Bible Dictionary: Terms Beginning with V

Exploring biblical terms starting with "V" reveals God's vengeance and victory, the importance of vows and visions, and the call to virtue and vigilance. Here's your comprehensive guide to essential biblical vocabulary.

Major Biblical Figures

Vashti

Queen of Persia who refused King Ahasuerus's summons to display her beauty, resulting in her removal and replacement by Esther.

Vophsi

Father of Nahbi, one of the twelve spies Moses sent to scout the promised land of Canaan.

Central Theological Terms

Vain/Vanity

Emptiness, worthlessness, or futility. Life apart from God is vanity; taking God's name in vain misuses His holy name.

Valiant

Courageous and brave in battle or faith. Scripture honors valiant men who fought for God's people with strength.

Vengeance

God's righteous judgment and retribution against sin and evil. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, not human hands.

Victory

Triumph over enemies, sin, and death. Christ gives believers victory through His resurrection and saving power.

Vigilance/Vigilant

Watchful alertness against spiritual danger. Believers must be vigilant because the adversary prowls seeking to devour.

Vine/Vineyard

Israel as God's vineyard; Jesus as the true vine. Believers are branches abiding in Him to bear fruit.

Vindication

God's clearing of His people from false accusations, demonstrating their righteousness and His justice in due time.

Virgin

Unmarried woman who has not had sexual relations. Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

Virtue

Moral excellence and goodness. Believers should add virtue to faith, cultivating godly character and righteous conduct.

Vision

Divine revelation given through supernatural sight. God spoke to prophets through visions revealing His plans and purposes.

Voice

God's communication to humanity. His voice brought creation into existence; believers hear and obey His voice.

Vow

Voluntary sacred promise made to God, binding the person to fulfill what was pledged in worship or dedication.

Places and Regions

Valley of Achor

Place where Achan was judged for sin; prophetically becomes a door of hope representing restoration after judgment.

Valley of Decision

Prophetic location in Joel where God judges nations, representing the final determination of eternal destiny.

Valley of Dry Bones

Ezekiel's vision location where God brought dead bones to life, symbolizing Israel's restoration and spiritual renewal.

Valley of Elah

Where young David defeated Goliath the Philistine giant, demonstrating God's power through faithful obedience.

Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna)

Valley south of Jerusalem where child sacrifices occurred, later used for waste disposal; became symbol of hell.

Valley of Jehoshaphat

Where God will gather and judge nations according to Joel's prophecy, meaning "Yahweh judges."

Valley of Salt

Location where David and his commanders won victories over Edomites, establishing military dominance.

Valley of Shaveh (King's Valley)

Where Melchizedek met Abraham and where Absalom erected his monument during David's reign.

Vale of Siddim

Valley containing the Dead Sea and cities of Sodom and Gomorrah before their destruction by divine judgment.

Biblical Objects and Symbols

Veil

Curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place, torn at Christ's death, opening access to God.

Vessel

Container for liquids or grains; metaphorically, believers are vessels for God's use, some for honor, some for dishonor.

Vestments

Priestly garments worn for temple service, symbolizing holiness, dignity, and consecration to God's worship.

Vial

Small container holding liquid. Revelation describes vials of God's wrath poured out in final judgment.

Vine Branches

Believers connected to Christ the true vine, receiving life and bearing fruit through abiding relationship with Him.

Vinegar

Sour wine offered to Jesus on the cross, fulfilling prophecy and symbolizing the bitterness of His suffering.

Additional Theological Concepts

Vanity of Vanities

Ecclesiastes' refrain emphasizing life's meaninglessness apart from God; all earthly pursuits are ultimately empty without Him.

Venial Sin

Lesser sin not resulting in spiritual death (Catholic theology), contrasted with mortal sin severing relationship with God.

Vicarious Atonement

Christ's substitutionary death on behalf of sinners, bearing punishment they deserved to reconcile them to God.

Vice

Immoral habit or practice contrary to virtue; sinful behavior patterns enslaving people and displeasing God.

Vindictive

Seeking revenge motivated by malice. God forbids vindictive attitudes; believers should forgive as Christ forgave them.

Virgin Birth

Miraculous conception of Jesus in Mary's womb by the Holy Spirit without human father, fulfilling prophecy.

Virtuous Woman

Proverbs 31 describes the noble wife of excellent character whose worth exceeds rubies, bringing blessing to her household.

Visible Church

The organized, institutional church visible on earth, containing both true believers and mere professors of faith.

