Dictionary Entries: H

• Habakkuk — Habakkuk is a minor prophetic book that wrestles with evil and learns to trust God's righteous rule.
• habit — Habit is a repeated pattern of thought or behavior that becomes established in a person's life.
• Habitation — A habitation is a dwelling place or place of residence. In Scripture it may describe human homes, desolate ruins, or, in some cont
• Habor — Habor is an Old Testament place-name associated with the Assyrian deportation of Israelites from the northern kingdom. It is usual
• Hachilah — A hill in the wilderness of Ziph near Jeshimon, remembered as a place where David was pursued by Saul and spared him.
• Hachmoni — Hachmoni is a biblical proper name or family designation appearing in 1 Chronicles, associated with figures in David’s administrat
• Hades — Hades is the biblical term, taken over from Greek usage, that commonly refers to the realm or condition of the dead. In Scripture
• Hades and Sheol — Sheol (Old Testament) and Hades (New Testament) usually refer to the realm or state of the dead. Their meaning varies by context,
• Hadrian — Roman emperor (AD 117-138) whose reign is important for post-New Testament Jewish and early Christian history.
• Haftarah — Haftarah is the Jewish synagogue practice of reading a selected passage from the Prophets in connection with the weekly Torah read
• Hagar — Hagar was Sarah’s Egyptian servant, later Abraham’s concubine, who bore Ishmael. Her account highlights God’s compassion toward th
• Haggadah — Haggadah refers to the narrative and teaching side of Jewish tradition, especially in telling the Passover story.
• Haggai — Haggai is a minor prophetic book that calls returned exiles to rebuild the temple and reorder their priorities.
• Hagiographa — A traditional term for the third division of the Hebrew Bible, also called the Writings (Ketuvim).
• Hagiology — The study of saints and sanctity in Christian theology and church history.
• Hail — Hail is frozen precipitation mentioned in Scripture, sometimes as ordinary weather and sometimes as an image or instrument of divi
• Hair — A normal human feature that Scripture sometimes uses as a sign of consecration, beauty, mourning, shame, or honor, depending on co
• Hakkatan — A Hebrew personal name or family designation in Ezra 8:12, probably meaning “the small” or “the little one.”
• Hakkoz — A biblical proper name associated with a priestly division and later family records in the Old Testament.
• Halakha — Halakha is the Jewish rabbinic tradition of legal interpretation and practical instruction for living under the law.
• Halakhic texts — Jewish legal writings that discuss how God’s law was understood and applied in daily life. They are useful background for the New
• Hallelujah — Hallelujah is a transliterated Hebrew expression meaning “Praise the LORD.” In Scripture it is a joyful call to honor and worship
• Hallowed — Hallowed means holy, honored as sacred, or treated with reverence. In the Bible it is especially associated with God’s name being
• Ham — Ham was one of Noah’s three sons and an ancestor of several peoples named in Genesis.
• Haman — Haman was the Persian official in the book of Esther who plotted to destroy the Jews, but his plan was overturned by God’s provide
• Hamartiology — Hamartiology is the branch of Christian theology that studies sin—its origin, nature, effects, and remedy in Christ.
• Hamath — An important Syrian city and region north of Israel, often used in Scripture as a boundary marker for the northern extent of the l
• Hamath-Zobah — A biblical place-name for a northern region or territory associated with Hamath and Zobah, mentioned in connection with Solomon’s
• Hamites — The descendants of Ham, Noah’s son, as listed in the Table of Nations. In Scripture, the term is genealogical and ethnographic, no
• Hammath — Hammath is a biblical place name, a town in Naphtali listed among the fortified cities of Israel.
• Hammurabi — Hammurabi was an ancient Babylonian king best known for the law code associated with his reign. He is important for Bible backgrou
• Hamon-Gog — Hamon-Gog is the burial place named in Ezekiel for the defeated forces of Gog. It marks God’s judgment and the cleansing of the la
• Hamonah — Hamonah is a place-name in Ezekiel 39:16, associated with the burial of Gog’s defeated forces after God’s judgment.
• Hamor — Hamor is a Hivite ruler in Genesis, best known as the father of Shechem in the Dinah narrative.
