103 terms and definitions for “F”
Fable
“Applied in the New Testament to the traditions and speculations, “cunningly devised fables, of the Jews on religious questions” (1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16). In such passag …
Fable…
Face
“Means simply presence, as when it is recorded that Adam and Eve” “hid themselves from the “face [R.V., `presence’] of the Lord” “God” (Gen. 3:8; comp. Ex. 33:14, 15, where the same Hebrew word” “is …
Face…
Fair Havens
“A harbour in the south of Crete, some 5 miles to the east of” which was the town of Lasea (Acts 27:8). Here the ship of Alexandria in which Paul and his companions sailed was detained a considerable …
Fair Havens…
Fairs
“(Heb. `izabhonim), found seven times in Ezek. 27, and nowhere” else. The Authorized Version renders the word thus in all these “instances, except in verse 33, where “wares” is used. The” “Revised Ve …
Fairs…
Faith
Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea “is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It” “admits of …
Faith…
Faithful
“As a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful,” and not simply trustworthy (Acts 10:45; 16:1; 2 Cor. 6:15; Col. “1:2; 1 Tim. 4:3, 12; 5:16; 6:2; Titus 1:6; Eph. 1:1; 1 Cor.” “4:17, e …
Faithful…
Fall of man
An expression probably borrowed from the Apocryphal Book of “Wisdom, to express the fact of the revolt of our first parents” “from God, and the consequent sin and misery in which they and” all their …
Fall of man…
Fallowdeer
“Deut. 14:5 (R.V., “Wild goat”); 1 Kings 4:23 (R.V., “roebucks”).” “This animal, called in Hebrew yahmur, from a word meaning “to be” “red,” is regarded by some as the common fallow-deer, the Cervus” …
Fallowdeer…
Fallowground
“The expression, “Break up your fallow ground” (Hos. 10:12; Jer.” “4:3) means, “Do not sow your seed among thorns”, i.e., break off” “all your evil habits; clear your hearts of weeds, in order that” …
Fallowground…
Familiar spirit
“Sorcerers or necormancers, who professed to call up the dead to” “answer questions, were said to have a “familiar spirit” (Deut.” 18:11; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Chr. 33:6; Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Isa. 8:19; “29:4 …
Familiar spirit…
Famine
The first mentioned in Scripture was so grievous as to compel Abraham to go down to the land of Egypt (Gen. 26:1). Another is “mentioned as having occurred in the days of Isaac, causing him” “to go t …
Famine…
Fan
A winnowing shovel by which grain was thrown up against the wind that it might be cleansed from broken straw and chaff (Isa. 30:24; Jer. 15:7; Matt. 3:12). (See [205]AGRICULTURE.) …
Fan…
Farm
(Matt. 22:5). Every Hebrew had a certain portion of land assigned to him as a possession (Num. 26:33-56). In Egypt the “lands all belonged to the king, and the husbandmen were obliged” to give him a …
Farm…
Farthing
“(1.) Matt. 10:29; Luke 12:6. Greek assarion, i.e., a small as,” which was a Roman coin equal to a tenth of a denarius or “drachma, nearly equal to a halfpenny of our money.” “(2.) Matt. 5:26; Mark 1 …
Farthing…
Fast
The sole fast required by the law of Moses was that of the great “Day of Atonement (q.v.), Lev. 23:26-32. It is called “the fast” (Acts 27:9). “The only other mention of a periodical fast in the Old …
Fast…
Fat
“(Heb. heleb) denotes the richest part of the animal, or the” “fattest of the flock, in the account of Abel’s sacrifice (Gen.” 4:4). It sometimes denotes the best of any production (Gen. 45:18; Num. …
Fat…
Father
A name applied (1) to any ancestor (Deut. 1:11; 1 Kings 15:11; “Matt. 3:9; 23:30, etc.); and (2) as a title of respect to a” “chief, ruler, or elder, etc. (Judg. 17:10; 18:19; 1 Sam. 10:12;” “2 Kings …
