– B –

Baal (Canaanite god, fertility god, idol)

Head god in the Canaanite pantheon who is believed to have command over fertility, agriculture, and animals

Deuteronomy 4:3–4. Consequences of Baal worship

Judges 2:11–14. A generation of Baal worshipers

1 Kings 16:29–33. Ahab worships Baal.

2 Kings 10:18–28. Jehu’s war against Baal worship

2 Kings 11:17–18. Cleansing the land of Baal worship

Babylonian Chronicles (historiography)

Ancient Mesopotamian tablets discussing the events of Babylonian history from the time of the Sumerian kings through the Seleucid dynasties

2 Kings 25:8–10. Fall of Jerusalem mentioned in the Babylonian Chronicles

Nahum 2:6. Event mentioned in the Babylonian Chronicles

Nahum 2:10. Event mentioned in the Babylonian Chronicles

Backbiting (bad-mouthing, spite, unkind remarks)

Speaking spitefully about someone or something

Psalm 15:3. A tabernacle dweller does not backbite.

Proverbs 25:23. A backbiting tongue

Ephesians 4:32. Stop the backbiting.

Backsliding (falling away, turning back)

Sliding away from commitment to God

Jeremiah 2:19. Consequences of backsliding

Jeremiah 3:22. A cure for backsliding

Jeremiah 14:7. Backsliding Judah

Jeremiah 15:6. Backsliding Judah

Bad bosses (arrogant kings, cheating leaders, cruel overseers)

Leaders who take advantage of those under their rule

Genesis 30:25–31:55. Laban tries to cheat Jacob out of his wages.

Exodus 1:8–14. Egyptian overseers act with cruelty.

Exodus 2:11–15. Moses kills a cruel Egyptian overseer.

Exodus 22:21. Good advice bad bosses refused to heed.

1 Kings 12:1–24. Rehoboam vows to be harsh.

Baking (bread, cakes)

Goods baked in an oven

Genesis 18:6. Sarah bakes bread.

Genesis 19:3. Lot bakes bread for angels.

Genesis 27:17. Rebekah bakes.

Genesis 40. A baker’s dream of baked goods

Balanced life (favor, meaningful, stable)

A life in which a person has favor with God and with people

Numbers 6:24–26. The blessing of balance

Micah 6:8. The results of a balanced life

Luke 2:52. Jesus exemplified the balanced life.

Acts 2:46–47. New Christians achieve balance.

Romans 14:18. How to have a balanced life

Baldness (hairlessness, hair loss)

Loss of hair

Leviticus 13:40–44. Rules concerning baldness

Leviticus 21:5. Don’t make yourself bald!

2 Kings 2:23–25. Elisha’s baldness is mocked.

Isaiah 3:24. Baldness as a result of sin

Ezekiel 29:18. Bald soldiers of Babylon

Micah 1:16. Sorrow and baldness

Balm (medicinal oil, perfume)

Resin used to make medicine

Genesis 37:25. Ishmaelites bring balm.

Genesis 43:11. The gift of balm

2 Chronicles 28:15. Balm provided

Jeremiah 46:11. Balm in Gilead

Ezekiel 27:17. Balm for soldiers of Babylon

Bandit(s) (cutthroat, robber, thief)

A robber

Ezra 8:31. Protected from bandits

Proverbs 6:11. Poverty will come like a bandit.

Hosea 7:1–2. Bandits robbing

Luke 10:30. Bested by bandits

2 Corinthians 11:26. Paul and bandits

Banishment (deportation, exile, expulsion)

Using an official decree to force someone to leave a place

Genesis 3:22–24. Banishment of Adam and Eve

2 Samuel 13–14. Absalom banished after murdering Amnon

2 Kings 13:23. Israel not banished

Psalm 5:10. A request for banishment

Psalm 125:5. The Lord will banish.

Jeremiah 7:34. Sounds of joy banished

Bankruptcy (economic failure, liquidation, ruin)

Legal insolvency

Judges 14:15. Will Samson bankrupt the Philistines?

Micah 6:16. Forced into bankruptcy

Galatians 4:9. Bankrupt principles

Banner (flag, standard, streamer)

Cloth on a staff used as a standard by a monarch or military commander

Exodus 17:15. “The Lord Is My Banner”

Psalm 60:4. Raise a banner

Song of Songs 2:4. His banner over me

Isaiah 5:26. The Lord lifts up a banner.

Isaiah 11:10–12. Root of Jesse as a banner

Isaiah 13:2. Banner against Babylon

Banquet (dinner, feast, formal meal)

Ceremonial dinner honoring a special guest

1 Samuel 9:22. Samuel’s banquet

1 Samuel 25:36. Nabal’s banquet

Esther 1. Xerxes’s banquet

Psalm 23:5. The Shepherd’s banquet for His sheep

Ecclesiastes 7:2. What’s better than a banquet?

