Glossary

the primary biblical text
for Thus Says the LORD
—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption

The following proper nouns name people and places mentioned in the biblical text for the Turning to God’s Word Catholic Bible study Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption. 

Aaron—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the priest and scribe Ezra as a descendant of Aaron. The elder brother of Moses, Aaron was anointed the first high priest of the descendants of Jacob (see the thirty-second chapter in the book of Exodus and the fifth chapter in the Letter to the Hebrews). Moses and Aaron were descendants of Jacob’s third son Levi. The name Aaron means “lofty” or “exalted.” Lessons 12, 20–21
Abednego—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Abednego as the Babylonian name given to Azariah, one of three Hebrews rescued from death in a fiery furnace by an angel. The name Abednego means “servant of Nebo [the Babylonian god associated with human fate],” while Azariah means “God has helped.” Lesson 18
Abijah—The first chapter in the Gospel According to Luke lists Abijah as an ancestor of John the Baptist’s father Zechariah in the priestly line of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Abijah means “my father is God.” Lesson 20
Abishua—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Abishua as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra in the priestly line of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Abishua means “fortunate” or “father of wealth.” Lesson 12
Abraham/Abram—The Old Testament frequently refers to three major patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their covenant with God. Details of their lives are recorded in the book of Genesis. Abraham is honored as father of the faith by Christians and Jews. The name Abraham means “father of multitudes” or “father of many.” Prior to receiving that name from God, Abraham’s name was Abram, which means “exalted father.” Lessons 3, 9, 20–21
Acts of the Apostles—This fifth book of the New Testament immediately follows the four Gospels and records activity in the early Church. It is believed to continue the Gospel According to Luke and to have been written by the same author. Lesson 20
Adrammelech—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings mentions Adrammelech, a god of Sepharvaim associated with lightning and often paired with the goddess Anammelech. Worship of Adrammelech and Anammelech commonly involved child sacrifice. The name Adrammelech means “magnificent king.” Lesson 1
Ahaz—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings mentions King Ahaz, who ruled the southern kingdom of Judah from 732 to 716 B.C. Ahaz’s behavior led to the prophet Isaiah foretelling the birth of Immanuel (transliteration of the Hebrew name meaning “God with us”; Emmanuel is the transliteration of the Greek). The name Ahaz means “he who grasps” or “he who possesses.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 of Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Ahikam—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Ahikam as the father of Gedaliah, who was appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The name Ahikam means “one who supports” or “helper.” Lesson 2
Ahitub—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Ahitub as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Ahitub means “goodness” or “brother of benevolence.” Lesson 12
Alexander—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees mentions Alexander as the son of Philip of Macedonia. Alexander, usually called Alexander the Great, inherited and increased his father’s vast empire, beginning the widespread proliferation of Greek culture throughout the ancient world. When Alexander died in 323 B.C., his empire was divided among four of his generals. Control eventually rested with the Ptolemy rulers in the south and the Seleucid rulers in the north—with Judea caught in the middle. The name Alexander means “warrior” or “defender of men.” Lesson 17
Almighty—When capitalized as a noun, Almighty is a title that emphasizes the omnipotence and all-powerful nature of God. It is used throughout Scripture. Lessons 3, 15, 22–23
Amariah—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Amariah as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Amariah means “given by God” or “God has spoken.” Lesson 12
Amen—In the eighth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah, Amen appears as an affirmation meaning “so be it” or “I believe.” Lesson 12
Amittai—The first chapter in the Book of Jonah identifies Amittai as the father of Jonah, who in turn is the title character in the Book of Jonah. Most scholars consider the Book of Jonah to be moral fiction along the lines of Jesus’ parables in the New Testament, and Jesus himself makes an important reference to the Book of Jonah in the twelfth chapter in the Gospel According to Matthew. The name Amittai means “faithful” or “truth.” Lesson 13
Ammon/Ammonites—The ninth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the Ammonites as one of the groups with whom God’s people had intermarried after the Babylonian Exile. The fourth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah records that the Ammonites were among those who opposed the resettling and rebuilding of Jerusalem by the former captives who had begun returning from Babylon in 538 B.C. The Ammonites were descendants of Benammi, the son born of an incestuous union between Abraham’s nephew Lot and Lot’s younger daughter. The Ammonites inhabited Ammon, territory east of the Jordan River. (A map showing the location of Ammon is on page 90 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 12
Amorites—The ninth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the Amorites as one of the groups with whom God’s people had intermarried after the Babylonian Exile. The Amorites are thought to have originated in western Mesopotamia before inhabiting the land of Canaan prior to the arrival of the descendants of Jacob. The Amorites often are considered to be identical to the Perizzites, but many scholars believe the term Perizzites described Canaanites who lived in rural areas rather than in cities. The word Amorite means “talk” or “promise.” Lesson 12
Anammelech—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings mentions Anammelech, a goddess of Sepharvaim often paired with the god Adrammelech. Worship of Anammelech and Adrammelech commonly involved child sacrifice. The name Anammelech means “Anu [the Mesopotamian god of the sky] is king.” Lesson 1
Anathoth—The thirty-second chapter in the Book of Jeremiah identifies Anathoth as the site of the prophet Jeremiah’s family home. Anathoth, located northeast of Jerusalem, was one of the original Levitical cities of refuge for descendants of Jacob after they settled in the land of Canaan. (A map showing the location of Anathoth is on page 20 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 2
Ancient of Days—A title for God found in the Old Testament apocalyptic vision of heaven described in the seventh chapter in the Book of Daniel. It emphasizes the eternal nature of God. Lesson 19
Antioch—The fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Maccabees mentions Antioch, a city in Syria built by Seleucus I and named to honor his father Antiochus. Seleucus’ son and successor also was named Antiochus. Antioch rivaled Alexandria in Egypt as a major center of Greek culture. (A map showing the location of Antioch is on page 121 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 17
Antiochus (Antiochus III)—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Antiochus III as the father of Antiochus Epiphanes (Antiochus IV). Antiochus III, who also was called Antiochus the Great, ruled the Seleucid Empire from 222 to 187 B.C. The name Antiochus, which was shared by a large number of Seleucid rulers, means “one who is opposed to possessing something.” Lesson 17
Antiochus Epiphanes (Antiochus IV)—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees describes the beginning of the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire from 175 to 164 B.C. When Antiochus Epiphanes assumed the throne, he took the name of his father Antiochus III, becoming Antiochus IV. Prior to that his name was Mithradates, which means “given by Mithra [an ancient sun god].” The name Antiochus, which was shared by a large number of Seleucid rulers, means “one who is opposed to possessing something.” The name Epiphanes means “illustrious.” Lesson 17
Apphus—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Jonathan Apphus as the fifth son of the priest Mattathias and a brother of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Apphus means “the diplomat,” while Jonathan means “God has given.” Lesson 17
Arabah—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings mentions the Arabah, depressed and generally arid ground surrounding the Dead Sea, to indicate the direction in which King Zedekiah and his men fled from the Babylonians during the siege of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The Arabah can be differentiated from the region known as the Negeb or Negev, which also is located near the Dead Sea only farther south. The word Arabah comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to crisscross” or “to traverse.” (A map showing the location of the Arabah is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 1, 5
Arabs—The fourth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah records that Arabs were among those who opposed the resettling and rebuilding of Jerusalem by the former captives returning from Babylon. The term Arabs identifies descendants of Joktan (one of two sons born to Eber, whose descendants are called Hebrews—see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis), descendants of Ishmael (Abraham’s first son born to his wife’s handmaid Hagar—see the sixteenth chapter of the book of Genesis), or descendants born into the line of Abraham through Keturah (identified in Scripture either as Abraham’s wife after the death of Sarah or as his concubine—see the twenty-fifth chapter in the book of Genesis and the first chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). Lesson 12
Artaxerxes (Artaxerxes I)—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra indicates that Artaxerxes, the king of Persia from 465 to 425 B.C., delegated broad authority to Ezra over the exiles returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. As a priest and a scribe, Ezra was familiar with religious law. The Persian ruler Cyrus the Great previously had granted the exiles permission to return to their homeland in 538 B.C. Lesson 12
Ashdodites—The fourth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah records that the Ashdodites, inhabitants of Ashdod, a Philistine city three miles from the Mediterranean coastline and midway between Gaza and Joppa, were among those who opposed the resettling and rebuilding of Jerusalem by the former captives returning from Babylon. Lesson 12
Asherah/Asherim—Asherah was the Canaanite mother goddess and consort of the Sumerian god Anu. Stylized trees called Asherim were used in the worship of Asherah, and scholars speculate that she is the “queen of heaven” criticized in the seventh chapter and the forty-fourth chapter in the Book of Jeremiah. Lesson 1
Ashima—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Ashima as a female idol worshiped by the people of Hamath. Little else is known about this goddess. Lesson 1
Ashpenaz—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Ashpenaz as the chief eunuch of Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon. The name Ashpenaz means “horse nose.” Lesson 18
Assyria—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings describes the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria in 733–721 B.C. Assyria was a kingdom northeast of the territory in the land of Canaan settled by the descendants of Jacob. It was founded by Asshur, one of the sons of Shem (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis). The Assyrians first conquered Syria, founded by Asshur’s brother Aram, then conquered other neighboring nations. Although the Assyrians posed some threat to the southern kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah from approximately 716 to 687 B.C., Babylon soon replaced Assyria as the major power in the region and eventually conquered Judah in 587–586 B.C. Lessons 1, 4
Avaran—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Eleazar Avaran as the fourth son of the priest Mattathias and a brother of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Avaran means “father of joy,” while Eleazar means “God is my help.” Lesson 17
Avva/Avvites—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Avva as one of five conquered kingdoms whose people were brought in to settle in territory of the northern kingdom of Israel after it fell to Assyria 722–721 B.C. At that time, the region began to be known as Samaria. The name Avva means “to distort.” Lesson 1
Azariah (two ancestors of Ezra)—Little is known of the two men named Azariah mentioned in the seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra other than that they are ancestors of the prophet and scribe Ezra in the priestly line of Aaron. The name Azariah means “God has helped.” Azariah also is the name of a king (called King Uzziah as well) who ruled the southern kingdom of Judah from 767 to 740 B.C. Lesson 12
Azariah (companion of Daniel)—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Azariah as one of the three companions of Daniel. Azariah was renamed Abednego by the Babylonians. The name Azariah means “God has helped,” while Abednego means “servant of Nebo [a Babylonian god associated with human fate].” Azariah also is the name of a king (called King Uzziah as well) who ruled the southern kingdom of Judah from 767 to 740 B.C. (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 18

—B—

Baal—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings mentions Baal, the Canaanite god of storms and fertility. The plural Baals refers to a collective of pagan gods. Because the LORD was considered a warrior God, when the descendants of Jacob settled in Canaan they turned to the worship of local deities they believed could to aid farming through control of the weather and animal fertility. The word Baal means “owner.” Lesson 1
Babylon/Babylonia—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Babylon as one of five conquered kingdoms whose people were brought in to settle in the region of the northern kingdom of Israel after it fell to Assyria 722–721 B.C. In the Book of Ezra, Babylon sometimes is referred to as Babylonia. After Israel’s fall, the territory the northern kingdom had encompassed began to be known as Samaria. Babylon replaced Assyria as the dominant power in the region and eventually conquered the southern kingdom, sending most of those inhabitants into exile in 597 and 587–586 B.C. The location of Babylon in southern Mesopotamia commonly is believed to have been the site of the tower of Babel (see the eleventh chapter in the book of Genesis). The city is located in present-day Iraq about 55 miles south of Baghdad. The name Babylon is related to the word Babel, which means “gate of the god.” Lessons 1–2, 7, 9, 10–12, 18–19, 23
Baptist—The eleventh chapter in the Gospel According to Matthew refers to Jesus’ cousin John by the title of the Baptist to identify him by his practice of baptizing people, which consisted of plunging them into water as part of a religious cleansing rite. The synoptic Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke all use the term Baptist to refer to the son of Zechariah. Interestingly, although the Gospel According to John also extensively focuses on the necessity of baptism for salvation, that Evangelist never refers to Zechariah’s son as the Baptist but simply as John, a name that means “God is gracious.” Lesson 20
Baruch/Book of Baruch—Most scholars believe the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch was written around 200–100 B.C. during the period of the Maccabees rather than at the time of the Babylonian Exile, as tradition and the work itself suggests. Tradition also holds that the work was written by Jeremiah’s scribe and faithful companion Baruch, whose lineage in the first chapter in the Book of Baruch includes an ancestor named Hilkiah—suggesting Baruch may have been a priest. The Book of Baruch is included in Catholic translations of the Old Testament but is not accepted as canonical by Protestants (see Catholic and Protestant Bibles for more information). The name Baruch is a shortened form of the name Berechiah. Both names means “blessed.” Lesson 9
Belshazzar—The first chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch identifies Belshazzar as the son of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. The name Belshazzar means “Bel [the chief Babylonian god who also was called Marduk] protect the king.” Lessons 9, 18–19
Belteshazzar—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel lists Belteshazzar as the Babylonian name given to Daniel. The name Belteshazzar means “Bel [the chief Babylonian god who also was called Marduk] protects his life,” while the name Daniel means “God is my judge.” Lesson 18
Benjamin/land of Benjamin—The thirty-second chapter in the Book of Jeremiah discloses that the field the prophet was instructed to buy was located in Anathoth in territory known as the land of Benjamin because it was settled by descendants of Jacob from the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was the youngest of the 12 sons of Jacob (see the twenty-ninth through thirty-fifth chapters in the book of Genesis). The name Benjamin, given by his father, means “son of my old age.” Originally Benjamin was named Benoni, which means “son of my sorrow,” by his mother Rachel, who died shortly after giving birth to him. (A map showing the general location of the territory originally settled by descendants of Benjamin is on page 12 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided and also on the supplemental online study page for Lesson 1 of that Bible study.) Lessons 2, 6, 10
Berechiah—The first chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies Berechiah as the father of the prophet Zechariah. The name Berechiah means “blessed by God.” Lesson 11
Bethany—The first chapter in the Gospel According to John identifies Bethany as a town near where John performed baptisms of repentance. It was located north of Jerusalem on the east side of the Jordan River. Specifying that Bethany was beyond the Jordan distinguished it from the town of the same name near Jerusalem where Jesus’ friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha lived. The name Bethany means “house.” (A map showing the location of Bethany beyond the Jordan is on page 147 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 20–21
Bethel—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings records that after the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722–721 B.C., the king of Assyria sent a priest who had been exiled from the former kingdom to live in Bethel and teach the new inhabitants of the region how to fear the LORD. Bethel, close to the border with the southern kingdom of Judah, was one of two worship sites set up by King Jeroboam, the first ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel from approximately 931 to 910 B.C., to discourage subjects of Israel from traveling to Jerusalem for major religious feasts. The name Bethel means “house of God.” (A map showing the location of Bethel is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Beth-Togarmah—The thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel lists the inhabitants of Beth-Togarmah, a nation located north of territory settled by the descendants of Jacob, as allies of Gog and enemies of Israel. Beth-Togarmah means “house of Togarmah.” The tenth chapter in the book of Genesis lists Togarmah as one of the descendants of Noah in the line of Japheth. (A map showing the location of Beth-Togarmah is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5
Beyond the River—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra refers to the province Beyond the River, the name the Persians gave to the territory of the former kingdoms of Israel and Judah located to the west of the Euphrates River. From the perspective of those living in Israel and Judah, the phrase Beyond the River refers to the area east of the Euphrates River. The capitalized phrase Beyond the River is not to be confused with “beyond the Jordan” used to distinguish the New Testament location where John performed baptisms of repentance from the town of Bethany near Jerusalem where Jesus’ friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary lived.  (A map showing the location of the Euphrates River is on page 29 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 12  
Branch—This image is applied to God’s servant in the third chapter and sixth chapter in the Book of Zechariah. It builds on prophecy in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Isaiah foretelling that the Messiah would be a descendant of David in the line of Jesse—and therefore a branch on the family tree of Judah. Lesson 11
Bride—Used in the nineteenth chapter in the book of Revelation to refer to the Church as the new Jerusalem, the image of a Bride relies on nuptial imagery used by the Old Testament prophets and in the Gospel According to John to describe the union of the Church and Jesus Christ. Lesson 23
Bukki—The seventeenth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Bukki as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Bukki means “emptying of the LORD.” Lesson 12
Buzi—The first chapter in the Book of Ezekiel identifies Buzi as the father of the priest and prophet Ezekiel. The name Buzi means “contemptuous.” Lesson 3

