Topics

General biblical topics and themes — 4,980 entries

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

M 342 topics

Melchizedek was a mysterious priest-king of Salem whom Abraham honored, and Scripture presents him as a type of Christ's eternal priesthood that supersedes the Levitical order. The book of Hebrews argues that Jesus, like Melchizedek, holds an unchanging, permanent priesthood.

Melech was a son of Micah in the lineage of King Saul, mentioned in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles. He appears as part of the royal Benjamite family tree during Israel's monarchical period.

Melicu was a priest who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel after the Babylonian exile and is listed among the heads of priestly families during the time of Nehemiah.

Melita (modern-day Malta) was the island where Paul and his companions were shipwrecked during their voyage to Rome, becoming a place of divine protection and miraculous healing.

Melons were cultivated in ancient Egypt and the Near East, mentioned in Scripture as part of the produce the Israelites remembered from Egypt. This simple fruit serves as a reminder of God's provision and the contrast between earthly appetites and spiritual sustenance.

Melzar was the steward or guard appointed over Daniel and his three companions during their training in Babylon, who compassionately granted their request to eat only vegetables and water rather than the king's rich food.

Biblical memorials are physical reminders or commemorative acts that point God's people toward His mighty works and covenant promises. They serve to preserve spiritual truths across generations and anchor faith in God's redemptive history.

Memphis was an ancient Egyptian city of great strategic and religious importance, frequently mentioned in Scripture as a center of power and idolatry that God's prophets warned against.

Memucan was one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who served King Ahasuerus and played a significant role in advising the king regarding Queen Vashti's refusal to obey his command.

Menahem was a king of Israel who seized the throne through violence and ruled for ten years during a period of spiritual decline. His reign was marked by evil practices and submission to Assyrian tribute.

Menan was an ancestor of Jesus Christ in the genealogy recorded in Luke's Gospel. He appears in the line of descent through Mary, Jesus's mother.

Mene is the first word of the mysterious handwriting on the wall that appeared during Belshazzar's feast, signifying that God has numbered the days of his kingdom and found it wanting.

Scripture addresses menstruation as a natural biological function, establishing Old Testament purity laws while affirming the dignity of women in God's design.

Meonenim refers to a soothsayer's oak tree near Shechem where people gathered for divination practices. This location represents the spiritual dangers of consulting false sources rather than trusting in God's revelation.

Meonothai was a descendant of Judah mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:14, whose lineage is recorded in the genealogies of Israel. He is noted as the father of Ophrah in the tribal records of Judah.

Mephaath was a Levitical city in the territory of Reuben, east of the Jordan River, assigned to the Merarite clan of Levites.

Mephibosheth was a son of King Saul who became a victim of bloodshed during David's reign, illustrating the consequences of Saul's house and the complexities of Israel's political transitions.

Merab was the eldest daughter of King Saul who was promised to David but ultimately given to another man, illustrating the consequences of broken promises and unfaithfulness.

Meraiah was a priest who served during the time of Nehemiah, listed among the heads of priestly families in Jerusalem after the exile.

Meraioth was a priest who served during the time of Nehemiah, listed among the heads of priestly families in Jerusalem after the exile.

Merari was one of the three sons of Levi and the founder of the Merarite clan, who served important functions in the tabernacle worship during Israel's wilderness wanderings.

Merathaim is a symbolic name for Babylon used by the prophet Jeremiah to describe God's judgment against the nation for its sins and idolatry.

Merchants in Scripture represent those engaged in trade and commerce, often serving as a picture of worldly wealth and the dangers of relying on material gain rather than God.

Mercurius (Mercury)

Mercurius (Mercury) was a Roman god whom the pagan residents of Lystra mistakenly identified with the Apostle Paul during a miraculous healing. This incident illustrates the danger of idolatry and the pagan worldview that pervaded the ancient world.

Mercy is compassion and kindness shown to those in need or distress, reflecting God's character and a central mark of Christian discipleship. Jesus taught that the merciful will receive mercy and that extending compassion to others is essential to following Him.

