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HABAKKUK [hab´-ak-uk] — a courageous Old Testament prophet and the author of the Book of Habakkuk. The Scriptures don’t tell us anything about his family or his birthplace. Habakkuk was both a poet and a prophet. His deep faith led him to write a beautiful poem of praise about the mysterious ways of God (Hab. 3).
HABAKKUK, BOOK OF — a short prophetic book of the Old Testament that deals with the age-old problems of evil and human suffering. The book is named for its author, the prophet Habakkuk.
Habakkuk contains three short chapters. In the first two, Habakkuk protests, complains, and questions God. But the final chapter is a beautiful psalm of praise. Habakkuk apparently used this complaining and questioning technique to make his point concerning the approaching judgment of God. The lesson in this is that God allows Himself to be questioned by one of His followers of His long-suffering mercy and grace.
HABITATION — a dwelling place. Solomon referred to the temple as God’s “house of habitation” (2 Chron. 6:2, KJV). The church is also called “a habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22, KJV).
HADES [ha´-dees] — the place of the dead (Rev. 1:18).
HAGAR [ha´-gar] — the Egyptian slave-woman of Sarah. Hagar had a son named Ishmael with Abraham (Gen. 16:1–16). After waiting ten years for God to fulfill His promise to give them a son, Sarah quit trusting God and presented Hagar to Abraham so he could have a child with her. This was the custom during that time period. Because Abraham agreed to Sarah’s plan, it showed their lack of faith in God.
HAGGAI [hag´-ga-i] (festive) — an Old Testament prophet and author of the Book of Haggai. As God’s spokesman, he encouraged the captives who had returned to Jerusalem to complete the reconstruction of the temple. This work started shortly after the first captives returned from Babylon in 538 B.C. The building activity soon stopped though, because the people felt discouraged and overwhelmed. Beginning in 520 B.C., Haggai and his fellow prophet, Zechariah, convinced the people to start building again. The temple was completed five years later, about 515 B.C. (Ezra 5:1).
HAGGAI, BOOK OF — a short prophetic book of the Old Testament written to encourage the people of Israel who had returned to their native land after the captivity in Babylon. The two short chapters of Haggai contain four important messages. He called on the people to rebuild the temple, to remain faithful to God’s promises, to be holy and enjoy God’s great provisions, and to keep their hope set on the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom.
HAIL — a greeting that involves a wish for the good health and peace of the person addressed. Judas didn’t mean it when he walked up to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and said, “Greetings [Hail, KJV], Teacher!” (Matt. 26:49).
HALF-TRIBE — a term used in the Old Testament to refer to the two separate settlements of the tribe of Manasseh—one east of the Jordan River and the other in central Palestine west of the Jordan. During the days of Moses, half of the people of the tribe of Manasseh requested permission to settle the territory east of the Jordan after the land was conquered. Moses agreed to this request, on the condition that the entire tribe helped in the conquest of Canaan (Num. 32:33–42; Deut. 3:12–13; Josh. 1:12–18).
HALLELUJAH — a form of Alleluia.
HALLOWED — holy; set apart (Matt. 6:9, NKJV).
HAMAN [ha´-man] — the evil prime minister of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), king of Persia (485–464 B.C.).When Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, Haman decided to kill Mordecai and his family, as well as all of the Jews in the Persian Empire. But Esther intervened (stepped in) and saved her people. Haman died on the gallows (a place for hanging) he had built for Mordecai (Esther 3:1–9:25). This reminds us that God is always in control, even when wickedness and evil seem to be winning.
HANANIAH [han-a-ni´-ah] (the Lord is gracious) — the name of fifteen men in the Old Testament but most notably the Hebrew name given to Shadrach (Dan. 1:6–7).
HANDMAID — a female slave or servant (Luke 1:38, KJV).
