The people, places and ideas of the Bible.
A growing knowledge base of the Bible's people, places, events, objects and terms — each with key passages and connections.
Abraham
Patriarch called by God to leave Ur and go to Canaan, promised descendants as many as the stars and that through him all nations would be blessed. Honoured as father of faith by Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Key passages Genesis 12–25 · Romans 4 · Hebrews 11:8–19
Related Isaac, Covenant
Ark of the Covenant
Gold-covered chest holding the tablets of the Law, kept in the Holy of Holies as the sign of God's presence among Israel. Lost after the Babylonian conquest.
Key passages Exodus 25:10–22 · 2 Samuel 6
Related Temple, Moses
Atonement
How Christ's death reconciles humanity to God ('at-one-ment'). Christians describe it through several images: sacrifice, ransom, victory over evil, substitution and moral example.
Key passages Isaiah 53 · Mark 10:45 · Romans 3:25 · Colossians 2:15
Related Crucifixion, Covenant
Bethlehem
Small town south of Jerusalem; David's hometown and, according to Matthew and Luke, the birthplace of Jesus, fulfilling Micah 5:2.
Key passages Ruth · Micah 5:2 · Luke 2
Related David, Incarnation
Covenant
A binding relationship established by God with promises and obligations — with Noah, Abraham, Israel at Sinai, David, and the 'new covenant' promised in Jeremiah 31 and inaugurated by Jesus.
Key passages Genesis 9; 15 · Exodus 24 · Jeremiah 31:31–34 · Luke 22:20
Related Abraham, Communion
David
Shepherd who became Israel's second and greatest king (c. 1000 BC), poet of many Psalms, and ancestor of the Messiah. Deeply flawed and deeply repentant.
Key passages 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2 · Psalm 51
Related Jerusalem, Psalms, Messiah
Egypt
Ancient superpower where Joseph rose to power and Israel was later enslaved; the exodus from Egypt became the Old Testament's defining act of rescue.
Key passages Genesis 39–50 · Exodus 1–15 · Matthew 2:13–15
Related Moses, Exodus
Galilee
Northern region around the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent most of his ministry, called fishermen as disciples, and taught.
Key passages Mark 1:14–20 · Matthew 4:12–25
Related Nazareth, Peter
Gospel
From Old English 'good news' (Greek euangelion). Refers both to the message about Jesus and to the four books — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — that tell his story.
Key passages Mark 1:1 · 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
Related Messiah
Jerusalem
City captured by David c. 1000 BC and made Israel's capital; site of Solomon's temple, destroyed by Babylon (587 BC), rebuilt, and destroyed again by Rome (AD 70). Where Jesus was crucified and rose, and where the church began at Pentecost. Holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Key passages 2 Samuel 5 · Psalm 122 · Luke 19:41 · Acts 2 · Revelation 21
Related David, Temple, Pentecost
John the Baptist
Prophet who preached repentance in the wilderness and baptised Jesus in the Jordan. Executed by Herod Antipas.
Key passages Mark 1:1–11 · Matthew 14:1–12
Related Baptism, Jordan River
Jordan River
River running from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Israel crossed it into the promised land; Jesus was baptised in it.
Key passages Joshua 3 · Mark 1:9
Related Baptism, John the Baptist
Joseph (son of Jacob)
Sold into slavery by his brothers, he rose to govern Egypt and saved his family from famine — a classic story of providence and forgiveness: 'ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good' (Genesis 50:20, KJV).
Key passages Genesis 37–50
Related Forgiveness, Egypt
Justification
Being declared or made right with God. Protestant theology stresses a legal declaration received by faith alone; Catholic theology includes inner renewal by grace. See our Q&A on salvation.
Key passages Romans 3:21–26; 5:1 · Galatians 2:16 · James 2:24
Related Grace, Salvation
Kingdom of God
God's reign breaking into the world — the central theme of Jesus' preaching. Present already in his ministry, and awaiting fulfilment at his return.
Key passages Mark 1:15 · Matthew 6:10 · Luke 17:20–21
Related Parable, Heaven
Mary, mother of Jesus
A young Jewish woman of Nazareth who conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Honoured by all traditions; Catholic and Orthodox Christians give her special veneration (Theotokos, 'God-bearer'), while Protestants generally emphasise her as a model of faith.
