– D –
Dairy products (cheese, curds, milk)
Food produced from milk
Genesis 18:8. Abraham gives cheese to his guests.
Genesis 49:12. Milk comparison
Numbers 16:13–14. A land flowing with milk and honey
1 Samuel 17:17–18. Cheese for the captain
Job 10:10. Poured out like milk
Damnation (condemnation, eternal punishment, hell)
Being condemned to eternal punishment
Psalm 88:11. Places of eternal punishment
Matthew 13:50. Cries of the condemned
Matthew 23:14. The greater damnation
2 Peter 2:4. Condemned angels
Revelation 20:15. Eternally condemned
Dancing (at feasts, in celebration, in worship)
Rhythmic movement to music
Exodus 15:20. Dancing after the victory at the Red Sea
Exodus 32:19. Dancing while worshiping the golden calf
Judges 11:34. Jephthah’s daughter dances.
2 Samuel 6:16. David dances.
Psalm 30:11. From sobbing to dancing
Matthew 14:6–7. The dance that led to John the Baptist’s death
Danger (hazard, menace, threat)
Exposure to harm or risk
1 Samuel 20:21. Signal for danger
Proverbs 14:25. Danger of a liar
Proverbs 27:12. Seeing danger
Matthew 8:28. Dangerous and demon-possessed
Luke 8:23. Disciples in danger
Darkness (absence of light, gloom, night)
Lack of light; metaphor for sin
Genesis 1:2–6. Darkness in the beginning
Exodus 10:21–29. Plague of darkness
Deuteronomy 5:23. Voice out of the darkness
2 Samuel 22:29. The Lord turns darkness into light.
Matthew 6:23. Full of darkness
Dating (see Courtship)
Daughter(s) (child, young woman)
Female child; female descendant
Genesis 5:4. Daughters of Adam
Judges 11:35. Jephthah’s daughter is caught in her father’s vow.
Song of Songs 2:7. Advice to daughters of Jerusalem
Isaiah 16:2. Moab’s daughters
Isaiah 43:6. Exiled sons and daughters
Joel 2:28. Daughters will prophesy.
Mark 5:21–43. Two daughters healed
Mark 6:3. Daughters of Mary and Joseph
Daughter-in-law (daughter by marriage)
The wife of one’s son
Genesis 6:18. Noah’s daughters-in-law
Genesis 8:15–16. Leaving the ark
Genesis 46:5. Jacob’s daughters-in-law
Ruth 1. Naomi’s daughters-in-law
Hosea 4:13–14. Daughters-in-law of Israel
Davidic covenant (promise)
Covenant made between God and King David
2 Samuel 7:12–16. The covenant
1 Kings 2:4. David remembers the covenant.
1 Kings 6:12–13. Solomon remembers God’s covenant with David.
1 Kings 8:25. Solomon remembers God’s covenant with David.
1 Kings 11:11–13. Although Solomon sins, God remembers his covenant with David.
Dawn (daybreak)
When daylight first begins
Genesis 19:15. Destruction begins at dawn.
Genesis 32:24. Wrestling until dawn
Exodus 14:24. Panic before dawn
Judges 16:2. Murder at dawn
Nehemiah 4:21. Spears at dawn
Job 3:9–10. Job curses the dawn of the day of his birth.
Job 38:12–13. God questions Job about the dawn.
Day (daylight hours, daytime)
Period of light between dawn and nightfall
Genesis 1. Creation of day
Exodus 16:23. A day of worship
Exodus 20:8–10. Remember the seventh day.
Leviticus 23:27. Day of Atonement
Numbers 14:14. How God led the Israelites by day
Joshua 10:13–14. The longest day ever
Matthew 4:2. Jesus fasted for 40 days.
Day of Atonement (see Atonement; Day)
Day of the Lord (judgment)
The time in which God judges the earth
Isaiah 13:5–22. Day of the Lord’s anger
Lamentations 2:22. Day of the Lord’s anger
Joel 2:1–11. The day of the Lord is coming.
Zephaniah 1–3. Day of the Lord
Malachi 4:5. Elijah to come before the terrible day of the Lord
Deacon (church leader)
Cleric ranking below a priest in the Anglican or Catholic church; lay leader in the Protestant church who assists the minister
Acts 6:1–7. Seven men chosen as deacons
Romans 16:1. Phoebe the deacon
Colossians 4:7. Tychicus the deacon
1 Timothy 3:8–13. Deacon requirements
Dead Sea (lake, Salt Sea)
Saltwater lake between Israel and Jordan
Genesis 14:3. Battle at the Dead Sea
Numbers 34:3–4. Boundary of Israel’s land to the Dead Sea
Deuteronomy 3:17. The Sea of Plains
Joshua 3:15–16. Cutting off the flow of water all the way to the Dead Sea
2 Kings 14:25. Restoring land boundaries to the Dead Sea
Dead Sea Scrolls (manuscripts)
Scrolls found in Khirbet, Qumran between 1947–1956.
Exodus. Most of Exodus was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Numbers. Most of Numbers was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
1 Samuel 1:23–24. Scripture found in the Dead Sea Scrolls
Isaiah. One of the books found among the Dead Sea Scrolls
Jeremiah 42–49. Scripture found among the Dead Sea Scrolls
Deafness (hearing loss)
Partial or complete inability to hear
Exodus 4:11. Unable to hear
Leviticus 19:14. Never curse the deaf.
Psalm 28:1. Don’t turn a deaf ear.
Isaiah 29:18. The deaf will hear.
Matthew 11:4–5. Jesus heals the deaf.
Mark 7:32–35. Jesus heals a deaf-mute man.