Isaiah 25:6. God’s banquet

Luke 14:16–24. God’s banquet

Baptism (dip, immerse, initiation)

Christian sacrament with water as a symbol shows a person’s belonging to the Christian community

Mark 1:4. Baptism of repentance

Mark 1:9–11. Jesus’ baptism

Mark 10:35–45. A special baptism

Acts 10:48. Peter baptizes Cornelius and his household

Acts 18:25. Apollos’s limited knowledge about baptism

Acts 19:1–7. Paul preaches about baptism.

Ephesians 4:5–6. One baptism

Colossians 2:12. Relating to Christ through baptism

Barbers (hair cutting, shaving)

Those who cut hair or shave beards

Leviticus 19:27. Don’t be your own barber.

Judges 16. Barbering Samson

Isaiah 7:20. Metaphorical barber

Ezekiel 5. Ezekiel the barber

Barren (see Childless)

Barrier(s) (blockade, obstacle, wall)

Something that blocks, separates, or hinders

Joshua 22:25. A barrier to worship

Song of Songs 8:9. A barrier of protection for an engaged woman

Ezekiel 40:11–12. Barrier at the temple

Ephesians 2:14–15. Christ broke the barrier between God and us.

Bartering (exchanging, negotiating, trading)

An exchange of goods and services in lieu of money

Genesis 30:25–43. Jacob barters with Laban.

Job 6:27. Barter a friend?

Job 41:6. Can you barter with leviathan?

Lamentations 1:11. Bartering for food

Basics of belief (doctrine, foundation, milk)

The essential elements of belief in Christ

John 3. You must be born again.

Acts 16. Just believe

Hebrews 5:12. Elementary truths

Hebrews 6:1. Back to the basics

1 Peter 2:2. As basic as milk

Bathing (dipping, soaking, swimming)

Soaking or cleansing the body in water

Leviticus 15:16. Bathing rules

2 Samuel 11:1–5. David catches Bathsheba bathing.

2 Chronicles 28. Prisoners allowed to bathe after mistreatment

Song of Songs 5:12. Metaphorical bathing

Battle(s) (combat, fights, skirmishes)

Encounters between opposing forces

Genesis 14. Battle of the five kings

Exodus 13:18. Readying the people for battle

Exodus 17:8–13. Israel’s battle with the Amalekites

Numbers 14. Disobedience brings death in battle.

Joshua 8. Battle at Ai

Joshua 11. Battle with the northern kings of Canaan

Judges 20. Battle with the Benjamites

1 Samuel 28:1. Battle with the Philistines

Beaches (sand)

Shore of a body of water

Isaiah 17:13. Like breakers on a beach

Ezekiel 27. Tyre abandons ship

John 21. Breakfast on the beach with the risen Christ

Acts 21:5–6. Praying on the beach

Acts 27–28. From shipwreck to shore

Bear(s) (animals)

Omnivorous mammal in the Ursidae family

1 Samuel 17:36. David the bear killer

2 Samuel 17:8. David and his men compared to bears

2 Kings 2:23–25. Bears and baldness

Isaiah 11:7. Cows and bears—a sign of peace

Isaiah 59:11. The metaphor of the bear—impatience and frustration

Beard(s) (facial hair, men, shaving)

Hair on a man’s chin, cheeks, and throat

Leviticus 14:1–32. Beards and infectious diseases

1 Samuel 21:13. David pretends insanity

2 Samuel 10:4–5. Humiliation of a shaved beard

Ezra 9:3. Ezra tears his beard in mourning.

Jeremiah 41:4–5. Shaving beards in mourning

Beasts (antichrists, evil leaders)

Metaphorical beasts mentioned in the Bible who stand for evil leaders to come

Revelation 11. The beast at end times

Revelation 13:1–10. Beast from the sea

Revelation 13:11–18. Beast from the earth

Revelation 14:9–11. Worship the beast at your peril.

Revelation 15:2–3. Victory over the beast

Revelation 17. Red beast of Babylon the Great

Beatitudes (blessedness, blessings, sayings)

Declarations of blessing made by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1–3. The blessing of spiritual helplessness

Matthew 5:4. The blessing of mourning

Matthew 5:5 The blessing of gentleness

Matthew 5:6. The blessing of thirst for righteousness

Matthew 5:7. The blessing of being merciful

Matthew 5:8. The blessing of purity

Matthew 5:9. The blessing of peacemakers

Matthew 5:10–12. The blessing of persecution

Beautiful Gate (gate, Nicanor Gate, Herod’s temple)

Gate at Herod’s temple leading into the women’s court

Acts 3. The lame man at the Beautiful Gate

Beauty (attractiveness, good looks, loveliness)

Quality associated with the harmony of form or color; something beautiful

2 Chronicles 20:21. Beauty of God’s holiness

Esther 1:10–12. Xerxes wants to show off Vashti’s beauty.

