Biblical Pronunciations

(Rev. 8-8-2011)

This list should have most Biblical proper names or uncommon Biblical words that
were in the former lectionary for Years A, B and C as well as any that are used in the
Revised Common Lectionary for Years A, B and C.

Like many English words, there are variants in the pronunciation of Biblical names and
other words, and different sources have differences in pronunciations. Some of the
sources below list different variants; others provide only one choice.

Finding a Word without Scrolling through the Entire List

To search the list in the PDF file, use CTRL-F (Control-F) for find. Then type the
name you want (or the first few letters of it) and then the Enter key. It will take you to
that word or letters. In the alternative, the first line of each section begins with three
identical letters followed by all the words that begin with that letter of the alphabet. As
an example, if you want a word beginning with P, type PPP and then the enter key.
That will take you to the beginning of the section with words beginning with P. Then
you can scroll down to the word you want.

Online Sources Used

http://betterdaysarecoming.com/bible/pronunciation.html
http://netministries.org/Bbasics/bwords.htm. This also has an audio pronunciation
option)
For a parishioners Biblical Pronunciation Guide (without sources cited), see
http://www.ecraustin.org/biblicalnameguide.pdf

Print Sources Used

Harper's Bible Dictionary, Harper & Row, Paul J. Achtemeier, General Editor 1985.
Harpers Dictionary of the Bible (Miller, 1952)
Dictionary of the Bible (McKenzie, 1965)

Pronunciation Guide

AAA
Abana [uh-BAY-nuh]
Abarim [uh-BAH-rim]
Absalom [AB-suh-luhm]
Abel [AY-bel]
Abelmeholah [AY-bel-mee-HOH-luh]
Abiezrite [ay-bee-EEZ-rite]

1
Abilene [ab-uh-LEE-neh]
Abinadab [uh-BIN-uh-dab]
Abinoam [uh-BIN-oh-am]
Abishai [uh-BIHSH-ay-ai]
Abiathar [uh-BI-uh-thahr]
Abram [AYB-ruhm]
Achaia [uh-KAY-yuh]
Achor [AY-kohr]
Acts [akts]
Adar [AY-dahr]
Admah [AD-mah]
Agabus [AG-uh-buhs]
Agar [AY-gur]
Ahaz [AY-haz]
Ahio [uh-HIGH-oh]
Ai [AY-eye]
Akkub [ACK-ub]
Alphaeus [al-FEE-uhs]
Amalekites [uh-MAL-uh-kytes]
Amaziah [am-ah-ZYE-uh]
Ammon [AM-uhn]
Ammonites [AM-uh-nytes]
Amorites [AM-uh-rytes]
Amos [AY-muhs]
Amoz [AY-muhz]
Amphipolis [am-FIP-oh-lis]
Anaiah [uh-NYE-uh]
Ananias [AN-uh-NYE-uhs]
Anathoth [AN-uh-thoth]
Annas [ANN-uhs]
Antioch [AN-tee-ahk]
Antiochus [an-TYE-uh-kuhs]
Apollonia [AP-uh-LOH-nee-uh]
Apollos [uh-PAH-luhs]
Apphia [AF-ee-uh]
Arabah [AIR-uh-bah, AIR-uh-buh]
Aram [AY-ruhm]
Aramean [AAH-ruh-MEE-uhn] from Aram
Archelaus [AHR-kuh-LAY-uhs]
Archippus [ahr-KIP-uhs]
Arimathea [ehr-uh-muh-THEE-uh]
Areopagus [air-ee-AHP-uh-guhs]
Asher [ASH-uhr]
Ashkelon [ASH-kuh-lon]
Assyria [a-SIHR-ee-uh]