Death (bereavement, loss, passing away)
Termination of life
Genesis 5:5. Death of the first man
Genesis 23:1–2. Sarah’s death
Judges 15:6. A revenge death
2 Samuel 8:2. Moabites put to death
Psalm 22:15. Dust of death
Psalm 23:4. Dark valley of death
Proverbs 16:25. Way of death
Romans 6:23. Payment for sin
Death penalty (law)
A sentence of punishment by execution
Leviticus 20. Death penalty for crimes
Leviticus 24:16. Death penalty for cursing the Lord’s name
Numbers 1:51. Death penalty for going near the tabernacle without authorization
Numbers 3:10. Death penalty for performing priestly duties
Numbers 15:32–36. Death penalty for gathering wood on the Sabbath
Numbers 25:5. Death penalty for worshiping Baal
Deuteronomy 19:6. Undeserved death penalty
John 8:3–5. Death penalty for adultery
Deathbed words (blessings, curses, promises)
Words spoken just before a person dies
Genesis 48:21–49:33. Jacob/Israel’s deathbed words
Genesis 50:24–25. Joseph’s deathbed words
Deuteronomy 33. Moses’ deathbed words
1 Kings 2:1–9. David’s deathbed words
John 19:30. Jesus’ deathbed words
Debates (arguments, discussions)
Arguments engaged through the discussion of opposing views
Acts 15:1–35. Circumcision debate
Acts 17:15–34. Paul’s debates in Athens
Acts 18:4. Paul debates in synagogue
Acts 19:8–9. Debates in Ephesus
Acts 25:20. King Agrippa discusses Paul’s debate with Jewish leaders.
Debauchery (decadence, depravity, dissipation, sin)
Extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures
Exodus 32:6. Idolatry and debauchery
Romans 13:13. Avoid debauchery.
2 Corinthians 12:20–21. Grieving over debauchery
Galatians 5:19. Acts of the sinful nature
Ephesians 5:18. Drunkenness leads to debauchery.
1 Peter 4:3. Past debauchery
Debt (arrears, balance due, liability)
Something owed (money, goods, services)
Deuteronomy 15:3. Rules about collecting debts
1 Samuel 22:1–2. Those in debt went to David.
2 Kings 4:7. Elisha helps a widow pay her debt.
Matthew 18:23–35. Jesus’ parable about forgiveness and debts
Luke 7:41–43. A parable about debt
Romans 13:8. Debt of love
Decay (decompose, fester, putrefy)
Break down into composite parts; rot
Psalm 16:9–10. The body of the holy one will not decay in the grave.
Proverbs 12:4. Decay in the bones
Isaiah 5:24. Decay of the rebellious
Acts 2:25–27. Peter confirms that David’s words were said about Jesus.
Acts 13:34. Jesus’ body did not decay in the grave.
Romans 8:20–21. Creation set free from slavery to decay
Deceit (see Lying; Pretense)
Decision (see Choice[s])
Decorating (beautifying, embellishing, furnishing)
Furnishing or adorning something
Exodus 25:33–35. Adorning the lamp stand in the tabernacle
Exodus 39:32–43. Furnishing the tabernacle
1 Kings 6. Building and decorating the temple
1 Kings 7:40–42. More decorations for the temple
Matthew 23:29. Decorating monuments
Decree (command, law, order)
An authoritative order having the force of law
Esther 1:13–22. How Xerxes made decrees
Esther 2:8. Enactment of Xerxes’ decree
Esther 3:8. Haman lies about the Jews’ disobedience of Xerxes’ decrees.
Daniel 2:12–13. Death decree
Daniel 6:7–9. Darius’s decree
Dedication (ceremony)
A rite or ceremony of dedicating; also selfless devotion
1 Kings 8. Dedication of the temple
1 Kings 14:15. A wrong dedication
1 Kings 16:33. Poles dedicated to Asherah
Ezra 6:16. Dedication of the rebuilt temple
Nehemiah 3:1. Dedication of the rebuilt Sheep Gate
Nehemiah 12:27. Dedication of the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem
Deeds (actions, feats)
A praiseworthy act or feat; also a document sealed as an instrument of bond, contract, or conveyance in regard to property
Deuteronomy 3:23–24. Deeds of God
Deuteronomy 34:12. Deeds of Moses
Ezra 9:13. Evil deeds
Psalm 17:7. Miraculous deeds
Psalm 20:6. Mighty deeds
Psalm 99:8. God punishes sinful deeds.
Isaiah 1:16. Get rid of evil deeds.
Jeremiah 32. Jeremiah signs a deed for a field.
Deer (doe, hind, stag)
Hoofed ruminant of the Cervidae family
Deuteronomy 12:15. Deer meat?
Deuteronomy 14:4–5. Deer on the menu
Psalm 18:33. Feet like those of a deer
Psalm 42:1. The longing of a deer
Isaiah 35:6. Leaping like deer
Habakkuk 3:19. Walking like a deer
Defeat (crush, overpower)
To win victory over
Genesis 14:14–15, 17. Defeating Lot’s captors
Exodus 17:13. Defeat of the Amalekites, Part 1
Joshua 8:15–16. Pretending defeat at Ai
2 Samuel 1:1. Defeat of the Amalekites, Part 2
2 Samuel 2:17. Abner’s defeat
1 Kings 5:2–3. Defeating David’s enemies
Defection (abandonment, disloyalty, treason)
Disowning allegiance to one’s country and taking up residence in another; switching from one belief system to another
1 Samuel 27. David appears to defect.
John 17:12. Judas’s defection
Jude 6. Defection of angels
Defense (guard, protection, security)
The act of defending someone or something against attack
Exodus 2:15–17. Moses comes to the defense of the daughters of Jethro.
Psalm 18:18. The Lord’s defense
Isaiah 22:7–8. Judah’s defenses removed
Isaiah 34:8. In defense of Zion
Jeremiah 41:9. Cistern defense plan
Defenseless (exposed, unprotected, weak)
Having no means of protection; vulnerable
Judges 3:13–15. Israel is defenseless against various enemies.
Judges 6:14–15. Gideon feels defenseless.
Psalm 116:6. Protector of the defenseless
Psalm 141:8. Left defenseless?
