ARK OF THE COVENANT
The ark of the covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God’s people are known as…
Glossary Term: Term
ARM OF THE LORD
The arm of the LordThe arm of the Lord is a metaphorical reference to the power of God. The prophets of the Old Testament (like…
ASCETIC
An asceticAn ascetic is one who willingly lives a life of self-denial and refrains from worldly pursuits. John the Baptist lived a life of asceticism.…
BAPTISM
JesusJesus is the MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified... More whose life, death, and resurrection are God’s saving act for humanity. More was baptized (literally, “dipped”) in the Jordan River by…
BEHEMOTH
A behemothA behemoth is a large swamp monster. Such a beast, often identified as a hippopotamus, is part of the narrative in the book of…
BEL
Bel is one of the names of Marduke, the leading god of Babylonia. In Isaiah and Jeremiah BelBel is one of the names of Marduke,…
BEN SIRACH
Also known as “Sirach” or “Ecclesiasticus,” this book is included in the Apocrypha. It is considered canonical by the Roman Catholic church and most Orthodox…