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General biblical topics and themes — 4,980 entries

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Paschal Lamb, Typical Nature Of

The Paschal Lamb of Exodus 12 prefigured Jesus Christ as the perfect sacrifice for sin, with specific details of its selection, preparation, and application pointing to Christ's redemptive work.

Paseah was the name of at least two individuals in biblical history: a descendant of Judah and a family of temple servants who returned from exile. The name appears in genealogical and post-exilic records.

Pashhur was a priest and chief officer in Jerusalem who opposed the prophet Jeremiah, experiencing God's judgment for his persecution of God's messenger.

Passion refers to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, which is central to Christian faith and redemption. Acts 1:3 highlights Christ's post-resurrection appearances and foundational teaching about the kingdom of God.

The Passover was God's redemptive act in Egypt where He spared the firstborn of Israel while judgment fell on Egypt, prefiguring Christ's substitutionary sacrifice. This foundational event established Israel as God's redeemed people and points to Jesus as our Passover Lamb.

Biblical references to official documents granting travel permission, illustrated through Nehemiah's request for safe passage letters from the Persian king.

Pastors are called by God to shepherd His flock with care, integrity, and faithfulness to Scripture. They bear responsibility before God for the spiritual welfare of those entrusted to their leadership.

Patara was an ancient port city in Lycia (modern-day Turkey) where the Apostle Paul and his companions boarded a ship during Paul's third missionary journey. This coastal city served as an important hub for maritime travel in the early Christian era.

Pathros was an ancient region in Upper Egypt where Jewish exiles settled after the fall of Jerusalem. Scripture indicates God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to restore His people from exile.

The Pathrusim were a people descended from Pathros (Upper Egypt), listed among the sons of Mizraim in the Table of Nations, representing an ancient Egyptian ethnic group.

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that enables believers to endure difficulties, wait upon God's promises, and persevere in faith. It reflects Christ's example and is essential for spiritual maturity and fruitfulness in the Christian life.

Patmos is a small island in the Aegean Sea where the apostle John received the vision of Revelation while exiled for his faith in Christ.

Patriarchs were the founding fathers of Israel whose lives demonstrated faith in God's promises and established the covenant foundation for God's people. Their examples of obedience, trust, and perseverance remain vital models for Christian faith today.

Patriarchal Government

Patriarchal government refers to the father's authority and responsibility to lead his household spiritually and practically, as established in Scripture from the earliest biblical narratives. This divinely-ordained structure placed the patriarch as the spiritual head who made decisions, offered sacrifices, and guided his family toward God.

Patricide, the murder of one's father, is presented in Scripture as a grave sin reflecting spiritual corruption and divine judgment. The account of Sennacherib's assassination by his own sons illustrates God's sovereignty in bringing judgment upon the wicked.

Patriotism, rightly understood, involves gratitude for God's blessings on our nation and a commitment to righteousness within our borders. Scripture calls believers to honor their country while maintaining ultimate allegiance to Christ's kingdom.

Patrobas was an early Christian at Rome whom Paul greeted in his letter to the Romans, representing the faithful believers in the first-century church.

A pattern is a divinely established model or blueprint that guides the construction, worship, or conduct of God's people. The heavenly pattern exemplifies God's perfect design that earthly representations imperfectly reflect.

Pau was an Edomite city that served as a residence for King Hadad, one of the kings of Edom during the Old Testament period.

Paul was a Roman citizen of Jewish heritage who used his legal rights to advance the gospel and defend his apostolic ministry. His dual citizenship and training under Gamaliel shaped his unique approach to spreading God's Word.

Biblical law protected the poor from exploitation through pledges and pawns, requiring lenders to treat borrowers with dignity and mercy. God's heart for the vulnerable is reflected in strict regulations governing how collateral could be taken and used.

Biblical peace encompasses both relational harmony with others and inner tranquility that comes from trusting God. Scripture emphasizes pursuing peace as a spiritual discipline and recognizing that true peace is absent apart from God.

Peace Offerings

Peace offerings were voluntary sacrifices in the Old Testament that expressed thanksgiving, worship, and fellowship with God, with portions shared among the priests and the worshiper's household. They prefigure Christ's reconciliation and our fellowship with God through Him.

Peace, Spiritual

Spiritual peace is the profound inner tranquility and right standing with God that comes through faith in Christ, characterized by freedom from fear and anxiety. This peace surpasses human understanding and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit's work in the believer's life.

