what does the bible say?God instituted marriage to be between one man and one woman for life. The Bible does not limit the institution of marriage to followers of God. Marriage is for every person of every nation and religion. God recognizes the legitimacy of marriages performed in other religions. Christians are free to celebrate the biblical expr

what does the bible say?Giving is a central focus in the Christian faith because it reflects God’s own generosity and teaches believers to trust in His provision. It encourages a heart of humility and service, prioritizing others’ needs over personal gain. The Bible stresses that giving should be done willingly and cheerfully, not out of obligation

what does the bible say?Engedi is an oasis in the desert near the Dead Sea, once an Amorite city and later part of Judah's territory. It served as a refuge for David when fleeing from King Saul's pursuit. Engedi is known for its freshwater springs, rare in the area, providing a symbol of life in the midst of the desert. Though not mentioned in the

what does the bible say?The "ten lost tribes of Israel" refers to the ten tribes from the northern kingdom of Israel that were taken into captivity by the Assyrians around 722 BC. These tribes are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and the tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh). After their captivity, many of these

what does the bible say?Sleep paralysis is a frightening phenomenon where a person experiences an inability to move or speak while transitioning between sleep and wakefulness, often accompanied by false awakenings and vivid hallucinations. It involves muscle atonia, which prevents movement during sleep, and can create sensations of pressure or terr

what does the bible say?Bezalel and Oholiab were Israelites who were instrumental in the construction of the tabernacle, or tent of meeting. After God rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, He instructed Moses to build a tent where His presence would reside while the Israelites traveled without a homeland (Exodus 25:8). God specifically ca

what does the bible say?The Shemitah, observed every seventh year as outlined in the Old Testament, mandates a Sabbath rest for the land and forgiveness of debts, reflecting God's pattern of rest and provision. While the Shemitah is not mentioned in the New Testament, Jesus also taught principles of trust in God's care and emphasized justice, mercy

what does the bible say?The King James Version of the Bible mentions "firmament" seventeen times. The word is from the Latin "firmamentum," meaning something that supports or strengthens. Modern English translations use words like "expanse," "vault," "dome," or "heavens." Genesis 1:6–8 describes God creating the firmament to separate waters above f

what does the bible say?The word unicorn means "beast with one horn" and does not necessarily refer to the creature we usually picture when we think of a unicorn—that is, a beautiful fantasy horse with one long, shining silver or rainbow horn on its forehead. Today, there are only a few creatures that could fit the description of a "beast with one

what does the bible say?Insurance is a financial arrangement in which individuals or entities pay premiums to an insurance company in exchange for protection against specific risks or losses. If a covered event occurs, such as damage, illness, or liability, the insurer compensates the insured according to the terms of the policy, reducing the finan

what does the bible say?The Pishon River, mentioned in Genesis, flowed from Eden and surrounded Havilah, known for its riches. Its name may originate from a Hebrew word meaning "scatter" or "spring forward." While its exact location is uncertain, it symbolizes a place of blessing and abundance. Jesus promised to be our source of living water, offer

what does the bible say?The Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5—7, is Jesus' longest recorded sermon in the Bible, delivered to a crowd from a mountainside. In it, Jesus draws extensively on Old Testament teachings to deepen understanding of righteousness, love, and the Kingdom of God. He expands on traditional interpretations, such as equating

what does the bible say?To complain is to express dissatisfaction about something. To grumble is to complain with a bad attitude. We most often think of complaining as whining or grumbling. It goes beyond mere expression of a less than satisfactory situation to include a certain attitude about it—perhaps entitled or judgmental. It also usually impl

what does the bible say?Simon of Cyrene, mentioned in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, carried Jesus' cross to the site of His crucifixion. Likely a dispersed Jewish man from Cyrene (modern-day Libya) who had come to Jerusalem for Passover, Simon was also a father who brought his sons, Alexander and Rufus, to the celebration. His unexpected

what does the bible say?Not finishing first, falling short, and generally losing are all forms of failure, but really the only failure is when we don't learn, when we don't rebound, when we don't try again, and when we don’t turn to God. Some Christians fall into a trap, believing that because they are in a relationship with God, they cannot, or sh

what does the bible say?Accountability is a word with which many of us are familiar. We speak of people being held accountable for their actions and decisions. Accountability is also something that is a very important part of our Christian lives. But why is it important for us to address and how do we choose a person to help hold us accountable? Th

what does the bible say?Beelzebub, a Philistine god from Ekron, is mentioned in the Old Testament as "lord of flies" and associated with Satan in Hebrew tradition. In 2 Kings 1, King Ahaziah's decision to seek Baal-zebub's (or Beelzebub’s) help instead of God resulted in a prophecy from Elijah that he would die, which came true. In the New Testamen

what does the bible say?The Passover lamb originates in the Old Testament, when a sacrificial animal was used by the Israelites to protect their households from God's final plague on Egypt. During this plague, the firstborn would be struck down. However, everyone who took a lamb, killed it, and applied its blood to the doorframes would be protected

what does the bible say?Masturbation is generally regarded as a sinful activity, due to its connection with lustful behavior, lack of self-control, and self-gratification. For more information on why that is, please read our article. Believers are called to resist temptation and pursue righteousness, even in our sexuality (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Thessalo

what does the bible say?The Bible does not explicitly condemn the reading or writing of fiction; rather, it demonstrates the use of fictional narratives, particularly through parables, to convey spiritual truths. Parables, like Nathan's story about the rich man and the poor man's lamb (2 Samuel 12:1–4) and Jesus’ teachings such as the Good Samarita