—C—

Canaan/Canaanites—The ninth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the Canaanites as one of the groups with whom God’s people had intermarried after the Babylonian Exile. Canaan was a son of Ham and grandson of Noah, and his descendants are listed in the Table of Nations in the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis. The term Canaanites is a catchall term that refers to a variety of peoples who inhabited the area before the Israelites. These include the Sidonians, the Hittites, the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Canaan means “humbled” or “subdued.” Lessons 12, 19
Chaldea/Chaldeans/land of the Chaldeans—In the twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings the term Chaldeans is substituted for Babylonians. The Chaldeans were semi-nomadic and warlike people who had been assimilated by the Babylonians. The word Chaldea, sometimes used in place of Babylon, means “capture” or “plunder.” The land of the Chaldeans is another name for Babylon. Lessons 1–3, 7, 9, 18
Chebar—The first chapter in the Book of Ezekiel records that the prophet Ezekiel experienced his first vision on the banks of the Chebar, a canal or waterway located in Babylon. The name Chebar means “far off.” (A map showing the location of Chebar is on page 28 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 3, 5
Chedorlaomer—The fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis mentions Chedorlaomer, a king of Elam in Mesopotamia during the time of Abram (Abraham). After Chedorlaomer and three other kings overran the land of Canaan and captured Abram’s nephew Lot, Abram joined forces with four of his neighbors to rescue Lot and defeat the four foreign kings. The name Chedorlaomer means “roundness of a sheaf.” Lesson 21
Chislev—This ninth month on the Jewish calendar coincides with parts of the months of November and December on the Gregorian calendar. In the fourth chapter of the First Book of the Maccabees, Chislev (also called Kislev) is mentioned as the month in which the Maccabeans rededicated the altar after cleansing the sanctuary in Jerusalem. During the Exile, the captives adopted the names of the months for their Jewish calendar from those used on the Babylonian calendar. Lesson 17
Christ—The word Christ comes from the Greek word for anointed, and it refers to the prophesied Messiah, a transliteration of the Hebrew word for “Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the title Christ identifies Jesus as the Messiah. Lessons 20–21
city of David—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees refers to Jerusalem as the city of David, which Antiochus Epiphanes turned into a Seleucid stronghold. Originally a Jebusite fortress, Jerusalem was captured by David, who made it his capital. It continued as the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah and later was rebuilt by returning captives. It became the major city in the region under a succession of foreign powers. Jerusalem sometimes is referred to as Zion or city of Zion, and it was considered to be a holy site first by the inhabitants of the united kingdom ruled by David, then by those who lived in the southern kingdom of Judah, and later by the Jews who returned there from Babylon. (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 17
covenant of Levi—The second chapter in the Book of Malachi uses the term covenant of Levi or covenant with Levi in connection with God’s choice of members of the tribe of Levi to serve as priests and in other jobs associated with worship. The name Levi means “joined in harmony.” Lesson 16
Creator—A title for God that emphasizes his role in bringing about the existence of all things. It appears in the second section in the Book of Isaiah attributed to the prophet known as Deutero- or Second Isaiah. Lessons 7, 17
Cush—In the thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet lists Cush among the enemies of the descendants of Jacob. Cush was the eldest son of Ham and a grandson of Noah (see the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis). The land of Cush is identified with present-day Ethiopia. The name Cush means “black.” (A map showing the location of Cush is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5
Cuth/Cuthah—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Cuthah as one of five conquered kingdoms whose people were brought in to settle in the northern kingdom of Israel after it fell to Assyria 722–721 B.C. At that time, the region began to be known as Samaria or the land of Samaria. The name Cuthah means “burning.” Lesson 1
Cyrus—The Books of Isaiah, Ezra, and Daniel honor the Persian king Cyrus II, also called Cyrus the Great, because in 538 B.C. he gave permission to the captives from Judah to return to Jerusalem. The name Cyrus means “sun.” Lessons 7, 10, 18

—D—

Daniel/Book of Daniel—The Book of Daniel is a work of apocalyptic writing set in Babylon during the Exile, although most scholars believe it was composed in Judea some 400 years later during the reign of Antiochus IV. Details of the vision in the Book of Daniel show up in altered form in the New Testament book of Revelation. Catholic translations of the Book of Daniel include the deuterocanonical thirteenth and fourteenth chapters as well as some material in the third chapter. This extra material is not accepted as canonical by Protestants (see Catholic and Protestant Bibles for more information). The first chapter of the Book of Daniel identifies Daniel as the main figure in the work. Daniel was renamed Belteshazzar by the Babylonians. The name Daniel means “God is my judge,” while Belteshazzar means “Bel [the chief Babylonian god who also was called Marduk] protects his life.” Lessons 18–19
Darius—The Books of Haggai and Zechariah both mention Darius, a Persian who usurped the throne from the descendants of Cyrus the Great in 522 B.C. The Persian ruler Darius also is mentioned in the first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees. The name Darius means “possessing goodness.” Also see Darius the Mede. Lessons 10–11, 17
Darius the Mede—Although Darius the Mede is mentioned in the fifth chapter in the Book of Daniel, scholars can find no evidence of any Mede with that name ruling in Babylon between the shared reign of Nabonidus and his son Belshazzar and that of the Persian king, Cyrus the Great. Based on the fifty-first chapter in the Book of Jeremiah, some scholars speculate that Darius the Mede is a fictional character patterned after the Persian ruler Darius I. The name Darius means “possessing goodness.” Lesson 18
daughter(s) of Aaron—Daughter is a term often used in Scripture to describe people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the first chapter in the Gospel According to Luke, the term daughters of Aaron is used to indicate that the mother of John the Baptist as well as his father was born into the priestly line of Aaron. Lesson 20
daughter(s) of Edom—Daughter is a term often used in Scripture to describe people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the Book of Lamentations, daughter of Edom collectively describes people descended from Jacob’s twin brother Esau and associated with the land of Edom to the south of territory settled by Jacob’s descendants. Lesson 4
daughter(s) of Israel—Daughter (or daughters) is a term often used in Scripture to describe people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the deuterocanonical thirteenth chapter in the Book of Daniel, daughter of Israel at first glance appears to be used in contradictory ways. In the Book of Daniel 13:48, the term in the singular could refer either to Jacob’s daughter Dinah, to a different woman descended from Jacob and associated with the former northern kingdom of Israel, or to any female descendant of Jacob. In the Book of Daniel 13:57, however, the plural term refers specifically to women descended from Jacob and associated with the former northern kingdom. The same verse goes on to differentiate any woman in the line of Jacob who is associated with the former southern kingdom by referring to her as daughter of Judah. It is highly likely that the singular usage in the Book of Daniel 13:48 is intended as a collective referring specifically to women descended from Jacob and also associated with the northern kingdom. Lesson 19
daughter(s) of Jerusalem—Daughter is a term often used in Scripture to describe people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the ninth chapter in the Book of Zechariah, the term daughter of Jerusalem collectively refers to people descended from Jacob and associated with Jerusalem. Lesson 11
daughter(s) of Judah—Daughter is a term often used in Scripture to describe people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the Books of Lamentations and Daniel, daughter of Judah describes women descended from Jacob’s son Judah and associated with the former southern kingdom of Judah. Lessons 4, 19
daughter(s) of Zion—Daughter is a term often used in Scripture to describe people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the Books of Lamentations and Zechariah, daughter of Zion collectively describes God’s people descended from Jacob and associated with Jerusalem, a city frequently referred to as Zion. Lessons 4, 11
David—Details of David’s life are recorded in the sixteenth chapter in the First Book of Samuel through the second chapter of the First Book of the Kings. Born into the line of Judah, David was chosen by God to replace Saul as ruler over all of the descendants of Jacob. The seventh chapter in the Second Book of Samuel contains God’s promise to raise up one of David’s descendants as an eternal king. The name David means “beloved” or “friend.” Lessons 1, 3, 11, 17, 20–22
day of the LORD/day of the Lord—This phrase shows up repeatedly in Old Testament prophecies, where it takes on different shades of meaning but always refers to some future time when God will appear. In the New Testament, the day of the Lord refers to Final Judgment at the end of time. It is described at length in the apocalyptic vision that makes up the book of Revelation. Lessons 6, 14–16, 20
Death—In the first chapter in the book of Revelation, Death and Hades are depicted as two locked areas (suggesting some type of imprisonment) to which the Son of man (Jesus) holds the keys. In the sixth chapter in the book of Revelation, Death is personified as a rider on a pale horse. He is followed by Hades, also personified in this apocalyptic New Testament image. Lesson 22
Desolate—The sixty-second chapter in the Book of Isaiah, a section thought to be written by the author referred to as Trito- or Third Isaiah, foretells a time when the land given by God to his people no longer will be termed Desolate, a word that means “bleak.” Lesson 14
Deutero-Isaiah (Second Isaiah)—Deutero-Isaiah is the way scholars refer to the author who is thought to have written the fortieth through fifty-fifth chapters in the Book of Isaiah, a section of the work that most scholars believe was written after the destruction of Jerusalem. The name Isaiah means “God saves.” Also see Isaiah (Book of) and Trito-Isaiah. Lessons 7–8, 20–21
Deuteronomy (book of)—The book of Deuteronomy is fifth in the Old Testament. With the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, it makes up the section of the Hebrew Bible called the Pentateuch. These five books contain the law of Moses. They traditionally are considered to have been written by Moses. Most scholars believe the works underwent considerable editing during and immediately after the Babylonian Exile. Lesson 21

—E—

Ecbatana—The sixth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Ecbatana in the province of Media as the capital of Babylonia (Babylon) where a scroll is located with Cyrus the Great’s proclamation granting the descendants of Judah permission to return to Judah. Scholars speculate that the ancient word Ecbatana means “fortress” or “place of gathering.” Lesson 10
Eden—In the second chapter in the Book of Joel, Eden is used to describe an ideal location that sometimes is referred to as Paradise. It also names the place where Adam and Eve lived before the Fall (see the first three chapters in the book of Genesis). Scholars believe this was located in the region of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, an area that sometimes is termed the cradle of civilization. Scholars speculate that the ancient word Eden may mean “delight.” (A map showing the location of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers is on page 29 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 15
Edom—Rather than addressing the descendants of Jacob, the Book of Obadiah addresses the descendants of Jacob’s twin brother Esau. The land of Edom, a region south of the Dead Sea, was called Idumaea by the Greeks (the English spelling is Idumea). This territory was settled by Esau. The twenty-seventh chapter in the book of Genesis describes the beginning of the long history of bad blood between the descendants of Jacob and the descendants of Esau, who also was called Edom, a name that means “red.” (A map showing the location of Edom is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 4, 6, 15–16
Egypt/land of Egypt/Egyptians—The ninth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the Egyptians as one of the groups with whom God’s people had intermarried after the Babylonian Exile. The land of Egypt is territory surrounding the Nile River in the northeast corner of Africa. It was inhabited by descendants of Egypt, a son of Ham and grandson of Noah (see the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis). Egyptians appear throughout the Old Testament as enemies of God’s people; alternately the land of Egypt appears as a place of refuge, especially during times of famine. Scholars are uncertain of the meaning of the word Egypt, although it appears to be related to the idea of “place.” (A map showing the location of Egypt is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 1–2, 4, 7, 9–10, 12, 15, 17, 21
Elah—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Elah as the father of King Hoshea, who assassinated King Pekah to become ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel from approximately 732 to 722 B.C. The name Elah means “oak” or “terebinth [a small tree in the cashew family].” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Elam—The tenth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Shecaniah as one of the sons of Elam. Shecaniah expresses contrition to Ezra because the returning captive have taken foreign wives. Elam was a son of Shem and a grandson of Noah (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis). Elam also is the name of an ancient country located in present-day southwestern Iran. The name Elam means “forever” or “eternal.” Lesson 12
Eleazar—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Eleazar as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and the third son of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Eleazar means “God is my help.” Lesson 12
Eleazar Avaran—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Eleazar Avaran as the fourth son of the priest Mattathias and a brother of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter of the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Eleazar means “God is my help,” while Avaran means “father of joy.” Lesson 17
the Eleven—When capitalized and used with the article, as in the second chapter in the Acts of the Apostles, the term the Eleven refers to Jesus’ original disciples, minus Judas Iscariot. The Eleven only is used following Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection. Prior to Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot, Jesus’ disciples are called the Twelve. Lesson 20
Eli—The second chapter in the First Book of Samuel describes the priest Eli being visited at Shiloh by an unnamed man of God. This prophet foretold the death of Eli’s wicked sons Hophni and Phinehas, and he also announced God’s plan to raise up a faithful priest. The name Eli means “elevated.” Lesson 21
Elijah—The fourth chapter in the Book of Malachi foretells that the prophet Elijah will reappear before the great and awesome day of the LORD. Sent by God to the northern kingdom of Israel, Elijah frequently appears in Scripture as an iconic representation of all the prophets—often with Moses, who represents the Law. In the first chapter in the Gospel According to John, people living at the time of Jesus looked for Elijah to reappear as a sign that would indicate the Messiah was about to arrive. In the eleventh chapter in the Gospel According to Matthew, Jesus addresses this expectation. The name Elijah means “my God is the LORD.” Lessons 16, 20–21
Elishama—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Elishama as the grandfather of Ishmael in the royal family of David. Ishmael attacked and killed Gedaliah at Mizpah after Gedaliah had been appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar following the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The name Elishama means “God has heard.” Lesson 2
Elizabeth—The first chapter in the Gospel According to Luke identifies Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, as a daughter of Aaron, indicating that she grew up in a priestly household. The name Elizabeth means “pledged to God.” Lesson 20
Elnathan—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Elnathan as the father of Nehushta, who was the mother of King Jehoiachin, ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah for about three months in 597 B.C. Scholars think it likely that this same Elnathan was among those who followed the ill-fated prophet Uriah to Egypt on the orders from King Jehoiakim (ruler of the southern kingdom from 608 to 597 B.C.) to put Uriah to death for foretelling (correctly) an end to Jerusalem and the southern kingdom. Elnathan means “God has given.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 of Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Elul—This sixth month on the Jewish liturgical calendar coincides with parts of the months of August and September on the Gregorian calendar. Elul is mentioned in the sixth chapter of the Book of Nehemiah as the month in which the former exiles completed rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. During the Exile, the captives adopted the names of the months for their Jewish calendar from those used on the Babylonian calendar. Lesson 12
En-Eglaim—In the forty-seventh chapter in the Book of Ezekiel, En-Eglaim is named in the prophet’s apocalyptic vision of a river flowing from a new temple into the Dead Sea. Scholars have been unable to verify the exact site of En-Eglaim, but the name is thought to mean “from the fountain of calves” or “from the fountain of heifers.” (A map showing the possible location of En-Eglaim is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5
En-Gedi—In the forty-seventh chapter in the Book of Ezekiel, En-Gedi appears in the prophet’s apocalyptic vision of a river flowing from a new temple into the Dead Sea. This oasis is an important archeological site located on the western shore of the Dead Sea. The name En-Gedi means “spring of the kid [young goat].” (A map showing the location of En-Gedi is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5
Ephesus—The second and third chapters in the apocalyptic New Testament book of Revelation identify Ephesus as a city in Asia Minor that was the location of one of the seven churches to receive a letter dictated by Jesus to John of Patmos. The other six churches were at Laodicea, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna, and Thyatira. (A map showing the location of all seven churches is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
Ephraim/land of Ephraim—The term Ephraim has a wide variety of conflicting meanings depending on context. Ephraim was the second of Joseph’s two Egyptian-born sons who were adopted by Jacob. Geographically the land of Ephraim refers to territory in the land of Canaan settled by the descendants of Ephraim. Because the capital of the former northern kingdom of Israel later was located in the territory of Ephraim, Scripture sometimes refers to the entire territory as Ephraim. Ephraim negatively refers to the sinfulness of the God’s people who inhabited the northern kingdom of Israel; it refers in a positive way to Ephraim’s favored status and elevation to the place of first-born by his grandfather Jacob. The name Ephraim means “fruitful.” (A map showing the general location of the territory originally settled by descendants of Ephraim is on page 12 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided and also on the supplemental online study page for Lesson 1 of that Bible study.) Lessons 6, 11, 12
Esau—Rather than addressing the descendants of Jacob, the Book of Obadiah addresses the descendants of Jacob’s twin brother Esau. The land of Edom, a region called Idumea by the Greeks, was territory settled by Esau south of the Dead Sea. The twenty-seventh chapter in the book of Genesis describes the beginning of the long history of bad blood between the descendants of Jacob and the descendants of Esau. The name Esau means “hairy,” while his nickname, Edom, means “red.” (A map showing the location of Edom is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 6, 16
Ethiopia—In the forty-third chapter in the Book of Isaiah, a section attributed to the prophet known as Deutero- or Second Isaiah, Ethiopia is listed with Egypt and Seba as places God is willing to give as ransom for the descendants of Jacob. A country located on the horn of Africa, Ethiopia also is identified with Sheba. The name Ethiopia is the Greek form of the word Cush, which means “black.” (A map showing the location of Cush is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 7
Eupolemus—The eighth chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees names Eupolemus as one of two deputies sent to Rome by Judas Maccabeus to ask the Romans for assistance against the Greeks who had been persecuting Judea. Scholars speculate that Eupolemus and the historian of that name are the same person but remain uncertain about the meaning of the name Eupolemus. Lesson 17
Everlasting—When capitalized as a noun, Everlasting is a title that emphasizes the eternal nature of God (see the fourth chapter in the Book of Baruch). Lesson 9
Exodus (book of)—The book of Exodus is the second in the Old Testament. It and the books of Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy make up the section of the Hebrew Bible called the Pentateuch. These five books contain the law of Moses and traditionally are considered to have been written by Moses. Most scholars believe the works underwent considerable editing during and immediately after the Babylonian Exile. Lesson 21
Ezekiel/Book of Ezekiel—The Old Testament Book of Ezekiel contains prophecy and apocalyptic writing thought to have been written by Ezekiel, identified in the first chapter as the son of Buki in the priestly line of Aaron (and of Zadok). Images from the Book of Ezekiel reappear in the New Testament book of Revelation. The prophet Ezekiel accompanied the first wave of exiles to Babylon in 597 B.C., where he warned of the impending fall of the southern kingdom of Judah before it happened in 587–586 B.C. His later prophecies promise the restoration of Israel. Ezekiel is considered the father of Judaism, the law-based religion that developed from traditional Hebrew worship practices while God’s people were in Exile. The name Ezekiel means “God strengthens.” Lessons 3, 5
Ezra/Book of Ezra—The Book of Ezra is a biblical work of narrative history traditionally thought to have been written by the priest and scribe named Ezra. It forms the first section of a single work that originally included the Book of Nehemiah and was part of a larger group of biblical writings that took in the First and Second Books of the Chronicles as well. The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra lists genealogy tracing the prophet’s lineage to Aaron the priest. Ezra, who as a scribe possessed extensive knowledge of law, was authorized by the Persian king Artaxerxes I to appoint magistrates and judges over the former exiles when they were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Because of Ezra’s close association with the religious law of Moses, he is regarded by Jews as a Second Moses. The name Ezra means “help.” The same name in Greek is Esdras, and the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah—and several non-biblical works—sometimes are referred to as Books of Esdras. Lesson 12

