Bible dictionary

The “fallen ones” — giants born from the union between the sons of God and the daughters of men.

Angels charged with observing humankind, who abandoned their post.

The dwelling of the dead in Hebrew thought — neither heaven nor hell.

The valley south of Jerusalem that became an image of the final judgement.

“Hidden” — an ancient book not included in the official canon.

A work attributed to an ancient author who did not write it.

The “measuring rod”: the list of books a tradition accepts as Scripture.

The Greek translation of the Old Testament made in Alexandria.

The Syriac Bible, “the simple one”.

A book of sewn pages — the technology that replaced the scroll.

Breath, wind, spirit — all three at once.

Peace as wholeness — not merely the absence of war.

The generic name of God, grammatically plural.

The proper Name of God, revealed to Moses at the burning bush.

“Anointed one” — the same word that, in Greek, became Christ.

“It is firm, it is trustworthy” — I stand by this.

Winged beings who guard what is holy.

“The burning ones” — those who blaze before the throne.

A solemn pact creating a permanent bond between two parties.

The library of Qumran, hidden in caves for two thousand years.

The loving loyalty of the one who does not walk away — rendered mercy, lovingkindness or steadfast love.

Favour given to someone who did nothing to earn it — and cannot pay it back.

Faith as firmness and faithfulness — not as an opinion about something uncertain.

The love that chooses the good of the other, whatever it feels about them.

Righteousness as right relationship — and, in later Judaism, as almsgiving.

Sin as missing the mark — the arrow that lands wide of what it should have hit.

Repentance as return: turning around on the road, not feeling guilty.

Glory as weight — what has real density, not shine.

Holy is what has been set apart for one use only — not what is morally better.

A prophet is a spokesman, not a fortune teller: he speaks for another, in the present.

Salvation as concrete rescue: being pulled out of the tight place, the enemy, the illness.

Gospel was the empire's victory bulletin — long before it was a book.

Soul in the sense of throat, breath, whole life — not a spirit loose from the body.

Truth as solidity: what you can lean on without falling.

Wisdom as practical skill — the same word used of the craftsman who knows the trade.

Kingdom as reign in action — the ruling happening, not the territory.