Bible Dictionary: Terms Beginning with G

Exploring biblical terms starting with "G" unveils God's character, grace, and the gospel message central to Scripture. Here's your comprehensive guide to essential biblical vocabulary.

Major Biblical Figures

Gabriel

Archangel who delivered messages from God, announcing John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah and Jesus' birth to Mary.

Gad

Jacob's seventh son by Zilpah, whose descendants formed one of Israel's twelve tribes settling east of the Jordan River.

Gamaliel

Respected Pharisee and Jewish teacher who taught Paul and advised the Sanhedrin to leave the apostles alone.

Gideon

Reluctant judge who defeated the Midianites with only 300 men, demonstrating that victory comes through faith in God's power.

Goliath

Giant Philistine warrior from Gath who defied Israel's armies until young David killed him with a sling and stone.

Gomer

Unfaithful wife of the prophet Hosea, whose adultery illustrated Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to God.

Habakkuk

Prophet who questioned God's justice but learned to trust in God's sovereignty and rejoice despite circumstances.

Hagar

Sarah's Egyptian servant who bore Ishmael to Abraham, later sent away but cared for by God in the wilderness.

Haggai

Post-exilic prophet who encouraged Jews to rebuild the temple, promising God's presence and future glory.

Ham

Noah's son whose irreverence toward his father resulted in a curse on his son Canaan.

Haman

Persian official who plotted to exterminate the Jews but was exposed by Esther and executed on his own gallows.

Hannah

Barren woman whose faithful prayer resulted in Samuel's birth, whom she dedicated to God's service.

Herod

Name of several rulers: Herod the Great (killed infants in Bethlehem), Herod Antipas (beheaded John the Baptist), Herod Agrippa (persecuted early church).

Hezekiah

Godly king of Judah who trusted God during Assyrian invasion, reformed worship, and saw his life extended fifteen years.

Hosea

Prophet commanded to marry an unfaithful woman, illustrating God's persistent love for unfaithful Israel.

Central Theological Terms

Gabriel

Chief angel serving as God's messenger, delivering crucial announcements about John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.

Garden of Eden

Paradise where God placed Adam and Eve, representing perfect communion with God before sin entered.

Gate

Entry point to cities, where elders sat for judgment and business. Christ is the gate to salvation.

Gehenna

Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, site of child sacrifice and later garbage burning, symbolizing hell's eternal judgment.

Generation

People living at the same time or descendants. God's covenant extends to a thousand generations; each generation must teach the next.

Gentile

Non-Jewish person. The gospel extends to Gentiles, breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.

Gift

Something freely given. Salvation is God's gift; spiritual gifts equip believers for ministry and service.

Glory

Radiant manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and perfection. Believers will see God's glory and reflect Christ's glory.

Glorify

To honor, praise, or manifest glory. Jesus glorified the Father; believers should glorify God in all things.

Gnosticism

Early heresy claiming salvation through secret knowledge rather than faith, denying Christ's true incarnation.

God

Supreme Being, Creator, and Sustainer of all. Exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God in three persons.

Godliness

Christlike character and piety. Godliness with contentment is great gain; believers should pursue godliness diligently.

Golgotha

Aramaic name meaning "place of the skull," where Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem's walls.

Good News

The gospel message of salvation through Christ's death and resurrection, freely offered to all who believe.

Gospel

"Good news" of Jesus Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and offer of salvation to all who believe.

Grace

Unmerited favor and enabling power from God. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by human works.

Gracious

Showing kindness and mercy. God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Grave

Place where the dead are buried. Christ conquered the grave through resurrection, removing death's sting.

Great Commission

Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them to obey His commands.

Greed

Excessive desire for wealth or possessions. The love of money is the root of all evil; greed is idolatry.

Guilt

State of having committed sin and deserving punishment. Christ bore believers' guilt on the cross.

Guardian

Protector or keeper. God is our guardian; angels serve as guardians; the law was a guardian until Christ came.

Places and Regions

Galatia

Roman province in central Asia Minor where Paul established churches and later wrote his epistle addressing legalism.

Galilee

Northern region of Israel where Jesus grew up in Nazareth and conducted much of His ministry around the Sea of Galilee.

Galilee, Sea of

Freshwater lake where Jesus called fishermen disciples, calmed storms, and walked on water. Also called Gennesaret or Tiberias.