Jeremiah 4:31. Defenseless
Defiant (disobedient, insubordinate, rebellious)
Full of resistance
Nehemiah 9:26. Israel’s defiance
Isaiah 3:8. Defiance in the presence of God
Jeremiah 5:23. God’s defiant people
Ezekiel 2:4. Ezekiel sent to a defiant people.
Defile/Defilement (unclean)
To render ceremonially unclean
Exodus 20:25. Defiled altar
Leviticus 11:43. Defiled by what is eaten
Leviticus 18:20, 23. Defiled by an unlawful relationship
Leviticus 21:15. The offspring of a priest must not be defiled.
Numbers 18:32. Avoid defiled offerings.
Numbers 35:34. Do not defile the land.
2 Kings 23:16. Defiling the altar
Degenerate (corrupt, deteriorate, worsen)
Sunk to a lower, more corrupt state; also someone immoral or perverted
Isaiah 2:9. Degenerate Israel
Isaiah 3:9. Degenerate Sodom
Jeremiah 2:21. A degenerate plant
Ezekiel 16:30. A degenerate heart
Degradation (deprivation, humiliation, squalor)
Declining to a low, destitute, or demoralized state
Leviticus 19:29. Don’t degrade a daughter.
Deuteronomy 25:2–3. Avoiding the degradation of a criminal
2 Samuel 6:21–22. David is willing to be degraded.
Ezekiel 16:25. Degradation of unfaithful Israel
Deity (God, idol)
God; also refers to any of the pantheon of gods worshiped by other nations surrounding Israel
Colossians 2:9. Christ has the fullness of the Deity
2 Chronicles 15:16. Removing the statue of a Canaanite deity
Isaiah 65:11. Worshiping pagan deities
Amos 5:26. Statues of pagan deities
Delay (postponement, setback, wait)
To stop, detain, or hinder for a while
Genesis 24:56. Wishing to avoid a delay
Psalm 40:17. Do not delay!
Ezekiel 12:25. Consequences will not delay.
Daniel 9:19. Daniel pleads for the Lord to avoid delay.
Hebrews 10:37. He’s coming without delay.
Revelation 10:6. No more delay.
Delegate (assign, designate, pass on)
Person acting for another; also, to entrust to another
Ezekiel 23:24. God delegates judgment to Israel’s enemies.
Acts 6:2–4. Problem of food distribution is delegated to seven men.
1 Corinthians 16:3. Choosing a delegate to bring a gift
Delicacies (luxuries, treats)
Something pleasing to eat that is considered rare or luxurious; also, precise or refined perceptions
Genesis 49:20. Delicacies fit for a king
Numbers 11:8. Manna is like a delicacy.
Psalm 141:4. Delicacies of troublemakers
Proverbs 23:6. Delicacies of the stingy
Jeremiah 51:34. Metaphorical delicacies
Lamentations 4:5. From delicacies to destitution
Delight (enjoyment, relish, satisfaction)
High degree of gratification
Deuteronomy 30:9. What God will delight in doing
2 Samuel 1:26. A friend in whom David delighted
1 Chronicles 29:17. Delighted with honesty
Proverbs 29:17. Correction brings delight.
Song of Songs 3:11. Delight in the king
Isaiah 5:7. Garden of his delight
Isaiah 32:14–15. A delight for wild donkeys
Deliverance (escape, liberation, rescue)
Liberating someone or something
Genesis 45:7. Joseph sent to Egypt to bring about a great deliverance.
Exodus 14:13–31. Deliverance at the Red Sea
Judges 5. Deborah and Barak’s song of deliverance
Judges 13:5. Samson to begin Israel’s deliverance
1 Samuel 2:1. Hannah’s song of deliverance
2 Samuel 22. David’s song of deliverance
Deliverer (Savior)
Someone who makes freedom or rescue possible for someone else
Judges 3:9, 15. Israel’s deliverers
2 Kings 13:4–5. Delivered from Aram’s power
Psalm 18:2. God—the ultimate deliverer
Psalm 70:5. Pleading for the deliverer to act
Acts 7:35. Moses the deliverer
Demands (anxiety, weight)
To claim as just or due; an urgent requirement or need
Genesis 9:4–5. What God demands
Exodus 21. Other demands
1 Kings 20. Benhadad’s demands
Nehemiah 5:18. No demands from Nehemiah
Micah 7:3. Gifts demanded
Demon possession (influence, inhabitation)
Inhabitation or influence by demons
Matthew 8:28–34. Possessed by a legion of spirits
Matthew 9:32–34. Rendered mute by a demon
Matthew 11:18. John accused of demon possession
Matthew 12:22. Jesus helps a demon-possessed man.
Mark 1:23–27. Jesus helps another demon-possessed man.
Acts 16:16–40. Paul and the demon-possessed servant girl
Demons (evil spirits, former angels)
Evil spirits
Deuteronomy 32:17. Sacrificing to demons
Psalm 106:37. Children sacrificed to demons
Matthew 4:24. Curing people of demon possession
Matthew 7:22. Forcing out demons in Jesus’ name
Matthew 8:16. Helping those possessed by demons
Matthew 12:24. Jesus is accused of working with demons.
Demonstration(s) (display, exhibition, show)
Showing the merits of a product or service; showing conclusive evidence
Genesis 24:12. Abraham’s servant asks God to demonstrate his kindness.
Exodus 4:21. A demonstration of God’s power
Acts 17:2–3. Paul’s demonstration
1 Corinthians 2:4. Demonstration of the Spirit’s power
2 Corinthians 6:3–4, 7. Enduring many things
2 Corinthians 8:24. Demonstration of love
Denarius (coin, money)
A silver coin equal to one day’s wage
Matthew 18:28. Owing a hundred denarii
Matthew 20:1–16. Everyone given one denarius
Matthew 22:19–21. Who is on the denarius?
Mark 6:37. Will 200 denarii feed over 5,000 people?
