The Bible1 Flashcards
Abraham and Isaac
The first two patriarchs of the Old Testament. Jews claim descent through Abraham and Arabs claim descent through Ishmael, Abraham’s other son.
Adam and Eve
The first man and woman. Instigated the fall of man. Cain, Abel and Seth were their first children.
Alpha and Omega
The first and the last. Alpha (α) is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, while omega is the last (Ω).
Angels
Spirits who live in heaven. Angels visit man to further the work of God. There are also angels of Satan that tempt man with sin.
Annunciation
The angel Gabriel’s message to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ.
Antichrist
The enemy of Christ to appear before the second coming. Many will be led astray by his deception and promises of salvation.
Apocalypse
Another name for the Book of Revelation. Also references the great destruction before the second coming.
Apocrypha
Religious writings that have been accepted as canon works by some groups but not others. Books include Tobias, Judith, Baruch, Ecclesiasticus, Wisdom, First and Second Machabees; also certain additions to Esther and Daniel. An apocryphal story is one that is likely false but contains value.
The twelve apostles
The twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. They included Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Thomas, Matthew, James the lesser, Jude (Thaddaeus), Simon and Judas Iscariot. Apostles are people who preach or promote a religious cause.
Ararat
The mountain that Noah’s ark rested upon after the flood.
Armageddon
The site of the final battle between good and evil in the Book of Revelation. A great battle or destructive confrontation.
Ask, and it shall be given you
A part of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. God will give to those who sincerely ask.
Tower of Babel
A tower built by Noah’s descendants to reach heaven. God confused the language of the Earth to punish them for their unfaithfulness. “Babel” is confusion and noise.
Babylon
The capital of ancient Babylonia, which conquered Israel in the sixth century B.C.
Daniel became a counselor for the king of Babylon. A “Babylon” is a place of sin and corruption.
Bathsheba
The woman that King David was attracted to and who’s husband he killed. Solomon was her second son by David.
Beatitudes
Matthew 5:3-12
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the Earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The Latin word Beatus means blessed
Beelzebub
Another name for Satan. Originally a Philistine God. A fallen angel in Paradise Lost
In the Beginning
The first words of the Bible. The Gospel of John begins similarly; “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God”
Bethlehem
A city near Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was born.
The Bible
The sacred book of the Christian faith, considered to be the word of God. The Old and New Testaments are unanimously accepted as true by Christians. Jews don’t believe in the New Testament. A book that is considered infallible may be called a Bible for that particular subject.
Am I my brother’s keeper?
Cain’s words to God after killing Abel. Men are responsible for the welfare of their neighbors.
Burning Bush
God appeared as a burning bush to Moses when He commanded Moses to free the Israelites.
Cain and Abel
First children of Adam and Eve. Cain murdered Abel in jealousy when his offering was favored of the Lord. The mark of Cain is a reference to man’s sinful nature.
Calvary
The hill near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. The name is Latin for “place of the skull.” Also called Golgotha.
Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days
An expression from the Old Testament. Encourages men to believe that their good deeds will ultimately benefit them.
Chapter and Verse
The means of locating passages in the Bible. To give “chapter and verse” is to give precise evidence for a proposition.
Cherubim
One of the groups of the angels. Depicted as babies with wings during the Renaissance.
Chosen people
Jews are God’s chosen people. God promised Abraham that his seed would cover the whole Earth.
Christ
Jesus’ title meaning “Messiah” or “anointed one.”
Christian
A follower or disciple of Jesus. First came into use shortly after Christ’s death.
Coat of many colors
The coat that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Caused Joseph’s enslavement and eventual saving of his family.
Covenant
A two way promise between God and man. D&C 82:10 “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.”
Creation
The period that Christ created the Earth under the direction of God. Toiled for six days and rested on the seventh.
Crown of thorns
The mock crown put upon Christ’s head during the crucifixion. A “crown of thorns” is something that causes intense suffering.
Crucifixion
The death of Jesus on the cross. Pontius Pilate washed his hands to absolve responsibility. Having a “cross to bear” means a painful responsibility. To “wash one’s hands of it” means to refuse to take responsibility.
Damascus
An ancient city in Syria. Paul was traveling to Damascus when converted. A “road to Damascus” denotes a sudden turning point in someone’s life.
