W
WAGES — payment for performing work or service. In Bible times, wages were often paid in the form of property or privileges instead of money.
The term “wages” is also used in reference to the consequences (results) of a person’s actions or deeds. The apostle Paul said, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23, NKJV).
WAIL — a mournful cry of grief, sorrow, or lamentation (Jer. 9:17, NKJV).
WALK — to move at a pace slower than a run; also the way a person lives their life (conduct or behavior) (Gen. 5:24; 6:9; Eccles. 11:9, NKJV).
WALL — a thick, high, continuous structure of stones or brick that formed a defensive barricade around an ancient city. Interior walls of houses in Palestine were also made of bricks or stones, but these were usually plastered over to give them a smooth surface (1 Kings 6:5).
WANTONNESS — acting without restraint or inhibition (Rom. 13:13, KJV; 2 Pet. 2:18, KJV).
WARD — a prison; a hospital; or other place of confinement (Gen. 42:16–19, KJV).
WARE — goods; utensils (Neh. 13:16, KJV).
WASTE — trash or garbage; to make desolate (Lev. 26:31, NKJV).
WATCH — a group of soldiers or others who are posted to keep guard (Neh. 4:9, NKJV; 7:3, NKJV; 12:25, NKJV). A watch is also one of the units of time that a night was divided into (Ps. 63:6, NKJV; Lam. 2:19, NKJV; Luke 12:38, NKJV).
WATCHMAN — a guard or lookout person (2 Kings 9:17, NKJV).
WATCHTOWER — an observation tower where a guard or lookout was stationed to keep watch. A tall structure that allowed a person to see far away in all directions (2 Kings 17:9; 18:8; Isa. 21:8).
WAX — a sticky substance secreted by bees to build the honeycomb, also called beeswax. The wicked melt like wax before God’s judgment (Ps. 68:2).
WEAN — to make independent of, usually in reference to a child and mother (1 Sam. 1:23, NKJV).
WEAVING — the skill of making cloth from threads. The Hebrews practiced weaving probably as early as Abraham’s time, about 2000 B.C. The great skill required to weave the tabernacle curtains (Exod. 26, NKJV) and priestly garments (35:35, NKJV) was probably learned in Egypt.
WEDDING — a marriage ceremony (Luke 12:36; 14:8). An Israelite wedding was a festive occasion that lasted for a few days and the whole community participated.
A mosaic of the wedding procession of the virgins (Matt. 25:1–13) in an ancient church in Ravenna, Italy.
WEEK — any seven consecutive days, also the time that passes between two Sabbaths (Lev. 12:5; Jer. 5:24; Luke 18:12). The Hebrew people observed the seventh day of the week, from Friday evening (beginning at sunset) to Saturday evening, as their Sabbath or day of rest and worship (Exod. 16:23–27).
In memory and celebration of the resurrection of Christ, early Christians did not worship on the old Jewish Sabbath. They chose to worship on the Lord’s Day (the first day of the week, or Sunday), which became the new Christian “Sabbath” (Mark 16:2, 9; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2).
WEEKS, FEAST OF — a feast that was observed early in the third month on the fiftieth day after the offering of the barley sheaf at the Feast of Passover. It included a holy convocation with the usual restriction on manual labor. Numbers 28:26–31 describes the number and nature of offerings and Deuteronomy 16:9–12 describes those who were to be invited.This feast was also known as the Feast of Harvest as well as Pentecost (a Greek word meaning “fifty”).
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OF THE BIBLE — weighing (pounds) and measuring (volume, length, and area) are two important functions in the Bible.
Weights
The balance was an early method of determining weight. It consisted of a beam supported in the middle and pans hanging from cords on each end. A known quantity of weight would be placed in the pan on one side of the balance and the object to be weighed on the other side. By adding or removing known weights until each side was equal (balanced), the weight of the object could be determined. These ancient weights were sometimes used as money.
Measures
The Bible uses three types of measurement: (1) volume, which measured the amount of dry goods (like flour) or liquids (like oil) that could be held in a vessel; (2) length, which measured height, width, and depth of an object or person; and (3) total area, which measured the size of a building, a field, or a city.
WELFARE — a person’s state of being; also completeness and prosperity (Neh. 2:10, KJV).
WELL — a pit or hole dug into the earth to provide water. The words “well,” “natural spring,” and “cistern” mean different things. A well was usually a pit or hole dug by man to provide water (John 4:11–12). God made natural springs (fountain) (Ps. 84:6; Neh. 2:13), and a cistern was usually a container placed in a hole in the ground to store water (Gen. 16:14; 2 Sam. 17:18).