Psalm 27:4. David writes of God’s beauty.

Proverbs 6:20–35. Don’t be led astray by the beauty of the adulterous woman.

Proverbs 31:30. Beauty evaporates.

Beauty contest (beauty treatments)

Contest instigated by Xerxes’s staff to replace Vashti as queen

Esther 2. A beauty contest proposed

Bed(s) (sleep)

A place to recline and sleep

Genesis 19:1–11. Trouble at bedtime

Genesis 47:31. Prayer at bedtime

Genesis 49:33. Bed as a euphemism for death

Exodus 8:3. Frogs in the bed

Leviticus 15:5. A bed not to touch

Deuteronomy 3:11. An iron bed

1 Samuel 19:13–16. Idols in the bed

Bees (insects)

Winged, hairy insects of the Apoidea family

Deuteronomy 1:44. Amorites like bees

Judges 14:8. Samson and the bees

Psalm 118:12. Enemies like bees

Isaiah 7:18. Assyrian bees

Begging (alms, pleading, petitioning)

Asking earnestly for something; soliciting alms

Psalm 37:25. No beggars?

Proverbs 18:23. Timidity while begging

Mark 10:46–52. Bartimaeus begs, but receives a miracle.

John 9. Begging for a miracle

Acts 3:2. Begging at Beautiful Gate

Beginning(s) (creation, foundation, inauguration)

The process of bringing something into being; a start

Genesis 1:1. The beginning of everything

Genesis 11:5–6. A bad beginning

Exodus 9:18. Worst plague since the beginning of Egypt’s history

Numbers 13:20. Grapes beginning to ripen

Joshua 8:33. Blessing at the beginning

1 Samuel 10:1. Kingship in Israel begins

2 Samuel 21:9. Death at the beginning of harvest

1 Kings 16:11. Murder at the beginning of a reign

Behavior (actions, conduct, deeds)

The manner in which one behaves

1 Samuel 21:12–13. David behaving insanely

Job 13:15. Job defends his behavior.

Proverbs 1:3. Purpose of the proverbs

Proverbs 8:13. Hateful behavior

Proverbs 21:16. Wandering from wise behavior

Ezekiel 28:15. Perfect behavior until . . .

Behead (decapitate, guillotine, execute)

To cut off someone’s head

1 Samuel 17:51. Goliath’s beheading

1 Samuel 31:8–9. Saul’s beheading

Matthew 14:1–12. John the Baptist’s beheading

Acts 12:1–2. James put to death

Hebrews 11:36–37. Persecution of Christians

Revelation 20:4. Beheading of martyrs

Belief (conviction, faith, principle)

Placing confidence or trust in someone or something

Exodus 4:8–9. Signs to inspire belief in God

Numbers 14:1–3. Israel’s lack of belief in God’s ability to take them into the Promised Land

Psalm 78:21–22. Israel’s unbelief revisited

Psalm 119:66. A belief in God’s commands

2 Thessalonians 2:13. A belief in truth

Believer (advocate, Christian, supporter)

Someone who has Christian faith or a belief in the goodness of someone or something

1 Kings 18:3. Obadiah

Acts 16:1. Timothy’s mother

Acts 16:15. Lydia

1 Corinthians 7:12. Believers and unbelievers in marriage

1 Timothy 5:16. Believers helping widows

Bells (decoration, high priest)

Hollow metallic devices that reverberate when struck; golden bells used on the fringe of the high priest’s robe

Exodus 28:33–35. Bells on Aaron’s priestly garment

Exodus 39:25–26. The bell at the hem

Zechariah 14:20. Written on the bells

Belonging (community, family, fitting in)

Close or intimate relationship; a possession of someone

Genesis 32:17–18. Those belonging to Jacob

Genesis 45:9–11. Joseph vows to provide for those who belong to Jacob’s family.

Exodus 13:11–12. Firstborn belong to God.

1 Kings 14:11, 13. Prophecy affecting those who belong to Jeroboam

1 Peter 2:9. Belonging to God

Beloved (adored, favorite, much loved)

One dear to the heart

Deuteronomy 33:12. Beloved of God

Song of Songs 1:4. Song of the beloved

Song of Songs 2:3. Song of the beloved continues.

Jeremiah 11:15. Wickedness of the beloved

Benediction(s) (approval, blessing, sanction)

Short blessing at the conclusion of public worship; invoking a blessing

Genesis 1:28. Creation benediction

Genesis 14:18–20. Melchizedek benediction

Numbers 6:22–26. Priestly benediction

2 Samuel 24:23. Araunah’s benediction

1 Kings 8:55–59. Solomon’s benediction at the temple’s dedication

Benefactor (backer, patron, sponsor)

One who makes a gift or bequest

Nehemiah 5:8. Nehemiah and the returning exiles

Luke 7:3–5. Roman centurion

Luke 19:8. Zacchaeus

Luke 22:25. Kings

Acts 4:36–37. Joseph (Barnabas)

2 Timothy 1:16. Onesiphorus

Beneficiary (receiver, recipient, the needy)

Person designated to receive an inheritance or gift

Genesis 15:2. Abram assumes that Eliezer will be his beneficiary.

