Etymology Explorer

↳ adê/šarru

Formal binding agreement between parties, often with hierarchical power dynamics

Suzerainty treaties influenced biblical covenant concept

↳ كَفَّارَة (kaffarah)

Expiation, atonement for sins

Same Semitic root כ-פ-ר as Hebrew kippur. Kaffarah includes fasting, feeding the poor, or freeing a slave

↳ baraka

Blessing, divine grace, increase and bounty

Spiritual abundance and divine protection; invoked in Islamic tradition

↳ بَرَكَة (barakah)

Blessing, increase, divine favor

Same Semitic root as Hebrew berakhah. Barakah is the spiritual energy and blessing that flows from God

↳ عَهْد ('ahd)

Covenant, pledge, contract

Quran 2:40: 'Fulfill My covenant and I will fulfill yours.' God's covenant with humanity through prophets

↳ مُلْك (mulk)

Sovereignty, kingdom, dominion

Al-Malik (The King/Sovereign) is one of the 99 Names. Surah 67 is Al-Mulk — 'The Sovereignty'

↳ abad

Eternal, perpetual, everlasting

God's eternity (azal and abad) fundamental to Islamic theology

↳ أَبَدِيّ (abadi) / صَمَد (samad)

The Everlasting, the Eternal

As-Samad (The Eternal, Self-Sufficient) is in Quran 112:2. Jannah is described as eternal — 'khalidina fiha abada'

↳ iman

Belief, faith in God, one of Islam's pillars

Fundamental Islamic concept; includes belief and practice

↳ إِيمَان (iman)

Faith, belief, security

From root أ-م-ن (safety). A mu'min (believer) is one who has iman

↳ مَغْفِرَة (maghfirah)

Forgiveness, concealment of sins

From root غ-ف-ر (to cover/conceal). Al-Ghafur (The Forgiving) is one of the 99 Names of Allah

↳ majd

Glory, majesty, splendor, divine magnificence

God's glory and majesty in Islamic theology and Quranic references

↳ مَجْد (majd)

Glory, majesty, might

Al-Majid (The Glorious) is one of the 99 Names. Also سُبْحَان (subhan) — used in 'Subhan Allah' (Glory be to God)

↳ ni'ma

Blessing, favor, grace bestowed

Divine blessing and provision in Islamic theology

↳ فَضْل (fadl)

Grace, bounty, favor of God

Quran 3:174: 'They returned with grace and bounty from Allah.' God's fadl exceeds what anyone deserves

↳ qalb

Heart, mind, spirit, center of consciousness

In Islamic spirituality, purification of the heart (tazkiyah) is essential

↳ جَنَّة (jannah)

Garden, paradise

From root meaning 'to conceal/cover' — a lush hidden garden. Quran describes rivers of milk, honey, and wine

↳ quds

Sacred, holy, sanctified

Root of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and al-Qur'an references to holiness

↳ حِسَاب (hisab)

Judgment, the reckoning

Yawm al-Hisab — Day of Reckoning. Also دِين (din) in 'Yawm ad-Din' (Day of Judgment), Quran 1:4

↳ mulk

Kingdom, reign, dominion, sovereignty

God's infinite mulk (kingdom) and dominion over all creation

↳ nur

Light, illumination, divine guidance

God as 'the Light of the heavens and the earth' in Quran

↳ نُور (nur)

Light, divine illumination

An-Nur (The Light) is a Name of Allah. Surah 24 is called An-Nur

↳ حُبّ (hubb)

Divine love, mercy

Al-Wadud (The Loving) is one of the 99 Names of Allah

↳ rahma

Divine mercy, compassion (rahmah)

Central to Islamic theology; 99 divine names include 'ar-Rahman'

↳ رَحْمَة (rahmah)

Mercy, compassion

Same Semitic root as Hebrew rachamim. Every surah begins 'In the name of God, the Most Merciful'

↳ salam

Peace, submission, surrender to divine will

Root of Islam (submission) and Islamic greeting as-salaam

↳ سَلَام (salaam)

Peace, submission, safety

Same root as 'Islam' (submission) — As-Salam is a Name of Allah

↳ حَمْد (hamd)

Praise, thanksgiving to God

Al-Hamdu lillah — 'All praise belongs to God,' the opening of the Quran. Muhammad means 'the praised one'

↳ salah

Prayer, obligatory worship, spiritual discipline

One of the Five Pillars of Islam; five daily obligatory prayers

↳ صَلَاة (salat)

Ritual prayer, connection

One of five pillars of Islam. Du'a is personal supplication; salat is ritual worship

↳ nabi

Messenger from God; one who conveys revelation

Central to Islamic theology; includes Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad

↳ نَبِيّ (nabi)

Prophet, one who brings news from God

Same Semitic root as Hebrew navi. Islam recognizes 25 named prophets, from Adam to Muhammad

↳ fidya

Redemption, ransom, release from bondage

Ransom concept; paying to release or substitute for another

↳ tawbah

Turning back to God, repentance, seeking forgiveness

One of Islam's fundamental concepts; path to divine forgiveness

↳ تَوْبَة (tawbah)

Repentance, turning back to God

From root ت-و-ب (to turn). At-Tawwab (The Acceptor of Repentance) is one of the 99 Names of Allah

↳ بَعْث (ba'th)

Resurrection, the arising

Yawm al-Ba'th — the Day of Resurrection. Quran 75 (Al-Qiyamah) is devoted entirely to the resurrection

↳ وَحْي (wahy)

Divine revelation sent down

The Quran was sent down as wahy to Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). Also تَنْزِيل (tanzil) — 'sending down'

↳ adl

Justice, equity, moral uprightness

Foundational principle in Islamic law and ethics

↳ صِدْق (sidq)

Truthfulness, sincerity, honesty

Cognate with Hebrew tsedaqah. As-Siddiq (The Truthful) was Abu Bakr's title

↳ qurban

Sacrifice, offering in submission to God

Ritualized at Eid al-Adha; commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice

↳ قُرْبَان (qurban)

Sacrifice, offering to draw near to God

Same Semitic root as Hebrew qorban. Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son

↳ najah

Rescue, safety, successful passage

Often used for salvation from danger or perdition

↳ فَلَاح (falah)

Success, salvation, prosperity

The muezzin calls 'Hayya 'ala al-falah' — 'Come to salvation/success.' Ultimate salvation is entering jannah

↳ حَرَم (haram)

Sacred precinct, inviolable place

Al-Masjid al-Haram — the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. Haram means both sacred and forbidden (inviolable)

↳ dhanb

Sin, transgression, disobedience to God

Moral transgression; seeking forgiveness (istighfar) is essential in Islam

↳ ذَنْب (dhanb)

Sin, wrongdoing

Islam has no original sin — each person is born pure (fitrah) and accountable for their own acts

↳ ruh

Soul, self, inner being, breath

The spiritual essence of being; one of seven heavens in Islamic cosmology

↳ نَفْس (nafs)

Soul, self, spirit

Quran describes three states: nafs al-ammara (commanding), lawwama (self-reproaching), mutma'inna (at peace)

↳ ruh

Spirit, soul, divine breath

Gabriel is called Ruh al-Qudus (the Holy Spirit) in Islamic theology

↳ مَسْجِد (masjid)

Place of prostration, mosque

From root س-ج-د (to prostrate). Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem are holiest sites

↳ haqq

Truth, reality, the real nature of things

Central to Islamic theology; one of God's 99 divine names

↳ حَقّ (haqq)

Truth, reality, right

Al-Haqq (The Truth) is one of the 99 Names of Allah

↳ hikmah

Wisdom, understanding, judicious knowledge

Divine wisdom revealed through Quran and Islamic scholars

↳ حِكْمَة (hikmah)

Wisdom, sound judgment

Al-Hakim (The Wise) is a Name of Allah. Surah 31 (Luqman) is about wisdom

↳ kalima

Word, utterance, speech, divine communication

Quran as God's Word (Kalam Allah); Jesus (Isa) called Kalimat Allah

↳ Middle English coinage

At-one-ment (to make 'at one')

Coined in 1513 by William Tyndale — 'at + one + ment' — reconciliation, making two parties one

↳ ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion)

Propitiation, means of reconciliation

Used in Romans 3:25 for Christ as the 'mercy seat.' Also καταλλαγή (katallagē) — exchange/reconciliation

↳ eulogia

Blessing, praise, gratitude, divine favor

Eu (well) + logos (word); 'good word' or praise

↳ εὐλογία (eulogia)

To speak well of, praise, bless

From eu (good/well) + logos (word). Source of 'eulogy.' 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ' (Ephesians 1:3)

↳ diatheke

Testament, will, or binding agreement; used for last will and testament

LXX translation of Hebrew brit; shaped Christian theology of Old/New Testaments

↳ διαθήκη (diathēkē)

Covenant, testament, will

Jesus at the Last Supper: 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood' (Luke 22:20)

↳ κυριότης (kyriotēs)

Lordship, dominion, ruling power

From kyrios (lord). Used in Ephesians 1:21 for divine authority above all powers and dominions

↳ aionios

Eternal, everlasting, perpetual, age-lasting

Aeon-lasting; emphasizes endless duration or age to come

↳ αἰώνιος (aiōnios)