Mercy of God, the

God's mercy is His compassionate kindness extended to His people, particularly in withholding judgment and providing salvation through Christ. It is one of God's fundamental attributes and the foundation of Christian hope and redemption.

The Mercy Seat was the golden cover of the Ark of the Covenant where God's presence dwelt and where atonement was made on the Day of Atonement. It represents Christ as the place where God's justice and mercy meet in salvation.

The mercy seat was the golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant where God's presence dwelt and where atonement was made on the Day of Atonement. It symbolizes God's throne of grace and foreshadows Christ's redemptive work.

Mered was a man of Judah who married both an Egyptian woman and an Israelite woman, demonstrating the complex family relationships in post-exile Judah. His descendants are listed among the genealogies of Judah, showing God's preservation of His people through various lineages.

Meremoth was a priest in post-exilic Israel who served in various capacities during the restoration of Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah.

Meres were Persian nobles or princes in the ancient Persian empire who served in positions of authority under King Ahasuerus. They represent the administrative structure of pagan kingdoms during biblical times.

Meribah (meaning 'strife' or 'contention') refers to two locations where Israel quarreled with God over water during their wilderness wanderings, testing His patience and provision.

Merodach was the chief deity of Babylon, representing the spiritual forces opposing God's people. The Bible mentions this false god to highlight God's supremacy over all pagan religions.

Merodach-Baladan

Merodach-Baladan was a king of Babylon who sent envoys to King Hezekiah of Judah, testing his faithfulness to God through the temptation of worldly alliances.

Merom was a body of water in northern Canaan where Joshua defeated a coalition of northern kings, demonstrating God's continued faithfulness in the conquest.

Meroz was a city cursed by the prophetess Deborah for refusing to help Israel in battle against Sisera. This judgment demonstrates God's expectation that His people actively support His causes.

Mesha was a king of Moab known for his rebellion against Israel and his famous inscription on the Moabite Stone. He is also mentioned as a descendant in genealogies.

Meshach was one of three Hebrew youths taken captive to Babylon who refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, demonstrating unwavering faith in God despite threat of death. His deliverance from the fiery furnace testifies to God's power to protect His faithful followers.

Meshech was a son of Japheth and founder of an ancient nation, likely corresponding to a region in Asia Minor that would later be involved in eschatological prophecies against Israel.

Meshelemiah was a Levite gatekeeper during David's reign who served in the temple worship and was entrusted with significant responsibility in maintaining the house of God.

Meshezabeel was a Jewish leader during the post-exile restoration of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, serving in both the rebuilding of the city walls and in covenant renewal.

Meshillemith was a priest in the post-exilic period who served in the temple at Jerusalem. He is mentioned as an ancestor of priests who returned from captivity.

Meshillemoth was a leader in Israel during the reign of King Ahaz who showed compassion to captives from Judah. He exemplifies the biblical call to mercy and reconciliation even amid conflict.

Meshobab was a leader of the tribe of Simeon during the reign of King Hezekiah who helped expand Simeon's territory by conquering the lands of the Hamites and Meunites.

Meshullam was a common name in post-exilic Israel, borne by multiple faithful men who served in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and temple worship after the Babylonian captivity.

Meshullemeth was the mother of King Amon of Judah, mentioned briefly in the biblical record as part of the royal genealogy during a spiritually dark period in Judah's history.

Mesopotamia, the ancient region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was home to several biblical peoples and served as the backdrop for key Old Testament narratives and God's dealings with His people.

A messenger in Scripture is one called by God to deliver His word to His people, whether as a prophet, apostle, or John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ. God's messengers bear the responsibility of faithfully communicating His truth.

Metals in Scripture represent both precious materials used in worship and symbols of human kingdoms and pride. God's Word documents metals as essential to tabernacle construction, priestly service, and prophetic imagery of world empires.

Metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another, helping us understand spiritual truths through concrete, relatable images. Jesus frequently used metaphors to reveal kingdom mysteries to His disciples.