Leviticus 20:22–24. The people of Israel

Numbers 27:8–9. Daughters and brothers

Psalm 41:1–2. The helpless

Ephesians 1:14. Believers

Benevolence (see Alms, Compassion)

Bereans (believers, Gentiles)

Christians living in Berea (near Thessalonica)

Acts 17:10–14. Paul and the Bereans

Acts 20:3–4. Bereans with Paul

Bereavement (see Grief)

Besetting sin (sin, temptation, weakness)

Habitual wrongdoing; sin that one finds difficult to overcome

Numbers 20:11–12. Consequences of Moses’ besetting sin

Judges 4:1. Israel’s besetting sin

2 Samuel 12:7–10. Consequences of David’s besetting sin

Romans 7:18–20. Paul’s besetting sin

Hebrews 12:1. Besetting sin of the believer

Betrayal (disloyalty, infidelity, treachery, unfaithfulness)

Using treachery to deliver someone to an enemy

Genesis 37. Joseph’s brothers’ betrayal

1 Samuel 22:9–10. Doeg betrays David.

2 Samuel 19:24–30. Ziba’s betrayal of Mephibosheth

Psalm 41:9. Betrayal of a friend

Jeremiah 12:6. Jeremiah’s family betrays him.

Luke 22:1–6. Judas betrays Jesus.

Betrothal (see Engagement)

Bible (Holy Spirit)

Written by people, the Bible is believed to be the inspired Word of God.

2 Samuel 23:2. Inspired psalms

John 20:30–31. Inspired to believe

Acts 1:15–16. The Holy Spirit and the Scriptures

2 Timothy 3:16. Every Scripture inspired

2 Peter 1:20–21. Inspiration of the Holy Spirit

Bible study (learn, read, study)

Effort expended to read and learn Scriptures in order to apply them to one’s life

Deuteronomy 6:6–9. Study God’s commands.

Ezra 7:10. Ezra studies.

Nehemiah 8:7–8. The returning exiles study the Scriptures.

John 5:39–40. Jesus rebukes the Jews about the hypocrisy of their Scripture study.

2 Timothy 2:15. Study and teach

Biers/Coffins (death, funeral)

Coffins and stands used to bury someone

Genesis 50:26. Joseph’s death

2 Samuel 3:31. Abner’s coffin

2 Chronicles 16:13–14. Asa entombed

Luke 7:11–17. Man raised to life while in the coffin

Binding and loosing (freedom, guilt, innocence)

The authority to pronounce someone guilty or innocent; constrained by legal authority

Nehemiah 10:29. Bound to a curse

Matthew 16:19. Binding and loosing

Matthew 18:18. Binding and loosing

Bingeing (drunkenness, gorging, overindulgence)

Going on a drunken spree or revel; overeating

Deuteronomy 21:20. Bingeing and rebellion

1 Samuel 25:36. Nabal binges.

Proverbs 25:16. Don’t binge on honey.

Biology (ecology, natural science, nature)

Study of living organisms and processes; plants and animals in an environment

Genesis 1:1–2. Creation makes biology possible.

Job 38:14. Earth changes

Job 38:25–27. Rain patterns

Job 39:26. Understanding bird migration

Psalm 24:1–2. God—the founder of the earth

Bird(s) (dove, eagle, pigeon)

Winged, warm-blood invertebrates

Genesis 1:20–23. Creation of birds

Genesis 7:8–9. “Clean” birds taken on the ark

Genesis 15:9–11. Abram’s sacrifice

2 Samuel 21:10. Rizpah keeps away the birds

Matthew 6:26. Look at the birds.

Mark 4:31–32. Look at the birds.

Birth control (contraceptives, pregnancy prevention)

Methods used to prevent pregnancy

Genesis 20:18. God controls births.

Genesis 38:9–10. Onan’s method of birth control

Birthright (firstborn, inheritance, legacy)

Privilege or possession to which one is entitled to by birth; inheritance of the firstborn

Genesis 21:10. Sarah refuses to allow Ishmael to have the birthright.

Genesis 25:29–34. Jacob desires Esau’s birthright.

Genesis 27:36. Esau mourns the loss of his birthright.

