– L –

Labor (childbirth, toil, work)

Physical or mental exertion; the physical efforts of childbirth

Genesis 3:16. An increase in labor pain

Genesis 35:16. Rachel’s labor pains

Exodus 1:11. Forced to labor

Joshua 16:10. Forced labor of the Canaanites

Matthew 11:28. Relief for those who labor

1 Corinthians 4:12. Physical labor

Lack (need, shortage)

A deficiency or an absence

Genesis 27:39. Esau will experience a lack of fertile land.

Job 39:13. An ostrich’s lack of feathers

Proverbs 5:22–23. Lack of discipline

Proverbs 31:11. This husband won’t lack anything.

Isaiah 34:16. Not lacking a mate

Mark 9:24. Lack of faith

1 Corinthians 1:7. Not lacking any gift

Laity (laypeople, congregation)

The non-ordained people in a congregation

Romans 16. Paul greets the laity of the churches in Rome.

1 Corinthians 12:4–31. The same Spirit equips ministers and the laity.

Philippians 4:2–3. Lay leaders

1 Peter 2:9. Lay priests

Lamb (sheep)

A young sheep

Genesis 22:7–8. The lamb for a burnt offering

Genesis 30:34–35. Laban tries to cheat Jacob by taking away the black lambs asked for as wages.

Exodus 12. Passover lamb

Exodus 29:38–39. A regular offering of a lamb

Leviticus 4:32–33. Lamb as a sin offering

Jeremiah 11:19. Like a trusting lamb

Lamb of God (conqueror, Jesus, sacrifice)

Term used by John the Baptist to denote a sacrifice for sin; many believe the term refers to Jesus.

Isaiah 53:7. Led like a lamb to the slaughter

John 1:29, 36. Lamb of God

1 Corinthians 5:7. Our Passover lamb

1 Peter 1:19–20. Christ—the lamb with no defects

Revelation 5—6. The lamb that was slaughtered

Revelation 19:7. The marriage of the lamb

Revelation 21:22–23. The lamb in New Jerusalem

Lame (disability)

Disabled so that movement is difficult

Leviticus 21:18. The lame could not go near the altar.

Deuteronomy 15:21. Lame animals could not be sacrificed.

2 Samuel 5:6. The blind and the lame

Matthew 15:30–31. Healing the lame

Mark 9:45. Go lame and avoid hell.

Lamp (light)

Clay or pottery vessel that contains oil and burned with a wick for illumination; also a metaphor for the continuation of a life, prosperity in a life, or revelation and guidance

1 Kings 15:4. A lamp in Jerusalem

Job 18:5–6. Lamp of the wicked

Job 29:2–3. Lamp of God

Psalm 119:105. A lamp for my feet

Proverbs 20:27. Person’s soul as a lamp

Matthew 25:1–13. Parable of bridesmaids and their lamps

Mark 4:21–22. A lamp in a room

Lamp stand (candelabrum, menorah)

A seven- or nine-branched candelabrum used in worship and as a symbol of Judaism

Exodus 25:31–39. Lamp stand for the tabernacle

Exodus 31:8. Pure gold lamp stand

Exodus 37:17. Making the lamp stand

Leviticus 24:4. Keeping the lamps on the lamp stand lit

Hebrews 9:2. The lamp stand in the tent

Revelation 2:5. The lamp stand of the church at Ephesus

Land (earth, ground, soil, territory)

The solid ground of the earth

Genesis 1:9–10. Creation of land

Genesis 15:7. A gift of land

Deuteronomy 30:5. The land of your ancestors

1 Kings 14:15. Uprooted from the land

Nehemiah 9:25. A rich land

Job 31:38–40. The witness of the land

Landmark(s) (familiar sights, markers)

A prominent identifying feature; fixed marker that indicates a boundary line

Deuteronomy 19:14. Don’t remove landmarks.

Deuteronomy 27:17. Remove a landmark and be cursed.

Proverbs 23:10. Ancient landmark

Hosea 5:10. Like those who remove a landmark

John 4:4–6. A local landmark

Language(s) (verbal communication, words, speech)

The use of human voice sounds and written symbols representing these sounds

Genesis 10:5. Different languages

Genesis 11:6–7. A confusion of languages

Genesis 31:47. Laban’s language

2 Kings 18:28. Judean language

Acts 2:4. Speaking other languages

1 Corinthians 12:10. Speaking and interpreting languages

Laodiceans (people)

Of or relating to Laodicea (ancient city in what is now west Turkey)

Colossians 2:1. Working for the people of Laodicea

Colossians 4:15–16. The church at Laodicea

Revelation 1:11. A scroll for Laodicea

Revelation 3:14–16. Warning to the Laodiceans

Large families (church, nuclear family)

Families with numerous members

Genesis 17:1–2. Abraham’s large family

Exodus 1:5–7. Jacob’s large family grows larger.