WHEAT — the grain used to make flour. Wheat is also used as a symbol for commitment to God (John 12:24; Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17).
Weights
Unit
Weight
Equivalents
Translations
Jewish Weights
Talent
ca. 75 pounds for common talent,
60 minas; 3000 shekels
talent, one hundred pounds
ca. 150 pounds for royal talent
Mina
1.25 pounds
50 shekels
maneh, mina
Shekel
ca. .4ounce (11.4 grams) for common shekel
2 bekas; 20 gerahs
shekel
ca. .8 ounce for royal shekel
Beka
ca. .2 ounce (5.7 grams)
1/2 shekel; 10 gerahs
half-shekel
Gerah
ca. .02 ounce (.57 grams)
1/20 shekel
gerah
Roman Weight
Litra
12 ounces
pound, pint
Measures of Length
Unit
Length
Equivalents
Translations
Day’s journey
ca. 20 miles
day’s journey, day’s walk
Roman mile
4,854 feet
8 stadia
mile
Sabbath day’s journey
3,637 feet
6 stadia
a Sabbath day’s journey
Stadion
606 feet
1/8 Roman mile
mile, stadion
Rod
9 feet (10.5 feet in Ezekiel)
3 paces; 6 cubits
measuring rod
Fathom
6 feet
4 cubits
fathom
Pace
3 feet
1/3 rod; 2 cubits
pace
Cubit
18 inches
1/2 pace; 2 spans
cubit, yards
Span
9 inches
1/2 cubit; 3 handbreadths
span
Handbreadth
3 inches
1/3 span; 4 fingers
handbreadth
Finger
.75 inches
1/4 handbreadth
finger
Dry Measures
Unit
Measures
Equivalents
Translations
Homer
6.52 bushels
10 ephahs
homer
Kor
6.52 bushels
1 homer; 10 ephahs
kor, measure
Lethech
3.26 bushels
1/2 kor
a homer and a half
Ephah
.65 bushel, 20.8 quarts
Viohomer
ephah
Modius
7.68 quarts
peck-measure
Seah
7 quarts
1/3 ephah
measure, pecks
Omer
2.08 quarts
1/10 ephah; 14/5 kab
omer
Kab
1.16 quarts
4 logs
kab
Choenix
1 quart
quart
Xestes
11/16 pints
pitcher
Log
.58 pint
1/4 kab
log
Liquid Measures
Unit
Measures
Equivalents
Translations
Kor
60 gallons
10 baths
kor
Metretes
10.2 gallons
gallon
Bath
6 gallons
6 hins
measure, bath
Hin
1 gallon
2 kabs
hin
Kab
2 quarts
4 logs
kab
Log
1 pint
1/4 kab
log
WHELP — the baby of a dog, wolf, or lion (a pup or a cub). In the Bible the word “whelp” always refers to a lion cub (Gen. 49:9, NKJV; Deut. 33:22, NKJV).
WHENCE — from where (Phil. 3:20, KJV).
WHEREAS — since; because (James 4:14, KJV).
WHIRLWIND — any violent storm or destructive wind (Isa. 66:15, NKJV).
WHITEWASHED — covered with white paint to hide corruption or uncleanness (flaws) (Matt. 23:27, NKJV).
WHITHER — where (Gen. 28:15, KJV).
WHOLE, WHOLESOME — well; complete; healthy; all; entire (Prov. 15:4, NKJV).
WHORE, WHOREDOM — a prostitute; the crime of prostitution. These words are also used as symbols for idolatry (Hosea 1:2, KJV).
WICKED — evil; wrong; malicious (Ps. 9:16; 2 Thess. 3:2, NKJV).
WIDOW — a woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried.
Ancient weights were frequently cast in the shapes of animals such as turtles, ducks, and lions to make them easily recognizable and easy to handle.
WIFE — a term for a woman who is a man’s partner in marriage (Gen. 2:18; Gen. 2:24).
WILDERNESS — a land not good for farming. Wilderness land was too dry, rough, or rocky to grow crops, but it was okay for grazing animals (Gen. 14:6, NKJV; Exod. 3:18, NKJV). Occasionally the word “wilderness” is used to mean “desert.”
WILL — wishing; wanting; choosing especially in reference to God’s will. A will is also a legal document that explains what is to happen to a person’s property after they die.
WIMPLE — a covering made of cloth and wound around the head. It framed the face, and was drawn into folds beneath the chin (Isa. 3:22, KJV). Other translations are veil (KJV), mantle (NRSV), and shawl (NKJV, NIV).
