Puteoli.quicksands : * PUTEOLI A city on the coast of Campania, on the north shore of a bay running north from the Bay of Naples, at which Paul landed on his way to Rome, from which it was distant 170 miles. Here he tarried for seven days (Act 28:13, Act 28:14). This was the great emporium for the Alexandrian corn...
Hadad.hadid : * HADAD Adod , brave(?), the name of a Syrian god. (1.) An Edomite king who defeated the Midianites (Gen 36:35; Ch1 1:46). (2.) Another Edomite king (Ch1 1:50, Ch1 1:51), called also Hadar (Gen 36:39; Ch1 1:51). (3.) One of "the king's seed in Edom." He fled into Egypt, where he married the sister...
Caterpillar.ceiling : * CATERPILLAR The consumer. Used in the Old Testament (Kg1 8:37; Ch2 6:28; Psa 78:46; Isa 33:4) as the translation of a word (hasil) the root of which means "to devour" or "consume," and which is used also with reference to the locust in Deu 28:38. It may have been a species of locust, or the name...
Zalmon.zarthan : * ZALMON Shady. (1.) One of David's warriors, called the Ahohite (Sa2 23:28); called also Ilai (Ch1 11:29). (2.) A wood near Shechem, from which Abimelech and his party brought boughs and "put them to the hold" of Shechem, "and set the hold on fire" (Jdg 9:48). Probably the southern peak...
Rhoda.rissah : * RHODA A rose, the damsel in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. She came to hearken when Peter knocked at the door of the gate (Act 12:12). RHODES A rose, an island to the south of the western extremity of Asia Minor, between Coos and Patara, about 46 miles long and 18 miles broad. Here...
Baale Of Judah.baal Meon : * BAALE OF JUDAH Lords of Judah, a city in the tribe of Judah from which David brought the ark into Jerusalem (Sa2 6:2). Elsewhere (Ch1 13:6) called Kirjath-jearim. (SEE BAALAH.) BAAL-GAD Lord of fortune, or troop of Baal, a Canaanite city in the valley of Lebanon at the foot of Hermon, hence...
No.noph : * NO Or No-Amon, the home of Amon, the name of Thebes, the ancient capital of what is called the Middle Empire, in Upper or Southern Egypt. "The multitude of No" (Jer 46:25) is more correctly rendered, as in the Revised Version, "Amon of No", i.e., No, where Jupiter Amon had his temple. In Eze 30...
Helkai.heman : * HELKAI Smooth-tongued, one of the chief priests in the time of Joiakim (Neh 12:15). HELKATH Smoothness, a town of Asher, on the east border (Jos 19:25; Jos 21:31); called also Hukkok (Ch1 6:75). HELKATH-HAZZURIM Plot of the sharp blades, or the field of heroes, (Sa2 2:16). After the battle...
Ossifrage.ozem : * OSSIFRAGE Heb. peres = to "break" or "crush", the lammer-geier, or bearded vulture, the largest of the whole vulture tribe. It was an unclean bird (Lev 11:13; Deu 14:12). It is not a gregarious bird, and is found but rarely in Palestine. "When the other vultures have picked the flesh off any...
Hadlai.haggith : * HADLAI Resting, an Ephraimite; the father of Amasa, mentioned in Ch2 28:12. HADORAM Is exalted. (1.) The son of Tou, king of Hamath, sent by his father to congratulate David on his victory over Hadarezer, king of Syria (Ch1 18:10; called Joram Sa2 8:10). (2.) The fifth son of Joktan, the founder...
Rephaim.reuben : * REPHAIM Lofty menl; giants, (Gen 14:5; Sa2 21:16, Sa2 21:18, marg. A.V., Rapha, marg. R.V., Raphah; Deu 3:13, R.V.; A.V., "giants"). The aborigines of Palestine, afterwards conquered and dispossessed by the Canaanite tribes, are classed under this general title. They were known to the Moabites...
Heap.hebrew : * HEAP When Joshua took the city of Ai (Josh. 8), he burned it and "made it an heap [Heb. tel ] for ever" (Jos 8:28). The ruins of this city were for a long time sought for in vain. It has been at length, however, identified with the mound which simply bears the name of "Tel. There are many Tels...
Hiel.hillel : * HIEL Life of (i.e., from) God, a native of Bethel, who built (i.e., fortified) Jericho some seven hundred years after its destruction by the Israelites. There fell on him for such an act the imprecation of Joshua (Jos 6:26). He laid the foundation in his first-born, and set up the gates in his...
Gibeah Of Phinehas.gilead : * GIBEAH OF PHINEHAS (Jos 15:57, R.V. marg.), a city on Mount Ephraim which had been given to Phinehas (Jos 24:33 "hill," A.V.; R.V. marg. and Heb., "Gibeah."). Here Eleazar the son of Aaron was buried. It has been identified with the modern Khurbet Jibia, 5 miles north of Guphna towards Shechem...
Bosor.bozrah : * BOSOR The Chaldee or Aramaic form of the name Beor, the father of Balaam (Pe2 2:15). BOTCH The name given in Deu 28:27, Deu 28:35 to one of the Egyptian plagues (Exo 9:9). The word so translated is usually rendered "boil" (q.v.). BOTTLE A vessel made of skins for holding wine (Jos 9:4, Jos 9:13;...
Trophimus.type : * TROPHIMUS A foster-child, an Ephesian who accompanied Paul during a part of his third missionary journey (Act 20:4; Act 21:29). He was with Paul in Jerusalem, and the Jews, supposing that the apostle had brought him with him into the temple, raised a tumult which resulted in Paul's imprisonment...
Kiss.knop : * KISS Of affection (Gen 27:26, Gen 27:27; Gen 29:13; Luk 7:38, Luk 7:45); reconciliation (Gen 33:4; Sa2 14:33); leave-taking (Gen 31:28, Gen 31:55; Rut 1:14; Sa2 19:39); homage (Psa 2:12; Sa1 10:1); spoken of as between parents and children (Gen 27:26; Gen 31:28, Gen 31:55; Gen 48:10; Gen 50:1;...
Merib Baal.meshelemiah : * MERIB-BAAL Contender with Baal, (Ch1 8:34; Ch1 9:40), elsewhere called Mephibosheth (Sa2 4:4), the son of Jonathan. MERODACH Death; slaughter, the name of a Babylonian god, probably the planet Mars (Jer 50:2), or it may be another name of Bel, the guardian divinity of Babylon. This name...
Bastard.battle Bow : * BASTARD In the Old Testament the rendering of the Hebrew word mamzer' , which means "polluted." In Deu 23:2, it occurs in the ordinary sense of illegitimate offspring. In Zac 9:6, the word is used in the sense of foreigner. From the history of Jephthah we learn that there were bastard offspring...
Merari.meribah : * MERARI Sad; bitter, the youngest son of Levi, born before the descent of Jacob into Egypt, and one of the seventy who accompanied him thither (Gen 46:11; Exo 6:16). He became the head of one of the great divisions of the Levites (Exo 6:19). (See MERARITES.) MERARITES The descendants of Merari...
Imputation.iphedeiah : * IMPUTATION Is used to designate any action or word or thing as reckoned to a person. Thus in doctrinal language (1.) the sin of Adam is imputed to all his descendants, i.e., it is reckoned as theirs, and they are dealt with therefore as guilty; (2.) the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them...
Zelah.zephath : * ZELAH Slope; side, a town in Benjamin, where Saul and his son Jonathan were buried (Sa2 21:14). It was probably Saul's birthplace. ZELEK Cleft, an Ammonite; one of David's valiant men (Sa2 23:37). ZELOPHEHAD First-born, of the tribe of Manasseh, and of the family of Gilead; died...
Zophar.zuzims : * ZOPHAR Chirping, one of Job's friends who came to condole with him in his distress (Job 2:11. The LXX. render here "king of the Mineans" = Ma'in , Maonites, Jdg 10:12, in Southern Arabia). He is called a Naamathite, or an inhabitant of some unknown place called Naamah. ZOPHIM, FIELD OF Field...
Achor.adam, The City Of : * ACHOR Trouble , a valley near Jericho, so called in consequence of the trouble which the sin of Achan caused Israel (Jos 7:24, Jos 7:26). The expression "valley of Achor" probably became proverbial for that which caused trouble, and when Isaiah (Isa 65:10) refers to it he uses it in this sense:...
Jadon.jahzerah : * JADON Judge, a Meronothite who assisted in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Neh 3:7). JAEL Mountain-goat, the wife of Heber the Kenite (Jdg 4:17). When the Canaanites were defeated by Barak, Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, fled and sought refuge with the friendly tribe of Heber, beneath...
Napkin.neah : * NAPKIN (Gr. soudarion , Joh 11:44; Joh 20:7; Lat. sudarium , a "sweat-cloth"), a cloth for wiping the sweat from the face. But the word is used of a wrapper to fold money in (Luk 19:20), and as an article of dress, a "handkerchief" worn on the head (Act 19:12). NARCISSUS Daffofil, a Roman whom...
Pannag.parched Ground : * PANNAG (Eze 27:17; marg. R.V., "perhaps a kind of confection") the Jews explain as the name of a kind of sweet pastry. Others take it as the name of some place, identifying it with Pingi, on the road between Damascus and Baalbec. "Pannaga" is the Sanscrit name of an aromatic plant (Compare Gen...
Belly.beor : * BELLY The seat of the carnal affections (Tit 1:12; Phi 3:19; Rom 16:18). The word is used symbolically for the heart (Pro 18:8; Pro 20:27; Pro 22:18, marg.). The "belly of hell" signifies the grave or underworld (Jon 2:2). BELSHAZZAR Bel protect the king!, the last of the kings of Babylon (Dan 5...
Dance.dart : * DANCE Found in Jdg 21:21, Jdg 21:23; Psa 30:11; Psa 149:3; Psa 150:4; Jer 31:4, Jer 31:13, etc., as the translation of hul, which points to the whirling motion of Oriental sacred dances. It is the rendering of a word (rakad) which means to skip or leap for joy, in Ecc 3:4; Job 21:11; Isa 13:21...
Middal Edar.miletus : * MIDDAL-EDAR Tower of the flock, a place 2 miles south of Jerusalem, near the Bethlehem road (Gen 35:21). (See EDAR.) MIGDAL-EL Tower of God, a fortified city of Naphtali (Jos 19:38), supposed by some to be identical with Magdala (q.v.). MIGDAL-GAD Tower of fortune, a town in the plains of Judah...
Zebudah.zeeb : * ZEBUDAH Given, the wife of Josiah and mother of Jehoiakim (Kg2 23:36). ZEBUL Habitation, the governor of Shechem under Abimelech (Jdg 9:28, Jdg 9:30, Jdg 9:36). He informed his master of the intention of the people of Shechem to transfer their allegiance to the Hivite tribe of Hamor. This led...
Hanes.hare : * HANES A place in Egypt mentioned only in Isa 30:4 in connection with a reproof given to the Jews for trusting in Egypt. It was considered the same as Tahpanhes, a fortified town on the eastern frontier, but has been also identified as Ahnas-el-Medeeneh, 70 miles from Cairo. HANGING (1.)...
Hammer.hamutal : * HAMMER (1.) Heb. pattish , used by gold-beaters (Isa 41:7) and by quarrymen (Jer 23:29). Metaphorically of Babylon (Jer 50:23) or Nebuchadnezzar. (2.) Heb. makabah , a stone-cutter's mallet (Kg1 6:7), or of any workman (Jdg 4:21; Isa 44:12). (3.) Heb. halmuth , a poetical word for a workman's...
Tenth Deal.testimony, Tabernacle Of : * TENTH DEAL I.e., the tenth part of an ephah (as in the R.V.), equal to an omer or six pints. The recovered leper, to complete his purification, was required to bring a trespass, a sin, and a burnt offering, and to present a meal offering, a tenth deal or an omer of flour for each, with oil...
Pithom.poison : * PITHOM Egyptian, Pa-Tum, "house of Tum," the sun-god, one of the "treasure" cities built for Pharaoh Rameses II. by the Israelites (Exo 1:11). It was probably the Patumos of the Greek historian Herodotus. It has now been satisfactorily identified with Tell-el-Maskhuta, about 12 miles west...
Maaziah.madmannah : * MAAZIAH Strength or consolation of Jehovah. (1.) The head of the twenty-fourth priestly course (Ch1 24:18) in David's reign. (2.) A priest (Neh 10:8). MACCABEES This word does not occur in Scripture. It was the name given to the leaders of the national party among the Jews who suffered...
Rosin.ruth, The Book Of : * ROSIN Found only in Authorized Version, margin, Eze 27:17, Heb. tsori , uniformly rendered elsewhere "balm" (q.v.), as here in the text. The Vulgate has resinam, rendered "rosin" in the Douay Version. As used, however, by Jerome, the Lat. resina denotes some odoriferous gum or oil. RUBY (Heb...
Herod Archelaus.heshbon : * HEROD ARCHELAUS (Mat 2:22), the brother of Antipas (q.v.). HEROD PHILIP I (Mar 6:17), the son of Herod the Great by Mariamne, the daughter of Simon, the high priest. He is distinguished from another Philip called "the tetrarch." He lived at Rome as a private person with his wife Herodias and his...
City.cloak : * CITY The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain (Gen 4:17). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (Gen 10:10). Next, we have a record of the cities of the Canaanites, Sidon, Gaza, Sodom, etc. (Gen 10:12, Gen 10:19;...
Sidon.siloam, Tower Of : * SIDON Fishing; fishery, Gen 10:15, Gen 10:19 (A.V. marg., Tzidon; R.V., Zidon); Mat 11:21, Mat 11:22; Luk 6:17. (See ZIDON.) SIGNET A seal used to attest documents (Dan 6:8, Dan 6:12). In Dan 6:17, this word properly denotes a ring. The impression of a signet ring on fine clay has recently been...
Firmament.fishing, The Art Of : * FIRMAMENT From the Vulgate firmamentum, which is used as the translation of the Hebrew raki a. This word means simply "expansion." It denotes the space or expanse like an arch appearing immediately above us. They who rendered raki a by firmamentum regarded it as a solid body. The language...
Tirhakah.tob, The Land Of : * TIRHAKAH The last king of Egypt of the Ethiopian (the fifteenth) dynasty. He was the brother-in-law of So (q.v.). He probably ascended the throne about 692 B.C., having been previously king of Ethiopia (Kg2 19:9; Isa 37:9), which with Egypt now formed one nation. He was a great warrior, and but...
Kartah.keilah : * KARTAH City, a town in the tribe of Zebulun assigned to the Levites of the family of Merari (Jos 21:34). It is identical with Kattath (Jos 19:15), and perhaps also with Kitron (Jdg 1:30). KARTAN Double city, a town of Naphali, assigned to the Gershonite Levites, and one of the cities of refuge...
Tetrarch.thessalonians, Epistles To The : * TETRARCH Strictly the ruler over the fourth part of a province; but the word denotes a ruler of a province generally (Mat 14:1; Luk 3:1, Luk 3:19; Luk 9:7; Act 13:1). Herod and Phasael, the sons of Antipater, were the first tetrarchs in Palestine. Herod the tetrarch had the title of king (Mat 14...
Jegar Sahadutha.jehoiada : * JEGAR-SAHADUTHA Pile of testimony, the Aramaic or Syriac name which Laban gave to the pile of stones erected as a memorial of the covenant between him and Jacob (Gen 31:47), who, however, called it in Hebrew by an equivalent name, Galeed (q.v.). JEHALELEEL Praiser of God. (1.) A descendant...
Shemuel.sherezer : * SHEMUEL Heard of God. (1.) The son of Ammihud. He represented Simeon in the division of the land (Num 34:20). (2.) Used for "Samuel" (Ch1 6:33, R.V.). (3.) A prince of the tribe of Issachar (Ch1 7:2). SHEN A tooth, probably some conspicuous tooth-shaped rock or crag (Sa1 7:12), a place between...
Havoth Jair.hazar Shual : * HAVOTH-JAIR Hamlets of the enlightener a district in the east of Jordan. (1.) Jair, the son of Manasseh, took some villages of Gilead and called them by this name (Num 32:41). (2.) Again, it is said that Jair "took all the tract of Argob," and called it Bashanhavoth-jair (Deu 3:14). (See also...
Tabrimon.talent : * TABRIMON Good is Rimmon, the father of Benhadad, king of Syria (Kg1 15:18). TACHES Hooks or clasps by which the tabernacle curtains were connected (Exo 26:6, Exo 26:11, Exo 26:33; Exo 35:11). TACHMONITE =Hachmonite a name given to Jashobeam (Sa2 23:8; compare Ch1 11:11). TACKLING (Isa 33:23)...
Neziah.niger : * NEZIAH Victory; pure, Ezr 2:54; Neh 7:56. NEZIB A town in the "plain" of Judah. It has been identified with Beit Nuzib, about 14 miles south-west of Jerusalem, in the Wady Sur (Jos 15:43). NIBHAZ Barker, the name of an idol, supposed to be an evil demon of the Zabians. It was set up in Samari...
