G
GABRIEL [ga´-bre-el] (God is great) — an archangel who acts as the messenger of God; he appeared to Daniel (Dan. 8:16), Zechariah (Luke 1:19), and the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26–38).
GAD (good fortune) — the seventh son of Jacob’s twelve sons. Gad was the firstborn son of Zilpah (Leah’s maid). Moses praised Gad for his bravery and faithfulness to duty (Deut. 33:20–21). Except for Ezbon, Gad’s seven sons all founded tribal families (Num. 26:15–18).
There was also a prophet named Gad. He was called David’s “seer” (1 Chron. 21:9). He told David to buy the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, and it became the site of the temple. He also helped arrange the tabernacle music (2 Chron. 29:25) and wrote about David’s time as king (1 Chron. 29:29).
GADARA [gad´-ar-a] (walls) — a city of Transjordan about six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Gadara was mainly a Greek city and one of the cities of the Decapolis. It was also the capital city of Perea. The ruins of Gadara, known in modern times as Um Qeis, include two theaters, a church, bathhouses, and a street lined with columns. These ruins are proof that Gadara was once a large and beautiful city.
Remains of a church at ancient Gergesa which memorialized Jesus’ healing of the demoniac (Matt. 8:28–34). This region east of the Sea of Galilee was also known as Gadara and Gerasa.
GADARENES [gad-a-renes´] — the people who were born in or lived in Gadara. The Gadarenes are mentioned in the story of Jesus healing a demon–possessed man (Mark 5:1–20, NKJV).
GALATIA [ga-la-she´-a] — a region in central Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The northern part of the region was settled in the third century B.C. by Celtic tribes that had been driven out of Gaul (France). The region received its name, Galatia, from those tribes.
GALATIANS [ga-la-she´-ans] — the people who were born in or lived in Galatia (Gal. 3:1).
GALATIANS, EPISTLE TO THE — a short, exciting letter from the apostle Paul to the Christians of Galatia. The Book of Galatians is full of valuable information about Paul’s life between his conversion and his missionary journeys (1:11–2:14). Galatians also teaches the doctrine of justification by faith alone (Christians are accepted by God when they believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and that He rose again).
GALILEE [gal´-i-lee] (circle or circuit) — a Roman province of Palestine during the time of Jesus.
GALILEE, SEA OF — a freshwater lake, fed by the Jordan River. This body of water was closely associated with Jesus’ ministry.
GALL — a bitter thing (Matt. 27:34).
GAMALIEL [gam-a´-le-el] (God is my recompense) — a leader of the tribe of Manasseh chosen to help take the census during Israel’s wandering in the wilderness (Num. 1:10).
The Sea, or Lake, of Galilee, at the point where the Jordan River flows into the northern end of the lake.
Another man named Gamaliel was a famous member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a teacher of the Law who had taught the apostle Paul (Acts 22:3). He told the Sanhedrin not to worry about the apostles of the Christian church. Gamaliel felt that if Jesus was a false prophet (there had been several), the little group would fall apart. But if the works of Jesus truly were “from God,” he pointed out to the others, “you will not be able to stop them” (Acts 5:39).
GARMENT — a piece of clothing (Matt. 9:16, NKJV).
GARRISON — a fort or a company of soldiers stationed in a fort. During Saul’s reign as king of Israel, the Philistines had garrisons deep inside Israel—at Geba (1 Sam. 13:3, NKJV) and Bethlehem (2 Sam. 23:14, NKJV; 1 Chron. 11:16, NKJV). In later years, David drove out the Philistines and placed his own garrisons in Damascus (2 Sam. 8:6, NKJV) and Edom (2 Sam. 8:14, NKJV; 1 Chron. 18:13, NKJV).
In the New Testament, the word “garrison” always means a group of Roman soldiers who were stationed in Palestine (Matt. 27:27, NKJV) or in one of the surrounding nations visited by the apostle Paul (2 Cor. 11:32, NKJV). Paul was once rescued from an angry mob by a garrison of soldiers (Acts 21:31, NKJV).
GATE — an entrance (Acts 3:10).
GAZA [ga´-za] (stronghold) — one of the five main cities of the Philistines. Gaza was located on the great caravan route between Mesopotamia and Egypt. This made Gaza an ideal rest stop and business center for merchants and travelers.
GEHENNA [ge-hen´-na] — a word used in reference to hell (Deut. 32:22).