• Hananiah — Hananiah is a biblical personal name borne by several men in Scripture, including a false prophet in Jeremiah 28 and one of Daniel
• Hand — In Scripture, "hand" often functions as a symbol of power, action, possession, blessing, judgment, or care. When used of God, it u
• Handbreadth — An ancient unit of length based on the width of a hand, roughly four finger-widths.
• Handwriting on the Wall — The miraculous writing on the wall in Daniel 5 that announced God’s judgment on Belshazzar and Babylon; by extension, an obvious s
• Hannah — Hannah was the mother of Samuel, remembered for her earnest prayer, her vow to dedicate her son to the Lord, and her song of prais
• Hannah's Song — Hannah’s Song is the prayer of praise in 1 Samuel 2:1–10 spoken after the Lord gave her a son. It celebrates God’s holiness, power
• Hanukkah — The Jewish Feast of Dedication, commemorating the rededication of the Jerusalem temple after its desecration in the Maccabean peri
• hapax legomenon — A hapax legomenon is a word that appears only once in a given body of literature.
• Haran — Haran is a biblical proper name used for both a man in Terah’s family line and a city in Mesopotamia associated with Abram’s early
• Harbona — Harbona is a royal eunuch in the book of Esther who told King Ahasuerus that Haman had prepared gallows for Mordecai.
• hardness of heart — Hardness of heart is stubborn resistance to God, truth, and repentance.
• Harim — Harim is a biblical proper name used for several men and family groups in Old Testament genealogical and postexilic lists, includi
• Harlot — In biblical usage, a harlot is a prostitute or sexually immoral woman. Scripture also uses the term figuratively for spiritual unf
• Harod — Harod is a biblical place name, best known as the spring where Gideon camped before God reduced his army.
• Harosheth — Variant form of Harosheth-hagoyim, the Canaanite stronghold associated with Sisera in Judges.
• Harp — A harp is a stringed musical instrument mentioned in Scripture, often associated with praise, worship, joy, and celebration. In bi
• Harrowing of Hell — A historical theology term for Christ’s descent to the realm of the dead between His death and resurrection, understood in differe
• Harvest — Harvest is the gathering of crops, and in Scripture it often pictures God’s provision, gospel ingathering, or final judgment, depe
• Hasidim — Hasidim means “pious ones” and usually refers to Jewish groups marked by strict devotion to God and covenant faithfulness, especia
• Hasmonean coins — Coins minted under the Hasmonean rulers of Judea during the intertestamental period. They are historical and archaeological artifa
• Hasmonean dynasty — The Hasmonean dynasty was the Jewish priestly-ruling family that emerged from the Maccabean revolt and governed Judea in the inter
• Hasmonean period — The Hasmonean period was the era of Jewish self-rule under the Hasmonean dynasty after the Maccabean revolt, forming important int
• Hasmonean rulers — The Hasmonean rulers were the Jewish priestly dynasty that emerged from the Maccabean revolt and governed Judea in the intertestam
• Hasmoneans — The Hasmoneans were the Jewish priestly dynasty that emerged from the Maccabean revolt and ruled Judea in the intertestamental per
• Haste — Haste is acting, speaking, or deciding too quickly and without due wisdom. Scripture often warns against it because rashness can l
• Hatach — Hatach is a royal attendant in the Persian court who served as a messenger between Queen Esther and Mordecai in the book of Esther
• Hathath — A minor biblical personal name appearing in a genealogical list in 1 Chronicles.
• Havilah — Havilah is a biblical proper name used for both a person and a place. The place-name is associated with Genesis, later boundary de
• Hawk — A hawk is a bird of prey mentioned in Scripture, especially in the Old Testament food laws and in Job as part of God’s ordering of
• Hay — Hay is dried grass or fodder. In Scripture it can serve as an image of what is temporary, fragile, or easily consumed.
• Hazael — Hazael was the king of Aram-Damascus who oppressed Israel and whom Elisha foretold would come to power.
• Hazar-Addar — A boundary town or marker on the southern border of the land allotted to Judah and Israel. Its exact location is uncertain.
• Hazar-Enan — A biblical place name that appears as a boundary marker in descriptions of the land of Israel; its exact location is uncertain.
• Hazar-Gaddah — A town listed among the settlements of Judah in Joshua 15:27.