Of the age, pertaining to an age, eternal

From aiōn (age/eon). 'This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God' (John 17:3)

↳ pistis

Faith, belief, persuasion, conviction

Central to Christian theology; trust in God's promises

↳ πίστις (pistis)

Trust, confidence, conviction

'The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' (Hebrews 11:1)

↳ ἄφεσις (aphesis)

To release, send away, let go

Literally 'sending away' — Jesus: 'Forgive and you will be forgiven' (Luke 6:37)

↳ doxa

Glory, honor, splendor, divine radiance

Jesus as 'the glory of God'; divine radiance and manifestation

↳ δόξα (doxa)

Glory, splendor, radiance, opinion

Originally meant 'opinion/reputation' — in LXX translated kavod as divine radiance. 'We beheld his glory' (John 1:14)

↳ charis

Grace, favor, divine kindness, spiritual gift

Foundational to Christian theology; unmerited divine favor

↳ χάρις (charis)

Grace, unmerited favor, gift

Root of 'charisma.' Paul: 'By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing' (Ephesians 2:8)

↳ kardia

Heart, innermost self, center of emotions and will

Seat of moral and spiritual life; out of heart comes motivation

↳ οὐρανός (ouranos)

Heaven, the sky, God's realm

Jesus taught disciples to pray: 'Our Father in heaven' (Matthew 6:9). Also the Kingdom of Heaven

↳ hagios

Holy, sacred, worthy of reverence

Used for God, saints, and consecrated things

↳ κρίσις (krisis)

Judgment, decision, condemnation

Source of English 'crisis.' Jesus: 'The Father has given all judgment to the Son' (John 5:22)

↳ basileia

Kingdom, royal dominion, realm, God's reign

Jesus' central teaching of the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven

↳ phos

Light, illumination, truth, divine manifestation

Jesus called 'the light of the world'; enlightenment and salvation

↳ φῶς (phōs)

Light, radiance

'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12). Source of English 'phosphorus'

↳ philia

Brotherly love, affection between friends

Foundation of philosophy (philo-sophia = love of wisdom)

↳ eros

Romantic, passionate, erotic love

Platonic philosophy explores eros as path to the divine

↳ agape

Self-giving, unconditional divine love

New Testament foundation for Christian ethics

↳ ἀγάπη (agapē)

Unconditional, self-giving love

Chosen over eros/philia to express divine love in LXX and NT

↳ eleos

Compassion, mercy, pity toward the afflicted

Emphasizes emotional response to suffering

↳ ἔλεος (eleos)

Mercy, pity, compassion

'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy' (Matthew 5:7)

↳ eirene

Peace, tranquility, absence of war

Often personified as goddess in classical texts

↳ εἰρήνη (eirēnē)

Peace, harmony, tranquility

Used by Paul to describe reconciliation between God and humanity

↳ αἶνος (ainos)

To tell, narrate, declare praise

Also δοξολογία (doxologia) — giving glory. Luke 2:13: the angels praising God at Jesus's birth

↳ proseuche

Prayer, petition, entreaty, supplication

Face-to-face communication; making request before God

↳ προσευχή (proseuchē)

To wish toward, petition

Jesus taught: 'When you pray, go into your room and shut the door' (Matthew 6:6)

↳ prophetes

One who speaks on behalf of; proclaimer of divine truth

Pro (before) + phanai (to speak); foreteller and forth-teller

↳ προφήτης (prophētēs)

One who speaks before/forth for God

Not primarily a fortune-teller but a forth-teller — one who proclaims God's message

↳ apolytrosis

Redemption, deliverance, release through ransom payment

Apo (from) + lytrosis (loosing); release through ransom or liberation

↳ metanoia

Change of mind, turning around, transformation of thought

Meta (after) + nous (mind); radical transformation of perspective

↳ μετάνοια (metanoia)

Change of mind, transformation of thinking

From meta (after/change) + nous (mind). John the Baptist: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'

↳ ἀνάστασις (anastasis)

Standing up again, rising from the dead

From ana (up) + stasis (standing). Martha: 'I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day' (John 11:24)

↳ ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis)

Unveiling, disclosure, apocalypse

Literally 'uncovering.' The Book of Revelation is the Apokalypsis — the unveiling of things to come

↳ dikaiosyne

Justice, righteousness, right relationship with God

Central to Paul's theology of justification by faith

↳ δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē)

Justice, righteousness, equity

Central to Paul's theology: 'the righteousness of God revealed through faith' (Romans 1:17)