Leviticus 26:8–9. Promise of large families

1 Chronicles 4:27. A large family, but not as large as Judah

Nehemiah 5:1–2. “We have large families!”

Revelation 7:9–10. God’s large family

Lashes (see Flogging)

Lascivious behavior (lecherous behavior)

Actions that express lust

Genesis 19:4–5. Lascivious behavior of the men of Sodom

Genesis 39:7–12. Lascivious behavior of Potiphar’s wife

Ezekiel 16:25–26. Lascivious behavior of Jerusalem

Ezekiel 23. Lascivious behavior of Oholah and Oholibah

2 Peter 2:17–18. Lascivious behavior encouraged by false teachers

Last days (see End times)

Last Supper (Passover)

The last meal Jesus had with his disciples before his crucifixion

Matthew 26:17–30. The Last Passover with the disciples

Matthew 26:26–28. The Lord’s Supper is introduced at the last supper.

Mark 14:18. At the last supper, Jesus declares that he will be betrayed.

Luke 22:24–26. At the last supper, the disciples argue over greatness.

John 13:4–5. Jesus washes his disciples’ feet at the last supper.

Laughter (amusement, hilarity, mirth)

The sound produced by laughing

Genesis 21:5–7. A son whose name means “laughter”

Job 8:20–21. God fills mouths with laughter.

Proverbs 10:23. The laughter of a fool

Ecclesiastes 2:1–2. Experimenting with laughter

Jeremiah 30:19. Laughter will be heard.

James 4:9–10. Laughter into mourning

Law (commandment, decree, rule)

The rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority; also, books of Moses’ Teaching (the Law)

Exodus 12:24. A permanent law

Exodus 29:28. Aaron’s portion—a permanent law

Leviticus 16:29–30. Atonement—a permanent law

Deuteronomy 17:12–13. Never defy God’s law.

Acts 25:8. Jewish law

Romans 2:14. A law to themselves

Lawful (allowable)

Being within the law; allowed by law, particularly the law of Moses

Ezekiel 18:19. What is lawful and right

Matthew 12:3–4. David did what was not lawful.

Matthew 12:9–15. Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?

Matthew 14:3–4. Herod’s marriage is not lawful.

Matthew 19:3. Is divorce lawful?

Lawsuit(s) (complaint, court case, grievance)

An action or a suit brought before a court

Exodus 23:2–3. Don’t show favoritism in lawsuits.

2 Samuel 15:1–6. Absalom discusses lawsuits.

Hosea 10:4. Lawsuits spring up.

Micah 6. God’s lawsuit against his people

1 Corinthians 6:7. Lawsuits among believers

Lawyer (attorney, legal representative, law expert)

One whose profession is to give legal advice and represent clients in legal matters; an expert in the law of Moses

Matthew 22:34–36. Tested by a lawyer

Luke 10:25–26, 29. Questions from a lawyer

Acts 24:1. Tertullus the lawyer

Titus 3:13. Zenas the lawyer

Lay-offs/Firings (job loss)

Suspension or dismissal of employees

Genesis 3:23. Adam is fired from his job as gardener in Eden.

Numbers 20:12. Moses is dismissed from the job of taking the Israelites into the Promised Land.

1 Samuel 15. God plans to replace Saul as king.

1 Kings 11. Demoted to king over one job, rather than all of Israel

Laying on of hands (identification, transference of guilt)

Identifying with the animal to be sacrificed; also, commissioning someone for an office

Leviticus 1:4. Place your hand on the animal.

Numbers 27:18–23. Moses lays hands on Joshua.

Acts 6:5–6. Laying hands on the new deacons

Acts 13:2–3. Laying hands on Barnabas and Saul

1 Timothy 4:14. Laying hands on Timothy

Laziness (idleness, sluggishness, slothfulness)

Resistance to work; a disposition to idleness

Exodus 5:6–8. The Israelites are accused of laziness.

Proverbs 12:24. Lazy hands

Proverbs 19:15. The problem of laziness

Ecclesiastes 4:4–6. Is laziness better than hard work?

Ecclesiastes 10:18. The results of laziness

Leadership (direction, guidance, management)

The position or office of a leader

Genesis 25:16. Leaders of tribes

Exodus 3:16. Assemble the leaders.

Numbers 33:1. Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership

1 Samuel 12. The people reject Samuel’s leadership in their desire for a king.

Acts 24:2. Wise leadership

Romans 12:8. If you’re a leader, lead.

Learning (culture, education, knowledge, wisdom)

The act or process of gaining knowledge

Leviticus 23:42–43. Future generations will learn of this custom.

Deuteronomy 5:1. The necessity of learning God’s laws

Proverbs 4:3–4. Learning from parents

Proverbs 23:12. Learning from a father

2 Corinthians 7:7. Learning about comfort

Leaven (yeast)

An agent, such as yeast, that causes batter or dough to rise, especially by fermentation

Exodus 12:15. Remove the leaven.