2
Aven [AY-ven]
Azal [AZ-uhl]
Azariah [az-uh-RYE-uh]
Azotus [ah-ZOH-tus]

BBB
Baal [BAY-uhl]
Baals [BAY-uhlz]
Baale-judah [BAY-uh-lee-JOO-duh]
Baalpeor [BAY-uhl-PEE-ohr]
Baals [BAY-alz]
Baal-shalishah [BAY-uhl-shuh-LYE-shuh]
Babyon [BAB-ih-lon]
Balaam [BAY-luhm]
Balak [BAY-lak]
Baladan [BAL-a-dan]
Bani [BAY-nye]
Barabbas [buh-RAH-buhs]
Barak [BAIR-uhk]
Barnabas [BAHR-nuh-buhs]
Barsabbas [BAHR-suh-buhs]
Bartimaeus [bahr-tih-MEE-uhs]
Baruch [BARE-uhk]
Bashan [BAY-shun]
Bathsheba [bath-SHEE-buh]
Beelzebub [bee-EHL-zee-buhb]
Beer-lahai-roi [BEE-uhr-luh-HYE-roy]
Beer-sheba [BEE-uhr-SHEE-buh]
Bel [BAYL, BEL]
Belshazzar [behl-SHAZ-uhr]
Beor [BEE-or]
Berea [beh-REE-uh]
Beroea [beh-REE-uh] (alt. for Berea)
Bethel [BETH-uhl]
Bethlehemite [BETH-lih-heh-myte]
Beth-peor [beth-PEE-ohr]
Bethphage [BETH-fuh-gee]
Bethsaida [beth-SAY-ih-duh]
Bethlehemite [BETH-le-heh-mite]
Bethuel [buh-THOO-uhl]
Bethzatha [beth-ZAY-thuh]
Bildad [BIL-dad]
Bilhah [BIL-hah]

CCC

3
Cana [KAY-nuh]
Canaan [KAY-nuhn]
Cananaean [kay-nuh-NEE-uhn]
Canaanites [KAY-nuh-nytes]
Caesarea [ses-uh-REE-uh]
Caesarea Philippi [sehs-uh-REE-uh fih-LIP-eye]
Caiaphas [KAY-uh-fuhs]
Calneh [KAL-neh]
Candace [kan-DAY-see]
Capernaum [kuh-PUHR-nee-uhm]
Cappadocia [kap-uh-DOH-shee-uh]
Carmel [KAHR-muhl]
Cephas [SEE-fuhs]
Chaldeans [kal-DEE-uhns]
Cheebar [KEE-bahr]
Cherubim [CHAIR-yoo-bim]
Chilion [KIHL-ee-uhn]
Chloe's [KLOH-eez]
Chrispus [KRIS-puhs]
Chronicles [KRON-ih-kuhlz, KRAH-nih-kuhlz]
Chuza [KOO-zuh]
Cilicia [sih-LISH-yuh]
Cleopas [KLEE-uh-puhs]
Clopas [KLO-pas]
cockatrice [KAH-kuh-trihs]
Colossae [kuh-LAHS-ee]
Colossians [kuh- LAH-shuhnz]
Corinth [KOR-uhnth]
Corinthians [kuh-RIN-thee-uhnz]
Cretans [KREE-tenz]
Cushite [CUHSH-ite]
Cyrene [sy-REE-neh]
Cyrenians [sy-REE-nee-enz]
Cyrus [SYE-ruhs]

DDD
Damascus [duh-MAS-kuhs]
Daniel [DAN-yuhl]
Darius [duh-RYE-uhs]
Decalogue [DEK-uh-log]
denarii [dih-NAIR-ee-eye]
denarius [dih-NAIR-ee-uhs]
Deuteronomy [DOO-tuh-RON-uh-mee]
Diblaim [dib-LAH-yim]

