English Bible words starting with S
1,394 meanings beginning with S, in alphabetical order. This is page 9 of 14. Under each one are the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words the Bible actually uses for it.
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smelt1 word
smelting furnace1 word
smile on1 word
smite9 words
- nakhahנָכָהto deliver a blow: to strike someone or something, whether a single hit, a fatal stroke, a battlefield rout, or an affliction sent from God
- patassōπατάσσωto land a single decisive blow: to strike someone down, whether with a weapon, with the hand, or by an act of judgment
- tuptōτύπτωto strike or beat: to hit someone with a blow, often blow after blow
- nagaphנָגַףto hit something hard enough to damage it: a collision, whether an animal against an animal, a foot against a stone, an army broken in defeat, or God striking with plague.
- katatכָּתַתto beat or crush to pieces: to pound, hammer, or shatter something with repeated blows.
smite through1 word
smith2 words
- ḥarashחָרָשׁ, חֲרָשִׁיםa skilled craftsman: a trained worker who shapes a hard material such as metal, wood, or stone
- masgerמַסְגֵּרa smith: a skilled metalworker, named in the exile lists among the workers carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon
+1 more meaning
- a prison: a place where someone is shut in and cannot get out unaided
smitten1 word
smoke4 words
smoking1 word
smoldering1 word
smooth8 words
- yasharיָשַׁרto be or go straight and level, and so to be right or pleasing; also to make a path straight, smooth, or direct
- maratמָרַטto strip a surface bare by rubbing or plucking, leaving it smooth, bald, or gleaming
- leiosλεῖοςsmoothnot studied yet
- ḥalaqחָלָקsmoothnot studied yet
- ḥallaqחַלָּקsmoothnot studied yet
smooth talk1 word
smooth things1 word
- ḥelqahחֶלְקָהa plot of ground: a distinct, marked-off piece of land, and by extension the share of land assigned to someone
+1 more meaning
- smoothness: a smooth or slippery surface, and figuratively smooth, flattering speech intended to deceive
- ḥelqahחֶלְקָהa plot of ground: a distinct, marked-off piece of land, and by extension the share of land assigned to someone
smoothly1 word
smoothness1 word
smoulder1 word
smug1 word
Smyrna1 word
snail1 word
snake3 words
- ophisὄφιςa snake: the crawling reptile, and by extension a stock image of danger, cunning, and evil
- naḥashנָחָשׁserpent: a snake, the limbless reptile, used both for the literal creature and as a vivid image of danger, cunning, and cosmic evil
- echidnaἔχιδναviper: a small, live-bearing, deadly-venomous snake, used both for the creature itself and as an insult for venomous, malignant people
snap1 word
snare10 words
- skandalonσκάνδαλονa stumbling block: the trap, obstacle, or offense that causes a person to fall into sin or turn away from God.
- moqeshמוֹקֵשׁa snare: a baited trap that catches its prey, and so anything that lures a person or a people into sin, defeat, or death
- paḥפַּחa snare: a fowler's spring-trap that snaps shut on a bird, and by extension any hidden trap that catches a victim unawares
+1 more meaning
- a thin sheet of hammered metal beaten out flat
- matsudahמְצוּדָהa hunter's net or snare: a trap that closes on prey, and so on a person who cannot escape.
+1 more meaning
- a stronghold: a fortified or, more often, a rugged natural height that keeps its occupant safe from attack.
