Bible Dictionary: Terms Beginning with P
Exploring biblical terms starting with "P" reveals God's promises, the power of prayer, and the peace found through Christ. Here's your comprehensive guide to essential biblical vocabulary.
Major Biblical Figures
Paul (Saul of Tarsus)
Apostle to the Gentiles, former Pharisee converted on Damascus road, wrote most New Testament epistles, and planted churches throughout Roman Empire.
Peter (Simon Peter)
Fisherman called by Jesus, leader among apostles, preached at Pentecost, wrote two epistles, martyred in Rome.
Philip (apostle)
One of the twelve disciples who brought Nathanael to Jesus and helped distribute food at the feeding miracle.
Philip (evangelist)
One of seven deacons who preached in Samaria, led Ethiopian eunuch to Christ, and had four prophesying daughters.
Philemon
Christian slave owner who received Paul's letter urging him to accept runaway slave Onesimus as a brother.
Pharaoh
Title of Egyptian kings, including those who enslaved Israel, faced Moses' plagues, and interacted with Joseph and Abraham.
Pharisees
Jewish religious sect emphasizing strict law observance and oral traditions, often opposing Jesus despite some believing in Him.
Phineas (Phinehas)
Grandson of Aaron whose zealous action stopped a plague; also Eli's corrupt son who died in battle.
Pilate (Pontius Pilate)
Roman governor who tried Jesus, found Him innocent, but yielded to pressure and ordered His crucifixion.
Pontius Pilate
Roman prefect of Judea who reluctantly sentenced Jesus to death despite declaring His innocence multiple times.
Potiphar
Egyptian official who bought Joseph as slave, whose wife falsely accused Joseph leading to imprisonment.
Priscilla (Prisca)
Aquila's wife, tentmaker who worked with Paul, taught Apollos, and hosted church in their home.
Central Theological Terms
Parable
Earthly story with spiritual meaning used by Jesus to reveal kingdom truths to those with ears to hear.
Paradise
Place of blessing where righteous dead await resurrection; Jesus promised thief they'd be together in paradise.
Pardon
Forgiveness of sin and guilt. God pardons iniquity; believers receive pardon through Christ's blood.
Parousia
Greek term for Christ's second coming, His personal, visible, glorious return to earth at the end of the age.
Passover
Annual feast commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt when death "passed over" homes marked with lamb's blood.
Pastor
Shepherd caring for God's flock, elder responsible for feeding, leading, and protecting the local church.
Patience
Long-suffering endurance without complaint. God is patient; believers need patience to inherit promises and endure trials.
Peace
Wholeness, harmony, and reconciliation with God through Christ. Jesus gives peace surpassing understanding; peacemakers are blessed.
Peace Offering
Voluntary sacrifice expressing thanksgiving and fellowship with God, portions shared by worshiper, priest, and consumed by fire.
Pentecost
Feast of Weeks celebrating wheat harvest, when the Holy Spirit descended on believers birthing the church.
Perdition
Complete destruction or damnation. Judas was the son of perdition; antichrist is the man of perdition.
Perfection
Completeness and maturity. "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect"; believers being perfected through trials.
Perish
To die or be destroyed eternally. The wicked perish; whoever believes in Christ shall not perish but have eternal life.
Persecution
Hostility and suffering for faith. Jesus promised persecution; blessed are those persecuted for righteousness; Paul persecuted then was persecuted.
Perseverance
Steadfast continuance in faith despite trials. Perseverance proves genuine faith; believers persevere through God's keeping power.
Petition
Request or prayer presented to God. Hannah's petition was granted; Daniel made petition despite the decree.
Pharisee
Member of Jewish sect emphasizing law observance and traditions, often legalistic but some like Nicodemus believed in Jesus.
Piety
Devotion and reverence toward God. Manifest piety through caring for family; godliness with contentment is great gain.
Pilgrimage
Journey through life as strangers and exiles seeking the heavenly city whose builder and maker is God.
Plague
Disease or calamity sent as judgment. Ten plagues on Egypt; plagues in Revelation; healing from plagues demonstrates divine power.
Power
Ability to act, especially God's omnipotent strength. Gospel is God's power for salvation; believers receive power from Holy Spirit.
Power of God
Divine might creating the universe, raising the dead, and transforming lives. The gospel is God's power unto salvation.