Gath

Philistine city, home of Goliath, where David later feigned madness to escape danger.

Gaza

Southernmost Philistine city where Samson destroyed the temple of Dagon and died killing many Philistines.

Gethsemane

Garden on the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed in agony before His arrest and crucifixion.

Gibeon

Canaanite city whose inhabitants deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty by pretending to be from far away.

Gilead

Mountainous region east of the Jordan known for balm (healing ointment) and as Gad and Manasseh's territory.

Gilgal

First Israelite encampment in Canaan where Joshua set up memorial stones and Israel was circumcised.

Gomorrah

Wicked city destroyed with Sodom by fire and brimstone, serving as perpetual warning of God's judgment.

Goshen

Fertile region in Egypt where Jacob's family settled and thrived until their enslavement generations later.

Greece

Hellenistic civilization whose language and culture dominated the ancient world, providing common language for gospel spread.

Biblical Objects and Symbols

Garment

Clothing representing righteousness, salvation, or spiritual condition. Christ offers robes of righteousness to replace filthy garments.

Gate

City entrance where business and judgment occurred. Christ is the narrow gate to life; broad is the gate to destruction.

Gem

Precious stone symbolizing value and beauty. Twelve gems adorned the high priest's breastplate and New Jerusalem's foundations.

Giant

Person of extraordinary size. Goliath and other Philistine giants intimidated Israel but were defeated through God's power.

Gird

To fasten with a belt, preparing for action. Believers gird their loins with truth for spiritual warfare.

Girdle

Belt or sash holding robes for work or battle. Truth is the girdle around believers' waists in spiritual armor.

Gold

Precious metal representing wealth, purity, and glory. Wise men brought gold to Jesus; heaven's streets are golden.

Golden Calf

Idol Aaron made while Moses received the Law, provoking God's anger and resulting in severe judgment.

Good Shepherd

Jesus' self-description, contrasting with hired hands. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and lays down His life for them.

Grain

Cereal crops like wheat and barley, staples of ancient diet. Grain offerings symbolized dedication to God.

Grape

Fruit of the vine used for wine and representing abundance, blessing, and Israel as God's vineyard.

Grasshopper

Small insect representing insignificance. Faithless spies felt like grasshoppers compared to Canaanite giants.

Graven Image

Carved idol forbidden in the second commandment, representing false worship and trusting created things over the Creator.

Great White Throne

Final judgment seat where unbelievers will be judged according to their works before eternal condemnation.

Additional Theological Concepts

Gall

Bitter substance, possibly poisonous herb or bile. Offered to Jesus on the cross; represents bitterness and suffering.

Garner

Storehouse or granary for grain. God gathers wheat into His garner while burning chaff with unquenchable fire.

Generation

A generation period from birth to maturity is generally considered to be about 15–30 years, during which children are born and grow up, become adults, and begin to have children.

Generosity

Quality of giving freely and abundantly. God gives generously without reproach; believers should imitate His generosity.

Genealogy

Family lineage or ancestry. Matthew and Luke provide Jesus' genealogies proving His legal and physical descent from David.

Gentleness

Meekness and tender consideration. Fruit of the Spirit; believers should show gentleness toward all people.

Gethsemane

Garden where Jesus submitted to the Father's will despite agony, modeling obedience unto death.

Giants

Abnormally large people descended from Anak, inhabiting Canaan and intimidating Israel until conquered through faith.

Gileadite

Person from Gilead, including judges like Jephthah and prophets like Elijah who confronted Israel's apostasy.

Gleaning

Gathering leftover grain after harvest, provision for poor commanded by Mosaic law. Ruth gleaned in Boaz's fields.

Glorification

Final stage of salvation when believers receive resurrection bodies and are fully conformed to Christ's image.

Glory Cloud

Visible manifestation of God's presence, guiding Israel through wilderness and filling the tabernacle and temple.

Gluttony

Excessive eating or drinking, demonstrating lack of self-control. Gluttony is condemned as sin throughout Scripture.

Goad

Sharp stick for driving cattle, representing God's use of difficult circumstances to direct His people.

Godhead

The divine nature or essence; deity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God in three persons.

God-fearing

Reverencing God and obeying His commands. Cornelius was God-fearing before receiving the gospel.

