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See [1]Alpha
Aarat
(high or holy ground), a mountainous district of Asia mentioned
in the Bible in connection with the following events:-- (1) As
the resting-place of the ark after the deluge. (Genesis 8:4)
(2) As the asylum of the sons of Sennacherib. (2 Kings 19:37;
Isaiah 37:38) Authorized Version has "the land of Armenia." (3)
As the ally, and probably the neighbor, of Minni and Ashchenaz.
(Jeremiah 51:27) [[2]Armenia] The name Ararat was unknown to
the geographers of Greece and Rome, as it still is to the
Armenians of the present day; but it was an ancient name for a
portion of Armenia. In its biblical sense it is descriptive
generally of the Armenian highlands--the lofty plateau which
over looks the plain of the Araxes on the north and of
Mesopotomia on the south. Various opinions have been put forth
as to the spot where the ark rested, as described in (Genesis
8:4) (but it is probable that it rested on some of the lower
portions of the range than on the lofty peak to which
exclusively) Europeans have given the name Ararat, the mountain
which is called Massis by the Armenians, Agri-Dagh, i.e. Steep
Mountain, by the Turks, and Kuh-i-Nuh, i.e. Noah's Mountain, by
the Persians. It rises immediately out of the plain of the
Araxes, and terminates in two conical peaks, named the Great
and Less Ararat, about seven miles distant from each other; the
former of which attain an elevation of 17,260 feet above the
level of the sea and about 14,000 above the plain of the
Araxes, while the latter is lower by 4000 feet. The summit of
the higher is covered with eternal snow for about 3000 feet.
Arguri, the only village known to have been built on its
slopes, was the spot where, according to tradition, Noah
planted his vineyard. "The mountains of Ararat " are
co-extensive with the Armenian plateau from the base of Ararat
in the north to the range of Kurdistan in the south, we notice
the following characteristics of that region as illustrating
the Bible narrative; (1) its elevation. It rises to a height of
from 6000 to 7000 feet above the level of the sea. (2) Its
geographical position . Viewed with reference to the dispersion
of the nations, Armenia is the true centre of the world; and at
the present day Ararat is the great boundary-stone between the
empires of Russia, Turkey and Persia. (3) Its physical
character . The plains as well as the mountains supply evidence
of volcanic agency. (4) The climate . Winter lasts from October
to May, and is succeeded by a brief spring and a summer of
intense heat. (5) The vegetation . Grass grows luxuriantly on
the plateau, and furnishes abundant pasture during the summer
months to the flocks of the nomad Kurds. Wheat, barley and
vines ripen at far higher altitudes than on the Alps and the
Pyrenees.
Aaron
(a teacher, or lofty), the son of Amram and Jochebed, and the
older brother of Moses and Miriam. (Numbers 26:59; 33:39) (B.C.
1573.) He was a Levite, and is first mentioned in (Exodus 4:14)
He was appointed by Jehovah to be the interpreter, (Exodus
4:16) of his brother Moses, who was "slow of speech;" and
accordingly he was not only the organ of communication with the
Israelites and with Pharaoh, (Exodus 4:30; 7:2) but also the
actual instrument of working most of the miracles of the
Exodus. (Exodus 7:19) etc. On the way to Mount Sinai, during
the battle with Amalek, Aaron with Hur stayed up the weary
hands of Moses when they were lifted up for the victory of
Israel. (Exodus 17:9) He is mentioned as dependent upon his
brother and deriving all his authority from him. Left, on
Moses' departure into Sinai, to guide the people, Aaron is
tried for a moment on his own responsibility, and he fails from
a weak inability to withstand the demand of the people for
visible "gods to go before them," by making an image of
Jehovah, in the well-known form of Egyptian idolatry (Apis or
Mnevis). He repented of his sin, and Moses gained forgiveness
for him. (9:20) Aaron was not consecrated by Moses to the new
office of the high priesthood. (Exodus 29:9) From this time the
history of Aaron is almost entirely that of the priesthood, and
its chief feature is the great rebellion of Korah and the
Levites. Leaning, as he seems to have done, wholly on Moses, it
is not strange that he should have shared his sin at Meribah
and its punishment. See [3]Moses. (Numbers 20:10-12) Aaron's
death seems to have followed very speedily. It took place on
Mount Hor, after the transference of his robes and office to
Eleazar. (Numbers 20:28) This mount is still called the
"Mountain of Aaron." See [4]Hor. The wife of Aaron was
Elisheba, (Exodus 6:23) and the two sons who survived him,
Eleazar and Ithamar. The high priesthood descended to the
former, and to his descendants until the time of Eli, who,
although of the house of Ithamar, received the high priesthood
and transmitted it to his children; with them it continued till
the accession of Solomon, who took it from Abiathar and
restored it to Zadok (of the house of Eleazar). See
[5]Abiathar.
