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General biblical topics and themes — 4,980 entries

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Paarai was one of David's mighty men, a valiant warrior who served in the king's army during Israel's united monarchy.

Pack animals were essential to biblical life, used for transporting goods, supplies, and people across difficult terrain. They served crucial roles in commerce, warfare, and daily sustenance.

Padon was a servant of Solomon whose descendants returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. He represents the faithful remnant who rebuilt Jerusalem after the exile.

Pagiel was a leader of the tribe of Asher during Israel's wilderness wandering, appointed to help Moses with the census and organization of the camp.

Pahath-Moab was a family name representing descendants who returned from the Babylonian exile and participated in rebuilding Jerusalem. Members of this clan are mentioned among those who returned with Zerubbabel and those who helped repair the wall.

Pai was a city in Edom mentioned in the Old Testament as a place where King Hadad ruled. Little is known about this location beyond its biblical references.

Pain is a reality in our fallen world, but Scripture assures believers that God is present in suffering and that all pain will ultimately be eliminated in eternity with Christ.

Scripture addresses painting primarily in the context of cosmetic beautification and idolatry, cautioning believers against relying on outward appearance or worldly adornment.

Palaces in Scripture served as royal residences and centers of power, often symbolizing human authority and the grandeur of earthly kingdoms. Biblical accounts of palaces reveal both the magnificence of human rule and God's sovereignty over all earthly powers.

Palaces in Scripture reveal the grandeur of earthly kingdoms and the temporal nature of human power. They serve as reminders that all earthly authority ultimately belongs to God.

Palal was a builder who worked on the walls of Jerusalem during Nehemiah's restoration project, representing faithful service in God's community rebuilding efforts.

The pale horse in Revelation 6:8 represents death and the grave, ridden by Death himself as part of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. This symbolizes the judgments God will unleash during the tribulation period.

Pallu was the second son of Reuben and founder of the Palluite clan in Israel. He is mentioned in genealogical records as part of Reuben's lineage.

Palm trees held symbolic significance in biblical Israel, representing triumph, righteousness, and God's provision, and featured prominently in both worship and temple design.

The palm tree in Scripture symbolizes righteousness, victory, and God's provision, appearing throughout the Bible as both a literal plant and a spiritual metaphor.

The palmer-worm was a destructive locust or caterpillar used by God as a judgment tool to demonstrate His sovereignty and call His people to repentance.

Palti was one of the twelve Israelite spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan, representing the tribe of Benjamin.

Paltiel was a leader of the tribe of Issachar appointed to help divide the land of Canaan among the Israelites. He represents faithful service in God's distribution of the promised inheritance.

Pamphylia was a Roman province in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) that played a significant role in the early church's missionary expansion, particularly during Paul's first missionary journey.

Panic is a supernatural fear that God sovereignly sends upon enemies to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His power and protection over His people.

Pantomime refers to dramatic physical actions used to communicate messages, particularly employed by Old Testament prophets to convey God's word through symbolic acts rather than words alone.

Paper in Scripture symbolizes written communication and the permanence of God's Word. The Bible emphasizes the importance of recording God's truth for future generations.

Paphos was a city on the island of Cyprus where Paul encountered a sorcerer named Bar-Jesus and a Roman proconsul named Sergius Paulus during his first missionary journey. This account demonstrates God's power over spiritual darkness and the gospel's reach into governmental circles.

Papyrus was an ancient writing material made from the papyrus plant, used throughout the biblical world for recording important documents and Scripture. The only biblical reference to papyrus describes Moses's mother using it to construct a basket for her infant son.

Parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings that Jesus used to teach spiritual truths and reveal the kingdom of God. They challenge listeners to spiritual discernment and often contain warnings about discipleship, spiritual blindness, and the cost of following Christ.

Paradise is the dwelling place of God and the eternal home of believers, representing the ultimate restoration of creation and communion with the Lord. It is both a present reality for those who die in Christ and the future inheritance of the redeemed.