GENEALOGY — a list of a person’s ancestors. The genealogy of Jesus is found in Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–28.
GENERATION — a group of people who lived at a specific time in history (Deut. 32:5, NKJV).
The word “generation” also means a single line of individuals who share a common ancestor (Gen. 17:7, NKJV; Exod. 1:6, NKJV; Matt. 1:17, NKJV). This use of the word usually occurs when the Bible gives a family or tribal history (1 Chron. 5:6–7, NKJV).
GENESIS, BOOK OF — the first book of the Bible. Genesis is the first of the five books of Moses, known as the Pentateuch.
Genesis is the book of beginnings. The word “Genesis” means “the origin, source, creation, or coming into being of something.” The Hebrew name for the book is bereshith, the first word in the Hebrew text, which is translated as “in the beginning” (Gen. 1:1). Genesis describes such important beginnings as the Creation, the fall of man, and the early years of the nation of Israel.
GENNESARET [ghen-nes´-a-ret] — the “Lake of Gennesaret” (Luke 5:1, NKJV) is Lake Galilee (Matt. 4:18) and is sometimes called “the lake” (Luke 5:2).
The district of Gennesaret was called the land of Gennesaret (Mark 6:53). It was a plain with rich soil. Figs, olives, palms, and a variety of other trees were grown there.
The town of Gennesaret was a city of Naphtali (Josh. 19:35), also known as Kinnereth.
GENTILES — a word used by Jewish people to refer to foreigners, or any other people who were not Jewish.
GERGESENES [ghur´-ghes-enes´] — another name for Gadarenes (Matt. 8:28, NKJV).
GETHSEMANE [geth-sem´-a-ne] (olive press) — the garden where Jesus often went alone or with His disciples for prayer, rest, or fellowship. This is also the site where He was betrayed by Judas on the night before His crucifixion (Matt. 26:36–50; Mark 14:32).
GIANTS — human beings of abnormal size and strength. Races of giants are first mentioned in the Old Testament in Genesis 6:4, where large godlike beings were produced by the union of “the sons of God” and “the daughters of men.” God did not approve of these abnormal unions (Gen. 6:5–6).
The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus agonized in prayer on the night before His crucifixion (Matt. 26:36–46). The roots of these giant olive trees may date from the time of Christ or before.
GIDEON [ghid´-e-on] — a military hero and spiritual leader who saved Israel from the Midianites (Judg. 6:13–14).
GIFT, GIVING — the act of granting favor or presenting an item to another person without expecting anything in return. The purpose of a gift may be to honor (Dan. 2:48), celebrate (Rev. 11:10), or simply to provide help (Esther 9:22).
God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (Matt. 7:11; James 1:5, 17), including eternal life (Rom. 6:23), salvation (Eph. 2:8), the necessities of life (Matt. 6:11), ability to work (Eccles. 3:13; 5:19; Deut. 8:18), the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 5:32), spiritual abilities (1 Cor. 12:4), and His best gift (2 Cor. 9:15), His Son (John 3:16).
GIFTS, SPIRITUAL — special abilities given by God (1 Cor. 7:7).
GILEAD [ghil´-e-ad] — the son of Machir and grandson of Manasseh (Josh. 17:1). He was the founder of a tribal family called the Gileadites.
Gilead is also a mountain region east of the Jordan River and the name of a mountain on the edge of the Jezreel valley (Judg. 7:3) where Gideon and his men were camped when Gideon decided to take a smaller army to fight the Midianites.
Two other men named Gilead were the father of Jephthah, a judge of Israel (Judg.11:1–12:7), and the head of the family of Gad (1 Chron. 5:14).
GILGAL [gil´-gal] (circle) — the village where the prophet Elijah ascended into heaven (2 Kings 2:1).
Gilgal was also the name of the first campsite of the people of Israel after they crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land (Josh. 4:19–20). They took stones from the Jordan and set them up at Gilgal as a memorial to God’s deliverance. The first Passover in Canaan was held at Gilgal (Josh. 5:9–10).
There was also a small town between Dor and Tirzah (Josh. 12:23) that was known as Gilgal.
Saying or Phrase
Meaning Today
Original Context or Meaning
A Garden of Eden
A paradise of unspoiled beauty and unlimited resources.
The place where God originally put Adam and Eve, before their sin (Gen. 2:8, 15).