Asa.asherah : * ASA Physician, son of Abijah and grandson of Rehoboam, was the third king of Judah. He was zealous in maintaining the true worship of God, and in rooting all idolatry, with its accompanying immoralities, out of the land (1 Kings 15; 8-14). The Lord gave him and his land rest and prosperity. It...
Hagiographa.hallel : * HAGIOGRAPHA The holy writings, a term which came early into use in the Christian church to denote the third division of the Old Testament scriptures, called by the Jews Kethubim, i.e., "Writings." It consisted of five books, viz., Job, Proverbs, and Psalms, and the two books of Chronicles...
Nophah.oak : * NOPHAH Blast, a city of Moab which was occupied by the Amorites (Num 21:30). NORTH COUNTRY A general name for the countries that lay north of Palestine. Most of the invading armies entered Palestine from the north (Isa 41:25; Jer 1:14, Jer 1:15; Jer 50:3, Jer 50:9, Jer 50:41; Jer 51:48; Eze 26...
Closet.coele Syria : * CLOSET As used in the New Testament, signifies properly a storehouse (Luk 12:24), and hence a place of privacy and retirement (Mat 6:6; Luk 12:3). CLOUD The Hebrew so rendered means "a covering," because clouds cover the sky. The word is used as a symbol of the Divine presence, as indicating...
Aijeleth Shahar.alexander : * AIJELETH SHAHAR Hind of the dawn, a name found in the title of Ps. 22. It is probably the name of some song or tune to the measure of which the psalm was to be chanted. Some, however, understand by the name some instrument of music, or an allegorical allusion to the subject of the psalm. AIR...
Sea Of Glass.secundus : * SEA OF GLASS A figurative expression used in Rev 4:6 and Rev 15:2. According to the interpretation of some, "this calm, glass-like sea, which is never in storm, but only interfused with flame, represents the counsels of God, those purposes of righteousness and love which are often fathomless but...
Chephirah.chesulloth : * CHEPHIRAH Village, one of the four cities of the Gibeonitish Hivites with whom Joshua made a league (Ch1 9:17). It belonged to Benjamin. It has been identified with the modern Kefireh, on the west confines of Benjamin, about 2 miles west of Ajalon and 11 from Jerusalem. CHERETHIM (Eze 25:16)...
Jashobeam.jealousy, Image Of : * JASHOBEAM Dweller among the people; or to whom the people turn, the Hachmonite (Ch1 11:11), one of David's chief heroes who joined him at Ziklag (Ch1 12:6). He was the first of the three who broke through the host of the Philistines to fetch water to David from the well of Bethlehem (Sa2 23:13)...
Field.firkin : * FIELD (Heb. sadeh ), a cultivated field, but unenclosed. It is applied to any cultivated ground or pasture (Gen 29:2; Gen 31:4; Gen 34:7), or tillage (Gen 37:7; Gen 47:24). It is also applied to woodland (Psa 132:6) or mountain top (Jdg 9:32, Jdg 9:36; Sa2 1:21). It denotes sometimes...
Shomer.shulamite : * SHOMER Watchman. (1.) The mother of Jehozabad, who murdered Joash (Kg2 12:21); called also Shimrith, a Moabitess (Ch2 24:26). (2.) A man of Asher (Ch1 7:32); called also Shamer (Ch1 7:34). SHOPHAN Hidden, or hollow, a town east of Jordan (Num 32:35), built by the children of Gad. This word...
Geshem.gibeah Of Judah : * GESHEM Or Gashmu, firmness, probably chief of the Arabs south of Palestine, one of the enemies of the Jews after the return from Babylon (Neh 2:19; Neh 6:1, Neh 6:2). He united with Sanballat and Tobiah in opposing the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. GESHUR Bridge, the name of a district...
Phalec.pharpar : * PHALEC (Luk 3:35) = Peleg (q.v.), Gen 11:16. PHALLU Separated, the second son of Reuben (Gen 46:9). PHALTI Deliverance of the Lord, the son of Laish of Gallim (Sa1 25:44) = PHALTIEL (Sa2 3:15). Michal, David's wife, was given to him. PHANUEL Face of God, father of the prophetess Anna (q.v.), Luk...
Darling.dayspring : * DARLING Psa 22:20; Psa 35:17) means an "only one." DATE The fruit of a species of palm (q.v.), the Phoenix dactilifera. This was a common tree in Palestine (Joe 1:12; Neh 8:15). Palm branches were carried by the Jews on festive occasions, and especially at the feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:40;...
Abdi.abel Mizraim : * ABDI My servant. (1.) Ch1 6:44. (2.) Ch2 29:12. (3.) Ezr 10:26. ABDIEL Servant of God, (Ch1 5:15), a Gadite chief. ABDON Servile. (1.) The son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, the tenth judge of Israel (Jdg 12:13). He is probably the Bedan of Sa1 12:11. (2.) The first-born of Gibeon of the tribe...
Shebuel.shekel : * SHEBUEL Captive of God. (1.) One of the descendants of Gershom, who had charge of the temple treasures in the time of David (Ch1 23:16; Ch1 26:24). (2.) One of the sons of Heman; one of those whose duty it was to "lift up the horn" in the temple service (Ch1 25:4, Ch1 25:5); called also Shubael...
Horem.horse Leech : * HOREM Consecrated, one of the fenced cities of Naphtali (Jos 19:38). HORITES Cave-men, a race of Troglodytes who dwelt in the limestone caves which abounded in Edom. Their ancestor was "Seir," who probably gave his name to the district where he lived. They were a branch of the Hivites (Gen 14:6;...
Moloch.moriah : * MOLOCH King, the name of the national god of the Ammonites, to whom children were sacrificed by fire. He was the consuming and destroying and also at the same time the purifying fire. In Amo 5:26, "your Moloch" of the Authorized Version is "your king" in the Revised Version (Compare Act 7:43)...
Judah, Kingdom Of.judgments Of God : * JUDAH, KINGDOM OF When the disruption took place at Shechem, at first only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. But very soon after the tribe of Benjamin joined the tribe of Judah, and Jerusalem became the capital of the new kingdom (Jos 18:28), which was called the kingdom of Judah...
Guest Chamber.hachilah : * GUEST-CHAMBER The spare room on the upper floor of an Eastern dwelling (Mar 14:14; Luk 22:11). In Luk 2:7 the word is translated "inn" (q.v.). GUR A whelp, a place near Ibleam where Jehu's servants overtook and mortally wounded king Ahaziah (Kg2 9:27); an ascent from the plain of Jezreel...
Shamgar.sharon : * SHAMGAR The Philistines from the maritime plain had made incursions into the Hebrew upland for the purposes of plunder, when one of this name, the son of Anath, otherwise unknown, headed a rising for the purpose of freeing the land from this oppression. He repelled the invasion, slaying 600 men...
Jeroboam.jesharelah : * JEROBOAM Increase of the people. (1.) The son of Nebat (Kg1 11:26), "an Ephrathite," the first king of the ten tribes, over whom he reigned twenty-two years (976-945 B.C.). He was the son of a widow of Zereda, and while still young was promoted by Solomon to be chief superintendent...
Israel.ivah : * ISRAEL The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen 32:28), because "as a prince he had power with God and prevailed." (See JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob's descendants. The whole people of the twelve tribes are called "Israelites," the "children...
Publius.put, Phut : * PUBLIUS "The chief man of the island" of Malta (Act 28:7), who courteously entertained Paul and his shipwrecked companions for three days, till they found a more permanent place of residence; for they remained on the island for three months, till the stormy season had passed. The word here...
Coney.constellation : * CONEY (Heb. shaphan ; i.e., "the hider"), an animal which inhabits the mountain gorges and the rocky districts of Arabia Petraea and the Holy Land. "The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks" (Pro 30:26; Psa 104:18). They are gregarious, and "exceeding wise" (Pro...
Gaddi.galilee, Sea Of : * GADDI Fortunate, the representative of the tribe of Manasseh among the twelve "spies" sent by Moses to spy the land (Num 13:11). GADDIEL Fortune (i.e., sent) of God, the representative of the tribe of Zebulum among the twelve spies (Num 13:10). GAHAR Lurking-place, one of the chief...
Hobab.holy Of Holies : * HOBAB Beloved, the Kenite, has been usually identified with Jethro (q.v.), Exo 18:5, Exo 18:27; compare Num 10:29, Num 10:30. In Jdg 4:11, the word rendered "father-in-law" means properly any male relative by marriage (compare Gen 19:14, "son-in-law," A.V.), and should be rendered...
Candle.cappadocia : * CANDLE Heb. ner , Job 18:6; Job 29:3; Psa 18:28; Pro 24:20, in all which places the Revised Version and margin of Authorized Version have "lamp," by which the word is elsewhere frequently rendered. The Hebrew word denotes properly any kind of candle or lamp or torch. It is used as a figure...
Janoah.jasher : * JANOAH Or Janohah, rest. (1.) A town on the north-eastern border of Ephraim, in the Jordan valley (Jos 16:6, Jos 16:7). Identified with the modern Yanun, 8 miles south-east of Nablus. (2.) A town of Northern Palestine, within the boundaries of Naphtali. It was taken by the king of Assyria (Kg2...
Kirjath.kishon : * KIRJATH City, a city belonging to Benjamin (Jos 18:28), the modern Kuriet el- 'Enab , i.e., "city of grapes", about 7 1/2 miles west-north-west of Jerusalem. KIRJATHAIM Two cities; a double city. (1.) A city of refuge in Naphtali (Ch1 6:76). (2.) A town on the east of Jordan (Gen 14:5; Deu 2:9...
Graving.guard : * GRAVING (1.) Heb. hatsabh. Job 19:24, rendered "graven," but generally means hewn stone or wood, in quarry or forest. (2.) Heb. harush. Jer 17:1, rendered "graven," and indicates generally artistic work in metal, wood, and stone, effected by fine instruments. (3.) Heb. haqaq. Eze 4:1, engraving...
Pasach.patriarch : * PASACH Clearing, one of the sons of Japhlet, of the tribe of Asher (Ch1 7:33). PAS-DAMMIM The border of blood = Ephes-dammim (q.v.), between Shochoh and Azekah (Sa1 17:1; Ch1 11:13). PASHUR Release. (1.) The son of Immer (probably the same as Amariah, Neh 10:3; Neh 12:2), the head of one...
Ananiah.anem : * ANANIAH Protected by Jehovah, the name of a town in the tribe of Benjamin between Nob and Hazor (Neh 11:32). It is probably the modern Beit Hanina, a small village 3 miles north of Jerusalem. ANANIAS A common Jewish name, the same as Hananiah. (1.) One of the members of the church at Jerusalem...
Shunammite.siddim, Vale Of : * SHUNAMMITE A person of Shunem (Kg1 1:3; Kg2 4:12). The Syr. and Arab. read "Sulamite." SHUNEM Two resting-places, a little village in the tribe of Issachar, to the north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa (Jos 19:18), where the Philistines encamped when they came against Saul (Sa1 28:4)...
Bricks.bucket : * BRICKS The making of, formed the chief labour of the Israelites in Egypt (Exo 1:13, Exo 1:14). Those found among the ruins of Babylon and Nineveh are about a foot square and four inches thick. They were usually dried in the sun, though also sometimes in kilns (Sa2 12:31; Jer 43:9; Nah 3:14)...
Septuagint.serpent : * SEPTUAGINT See VERSIONS. SEPULCHRE First mentioned as purchased by Abraham for Sarah from Ephron the Hittite (Gen 23:20). This was the "cave of the field of Machpelah," where also Abraham and Rebekah and Jacob and Leah were buried (Gen 49:29). In Act 7:16 it is said that Jacob was "laid...
Serpent, Fiery.shaashgaz : * SERPENT, FIERY (LXX. "deadly," Vulg. "burning"), Num 21:6, probably the naja haje of Egypt; some swift-springing, deadly snake (Isa 14:29). After setting out from their encampment at Ezion-gaber, the Israelites entered on a wide sandy desert, which stretches from the mountains of Edom as far...
Pomegranate.porcius Festus : * POMEGRANATE I.e., "grained apple" (pomum granatum), Heb. rimmon. Common in Egypt (Num 20:5) and Palestine (Num 13:23; Deu 8:8). The Romans called it Punicum malum, i.e., Carthaginian apple, because they received it from Carthage. It belongs to the myrtle family of trees. The withering...
Sheriffs.shibboleth : * SHERIFFS (Dan 3:2), Babylonian officers. SHESHACH (Jer 25:26), supposed to be equivalent to Babel (Babylon), according to a secret (cabalistic) mode of writing among the Jews of unknown antiquity, which consisted in substituting the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet for the first, the last but...
Steel.stranger : * STEEL The "bow of steel" in (A.V.) Sa2 22:35; Job 20:24; Psa 18:34 is in the Revised Version "bow of brass" (Heb. kesheth-nehushah ). In Jer 15:12 the same word is used, and is also rendered in the Revised Version "brass." But more correctly it is copper (q.v.), as brass in the ordinary sense...
Nehushta.nergal : * NEHUSHTA Copper, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem, and the wife of Jehoiakin (Kg2 24:8), king of Judah. NEHUSHTAN Of copper; a brazen thing a name of contempt given to the serpent Moses had made in the wilderness (Num 21:8), and which Hezekiah destroyed because the children of Israel beg...
Salcah.salt Sea : * SALCAH Wandering, a city of Bashan assigned to the half tribe of Manasseh (Deu 3:10; Jos 12:5; Jos 13:11), identified with Salkhad, about 56 miles east of Jordan. SALEM Peace, commonly supposed to be another name of Jerusalem (Gen 14:18; Psa 76:2; Heb 7:1, Heb 7:2). SALIM Peaceful, a place near...
Bolster.bosses : * BOLSTER The Hebrew word kebir, rendered "pillow" in Sa1 19:13, Sa1 19:16, but in Revised Version marg. "quilt" or "network," probably means some counterpane or veil intended to protect the head of the sleeper. A different Hebrew word ( meraashoth' ) is used for "bolster" (Sa1 26:7, Sa1 26:11...
Adina.adoni Zedec : * ADINA Slender, one of David's warriors (Ch1 11:42), a Reubenite. ADINO The Eznite, one of David's mighty men (Sa2 23:8). (See JASHOBEAM.) ADJURATION A solemn appeal whereby one person imposes on another the obligation of speaking or acting as if under an oath (Sa1 14:24; Jos 6:26; Kg1 22:16). We...
Amplias.anan : * AMPLIAS A Roman Christian saluted by Paul (Rom 16:8). AMRAM Kindred of the High; i.e., "friend of Jehovah." (1.) The son of Kohath, the son of Levi. He married Jochebed, "his father's sister," and was the father of Aaron, Miriam, and Moses (Exo 6:18, Exo 6:20; Num 3:19). He died in Egypt...
Zin.zithri : * ZIN A low palm-tree, the south-eastern corner of the desert et-Tih, the wilderness of Paran, between the Gulf of Akabah and the head of the Wady Guraiyeh (Num 13:21). To be distinguished from the wilderness of Sin (q.v.). ZINA Ornament, one of the sons of Shimei (Ch1 23:10). ZION Sunny; height...
Mizpah.mole : * MIZPAH Or Mizpeh, watch-tower; the look-out. (1.) A place in Gilead, so named by Laban, who overtook Jacob at this spot (Gen 31:49) on his return to Palestine from Padan-aram. Here Jacob and Laban set up their memorial cairn of stones. It is the same as Ramath-mizpeh (Jos 13:26). (2.) A town...
Seer.seleucia : * SEER A name sometimes applied to the prophets because of the visions granted to them. It is first found in Sa1 9:9. It is afterwards applied to Zadok, Gad, etc. (Sa2 15:27; Sa2 24:11; Ch1 9:22; Ch1 25:5; Ch2 9:29; Amo 7:12; Mic 3:7). The "sayings of the seers" (Ch2 33:18, Ch2 33:19) is rendered...
Bera.besom : * BERA Gift, or son of evil, king of Sodom at the time of the invasion of the four kings under Chedorlaomer (Gen 14:2, Gen 14:8, Gen 14:17, Gen 14:21). BERACHAH Blessing. (1.) A valley not far from Engedi, where Jehoshaphat overthrew the Moabites and Ammonites (Ch2 20:26). It has been identified...
Locust.lord's Supper : * LOCUST There are ten Hebrew words used in Scripture to signify locust. In the New Testament locusts are mentioned as forming part of the food of John the Baptist (Mat 3:4; Mar 1:6). By the Mosaic law they were reckoned "clean," so that he could lawfully eat them. The name also occurs in Rev 9:3...