Praise
Expressing adoration and gratitude to God. Offer sacrifice of praise; everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Prayer
Communication with God including adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Pray without ceasing; effective fervent prayer avails much.
Preach
To proclaim the gospel message. Jesus preached the kingdom; apostles preached Christ crucified; preachers sent by God.
Predestination
God's eternal decree determining all things according to His sovereign will and purpose before creation.
Presbyter
Elder or overseer in the church, responsible for teaching, shepherding, and governing the local assembly.
Pride
Excessive self-esteem and arrogance. Pride goes before destruction; God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Priest
Mediator between God and people offering sacrifices. Aaron's line served as priests; Christ is eternal High Priest.
Priesthood
Office and function of priests mediating between God and humanity. Levitical priesthood replaced by Christ's superior priesthood.
Prince of Peace
Messianic title for Jesus whose reign brings eternal peace and reconciliation between God and humanity.
Promise
God's pledge or assurance of future fulfillment. Abraham received promises; believers inherit promises through faith and patience.
Promised Land
Canaan, the land God promised Abraham's descendants, representing believers' eternal inheritance in Christ.
Prophecy
Divinely inspired message declaring God's will, future events, or calling people to repentance and obedience.
Prophet
One who speaks God's message, revealing divine will, calling to righteousness, and predicting future events.
Propitiation
Christ's sacrifice satisfying God's wrath against sin, appeasing divine justice and making reconciliation possible.
Proselyte
Gentile convert to Judaism adopting Jewish beliefs and practices, circumcised and keeping the law.
Prosperity
Material and spiritual blessing. God prospers the righteous; prosperity without God leads to spiritual danger.
Proverb
Short wise saying conveying practical truth. Solomon wrote many proverbs; Jesus spoke in proverbs and parables.
Providence
God's sovereign care and direction of all things toward His purposes, working all things for believers' good.
Psalm
Sacred song or hymn, especially the 150 poems in the Psalter expressing worship, lament, thanksgiving, and instruction.
Publican
Tax collector for Rome, despised by Jews as traitors and sinners, yet Jesus called Matthew and ate with publicans.
Pulpit
Elevated platform from which Scripture is read and preached, ensuring all can see and hear clearly.
Pure
Undefiled and holy. Pure in heart see God; believers purify themselves as Christ is pure; God's Word is pure.
Purge
To cleanse or purify from sin and impurity. God purges sin; believers purge themselves from dishonorable uses.
Purification
Ceremonial or spiritual cleansing from defilement. Various purification rituals pointed to Christ's cleansing from sin.
Purity
Freedom from moral or ceremonial defilement. Pursue purity of heart; teach with all purity; maintain sexual purity.
Purple
Expensive dye from shellfish indicating royalty and wealth. Lydia sold purple; soldiers mocked Jesus with purple robe.
Places and Regions
Paddan-aram
Region in northern Mesopotamia where Rebekah and Rachel came from, home of Laban where Jacob served fourteen years.
Palestine
Roman designation for land of Israel, from "Philistia," used broadly for the region including Judea, Samaria, and Galilee.
Pamphylia
Coastal region in southern Asia Minor where Paul preached during missionary journeys, including Perga and Attalia.
Paphos
City on Cyprus where Paul confronted the sorcerer Elymas and proconsul Sergius Paulus believed the gospel.
Paran
Wilderness region in Sinai Peninsula where Israelites wandered and spies were sent to scout Canaan.
Parthia
Region southeast of Caspian Sea; Parthians were present at Pentecost hearing the gospel in their language.
Patmos
Rocky Aegean island where John was exiled and received the Revelation vision while in the Spirit.
Peniel (Penuel)
Place where Jacob wrestled with God and saw Him face to face, meaning "face of God."
Pentecost
Jerusalem where Holy Spirit descended on believers fifty days after Passover, birthing the church with tongues of fire.
Perga
City in Pamphylia where John Mark left Paul and Barnabas during the first missionary journey.
Pergamum (Pergamos)
City in Asia Minor with one of seven churches, where Satan's throne was, warned against false teaching.
Persia
Empire that conquered Babylon and allowed Jews to return home, ruled by kings like Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes.
Pharpar
River of Damascus mentioned by Naaman who initially preferred it over Jordan River for cleansing leprosy.