Father…
Fathom
“(Old A.S. faethm, “bosom,” or the outstretched arms), a span of” “six feet (Acts 27:28). Gr. orguia (from orego, “I stretch”), the” distance between the extremities of both arms fully stretched out. …
Fathom…
Fatling
(1.) A fatted animal for slaughter (2 Sam. 6:13; Isa. 11:6; “Ezek. 39:18. Comp. Matt. 22:4, where the word used in the” “original, sitistos, means literally “corn-fed;” i.e., installed,” “fat). (2.) …
Fatling…
Fear of the Lord the
Is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with “love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather” filial reve …
Fear of the Lord the…
Feast
As a mark of hospitality (Gen. 19:3; 2 Sam. 3:20; 2 Kings 6:23); on occasions of domestic joy (Luke 15:23; Gen. 21:8); on birthdays (Gen. 40:20; Job 1:4; Matt. 14:6); and on the occasion of a marriag …
Feast…
Felix
“Happy, the Roman procurator of Judea before whom Paul “reasoned” “(Acts 24:25). He appears to have expected a bribe from Paul, and” “therefore had several interviews with him. The “worthy deeds” ref …
Felix…
Fellowship
“(1.) With God, consisting in the knowledge of his will (Job” 22:21; John 17:3); agreement with his designs (Amos 3:2); mutual “affection (Rom. 8: 38, 39); enjoyment of his presence (Ps. 4:6);” confo …
Fellowship…
Fence
“(Heb. gader), Num. 22:24 (R.V.). Fences were constructions of” “unmortared stones, to protect gardens, vineyards, sheepfolds,” etc. From various causes they were apt to bulge out and fall “(Ps. 62:3 …
Fence…
Fenced cities
“There were in Palestine (1) cities, (2) unwalled villages, and” “(3) villages with castles or towers (1 Chr. 27:25). Cities, so” “called, had walls, and were thus fenced. The fortifications” “consis …
Fenced cities…
Ferret
“Lev. 11:30 (R.V., “gecko”), one of the unclean creeping things.” It was perhaps the Lacerta gecko which was intended by the “Hebrew word (anakah, a cry, “mourning,” the creature which” “groans) here …
Ferret…
Ferry boat
“(2 Sam. 19:18), some kind of boat for crossing the river which” the men of Judah placed at the service of the king. Floats or rafts for this purpose were in use from remote times (Isa. 18:2). …
Ferry boat…
Festivals Religious
“There were daily (Lev. 23), weekly, monthly, and yearly” “festivals, and great stress was laid on the regular observance” of them in every particular (Num. 28:1-8; Ex. 29:38-42; Lev. 6:8-23; Ex. 30: …
Festivals Religious…
Festus Porcius
The successor of Felix (A.D. 60) as procurator of Judea (Acts 24:27). A few weeks after he had entered on his office the case “of Paul, then a prisoner at Caesarea, was reported to him. The” “next da …
Festus Porcius…
Fever
“(Deut. 28:22; Matt. 8:14; Mark 1:30; John 4:52; Acts 28:8), a” “burning heat, as the word so rendered denotes, which attends all” febrile attacks. In all Eastern countries such diseases are very com …
Fever…
Field
“(Heb. sadeh), a cultivated field, but unenclosed. It is applied” “to any cultivated ground or pasture (Gen. 29:2; 31:4; 34:7), or” tillage (Gen. 37:7; 47:24). It is also applied to woodland (Ps. “13 …
Field…
Fig
First mentioned in Gen. 3:7. The fig-tree is mentioned (Deut. 8:8) as one of the valuable products of Palestine. It was a sign of peace and prosperity (1 Kings 4:25; Micah 4:4; Zech. 3:10). “Figs wer …
Fig…
Fillets
“Heb. hashukum, plur., joinings (Ex. 27:17; 38:17, 28), the rods” by which the tops of the columns around the tabernacle court “were joined together, and from which the curtains were suspended” “(Ex. …
Fillets…
Finer