• Hazeroth — Hazeroth was a wilderness campsite of Israel during the exodus journey, remembered especially as the setting of Miriam and Aaron’s
• Hazor — Hazor was a major Canaanite city in northern Israel, remembered in Scripture for Joshua's conquest of it, its later connection wit
• Head — In Scripture, “head” may refer to the physical head or, figuratively, to leadership, prominence, source, or authority, depending o
• Head Covering — Head covering is the practice discussed in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, where Paul instructs men and women about how they should appear
• Head coverings — Head coverings are the practice discussed in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, where Paul addresses how men and women should present themselv
• Head of the Church — Christ is the head of the church, meaning he holds supreme authority over his people and gives them life, direction, and unity. Th
• headship — Headship is ordered responsibility in which leadership is exercised under God in self-giving care rather than domination.
• headship of Christ — headship of Christ is a Christological term used to explain who Jesus is or what He did.
• healing — Healing is the restoration of bodily, emotional, or spiritual wholeness, whether through ordinary means or God's special intervent
• Healing at the Beautiful Gate — The healing at the Beautiful Gate is the miracle in Acts 3 in which Peter, in the name of Jesus Christ, healed a man who had been
• Healing miracles' theological significance — Miraculous healings in Scripture reveal God's compassion, authority over sickness, and saving purpose, especially in Jesus' minist
• Healing practices — Biblical healing practices are the ways Scripture commends for caring for the sick: prayer, anointing with oil, compassionate serv
• Healing the centurion's servant — The Gospel account in which Jesus healed a centurion’s servant and commended the centurion’s remarkable faith.
• Healing the man at Bethesda — Jesus healed a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. The miracle reveals Christ’s
• Healing the man born blind — Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth, as recorded in John 9. The sign reveals Jesus’ divine authority and highlights t
• Healing the official's son — Jesus’ healing of a royal official’s son in John 4:46–54, where the boy is healed by Jesus’ word from a distance.
• Health — Physical well-being, soundness, or strength; in a broader biblical sense, wholeness and flourishing under God's care.
• Hearing — In Scripture, hearing often means more than perceiving sound; it commonly includes receiving God’s word with understanding and res
• heart — The heart in Scripture is the inner center of thought, desire, will, and moral response before God.
• Heave offering — A heave offering was a sacred portion of an Israelite offering or gift that was set apart for the Lord and often assigned to the p
• heaven — Heaven is the blessed dwelling of God's presence and the sphere of final life with Him.
• Heaven / New Creation — Heaven and new creation are the future fullness of life with God.
• Heavenly citizenship — Heavenly citizenship is a Pauline identity term, especially associated with Philippians 3:20, that contrasts the believer's ultima
• Heavenly journeys — A broad, nonstandard phrase that may refer to biblical visions of heaven or rare accounts of being caught up to heaven, but it nee
• heavenly places — A New Testament phrase, especially in Ephesians, for the unseen spiritual realm where God’s saving rule is active, Christ is exalt
• Hebraism — A Hebraism is a Hebrew or Semitic way of speaking that appears in Scripture or in Scripture-shaped translation. It is a language f
• Hebraists — Hebraists were the Hebrew- or Aramaic-speaking Jews in the Jerusalem church, contrasted with the Greek-speaking Hellenists in Acts
• Hebrew — Hebrew is the main language of the Old Testament.
• Hebrew and Greek Idioms — Common expressions, turns of phrase, and speech patterns in the Bible’s original languages that mean more than a strict word-for-w
• Hebrew calendar — The calendar system used in biblical Israel for counting months, setting feasts, and marking appointed times in worship and daily
• Hebrew inscriptions — Ancient writings in Hebrew found on artifacts such as stones, pottery, seals, and ostraca. They provide historical and linguistic
• Hebrew Language — Hebrew is the main original language of most of the Old Testament and the historic language of ancient Israel.
• Hebrew Script and Writing — The Hebrew alphabet, writing system, and scribal practices associated with the Old Testament and later Jewish textual transmission
• Hebrews — Hebrews is a New Testament sermon-letter that presents Jesus as the final and superior revelation, priest, and sacrifice.
• Hebron — A major biblical city in the hill country of Judah, associated with Abraham, the patriarchs, Caleb, and David’s early reign.
