Bible Dictionary: Terms Beginning with L
Exploring biblical terms starting with "L" reveals God's law, love, and the light of life found in Christ. Here's your comprehensive guide to essential biblical vocabulary.
Major Biblical Figures
Laban
Rebekah's brother and Jacob's uncle who gave him Leah and Rachel as wives but deceived him repeatedly about wages.
Lamech
Name of two men: Cain's descendant who boasted of violence, and Noah's father who prophesied about his son's significance.
Lazarus
Brother of Mary and Martha whom Jesus raised from death after four days, demonstrating His power over death.
Leah
Jacob's first wife, Laban's older daughter, who bore six sons and a daughter, mother of Judah through whom Messiah came.
Levi
Jacob's third son whose descendants became Israel's priestly tribe, serving in the tabernacle and temple without land inheritance.
Lot
Abraham's nephew who chose to live in Sodom, barely escaped its destruction, and whose daughters bore Moab and Ammon through incest.
Luke
Gentile physician and companion of Paul who wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts, providing detailed historical accounts.
Lydia
Businesswoman from Thyatira who sold purple cloth, converted at Philippi, and hosted Paul's team in her home.
Central Theological Terms
Lamb
Young sheep used for sacrifice. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sin through His sacrificial death.
Lamb of God
Title for Jesus emphasizing His role as perfect sacrifice for sin, fulfilling Old Testament sacrificial system.
Lament
Expression of grief, sorrow, or mourning. Lamentations is Jeremiah's lament over Jerusalem's destruction; believers lament sin and suffering.
Last Days
Period from Christ's first coming to His return, characterized by gospel proclamation, persecution, and spiritual warfare before final judgment.
Last Judgment
Final evaluation of all humanity when Christ judges the living and dead, determining eternal destinies based on faith or rejection.
Last Supper
Final Passover meal Jesus shared with disciples before His crucifixion, instituting communion as remembrance of His sacrifice.
Law
God's revealed will and commandments, particularly the Mosaic law given at Sinai. Christ fulfilled the law; believers fulfill it through love.
Law of Moses
Commandments, statutes, and ordinances God gave Israel through Moses, governing religious, civil, and moral life.
Laying On of Hands
Act of blessing, healing, ordaining, or imparting the Holy Spirit through physical touch, practiced throughout Scripture.
Leaven
Yeast causing dough to rise, symbolizing sin's pervasive influence or the kingdom's growth, depending on context.
Legion
A Roman legion was a military unit of approximately 5,000 soldiers (sometimes reaching up to 6,000 in later periods); 'Legion' is also the name of a demon-possessed man healed by Jesus who had many demons.
Levite
Descendant of Levi serving in tabernacle and temple worship, assisting priests with various religious duties without land inheritance.
Life
Physical existence; also spiritual vitality and eternal relationship with God through Christ who is the life.
Life Eternal
Unending existence in fellowship with God, beginning at salvation and continuing forever in glorified state without death or sin.
Light
Physical illumination; God's holy nature; Christ as the world's light; believers as lights reflecting God's truth in darkness.
Lion
Powerful predator representing strength and royalty. Christ is the Lion of Judah; Satan prowls like a roaring lion seeking prey.
Living Water
Jesus' metaphor for the Holy Spirit satisfying spiritual thirst, providing eternal life to those who believe.
Locusts
Swarming insects devastating crops, representing judgment. John the Baptist ate locusts; Joel prophesied locust plagues.
Lord
Master or ruler possessing authority. Jesus is Lord over all; confession "Jesus is Lord" signifies submission to His authority.
Lord of Hosts
Title emphasizing God's command over heavenly armies, demonstrating His supreme power and sovereignty over all creation.
Lord's Day
Christian designation for Sunday, the day Jesus rose from death, when believers gather for worship and communion.
Lord's Prayer
Model prayer Jesus taught disciples, addressing God as Father and covering worship, provision, forgiveness, and deliverance.