Luke 7:41–42. Five hundred denarii debt
Denial (disavowal, repudiation, renunciation)
Refusal to admit the truth or reality; also, the refusal to satisfy a request
Exodus 23:6. Denial of justice
Proverbs 30:8–9. Denial of God
Isaiah 29:21. Wrongdoers who deny justice will come to an end.
Matthew 26:33–35, 69–75. Peter’s denial of Jesus
Acts 4:16. Can’t deny the miracle of Peter and John
Titus 1:16. Denying God
Departures (leave-takings)
Leave takings expressed throughout the Bible
Genesis 31:53–55. Jacob’s departure from Laban
Deuteronomy 16:6. Anniversary of the departure from Egypt
2 Kings 2:1–14. Elijah’s departure
Acts 1:9. Jesus’ departure from earth
Acts 20. Paul’s departure from Ephesus
Depend (rely, trust)
Place reliance or trust in
2 Chronicles 16:7. Consequences of not depending on God
Psalm 62:7. Glory depends on God
Psalm 118:8–9. Better to depend on God
Psalm 123:2. As servants depend on masters
Isaiah 31:1. The horror of depending on Egypt or war horses
Matthew 22:40. The whole basis of the law depends on two commandments.
1 Corinthians 7:31. Don’t depend on the things of this world
Dependability (see Integrity; Reliability)
Deposit (credit, place, security)
To place for safekeeping or as a pledge
Genesis 38:16–18. Leaving a deposit with Tamar
Deuteronomy 24:10–12. Rules for collecting a deposit on a loan
Ezra 5:14–15. Depositing articles in the temple
Ezekiel 24:6. Metaphorical deposit
Depravity (decadence, immorality, evil)
Corrupt practice or act
Ezekiel 16:47. Taking time to be depraved
Ezekiel 23:11. Even more depraved
Romans 1:29. Filled with depravity
2 Timothy 3:8. The depraved leading the depraved
2 Peter 2:19. The depraved leading the depraved
Depression (despair, gloominess, misery)
Feelings of dejection and hopelessness
Leviticus 26:14–16. Depression: a consequence of disobedience
1 Samuel 1:15–16. Hannah’s depression
Proverbs 15:13. Heartache and depression
Proverbs 17:22. Depression: a drain on strength
Isaiah 65:14. Depression is what those who disobey God can expect.
Descendant(s) (offspring, progeny, successor)
One who proceeds from an ancestor
Genesis 3:15. Eve’s descendant
Genesis 22:17–18. Blessing on Abraham’s descendants
Leviticus 6:18. Aaron’s descendants can eat some of the grain offerings.
Numbers 26:59. Levi’s descendants
Matthew 1:20. David’s descendant, Joseph
Romans 4:16. A promise for every descendant
Desecrate/Desecration (defile, despoil, profane)
To violate the sanctity of someone or something
Leviticus 21:11–12. The high priest must not desecrate the sanctuary.
Leviticus 22:15. Priests must not desecrate the offerings.
Ezekiel 24:21. God will desecrate the sanctuary.
Daniel 11:31. God will desecrate the temple fortress.
Acts 24:6. Paul accused of desecrating the temple.
Desert of Sin (wilderness)
Wilderness lying between Elim and Mt. Sinai
Exodus 16–17:1. The desert of Sin
Numbers 33:11–12. Camping and moving in the Desert of Sin
Desert(s) (wilderness)
Arid land with sparse vegetation
Genesis 14:5–6. Defeat of the Rephaim in the desert
Genesis 16:6–7. Hagar flees to the desert.
Genesis 21:20–21. Ishmael lives in the desert.
Exodus 3–4. Moses meets God in the desert.
Numbers 3:4. The Desert of Sinai
Numbers 13:3. Spies sent from the Desert of Paran
Deserter (apostate, fugitive, traitor)
One who abandons military service without leave; one who leaves others in the lurch
Judges 7:3. Twenty-two thousand deserters
Psalm 78:9. Deserters of Ephraim
Ezekiel 7:14. Everyone will be a deserter.
Matthew 26:56. The disciples become deserters.
Deserve (earn, justify, warrant)
To be worthy of or suitable for
Genesis 40:15. A punishment Joseph didn’t deserve
Leviticus 20:11. A crime deserving of death
2 Samuel 3:39. What evildoers deserve
1 Kings 2:26. A priest deserving of death
Ezra 9:13. Punished less than what was deserved
Psalm 28:4. A punishment equal to what is deserved
Desires (requirements, wants, wishes)
What one longs or hopes for
2 Samuel 3:21. Everything David desires
Job 20:20. Desires of the godless
Psalm 37:4. Giving you the desires of your heart
Proverbs 3:15. Your desires can’t equal wisdom.
Matthew 23:25. Uncontrolled desires
Romans 6:12. The body’s desires
Romans 7:7–8. The body’s desires
Despair (depression, despondency, misery)
To lose all hope or confidence
Leviticus 26:36. Despair in the land of enemies
Numbers 14:6. Despair of Joshua and Caleb at the complaints of Israel
Deuteronomy 28:65. Despair for Israel
Esther 6:12. Haman in despair over Mordecai’s promotion
Psalm 88:15. A psalmist’s despair
Ecclesiastes 2:20. Despair for hard work
Desperate (distressed, frantic, worried)
Having lost hope; moved by despair
2 Samuel 24. A desperate situation
2 Samuel 12:18. A desperate act?
Job 6:26. Desperate words
Psalm 60:3. Desperate times
Psalm 142:6. A desperate cry
Despise (hate, spurn)
To regard with contempt or scorn
1 Samuel 2:30. Insignificance of those who despise the Lord
2 Samuel 6:16. Michal despises her husband David.
2 Samuel 12:9–10. God’s message to David: Why did you despise my word?
Esther 1:17. Wives will despise their husbands.
Job 5:17. Don’t despise discipline.