Leviticus 2:11. Don’t use leaven with a grain offering.

Leviticus 6:17. Don’t bake with leaven.

Matthew 16:6. Beware the leaven of the Pharisees.

Left-handed (blessing with the hands, use of the hands)

Using the left hand more skillfully than the right; a lesser blessing given with the left hand

Genesis 48. Left-handed blessing

Judges 3:15–30. Ehud is left-handed.

Judges 20:16. Left-handed troops

Legalism (nitpicky)

Strict literal adherence to the law or a particular code

Isaiah 29:13. A definition of legalism

Matthew 15:1–20. Pharisees’ legalism

John 1:17. Law versus grace

Romans 14:1. Be welcoming, rather than legalistic.

Galatians 3:24–25. Legalism is not necessary after Christ’s coming.

Colossians 2:20–22. Avoid legalism.

Legend(s) (folklore, inscriptions, myths, traditions)

An unverified story handed down from an earlier time; an inscription

Job 26:12. Job discusses a legend.

Daniel 5:24–25. The legend on the wall

Zechariah 3:9. Engraving a legend

Acts 17:22–24. The legend of the unknown god

Legion (crowd, many, multitude)

Major unit of the Roman army consisting of 3,000 to 6,000 infantry troops; a large number

Matthew 26:53. Twelve legions of angels

Mark 5:1–20. The legion of demons

Leisure (free time, freedom, holiday)

Freedom from time-consuming duties, responsibilities, or activities

Genesis 2:2–3. A day to not work

Psalm 46:10. While you’re at leisure . . .

Ecclesiastes 2:1. Experimenting with leisure activities

Mark 6:31. Jesus suggests leisure time.

Lent (Lenten season, preparation and repentance before Easter)

The forty weekdays from Ash Wednesday until Easter; these days represent the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness before his temptation.

Genesis 3:19. Ash Wednesday pronouncement (Lent begins)

Matthew 3:2. A time to repent

Matthew 4:1–2. The forty days of Jesus’ fast

Matthew 6:16–18. A season of fasting; rules for fasting during the season

Leper (person with leprosy)

A person suffering from leprosy

Leviticus 13:45–46. Rules for lepers

Leviticus 22:4. Priests who are lepers

2 Kings 5. Naaman the leper

Matthew 26:6–7. Simon the leper

Mark 1:40–42. Healing a leper

Leprosy (disease)

Chronic contagious disease characterized by ulceration of the skin, loss of sensation, paralysis, gangrene, and deformation

Leviticus 13:24–25. Identifying leprosy

Numbers 12:10–12. Miriam’s leprosy

2 Samuel 3:29. May leprosy never leave his house.

2 Kings 5:26–27. Gehazi gains leprosy after lying to Naaman and Elisha.

2 Kings 7:3–11. The four men with leprosy

2 Kings 15:1–7. Jeroboam becomes leprous.

Luke 17:11–19. Healing ten men of leprosy

Lesbians (see Homosexuality)

Letter writing (see Correspondence)

Leviathan (sea serpent, monster)

An ancient monster which lives in the sea, sometimes a metaphor for God’s power

Job 3:8. Dangerous, dragon-like monster

Job 41:1–34. Poetic description of Leviathan’s strength compared to the Lord

Psalm 74:13–14. God’s power over Leviathan

Psalm 104:26. God created Leviathan

Isaiah 27:1. The monster in the sea

Levirate marriage (marriage, family relationships)

Law delivered by Moses which states that a brother is to marry his deceased brother’s widow and name the first son after the deceased brother

Genesis 38:8. Production of progeny

Deuteronomy 25:5–10. Providing a legacy

Ruth 3:1–18. Responsibility of family

Ruth 4:10. Maintaining a family name

Levites (priests, tribe of Levi, sons of Aaron)

Designation given to descendents of the tribe of Levi who are best known for their priestly services in the tabernacle and temple

Exodus 28:1. Members of the family of Aaron

Exodus 32:26–29. Cost of being God’s priests

Numbers 3:45. Set apart for the Lord

Numbers 18:21. Israel gives one-tenth to the Levites

1 Kings 8:4. Performing the duties of the priesthood

Hebrews 7:5–11. The priesthood of Melchizedek

Hebrews 8:6. Jesus’ priesthood is greater

Liar (deceiver, false witness)

Someone who doubts God’s promises, rejects sound teaching, and presents false witness

Genesis 20:2. Abraham lies to save Sarah.

Job 24:25. Liar’s words are worthless.

Psalm 26:4–5. The righteous avoid being with liars.

Psalm 58:3. Liars go astray.

John 8:44. The devil is the father of lies.

Acts 5:1–6. God’s judgment upon liars.

1 John 1:10. Denying sin makes God a liar.

1 John 2:22. Liars reject the Messiah.

1 John 4:20. Love God and hate others.

Liberality (free, lavish, openly)

Giving to and caring for those who are less fortunate

Deuteronomy 15:4. God blesses the poor.