Alexander The Great.almodad : * ALEXANDER THE GREAT The king of Macedonia, the great conqueror; probably represented in Daniel by the "belly of brass" (Dan 2:32), and the leopard and the he-goat (Dan 7:6; Dan 11:3, Dan 11:4). He succeeded his father Philip, and died at the age of thirty-two from the effects of intemperance...
Memucan.meraioth : * MEMUCAN Dignified, one of the royal counsellors at the court of Ahasuerus, by whose suggestion Vashti was divorced (Est 1:14, Est 1:16, Est 1:21). MENAHEM Comforting, the son of Gadi, and successor of Shallum, king of Israel, whom he slew. After a reign of about ten years (771-760 B.C.) he died...
Ezekias.ezri : * EZEKIAS Grecized form of Hezekiah (Mat 1:9, Mat 1:10). EZEKIEL God will strengthen. (1.) Ch1 24:16, "Jehezekel." (2.) One of the great prophets, the son of Buzi the priest (Eze 1:3). He was one of the Jewish exiles who settled at Tel-Abib, on the banks of the Chebar, "in the l...
Gennesaret.gershon : * GENNESARET A garden of riches. (1.) A town of Naphtali, called Chinnereth (Jos 19:35), sometimes in the plural form Chinneroth (Jos 11:2). In later times the name was gradually changed to Genezar and Gennesaret (Luk 5:1). This city stood on the western shore of the lake to which it gave its name...
Accad.achmetha : * ACCAD The high land or mountains, a city in the land of Shinar. It has been identified with the mounds of Akker Kuf, some 50 miles to the north of Babylon; but this is doubtful. It was one of the cities of Nimrod's kingdom (Gen 10:10). It stood close to the Euphrates, opposite Sippara. (See...
Olive Tree.onesimus : * OLIVE-TREE Is frequently mentioned in Scripture. The dove from the ark brought an olive-branch to Noah (Gen 8:11). It is mentioned among the most notable trees of Palestine, where it was cultivated long before the time of the Hebrews (Deu 6:11; Deu 8:8). It is mentioned in the first Old...
Physician.pinnacle : * PHYSICIAN Asa, afflicted with some bodily malady, "sought not to the Lord but to the physicians" (Ch2 16:12). The "physicians" were those who "practiced heathen arts of magic, disavowing recognized methods of cure, and dissociating the healing art from dependence on the God of Israel. The s...
Hough.hur : * HOUGH To hamstring, i.e., sever the "tendon of Achilles" of the hinder legs of captured horses (Jos 11:6; Sa2 8:4; Ch1 18:4), so as to render them useless. HOUR First found in Dan 3:6; Dan 4:19, Dan 4:33; Dan 5:5. It is the rendering of the Chaldee shaah, meaning a "moment," a "look." It is used...
Justus.karkor : * JUSTUS (1.) Another name for Joseph, surnamed Barsabas. He and Matthias are mentioned only in Act 1:2. "They must have been among the earliest disciples of Jesus, and must have been faithful to the end; they must have been well known and esteemed among the brethren. What became of them...
Covetousness.crispus : * COVETOUSNESS A strong desire after the possession of worldly things (Col 3:5; Eph 5:5; Heb 13:5; Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10; Mat 6:20). It assumes sometimes the more aggravated form of avarice, which is the mark of cold-hearted worldliness. COW A cow and her calf were not to be killed on the same day...
Bush.cab : * BUSH In which Jehovah appeared to Moses in the wilderness (Exo 3:2; Act 7:30). It is difficult to say what particular kind of plant or bush is here meant. Probably it was the mimosa or acacia. The words "in the bush" in Mar 12:26; Luk 20:37, mean "in the passage or paragraph on the bush;" i.e...
Schools Of The Prophets.sea, The Molten : * SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS (Sa1 19:18; Kg2 2:3, Kg2 2:5, Kg2 2:7, Kg2 2:12, Kg2 2:15) were instituted for the purpose of training young men for the prophetical and priestly offices. (See PROPHET; SAMUEL.) SCORPIONS Mentioned along with serpents (Deu 8:15). Used also figuratively to denote wicked...
Abiezer.abimael : * ABIEZER Father of help; i.e., "helpful." (1.) The second of the three sons of Hammoleketh, the sister of Gilead. He was the grandson of Manasseh (Ch1 7:18). From his family Gideon sprang (Jos 17:2; compare Jdg 6:34; Jdg 8:2). He was also called Jeezer (Num 26:30). (2.) One of David's thirty...
Gap.gath : * GAP A rent or opening in a wall (Eze 13:5; compare Amo 4:3). The false prophets did not stand in the gap (Eze 22:30), i.e., they did nothing to stop the outbreak of wickedness. GARDENS Mentioned in Scripture, of Eden (Gen 2:8, Gen 2:9); Ahab's garden of herbs (Kg1 21:2); the royal garden (Kg2 21...
Flood.footstool : * FLOOD An event recorded in Gen. 7 and 8. (See DELUGE.) In Jos 24:2, Jos 24:3, Jos 24:14, Jos 24:15, the word "flood" (R.V., "river") means the river Euphrates. In Psa 66:6, this word refers to the river Jordan. FLOUR Grain reduced to the form of meal is spoken of in the time of Abraham (Gen 18...
Captain.carpenter : * CAPTAIN (1.) Heb. sar (Sa1 22:2; Sa2 23:19). Rendered "chief," Gen 40:2; Gen 41:9; rendered also "prince," Dan 1:7; "ruler," Jdg 9:30; "governor," Kg1 22:26. This same Hebrew word denotes a military captain (Exo 18:21; Kg2 1:9; Deu 1:15; Sa1 18:13, etc.), the "captain of the body-guard" (Gen 37...
Ivory.jaasau : * IVORY (Heb. pl. shenhabbim , the "tusks of elephants") was early used in decorations by the Egyptians, and a great trade in it was carried on by the Assyrians (Eze 27:6; Rev 18:12). It was used by the Phoenicians to ornament the box-wood rowing-benches of their galleys, and Hiram's skilled...
Persis.peulthai : * PERSIS A female Christian at Rome whom Paul salutes (Rom 16:12). She is spoken of as "beloved," and as having "laboured much in the Lord." PERUDA One whose descendants returned with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:55); called also Perida (Neh 7:57). PETER Originally called Simon (= Simeon, i.e., "hearing")...
Jotham.judah Upon Jordan : * JOTHAM Jehovah is perfect. (1.) The youngest of Gideon's seventy sons. He escaped when the rest were put to death by the order of Abimelech (Jdg 9:5). When "the citizens of Shechem and the whole house of Millo" were gathered together "by the plain of the pillar" (i.e., the stone set up by Joshu...
Avenger Of Blood.azel : * AVENGER OF BLOOD (Heb. goel , from verb gaal , "to be near of kin, to redeem"), the nearest relative of a murdered person. It was his right and duty to slay the murderer (Sa2 14:7, Sa2 14:11) if he found him outside of a city of refuge. In order that this law might be guarded against abuse...
Abel Shittim.abiel : * ABEL-SHITTIM Meadow of the acacias, frequently called simply "Shittim" (Num 25:1; Jos 2:1; Mic 6:5), a place on the east of Jordan, in the plain of Moab, nearly opposite Jericho. It was the forty-second encampment of the Israelites, their last resting-place before they crossed the Jordan (Num 33...
Aner.ant : * ANER A boy. (1.) A Canaanitish chief who joined his forces with those of Abraham in pursuit of Chedorlaomer (Gen 14:13, Gen 14:24). (2.) A city of Manasseh given to the Levites of Kohath's family (Ch1 6:70). ANGEL A word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," and hence employed...
Rye.sachar : * RYE =Rie (Heb. kussemeth ), found in Exo 9:32; Isa 28:25, in all of which the margins of the Authorized and of the Revised Versions have "spelt." This Hebrew word also occurs in Eze 4:9, where the Authorized Version has "fitches" (q.v.) and the Revised Version "spelt." This, there can be no...
Maoch.mareshah : * MAOCH Compressed, the father of Achish, king of Gath (Sa1 27:2). Called also Maachah (Kg1 2:39). MAON Habitation, a town in the tribe of Judah, about 7 miles south of Hebron, which gave its name to the wilderness, the district round the conical hill on which the town stood. Here David hid...
Rei.rephael : * REI Friendly, one who maintained true allegiance to king David (Kg1 1:8) when Adonijah rebelled. REINS The kidneys, the supposed seat of the desires and affections; used metaphorically for "heart." The "reins" and the "heart" are often mentioned together, as denoting the whole moral constituti...
Koa.lachish : * KOA He-camel, occurs only in Eze 23:23, some province or place in the Babylonian empire, used in this passage along with Shoa (q.v.). KOHATH Assembly, the second son of Levi, and father of Amram (Gen 46:11). He came down to Egypt with Jacob, and lived to the age of one hundred and thirty-three...
Chinnereth.chozeba : * CHINNERETH Lyre, the singular form of the word (Deu 3:17; Jos 19:35), which is also used in the plural form, Chinneroth, the name of a fenced city which stood near the shore of the lake of Galilee, a little to the south of Tiberias. The town seems to have given its name to a district, as appears...
Pipe.pitcher : * PIPE (Sa1 10:5; Kg1 1:40; Isa 5:12; Isa 30:29). The Hebrew word halil, so rendered, means "bored through," and is the name given to various kinds of wind instruments, as the fife, flute, Pan-pipes, etc. In Amo 6:5 this word is rendered "instrument of music." This instrument is mentioned also...
Pedahzur.peleth : * PEDAHZUR Rock of redemption, the father of Gamaliel and prince of Manasseh at the time of the Exodus (Num 1:10; Num 2:20). PEDAIAH Redemption of the Lord. (1.) The father of Zebudah, who was the wife of Josiah and mother of king Jehoiakim (Kg2 23:36). (2.) The father of Zerubbabel (Ch1 3:17). (3...
Zatthu.zeboim : * ZATTHU A sprout, Neh 10:14. ZATTU Id., one whose descendants returned from the Captivity with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:8; Neh 7:13); probably the same as Zatthu. ZAZA Plenty, a descendant of Judah (Ch1 2:33). ZEAL An earnest temper; may be enlightened (Num 25:11; Co2 7:11; Co2 9:2), or ignorant...
Ark.army : * ARK Noah's ark, a building of gopher-wood, and covered with pitch, 300 cubits long, 50 cubits broad, and 30 cubits high (Gen 6:14); an oblong floating house of three stories, with a door in the side and a window in the roof. It was 100 years in building (Gen 5:32; Gen 7:6). It was intended...
Ephraim.epicureans : * EPHRAIM Double fruitfulness ("for God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction"). The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt (Gen 41:52; Gen 46:20). The first incident recorded regarding him is his being placed, along with his brother Manasseh, before their grandfather, Jacob, that he...
Bartimaeus.basket : * BARTIMAEUS Son of Timaeus, one of the two blind beggars of Jericho (Mar 10:46; Mat 20:30). His blindness was miraculously cured on the ground of his faith. BARUCH Blessed. (1.) The secretary of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 32:12; Jer 36:4). He was of the tribe of Judah (Jer 51:59). To him Jeremiah...
Zetham.zidkijah : * ZETHAM Olive planter, a Levite (Ch1 23:8). ZETHAN A Benjamite (Ch1 7:10). ZIA Fear, a Gadite (Ch1 5:13). ZIBA Post; statue, "a servant of the house of Saul" (Sa2 9:2), who informed David that Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan, was alive. He afterwards dealt treacherously toward Mephibosheth, whom...
Evil Speaking.eye : * EVIL-SPEAKING Is expressly forbidden (Tit 3:2; Jam 4:11), and severe punishments are denounced against it (Co1 5:11; Co1 6:10). It is spoken of also with abhorrence (Psa 15:3; Pro 18:6, Pro 18:7), and is foreign to the whole Christian character and the example of Christ. EXAMPLE Of Christ (Pe1 2...
Patrobas.pedahel : * PATROBAS A Christian at Rome to whom Paul sent salutations (Rom 16:14). PAU (Gen 36:39) or Pai (Ch1 1:50), bleating, an Edomitish city ruled over by Hadar. PAUL =Saul (q.v.) was born about the same time as our Lord. His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him...
Goodness.gozan : * GOODNESS In man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good. GOPHER A tree from the wood of which Noah was directed to build the ark (Gen 6:14). It is...
Bajith.balm : * BAJITH House, probably a city of Moab, which had a celebrated idol-temple (Isa 15:2). It has also been regarded as denoting simply the temple of the idol of Moab as opposed to the "high place." BAKE The duty of preparing bread was usually, in ancient times, committed to the females or the slaves...
Tabeel.tabret : * TABEEL A Persian governor of Samaria, who joined others in the attempt to prevent the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Ezr 4:7). TABERAH Burning, a place in the wilderness of Paran, where the "fire of the Lord" consumed the murmuring Israelites (Num 11:3; Deu 9:22). It was also called Kibroth-hattaavah...
Bamah.baptism, John's : * BAMAH A height, a name used simply to denote a high place where the Jews worshipped idols (Eze 20:29). The plural is translated "high places" in Num 22:41 and Eze 36:2. BAMOTH Heights, the forty-seventh station of the Israelites (Num 21:19, Num 21:20) in the territory of the Moabites...
Jokim.jonas : * JOKIM Whom Jehovah has set up, one of the descendants of Shelah (Ch1 4:22). JOKMEAM Gathering of the people, a city of Ephraim, which was given with its suburbs to the Levites (Ch1 6:68). It lay somewhere in the Jordan valley (Kg1 4:12, R.V.; but in A.V. incorrectly "Jokneam"). JOKNEAM Gathered...
Oath.oded : * OATH A solemn appeal to God, permitted on fitting occasions (Deu 6:13; Jer 4:2), in various forms (Gen 16:5; Sa2 12:5; Rut 1:17; Hos 4:15; Rom 1:9), and taken in different ways (Gen 14:22; Gen 24:2; Ch2 6:22). God is represented as taking an oath (Heb 6:16), so also Christ (Mat 26:64), and Paul...
A.abdeel : * A (ALPHA) Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as Omega is the last. These letters occur in the text of Rev 1:8, Rev 1:11; Rev 21:6; Rev 22:13, and are represented by "Alpha" and "Omega" respectively (omitted in R.V., Rev 1:11). They mean "the first and last." (Compare Heb 12:2; Isa 41...
Wax.whale : * WAX Made by melting the combs of bees. Mentioned (Psa 22:14; Psa 68:2; Psa 97:5; Mic 1:4) in illustration. WEAN Among the Hebrews children (whom it was customary for the mothers to nurse, Exo 2:7; Sa1 1:23; Sol 8:1) were not generally weaned till they were three or four years old. WEASEL (Heb...
Eder.egypt : * EDER Flock. (1.) A city in the south of Judah, on the border of Idumea (Jos 15:21). (2.) The second of the three sons of Mushi, of the family of Merari, appointed to the Levitical office (Ch1 23:23; Ch1 24:30). EDOM (1.) The name of Esau (q.v.), Gen 25:30, "Feed me, I pray thee, with that same...
Almon.amalek : * ALMON Hidden one of the sacerdotal cities of Benjamin (Jos 21:18), called also Alemeth (Ch1 6:60). ALMOND A native of Syria and Palestine. In form, blossoms, and fruit it resembles the peach tree. Its blossoms are of a very pale pink colour, and appear before its leaves. Its Hebrew name, shaked...
Lo Ruhamah.lud : * LO-RUHAMAH Not pitied, the name of the prophet Hosea's first daughter, a type of Jehovah's temporary rejection of his people (Hos 1:6; Hos 2:23). LOT (1.) (Heb. goral , a "pebble"), a small stone used in casting lots (Num 33:54; Jon 1:7). The lot was always resorted to by the Hebrews with...
Dehavites.derbe : * DEHAVITES Villagers, one of the Assyrian tribes which Asnapper sent to repopulate Samaria (Ezr 4:9). They were probably a nomad Persian tribe on the east of the Caspian Sea, and near the Sea of Azof. DELAIAH Freed by Jehovah. (1.) The head of the twenty-third division of the priestly order (Ch1...
Bezek.bilshan : * BEZEK Lightning. (1.) The residence of Adoni-bezek, in the lot of Judah (Jdg 1:5). It was in the mountains, not far from Jerusalem. Probably the modern Bezkah, 6 miles south-east of Lydda. (2.) The place where Saul numbered the forces of Israel and Judah (Sa1 11:8); somewhere in the centre...
Man Of Sin.mantle : * MAN OF SIN A designation of Antichrist given in Th2 2:3, usually regarded as descriptive of the Papal power; but "in whomsoever these distinctive features are found, whoever wields temporal and spiritual power in any degree similar to that in which the man of sin is here described as wielding it...
Jabin.jaddua : * JABIN Discerner; the wise. (1.) A king of Hazor, at the time of the entrance of Israel into Canaan (Jos 11:1), whose overthrow and that of the northern chief with whom he had entered into a confederacy against Joshua was the crowning act in the conquest of the land (Jos 11:21; compare Jos 14:6)...
