S
Sabbath
(Hebrew: שַׁבָּת) is a day set aside for rest and worship. According to the Book of Exodus the Sabbath is a day of rest on the seventh day, commanded by God to be kept as a holy day of rest, as God rested from creation. The practice of observing the Sabbath (Shabbat) originates in the biblical commandment "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy".
(Hebrew: שַׁבָּת) is a day set aside for rest and worship. According to the Book of Exodus the Sabbath is a day of rest on the seventh day, commanded by God to be kept as a holy day of rest, as God rested from creation. The practice of observing the Sabbath (Shabbat) originates in the biblical commandment "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy".
Salvation
The word ‘salvation’ is used to describe a time when God’s purpose for the world will be lived by all people. People are ‘saved’ from anything which attacks their dignity as human persons; they are ‘saved’ when they act in accord with God’s great love for them. The language of salvation was well known on the Torah (Deut 32:15; Ps 35:3).
See also: Redemption
The word ‘salvation’ is used to describe a time when God’s purpose for the world will be lived by all people. People are ‘saved’ from anything which attacks their dignity as human persons; they are ‘saved’ when they act in accord with God’s great love for them. The language of salvation was well known on the Torah (Deut 32:15; Ps 35:3).
See also: Redemption
Saviour
Literally, the one who saves. For the Gospel writers, particularly Luke, Jesus is the Saviour (Lk 2:11) who brings salvation (Lk 2:30; 19:9).
Literally, the one who saves. For the Gospel writers, particularly Luke, Jesus is the Saviour (Lk 2:11) who brings salvation (Lk 2:30; 19:9).
Sanhedrin
The Jewish council and law court that considered the cases of Jews who broke Jewish law – including Jesus. The Sanhedrin are the ‘council’ referred to in the trial of Jesus.
The Jewish council and law court that considered the cases of Jews who broke Jewish law – including Jesus. The Sanhedrin are the ‘council’ referred to in the trial of Jesus.
Scribe
Scribes were professional copyists and teachers of the Law. Their writing was, therefore, beautiful.
Most scribes were or had been Pharisees who had undertaken a period of study or ‘apprenticeship’ with another Scribe. Because of their training, they were also called lawyers. When you spoke to them you addressed them as ‘Rabbi’ or ‘Master’.
The writer of the Gospel of Matthew is thought to have been a scribe.
Scribes were professional copyists and teachers of the Law. Their writing was, therefore, beautiful.
Most scribes were or had been Pharisees who had undertaken a period of study or ‘apprenticeship’ with another Scribe. Because of their training, they were also called lawyers. When you spoke to them you addressed them as ‘Rabbi’ or ‘Master’.
The writer of the Gospel of Matthew is thought to have been a scribe.
Scripture
Scripture refers to the sacred texts included in the Bible. Sacred texts are writings which religious traditions consider to be central to their practice or beliefs. Some religious texts are believed to be sacred because of their nature as divinely or supernaturally revealed or inspired.
These texts may be used to provide meaning and purpose, evoke a deeper connection with the divine, convey religious truths, promote religious experience, foster communal identity, and guide individual and communal religious practice. These texts often communicate the practices or values of religious traditions and can be looked to as a set of guiding principles which dictate physical, mental, spiritual, or historical elements considered important to a specific religion.
Scripture refers to the sacred texts included in the Bible. Sacred texts are writings which religious traditions consider to be central to their practice or beliefs. Some religious texts are believed to be sacred because of their nature as divinely or supernaturally revealed or inspired.
These texts may be used to provide meaning and purpose, evoke a deeper connection with the divine, convey religious truths, promote religious experience, foster communal identity, and guide individual and communal religious practice. These texts often communicate the practices or values of religious traditions and can be looked to as a set of guiding principles which dictate physical, mental, spiritual, or historical elements considered important to a specific religion.
Shavuot (Festival of Weeks)
Shavuot is the third of the ‘pilgrimage festivals’ which, in the time of Jesus, required that Jews went to the Temple in Jerusalem. It falls seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot celebrates two events: it is the festival on which the new grain and fruit of the season are offered to God (Deut 16:10) and it recalls the giving of the Torah to Moses at Mt Sinai. Shavuot lasts for two days. Jews today sometimes only eat dairy products during the festival to imitate the actions of their ancestors who waited for Moses to return from the mountain with the list of food which would be 'kosher' (the word kosher mean suitable or pure).
Shavuot is the third of the ‘pilgrimage festivals’ which, in the time of Jesus, required that Jews went to the Temple in Jerusalem. It falls seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot celebrates two events: it is the festival on which the new grain and fruit of the season are offered to God (Deut 16:10) and it recalls the giving of the Torah to Moses at Mt Sinai. Shavuot lasts for two days. Jews today sometimes only eat dairy products during the festival to imitate the actions of their ancestors who waited for Moses to return from the mountain with the list of food which would be 'kosher' (the word kosher mean suitable or pure).
Shepherding
The oldest occupation mentioned in the Bible. Sheep were very useful. Their wool could be collected and woven into cloth, their milk drunk or made into cheese and their meat eaten. Because sheep have both cloven hooves and chew their cud, they are among the animals that the Jews were (and are) allowed to eat.
Perfect, unblemished, lambs were also used for sacrifice at the Passover ritual. Although most families kept a sheep or two, shepherding was mostly done in the south of Palestine, in the rocky, barren hills around Jerusalem. The shepherds’ job was to care for the sheep, often in harsh and difficult circumstances.
