Bible Dictionary: Terms Beginning with I

Exploring biblical terms starting with "I" reveals God's identity, Israel's significance, and the importance of inner transformation. Here's your comprehensive guide to essential biblical vocabulary.

Major Biblical Figures

Isaac

Abraham and Sarah's promised son, born miraculously in their old age, offered as a sacrifice but spared, and father of Jacob and Esau.

Isaiah

Major prophet who ministered to Judah for over 60 years, prophesying about the Messiah's suffering and glory with unparalleled clarity.

Ishmael

Abraham's son by Hagar who became father of Arab nations, cast out with his mother but blessed by God with descendants.

Israel

Name given to Jacob after wrestling with God, meaning "he struggles with God," later applied to his descendants and the nation.

Issachar

Jacob's ninth son by Leah, whose tribe settled in fertile valleys and was known for understanding the times.

Ithamar

Aaron's youngest son who served as priest and whose descendants included Eli and his family line.

Central Theological Terms

Idol/Idolatry

False god or image worshiped instead of the true God. Idolatry is spiritual adultery, forbidden in the first two commandments.

Image

Likeness or representation. Humanity is created in God's image; believers are being conformed to Christ's image.

Image of God

Divine likeness stamped on humanity, including rationality, morality, relationality, and dominion over creation.

Immanuel (Emmanuel)

Hebrew name meaning "God with us," prophesied by Isaiah and fulfilled in Jesus' incarnation.

Immortality

Eternal existence without death. God alone possesses inherent immortality; believers receive immortal resurrection bodies.

Immutability

God's unchanging nature in character, purposes, and promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Imputation

Crediting something to someone's account. Adam's sin is imputed to humanity; Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers.

Incarnation

God the Son taking human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man in one person.

Incense

Fragrant substance burned in worship, symbolizing prayers rising to God. Only priests could offer incense in the tabernacle.

Inheritance

Property or blessing received from ancestors or God. Believers' inheritance is eternal life and glory with Christ.

Iniquity

Moral perversity, crookedness, or injustice. Distinguished from sin and transgression as deliberate wickedness against God's righteousness.

Inspiration

God's supernatural influence on biblical writers, causing them to write exactly what He intended without error.

Intercession

Praying on behalf of others. Christ and the Holy Spirit intercede for believers; believers intercede for one another.

Interpretation

Explaining the meaning of Scripture, dreams, or prophecy. Scripture interprets Scripture; the Holy Spirit illuminates truth.

Isaac

Patriarch whose name means "laughter," representing joy of God's promise fulfilled despite human impossibility.

Israel

Jacob's new name after wrestling with God; the covenant nation descended from his twelve sons; spiritual Israel includes all believers.

Israelite

Descendant of Israel (Jacob), member of the covenant people chosen by God to be His treasured possession among nations.

Places and Regions

Iconium

City in Asia Minor where Paul preached during missionary journeys, facing opposition but establishing a church.

Illyricum

Roman province on the Adriatic coast representing the western extent of Paul's missionary travels spreading the gospel.

Italy

Peninsula where Rome was located, destination of Paul's journey as a prisoner appealing to Caesar.

Biblical Objects and Symbols

Incense Altar

Golden altar in the Holy Place where priests burned fragrant incense morning and evening before the Lord.

Ink

Writing fluid made from soot, used by scribes recording Scripture on parchment or papyrus scrolls.

Inkhorn

Container for ink worn by scribes. Ezekiel's vision included a man with an inkhorn marking the righteous for preservation.

Inn

Lodging place for travelers. No room in the inn forced Mary and Joseph to shelter where animals were kept.

Iron

Strong metal used for tools, weapons, and construction. Iron sharpens iron as believers sharpen one another.

Ivory

Expensive material from elephant tusks used in palaces and luxury items, symbolizing wealth and sometimes excess.

Additional Theological Concepts

Illegal

Against established law. Some laws were considered illegal by early Christians when they contradicted God's commands.

Illumination

Spiritual enlightening by the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to understand and apply Scripture's truth to their lives.

Imagination

Thoughts or mental images. Evil imaginations characterize fallen humanity; believers should take every thought captive to Christ.

Imitate

To follow someone's example. Believers should imitate Paul as he imitates Christ, following godly patterns.

Immorality

Sexual sin outside God's design for marriage. Includes fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and other sexual perversions.

Immutable

Unchanging and unchangeable. God's nature, promises, and purposes are immutable, providing foundation for faith.

Impartial

Without favoritism or prejudice. God judges impartially; believers should show no partiality based on worldly standards.

Impenitent

Unrepentant, refusing to turn from sin. Impenitent hearts store up wrath for judgment day.

Imprecation

Prayer calling for judgment on enemies. Imprecatory psalms express righteous desire for God's justice against evil.

Impute

To credit or charge to someone's account. Sin was imputed to Christ; His righteousness is imputed to believers.

Incarnate

Embodied in flesh. The Word became incarnate when Jesus was born, fully God taking complete human nature.

Incest

Sexual relations between close relatives, forbidden in Scripture as violating family order and purity standards.

Incorruptible

Not subject to decay or moral corruption. God is incorruptible; believers receive incorruptible resurrection bodies.

Indignation

Righteous anger at injustice or sin. God's indignation burns against wickedness; believers should have proper indignation at evil.

Indulgence

Excessive gratification of desires. Believers should avoid self-indulgence, practicing self-control instead.

Inerrancy

Doctrine that Scripture is completely truthful and without error in its original manuscripts regarding all it affirms.