Aaronites
(1 Chronicles 12:27) priests of the family of Aaron.
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Table of
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See [6]Month.
(father), an element in the composition of many proper names,
of which Abba is a Chaldaic form, having the sense of "endowed
with," "possessed of."
Abaddon
See [7]Apollyon.
Abagtha
(God-given), one of the seven eunuchs in the Persian court of
Ahasuerus. (Esther 1:10)
Abana
(perennial, stony), one of the "rivers of Damascus." (2 Kings
5:12) The Barada and the Awaj are now the chief streams of
Damascus, the former representing the Abana and the latter the
Pharpar of the text. The Barada (Abana) rises in the
Antilibanus, at about 23 miles from the city, after flowing
through which it runs across the plain, of whose fertility it
is the chief source, till it loses itself in the lake or marsh
Bahret-el-Kibliyeh.
Abarim
(regions beyond), a mountain or range of highlands on the east
of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, facing Jericho, and forming
the eastern wall of the Jordan valley at that part. Its most
elevated spot was "the Mount Nebo, head of the Pisgah," from
which Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death. These
mountains are mentioned in (Numbers 27:12; 33:47,48) and
Deuteronomy 32:49
Abba
See [8]Ab.
Abda
+ Father of Adoniram. (1 Kings 4:6)
+ Son of Shammua, (Nehemiah 11:17) called Obadiah in (1
Chronicles 9:16)
Abdeel
father of Shelemiah. (Jeremiah 36:26)
Abdi
(my servant).
+ A Merarite, and ancestor of Ethan the singer. (1 Chronicles
6:44) (B.C. before 1015.)
+ The father of Kish, a Merarite, in the reign of Hezekiah. (2
Chronicles 29:12) (B.C. before 736.)
+ One of the Bene-Elam in the time of Ezra, who had married a
foreign wife. (Ezra 10:26) (B.C. 659.)
Abdiel
(the servant of God), son of Guni and father of Ahi, one of the
Gadites who were settled in the land of Bashan, (1 Chronicles
5:15), in the days of Jotham king of Judah. (B.C. 758.)
Abdon
(servile).
+ A judge of Israel, (Judges 12:13,(15) perhaps the same person
as Bedan, in (1 Samuel 12:11) (B.C. 1233-1225).
+ Son of Shashak. (1 Chronicles 8:23)
+ First-born son of Jehiel, son of Gideon. (1 Chronicles 8:30;
9:35,36).
+ Son of Micah, a contemporary of Josiah, (2 Chronicles 34:20)
called Achbor in (2 Kings 22:12) (B.C. 628.)
+ A city in the tribe if Asher, given to the Gershonites,
(Joshua 21:30; 1 Chronicles 6:74) the modern Abdeh, 10 miles
northeast of Accho.
Abednego
(i.e. servant of Nego, perhaps the same as Nebo), the Chaldean
name given to Azariah, one of the three friends of Daniel,
miraculously save from the fiery furnace. Dan. 3. (B.C. about
600.)
Abel
the name of several places in Palestine, probably signifies a
meadow .
(i.e., breath, vapor, transitoriness, probably so called from
the shortness of his life), the second son of Adam, murdered by
his brother Cain, (Genesis 4:1-16) he was a keeper or feeder of
sheep. Our Lord spoke of Abel as the first martyr, (Matthew
23:35) so did the early Church subsequently. The traditional
site of his murder and his grave are pointed out near Damascus.