• Hegai — Hegai was a Persian court official in Esther who had charge of the women and showed favor to Esther.
• Heidelberg Catechism — A 1563 Reformed catechism that teaches Christian doctrine in question-and-answer form.
• Heifer — A heifer is a young female cow. In Scripture, heifers appear in everyday agricultural life and in a few ceremonial or poetic setti
• Heir — In Scripture, an heir is one who receives an inheritance. Theologically, believers are called heirs because in Christ they receive
• Helam — Helam is a biblical place name associated with David’s victory over the Aramean army.
• Helbah — Helbah is a biblical place name mentioned in Judges 1:31 in connection with the territory of Asher.
• Helbon — Helbon is a biblical place-name mentioned in Ezekiel 27:18 as a source of fine wine traded with Tyre.
• Heliocentricity — Heliocentricity is the astronomical view that the earth and other planets orbit the sun. It is primarily a scientific model, not a
• Heliodorus — Heliodorus was a Seleucid official mentioned in 2 Maccabees 3 for attempting to seize temple funds in Jerusalem. He is a historica
• Hell — Hell is the final state of punishment for the unrepentant.
• Hellenism — Hellenism is the spread of Greek language and culture across the eastern Mediterranean.
• Hellenistic period — The Hellenistic period is the era after Alexander the Great when Greek language and culture spread widely through the eastern Medi
• Hellenists — Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews in the early Jerusalem church, distinguished from the Hebrew-speaking Jews called Hebraists.
• Helmet of Salvation — The helmet of salvation is part of the armor of God in Scripture, picturing the believer’s protection through God’s saving work. I
• Helper — In John 14–16, “Helper” is a title Jesus uses for the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sends to dwell with believers, teach them, remi
• Helpmate — An older English term for a suitable helper and companion, drawn from the creation account in Genesis 2.
• Helpmeet — An archaic English expression from Genesis 2:18 meaning a suitable helper or fitting counterpart, especially in the marriage relat
• Hem of Garment — The hem of a garment is its edge or border. In Scripture it may simply mean the outer edge of clothing, and in some contexts it ov
• Hen — A hen is a female chicken or domestic bird. In Scripture, it appears mainly as an everyday image, most notably in Jesus’ lament ov
• Hena — A biblical place named in the Assyrian taunt against Judah; its exact location is uncertain.
• Henna — A fragrant plant mentioned in the Song of Songs as part of poetic garden imagery.
• Hephzibah — A Hebrew personal name meaning “my delight is in her.” In Isaiah 62:4 it is used as a symbolic name for restored Zion, expressing
• Herding and animal husbandry — The care, breeding, guarding, and management of livestock in the biblical world. Scripture treats herding as a normal part of dail
• Heresy — Heresy is teaching that departs from essential biblical truth and, if embraced, leads people away from the apostolic faith.
• Herman Bavinck — Herman Bavinck (1854–1921) was a Dutch Reformed theologian whose work connected Christian doctrine, revelation, creation, culture,
• Hermas — Hermas is a New Testament name in Romans 16:14 and is also traditionally linked with The Shepherd of Hermas, an early Christian wr
• Hermeneutical circle — The hermeneutical circle is the interpretive movement in which the parts of a text help explain the whole, and the whole helps exp
• hermeneutics — Hermeneutics is the study of the principles and methods by which Scripture should be interpreted faithfully.
• Herod Agrippa I — Herod Agrippa I was a first-century Herodian ruler over Judea who persecuted the early church, executed James the brother of John,
• Herod Agrippa II — Herod Agrippa II was a first-century Herodian ruler who heard Paul’s defense in Caesarea. He appears in Acts as a political figure
• Herod Antipas — Herod Antipas was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea during much of Jesus’ ministry. The Gospels portray him as the ruler who impri
• Herod Archelaus — Herod Archelaus was a son of Herod the Great who ruled Judea after his father’s death. Matthew mentions him because Joseph avoided
• Herod Philip I and Philip II — Modern labels used to distinguish two sons of Herod the Great: one associated with Herodias’s first marriage, and the other Philip
• Herod the Great — Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea during the birth of Jesus. In Matthew’s Gospel he is the ruler who sought to
• Herod's expansion — Herod the Great’s major building and territorial projects, especially the enlargement and beautification of the Jerusalem temple c
• Herod's Palace — Herod’s Palace refers to a royal or governmental residence associated with Herod the Great or the Herodian rulers in the New Testa
• Herod's Temple — The Jerusalem temple in the New Testament period, rebuilt and enlarged under Herod the Great, and destroyed by the Romans in AD 70
• Herodian coins — Coins minted under Herod the Great and later Herodian rulers in the New Testament era. They are useful background for understandin
• Herodian dynasty — The Herodian dynasty was the line of client rulers descended from Herod the Great who governed parts of Judea under Roman rule in
• Herodian period — The era of Herod the Great and his heirs ruling as client kings or governors under Roman authority in and around the land of Israe
• Herodian Quarter — A modern archaeological label for an excavated elite residential area in Jerusalem from the late Second Temple period.