Daniel in the Lions’ den
Daniel was to be eaten by lions for continuing to pray despite the king’s wishes. An image of an impossibly hostile situation.
David
A Jew that killed Goliath and later became king. Fell into temptation over Bathsheba. Christ’s lineage descends through David.
Let the dead bury their dead
Jesus’ reply to a disciple who wished to bury his father before following Jesus. Immplies an impatience to move ahead without considering details or ceremony.
Dead sea scrolls
A collection of scrolls found near the dead sea in the 1940s containing the Old Testament and collected by the Essenes.
Disciples
The followers of Jesus. A disciple is a follower of a leader or member of a movement.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
A teaching of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. Often called the golden rule.
Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return
The words God said to Adam and Eve as they were cast out of the garden. Implies that death is a natural result of the fall.
Ecclesiastes
A book in the Old Testament that encourages one to enjoy the things found in life and not to chase vanity.
Garden of Eden
The garden prepared for Adam and Eve in the beginning. An Eden is a place of perfect peace and happiness.
Egypt
An ancient empire in Africa. Many Bible stories take place in Egypt.
Elijah
A prophet of the Old Testament who had the sealing power of the Melchizedek priesthood. Gave these keys to Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration and to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on April 3, 1836.
Esther
A book in the Old Testament about Esther saving the Jews from destruction in Persia. Jews celebrate this event as the feast of Purim.
Eve
The first woman.
Exodus
The second book of the Old Testament. Details the journey of the Jews out of Egypt and to the promised land. Exodus is Greek for “departure”.
An eye for an eye
The Old Testament principle that justice should be in equal measure to the crime. Jesus encouraged Christians to turn the other cheek.
Eye of a needle
Luke 18:25 “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Faith, hope and charity
1 Corinthians 13:12-13
12 For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
Fall of man
The natural result of man losing innocence and obtaining knowledge of good and evil. Men would have to work to earn their livelihood and women would give birth in pain.
Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.”
Kill the fatted calf
The special calf killed when the prodigal son returned.
Forbidden fruit
The fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. “Forbidden fruit” refers to something tempting but dangerous.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Four figures in the book of Revelation representing evils to come at the end of the world. The figure representing conquest will be on a white horse; war, a red horse; famine, a black horse; and plague, a pale horse.
By their fruits shall ye know them
Matthew 7:16-20
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Gabriel
An angel in Jewish, Muslim and Christian beliefs. Appeared to Mary and revealed the laws of the Koran to Muhammad.
Genesis
The first book of the Old Testament. Details the creation and the first patriarchs Abraham and Isaac.
Gentile
Those not of the house of Israel. A non-believer.
Get thee behind me, Satan
Jesus’ words to Satan when tempted during His 40 day fast. Jesus also said this to Peter when he objected to Christ’s death.
It is more blessed to give than receive
A saying quoted by the apostle Paul as a teaching of Jesus.
Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain
A teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. Go the extra mile, or do more than what is needed.
Golden Calf
The calf the Israelites made while Moses was receiving the 10 commandments. A golden calf is a false God or anything worshiped undeservedly.
Golgotha
The ancient name for Calvary.
Good Samaritan
The parable of the Samaritan who helped the jew who had been beaten and robbed. Jews and Samaritans were enemies, showing that we should care for all neighbors, not just our friends. A good Samaritan is someone who helps another in need, especially strangers.
Good Shepherd
A title of Jesus. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
Gospel
Means the “good news”, which is that Jesus Christ died for all mankind and that we can be saved through His grace.
The Gospels
The first four books of the New Testament detailing Christ’s life. They are Mathew, Mark, Luke and John.
Ham
A son of Noah. Egypt is called “the land of Ham”, because he is considered to be the ancestor of the inhabitants of Africa. The “curse of Ham” references Noah’s curse when Ham refused to turn away from his father’s nakedness. Ham and his children gained darker skin because of the curse.
The handwriting on the wall
References the Old Testament story where Daniel interprets the writing placed on the palace wall by a mysterious hand. The writing said the king’s dominion would end and he was murdered that night. Writing on the wall is a sign of a future tragedy.
He that is not with me is against me
A teaching of Jesus. Those who are indifferent to the Gospel are the same as those who oppose it.
Heaven
The home of God, angels and the saints.
Hebrew
The language of the Hebrews, which the Old Testament is written in. Hebrew is the language used in modern day Israel.