Psalm 51:17. What God does not despise
Proverbs 1:7. What stubborn fools despise
Isaiah 60:14. Those despised bow
Destiny (fate, fortune)
The fate to which a particular person is destined
Job 8:13. Destiny of the godless
Psalm 73:16–17. Destiny of oppressors
Ecclesiastes 7:2. Everyone’s destiny?
Ecclesiastes 9:2–3. All share the same destiny
Isaiah 65:11. Goddess of destiny
Destruction (annihilation, devastation, obliteration)
The act of destroying
Genesis 19:29. Lot and his daughters escape the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Leviticus 27:28. Dedicated for destruction
Numbers 21:3. Claimed for destruction
Deuteronomy 7:9–10. God sends destruction
Deuteronomy 30:15. Choose: life or destruction?
Joshua 6:18. Stay away from things marked for destruction
1 Kings 13:34. Jeroboam’s family: marked for destruction
Details (information, particulars)
Particulars considered individually or in relation to the whole
Exodus 30:11–14. Details for the census and ransoms
2 Samuel 11:18. Details of the battle
1 Kings 6:38. Details of building the temple
1 Chronicles 28:19. Making the details clear
Determination (fortitude, resolve, willpower)
Firmness of purpose; resolve
1 Samuel 1:9–10. Hannah’s determination
1 Samuel 20:33. Saul’s determination
1 Kings 21:7–10. Jezebel’s determination
Acts 20:22. Paul’s determination
Acts 21:13–14. Paul is determined to go to Jerusalem.
Detestable (loathsome, repugnant, vile)
Inspiring abhorrence or scorn
Genesis 43:32. What’s detestable to Egyptians
Leviticus 7:21. Touching what’s detestable
Deuteronomy 7:26. Idols are detestable.
Ezekiel 5:9, 11. Detestable actions of the people of Jerusalem
Ezekiel 7:3–4. Punishment for detestable actions
Devil, the (see Satan)
Devoted items (forbidden items, taboo)
Items or animals that God forbids Israel to have
Leviticus 27:28–34. Can’t redeem devoted items
Joshua 6:18. Avoid devoted things.
Joshua 7. Achan’s theft of devoted items
Joshua 22:20. Wrongfully claiming devoted items
1 Chronicles 2:7. The harm of claiming devoted items
Devotion (dedication, love, worship)
Religious fervor
2 Chronicles 32:32. Hezekiah’s devotion
2 Chronicles 35:26. Josiah’s devotion
Psalm 69:9. David’s devotion
Psalm 119:39. Devotion for God’s Word
Jeremiah 12:3. Jeremiah’s devotion
John 2:17. Jesus’ devotion
Devout (devoted, dedicated, pious)
Devoted to religion or religious duties
1 Kings 18:3. Obadiah was devout.
Luke 2:25. Simeon was devout.
Acts 2:5, 12. Devout Jewish men in Jerusalem
Acts 8:2. Devout mourners bury Stephen.
Acts 10:1–2. Devout Gentiles
Acts 13:50. Devout women persecute Paul.
Diets (regimen, weight maintenance)
Habitual nourishment; regimens to lose weight
Exodus 16. Diet of manna and quails
Job 20:16. Diet of the godless person
Psalm 42:3. A diet of tears
Daniel 1:11–16. The diet of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
Matthew 3:4. John the Baptist’s diet
Differences (disparity, diversity)
The quality of being different; disparity in opinions
Leviticus 10:10. Knowing the difference between clean and unclean
Leviticus 15:3. It makes no difference.
Deuteronomy 1:39. Knowing the difference between good and evil
1 Kings 3:9. Solomon desires wisdom to know the difference between good and evil.
2 Chronicles 12:7–8. Knowing the difference between serving God and serving foreign kings
Romans 14:1. Differences of opinion
Difficulty (see Hardship)
Dignity (poise, pride, self-respect)
The quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed
Exodus 28:2. Clothes to enhance the dignity of the priests
Job 40:9–10. Dignity like God’s
Proverbs 30:29–31. Who or what moves with dignity?
Titus 2:7. Be an example of dignity.
Diligence (attentiveness, meticulousness, thoroughness)
Being conscientious and showing care about performing a task
Ezra 5:8. Building the temple with diligence
Ezra 6:12–13. Do the work with diligence.
Ezra 7:21, 23. Do the work with diligence.
Proverbs 4:23. Keep your heart with diligence.
Hebrews 6:11. Show diligence.
Dimensions (extent, size, scope)
Range over which something extends; the quality of spatial extension
Job 38:4–5. Dimensions of the earth
Ezekiel 42:11. Temple dimensions
Psalm 102:25. God set the dimensions of the earth long ago.
Proverbs 8:27–29. Wisdom helped establish the earth’s dimension and that of the seas.
Isaiah 48:13. Dimensions established by God
Direction (advice, management, path)
Guidance or supervision of action or conduct; an explicit instruction; also, the line or course on which something is moving or is aimed to move
Genesis 13:10. Looking in the direction of Sodom
Genesis 24:48. Led in the right direction
Exodus 38:21. Directed by Ithamar
Deuteronomy 27:18. Leading the blind in the wrong direction
Psalm 36:4. Going in the wrong direction
Proverbs 1:5. Gaining direction
Dirges (funeral songs)
Songs or hymns of grief or lamentation
2 Samuel 3:33–34. A dirge for Abner
2 Chronicles 35:25. A dirge for Josiah
Jeremiah 9:10. Chanting dirges
Lamentations. Jeremiah’s dirge for the fall of Jerusalem and for his people
Ezekiel 19:1. A dirge for the princes of Israel
Matthew 11:17. Dirge of children
Disability (disadvantage, disqualified, restricted)
Inability to pursue an occupation due to a physical or mental impairment
2 Samuel 4:4. Disability of Jonathan’s son
2 Samuel 19:26. Mephibosheth talks of his disability.
Matthew 15:30–31. Curing disabilities
Matthew 18:8. Better disabled than eternally punished
Luke 13:11–12. Jesus helps a disabled woman.