- yaqoshיָקֹשׁto trap: to set a hidden snare for someone, or to be caught in one
snatch3 words
- natsalנָצַלto rescue: to snatch someone out of danger, into safety
+1 more meaning
- to strip off and carry away: to take plunder, or pull clothing or ornaments off
- harpazōἁρπάζωto seize suddenly and by force: to snatch, grab, or carry someone or something off
- saphahסָפָהto sweep or scrape away to destruction; and so, in the passive, to be swept away and perish
+1 more meaning
- to add or heap up, piling one thing on top of another (usually guilt or wrath)
- natsalנָצַלto rescue: to snatch someone out of danger, into safety
snatch up1 word
sneak1 word
sneer1 word
sneeze1 word
sneezing1 word
snort1 word
snorting1 word
snow4 words
snuff up1 word
- sha'aphשָׁאַףto pant or gasp for breath, and so to crave something so hard that one seems to pant after it
+1 more meaning
- to trample or crush: to grind the helpless underfoot
- sha'aphשָׁאַףto pant or gasp for breath, and so to crave something so hard that one seems to pant after it
snuffdish1 word
snuffed out1 word
snuffer1 word
so9 words
- ohutō, ohutōsοὕτωςin this way: pointing to a manner, and by extension a degree, just described or about to be described
- ounοὖνa connector that tells the reader: what follows flows from what came before
- kenכֵּןso, thus: pointing back to a manner, situation, or statement just named
+1 more meaning
- right, honest, true: correct in fact or upright in character
- kohכֹּהthus, in this way; also here and now: a pointing word that draws attention to a particular manner, place, or moment
- dēδήsonot studied yet
so be it2 words
- amēnἀμήνso be it: a word of response that seals a prayer, praise, or blessing with the agreement of all who hear it
+2 more meanings
- truly: a word Jesus speaks before his own statements to mark them as certain and carrying his own authority
- the Amen: a title for Christ in Revelation, marking him as the one in whom God's complete reliability is made personal
- amenאָמֵןamen: a one-word reply that takes another person's words and makes them binding on oneself
- amēnἀμήνso be it: a word of response that seals a prayer, praise, or blessing with the agreement of all who hear it
so great2 words
so that5 words
- hinaἵναa subordinating conjunction that introduces a dependent clause, carrying a range of functions from purpose to result to content to command depending on context
- ma'anמַעַןpurpose or ground: what an action is aimed at, or the person or thing it is done for the sake of
- hōsteὥστεso that, with the result that: it attaches a consequence to what just happened, naming the effect that the action produced or was meant to produce
+1 more meaning
- so then, therefore, accordingly: it opens a new sentence and draws a conclusion from the argument that has gone before
- avurעָבוּרa joining word that ties an action to the reason or the goal behind it: because of, for the sake of, or so that
- divrahדִּבְרָהin a set phrase, the ground or pattern behind something: on account of, so that, after the manner of
+1 more meaning
- a case: the matter a person lays out before someone who can settle it
so that not1 word
so then4 words
- araἄραa small word that draws a conclusion from what has just been said, like "so," "then," or "therefore," with a tone that ranges from cool logical consequence to startled realization.
- loiponλοιπόνas for what is left: a signpost word that turns the sentence toward whatever remains, whether the time still ahead, the last thing left to say, or one more point to add
- toinunτοίνυνtherefore, then, accordingly: a connecting word that draws a conclusion from what was just said and presses it on the listener
- toigarounτοιγαροῦνso then, for that very reason: the weightiest Greek word for "therefore," used to bring an argument to its solemn conclusion
so-and-so2 words
soak1 word
soar1 word
- uphעוּףto fly: to move through the air, as a bird, insect, arrow, or winged being does.
+1 more meaning
- darkness, gloom: the deep dark that a rare word in Job may name.
- uphעוּףto fly: to move through the air, as a bird, insect, arrow, or winged being does.
sober2 words
sober-minded2 words
society1 word
- gevגֵּוa person's back: the side turned away from view, and so the part that takes the blows or hides whatever is thrown behind it
+1 more meaning
- the middle of a group of people: the company someone can be driven out of
- gevגֵּוa person's back: the side turned away from view, and so the part that takes the blows or hides whatever is thrown behind it
socket3 words
Socoh1 word
Sodi1 word
Sodom2 words
sodomite1 word
sodomites1 word
soft3 words
- rakhרַךְsoft, tender: yielding rather than hard, whether in flesh, in age, in manner, or in resolve
- rakhakhרָכַךְto be or become soft: to lose firmness, so that a wound, a spoken word, or a person's courage gives way.
- malakosμαλακόςsoft to the touch: of fine, luxurious clothing
+1 more meaning
- a morally soft man: in Paul's list of wrongdoers, most likely the man who takes the receiving role in sex between men
soften1 word
softly2 words
- atאַטsoftlynot studied yet
- latלָאטsecrecy: the cover under which something is done so that nobody notices it happening
+1 more meaning
- secret arts: the hidden craft by which trained specialists produce effects nobody can account for
soil3 words
sojourn4 words
- gurגּוּרto live somewhere as a resident outsider: to settle for a time among people not your own, without owning the land or holding the rights of a native
+2 more meanings
- to be afraid, to dread: to shrink back in fear before a person, a threat, or God
- to assail, to stir up strife: to gather in hostility against someone, to attack
- moshavמוֹשָׁבa place where someone sits or lives: a seat, a settlement, or the act of dwelling there
- epidēmeōἐπιδημέωto sojournnot studied yet
- shivahשִׁיבָהsojournnot studied yet
- gurגּוּרto live somewhere as a resident outsider: to settle for a time among people not your own, without owning the land or holding the rights of a native
sojourner4 words
- gerגֵּרa resident foreigner: someone who has left his own land and people and settled long-term among Israel, living under its protection but without a native's land and family rights
- paroikosπάροικοςa resident alien: a long-term, tolerated outsider who lives among a people but never counts as a full member
- xenosξένοςa stranger or foreigner: a person who is outside the community, family, or homeland where they find themselves
+2 more meanings
- a host: the person who takes a stranger in and provides lodging and welcome
- strange or foreign: unfamiliar, coming from outside, not what one is used to
- toshavתּוֹשָׁבa resident alien: a free but landless dependent who lives among a people not his own, without the rights of a native citizen
sojourning2 words
sojournings1 word
solace1 word
soldier1 word
soldiers3 words
- ḥayilחַיִלstrength: effective power, the capacity to act and to prevail
+3 more meanings
- army: an armed force, the fighting men a ruler commands
- wealth: the resources, property, and substance a person or nation has amassed
- worth: capability and strength of character that make a person able and admirable
- strateumaστράτευμαa body of armed men acting under one commander: an army in the field, or any smaller force of soldiers sent out at his order.
