Bible Dictionary: Terms Beginning with H
Exploring biblical terms starting with "H" reveals God's holiness, humanity's hope, and heaven's promises. Here's your comprehensive guide to essential biblical vocabulary.
Major Biblical Figures
Habakkuk
Prophet who questioned God's justice regarding Judah's sin and Babylon's rise, learning to trust God's sovereignty and righteousness.
Hagar
Sarah's Egyptian maidservant who bore Ishmael to Abraham, then fled to the wilderness where God comforted and sustained her.
Haggai
Post-exilic prophet who motivated Jews to complete rebuilding the temple, promising God's presence would bring greater glory.
Ham
Noah's second son whose disrespect toward his father brought a curse on his son Canaan and his descendants.
Haman
Persian prime minister who plotted genocide against the Jews but was executed on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai.
Hannah
Barren woman whose persistent prayer resulted in Samuel's birth, whom she faithfully dedicated to lifelong temple service.
Herod the Great
Roman-appointed king of Judea who rebuilt the temple magnificently but murdered infants attempting to kill baby Jesus.
Herod Antipas
Tetrarch of Galilee who beheaded John the Baptist and mocked Jesus during His trial before crucifixion.
Herod Agrippa I
Grandson of Herod the Great who killed James the apostle and imprisoned Peter to please Jewish leaders.
Hezekiah
Godly king of Judah who trusted God during Assyrian siege, reformed worship, and received fifteen additional years of life.
Hiram
King of Tyre who provided cedar, cypress, and craftsmen for Solomon's temple construction through peaceful alliance.
Hosea
Prophet commanded to marry unfaithful Gomer, illustrating God's enduring love for spiritually adulterous Israel.
Hur
Leader who helped Aaron hold up Moses' hands during battle with Amalek, ensuring Israel's victory.
Central Theological Terms
Hallelujah
Hebrew exclamation meaning "Praise the Lord," expressing joy and worship, frequently used in Psalms and Revelation.
Hallow/Hallowed
To make holy or set apart for sacred use. "Hallowed be Thy name" acknowledges God's holiness.
Harlot
Prostitute engaging in sexual immorality for payment. Used literally and metaphorically for spiritual unfaithfulness to God.
Harvest
Gathering of ripened crops, representing blessing, judgment, and the end times when believers are gathered to God.
Head
Physical body part; also represents authority, leadership, or source. Christ is head of the church and every man.
Heal/Healing
Restoration to health or wholeness. God heals physically and spiritually; Jesus healed many demonstrating His divine power.
Heart
Center of human personality, emotions, will, and spirit. God examines the heart; believers should guard their hearts diligently.
Heathen
Pagan nations without knowledge of the true God, used interchangeably with Gentiles in older translations.
Heaven
God's dwelling place; the eternal home of the redeemed. Jesus ascended to heaven and will return from there.
Heir
One who inherits property or position. Believers are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ of eternal inheritance.
Hell
Place of eternal punishment for the wicked, described as outer darkness, lake of fire, and eternal separation from God.
Helmet
Protective head covering for warriors. Believers wear the helmet of salvation as part of spiritual armor.
Heresy
False teaching contradicting essential Christian doctrine. Heretics cause division and lead people away from truth.
Heritage
Inheritance or legacy passed down. God's people are His heritage; believers have a spiritual heritage in Christ.
High Priest
Chief priest mediating between God and people, entering the Holy of Holies annually on the Day of Atonement. Christ is our eternal High Priest.
Holiness
Moral perfection and separation from sin. God is holy; believers are called to be holy in all conduct.
Holy
Set apart for God's purposes; morally pure and perfect. Describes God's nature and what belongs exclusively to Him.
Holy of Holies
Innermost sanctuary of the tabernacle and temple where God's presence dwelt and only the high priest entered once yearly.
Holy Spirit
Third person of the Trinity, God dwelling in believers, convicting of sin, guiding into truth, and empowering for service.
Honor
Respect, esteem, or glory given to someone deserving recognition. Believers should honor God, parents, and authorities.
Hope
Confident expectation of future blessing based on God's promises. Christian hope is anchored in Christ's resurrection.
Hosanna
Hebrew exclamation meaning "Save now!" or "Save, we pray!" Crowds shouted this welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem.
Host
Large group or army; also one who provides hospitality. "Lord of Hosts" emphasizes God's supreme command over heavenly armies.
House
Physical dwelling or household; also used for temple, church, or family lineage. God's house is place of worship.
Humility
Modest view of one's importance; opposite of pride. God exalts the humble; Christ modeled perfect humility.
Hymn
Song of praise to God. Jesus and disciples sang a hymn after the Last Supper; believers encourage one another with hymns.