Esther 1:7. The king lavishes food upon guests.

Hosea 2:8. The Lord’s provision is misused.

Matthew 6:26. God provides for animals and humans.

Galatians 2:10. Caring for the poor

Ephesians 1:8. God gives wisdom.

James 1:5. God gives to those who ask.

Liberate (set free, release, save)

To free from political structures, social groups, and even personal sin

Exodus 3:10. God freed Israel from bondage in Egypt.

Psalm 102:20. Set free from the power of death

Isaiah 51:14. Prisoners will be set free.

Matthew 16:19. Heaven and earth liberated

Matthew 27:20. Barabbas released instead of Jesus

Galatians 3:13. Christ frees us.

1 Timothy 2:6. Christ died to free us from sin.

Titus 2:14. Freed in order to do good things

James 1:25. God’s teaching brings freedom.

Liberty (freedom, release)

Being free to believe, act, and think; freedom from sin

Leviticus 25:54. The year of jubilee

Isaiah 61:1. Freedom for the captives

Jeremiah 34:8–11. Freedom given, freedom taken

John 8:32. The truth brings freedom.

John 8:36. Freedom in the Son

Romans 6:1–2. Freed from sin

Galatians 5:13. Serve one another with freedom.

1 Peter 2:16. Use freedom appropriately.

Jude 4. Grace is not a warrant for unchecked freedom.

License (permit, authorization, credentials)

Permission or decree which authorizes or prevents certain actions

Exodus 3:14. God authorizes leaders.

Acts 22:25–29. Citizenship

Hebrews 6:3. God allows actions.

Licentious (immoral, promiscuous, sinful)

Sinful actions which bring about God’s judgment

2 Samuel 11:1–13. Sexual immorality

Micah 7:18. God forgives the sins of his people.

Romans 1:18. God’s anger revealed against immorality

Ephesians 5:3. Avoid even the mention of sinfulness.

Colossians 3:5. Stop sinful lifestyles.

1 Thessalonians 4:7. Called to be holy

James 1:21. Accept the word, reject immorality.

2 Peter 2:9. Immorality punished

Jude 8. Sin contaminates the body.

Lie (deception, falsehood, half-truth)

Intentionally misrepresenting the truth

Deuteronomy 19:18–19. Expel falsehood.

1 Samuel 15:29. God does not lie.

Job 15:6. Lies condemn.

Psalm 5:9. Lies come from the heart.

Proverbs 19:5. Liars will be punished.

John 8:44. Satan is the father of lies.

Romans 1:25. Exchanged God’s truth for a lie

2 Thessalonians 2:9. Deception occurs through lies.

Revelation 22:15. Liars remain outside the gates of heaven.

Life (eternal life, kingdom of God, human life)

Gift of God, creator of all life; eternal life initiated and offered through faith in Christ

Genesis 2:7. Life comes from God.

Genesis 3:24. Tree of life

Ecclesiastes 12:7. God gives life and death.

Luke 12:20. Life demanded

John 1:3–5. Jesus is the source of life.

John 3:16. Eternal life

John 10:10–11. Jesus gave his life.

John 17:3. Eternal life is knowing God.

Romans 5:17. Life in Christ

1 Corinthians 8:6. All life is because of Christ.

Philippians 2:30. Risking your life

James 4:14. Brevity of life

Lifestyle (behavior, conduct, way of life)

Manner of conduct which demonstrates one’s commitments and outlooks in life

Psalm 1:1–6. Lifestyles of unbelievers

Psalm 84:11. Blessings for the blameless

Ecclesiastes 8:15. Recommended lifestyle

Ezekiel 18:5–9. Lifestyle of the righteous person

Micah 6:8. The lifestyle God requires

Romans 6:21. Deadly lifestyle

Galatians 5:16. Follow your spiritual nature.

Ephesians 4:1–2. Live worthy of your calling.

1 Thessalonians 3:13. Prepared for Christ’s return

1 Timothy 4:12. Lifestyle of younger Christians

Jude 7. Results of bad lifestyle

Light (life, eternal life, holiness)

Absence of darkness, biblical metaphor with life, death, joy, blessing, rescue, and sorrow

Genesis 1:3. The beginning of creation

Psalm 27:1. God’s presence and favor

Isaiah 9:2. Deliverance

Amos 5:18. Judgment

John 3:19. Jesus is light.

2 Corinthians 4:6. Light of knowledge

Colossians 1:12. Eternal life

1 Timothy 6:16. God’s holiness

1 Peter 2:9. Called into light

Light of the world (Jesus, light)

Image applied to Jesus, underscoring his self-revelation in the world. His followers, in turn, are themselves to be light and spread light among the world.

Matthew 5:14. Disciples shine the light.

Matthew 28:19–20. Command to spread the light

John 1:9. Jesus came into the world.