—F—

Faithful—The nineteenth chapter in the book of Revelation identifies the rider on the white horse who appears at the marriage of the Lamb as Faithful and True. Lesson 23
First Book of Samuel—The first of two books of historical narrative that examine events in the life of the prophet Samuel and the three kings—Saul, David, and Solomon—who ruled over all of the descendants of Jacob in the united kingdom. Lesson 21
First Book of the Maccabees—The first of two deuterocanonical books of historical narrative that record events from around the time of the Maccabean Revolt. Because these are two separate descriptions of the period rather than a sequential account, they can be somewhat difficult to follow. The First and Second Books of the Maccabees are included in Catholic translations of the Old Testament but are not accepted as canonical by Protestants (see Catholic and Protestant Bibles for more information). Lesson 17
Forsaken—The sixty-second chapter in the Book of Isaiah, a section thought to be written by the author referred to as Trito- or Third Isaiah, foretells a time when God’s people no longer will be called Forsaken, a word that means “abandoned.” Lesson 14

—G—

Gabriel—Although the ninth chapter in the Book of Daniel refers to Gabriel as a man, the detail that Gabriel arrives in swift flight suggests this is instead a description of the archangel Gabriel. Mention of Gabriel appears in the section in the Book of Daniel that records an apocalyptic vision of heaven. The name Gabriel means “God is my strength.” Lesson 19
Gaddi—The first chapter in the Second Book of the Maccabees lists Gaddi as one of the two names of John Gaddi, the first son of the priest Mattathias. John Gaddi was a brother of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter of the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Gaddi means “my happiness,” while John means “God is gracious.” Lesson 17
garden of Eden—A term used in the second chapter in the Book of Joel to describe an ideal location that sometimes is referred to as Paradise. Scholars speculate that the ancient name Eden may mean “delight.” Also see Eden. Lesson 15
Gate of Ephraim—The eighth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah refers to the Gate of Ephraim, which generally is thought to have been located along the north wall of Jerusalem facing territory settled by the tribe of Ephraim. Because walls of the ancient city often were destroyed, rebuilt, and occasionally renamed, scholars are uncertain of the location of all of its ancient gates. Lesson 12
Gedaliah—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Gedaliah as the person appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The name Gedaliah means “made great by God.” Lesson 2
Genesis (book of)—This first book in the Old Testament, together with the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, is part of the section of the Hebrew Bible called the Pentateuch. These five books contain the law of Moses and traditionally are considered to have been written by Moses. Most scholars believe the works underwent considerable editing during and immediately after the Babylonian Exile. Lesson 21
Gentiles—A Gentile is someone who is not a Jew. In most instances the Old Testament prophets look down on Gentiles. There are indications in the Old Testament prophetic writings, however, that God intends salvation for all people. This is something that becomes more obvious in the New Testament. The word Gentiles means “nations” or “peoples.” Lesson 17
Gilead—The Book of Obadiah identifies Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River, as territory that will be repossessed by descendants of Jacob from the line of Benjamin. Gilead means either “hill of testimony” or “rocky region.” (A map showing the location of Gilead is on page 47 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 6
God— See LORD/Lord/God.
God of Daniel—The sixth chapter in the Book of Daniel refers to the God of Daniel to emphasize Daniel’s devotion to his traditional religious upbringing in Judah prior to being taken captive to Babylon. Lesson 18
God of heaven—Used in the Books of Ezra and Jonah, this title emphasizes that God dwells above and beyond the limitations of earth. Lessons 12, 13
God of hosts—Used in the fifteenth chapter in the Book of Jeremiah, this title emphasizes God’s powerful role as leader of the armies or hosts of heaven. Lesson 2
God of Israel—Used throughout the Old Testament, this title draws attention to God’s covenantal relationship with the descendants of Jacob (Israel). Lessons 2–3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 16, 20–21
God of Jerusalem—Used in the seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra , this title emphasizes God’s special connection to Jerusalem as a holy location. (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 12
Gog—The thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel foretells the future defeat of Gog and Magog, a theme that the author of the book of Revelation builds on to describe a final assault by evil forces at the end of time. Gog was the ruler of Magog, a territory far north of the area settled by the descendants of Jacob. It is believed to have been located somewhere in present-day Russia. The name Magog means “house of Gog.” The name of its ruler, Gog, means “roof.” (A map showing the location of Magog is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5
Gomer/land of Gomer—In the thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet lists Gomer among the enemies of the descendants of Jacob. Gomer was the eldest son of Japheth and a grandson of Noah (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis). The land of Gomer was north of the Black Sea in an area known in the present day as the Crimea. The name Gomer means “complete.” (A map showing the location of Gomer is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5
Gozan—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Gozan as one of the places to which inhabitants of the northern kingdom of Israel were exiled after they were conquered by the Assyrians in 722–721 B.C. The word Gozan means “quarry.” Lesson 1
Great Sea—In the forty-seventh chapter in the Book of Ezekiel, the Mediterranean Sea is called the Great Sea. Lesson 5
Greece/Greeks—The Books of Zechariah and Joel and the First and Second Books of the Maccabees identify the Greeks as enemies of the descendants of Jacob. The Greeks inhabited a collection of city-states united by Philip of Macedon in the 4th century B.C. The vast additional conquests of Philip’s son, Alexander the Great, made possible the spread of Greek thought and ideas throughout the ancient world, and Greece continued as a strong cultural influence long after the Greeks no longer were dominant as a world power. The name Greece is Latin instead of Greek, however. The people who inhabited Greece called themselves Hellenes and referred to their country as Hellas. Even in the present day, the official name of the country is the Hellenic Republic. (A map showing the location of Greece is on page 121 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 11, 15, 17

—H—

Habor—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Habor as a river in Gozan, one of the places to which inhabitants of the northern kingdom of Israel were exiled after they were conquered by the Assyrians in 722–721 B.C. The word Habor means “joining.” Lesson 1
Hades—The third chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch mentions Hades, the abode of the dead named for the Greek god of the underworld. Sheol is the Hebrew name for the same concept. Although sometimes now considered synonymous with the Christian idea of hell, neither Hades nor Sheol originally were considered places of punishment. Lessons 9, 22
Haggai/Book of Haggai—The prophetic Book of Haggai describes the religious and political situation in Jerusalem after the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great gave the former captives permission to return from Babylon in 538 B.C. The first chapter identifies Haggai as a prophet in Jerusalem who—along with the prophet Zechariah—urged those recently returned from exile to rebuild the Temple. The name Haggai means “festive.” Lesson 10
Halah/Hallah—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Halah as one of the places to which inhabitants of the northern kingdom of Israel were exiled after they were conquered by the Assyrians in 722–721 B.C. Spelled Hallah in the Book of Obadiah, the location sometimes is associated with the Habor in Gozan. Halah means “permissible.” Lessons 1, 6
Hallelujah—The nineteenth chapter in the book of Revelation describes a great multitude crying Hallelujah, a word that translates into English as “praise the Lord.” Lesson 23
Hamath—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Hamath as one of five conquered kingdoms whose people were brought in to settle in the northern kingdom of Israel after it fell to Assyria 722–721 B.C. After that time, the region began to be known as Samaria. The word Hamath means “defense” or “citadel.” Lesson 1
Hamutal—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Hamutal as the mother of Jehoahaz and Mattaniah, both of whom became rulers of the southern kingdom of Judah. King Jehoahaz succeeded his father Josiah as ruler in 608 B.C., but was imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco and died in Egypt. In 597 B.C., his brother Mattaniah was renamed Zedekiah and installed as ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, succeeding Kings Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin and reigning until the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The name Hamutal means “morning dew.” Lesson 1
Hanamel—The thirty-second chapter in the Book of Jeremiah identifies Hanamel as the son of Shallum and a cousin of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah was instructed by the LORD to redeem family property at Anathoth owned by Hanamel in order to demonstrate that the exile of God’s people eventually would come to an end and their land be restored to them. The name Hanamel means “God is gracious.” Lesson 2
Hananiah—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Hananiah as one of the three companions of Daniel. Hananiah was renamed Shadrach by the Babylonians. The name Hananiah means “compassion of God,” while Shadrach means “command of Aku [the Babylonian mood god].” Lesson 18
Hasadiah—The first chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch identifies Hasadiah as a son of Hilkiah and ancestor of the scribe Baruch, who was a companion of the prophet Jeremiah. Although Baruch is credited with writing the Book of Baruch, most scholars believe that it probably was written after his lifetime. The name Hasadiah means “favored by God.” Lesson 9
Hasideans—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies the Hasideans, pious and militant Jews noted for their loyalty to the law of Moses, as participants in the Maccabean Revolt. The word Hasideans sometimes is translated as “saints.” Lesson 17
Heaven—A word that literally means “in the sky.” It was believed that God lived in heaven, or the sky. Capitalization of the word in the First and Second Books of the Maccabees and in the Book of Daniel appears to be an inconsistent editing decision. Lessons 17, 19
Hebrew—In the first chapter in the Book of Jonah, the prophet identifies himself as a Hebrew, a term used to describe descendants of Eber. The tenth chapter in the book of Genesis lists Eber as a grandson of Shem and great-grandson of Noah. The name Eber means “brave and strong boar.” Lesson 13
Hebrews (Letter to the)—A New Testament apologetic work that relies on Old Testament texts to describe how it is that the death of Jesus is able to bring about the possibility of salvation for all men and women. The name Letter to the Hebrews instead of the Letter to the Jews or the Letter to the Israelites suggests that the author was interested in returning to the religious roots of Judaism to explain Christianity. Lesson 21
Heldai—The sixth chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies Heldai as one of three exiles involved in transporting precious metal to be used in re-establishing traditional worship practices in Jerusalem after 538 B.C. The name Heldai means “rustiness.” Lesson 12
Hellenization—The fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Maccabees records that the descendants of Jacob who had returned to their homeland after being exiled in Babylon were critical of Hellenization, the spread of Greek culture throughout the ancient world. Hellenization began with the conquests of Alexander the Great and continued under the Seleucid rulers. The Roman Empire also promoted Greek thought and ideas. The term Hellenization is based on the word Hellas, an ancient mythological hero named Hellen (not to be confused with Helen of Troy). Lesson 17
Herod (the Great)—The first chapter in the Gospel According to Luke  indicates that at the time of the birth of Jesus, Judea was under the rule of Herod the Great. Son of Antipater, an Edomite, Herod was appointed king of Judea by Rome in 40 B.C., though he failed to gain control until 37 B.C. His son Herod Archelaus succeeded him but proved so cruel that Rome placed Judea under direct Roman rule. Herod Antipas, another son of Herod the Great, then began ruling in Galilee and Perea. The name Herod means “heroic.” (A map showing the locations of Judea, Galilee, and Perea at the time of Jesus is on page 147 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 20
Hilkiah (ancestor of Baruch)—The first chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch identifies an ancestor of Baruch named Hilkiah. Baruch was a scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah. Although Baruch is credited with writing the Book of Baruch, most scholars believe that it probably was written after his lifetime. The name Hilkiah means “God is my portion.” Lesson 9
Hilkiah (ancestor of Ezra)—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Hilkiah as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. Hilkiah was a priest in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah and is credited with finding a lost copy of the book of the law that scholars believe was an early version of the book of Deuteronomy. The name Hilkiah means “God is my portion.” Lesson 12
Hilkiah (father of Susanna)—The deuterocanonical thirteenth chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Hilkiah as the father of Susanna, a righteous woman who is rescued by Daniel after being  wrongly accused of immoral behavior. The name Hilkiah means “God is my portion.” Lesson 19
Hittites—The ninth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the Hittites as one of the groups with whom God’s people had intermarried after the Babylonian Exile. The Hittites were descendants of Heth, a son of Canaan and great-grandson of Noah (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis). Their empire flourished from about 2300 to 1100 B.C., and they occupied the land of Canaan from the time of Abraham until after the former exiles returned from Babylon in 538 B.C. The name Hittite means “son of terror.” Lesson 12
Holy One/Holy One of Israel—Used in the second section in the Book of Isaiah attributed to the prophet known as Deutero- or Second Isaiah and in the fourth chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch, this title for God emphasizes his role in connection with the descendants of Jacob. Lessons 7, 9
Holy Spirit—In the Gospels According to Luke and John, the Trinitarian nature of God’s Spirit is emphasized by referring to the third person of the Trinity as the Holy Spirit. When capitalized in the Old Testament, Spirit, a word related to breathing and inspiration, refers to the soul or essence of God. Lessons 20–21
Hophni—In the second chapter in the First Book of Samuel, an unnamed prophet visits the priest Eli at Shiloh to announce God’s plan to raise up a faithful priest after first destroying the wicked priests in Eli’s line, beginning with Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas. The name Hophni means “swordsman.” Lesson 21
Horeb—In the fourth chapter in the Book of Malachi, the descendants of Jacob are asked to remember receiving the law on Horeb, a mountain also referred to as Mount Sinai. It traditionally is believed to be located in desert terrain on the Sinai Peninsula, but there is much scholarly debate about that location. The eighteenth chapter in the book of Deuteronomy identifies Mount Horeb as the site where God promised to raise up a prophet like Moses to speak to the descendants of Jacob. The word Horeb means “glowing heat.” Lessons 16, 21
Hoshea—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies King Hoshea as ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel from approximately 732 to 722 B.C. It was during the reign of Hoshea that the northern kingdom fell to Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria, in 722–721 B.C. The name Hoshea means “salvation.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
house of David—In the seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings and in the twelfth chapter of the Book of Zechariah, the term house of David refers to the ruling dynasty descended from King David in the line of Judah. Judah was the fourth of 12 sons of Jacob. Lessons 1, 11
house of Esau—In the Book of Obadiah, the term house of Esau refers to the descendants of Esau who settled in Edom. The twenty-seventh chapter in the book of Genesis describes the beginning of a long history of bad blood between the descendants of Jacob and the descendants of Esau. The name Esau means “hairy,” while his nickname, Edom, means “red.” Lesson 6
house of God/house of the LORD—These two terms refer to the sacred temple built for worship of the Hebrew God of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Depending on usage, this could mean Solomon’s Temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586–587 B.C., the second temple completed in 516 B.C. by the exiles who returned to Jerusalem, or the new temple envisioned by the prophet Ezekiel. Lessons 1, 3, 9, 10–12, 15, 18
house of Israel—A term used two ways in the Old Testament. In the Book of Jeremiah, house of Israel refers to the 10 tribes who had inhabited the former northern kingdom of Israel. In the Book of Ezekiel, house of Israel is broadened to refer to all 12 of the tribes who make up the descendants of Jacob and so would include those from the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the former southern kingdom of Judah as well as the 10 tribes from the former northern kingdom of Israel. Lessons 2–3, 5 
house of Jacob—In the Book of Obadiah, the term house of Jacob refers to descendants of all of the patriarch Jacob’s 12 sons—distinguished from house of Israel (the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom) and house of Judah (the two tribes of the southern kingdom). The son of Isaac, Jacob was renamed Israel by God, and he became the father of 12 sons whose descendants make up the 12 tribes of Israel. The name Jacob means “supplanter.” Lesson 6
house of Joseph—In the Book of Obadiah, the otherwise little-used term house of Joseph refers to descendants of the two half-tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons by his Egyptian wife. Ephraim and Manasseh were adopted by their grandfather Jacob and so inherited land in Canaan. Both half-tribes joined the northern kingdom of Israel. The name Joseph means “may the LORD add increase,” Ephraim means “fruitful,” and Manasseh means “causing to forget.” Lesson 6
house of Judah—In the Book of Jeremiah, the term house of Judah refers to the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin who had inhabited the former southern kingdom of Judah. Lesson 2