Hypocrite
One pretending to be righteous while living wickedly. Jesus severely condemned the hypocrisy of religious leaders.
Places and Regions
Haran
City in northern Mesopotamia where Abraham's family settled temporarily before God called him to Canaan.
Hazor
Hazor, a major Canaanite city conquered and burned by Joshua, was later fortified (possibly by Solomon) and faced destruction in subsequent periods.
Hebron
Ancient city in Judah where Abraham lived, the patriarchs were buried, and David reigned before conquering Jerusalem.
Hermon, Mount
Snow-capped mountain on Israel's northern border, possibly the site of Jesus' transfiguration.
Hinnom, Valley of
Valley south of Jerusalem where children were sacrificed to Molech, later becoming a garbage dump symbolizing hell (Gehenna).
Horeb
Another name for Mount Sinai where Moses received the Law and encountered God in the burning bush.
Biblical Objects and Symbols
Hail
Frozen precipitation often associated with divine judgment. Plague of hail devastated Egypt; hail will fall in end times.
Hair
Bodily covering symbolizing strength (Samson), dedication (Nazirite vow), or glory (woman's covering). God numbers every hair.
Hand
Body part representing power, action, and possession. God's hand protects and disciplines; laying on hands imparts blessing.
Harp
Stringed musical instrument used in worship. David played harp to soothe Saul; harps accompany heavenly worship.
Headstone
Chief cornerstone completing a structure. Christ is the headstone the builders rejected but God made primary.
Heart
Physical organ; symbolically the center of emotions, will, and spiritual life. God searches and transforms hearts.
Heaven and Earth
Created universe encompassing spiritual and physical realms. Will pass away and be replaced by new heaven and earth.
Hedge
Protective barrier around fields or vineyards. God placed a hedge around Job; removing it exposed him to testing.
Hell Fire
Eternal flames of judgment in Gehenna. Jesus warned about hell fire more than heaven's glories.
Hem
Border or fringe of a garment. Woman with bleeding touched Jesus' hem and was healed by faith.
Herbs
Plants used for food, medicine, and seasoning. Bitter herbs eaten at Passover symbolized Egyptian bondage's bitterness.
High Places
Elevated worship sites often associated with idolatry. Faithful kings removed high places; wicked kings maintained them.
Highway
Main road or path. Isaiah prophesied a highway of holiness for the redeemed in the messianic kingdom.
Hill Country
Elevated terrain, particularly Judah's central highlands where many biblical events occurred.
Honey
Sweet substance from bees symbolizing abundance and blessing. Promised Land flowed with milk and honey.
Hook
Curved instrument for catching fish or leading captives. God uses hooks in jaws to direct nations according to His purposes.
Horn
Animal's horn symbolizing strength and power. Horns of the altar provided sanctuary; prophetic horns represent kingdoms or rulers.
Horse
Powerful animal used in warfare. Israel was not to trust in horses but in God for deliverance.
House of God
Place of worship—tabernacle, temple, or church. Jacob named Bethel "house of God" after his dream.
Housetop
Flat roof used for various activities. Peter prayed on a housetop; houses had parapets to prevent falling.
Humiliation
State of being humbled or degraded. Christ's humiliation preceded His exaltation; believers experience humiliation before honor.
Additional Theological Concepts
Habitation
Dwelling place or residence. God desires to make His habitation among His people; believers are God's habitation through the Spirit.
Handmaid
Female servant or maid. Mary called herself the Lord's handmaid in humble submission to God's will.
Hardness of Heart
Stubborn resistance to God's truth and grace. Pharaoh's hardened heart led to his destruction; believers should avoid hard hearts.
Harmless
Innocent or without harmful intent. Believers should be wise as serpents yet harmless as doves in their conduct.
Haste
Speed or urgency. Believers shouldn't make hasty vows; Abraham hastened to serve angelic visitors.
Hatred
Intense hostility or aversion. God hates sin but loves sinners; believers shouldn't hate but love even enemies.
Heathen
Nations without knowledge of the true God, often worshiping idols and following immoral practices.
Heave Offering
Portion of sacrifice lifted up and presented to God before being given to priests for their sustenance.
Hedge of Protection
Spiritual barrier God places around His people, protecting them from Satan's attacks while allowing His purposes.
Hell, Gates of
Powers of death and Satan that cannot prevail against Christ's church built on the rock of confession.
Helper
One who assists another. God is our helper; the Holy Spirit is our helper and comforter in all circumstances.
Heretic
One promoting false doctrine dividing the church. Heretics should be warned and avoided after repeated correction fails.
High Calling
Elevated purpose and destiny believers have in Christ, worthy of devoted pursuit and faithful service.
Holiness Code
Levitical laws governing Israel's moral and ceremonial purity, demonstrating God's holiness and calling Israel to be separate.