A worker in silver and gold (Prov. 25:4). In Judg. 17:4 the word “(tsoreph) is rendered “founder,” and in Isa. 41:7 “goldsmith.” …
Finer…
Fining pot
“A crucible, melting-pot (Prov. 17:3; 27:21).” …
Fining pot…
Fir
“The uniform rendering in the Authorized Version (marg. R.V.,” “cypress) of berosh (2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Kings 5:8, 10; 6:15, 34;” “9:11, etc.), a lofty tree (Isa. 55:13) growing on Lebanon” (37:24). Its wo …
Fir…
Fire
(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first “kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards” “rekindled at the d …
Fire…
Firebrand
“Isa. 7:4, Amos 4:11, Zech. 3:2, denotes the burnt end of a stick” “(Heb. `ud); in Judg. 15:4, a lamp or torch, a flambeau (Heb.” “lappid); in Prov. 26:18 (comp. Eph. 6:16), burning darts or” arrows …
Firebrand…
Firepan
“(Ex. 27:3; 38:3), one of the vessels of the temple service” “(rendered “snuff-dish” Ex. 25:38; 37:23; and “censer” Lev. 10:1;” 16:12). It was probably a metallic cinder-basin used for the “purpose o …
Firepan…
Firkin
“Used only in John 2:6; the Attic amphora, equivalent to the” “Hebrew bath (q.v.), a measure for liquids containing about 8 7/8” gallons. …
Firkin…
Firmament
“From the Vulgate firmamentum, which is used as the translation” “of the Hebrew raki’a. This word means simply “expansion.” It” denotes the space or expanse like an arch appearing immediately above u …
Firmament…
Firstborn
Sons enjoyed certain special privileges (Deut. 21:17; Gen. “25:23, 31, 34; 49:3; 1 Chr. 5:1; Heb. 12:16; Ps. 89:27). (See” [211]BIRTHRIGHT.) “The “first-born of the poor” signifies the most miserable …
Firstborn…
Firstborn Redemption of
From the beginning the office of the priesthood in each family belonged to the eldest son. But when the extensive plan of “sacrificial worship was introduced, requiring a company of men” “to be exclu …
Firstborn Redemption of…
Firstborn Sanctification of the
A peculiar sanctity was attached to the first-born both of man and of cattle. God claimed that the first-born males of man and “of animals should be consecrated to him, the one as a priest” “(Ex. 19: …
Firstborn Sanctification of the…
Firstfruits
The first-fruits of the ground were offered unto God just as the first-born of man and animals. “The law required, (1.) That on the morrow after the Passover Sabbath a sheaf of new corn should be wav …
Firstfruits…
Fish
“Called dag by the Hebrews, a word denoting great fecundity (Gen.” “9:2; Num. 11:22; Jonah 2:1, 10). No fish is mentioned by name” either in the Old or in the New Testament. Fish abounded in the “Med …
Fish…
Fisher
“Besides its literal sense (Luke 5:2), this word is also applied” by our Lord to his disciples in a figurative sense (Matt. 4:19; Mark 1:17). …
Fisher…
Fishhooks
Were used for catching fish (Amos 4:2; comp. Isa. 37:29; Jer. “16:16; Ezek. 29:4; Job. 41:1, 2; Matt. 17:27).” …
Fishhooks…
Fishing the art of
Was prosecuted with great industry in the waters of Palestine. It was from the fishing-nets that Jesus called his disciples “(Mark 1:16-20), and it was in a fishing-boat he rebuked the” winds and the …
Fishing the art of…
Fishpools
“(Cant. 7:4) should be simply “pools,” as in the Revised Version.” The reservoirs near Heshbon (q.v.) were probably stocked with “fish (2 Sam. 2:13; 4:12; Isa. 7:3; 22:9, 11).” …
Fishpools…
Fitches
“(Isa. 28:25, 27), the rendering of the Hebrew ketsah, “without” “doubt the Nigella sativa, a small annual of the order” “Ranunculacece, which grows wild in the Mediterranean countries,” “and is cult …
Fitches…
Flag
“(Heb., or rather Egyptian, ahu, Job 8:11), rendered “meadow” in” “Gen. 41:2, 18; probably the Cyperus esculentus, a species of” “rush eaten by cattle, the Nile reed. It also grows in Palestine.” “In …