• Herodians — Herodians are a political group associated with support for the Herodian ruling house.
• Herodias — Herodias was a Herodian princess and the wife of Herod Antipas. The Gospels present her as opposing John the Baptist after he cond
• Herodion — Herodion is a believer greeted by Paul in Romans 16:11, where Paul calls him “my kinsman.” Scripture gives no further certain deta
• Hesed — Hesed is a Hebrew term often translated “steadfast love,” “lovingkindness,” or “mercy.” It commonly refers to God’s faithful, cove
• Heshbon — Heshbon was an important city east of the Jordan River, first known as the royal city of Sihon the Amorite and later associated wi
• Heth — Heth is a biblical name used for a son of Canaan associated with the Hittites, and it is also the name of the eighth letter of the
• Hezekiah — Hezekiah was a king of Judah who trusted the Lord, led religious reforms, and prayed during a national crisis. His story is record
• Hezekiah's reforms — The religious reforms carried out by King Hezekiah in Judah to restore proper worship of the LORD, cleanse the temple, and remove
• Hezekiah's tunnel — Hezekiah's tunnel is the water tunnel in Jerusalem that redirected the Gihon spring into the city, commonly associated with King H
• Hiddekel — The biblical name Hiddekel refers to the river commonly identified as the Tigris.
• Hidden Manna — "Hidden manna" is a promise Christ gives to faithful believers in Revelation 2:17. It likely points to the spiritual nourishment,
• Hidden Treasure — A biblical image for something of great value that is not immediately seen; in Jesus’ teaching, it especially pictures the surpass
• Hiddenness — Hiddenness refers to seasons in which God’s purposes or presence seem obscured to human perception.
• hiddenness of God — The hiddenness of God refers to the felt difficulty of perceiving God’s presence or activity despite His real sovereignty and self
• High Christology — A scholarly label for portrayals of Jesus that emphasize his divine identity, preexistence, authority, worship, or participation i
• High Medieval — A historical label for the central centuries of the Middle Ages, especially important for church history, scholastic theology, and
• High places — High places were elevated worship sites used in the Old Testament. They could be associated with false worship, and even when used
• High Priest — The high priest was Israel’s chief priest under the Old Covenant, appointed to represent the people before God in the sanctuary. I
• High Priest's garments and functions — The high priest was Israel's chief priest, distinguished by sacred garments and unique duties, especially on the Day of Atonement.
• High Priesthood — High priesthood is the office of the chief priest who represented Israel before God, especially in sacrificial ministry. In the Ne
• High Priestly intercession — Christ’s ongoing heavenly ministry as the risen High Priest who represents believers before the Father and applies the benefits of
• High Priestly prayer — The High Priestly Prayer is the name commonly given to Jesus’ prayer in John 17. In it, he prays for himself, for his disciples, a
• High Scholasticism — High Scholasticism was the mature medieval form of Christian theology, especially in the 13th century, marked by careful distincti
• Hilary of Poitiers — Hilary of Poitiers was a fourth-century bishop and theologian who defended the full deity of Christ against Arian teaching and hel
• Hilkiah — Hilkiah is the name of several Old Testament men, most notably the high priest in King Josiah’s day who found the Book of the Law
• Hin — A hin is an Old Testament unit of liquid measure used for oil, wine, and other prescribed quantities in worship and legal instruct
• Hinduism — Hinduism is a broad family of South Asian religious traditions rather than one single, uniform system. It commonly includes ideas
• Hippodrome — A hippodrome was an ancient racetrack or arena for horse and chariot racing, especially in the Greco-Roman world.