Holocaust
Burnt offering completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total consecration to God without reservation.
Holy City
Jerusalem, especially the New Jerusalem descending from heaven as the eternal dwelling of God with His people.
Holy Mountain
Zion or Mount Sinai, places of special divine revelation and encounter with God's presence.
Holy Nation
Israel under the old covenant; the church under the new covenant—people set apart for God's purposes.
Holy One
Title for God emphasizing His absolute purity and separation from sin; also used for Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Holy Place
Outer chamber of the tabernacle/temple where priests ministered daily before the veil separating from the Holy of Holies.
Honest
Truthful and upright in character and dealings. Believers should be honest in all things, living blamelessly before others.
Honorable
Worthy of respect and esteem. Joseph of Arimathea was an honorable counselor; believers should live honorably among Gentiles.
Hornets
Stinging insects God sent before Israel to drive out Canaanites, demonstrating His supernatural assistance in conquest.
Horror
Intense fear or dread. Wicked experience horror contemplating judgment; believers need not fear with God as refuge.
Hosanna
Cry of praise and plea for salvation shouted when Jesus entered Jerusalem, acknowledging Him as Messiah.
Hospitality
Generous reception and care for guests and strangers. Believers should practice hospitality without complaint.
Hostage
Person held captive to ensure compliance or exchange. Joash took hostages when defeating Amaziah, king of Judah.
Hour
Unit of time; also signifies a significant moment. Jesus spoke of His hour—the appointed time for crucifixion.
Household
Family and servants living together. Early believers were baptized with their households; household salvation is biblical pattern.
Humiliation of Christ
His voluntary descent from glory to take human form, suffer, die, and be buried for humanity's redemption.
Hunger
Physical need for food; spiritual longing for God. Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness; they will be filled.
Husband
Married man responsible for loving, leading, and providing for his wife as Christ does the church.
Husbandman
Farmer cultivating crops or vineyards. God is the husbandman tending His vineyard; believers are workers in His harvest.
Husks
Outer covering of grain, worthless as food. Prodigal son desired to eat husks fed to pigs in his desperation.
More Key Figures
Hadassah
Esther's Hebrew name meaning "myrtle," used before she became queen of Persia and saved her people.
Hammurabi
Babylonian king known for his law code, contemporary with Abraham according to some chronologies.
Hanani
Prophet who rebuked King Asa for relying on Syria rather than God, resulting in the prophet's imprisonment.
Hananiah
False prophet who contradicted Jeremiah's message, dying within a year as Jeremiah prophesied for his lies.
Hazael
Syrian king who murdered his predecessor and fulfilled Elisha's prophecy by oppressing Israel severely.
Herodias
Granddaughter of Herod the Great who married her uncle Herod Antipas and orchestrated John the Baptist's execution.
Hillel
Prominent Jewish rabbi whose liberal interpretations influenced first-century Judaism, possibly taught Gamaliel who taught Paul.
Hophra
Egyptian pharaoh whom Jeremiah prophesied would fall to enemies, fulfilled when he was overthrown.
Hushai
David's friend who remained in Jerusalem during Absalom's revolt and sabotaged Ahithophel's counsel, saving David.
Groups and Peoples
Habiru
Ancient Near Eastern nomadic people possibly related to Hebrews, mentioned in extra-biblical texts from various regions.
Hagrites
Arabian tribe descended from Hagar whom Israelite tribes defeated and dispossessed during their wilderness period.
Hamites
Descendants of Noah's son Ham, including Egyptians, Cushites, Canaanites, and various African and Middle Eastern peoples.
Hebrews
Descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, named for Eber or meaning "one from beyond" the Euphrates River.
Hellenists
Greek-speaking Jews dispersed among nations who adopted Greek language and some cultural practices while maintaining Jewish faith.
Hittites
Ancient Anatolian people who established a powerful empire, some dwelling in Canaan during Israel's conquest.
Hivites
Canaanite people group including Gibeonites who deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty rather than destroying them.
Horites
Ancient inhabitants of Mount Seir (Edom) before Esau's descendants dispossessed them, possibly cave-dwellers.
Biblical Practices and Events
Hallel
Psalms 113-118 recited at major Jewish festivals, praising God for deliverance and expressing thanksgiving.
Hands, Laying On Of
Gesture imparting blessing, healing, or spiritual authority. Practiced in ordination, healing, and receiving the Holy Spirit.
Handwashing
Ritual cleansing before meals and worship, emphasizing ceremonial purity required under Mosaic law.
Harvest Festival
Celebration of completed harvest, giving thanks to God for provision, also called Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.
Head Covering
Veil or covering worn by women during worship in some cultures, discussed by Paul regarding propriety and authority.