Peacocks are mentioned in Scripture as exotic birds brought to ancient Israel, symbolizing wealth and the splendor of God's creation.

Pearls in Scripture symbolize both great value and misplaced priorities, representing treasures worthy of sacrifice yet also cautioning against casting precious things before those who cannot appreciate them.

Pedahel was a prince of the tribe of Naphtali appointed by God to help divide the land of Canaan among the Israelites. He served alongside other tribal leaders in executing God's plan for distributing the promised inheritance.

Pedahzur was a leader of the tribe of Benjamin during Israel's wilderness wanderings, serving as a prince and offering bearer during the tabernacle dedication.

Pedaiah was a name borne by several figures in biblical history, most notably the father of King Josiah and a Levite who served in Jerusalem during the post-exile period.

Pekah was the king of Israel who conspired against his predecessor and later allied with Syria to attack Judah, prompting God's reassurance through the prophet Isaiah. His reign exemplifies the spiritual decline and political instability that characterized the northern kingdom before its fall.

Pekahiah was a king of Israel who reigned for two years before being assassinated by his officer Pekah. His brief reign illustrates the spiritual and political instability of the northern kingdom during its final decades.

Pekod was an ancient Babylonian region east of the Tigris River, mentioned in Scripture as a place of judgment. It represents God's sovereignty over all nations and their appointed destinies.

Pelaiah was a postexilic Jewish leader who participated in the spiritual renewal of Israel after the Babylonian captivity, serving as both a priest and a covenant signatory under Nehemiah's leadership.

Pelaliah was a priest in Jerusalem during the post-exile period, listed among those who dwelt in the city during Nehemiah's time. He represents the faithful remnant of priests who returned to serve in God's house.

Pelatiah was a leader in Jerusalem during Ezekiel's ministry who exemplified false confidence in human wisdom rather than God's direction. His sudden death became a sign of God's judgment against those who rejected His word.

Peleg was a descendant of Noah whose name commemorates the division of the earth during his lifetime. He lived during a pivotal period in human history when the descendants of Noah were dispersed across the globe.

Pelet was a name borne by at least two individuals in Old Testament Israel, appearing in genealogical records of the tribe of Judah and among David's mighty men.

Peleth was a biblical figure mentioned in connection with Korah's rebellion against Moses, and also appears in the genealogy of Judah. He serves as a minor but notable figure in Old Testament history.

The Pelethites were an elite military unit serving as royal bodyguards and enforcer of the king's will in ancient Israel. They worked alongside the Cherethites under commanders like Benaiah to maintain the king's security and execute royal orders.

The pelican appears in Scripture as a ceremonially unclean bird and serves as a poetic symbol of desolation and solitary suffering in the Psalms.

Pelonite refers to individuals from Pelet or a similar location who served in King David's mighty men and army. These warriors are mentioned among David's elite fighting force during his reign.

The pen represents the written word and human communication throughout Scripture, symbolizing both the power of recorded truth and the responsibility of those who write God's message.

Peninnah was the second wife of Elkanah and a rival to Hannah, who provoked her because of her own barrenness. Her story illustrates the pain of jealousy and the sovereignty of God in opening and closing the womb.

A penitent person is one who genuinely repents of sin, turning from wickedness and returning to God with a humble and contrite heart. Biblical penitence involves confession, restitution, and a decisive commitment to follow God's ways.

A penknife is a small cutting tool mentioned in Scripture, used for practical purposes in ancient times. The biblical reference illustrates both the tool's common use and a significant moment of rejection.

The penny (denarius) was the primary Roman coin used in first-century Palestine and appears in Jesus's teachings about labor, debt, and God's kingdom economy. It represents both fair wages and the smallest monetary units in biblical illustrations.

The Bible addresses provisions for those who serve in ministry, establishing the principle that workers deserve support for their labor and sustenance.

Pentecost was an Old Testament festival celebrated fifty days after Passover, commemorating God's giving of the Law at Mount Sinai and foreshadowing the New Testament outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It marked the spiritual birthday of the Church when God's Spirit was given to all believers at once.

Penuel was a significant location in ancient Israel east of the Jordan River, known as the place where Jacob wrestled with God and received his new name, Israel.

The crowds that followed Jesus were amazed by His teaching and miraculous power, demonstrating the universal appeal of the Gospel to common people. Jesus consistently drew multitudes who recognized His authority and were transformed by encountering His Word.