1 Chronicles 5:1. Reuben loses his birthright.

1 Chronicles 26:10. Shimri’s birthright

Bishop (church leader, elder, overseer, presbyter)

One with spiritual or ecclesiastical supervision

Acts 20:28. Advice for bishops

1 Timothy 3:1–7. Rules for bishops

Titus 1:6–7. A bishop’s family and character

Bitterness (hostility, resentment, sullenness)

Acrid or astringent; an attitude of animosity

Genesis 49:23. Joseph attacked with bitterness

Ruth 1. Naomi’s bitterness

1 Samuel 1:10. Hannah’s bitterness

1 Samuel 15:32. Bitterness of death

Job 7:11. Job’s bitterness

Blaming others (censuring, condemning, passing the responsibility)

Finding fault with or placing the responsibility on someone else

Genesis 3. Adam blames Eve; Eve blames the snake.

Exodus 16:2–3. Israel blames Moses.

1 Samuel 22. Saul blames Ahimelech and the priests for David’s escape.

2 Samuel 3:29–30. David blames Joab for Abner’s death.

Colossians 1:22. We are without blame, because of Christ.

Blaspheme (curse, profane, swear against)

To speak of God in an irreverent or erroneous manner

Exodus 22:28. Do not blaspheme.

Acts 26:11. Paul confesses that he once forced others to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:18–20. Avoiding blasphemy

2 Peter 2:10–13. Blasphemy of false teachers

Revelation 13:1–10. Blasphemy of the beast from the sea

Blemish (fault, flaw, imperfection)

Imperfection that mars or renders a person, animal, or thing unusable as a sacrifice or unclean

Leviticus 22:21. An offering without blemish

2 Samuel 14:25. Unblemished Absalom

Song of Songs 4:7. An unblemished bride

Ephesians 5:26–27. An unblemished church

Blessed (approved, consecrated, favored)

To invoke divine favor upon or convey well-being upon; something consecrated

Genesis 2:3. Blessing the seventh day

Genesis 5:1–2. Blessed humans

Genesis 28:6. Jacob blessed

Deuteronomy 33:1. Blessing Israel

Joshua 14:13. Blessing Caleb

Blessing of God (divine favor)

Divine favored experienced

Genesis 39:5. Potiphar experiences God’s blessing.

Exodus 32:29. A blessing today

Leviticus 25:21. A blessing in the jubilee year

Deuteronomy 28:1–14. God’s blessing

2 Samuel 7:29. David seeks God’s blessing.

Psalm 3:8. Where His blessing rests

Psalm 24:3–5. The person who receives God’s blessing

Blindness (lacking understanding, sightlessness)

Unable to see physically or conceptually; lack of awareness

Genesis 19:11. Struck with blindness

Deuteronomy 28:28. The curse of blindness

2 Kings 6:18. Elisha’s blindness request

Luke 4:18–19. The call of the Messiah

John 9:1–7. Curing blindness

John 9:41. Spiritual blindness

Blood (family relationship, life blood, payment)

Plasma, platelets, and blood cells; payment for sin

Genesis 4:10. Abel’s blood

Genesis 9:4–6. Bloodshed

Exodus 24:8. Promise sealed in blood

Leviticus 1:4–5. Blood payment

Hebrews 9. Blood sacrifice of Christ

1 Peter 1:2. Sprinkled with His blood

Boast (assertion, brag, showing off)

Glorify oneself; excessive pride

1 Samuel 2:3. Don’t boast.

Psalm 20:7. Appropriate boasting

Isaiah 3:9. Boasting of sins

Isaiah 61:6. Boasting of splendor

Amos 4:5. A challenge to boast

Boat(s) (craft, ship, vessel)

Crafts used for sailing

Job 9:26. Metaphorical boats

Isaiah 2:16. Boats of Tarshish

Isaiah 18:1–2. Sudanese boats

Mark 4:35–41. Boats in a storm

Luke 5:1–11. Fishing boats

John 6:23–24. Boats from Tiberias

Body (cadaver, human body, organization)

Material or physical structure of an organism, particularly a human

Genesis 9:23. Noah’s unclothed body

Exodus 2:12. Moses hides the body of the Egyptian.

Numbers 5:1–2. Don’t touch dead bodies.

Deuteronomy 28:35. Results of curses on the body

Psalm 84:2. Praising with the body

Psalm 139:13–15. Body made by God

Body of Christ (believers, the church, the family of God)

Universal church; the physical body of Christ; representation of Christ’s broken body used in communion

1 Corinthians 6:15. Part of Christ’s body

1 Corinthians 10:16–17. Sharing His body

1 Corinthians 12:27. Each a part of Christ’s body

Ephesians 4:12. Building up the body of Christ

Ephesians 5:23. Christ—the head of the body

Colossians 1:24. Suffering on behalf of the body

Colossians 2:9–10. All of God in the body

Boils (carbuncles, sores, ulcers)

Pus-filled inflammation of the skin

Exodus 9:8–12. Plague of boils

Deuteronomy 28:27, 35. Curse of boils

Job 2:7–8. Struck with boils

Job 30:30. Results of having boils

Revelation 16:2. Painful results of worshiping the beast

Boldness (bravery, confidence, courage)