Disagreement (argument, dispute, misunderstanding)
A conflict of opinions; a dispute
Exodus 18:15–16. Settling disagreements
Exodus 24:13–14. Aaron and Hur to settle disagreements
Deuteronomy 21:5. Priests have a say in settling disagreements.
Deuteronomy 25:1. Disagreements brought to court
Acts 15:36–41. The disagreement of Paul and Barnabas
Disappointment (discontent, displeasure)
The state of being defeated in expectation or hope
Genesis 4:3–6. Cain’s disappointment
Psalm 119:116. Avoiding disappointment
Jeremiah 12:13. Harvest disappointment
Jeremiah 14:4. Lack of rain leads to disappointment
Disaster (calamity, catastrophe, tragedy)
A sudden calamitous event bringing great damage or destruction
Genesis 19:18–19. Disaster at Sodom
Exodus 32:12. Moses hopes to avoid disaster.
Deuteronomy 29:19–21. A disastrous attitude
Deuteronomy 32:23. One disaster after another
Joshua 7. Disaster at Ai
Judges 11:35. Jephthah’s vow brings disaster.
2 Kings 14:9–10. Why invite disaster?
Discernment (acumen, insight, judgment, shrewdness)
The quality of being able to grasp or understand what is obscure
Deuteronomy 32:28. No discernment
1 Kings 3:11–12. God gives Solomon discernment.
2 Chronicles 2:12. Huram acknowledges Solomon’s discernment.
Psalm 119:125. Give me discernment.
Proverbs 17:10. A man of discernment
Disciple (believer, follower, pupil)
One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another; one of the 12 apostles
1 Kings 20:35–43. A disciple of prophets
2 Kings 4:1. Helping the wife of a disciple
Amos 7:14. Not a prophet or a disciple
Matthew 8:19–22. The cost of being a disciple of Jesus
Matthew 10:1–4. Jesus’ twelve disciples
Discipleship (see Disciple)
Discipline (control, correction, obedience)
Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
Leviticus 26:18, 23–24. Seven times the discipline
Deuteronomy 8:5. Disciplining children
Deuteronomy 11:2. Discipline from God
Psalm 6:1. Discipline, but not anger
Psalm 94:12. Disciplined, but blessed
Proverbs 1:8–9. Listen to discipline
Proverbs 4:13. Listen to discipline
Discontent (dissatisfaction, restlessness, unhappiness)
Showing dissatisfaction or restless longing
1 Samuel 22:2. David gathers the discontent.
Acts 6:1. Discontent among the believers
Discord (conflict, disagreement, dissension)
Lack of agreement or harmony
Esther 1:18. Discord expected due to Vashti’s behavior
Proverbs 6:14. Sowing discord
Proverbs 6:16, 19. God hates discord.
Galatians 5:19–21. Discord—a product of the sinful nature
Discouragement (despair, disappointment, dismay)
Being deprived of courage or confidence
Exodus 6:9. Discouragement of the Israelites
Numbers 32:6–9. Discouragement of the spies
1 Samuel 17:32. Discouragement of the Israelite army
Psalm 43:5. Discouragement of the soul
Isaiah 42:4. The Lord’s servant will not be discouraged.
2 Corinthians 2:6–7. Don’t discourage the wrongdoer.
Discretion (diplomacy, foresight, good judgment)
Ability to make responsible decisions
1 Chronicles 22:12. Discretion from God
Proverbs 1:4. Purpose of the proverbs
Proverbs 2:11. Protected by discretion
Proverbs 5:1–2. Acting with discretion
Proverbs 8:12. Wisdom acquires discretion.
Discrimination (favoritism, intolerance, prejudice)
Having a prejudiced or a prejudicial outlook
John 4:7–9. Discrimination toward Samaritans
Acts 15:9. God doesn’t discriminate.
1 Timothy 5:21. Avoid discrimination.
James 2:4. Discriminating against people
Disease (leprosy, sickness, skin problems)
A condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms
Leviticus 13–14. Skin diseases
Leviticus 22:4. Disease renders a person unclean.
Numbers 12:10. Miriam contracts a disease after criticizing Moses.
Deuteronomy 28:22. Diseases: one result of disobedience
1 Kings 15:23. Asa’s foot disease
2 Chronicles 21:8–20. Jehoram’s intestinal disease
Luke 5:12–13. Jesus cures a skin disease.
Disgrace (humiliation, out of favor, shame)
A sense of shame or loss of favor
Genesis 30:22–23. Rachel’s disgrace
Deuteronomy 22:30. Avoiding a father’s disgrace
Joshua 5:9. Removing disgrace
1 Samuel 11:2. Trying to disgrace Israel
Job 10:15. Job’s disgrace
Disguise (camouflage, concealing outfit, mask)
To furnish with a false appearance or an assumed identity
Genesis 38:13–16. Tamar’s disguise
1 Samuel 28:8. Saul’s disguise
1 Kings 14:1–4. Disguise of Jeroboam’s wife
1 Kings 22:30. Disguise of King Ahab
2 Corinthians 11:13–15. Disguise of false apostles
Dishonesty (deceitfulness, falsehood, lying)
Lack of honesty or integrity
Proverbs 4:24. Remove dishonesty
Proverbs 13:11. Dishonest gain
Jeremiah 9:3. Dishonesty of God’s people
Jeremiah 22:17. Dishonest profits
Luke 16:1–9. Jesus’ parable of a dishonest but shrewd manager
Disloyalty (betrayal, treachery, unfaithfulness)
Lacking in loyalty; unfaithful
Joshua 7:1. Achan’s disloyalty
Psalm 78:57. Disloyal ancestors and descendants
Daniel 9:7. Daniel prays about disloyalty
Disobedience (defiance, sin, waywardness)
Refusal or neglecting to obey
Exodus 34:7. God forgives disobedience.
Job 7:21. Job pleads for forgiveness for disobedience.