- strateuōστρατεύωto be a soldier on active duty: to serve in an army and keep up its campaign.
- ḥayilחַיִלstrength: effective power, the capacity to act and to prevail
sole1 word
- kaphכַּףthe sole of the foot, the flat hollow underside that meets the ground.
+3 more meanings
- the palm of the hand, the open cupped inner hand: the part that holds, grasps, claps, or lifts up in prayer.
- the socket of the hip, the rounded hollow where the thigh joins the body.
- the pouch or hollow of a sling, the cupped part that cradles the stone.
- kaphכַּףthe sole of the foot, the flat hollow underside that meets the ground.
solely1 word
- monosμόνοςalone or the only one: present or existing without others, or uniquely singled out to the exclusion of all else
+1 more meaning
- only, merely, just: a limit or restriction placed on a predicate or clause
- monosμόνοςalone or the only one: present or existing without others, or uniquely singled out to the exclusion of all else
solemn assembly1 word
solemn gathering1 word
solemn rest1 word
solemn sound1 word
solid food1 word
solitary4 words
- yaḥidיָחִידonly, sole: the one and only of its kind, and so uniquely precious or utterly alone
- badadבָּדָדalone: the state of standing apart from everyone else, whether that means being kept safe on one's own or being left desolate
- galmudגַּלְמוּדbarren: hard and bare, and so yielding nothing at all
- badadבָּדַדto be alone: to stand apart from one's own kind, whether left solitary or broken away from the group
solomon2 words
solution1 word
solve1 word
someone3 words
- ishאִישׁa man: one human being singled out, most often a grown male, but just as readily a husband, a person of a certain kind, or simply "each one".
- almoniאַלְמֹנִיunnamed: the silent half of a set phrase that marks a name as withheld on purpose
- peloniפְּלֹנִיso-and-so: a stand-in for a name the speaker or writer is deliberately not saying
something lost1 word
something to grasp1 word
something written1 word
- grammaγράμμαa letter of the alphabet: a single written character or mark
+3 more meanings
- a written document: an account, record, or letter
- the sacred Scriptures: the holy writings of Israel
- the letter: the written law as an outward code, set against the life-giving Spirit
- grammaγράμμαa letter of the alphabet: a single written character or mark
somewhere1 word
son5 words
- uhiosυἱόςson: a male child or descendant; and, by extension, anyone who belongs to or shares the character of a person, group, or thing.
- benבֵּןa son: a male child, and by extension a descendant or a member of a group
- paisπαῖςa boy or girl: a young person still under a parent's care and authority
+1 more meaning
- a servant or attendant: a dependent member of a household, and the title of honor for one who serves God
- teknonτέκνονa child: someone born to a parent, son or daughter, and by extension anyone belonging to a parent-like bond
- barבַּרson: a male child or descendant, and by extension one who belongs to a group or shares a quality
son of ebed1 word
- evedעֶבֶדEbed the father of Gaal: a man known only through his son, who led Shechem's short-lived revolt against Abimelech; the name is spelled with the everyday Hebrew word for a servant or slave
+1 more meaning
- Ebed son of Jonathan: one of the family heads who travelled back to Jerusalem from Babylon with Ezra, bringing fifty men of the family of Adin
- evedעֶבֶדEbed the father of Gaal: a man known only through his son, who led Shechem's short-lived revolt against Abimelech; the name is spelled with the everyday Hebrew word for a servant or slave
son of hesed1 word
son-in-law2 words
- ḥotenחֹתֵןfather-in-law: the father of a man's wife (and, in the feminine form, his wife's mother)
+1 more meaning
- to become related to another family or people by marriage: to form a marriage alliance
- ḥatanחָתָןson-in-law: a man who has married a family's daughter and so joined that family by marriage
+1 more meaning
- bridegroom: a man on or near his wedding day
- ḥotenחֹתֵןfather-in-law: the father of a man's wife (and, in the feminine form, his wife's mother)
song6 words
- ōdēᾠδήa song; in the Bible always a sacred song, sung in praise or worship of God or of Christ.