Lord's Supper
Communion meal remembering Christ's death through bread and wine symbolizing His body and blood sacrificed for believers.
Lot
Object cast to determine God's will before Pentecost; also Abraham's nephew who escaped Sodom's destruction.
Love
Selfless commitment seeking another's good. God is love; the greatest commandment is loving God and neighbor; love fulfills the law.
Loving-kindness
God's loyal covenant love combining mercy, faithfulness, and steadfast devotion to His people despite their unfaithfulness.
Lucifer
Latin name meaning "light-bearer" or "morning star," applied to the king of Babylon in Isaiah, traditionally associated with Satan's fall.
Lust
Intense wrongful desire, especially sexual craving. Lust of the flesh wars against the Spirit; believers must flee youthful lusts.
Places and Regions
Lachish
Fortified city in Judah's lowlands, second in importance to Jerusalem, conquered by Joshua and later besieged by Assyria and Babylon.
Laodicea
Wealthy city in Asia Minor whose lukewarm church Jesus rebuked for spiritual complacency despite material prosperity.
Lebanon
Mountain range north of Israel famous for cedar trees used in Solomon's temple construction and symbolizing majesty.
Lystra
City in Asia Minor where Paul healed a lame man, was stoned and left for dead, yet returned to strengthen disciples.
Biblical Objects and Symbols
Ladder
Structure for climbing. Jacob saw a ladder reaching heaven with angels ascending and descending, representing access to God.
Lamp
Oil-burning light source. God's Word is a lamp to our feet; wise virgins kept lamps ready; the Lamb is heaven's lamp.
Lampstand
Stand holding lamps, particularly the seven-branched golden lampstand in the tabernacle representing Israel and later the seven churches.
Lance
Long spear or javelin used in warfare, representing military power and conflict in biblical battles.
Landmark
Boundary marker between properties. Moving landmarks to steal land was forbidden, representing justice and integrity.
Latchet
Strap fastening a sandal. John the Baptist declared himself unworthy to loose Jesus' shoe latchets, showing humility.
Lattice
Decorative window screen providing privacy while allowing air flow. Sisera's mother looked through lattices awaiting his return.
Laver
Bronze basin in the tabernacle courtyard where priests washed hands and feet before serving, symbolizing cleansing from defilement.
Leprosy
Skin disease causing isolation from community, representing sin's defiling power. Jesus healed lepers, demonstrating His cleansing power.
Letter
Written communication or Scripture itself. Paul wrote letters to churches; the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.
Linen
Fabric from flax plant, used for priestly garments and burial cloths, symbolizing purity and righteousness.
Lion of Judah
Messianic title from Jacob's blessing, representing Christ's royal authority and conquering power from David's line.
Locust
Swarming insect causing devastation, representing judgment. John the Baptist ate locusts in the wilderness with honey.
Loins
Waist area; source of strength and procreation. Girding loins meant preparing for action; truth girds believers' loins.
Lot
Small object cast to determine decisions, like dice. Sailors cast lots finding Jonah; soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garments.
Additional Theological Concepts
Labor
Work or toil. Humanity labors due to the curse; believers labor in gospel work; rest remains for God's people.
Ladder of Jacob
Vision of ladder connecting earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending, prefiguring Christ as the way to God.
Lake of Fire
Final destination of Satan, demons, and unbelievers, described as eternal punishment and the second death.
Lamentation
Sorrowful cry or dirge mourning tragedy. Jeremiah's Lamentations mourns Jerusalem's destruction; believers lament over sin.
Landmark, Ancient
Boundary stones marking property lines, protected by law. Removing them represented theft and injustice toward neighbors.
Last Adam
Title for Christ who, unlike the first Adam, obeyed perfectly and brought life rather than death to His descendants.
Last Trumpet
Final trumpet blast at Christ's return signaling resurrection and transformation of believers into glorified bodies.
Latter Rain
Spring rain in Israel ensuring good harvest, symbolizing Holy Spirit's final outpouring before Christ's return.