WIND — the natural movement of air as a part of the weather pattern.
WINE — the fermented juice of grapes. Wine was common in Hebrew life and had many uses. It was used for trade purposes and sometimes as payment for a fine (Amos 2:8). Wine was also used in worship (Exod. 29:40; Num. 28:7; Lev. 23:13; Num. 15:5), as a common drink, and as medicine (2 Sam. 16:2; Prov. 31:6; Luke 10:34; 1 Tim. 5:23).
Even though wine was used for many different purposes, the Bible also clearly warns of the dangers of drunkenness (Prov. 20:1; 23:29–35; Hosea 4:11). The prophets accused the Hebrew people of drinking too much (Isa. 28:1; Amos 6:6), and of wanting prophets who would say it was okay (Mic. 2:11). The prophets said that the nation’s leaders were too interested in drinking to notice what was happening to their country (Isa. 5:11–12; 22:13).
In New Testament times, people still used wine but the apostle Paul told them to be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of wine (Eph. 5:18).
WINEBIBBERS — people who drink too much wine. The Bible says we should not spend our time with these people (Prov. 23:20, NKJV).
WINEPRESS — a container where juice is pressed from grapes before it is made into wine (Deut. 16:13; Judg. 6:11).
WINESKIN — a bag made from the skin of a goat or another animal that was used to store and serve wine (Job 32:19, NKJV).
Jesus refers to wineskins to show how the Jewish legalism of the Old Testament was inflexible and outdated. He said,“No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined” (Mark 2:22, NKJV). The “old wineskins” were Judaism, and the “new wine” was the dynamic (powerful) new faith of Christianity.
WINNOWING — the process of separating the kernels of threshed grain (like wheat or barley) from the chaff (the husks or seed coverings). The grain and chaff were thrown into the air. The kernels of wheat or barley would fall into a pile on the threshing floor and the chaff would be blown away by the wind (Ps. 1:4).
WISDOM — the ability to know and do the right thing (1 Kings 4:29–34).
WISE — a person who understands and makes good decisions based on what they know (Prov. 10:5).
WISE MEN — the men from the East who were led by a star to come to Palestine to worship the baby Jesus (Matt. 2:1, 7, 16).
WIT, WIST, WOT — to know (Luke 2:49, KJV).
WIT, TO — specifically (Rom. 8:23, KJV).
WITHER — to deplete; to dry up; to become ineffective (useless) (Ps. 102:4, NKJV; 1 Pet. 1:24, NKJV).
WITHSTAND — to stand up against (Eph. 6:13, NKJV).
WITNESS, WITNESSING — a person who gives testimony or a testimony given for or against another person. Witnessing is also telling what you know, especially the gospel (Acts 1:8, 22; 2:32; 22:14, 15).
Name
Description
Biblical Reference
Bathsheba
Wife of David; mother of Solomon
2 Sam. 11:3, 27
Deborah
Judge who defeated the Canaanites
Judg. 4:4
Delilah
Philistine who tricked Samson
Judg. 16:4, 5
Dinah
Only daughter of Jacob
Gen. 30:21
Eve
First woman
Gen. 3:20
Gomer
Prophet Hosea’s unfaithful wife
Hosea 1:2, 3
Hagar
Sarah’s maid; mother of Ishmael
Gen. 16:3–16
Hannah
Mother of Samuel
1 Sam. 1
Jezebel
Wicked wife of King Ahab
1 Kings 16:30, 31
Jochebed
Mother of Moses
Exod. 6:20
Miriam
Sister of Moses; a prophetess
Exod. 15:20
Naomi
Ruth’s mother-in-law
Ruth 1:2, 4
Orpah
Ruth’s sister-in-law
Ruth 1:4
Rachel
Wife of Jacob
Gen. 29:28
Rahab
Harlot who harbored Israel’s spies;
Josh. 2:3–1;
ancestor of Jesus
Matt. 1:5
Ruth
Wife of Boaz; mother of Obed;
ancestor of Jesus
Matt. 1:5
Sarah
Gen. 11:29; 21:2, 3
Tamar
A daughter of David
2 Sam. 13:1
Zipporah
Wife of Moses
Exod. 2:21
WIZARD — magician; sorcerer; person who speaks with the dead (Isa. 8:19, NKJV).