Philadelphia
City in Asia Minor with one of seven churches, commended for faithfulness despite little strength, promised open door.
Philippi
Macedonian city where Paul established church, imprisoned with Silas, and wrote epistle to Philippians from Rome.
Philistia
Coastal region occupied by Philistines, Israel's persistent enemies who gave name to Palestine.
Phoenicia
Coastal region north of Israel including Tyre and Sidon, known for seafaring, trade, and purple dye production.
Phrygia
Region in central Asia Minor through which Paul traveled, home to Colossae and other early churches.
Pisgah
Mountain ridge in Moab where Moses viewed Promised Land before death, overlooking Jericho and Jordan Valley.
Pisidia
Mountainous region in Asia Minor where Paul preached at Antioch during first missionary journey.
Pontus
Region on Black Sea's southern coast; Jews from Pontus heard Peter preach at Pentecost; Aquila came from there.
Put (Phut)
Son of Ham and region in North Africa, possibly Libya, mentioned among nations in Ezekiel's prophecies.
Biblical Objects and Symbols
Palm Branch
Symbol of victory and celebration. People waved palms welcoming Jesus; tribulation saints hold palms before God's throne.
Parable
Story illustrating spiritual truth through earthly comparison, Jesus' primary teaching method revealing kingdom mysteries.
Parapet
Parapet walls are protective structures around roof edges required by building codes primarily for fire protection on exterior walls. While they may provide incidental fall protection, they are not specifically mandated for that purpose; separate guardrails meeting OSHA standards are required for actual fall protection.
Parchment
Animal skin prepared for writing, more durable than papyrus. Paul requested parchments brought from Troas.
Passover Lamb
Unblemished lamb sacrificed and eaten at Passover, whose blood protected from death, prefiguring Christ our Passover.
Patrimony
Inherited property or rights passed from father to children, representing spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ.
Pearl
Valuable gem formed in oysters, representing the kingdom's worth. Jesus spoke of pearl of great price; heaven's gates are pearls.
Penny (Denarius)
Roman silver coin worth a day's wages, used in Jesus' parables and questions about taxes and labor.
Pentateuch
First five books of Scripture written by Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, also called Torah.
Perfume
Fragrant ointment for anointing and burial. Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume; wise men brought frankincense and myrrh.
Phylactery
Small leather box containing Scripture portions worn by Jewish men during prayer, often for show by Pharisees.
Pillar
Upright support structure; memorial stone; symbol of stability. Lot's wife became salt pillar; church is truth's pillar.
Pillar of Cloud
Visible manifestation of God's presence guiding Israel through wilderness by day, becoming fire by night.
Pillar of Fire
Nighttime manifestation of God's presence providing light and protection as Israel journeyed through wilderness.
Pitcher
Clay vessel for carrying water. Gideon's 300 men carried pitchers concealing torches to defeat Midianites.
Plumbline
Weighted cord measuring vertical straightness, symbolizing God's standard of righteousness measuring Israel.
Pomegranate
Fruit with many seeds symbolizing abundance and blessing, decorating priests' robes and temple pillars.
Potter
Craftsman shaping clay into vessels, metaphor for God's sovereignty shaping people according to His purposes.
Potter's Field
Burial ground for foreigners purchased with Judas' betrayal money, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy.
Precious Stones
Valuable gems in high priest's breastplate and New Jerusalem's foundations, symbolizing beauty and value.
Press (Winepress)
Vat where grapes were crushed, metaphor for God's judgment and Christ's suffering bearing sin's weight.
Priestly Garments
Special clothing for priests including ephod, breastplate, robe, tunic, turban, and sash, symbolizing holiness.
Pulpit
Platform for reading Scripture and teaching, Ezra stood on wooden pulpit reading the law to the people.
Purple Robe
Expensive garment indicating royalty, mockingly placed on Jesus during His trial and crucifixion.
Additional Theological Concepts
Pain
Physical or emotional suffering. Childbirth pain resulted from the fall; believers experience birth pains awaiting redemption.
Palace
Royal residence. Kings dwelt in palaces; Nehemiah served in king's palace; heaven is God's palace.
Paraclete
Greek term for Helper or Advocate, referring to Holy Spirit and Jesus interceding for believers.
Pardon
Forgiveness releasing from guilt and punishment. God pardons abundantly; believers receive pardon through Christ.