Chancellor.charity : * CHANCELLOR One who has judicial authority, literally, a "lord of judgement;" a title given to the Persian governor of Samaria (Ezr 4:8, Ezr 4:9, Ezr 4:17). CHANGES OF RAIMENT Were reckoned among the treasures of rich men (Gen 45:22; Jdg 14:12, Jdg 14:13; Kg2 5:22, Kg2 5:23). CHANNEL (1.) The bed...
Desert.diadem : * DESERT (1.) Heb. midbar , "pasture-ground;" an open tract for pasturage; a common (Joe 2:22). The "backside of the desert" (Exo 3:1) is the west of the desert, the region behind a man, as the east is the region in front. The same Hebrew word is rendered "wilderness," and is used of the country...
Tortoise.treasure Houses : * TORTOISE (Heb. tsabh ). Ranked among the unclean animals (Lev 11:29). Land tortoises are common in Syria. The LXX. renders the word by "land crocodile." The word, however, more probably denotes a lizard, called by the modern Arabs dhabb. TOW (Jdg 16:9). See FLAX. TOWERS Of Babel (Gen 11:4), Edar...
Lemuel.levite : * LEMUEL Dedicated to God, a king whom his mother instructed (Pro 31:1). Nothing is certainly known concerning him. The rabbis identified him with Solomon. LENTILES (Heb. 'adashim ), a species of vetch (Gen 25:34; Sa2 23:11), common in Syria under the name addas. The red pottage made by Jacob w...
Iscariot.island : * ISCARIOT (See JUDAS.) ISHBAK Leaving, one of Abraham's sons by Keturah (Gen 25:2). ISHBI-BENOB My seat at Nob, one of the Rephaim, whose spear was three hundred shekels in weight. He was slain by Abishai (Sa2 21:16, Sa2 21:17). ISH-BOSHETH Man of shame or humiliation, the youngest of Saul's four...
Satan.schoolmaster : * SATAN Adversary; accuser. When used as a proper name, the Hebrew word so rendered has the article "the adversary" (Job 1:6; Job 2:1). In the New Testament it is used as interchangeable with Diabolos, or the devil, and is so used more than thirty times. He is also called "the dragon, the old...
Mahlah.malachi, Prophecies Of : * MAHLAH Disease, one of the five daughters of Zelophehad (Num 27:1) who had their father's inheritance, the law of inheritance having been altered in their favour. MAHLON Sickly, the elder of Elimelech the Bethlehemite's two sons by Naomi. He married Ruth and died childless (Rut 1:2, Rut 1:5; Rut...
Dulcimer.dwarf : * DULCIMER (Heb. sumphoniah ), a musical instrument mentioned in Dan 3:5, Dan 3:15, along with other instruments there named, as sounded before the golden image. It was not a Jewish instrument. In the margin of the Revised Version it is styled the "bag-pipe." Luther translated it "lute,"...
Hallelujah.hammelech : * HALLELUJAH Praise ye Jehovah, frequently rendered "Praise ye the Lord," stands at the beginning of ten of the psalms (Ps. 106, 111-113, 135, 146 - 150), hence called "hallelujah psalms." From its frequent occurrence it grew into a formula of praise. The Greek form of the word ( alleluia ) is...
Hebrew Of The Hebrews.helam : * HEBREW OF THE HEBREWS One whose parents are both Hebrews (Phi 3:5; Co2 11:22); a genuine Hebrew. HEBREWS (Act 6:1) were the Hebrew-speaking Jews, as distinguished from those who spoke Greek. (See GREEKS.) HEBREW LANGUAGE The language of the Hebrew nation, and that in which the Old Testament is...
Treasury.trogyllium : * TREASURY (Mat 27:6; Mar 12:41; Joh 8:20). It does not appear that there was a separate building so called. The name was given to the thirteen brazen chests, called "trumpets," from the form of the opening into which the offerings of the temple worshippers were put. These stood in the outer...
Fable.familiar Spirit : * FABLE Applied in the New Testament to the traditions and speculations, "cunningly devised fables", of the Jews on religious questions (Ti1 1:4; Ti1 4:7; Ti2 4:4; Tit 1:14; Pe2 1:16). In such passages the word means anything false and unreal. But the word is used as almost equivalent to parable...
Ashes.asnapper : * ASHES The ashes of a red heifer burned entire (Num 19:5) when sprinkled on the unclean made them ceremonially clean (Heb 9:13). To cover the head with ashes was a token of self-abhorrence and humiliation (Sa2 13:19; Est 4:3; Jer 6:26, etc.). To feed on ashes (Isa 44:20), means to seek that which...
Golan.goodness Of God : * GOLAN Exile, a city of Bashan (Deu 4:43), one of the three cities of refuge east of Jordan, about 12 miles north-east of the Sea of Galilee (Jos 20:8). There are no further notices of it in Scripture. It became the head of the province of Gaulanitis, one of the four provinces into which Bash...
Divorce.doors : * DIVORCE The dissolution of the marriage tie was regulated by the Mosaic law (Deu 24:1). The Jews, after the Captivity, were required to dismiss the foreign women they had married contrary to the law (Ezr 10:11). Christ limited the permission of divorce to the single case of adultery. It seems...
Reuben, Tribe Of.rhesa : * REUBEN, TRIBE OF At the Exodus numbered 46,500 male adults, from twenty years old and upwards (Num 1:20, Num 1:21), and at the close of the wilderness wanderings they numbered only 43,730 (Num 26:7). This tribe united with that of Gad in asking permission to settle in the "land of Gilead...
Wine.witness Of The Spirit : * WINE The common Hebrew word for wine is yayin, from a root meaning "to boil up, to be in a ferment." Others derive it from a root meaning "to tread out," and hence the juice of the grape trodden out. The Greek word for wine is oinos , and the Latin vinun. But besides this common Hebrew word...
Laodicea, Epistle From.laver : * LAODICEA, EPISTLE FROM (Col 4:16), was probably the Epistle to the Ephesians, as designed for general circulation. It would reach the Colossians by way of Laodicea. LAPIDOTH Torches. Deborah is called "the wife of Lapidoth" (Jdg 4:4). Some have rendered the expression "a woman of a fiery spirit...
Ibzan.igal : * IBZAN Illustrious, the tenth judge of Israel (Jdg 12:8). He ruled seven years. ICE Frequently mentioned (Job 6:16; Job 38:29; Psa 147:17, etc.). (See CRYSTAL.) ICHABOD When the tidings of the disastrous defeat of the Israelites in the battle against the Philistines near to Mizpeh were carried...
Furnace.gadarenes : * FURNACE (1.) Chald. attun, a large furnace with a wide open mouth, at the top of which materials were cast in (Dan 3:22, Dan 3:23; compare Jer 29:22). This furnace would be in constant requisition, for the Babylonians disposed of their dead by cremation, as did also the Accadians who invaded...
Abjects.acacia : * ABJECTS (Psa 35:15), the translation of a Hebrew word meaning smiters; probably, in allusion to the tongue, slanderers. (Compare Jer 18:18.) ABLUTION Or washing, was practiced (1.) When a person was initiated into a higher state: e.g., when Aaron and his sons were set apart to the priest's...
Famine.fear Of The Lord : * FAMINE The first mentioned in Scripture was so grievous as to compel Abraham to go down to the land of Egypt (Gen 26:1). Another is mentioned as having occurred in the days of Isaac, causing him to go to Gerar (Gen 26:1, Gen 26:17). But the most remarkable of all was that which arose in Egypt...
Beth Arbel.bethesda : * BETH-ARBEL House of God's court, a place alluded to by Hosea (Hos 10:14) as the scene of some great military exploit, but not otherwise mentioned in Scripture. The Shalman here named was probably Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria (Kg2 17:3). BETH-AVEN House of nothingness; i.e., "of idols"...
Jethro.jezreel, Blood Of : * JETHRO His excellence, or gain, a prince or priest of Midian, who succeeded his father Reuel. Moses spent forty years after his exile from the Egyptian court as keeper of Jethro's flocks. While the Israelites were encamped at Sinai, and soon after their victory over Amalek, Jethro came to meet...
Heshmon.hiddekel : * HESHMON Fatness, a town in the south of Judah (Jos 15:27). HETH Dread, a descendant of Canaan, and the ancestor of the Hittites (Gen 10:18; Deu 7:1), who dwelt in the vicinity of Hebron (Gen 23:3, Gen 23:7). The Hittites were a Hamitic race. They are called "the sons of Heth" (Gen 23:3, Gen 23:5...
Shelah.shemiramoth : * SHELAH Petition. (1.) Judah's third son (Gen 38:2, Gen 38:5, Gen 38:11, Gen 38:14). (2.) A son of Arphaxad (Ch1 1:18). SHELEMIAH Whom Jehovah repays. (1.) Ezr 10:39. (2.) The father of Hananiah (Neh 3:30). (3.) A priest in the time of Nehemiah (Neh 13:13). (4.) Father of one of those who accused...
Door Keeper.dowry : * DOOR-KEEPER This word is used in Psa 84:10 (R.V. marg., "stand at the threshold of," etc.), but there it signifies properly "sitting at the threshold in the house of God." The psalmist means that he would rather stand at the door of God's house and merely look in, than dwell in houses where...
Beard.bedstead : * BEARD The mode of wearing it was definitely prescribed to the Jews (Lev 19:27; Lev 21:5). Hence the import of Ezekiel's (Eze 5:1) description of the "razor" i.e., the agents of an angry providence being used against the guilty nation of the Jews. It was a part of a Jew's daily toilet to anoint...
Shibmah.shilonite : * SHIBMAH Fragrance, a town of Reuben, east of Jordan (Num 32:38). SHIELD Used in defensive warfare, varying at different times and under different circumstances in size, form, and material (Sa1 17:7; Sa2 1:21; Kg1 10:17; Ch1 12:8, Ch1 12:24, Ch1 12:34; Isa 22:6; Eze 39:9; Nah 2:3). Used...
Cutting.daemoniac : * CUTTING The flesh in various ways was an idolatrous practice - a part of idol worship (Deu 14:1; Kg1 18:28). The Israelites were commanded not to imitate this practice (Lev 19:28; Lev 21:5; Deu 14:1). The tearing of the flesh from grief and anguish of spirit in mourning for the dead was regarded...
Jehovah Jireh.jehudi : * JEHOVAH-JIREH Jehovah will see; i.e., will provide, the name given by Abraham to the scene of his offering up the ram which was caught in the thicket on Mount Moriah. The expression used in Gen 22:14, "in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen," has been regarded as equivalent to the saying...
Uphaz.uzal : * UPHAZ Probably another name for Ophir (Jer 10:9). Some, however, regard it as the name of an Indian colony in Yemen, southern Arabia; others as a place on or near the river Hyphasis (now the Ghana), the south-eastern limit of the Punjaub. UR Light, or the moon city, a city "of the Chaldees,"...
Abimelech.abitub : * ABIMELECH My father a king, or father of a king, a common name of the Philistine kings, as "Pharaoh" was of the Egyptian kings. (1.) The Philistine king of Gerar in the time of Abraham (Gen. 20:1-18). By an interposition of Providence, Sarah was delivered from his harem, and was restored to her...
Buckler.burnt Offering : * BUCKLER (1.) A portable shield (Sa2 22:31; Ch1 5:18). (2.) A shield surrounding the person; the targe or round form; used once figuratively (Psa 91:4). (3.) A large shield protecting the whole body (Psa 35:2; Eze 23:24; Eze 26:8). (4.) A lance or spear; improperly rendered "buckler"...
Cross.cummin : * CROSS In the New Testament the instrument of crucifixion, and hence used for the crucifixion of Christ itself (Eph 2:16; Heb 12:2; Co1 1:17, Co1 1:18; Gal 5:11; Gal 6:12, Gal 6:14; Phi 3:18). The word is also used to denote any severe affliction or trial (Mat 10:38; Mat 16:24; Mar 8:34; Mar 10...
Forces.fortunatus : * FORCES Of the Gentiles (Isa 60:5, Isa 60:11; R.V., "the wealth of the nations") denotes the wealth of the heathen. The whole passage means that the wealth of the Gentile world should be consecrated to the service of the church. FORD Mention is frequently made of the fords of the Jordan (Jos 2:7;...
Ambush.amminadib : * AMBUSH Joshua at the capture of Ai lay in ambush, and so deceived the inhabitants that he gained an easy victory (Josh. 8:4-26). Shechem was taken in this manner (Judg. 9:30-45. Compare Jer 51:12). AMEN This Hebrew word means firm, and hence also faithful (Rev 3:14). In Isa 65:16, the Authorized...
Jonathan.jot : * JONATHAN Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1.) A Levite descended from Gershom (Jdg 18:30). His history is recorded in Jdg 17:7 and Jdg 18:30. The Rabbins changed this name into Manasseh "to screen the memory...
East.ebed Melech : * EAST (1.) The orient (mizrah); the rising of the sun. Thus "the east country" is the country lying to the east of Syria, the Elymais (Zac 8:7). (2.) Properly what is in front of one, or a country that is before or in front of another; the rendering of the word kedem. In pointing out the quarters...
Elon.emims : * ELON Oak. (1.) A city of Dan (Jos 19:43). (2.) A Hittite, father of Bashemath, Esau's wife (Gen 26:34). (3.) One of the sons of Zebulun (Gen 46:14). (4.) The eleventh of the Hebrew judges. He held office for ten years (Jdg 12:11, Jdg 12:12). He is called the Zebulonite. ELPARAN Oak of Par...
Bittern.blind : * BITTERN Is found three times in connection with the desolations to come upon Babylon, Idumea, and Nineveh (Isa 14:23; Isa 34:11; Zep 2:14). This bird belongs to the class of cranes. Its scientific name is Botaurus stellaris. It is a solitary bird, frequenting marshy ground. The Hebrew word...
Parchment.parvaim : * PARCHMENT A skin prepared for writing on; so called from Pergamos (q.v.), where this was first done (Ti2 4:13). PARDON The forgiveness of sins granted freely (Isa 43:25), readily (Neh 9:17; Psa 86:5), abundantly (Isa 55:7; Rom 5:20). Pardon is an act of a sovereign, in pure sovereignty, granting...
Asp.atad : * ASP (Heb. pethen ), Deu 32:33; Job 20:14, Job 20:16; Isa 11:8. It was probably the Egyptian cobra (Naja haje), which was very poisonous (Rom 3:13; Gr. aspis ). The Egyptians worshipped it as the uraeus, and it was found in the desert and in the fields. The peace and security of Messiah's reign...
Zabud.zair : * ZABUD Gift, the son of Nathan, who was "king's friend" in the court of Solomon (Kg1 4:5). ZABULON (Mat 4:13, Mat 4:15; Rev 7:8). See ZEBULUN. ZACCAI Pure, one whose "sons" returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem (Ezr 2:9; Neh 7:14). (See ZABBAI.) ZACCHAEUS Pure, a superintendent of customs;...
Eben Ezer.eden : * EBEN-EZER Stone of help, the memorial stone set up by Samuel to commemorate the divine assistance to Israel in their great battle against the Philistines, whom they totally routed (Sa1 7:7) at Aphek, in the neighbourhood of Mizpeh, in Benjamin, near the western entrance of the pass of Beth-h...
Beth Shean.bezaleel : * BETH-SHEAN House of security or rest, a city which belonged to Manasseh (Ch1 7:29), on the west of Jordan. The bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened to its walls. In Solomon's time it gave its name to a district (Kg1 4:12). The name is found in an abridged form, Bethshan, in Sa1 31:10, Sa1...
Raisins.ramath Of The South : * RAISINS Dried grapes; mentioned Sa1 25:18; Sa1 30:12; Sa2 16:1; Ch1 12:40. RAKKATH Shore-town, a "fenced city" of the tribe of Naphtali (Jos 19:35). The old name of Tiberias, according to the Rabbins. RAKKON A place upon the shore, a town belonging to Dan (Jos 19:46). It is now Tell er-Rakkeit...
Eshcol.eternal Life : * ESHCOL Bunch; brave. (1.) A young Amoritish chief who joined Abraham in the recovery of Lot from the hands of Chedorlaomer (Gen 14:13, Gen 14:24). (2.) A valley in which the spies obtained a fine cluster of grapes (Num 13:23, Num 13:24; "the brook Eshcol," A.V.; "the valley of Eshcol," R.V.)...
Azmaveth.baal Berith : * AZMAVETH Strong as death. (1.) One of David's thirty warriors (Sa2 23:31). (2.) An overseer over the royal treasury in the time of David and Solomon (Ch1 27:25). (3.) A town in the tribe of Judah, near Jerusalem (Neh 12:29; Ezr 2:24). (4.) Ch1 8:36 AZOTUS The Grecized form (Act 8:40, etc.)...
