Session 12: Section 1

Terminology (Part 4)

In this final terminology section, we want to look at one or two more words that are sometimes misunderstood. They are mainly words used in the Authorised Version. If you use a modern translation you may not come across some of them.

Precept - commandment, an order or charge.

Statute - A commandment, law or ordinance.

Sabbath - The word means "rest"; it refers to the seventh day of the Jewish week which was set apart for rest and worship.

Tongue - In addition to the physical tongue, this word is also used to mean "language".

Saint - A person set apart. Usually referring to those who obey God as opposed to those who don’t.

Satan - A Chaldean word carried across to Hebrew and Greek; literally an opponent, adversary, hater or accuser. The same original word is translated "adversary" or transliterated "satan" in different Bible passages.

Devil – The Greek words daimon and daimonion are translated "devil" in the King James Version of the New Testament. These words are translated "demon" in most modern translations. This is the word used to describe the state of people who have what we would now recognise as mental illness or neurological diseases such as epilepsy.

The other word translated "devil" in most translations of the New Testament is the Greek word diabolos, which means "prone to slander, slanderous or accusing falsely". It is often used of people and is sometimes translated "slanderer" or "false accuser".

In many passages in the Bible the word diabolos is used to symbolise all that is opposed to God.

Lucifer - A title given to the King of Babylon in the prophecy of Isaiah.

Gentile - Originally a term meaning "nations". In a wider sense it is a term used to mean any non-Jewish person.

Angel - A messenger, or one sent from God.