—I—

Iddo—The first chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies Iddo as the grandfather of the prophet Zechariah. The name Iddo means “to love” or “to cast a lot.” Lesson 11
Isaac—The Old Testament frequently refers to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their covenant with God. Details of the lives of all three are recorded in the book of Genesis. The son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac became the father of Jacob and Esau. The name Isaac means “he who laughs.” Lessons 9, 21
Isaiah (Book of)—An Old Testament book of prophecy that spans approximately 200 years. The first chapter identifies the author as having prophesied in the southern kingdom of Judah during the reigns of the kings Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—a period of time stretching from 767 to 687 B.C. References to later events as well as pronounced changes in style and theology lead most scholars to believe that the work was composed by three authors writing at three different times—although the second two sections reflect the same basic thinking as that found at the beginning of the book. Proto-Isaiah (First Isaiah) is the way scholars refer to the author believed to have written the first through thirty-ninth chapters. (The work of Proto-Isaiah is covered in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided. A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Proto-Isaiah sometimes is referred to as Isaiah of Jerusalem. The name Isaiah means “God saves.” Also see Deutero-Isaiah and Trito-Isaiah. Lesson 7–8, 14, 20–21
Ishmael—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Ishmael as a descendant of Nethaniah and Elishama in the royal family of David. Ishmael, along with 10 men, attacked and killed Gedaliah, who after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. had been appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. The name Ishmael means “God listens.” Lesson 2
Israel/land of Israel/Israelites—Israel is a term with a variety of meanings, requiring readers of Scripture to determine the author’s intent depending on context. Israel may refer to the patriarch Jacob, who was renamed Israel by God. In the First and Second Books of Samuel, Israel usually refers to all of the descendants of Jacob. In the First and Second Books of the Kings, Israel most often is the name of the northern kingdom that includes all of the tribes except Judah and Benjamin. The fall of the northern kingdom to the Assyrians occurs in 722–721 B.C., after which time its territory is called Samaria, the name of the former kingdom’s capital. (A map showing the territory of Israel and Judah prior to the fall of each kingdom is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) After the fall of the southern kingdom of Judah in 587–586 B.C., Israel again usually refers to all of the descendants of Jacob. The land of Israel may mean only the geographical territory of the former northern kingdom of Israel, or it may mean the entire area in the land of Canaan settled by all 12 of the tribes of Jacob. In the Book of Joel, the word Israel may occasionally refer to the Church as representative of the Christian people of God after the time of Jesus. The name Israel means “may God prevail” or “he who struggles with God.” Lessons 1–9, 12, 15–23

—J—

Ja-Azaniah—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings names Ja-Azaniah, the son of a man identified only as the Ma-acathite, as one of the accomplices of Ishmael, who attacked and killed Gedaliah at Mizpah. Gedaliah had been appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. Ishmael was in the line of the royal family of David. The name Ja-Azaniah means “may God hear.” Lesson 2
Jacob—The Old Testament frequently refers to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their covenant with God. Details of the lives of all three are recorded in the book of Genesis. The son of Isaac, Jacob was renamed Israel by God, and he became the father of 12 sons whose descendants make up the 12 tribes of Israel. Occasionally Old Testament writers use Jacob instead of Israel to refer to God’s people collectively. The name Jacob means “supplanter.” Lessons 1, 4–9, 14, 16
Jason—The fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Maccabees indicates that Jason, brother of the high priest Onias III, offered Antiochus Epiphanes a bribe in order to obtain the high priesthood for himself. Jason’s original name was Jesus, but he changed it to Jason, a Greek name that means “healer.” Lesson 17
Jebusites—The ninth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the Jebusites as one of the groups with whom God’s people had intermarried after the Babylonian Exile. The Jebusites were inhabitants of the land of Canaan before it was settled by descendants of Jacob. Jerusalem was a Jebusite stronghold later conquered by David, who made the city his capital. Scholars are uncertain about the original meaning of the word Jebusite. (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 12
Jeconiah—See Jehoiachin.
Jedaiah—The sixth chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies Jedaiah as one of three exiles involved in transporting precious metal used in re-establishing traditional worship practices in Jerusalem after 538 B.C. The name Jedaiah means “invoker of the LORD.” Lesson 11
Jehiel—Jehiel is the father of Shecaniah, who admits to the priest and scribe Ezra that the people have broken faith with God by marrying foreign wives (see the tenth chapter in the Book of Ezra). Shecaniah then encourages Ezra to restore the Israelites to right relationship with the LORD. The name Jehiel means “may God live.” Lesson 12
Jehoahaz—The twenty-third chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Jehoahaz as the son of Josiah. Jehoahaz succeeded his father as ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah during the lifetime of the prophet Jeremiah. Jehoahaz was imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco and died in Egypt. The name Jehoahaz means “God has seized.” Lesson 2
Jehoiachin/Jeconiah—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies King Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah) as ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah in 597 B.C. After reigning only three months, King Jehoiachin surrendered the city of Jerusalem to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Jehoiachin and most of his family were taken captive to Babylon. Jehoiachin was released 37 years later when Evil-Merodach began to reign as king of Babylon. The prophet Proto-Isaiah strongly criticizes Jehoiachin and refers to him as Coniah, a short form of the name Jeconiah, the second name by which King Jehoiachin is known. The names Jehoiachin and Jeconiah both mean “God will uphold.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 of Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 1, 3, 9
Jehoiakim (king)—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies King Jehoiakim as ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah from 608 to 597 B.C. King Jehoiakim, a son of King Josiah, originally was named Eliakim, which means “God will develop.” The name Jehoiakim means “he whom God has set up.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 of Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 1, 9, 18
Jehoiakim (high priest)—The first chapter in the Book of Baruch refers to two different people named Jehoiakim. The first ruled the southern kingdom of Judah from 608 to 597 B.C. (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 of Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) The second mention of a person named Jehoiakim refers to a high priest in Jerusalem at the time of the Babylonian Exile. The name Jehoiakim means “he whom God has set up.” Lesson 9
Jehoshaphat—The third chapter in the Book of Joel mentions the valley of Jehoshaphat, an area near Jerusalem traditionally believed to be the site of future judgment by God. The same location also is referred to as the valley of decision. King Jehoshaphat was ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah from 870 to 848 B.C. Although Scripture records that Jehoshaphat did right in the eyes of the LORD, he is criticized for not eliminating idol worship in Judah. The name Jehoshaphat means “God has judged.” (Bible-related trivia: The term jumping Jehoshaphat developed in the 19th century in the United States as part of a movement to substitute mild oaths for more serious swearing. It gained popularity as a favorite saying of the Loony Tunes cartoon character Yosemite Sam, an adversary of Bugs Bunny. The first Bugs Bunny cartoons were released in the early 1940s, and Yosemite Sam was introduced in 1945. Both characters’ voices were portrayed by Mel Blanc.) Lesson 15
Jehozadak—The sixth chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies Jehozadak as the father of Joshua, who served as high priest after the Persian ruler Cyrus had given the former captives permission in 538 B.C. to return to Jerusalem from Babylon. The name Jehozadak means “justified by God.” Lessons 10–11
Jeremiah/Book of Jeremiah—A book of Old Testament prophetic writing credited to the prophet Jeremiah. Scholars believe that Jeremiah’s scribe and loyal companion Baruch, who recorded many of Jeremiah’s prophecies, may have written some sections. The prophecies of Jeremiah are mentioned in the first chapter in the Book of Ezra, which describes Cyrus of Persia acting in the best interest of the descendants of Jacob. Jeremiah was active as a prophet in the final days of the southern kingdom of Judah before the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 587–586 B.C. He foretold that the Babylonian Captivity would last 70 years, after which the descendants of Jacob would be able to return to Judah. He also prophesied that the LORD then would enter into a new covenant with the people. The name Jeremiah means “appointed by God” or “God will raise.” Lessons 2, 10
Jeremiah (of Libnah)—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Jeremiah of Libnah as the father of Hamutal, who was the mother of King Jehoahaz and King Zedekiah. King Jehoahaz ruled the southern kingdom of Judah for a short period of time in 608 B.C. before being imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco and dying in Egypt. In 597 B.C., Mattaniah was installed as ruler of the southern kingdom by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who renamed him Zedekiah. Zedekiah reigned until the fall of Jerusalem in 597–596 B.C. The name Jeremiah means “God will raise.” Lesson 1
Jericho—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings mentions an area near Jericho, a city on the north shore of the Dead Sea, where King Zedekiah fled with his men in an unsuccessful attempt to escape the Babylonians. This ended the siege of Jerusalem and brought about the fall of the southern kingdom of Judah 597–596 B.C. The word Jericho is thought to mean “fragrant” or “moon.” (A map showing the location of Jericho is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Jeroboam—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings records how King Jeroboam, the son of the Ephraimite Nebat, became the first ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel. A servant of Solomon in charge of the forced labor of the house of Joseph, Jeroboam reigned over 10 of the tribes of Israel (Reuben, Simon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, and Manasseh) from 931 to 910 B.C. The two tribes of Judah and Benjamin made up the southern kingdom of Judah, which was ruled from 931 to 913 B.C. by King Solomon’s son, King Rehoboam, and members of the tribe of Levi were scattered throughout both the northern and southern kingdoms. Jeroboam repeatedly is criticized in Scripture for setting up worship centers in Dan and Bethel to compete with the Temple in Jerusalem. The name Jeroboam means “the people contend” or “his people are many.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Jerusalem—Throughout most of the Old Testament, the descendants of Jacob recognize Jerusalem as their religious center. Originally a Jebusite stronghold, Jerusalem was conquered by David, who made it his capital city. The city and Temple were destroyed by the Babylonians in 587–586 B.C. and later rebuilt after the Persian ruler Cyrus in 538 B.C. allowed the captives to return to their homeland from Babylon. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem is referred to as the Holy City, Zion, city of Zion, or city of David. The name Jerusalem means “city of peace.” (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 1–4, 6–7, 9, 11–12, 14–18, 20–21, 23
Jeshua—Jeshua is the English transliteration of the Hebrew name Yeshua found in some translations of the Old Testament. Its English spelling is Joshua. The English spelling of the Greek transliteration (Iesous) is Jesus. Jeshua the son of Nun referred to in the Book of Nehemiah usually is called Joshua, Moses’ successor who led the descendants of Jacob into the land of Canaan. The names Jeshua, Joshua, and Jesus all mean “God is salvation.” Lesson 12
Jesus—Throughout the New Testament, Christians recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, although his eternal kingdom turns out not to be quite what God’s people were expecting. The name Jesus is derived from the name Jeshua or Joshua and means “God saves” or “God delivers.” Lessons 20–23
Jews—People who practice Judaism, the religion founded on traditional Hebrew worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are Jews. Judaism developed after the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 587–586 B.C., which is when the term Jews began to be used. Prior to that, God’s people were identified by other names. Judahite is the correct way to describe members of the tribe of Judah. Descendants of Jacob who worshiped the God of their ancestors before the Babylonian Exile are properly identified as either Hebrews (descendants of Eber) or Israelites (descendants of Jacob/Israel). Those who worshiped the God described in the early chapters of the book of Genesis are properly identified as Hebrews (descendants of Eber). Significant biblical figures prior to the time of Eber (Adam and Eve, for example) can be referred to as early ancestors of the Hebrews. The use of the term Israelites only is valid after the time of Jacob/Israel. Lessons 2, 17–21
Joakim—The deuterocanonical thirteenth chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Joakim as the husband of Susanna, a righteous woman who is rescued by Daniel after being wrongly accused of immoral behavior. The name Joakim means “lifted by God.” Lesson 19
Joarib—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Joarib as an ancestor of the priest Mattathias in the line of descendants of Aaron (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). Mattathias was father of Judas Maccabeus who led of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Joarib means “God pleads” or “God contends.” Lesson 17
Joel/Book of Joel—A book of biblical prophecy that emphasizes the call to repentance and the inevitable day of the LORD, two themes that have led to its liturgical use by Christians during the penitential season of Lent. The prophet’s name of Joel means “the LORD is God.” Lessons 15, 20
Johanan—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Johanan as one of the accomplices of Ishmael, who attacked and killed Gedaliah at Mizpah. Gedaliah had been appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. Ishmael was in the line of the royal family of David. The name Johanan, which derives from the name John, means “God is gracious.” Lesson 2
John (Gospel According to)—Scholars generally consider this Fourth Gospel in the New Testament to be more theological than the synoptic Gospels According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It contains a large amount of significant material not found in the other three Gospels. The name John means “God is gracious.” Lessons 20–21
John (father of Eupolemus)—The eighth chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees names John’s son Eupolemus as one of two deputies sent to Rome by Judas Maccabeus to ask the Romans for assistance against the Greeks who had been persecuting Judea. Scholars speculate that Eupolemus and the historian of that name are the same person. The name John means “God is gracious.” Lesson 17
John (father of Mattathias)—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies a man named John as the grandfather of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name John means “God is gracious.” Lesson 17
John Gaddi—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies John Gaddi as the eldest son of the priest Mattathias and a brother of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name John means “God is gracious,” while Gaddi means “my happiness.” Lesson 17
John of Patmos—In the first chapter in the book of Revelation, the author identifies himself as a man named John, who many scholars believe is the same author who wrote the Gospel According to John. A large number of distinctive images from the Fourth Gospel appear in the final book of the New Testament. The name John means “God is gracious.” (A map showing the location of Patmos is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
John the Baptist—The first chapter in the Gospel According to John emphasizes the role in salvation history played by Jesus’ cousin, John—referred to in the synoptic Gospels According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke as “John the Baptist.” Born into the line of the inherited priesthood, John is considered a prophet because of his actions that insistently point to Jesus as the Messiah. The name John means “God is gracious.” Lessons 20–21
Jonah/Book of Jonah—While the Book of Jonah 3:4 is the only verse of prophecy found in this biblical work—and, surprisingly, that prophecy is addressed to the Assyrians, political enemies of God’s people—the work remains inspirational and valuable because it emphasizes that it is possible for anyone to be forgiven by God. The name of the reluctant prophet who is the title character, Jonah, means “dove” or “peace.” Lesson 13
Jonathan Apphus—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Jonathan Apphus as the fifth son of the priest Mattathias and a brother of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Jonathan means “God has given,” while Apphus means “the diplomat.” Lesson 17
Joppa—The first chapter in the Book of Jonah records that Joppa, the chief seaport of Judea, was the location from which the prophet Jonah boarded a ship heading to Tarshish in an effort to avoid responding to God’s call to prophesy to enemies of the descendants of Jacob. Joppa now is part of present-day Tel Aviv. The word Joppa means “beautiful,” while Tel Aviv means “old new land.” (A map showing the location of Joppa is on page 95 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 13
Jordan—The first chapter in the Gospel According to John records that Jesus’ cousin John baptized in the Jordan River, which has its source north of the Sea of Galilee and flows south into the Dead Sea. Because the descendants of Jacob crossed the Jordan River when entering the land of Canaan, the term “crossing the Jordan” sometimes is used as an image of dying and entering the Promised Land of heaven. The word Jordan means “down-flowing.” (A map showing the location of the Jordan River is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 20–21
Joseph—Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, born to the patriarch’s wife Rachel. Joseph had two sons by an Egyptian wife, and their descendants became the two half-tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim and Manasseh were adopted by their grandfather Jacob and so inherited land in Canaan. Both half-tribes joined the northern kingdom of Israel. The name Joseph means “may the LORD add increase,” Ephraim means “fruitful,” and Manasseh means “causing to forget.” Lesson 6
Joshua (son of Jehozadak)—The first chapter in the Book of Haggai and the third chapter in the Book of Zechariah identify Joshua as the son of Jehozadak and a high priest in Jerusalem after the Exiles returned from Babylon. The name Joshua is another form of the names Jeshua and Jesus, all of which mean “God saves” or “God delivers.” Lessons 10–11
Joshua (son of Nun)—The thirty-second chapter in the book of Exodus identifies Joshua as Moses’ aide who led the descendants of Jacob into the land of Canaan. Jeshua is the English transliteration of the Hebrew name Yeshua found in some translations of the Old Testament. Its English spelling is Joshua. The English spelling of the Greek transliteration (Iesous) is Jesus. The names Jeshua, Joshua, and Jesus all mean “God is salvation.” Also see Jeshua. Lesson 21
Josiah—The first chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch identifies King Josiah as ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah from 640 to 608 B.C. King Josiah is considered one of that nation’s greatest rulers. During the reign of King Jeroboam in the northern kingdom of Israel from 931 to 910 B.C., King Josiah’s good deeds were prophesied by an unnamed prophet. The name Josiah means “God supports” or “God heals.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 9
Josiah (son of Zephaniah)—The sixth chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies Josiah as the son of Zephaniah. Josiah had been holding the silver and gold used to make a crown for the high priest Jehozadak, who was crowned after the exiles had been allowed to return from Babylon by Cyrus in 538 B.C. The name Josiah means “God supports” or “God heals.” Lesson 11
Judah/land of Judah—The twenty-ninth through thirty-fifth chapters in the book of Genesis describe details in the life of Judah, fourth of the 12 sons of Jacob. Geographically, Judah refers to territory in the land of Canaan settled by the tribe of Judah. After the death of Solomon, the 10 tribes split away from the united kingdom. The southern kingdom, made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, took the name Judah. It fell to the Babylonians in 587–586 B.C. The land of Judah refers to this geographical region. (A map showing the territory of Israel and Judah prior to the fall of each kingdom is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) The name Judah means “praise.” Lessons 1–4, 6–7, 9–12, 15–22
Judas Maccabeus—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Judas Maccabeus as the third son of the priest Mattathias. Judas Maccabeus led the Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea and gave his name to the revolt, which lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Judas means “praise,” while Maccabeus is an acronym for the phrase “who is like you among the heavenly powers Lord?” Lesson 17
Judea—The Old Testament First and Second Books of the Maccabees refer to the territory of Judah as Judea, the Greek and Roman word for the former southern kingdom that fell to Babylon in 587–586 B.C. (The Greek spelling of the word, which occasionally appears in some translations and commentary, is Judaea.) From the time that the region came under control of the Seleucid rulers, including the time covered in the New Testament, the region is called Judea. (A map showing Judea and surrounding regions at the time of Jesus is on page 147 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 17, 20