HANNAH [han´-nah] (gracious) — one of the wives of Elkanah (1 Sam. 1:1–2:21). Because Hannah was unable to bear children, she was harassed and teased by Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah. Peninnah had given birth to several children. Hannah promised that if she were to give birth to a son, she would devote him to the Lord’s service. The Lord answered her prayers, and she gave birth to a son who became the prophet Samuel.
Since Hannah kept her promise, God rewarded Hannah with three more sons and two daughters. Hannah’s beautiful thanksgiving prayer (2:1–10) is similar to the song that Mary sang when she learned she would be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46–55).
HANUKKAH [han´-na-ka] — a Jewish feast or holiday also known as the Feast of Dedication or the Feast of Lights (John 10:22).
HARAN [ha´-ran] — the third son of Terah and the younger brother of Abraham. Haran was the father of Lot, Milcah, and Iscah (Gen. 11:26–31).
The son of Caleb was also named Haran. His mother was Ephah, Caleb’s concubine. Haran was the father of Gazez (1 Chron. 2:46).
A Levite from the family of Gershon (the son of Shimei) was given the name Haran. He lived during David’s time as king (1 Chron. 23:9).
Abraham and his father lived in a city named Haran (Gen. 11:31–32; 12:4–5). The family of Abraham’s brother Nahor, and Jacob and his wife Rachel, also lived in this city for a time (Gen. 28:10; 29:4–5). The city was on the Balikh, a small branch of the Euphrates River.
HARD BY — close to (Lev. 3:9, KJV).
HARDHEARTED, HARDHEARTEDNESS — stubbornness in opposition to God’s will (1 Sam. 6:6, NKJV). The most famous example of this kind of disobedience was the Pharaoh of Egypt, who refused to release the Hebrew people in spite of repeated displays of God’s power (Exod. 4:21; 7:3; 14:4, 17, NKJV).
HARLOT — a prostitute. The word “harlot” is often used as a symbol in the Old Testament to describe the wicked behavior of the nation of Israel in worshiping false gods (Isa. 1:21, NKJV; Jer. 2:20, NKJV; Ezek. 16, NKJV).
HASTE — an extreme hurry (Exod. 12:11, NKJV).
HAUGHTY — arrogant, proud (Ezek. 16:50, NKJV).
HEAP — to place upon (Prov. 25:22, NKJV).
HEARKEN — to pay attention (Acts 27:21, KJV).
HEART — the inner part of a person that thinks, feels, and makes decisions (Acts 2:46).
HEARTH — a dug-out depression in a house or tent where fires were built for heating or cooking. The smoke from the fire was let out through a hole in the wall, usually translated as “chimney” (Hosea 13:3).
HEATHEN — one of several words used for the non-Jewish peoples of the world. The distinction between the Israelites and the other nations was important because God’s relationship with Israel was special. He chose Israel, rescued the people from Egypt, entered into a covenant with them, and gave them His laws.
Modern Hebron, successor to the ancient city of the same name where Abraham bought a burial cave for Sarah and his descendants (Gen. 23).
God planned to bring light and salvation to all nations through Israel (Gen. 12:3; Isa. 2:1–3), but that required them to keep separate from the sinful ways of the surrounding nations (Lev. 18:24).
HEAVEN — the dwelling place of God (John 3:13; 6:38–40; Acts 7:56; 2 Cor. 5:1–10; 1 Peter 1:4).
HEBREW [he´-broo] — a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 14:13); the language the Old Testament is written in.
HEBREWS, EPISTLE TO THE — the nineteenth book in the New Testament. Hebrews is a letter written by an unknown Christian. The author teaches and encourages his readers to stay close to Jesus. The author uses a lot of Old Testament quotations to show how Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies and that He is the supreme Mediator between God and humankind.
HEBRON [he´-brun] (alliance) — a city located nineteen miles southwest of Jerusalem on the road to Beersheba. Originally Hebron was called Kiriath Arba (Gen. 23:2).
Hebron was also the name of the third son of Kohath (Exod. 6:18). He was an uncle of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. His descendants were called Hebronites (Num. 3:27).
