F
FACE — the part of the human body that contains a person’s unique identifying characteristics. In the Bible, “face” is also used as a symbol for the presence of God. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve “hid themselves from the presence [literally, face] of the Lord God” (Gen. 3:8, NKJV).
FAINT — weak (Isa. 40:30, NKJV).
FAITH — a belief in or confident attitude toward God. This includes a commitment to following His will.
FAITHFUL — true; unwavering; continuing or staying (Deut. 7:9).
FAITHFULNESS — dependability, loyalty, and stability, especially in reference to God and His relationship to human believers. The faithfulness of God and His Word is a constant theme in the Bible. It is particularly prominent in Psalms 89 and 119. God is “the faithful God” (Deut. 7:9) and chooses Israel (Isa. 49:7).
FALL, THE — the disobedience and sin of Adam and Eve that caused them to lose their innocence. This event plunged them and all of mankind into a state of sin and corruption (Gen. 3).
FALLOW — a deer (Deut. 14:5, NKJV); unplowed ground (Jer. 4:3, NKJV).
FALSE, FALSEHOOD — a lie (Deut. 5:20, NKJV).
FAMILY — a group of people related by marriage or blood and generally living together in the same household (Exod. 12:21).
FAMINE — not having enough food or water for everyone. This word occurs often in the Bible. Sometimes it is talking about an actual famine and sometimes it is talking about a spiritual famine.
FARE — peace; prosperity (1 Sam. 17:18, NKJV).
FAST, FASTING — going without food or drink voluntarily, usually for religious reasons. Fasting could also be done for other reasons. Sometimes it was done as a sign of distress, grief, or repentance (Acts 12:2, 3; 14:23).
FATHER — the male parent of a household (Gen. 2:24). The father had the responsibility of providing for the family and giving religious instruction to the children.
FATHOM — a unit of measure for water, approximately six feet (Acts 27:28, NKJV).
FATLING — a grain-fed lamb, calf, or kid (baby goat) that was raised for meat (1 Sam. 15:9, NKJV). Because of the cost of feed, these animals were very valuable in Bible times. They were a luxury the poor could not afford.
FAULT — error; mistake; sin (Dan. 6:4, NKJV; Gal. 6:1, NKJV).
FAVOR — grace (Esther 2:15, NKJV).
FEAR — a feeling of reverence, awe, and respect (Acts 2:43, NKJV). Also an unpleasant emotion (feeling) caused by a sense of danger. Fear can be directed toward God or mankind, and depending on the situation, it can healthy or harmful.
FEASTS AND FESTIVALS — holy gatherings, or the regular gathering of the people of Israel for worship.
The feasts and festivals of the nation were scheduled at specific times of the year and they could be both civil and religious in nature. Some feasts and festivals marked the beginning or the end of the agricultural year, while others were in memory of historic events. This was always a time of thanksgiving and joyous feasting.
FEET WASHING — (See Foot Washing.)
FELIX [fe´-lix] (happy) — a Roman governor of Judea. The apostle Paul had to appear before him (Acts 24:27).
Feast of
Month on Jewish Calendar
Day
Corresponding Month
References
Passover
Nisan
14
Mar.-Apr.
* Unleavened Bread
Nisan
15-21
Mar.-Apr.
Exod. 12:15–20
Firstfruits
Nisan or Sivan
16 6
Mar.-Apr. May-June
* Pentecost (Harvest or Weeks)
Sivan
6 (50 days after barley harvest)
May-June
Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah
Tishri
1, 2
Sept.-Oct.
Num. 29:1-6
Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur
Tishri
10
Sept.-Oct.
*Tabernacles (Booths or Ingathering)
Tishri
15-22
Sept.-Oct.
Dedication (Lights), Hanukkah
Chislev
25 (8 days)
Nov.-Dee.
John 10:22
Purim (Lots)
Adar
14, 15
Feb.-Mar.
Esther 9:18–32
*The three major feasts for which all males of Israel were required to travel to the temple in Jerusalem (Exod. 23:14–19).
FELLOWSHIP — sharing things in common with others (1 John 1:3–7). Fellowship can be either positive or negative.
FESTUS, PORCIUS [fes´-tus por´-shih-us] — the Roman procurator, or governor, of Judea after Felix (Acts 24:27).
FETTERS — shackles or chains attached to the ankles of prisoners to make it difficult for them to walk (Ps. 105:18, NKJV). Fetters were usually made of iron or bronze.