—K—

Kareah—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Kareah as the father of Johanan, one of the accomplices of Ishmael, who attacked and killed Gedaliah at Mizpah. Gedaliah had been appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. Ishmael was in the line of the royal family of David. The name Kareah means “bald head.” Lesson 2
King—In the first chapter in the Book of Malachi, God announces that he is a great King, a title that emphasizes how it is that God would like to be thought of by his people. Lesson 16
King of Jacob—In the second section in the Book of Isaiah attributed to the prophet known as Deutero- or Second Isaiah, the title King of Jacob emphasizes the LORD’s connection to the descendants of Jacob. Lesson 7
King of kings—In the nineteenth chapter in the book of Revelation, the title King of kings is paired with the title Lord of lords and emphasizes Jesus’ superiority to all earthly kings. Lesson 23
King’s Valley—The fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis identifies the King’s Valley as the place where Abram (Abraham) went to meet Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Also called the Valley of Shaveh, the King’s Valley was located near present-day Jerusalem. (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 21
Kittim/land of Kittim—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees mentions the land of Kittim, a reference to the island of Cyprus, as the location from which Alexander the Great launched his campaign against the Persians and the Medes. The word Kittim originally referred to a settlement on the island and later came to mean the entire island of Cyprus. The word since has come to mean “islands.” (A map showing the location of Kittim is on page 121 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 17

—L—

Lamb/Lamb of God—The fifty-third chapter in the Book of Isaiah, one of the Servant Songs written by the author known as Deutero- or Second Isaiah, points to a connection between the prophesied Messiah and the Passover lamb described in the twelfth chapter in the Old Testament book of Exodus. The first chapter in the Gospel According to John uses the image of a Lamb for Jesus, and this is reflected in the image of the Lamb standing as though slain in the fifth chapter in the book of Revelation. Lessons 20–23
Lamentations (Book of)—An Old Testament book of prophecy made up of traditional funeral dirges that describe the sorrow felt by those who were abandoned in the former southern kingdom of Judah after its fall to Babylon in 587–586 B.C. Lesson 4
land of delight—in the second chapter in the Book of Malachi, the prophet describes the dwelling place of God’s people as a potential land of delight if only they will follow the LORD’s statutes. Lesson 16
land of exile—This term, used in the Book of Baruch, refers to Babylon. Lesson 9
land of the living—Rather than a geographic location, the term land of the living is used to poetically describe being alive physically. It appears in prophecy regarding God’s suffering servant in the fifty-third chapter in the Book of Isaiah. Lesson 8
land of the north—This term, which appears in the second chapter in the Book of Zechariah, is thought by most scholars to refer to Babylon. Lesson 11
land of your enemies—This term is used by the author of the Book of Baruch to describe Babylon. Lesson 9
Laodicea—The second and third chapters in the apocalyptic New Testament book of Revelation identify Laodicea as a city in Asia Minor that was the location of one of the seven churches to receive a letter dictated by Jesus to John of Patmos. The other six churches were at Ephesus, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna, and Thyatira. (A map showing the location of all seven churches is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
law of Moses—In the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel, the term law of Moses refers to the entire collection of written laws attributed to Moses in the Pentateuch, the first five books in the Old Testament (the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Lessons 12, 19
Levi—The twenty-ninth through thirty-fifth chapters in the book of Genesis record events in the life of Levi, the third of the 12 sons of Jacob. The name Levi means “joined in harmony.” Also see covenant of Levi and sons of Levi. Lessons 16, 20–21
Levites—The thirty-second chapter in the book of Exodus describes the Levites slaughtering their kinsmen to defend God’s honor after the disastrous incident involving worship of the golden calf. It was after this that the Levites were given responsibility for care of the tabernacle. Only descendants of Aaron in the tribe of Levites were assigned the inherited duties of the priesthood. The forty-fourth chapter of the Book of Ezekiel records that the Levites abandoned God to worship idols, and the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah mention that Levites were among those who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Exile. The first chapter of the Gospel According to John distinguishes Levites from priests in the group of people going out to the wilderness to question John (called John the Baptist in the synoptic Gospels According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The name Levi means “joined in harmony.” (Lessons 5, 12, 20–21
Levitical priests/ Levitical priesthood—In the Book of Ezekiel and the Letter to the Hebrews, the terms Levitical priests and Levitical priesthood may indicate either the descendants of Aaron (Letter to the Hebrews) or descendants of Zadok (Book of Ezekiel) who inherit priestly duties, something that was not open to all members of the tribe of Levi. Lessons 5, 21
Libnah—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Libnah as the home of the father of Hamutal, who was the mother of King Jehoahaz and King Zedekiah. King Jehoahaz ruled the southern kingdom of Judah for a short period of time in 608 B.C. before being imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco and dying in Egypt. In 597 B.C., Mattaniah was installed as ruler of the southern kingdom by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who renamed him Zedekiah. Zedekiah reigned until the fall of Jerusalem in 597–596 B.C. The word Libnah means “whiteness.” (A map showing the location of Libnah is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption. A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13.) Lesson 1
Lion of the tribe of Judah—In the fifth chapter in the book of Revelation, the title Lion of the tribe of Judah emphasizes that the Messiah was born into the line of Judah, something foretold in Old Testament prophecy. Lesson 22
LORD/Lord/God—Throughout the Old Testament a variety of words refer to God. Some translations, including the Revised Standard Version—Second Catholic Edition (RSV2CE) and the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), use small capital letters for LORD to designate Yahweh, the most sacred name of God. The word God is used to designate Elohim, a word that emphasizes the strength of God’s divinity. A third word, Adonai, usually indicated by Lord (regular upper and lowercase letters), also is used as a name for God and refers to God as master. In Turning to God’s Word printed Catholic Bible studies, small capital letters are used when LORD translates Yahweh; because small capital letters are not an option on the website, Turning to God’s Word website materials use all capital letters (LORD) to differentiate Yahweh from Elohim or Adonai. In the New Testament, Lord (regular upper and lowercase letters) is used as a title for Jesus.
Lord of heaven—In the fifth chapter in the Book of Daniel, the title Lord of heaven emphasizes that the Lord is master over things above and beyond human or earthly limitations. Lesson 18
LORD of hosts—Throughout the Old Testament, the title LORD of hosts emphasizes that the LORD is master over the hosts (armies) of heaven. Lessons 2, 10–11, 16, 20–21
Lord of lords—In the nineteenth chapter in the book of Revelation, the title Lord of lords is paired with the title King of kings and emphasizes Jesus’ superiority as Lord and master over all others. Lesson 23
Lord’s day—In the first chapter in the book of Revelation, John of Patmos writes that it was on the Lord’s day when he experienced his apocalyptic vision of heaven. The first and eighth day of the week (Sunday), celebrated by Christians as the day of Jesus’ Resurrection, replaces the Jewish sabbath, celebrated on the seventh day when God rested after creating the world. Lesson 22
Luke (Gospel According to)—The third Gospel in the New Testament shares similarities with the other two synoptic Gospels According to Matthew and Mark but does not contain some material found only in the Gospel According to John. The name Luke means “light.” Lesson 20
Lysias—The fourth chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees mentions that Judas Maccabeus and his followers fought against Lysias, a Seleucid general employed to fight against the Jews in the Maccabean Revolt. The name Lysias means “destroyer.” Lesson 17

