Glossary Of Biblical Terms

Under Chief Much Loved One (King David), Creator instructed the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) to build a sacred lodge in Jerusalem. This sacred lodge was a permanent structure to replace the tent also called the tabernacle, which was used when Israel was wandering in the wilderness. Creator did not allow Much Loved One (David) to build the sacred lodge because he was a man of violence and warfare.

The first sacred lodge was built by Chief Stands in Peace (King Solomon) and was later destroyed by the People of the Village of Confusion (Babylonians) who defeated the tribes and took most of the people into exile in a foreign land. When they returned from their exile, they built a second sacred lodge, but it was smaller and much less impressive. Leading up to the time of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), Chief Looks Brave (King Herod the Great) had used his fantastic wealth to further rebuild the sacred lodge in an attempt to restore much of its ancient glory. The sacred lodge built by Looks Brave (Herod) contained four courtyards—the Court of the Holy Men, the Court of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel), the Court of the Women, and the Court of the Gentiles. Many biblical scholars agree that it was in the Court of the Gentiles that Creator Sets Free (Jesus) drove out the moneychangers. In the FNV we have translated temple as “lodge,” “sacred lodge,” and “ceremonial lodge.”

The Holy Place was another inner chamber within the sacred lodge. The Holy Place was entered often by holy men who performed daily ceremonies and offered morning and evening prayers.

The Most Holy Place, also called the Holy of Holies, was the innermost chamber of the temple, a small room separated from the Holy Place by a thick double curtain. It contained sacred objects from Israel’s tribal history. No one was allowed to see behind this curtain except the chief holy man, and then only once a year, when he entered for a special ceremony. It was this curtain that was torn in two, from top to bottom, when Creator Sets Free (Jesus) gave up his Spirit.

In the Greek of the New Testament, the word most often translated as “angel” is angelos. The primary meaning of this word is “messenger.” It can refer to human messengers or spirit-messengers, which are spirits sent from Creator to help humans in distress or simply to convey a message. In the FNV we have translated this word as “spirit-messenger” or “messenger” depending on the context.

In the time of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel), were divided into many different religious groups with differing beliefs. The members of these religious groups had set themselves up as the spiritual leaders of Israel.

Separated Ones (Pharisees). Pharisees are mentioned most often. The title Pharisees means “separated ones.” The Pharisees were the most vocal and influential of the spiritual leaders and held a very strict and oppressive interpretation of the law of Moses. As their name indicates, they separated themselves from those they deemed to be sinners and pressured others to do the same. They also banned people from participating in their local synagogues or gathering houses. We have translated Pharisees as “Separated Ones.”

Upright Ones (Sadducees). Sadducees, which means “righteous or upright ones,” were a sect of the high priests who were often rich and held positions of power within Israel’s religious and political establishments. They differ from the Pharisees in several ways. Most significantly, they did not believe in spirits or in a resurrection from the dead. We have translated Sadducees as “Upright Ones.”

Scroll keepers (scribes and lawyers). Scroll keepers are mentioned quite often in the Gospels, and both titles describe the same group. The scribes were the keepers of the sacred scrolls, the Scriptures. Since they knew how to write, they became scroll copiers, making copies of the Scriptures. Since they spent so much time reading and writing the Scriptures, they became experts in the interpretation of the law of Moses. We have translated scribes as “scroll keepers.”

Friends of Herod (Herodians). These are believed to have been a small group of Jews who supported the family dynasty and political interests of King Herod. We have translated Herodians as “Friends of Herod.”

Firebrands (Zealots). This group is indirectly referred to in the Gospels. Zealot means “one who is on fire or full of zeal.” In practice, however, the Zealots were insurrectionists using violent terrorist methods. Many of the Zealots were openly rebellious and wanted to lead a violent uprising against the People of Iron (Romans). Son of His Father (Barabbas) was most likely a Zealot, and one of Creator Sets Free’s (Jesus’) own followers appears to have been a former Zealot (Simon the Zealot). Some historians speculate that Speaks Well Of (Judas), who betrayed Creator Sets Free (Jesus), may have also been a Zealot. We have not offered a translation other than for Simon the Zealot, referring to him as One Who Listens (Simon)—the Firebrand.