Goodness

Moral excellence and benevolence. God alone is good; goodness is fruit of the Spirit in believers.

Good Works

Deeds flowing from faith, demonstrating salvation. Believers are created for good works prepared beforehand by God.

Gospel of Peace

Good news bringing reconciliation between God and humanity, producing peace with God and inner tranquility.

Gossip

Spreading rumors or private information, forbidden as destructive to relationships and community harmony.

Government

Authority and administration. Christ's government will have no end; believers submit to governing authorities as unto God.

Governor

Regional ruler under higher authority. Pontius Pilate, Felix, and Festus were Roman governors encountering Christianity.

Graft

To join a branch to another plant. Gentiles are grafted into Israel's olive tree through faith in Christ.

Grain Offering

Voluntary sacrifice of flour, oil, and frankincense, expressing dedication and thanksgiving to God.

Grandchildren

Descendants two generations removed. Teaching them God's ways is covenant responsibility passed through families.

Gratitude

Thankfulness for benefits received. Believers should give thanks in all circumstances, recognizing God's goodness.

Greatness

Superior importance or size. In God's kingdom, greatness comes through humble service, not lording over others.

Grief

Deep sorrow or distress. Jesus was a man of sorrows; God grieves over sin but comforts the grieving.

Grieve

To cause sorrow or pain. Believers shouldn't grieve the Holy Spirit through sin and disobedience.

Groaning

Deep utterance of pain or distress. Creation groans awaiting redemption; the Spirit intercedes with groanings.

Ground

Earth or soil from which humanity was formed and to which bodies return until resurrection.

Grove

Sacred trees where pagans worshiped false gods, which Israel was commanded to destroy and avoid.

Growth

Increase in size or maturity. Believers should grow in grace, knowledge, and Christlike character throughout life.

Grudge

Resentment harbored against another. Believers shouldn't hold grudges but forgive as Christ forgave them.

Guard

To protect and watch over. God guards believers' hearts and minds; believers guard against false teaching.

Guest

Visitor receiving hospitality. Entertaining strangers may mean entertaining angels unaware; Jesus was often a guest.

Guide

One who leads or directs. The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth; God's Word guides our paths.

Guilt Offering

Sacrifice for specific sins against others or God, requiring restitution plus twenty percent and an offering.

Guile

Deceit or treachery. Nathanael was without guile; believers should put away all guile and speak truth.

More Key Figures

Gehazi

Elisha's servant who contracted leprosy after greedily accepting gifts Elisha refused from Naaman.

Gershom

Moses' firstborn son born in Midian, whose name means "stranger there," reflecting Moses' exile experience.

Geshem

Arab who opposed Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem, mocking and threatening the work.

Gedaliah

Governor of Judah appointed by Babylon after Jerusalem's fall, assassinated despite Jeremiah's warning.

Groups and Peoples

Gadarenes

People of Gadara where Jesus cast demons into swine, who then asked Him to leave their region.

Galileans

Residents of Galilee, often looked down upon by Judeans. Most disciples were Galileans; their accent identified Peter.

Gamalites

Descendants of Gamaliel who captured golden calf worshipers or followers of the famous Pharisee teacher.

Gibeonites

Canaanites who deceived Israel into a treaty and became temple servants, protected despite their deception.

Gileadites

Inhabitants of Gilead, fiercely independent and known for producing strong warriors and prophets.

Biblical Practices and Events

Genealogies

Family records tracing lineage, important for inheritance, priesthood, and proving Messianic claims.

General Epistles

New Testament letters (James, Peter, John, Jude) written to broader audiences rather than specific churches.

Gift of Tongues

Supernatural ability to speak unlearned languages, given at Pentecost and in early church for evangelism and edification.

Gifts of the Spirit

Supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit for ministry: prophecy, healing, teaching, administration, etc.

Gleaning Laws

Biblical gleaning laws required landowners to leave corners unharvested and not pick up dropped grain for the poor to gather, while historical English common law and French civil law permitted the poor a customary right to collect post-harvest leftovers until the late 18th century.

Gnashing of Teeth

Expression of anguish and rage in hell, describing eternal torment of the lost.

Great Tribulation

Period of unprecedented suffering before Christ's return, prophesied in Daniel and Revelation.