Laver of Regeneration
New birth through the Holy Spirit's washing, cleansing believers from sin and making them new creations in Christ.
Law and Grace
Contrasting systems: law demands perfect obedience bringing condemnation; grace offers salvation through faith bringing justification.
Law of Christ
Principle of love fulfilling all law, summarized in loving God supremely and neighbors as ourselves.
Law of Liberty
Perfect law of freedom bringing liberty through obedience, contrasted with bondage under sin and legalism.
Law Written on Heart
New covenant promise where God writes His law internally, producing genuine obedience from transformed hearts.
Lawgiver
One establishing laws. God is the ultimate lawgiver; Moses mediated God's law; Christ is prophet, priest, and king.
Lawless One
Antichrist or man of sin appearing before Christ's return, opposing God and exalting himself above all worship.
Lawlessness
Rebellion against God's authority and standards. Sin is lawlessness; the mystery of lawlessness already works secretly.
Laying Up Treasure
Storing riches either in heaven through righteous living or on earth through materialism and selfishness.
Laziness
Sluggishness in work or duty. Proverbs warns against laziness; believers shouldn't be lazy but fervent in spirit.
Leaders
Those guiding and directing others. Believers should obey and submit to spiritual leaders who watch over their souls.
Leasing
Falsehood or lies in older English translations. How long will people love vanity and seek after leasing?
Lebonah
Town north of Shiloh, landmark indicating location of ancient tabernacle before Jerusalem became worship center.
Legion of Demons
Multitude of evil spirits possessing the Gadarene man whom Jesus delivered, sending demons into swine.
Length of Days
Long life promised as blessing for honoring parents and walking in wisdom and righteousness.
Leopard
Spotted wild cat representing speed and ferocity. In millennium, leopard will lie with young goat peacefully.
Letter and Spirit
Contrast between dead legalism following rules versus living obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Levitical Cities
Forty-eight towns throughout Israel given to Levites for dwelling since they received no land inheritance.
Levitical Priesthood
Aaronic priests from Levi's tribe mediating between God and Israel through sacrifices, replaced by Christ's priesthood.
Libertine
One living without moral restraint. Libertines opposed Stephen; some abused grace as license for immorality.
Liberty
Freedom from bondage. Christ brings liberty from sin's slavery; believers have liberty but shouldn't use it for evil.
Lie
False statement intended to deceive. Satan is the father of lies; believers must not lie but speak truth.
Life Abundant
Jesus' promise of rich, full life in relationship with Him, contrasted with thief's destruction and death.
Life-giving Spirit
Christ as the last Adam became life-giving spirit, imparting spiritual life to dead souls through resurrection power.
Lifted Up
Jesus' crucifixion foreshadowed by bronze serpent lifted up; also His exaltation after humiliation, drawing all people.
Light of Life
Christ as source of spiritual illumination giving understanding, direction, and eternal life to those walking in His light.
Light of the World
Jesus' self-description as source of spiritual truth and salvation, calling believers to reflect His light to others.
Lightning
Bright electrical discharge accompanying storms, symbolizing God's power, judgment, and Christ's sudden return.
Likeness of God
Humanity's creation bearing God's image in rationality, morality, and relationality, marred by sin but restored in Christ.
Lily
Flower representing beauty and God's provision. Solomon's wisdom exceeded lilies' glory; believers are lilies among thorns.
Line
Measuring cord or standard. God measures with lines of judgment and righteousness; believers maintain godly standards.
Lineage
Ancestral descent or genealogy. Jesus' lineage through David proves His right to Israel's throne as Messiah.
Linen, Fine
Expensive white fabric worn by priests and the wealthy, symbolizing righteousness and purity in Scripture.
Lion's Den
Pit where Daniel was thrown for praying, miraculously preserved by God who shut lions' mouths.
Lips
Part of mouth associated with speech. Guard your lips; offer lips as calves of sacrifice through praise.
Little Faith
Jesus' gentle rebuke to disciples anxious about provision, having small trust in God's faithful care.