Partial Rapture
View that only faithful believers will be caught up at Christ's return, debated among premillennialists.
Passions
Strong desires or emotions. Put to death sinful passions; Christ suffered our passions; control your passions.
Pastoral Epistles
Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus providing instruction for church leadership and ministry organization.
Patience of Christ
Christ's long-suffering toward sinners, demonstrated throughout ministry and continuing until His return.
Patriarch
Founding father of Israel including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and twelve sons whose tribes formed the nation.
Patrimony
Father's inheritance passed to children, symbolizing spiritual blessings believers receive as God's children.
Pattern
Model or example to follow. Tabernacle built according to heavenly pattern; Christ is pattern for believers.
Peace of God
Tranquility surpassing understanding guarding hearts and minds, given by Christ independent of circumstances.
Peacemaker
One reconciling parties in conflict. Blessed are peacemakers; they shall be called God's children.
Pearl of Great Price
Parable illustrating kingdom's supreme worth for which a person sells everything to obtain.
Peculiar People
KJV term for God's special possession, His treasured people set apart from all nations for His purposes.
Penalty
Punishment deserved for wrongdoing. Sin's penalty is death; Christ paid sin's penalty for believers.
Penitent
Sorrowful and repentant over sin. God welcomes penitent sinners; penitent thief received salvation promise.
Pentecost, Feast of
Celebration fifty days after Passover when Holy Spirit descended, also called Feast of Weeks or Firstfruits.
Perfect Law
James' description of God's law bringing liberty, not bondage, when received rightly and obeyed faithfully.
Perfect Love
God's complete love that casts out fear, demonstrated in Christ and growing in believers through sanctification.
Perfecting
Process of spiritual maturity and completion. God perfects His work; suffering perfects faith; love is perfected.
Perfection of Beauty
Description of Jerusalem and God's glory, representing ultimate excellence and divine splendor.
Perjury
Perjury is forbidden and false witnesses face statutory punishment such as imprisonment or fines.
Permission
Authorization or allowance. Paul gave permission regarding marriage; God permits but doesn't cause all things.
Perpetual
Continuous and everlasting. God's covenant is perpetual; His mercy endures perpetually; statutes are perpetual.
Person of Christ
Jesus' unique nature as God-man, one person with two complete natures—fully divine and fully human.
Pervert
To corrupt or distort. False teachers pervert gospel; wicked pervert justice; don't pervert God's words.
Pestilence
Deadly epidemic disease, often sent as judgment. Plagues and pestilence demonstrate God's power and judgment.
Petition
Formal request to authority. Daniel made petition to God; Esther's petition saved her people.
Pharisaism
Religious system emphasizing external conformity to law and traditions, often neglecting internal righteousness.
Pilgrimage Life
Believers' journey through world as strangers seeking heavenly city, not settling permanently on earth.
Pity
Compassion and mercy toward sufferers. God has pity on His children; show pity to the afflicted.
Plague
Calamitous affliction or disease. Ten plagues on Egypt; end-time plagues; Christ healed all manner of plagues.
Plan of God
Eternal purpose and decree determining all things according to divine wisdom and sovereign will.
Plan of Salvation
God's design for redeeming humanity through Christ's death and resurrection, received through faith.
Pleasure of God
What delights and satisfies God. He takes pleasure in His people, righteousness, and His Son Jesus Christ.
Pledge
Promise or security for fulfilling obligation. Holy Spirit is pledge of inheritance ensuring future redemption.
Plenteous
Abundant and generous. God is plenteous in mercy; harvest is plenteous but laborers are few.
Plowshare
Iron blade of plow for breaking ground. Prophecy of swords beaten into plowshares represents peace.
Plumb Line
Measuring tool determining straightness, symbolizing God's standard of righteousness and judgment.
Poison
Deadly substance. Serpent's poison; tongue is set on fire with poison; Peter urged putting away malice and deceit.
Pollution
Defilement or contamination. Flee pollution of idolatry; world's corruption through lust pollutes; keep unpolluted.
Polytheism
Belief in multiple gods, characteristic of pagan religions, condemned throughout Scripture proclaiming one true God.
Pomp
Display of magnificence and ceremony. Human pomp passes away; Herod's pomp couldn't prevent judgment.