Madmen.magog : * MADMEN Ibid., a Moabite town threatened with the sword of the Babylonians (Jer 48:2). MADMENAH Ibid., a town in Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, towards the north (Isa 10:31). The same Hebrew word occurs in Isa 25:10, where it is rendered "dunghill." This verse has, however, been interpreted...
Muth Labben.naaman : * MUTH-LABBEN Occurring only in the title of Psalm 9, title. Some interpret the words as meaning "on the death of Labben," some unknown person. Others render the word, "on the death of the son;" i.e., of Absalom (Sa2 18:33). Others again have taken the word as the name of a musical instrument...
Hurai.ibleam : * HURAI Linen-worker, one of David's heroes, a native of the valley of Mount Gaash (Ch1 11:32). HUSBAND I.e., the "house-band," connecting and keeping together the whole family. A man when betrothed was esteemed from that time a husband (Mat 1:16, Mat 1:20; Luk 2:5). A recently married man w...
Mark.mary : * MARK The evangelist; "John whose surname was Mark" (Act 12:12, Act 12:25). Mark (Marcus, Col 4:10, etc.) was his Roman name, which gradually came to supersede his Jewish name John. He is called John in Act 13:5, Act 13:13, and Mark in Act 15:39, Ti2 4:11, etc. He was the son of Mary, a wom...
Adoption.adultery : * ADOPTION The giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who is not a son by birth. (1.) Natural. Thus Pharaoh's daughter adopted Moses (Exo 2:10), and Mordecai Esther (Est 2:7). (2.) National. God adopted Israel (Exo 4:22; Deu 7:6; Hos 11:1; Rom 9:4). (3.) Spiritual. An act...
Baptism For The Dead.bariah : * BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD Only mentioned in Co1 15:29. This expression as used by the apostle may be equivalent to saying, "He who goes through a baptism of blood in order to join a glorified church which has no existence [i.e., if the dead rise not] is a fool." Some also regard the statement here...
Life.linen Yarn : * LIFE Generally of physical life (Gen 2:7; Luk 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1.) for immortality (Heb 7:16); (2.) conduct or manner of life (Rom 6:4); (3.) spiritual life or salvation (Joh 3:16, Joh 3:17, Joh 3:18, Joh 3:36); (4.) eternal life (Mat 19:16, Mat 19:17; Joh 3:15); of God...
Beeves.bellows : * BEEVES (An old English plural of the word beef), a name applicable to all ruminating animals except camels, and especially to the Bovidce, or horned cattle (Lev 22:19, Lev 22:21; Num 31:28, Num 31:30, Num 31:33, Num 31:38, Num 31:44). BEG That the poor existed among the Hebrews we have abundant...
Gall.gamul : * GALL (1.) Heb. mererah , meaning "bitterness" (Job 16:13); i.e., the bile secreted in the liver. This word is also used of the poison of asps (Job 20:14), and of the vitals, the seat of life (Job 20:25). (2.) Heb. rosh. In Deu 32:33 and Job 20:16 it denotes the poison of serpents. In Hos 10:4...
Antichrist.apelles : * ANTICHRIST Against Christ, or an opposition Christ, a rival Christ. The word is used only by the apostle John. Referring to false teachers, he says (Jo1 2:18, Jo1 2:22; Jo1 4:3; Jo2 1:7), "Even now are there many antichrists." (1.) This name has been applied to the "little horn" of the "king...
Shaveh, Valley Of.shebna : * SHAVEH, VALLEY OF Valley of the plain the ancient name of the "king's dale" (q.v.), or Kidron, on the north side of Jerusalem (Gen 14:17). SHAVEH-KIRIATHAIM Plain of Kirja-thaim where Chedorlaomer defeated the Emims, the original inhabitants (Gen 14:5). Now Kureiyat, north of Dibon, in the l...
Christ.chun : * CHRIST Anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his...
Pallu.pan : * PALLU Separated, the second son of Reuben (Ch1 5:3); called Phallu, Gen 46:9. He was the father of the Phalluites (Exo 6:14; Num 26:5, Num 26:8). PALM TREE (Heb. tamar ), the date-palm characteristic of Palestine. It is described as "flourishing" (Psa 92:12), tall (Sol 7:7), "upright" (Jer 10:5)...
Quiver.rabsaris : * QUIVER The sheath for arrows. The Hebrew word (aspah) thus commonly rendered is found in Job 39:23; Psa 127:5; Isa 22:6; Isa 49:2; Jer 5:16; Lam 3:13. In Gen 27:3 this word is the rendering of the Hebrew teli, which is supposed rather to mean a suspended weapon, literally "that which hangs...
Hanameel.handwriting : * HANAMEEL Whom God has graciously given, the cousin of Jeremiah, to whom he sold the field he possessed in Anathoth, before the siege of Jerusalem (Jer 32:6). HANAN Merciful. (1.) A Benjamite (Ch1 8:23). (2.) One of David's heroes (Ch1 11:43). (3.) Jer 35:4. (4.) A descendant of Saul (Ch1 8:38)...
Night Hawk.nitre : * NIGHT-HAWK (Heb. tahmas ) occurs only in the list of unclean birds (Lev 11:16; Deu 14:15). This was supposed to be the night-jar (Caprimulgus), allied to the swifts. The Hebrew word is derived from a root meaning "to scratch or tear the face," and may be best rendered, in accordance with...
Nail.naphtuhim : * NAIL (1.) For fastening. (a.) Hebrew yathed, "piercing," a peg or nail of any material (Eze 15:3), more especially a tent-peg (Exo 27:19; Exo 35:18; Exo 38:20), with one of which Jael (q.v.) pierced the temples of Sisera (Jdg 4:21, Jdg 4:22). This word is also used metaphorically (Zac 10:4)...
Baal Peor.babe : * BAAL-PEOR Lord of the opening, a god of the Moabites (Num 25:3; Num 31:16; Jos 22:17), worshipped by obscene rites. So called from Mount Peor, where this worship was celebrated, the Baal of Peor. The Israelites fell into the worship of this idol (Num 25:3, Num 25:5, Num 25:18; Deu 4:3; Psa 106...
Tyrannus.upharsin : * TYRANNUS Prince, a Greek rhetorician, in whose "school" at Ephesus Paul disputed daily for the space of two years with those who came to him (Act 19:9). Some have supposed that he was a Jew, and that his "school" was a private synagogue. TYRE A rock, now es-Sur; an ancient Phoenician city...
Ahithophel.ai : * AHITHOPHEL Brother of insipidity or impiety, a man greatly renowned for his sagacity among the Jews. At the time of Absalom's revolt he deserted David (Psa 41:9; Psa 55:12) and espoused the cause of Absalom (Sa2 15:12). David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might...
Sinaiticus Codex.sitting : * SINAITICUS CODEX Usually designated by the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, is one of the most valuable of ancient MSS. of the Greek New Testament. On the occasion of a third visit to the convent of St. Catherine, on Mount Sinai, in 1859, it was discovered by Dr. Tischendorf. He had...
Offense.olive : * OFFENSE (1.) An injury or wrong done to one (Sa1 25:31; Rom 5:15). (2.) A stumbling-block or cause of temptation (Isa 8:14; Mat 16:23; Mat 18:7). Greek skandalon , properly that at which one stumbles or takes offense. The "offense of the cross" (Gal 5:11) is the offense the Jews took...
Ehud.elealeh : * EHUD Union. (1.) A descendant of Benjamin (Ch1 7:10), his great-grandson. (2.) The son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin (Jdg 3:15). After the death of Othniel the people again fell into idolatry, and Eglon, the king of Moab, uniting his bands with those of the Ammonites and the Amalekites...
Timon.tires : * TIMON Honouring, one of the seven deacons at Jerusalem (Act 6:5). Nothing further is known of him. TIMOTHEUS The Greek form of the name of Timothy (Act 16:1, etc.; the R.V. always "Timothy"). TIMOTHY Honouring God, a young disciple who was Paul's companion in many of his journeying. His mother...
Vision.war : * VISION (Luk 1:22), a vivid apparition, not a dream (compare Luk 24:23; Act 26:19; Co2 12:1). VOWS Voluntary promises which, when once made, were to be kept if the thing vowed was right. They were made under a great variety of circumstances (Gen 28:18; Lev 7:16; Num 30:2; Deu 23:18; Jdg 11:30...
Jaasiel.jabez : * JAASIEL Made by God, one of David's body-guard, the son of Abner (Ch1 27:21), called Jasiel in Ch1 11:47. JAAZ-ANIAH Heard by Jehovah. (1.) The son of Jeremiah, and one of the chief Rechabites (Jer 35:3). (2.) The son of Shaphan (Eze 8:11). (3.) The son of Azur, one of the twenty-five men seen...
Babel, Tower Of.bahurim : * BABEL, TOWER OF The name given to the tower which the primitive fathers of our race built in the land of Shinar after the Deluge (Gen 11:1). Their object in building this tower was probably that it might be seen as a rallying-point in the extensive plain of Shinar, to which they had emigrated...
Cotes.covering Of The Eyes : * COTES Pens or enclosures for flocks (Ch2 32:28, "cotes for flocks;" R.V., "flocks in folds"). COTTAGE (1.) A booth in a vineyard (Isa 1:8); a temporary shed covered with leaves or straw to shelter the watchman that kept the garden. These were slight fabrics, and were removed when no longer...
Straw.succoth Benoth : * STRAW Used in brick-making (Exo 5:7). Used figuratively in Job 41:27; Isa 11:7; Isa 25:10; Isa 65:25. STEALING See THEFT. STONING A form of punishment (Lev 20:2; Lev 24:14; Deu 13:10; Deu 17:5; Deu 22:21) prescribed for certain offenses. Of Achan (Jos 7:25), Naboth (1 Kings 21), Stephen (Act 7...
Chezib.chimham : * CHEZIB Deceitful, a town where Shelah, the son of Judah, was born (Gen 38:5). Probably the same as Achzib (q.v.). CHIDON Dart, the name of the threshing-floor at which the death of Uzzah took place (Ch1 13:9). In the parallel passage in Samuel (Sa2 6:6) it is called "Nachon's threshing-floor."...
Fruit.furlong : * FRUIT A word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether vegetable or animal. The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land into three classes: (1.) The fruit of the field, "corn-fruit" (Heb. dagan ); all kinds of grain and pulse. (2.) The fruit of the vine, "vintage-fruit" (Heb...
Jezreel, Day Of.joanna : * JEZREEL, DAY OF The time predicted for the execution of vengeance for the deeds of blood committed there (Hos 1:5). JEZREEL, DITCH OF (Kg1 21:23; compare Kg1 21:13), the fortification surrounding the city, outside of which Naboth was executed. JEZREEL, FOUNTAIN OF Where Saul encamped before...
Tares.taxing : * TARES The bearded darnel, mentioned only in Mat 13:25. It is the Lolium temulentum, a species of rye-grass, the seeds of which are a strong soporific poison. It bears the closest resemblance to wheat till the ear appears, and only then the difference is discovered. It grows plentifully in Syri...
Tebeth.tel Melah : * TEBETH (Est 2:16), a word probably of Persian origin, denoting the cold time of the year; used by the later Jews as denoting the tenth month of the year. Assyrian tebituv, "rain." TEIL TREE (an old name for the lime-tree, the tilia), Isa 6:13, the terebinth, or turpentine-tree, the Pistaci...
Wizard.works, Covenant Of : * WIZARD A pretender to supernatural knowledge and power, "a knowing one," as the original Hebrew word signifies. Such an one was forbidden on pain of death to practice his deceptions (Lev 19:31; Lev 20:6, Lev 20:27; Sa1 28:3; Isa 8:19; Isa 19:3). WOLF Heb. zeeb , frequently referred...
Lintel.lock : * LINTEL (1.) Heb. mashkoph , a projecting cover (Exo 12:22, Exo 12:23; Exo 12:7, "upper door post," but R.V. "lintel"); the head-piece of a door, which the Israelites were commanded to mark with the blood of the paschal lamb. (2.) Heb. kaphtar. Amo 9:1; Zep 2:14 (R.V. correctly "chapiters,"...
Church.citizenship : * CHURCH Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia , which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning...
Onesiphorus.ophrah : * ONESIPHORUS Bringing profit, an Ephesian Christian who showed great kindness to Paul at Rome. He served him in many things, and had oft refreshed him. Paul expresses a warm interest in him and his household (Ti2 1:16; Ti2 4:19). ONION The Israelites in the wilderness longed for the "onions...
Samson.saph : * SAMSON Of the sun, the son of Manoah, born at Zorah. The narrative of his life is given in Judg. 13 - 16. He was a "Nazarite unto God" from his birth, the first Nazarite mentioned in Scripture (Jdg 13:3; compare Num. 6:1-21). The first recorded event of his life was his marriage with...
Lydia.maath : * LYDIA (1.) Eze 30:5 (Heb. Lud ), a province in the west of Asia Minor, which derived its name from the fourth son of Shem (Gen 10:22). It was bounded on the east by the greater Phrygia, and on the west by Ionia and the Aegean Sea. (2.) A woman of Thyatira, a "seller of purple," who dwelt...
Kine.kir Haraseth : * KINE (Heb. sing. parah , i.e., "fruitful"), mentioned in Pharaoh's dream (Gen 41:18). Here the word denotes "buffaloes," which fed on the reeds and sedge by the river's brink. KING Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were...
Proportion Of Faith.publican : * PROPORTION OF FAITH (Rom 12:6). Paul says here that each one was to exercise his gift of prophecy, i.e., of teaching, "according to the proportion of faith." The meaning is, that the utterances of the "prophet" were not to fluctuate according to his own impulses or independent thoughts, but were...
Toll.torment : * TOLL One of the branches of the king of Persia's revenues (Ezr 4:13; Ezr 7:24), probably a tax levied from those who used the bridges and fords and highways. TOMBS Of the Hebrews were generally excavated in the solid rock, or were natural caves. Mention is made of such tombs in Jdg 8:32; Sa2 2...
Judgment Seat.justification : * JUDGMENT SEAT (Mat 27:19), a portable tribunal (Gr. bema ) which was placed according as the magistrate might direct, and from which judgment was pronounced. In this case it was placed on a tessellated pavement, probably in front of the procurator's residence. (See GABBATHA.) JUDITH Jewess...
Meshillemoth.methuselah : * MESHILLEMOTH Requitals. (1.) The father of Berechiah (Ch2 28:12). (2.) A priest, the son of Immer (Neh 11:13). MESHULLAM Befriended. (1.) One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of Jotham (Ch1 5:13). (2.) Grandfather of Shaphan, "the scribe," in the reign of Josiah (Kg2 22:3). (3.)...
Medeba.mehunims : * MEDEBA Waters of quiet, an ancient Moabite town (Num 21:30). It was assigned to the tribe of Reuben (Jos 13:16). Here was fought the great battle in which Joab defeated the Ammonites and their allies (Ch1 19:7; compare Sa2 10:6). In the time of Isaiah (Isa 15:2) the Moabites regained possessi...
South.spirit : * SOUTH Heb. Negeb , that arid district to the south of Palestine through which lay the caravan route from Central Palestine to Egypt (Gen 12:9; Gen 13:1, Gen 13:3; Gen 46:1). "The Negeb comprised a considerable but irregularly-shaped tract of country, its main portion stretching...
Dinhabah.divination : * DINHABAH Robbers' den, an Edomitish city, the capital of king Bela (Gen 36:32). It is probably the modern Dibdiba, a little north-east of Petra. DIONYSIUS The Areopagite, one of Paul's converts at Athens (Act 17:34). DIOTREPHES Jove-nourished, rebuked by John for his pride (Jo3 1:9). He w...
Wars Of The Lord, The Book Of The.wave Offerings : * WARS OF THE LORD, THE BOOK OF THE (Num 21:14, Num 21:15), some unknown book so called (compare Gen 14:14; Exo 17:8; Num 14:40; Num 21:1, Num 21:21, Num 21:33; 31. The wars here recorded might be thus designated). WARD A prison (Gen 40:3, Gen 40:4); a watch station (Isa 21:8); a guard (Neh 13:30)...
Ludim.lydda : * LUDIM Probably the same as Lud (2) (Compare Gen 10:13; Ch1 1:11). They are associated (Jer 46:9) with African nations as mercenaries of the king of Egypt. LUHITH Made of boards, a Moabitish place between Zoar and Horonaim (Isa 15:5; Jer 48:5). LUKE The evangelist, was a Gentile. The date...
Mishma.mizar : * MISHMA Hearing. (1.) One of the sons of Ishmael (Gen 25:14), and founder of an Arab tribe. (2.) A Simeonite (Ch1 4:25, Ch1 4:26). MISHMANNAH Fatness, one of the Gadite heroes who gathered to David at Ziklag (Ch1 12:10). MISREPHOTH-MAIM Burning of waters supposed to be salt-pans, or lime-kilns...