• Hiram — A biblical personal name used for figures connected with David and Solomon, especially Hiram king of Tyre and the skilled craftsma
• Hireling — A hireling is a hired worker who serves mainly for wages. In John 10, the term describes a shepherd who lacks faithful care and ab
• Historical Books — The Historical Books are a traditional Christian label for the Old Testament books that narrate Israel’s history from the conquest
• historical context — The real-life setting in which a biblical text was spoken or written, including the people, events, customs, and circumstances tha
• Historical prologue — The covenant section that recalls a ruler’s past actions and relationship before stating obligations.
• historical reliability — The trustworthiness of Scripture when it describes real people, places, events, and God’s acts in history.
• Historical Reliability of Scripture — The historical reliability of Scripture is the conviction that the Bible accurately reports the real people, places, events, and a
• historical theology — The study of how Christians have understood, defended, and expressed biblical doctrine across the history of the church, while kee
• historicity — Historicity is the quality of being rooted in real history; in biblical studies, it asks whether a person, event, or account corre
• history — History is the ordered course of events through which God works out creation, judgment, and redemption.
• History Books — History Books refers to the biblical books that narrate major periods of Israel's historical and covenantal life.
• Hittite laws — Ancient legal collections from the Hittite civilization of the second millennium BC, useful as background for studying the Old Tes
• Hittite suzerainty treaty structure — A scholarly label for a treaty pattern from the ancient Near East, often compared with biblical covenant texts such as Deuteronomy
• Hittites — An ancient people named throughout the Old Testament, associated with Canaan and also appearing as individuals in Israel's story.
• Hivites — A Canaanite people group named in the Old Testament, associated with places such as Shechem, Gibeon, and the region of Lebanon/Her
• Hoar Frost — A white coating of tiny ice crystals that forms on the ground or other surfaces when moisture freezes; in Scripture, it appears in
• Hoba — Variant spelling of Hobah, the place named in Genesis 14:15, described as north of Damascus.
• Hobab — Hobab is a Midianite relative of Moses associated with Israel’s wilderness journey. Scripture links him to Moses’ in-laws, though
• Hodesh — Hodesh (Hebrew ḥōdeš) means “month” and, in some contexts, “new moon,” the lunar marker used to begin the monthly cycle in Israel’
• Hodge — Charles Hodge (1797–1878), a leading nineteenth-century American Presbyterian theologian and professor at Princeton Theological Se
• Holiness — Holiness means God's pure otherness and moral perfection, and the holy life He calls His people to share.
• Holiness Code — A scholarly label for Leviticus 17–26, a section of the Mosaic law that repeatedly calls Israel to be holy because the LORD is hol
• Holiness vocabulary — A thematic overview of the Bible’s words and concepts about holiness, sanctification, consecration, purity, and being set apart to
• Holism — Holism is the view that some realities are best understood as integrated wholes rather than as mere collections of isolated parts.
• Holistic Discipleship — Holistic discipleship means following Christ with your whole life, not just one spiritual part of it.
• Holy — Holy means set apart from all that is common or defiled and devoted to God. In Scripture, the term especially describes God’s perf
• Holy City — "Holy City" is a biblical title used chiefly for Jerusalem and, in Revelation, for the New Jerusalem. The phrase highlights a city
• Holy Kiss — The holy kiss was a culturally meaningful greeting of Christian love, unity, and peace in the early church. The New Testament comm
• Holy Love — Holy love is love governed by God's purity, righteousness, and moral perfection.
• Holy of Holies — The Holy of Holies was the innermost room of the tabernacle and later the temple, set apart as the most sacred place in Israel’s w
• Holy One of Israel — "Holy One of Israel" is a biblical title for the Lord, especially common in Isaiah, that highlights God's absolute holiness and Hi
• Holy Place — The Holy Place was the first room of the tabernacle and temple, set apart for priestly ministry before the inner sanctuary. It was
• Holy Spirit — The Holy Spirit is the divine Person who gives life, convicts of sin, and empowers God's people.