Psalm 32:1. The blessing of forgiveness for disobedience
Psalm 107:17. Suffering for disobedience
Isaiah 24:20. Disobedience of the earth
Romans 5:19. Disobedience passed down through Adam
Romans 11:30–32. Disobedience of the Jewish people
Dispensation (allowance, indulgence, special consideration)
A general state or ordering of things; a particular arrangement or provision especially of providence or nature
Deuteronomy 4:5–31. Dispensation of the law
Ephesians 1:10. Dispensation of the fullness of time
Ephesians 3:1–2. Dispensation of God’s grace
Disqualifications (disadvantages, ineligibility, prohibitions)
Items that disqualify or incapacitate
Exodus 19:15. Avoid disqualification
Leviticus 21:18. Disqualified from approaching the altar
Leviticus 22:4. Disqualification from eating the offerings
Judges 7:5–8. Disqualified from military service
Colossians 2:18. Worship of angels disqualifies.
Disrespect (contempt, disregard, insolence)
Showing contempt
Exodus 22:28. Avoid disrespecting God
Esther 1:18. Disrespect of Persian women
1 Corinthians 11:4. Disrespect for God
Dissatisfaction (see Discontent)
Diversity (assortment, mixture, variety)
The inclusion of people of different races or cultures in a group or organization
Acts 2:5–6. Diversity in Jerusalem
Acts 10:35–36. Diversity in God’s kingdom
Revelation 7:9–10. Diversity in heaven
Divination (forecasting, fortune-telling)
Seeking to foresee or foretell future events
Genesis 30:27. Laban’s divination
Genesis 44:5. Joseph’s divining cup
Leviticus 19:26. Avoid those who practice divination.
Numbers 22–24. Balaam’s divination
Deuteronomy 18:10–11. Avoid divination.
1 Samuel 15:23. Rebellion is like divination.
Divisions (family groups, groups, tribes)
The process of dividing
Genesis 36:30. The Horite divisions
Exodus 6:26. Israel divided into family groups
Exodus 12:17. Brought out of Egypt in divisions
Numbers 1:3. Numbering the divisions
Numbers 2:3. The divisions of Judah
Joshua 18:10. The divisions of Canaan
Divorce (annulment, break up, separation)
The dissolution of a marriage
Leviticus 21:7. Priest can’t marry a divorced woman.
Numbers 30:9. Vows are binding for the divorced.
Deuteronomy 22:13–19. No divorce for a false charge
Deuteronomy 24:1–4. Certificate of divorce
Jeremiah 3:8. God divorces Israel.
Malachi 2:16. God hates divorce.
Matthew 5:31–32. Jesus preaches about divorce.
Matthew 19:1–12. Jesus is questioned about divorce.
DIY (Do It Yourself) projects
Projects or activities (often spontaneous) that people have to do themselves or do because someone else should have done them
Genesis 28:18–19. Jacob builds an altar.
Numbers 25:6–9. Phinehas stops a plague.
1 Samuel 15. Samuel does what Saul should have done.
Ezra 4:1–3. Building the second temple
Doctor (see Physician)
Doctrine (dogma, guidelines)
Principle or system for acceptance or belief as by a religious or philosophic group
1 Timothy 1:3. False doctrine
1 Timothy 6:3–4. Teaching false doctrine
2 Timothy 4:3. Sound doctrine
Titus 2:1. Teach according to sound doctrine.
Titus 3:10. Avoid those who teach false doctrine.
Documents (credentials, papers)
Written papers bearing the original, official, or legal form of something and which can furnish evidence or information
Nehemiah 9:38. Document professing obedience to God’s law
Esther 1:21–22. Documents sent to the provinces
Esther 3:13. Documents granting property seizure
Esther 8:10. Documents granting peace
Jeremiah 32:14. Documents in a clay jar
Daniel 6:10. Document forbidding prayer
Dog(s) (canine)
Domestic mammal related to the gray wolf; also a euphemism for a worthless person
Exodus 11:7. Not even a dog will be disturbed by the last plague
1 Samuel 17:43. Is Goliath a dog?
2 Samuel 9:8. A dead dog like Mephibosheth?
1 Kings 14:11. Dogs to eat Jeroboam’s relatives
1 Kings 21:17–19, 23–24. Dogs to eat Ahab’s relatives
Psalm 22:16, 20. Surrounded by dogs
Matthew 15:21–28. A conversation about dogs
Domination (control, power, tyranny)
Supremacy or preeminence over another; exercise of mastery or ruling power
Genesis 1:17–18. The sun and moon dominate the sky.
Judges 4:1–3. The domination of the Canaanites
Daniel 11:12. The southern king will dominate.
John 11:48. Under Rome’s domination
1 Peter 5:8. Under Satan’s domination
Donkeys (Equus asinus)
Domestic animals of the horse family
Genesis 16:11–12. Ishmael: like a wild donkey
Exodus 13:12–13. Redeeming a donkey
Exodus 20:17. Donkey mentioned in the Ten Commandments
Numbers 22:21–35. Balaam’s talking donkey
Zechariah 9:9. The Messiah will enter Jerusalem on a donkey.
Matthew 21:1–11. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey.
Luke 13:15–16. Wouldn’t you help a donkey on the Sabbath?
Door (access, entrance, gate)
A barrier by which an entry is closed or open; a means of access
Genesis 4:6–7. Sin at the door
Genesis 6:16. Door in the ark
Deuteronomy 3:5. Double doors of the fortified cities of Canaan
Deuteronomy 15:16–17. Piercing a slave at the door
Psalm 141:3. The door of the lips
Proverbs 5:8. Avoid the door of the adulterous woman.
Ezekiel 10:19. Angels at the door
Revelation 3:20. Jesus stands at the door.
Double portion (birthright, inheritance)
Provision in the law of Moses according the firstborn with a double portion of the inheritance; also, an extra blessing or an extra curse
Deuteronomy 21:15–17. A double portion
1 Samuel 1:4–5. Hannah receives a double portion.
2 Kings 2:9. Elisha asks for a double portion.
Isaiah 61:7. A double portion, instead of shame
Revelation 18:6. Babylon will receive a double portion of grief.
