Bible Dictionary: Terms Beginning with E

Exploring biblical terms starting with "E" reveals foundational truths about God's nature, eternal realities, and the early church. Here's your comprehensive guide to essential biblical vocabulary.

Major Biblical Figures

Eli

High priest and judge of Israel who raised Samuel but failed to discipline his corrupt sons, leading to judgment on his family.

Elijah

Mighty prophet who challenged Baal worship, called down fire from heaven, was fed by ravens, and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind.

Elisha

Elijah's successor who received a double portion of his spirit and performed many miracles including raising the dead and healing leprosy.

Elizabeth

Righteous woman, wife of Zechariah, and mother of John the Baptist. Mary's relative who recognized Jesus as Lord while both were pregnant.

Enoch

Man who "walked with God" and was taken to heaven without experiencing death, one of only two people with this distinction.

Ephraim

Joseph's younger son who received the greater blessing from Jacob, becoming the most prominent northern tribe of Israel.

Esau

Isaac's firstborn who sold his birthright to Jacob for stew, demonstrating disregard for spiritual inheritance.

Esther

Jewish queen of Persia who courageously risked her life to save her people from genocide orchestrated by Haman.

Eunice

Timothy's mother and Lois's daughter, commended for sincere faith passed down through generations.

Eutychus

Young man who fell from a window during Paul's lengthy sermon and was raised from the dead by the apostle.

Eve

First woman, created from Adam's rib as his companion. Deceived by the serpent, she ate forbidden fruit and shared it with Adam.

Ezekiel

Priestly prophet to the Babylonian exiles who received dramatic visions of God's glory, dry bones, and the restored temple.

Ezra

Priest and scribe who led exiles back to Jerusalem, restored proper worship, and taught God's law to the people.

Central Theological Terms

Easter

Christian celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, the cornerstone of Christian faith and hope.

Eden

Paradise garden where God placed Adam and Eve, representing perfect fellowship before sin entered the world.

Elder

Mature leader in the church responsible for teaching, shepherding, and governing the congregation. Must meet strict qualifications.

Election

God's sovereign choice of individuals for salvation and service, based on His grace rather than human merit.

Emmanuel (Immanuel)

Hebrew name meaning "God with us," prophesied in Isaiah and applied to Jesus, demonstrating God's incarnation.

Ephod

Priestly garment worn by the high priest, containing the breastplate with twelve stones representing Israel's tribes.

Epistle

Letter, particularly the letters written by apostles to churches and individuals, forming much of the New Testament.

Eternal Life

Unending existence in joyful fellowship with God, beginning at salvation and continuing forever in glorified state.

Eternity

Timeless existence without beginning or end. God inhabits eternity; believers will dwell with Him eternally.

Evangelist

One who proclaims the gospel. Philip was called an evangelist; Timothy was urged to do the work of an evangelist.

Evil

Moral wickedness and opposition to God's character and will. Evil entered through Satan's rebellion and humanity's fall.

Exaltation

Lifting up or glorifying. Christ's exaltation followed His humiliation; believers will be exalted with Him.

Exile

Forced removal from homeland. Israel's Babylonian exile lasted 70 years as judgment for persistent covenant unfaithfulness.

Exodus

Departure of Israel from Egyptian slavery under Moses' leadership, demonstrating God's deliverance and forming the nation.

Expiation

Removal or covering of sin through sacrifice. Christ's death provided complete expiation for believers' sins.

Ezekiel

Prophetic book containing visions of God's glory, Israel's restoration, and the valley of dry bones representing spiritual renewal.

Places and Regions

Edom

Nation descended from Esau, southeast of Israel, often hostile to their Israelite relatives despite blood kinship.

Egypt

Ancient Egypt, where the Israelites sojourned for 430 years (Exodus 12:40) or 210 years per some traditions, with the final portion (86-116 years or less) in slavery until God delivered them through Moses.

Ekron

One of five major Philistine cities, site of Baal-zebub worship and where the Ark brought plague.

Elam

Ancient region east of Mesopotamia, whose people attended Pentecost and heard the gospel in their language.

Emmaus

Village where two disciples encountered the risen Jesus on resurrection day but didn't recognize Him initially.

Endor

Town where Saul consulted a medium before his final battle, violating God's law forbidding such practices.

En-gedi

Oasis in the Judean wilderness near the Dead Sea where David hid from Saul in caves.

Ephesus

Major city in Asia Minor where Paul ministered extensively and wrote to the church addressing false teaching and spiritual warfare.

Ephraim

Territory of Ephraim's tribe in central Canaan, later becoming synonymous with the northern kingdom of Israel.

Ethiopia

Ancient African kingdom south of Egypt, whose eunuch Philip evangelized on the desert road.

Biblical Objects and Symbols

Eagle

Powerful bird symbolizing strength, swiftness, and divine protection. God bore Israel on eagles' wings; believers renew strength like eagles.

Ear

Organ of hearing representing spiritual receptivity. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" emphasizes spiritual understanding.

Earth

Created world where humanity dwells. Will be renewed and restored as the eternal dwelling place for the redeemed.

Earthquake

Violent shaking of the ground, often accompanying divine appearances, judgments, or momentous events like Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

East

Direction from which glory comes. Eden was planted eastward; Christ will return from the east like lightning.

Emerald

Precious green stone, one of twelve in the high priest's breastplate and featured in Revelation's heavenly descriptions.