4
EEE
Ecclesiasticus [ih-KLEE-zee-AS-tih-kuhs]
Ecclesiastes [ih-KLEE-zee-AS-teez]
Edom [EE-duhm]
Ehud [EE-hudd]
Elah [EE lah]
Elamites [EE-lah-mites]
Eldad [EHL-dad]
Eleazar [ehl-ee-AY-zer]
Eli [ee'lye]
Eliab [ee-LYE-ab]
Eliam [el-ee-AWM] No apparent consensus - at least 6 different pronunciations and
accent variants.
eli eli lema sabachthani [AY-lee AY-lee LUH-mah sah-BAKH-thah-nee]
Eliezer [ehl-ih-EE-zer]
Elijah [ih-LYE-juh]
Elimelech [ih-LIHM-eh-lehk]
Elisha [ih-LYE-shuh]
Elkanah [el-KAY-nuh]
Emmanuel [ih-MAN-yoo-uhl]
Emmaus [ih-MAY-uhs]
Enoch [EE-nuhk]
Epaphras [EPP-uh-fruhs]
Ephah [EE-fah]
Ephphatha [EHF-uh-thuh]
Ephesian [eh-FEE-zhun]
Ephesians [eh-FEE-zhunz]
Ephesus [EH-fuh-suhs]
Ephraim [EE-fray-ihm]
ephod [EF-od, EE-fod]
Ephrathah [EHF-ruh-thuh]
Ephrathites [EHF-ruh-thites]
Esau [EE-saw]
Esdras [EZ-druhs]
Esther [ES-tuhr]
Euodia [yoo-OH-dee-uh]
Euphrates [yoo-FRAY-teez]
Exodus [EK-suh-duhs]
Ezekiel [ih-ZEE-kee-uhl]
Ezra [EZ-ruh]

GGG
Gabbatha [GAB-uh-thuh]
Gaius [GAY-yuhs]
Galatia [guh-lay-SHEE-uh]

5
Galatians [guh-LAY-shuhnz]
Galileans [gal-uh-LEE-uhnz]
Gath [GATH]
Gaza [GAH-zuh]
Gehazi [gee-HAY-zye]
Genesis [JEN-uh-sis, JEH-nuh-suhs]
Gennesaret [gih-NES-uh-ret]
Gerasenes [GAIR uh seens]
Gibeah [GIB-ee-uh]
Gibeon [GIHB-ee-uhn]
Gideon [GID-ee-uhn]
Gilboa [gil-BOH-uh]
Gilead [GIHL-ee-uhd]
Gilgal [GILL-gal]
Girgashites [GER-guh-shytes]
Golgotha [GOL-guh-thuh]
Goliath [go-LYE-uhth]
Gomer [GOH-murr]
Gomorrah [guh-MOR-uh]
Goshen [GOH-shuhn]

HHH
Habakkuk [huh-BAK-kuhk]
Hadadrimmon [hay-dad-RIHM-uhn]
Hades [HAY-deez]
Hakeldama [hah-KEL-'duh-muh]
Hagar [HAY-gahr]
Haggai [HAG-ay-eye]
Ham [ham]
Haman [HAY-muhn]
Hamath [HAY-muth]
Hanamel [HAN-uh-mehl]
Hanan [HAY-nuhn]
Hananiah [han-uh-NYE-uh]
Haran [HAY-ruhn]
Harbona [khar-BO-nah]
Harosheth-ha-goiim [huh ROH-sheth huh GAW-ee-ihm]
Hashbaddanah [hash-BAD-ah-nuh]
Hashum [HAY-shum]
Hazael [HAZ-uh-el]
Hazor [HAY-zor]
Hebrews [HEE-brooz]
Hebron [HEE-bron]
Hermon [HER-mun]
Herod [HAIR-uhd]

6
Herodians [hih-ROH-dee-uhns, heh-ROH-dee-uhns]
Herodias [hih-ROH-dee-uhs]
Hezekiah [heh-zeh-KYE-uh]
Hilkiah [hil-KYE-uh]
Hittites [HIHT-tytes]
Hivites [HYE-vites, HIH-vites]
Hodiah [hoh-DYE-uh]
Horeb [HOR-uhb]
Hosea [hoh-SEE-uh, hoh-ZAY-uh]
Hur [HER]

III
Iconium [eye-KOE-nee-uhm]
Immanuel [ih-MAN-yoo-uhl]
Isaiah [eye-ZAY-uh, (eye-ZYE-uh, chiefly Brit.)]
Iscariot [is-KAR-ee-uht]
Ishmael [ISH-may-el]
Ishmaelites [ISH-may-uh-lites]
Israel [IZ-ray-el]
Issachar [ISS-seh-kar]
Ittai [IT-tye]
Ituraea [ih-TSHOOR-ree-uh]