↳ thusia

Sacrifice, offering, victim brought to altar

Jesus understood in Christian theology as ultimate sacrifice

↳ θυσία (thysia)

Offering, sacrifice

From 'thyō' (to offer). Hebrews 10:12: 'He offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins'

↳ soteria

Saving, deliverance, wholeness, health

Encompasses physical healing and spiritual redemption

↳ σωτηρία (sōtēria)

Deliverance, preservation, salvation

From 'sōzō' (to save). Paul: 'For by grace you have been saved through faith' (Ephesians 2:8)

↳ τὸ ἅγιον (to hagion)

The holy place, the sanctuary

Hebrews 9:12: 'He entered once for all into the holy places.' The heavenly sanctuary surpasses the earthly

↳ hamartia

Sin, transgression, missing the mark

Archery term; 'missing the target'; fundamental to Christian soteriology

↳ ἁμαρτία (hamartia)

Missing the mark, failure

Also an archery term in classical Greek. Paul: 'All have sinned and fall short' (Romans 3:23)

↳ psyche

Soul, life, spirit, inner self

Source of psychology; inner mental and emotional life

↳ ψυχή (psychē)

Soul, life, self

Source of 'psychology'. More dualistic than Hebrew nephesh — can exist apart from body

↳ pneuma

Spirit, wind, breath, immaterial being

Holy Spirit as divine presence and power; pneumatology central to theology

↳ ναός (naos) / ἱερόν (hieron)

Sacred precinct, inner sanctuary

Naos = inner shrine where God dwells; hieron = entire temple complex. Paul: 'Your body is a naos of the Holy Spirit'

↳ aletheia

Truth, reality, that which is true

In John's Gospel, Jesus claims to be 'the truth'

↳ ἀλήθεια (alētheia)

Unhiddenness, disclosure, reality

Literally 'un-concealment' — Jesus says 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'

↳ sophia

Wisdom, skill, understanding, insight

In Paul's writings, Christ is 'the wisdom of God'

↳ σοφία (sophia)

Wisdom, deep knowledge

Paul contrasts worldly wisdom with the 'foolishness' of the cross

↳ logos

Word, utterance, message, reason, divine principle

Jesus identified as the Logos; cosmic principle of reason and order

↳ כִּפּוּר (kippur)

To cover, wipe clean, ransom

From root כ-פ-ר (to cover). Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement, holiest day in Judaism. The kapporet covered the Ark

↳ berakhah

Blessing, power for good, divine favor conferring prosperity

To bless is to 'bend the knee'; invokes God's favor and bounty

↳ בְּרָכָה (berakhah)

To kneel, bless, bestow abundance

From root ב-ר-ך (to kneel). A berakhah is both a blessing from God and a prayer blessing God. 'Blessed are you, LORD our God'

↳ brit

A cutting; bond established through sacrifice and ritual

From verb meaning to cut—covenants were sealed by cutting animals in two

↳ בְּרִית (berit)

Bond, pact, treaty (literally 'to cut')

Covenants were 'cut' — animals divided in ratification ritual. Foundation of Israel's relationship with God

↳ מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshalah)

To rule, have dominion, tread down

Also רָדָה (radah) — Genesis 1:28: 'Have dominion over the fish of the sea.' Implies stewardship, not tyranny

↳ olam

Everlasting, age-lasting, time immemorial to endless future

Refers to vast time stretches; can mean past eternity or future eternity

↳ עוֹלָם (olam)

Perpetuity, forever, hidden time

Can mean both 'forever' and 'the world/age.' 'The eternal God is your refuge' (Deuteronomy 33:27)

↳ emunah

Faithfulness, trust, reliability, steadfast belief

Emphasizes relational trust and steadfastness

↳ אֱמוּנָה (emunah)

Firmness, steadfastness, trust

From same root as 'Amen' and 'emet' (truth). Active trust, not mere belief

↳ סְלִיחָה (selichah)

To bear, carry away, pardon

From root ס-ל-ח. Also נָשָׂא (nasa) — to lift/carry away guilt. Central to Yom Kippur liturgy

↳ kavod

Glory, honor, splendor, weighty presence of God

God's kavod (glory) is God's presence; manifestation in cloud and fire

↳ כָּבוֹד (kavod)

Weight, heaviness, honor, splendor

From root כ-ב-ד (to be heavy). God's glory has weight and substance — it filled the Tabernacle as a cloud (Exodus 40:34)

↳ chen

Favor, grace, charm, beauty, approval

Unmerited favor; finding grace in God's sight

↳ חֵן (chen)