WOE — deep sorrow, grief, or affliction. Old Testament prophets often used the word to describe great feelings of despair or misfortune (Isa. 3:9, 11, NKJV; Jer. 10:19, NKJV; Amos 5:18, NKJV). In the New Testament Jesus pronounced woes on the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida (Matt. 11:21, NKJV), on the scribes, the Pharisees, and lawyers (Luke 11:42–44, NKJV), and on the one who betrayed Him (Judas Iscariot) (Mark 14:21, NKJV).
WOMAN — an adult female (Gen. 36:12).
WOMB — a woman’s uterus (Gen.25:24, NKJV).
WONDER — something amazing; a miracle. The feeling you feel after seeing something amazing or a miracle (Matt. 24:24, NKJV; Acts 3:10, NKJV).
Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus, has a place of honor among the women of the New Testament.
She is an enduring example of faith, humility, and service (Luke 1:26-56).
Other notable women of the New Testament include the following:
Name
Description
Biblical Reference
Anna
Recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah
Luke 2:36–38
Bernice
Sister of Agrippa before whom Paul made his defense
Acts 25:13
Candace
A queen of Ethiopia
Acts 8:27
Chloe
Woman who knew of divisions in the church at Corinth
1 Cor. 1:11
Claudia
Christian of Rome
2 Tim. 4:21
Damaris
Woman of Athens converted under Paul’s ministry
Acts 17:34
Dorcas (Tabitha)
Christian in Joppa who was raised from the dead by Peter
Acts 9:36–41
Drusilla
Wife of Felix, governor of Judea
Acts 24 :24
Elizabeth
Mother of John the Baptist
Luke 1:5, 13
Eunice
Mother of Timothy
2 Tim. 1:5
Herodias
Queen who demanded the execution of John the Baptist
Matt. 14:3–10
Joanna
Provided for the material needs of Jesus
Luke 8:3
Lois
Grandmother of Timothy
2 Tim. 1:5
Lydia
Converted under Paul’s ministry in Philippi
Acts 16:14
Martha and Mary
Sisters of Lazarus; friends of Jesus
Luke 10:38–42
Mary Magdalene
Woman from whom Jesus cast out demons
Phoebe
A servant, perhaps a deaconess, in the church at Cenchrea
Rom. 16:1, 2
Priscilla
Wife of Aquila; laborer with Paul at Corinth and Ephesus
Acts 18:2, 18, 19
Salome
Mother of Jesus’ disciples James and John
Matt. 20:20–24
Sapphira
Held back goods from the early Christian community
Acts 5:1
Susanna
Provided for the material needs of Jesus
Luke 8:3
WONT — used to; established; habit (Luke 22:39, KJV).
WORD, THE — a religious phrase that describes the absolute, eternal, and ultimate being (person) of Jesus Christ (John 1:1–14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13).
WORD OF GOD — how God makes Himself known, tells His will, and fulfills His purposes. Phrases such as “word of God” and “word of the Lord” are names for the power of God (Gen. 1), an announcement of God (Exod. 9:20–21; 1 Kings 2:27), the commitment and promises of God (Gen. 15:1, 4), and a particular instruction from God (Josh. 8:27).
WORK — physical or mental activity. Man was created to work and to enjoy it. One of his primary tasks in the Garden of Eden was to “till [work] the ground” (Gen. 2:5, NKJV). God meant for work to be a blessing, but it became a curse after sin entered the world (Gen. 3:17–19).
WORLD — the heavens and the earth that form the universe and the place where people and animals live. The Hebrew people and the Greeks use both of the terms “world” and “earth” to mean the created universe. In Psalm 24:1, the words are used as a reference to all of creation.
The word “world” is also a reference to humankind. Christ called His disciples “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).
The word “world” can also be used to describe the seeking of riches and pleasures and the foolishness of making them the most important thing in life (Matt. 16:26).
WORM, WORMS — a small crawling creature that is often used as a symbol of weakness (Job 17:14; Isa. 41:14).
WORMWOOD — any of several aromatic (strong-smelling) plants that yield a bitter, dark green oil (Deut. 29:18, NKJV; Rev. 8:11).
WORSHIP — the reverent devotion and allegiance pledged to God; the rituals or ceremonies performed to show this reverence (John 4:23). The English word “worship” comes from the Old English word “worthship,” a word that refers to the worthiness of the one receiving the special honor or devotion.
WRATH — God’s holy anger directed against sin (Rom. 1:18, NKJV).Wrath is not irrational or out of control like a fit of anger, and it is not vindictive or malicious.
WREST — to change; manipulate (2 Pet. 3:16, KJV).
WROTH — angry (Gen. 4:5, KJV; Rev. 12:17, KJV).