JJJ
Jabbok [JAB-ock]
Jabin [JAY-bin]
Jamin [JAY-min]
Jaar [JAY-ahr]
Jairus [JAY-uh-ruhs]
James [jaymz]
Japheth [JAY-feth]
Jashar [JASH-ur]
Jebusites [JEH-boo-sites]
Jehozadak [juh-HOZ-uh-dak]
Jehu [JEE-hoo]
Jemimah [juh-MYE-muh]
Jericho [JAIR-ih-koe]
Jeroboam [JAIR-uh-BOH-uhm]
Jephthah [JEF-thuh]
Jeremiah [jer-uh-MYE-uh]
Jeshua [JESH-oo-uh]
Jethro [JETH-roh]
Jezreel [JEZ-ree-uhl]
Jezreelite [JEZ-ree-uhl-ite]
Joab [JOH-ab]

7
Joash [JOH-ash]
Job [johb]
Joel [JOH-uhl]
John [jahn]
Jonah [JOH-nuh]
Joppa [JOP-uh]
Joses [JOH-seez]
Joshua [JOSH-yoo-uh]
Jotham [JOH-thuhm]
Jozabad [JOHZ-uh-bad]
Judah [JOO-duh]
Judea / Juda [joo-DEE-uh]
Jude [jood]
Judges [JUHJ-iz, JUH-juhz]
Judith [JOO-dith]
Justus [JUHS-tuhs]

KKK
Kadesh [KAY-dehsh]
Kedar [KEE-dahr]
Kedesh [KEE-desh]
Kelita [KEL-ih-tuh]
Keren-happuch [KEHR-ehn-HAP-uhk]
Keziah [keh-ZYE-uh]
Kerioth [ker-ee-YOTH]
Kidron [KIHD-ruhn]
Kings [kingz]
Kir [KEER]
Kishon [KYE-shahn]

LLL
Laban [LAY-ban]
Lamentations [LAM-en-TAY-shuhnz]
Laodicea [lay-oh-duh-SEE-uh]
Lappidoth [LAP-ih-doth]
Leviathan [luh-VYE-uh-thuhn]
Levite [LEE-vite]
Levites [LEE-vites]
Leviticus [lih-VIT-ih-kuhs]
Lo-ammi [loh AM-eye]
Lo ruhamah [loh roo-HAY-muh]
Luke [louhk]
Lycaonian [lihk-uh-OH-nee-uhn]
Lydda [LIH-duh]
Lysanias [lye-SAY-nee-uhs]

8
Lystra [LIS-truh]

MMM
Maaseiah [MAY-uh-SEE-yuh]
Maccabees [MAH-kuh-beez]
Macedonia [MAH-suh-DOH-nee-uh]
Magdalene [MAG-duh-leen]
Mahlon [MAH-luhn]
Mahseiah [muh-SYE-uh]
Malachi [MAH-luh-kye]
Malchijah [mal-KYE-uh]
Malchus [MAL-kuhs]
Manasseh [muh-NAH-suh]
Mamre [MAM-ree]
Mark [mahrk]
Massah [MAH-suh]
Matthew [MAH-thyoo]
Matthias [muh-THYE-uhs]
Mattithiah [mat-tih-THYE-uh]
Medad [MEE-dad]
Medes [meedz]
Megiddon [mih-GID-uhn]
Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek]
Meribah [MAIR-ee-baah]
Meshullam [meh-SHOO-luhm]
Mesopotamia [MESS-uh-puh-TAY-mee-uh]
Micah [MYE-kuh]
Michal [MY-kuhl]
Midian [MID-ee-uhn]
Midianites [MID-ee-uh-nytes]
(the) Millo [MILL-oh] (believed to be a type of fortification)
Milcah [MIL-kah]
Mizar [MYE-zahr]
Mishael [MISH-uh-el]
Moab [MOH-ab]
Moabite [MOH-ab-ite]
Moreh [MOH-ruh]
Moriah [muh-RYE-uh]