Favor, graciousness, kindness freely given

'Noah found chen in the eyes of the LORD' (Genesis 6:8). Unmerited divine favor

↳ lev

Heart, mind, will, understanding, seat of emotions

Center of wisdom, emotions, and spiritual consciousness

↳ שָׁמַיִם (shamayim)

The heights, the skies, God's dwelling

Dual form — 'the heavens.' Can mean physical sky or God's abode. 'The heavens declare the glory of God' (Psalm 19:1)

↳ qodesh

Set apart, sacred, separated from the profane

Emphasizes separation and sacred distinction

↳ מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat)

Justice, verdict, act of judging

Both divine and human judgment. The Shoftim (Judges) administered God's justice in Israel

↳ malkuth

Kingdom, reign, sovereignty, royal dominion

God's kingdom as God's reign; Malkhuth is lowest of Kabbalah's sephiroth

↳ or

Light, illumination, clarity, divine presence

Metaphor for God's presence, truth, and divine guidance

↳ אוֹר (or)

Light, illumination

First thing created: 'Let there be light' (Genesis 1:3). God's presence = light

↳ hesed

Steadfast, covenantal love; loyalty that does not depend on emotion

Often translated as 'loving-kindness' or 'mercy'

↳ ahavah

Deep affection and commitment; primarily used for familial bonds

From a root meaning to give/breathe

↳ אהבה (ahavah)

Covenantal faithfulness, loyal love

Used 250+ times in Hebrew Bible; chesed (חסד) conveys steadfast lovingkindness

↳ chesed

Lovingkindness, compassion, covenant loyalty

Core ethical value in Jewish tradition

↳ רַחֲמִים (rachamim)

Womb-love, deep compassion

From 'rechem' (womb) — God's mercy compared to a mother's love for her child

↳ shalom

Wholeness, completeness, harmony, absence of conflict

Encompasses physical safety, social harmony, spiritual wholeness

↳ שָׁלוֹם (shalom)

Wholeness, completeness, well-being

More than absence of conflict — implies total flourishing and divine order

↳ הַלֵּל (hallel)

To shine, boast, rave, celebrate

Root of 'Hallelujah' — 'Praise Yah.' Also תְּהִלָּה (tehillah, song of praise) — the Book of Psalms is Tehillim

↳ tefillah

Prayer, supplication, petition to God

From root meaning to fall/judge oneself; self-judgment before God

↳ תְּפִלָּה (tefillah)

To judge oneself, intercede

Hitpallel is reflexive — prayer as self-examination before God

↳ navi

One who speaks forth God's word; spokesman for the divine

From root meaning to bubble forth, speak forth

↳ נָבִיא (navi)

Called one, spokesman of God

From Akkadian 'nabu' (to call). A navi receives divine revelation and speaks it to the people

↳ geulah

Redemption, release, rescue through payment or kinship

Related to goel (redeemer); kinsman-redeemer concept in Torah

↳ teshuvah

Turning, return to God, complete turning around

Not merely emotion but action; to turn back toward covenant

↳ תְּשׁוּבָה (teshuvah)

To turn, return, come back

From root שׁ-ו-ב (to return). Not guilt but turning back to God. Central to the Days of Awe before Yom Kippur

↳ תְּחִיַּת הַמֵּתִים (techiyat hametim)

Rising of the dead, revival

Ezekiel 37 — Valley of Dry Bones: 'I will open your graves and raise you.' Pharisees affirmed bodily resurrection

↳ גָּלָה (galah)

To uncover, make naked, disclose

God 'uncovers' his word to prophets. Also חָזוֹן (chazon) — a vision. 'Where there is no vision, the people perish' (Proverbs 29:18)

↳ tzedakah

Right action, justice, conformity to God's law

Not merely individual virtue but communal justice and charity

↳ צְדָקָה (tsedaqah)

Rightness, justice, conformity to a standard

From root צ-ד-ק — implies right relationship, not moral perfection. A tsaddiq is one who acts justly

↳ zevach

Offering, that which is killed and offered to God

Fundamental to Temple worship; means to slaughter for offering

↳ קָרְבָּן (qorban)

Offering, that which is brought near

From root ק-ר-ב meaning 'to draw near.' Sacrifice is about drawing near to God, not mere slaughter

↳ yeshua

Deliverance, rescue from danger or oppression

Root of the name Jesus (Yeshua); denotes practical deliverance

↳ יְשׁוּעָה (yeshuah)

Rescue, deliverance, spaciousness

Same root as the name Yeshua/Joshua/Jesus. Implies being brought from a narrow place to a wide, open space

↳ מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdash)

Holy place, dwelling of God's presence

From root ק-ד-שׁ (holy). 'Let them make me a miqdash, that I may dwell among them' (Exodus 25:8)