Pool
Water reservoir. Pool of Bethesda where lame man was healed; Pool of Siloam where blind man washed.
Poor in Spirit
Recognizing spiritual bankruptcy and need for God, first beatitude promising the kingdom.
Portion
Allotted share or inheritance. God is believers' portion; give portion to seven or eight generously.
Possession
Property owned. Israel was God's special possession; believers are His purchased possession awaiting redemption.
Posterity
Future generations or descendants. God promised posterity to Abraham; believers are Abraham's spiritual posterity.
Potter and Clay
Metaphor for God's sovereignty shaping people according to His purposes, questioning the clay's right to object.
Pour Out
To empty or distribute abundantly. God pours out His Spirit; wrath is poured out; believers pour out hearts.
Power of Attorney
Legal authority to act for another, analogous to believers acting as Christ's ambassadors with His authority.
Power of Darkness
Satan's domain and influence over fallen world, from which believers are delivered into Christ's kingdom.
Power of the Resurrection
Divine might that raised Christ from death, working in believers producing transformation and eternal life.
Powerful
Having great strength and ability. God's word is powerful; gospel is powerful unto salvation; prayer is powerful.
Practice
Habitual action or conduct. Practice what you preach; practice righteousness; don't practice lawlessness.
Pragmatism
Judging by practical results rather than absolute truth, approach contrary to biblical emphasis on God's revealed will.
Praise Offering
Sacrifice of thanksgiving expressing gratitude to God, accompanied by voluntary peace offerings and celebration.
Pray Without Ceasing
Continuous attitude of prayerful dependence and communication with God throughout daily activities.
Prayer Closet
Private place for personal prayer away from public view, where God who sees in secret rewards openly.
Prayer Meeting
Gathering of believers for corporate prayer, characteristic of early church practicing regular united prayer.
Prayer of Faith
Trusting petition believing God will answer according to His will and promises, bringing healing and forgiveness.
Preach the Gospel
To proclaim the good news of salvation through Christ's death and resurrection, command given to all believers.
Preacher
One who proclaims God's message. Noah was preacher of righteousness; preachers are sent by God; how beautiful their feet.
Preaching of the Cross
Proclaiming Christ's crucifixion for sin, foolishness to perishing but God's power to those being saved.
Precept
Command or principle for conduct. God's precepts are right; teach precepts diligently; precepts preserve life.
Precious
Extremely valuable. Faith is precious; Christ is precious stone; God's thoughts are precious; His blood is precious.
Precious Blood
Christ's blood shed at Calvary, infinitely valuable for redeeming humanity from sin and judgment.
Precious Faith
Saving trust in Christ, equally valuable for all believers whether Jew or Gentile, apostle or new convert.
Predestinate
To determine beforehand. God predestinated believers to adoption and conformity to Christ's image before creation.
Prediction
Foretelling future events. Biblical predictions demonstrate divine foreknowledge; fulfilled predictions authenticate Scripture and prophets.
Preeminence
Supreme importance and first place. Christ must have preeminence in all things; some seek preeminence wrongly.
Preexistence of Christ
Doctrine that Jesus existed eternally as God before His incarnation, affirmed throughout New Testament.
Prefigure
To foreshadow or represent beforehand. Old Testament sacrifices prefigured Christ's sacrifice; tabernacle prefigured heaven.
Preparation Day
Friday before Sabbath when Jews prepared for rest, day Jesus was crucified and buried.
Presence of God
Divine proximity and manifestation. God's presence dwelt in tabernacle; believers have constant access through Christ.
Presumptuous Sin
Deliberate rebellion against known truth, contrasted with sins of ignorance, requiring greater accountability.
Prevail
To overcome or prove superior. Gates of hell won't prevail against church; God's purposes always prevail.
Prevention
Going before or anticipating. God's mercies prevent us; prevention is better than cure in spiritual matters.
Prick
Sharp pain or conviction. Saul kicked against pricks; hearers were pricked in their hearts under conviction.
Pride of Life
Boastful confidence in worldly possessions and achievements, part of worldliness believers must resist.
Priesthood of Believers
Doctrine that all Christians are priests offering spiritual sacrifices and having direct access to God.
Primogeniture
Firstborn's right to double inheritance and family leadership, spiritually applied to Christ the firstborn.