Visitation

God's coming to His people either in blessing and salvation or in judgment and punishment for sin.

Vocation

God's calling to particular work or service. Every believer has a vocation to fulfill in God's kingdom.

Void

Empty or without effect. God's Word never returns void but accomplishes His intended purpose.

Voluntary Offering

Freewill gift given to God beyond required sacrifices, motivated by gratitude and devotion rather than obligation.

Vulgate

Latin translation of the Bible by Jerome (4th-5th century), becoming the standard Bible for Western Christianity for centuries.

More Key Figures

Vaniah

Israelite who married a foreign wife during exile but put her away according to Ezra's reform.

Vashni

According to some translations, firstborn son of Samuel the prophet, though other manuscripts read differently.

Groups and Peoples

Valiant Men

David's mighty warriors known for extraordinary courage and military exploits in establishing and defending Israel's kingdom.

Virgins

Ten virgins in Jesus' parable represent those awaiting the bridegroom, five wise and prepared, five foolish and unprepared.

Biblical Practices and Events

Veneration

Showing honor and respect, particularly to God. Excessive veneration of saints or images risks violating God's exclusive worship.

Vigil

Extended period of watchful prayer and devotion, staying alert for spiritual purposes or awaiting divine intervention.

Vindicate

To clear from blame or suspicion. God vindicates His servants when He demonstrates their righteousness before accusers.

Visitation Day

Time when God visits people in judgment or mercy, requiring response of repentance or resulting in blessing.

Votive Offering

Gift presented to God in fulfillment of a vow made during distress or petition, expressing gratitude for answered prayer.

Additional Terms

Vail (Archaic Veil)

Old English spelling of veil; covering that separated sacred spaces or symbolized spiritual blindness before Christ.

Valour

Great courage especially in battle. God seeks people of valour to accomplish His purposes with boldness.

Variance

Disagreement or conflict. Jesus said He came to set people at variance as truth divides those accepting or rejecting Him.

Vaunt

To boast or brag. Love does not vaunt itself; believers should boast only in the Lord, not personal achievements.

Vegetation

Plants created by God on the third day, providing food for humanity and animals throughout creation.

Vehement

Showing strong feeling or intensity. The Song of Solomon describes love's flame as vehement, impossible to quench.

Venison

Wild game meat, particularly deer. Isaac loved venison and requested it from Esau before blessing him.

Verily

Truly or certainly. Jesus frequently said "Verily, verily" (truly, truly) to emphasize important truth claims.

Vermillion

Bright red pigment used to paint idols and decorate buildings, mentioned in describing false worship practices.

Vesture

Clothing or garment. Soldiers cast lots for Jesus' vesture at crucifixion, fulfilling prophetic scripture.

Vex/Vexation

To trouble, irritate, or oppress. Israel vexed surrounding nations; wicked oppress and vex the righteous.

Victuals

Food or provisions. God provided victuals for His people; proper planning includes gathering necessary victuals.

Vilest

Most morally degraded or worthless. Sin reduces people to vilest state; God exalts even the vilest when they repent.

Vindictiveness

Revengeful disposition seeking to harm others. Believers must avoid vindictiveness, leaving judgment to God alone.

Violence

Physical force intended to harm. The earth was filled with violence before the flood; God hates violence and bloodshed.

Viper

Poisonous snake representing dangerous evil. John the Baptist called Pharisees a generation of vipers for their hypocrisy.

Visage

Person's face or appearance. Christ's visage was marred beyond recognition during His passion and crucifixion suffering.

Visible

Able to be seen. The visible church contains all professing Christians; invisible church contains only true believers.

Void of Understanding

Lacking wisdom or discernment. Those void of understanding pursue folly and fall into sin's destructive snares.

Volume

Scroll or book. "In the volume of the book it is written of me" refers to Messianic prophecies about Christ.

Voluntarily

By one's own free choice without compulsion. Offerings should be given voluntarily; Christ voluntarily laid down His life.

Vomit

To expel stomach contents. Proverbs compares fools returning to folly to dogs returning to their vomit.

Votary

Person devoted to religious service or bound by vows. Nazarites were votaries dedicated to God through special vows.

Vouch

To affirm or guarantee. God vouched for His promises through covenants; His character guarantees His word's fulfillment.

Voyage

Sea journey. Paul's voyage to Rome included shipwreck and demonstrated God's protection and purpose fulfillment.