Little Horn
Daniel's vision of antichrist figure arising from fourth kingdom, speaking against God and persecuting saints temporarily.
Little Ones
Children or vulnerable believers needing protection. Jesus warned against causing little ones to stumble.
Living God
True God who exists eternally, contrasted with dead idols, actively involved in creation and redemption.
Living Hope
Confident expectation based on Christ's resurrection, producing perseverance and joy despite present sufferings.
Living Sacrifice
Believers' presentation of bodies to God for service, reasonable worship contrasted with dead animal sacrifices.
Living Stone
Christ as cornerstone rejected by builders but chosen by God; believers are living stones built into spiritual house.
Living Word
Christ as eternal Word made flesh; also Scripture as God's living, active, powerful communication transforming lives.
Loaves and Fishes
Five loaves and two fish Jesus multiplied feeding 5,000, demonstrating His creative power and provision.
Lodge
To spend the night or dwell temporarily. Ruth lodged where Naomi went; believers are pilgrims lodging briefly on earth.
Loftiness
Pride or arrogance. God will bring down human loftiness and be exalted alone in that day.
Long-suffering
Patient endurance of wrongs without retaliation. God is long-suffering toward sinners; believers should practice long-suffering toward all.
Look
To direct eyes or attention. Look to Jesus; looking back disqualifies for kingdom service; look for blessed hope.
Loose
To untie, release, or permit. What you loose on earth is loosed in heaven; Jesus loosed those bound by Satan.
Lord God Almighty
Title emphasizing God's supreme power and sovereign control over all creation and history.
Lord's Anointed
King or priest set apart by God for special service, particularly referring to David and ultimately Christ.
Lordship of Christ
Jesus' absolute authority over believers' lives requiring complete submission and obedience to His will.
Lost Sheep
Parable of God's pursuing love seeking the one lost sheep, representing sinners needing redemption and restoration.
Lots, Casting
Ancient practice of using objects to determine God's will, superseded by Holy Spirit's direct guidance after Pentecost.
Lower Parts
Depths of earth or Hades, where Christ descended after death before resurrection, proclaiming victory over death.
Lowly
Humble in spirit and station. God dwells with the lowly; Jesus was lowly in heart; blessed are the lowly.
Lucre
Money or material gain. Filthy lucre describes shameful pursuit of wealth; leaders shouldn't serve for dishonest gain.
Luke's Gospel
Third Gospel emphasizing Jesus' humanity, compassion for outcasts, and universal scope of salvation for all peoples.
Lukewarm
Neither hot nor cold, describing Laodicea's complacent spiritual condition that Jesus found repulsive and warned against.
Lunatic
Term in older translations for those possessed or mentally afflicted whom Jesus healed, demonstrating power over spiritual and physical afflictions.
Lying
Speaking falsehood to deceive. Lying tongue is abomination to God; Satan is father of lies; believers must speak truth.
Lying Spirit
Demon sent by God to deceive Ahab's prophets, demonstrating God's sovereignty even over evil for His purposes.
Lyre
Stringed musical instrument used in worship. David played lyre soothing Saul; heaven's worship includes lyres.
More Key Figures
Laadah
Judahite mentioned in genealogies, descendant of Shelah and ancestor of families in Mareshah.
Laadan
Ephramite ancestor of Joshua; also a Levite from Gershon's family serving in temple during David's reign.
Lael
Father of Eliasaph, leader of the Gershonite Levites during Israel's wilderness wanderings under Moses.
Lahad
Judahite mentioned in genealogies, descendant of families settling in Judah's territory after conquest.
Lahmi
Brother of Goliath the Gittite, killed by Elhanan in battle against the Philistines during David's reign.
Laish
Father of Paltiel to whom Saul gave David's wife Michal during their estrangement.
Lamech (Noah's father)
Righteous man who prophesied his son Noah would bring relief from the ground's curse, living 777 years.
Lamech (Cain's descendant)
Violent man who took two wives, boasted of killing a man for wounding him, epitomizing ungodly civilization.
