unworthy, worth, worthily, worthless, worthlessness, worthy

Definition:

The term "worthy" describes someone or something that deserves respect or honor. To "have worth" means to be valuable or important.

• Being "worthy" is related to being valuable or having importance.
• To do something "worthily" means to do something in a worthy way.
• To be "unworthy" means to not be deserving of any honor or recognition.
• To be "worthless" means to not have any purpose or value.
• To "nullify" something is to make it worth nothing.

Translation Suggestions:

• "Worthy" could be translated as "deserving" or "important" or "valuable."
• The word "worth" could be translated as "value" or "importance."
• The phrase to "have worth" could also be translated as to "be valuable" or to "be important."
• The phrase "is worth more than" could be translated as "is more valuable than."
• Depending on the context, the term, "unworthy" could also be translated as "unimportant" or "dishonorable" or "undeserving."
• The term "worthless" could be translated as "with no value" or "with no purpose" or "worth nothing."

(See also: honor)

Bible References:

• 2 Samuel 22:04
• 2 Thessalonians 01:11-12
• Acts 13:25
• Acts 25:25-27
• Acts 26:31
• Colossians 01:9-10
• Jeremiah 08:19
• Mark 01:07
• Matthew 03:10-12
• Philippians 01:25-27

Word Data:

• Strong's: H457, H1100, H2428, H3276, H3644, H4242, H4373, H4392, H4592, H4941, H5541, H6994, H7385, H7386, H7723, H7939, H8602, G96, G514, G515, G516, G888, G1777, G2425, G2480, G2661, G3152, G4186, G5092

Forms Found in the English ULB:

deserve, deserved, deserves, deserving, nullify, unworthy, worth, worthily, worthless, worthlessness, worthy

wrath

Related Ideas:

furious, fury

Definition:

Wrath is an intense anger that is sometimes long-lasting. It especially refers to God's righteous judgment of sin and punishment of people who rebel against him.

• In the Bible, "wrath" usually refers to God's anger toward those who sin against him.
• The "wrath of God" can also refer to his judgment and punishment for sin.
• God's wrath is the righteous penalty for those who do not repent of their sin.

Translation Suggestions:

• Depending on the context, other ways this term could be translated include "intense anger" or "righteous judgment" or "anger."
• When talking about God's wrath, make sure the word or phrase used to translate this term does not refer to a sinful fit of rage. God's wrath is just and holy.

(See also: judge, sin)

Bible References:

• 1 Thessalonians 01:8-10
• 1 Timothy 02:8-10
• Luke 03:7
• Luke 21:23
• Matthew 03:07
• Revelation 14:10
• Romans 01:18
• Romans 05:09

Word Data:

• Strong's: H639, H2194, H2195, H2197, H2534, H2740, H3707, H5678, H7107, H7109, H7110, H7267, G2205, G2372, G3709

Forms Found in the English ULB:

furious, fury, wrath