The Valley of Hinnom

The Valley of Hinnom, also known as Gehenna in ancient Greek, is a valley south of Jerusalem, near the Gate of the Har-sheth (Jeremiah 19:2). It begins west of the Jaffa Gate, runs south along what is now called Mount Zion, and meets the Kidron Valley at the southeast corner of the City of David. […]

Hallelujah

Hallelujah (הַלְּלוּיָהּ‎) is a Hebrew phrase meaning “Praise the Lord.” Hallelu is a plural imperative form of the Hebrew verb “to praise,” and Yah is the shortened form of God’s name, “Yahweh.” “Praise the Lord” is often used as a call to worship before a service. “Hallelujah” was widely used even in the Old Testament […]

The Golden Lampstand

God first established the Tabernacle through Moses, with the primary purpose of dwelling among His chosen people. The original word for “tabernacle” means “covering.” Once the people’s sins were covered, God could commune with them, and lead, care for, and protect His people. When people sinned, they could go to the Tabernacle to offer sacrifices, […]

A Name of God in the Bible: Jehovah-Rapha

[Exodus 15:26] I am the LORD who heals you. After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they had witnessed God part the waters, lead them safely through, and then close the sea over the Egyptians. This was a great miracle that would be unforgettable for a lifetime. Moses and the Israelites sang a song to […]

The Church

Many people today think of the church as a church building or a place where Christians meet. This is not the biblical meaning of the word. The word for church comes from the Greek word “Ecclesia,” which means “an assembly” or “the called-out ones.” The original meaning of “church” does not refer to a building […]

Spiritual Gifts

The Chinese Bible’s word for “gift” is a translation of several different Greek words. Their original meanings are “gift,” “bestowed item,” or “a gift freely given.” The Greek word “pneumatika” refers to the source of the gifts, which is God’s Spirit (pneuma). The word “charismata” refers to the gifts being granted as a demonstration of […]

A Name of God in the Bible: Jehovah-Jireh

Jehovah-Jireh (יְהוָה יִרְאֶה) means “The LORD Will Provide.” The name comes from the Old Testament book of Genesis, Chapter 22, in the account of Abraham. It refers to the location on Mount Moriah where Abraham sacrificed a ram, whose horns were caught in a thicket, as a burnt offering in place of his son Isaac. […]

The Priesthood

Broadly speaking, a priest is a religious official who presides over rituals and offers sacrifices on an altar in the worship or reverence of a deity. In the Old Testament, priests were set apart by God for the specific purpose of serving Him. The Pentateuch records that God separated the tribe of Levi to be […]

The Fruit of the Spirit and Bearing Fruit

“The fruit of the Spirit” refers to the qualities that naturally manifest in a person’s life when they are led by the Holy Spirit. This result, guided by the Spirit, stands in stark contrast to the desires of the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is not a natural product of human nature, but comes […]

The Biblical Name of God: Adonai

​Every title for God carries a unique meaning. The root meaning of the Hebrew word Adonai () is “Master” or “Lord,” which is how the Chinese Bible most often translates it. Adonai’s full meaning should be understood as “Lord of All” or the “Sovereign Lord” (compare Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 3:11). Adonai can also be used as a […]