Flag…
Flagon
“Heb. ashishah, (2 Sam. 6:19; 1 Chr. 16:3; Cant. 2:5; Hos. 3:1),” “meaning properly “a cake of pressed raisins.” “Flagons of wine” “of the Authorized Version should be, as in the Revised Version,” ca …
Flagon…
Flame of fire
Is the chosen symbol of the holiness of God (Ex. 3:2; Rev. “2:18), as indicating “the intense, all-consuming operation of” “his holiness in relation to sin.” …
Flame of fire…
Flax
“(Heb. pishtah, i.e., “peeled”, in allusion to the fact that the” stalks of flax when dried were first split or peeled before being steeped in water for the purpose of destroying the pulp). This plan …
Flax…
Flea
David at the cave of Adullam thus addressed his persecutor Saul “(1 Sam. 24:14): “After whom is the king of Israel come out?” “after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea?” He” “thus …
Flea…
Fleece
“The wool of a sheep, whether shorn off or still attached to the” skin (Deut. 18:4; Job 31:20). The miracle of Gideon’s fleece (Judg. 6:37-40) consisted in the dew having fallen at one time “on the f …
Fleece…
Flesh
In the Old Testament denotes (1) a particular part of the body “of man and animals (Gen. 2:21; 41:2; Ps. 102:5, marg.); (2) the” “whole body (Ps. 16:9); (3) all living things having flesh, and” “part …
Flesh…
Fleshhook
A many-pronged fork used in the sacrificial services (1 Sam. “2:13, 14; Ex. 27:3; 38:3) by the priest in drawing away the” “flesh. The fat of the sacrifice, together with the breast and” “shoulder (L …
Fleshhook…
Flint
Abounds in all the plains and valleys of the wilderness of the forty years’ wanderings. In Isa. 50:7 and Ezek. 3:9 the “expressions, where the word is used, means that the “Messiah” would be firm and …
Flint…
Flood
An event recorded in Gen. 7 and 8. (See [216]DELUGE.) In Josh. “24:2, 3, 14, 15, the word “flood” (R.V., “river”) means the” “river Euphrates. In Ps. 66:6, this word refers to the river” Jordan. …
Flood…
Flour
Grain reduced to the form of meal is spoken of in the time of “Abraham (Gen. 18:6). As baking was a daily necessity, grain was” also ground daily at the mills (Jer. 25:10). The flour mingled “with wa …
Flour…
Flowers
Very few species of flowers are mentioned in the Bible although they abounded in Palestine. It has been calculated that in Western Syria and Palestine from two thousand to two thousand “five hundred …
Flowers…
Flute
“A musical instrument, probably composed of a number of pipes,” “mentioned Dan. 3:5, 7, 10, 15.” “In Matt. 9:23, 24, notice is taken of players on the flute, here “called “minstrels” (but in R.V. “fl …
Flute…
Fly
“Heb. zebub, (Eccl. 10:1; Isa. 7:18). This fly was so grievous a” pest that the Phoenicians invoked against it the aid of their god Baal-zebub (q.v.). The prophet Isaiah (7:18) alludes to some poison …
Fly…
Foam
“(Hos. 10:7), the rendering of ketseph, which properly means” twigs or splinters (as rendered in the LXX. and marg. R.V.). The “expression in Hosea may therefore be read, “as a chip on the” “face of …
Foam…
Fodder
“Heb. belil, (Job 6:5), meaning properly a mixture or medley” “(Lat. farrago), “made up of various kinds of grain, as wheat,” “barley, vetches, and the like, all mixed together, and then sown” “or gi …
Fodder…
Fold
An enclosure for flocks to rest together (Isa. 13:20). “Sheep-folds are mentioned Num. 32:16, 24, 36; 2 Sam. 7:8; Zeph.” “2:6; John 10:1, etc. It was prophesied of the cities of Ammon” “(Ezek. 25:5), …
Fold…
Food
Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world “for food to man (Gen. 1:29), with the exception mentioned” (2:17). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the “antediluvians …