—M—

Ma-acathite—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Ja-Azaniah, one of the accomplices of Ishmael who attacked and killed Gedaliah at Mizpah, as an inhabitant of Maacah, a small Syrian kingdom located north of the Sea of Galilee on the western border of Bashan. The name Maacah means “crushed.” Lesson 2
Maccabeus—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Judas Maccabeus as the third son of the priest Mattathias. Judas Maccabeus led the Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea and gave his name to the revolt, which lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter of the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Maccabeus is an acronym for the phrase “who is like you among the heavenly powers Lord?” while Judas means “praise.” Lesson 17
Macedonian—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Alexander the Great’s father Philip as a Macedonian. Macedon (also called Macedonia) was an ancient kingdom that spanned parts of Greece and the Balkan Peninsula. The word Macedonia means “highlanders.” (A map showing the location of Macedon/Macedonia is on page 121 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 17
Magog/land of Magog—The thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel foretells the future defeat of Gog and Magog, a theme that the author of the book of Revelation builds on to describe a final assault by evil forces at the end of time. Gog was the ruler of the land of Magog, a territory far north of the area settled by the descendants of Jacob. It is believed to have been somewhere in present-day Russia. The name Magog means “house of Gog.” The name of its ruler, Gog, means “roof.” (A map showing the location of Magog is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5
Mahseiah—The first chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch identifies Mahseiah as an ancestor of Baruch, who was a scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah. Although Baruch is credited with writing the Book of Baruch, most scholars believe that it probably was written after his lifetime. The name Mahseiah means “God is a shelter.” Lesson 9
Malachi/Book of Malachi—The last prophetic book in the Old Testament, thought by many scholars to have been written shortly after 445 B.C. Little is known about the author, and scholars speculate that the work may have been written by more than one person, with authorship arbitrarily assigned to Malachi—probably on the basis of the meaning of the name, “my messenger.” There is scholarly speculation that the prophetic author or authors might have traveled from Babylon to Jerusalem about the same time as the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Malachi is severe in his indictment of the behavior of the priesthood. Lessons 16, 20
man of God—The second chapter in the First Book of Samuel describes an unnamed man of God visiting the priest Eli at Shiloh and issuing an important Old Testament prophecy concerning God’s plan to raise up a faithful priest. The term man of God occasionally is used in the Old Testament to identify unnamed prophets. Lesson 21
Married—The sixty-second chapter in the Book of Isaiah, a section written by an author called Trito- or Third Isaiah, uses the term Married to describe the union of God’s people with the land. Lesson 14
Master—A title for God that emphasizes his rule over all people. It appears in the thirty-first chapter in the Book of Jeremiah. Also see LORD/Lord/God. Lesson 2
Mattaniah—See Zedekiah (Mattaniah).
Mattathias—The first chapter in the Second Book of the Maccabees identifies Mattathias as the priest who was the father of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Mattathias means “gift of God.” Lesson 17
Matthew (Gospel According to)—This first Gospel in the New Testament shares similarities with the other two synoptic Gospels According to Mark and Luke but does not contain some material found only in the Gospel According to John. The name Matthew means “gift of God.” Lesson 20
Medes—The fifth chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies the Medes and the Persians as the people mentioned in the account of the writing on the wall who will come to rule the kingdom of the Babylonian ruler King Belshazzar. The Medes were inhabitants of Media, an area in eastern Mesopotamia that is part of present-day Iran. Their cities were among the places to which inhabitants of the northern kingdom of Israel were exiled after they were conquered by the Assyrians in 722–721 B.C. (see the seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings). The role of the Medes in history is closely linked with that of the Persians. The word Media, from which the Medes take their name, means “middle island.” Lessons 1, 17–18
Media—The sixth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the province of Media as the location in  where a scroll was found recording Cyrus the Great’s proclamation granting the descendants of Judah permission to return to Judah from Babylon. Scholars believe that under Cyrus’ rule Ecbatana in Media was Babylon’s center of government. When Darius usurped the throne from Cyrus’ heirs, he is known to have moved the center of government but maintained a royal residence in Ecbatana. The word Media means “middle island.” Lesson 10
Melchizedek—Passages in the fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis and Psalm 110 are the only places in the Old Testament that mention Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews bases much of his explanation for the mechanism of Christian salvation on the importance of the priestly order that Jesus shares with Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “my king is righteousness.” Lesson 21
Meraioth—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Meraioth as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Meraioth means “rebellious.” Lesson 12
Meshach—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Meshach as the Babylonian name given to Mishael, one of three Hebrews rescued from death in a fiery furnace by an angel. The name Meshach means “who is what Aku [the Babylonian moon god] is?” while Mishael is another form of the Hebrew name Michael and means “who is like God?” Lesson 18
Meshech—The thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel refers to Meshech, an area in present-day Turkey or Russia that takes its name from one of the sons of Japheth (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis.) The name Meshech means “tall” or “drawn by force.” (A map showing the location of Meshech is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 5
Michael—The twelfth chapter in the Book of Daniel refers to Michael as a great prince, but the mention of his name in this Old Testament apocalyptic vision of heaven makes it likely that the work is describing the archangel named Michael. The twelfth chapter in the book of Revelation refers to an angel Michael leading other angels in a battle against a dragon that represents a threat to humanity. The name Michael is related to the name Mishael; both mean “who is like God?” Lessons 19, 23
Mishael—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Mishael as one of the three companions of Daniel. Mishael was renamed Meshach by the Babylonians. Mishael is another form of the Hebrew name Michael; both mean “who is like God?” while Meshach means “who is what Aku [the Babylonian moon god] is?” Lesson 18
Mizpah—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Mizpah, a city close to the border between the two former kingdoms of Israel and Judah, as the place from which Gedaliah briefly governed the new Babylonian territory after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The third chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees records that the Maccabees prepared for battle at Mizpah. The name Mizpah means “watch tower.” (A map showing the location of Mizpah is on page 20 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 2, 17
Moab/Moabites—The ninth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the Moabites as one of the groups with whom God’s people had intermarried after the Babylonian Exile. The Moabites inhabited an area east of the Dead Sea settled by descendants of Moab, the son of an incestuous union between Lot and Lot’s elder daughter (see the nineteenth chapter in the book of Genesis). Scholars are uncertain about the original meaning of the word Moabites. (A map showing the location of Moab is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 12
Modein—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees records that the Maccabee clan moved from Jerusalem to Modein, a town about 19 miles northwest, in order to avoid witnessing the sacrilege taking place under the Seleucid rulers. The word Modein means “declarers.” (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 17
Moses—References to Moses, a man called by God to lead the descendants of Jacob out of slavery in Egypt, appear throughout Scripture. The book of Exodus describes events in his life. Religious law was given by God to Moses in the form of the 10 Commandments, and Moses foretold that at some future date the LORD would raise up another prophet like him. The name Moses means “to deliver from the water.” Lessons 9, 12, 16, 19, 21
Most High/Most High God/God Most High—In the canticle of Zechariah in the first chapter in the Gospel According to Luke, the title Most High emphasizes the superior nature of God above all other things, especially other gods. In the fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis, Melchizedek is identified as priest of God Most High, and the Book of Daniel frequently refers to the Most High God. Lessons 18–20
Mount Esau—In its strong condemnation of Edom, the Book of Obadiah makes frequent mention of Mount Esau, an elevation located immediately southeast of the Dead Sea near the border between Moab and Edom. The mountain is named for Jacob’s twin brother Esau, which means “hairy,” while Esau’s nickname, Edom, which means “red,” lent its name to the land where Esau settled. (A map showing the location of Mount Esau is on page 47 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 6
Mount Horeb—The fourth chapter in the Book of Malachi recalls that it was at Horeb, a mountain also referred to as Mount Sinai, where God’s people encamped after escaping from Egypt in the Exodus. Mount Horeb traditionally is believed to be located in desert terrain on the Sinai Peninsula, but there is much scholarly debate about that location. The eighteenth chapter in the book of Deuteronomy records that Moses was at Mount Horeb when he promised that God would raise up a future prophet like him. The word Horeb means “glowing heat.” Lessons 16, 21
Mount Zion—The Old Testament makes frequent mention of Mount Zion, the elevation on which Jerusalem is built, and the city of Jerusalem and its temple occasionally are referred to as Zion or Mount Zion. The name Zion means “monument” or “raised up.” (A map showing the location of Mount Zion is on page 35 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 4, 6, 15, 17, 20
My delight is in her—In the sixty-second chapter in the Book of Isaiah, a section written by an author called Trito- or Third Isaiah, My delight is in her is a phrase used to describe the love God has for his people. Lesson 14

—N—

Nathan—The seventh chapter in the Second Book of Samuel contains God’s messianic promise, given through the prophet Nathan, to raise up an eternal king from among King David’s descendants. The name Nathan means “he will give” or “he has given.” Lesson 21
Nebat—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Nebat as the father of King Jeroboam, the first ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel from 931 to 910 B.C. Jeroboam II was the son of the later northern ruler Jehoash. Scholars are uncertain of the meaning of the name Nebat, which is used to distinguish Jeroboam I from his later namesake. Lesson 1
Nebuchadnezzar—The Old Testament makes frequent mention of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon who besieged Jerusalem and conquered the southern kingdom of Judah in 597–586 B.C. Many of the descendants of Jacob living in Judah were forced into exile in Babylon. The name Nebuchadnezzar means “protector against misfortune. “(A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 1–2, 9, 10, 12, 18
Nebuzaradan—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Nebuzaradan as captain of the bodyguards for the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. In connection with the fall of the southern kingdom of Judah in 587–586 B.C., Nebuzaradan was sent by Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem and its temple and to force the inhabitants of Judah into exile. The name Nebuzaradan means “chief butcher” or “Nebo has given seed.” Lesson 1
Negeb/Negev—The Book of Obadiah mentions the Negeb, a region of arid wasteland south of the Dead Sea. The Negeb (Negev is an alternate spelling) includes territory settled by the descendants of Jacob as well as sections of Edom settled by descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau. The Negeb can be differentiated from the region known as the Arabah, which also is located near the Dead Sea only farther north. The name Negeb or Negev comes from a Hebrew word meaning “dry.” (A map showing the location of the Negeb is on page 47 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 6
Nehemiah/Book of Nehemiah—A biblical book of narrative history traditionally thought to have been written by the priest and scribe Ezra. The title character, Nehemiah, was governor of Judea under the Persian ruler Artaxerxes and was instrumental in the initial efforts to resettle Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. His name means “comforter.” The Book of Nehemiah is the second section in a single work that originally included the Book of Ezra and was part of a larger group of biblical writings that took in the First and Second Books of the Chronicles. The name Ezra in Greek is Esdras, and the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah as well as several non-biblical works sometimes are referred to as Books of Esdras. Lesson 12
Nehushta—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Nehushta as the mother of King Jehoiachin, who ruled the southern kingdom of Judah for three months in 597 B.C. The name Nehushta means “resembling copper.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Neraiah—The first chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch identifies Neraiah as the father of Baruch, who was a scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah. Although Baruch is credited with writing the Book of Baruch, most scholars believe that it probably was written after his lifetime. The name Neraiah means “God’s lamp.” Lesson 9
Nergal—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Nergal as an idol worshiped by the people of Cuth as a god of war and scorched earth. The name Nergal means “lion.” Lesson 1
Nethaniah—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Nethaniah as the father of Ishmael in the royal family of David. Ishmael, along with 10 men, attacked and killed Gedaliah at Mizpah. Gedaliah had been appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The name Nethaniah means “gift of God.” Lesson 2
Netophathite—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Tanhumeth, father of one of Gedaliah’s assassins, as a Netophathite, an inhabitant of the village of Netophah about three miles south of Jerusalem. The name Netophah means “distillation” or “dropping.” (A map showing the location of the Jerusalem is on page 20 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 2
Nibhaz—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Nibhaz as an idol in the form of a demon dog worshiped by the Avvites. The word Nibhaz means “to bark.” Lesson 1
Nineveh—The first chapter in the Book of Jonah identifies Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as the place God instructed the reluctant prophet Jonah to go and preach a message of repentance. The word Nineveh means “house of fish.” (A map showing the location of Nineveh is on page 95 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 13
Nun—The eighth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah mentions Nun as the father of Jeshua, another name for Joshua. Joshua/Jeshua was the successor of Moses who led the descendants of Jacob into the land of Canaan. The name Nun means “offspring” or “prosperity.” Lesson 12

—O—

Obadiah (Book of)—This biblical work, the shortest book in the Old Testament, consists of prophecy addressed to the descendants of Jacob’s twin brother Esau rather than to the descendants of Jacob. Esau’s descendants made up the nation of Edom. Little information is available about the author of the Book of Obadiah. The name Obadiah means “servant of God.” Lesson 6
Onias—The fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Maccabees identifies Onias (Onias III) as the high priest whose brother Jason offered Antiochus Epiphanes a bribe in order to secure the high priesthood for himself. The name Onias means “gift of God.” Lesson 17
order of Aaron—The seventh chapter in the Letter to the Hebrews mentions the priestly order of Aaron, the elder brother of Moses who was anointed the first high priest of the descendants of Jacob (see the thirty-second chapter in the book of Exodus). Moses and Aaron were descendants of Jacob’s third son Levi. The name Aaron means “lofty” or “exalted.” Lesson 21
order of Melchizedek—The seventh chapter in the Letter to the Hebrews describes the priestly order of Melchizedek, but the fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis and Psalm 110 are the only places in the Old Testament that mention Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews bases much of his explanation for the mechanism of Christian salvation on the importance of the priestly order that Jesus shares with Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “my king is righteousness.” Lesson 21