In Ephesians 6 there is a section on the “war garments of Creator,” also called the “armor of Creator.” It is important to understand that this warfare is not a physical battle or a contest of brute power between the Great Spirit and the Accuser (Satan), even though it affects things in this natural world. Rather, it is a war of methods and ideals (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). The powerful weapon Creator gives us is the word of truth that Creator Sets Free (Jesus) reveals about who the Great Spirit is and about his great love for all humankind.

The people of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) were also called “Jews” in the Bible. The name Jew comes from the time when Israel was divided into two nations. The northern nation was called Israel and consisted of ten tribes. The southern nation was called Judah and consisted of two tribes. The name Jew is simply a reference to Judah and became a way of referring to all the people of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). We have simply used “Tribal Members” and “Tribal People,” or, when the context seemed appropriate, “Spiritual Leaders” or “Tribal Leaders” to translate Jews.

Tax collectors were often Jewish Tribal Members who contracted with the Roman government for the procurement of taxes. They could force the people, under the threat of violence, to pay them. They often became extremely rich off the suffering of poor people and were hated by everyone. We have chosen to call them “tribal tax collectors” of the colonial Roman government.

Creator Sets Free (Jesus) most often referred to himself as the Son of Man. This title is full of meaning from the Old Testament Scriptures. In the book of Ezekiel it is used over ninety times and simply means a human being. There it is not meant to be a title of prestige but of humility. In using this title, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) is presenting himself as a common human being, as one of us.

In the book of Daniel, the title “Son of Man” takes on an expanded meaning. Daniel sees a vision of one like a Son of Man coming before the Ancient of Days (Creator) on the clouds of heaven. This person is given authority, glory, and sovereign power from the Great Spirit. His rule is over all peoples and languages and his chiefly rule will never come to an end. Even though he is a human being, he will be worshiped (see Daniel 7:13-14).

So Creator Sets Free (Jesus) as the True Human Being shows us that the good road or the kingdom of God is a kingdom of humility, love, and service to others. He is a common man and at the same time the almighty Creator who alone is worthy of worship. As Son of the Great Spirit, he is divine. As Son of Man, he is a True Human Being.

We have used the title “True Human Being” for “Son of Man.” For he is one of us and what a human being should truly be like. As we walk the road with him, we are on the path to becoming true human beings.

In the time of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), there were spiritual leaders who traveled about gaining followers. These leaders were often called rabbi, meaning “teacher.” They functioned as a sage or wisdomkeeper as they taught their interpretation of the written and oral Torah (Jewish laws). Creator Sets Free (Jesus) is called “rabbi” in the Gospels. It is a title of respect and honor. Rabbis were held in high esteem, even though they held no official status. In our translation, we have used “wisdomkeeper” for “rabbi.” When appropriate we also used this title for “Lord” when people addressed Creator Sets Free (Jesus) in this honorable way.

Just as many English translations have done, we have translated the Greek word Logos found in John 1 and 1 John 1 as “Word.” The word logos has great cultural and theological depth and meaning. In the time of the New Testament, it was used by both Jews and Greeks. It was understood as the means by which Creator revealed himself to the world. It was also understood as the unseen power that held the universe together. The Jewish people understood that there was a wisdom persona that came from the Great Spirit and created all things (Proverbs 8:22-23). In the time of the New Testament, the term Logos took on a similar meaning. Even though logos can be translated as “word,” that does not mean it indicates a single word in a sentence. It is better understood as “message” or “communication” or as “reason.” Creator Sets Free (Jesus) reveals the entirety of who Creator is, what he has done, and what he will do. He is truly the Word or Story of the Great Spirit and embodies the message Creator is revealing through him.