Abel, Stone Of
(the great abel), the place where the ark rested in the field
of Joshua at Beth-shemesh. (1 Samuel 6:18)
Abelbethmaachah
(meadow of the house of oppression), a town of some importance,
(2 Samuel 20:15) in the extreme north of Palestine, which fell
an early prey to the invading kings of Syria, (1 Kings 15:20)
and Assyria. (2 Kings 15:29)
Abelmaim
(Abel on the waters), also called simply Abel, (2 Samuel
20:14,18) another name for Abel-bethmaachah. (2 Chronicles
16:4)
Abelmeholah
(meadow of the dance), in the northern pat of the Jordan
valley, (1 Kings 4:12) to which the routed Bedouin host fled
from Gideon, (Judges 7:22) Here Elisha was found at his plough
by Elijah returning up the valley from Horeb. (1 Kings
19:16-19)
Abelmizraim
(meadow of Egypt), the name given by the Canaanites to the
floor of Atad, at which Joseph, his brothers and the Egyptians
made their mourning for Jacob. (Genesis 50:11) It was beyond
(on the east of) Jordan. See [9]Atad. (Schaff and others say it
was on the west bank, for the writer was on the east of Jordan.
It was near Jericho, or perhaps Hebron.)
Abelshittim
(the meadow of the acacias), in the "plains" of Moab, on the
low level of the Jordan valley, opposite Jericho. The last
resting-place of Israel before crossing the Jordan. (Numbers
33:49) The place is most frequently mentioned by its shorter
name of Shittim. See [10]Shittah Tree, Shittim, [11]Shittim.
Abez
(lofty), a town in the possession of Issachar, named between
Kishion and Remeth in (Joshua 19:20) only.
Abi
mother of King Hezekiah, (2 Kings 18:2) written [12]Abia,
Abiah, Or Abijah, [13]Abijah Or Abijam in (2 Chronicles 29:1)
Abia, Abiah, Or Abijah
+ Son of Becher, the son of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:8)
+ Wife of Hezron. (1 Chronicles 2:24)
+ Second son of Samuel. (1 Samuel 8:2; 1 Chronicles 7:28)
+ The son of Rehoboam. (1 Chronicles 3:10; Matthew 1:7) See
[14]Abijah Or Abijam, 1.
+ Mother of King Hezekiah. [[15]Abi]
+ Same as [16]Abijah Or Abijam, 4.
Abia, Course Of
the eighth of the 24 courses or classes into which the priests
were divided for serving at the altar. (1 Chronicles 24; Luke
1:5) See [17]Abia, Abiah, Or Abijah, [18]Abijah Or Abijam, 4.
Abiaibon
(father of strength). See [19]Abiel Or Abiel.
Abiasaph
(father of gathering, i.e. gathered), (Exodus 6:24) otherwise
written Ebi/asaph. (1 Chronicles 6:23,37; 9:19) one of the
descendants of Korah, and head of the Korhites. Among the
remarkable descendants of Abiasaph were Samuel the prophet, (1
Samuel 1:11) and Heman the singer.
Abiathar
(father of abundance, i.e. liberal), High priest and fourth in
descent from Eli. (B.C. 1060-1012.) Abiathar was the only one
of the all the sons of Ahimelech the high priest who escaped
the slaughter inflicted upon his father's house by Saul, in
revenge for his father's house by Saul, in revenge of his
having inquired of the Lord for David and given him the
shew-bread to eat. (1 Samuel 22:1) ... Abiathar having become
high priest fled to David, and was thus enabled to inquire of
the Lord for him. (1 Samuel 23:9; 30:7; 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19)
etc. He adhered to David in his wanderings while pursued by
Saul; he was with him while he reigned in Hebron, and
afterwards in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 2:1-3) He continued faithful
to him in Absalom's rebellion. (2 Samuel 15:24,29,35,36;
17:15-17; 19:11) When, however, Adonijah set himself up fro
David's successor on the throne, in opposition to Solomon,
Abiathar sided with him, while Zadok was on Solomon's side. For
this Abiathar was deprived of the high priesthood. Zadok had
joined David at Hebron, (1 Chronicles 12:28) so that there was
henceforth who high priests in the reign of David, and till the
deposition of Abiathar by Solomon, when Zadok became the sole
high priest.