Forbidden fruit
A pleasure or delight that we shouldn’t enjoy, but which is also more attractive because it is off-limits.
The fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which Adam and Eve were told not to eat (Gen. 2:17; 3:3).
Adam’s apple
The hard lump of cartilage that is often prominent in a man’s throat.
The tradition that a piece of the forbidden fruit (popularly thought of as an apple) became stuck in Adam’s throat (Gen. 3:6).
Fig leaf
In art, a small covering for the genitalia; figuratively, any means of protecting oneself from embarrassment.
The coverings that Adam and Eve made after they sinned and became aware of their nakedness (Gen. 3:7).
Am I my brother’s keeper?
A rhetorical question asked to evade responsibility in regard to someone else.
The question with which Cain replied when the Lord asked him where Abel was, whom Cain had murdered (Gen. 4:9).
Forty days and forty nights
A long passage of time.
The duration of the downpour that caused the flood of Noah’s time (Gen. 7:12).
Babel, or a Tower of Babel
A symbol of confusion and chaos.
The place where God confused the languages of the nations in order to disperse them throughout the earth (Gen. 11:19).
The Promised Land
An image of ultimate freedom, happiness, and self-determination.
The phrase used to describe the land that God promised to give Abraham’s descendants, the land of Canaan, said to be flowing with milk and honey (Gen. 12:7; 15:18–21).
A mess of pottage
An allusion to being cheated or shortchanged.
The bargain by which Jacob gained the family birthright from his elder brother Esau in exchange for a bowl of red stew called “pottage” in some translations (Gen. 25:27–34).
GIRD — to put on and fasten (Acts 12:8, NKJV).
GIRDLE — a belt (2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6); also called loincloth.
GLEAN, GLEANING — the process of gathering grain or other produce left in the fields after the harvest (Judg. 8:2, NKJV; Ruth 2, NKJV; Isa. 17:6, NKJV). The Old Testament Law required that property owners leave the gleanings of their produce in the fields so they might be gathered by “the poor and the stranger” (Lev. 19:9–10, NKJV; 23:22, NKJV).
GLORIFICATION — the process of making holy and pure.
GLORIFY — praise (Ps. 86:9, NKJV).
GLORY — beauty; power; honor; a quality of God’s character that shows His greatness and authority (Acts 7:2; James 2:1).
GLUTTON — a person who eats way too much. Gluttony is more than overeating though; it is an attitude of disrespect for what is acceptable. It is also associated with drunkenness (Prov. 23:21, NKJV; Deut. 21:20, NKJV).
GNASH, GNASHING OF TEETH — to grate or grind one’s teeth together as an expression of hatred and scorn (Job. 16:9, NKJV).
GNAT — a tiny insect (Matt. 23:24, NKJV).
GNOSTICISM [nos´-ti-siz-im] — a system of false teachings that existed during the early centuries of Christianity. Its name came from gnosis, the Greek word for knowledge. The Gnostics believed that knowledge was the way to salvation instead of Jesus.
GOD — the creator of the universe who has provided mankind with a revelation of Himself through the natural world and through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Names for God
1. Elohim, “God,” i.e., His power and might
Gen. 1:1; Ps. 19:1
2. El-Elyon, “The most high God”
Gen. 14:17–20; Isa. 14:13, 14
3. El-Olam, “The everlasting God”
Isa. 40:28–31
4. El-Roi, “The strong one who sees”
Gen. 16:13
5. El-Shaddai, “God Almighty”
Gen. 17:1; Ps.91:1
6. Adonai, “Lord,” i.e., the Lordship of God
Mal. 1:6
7. Jehovah (Yahweh), “The Lord,” i.e., God’s eternal nature
Gen. 2:4
8. Jchovah-Jirch, “The Lord will provide”
Gen. 22:13, 14
9. Jehovah-Maccaddeshem, “The Lord your sanctifier”
Exod. 31:13
10. Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord our banner”
Exod. 17:15
11. Jehovah-Rapha, “The Lord our healer”
Exod. 15:26
12. Jehovah-Rohi, “The Lord my shepherd”
Ps. 23:1
13. Jehovah-Sabbaoth, “The Lord of Hosts”
Isa. 6:1-3
14. Jehovah-Shalom, “The Lord is peace”
Judg. 6:24
15. Jehovah-Shammah, “The Lord who is present”
Ezek. 48:35
16. Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “The Lord our righteousness”
Jer. 23:6
God is often described by his attributes. An attribute is a characteristic of a person or being. We aren’t able to understand God completely, but we can learn about Him by studying His attributes as they are shown to us in the Bible.
