Places and Regions
Understanding the words used in the Bible is important. Here are three lists - Words, People, and Places. These lists will help you to read and understand the Bible. Any word on this site with an * beside it is defined in these lists.
Africa
Africa is the large land south of Israel*. People from that land believed on Jesus. They became part of the church* when it first began.
Assyria
Assyria was a nation north of Israel. For many years, it was the enemy of Israel*. Assyria came and took many of the people in Israel* away into exile*.
Babel
Babel was a city in the land of Babylon. It was the place where God confused the languages.
Babylon
Babylon was a nation to the north of Israel*. For many years, it was an enemy of Judah. One day, Babylon came into Judah and took many people away into exile*.
Bethel
Bethel was a village north of Jerusalem. It was the place where Jacob saw a ladder that reached into heaven.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem was the village south of Jerusalem. David was born there. Jesus was born there as well.
Caesarea
Caesarea was a city on the sea coast. It was named to honour Caesar, the ruler of Rome. Paul stopped in this city on his way to Rome.
Canaan
Canaan was the name of the land that God promised to give Abraham. Before the children of Abraham lived there, the land was called Canaan. The territory began just across the Jordan River.
Colosse
Colosse was a city in Asia. There were many people there that believed the good news about Jesus. Paul wrote a letter to help the church* there.
Corinth
Corinth was a city in Asia. Many people travelled through that city. Paul helped to take the good news there. He wrote many letters to help the church* in Corinth.
Crete
Crete is an island. Paul helped the church* there. He sent Titus there to tell them how to help and protect the church* at Crete.
Cush
Noah had a son named Ham. Ham had four sons. Cush was one of them. His people settled in the north of Africa. Cush became the name of that area.
Eden
Eden was the name of the garden God made for Adam and Eve.
Edom
Edom was the place where the family of Esau settled. It was north of Judah. The people built many towns there. The name of that area was Edom.
Egypt
Egypt was a land to the south of Israel. The sons of Jacob lived in Egypt for many years until Moses came to lead them out. When Jesus was a small boy, his family went there for a while.
Ephesus
Ephesus was a town in Asia. Paul travelled there and lived there for two years. The church* there was strong. Paul wrote a letter to help the church* there.
Galatia
Galatia was an area north of Israel*. There were many towns and villages there. Many people from that area heard the good news about Jesus. Paul wrote a letter to help the church* there.
Garden (the)
God made the first man and woman. He also made a special place for them to live. They had everything they needed there. That place was called the Garden.
God’s Tent
God told Moses to make the tent as a place for God to live with the people. The people took the tent everywhere they went. They took the tent into the land God promised them.
Israel
Israel was the name that people gave to the land God promised to Abraham. After the nation divided, the land to the north was called Israel. The land in the south was called Judah.
Jericho
Jericho was a town in the promised land. Joshua overcame the city soon after he led Israel into the land.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem was the city where David lived. Solomon built the temple* there. It was the chief city of Judah.
Jordan River
The Jordan River was part of the border of Israel* on the east. The people crossed this river to get into the land God promised to Abraham. Later, Jesus was baptized in this river.
Judah
Judah was the name the people gave to the southern part of Israel. After the nation divided, the land in the north was called Israel. The land in the south was called Judah.
Moab and Ammon
Moab and Ammon were two countries near Israel*. They were not friends of God’s people. They made war with them. They helped Israel’s* enemies. The prophets* often spoke against these countries.
Ninevah
Ninevah was the capital city of Assyria. God sent one of his prophets* there to give them a message. Many years later, the people from Ninevah brought their army to make war on God’s people. They killed many of them. They took many into exile*.
Persia
Persia was a great nation. It took control of Babylon after the people went into exile* there. The leaders there allowed some of the people of Israel* to return to their land.
Philippi
Philippi was a city in Asia. Paul went there to tell people the good news about Jesus. Many people believed. Paul wrote the church* in that city a letter to help them follow Jesus. That letter is now part of the Bible*.
Philistia
Philistia was the territory on the south and west side of Israel*. It was the land where the Philistines lived. These people were enemies of Israel*. They were a people who were good at war.
Promised Land (The)
The Promised Land is one of names for the land of Israel*. It is the land that God promised to Abraham.
Rome
Rome was a city in Europe. Rome was the capital city of the kingdom* of the Romans.
Samaria
Samaria was a city in Israel*. It was the capital of the northern kingdom*. Samaria was also the name given to the territory around that city.
Temple (The)
The Temple was the place Solomon built for God. It was the place for Israel* to worship* God. It was the place where people made sacrifices*. It was the place where God could be with his people.
Wilderness (The)
The ‘wilderness’ was the place where Israel* wandered after they left Egypt. It was a desert place. God led them through the wilderness for 40 years.
Zion
Another name for the city of Jerusalem; the city of God’s people; the holy mountain in Jerusalem; the city of God in heaven*.