Bible Dictionary
Explore biblical people, places, events, objects, ideas, and other terms. Search the dictionary directly, browse alphabetically, or narrow the list by category or Testament.
PAP
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
An old English word for the breast or chest. In biblical translations it refers to the female breast and, in Greek usage, more broadly to the chest of either sex.
Paper
Scripture - New Testament
Paper in the New Testament refers to writing material, probably made from papyrus. Papyrus was produced from a reedlike plant and used for documents, letters, and books.
PAPER REEDS
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
A phrase in Isaiah 19:7 referring to the reed-covered or meadow lands along the Nile. The Revised Version renders the expression “meadows.”
Paphos
Places & Geography - New Testament
Paphos was a city and Roman administrative center on Cyprus. Paul and Barnabas preached there, and the proconsul Sergius Paulus believed after witnessing God’s judgment on Elymas.
Parable
Doctrine & Theology - Both
A parable is a comparison or story drawn from familiar earthly circumstances to communicate spiritual truth. Jesus frequently used parables to reveal the truths of God’s kingdom to receptive hearers.
PARACLETE
Holy Spirit - New Testament
Paraclete means one called alongside as a helper, advocate, intercessor, or comforter. In John’s Gospel it refers chiefly to the Holy Spirit, while in 1 John 2:1 Jesus Christ is called the believer’s Advocate with the Father.
Paradise
Death & Afterlife - Both
Paradise originally meant a garden, park, or pleasure ground. In Scripture it becomes a figure for the blessed dwelling of the righteous and is associated with Eden, Christ’s promise to the repentant thief, and the tree of life.
Parah
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Parah was a town allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. It was probably located near the modern Wady Farah, northeast of Jerusalem.
PARAMOUR
Sin & Judgment - Old Testament
A paramour is a lover, especially an illicit or immoral sexual partner. In Ezekiel 23:20 the term refers specifically to a male lover; elsewhere the underlying word is generally translated “concubine.”
Paran
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Paran was a large wilderness region south of Canaan and east of the Sinai wilderness. The Israelites traveled through it, spies were sent from Kadesh in Paran, and David later found refuge there.
PARAN, EL-PARAN
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Paran denotes a wilderness region south of Canaan, associated with Israel’s wanderings and with Ishmael and David. El-paran and Mount Paran are related place-names, probably connected with the southern wilderness and the region near the Gulf of Aqaba.
Paran, Elparan
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Paran, also called El-paran in one passage, was a broad desert region between Sinai, the Arabah, Palestine, and the wilderness of Shur. Israel wandered through this region, and Mount Paran is mentioned in poetic passages.
Paran, Mount
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Mount Paran was a hilly region associated with the wilderness of Paran, probably near the northern part of the Sinai mountain group and the southern boundary of the Promised Land.
Parbar
Temple & Tabernacle - Old Testament
Parbar was a place or open colonnade connected with the temple precincts, probably on the west side. It appears in the assignments of the temple gatekeepers.
PARCEL
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
A parcel is a small portion or plot of land. In several biblical passages it translates Hebrew or Greek terms meaning a piece, share, or tract of land.
PARCHED
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
“Parched” describes roasted grain or pulse, dried or arid land, and intensely glowing ground or air. Parched grain was a common food and could be carried as a convenient provision.
Parched ground
Agriculture & Daily Life - Old Testament
“Parched ground” in Isaiah refers to a mirage, an apparent pool or lake produced by the refraction of light over heated desert sands. The term describes the deceptive appearance of water in a dry wilderness.
Parchment
Scripture - New Testament
Parchment is prepared animal skin used as writing material. Paul asked Timothy to bring his parchments, which may have included scrolls or other written documents.
PARCHMENTS
Scripture - New Testament
Parchments were prepared animal skins used as writing material. Paul asked Timothy to bring his books, especially the parchments, while he was imprisoned in Rome.
Pardon
Salvation - Both
Pardon is the gracious remission of the penalty due to sin. Scripture presents God as willing to forgive freely, readily, and abundantly, while justification includes pardon together with acceptance and blessing.
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