—P—

Patmos—In the first chapter in the book of Revelation, the author identifies himself as a man named John who is on Patmos, a small island in the Aegean Sea that served as a Roman penal colony. John writes that he has been consigned there “on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” The word Patmos means “to step upon.” (A map showing the location of Patmos is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
Pergamum—The second and third chapters in the apocalyptic New Testament book of Revelation identify Pergamum as a city in Asia Minor that was the location of one of the seven churches to receive a letter dictated by Jesus to John of Patmos. The other six churches were at Ephesus, Laodicea, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna, and Thyatira. (A map showing the location of all seven churches is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
Perizzites—The ninth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the Perizzites as one of the groups with whom God’s people had intermarried after the Babylonian Exile. Inhabitants of the land of Canaan before it was settled by descendants of Jacob, the Perizzites originally occupied territory west of the Jordan River and north of the Dead Sea in land that had been allotted to the tribe of Manasseh and the half-tribe of Ephraim. Although the Perizzites often are considered to be identical to the Amorites, many scholars believe the term Perizzites, which means “rural person,” only was used to describe Canaanites who did not live in cities. Lesson 12
Persia/Persians—In the thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet lists Persia among the nations who are enemies of the descendants of Jacob. The Book of Ezra, the First and Second Books of the Maccabees, and the Book of Daniel also make reference to Persia, a region of southwestern Asia that corresponds to present-day Iran, and to its inhabitants the Persians. Persia began to dominate the ancient world after Cyrus the Great came into power in 550 B.C. The Persians held sway until 330 B.C. when they were conquered by Alexander the Great and came under Greek control. The name Persia means “land of the horses.” Lessons 5, 10, 12, 17–18
Peter—In the second chapter in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter, the disciple of Jesus who became leader of the early Church, quotes Old Testament prophecy in his first homily.  Peter originally was called Simon (which means “listen”), but he later was renamed Peter by Jesus. The name Peter means “rock.” Lesson 20
Pethuel—The first chapter in the Book of Joel identifies Pethuel as the father of the prophet Joel. The name Pethuel means “mouth of God.” Lesson 15
Pharaoh—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings refers to Pharaoh, a title given to rulers in Egypt. Pharaohs held power equivalent to that of kings. In the second chapter in the First Book of Samuel, the unnamed prophet sent to Eli at Shiloh refers to the LORD’s rescue of the descendants of Jacob from the power of Pharaoh in Egypt. The word Pharaoh means “ruler.” Lessons 1, 21
Pharisees—The first chapter in the Gospel According to John identifies Pharisees as the group that had sent priests and Levites to question John (called the Baptist in the synoptic Gospels According to Matthew, Mark and Luke). These Jewish leaders—primarily rabbis—emphasized strict adherence to the law of Moses. They and the Sadducees—primarily priests—were the two dominant religious groups controlling Judaism at the time of Jesus. Although often in disagreement, both groups are described in the Gospels as opposing Jesus’ popularity. The word Pharisees means “one who is separated.” The word Sadducees reflects that group’s association with the priestly family of Zadok. Lessons 20–21
Philadelphia—The second and third chapters in the apocalyptic New Testament book of Revelation identify Philadelphia as a city in Asia Minor that was the location of one of the seven churches to receive a letter dictated by Jesus to John of Patmos. The other six churches were at Ephesus, Laodicea, Pergamum, Sardis, Smyrna, and Thyatira. (A map showing the location of all seven churches is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
Philip—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Philip as the father of Alexander the Great. Alexander inherited his father’s Macedonian Empire and built it into a dominant power that was responsible for spreading Greek culture throughout the ancient world. The name Philip means “horse lover.” Lesson 17
Philistia/Philistines/land of the Philistines—The third chapter in the Book of Joel identifies Philistia as a coastal region along the Mediterranean Sea. The area sometimes also called the land of the Philistines. Its inhabitants were coastal peoples or “sea peoples” descended from Noah (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis). The Book of Obadiah identifies the Philistines as enemies of the descendants of Jacob. In the present day, the word Philistine has come to mean a person who is indifferent or even hostile to culture and the arts. (A map showing the location of Philistia is on page 47 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) The name Palestine derives from the word Philistia. Lessons 6, 15
Phinehas (ancestor of Ezra)—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Phinehas as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and grandson of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Phinehas means “bronze-colored one.” Lesson 12
Phinehas (son of Eli)—In the second chapter in the First Book of Samuel, an unnamed prophet visits the priest Eli at Shiloh to announce God’s plan to raise up a faithful priest after first destroying the wicked priests in Eli’s line, beginning with his sons Hophni and Phinehas (no relation to the ancestor of Ezra). The name Phinehas means “bronze-colored one.” Lesson 21
Phoenicia—The Book of Obadiah identifies Phoenicia, a collection of  independent city-states located along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, as an enemy of the descendants of Jacob. The Phoenicians were highly regarded as sailors. The name Phoenicia means “purple,” “blood red,” or “date palm.” (A map showing the location of Phoenicia is on page 47 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 6
Pit—In the second chapter in the Book of Jonah, the prophet refers to the abyss or abode of the dead as the Pit. Hebrew tradition also calls the abode of the dead Sheol, while the Greeks and Romans referred to it as Hades. Lesson 13
plain of Dura—The third chapter in the Book of Daniel mentions the plain of Dura. This area, sometimes called a valley, is located southeast of Babylon. (A map showing the location of the plain of Dura is on page 131 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 18
plains of Jericho—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings mentions the an area near Jericho, a city on the north shore of the Dead Sea, where King Zedekiah fled with his men in an unsuccessful attempt to escape the Babylonians. This ended the siege of Jerusalem and brought about the fall of the southern kingdom of Judah in 597–596 B.C. The word Jericho is thought to mean “fragrant” or “moon.” (A map showing the location of the plains of Jericho is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Presence—In the first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees, Antiochus is described taking the table for the bread of the Presence from the Second Temple, which had been rebuilt by the former captives after they returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. Presence is a title that emphasizes the existence of God at a particular location. Lesson 17
Psalm 110—This Psalm is one of two places in the Old Testament that records a mention of Melchizedek. The other is the fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis. The author of the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews relies on these Old Testament passages to explain the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. Lesson 21
Ptolemy—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Ptolemy as an enemy of Antiochus Epiphanes. An earlier Ptolemy, one of generals who in 323 B.C. inherited a portion of the vast empire of Alexander the Great, established the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled until it was conquered by Rome in 30 B.C. In the meantime, the Seleucid rulers emerged in control of the north. Both vied for control of Judea, which was caught in the middle. The word Ptolemy means “warlike.” Lesson 17
Put—The thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel identifies Put among the enemies of the descendants of Jacob. Put was the third son of Ham and a grandson of Noah (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis). The land of Put is identified with present-day Libya. Warriors from Put were associated with the Egyptians. The meaning of the name Put is unknown, though some scholars suggest it may mean “gift” or “giver.” (A map showing the location of the land of Put is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5

—Q—

—R—

Rahab—In the fifty-first chapter in the Book of Isaiah, Rahab refers to a sea monster (not to be confused with the prostitute Rahab from Jericho who assists the Israelites in the second chapter in the Book of Joshua). The name Rahab comes from Egyptian roots and means “insolence” or “pride.” Lesson 7
Redeemer—In the second and third sections in the Book of Isaiah attributed to the prophets known as Deutero-Isaiah (Second Isaiah) and Trito-Isaiah (Third Isaiah), respectively, the title Redeemer emphasizes the role that the LORD plays in regard to the people of Israel. Lessons 7, 14
Revelation (book of)—This final book of the New Testament contains apocalyptic writing based on Old Testament prophecies. Many compelling images associated with the Gospel According to John appear in the book of Revelation as well. Scholars disagree about whether the author of this book, John of Patmos, also is the author of the Fourth Gospel. Lesson 22–23
Riblah—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Riblah, a city in the kingdom of Hamath northeast of territory settled by the descendants of Jacob, as the place where the sons of  King Zedekiah were put to death after the fall of Jerusalem in 597–596 B.C. The name Riblah means “fruitful” or “giver of life.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
River—The Books of Ezra and Zechariah use the Euphrates River in western Asia as a common geographic point of reference. Also see Beyond the River. (A map showing the location of the Euphrates River is on page 29 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 11–12
Rome/Romans—The First and Second Books of the Maccabees describe the beginnings of involvement by Rome and Romans in Judea. The acronym Eat A Big Purple Grape (Egypt–Assyria–Babylon–Persia–Greece) can be helpful in remembering the chronological order of the dominant powers in the geopolitical world of the Old Testament. Handy as this acronym is, however, it fails to include Rome, the final world power in biblical times. The city of Rome gave its name to the Roman Republic, which traditionally is considered to have begun in 509 B.C., and to the Roman Empire, which replaced the Roman Republic in 27 B.C. The name Rome is related to the name of Romulus, the legendary founder and first king of the city. (A map showing the location of Rome is on page 121 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 17
Root of David—In the fifth chapter in the book of Revelation, the title Root of David emphasizes that the Messiah was born into the line of King David, something foretold by Old Testament prophets. Lesson 22.

—S—

Sabeans—In the third chapter in the Book of Joel, the Sabeans are mentioned as inhabitants of a kingdom in southern Africa where God will at some future time allow his disobedient people to be enslaved. Some scholars consider Saba to be synonymous with Sheba, which in turn is identified with Ethiopia, a region also known as Cush. The name Saba means “morning breeze.” (A map showing the location of Cush is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 15
Salem—The fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis identifies Salem as an ancient city-state ruled by Melchizedek, a king and priest of God Most High. Salem is thought to have been located on the site of what later became the city of Jerusalem. The name Salem means “peace.” (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 21
Samaria/land of Samaria/Samaritans—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Samaria as the capital of the former northern kingdom of Israel. After the fall of the northern kingdom in 722–721 B.C., Samaria and the term land of Samaria began to be used refer to the entire territory that had been inhabited by the 10 northern tribes. When describing events prior to the fall of the northern kingdom, the word Samaritans refers to inhabitants of the capital city. After 722–721 B.C., the same word Samaritans refers to anyone living in the territory of the former kingdom. The name Samaria means “a watch mountain.” (A map showing the territory of Israel—territory later called Samaria—and Judah prior to the fall of each kingdom is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 1, 6
Sanballat—The fourth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah identifies Sanballat as one opposed to the seeing the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt by former captives who returned from Babylon in 583. B.C. Sanballat was a regional governor in the region of Samaria at the time. The name Sanballat means “hatred in secret.” Tobiah was governor east of the Jordan River at the time, and his name means “God is good.” Lesson 12
Sardis—The second and third chapters in the apocalyptic New Testament book of Revelation identify Sardis as a city in Asia Minor that was the location of one of the seven churches to receive a letter dictated by Jesus to John of Patmos. The other six churches were at Ephesus, Laodicea, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Smyrna, and Thyatira. (A map showing the location of all seven churches is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
Satan—In the third chapter in the Book of Zechariah, Satan is depicted as an accuser or legal adversary. A personification of evil, Satan frequently is portrayed as an angel banished from heaven for refusing to serve God. The name Satan means “adversary.” Lesson 11
Saul—In the seventh chapter in the Second Book of Samuel, the attitude of God toward the future Messiah is contrasted with God’s past attitude toward Saul, the first king to rule over all of the descendants of Jacob. The name Saul means “inquired of God.” Lesson 21
Savior—In the second section in the Book of Isaiah attributed to the prophet known as Deutero- or Second Isaiah, the title Savior emphasizes the role that the LORD plays in regard to the people of Israel. Lessons 7, 9
Seba—In the forty-third chapter in the Book of Isaiah, a section attributed to the prophet known as Deutero- or Second Isaiah, Seba is listed with Ethiopia and Egypt as places God is willing to give as ransom for the descendants of Jacob. Seba was one of the sons of Cush and a great-grandson of Noah. The land of Seba was located in northeast Africa. The name Seba means “drunkard.” (A map showing the location of Cush is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 7
Second Book of Samuel—This second of two books of historical narrative examines events in the lives of the prophet Samuel and the three kings—Saul, David, and Solomon—who ruled over all of the descendants of Jacob in the united kingdom. Lesson 21
Second Book of the Kings—The Second Book of the Kings is one of two books of the Old Testament that deal with rulers and prophets in the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The First and Second Books of the Kings cover the rule of Solomon until the Babylonian Exile. The First and Second Books of the Chronicles present a similar history but focus on the southern kingdom and the importance of the line of Judah. Lessons 1–2
Second Book of the Maccabees—The second of two books of historical narrative that examine events around the time of the Maccabean Revolt. Because these are two separate descriptions of the period rather than a sequential account, they can be somewhat difficult to follow. The First and Second Books of the Maccabees are included in Catholic translations of the Old Testament but are not accepted as canonical by Protestants (see Catholic and Protestant Bibles for more information). Lesson 17
Seleucus (I Nicator)—The first chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Seleucus (I Nicator) as one of generals who in 323 B.C. inherited a portion of the vast empire of Alexander the Great. After some infighting, the Seleucid rulers (descendants of Seleucus I Nicator) emerged with a firm grip on the area north of Judea while Egypt and the area to the south was under the control of Ptolemy rulers. Both vied for control of Judea, which was caught in the middle. The word Seleucid means “bright light.” Lesson 17
Sepharad—The Book of Obadiah mentions Sepharad, an uncertain biblical location. Spanish Jews gave the name Sepharad to the Iberian Peninsula, which has led to Sepharad being identified with present-day Spain. The word Sepharad means “boundary.” Lesson 6
Sepharvaim/Sepharvites—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Avva as one of five conquered kingdoms whose people were brought in to settle in the northern kingdom of Israel after it fell to Assyria 722–721 B.C. At that time, the region began to be known as Samaria. The name Sepharvaim means “the two book towns.” Lesson 1
Seraiah (father of Ezra)—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies the father of the prophet and scribe Ezra as Seraiah in the priestly line of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies a chief priest in Jerusalem by the name of Seraiah who was executed after the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar conquered the southern kingdom of Judah in 587–586 B.C. Some scholars suggest that these are the same man. The name Seraiah means “soldier of the LORD.” Lessons 1, 12
Seraiah (son of Tanhumeth)—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Seraiah, the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, as one of the accomplices of Ishmael, who attacked and killed Gedaliah at Mizpah. Gedaliah had been appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. Ishmael was in the line of the royal family of David. The name Seraiah means “soldier of the LORD.” Lesson 2
Shadrach—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Shadrach as the Babylonian name given to Hananiah, one of three Hebrews rescued from death in a fiery furnace by an angel. The name Shadrach means “command of Aku [the Babylonian moon god],” while Hananiah means “compassion of God.” Lesson 18
Shallum—The thirty-second chapter in the Book of Jeremiah identifies Shallum as the uncle of the prophet Jeremiah. In the seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra, a person of the same name is included in a list of ancestors of the priest and scribe Ezra. Shallum was the father of Hilkiah, a priest in Jerusalem during the time in which King Josiah ruled the southern kingdom of Judah from 640–603 B.C. Hilkiah is credited with finding a lost copy of the book of the law (probably an early version of the book of Deuteronomy) in the Temple. The name Shallum means “retribution.” Lessons 2, 9, 12
Shalmaneser—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Shalmaneser (IV) as the king of Assyria who invaded the northern kingdom of Israel and sent its people into exile in 722–721 B.C. The name Shalmaneser means “peace” or “chained.” Lesson 1
Shaphan—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Shaphan as the grandfather of Gedaliah, who was appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The name Shaphan means “rock badger.” Lesson 2
Shaveh—The fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis identifies the Valley of Shaveh as the place near Jerusalem where Abram (Abraham) went to meet Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. The word Shaveh means “the plain” or “that makes equality.” (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 21
Shealtiel—The first chapter in the Book of Haggai identifies Shealtiel as father of Zerubbabel, the Persian-appointed governor of Judah in the royal line of David. The name Shealtiel means “asked of God.” Lesson 10
Shebat—This eleventh month on the Jewish liturgical calendar coincides with parts of the winter months of January and February on the Gregorian calendar. The first chapter in the Book of Zechariah mentions Shebat (also called Shevat) as the month in which God called the prophet. During the Exile, the captives adopted the names of the months for their Jewish calendar from those used on the Babylonian calendar. Lesson 11
Shecaniah—The tenth chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Shecaniah as the person who admitted to Ezra that the former captives had broken faith with God by marrying foreign wives. Shecaniah encouraged Ezra to restore the Israelites to right relationship with the LORD. The name Shecaniah means “one intimate with God.” Lesson 12
Sheol—The second chapter in the Book of Jonah mentions Sheol, the abode of the dead that is similar to Hades, the Greek name for the same concept. Although sometimes now considered synonymous with the Christian idea of hell, neither Hades nor Sheol originally were considered places of punishment. The word Sheol means “sought” or “asked for.” Lesson 13
Shephelah—The Book of Obadiah promises that the inhabitants of the Shephelah will possess the land  of Shephelah, a region of sloping hills located between the Judean Mountains and the plain adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. The name Shephelah means “lowlands.” Lesson 6
Shinar/land of Shinar—The first chapter in the Book of Daniel refers to Babylon as the land of Shinar, a location in southern Mesopotamia commonly believed to have been the site of the tower of Babel (see the eleventh chapter in the book of Genesis). Scholars are uncertain about the original meaning of the word Shinar. Lesson 18
Shittim—The third chapter in the Book of Joel refers to Shittim, an area in the plains of Moab immediately east of the Jordan River and at the north end of the Dead Sea. It was at Shittim where the descendants of Jacob encamped before entering the land of Canaan. There is scholarly dispute about the location of the valley of Shittim. The name Shittim is related to the Hebrew word meaning “acacia trees.” Lesson 15
Sidon—The third chapter in the Book of Joel foretells that God will punish the two cities of Tyre and Sidon, major Phoenician seaports, for their treatment of the descendants of Jacob. Sidon was coastal city north of Judea in present-day Lebanon. The word Sidon means “fishery.” (A map showing the location of Sidon is on page 109 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 15
Simeon—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Simeon as the great-grandfather of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. This Simeon is not to be confused with the son of Jacob by the same name. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Simeon means “obedient.” Lesson 17
Simon Thassi—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Simon Thassi as the second son of the priest Mattathias and a brother of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Simon means “listen,” while Thassi means “guide” or “zealous.” Lesson 17
Sivan—This third month on the Jewish calendar coincides with parts of May and June on the Gregorian calendar. Sivan is mentioned in the first chapter of the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch as the month in which Baruch returned to Judah the sacred vessels taken when the Babylonians destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. During the Exile, the captives adopted the names of the months for their Jewish calendar from those used on the Babylonian calendar. Lesson 9
Smyrna—The second and third chapters in the apocalyptic New Testament book of Revelation identify Smyrna as a city in Asia Minor that was the location of one of the seven churches to receive a letter dictated by Jesus to John of Patmos. The other six churches were at Ephesus, Laodicea, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Sardis, and Thyatira. (A map showing the location of all seven churches is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
So—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings indicates that King Hoshea, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel from approximately 732 until its fall in 722–721 B.C., unsuccessfully attempted to persuade the Egyptian pharaoh So to enter into an alliance with Judah against Assyria. The name So means “gift of God.” Lesson 1
Sodom—An ancient city-state on the southern shore of the Dead Sea. It is mentioned in the first book in the Old Testament along with Gomorrah as one of two locations destroyed by God because of the wickedness of its inhabitants, and its name has come to mean a place of vice or corruption. The fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis records that the king of Sodom was present in Abram’s (Abraham’s) meeting with Melchizedek, the king of Salem. Lesson 21
Solomon—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings mentions Solomon as the one responsible for construction of the first Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon was the second son born to David and Bathsheba. In 970 B.C., Solomon succeeded his father David as ruler over all of the descendants of Jacob. Upon his death about 40 years later, the 10 northern tribes split off to form the kingdom of Israel, while David’s descendants continued to rule over the remaining two tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the southern kingdom of Judah. The name Solomon means “peace.” Lesson 1
Son/Son of God—When capitalized in Old Testament, Son refers to the Messiah. When capitalized in the New Testament, it refers to Jesus, who is considered by Christians to be the Son of God and the Messiah of Old Testament prophecy. Lessons 20–21
son of man/Son of man—When son of man is lower-cased in the Old Testament Books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Daniel, the term emphasizes the distinction between mortals and God. When Son of man is capitalized in the New Testament book of Revelation, it continues to emphasize the distinction between mortals and God, but by repeating the way the title is used in the Gospel According to John, the book of Revelation points to the Son of God being both human and divine. Lessons 3, 5, 14, 19, 22
sons of Elam—Sons is a term often used in Scripture to describe groups of people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the tenth chapter in the Book of Ezra, sons of Elam refers to descendants of Elam, a son of Shem and grandson of Noah (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis). Lesson 10
sons of Israel—Sons is a term often used in Scripture to describe groups of people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. Readers who encounter the term sons of Israel in Scripture should pause to determine from context whether the author of the particular work intended sons of Israel to refer to descendants of all 12 of the tribes of Jacob, to descendants of the 10 tribes who had inhabited the former northern kingdom of Israel, or to descendants of the two tribes who had inhabited the former southern kingdom of Judah. Lessons 3, 5, 12, 19–20, 22–23
sons of Jacob—Sons is a term often used in Scripture to describe groups of people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the third chapter in the Book of Malachi, the prophet appears to be addressing his remarks to inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem who have returned from Babylon, suggesting that the term sons of Jacob is intended to refer to descendants of Jacob who now identify as Jews and practice the religion of Judaism. Theoretically, this might include any of the descendants of Jacob, but in all probability mostly would apply to members of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Lesson 16
sons of Joarib—Sons is a term often used in Scripture to describe groups of people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Joarib as an ancestor of the priest Mattathias in the line of descendants of Aaron (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). Mattathias was father of Judas Maccabeus who led the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The name Joarib means “God pleads” or “God contends.” Lesson 17
sons of Levi—Sons is a term often used in Scripture to describe groups of people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the thirty-second chapter in the book of Exodus, sons of Levi refers to all of the sons of Levi and describes how they came to be appointed to serve God. In the third chapter in the Book of Malachi, however, the term is applied to the sons of Aaron, who are the only descendants of Levi eligible for the inherited priesthood. Lessons 16, 20–21
sons of Zadok—Sons is a term often used in Scripture to describe groups of people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the forty-fourth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel, sons of Zadok refers to members of the hereditary priesthood. The name Zadok means “just” or “righteous.” Lesson 5
Spirit—Throughout the Old Testament, Spirit, a word related to breathing and inspiration, is capitalized to refer to the soul or essence of God. In the New Testament, the Trinitarian nature of God’s Spirit is emphasized by referring to it as the Holy Spirit. Lessons 3, 5, 8, 10–11, 14, 20–23
Succoth-Benoth—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Succoth-Benoth as a female idol worshiped by the Babylonians. The name Succoth-Benoth means “tents of daughters.” Lesson 1
Sud—The first chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch suggests that Sud was a river in Babylon, but scholars have been unable to confirm this. The name Sud may mean “waterway”   or possibly “secret.” Lesson 9
Susanna—The deuterocanonical thirteenth chapter in the Book of Daniel identifies Susanna as a righteous woman who is rescued by Daniel after being wrongly accused of immoral behavior. The name Susanna means “lily.” Lesson 19