Lappidoth
Husband of Deborah the prophetess and judge who led Israel to victory over Canaanite oppression.
Lazarus (parable)
Poor man in Jesus' parable who went to Abraham's bosom while the rich man went to torment, teaching about eternal destiny.
Lebaeus
Surname of apostle Judas (not Iscariot), also called Thaddaeus, one of the twelve disciples.
Lecah
Judahite mentioned in genealogies, possibly a person or place name associated with Judah's descendants.
Lehabim
Descendants of Mizraim (Egypt), possibly Libyans, mentioned in Table of Nations after the flood.
Lemuel
King to whom his mother gave wise sayings recorded in Proverbs 31, including the virtuous woman passage.
Letushim
Descendants of Dedan, Abraham's grandson through Keturah, settling in Arabian territories.
Leummim
Descendants of Dedan mentioned alongside Letushim as Arabian tribes descended from Abraham through Keturah.
Levi (apostle)
Tax collector called by Jesus to be disciple, also called Matthew, who wrote the first Gospel.
Libni
Levite from Gershon's family, ancestor of a clan serving in tabernacle and temple worship.
Likhi
Manassite mentioned in genealogies of the half-tribe settling west of the Jordan River.
Linus
Christian in Rome who sent greetings through Paul's letter to Timothy, possibly an early church leader.
Lo-ammi
Symbolic name meaning "not my people" given to Hosea's son, representing Israel's broken covenant relationship.
Lo-ruhamah
Symbolic name meaning "no mercy" given to Hosea's daughter, representing God's withdrawn compassion from Israel.
Lois
Timothy's grandmother commended for sincere faith passed to her daughter Eunice and grandson Timothy.
Lotan
Son of Seir the Horite, ancestor of Edomite clans dwelling in Mount Seir before Esau's descendants.
Lucius
Name of two men: Christian teacher at Antioch and a relative of Paul sending greetings from Corinth.
Lud
Son of Shem whose descendants settled in regions associated with Lydia in Asia Minor.
Ludim
Descendants of Mizraim (Egypt), possibly referring to Lydians or North African peoples.
Luhith
Town in Moab mentioned in prophecies against Moab, site of a steep ascent where fugitives wept fleeing destruction.
Luz
Original name of Bethel before Jacob's encounter with God there; also a Canaanite city spared by Israel.
Groups and Peoples
Laodiceans
Christians in wealthy Laodicea rebuked for lukewarm faith, spiritual blindness, and complacency despite material prosperity.
Levites
Tribe of Levi set apart for religious service, assisting priests in worship, teaching law, and maintaining sanctuary.
Libyans (Lubim)
North African people allied with Egypt, mentioned as mercenaries in various armies opposing Israel.
Ludim
People descended from Mizraim, possibly Lydians in Asia Minor or North African tribe related to Egyptians.
Lyconians
People of Lycaonia where Paul preached; they spoke their own language and tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods.
Lydians
People of Lydia in Asia Minor, prosperous region including Sardis, Thyatira, and Philadelphia addressed in Revelation.
Biblical Practices and Events
Laying On of Hands
Physical act conveying blessing, healing, ordination, or Holy Spirit reception, practiced by Jesus, apostles, and church leaders.
Leaping
Jumping for joy or physical healing. Lame man leaped praising God after Peter healed him at temple gate.
Lending
Providing loans to those in need. God blesses lending to the poor; Israelites were to lend freely without interest to brothers.
Levitical Law
Ceremonial and ritual regulations given through Moses governing worship, sacrifice, cleanliness, and priestly service.
Libation
Drink offering poured out to God, accompanying sacrifices, symbolizing life poured out in devotion and service.
Lighting Lamps
Daily duty of priests maintaining the golden lampstand, ensuring light burned continually before God's presence.
Lord's Passover
Annual feast commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt when death passed over homes marked with lamb's blood.
Love Feast
Early church meal accompanying communion, expressing fellowship and unity, later separated due to abuses.