Double-mindedness (ambivalence, in two minds)
A state of ambivalence
1 Timothy 3:8. Deacons should not be two-faced.
James 1:6–8. Double-minded man
James 4:8. The hearts of the double-minded
Doubt(s) (misgivings, skepticism, uncertainties)
To lack confidence in someone or something
Matthew 14:28–31. Peter walks on water, then doubts.
Matthew 21:20–22. Have faith, rather than doubt.
Matthew 28:16–17. Some had doubts.
Luke 24:38–39. Why do you doubt?
Romans 14:13, 21. Don’t cause others to doubt.
James 1:6. Ask, but don’t doubt.
Jude 22. Show mercy to doubters.
Dove (pigeon)
A small, wild pigeon
Genesis 8:6–12. Noah sends a dove to search for land.
Genesis 15:9–10. A dove as a sacrifice
Leviticus 1:14. The command to sacrifice a dove
Psalm 55:6. Wings of a dove
Hosea 7:11. Ephraim, the dove
Matthew 3:16. The Holy Spirit is like a dove.
Downhearted (see Discouragement)
Dowry (bride price, gift, offering)
Money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a price paid for a bride
Genesis 24:52–53. Gifts for Rebekah and her family
Genesis 34:12. Shechem’s willingness to pay any price for Dinah
Exodus 22:16–17. Dowry for seduction
1 Samuel 18:25. Dowry for Michal
1 Kings 9:16. Dowry for a princess
Doxology (praise)
A liturgical expression of praise to God
Isaiah 6:3. Doxology in heaven
Luke 2:14. Doxology at the birth of the Savior
Romans 16:27. Paul’s doxology
Ephesians 3:21. Paul’s doxology
Jude 25. Jude’s doxology
Drachma (coin)
Ancient Greek silver coin
Matthew 17:24. Two-drachma tax
Luke 15:8. Woman with ten silver coins
Dragon (the devil, Satan)
Huge serpent; metaphor for Satan
Revelation 12. Attack of the dragon
Revelation 13. Authority of the dragon
Revelation 20:1–3. The dragon defeated
Dread (alarm, dismay, fear)
Great fear; extreme reluctance to face someone or something
Exodus 15:16. Terror and dread of the Egyptians
Psalm 119:39. Dreaded insults
Proverbs 1:33. Dread of disaster
Proverbs 10:24. Dread of the wicked
Isaiah 57:11. Dread of Israel
Jeremiah 42:16. Dreaded famines
Dream interpretation (prophecy)
Explanations from God as to the meaning of dreams
Genesis 40. Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants.
Genesis 41:25–32. Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams.
Daniel 2:16–45. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream.
Daniel 4:19–33. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream.
Dream(s) (communication, revelation, vision, warning)
Series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep; one of the ways in which God spoke to prophets
Genesis 20:1–7. Abimelech’s dream
Genesis 28:10–15. Jacob’s first dream
Genesis 31:10–13. Jacob’s second dream
Genesis 37:5–11. Joseph’s dreams
Genesis 40. The dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker
Genesis 41. Pharaoh’s dreams
Numbers 12:5–6. God speaks about dreams.
Daniel 2. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
Matthew 1:20–23. Joseph’s dream
Drink offering (offering of wine, sacrifice)
One of the daily sacrifices for sin; often accompanied animals given as sacrifices
Exodus 29:40–41. Drink offering with lamb
Numbers 6:17–21. Drink offering with a Nazirite vow
Numbers 15:1–5. Two quarts of wine
Numbers 28:7, 9. A quart of wine with lamb
Drinking (drunkenness)
The consumption of alcoholic beverages
1 Samuel 30:16. Drinking in celebration
2 Samuel 13:28. Absalom plots to kill Amnon while Amnon drinks.
1 Kings 1:25. Drinking with Adonijah
1 Kings 20:12. Benhadad drinking with his allies
Esther 1. Drinking at Xerxes’s banquet
Ecclesiastes 2:3. Drinking to feel better
Matthew 11:18–19. Jesus accused of drunkenness
Dropsy (edema, swelling)
Swelling of the soft tissues
Deuteronomy 8:4. No dropsy in the wilderness
Luke 14:2–4. A man with dropsy
Drought (lack of rain)
Period of dryness due to a lack of rain
Deuteronomy 28:22. Drought is a curse.
1 Kings 17:1–18:46. Three-year drought
Job 12:15. God allows drought.
Job 24:19. Drought, the water stealer
Jeremiah 2:6. Drought in the desert
Jeremiah 14:1. Drought to come
Drug(s) (homeopathic medicines, pharmaceuticals)
A substance used as a medication or in the preparation of medication; often an illegal substance that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change in consciousness
Matthew 27:34. Jesus is offered a sedative.
Galatians 5:20–21. Taking drugs: an act of the corrupt nature
Dung (excrement, Dung Gate, manure, offal, waste)
Offal of an animal or person
Exodus 29:14. Burning the dung of a bull
1 Kings 14:10. Burning like dung
Nehemiah 2:13. The Dung Gate
Job 20:7. Wicked perish like dung
Ezekiel 4. Baking bread with dung
Duty (job, obligation, responsibility)
Obligatory task, conduct, service, or function that arises from one’s position; active music, military, or priestly service
Genesis 38:8. A man’s duty to brother’s widow
Leviticus 5:14. Failing one’s duty
Numbers 1. Military duty
Deuteronomy 24:5. Discharged from military service
2 Kings 11:4, 7. Guards on duty
1 Chronicles 9:33. Musicians on duty
Luke 1:8–9. Priest on duty
Dysentery (diarrhea)
A disease characterized by severe diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood and usually caused by infection
2 Chronicles 21:14–19. Jehoram will be struck, possibly with dysentery
Acts 28:8. Publius’s father suffering from dysentery