—T—

Tanhumeth—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Tanhumeth the Netophathite as the father of Seraiah, one of the accomplices of Ishmael, who attacked and killed Gedaliah at Mizpah. Gedaliah had been appointed governor of the territory of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. Ishmael was in the line of the royal family of David. The name Tanhumeth means “consolation” or “comfort.” Lesson 2
Tarshish—The first chapter in the Book of Jonah records that it was to Tarshish, a Phoenician seaport located in present-day Spain, that the prophet sailed when he sought to escape God’s instructions to prophesy to the Assyrians in Nineveh. The name Tarshish means “seacoast” or “shatter.” Lesson 13
Tartak—The seventeenth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies Tartak as an idol worshiped by the Avvites. The name Tartak means “prince of darkness.” Lesson 1
Teman—The Book of Obadiah records that the mighty men of Teman will be dismayed when God takes action against Edom. Teman was a grandson of Esau, and his descendants make up an Edomite clan of that name (see the thirty-sixth chapter in the book of Genesis). Teman also was used in biblical times to indicate the direction south (see the third chapter in Book of Habakkuk). The name Teman means “on the right hand.” (A map showing the location of Edom is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 6
Thassi—The second chapter in the First Book of the Maccabees identifies Simon Thassi as the second son of the priest Mattathias and a brother of Judas Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule in Judea. The revolt lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. The Maccabees were in the priestly line of the sons of Joarib (see the fourth chapter in the First Book of the Chronicles). They eventually founded the Hasmonean dynasty and governed Judea until 37 B.C. The name Thassi means “guide” or “zealous,” while Simon means “listen.” Lesson 17
Thyatira—The second and third chapters in the apocalyptic New Testament book of Revelation identify Thyatira as a city in Asia Minor that was the location of one of the seven churches to receive a letter dictated by Jesus to John of Patmos. The other six churches were at Ephesus, Laodicea, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Sardis, and Smyrna. (A map showing the location of all seven churches is on page 158 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 22
Tobiah—The fourth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah records Tobiah’s opposition to Nehemiah rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the former captives had been allowed to return from Babylon in 583. B.C. Tobiah was a regional governor in an area east of the Jordan River at the time. The name Tobiah means “God is good.” Sanballat was governor of Samaria at the time, and his name means “hatred in secret.” Lesson 12
Tobijah—The sixth chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies Tobijah as one of three exiles involved in transporting precious metal used in re-establishing traditional worship practices in Jerusalem after 538 B.C. The name Tobijah means “the LORD is good.” Lesson 11
Trito-Isaiah (Third Isaiah)—Trito-Isaiah is the way scholars refer to the author thought to have written the fifty-sixth through sixty-sixth chapters in the Book of Isaiah, a section of the work that most scholars believe was written after the exiles returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. The name Isaiah means “God saves.” Also see Isaiah (Book of) and Deutero-Isaiah. Lessons 14, 20
True—The nineteenth chapter in the book of Revelation identifies the rider on the white horse who appears at the marriage of the Lamb as Faithful and True. Lesson 23
Tubal—The thirty-eighth chapter in the Book of Ezekiel refers to Tubal as an area in the Caucasus Mountains east of the Black Sea that takes its name from one of the sons of Japheth (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis.) The name Tubal means “earth” or “confusion.” (A map showing the location of Tubal is on page 43 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 5
Tyre—The third chapter in the Book of Joel foretells that God will punish the two cities of Tyre and Sidon, major Phoenician seaports, for their treatment of the descendants of Jacob. Tyre was a coastal city north of Judea in present-day Lebanon. The word Tyre means “rock.” (A map showing the location of Tyre [south of Sidon] is on page 109 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 15

—U—

Uz/land of Uz—The fourth chapter in the Book of Lamentations mentions the land of Uz as a place where the daughter of Edom dwells. Uz was a son of Aram, great grandson of Shem and great-great grandson of Noah (see the tenth chapter in the book of Genesis). The land of Uz was a broad area encompassing Edom, Moab, and Ammon. The name Uz means “counsel” or “contemplation.” (A map showing the location of Edom, Moab, and Ammon is on page 35 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 4
Uzzi—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Uzzi as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Uzzi means “God is my strength.” Lesson 12

—V—

valley of Jehoshaphat—The third chapter in the Book of Joel mentions the valley of Jehoshaphat, an area near Jerusalem traditionally believed to be the site of future judgment by God. (A map showing the location of the valley of Jehoshaphat is on page 109 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) The valley of Jehoshaphat also is referred to as the valley of decision. King Jehoshaphat was ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah from 870 to 848 B.C. Although Scripture records that Jehoshaphat did right in the eyes of the LORD, he is criticized for not eliminating idol worship in Judah. The name Jehoshaphat means “God has judged.” (Bible-related trivia: The term jumping Jehoshaphat developed in the 19th century in the United States as part of a movement to substitute mild oaths for more serious swearing. It gained popularity as a favorite saying of the Loony Tunes cartoon character Yosemite Sam, an adversary of Bugs Bunny. The first Bugs Bunny cartoons were released in the early 1940s, and Yosemite Sam was introduced in 1945. Both characters’ voices were portrayed by Mel Blanc.) Lesson 15
Valley of Shaveh—The fourteenth chapter in the book of Genesis identifies the Valley of Shaveh as the place where Abram (Abraham) went to meet Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Also called the King’s Valley, the Valley of Shaveh was located near present-day Jerusalem. The word Shaveh means “the plain” or “that makes equality.” (A map showing the location of Jerusalem is on page 10 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 21
valley of Shittim—The third chapter in the Book of Joel refers to Shittim, an area in the plains of Moab immediately east of the Jordan River and at the north end of the Dead Sea. It was at Shittim where the descendants of Jacob encamped before entering the land of Canaan. There is scholarly dispute about the location of the valley of Shittim. The name Shittim is related to the Hebrew word meaning “acacia trees.” Lesson 15

—W—

Water Gate—The eighth chapter in the Book of Nehemiah refers to the Water Gate. This generally is thought to have been in the wall around Jerusalem on the east side of Mount Zion opposite the Gihon spring. Because walls of the ancient city often were destroyed, rebuilt, and occasionally renamed, scholars are uncertain of the location of all of its ancient gates. Lesson 12
Word of God—This title for Jesus is used by the author of the Gospel According to John to emphasize the connection between God and divine inspiration, since inspiration or spirit is necessary to form a word. The term Word of God also emphasizes that God’s speech is performative, that is, whatever God says happens. Finally, the term Word of God links Jesus to the Greek concept of logos, a complex word that in its most simple definition means “word.” Word of God generally is capitalized when it refers to the Scriptures. In the first chapter in the book of Revelation, word of God is lowercase to indicate that John has been exiled to the island of Patmos because of his unwavering adherence to Christianity. Lessons 22–23

—X—

—Y—

—Z—

Zadok—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Zadok as an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra in the priestly line of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. Zadok anointed David’s son Solomon as king over all of the descendants of Jacob. Although the prophet Ezekiel was critical of the behavior of many members of the priesthood, in the forty-fourth chapter of the Book of Ezekiel, he endorses descendants of Zadok to continue to serve God through the priesthood. The word Sadducees reflects association of that group with the priestly family of Zadok. The name Zadok means “just” or “righteous.” Lessons 5, 12
Zarephath—The Book of Obadiah identifies Zarephath as one of the  boundaries of territory that God will restore to the descendants of Jacob.  Zarephath is a city near Sidon north of territory settled by the descendants of Jacob. The name Zarephath means “furnace” or “smelting place.” Lesson 6
Zechariah/Book of Zechariah—The prophetic Book of Zechariah includes many apocalyptic images that are repurposed by the author of the book of Revelation. The first chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies the author as Zechariah, a priest and the son of Berechiah. Zechariah served as a prophet to the former captives after they were allowed to return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C. Many of his prophetic writings overlap those of the prophet Haggai. The name Zechariah means “God remembers.” Lesson 11
Zechariah (father of John the Baptist)—The first chapter in the Gospel According to Luke identifies the father of John the Baptist named Zechariah as a priest in the line of Aaron. The name Zechariah means “God remembers.” Lesson 20
Zedekiah (Mattaniah)—The twenty-fourth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings records that Josiah’s son Mattaniah was appointed ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who changed Mattaniah’s name to Zedekiah. It was during the reign of King Zedekiah, which began in 597 B.C., that the Babylonians conquered the southern kingdom and forced its people into exile in 587–586 B.C. The name Zedekiah means “justice of God,” while the name Mattaniah is related to the name Matthew and means “gift of God.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 of Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 1–2, 9
Zedekiah (ancestor of Baruch)—The first chapter in the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch identifies Zedekiah as an ancestor of Baruch, who was a scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah. Although Baruch is credited with writing the Book of Baruch, most scholars believe that it probably was written after his lifetime. The name Zedekiah means “justice of God.” Lesson 9
Zephaniah (executed priest)—The twenty-fifth chapter in the Second Book of the Kings identifies a man named Zephaniah as the “second priest” who was executed in connection with the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. The name Zephaniah means “God has hidden.” Zephaniah also is the name of a prophet active in Judah during the reign of King Josiah from 640–608 B.C. The name Zephaniah means “the LORD has concealed.” (A chart showing the rulers and prophets of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile is on page 13 of Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lesson 1
Zephaniah (father of the Josiah)—The sixth chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies a man named Zephaniah as father of a man named Josiah, who had been holding the silver and gold used to make a crown for the high priest Jehozadak. The crowning of Jehozadak occurred after the exiles had been allowed to return from Babylon by Cyrus in 538 B.C. Zephaniah also is the name of a prophet active in Judah during the reign of King Josiah from 640–608 B.C. The name Zephaniah means “the LORD has concealed.” Lesson 11
Zerahiah—The seventh chapter in the Book of Ezra identifies Zerahiah as an ancestor of the prophet and scribe Ezra and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses who became the first high priest. The name Zerahiah means “brightness of the LORD.” Lesson 12
Zerubbabel—The fourth chapter in the Book of Zechariah identifies Zerubbabel, the Persian-appointed governor of Judah, as the person upon whom the prophet Zechariah originally pinned his messianic hopes. Zerubbabel was the grandson of King Jehoiachin, who ruled the southern kingdom of Judah for three months before being exiled to Babylon in 597 B.C. King Jehoiachin was replaced on the throne by his uncle, King Zedekiah, who reigned until the fall of Jerusalem in 587–586 B.C. Zerubbabel mysteriously disappears from history, fueling speculation that he was removed from office by the Persians. The name Zerubbabel means “a stranger in Babylon” or possibly “seed of Babylon,” to indicate that he was born there. Lessons 10–11
Zion—The site of the ancient Jebusite fortress that David conquered to establish his royal capital of Jerusalem, Zion appears throughout Scripture to describe a site holy to God and to his people. Mount Zion often refers to the elevation upon which Solomon built his Temple, and so came to symbolize the dwelling place of God. The meaning of the name Zion is “fortress” or “mountain.” (A map showing the location of Mount Zion is on page 35 in Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption.) Lessons 4, 6–7, 11, 14–15, 17, 20–21