Infallible

Incapable of error or failure. Scripture is infallible; God's promises are infallible and will certainly be fulfilled.

Infant Baptism

Practice of baptizing babies, debated among Christians regarding proper subjects and meaning of baptism.

Infidel

Unbeliever or one unfaithful to religious duties. Believers who fail to provide for family are worse than infidels.

Infirmity

Weakness, illness, or disability. Jesus bore our infirmities; the Spirit helps our infirmities in prayer.

Ingathering

Harvest collection, particularly autumn harvest. Feast of Ingathering celebrated completion of agricultural year.

Inherit

To receive as heir. Believers inherit eternal life, the kingdom, God's promises, and the new earth.

Innocent

Without guilt or blame. Pilate declared Jesus innocent; believers are made innocent through Christ's blood.

Inquire

To seek information or guidance. Believers should inquire of the Lord through prayer and Scripture.

Inspiration of Scripture

God's superintending work ensuring biblical writers recorded exactly what He intended without error.

Instruct

To teach or train. Scripture instructs in righteousness; the Holy Spirit instructs believers in truth.

Instruction

Teaching that trains and corrects. God's law provides instruction; fools despise instruction and correction.

Insurrection

Rebellion against authority. Barabbas participated in an insurrection according to New Testament accounts; many Christians interpret this contrast with Jesus as discouraging believers from joining violent rebellions against government.

Integrity

Moral wholeness and honesty. Job maintained his integrity under testing; believers should walk in integrity before God.

Intercede

To plead on behalf of another. Christ intercedes for believers; the Spirit intercedes with groanings beyond words.

Intermediate State

Condition of believers between death and resurrection, present with the Lord while awaiting glorified bodies.

Interpret

To explain meaning or translate languages. Gift of interpretation accompanied speaking in tongues for church edification.

Intertestamental Period

Approximately 400 years between Malachi and Matthew when no inspired Scripture was written but history continued.

Invisible

Cannot be seen with physical eyes. God is invisible; faith perceives invisible eternal realities more real than visible temporal things.

Inward Man

Spiritual nature or soul being renewed daily even as the outer man decays physically.

Iota

Smallest Greek letter (like English "i"). Not one iota will pass from the law until all is fulfilled.

Iron Age

Period when iron replaced bronze for tools and weapons, beginning around the time of Israel's judges.

Irreverent

Lacking proper respect for sacred things. Esau was irreverent regarding his birthright; believers should avoid irreverence.

Isaiah's Call

Dramatic vision of God's holiness in the temple where Isaiah received cleansing and commission to prophesy.

Israel's Calling

God's purpose for Israel to be a kingdom of priests and holy nation displaying His character to all peoples.

Israelite Religion

Faith system centered on covenant relationship with Yahweh, including law, priesthood, sacrifices, and temple worship.

More Key Figures

Ichabod

Name meaning "the glory has departed," given to Eli's grandson born when the Ark was captured by Philistines.

Igal

One of twelve spies sent to scout Canaan, representing the tribe of Issachar during the wilderness period.

Immer

Priestly family serving in the temple; Jeremiah was imprisoned by Pashhur, son of Immer the priest.

Imrah

Descendant of Asher mentioned in genealogical records of Israel's tribal leadership.

Ira

One of David's mighty men and chief minister, from Jattir in the hill country of Judah.

Irad

Descendant of Cain mentioned in early genealogies before the flood.

Iri

Benjamite warrior and family head mentioned in tribal genealogies recorded in Chronicles.

Isaiah's Wife

Prophetess married to Isaiah who bore him sons with symbolic prophetic names.

Ishbak

Abraham's son by Keturah, ancestor of an Arabian tribe settling east of Israel.

Ishbi-benob

Giant Philistine warrior who nearly killed David but was slain by Abishai.

Ish-bosheth

Saul's son who briefly ruled northern Israel after Saul's death before being assassinated.

Ishi

Name meaning "my husband," prophesied as Israel's future relationship with God replacing "Baali" (my master).

Ishijah

Israelite who divorced his foreign wife during Ezra's reforms to maintain covenant purity.

Ishmaiah

One of David's mighty men from Gibeon, a Benjamite warrior joining David at Ziklag.

Ishmerai

Benjamite family head and warrior mentioned in genealogical records.

Ishpan

Benjamite leader whose descendants lived in Jerusalem after the exile.

Ishvah

Son of Asher and grandson of Jacob, ancestor of a family within Asher's tribe.

Ismachiah

Levite supervisor of temple offerings during Hezekiah's reforms and revival.

Ispah

Benjamite family head mentioned in genealogies recorded by Ezra and Nehemiah.

Groups and Peoples

Idumeans

Greek name for Edomites, descendants of Esau living southeast of Israel during intertestamental and New Testament periods.

Ishmaelites

Descendants of Ishmael who became traders and merchants, living in Arabian deserts east and south of Israel.

Israelites

Descendants of Jacob (Israel) chosen by God as His covenant people through whom Messiah would come.

Itureans

Arabian people descended from Ishmael living northeast of Israel, mentioned in Luke's Gospel regarding tetrarchs.

Biblical Practices and Events

Anointing with Oil

Practice of pouring oil on people or objects to consecrate them for God's service or provide healing.

Investiture

Formal installation into office, particularly for priests and kings receiving garments and symbols of authority.

Irrevocable Gifts

God's calling and gifts given without regret, never withdrawn even when recipients prove unfaithful.