• Holy Spirit, Fruit of — The fruit of the Spirit is the Christlike character the Holy Spirit produces in believers. Paul lists these qualities in Galatians
• Holy Spirit, Gifts of — The gifts of the Holy Spirit are abilities or ministries the Spirit gives to believers for the good of the church and the service
• Holy Spirit, Person of — The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a divine Person. Scripture speaks of the Spirit as one who teaches, speaks, wills,
• Holy Spirit, Work of — The work of the Holy Spirit is the Spirit’s activity in creation, revelation, conviction of sin, regeneration, sanctification, emp
• Holy War — “Holy war” usually refers to wars in the Old Testament that God specifically commanded Israel to fight as acts of divine judgment
• Homage — Homage is outward honor, reverence, or submission shown to one who is recognized as greater in rank, authority, or dignity. In Scr
• Homer — A homer is an ancient biblical dry measure, roughly equal to ten ephahs.
• Homiletics — Homiletics is the study and practice of preaching, especially the preparation, structure, and delivery of sermons that explain and
• homoousios — Homoousios means of the same essence and is used to affirm that the Son is fully God with the Father.
• Homosexuality — A modern umbrella term that may refer to same-sex attraction, self-identification, or same-sex sexual behavior. Careful Christian
• Honey — Honey in Scripture is a sweet food used both literally and figuratively to picture abundance, delight, and God’s good provision.
• Honey bee — A honey bee is an insect known for producing honey. In Scripture, bees appear mainly as part of everyday life and figurative image
• Honor and shame — A cultural framework in which public honor, reputation, shame, and disgrace strongly shape relationships and behavior. It helps ex
• Honor-shame — Honor-shame is a social-world label for status, reputation, public esteem, and disgrace dynamics that often illuminate conflict, p
• Hoopoe — A hoopoe is a bird named in the Old Testament lists of unclean birds under Israel’s ceremonial law. It is a biblical animal term,
• Hope — Hope is confident expectation grounded in God’s promises and centered on Christ.
• hope in suffering — Hope in suffering is confident expectation of God’s faithfulness and future vindication in the midst of pain.
• Horn — In Scripture, a horn commonly symbolizes strength, power, honor, or royal authority. It may refer literally to an animal’s horn or
• Horn of Salvation — “Horn of salvation” is a biblical image for a strong and victorious deliverer. In the New Testament it refers especially to the sa
• Horse — A recurring biblical image associated with war, royal power, speed, and human strength; in prophetic and apocalyptic contexts, hor
• Horsemen — Mounted soldiers or riders in biblical scenes; in Revelation, the horsemen of the seals symbolize divinely permitted judgment.
• Hosanna — Hosanna is a biblical cry that originally meant “save, please” and later became a shout of praise and welcome to God’s Messiah. In
• Hosea — Hosea is a minor prophetic book that uses marriage imagery to reveal Israel's unfaithfulness and God's steadfast covenant love.
• Hosea → Malachi — The twelve Old Testament prophetic books from Hosea through Malachi, also called the Minor Prophets or the Book of the Twelve.
• Hoshea — Hoshea is a biblical personal name borne by two Old Testament figures: Hoshea son of Elah, the last king of the northern kingdom o
• hospitality — Hospitality is the welcoming care of others expressed in generosity, service, and neighbor love.
• Hospitality obligations — The biblical duty to welcome, serve, and show practical kindness to others, especially believers, strangers, and those in need.
• Host — A biblical term for an army, a large company, or a multitude; in some contexts it refers to the angelic host or the “host of heave
• Hours of the day — A biblical way of marking the time of day by recognized hours or watches. The exact system varied by setting, especially between J
• House — A common biblical word that can mean a physical dwelling, a household or family line, a dynasty, or, in some contexts, God’s dwell
• House churches — Local Christian congregations that meet in private homes rather than in a dedicated church building.
• House of David — The House of David is the royal line descended from King David. In Scripture it is especially important because God promised David
• household — Household refers to the family and domestic sphere as a setting of stewardship, nurture, and ordered responsibility before God.
• household codes — Household codes are biblical instructions addressing conduct within family and household relationships.
• Household structure — Household structure is the ordered pattern of relationships and responsibilities within the family and home as Scripture describes
• Housing and Architecture — Biblical background topic covering homes, public buildings, and construction features in the lands of Scripture.