Showing courage/confidence; exhibiting bravery

Exodus 14:8. Israelites leaving Egypt with boldness

Psalm 138:3. Boldness from God

Proverbs 28:1. Righteous boldness

Luke 11:8. Good results of boldness

Acts 4:29. Asking for boldness

Bondage (burden, oppression, recurrent sin)

Enslavement or subjection to someone or something

Genesis 47:19. In bondage to Pharaoh

Exodus 2:23. Cries of those in bondage

Exodus 6:9. Bondage of the Israelites

Ezra 9:8–9. Relief in bondage

Romans 8:21. Liberated from bondage

Bone(s) (dead body, remains, skeleton)

Calcified connective tissue forming the skeletons of many vertebrates

Genesis 2:23. Eve is bone of Adam’s bones.

Genesis 50:25. Carry Joseph’s bones away

Leviticus 22:22. No broken bones in sacrificial animals

1 Samuel 31:11–13. Bones of Saul and his sons

Ezekiel 37. Valley of dry bones

Luke 24:39. The risen Christ has flesh and bones.

Book of Life (papyruses, parts of the Bible)

Written sheets or scrolls with records of events

Exodus 32:31–34. Don’t blot them out of the book

Psalm 69:28. Erased from the book

Psalm 139:16. Days of life recorded

Philippians 4:3. Names in the Book of Life

Revelation 3:5. Listed in the Book of Life

Revelation 13:8. Not listed in the Book of Life

Revelation 21:27. The Lamb’s Book of Life

Book(s) (papyruses, parts of the Bible)

Written sheets or scrolls with records of events

Exodus 24:7. Book of the Lord’s Promise

Numbers 21:14. Book of the Wars of the Lord

Deuteronomy 28:58, 61. Book of Teachings

Joshua 8:31. Book of Moses’ Teachings

Joshua 10:13. Book of Jashar

Joshua 24:26. Book of God’s Teachings

2 Kings 23:21. Book of the Promise

Booths, Feast of (see Feast(s); Tabernacles, Feast of)

Boredom (ennui, monotony, tedium)

A sense of tedium

Proverbs 4:23. Boredom can lead to trouble so be careful to guard your heart.

Proverbs 14:14. A heart that turns from God becomes bored.

Born again (born of the Spirit, Christianity, regeneration, second birth)

Spiritual rebirth of someone who professes faith in Christ

John 3:1–21. You must be born again.

Galatians 4:28–29. Spiritual birth

1 Peter 1:23. Born again through God’s Word

Botany (plants, seeds)

The study of plants

Genesis 1:11. The plant cycle begins.

Genesis 3:17–18. Plant cycle changes

1 Kings 4:32–33. Solomon the botanist

Isaiah 17:10. Concentrating on plants instead of God

Matthew 13:32. Study the mustard seed.

Boundaries (borders, landmarks, limits)

Indications of borders or limits

Exodus 19:12, 21. Boundary around Mount Sinai

Deuteronomy 19:14. Don’t move boundary markers.

Deuteronomy 27:17. Result of moving a boundary marker

Psalm 16:6. Pleasant boundary

Jeremiah 5:22. Boundary for the sea

Ezekiel 45:7. Boundaries of the holy area

Bowing (curtseying, sign of obeisance)

Inclining the body or head as a sign of courtesy

Genesis 24:26, 48. Bowing before God

Genesis 37:9. Bowing before Joseph, Part 1

Genesis 43:28. Bowing before Joseph, Part 2

Exodus 12:27. Bowing in agreement

Exodus 34:8. Bowing before the presence of God

Numbers 22:31. Bowing before the Messenger of the Lord

Bowls of wrath (consequences of evil, judgment)

Signs of God’s judgment on the earth and humanity

Revelation 15:7. Seven bowls of wrath

Revelation 16:1, 8. Bowls of wrath poured out

Revelation 17:1. Judgment of Babylon

Revelation 21:9. Hope in the midst of the bowls of wrath

Boy(s) (child, son, young man)

Male child

Genesis 48:16. Blessing Joseph’s boys

Exodus 1:15–22. Killing Hebrew boys

Numbers 31:17. Killing Midianite boys

Isaiah 3:4. Prophecy of judgment—boys as leaders

Joel 3:3. Trading boys and girls

Matthew 2:16–18. Killing Hebrew boys

Bracelet (armlet, bangle, jewelry)

Ornamental band or chain worn on the wrist

Genesis 24:22, 30. Bracelets for Rebekah

Numbers 31:50. Bracelets for peace

2 Samuel 1:10. Saul’s bracelet

Isaiah 3:16. Ankle bracelets

Ezekiel 16:11. Metaphorical bracelets

Ezekiel 23:42. Other metaphorical bracelets

Bragging (arrogance, boasting, pride)