Food…
Footstool
Connected with a throne (2 Chr. 9:18). Jehovah symbolically dwelt in the holy place between the cherubim above the ark of the covenant. The ark was his footstool (1 Chr. 28:2; Ps. 99:5; “132:7). And …
Footstool…
Forces
“Of the Gentiles (Isa. 60:5, 11; R.V., “the wealth of the” “nations”) denotes the wealth of the heathen. The whole passage” means that the wealth of the Gentile world should be consecrated to the ser …
Forces…
Ford
Mention is frequently made of the fords of the Jordan (Josh. “2:7; Judg. 3:28; 12:5, 6), which must have been very numerous;” about fifty perhaps. The most notable was that of Bethabara. “Mention is …
Ford…
Forehead
The practice common among Oriental nations of colouring the forehead or impressing on it some distinctive mark as a sign of “devotion to some deity is alluded to in Rev. 13:16, 17; 14:9;” 17:5; 20:4. …
Forehead…
Foreigner
A Gentile. Such as resided among the Hebrews were required by the law to be treated with kindness (Ex. 22:21; 23:9; Lev. “19:33, 34; 23:22; Deut. 14:28; 16:10, 11; 24:19). They enjoyed” in many thing …
Foreigner…
Foreknowledge of God
“Acts 2:23; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:2), one of those high” attributes essentially appertaining to him the full import of which we cannot comprehend. In the most absolute sense his “knowledge is inf …
Foreknowledge of God…
Forerunner
John the Baptist went before our Lord in this character (Mark “1:2, 3). Christ so called (Heb. 6:20) as entering before his” people into the holy place as their head and guide. …
Forerunner…
Forest
“Heb. ya’ar, meaning a dense wood, from its luxuriance. Thus all” the great primeval forests of Syria (Eccl. 2:6; Isa. 44:14; Jer. 5:6; Micah 5:8). The most extensive was the trans-Jordanic “forest o …
Forest…
Forgiveness of sin
“One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin,” “God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and” “that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the” “guilt …
Forgiveness of sin…
Fornication
In every form of it was sternly condemned by the Mosaic law “(Lev. 21:9; 19:29; Deut. 22:20, 21, 23-29; 23:18; Ex. 22:16).” (See [220]ADULTERY.) “But this word is more frequently used in a symbolical …
Fornication…
Fortunatus
“Fortunate, a disciple of Corinth who visited Paul at Ephesus,” “and returned with Stephanas and Achaicus, the bearers of the” apostle’s first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16:17). …
Fortunatus…
Fountain
“(Heb. `ain; i.e., “eye” of the water desert), a natural source” “of living water. Palestine was a “land of brooks of water, of” “fountains, and depths that spring out of valleys and hills” (Deut. 8: …
Fountain…
Fountain of the Virgin
The perennial source from which the Pool of Siloam (q.v.) is “supplied, the waters flowing in a copious stream to it through a” “tunnel cut through the rock, the actual length of which is 1,750” feet …
Fountain of the Virgin…
Fowler
“The arts of, referred to Ps. 91:3; 124:7; Prov. 6:5; Jer. 5:26;” Hos. 9:8; Ezek. 17:20; Eccl. 9:12. Birds of all kinds abound in “Palestine, and the capture of these for the table and for other” use …
Fowler…
Fox
“(Heb. shu’al, a name derived from its digging or burrowing under” “ground), the Vulpes thaleb, or Syrian fox, the only species of” “this animal indigenous to Palestine. It burrows, is silent and” “s …
Fox…
Frankincense
“(Heb. lebonah; Gr. libanos, i.e., “white”), an odorous resin” “imported from Arabia (Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20), yet also growing in” Palestine (Cant. 4:14). It was one of the ingredients in the “perfume …