• Huldah — Huldah was a prophetess in Judah during King Josiah’s reign who confirmed the book of the Law and announced coming covenant judgme
• Human constitution — The doctrine of human constitution asks how Scripture describes the makeup of a human being, especially the relationship between b
• Human Dignity — Human dignity is the real worth every person has because humans are made in God's image.
• Human Faculties — Human faculties are the God-given capacities by which people think, desire, choose, feel, remember, speak, and act. Scripture trea
• Human freedom and responsibility — The biblical teaching that human beings make real moral choices, act voluntarily, and are accountable to God for their response to
• Human Guilt — Human guilt is humanity's actual moral liability before God because of sin.
• Human Mortality — Human mortality means human life is finite and subject to death in a fallen world.
• human nature — Human nature is what human beings are as created persons with body, mind, will, and moral responsibility.
• Human Purpose — Human purpose is to know God, glorify Him, and live under His design as His image-bearers.
• Human Will / Free Agency — Human will and free agency mean people make real moral choices as responsible creatures before God.
• humanity of Christ — humanity of Christ is a Christological term used to explain who Jesus is or what He did.
• Hume's Fork — Hume’s Fork is David Hume’s distinction between relations of ideas and matters of fact. It is often used to question claims that a
• Humiliation — In Christian theology, humiliation usually refers to Christ’s voluntary lowliness in taking on human nature and enduring suffering
• humiliation of Christ — humiliation of Christ is a Christological term used to explain who Jesus is or what He did.
• Humility — Humility is lowliness of heart that submits to God and serves others without self-exaltation.
• Hunger — Hunger is the physical need and desire for food. In Scripture it can also picture deep spiritual longing, especially for God, righ
• Husband — A husband is a married man. In Scripture, a husband is called to love his wife faithfully, care for her, and live with her in hono
• Hushai — Hushai was a loyal friend and adviser to King David who helped frustrate Absalom’s rebellion. He is best known for countering Ahit
• Hyena — A hyena is a desert-and-wilderness scavenging animal that appears in some Bible translations or interpretation discussions, though
• hymn — A hymn is a song of praise addressed to God or centered on His works and character. In Scripture, hymns are part of the church’s w
• Hymnody — The composition and singing of hymns in the worship of God, especially in congregational Christian worship.
• Hymns — Hymns are songs of praise that honor God, confess truth, and help instruct His people in worship.
• Hymns in NT — The New Testament includes several elevated passages that many interpreters understand as early Christian hymns or hymn-like confe
• hyperbole — Hyperbole is deliberate overstatement used for force, warning, or vivid emphasis.
• Hypercalvinism — Hypercalvinism is a theological distortion that overemphasizes divine sovereignty in a way that weakens the free offer of the gosp
• Hyperevidentialism — A critical label for an overextended evidentialism that demands unusually strong proof before a claim can be accepted as believabl
• hypocrisy — Hypocrisy is the sin of pretending outward righteousness while inwardly remaining false or divided.
• hypostasis — Hypostasis is the classical term for a distinct person, especially in Trinitarian and Christological doctrine.
• Hypostatic Union — The hypostatic union means Jesus Christ is one Person with both full deity and full humanity.
• Hyssop — Hyssop is a plant or plant-based branch used in Scripture for ritual cleansing, the application of sacrificial blood, and symbolic
• Hyssop plant — Hyssop is a Bible plant or branch used in cleansing rites, Passover, and symbolic prayers for purification. Its main significance
• Mount Halak — A biblical place name in Joshua that marks the southern extent of the land conquered under Joshua; its precise location is uncerta
• Mount Hermon — Mount Hermon is a prominent mountain on Israel’s far northern border, important in biblical geography and poetic imagery.
• Nazirite Hair — The uncut hair worn during a Nazirite vow as an outward sign of consecration to the Lord.
• New Heaven — The new heaven is part of the renewed creation God will bring about at the end of the age. Scripture presents it together with the
• New Heaven and New Jerusalem — The final renewed creation God will bring about after judgment, when sin, death, and curse are gone and His people dwell with Him
• Well of Harod — The Well of Harod is the spring near Mount Gilboa where Gideon camped before God reduced his army in Judges 7. It is a biblical pl