Arch.ardon : * ARCH An architectural term found only in Eze 40:16, Eze 40:21, Eze 40:22, Eze 40:26, Eze 40:29. There is no absolute proof that the Israelites employed arches in their buildings. The arch was employed in the building of the pyramids of Egypt. The oldest existing arch is at Thebes, and bears...
Reba.redemption : * REBA Fourth, one of the Midianite chiefs slain by the Israelites in the wilderness (Num 31:8; Jos 13:21). REBEKAH A noose, the daughter of Bethuel, and the wife of Isaac (Gen 22:23; Gen 24:67). The circumstances under which Abraham's "steward" found her at the "city of Nahor," in Padan-aram, are...
Homer.horeb : * HOMER Heap, the largest of dry measures, containing about 8 bushels or 1 quarter English = 10 ephahs (Lev 27:16; Num 11:32) = a COR. (See OMER.) "Half a homer," a grain measure mentioned only in Hos 3:2. HONEY (1.) Heb. ya'ar , occurs only Sa1 14:25, Sa1 14:27, Sa1 14:29; Sol 5:1, where it...
Saphir.sargon : * SAPHIR Beautiful, a town of Judah (Mic 1:11), identified with es-Suafir, 5 miles south-east of Ashdod. SAPPHIRA Beautiful, the wife of Ananias (q.v.). She was a partner in his guilt and also in his punishment (Act 5:1). SAPPHIRE Associated with diamonds (Exo 28:18) and emeralds (Eze 28:13); one...
Beth Gamul.bethsaida : * BETH-GAMUL Camel-house, a city in the "plain country" of Moab denounced by the prophet (Jer 48:23); probably the modern Um-el-Jemal, near Bozrah, one of the deserted cities of the Hauran. BETH-GILGAL House of Gilgal, a place from which the inhabitants gathered for the purpose of celebrating...
Apparel.arabia : * APPAREL In Old Testament times the distinction between male and female attire was not very marked. The statute forbidding men to wear female apparel (Deu 22:5) referred especially to ornaments and head-dresses. Both men and women wore (1.) an under garment or tunic, which was bound by a girdle...
Ataroth.aven : * ATAROTH Crowns. (1.) A city east of Jordan, not far from Gilead (Num 32:3). (2.) A town on the border of Ephraim and Benjamin (Jos 16:2, Jos 16:7), called also Ataroth-adar (Jos 16:5). Now ed-Da'rieh. (3.) "Ataroth, the house of Joab" (Ch1 2:54), a town of Judah inhabited by the descendants...
Elishah.elnathan : * ELISHAH The oldest of the four sons of Javan (Gen 10:4), whose descendants peopled Greece. It has been supposed that Elishah's descendants peopled the Peloponnesus, which was known by the name of Elis. This may be meant by "the isles of Elishah" (Eze 27:7). ELISHAMA Whom God hears. (1.) A prince...
Colossians, Epistle To The.conduit : * COLOSSIANS, EPISTLE TO THE Was written by Paul at Rome during his first imprisonment there (Act 28:16, Act 28:30), probably in the spring of A.D. 57, or, as some think, 62, and soon after he had written his Epistle to the Ephesians. Like some of his other epistles (e.g., those to Corinth), this...
Rithmah.road : * RITHMAH Wild broom, a station in the wilderness (Num 33:18, Num 33:19), the "broom valley," or "valley of broom bushes," the place apparently of the original encampment of Israel, near Kadesh. RIVER (1.) Heb. 'aphik , properly the channel or ravine that holds water (Sa2 22:16), translated "brook...
Carriage.castor And Pollux : * CARRIAGE In the Authorized Version this word is found as the rendering of many different words. In Jdg 18:21 it means valuables, wealth, or booty. In Isa 46:1 (R.V., "the things that ye carried about") the word means a load for a beast of burden. In Sa1 17:22 and Isa 10:28 it is the rendering...
Grace.graven Image : * GRACE (1.) Of form or person (Pro 1:9; Pro 3:22; Psa 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen 6:8; Gen 18:3; Gen 19:19; Ti2 1:9). (3.) God's forgiving mercy (Rom 11:6; Eph 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (Joh 1:17; Rom 6:14; Pe1 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God;...
Mattathias.mazzaroth : * MATTATHIAS Ibid. (1.) The son of Amos, in the genealogy of our Lord (Luk 3:25). (2.) The son of Semei, in the same genealogy (Luk 3:26). MATTHAN Gift, one of our Lord's ancestry (Mat 1:15). MATTHAT Gift of God. (1.) The son of Levi, and father of Heli (Luk 3:24). (2.) Son of another Levi (Luk 3...
Me Jarkon.memphis : * ME-JARKON Waters of yellowness, or clear waters, a river in the tribe of Dan (Jos 19:46). It has been identified with the river 'Aujeh , which rises at Antipatris. MEKONAH A base or foundation, a town in the south of Judah (Neh 11:28), near Ziklag. MELCHI My king. (1.) The son of Addi...
Arad.archangel : * ARAD (1.) Now Tell Arad, a Canaanite city, about 20 miles south of Hebron. The king of Arad "fought against Israel and took of them prisoners" when they were retreating from the confines of Edom (Num 21:1; Num 33:40; Jdg 1:16). It was finally subdued by Joshua (Jos 12:14). (2.) One of the sons...
Coffer.colossae : * COFFER The receptacle or small box placed beside the ark by the Philistines, in which they deposited the golden mice and the emerods as their trespass-offering (Sa1 6:8, Sa1 6:11, Sa1 6:15). COFFIN Used in Gen 50:26 with reference to the burial of Joseph. Here, it means a mummy - chest. The same...
Jealousy Offering.jeduthun : * JEALOUSY OFFERING The name of the offering the husband was to bring when he charged his wife with adultery (Num 5:11). JEALOUSY, WATERS OF Water which the suspected wife was required to drink, so that the result might prove her guilt or innocence (Num 5:12, Num 5:27). We have no record of this...
Apharsachites.apothecary : * APHARSACHITES A company of the colonists whom the Assyrian king planted in Samaria (Ezr 5:6; Ezr 6:6). APHARSITES Another of the tribes removed to Samaria (Ezr 4:9), or perhaps the same as the preceding. APHIK (Jdg 1:31); Aphek (Jos 13:4; Jos 19:30), stronghold. (1.) A city of the tribe of Asher...
Ira.iscah : * IRA Citizen; wakeful. (1.) A Tekoite, one of David's thirty warriors (Sa2 23:26). (2.) An Ithrite, also one of David's heroes (Sa2 23:38). (3.) A Jairite and priest, a royal chaplain (Sa2 20:26) or confidential adviser (compare Sa2 8:18; Ch1 18:17). IRAD Runner; wild ass, one of the antediluvi...
Worm.yoke : * WORM (1.) Heb. sas (Isa 51:8), denotes the caterpillar of the clothes-moth. (2.) The manna bred worms ( tola'im ), but on the Sabbath there was not any worm ( rimmah ) therein (Exo 16:20, Exo 16:24). Here these words refer to caterpillars or larvae, which feed on corrupting matter. These two...
Cabins.cake : * CABINS Only in Jer 37:16 (R.V., "cells"), arched vaults or recesses off a passage or room; cells for the closer confinement of prisoners. CABUL How little! as nothing. (1.) A town on the eastern border of Asher (Jos 19:27), probably one of the towns given by Solomon to Hiram; the modern Kabul...
Emmanuel.engedi : * EMMANUEL God with us, Mat 1:23). (See IMMANUEL.) EMMAUS Hot baths, a village "three-score furlongs" from jerusalem, where our Lord had an interview with two of his disciples on the day of his resurrection (Luk 24:13). This has been identified with the modern el-Kubeibeh, lying over 7 miles...
Kelita.kesitah : * KELITA Dwarf, a Levite who assisted Ezra in expounding the law to the people (Neh 8:7; Neh 10:10). KEMUEL Helper of God, or assembly of God. (1.) The third son of Nahor (Gen 22:21). (2.) Son of Shiphtan, appointed on behalf of the tribe of Ephraim to partition the land of Canaan (Num 34:24). (3...
Bracelet.bribe : * BRACELET (1.) Anklets (Num 31:50; Sa2 1:10), and with reference to men. (2.) The rendering of a Hebrew word meaning fasteners, found in Gen 24:22, Gen 24:30, Gen 24:47. (3.) In Isa 3:19, the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning chains, i.e., twisted or chain-like bracelets. (4.) In Exo 35:22 it...
Thessalonica.threshing : * THESSALONICA A large and populous city on the Thermaic bay. It was the capital of one of the four Roman districts of Macedonia, and was ruled by a praetor. It was named after Thessalonica, the wife of Cassander, who built the city. She was so called by her father, Philip, because he first heard...
Goad.gog : * GOAD (Heb. malmad , only in Jdg 3:31), an instrument used by ploughmen for guiding their oxen. Shamgar slew six hundred Philistines with an ox-goad. "The goad is a formidable weapon. It is sometimes ten feet long, and has a sharp point. We could now see that the feat of Shamgar was not so very...
Silver.sinai : * SILVER Used for a great variety of purposes, as may be judged from the frequent references to it in Scripture. It first appears in commerce in Gen 13:2; Gen 23:15, Gen 23:16. It was largely employed for making vessels for the sanctuary in the wilderness (Exo 26:19; Exo 27:17; Num 7:13, Num 7:19;...
Bar Jesus.bartholomew : * BAR-JESUS Son of Joshua, the patronymic of Elymas the sorcerer (Act 13:6), who met Paul and Barnabas at Paphos. Elymas is a word of Arabic origin meaning "wise." BAR-JONA Son of Jonah, the patronymic of Peter (Mat 16:17; Joh 1:42), because his father's name was Jonas. (See Peter.) BARKOS Painter...
Milk.minnith : * MILK (1.) Hebrew halabh, "new milk", milk in its fresh state (Jdg 4:19). It is frequently mentioned in connection with honey (Exo 3:8; Exo 13:5; Jos 5:6; Isa 7:15, Isa 7:22; Jer 11:5). Sheep (Deu 32:14) and goats (Pro 27:27) and camels (Gen 32:15), as well as cows, are made to give their milk...
Mezahab.michael : * MEZAHAB Water of gold, the father of Matred (Gen 36:39; Ch1 1:50), and grandfather of Mehetabel, wife of Hadar, the last king of Edom. MIAMIN =Mijamin, from the right hand. (1.) The head of one of the divisions of the priests (Ch1 24:9). (2.) A chief priest who returned from Babylon with...
Horseman.hostage : * HORSEMAN Heb. ba'al parash , "master of a horse." The "horsemen" mentioned Exo 14:9 were "mounted men", i.e., men who rode in chariots. The army of Pharaoh consisted of a chariot and infantry force. We find that at a later period, however, the Egyptians had cavalry (Ch2 12:3). (See HORSE.)...
Sackbut.salathiel : * SACKBUT (Chald. sabkha; Gr. sambuke ), a Syrian stringed instrument resembling a harp (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15); not the modern sackbut, which is a wind instrument. SACKCLOTH Cloth made of black goats' hair, coarse, rough, and thick, used for sacks, and also worn by mourners (Gen 37...
Wheat.winds : * WHEAT One of the earliest cultivated grains. It bore the Hebrew name hittah, and was extensively cultivated in Palestine. There are various species of wheat. That which Pharaoh saw in his dream was the Triticum compositum, which bears several ears upon one stalk (Gen 41:5). The "f...
Ammishaddai.amphipolis : * AMMISHADDAI People of the Almighty the father of Ahiezer, who was chief of the Danites at the time of the Exodus (Num 1:12; Num 2:25). This is one of the few names compounded with the name of God, Shaddai, "Almighty." AMMIZABAD People of the giver, the son of Benaiah, who was the third and chief...
Blood.bolled : * BLOOD (1.) As food, prohibited in Gen 9:4, where the use of animal food is first allowed. Compare Deu 12:23; Lev 3:17; Lev 7:26; Lev 17:10. The injunction to abstain from blood is renewed in the decree of the council of Jerusalem (Act 15:29). It has been held by some, and we think correctly...
Epistles.eshbaal : * EPISTLES The apostolic letters. The New Testament contains twenty-one in all. They are divided into two classes. (1.) Paul's Epistles, fourteen in number, including Hebrews. These are not arranged in the New Testament in the order of time as to their composition, but rather according to the rank...
Gath Hepher.gedaliah : * GATH-HEPHER Wine-press of the well a town of Lower Galilee, about 5 miles from Nazareth; the birthplace of Jonah (Kg2 14:25); the same as Gittah-hepher (Jos 19:13). It has been identified with the modern el-Meshed, a village on the top of a rocky hill. Here the supposed tomb of Jonah, Neby Yun...
Semei.sepharvaim : * SEMEI Genealogy of our Lord (Luk 3:26). SENAAH Thorny, a place many of the inhabitants of which returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:35; Neh 7:38). SENATE (Act 5:21), the "elders of Israel" who formed a component part of the Sanhedrin. SENEH The acacia; rock-thorn, the southern cliff...
Maschil.mattaniah : * MASCHIL Instructing, occurs in the title of thirteen Psalms (Psa 32:1, Psa 42:1, 44, etc.). It denotes a song enforcing some lesson of wisdom or piety, a didactic song. In Psa 47:7 it is rendered, Authorized Version, "with understanding;" Revised Version, marg., "in a skillful psalm." MASH...
Tema.tent : * TEMA South; desert, one of the sons of Ishmael, and father of a tribe so called (Gen 25:15; Ch1 1:30; Job 6:19; Isa 21:14; Jer 25:23) which settled at a place to which he gave his name, some 250 miles south-east of Edom, on the route between Damascus and Mecca, in the northern part...
Salt, The City Of.samothracia : * SALT, THE CITY OF One of the cities of Judah (Jos 15:62), probably in the Valley of Salt, at the southern end of the Dead Sea. SALT, VALLEY OF A place where it is said David smote the Syrians (Sa2 8:13). This valley (the Arabah) is between Judah and Edom on the south of the Dead Sea. Hence some...
Mount Of The Congregation.mufflers : * MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION Only in Isa 14:13, a mythic mountain of the Babylonians, regarded by them as the seat of the gods. It was situated in the far north, and in Babylonian inscriptions is described as a mountain called Im-Kharasak, "the mighty mountain of Bel, whose head reaches heaven...
Shabbethai.shalman : * SHABBETHAI Sabbath-born, a Levite who assisted in expounding the law and investigating into the illegal marriages of the Jews (Ezr 10:15; Neh 8:7; Neh 11:16). SHADDAI The Omnipotent, the name of God in frequent use in the Hebrew Scriptures, generally translated "the Almighty." SHADOW Used in Col...
Michaiah.midwife : * MICHAIAH (1.) The queen-mother of King Abijah (Ch2 13:2). (See MAACHAH ). (2.) One of those sent out by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the law (Ch2 17:7). (3.) Kg2 22:12. (4.) The son of Gemariah. He reported to the king's officers Jeremiah's prediction, which he had heard Baruch read...
Adummim.agagite : * ADUMMIM The red ones, a place apparently on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem, "on the south side of the torrent" Wady Kelt, looking toward Gilgal, mentioned Jos 15:7; Jos 18:17. It was nearly half-way between Jerusalem and Jericho, and now bears the name of Tal-at-ed-Dumm. It is supposed...
Malcam.man : * MALCAM Sa2 12:30, Heb., R.V., "their king;" Jer 49:1, Jer 49:3, R.V.; Zep 1:5), the national idol of the Ammonites. When Rabbah was taken by David, the crown of this idol was among the spoils. The weight is said to have been "a talent of gold" (above 100 lb.). The expression probably denotes its...
Yoke Fellow.zabdiel : * YOKE-FELLOW (Phi 4:3), one of the apostle's fellow-labourers. Some have conjectured that Epaphroditus is meant. Wyckliffe renders the phrase "the german fellow", i.e., "thee, germane [= genuine] comrade." ZAANAIM Wanderings; the unloading of tents, so called probably from the fact of nomads...
Euodias.evil Merodach : * EUODIAS A good journey, a female member of the church at Philippi. She was one who laboured much with Paul in the gospel. He exhorts her to be of one mind with Syntyche (Phi 4:2). From this it seems they had been at variance with each other. EUPHRATES Hebrew, Perath ; Assyrian, Purat ; Persi...
Dragon.drink : * DRAGON (1.) Heb. tannim , plural of tan. The name of some unknown creature inhabiting desert places and ruins (Job 30:29; Psa 44:19; Isa 13:22; Isa 34:13; Isa 43:20; Jer 10:22; Mic 1:8; Mal 1:3); probably, as translated in the Revised Version, the jackal (q.v.). (2.) Heb. tannin. Some great se...