A descendant of Caleb (1 Chron. 2:42–43) also had the name Hebron and so did a town in Asher (Josh. 19:28, KJV). It is possible that the town of Hebron was also called Abdon (Josh. 21:30).
Peasants appear before an Egyptian nobleman in this painting from a royal tomb. In their early history, the Hebrew people were enslaved by the Egyptians.
HEIFER — a young cow (Gen. 15:9, NKJV).
HEIR — a person who inherits (Gal. 4:1). (See Inheritance).
HELL — the place of eternal punishment for the wicked; the abode (place) of the dead (Matt. 5:22, 29–30).
HELLENISM — a Greek way of living that spread the Greek language and culture to the Mediterranean world after the conquests of Alexander the Great.
In the Bible, the words “Hellenists” (NKJV) and “Grecians” (KJV) in Acts 6:1 and 9:29 mean Greek-speaking Jews.
HELMET — a protective head covering worn in battle (1 Sam. 17:5); also a symbol for salvation (Eph. 6:17).
HEMORRHAGE — heavy bleeding (Mark 5:25).
HENCEFORTH, HENCEFORWARD —from now on (John 15:15, NKJV).
HERALD — an officer sent by a king or other high official to tell a message or announce good news (Dan. 3:4, NKJV).
HERB — grass; plant (Luke 11:42, NKJV).
HERITAGE — something inherited from an ancestor (Exod. 6:8, NKJV; 1 Pet. 5:3, NKJV). It can be a spiritual lesson or an actual object.
HERMENEUTICS [hur-me-newt´-ics] — the ideas and methods used to interpret Scripture. Bible scholars believe a biblical text must be interpreted according to the language it was written in, its place in history, who the author was, why the author wrote it, and the reason it was originally written.
HEROD [her´-od] — the name of several Roman rulers in Palestine during Jesus’ ministry and the times shortly before His birth and after His resurrection.
Antipater was a descendant of Esau. Julius Caesar gave him the title of procurator of Judea in 47 B.C. He placed two of his sons into ruling positions. One of them was Herod, known as “Herod the Great.” He was appointed governor of Judea.
HERODIANS [he-ro´-de-ans] — wealthy, powerful Jews who were agreeable with Greek customs and Roman law in New Testament times. The Herodians were not the same as the Sadducees. They agreed with the Sadducees about the Romans and they disagreed with the Pharisees because they were against the Romans. The Herodians did agree with the Pharisees about Jesus, though.
HERODIAS [he-ro´-de-as] — the queen who asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter as a present (Matt. 14:1–12). She was the granddaughter of Herod the Great.
HESHBON [hesh´-bon] — a city located in Transjordan about fifty miles east of Jerusalem and approximately fourteen miles southwest of modern Amman, Jordan. Heshbon was captured by the Israelites (Josh. 12:1–2), then rebuilt and populated by the tribes of Reuben (Josh. 13:17) and Gad (1 Chron. 6:81). Later, Mesha, the king of Moab, captured it. The prophets spoke harshly about this city (Isa. 15:4; 16:8–9).
HEW — to cut with hard hits from a heavy cutting instrument like when chopping firewood (2 Chron. 2:10, KJV) or quarrying and cutting stone for building purposes (Amos 5:11, NKJV).
HEZEKIAH [hez-e-ki´-ah] (the Lord is my strength) — the thirteenth king of Judah. He was the son of Ahaz and Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. Hezekiah became known as one of Judah’s godly kings. Hezekiah’s father (Ahaz) had allowed the kingdom to practice idolatry, but when Hezekiah became king, he was strong and courageous and made the kingdom change their ways (2 Kings 18:4). The fact that an ungodly man like Ahaz could have a godly son is a sure sign of God’s grace. This man was probably the great-great-grandfather of the prophet Zephaniah (Zeph. 1:1; Hizkiah, KJV).