NNN
Naaman [NAY-uh-muhn]
Naboth [NAY-buhth]
Nahor [NAY-hor]
Nahum [NAY-huhm]
Nain [NAY-in]

9
Naomi [nay-OH-mee]
Naphthali [NAF-tuh-lye]
Nathanael [nuh-THAN-ay-uhl; nuh-THAN-yuhl]
Nazareth [NAH-zuh-ruhth]
Nazirite [NAH-zuh-ryte]
Nazorean [naz-aw-REE-uhn]
Neapolis [nee-AP-o-lihs]
Nebo [NEE-boh]
Nebuchadnezzar [NEH-byoo-kuhd-NEH-zuhr]
Nebuchadrezzar [NEH-byoo-kuh-DREH-zuhr]
Negeb [NEH-geb]
Negev [NEH-gev]
Nehemiah [NEE-uh-MYE-uh; NEE-huh-MYE-uh]
Neriah [nuh-RYE-uh]
Nicanor [nye-KAY-nuhr]
Nicodemus [NIK-uh-DEE-muhs]
Nicolaus [NIK-uh-lay-uhs]
Nimshi [NIM-shy]
Nineveh [NIN-uh-vuh]
Numbers [NUHM-buhrz]
Nun [nuhn]

OOO
Obadiah [OH-buh-DYE-uh]
Obed [OH-behd]
Obed-edom [OH-behd-EE-duhm]
Onesimus [oh-NESS-ih-muhs]
Ophir [OH-fuhr]
Ophrah [OHF-ruh]
Orpah [OR-puh]

PPP
Paddan-aram [PAD-an-AY-ram]
Pamphylia [pam-fil'ee-uh]
Paran [PAY-ruhn]
Parmenas [PAR-muh-nuhs]
Parthians [PAR-thee-uhnz]
Patmos [PAT-muhs]
Pedaiah [peh-DYE-yah]
Pelaiah [peh-LAY-ee-uh]
Peniel [PEN-ee-ehl]
Peninnah [pih-NIN-ah]
Penuel [pen-YOO-uhl]
Peor [PEE-ohr]
Perazim [PER-uh-zim]

10
Pergamum [PUHR-guh-muhm]
Perizzites [PAIR-ih-zites]
Peter [PEE-tuhr]
Phanuel [FAN-yoo-el]
Pharpar [FAHR-pahr]
Philemon [fih-LEE-muhn; fye-LEE-muhn]
Philippi [fih-LIP-eye; FIL-uh-pye]
Philippians [fuh-LIHP-ee-uhns]
Philistines [fih-LIHS-teenz]
Phoenicia [foh-NEE-shee-uh]
Phrygia [FREE-jee-ah]
Pisidia [pye-SID-ee-uh]
Pisgah [PIZ-gah]
Pithom [PYE-thom]
Pontus [PAHN-tuhs]
pot-sherd [PAHT-shuhrd]
Prochorus [PRAH-kuh-ruhs]
Prophesy [PROF-uh-sye]
Proverbs [PRAH-vuhrbz]
Psalms [sahmz, sahlmz]
Puah [POO-ah]

QQQ
Quirinius [kwih-RIHN-ee-uhs]

RRR
Rabbah [RAB-uh]
Rabbouni [ra-BOH-nye; ra-BOH-nee]
Rahab [RAY-hab]
Ramah [RAH-muh]
Rameses [RAM-uh-seez]
Rebekah [rih-BEK-uh]
Rehoboam [REE-uh-BOH-uhm]
Rephidim [REH-fih-dim]
Revelation [REV-uh-LAY-shuhn, reh-vuh-LAY-shuhn]
Romans [ROH-muhnz]
Ruth [rooth]

SSS
Sadducees [SAD-yoo-seez]
Salome [suh-LOH-mee]
Samaria [suh-MARE-ee-uh]
Samaritan [suh-MARE-uh-tuhn]
Samaritans [suh-MARE-uh-tuhnz]
Samothrace [SAM-oh-thrays]