Ramathite.razor : * RAMATHITE The designation given to Shimei, the manager of David's vineyard (Ch1 27:27). RAMESES "The land of" (Gen 47:11), was probably "the land of Goshen" (q.v.) Gen 45:10. After the Hebrews had built Rameses, one of the "treasure cities," it came to be known as the "land" in which that city...
Uzza.vashti : * UZZA Strength, a garden in which Manasseh and Amon were buried (Kg2 21:18, Kg2 21:26). It was probably near the king's palace in Jerusalem, or may have formed part of the palace grounds. Manasseh may probably have acquired it from some one of this name. UZZAH Strength, a son of Abinadab...
Kettle.kinah : * KETTLE A large pot for cooking. The same Hebrew word (dud, "boiling") is rendered also "pot" (Psa 81:6), "caldron" (Ch2 35:13), "basket" (Jer 24:2). It was used for preparing the peace-offerings (Sa1 2:13, Sa1 2:14). KETURAH Incense, the wife of Abraham, whom he married probably after Sarah's...
Jailer.jannes : * JAILER (of Philippi), Act 16:23. The conversion of the Roman jailer, a man belonging to a class "insensible as a rule and hardened by habit, and also disposed to despise the Jews, who were the bearers of the message of the gospel," is one of those cases which illustrate its universality...
Joash.johanan : * JOASH Whom Jehovah bestowed. (1.) A contracted form of Jehoash, the father of Gideon (Jdg 6:11, Jdg 6:29; Jdg 8:13, Jdg 8:29, Jdg 8:32). (2.) One of the Benjamite archers who joined David at Ziklag (Ch1 12:3). (3.) One of King Ahab's sons (Kg1 22:26). (4.) King of Judah (Kg2 11:2; Kg2 12:19, Kg2...
Philippians, Epistle To.phylacteries : * PHILIPPIANS, EPISTLE TO Was written by Paul during the two years when he was "in bonds" in Rome (Phi 1:7), probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the end of 61. The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger, with contributions to meet the necessities of the apostle; and on his return...
Charmer.chenaiah : * CHARMER One who practises serpent-charming (Psa 58:5; Jer 8:17; Ecc 10:11). It was an early and universal opinion that the most venomous reptiles could be made harmless by certain charms or by sweet sounds. It is well known that there are jugglers in India and in other Eastern lands who practise...
Vaticanus, Codex.virgin : * VATICANUS, CODEX Is said to be the oldest extant vellum manuscript. It and the Codex Sinaiticus are the two oldest uncial manuscripts. They were probably written in the fourth century. The Vaticanus was placed in the Vatican Library at Rome by Pope Nicolas V. in 1448, its previous history being...
Hareth.harodite : * HARETH Thicket, a wood in the mountains of Judah where David hid when pursued by Saul (Sa1 22:5). It was possibly while he was here that the memorable incident narrated in Sa2 23:14, Ch1 11:16 occurred. This place has not been identified, but perhaps it may be the modern Kharas, on the borders...
Bee.beetle : * BEE First mentioned in Deu 1:44. Swarms of bees, and the danger of their attacks, are mentioned in Psa 118:12. Samson found a "swarm of bees" in the carcass of a lion he had slain (Jdg 14:8). Wild bees are described as laying up honey in woods and in clefts of rocks (Deu 32:13; Psa 81:16)...
Nergal Sharezer.new Testament : * NERGAL-SHAREZER Nergal, protect the king! (1.) One of the "princes of the king of Babylon who accompanied him in his last expedition against Jerusalem" (Jer 39:3, Jer 39:13). (2.) Another of the "princes," who bore the title of "Rabmag." He was one of those who were sent to release Jeremiah...
Daystar.debt : * DAYSTAR Which precedes and accompanies the sun-rising. It is found only in Pe2 1:19, where it denotes the manifestation of Christ to the soul, imparting spiritual light and comfort. He is the "bright and morning star" of Rev 2:28; Rev 22:16. (Compare Num 24:17.) DEACON Anglicized form...
Meadow.mede : * MEADOW (1.) Heb. ha'ahu (Gen 41:2, Gen 41:18), probably an Egyptain word transferred to the Hebrew; some kind of reed or water-plant. In the Revised Version it is rendered "reed-grass", i.e., the sedge or rank grass by the river side. (2.) Heb. ma'areh (Jdg 20:33), pl., "meadows of Gibeah" (R.V...
Dial.dine : * DIAL For the measurement of time, only once mentioned in the Bible, erected by Ahaz (Kg2 20:11; Isa 38:8). The Hebrew word ( ma'aloth ) is rendered "steps" in Exo 20:26, Kg1 10:19, and "degrees" in Kg2 20:9, Kg2 20:10, Kg2 20:11. The ma'aloth was probably stairs on which the shadow of a column...
Drink, Strong.duke : * DRINK, STRONG (Heb. shekar ), an intoxicating liquor (Jdg 13:4; Luk 1:15; Isa 5:11; Mic 2:11) distilled from corn, honey, or dates. The effects of the use of strong drink are referred to in Psa 107:27; Isa 24:20; Isa 49:26; Isa 51:17. Its use prohibited, Pro 20:1. (See WINE.) DRINK-OFFERING...
Minstrel.misheal : * MINSTREL (Mat 9:23), a flute-player. Such music was a usual accompaniment of funerals. In Kg2 3:15 it denotes a player on a stringed instrument. MINT (Gr. heduosmon , i.e., "having a sweet smell"), one of the garden herbs of which the Pharisees paid tithes (Mat 23:23; Luk 11:42). It belongs...
Epaphras.ephphatha : * EPAPHRAS Lovely spoken of by Paul (Col 1:7; Col 4:12) as "his dear fellow-servant," and "a faithful minister of Christ." He was thus evidently with him at Rome when he wrote to the Colossians. He was a distinguished disciple, and probably the founder of the Colossian church. He is also mentioned...
Eliakim.elijah : * ELIAKIM Whom God will raise up. (1.) The son of Melea (Luk 3:30), and probably grandson of Nathan. (2.) The son of Abiud, of the posterity of Zerubbabel (Mat 1:13). (3.) The son of Hilkiah, who was sent to receive the message of the invading Assyrians and report it to Isaiah (Kg2 18:18; Kg2 19...
John.jokdeam : * JOHN (1.) One who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment on the apostles Peter and John (Act 4:6). He was of the kindred of the high priest; otherwise unknown. (2.) The Hebrew name of Mark (q.v.). He is designated by this name in the acts of the Apostles (Act 12:12, Act 12:25; Act 13:5, Act...
Amalekite.amber : * AMALEKITE A tribe that dwelt in Arabia Petraea, between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. They were not the descendants of Amalek, the son of Eliphaz, for they existed in the days of Abraham (Gen 14:7). They were probably a tribe that migrated from the shores of the Persian Gulf and settled...
Besor.beth Aram : * BESOR Cold, a ravine or brook in the extreme south-west of Judah, where 200 of David's men stayed behind because they were faint, while the other 400 pursued the Amalekites (Sa1 30:9, Sa1 30:10, Sa1 30:21). Probably the Wady Sheriah, south of Gaza. BESTEAD The rendering in Isa 8:21, where alone...
Dwell.earthquake : * DWELL Tents were in primitive times the common dwellings of men. Houses were afterwards built, the walls of which were frequently of mud (Job 24:16; Mat 6:19, Mat 6:20) or of sun-dried bricks. God "dwells in light" (Ti1 6:16; Jo1 1:7), in heaven (Psa 123:1), in his church (Psa 9:11; Jo1 4:12)...
Jeiel.jerimoth : * JEIEL Snatched away by God. (1.) A descendant of Benjamin (Ch1 9:35; Ch1 8:29). (2.) One of the Levites who took part in praising God on the removal of the ark to Jerusalem (Ch1 16:5). (3.) Ch2 29:13. A Levite of the sons of Asaph. (4.) Ch2 26:11. A scribe. (5.) Ch1 5:7. A Reubenite chief. (6.)...
Spirit, Holy.stater : * SPIRIT, HOLY See HOLY GHOST. SPONGE Occurs only in the narrative of the crucifixion (Mat 27:48; Mar 15:36; Joh 19:29). It is ranked as a zoophyte. It is found attached to rocks at the bottom of the sea. SPOUSE (Sol 4:8; Hos 4:13, Hos 4:14) may denote either husband or wife, but in the Scriptures...
Zephathah.zeruiah : * ZEPHATHAH A valley in the west of Judah, near Mareshah; the scene of Asa's conflict with Zerah the Ethiopian (Ch2 14:9). Identified with the Wady Safieh. ZERAH Sunrise. (1.) An "Ethiopian," probably Osorkon II., the successor of Shishak on the throne of Egypt. With an enormous army, the largest...
Jehoiachin.jehovah : * JEHOIACHIN Succeeded his father Jehoiakin (599 B.C.) when only eight years of age, and reigned for one hundred days (Ch2 36:9). He is also called Jeconiah (Jer 24:1; Jer 27:20, etc.), and Coniah (Jer 22:24; Jer 37:1). He was succeeded by his uncle, Mattaniah = Zedekiah (q.v.). He was the last...
Cup.cuthah : * CUP A wine-cup (Gen 40:11, Gen 40:21), various forms of which are found on Assyrian and Egyptian monuments. All Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold (Kg1 10:21). The cups mentioned in the New Testament were made after Roman and Greek models, and were sometimes of gold (Rev 17:4). The art...
Mortar.mount Of The Amorites : * MORTAR (1.) (Heb. homer ), cement of lime and sand (Gen 11:3; Exo 1:14); also potter's clay (Isa 41:25; Nah 3:14). (2.) Also Heb. 'aphar , usually rendered "dust," clay or mud used for cement in building (Lev 14:42, Lev 14:45). (3.) For pulverizing (Pro 27:22) grain or other substances by means...
Gilead, Balm Of.gittite : * GILEAD, BALM OF The region of Gilead abounded in spices and aromatic gums, which were exported to Egypt and Tyre (Gen 37:25; Jer 8:22; Jer 46:11; Eze 27:17). The word "balm" is a contracted form of "balsam," a word derived from the Greek balsamon , which was adopted as the representative...
Rabshakeh.rainbow : * RABSHAKEH Chief of the princes, the name given to the chief cup-bearer or the vizier of the Assyrian court; one of Sennacherib's messengers to Hezekiah. See the speech he delivered, in the Hebrew language, in the hearing of all the people, as he stood near the wall on the north side of the city...
Iim.immortality : * IIM Ruins. (1.) A city in the south of Judah (Jos 15:29). (2.) One of the stations of the Israelites in the wilderness (Num 33:45). IJE-ABARIM Ruins of Abarim, the forty-seventh station of the Israelites in the wilderness, "in the border of Moab" (Num 33:44). IJON A ruin, a city of Naphtali...
Eleazar.eliada : * ELEAZAR God has helped. (1.) The third son of Aaron (Exo 6:23). His wife, a daughter of Putiel, bore him Phinehas (Exo 6:25). After the death of Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:12; Num 3:4) he was appointed to the charge of the sanctuary (Num 3:32). On Mount Hor he was clothed with the sacred vestments...
Threshold.tibni : * THRESHOLD (1.) Heb. miphtan , probably a projecting beam at a higher point than the threshold proper (Sa1 5:4, Sa1 5:5; Eze 9:3; Eze 10:4, Eze 10:18; Eze 46:2; Eze 47:1); also rendered "door" and "door-post." (2.) 'Asuppim , pl. (Neh 12:25), rendered correctly "storehouses" in the Revised...
Tidal.timnite : * TIDAL (in the LXX. called "Thorgal"), styled the "king of nations" (Gen 14:1). Mentioned as Tudkhula on Arioch's brick. Goyyim, translated "nations," is the country called Gutium, east of Tigris and north of Elam. TIGLATH-PILESER I (not mentioned in Scripture) was the most famous of the monarchs...
Elika.elisha : * ELIKA God is his rejecter, one of David's thirty-seven distinguished heroes (Sa2 23:25). ELIM Trees, (Exo 15:27; Num 33:9), the name of the second station where the Israelites encamped after crossing the Red Sea. It had "twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm trees." It has been...
Harosheth Of The Gentiles.hasadiah : * HAROSHETH OF THE GENTILES (Jdg 4:2) or nations, a city near Hazor in Galilee of the Gentiles, or Upper Galilee, in the north of Palestine. It was here that Jabin's great army was marshaled before it went forth into the great battlefield of Esdraelon to encounter the army of Israel, by which it...
Pelethites.perez : * PELETHITES Mentioned always along with the Cherethites, and only in the time of David. The word probably means "runners" or "couriers," and may denote that while forming part of David's bodyguard, they were also sometimes employed as couriers (Sa2 8:18; Sa2 20:7, Sa2 20:23; Kg1 1:38, Kg1 1:44;...
Calah.calvary : * CALAH One of the most ancient cities of Assyria. "Out of that land he [i.e., Nimrod] went forth into Assyria, and builded Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, and Calah, and Resen" (Gen 10:11, R.V.). Its site is now marked probably by the Nimrud ruins on the left bank of the Tigris. These cover an are...
Gittith.gnat : * GITTITH A stringed instrument of music. This word is found in the titles of Psa 8:1, 81, Psa 84:1. In these places the LXX. render the word by "on the wine-fats." The Targum explains by "on the harp which David brought from Gath." It is the only stringed instrument named in the titles...
Tob Adonijah.tolaites : * TOB-ADONIJAH Good is Jehovah, my Lord, a Levite sent out by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people of Judah in the law (Ch2 17:8). TOBIAH Pleasing to Jehovah, the "servant," the "Ammonite," who joined with those who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Exile (Neh 2:10). He was a m...
Fountain.frost : * FOUNTAIN (Heb. 'ain ; i.e., "eye" of the water desert), a natural source of living water. Palestine was a "land of brooks of water, of fountains, and depths that spring out of valleys and hills" (Deu 8:7; Deu 11:11). These fountains, bright sparkling "eyes" of the desert, are remarkable...
Talitha Cumi.tarah : * TALITHA CUMI (Mar 5:41), a Syriac or Aramaic expression, meaning, "Littlemaid, arise." Peter, who was present when the miracle was wrought, recalled the actual words used by our Lord, and told them to Mark. TALMAI Abounding in furrows. (1.) One of the Anakim of Hebron, who were slain by the men...
Naamathite.nagge : * NAAMATHITE The designation of Zophar, one of Job's three friends (Job 2:11; Job 11:1), so called from some place in Arabia, called Naamah probably. NAARAH A girl, the second of Ashur's two wives, of the tribe of Judah (Ch1 4:5, Ch1 4:6). NAARAI Youthful, a military chief in David's army (Ch1 11...
Shoa.shoe : * SHOA Opulent, the mountain district lying to the north-east of Babylonia, anciently the land of the Guti, or Kuti, the modern Kurdistan. The plain lying between these mountains and the Tigris was called su-Edina, i.e., "the border of the plain." This name was sometimes shortened into Suti and Su...
Nahaliel.nahum, Book Of : * NAHALIEL Possession, or valley of God, one of the encampments of the Israelites in the wilderness (Num 21:19), on the confines of Moab. This is identified with the ravine of the Zerka M'ain , the ancient Callirhoe, the hot springs on the east of the Jordan, not far from the Dead Sea. NAHALLAL...
Herdsman.herod Antipas : * HERDSMAN In Egypt herdsmen were probably of the lowest caste. Some of Joseph's brethren were made rulers over Pharaoh's cattle (Gen 47:6, Gen 47:17). The Israelites were known in Egypt as "keepers of cattle;" and when they left it they took their flocks and herds with them (Exo 12:38). Both...
Ah.ahihud : * AH! An exclamation of sorrow or regret (Psa 35:25; Isa 1:4, Isa 1:24; Jer 1:6; Jer 22:18; Mar 15:29). AHA An exclamation of ridicule (Psa 35:21; Psa 40:15; Psa 70:3). In Isa 44:16 it signifies joyful surprise, as also in Job 39:25, R.V. AHAB Father's brother. (1.) The son of Omri, whom he...
Porter.praetorium : * PORTER A gate-keeper (Sa2 18:26; Kg2 7:10; Ch1 9:21; Ch2 8:14). Of the Levites, 4,000 were appointed as porters by David (Ch1 23:5), who were arranged according to their families (1 Chr. 26:1-19) to take charge of the doors and gates of the temple. They were sometimes employed as musicians (Ch1...
Debtor.degrees, Song Of : * DEBTOR Various regulations as to the relation between debtor and creditor are laid down in the Scriptures. (1.) The debtor was to deliver up as a pledge to the creditor what he could most easily dispense with (Deu 24:10, Deu 24:11). (2.) A mill, or millstone, or upper garment, when given...
Jeshebeab.jethlah : * JESHEBEAB Seat of his father, the head of the fourteenth division of priests (Ch1 24:13). JESHER Uprightness, the first of the three sons of Caleb by Azubah (Ch1 2:18). JESHIMON The waste, probably some high waste land to the south of the Dead Sea (Num 21:20; Num 23:28; Sa1 23:19, Sa1 23:24);...