Biblical paradox reveals God's wisdom that often contradicts human logic, where weakness becomes strength, loss produces gain, and death leads to life. These divine reversals demonstrate that kingdom values operate on principles opposite to worldly understanding.

Parah was a city in the territory of Benjamin, mentioned in Joshua's account of the tribal land divisions. It served as one of the boundary markers for Benjamin's inheritance in the Promised Land.

Paralysis in Scripture demonstrates Jesus's power over physical infirmity and the connection between sin, healing, and faith. Biblical accounts of paralyzed individuals reveal Christ's authority and compassion.

Paran was a wilderness region in the Sinai Peninsula where the Israelites wandered and where God revealed His power and guidance. It served as a significant location in Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

Parchment was a durable writing material made from animal skin, used in biblical times for important documents and letters. Paul's request for his parchments in 2 Timothy 4:13 illustrates the value of written Scripture and personal documents in the early church.

Pardon is God's gracious forgiveness of sin through Christ, freely offered to all who repent and believe. It encompasses the complete removal of guilt and the restoration of our relationship with God.

Parents bear significant responsibility before God for training and disciplining their children in righteousness, and their faithfulness or unfaithfulness has lasting spiritual consequences for their families.

A parlor in biblical times was a room in a house used for receiving guests and conducting business. The term refers to a space of hospitality and social gathering in ancient Israelite homes.

Parmashta was one of the ten sons of Haman who were executed during the Jewish deliverance in Persia. His name appears in the biblical account of Esther as a reminder of God's protection of His people.

Parmenas was one of seven men chosen by the Jerusalem church to distribute food and aid to widows, demonstrating the early church's commitment to caring for vulnerable members.

Parnach was a leader of the tribe of Zebulun during Israel's wilderness wandering, appointed to help divide the Promised Land among the tribes.

Parosh was a prominent Jewish family whose descendants returned from Babylonian exile and participated in Jerusalem's restoration. Multiple members of this clan are mentioned throughout the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Parricide—the murder of one's parent—is presented in Scripture as a grave sin that demonstrates the depths of human depravity and the consequence of rejecting God's authority. The biblical account of Sennacherib's assassination by his own sons illustrates both the wickedness of such acts and God's sovereignty over judgment.

Parshandatha was one of the ten sons of Haman, the enemy of the Jewish people during the reign of King Ahasuerus. He was executed along with his brothers when the Jews defended themselves against Haman's plot to destroy them.

Parsimony—excessive frugality or stinginess—is rebuked in Scripture when it hinders generosity toward God and others. The Bible warns against a miserly spirit that refuses to honor God or help those in need.

The Parthians were an ancient people from the Parthian Empire whose representatives were present at Pentecost, witnessing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the proclamation of the gospel in their own language.

Partiality—showing favoritism based on external circumstances rather than biblical principles—is a sin that contradicts God's character and the gospel. Scripture condemns partiality in all forms, calling believers to love and treat all people with equal dignity as image-bearers of God.

Particeps Criminis

Particeps criminis refers to being a partaker or accomplice in someone else's sin, which Scripture warns believers to avoid. 2 John 1:11 directly addresses this principle, instructing Christians not to participate in or support the sinful actions of others.

Partnership in God's work recognizes that believers labor together with God and one another, with God providing growth while we cooperate through faithful effort. This biblical principle emphasizes humble dependence on God's power alongside human responsibility.

The partridge appears in Scripture as a game bird hunted in the wilderness, symbolizing vulnerability and the futility of worldly pursuits.

Paruah was the father of Jehoshaphat, who served as a purveyor or officer in Solomon's administrative government over Israel during the height of the kingdom's prosperity.

Parvaim was an ancient source of gold used in the construction of Solomon's temple, representing the finest materials dedicated to God's house.

Pas-Dammim was a location in ancient Israel where David's mighty men displayed their courage and faith in God during battles against the Philistines. This site serves as a reminder of how God empowers His people to accomplish extraordinary feats through trust in Him.

Pasach was a descendant of Asher in the genealogy of Israel, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:33. He represents one of the many family lines recorded in Scripture to establish the tribal heritage of God's people.