↳ chet

Sin, transgression, missing the mark, guilt

Root means 'to miss'; sin as failing to hit the target of righteousness

↳ חֵטְא (chet)

To miss the mark, go astray

An archery term — falling short of God's standard. Not inherent corruption but an act

↳ nefesh

Soul, life, throat, appetite; the living being

Not immaterial spirit but the living self, life force

↳ נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh)

Living being, breath, life force

Not a disembodied soul — refers to the whole living person. 'And man became a living nephesh'

↳ ruach

Spirit, breath, wind, divine power and presence

Same word for wind, breath, and God's Spirit; life force

↳ בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ (beit hamikdash)

House, dwelling place of God

Literally 'House of Holiness.' Also הֵיכָל (heikhal) — the main hall. Solomon built the First Temple c. 957 BCE

↳ emet

Truth, faithfulness, reliability, that which stands firm

Not mere factuality but what is reliable and enduring

↳ אֱמֶת (emet)

Firmness, reliability, faithfulness

From root א-מ-נ meaning 'to support, confirm' — same root as 'Amen'

↳ chokmah

Wisdom, skill, understanding, practical knowledge

Not abstract learning but practical mastery and insight

↳ חָכְמָה (chokmah)

Skill, wisdom, insight

Personified as a woman in Proverbs 8. 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom'

↳ davar

Word, speech, utterance, thing, matter

Word has creative power; God's word brings reality into being

↳ testamentum

Redemption, settlement, or contractual agreement

Direct translation of Greek diatheke; entered English via legal tradition

↳ santi

Peace, tranquility in Buddhist context

Buddhist concept of inner peace (santutthi)

↳ nibbāna

Peace through cessation of craving

Nirvana — the ultimate peace beyond suffering in Buddhism

↳ nibbāna

Liberation, unbinding, extinction of suffering

Literally 'blowing out' — the cessation of craving, aversion, and delusion. The Third Noble Truth

↳ atta

Self, being, individual existence

Buddhist doctrine of anatta (no permanent self) contrasts with other traditions

↳ anattā

No-self, non-self

Buddhism teaches anatta — there is no permanent self, contrasting Hindu atman

↳ sacca

Truth, reality, as taught in Four Noble Truths

Core concept in Buddhism; framework for understanding suffering

↳ panna

Wisdom, discernment, understanding

One of three trainings in Buddhism; insight into nature of reality

↳ *gʷem- + *h₁en

To come together

Latin 'convenire' (to come together, agree) gives English 'covenant' via Old French

↳ *dem- (house/household)

To tame, have power over

Latin 'dominus' (lord/master) from 'domus' (house). Dominion = mastery over one's domain

↳ *h₂eyw- (vital force, age)

An age, a vital force, lifetime

Root of Latin 'aevum' (age), Greek 'aiōn' (age/eon), English 'ever.' Eternity as unending vital force

↳ *bheidh-

To trust, persuade

Root of Latin 'fidēs' (faith) and Greek 'peithō' (to persuade)

↳ *per- + *gʰebʰ-

To give completely, grant

English 'forgive' from Old English 'forgiefan' — to give up a debt or claim

↳ *ǵneh₃- (to know/recognize)

To call out, invoke

Latin 'gloria' may derive from a root meaning fame or recognition — that which is known and praised

↳ *gʷerH- (to praise)

To sing, praise, call out

Root of Latin 'gratia' (favor, thanks), giving English 'grace,' 'grateful,' 'gratitude'

↳ *h₂éḱmō

Stone, sky (as a stone vault)

Related to Old English 'heofon.' PIE peoples conceived the sky as a solid dome

↳ *yewes- (law)

To point out what is right, law

Root of Latin 'ius' (law/right) and 'iudex' (judge), giving English 'judge' and 'justice'

↳ *leuk-

To shine, be bright

Root of Latin 'lux', Greek 'leukos', Sanskrit 'rocate'

↳ *leubh-

To care, desire

Root of Latin 'lubēre' (to please) and Sanskrit 'lubhyati' (desires)

↳ *merk-

Exchange, trade (hence: price, reward)

Latin 'merces' (reward) → 'misericordia' (compassion for those in misery)

↳ *pak-

To fasten, join together

Root of Latin 'pax' and 'pangere' (to fasten)

↳ *pretyo- (price)

To set a price, value highly

Latin 'pretiare' (to prize) via Old French 'preisier.' To praise = to declare the worth of

↳ *prek-

To ask, entreat

Root of Latin 'precari' (to pray), German 'fragen' (to ask)

↳ *bʰeh₂- (to speak)