Prince
Ruler or leader of high rank. Jesus is Prince of Peace; Satan is prince of this world's darkness.
Prince of Life
Title for Jesus emphasizing His role as source and giver of eternal life to all who believe.
Principality
Rank of angelic or demonic beings. Christ triumphed over principalities and powers at the cross.
Principles
Fundamental truths or rules. Elementary principles lead to maturity; don't return to weak and beggarly principles.
Prison
Place of confinement. Joseph imprisoned unjustly; Peter freed from prison; Paul wrote epistles from prison.
Prison Epistles
Paul's letters written during Roman imprisonment: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Probation
Period of testing or trial. Some see life as probation before final judgment determining eternal destiny.
Proclaim
To announce publicly. Proclaim liberty; proclaim the Lord's death; proclaim the gospel to all creation.
Profane
To treat sacred things as common or defile them. Don't profane God's name; Esau was profane regarding birthright.
Profession
Public declaration of faith. Hold fast profession; many profess knowing God but deny Him by works.
Profit
Benefit or gain. What profits gaining world but losing soul? Godliness is profitable; Scripture is profitable for doctrine.
Promise of the Father
Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised to send after His ascension, baptizing believers with power for witness.
Promised Seed
Descendant of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Prompter
One who reminds or urges to action. Holy Spirit prompts believers to witness and obey God's will.
Proof
Evidence establishing truth. Jesus gave many proofs of resurrection; believers should prove all things by Scripture.
Prophe
cy, Gift of Supernatural ability to receive and communicate God's messages for edification, exhortation, and comfort.
Prophetic Office
Christ's role as ultimate prophet revealing God's will, surpassing Moses and all Old Testament prophets.
Prophets, School of
Communities where prophets lived and trained together, mentioned during Elijah and Elisha's ministries.
Propitiation
Christ's sacrifice satisfying God's righteous wrath against sin, making reconciliation possible for believers.
Prosper
To succeed and flourish. Righteous prosper like trees by streams; God prospers those who trust Him.
Proselyte of the Gate
Gentile who adopted Jewish monotheism and moral code but wasn't fully converted through circumcision.
Prostitute
One engaging in sexual immorality for payment. Rahab the prostitute believed and was saved; used metaphorically for spiritual unfaithfulness.
Protection
Divine safeguarding from harm. God is believers' protection; His presence protects; angels protect His people.
Protest
To declare firmly or object. Paul protested his innocence; Stephen protested against religious hypocrisy.
Proud
Arrogant and self-exalting. God resists the proud; pride leads to destruction; proud looks are abomination.
Prove
To test or demonstrate truth. Prove all things; Abraham proved his faith; trials prove faith's genuineness.
Proverb
Brief wise saying conveying practical truth. Solomon spoke thousands of proverbs; Jesus spoke in proverbs.
Provision
Supply of needs. God provides for His creation; Jesus is God's provision for sin; faith receives provision.
Provocation
Act of provoking anger or rebellion. Don't provoke children to wrath; Israel's provocation in wilderness angered God.
Prudence
Practical wisdom and discernment in conduct. Prudent foresee danger; simple pass on and are punished.
Pruning
Cutting branches to increase fruitfulness. Father prunes fruitful branches; discipline is divine pruning producing righteousness.
Public Ministry
Jesus' approximately three-year period of teaching, healing, and proclaiming the kingdom before crucifixion.
Publican
Tax collector despised as traitor and sinner, yet Matthew was called and Jesus ate with publicans showing mercy.
Publish
To make known publicly. Publish good tidings; publish peace; disciples published Jesus' resurrection throughout world.
Puffed Up
Inflated with pride and arrogance. Knowledge puffs up but love builds up; some were puffed up in Corinth.
Punishment
Penalty for wrongdoing. God punishes wickedness; eternal punishment awaits unbelievers; discipline differs from punishment.
Purchase
To buy with payment. Church purchased with Christ's blood; purchased possession awaiting redemption's completion.
Pure Heart
Unmixed devotion and sincere love for God. Blessed are pure in heart; pursue righteousness with pure heart.
Purgatory
Unbiblical Catholic doctrine of intermediate purification, contradicting Scripture's teaching of immediate presence with Christ or judgment.
Purification Rites
Ceremonial washings required by law for various defilements, pointing to spiritual cleansing through Christ's blood.