Saying pompous or boastful statements

Psalm 12:3–4. Cutting off the bragging tongue

Jeremiah 9:24. Best kind of bragging

Romans 3:27. Eliminating bragging

1 Corinthians 4:7. Why brag?

1 Corinthians 9:15. Paul’s bragging

2 Corinthians 7:14. Bragging to Titus

James 4:16. Arrogant bragging

Brain (see Mind)

Branch (bough, Messiah)

Sprout of a tree; also a metaphor for the Messiah and other aspects of the spiritual life

Exodus 12:22. Branch of hyssop

Numbers 13:23. Branch from a vineyard in Canaan

Job 15:32. Metaphor of the wicked

Isaiah 4:2. Branch of the Lord

Isaiah 11:1. Branch of Jesse—the Messiah

Isaiah 14:19. A rejected branch

Jeremiah 1:11. Jeremiah’s vision of the almond branch

Bravery (see Courage)

Bread (Bread of the presence, loaves, manna)

Food made from dough

Genesis 14:18. The bread of hospitality

Genesis 18:5. Abraham offers bread to angels.

Exodus 12. Unleavened bread

Exodus 25:30. Bread of the presence

Exodus 29:2–25. Bread as a sacrifice

Numbers 6:15. Rings of bread and unleavened bread

Judges 7:13. A dream of bread

Matthew 4:3–4. You can’t live on bread alone.

Bread of life (Jesus, name of Jesus, manna)

A messianic metaphor comparing Jesus to the manna provided by God for the people of Israel during their wilderness sojourn

John 6:32–33. Bread from heaven

John 6:35. Bread of life

John 6:48–51. Bread that brings life

Breakfast (mealtime, morning)

First meal of the day

Genesis 21:14. Providing breakfast

Genesis 49:27. Metaphorical breakfast

Exodus 16:8. God provides breakfast

Judges 19:8. A long breakfast

Psalm 90:14. Mercy for breakfast

John 21. Breakfast with the risen Jesus

Breastplate of righteousness (see Armor of God)

Breath (air, inhalation, respiration)

Air inhaled and exhaled

Genesis 2:7. Breath of life

Genesis 25:7–8. Abraham’s last breath

Exodus 15:10. God’s breath controls the Red Sea.

Numbers 16:22. Everyone has the breath of life.

2 Samuel 22:16. The Lord’s breath

Job 7:7. Life as short as a breath

Breeding (birth, procreation, reproduction)

The production of offspring

Genesis 30:37–39. Jacob’s animal breeding scheme

Genesis 31:10. Breeding season

Leviticus 19:19. Rules about animal breeding

Deuteronomy 32:14. Giving Israel the best breeding stock

Job 21:10. The wicked seem blessed, even in animal breeding.

Bribery (gift, pay-off, subornment)

The process of offering money, goods, or other items in order to gain favor or persuade someone

Exodus 23:8. Never take a bribe.

Deuteronomy 10:17. God does not take bribes.

Deuteronomy 16:19. Don’t pervert justice by taking bribes.

1 Samuel 12:3. Samuel didn’t take bribes.

Job 6:22–23. Job didn’t take bribes.

Proverbs 18:16. According to some, however, a bribe opens doors.

Brick(s) (block, clay, stone)

Block of baked clay used for building or paving

Genesis 11:3. Bricks for a tower

Exodus 1:14. Brutal brick-making

Exodus 5. Pharaoh makes brick-making difficult.

Isaiah 9:10. Replacing bricks with stones

Nahum 3:14. The people of Nineveh will try to shore up their defenses during a siege, but will be defenseless.

Bride (the church, newly married woman, wife)

A woman about to be or recently married; also a metaphor for the church

Song of Songs 1:2. Song of a bride

Isaiah 49:18. A bride’s display

Jeremiah 2:2. Loving God with the love of a bride

Jeremiah 2:32. A bride’s veils

Revelation 19:7. Bride of the Lamb

Bridegroom (husband, Jesus, newly married man)

A man about to be or recently married; also a metaphor for Jesus’ relationship with the church

Exodus 4:25–26. Moses: a bridegroom of blood

Isaiah 62:5. God rejoices like a bridegroom.

Matthew 9:14–15. Jesus is the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:1–13. The bridegroom comes.

John 2:9–10. A groom is credited with wine Jesus produces.

John 3:29. The bride belongs to the groom.

Brimstone (burning stone, fire, sulfur)

Divine retribution in the form of burning sulfur

Genesis 19:24. God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah with brimstone and fire.

Deuteronomy 29:23. Brimstone is the result of disobedience.

Job 18:15. Brimstone on the home of the wicked

Psalm 11:6. The wicked are punished with brimstone.

Isaiah 30:33. God’s breath is like brimstone.

Broken/Brokenness (embarrassed, humiliated, shattered)

Fractured, sundered, or violated; crushed by grief

Leviticus 6:28. Broken pottery

Leviticus 26:13. Egypt’s power is broken.

