Bible Dictionary: Terms Beginning with I
Exploring biblical terms starting with "I" reveals God's identity, Israel's significance, and the importance of inner transformation. Here's your comprehensive guide to essential biblical vocabulary.
Major Biblical Figures
Isaac
Abraham and Sarah's promised son, born miraculously in their old age, offered as a sacrifice but spared, and father of Jacob and Esau.
Isaiah
Major prophet who ministered to Judah for over 60 years, prophesying about the Messiah's suffering and glory with unparalleled clarity.
Ishmael
Abraham's son by Hagar who became father of Arab nations, cast out with his mother but blessed by God with descendants.
Israel
Name given to Jacob after wrestling with God, meaning "he struggles with God," later applied to his descendants and the nation.
Issachar
Jacob's ninth son by Leah, whose tribe settled in fertile valleys and was known for understanding the times.
Ithamar
Aaron's youngest son who served as priest and whose descendants included Eli and his family line.
Central Theological Terms
Idol/Idolatry
False god or image worshiped instead of the true God. Idolatry is spiritual adultery, forbidden in the first two commandments.
Image
Likeness or representation. Humanity is created in God's image; believers are being conformed to Christ's image.
Image of God
Divine likeness stamped on humanity, including rationality, morality, relationality, and dominion over creation.
Immanuel (Emmanuel)
Hebrew name meaning "God with us," prophesied by Isaiah and fulfilled in Jesus' incarnation.
Immortality
Eternal existence without death. God alone possesses inherent immortality; believers receive immortal resurrection bodies.
Immutability
God's unchanging nature in character, purposes, and promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Imputation
Crediting something to someone's account. Adam's sin is imputed to humanity; Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers.
Incarnation
God the Son taking human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man in one person.
Incense
Fragrant substance burned in worship, symbolizing prayers rising to God. Only priests could offer incense in the tabernacle.
Inheritance
Property or blessing received from ancestors or God. Believers' inheritance is eternal life and glory with Christ.
Iniquity
Moral perversity, crookedness, or injustice. Distinguished from sin and transgression as deliberate wickedness against God's righteousness.
Inspiration
God's supernatural influence on biblical writers, causing them to write exactly what He intended without error.
Intercession
Praying on behalf of others. Christ and the Holy Spirit intercede for believers; believers intercede for one another.
Interpretation
Explaining the meaning of Scripture, dreams, or prophecy. Scripture interprets Scripture; the Holy Spirit illuminates truth.
Isaac
Patriarch whose name means "laughter," representing joy of God's promise fulfilled despite human impossibility.
Israel
Jacob's new name after wrestling with God; the covenant nation descended from his twelve sons; spiritual Israel includes all believers.
Israelite
Descendant of Israel (Jacob), member of the covenant people chosen by God to be His treasured possession among nations.
Places and Regions
Iconium
City in Asia Minor where Paul preached during missionary journeys, facing opposition but establishing a church.
Illyricum
Roman province on the Adriatic coast representing the western extent of Paul's missionary travels spreading the gospel.
Italy
Peninsula where Rome was located, destination of Paul's journey as a prisoner appealing to Caesar.
Biblical Objects and Symbols
Incense Altar
Golden altar in the Holy Place where priests burned fragrant incense morning and evening before the Lord.
Ink
Writing fluid made from soot, used by scribes recording Scripture on parchment or papyrus scrolls.
Inkhorn
Container for ink worn by scribes. Ezekiel's vision included a man with an inkhorn marking the righteous for preservation.
Inn
Lodging place for travelers. No room in the inn forced Mary and Joseph to shelter where animals were kept.
Iron
Strong metal used for tools, weapons, and construction. Iron sharpens iron as believers sharpen one another.
Ivory
Expensive material from elephant tusks used in palaces and luxury items, symbolizing wealth and sometimes excess.
Additional Theological Concepts
Illegal
Against established law. Some laws were considered illegal by early Christians when they contradicted God's commands.
Illumination
Spiritual enlightening by the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to understand and apply Scripture's truth to their lives.
Imagination
Thoughts or mental images. Evil imaginations characterize fallen humanity; believers should take every thought captive to Christ.
Imitate
To follow someone's example. Believers should imitate Paul as he imitates Christ, following godly patterns.
Immorality
Sexual sin outside God's design for marriage. Includes fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and other sexual perversions.
Immutable
Unchanging and unchangeable. God's nature, promises, and purposes are immutable, providing foundation for faith.
Impartial
Without favoritism or prejudice. God judges impartially; believers should show no partiality based on worldly standards.
Impenitent
Unrepentant, refusing to turn from sin. Impenitent hearts store up wrath for judgment day.
Imprecation
Prayer calling for judgment on enemies. Imprecatory psalms express righteous desire for God's justice against evil.
Impute
To credit or charge to someone's account. Sin was imputed to Christ; His righteousness is imputed to believers.
Incarnate
Embodied in flesh. The Word became incarnate when Jesus was born, fully God taking complete human nature.
Incest
Sexual relations between close relatives, forbidden in Scripture as violating family order and purity standards.
Incorruptible
Not subject to decay or moral corruption. God is incorruptible; believers receive incorruptible resurrection bodies.
Indignation
Righteous anger at injustice or sin. God's indignation burns against wickedness; believers should have proper indignation at evil.
Indulgence
Excessive gratification of desires. Believers should avoid self-indulgence, practicing self-control instead.
Inerrancy
Doctrine that Scripture is completely truthful and without error in its original manuscripts regarding all it affirms.