Purify
To cleanse from defilement. Purify yourselves; Christ purifies His bride; faith purifies hearts.
Purim
Jewish festival celebrating deliverance from Haman's plot, established by Mordecai and Esther, observed annually.
Purpose
Intention or determined plan. God works all things according to His purpose; Paul purposed to visit Rome.
Purpose of God
Divine eternal decree accomplishing His glory and believers' redemption through Christ according to His sovereign will.
Put On
To clothe oneself with something. Put on the new man; put on Christ; put on the armor of God.
Put to Death
To execute or mortify. Put to death sinful deeds through the Spirit; old self was put to death with Christ.
More Key Figures
Paarai
One of David's mighty men, an Arbite warrior who performed exploits serving King David faithfully.
Padan
Region in Mesopotamia, short form of Paddan-aram where Rebekah and Rachel originated, Laban's homeland.
Padon
Head of a family of temple servants who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel to rebuild Jerusalem.
Pagiel
Prince of Asher who assisted Moses during wilderness census and presented offerings at tabernacle dedication.
Pahath-moab
Name meaning "governor of Moab," large family that returned from exile, some divorcing foreign wives during reforms.
Palal
Man who helped repair Jerusalem's walls during Nehemiah's restoration project after returning from captivity.
Pallu
Reuben's second son and grandfather of Dathan and Abiram who rebelled against Moses in wilderness.
Palti
Spy from Benjamin sent by Moses to scout Canaan, who brought back fearful report discouraging Israel.
Paltiel
Man to whom Saul gave David's wife Michal during their estrangement, weeping when David reclaimed her.
Parmashta
One of Haman's ten sons executed along with their father during Purim events recorded in Esther.
Parmenas
One of seven men chosen as first deacons to serve tables and distribute food to widows in Jerusalem.
Parnach
Father of Elizaphan, prince of Zebulun chosen to help divide the Promised Land among tribes.
Parosh
Large family that returned from Babylonian exile, some members divorcing foreign wives during Ezra's reforms.
Parshandatha
Eldest of Haman's ten sons killed in Shushan during Jews' defense against those plotting their destruction.
Paruah
Father of Jehoshaphat, one of Solomon's twelve district governors providing food for royal household monthly.
Pasach
Descendant of Asher mentioned in genealogies, warrior and family head in his tribe's records.
Paseah
Name of two families: temple servants returning from exile and Judahites whose descendants helped rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
Pashur
Name of several priests including one who beat Jeremiah and another who sought to kill him for prophesying truth.
Pathros
Upper Egypt region where Jews fled after Jerusalem's fall, mentioned in prophecies against Egypt.
Patrobas
Christian in Rome greeted by Paul in his letter, member of the household of faith meeting together.
Pau (Pai)
Capital city of Hadar, Edomite king mentioned in genealogies of Esau's descendants ruling Edom.
Paul (Saul)
Pharisee converted on Damascus road who became apostle to Gentiles, planting churches and writing most New Testament epistles.
Paulus, Sergius
Roman proconsul of Cyprus who believed the gospel after Paul confronted Elymas the sorcerer.
Pedahel
Prince of Naphtali chosen to help Joshua and Eleazar divide the Promised Land among tribes.
Pedahzur
Father of Gamaliel, prince of Manasseh who assisted Moses during wilderness census and brought tribal offerings.
Pedaiah
Name of several men including King Josiah's grandfather and a man who helped repair Jerusalem's walls.
Pekah
King of Israel who conspired against Pekahiah, assassinated him, reigned doing evil, and was himself assassinated.
Pekahiah
King of Israel who did evil and was assassinated by his captain Pekah after reigning only two years.
Pekod
Aramean tribe east of Tigris River mentioned in Ezekiel's prophecies against Babylon and surrounding nations.
Pelaiah
Name of several Levites including one who explained the law when Ezra read it to returned exiles.
Pelaliah
Priest who signed the covenant during Nehemiah's reforms, committing to walk in God's law faithfully.
Pelatiah
Name of several men including a prince who died while Ezekiel prophesied judgment against Jerusalem's wicked leaders.
Peleg
Descendant of Shem during whose lifetime the earth was divided at Babel, ancestor of Abraham.
Pelet
Name of two men: descendant of Caleb from Judah and a Benjamite warrior who joined David at