GOD, NAMES OF — the titles given to God throughout the Bible. In the ancient world, knowing a person’s name was a special privilege that meant you had access to that person. God gave His people access to Him by sharing several of His names with them. Knowing these names allowed them to have a better understanding of His love and righteousness.
GODS, PAGAN — the false gods and idols worshiped by people during Bible times—especially the false gods of Egypt, Mesopotamia (Assyria and Babylon), Canaan, Greece, and Rome.
GOD’S WILL — God’s plan and desire for us (Matt. 6:10).
GOLGOTHA [gol´-gath-a] (place of a skull) — a hill just outside the walls of Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified (Mark 15:22).
GOLIATH [go-li´-ath] — a Philistine giant. David killed him with a stone from his sling (1 Sam. 17:4–51). Goliath lived in the Philistine city of Gath. He was probably a descendant of a tribe of giants known as the Anakites, or descendants of Anak (Num. 13:33).
GOMORRAH [go-mor´-rah] (submersion) — one of the five “cities of the plain” located in the Valley of Siddim (Salt Sea or Dead Sea). The other cities were Sodom, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (Gen. 14:2–3). Because the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah became so evil and full of sin, they were destroyed by fire (Gen. 19:24, 28). The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a clear example of God’s judgment against the worst sinners (Isa. 13:19; Jer. 49:18; Amos 4:11; Matt. 10:15; 2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 7).
GOOD — a word with two distinct meanings in the Bible. As an adjective, “good” means “pleasing” (Prov. 15:23), “kind,” and “gracious” (1 Sam. 25:15). As a noun, “good” basically means God Himself (Mark 10:18). The Bible also speaks of God’s works, gifts, and commands as good.
GOPHERWOOD — the type of wood used for building Noah’s ark. Gopher wood is probably a lot like cypress wood (Gen. 6:14, NKJV).
A bust of Zeus in the Ephesus Museum. Zeus was the chief pagan god of the ancient Greeks.
Name
Responsibility
Form or Sacred Animal
Aker
Earth-god • Helper of the dead
Two lion heads
Amon
Wind-god • God of Thebes • Helper of the pious
Human (ram and goose sacred)
Anubis
Glorifier of the dead
Jackal-headed, black-skinned
Apis
Ensures fertility
Bull
Aton
Sun-god
Atum
Primordial creature-god
Serpent-human
Bes
Protection at birth • Dispenser of masculinity
Group of demons
Edjo
Goddess of Delta/Lower Egypt
Uraeus serpent
Geb
Earth-god • Consort of Nut • Begetter of Osiris
Human
Hathor
Sky-goddess • Goddess of love, dance, alcohol
Cow
Heket
Primordial goddess
Frog
Horus
Sky-god
Falcon
Isis
Goddess of life, healing • Daughter of Geb Consort/sister of Osiris • Mother of Horus
Human
Khepri
Primordial god • Rising sun
Scarabaeus
Khnum
Giver of the Nile • Creator of mankind
Human with ram’s head
Khons
Moon-god
Human
Maat
Justice • Daughter of Ra
Human
Meskhenet
Goddess protector of newborns and of destiny
Min
God of masculinity and reproduction
Mut
“Eye of the sun” • consort of Amon
Vulture or human
Nekhbet
Goddess of Upper Egypt
Nut
Sky-goddess • Consort of Geb Mother of Osiris and Seth • Mother of heavenly bodies
Osiris
Dead pharoahs • Ruler of dead, life, vegetation
Ptah
Creator-god • Lord of artisans
Ra
God of sun, earth and sky • Father of Maat • National god
Human with falcon head
Sekhmet
Goddess of war and sickness
Human with lion head
Selket
Guardian of life • Protector of dead
Scorpion
Seshat
Goddess of writing and books
Seth
God of chaos, desert and storm, crops • Brother of Osiris
Shu
God of air • bearer of heaven
Sobek
Creator-god
Crocodile
Sothis
God of Nile floodwaters
Thermuthis
Goddess of fertility and harvest • fate
Serpent
Thoth
God of wisdom, moon, chronology • Messenger of gods
Ibis or baboon
Thoueris
Goddess of fertility and women in labor
Hippopotamus
GOSHEN [go´-shen] — the name of two areas and a city in the Old Testament but usually a reference to the northeastern territory of the Nile Delta in Egypt. Jacob and his family were given permission to live in this fertile area during Joseph’s rule as prime minister of Egypt (Gen. 46:28).