Shepherding was a hard life. The sole task was ensuring the sheep were safe and well: keeping them safe from wild animals and moving them to find food and water. This could be a very hard task on land that was often inhospitable! Finally, shepherds were not really liked by the people as they were often very poor (and smelly). Many shepherds did not mind their own sheep but instead looked after someone else’s. Also, they often did not fulfil their religious duties as they were minding the sheep! (See pictures of shepherds in our Gallery.)
The oldest occupation mentioned in the Bible. Sheep were very useful. Their wool could be collected and woven into cloth, their milk drunk or made into cheese and their meat eaten. Because sheep have both cloven hooves and chew their cud, they are among the animals that the Jews were (and are) allowed to eat.
Perfect, unblemished, lambs were also used for sacrifice at the Passover ritual. Although most families kept a sheep or two, shepherding was mostly done in the south of Palestine, in the rocky, barren hills around Jerusalem. The shepherds’ job was to care for the sheep, often in harsh and difficult circumstances.
Shepherding was a hard life. The sole task was ensuring the sheep were safe and well: keeping them safe from wild animals and moving them to find food and water. This could be a very hard task on land that was often inhospitable! Finally, shepherds were not really liked by the people as they were often very poor (and smelly). Many shepherds did not mind their own sheep but instead looked after someone else’s. Also, they often did not fulfil their religious duties as they were minding the sheep! (See pictures of shepherds in our Gallery.)
Sinner
A sinner was someone who ‘missed the mark’ and so did not live in accord with the God’s purposes for creation. ‘Sins’ could be related to religious purity (for example eating or washing) or to social behaviour.
A sinner was someone who ‘missed the mark’ and so did not live in accord with the God’s purposes for creation. ‘Sins’ could be related to religious purity (for example eating or washing) or to social behaviour.
Slavery
Slaves or servants were most often ‘gained’ through capture in war or imported (bought) from traders. In times of hardship a debtor could indenture or ‘sell’ themselves or his children to pay a debt. Slaves could be Gentle or Jew, however laws pertaining to Israelite slaves were different from those governing Gentile slaves. Israelite slaves had to be released during the sabbatical and Jubilee years (7 and 7x7). They could then remains as a bondsman or woman, with assured food and lodging and half the salary of a hired servant. They could also be 'redeemed' by their family (or themselves). Exodus 21 details the conditions for Israelite slaves.
Strict Biblical law allowed for the harsh treatment of Gentile slaves, however Maimonides, 12th Century Jewish Rabbi, urged compassion (hasidut) and wisdom (hochmah) in their treatment. Maimonides stressed that while the law might allow something, good Jews must sometimes behave differently. Mishneh Torah, end Laws of Servants; Guide of the Perplexed, III:17
Slaves or servants were most often ‘gained’ through capture in war or imported (bought) from traders. In times of hardship a debtor could indenture or ‘sell’ themselves or his children to pay a debt. Slaves could be Gentle or Jew, however laws pertaining to Israelite slaves were different from those governing Gentile slaves. Israelite slaves had to be released during the sabbatical and Jubilee years (7 and 7x7). They could then remains as a bondsman or woman, with assured food and lodging and half the salary of a hired servant. They could also be 'redeemed' by their family (or themselves). Exodus 21 details the conditions for Israelite slaves.
Strict Biblical law allowed for the harsh treatment of Gentile slaves, however Maimonides, 12th Century Jewish Rabbi, urged compassion (hasidut) and wisdom (hochmah) in their treatment. Maimonides stressed that while the law might allow something, good Jews must sometimes behave differently. Mishneh Torah, end Laws of Servants; Guide of the Perplexed, III:17
Spirit
In the language Jesus spoke, Hebrew, the spirit is ruach (pronounced roo-arch), a word which means breath or wind. It is a feminine word!
In the language Jesus spoke, Hebrew, the spirit is ruach (pronounced roo-arch), a word which means breath or wind. It is a feminine word!
Sycamore tree (ficus sycomorus)
A tree which produced a small fruit, popular in the region. It has low branches so is often used as a shade tree in the desert. The wood was used for furniture making.
A tree which produced a small fruit, popular in the region. It has low branches so is often used as a shade tree in the desert. The wood was used for furniture making.
Synagogue
At the time of Jesus the centre point for religious practice was the Temple in Jerusalem. The Synagogue or local place of worship was much less important.
Faithful, observant Jews went to the Synagogue to pray during the week, and every Sabbath (Friday night to Saturday night) Sabbath day services were held in the synagogue. The synagogue service revolved around readings from the Jewish Scripture.
The first reading came from the Torah (first five books of our Bible) and then another reading from the Prophets was read. The Psalms were then prayed or sung together.
Synagogues also acted as a hall, at times being a local library, school or place for studying Scripture.
At the time of Jesus the centre point for religious practice was the Temple in Jerusalem. The Synagogue or local place of worship was much less important.
Faithful, observant Jews went to the Synagogue to pray during the week, and every Sabbath (Friday night to Saturday night) Sabbath day services were held in the synagogue. The synagogue service revolved around readings from the Jewish Scripture.
The first reading came from the Torah (first five books of our Bible) and then another reading from the Prophets was read. The Psalms were then prayed or sung together.
Synagogues also acted as a hall, at times being a local library, school or place for studying Scripture.
Synoptic Gospels
A term which is applied to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke as they record the life of Jesus as if they ‘see with one eye’.
A term which is applied to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke as they record the life of Jesus as if they ‘see with one eye’.