Numbers 15:31. A broken commandment

2 Kings 18:21. Trusting a broken stick

Isaiah 53:5. The Suffering Servant will be broken.

John 19:36. Jesus’ legs were not broken after crucifixion.

Bronze Age (period of history, weapons)

Period of human culture between the Stone Age and the Iron Age in which weapons made of bronze were used

Genesis 4:22. Bronze tools

Exodus 26:11. Bronze used in the tabernacle.

Numbers 21:4–9. Bronze snake

Joshua 6:24. Bronze for the treasury

1 Samuel 17:5–6. Goliath’s bronze armor and weapons

2 Samuel 21:16. More bronze weapons

Brother (fellow Christian, kinsman, male sibling)

Male having the same parent or parents as another; also a kinsman, fraternity member, or close male friend

Genesis 4:1–16. Cain’s brother Abel

Genesis 24:29. Brother of Rebekah

Exodus 4:14. Moses’ brother, Aaron

1 Samuel 17:18. David’s brothers

Mark 3:35. A brother to Jesus

Romans 16:23. A brother in the faith

Brotherhood (fellow Christians, fraternity, siblings)

State of being brothers

Zechariah 11:14. The brotherhood of Judah and Israel

Amos 1:9–10. Treaty of brotherhood

1 Peter 2:17. Brotherhood of believers

1 Peter 5:9. Suffering with the brotherhood of believers

Brutality (cruelty, violence, viciousness)

Ruthless, cruel, or harsh treatment of someone

Genesis 34:25–27. Brutality of Simeon and Levi

Exodus 6:9. Brutality of slavery

Proverbs 20:30. Brutal beatings

Ezekiel 21:31. Promise of brutality to come

2 Timothy 3:1–3. Brutality in the last days

Budgets (accounts, financial plan, resources)

Summary of expenditures

Proverbs 31:13, 16–18. The wise wife works within a budget.

Luke 14:28. Make out a budget.

Building projects (pyramid, temple, tower)

Buildings or other edifices constructed by the Israelites and others

Genesis 6:13–16. Noah is told to build an ark.

Genesis 11:1–9. Tower of Babel

Exodus 1:11. Egyptian cities

Exodus 37:25. Altar of incense

1 Kings 6. Solomon’s temple

1 Kings 7:1–12. Solomon’s palace

Nehemiah 3. Rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem

1 Peter 2:5. Building a spiritual house

Bull(s) (male cow)

Adult male bovine

Exodus 22:9. Who owns the bull?

Exodus 29:1–14. Bull as an offering

Exodus 21:28–32. When gored by a bull

Leviticus 4:3–12. Bull as an offering

Numbers 15:8–11. Bull as an offering

Hosea 4:16. Israel as stubborn as a bull

Burden(s) (load, problem, sin, weight, yoke)

Something emotionally difficult to bear; a difficult task or responsibility

Genesis 49:15. Issachar’s burden

Numbers 11:10–11. Moses’ burden

Deuteronomy 28:48. Heavy burden

1 Kings 12:4. The people beg for their burdens (taxes) to be reduced.

Matthew 11:29–30. Jesus’ burden

Bureaucracy (government, organization, procedure, red tape)

Administration of a government through bureaus or non-elected officials

1 Samuel 8:15–17. Bureaucracy to come

1 Kings 10:4–5. Breathless at bureaucracy

2 Kings 12:19–20. Plotting bureaucrats

Ecclesiastes 5:8. Bureaucracy in action

Daniel 6:1–2. Bureaucracy of Darius’s court

Burial (entombment, funeral, interment)

Process of burying the dead

Genesis 23:19. Sarah’s burial

Ecclesiastes 6:3. Lacking an honorable burial

Jeremiah 22:19. A donkey’s burial

Jeremiah 26:23. Uriah’s burial

Ezekiel 39:11. Gog’s burial

John 19:40–42. Jesus’ burial

Burning (ablaze, flaming, smoldering)

Marked by flames or intense heat

Genesis 22:6. Burning coals for a sacrifice

Exodus 3:2–4. Burning bush

Exodus 15:7. God’s burning anger

Exodus 30:1. Burning incense

Psalm 140:10. Burning coals on enemies

Proverbs 6:27–28. The burn of temptation

Business (commerce, industry, trade)

A person’s occupation, work, or trade

1 Samuel 21:8. David pretends to be about the king’s business.

1 Samuel 25:2–3. Nabal—a successful businessman

Job 20:18. The business of the wicked

Psalm 107:23–24. Business on the high seas

Ecclesiastes 5:14. Bad business deals

Acts 16:14. Lydia—an astute businesswoman

Busybodies (bad-mouthing, spite, unkind remarks)

Speaking spitefully about someone or something

2 Thessalonians 3:11. Paul rebukes busybodies

1 Timothy 5:13. The business of busybodies

1 Peter 4:15. Don’t be a busybody.