Hebrews
The descendants of Abraham and Isaac. The Israelites.
Hell
The dwelling place of Satan and his followers. A place of pain and torment.
Herod the great
The king of Judea in the first century B.C. His son, Herod Antipas, was responsible for the beheading of John the Baptist at the request of Herod’s stepdaughter, Salome.
The Holy Ghost
The third member of the God head. Will reveal the truth of all things to faithful Christians.
Holy writ
Another name for the Bible. Holy writ is be something with unquestionable authority.
Massacre of the innocents
The slaughter of all male children at the age of two and younger in Bethlehem. King Herod was trying to prevent Jesus from becoming king.
Isaac
The son of Abraham and the father of Jacob and Esau.
Isaiah
An Israelite prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah. Wrote the Old Testament book of Isaiah.
Israel
The name given to Jacob after wrestling with God. Also the name of the northern kingdom of the Israelites, when the nation was split in two after King Solomon’s death.
Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, who made up the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribes include Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh.
Jacob and Esau
The sons of Isaac. Esau traded his inheritance to Jacob for a mess of pottage. Jacob also impersonated Esau and received Isaac’s deathbed blessing.
Jacob’s ladder
A ladder that Jacob saw God and angels descending to Earth. God promised to bless Jacob’s posterity in this vision.
Jehovah
Another name for Christ. An approximation of the holiest name of God in Hebrew. It was never written or spoken, and scholars aren’t sure how exactly it was pronounced. It means “I am that I am.”
Jeremiah
A major Israelite prophet. The book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament records his life and lamentations about the wickedness of his people. A “Jeremiad” is a long lamentation or angry denunciation.
Jerusalem
A holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims. The capital of the ancient kingdom of Judah and of the modern state of Israel. The “New Jerusalem” is mentioned in the book of revelation as a heavenly city to be established by Christ after the second coming.
Jesus Christ
The second member of the God head. The only begotten of the Father. Performed the atonement to save all mankind through grace.
Jews
The Israelites, particularly after their captivity in Babylon. After their nation was destroyed, the Jews remained one people through their religious beliefs.
Jezebel
An immoral queen of Israel who attempted to kill Elijah and other prophets. A “Jezebel” is a scheming and evil woman.
Job
A man whose faith was tested by Satan, with the permission of God. Job lost all his possessions and family but refused to lose faith. He was then blessed with double what he had before. A long suffering person can be said to be “as patient as Job.”
Job’s comforters
Job’s friends who tried to convince him to curse God and lose faith. A “Job’s comforter” is someone who apparently offers consolation but actually makes the other person feel worse.
John the Baptist
A preacher who prepared for the coming of the Messiah and who baptized Jesus. Was beheaded by Herod Antipas and Salome.
The Gospel according to John
The last of the four Gospels. Focuses on the deepest implications of Jesus’ mission.
Jonah and the whale
An Old Testament story about the prophet Jonah refusing God’s mission to teach the Ninevites. While sailing away from Nineveh, a great storm almost sunk the ship Jonah was on. He was thrown overboard and swallowed by a whale for three days. After being saved by God, Jonah fulfilled his mission.
Jordan River
A river in Palestine that empties into the Dead Sea. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan.
Joseph and his brothers
Sons of Jacob. Joseph was given a special coat of many colors that caused jealousy among his brothers. They sold him into slavery where he eventually became Pharaoh’s second in command. He forgave his brothers and saved Egypt when a famine struck.
Joseph, husband of Mary
Jesus’ foster father. Joseph taught carpentry to Jesus as a boy.
Joshua
The leader who led the Israelites into the promised land after the death of Moses. Led his the army at the battle of Jericho, where the Israelites blew trumpets and shouted to destroy the walls of the city.
Judas Iscariot
The apostle who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He identified Jesus with a kiss. A Judas is a friend turned betrayer and a Judas kiss is an act of friendship that conceals a treachery.
Judge not, that ye be not judged
A teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. All men are sinners, so we have no right to judge one another.
Judgment day
The judgment to come after the second coming of Christ. Men will be judged according to their works and faithfulness.
King James Bible
The best-known English translation of the Bible, commissioned by King James I of England in the early 17th century.
Lamb of God
A title for Jesus. Christ was the last sacrificial lamb. The atonement is infinite in scope, doing away with sacrifices forever.