Key passages Luke 1–2 · John 2; 19:25–27 · Acts 1:14
Related Nazareth, Incarnation
Messiah / Christ
Hebrew mashiach and Greek christos both mean 'anointed one' — a king anointed by God. Christians confess Jesus as the Messiah promised in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Key passages Psalm 2 · Isaiah 9:6–7 · Matthew 16:16
Related David, Jesus
Moses
Prophet who led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, received the Law at Mount Sinai and led the people through the wilderness. Traditionally regarded as author of the Torah.
Key passages Exodus 2–40 · Deuteronomy 34
Related Exodus, Ten Commandments
Nazareth
Village in Galilee where Jesus grew up — so obscure that Nathanael asked, 'Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?' (John 1:46, KJV).
Key passages Luke 1:26; 4:16–30
Related Galilee, Mary
Parable
A short story drawn from everyday life to teach a spiritual truth — Jesus' signature teaching method, from the Sower to the Prodigal Son.
Key passages Mark 4 · Luke 15
Related Gospel, Kingdom of God
Passover
Festival commemorating the night God 'passed over' Israelite homes marked with lamb's blood. Jesus' Last Supper and crucifixion took place at Passover, and Paul calls Christ 'our passover' (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Key passages Exodus 12 · Mark 14
Related Exodus, Communion
Paul
Pharisee and persecutor of Christians who encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus and became the leading missionary to the Gentiles. Author of thirteen New Testament letters.
Key passages Acts 9; 13–28 · Galatians 1–2
Related Romans, Grace
Pentecost
Jewish harvest festival fifty days after Passover, on which the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in Jerusalem (Acts 2). Celebrated as the birthday of the Church.
Key passages Acts 2
Related Holy Spirit, Jerusalem
Peter
Galilean fisherman, leader among the twelve apostles, who denied Jesus and was restored. Preached at Pentecost. Catholic tradition regards him as the first Bishop of Rome.
Key passages Matthew 16:13–19 · John 21 · Acts 2
Related Apostle, Rome
Rome
Capital of the empire that ruled Judea in Jesus' day. Paul wrote his letter to the church there and was later imprisoned there; tradition holds Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome.
Key passages Acts 28 · Romans 1:7
Related Paul, Peter
Sanctification
The process of becoming holy — growing in Christlike character through the Spirit's work over a lifetime.
Key passages 1 Thessalonians 4:3 · 2 Corinthians 3:18
Related Holy Spirit, Justification
Septuagint
Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures made in the centuries before Christ, used by most New Testament writers and still the Old Testament text of the Orthodox Church.
Key passages —
Related Canon, Bible translations
The Crucifixion
Jesus' execution by Roman crucifixion outside Jerusalem around AD 30, under Pontius Pilate. Christians understand it as the central saving act of God.
Key passages Mark 15 · John 19 · 1 Corinthians 1:18–25
Related Resurrection, Atonement
The Exile
The deportation of Judah to Babylon after 587 BC. Seventy years of exile reshaped Israel's faith and produced much of the prophetic literature.
Key passages 2 Kings 25 · Psalm 137 · Jeremiah 29
Related Jerusalem, Prophets
The Exodus
God's rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt through Moses, remembered every year at Passover. The pattern of slavery-to-freedom shapes how the New Testament describes salvation.
Key passages Exodus 1–15
Related Passover, Moses
The Resurrection
Jesus' rising bodily from the dead on the third day, witnessed by women at the tomb and many disciples. The foundation of Christian faith and hope (1 Corinthians 15).
Key passages Matthew 28 · Luke 24 · John 20–21 · 1 Corinthians 15
Related Easter, Heaven
The Temple
Jerusalem's centre of worship: Solomon's temple (destroyed 587 BC), and the Second Temple, rebuilt after exile and expanded by Herod, destroyed by Rome in AD 70. The New Testament calls Jesus, and the church, God's new temple.
Key passages 1 Kings 6–8 · John 2:19–21 · 1 Corinthians 3:16
Related Jerusalem, Ark of the Covenant
32 entries so far.