11
Samson [SAM-suhn]
Samuel [SAM-yoo-uhl]
Sarai [SEHR-eye]
Sardis [SAHR-dis]
Sceva [SEE-vuh]
Scythian [SIH-thee-uhn]
Seir [SEE-eer]
Seba [SEE-buh]
Selah [SEE-luh]
Sennacherib [sen-AHK-uhr-ihb]
Seraphim [SER-uh-fim]
Shabbethai [SHAB-eh-thye]
Shallum [SHAL-uhm]
Shammah [SHAH-mah]
Shaphat [SHAY-fat]
Sharon [SHEHR-uhn]
Sheba [SHEE-bah]
Shechem [SHEE-kehm]
Shekel [SHEK-uhl]
Shekels [SHEK-uhlz]
Shem [shem]
Shema [SHUH-mah]
Shemaiah [she-MAY-yuh]
Sheol [SHEE-ohl]
Sherebiah [SHAIR-uh-BYE-uh]
Shealtiel [shee-AL-tee-el]
Shiloh [SHYE-loh]
Shiphrah [SHIF-rah]
Shittim [SHIH-tim]
Shuhite [SHOO-hyte]
Shunammite [SHOO-nuh-mite]
Shunem [SHOO-nem]
Sidon [SYE-duhn]
Siloam [sye-LOH-uhm]
Silvanus [sil-VAY-nuhs]
Sin [sin]
Sinai [SYE-nye]
Sirach [SYE-ruhk]
Sisera [SIS-uh-ruh]
Smyrna [SMUHR-nuh]
Sodom [SOD-uhm]
Solomon [SAH-luh-muhn]
Sosthenes [sahs'thuh-neez]
Stephanas [STEF-uh-nuhs]
Susanna [soo-ZAN-uh]

12
Sychar [SYE-kahr]
Syene [sye-EEN-nee]
Syntyche [SIN-tih-kee]

TTT
Tabitha [TAB-ih-thuh]
Tabor [TAY-bor]
Talitha cum [TAL-ih-thuh-KOOM]
Tarshish [TAHR-shish]
Tekoa [tek-OH-ah]
Teman [TEE-man; TEH-men]
Terah [TEE-rah]
Thaddaeus [tha-DEE-uhs]
Theophilus [thee-AH-fih-luhs]
Thessalonians [THES-uh-LOH-nee-uhnz]
Thessalonica [THES-uh-luh-NYE-kuh]
Thyatira [thye-uh-TYE-ruh]
Tiberias [tai-BIHR-ee-uhs]
Tiberius [tai-BIHR-ee-uhs]
Timon [TYE-muhn]
Timothy [TIM-uh-thee]
Tishbite [TISH-bite]
Titus [TYE-tuhs]
Tobit [TOH-bit]
Trachonitis [trak-o-NYE-tihs]
Troas [TROH-as]
Tyre [tire]

UUU
Ur [UHR]
Uriah [yoo-RYE-uh]
Uz [UHZ]
Uzzah [UHZ-uh]
Uzziah [uh-ZI-uh]

WWW
wadi [WAH-dee]

YYY
Yahweh [YAH-weh; YAH-way]

ZZZ
Zacchaeus [zah-KEE-uhs]
Zacharias [zak-uh-RI-uhs]
Zarephath [ZAIR-uh-fath]

13
Zarethan [ZER-uh-than]
Zerubbabel [zuh RUH buh behl]
Zebedee [ZEB-uh-dee]
Zeboiim [zuh-BOH-im]
Zebulun [ZEH-byoo-luhn]
Zechariah [ZEK-uh-RYE-uh]
Zedekiah [zeh-duh-KAI-uh]
Zephaniah [ZEF-uh-NYE-ah]
Ziklag [ZIHK lag]
Zilpah [ZIL-pah]
Zin [ZIHN]
Zoan [ZOH-an]
Zoar [ZOH-ahr]

14