During the time of the Exodus, Goshen was protected from the plagues of flies (Exod. 8:22) and hail (Exod. 9:26) that covered the rest of Egypt. The area was small but it had two main cities: Rameses and Pithom.
GOSPEL — the joyous good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated as “gospel” means “good news.” In Isaiah 40:9, the prophet shared the “good tidings” that God would rescue His people from captivity. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is in me. This is because God chose me to tell the Good News to the poor” (Luke 4:18).
GOSPELS — the first four books of the New Testament. These books are all about the saving work of God in His Son Jesus Christ. The gospels are not true biographies of Jesus, because apart from certain events surrounding His birth (Matt. 1–2; Luke 1–2) and one from His youth (Luke 2:41–52), they record only the last two or three years of Jesus’ life.
The authors of the gospels wrote to share knowledge about Jesus as a person and to call us to commit to Him as Lord.
GOVERNMENT — an earthly authority; those who rule over others in order to keep society stable and orderly (2 Pet. 2:10).
Gospel
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Audience
Jews
Romans
Hellenists
Greek World
Portrait of Jesus
Messiah/King
Jesus is the authoritative Son of God
Son of Man
divine Son of God
Key Verses
Matthew 1:1; 16:16; 20:28
Mark 1:1; 8:27; 10:45; 15:34
Luke 19:10
John 20:31
Key Words
Fulfilled
Immediately
Son of Man
Believe; Eternal Life
GOVERNOR — a regional agent or officer for the Roman emperor during New Testament times (Luke 2:2).
GRACE — favor or kindness shown without caring if a person deserves it. Grace is one of the key attributes of God. Grace is almost always associated with mercy, love, compassion, and patience (Rom. 5:1, 2, 8).
GRANT — to give; to allow (Ps. 85:7, NKJV; Rev. 3:21, NKJV).
GRAVE — a place where the dead are buried. Typically, the Hebrew people buried their dead in graves much like we do today, except that they were not as deep. Burial grounds were located outside the city limits (Luke 7:12; John 11:30). Plain stones or a stone slab were used to cover the grave to keep it safe from animals and to mark the burial place (2 Sam. 18:17). In some instances cut stones were used. Occasionally expensive pillars were used as memorials (2 Kings 23:17). Jacob built a pillar over Rachel’s grave (Gen. 35:20). Now there is a building that marks her grave on top of the traditional site.
GREECE — a region or country in southeastern Europe between Italy and Asia Minor. The Old Testament name for Greece was Javan (Gen. 10:2, 4; Isa. 66:19).
In the early years of its history, Greece was a self-governing country. Because the people came from such different backgrounds, they disagreed about many things. This kept them from becoming a unified nation.
Greece is important to Christianity because of its language. In New Testament times, Greek was the language spoken by the common people of the ancient world. Most of the New Testament was written originally in Greek.
GREEK — the language spoken in Greece.
GREEKS — people who were born in Greece or who had Greek parents. In the New Testament, “Greeks” is sometimes used as a reference for those who were not Jews.
GRIEF — an emotion of sorrow; the experience of emotional distress or pain. Today the word “grief ” is usually used to express what a person feels in periods of intense sadness, as in the time of death. The Bible uses the word more freely and, more often than not, in reference to things other than death. Grief is a response to the trouble an enemy causes (Ps. 6:7, NKJV; 31:10, NKJV) or to the foolishness of a child (Prov. 10:1, NKJV).
GROPE — to clumsily feel; to search (Job 12:25, NKJV).
GROW — mature, can be used in reference to the physical and spiritual (Gen. 21:20; Luke 2:40).
GUARANTEE — a promise or assurance; something given or held as security. The apostle Paul declared that the Holy Spirit, who lives in our hearts, is the guarantee that we shall receive our full inheritance from God (2 Cor.5:5).
GUILT, GUILTY — the act of accepting responsibility for wrong actions; knowing you have done something wrong and feeling sorry about it (Lev. 4:3; Ezra 9:13, 15). Although the word “guilt” is not specifically used, some classic examples of guilt in the Bible are: Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:7–8), Cain (Gen. 4:8–9), and David (2 Sam. 11; Ps. 51).