Law.leather : * LAW A rule of action. (1.) The Law of Nature is the will of God as to human conduct, founded on the moral difference of things, and discoverable by natural light (Rom 1:20; Rom 2:14, Rom 2:15). This law binds all men at all times. It is generally designated by the term conscience...
Leviticus.lieutenant : * LEVITICUS The third book of the Pentateuch; so called in the Vulgate, after the LXX., because it treats chiefly of the Levitical service. In the first section of the book (Lev. 1 - 17), which exhibits the worship itself, there is, (1.) A series of laws (Lev. 1 - 7) regarding sacrifices...
Hemath.herd : * HEMATH A Kenite (Ch1 2:55), the father of the house of Rechab. HEMLOCK (1.) Heb. rosh (Hos 10:4; rendered "gall" in Deu 29:18; Deu 32:32; Psa 69:21; Jer 9:15; Jer 23:15; "poison," Job 20:16; "venom," Deu 32:33). "Rosh is the name of some poisonous plant which grows quickly and luxuriantly;...
Robbery.rosh : * ROBBERY Practiced by the Ishmaelites (Gen 16:12), the Chaldeans and Sabeans (Job 1:15, Job 1:17), and the men of Shechem (Jdg 9:25. See also Sa1 27:6; 30; Hos 4:2; Hos 6:9). Robbers infested Judea in our Lord's time (Luk 10:30; Joh 18:40; Act 5:36, Act 5:37; Act 21:38; Co2 11:26). The words...
Camel.candace : * CAMEL From the Hebrew gamal, "to repay" or "requite," as the camel does the care of its master. There are two distinct species of camels, having, however, the common characteristics of being "ruminants without horns, without muzzle, with nostrils forming oblique slits, the upper lip divided...
Engines.entertain : * ENGINES (1.) Heb. hishalon i.e., "invention" (as in Ecc 7:29) contrivances indicating ingenuity. In Ch2 26:15 it refers to inventions for the purpose of propelling missiles from the walls of a town, such as stones (the Roman balista) and arrows (the catapulta). (2.) Heb. mechi kobollo , i.e...
Shimea.shimron Meron : * SHIMEA The hearing prayer. (1.) One of David's sons by Bathsheba (Ch1 3:5); called also Shammua (Ch1 14:4). (2.) A Levite of the family of Merari (Ch1 6:30). (3.) Another Levite of the family of Gershon (Ch1 6:39). (4.) One of David's brothers (Sa1 16:9, marg.). SHIMEAH (1.) One of David's...
Neck.nehiloth : * NECK Used sometimes figuratively. To "lay down the neck" (Rom 16:4) is to hazard one's life. Threatenings of coming judgments are represented by the prophets by their laying bands upon the people's necks (Deu 28:48; Isa 10:27; Jer 27:2). Conquerors put their feet on the necks of their enemies...
Ziz.zophah : * ZIZ Projecting; a flower, a cleft or pass, probably that near En-gedi, which leads up from the Dead Sea (Ch2 20:16) in the direction of Tekoa; now Tell Hasasah. ZIZA Splendour; abundance. (1.) A Simeonite prince (Ch1 4:37). (2.) A son of Rehoboam (Ch2 11:20). ZIZAH A Gershonite Levite (Ch1 23...
Sivan.snare : * SIVAN A Persian word (Assyr, sivanu, "bricks"), used after the Captivity as the name of the third month of the Jewish year, extending from the new moon in June to the new moon in July (Est 8:9). SKIN, COATS MADE OF (Gen 3:21). Skins of rams and badgers were used as a covering for the tabernacle...
Hat.havilah : * HAT Chald. karb'ela , (Dan 3:21), properly mantle or pallium. The Revised Version renders it "tunic." HATACH Verity, one of the eunuchs or chamberlains in the palace of Ahasuerus (Est 4:5, Est 4:6, Est 4:9, Est 4:10). HATRED Among the works of the flesh (Gal 5:20). Altogether different is...
Fitches.flint : * FITCHES (Isa 28:25, Isa 28:27), the rendering of the Hebrew ketsah, "without doubt the Nigella sativa, a small annual of the order Ranunculacece, which grows wild in the Mediterranean countries, and is cultivated in Egypt and Syria for its seed." It is rendered in margin of the Revised Versi...
Son Of God.sosthenes : * SON OF GOD The plural, "sons of God," is used (Gen 6:2, Gen 6:4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; Job 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (Hos 1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stand to God. In the New Testament this phrase...
Hasenuah.hasupha : * HASENUAH Bristling or hated, a Benjamite (Ch1 9:7). HASHABIAH Regarded by Jehovah. (1.) Merarite Levite (Ch1 6:45; Ch1 9:14). (2.) A son of Jeduthun (Ch1 25:3, Ch1 25:19). (3.) Son of Kemuel (Ch1 26:30). (4.) One of the chief Levites (Ch2 35:9). (5.) A Levite (Neh 11:22). (6.) One of the chief...
Hazar Susah.head Dress : * HAZAR-SUSAH Village of the horse, the same as Sansannah, one of Solomon's "chariot cities" (Jos 15:31; Ch2 1:14), a depot in the south border of Judah. HAZEL Heb. luz , (Gen 30:37), a nut-bearing tree. The Hebrew word is rendered in the Vulgate by amygdalinus, "the almond-tree," which is...
Arnon.arvad : * ARNON Swift, the southern boundary of the territory of Israel beyond Jordan, separating it from the land of Moab (Deu 3:8, Deu 3:16). This river (referred to twenty-four times in the Bible) rises in the mountains of Gilead, and after a circuitous course of about 80 miles through a deep ravine it...
Chaldea.chance : * CHALDEA The southern portion of Babylonia, Lower Mesopotamia, lying chiefly on the right bank of the Euphrates, but commonly used of the whole of the Mesopotamian plain. The Hebrew name is Kasdim, which is usually rendered "Chaldeans" (Jer 50:10; Jer 51:24, Jer 51:35). The country so named is...
Zidon.zimri : * ZIDON A fishery, a town on the Mediterranean coast, about 25 miles north of Tyre. It received its name from the "first-born" of Canaan, the grandson of Noah (Gen 10:15, Gen 10:19). It was the first home of the Phoenicians on the coast of Palestine, and from its extensive commercial relations...
Shimshai.shittim : * SHIMSHAI The shining one, or sunny, the secretary of Rehum the chancellor, who took part in opposing the rebuilding of the temple after the Captivity (Ezr 4:8, Ezr 4:9, Ezr 4:17). SHINAB Cooling, the king of Adamah, in the valley of Siddim, who with his confederates was conquered by Chedorlaomer...
Leaven.lehi : * LEAVEN (1.) Heb. seor (Exo 12:15, Exo 12:19; Exo 13:7; Lev 2:11), the remnant of dough from the preceding baking which had fermented and become acid. (2.) Heb. hamets , properly "ferment." In Num 6:3, "vinegar of wine" is more correctly "fermented wine." In Exo 13:7, the proper rendering would...
Hind.hizkijah : * HIND Heb. 'ayalah (Sa2 22:34; Psa 18:33, etc.) and 'ayeleth (Ps. 22, title), the female of the hart or stag. It is referred to as an emblem of activity (Gen 49:21), gentleness (Pro 5:19), feminine modesty (Sol 2:7; Sol 3:5), earnest longing (Psa 42:1), timidity (Psa 29:9). In the title of Ps. 22...
Phebe.philippi : * PHEBE A "deaconess of the church at Cenchrea," the port of Corinth. She was probably the bearer of Paul's epistle to the Romans. Paul commended her to the Christians at Rome; "for she hath been," says he, "a succourer of many, and of myself also" (Rom 16:1, Rom 16:2). PHENICE Properly Phoenix...
Contentment.corban : * CONTENTMENT A state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (Ti1 6:6; Co2 9:8). It is opposed to envy (Jam 3:16), avarice (Heb 13:5), ambition (Pro 13:10), anxiety (Mat 6:25, Mat 6:34), and repining (Co1 10:10). It arises from the inward disposition, and is...
Helbah.heli : * HELBAH Fatness, a town of the tribe of Asher (Jdg 1:31), in the plain of Phoenicia. HELBON Fat; i.e., "fertile", (Eze 27:18 only), a place whence wine was brought to the great market of Tyre. It has been usually identified with the modern Aleppo, called Haleb by the native Arabs, but is more...
Feast.fever : * FEAST As a mark of hospitality (Gen 19:3; Sa2 3:20; Kg2 6:23); on occasions of domestic joy (Luk 15:23; Gen 21:8); on birthdays (Gen 40:20; Job 1:4; Mat 14:6); and on the occasion of a marriage (Jdg 14:10; Gen 29:22). Feasting was a part of the observances connected with the offering up...
Ahijah.ahishar : * AHIJAH Brother (i.e., "friend") of Jehovah. (1.) One of the sons of Bela (Ch1 8:7, R.V.). In A.V. called "Ahiah." (2.) One of the five sons of Jerahmeel, who was great-grandson of Judah (Ch1 2:25). (3.) Son of Ahitub (Sa1 14:3, Sa1 14:18), Ichabod's brother; the same probably as Ahimelech, who...
Eternal Death.eunice : * ETERNAL DEATH The miserable fate of the wicked in hell (Mat 25:46; Mar 3:29; Heb 6:2; Th2 1:9; Mat 18:8; Mat 25:41; Jde 1:7). The Scripture as clearly teaches the unending duration of the penal sufferings of the lost as the "everlasting life," the "eternal life" of the righteous. The same Greek...
Ladder.laodicea : * LADDER Occurs only once, in the account of Jacob's vision (Gen 28:12). LAISH A lion. (1.) A city of the Sidonians, in the extreme north of Palestine (Jdg 18:7, Jdg 18:14); called also Leshem (Jos 19:47) and Dan (Jdg 18:7, Jdg 18:29; Jer 8:16). It lay near the sources of the Jordan, about 4 miles...
Mulberry.mustard : * MULBERRY Heb. bakah , "to weep;" rendered "Baca" (R.V., "weeping") in Psa 84:6. The plural form of the Hebrew bekaim is rendered "mulberry trees" in Sa2 5:23, Sa2 5:24 and Ch1 14:14, Ch1 14:15. The tree here alluded to was probably the aspen or trembling poplar. "We know with certainty th...
Areopagite.aristobulus : * AREOPAGITE A member of the court of Areopagus (Act 17:34). AREOPAGUS The Latin form of the Greek word rendered "Mars' hill." But it denotes also the council or court of justice which met in the open air on the hill. It was a rocky height to the west of the Acropolis at Athens, on the south-east...
Prayer.propitiation : * PRAYER Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Exo 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (Sa1...
Agate.agur : * AGATE (Heb. shebo ), a precious stone in the breast-plate of the high priest (Exo 28:19; Exo 39:12), the second in the third row. This may be the agate properly so called, a semi-transparent crystallized quartz, probably brought from Sheba, whence its name. In Isa 54:12 and Eze 27:16, this word...
Oracle.osprey : * ORACLE In the Old Testament used in every case, except Sa2 16:23, to denote the most holy place in the temple (Kg1 6:5, Kg1 6:19; Kg1 8:6). In Sa2 16:23 it means the Word of God. A man inquired "at the oracle of God" by means of the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate on the high priest's ephod...
Battlement.bear : * BATTLEMENT A parapet wall or balustrade surrounding the flat roofs of the houses, required to be built by a special law (Deu 22:8). In Jer 5:10, it denotes the parapet of a city wall. BAY Denotes the estuary of the Dead Sea at the mouth of the Jordan (Jos 15:5; Jos 18:19), also the southern...
Bird.bitter : * BIRD Birds are divided in the Mosaic law into two classes, (1.) the clean (Lev 1:14; Lev 5:7; Lev 14:4), which were offered in sacrifice; and (2.) the unclean (Lev 11:13). When offered in sacrifice, they were not divided as other victims were (Gen 15:10). They are mentioned also as an article...
Syntyche.tabeal : * SYNTYCHE Fortunate; affable, a female member of the church at Philippi, whom Paul beseeches to be of one mind with Euodias (Phi 4:2, Phi 4:3). SYRACUSE A city on the south-east coast of Sicily, where Paul landed and remained three days when on his way to Rome (Act 28:12). It was distinguished...
Geder.genesis : * GEDER A walled place, (Jos 12:13), perhaps the same as Gederah or Gedor (Jos 15:58). GEDERAH The fortress; a fortified place, a town in the plain (shephelah) of Judah (Jos 15:36). This is a very common Canaanite and Phoenician name. It is the feminine form of Geder (Jos 12:13); the plural form...
Perez Uzzah.persia : * PEREZ-UZZAH The breach of Uzzah, a place where God "burst forth upon Uzzah, so that he died," when he rashly "took hold" of the ark (Sa2 6:6). It was not far from Kirjath-jearim (q.v.). PERFECTION See SANCTIFICATION. PERFUMES Were used in religious worship, and for personal and domestic...
Snow.solomon's Porch : * SNOW Common in Palestine in winter (Psa 147:16). The snow on the tops of the Lebanon range is almost always within view throughout the whole year. The word is frequently used figuratively by the sacred writers (Job 24:19; Psa 51:7; Psa 68:14; Isa 1:18). It is mentioned only once...
Dagon.dan : * DAGON Little fish; diminutive from dag = a fish, the fish-god; the national god of the Philistines (Jdg 16:23). This idol had the body of a fish with the head and hands of a man. It was an Assyrio-Babylonian deity, the worship of which was introduced among the Philistines through Chalde...
Magor Missabib.maher Shalal Hash Baz : * MAGOR-MISSABIB Fear on every side, (Jer 20:3), a symbolical name given to the priest Pashur, expressive of the fate announced by the prophet as about to come upon him. Pashur was to be carried to Babylon, and there die. MAHALALEEL Praise of God. (1.) The son of Cainan, of the line of Seth (Gen 5...
Ozias.palestine : * OZIAS Son of Joram (Mat 1:8); called also Uzziah (Kg2 15:32, Kg2 15:34). OZNI Hearing, one of the sons of Gad; also called Ezbon (Gen 46:16; Num 26:16). PAARAI Opening of the Lord, "the Arbite," one of David's heroes (Sa2 23:35); called also Naarai, Ch1 11:37. PADAN A plain, occurring only...
Neapolis.necho Ii : * NEAPOLIS New city, a town in Thrace at which Paul first landed in Europe (Act 16:11). It was the sea-port of the inland town of Philippi, which was distant about 10 miles. From this port Paul embarked on his last journey to Jerusalem (Act 20:6). It is identified with the modern Turco-Greci...
Cord.cornet : * CORD Frequently used in its proper sense, for fastening a tent (Exo 35:18; Exo 39:40), yoking animals to a cart (Isa 5:18), binding prisoners (Jdg 15:13; Psa 2:3; Psa 129:4), and measuring ground (2 Sam. 8; 2; Psa 78:55). Figuratively, death is spoken of as the giving way of the tent-cord (Job 4...
Sukkiims.swallow : * SUKKIIMS Dwellers in tents, (Vulg. and LXX., "troglodites;" i.e., cave-dwellers in the hills along the Red Sea). Shiskak's army, with which he marched against Jerusalem, was composed partly of this tribe (Ch2 12:3). SUN (Heb. shemesh ), first mentioned along with the moon as the two gre...
Adamah.adin : * ADAMAH Red earth, a fortified city of Naphtali, probably the modern Damieh, on the west side of the sea of Tiberias (Jos 19:33, Jos 19:36). ADAMANT (Heb. shamir ), Eze 3:9. The Greek word adamas means diamond. This stone is not referred to, but corundum or some kind of hard steel. It is...
Reed.rehum : * REED (1.) "Paper reeds" (Isa 19:7; R.V., "reeds"). Heb. 'aroth , properly green herbage growing in marshy places. (2.) Heb. kaneh (Kg1 14:15; Job 40:21; Isa 19:6), whence the Gr. kanna , a "cane," a generic name for a reed of any kind. The reed of Egypt and Palestine is the Arundo donax, which...
Swan.synagogue : * SWAN Mentioned in the list of unclean birds (Lev 11:18; Deu 14:16), is sometimes met with in the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee. SWELLING Of Jordan (Jer 12:5), literally the "pride" of Jordan (as in R.V.), i.e., the luxuriant thickets of tamarisks, poplars, reeds, etc., which were the lair...
Cellar.chalcedony : * CELLAR A subterranean vault (Ch1 27:28), a storehouse. The word is also used to denote the treasury of the temple (Kg1 7:51) and of the king (Kg1 14:26). The Hebrew word is rendered "garner" in Joe 1:17, and "armoury" in Jer 50:25. CENCHREA Millet, the eastern harbour of Corinth, from which it...