To speak forth, declare

Greek 'prophētēs' from pro- (before/forth) + phēnai (to speak) — one who speaks forth

↳ *peh₂- (to hurt)

To feel pain, regret

Latin 'paenitēre' (to cause regret) gives 'repent.' Originally about suffering, not moral change

↳ *h₃reǵ- (to straighten/rise)

To rise again

Latin 'resurgere' (to rise again) from re- (again) + surgere (to rise). Source of 'resurrect'

↳ *wel- (to cover/veil)

To pull back the veil

Latin 'revelare' from re- (back) + velare (to veil). To reveal = to un-veil, uncover what was hidden

↳ *h₃reǵ-

To move in a straight line, direct

Root of Latin 'rectus' (straight), 'regere' (to rule), English 'right'

↳ *sak- (to sanctify)

To make sacred

Latin 'sacrificium' from 'sacer' (sacred) + 'facere' (to make). To sacrifice is to make something holy

↳ *solh₂- (whole)

Whole, well-kept, safe

Root of Latin 'salvus' (safe), 'salus' (health/salvation). Same root as English 'safe' and 'salute'

↳ *sak- (to sanctify)

To make holy, consecrate

Root of Latin 'sanctus' (holy), 'sanctuarium' (a holy place). Related to 'sacred' and 'sacrifice'

↳ *es-ont-

To be, exist (as a state of being)

Debated origin — possibly connected to 'being guilty' as an existential state

↳ *saiwalo-

Coming from the sea/lake

Possibly linked to pre-Christian belief that souls came from and returned to water

↳ *tem- (to cut)

To cut, section (a sacred precinct)

Latin 'templum' originally meant a space cut off or marked out in the sky for augury

↳ *deru-

Firm, solid, faithful

Root of English 'true', 'trust', 'tree' (that which stands firm)

↳ *weid-

To see, know

Root of Latin 'vidēre' (to see), Sanskrit 'veda' (knowledge), English 'wise'

↳ *blōþisōjan (to hallow with blood)

To sprinkle with blood (consecrate)

Old English 'blēdsian' from 'blōd' (blood) — originally a pagan consecration rite

↳ rahm-

Compassion, empathy across Semitic languages

Root for Arabic and Hebrew variants

↳ šlm-

Completion, wholeness across Semitic languages

Root shared across Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic

↳ ashirvad

Blessing, benediction, protective grace

Invoking divine favor and protection in Hindu rituals

↳ आशीर्वाद (ashirvad)

Blessing, benediction, grace

From ashis (wish/blessing) + vad (to speak). Elders give ashirvad by placing hands on the head

↳ ऐश्वर्य (aishvarya)

Sovereignty, supreme rule, lordship

From Ishvara (Lord/God). One of the six divine opulences of Bhagavan described in the Vishnu Purana

↳ nitya

Eternal, timeless, perpetual, imperishable

Eternal nature of Brahman and atman in Hindu metaphysics

↳ शाश्वत (shashvata) / सनातन (sanatana)

Eternal, without beginning or end

Sanatana Dharma — the 'eternal way.' Krishna: 'The soul is never born and never dies; it is eternal' (Bhagavad Gita 2:20)

↳ shraddha

Confidence, trust, reverence

Trust in teacher and sacred truths in Hindu philosophy

↳ श्रद्धा (shraddha)

Faith, trust, devotion

Essential prerequisite in Bhagavad Gita: without shraddha, spiritual knowledge cannot arise

↳ क्षमा (kshama)

Forgiveness, forbearance, patience

One of the ten virtues (yamas) in Hinduism. Kshama is considered the highest dharma

↳ tejas

Radiance, splendor, spiritual effulgence, luminosity

Inner radiance and spiritual power; inner glow in Hindu philosophy

↳ तेजस् (tejas)

Splendor, divine radiance, spiritual luster

The radiant energy of the divine. Arjuna saw Krishna's tejas in the universal form (Bhagavad Gita 11)

↳ prasada

Blessing, grace, divine favor

Grace of deity toward devotee in Hindu practice

↳ प्रसाद (prasada)

Grace, divine favor bestowed upon devotees

Literally 'clarity/brightness.' In bhakti tradition, liberation comes through God's prasada, not human effort alone

↳ hridaya

Heart, center of consciousness and emotions

Seat of the atman (self); spiritual heart in Hindu practice

↳ स्वर्ग (svarga)

Heaven, celestial realm of the gods

Realm of Indra; place of reward for the righteous. But ultimate goal is moksha — liberation beyond even svarga

↳ pavitra

Pure, sacred, untainted

Essential to Hindu and Buddhist concepts of purity

↳ न्याय (nyaya)