Neariah had a son named Hezekiah who was a descendant of David (1 Chron. 3:23). Another man named Hezekiah was the head of a family who returned from the Captivity in Babylon (Neh. 7:21).
HIGH PLACES — elevated or hilltop sites used just for the worship of pagan gods. People used to build their shrines on hilltops. In Mesopotamia, where the land is flat, they built artificial mountains in the shape of step pyramids called ziggurats. The tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9) was probably a ziggurat.
HIGH PRIEST — the highest religious position for the Hebrews (Matt. 26:3, 57). Aaron was the first high priest.
Excavated remains of a structure in Jerusalem built by Herod the Great. This Herod was known as a builder of many magnificent buildings, including a temple for use by Jewish worshipers.
The Valley of Hinnom west and south of Jerusalem. In Jeremiah’s time this valley was associated with worship of the pagan god Molech in rites that required child sacrifices (Jer. 19:1–9).
HILKIAH [hil-ki´-ah] (the Lord is my portion) — the name of several men in the Old Testament. The high priest during the reign of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:4–14) and the priest who helped Ezra read the Book of the Law to the people (Neh. 8:4; 11:11) are the two best known.
HIN — a unit of measure for measuring liquid (Exod. 30:24, NKJV).
HINNOM [hin´-nom] — an unknown person whose name appears in the phrase “the Valley of Hinnom”(Josh.15:8; Neh.11:30).This person might have been the original Jebusite owner of this valley outside Jerusalem.
HIRAM [hi´-ram] (my brother is exalted) —a king of Tyre and a friend of both David and Solomon (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kings 10:11, 22; 2 Chron. 8:2, 18).
Another man named Hiram was a skilled laborer who worked on Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:13, 40, 45).
HIRE — to employ. The word “hire” can also mean bribe (Ezek. 16:33, NKJV).
HISS, HISSING — a sound made by pushing air between the tongue and the teeth to show contempt, insult, and scorn (Job 27:23, NKJV). People often clapped their hands, wagged their head, and grinded their teeth while hissing (Lam. 2:15–16, NKJV).
HITHER — here (Gen. 15:16, KJV).
HITHERTO — until now (John 16:24, NKJV).
HITTITES [hit´-tites] — the people who lived in Asia Minor between about 1900 and 1200 B.C. The name Hittite comes from Hatti, another name for Anatolia. The Old Testament contains many references to the Hittites (Gen. 15:20; Num. 13:29; 1 Kings 10:29; Ezra 9:1; Ezek. 16:3, 45).
HOLY — pure, godly, humble, and willing to serve. Holiness is one of the most important characteristics of God.
HOLY GHOST — another name for the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18).
HOLY OF HOLIES — a phrase for Holy Place (KJV).
HOLY PLACE — a term used for the most sacred inner room in the Holy Tent and the temple. Only the high priest was allowed to go in there. This room was separated from the rest of the worship area by a sacred veil (curtain) that was a symbol for the presence of God. Once a year the high priest would enter the Holy Place and sprinkle the Ark of the Covenant with sacrificial blood and ask God to forgive the sins of the people.
HOLY SPIRIT — the third person of the Trinity (the other two are God and Jesus). The Holy Spirit provides the power of God and Jesus to Christians.
HOMER — a standard unit for dry measure (Ezek. 45:11–14). This unit contained about 6 1/4 bushels. It was a large measure weighing the equivalent of the normal load a donkey could carry (the Hebrew word for “donkey” is hamor). In Leviticus 27:16 (NKJV), a homer of barley is worth fifty shekels of silver. (See Weights and Measures of the Bible.)
HOMOSEXUALITY — the act of feeling sexual desire toward a person of the same sex. The Bible says homosexual behavior is wrong (Lev. 20:13). It was one of the reasons why God placed such a harsh judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:4–5, 12–13). The apostle Paul said people who practice homosexual behavior would not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9). He also said that the behavior is wrong for both men and women (Rom. 1:26–27).