Frankincense…
Freedom
The law of Moses pointed out the cases in which the servants of “the Hebrews were to receive their freedom (Ex. 21:2-4, 7, 8;” “Lev. 25:39-42, 47-55; Deut. 15:12-18). Under the Roman law the” “freema …
Freedom…
Freewill offering
“A spontaneous gift (Ex. 35:29), a voluntary sacrifice (Lev.” “22:23; Ezra 3:5), as opposed to one in consequence of a vow, or” in expiation of some offence. …
Freewill offering…
Frog
“(Heb. tsepharde’a, meaning a “marsh-leaper”). This reptile is” mentioned in the Old Testament only in connection with one of the plagues which fell on the land of Egypt (Ex. 8:2-14; Ps. 78:45; 105:3 …
Frog…
Frontlets
“Occurs only in Ex. 13:16; Deut. 6:8, and 11:18. The meaning of” “the injunction to the Israelites, with regard to the statues and” “precepts given them, that they should “bind them for a sign upon” …
Frontlets…
Frost
“(Heb. kerah, from its smoothness) Job 37:10 (R.V., “ice”); Gen.” “31:40; Jer. 36:30; rendered “ice” in Job 6:16, 38:29; and” “crystal in Ezek. 1:22. “At the present day frost is entirely” “unknown i …
Frost…
Fruit
“A word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether” vegetable or animal. The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land “into three classes:,” “(1.) The fruit of the field, “corn-fruit” (H …
Fruit…
Fryingpan
“(Heb. marhesheth, a “boiler”), a pot for boiling meat (Lev. 2:7;” 7:9). …
Fryingpan…
Fuel
“Almost every kind of combustible matter was used for fuel, such” “as the withered stalks of herbs (Matt. 6:30), thorns (Ps. 58:9;” “Eccl. 7:6), animal excrements (Ezek. 4:12-15; 15:4, 6; 21:32).” Wo …
Fuel…
Fugitive
“Gen. 4:12, 14, a rover or wanderer (Heb. n’a); Judg. 12:4, a” “refugee, one who has escaped (Heb. palit); 2 Kings 25:11, a” “deserter, one who has fallen away to the enemy (Heb. nophel);” “Ezek. 17: …
Fugitive…
Fuller
“The word “full” is from the Anglo-Saxon fullian, meaning “to” “whiten.” To full is to press or scour cloth in a mill. This art” “is one of great antiquity. Mention is made of “fuller’s soap” “(Mal. …
Fuller…
Fullers field
“A spot near Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:17; Isa. 36:2; 7:3), on the” “side of the highway west of the city, not far distant from the” upper pool at the head of the valley of Hinnom. Here the fullers pursu …
Fullers field…
Fullers soap
“(Heb. borith mekabbeshim, i.e., “alkali of those treading” “cloth”). Mention is made (Prov. 25:20; Jer. 2:22) of nitre and” also (Mal. 3:2) of soap (Heb. borith) used by the fuller in his “operation …
Fullers soap…
Fulness
“(1.) Of time (Gal. 4:4), the time appointed by God, and foretold” “by the prophets, when Messiah should appear. (2.) Of Christ” “(John 1:16), the superabundance of grace with which he was” filled. ( …
Fulness…
Funeral
Burying was among the Jews the only mode of disposing of corpses “(Gen. 23:19; 25:9; 35:8, 9, etc.).” “The first traces of burning the dead are found in 1 Sam. 31:12. The burning of the body was affi …
Funeral…
Furlong
“A stadium, a Greek measure of distance equal to 606 feet and 9” inches (Luke 24:13; John 6:19; 11:18; Rev. 14:20; 21:16). …
Furlong…
Furnace
“(1.) Chald. attun, a large furnace with a wide open mouth, at” “the top of which materials were cast in (Dan. 3:22, 23; comp.” “Jer. 29:22). This furnace would be in constant requisition, for” “the …
Furnace…
Furrow
An opening in the ground made by the plough (Ps. 65:10; Hos. “10:4, 10).” …
Furrow…
Fury
“As attributed to God, is a figurative expression for dispensing” afflictive judgments (Lev. 26:28; Job 20:23; Isa. 63:3; Jer. 4:4; Ezek. 5:13; Dan. 9:16; Zech. 8:2). …
Fury…