John 8:12. Jesus is the light.

John 9:5. The mission of Jesus

Ephesians 5:14. Christ converts us.

Lightning (bright, glittering, judgment)

Sign of God’s presence, His revelation, and judgment

Exodus 19:16–17. God’s presence

2 Samuel 22:15. Sign of judgment

Job 28:23–28. God’s control of weather

Psalm 135:7. God’s creation of weather

Matthew 28:3. Angel bright like lightning

Luke 17:24. The coming of God’s kingdom

Revelation 4:5. God’s majesty revealed

Revelation 20:9. Judgment from heaven

Likeness (archetype, image, image of God)

Lines of continuity between a source and its extension

Genesis 1:26. Created in God’s image

Genesis 5:3. Children in their parent’s image

Romans 6:5. Made like Christ in life and death

1 Corinthians 15:49. God’s likeness passed on

Hebrews 1:3. Jesus is God’s likeness.

Hebrews 10:1. Old Testament sacrifices only a likeness of Christ’s sacrifice

James 3:9. Avoid cursing people made in God’s image.

Lily (flower, plant, scent)

Flower known for its beauty, image of God’s people for whom God supplies the sustenance needed to grow and bloom

Song of Songs 2:1–2. An image of beauty

Isaiah 35:2. God’s people will bloom again.

Hosea 14:5. God (re)establishes his people.

Luke 12:27. God’s provision

Limitation(s) (humility, limit, restraint)

Boundaries set by God’s creative decrees and through His revelatory Word

Exodus 7:3. God limits human hearts.

Psalm 119:96. God’s commandments are without limit.

Psalm 147:5. No limit to God’s knowledge

Ecclesiastes 5:2. Limit your words.

John 3:34. God’s unlimited gift of the Spirit

2 Corinthians 12:7. Humility through limitation

Philippians 2:6–11. Divine self-limitation

Lineage (ancestry, descent, family)

Group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor

Genesis 25:17. Ancestry and death

Exodus 3:6. God of your fathers

Deuteronomy 1:8. Promise made to Abraham’s lineage

Judges 2:17. Refusing to live like ancestors

Matthew 1:1. The lineage of Jesus

Luke 2:4. David’s lineage

Romans 11:28. Jews loved by God

Galatians 1:14–16. Leaving behind traditions of ancestry

Linen (cloth, garment, sheet)

Material made of flax, often used in reference to the temple and its officials

Genesis 41:42. Joseph’s robe

Exodus 26:31. The veil in the tabernacle

Exodus 28:39. Priestly garments

Ezekiel 44:17. Used for coolness of material

Matthew 27:59. Tomb clothes

Revelation 19:8. The bride wears linen.

Revelation 19:14. God’s army clothed in white linen

Linguistics (language, speech, tongue)

Use of unique languages for the purpose of communication

Genesis 10:5. Nations have their own languages.

Genesis 11:1–9. Languages confused by God

Deuteronomy 28:49. Foreign language

Nehemiah 13:24. Israel learning other languages

Mark 15:34. Jesus spoke Aramaic.

Acts 2:6. God enlightens language through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:11–19. Pray for the gift of interpretation.

Revelation 5:9. God saves people from every language.

Lion(s) (animal, powerful, royal)

Most powerful of animals known in the ancient world, personification of courage, ferocity, and royalty

Genesis 49:9. Royal status

Numbers 23:24. Powerful like a lion

Judges 14:6. Samson’s Spirit-empowered strength

1 Samuel 17:36. David’s victories

1 Kings 13:24. Lion attacks human.

Job 10:16. Preying like a lion

Daniel 6:22. God shuts the lions’ mouths.

Revelation 4:7. Heavenly creature like a lion

Revelation 5:5. Christ, the Lion of Judah

Lion of Judah (Christ, Jesus, Messiah)

Messianic title for Jesus alluding to Genesis 49:9, where Judah is depicted as a lion

Genesis 49:9. Judah the lion cub

Hosea 5:14. Judgment from God

1 Peter 5:8. The devil is only like a lion

Revelation 5:5. Messianic title

Lion’s den (cave, den, lair)

Lion’s lair representing its home

Psalm 10:9. Hiding place

Daniel 6:16. Punishment for disobedience to king

Daniel 6:22. God’s protection of Daniel

Amos 3:4. Poetic description of God announcing judgment

Nahum 2:11. Feeding place

Lips/Mouth (speech, sing, tongue)

Used generally referring to how one uses lips/mouth for praise or blame, truth or lies, wisdom or folly

Job 27:4. Speaking the truth

Psalm 71:23. Singing with joy

Habakkuk 3:16. Showing fear

Matthew 15:8. Lip service, but not heart service

Luke 4:22. Wisdom from Jesus’ lips

Romans 3:13. The danger of deceitful talk

James 3:10. Lips that praise and curse

1 Peter 3:10. Do not say evil things.

Listening (hearing, obey, paying attention)

Paying close attention to what is said; to hear and obey God’s commands

Genesis 17:20. God listens.