FIDELITY — faithfulness; loyalty. The word occurs only once in the Bible (Titus 2:10, NKJV). The apostle Paul wrote to Titus instructing him to exhort slaves to show “all good fidelity” to their own masters.
FIG, FIG TREE — a fruit-producing plant that could be either a tall tree or a low-spreading shrub. The size of the tree depended on its location and soil. The blooms of the fig tree always appear before the leaves in spring. There were usually two crops of figs a year.
Figs were eaten fresh (2 Kings 18:31) and pressed into cakes (1 Sam. 25:18). Sycamore figs were similar to the fig but were smaller and not as good (Amos 7:14). Poor people could not afford the better variety so they usually ate those.
FILLETS — fasteners (Exod. 27:10).
FILTH, FILTHINESS — foul or dirty; also a symbol of ceremonial uncleanness or spiritual corruption.“All our righteousnesses,” declared the prophet Isaiah, “are like filthy pieces of cloth” (Isa. 64:6). But God will forgive and cleanse the sinner who repents and believes in Christ (1 John 1:7–9).
FIRE — the flames of something that is burning. In the Bible, fire is often used as a symbol of God’s presence and power (Gen. 15:17–18).
FIRM — strong and stable (Heb. 3:6, NKJV).
FIRMAMENT — the enormous area of sky and space where the stars and planets are set. God made the firmament on the second day of creation to divide the waters that covered the earth from those that were above it (Gen. 1:7, NKJV). The firmament actually includes more than just the space between the seas of earth and the rain clouds of the sky. It is hard to understand just how far this space reaches. On the fourth day of creation God placed the stars, the sun, and the moon in the “firmament of the heavens” (Gen. 1:15–18, NKJV).
FIRSTBORN — the first offspring of human beings or animals (Exod. 4:22; Heb. 1:6).
FIRSTFRUITS — the firstborn of the flocks and the first vegetables and grains to be gathered at harvest time. The Hebrew people strongly believed the “firstfruits” belonged to God. They were dedicated or presented to God on the day of the firstfruits, a part of the celebration of Pentecost (Num. 28:26).
FIRSTLING — the firstborn of animals or the first of the harvest from a crop. Abel brought the firstlings of his flock as an offering to God (Gen. 4:4). The law of the firstborn is recorded in Exodus 13:11–16.
FISH GATE — a gate in Jerusalem, place for a fish market (2 Chron. 33:14).
FLAGON [FLAG gon] — a word for raisin cake (KJV).
FLATTER — to compliment (say something nice) for selfish reasons (Prov. 28:23, NKJV).
FLEE — to leave quickly with the intention of getting away from someone or something (Gen. 16:8, NKJV; Matt. 2:13, NKJV).
FLESH, FLESHLY — the physical bodies of humans or animals. When God removed a rib from Adam to create Eve, he closed up the place with flesh (Gen. 2:21). The apostle Paul spoke of the flesh of men, beasts, fish, and birds (1 Cor. 15:39).
FLINT — a rock used for making tools and weapons (Deut. 8:15, NKJV).
Inscribed stone tablet from Babylon that describes a great flood. Unlike the Babylonian stories, the biblical account of the Flood emphasizes the sin of people and the power and moral judgment of God.
FLOCK — a herd of animals that included both sheep and goats. Both kinds of animals grazed and traveled together (Gen. 30:31–32). These animals were difficult to tell apart except at close range. This explains Jesus’ teaching about separating sheep from goats at the last judgment (Matt. 25:32). In Old Testament times, the size of a person’s flocks and herds was a way to measure their wealth (1 Sam. 25:2; Job 1:3).
FLOOD, THE — the deluge (huge flood) that God sent to destroy the sinful people during the time of Noah (Gen. 6–8).
FOLD — a place for animals (Num. 32:16, NKJV); also means flock (John 10:16, NKJV).
FOOD — nourishing substances eaten by people and animals.
FOOL, FOOLISHNESS — a stupid person or a senseless act. In the Bible, the most foolish person of all is one who denies God: “A wicked fool says to himself, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1; 53:1).
The use of the word “fool” in Matthew 5:22 is a special case. Jesus warned against using the word “fool” as a form of abuse. This word showed the hatred in a person’s heart toward others.
FOOT WASHING — an expression of hospitality shown to guests in Bible times. People traveling dusty roads in Palestine needed to wash their feet for comfort and cleanliness. Usually the lowliest servant in the household performed the foot washing (Luke 7:44). Sometimes guests were offered water and vessels to wash their own feet (Gen. 18:4; Judg. 19:21).