Righteous judgment, justice of cosmic law

Also one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. Yama, lord of death, judges souls by their karma

↳ rajya

Kingdom, realm, sovereignty, dominion

Political sovereignty; also used metaphorically for spiritual dominion

↳ jyoti

Light, luminosity, consciousness, divine brilliance

Symbolizes divine consciousness and spiritual illumination

↳ ज्योति (jyoti)

Inner light, divine radiance

Gayatri Mantra prays to the divine light that illuminates all minds

↳ भक्ति (bhakti)

Divine devotion, attachment to God

Bhakti yoga — the path of loving devotion in Hinduism

↳ karuna

Compassion, sympathetic joy

One of four brahmaviharas (divine abodes) in Buddhism

↳ करुणा (karuna)

Compassion for all beings

Central to Buddhism — karuna is one of the four Brahma Viharas (divine abodes)

↳ shanti

Peace, tranquility, serenity

Repeated three times in Upanishads for peace at all levels

↳ शान्ति (shanti)

Peace, tranquility, bliss

Repeated three times in prayer: 'Om shanti shanti shanti'

↳ स्तुति (stuti)

Hymn of praise, glorification

The Vedic hymns are stutis to the devas. Bhajans (devotional songs) are the living tradition of praise

↳ puja

Worship, ritual praise, devotion

Ritualized worship and offering to deity in Hindu practice

↳ ध्यान (dhyana)

Meditation, contemplation

Root of 'Zen' (via Chinese 'chan'). The seventh limb of yoga

↳ rishi

Seer, sage; one who perceives higher truth

Vedic sages; holders of divine wisdom in Hindu tradition

↳ ऋषि (rishi)

Seer, one who perceives truth

Rishis 'saw' the Vedic hymns — they did not compose them but received them through tapas (spiritual heat)

↳ vimukti

Liberation, release from bondage or cycle of rebirth

Complete liberation (moksha/vimukti) from samsara

↳ prayaschitta

Atonement, penance, purification of sin

Ritual or moral action to purify from negative karma

↳ प्रायश्चित्त (prayashchitta)

Atonement, expiation, penance

Literally 'atonement of the mind.' Performed through tapas (austerity), dana (charity), and japa (chanting)

↳ श्रुति (shruti)

That which is heard, divine revelation

The Vedas are shruti — 'heard' by the rishis, not authored by humans. Contrasted with smriti (remembered tradition)

↳ dharma

Duty, virtue, cosmic order

Universal law governing moral and social conduct

↳ ऋत (rita)

Cosmic order, truth, righteousness

The cosmic principle of natural order that governs the universe; precursor to dharma

↳ yajna

Ritual sacrifice, sacred offering, fire ritual

Central to Vedic religion; cosmic principle maintaining universal order

↳ यज्ञ (yajna)

Fire sacrifice, ritual offering

The central Vedic ritual. Bhagavad Gita 3:9: 'Work done as yajna liberates; all other work binds'

↳ moksha

Liberation, release from cycle of rebirth

Ultimate goal of Hindu and Buddhist spiritual practice

↳ मोक्ष (moksha)

Liberation, release from the cycle of rebirth

The supreme goal of Hindu life — freedom from samsara. Achieved through jnana, karma, or bhakti yoga

↳ papa

Evil, sin, demerit accumulated through wrong action

Negative karma; opposite of dharma and virtue

↳ पाप (papa)

Sin as ignorance

In Hinduism, sin stems from avidya (ignorance) of one's true divine nature

↳ atman

Self, individual soul, eternal essence

In Vedanta, Atman is identical with Brahman (ultimate reality)

↳ आत्मन् (atman)

Self, eternal soul

The eternal self identical with Brahman: 'Tat Tvam Asi' (Thou art That)

↳ prana

Vital life force, cosmic energy, breath

Life energy; controlled through pranayama (breath work) in yoga

↳ मन्दिर (mandir)

House of God, abode of the deity

From root 'mand' (to dwell/praise). A mandir houses the murti (sacred image) through which the divine is worshipped

↳ satya

Truth, reality, that which truly is

Ultimate reality in Hindu philosophy; yama (ethical restraint)

↳ सत्य (satya)

Truth, being, reality

Gandhi's principle of Satyagraha — 'holding firmly to truth'

↳ jnana

Knowledge, wisdom, direct realization of truth

Highest form of knowledge in Hindu philosophy; path to liberation

↳ प्रज्ञा (prajna)

Discriminative wisdom

In Buddhism, prajna is perfected wisdom — seeing the true nature of reality

↳ vac

Word, speech, utterance, sacred syllable

Vac is personified as goddess of speech and creativity; Om as supreme word