Genesis 49:2. Listening to your elders

Deuteronomy 6:4. Command to listen

Joshua 10:14. God listens to a man.

Psalm 34:15. God hears the righteous.

Psalm 102:1. Plea for God to listen

Ephesians 6:1. Listen to your parents.

Hebrews 13:17. Listening to leaders

1 John 2:3. Listening is indicator of knowing Christ.

Literature (narrative, literary, writing)

All writings and literary forms included as Scripture, representing various genres, such as poetry, history, prophecy, and so forth

Ecclesiastes 12:9–10. Written carefully

Daniel 1:4. Daniel learned literature.

Daniel 1:17. Understanding given by God

2 Peter 1:21. God inspired literature.

Revelation 1:19. God’s revelation through literature

Litigation (indictment, lawsuit, legal action)

The process of filing a lawsuit; a legal dispute or complaint between two parties

Exodus 18:13. Leaders discern disputes.

Lamentations 3:33–36. The Lord does not deny justice.

Matthew 5:25. Settling out of court

Luke 11:46. Some lawyers unhelpful

Acts 26:1. Self-defense

Romans 3:26. God’s justice in Christ

1 Corinthians 6:1. Settle Christian complaints in the church.

Colossians 2:14. Christ’s death canceled our debt.

Livestock (animal, cow, farm animal)

Asset used for food, labor, and sacrifice

Genesis 1:28. Humanity’s care of the animals

Genesis 2:20. Named by man

Genesis 4:20. Earliest livestock

Genesis 13:2. Sign of wealth

Psalm 66:15. Used in sacrifices

Acts 10:9–16. Eating of animals

Living water (Holy Spirit, temple, water)

Metaphor for life, most often associated with God’s temple in the Old Testament; in the New Testament, related to the gift of the Spirit in believers

Genesis 2:10. Flowing from Eden

Song of Songs 4:15. Running water

Jeremiah 17:13. Spiritual sustenance

Zechariah 14:8. Waters flowing from God’s temple

John 4:10–11. The Holy Spirit indwelling

John 7:38. Outward effects of God’s inner work

Revelation 22:1. Flows from God

Revelation 22:17. A gift from God

Loan(s) (borrowing, lending, sharing)

Borrowed money which needs to be repaid

Exodus 21:2. Forgiving debts in the year of jubilee

Exodus 22:25. Lend money without interest to God’s people.

Deuteronomy 23:19–20. Fair interest may be charged to outsiders.

Psalm 15:5. Lending fairly to all

Proverbs 11:15. Warning against cosigning a loan

Matthew 18:34–35. Forgiving debts

Luke 19:23. Squandering a loan

Locust(s) (bugs, insects, swarm)

Common bug in the ancient world which brought devastation to crops; sometimes used as a metaphor for judgment and destruction

Exodus 10:4. Sent as judgment

Exodus 10:14. Plague of locusts

Leviticus 11:22. Types of food

Matthew 3:4. Food of God’s prophet

Revelation 9:3. Persecution and pain

Revelation 9:7. Spiritual battle

Logic (argument, maturity, thinking)

Disciplined thought that is honoring to God and represents Christian maturity

1 Kings 3:16–28. Solomon’s logic reunites a mother and son.

Job 13:6. Good logic is worth listening to.

Proverbs 29:9. Fools are illogical.

Matthew 22:37. Loving God with the mind

Mark 12:28. Jesus’ use of logic

Romans 1:21. Lack of logic in the sin-plagued mind

1 Corinthians 13:11. Leaving aside childish ways of thinking

1 Corinthians 14:20. Maturity in thinking

James 1:5. Asking for wisdom in thinking

Lonely/Loneliness (alone, solitude)

Being isolated from God or from other humans, longing for community

Deuteronomy 31:6. God will not leave his people.

Job 19:13–14. Lack of friends in times of trouble

Psalm 13:1. When God seems absent

Psalm 102:7. Insomnia and loneliness

Ecclesiastes 4:8. No immediate family

Matthew 28:20. Jesus will never leave his people.

Mark 15:34. Jesus’ loneliness at the cross

2 Timothy 1:4. Longing for a friend

Revelation 1:9. Exiled and lonely

Longevity (duration, lifespan, lifetime)

Length of one’s life

Genesis 5:1–32. Long lifespan

Genesis 6:3. God limits the human lifespan

Genesis 15:15. God promises Abraham old age.

Ruth 4:15. Child nourishes old age.

Matthew 10:39. Preservation of life in Christ

Luke 1:36. A child of old age

Longing (burning, desire, yearning)

Earnest desire for something, either good or bad

Deuteronomy 5:21. Sinful desires

2 Samuel 11:3–4. Sexual longing

Psalm 107:9. God satisfies the soul.