Infallible
Incapable of error or failure. Scripture is infallible; God's promises are infallible and will certainly be fulfilled.
Infant Baptism
Practice of baptizing babies, debated among Christians regarding proper subjects and meaning of baptism.
Infidel
Unbeliever or one unfaithful to religious duties. Believers who fail to provide for family are worse than infidels.
Infirmity
Weakness, illness, or disability. Jesus bore our infirmities; the Spirit helps our infirmities in prayer.
Ingathering
Harvest collection, particularly autumn harvest. Feast of Ingathering celebrated completion of agricultural year.
Inherit
To receive as heir. Believers inherit eternal life, the kingdom, God's promises, and the new earth.
Innocent
Without guilt or blame. Pilate declared Jesus innocent; believers are made innocent through Christ's blood.
Inquire
To seek information or guidance. Believers should inquire of the Lord through prayer and Scripture.
Inspiration of Scripture
God's superintending work ensuring biblical writers recorded exactly what He intended without error.
Instruct
To teach or train. Scripture instructs in righteousness; the Holy Spirit instructs believers in truth.
Instruction
Teaching that trains and corrects. God's law provides instruction; fools despise instruction and correction.
Insurrection
Rebellion against authority. Barabbas participated in an insurrection according to New Testament accounts; many Christians interpret this contrast with Jesus as discouraging believers from joining violent rebellions against government.
Integrity
Moral wholeness and honesty. Job maintained his integrity under testing; believers should walk in integrity before God.
Intercede
To plead on behalf of another. Christ intercedes for believers; the Spirit intercedes with groanings beyond words.
Intermediate State
Condition of believers between death and resurrection, present with the Lord while awaiting glorified bodies.
Interpret
To explain meaning or translate languages. Gift of interpretation accompanied speaking in tongues for church edification.
Intertestamental Period
Approximately 400 years between Malachi and Matthew when no inspired Scripture was written but history continued.
Invisible
Cannot be seen with physical eyes. God is invisible; faith perceives invisible eternal realities more real than visible temporal things.
Inward Man
Spiritual nature or soul being renewed daily even as the outer man decays physically.
Iota
Smallest Greek letter (like English "i"). Not one iota will pass from the law until all is fulfilled.
Iron Age
Period when iron replaced bronze for tools and weapons, beginning around the time of Israel's judges.
Irreverent
Lacking proper respect for sacred things. Esau was irreverent regarding his birthright; believers should avoid irreverence.
Isaiah's Call
Dramatic vision of God's holiness in the temple where Isaiah received cleansing and commission to prophesy.
Israel's Calling
God's purpose for Israel to be a kingdom of priests and holy nation displaying His character to all peoples.
Israelite Religion
Faith system centered on covenant relationship with Yahweh, including law, priesthood, sacrifices, and temple worship.
More Key Figures
Ichabod
Name meaning "the glory has departed," given to Eli's grandson born when the Ark was captured by Philistines.
Igal
One of twelve spies sent to scout Canaan, representing the tribe of Issachar during the wilderness period.
Immer
Priestly family serving in the temple; Jeremiah was imprisoned by Pashhur, son of Immer the priest.
Imrah
Descendant of Asher mentioned in genealogical records of Israel's tribal leadership.
Ira
One of David's mighty men and chief minister, from Jattir in the hill country of Judah.
Irad
Descendant of Cain mentioned in early genealogies before the flood.
Iri
Benjamite warrior and family head mentioned in tribal genealogies recorded in Chronicles.
Isaiah's Wife
Prophetess married to Isaiah who bore him sons with symbolic prophetic names.
Ishbak
Abraham's son by Keturah, ancestor of an Arabian tribe settling east of Israel.
Ishbi-benob
Giant Philistine warrior who nearly killed David but was slain by Abishai.
Ish-bosheth
Saul's son who briefly ruled northern Israel after Saul's death before being assassinated.
Ishi
Name meaning "my husband," prophesied as Israel's future relationship with God replacing "Baali" (my master).
Ishijah
Israelite who divorced his foreign wife during Ezra's reforms to maintain covenant purity.
Ishmaiah
One of David's mighty men from Gibeon, a Benjamite warrior joining David at Ziklag.
Ishmerai
Benjamite family head and warrior mentioned in genealogical records.
Ishpan
Benjamite leader whose descendants lived in Jerusalem after the exile.
Ishvah
Son of Asher and grandson of Jacob, ancestor of a family within Asher's tribe.
Ismachiah
Levite supervisor of temple offerings during Hezekiah's reforms and revival.
Ispah
Benjamite family head mentioned in genealogies recorded by Ezra and Nehemiah.
Groups and Peoples
Idumeans
Greek name for Edomites, descendants of Esau living southeast of Israel during intertestamental and New Testament periods.
Ishmaelites
Descendants of Ishmael who became traders and merchants, living in Arabian deserts east and south of Israel.
Israelites
Descendants of Jacob (Israel) chosen by God as His covenant people through whom Messiah would come.
Itureans
Arabian people descended from Ishmael living northeast of Israel, mentioned in Luke's Gospel regarding tetrarchs.
Biblical Practices and Events
Anointing with Oil
Practice of pouring oil on people or objects to consecrate them for God's service or provide healing.
Investiture
Formal installation into office, particularly for priests and kings receiving garments and symbols of authority.
Irrevocable Gifts
God's calling and gifts given without regret, never withdrawn even when recipients prove unfaithful.