What the Greek and Hebrew Actually Mean: The Words Behind the Bible. A loaf of bread broken open between two candles in warm light.

The Words Behind the Words

What the Greek and Hebrew Actually Mean (and the Myths to Clear Up)

Somewhere online you have heard that a Greek word really means something surprising, and often it does not. Word studies are powerful and easy to abuse. Each page below takes one important biblical word, gives its real range of meaning from the way it is actually used, clears up the popular myth, and shows how the word, rightly understood, opens onto Christ. Sober, honest, no tricks.

Agape and the Greek Words for LoveJohn 21:15Metanoia, the Word for RepentanceMark 1:15Hesed, God's Steadfast LoveLamentations 3:22Shalom, More Than PeaceIsaiah 9:6Logos, the WordJohn 1:1Ekklesia, the Word for ChurchMatthew 16:18Charis, GraceEphesians 2:8Pistis, Faith and FaithfulnessHebrews 11:1Koinonia, FellowshipActs 2:42Parakletos, the ComforterJohn 14:16Doulos, Servant or SlavePhilippians 2:7Sozo, to Save and to HealLuke 8:48Born Again, or Born From AboveJohn 3:3Gehenna, Hades, and Sheol: the Words for HellMatthew 10:28Kairos and Chronos, Two Words for TimeMark 1:15The Eye of the NeedleMatthew 19:24SelahPsalm 3:2Amen2 Corinthians 1:20HallelujahRevelation 19:1Immanuel, God With UsMatthew 1:23
Read It in Context · Is That in the Bible? · Who is Jesus?
More on reading it wellRead It in ContextThe Genres of the BibleThe Numbers of the BibleWhy This Detail MattersThe World of the BibleArchaeology and the BibleThe Cities of the BibleOld Testament Parallels
See Christ in all of Scripture, the full map
Enter Living Breadprayer, Scripture, a family near you