Psalm 119:20. Longing for God’s law

Proverbs 13:12. Goodness of fulfilled longings

Isaiah 63:15. Longing for the new creation

Luke 15:16. Longing for sustenance

Romans 8:19. Creation longing for the children of God

1 Corinthians 14:1. Earnestly desire spiritual gifts.

2 Corinthians 5:2. Longing for heaven

Philippians 2:26. Longing for friends

Hebrews 11:16. Longing for heavenly country

Looting (contraband, plunder, stealing)

Acquiring of goods which do not belong to you, generally after warfare

1 Samuel 23:1. Looting during a raid

2 Chronicles 21:16–17. Judgment from God

Lamentations 1:10. Looting the temple

Ezekiel 26:12. Destruction from looting

Obadiah 13. Warning against looting

Zechariah 2:8. Looters will be looted.

LORD (Christ, God, master)

In the Old Testament, the unutterable name of Israel’s God; in the New Testament, designation applied directly to Jesus. Can also mean any master.

Genesis 2:4. The creator God

Exodus 6:6. The God of the exile

Psalm 110:1. The Lord speaks to the king.

Psalm 115:11. Fear and trust the Lord.

Psalm 116:5. Merciful and righteous

Psalm 118:29. Give thanks for the Lord’s goodness.

Proverbs 19:23. Fear the Lord.

Isaiah 33:22. Judge, lawgiver, king, and savior

Matthew 4:10. Worship the Lord only.

Matthew 8:25. Jesus is called “Lord.”

Romans 10:9. Confessing Jesus as Lord

1 Corinthians 8:6. Only one Lord, Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 12:3. Spirit-empowered confession of Christ as Lord.

Philippians 2:10–11. One day all will confess that Jesus is Lord.

Lord’s Day (see Sabbath)

Lord’s Supper (breaking bread, Eucharist, last supper)

Jesus’ final meal shared with his disciples involved the breaking of bread and sharing of wine on/near the Passover.

Mark 14:12–15. Passover meal

Luke 22:19–20. Bread and cup

1 Corinthians 10:16. Union with Christ

1 Corinthians 11:25. Repeat the sacrament.

Hebrews 13:10. Eating the sacrifice

Lord’s table (see Lord’s Supper)

Loss(es) (stealing, suffer loss, taking away)

Losing something or someone whether through misplacement, theft, death, or other means

Job 1:13–21. Job’s response to loss

Job 27:19. Possessions gone overnight

Luke 15:1–7. Lost sheep

1 Corinthians 3:15. Painful loss of work of the church

Philippians 3:7. Loss of worldly things for Christ

Hebrews 10:34. Cheerful response to loss of possessions

Lost (unsaved, wandering)

Referring to people who are wandering from true belief and repentance

Matthew 10:6. Jews who are lost

Luke 15:32. Celebrate a lost person now found.

Luke 19:10. Jesus’ purpose is to save the lost.

John 18:9. Jesus lost none of his own.

Hebrews 4:11. Lost because of bad examples

1 Peter 2:25. Like lost sheep, cared for by the shepherd

Lots (dice, divination, magic)

Commonly practiced means of gaining knowledge in circumstances during biblical times

Leviticus 16:8. Lots used for discernment

Joshua 18:6. Lots done in the presence of God

Nehemiah 10:34. Priests draw lots.

Psalm 22:18. Lots using dice

Jonah 1:7. Lots show that Jonah is responsible for the storm.

Luke 23:34. Jesus’ clothes were divided by lots.

Loud noises (clamor, sound, thundering)

Associated with both the actions of humanity and of God, highlighting everything from acts of judgment to senseless chatter

Genesis 19:13. Complaints of God’s people

Exodus 12:30. Cries of death

Joshua 6:20. The broken wall

1 Samuel 7:10. Loud noise causing confusion

Psalm 150:5. Praising God out loud

Isaiah 29:6. Loud sounds as judgment

Jeremiah 51:55. Silencing a city’s livelihood

Ezekiel 3:12. God’s thundering voice

Matthew 24:31. A gathering trumpet call

1 Corinthians 13:1. Language without love is nothing but loud noise.

Revelation 19:1. The cries of heaven

Love (affection, care, desire)

Feelings of great affection toward another person or God; a steady quiet decision of the will to care for another person

Genesis 22:2. A beloved son

2 Samuel 1:26. Platonic love

Psalm 33:18. The Lord’s steadfast love

Isaiah 43:4. Precious to God

Matthew 5:44. Love your enemies.

John 3:16. God loved the world.

John 5:42. No love for God

John 13:35. Love as indicator of true discipleship

Romans 5:8. God’s love demonstrated in Christ

Romans 12:9–10. Genuine familial love

Romans 14:15. Caring for the opinions of others

1 Corinthians 13:1. The necessity of love

1 Corinthians 13:13. The greatest is love.

1 Corinthians 14:1. Pursue love.

1 Corinthians 16:22. Those who do not love the Lord are accursed.

Galatians 5:6. Faith working through love

Galatians 5:22. Love produced by the Spirit

Ephesians 5:2. Love sacrificially.