Ephod

Linen garment worn by priests and high priest, used in seeking God's guidance and worn during worship service.

Additional Theological Concepts

Earnest

Down payment or guarantee. The Holy Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, ensuring future redemption.

Ebenezer

"Stone of help" set up by Samuel to commemorate God's assistance, declaring "Thus far the Lord has helped us."

Edification

Building up believers in faith through teaching, encouragement, and spiritual growth. Churches should edify one another.

Effectual

Producing the desired result. God's effectual calling brings people to salvation; His Word accomplishes its purpose.

Elect

Those chosen by God for salvation. Believers are God's elect, chosen before the foundation of the world.

Element

Basic component or principle. Peter speaks of elements melting in fervent heat at the end times.

Enmity

Deep-seated hostility. God placed enmity between Satan and humanity; the cross abolished enmity between God and people.

Entreat

To ask earnestly or plead. Believers entreat God in prayer; Paul entreated people to be reconciled to God.

Envy

Resentful desire for another's possessions or advantages. According to the Gospels, envy motivated certain Jewish leaders to hand Jesus over to Pilate, who ordered his crucifixion by Romans for sedition.

Epistle

Written correspondence, especially New Testament letters providing doctrine, correction, and encouragement to churches.

Equity

Fairness and impartiality. God judges with equity; believers should practice equity in all dealings.

Error

Mistake or deviation from truth. False teachers promote errors; believers must guard against doctrinal error.

Espousal

Betrothal or engagement. Paul presents the church as a chaste virgin espoused to Christ.

Establish

To make firm or confirm. God establishes His people, His throne, and His covenant promises.

Esteem

To value highly or respect. Believers should esteem others better than themselves in humility.

Eunuch

Castrated male servant in royal courts. Ethiopian eunuch was converted by Philip; Jesus spoke of spiritual eunuchs.

Evangel

Good news or gospel message of salvation through Christ, which believers are commissioned to spread.

Everlasting

Without end, eternal. God's love, mercy, and covenant are everlasting; believers receive everlasting life.

Evidence

Proof or testimony establishing truth. Faith is the evidence of things not seen; witnesses provided evidence of resurrection.

Exalt

To lift up or praise. God exalts the humble; believers should exalt Christ in all things.

Excommunication

Removal from church fellowship for persistent sin, intended to bring repentance and protect the congregation.

Expiation

Satisfaction for sin through sacrifice. Christ's death provides complete expiation, satisfying divine justice.

More Key Figures

Ebed-melech

Ethiopian eunuch who courageously rescued Jeremiah from the cistern where he was left to die.

Eglon

Obese Moabite king who oppressed Israel and was assassinated by the judge Ehud in a daring act.

Ehud

Left-handed judge who delivered Israel from Moabite oppression by killing King Eglon.

Eleazar

Aaron's son who succeeded him as high priest, serving faithfully during Joshua's conquest of Canaan.

Elimelech

Naomi's husband who moved to Moab during famine, where he and his sons died, leaving three widows.

Eliab

David's oldest brother who despised David when he came to face Goliath but was rejected by God as king.

Eliashib

High priest during Nehemiah's time who helped rebuild Jerusalem's walls but later compromised with enemies.

Elihu

Young man in Job's story who spoke after the three friends, emphasizing God's sovereignty and justice.

Elkanah

Samuel's father, a Levite who loved Hannah despite her barrenness and supported her prayer for a son.

Elymas

False prophet and sorcerer on Cyprus who opposed Paul and was struck blind temporarily.

Epaphras

Faithful minister who founded the Colossian church and labored in prayer for believers' spiritual maturity.

Epaphroditus

Philippian believer who brought gifts to imprisoned Paul and nearly died serving him.

Erastus

Corinthian city treasurer and Christian convert mentioned by Paul as a faithful companion.

Groups and Peoples

Edomites

Descendants of Esau living southeast of Israel, often hostile despite kinship, eventually conquered by Rome.

Egyptians

People of ancient Egypt who enslaved Israel for 400 years before God delivered them through signs and wonders.

Elamites

People from ancient Persia present at Pentecost who heard the gospel in their native language.

Ephraimites

Members of Joseph's tribe who became prominent in northern Israel but often showed pride and jealousy.

Biblical Practices and Events

Eavesdropping

Secretly listening to conversations. While not directly forbidden, Scripture emphasizes honesty and straightforwardness.

Embalming

Preserving dead bodies with spices. Jacob and Joseph were embalmed in Egyptian fashion; Jesus' body was prepared with spices.

Embrace

Act of affection or greeting. There's a time to embrace and refrain from embracing; prodigal son received father's embrace.

Endurance

Patient perseverance through trials. Believers must endure to the end; Christ endured the cross for joy set before Him.

Enlightenment

Spiritual illumination or understanding. God enlightens the eyes of believers' hearts to know Him better.

Spiritual Conditions

Enmity

State of hostility. Natural humanity is at enmity with God; Christ reconciles enemies through His cross.

Enslavement

Being held in bondage. Sin enslaves; Christ sets captives free through truth and His sacrificial death.

Enthusiasm

Intense excitement or zeal. Believers should have enthusiasm for God's work but guided by knowledge.

Entanglement

Being caught or trapped. Believers should avoid entanglements with worldly affairs that hinder spiritual race.