HONOR — admiration and respect. To honor God is to give Him the highest admiration and respect. Only God is worthy of our highest honor (1 Chron. 16:25; Rev. 4:9–11). Jesus taught that if a person is going to honor God the Father, he must also honor the Son (John 5:23).
Honor should also be given to our spiritual leaders in the church (1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7, KJV).
HOPE — confidently expecting something to happen. In the Bible, the word “hope” stands for both the act of hoping (Rom. 4:18; 1 Cor. 9:10) and the thing hoped for (Col. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:3). Hope isn’t wishing for something that may or may not happen. Hope is being sure about something unseen and still in the future (Rom. 8:24–25; Heb. 11:1, 7). As Christians, our hope is in God (Ps. 39:7).
HOR, MOUNT [hoer] — the mountain where Aaron died and was buried (Num. 20:22–29; Deut. 32:50).
A mountain in northern Palestine was also named Mount Hor (Num. 34:7–8).
HOREB, MOUNT [ho´-reb] (waste) — the “mountain of God” (Exod. 18:5) in the Sinai Peninsula where Moses heard God speaking through the burning bush (Exod. 3:1). It is also where the law was given to the nation of Israel. “Horeb” is another name for Mount Sinai used many times in the Book of Deuteronomy.
HOSANNA [ho´-san-na] (save us now) —a word the crowd shouted at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:9, 15, NKJV; Mark 11:9–10, NKJV; John 12:13, NKJV). The word originally was a prayer requesting God’s help, but by this time in Jewish history it had become a cry of joy or a shout of welcome.
HOSEA [ho-zay´-ah] (deliverance) — an Old Testament prophet who wrote the Book of Hosea. Hosea was the son of Beeri (Hos. 1:1). He ministered in the northern kingdom of Israel. The style of his writing shows that he was probably wealthy and well educated. His writing style also shows that he was a very compassionate and trustworthy man. He paid attention to the political events happening in the world and he understood what they meant. As a prophet, he was deeply committed to God and His will.
HOSEA, BOOK OF — a prophetic book of the Old Testament that shows God’s unending love for His people, even though they kept sinning and turning away from Him. The prophet Hosea demonstrated God’s unending love by staying true to his wife even though she was unfaithful to him.
Through his actions and his prophetic message, Hosea gives a good example of God’s unending love for His people.
HOSPITALITY — the act of taking care of guests even if they are strangers. In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “hospitality” means “love of strangers” (Rom. 12:13, NKJV).
As Christians we should always take care of each other. In the Old Testament, Abraham invited strangers into his house, washed their feet, prepared fresh meat for them, had Sarah bake bread for them, and escorted them when they left (Gen. 18:1–15). Later Abraham found out those strangers were really God’s angels.
The barren mountain traditionally identified as Mount Hor, the place where Aaron was buried along the border of ancient Edom (Num. 20:22–29).
HOST — a person who takes care of guests and shows hospitality to strangers. Being a good host was considered a sign of faithfulness to God (Job 31:32; Isa. 58:7).
HOUSE — a building where a person or family lives. A house could be the hut of a peasant, the palace of a king, or even the temple of God. There were many different kinds and sizes of houses in biblical times. The style and size of the house usually depended on how much money a family had. Those with a lot of money usually had two-story homes with many rooms. Local customs and available building materials determined how the house was designed and built.
HUMILITY — a good attitude that comes from understanding that everything we have is a gift from God. The Greek philosophers thought humility was a sign of weakness. Biblical humility is not a sign of weakness or low self-esteem (Matt. 6:16–18; Rom. 12:3). It is the ability to think of others and put them first, especially God and Christ (John 3:30; Phil. 2:3). Humble people focus more on God and others than on themselves.
HYPOCRITE — a person who acts like they are good when they really aren’t; a person who points out other people’s mistakes and asks them to change even though they make the same mistakes and aren’t willing to change (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16).
HYSSOP — a small, bushy plant used as a brush. Hyssop is the same plant we call marjoram (Exod. 12:22; John 19:29).