Ephesians 6:24. God’s favor is upon those who love him.

Colossians 3:19. Husbands should love their wives.

2 Timothy 2:22. Pursue love.

1 Peter 4:8. Love extinguishes the sins of God’s people.

1 John 2:15. Do not love the world.

1 John 4:7. Love comes from God.

1 John 4:11. Imitate God’s love.

1 John 5:3. Loving God means obeying God.

Jude 21. Remain in God’s love.

Love stories (accounts, narratives)

Stories of love won and love lost in the Bible; greatest love story of all is between God and His people

Genesis 29:9–30. Jacob and Rachel

Ruth 3:6–14. Boaz and Ruth

Song of Songs 1:1–4. Two young lovers

Isaiah 62:5. God rejoices over his bride.

Loyalty (allegiance, faithfulness, obedience)

Remaining true to someone or something in the face of opposition or opportunity

Genesis 12:1–4. Abram’s loyalty to God

Numbers 32:11. Lacking loyalty

Deuteronomy 13:6–10. Breaking family loyalties

Joshua 1:16–17. Loyalty to leadership

1 Samuel 19:1–2. Losing and gaining loyalty

Psalm 119:113. Loyalty divided

Jeremiah 2:11. Loyalty to the gods

Matthew 10:37–39. Loyalty to God above family

Luke 16:13. Serving two masters

John 14:21–24. Obedience to God

1 Corinthians 15:30–31. Loyalty to Christ in spite of danger

Lucifer (see Satan)

Lukewarm (apathetic, indifferent, tepid)

Moderately warm; neither hot nor cold

Proverbs 1:32. Folly of indifference

Revelation 3:16. A lukewarm church

Lumber (timber, tree, wood)

Wood used to construct altars, buildings, walls, or boats

Genesis 6:14. A boat of cypress wood

Genesis 22:3. Altar for burnt offering

Exodus 26:15. Construction lumber

Leviticus 1:7. Lumber for sacrifices

Nehemiah 13:31. Nehemiah’s building plan

Lust (desire, passion, sexual appetite)

Impetuous sexual desire which is contrary to God’s will

Genesis 19:4–8. Lot offers his daughters

Numbers 25:1–2. Lust and syncretism

2 Samuel 11:1–27. David takes Bathsheba.

1 Kings 11:1–13. Solomon’s weakness leads to other immorality.

Job 31:1. Choosing not to look

Psalm 141:4. Prayer to remove temptation

Proverbs 6:25–26. Desiring only beauty

Isaiah 57:5. Burning with lust

Jeremiah 5:8. Lustful men are wild.

Ezekiel 6:9. Lust committed in heart and mind

Ezekiel 22:11. Abominations

Amos 2:7. Dishonoring to God

Matthew 5:27–28. Looking with lust is adultery.

Romans 1:24–26. Given over to perversion

Romans 7:5. Lust results in death.

Ephesians 4:19. Continual lust

Colossians 3:5. Put lust to death.

2 Timothy 2:22. Put aside youthful lusts.

Titus 2:11–12. God’s grace helps us avoid lust.

1 Peter 2:11. Lust attacks.

2 Peter 2:14. Stay away from lust.

1 John 2:16. Lust is not from God.

Luxury (comfort, extravagance, opulence)

Lavish state of affairs

Genesis 1:28–31. Paradise

1 Kings 4:22–23. Diet fit for a king

Esther 1:5–6. Royal banquet

Proverbs 19:10. Fools do not live in luxury.

Amos 6:3–4. Warning to those who are pampered

Matthew 26:6–13. Luxury for Jesus

Luke 7:25. Luxury under a king

1 Timothy 2:9–10. Modest luxuries

James 5:5. The danger of luxury

Lying (dishonesty, falseness, white lies)

Misleading someone with falsified, malicious, or otherwise incorrect information

Genesis 12:12–13. Lying about family

Psalm 31:18. Silence lying lips.

Psalm 120:2. Deliverance from lies

Proverbs 12:22. God disgusts in lying lips.

Acts 5:3. Lies originate from Satan.

Romans 1:25. Truth exchanged for a lie

Colossians 3:9. Living as a new person

1 Timothy 2:7. God’s apostles tell the truth.

Hebrews 6:18. Impossible for God to lie

1 John 1:6. Do not lie about your relationship with God.

1 John 2:21. Lies cannot come from the truth.

Revelation 14:4–5. God’s people do not lie.

Lyre (harp, instrument, strings)

A stringed musical instrument used in worship and celebration

Genesis 31:27. Used in celebrations

1 Samuel 10:5. Carried by prophets

Psalm 33:2. Instrument of praise

Daniel 3:15. Call to worship