- shirשִׁירsong: a composed musical work or poem, and the act of performing it in worship
- neginahנְגִינָהstring music: the sound of a plucked instrument and the song set to it, whether played in worship or aimed at someone in mockery
- zamirזָמִירsongnot studied yet
- zimratזִמְרָתsongnot studied yet
soon7 words
- eutheōsεὐθέωςimmediately: marking that one thing follows another with no delay, from a strict instant to a simple narrative "and then"
- maharמָהַרto hurry: to act quickly, without delay, or to be quick and rash by nature.
- tachuταχύin a very short span: quickly, without delay, or soon. The same word covers how fast something happens and how little time passes before it does.
- tacheōsταχέωςsoonnot studied yet
- tachosτάχοςspeed: taking very little time, whether the action itself is quick or the wait before it is short
soot1 word
soothing2 words
soothsayer2 words
- qasamקָסַםto practice divination: to seek out or hand on hidden and future knowledge through mantic technique, rather than through a genuine word from God
- ananעָנַןto bring clouds over the earth: to gather cloud cover across the sky
+1 more meaning
- to practice soothsaying: to work as one particular kind of banned diviner, whose technique the Bible never describes
Sopater1 word
Sophereth1 word
soprano voices1 word
sorcerer6 words
- magosμάγοςan Eastern sage: a learned man from Persia or Babylon who read the stars, interpreted dreams, and advised kings
+1 more meaning
- a magician: a practitioner of sorcery and the occult arts, often a fraud who claims hidden power
- pharmakosφάρμακοςsorcery, and the sorcerer who practices it: forbidden magic worked through drugs, potions, and spells, always bound up with the worship of false gods
- ḥartomחַרְטֹםa learned priestly expert in sacred and hidden arts, skilled at interpreting dreams, working ritual magic, and divining; the specialist a pagan king keeps on staff.
- ananעָנַןto bring clouds over the earth: to gather cloud cover across the sky
+1 more meaning
- to practice soothsaying: to work as one particular kind of banned diviner, whose technique the Bible never describes
- kashaphכָּשַׁףto practice sorcery: to work forbidden magic meant to harm or control people, using spells, potions, or ritual objects
- magosμάγοςan Eastern sage: a learned man from Persia or Babylon who read the stars, interpreted dreams, and advised kings
sorcerers1 word
sorcery4 words
- pharmakosφάρμακοςsorcery, and the sorcerer who practices it: forbidden magic worked through drugs, potions, and spells, always bound up with the worship of false gods
- kashaphכָּשַׁףto practice sorcery: to work forbidden magic meant to harm or control people, using spells, potions, or ritual objects
- keshephכֶּשֶׁףsorcerynot studied yet
- pharmakeiaφαρμακείαsorcerynot studied yet
sore4 words
- negaנֶגַעthe suspect mark a priest inspects: the sore on skin, or the discoloration in cloth or a house wall, presented to be ruled clean or unclean.
+1 more meaning
- a blow that lands as a sending from God: a plague, calamity, or stroke of discipline understood as coming from his hand.
- ḥazaqחָזָקstrong: possessing force that does not give way, whether power that overwhelms or hardness that will not bend
- helkosἕλκοςsorenot studied yet
- neteqנֶתֶקa flaking, bare patch on the scalp or in the beard where the hair thins and falls out, which a priest inspects and rules clean or unclean
- negaנֶגַעthe suspect mark a priest inspects: the sore on skin, or the discoloration in cloth or a house wall, presented to be ruled clean or unclean.
Sorek1 word
sores1 word
sorrel1 word
sorrow12 words
- avenאָוֶןevil that comes to nothing: the emptiness, harm, and wickedness of a life set against God
- lupēλύπηinward pain: the ache of grief, sorrow, or distress felt in the heart, at times reaching into bodily hardship
- amalעָמָלwearing toil: hard work that drains a person, the misery that comes with it, and what such work finally yields
+1 more meaning
- mischief: harm that one person deliberately schemes and works against another
- ka'asכַּעַסinner distress: the grief, sorrow, or frustration of a spirit worn down by trouble
+1 more meaning
- anger and its provocation: hot displeasure in a person or in God, and the offense that kindles God's anger
- makhovמַכְאוֹבpain or suffering, whether felt in the body or in the heart