At the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. He explained that this act was an example of the humble ministry that they should always be ready to perform for each other (John 13:5–17).
FORBEAR, FORBEARANCE — tolerate (Eph. 4:2, NKJV), tolerance or mercy. Although human sin deserves punishment, God in His forbearance, or mercy (longsuffering patience), gives a chance for repentance (Rom. 2:4, NKJV).
FORD — a shallow place that provides easy passage across a body of water (Josh. 2:7, NKJV; Judg. 3:28, NKJV).
FOREFATHERS — ancestors, family that lived before (Jer. 11:10).
FOREIGNER — a person whose citizenship and loyalty belong to a different country (Deut. 15:3).
FOREKNOW, FOREKNOWLEDGE —the unique knowledge of God that makes Him able to know everything before it happens.
FORESKIN — the skin that covers the end of the male sex organ. The removal of the foreskin took place during the circumcision. It was a sign of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 17:10–25). Circumcision happened eight days after birth (Lev. 12:3).
FORGIVE, FORGIVENESS — the act of excusing or pardoning others even though they made a mistake. That is what God does when He forgives the sins of human beings.
FORM — to make or create; bring forth (Gen. 2:7).
FORNICATION — having a sexual relationship without being married. Seven times in the New Testament, Paul writes a list of sins. The word “fornication” is found in five of those lists (Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 5:11; Gal. 5:19, NKJV; Eph. 5:3, NKJV; Col. 3:5, NKJV).
FORSAKE — to abandon (Matt. 19:27).
FORTRESS — a safe place (Isa. 25:12, NKJV; Ps. 18:2, NKJV).
FOUL — offensive; unclean (Mark 9:25).
FOUNDATION — the strong, stable base on which a building is constructed. Jesus taught that believers should build their faith on the strong foundation of practicing His teachings (Matt. 7:24–27, NKJV). The apostle Paul also referred to Christ as a foundation for believers (1 Cor. 3:11).
FOWL — a bird, birds (Gen. 1:21).
FRAME — when used as a verb it means to establish or make (Jer. 18:11); when used as a noun it is a form or what something is made of (Ps. 103:14, NKJV).
FRANKINCENSE — a fragrant substance made from tree resin (Matt. 2:11).
FREE, FREEDOM — the absence of slavery; the ability to go wherever and do whatever a person wants (John 8:36; Rom. 6:18).
FREEWILL OFFERING — a voluntary offering (Lev. 22:18, NKJV).
FRONTLET — a small container that held scripture (Deut. 6:8, NKJV).
FROWARD — corrupt; bad (Prov. 2:15).
FRUIT — food (Gen. 1:11). The word “fruit” is also a reference to children (Exod. 21:22), and spiritually speaking, a reference to good qualities (characteristics) (Gal. 5:22, NKJV).
FRUSTRATE — set aside (in Bible times) (Gal. 2:21, NKJV).
FUGITIVE — a runaway or escapee (Gen. 4:14, NKJV).
FULFILL — complete (Matt. 3:15, NKJV).
FULLNESS OF TIME — an exact or specific time (Gal. 4:4, NKJV).
FUNERAL — a burial ceremony. The Bible doesn’t give many details about the actual rituals involved in burying the dead in ancient Palestine. Corpses (dead bodies) were generally buried (Gen. 23:4, 6, 8), but only Joseph was embalmed and put in a coffin (Gen. 50:26).
Mourners at funerals included family members (Gen. 37:34) and friends (1 Sam. 15:35). Sometimes people called professional mourners were paid to attend the funeral (Eccles. 12:5).
Mourning customs included weeping (Gen. 23:2), wearing sackcloth (Isa. 15:3), cutting hair (Jer. 7:29), fasting (2 Sam. 1:11), and putting ashes on (Ezek. 27:30). A line of mourners usually carried the body to the burial site (2 Sam. 3:31–34).
FURNACE — an oven (Dan. 3:6).
FURY — a violent and intense anger; rage. The Bible speaks often of the fury of the LORD (Isa. 51:13, 22, NKJV). This phrase refers to the judgment of a holy God against the sinful rebellion of human beings.
FUTURE — a time that hasn’t happened yet (Ps. 37:37–38, NKJV). The Christian believer is confident of the future because he belongs to Jesus Christ.