Abib
(green fruits). [[20]Month]
Abida, Or Abidah
(father of knowledge), a son of Midian. (Genesis 25:4; 1
Chronicles 1:33)
Abidan
(father of the judge), chief of the tribe of Benjamin at the
time of the Exodus. (B.C. 1491.) (Numbers 1:11; 2:22; 7:60,65;
10:24)
Abiel Or Abiel
(father of strength, i.e. strong).
+ Father of Kish, and consequently grandfather of Saul, (1
Samuel 9:1) as well as of Abner, Saul's commander-in-chief.
(1 Samuel 14:51) (B.C. 1093-1055.)
+ One of David's mighty men. (1 Chronicles 11:32) In (2 Samuel
23:31) he is called ABI-ALBON. (B.C. 1053.)
Abiezer
(father of help, helpful).
+ Eldest son of Gilead, and descendant of Manasseh. (Joshua
17:2; 1 Chronicles 7:18) (B.C. 1450.) He was the ancestor of
the great judge Gideon. [[21]Gideon]
+ One of David's mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:27; 1 Chronicles
11:28; 27:12) (B.C. 1014.)
Abigail
(father, i.e. source, of joy).
+ The beautiful wife of Nabal, a wealthy owner of goats and
sheep in Carmel. (B.C. 1060.) When David's messengers were
slighted by Nabal, Abigail supplies David and his followers
with provisions, and succeeded in appeasing his anger. The
days after this Nabal died, and David sent for Abigail and
made her his wife. (1 Samuel 25:14) etc. By her he had a son,
called Chileab in (2 Samuel 3:3) but Daniel in (1 Chronicles
3:1)
+ A sister of David, married to Jether the Ishmaelite, and
mother, by him, of Amasa. (1 Chronicles 2:17) In (2 Samuel
17:25) for Israelite read Ishmaelite. (B.C. 1068.)
Abihail
(father of, i.e. possessing, strength).
+ Father of Zuriel, chief of the Levitical father of Merari, a
contemporary of Moses. (Numbers 3:35) (B.C. 1490.)
+ Wife of Abishur. (1 Chronicles 2:29)
+ Son of Huri, of the tribe of Gad. (1 Chronicles 5:14)
+ Wife of Rehoboam. She is called the daughter, i.e.
descendant, of Eliab, the elder brother of David. (2
Chronicles 11:18) (B.C. 972.)
+ Father of Esther and uncle of Mordecai. (Esther 2:15; 9:29)
Abihu
(he (God) is my father), the second son, (Numbers 3:2) of Aaron
by Elisheba. (Exodus 6:23) Being, together with his elder
brother Nadab, guilty of offering strange fire to the lord, he
was consumed by fire from heaven. (Leviticus 10:1,2)
Abihud
(father of renown, famous), son of Bela and grandson of
Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 8:3)
Abijah Or Abijam
(my father is Jehovah).
+ Son and successor of Rehoboam on the throne of Judah. (1
Kings 4:21; 2 Chronicles 12:16) He is called [22]Abia, Abiah,
Or Abijah in Chronicles, [23]Abijam in Kings. He began to
reign B.C. 959, and reigned three years. He endeavored to
recover the kingdom of the Ten Tribes, and made war on
Jeroboam. He was successful in battle, and took several of
the cities of Israel. We are told that he walked in all the
sins of Rehoboam. (1 Kings 14:23,24)
+ The second son of Samuel, called [24]Abia, Abiah, Or Abijah,
[25]Abia, Course OfH in our version. [[26]Abia, Course Of,
[27]Abia, Abiah, Or Abijah, [28]Abia, Course OfH, No. 3]
+ Son of Jeroboam I., king of Israel; died in his childhood. (1
Kings 14:1) ...
+ A descendant of Eleazar, who gave his name to the eighth of
the 24 courses into which the priests were divided by David.
(1 Chronicles 24:10; 2 Chronicles 8:14; Nehemiah 12:4,17)
+ One of the priests who entered into a covenant with Nehemiah
to walk in God's law, (Nehemiah 10:7) unless the name is
rather that of a family, and the same with the preceding.
Abijam
[[29]Abia, Abiah, Or Abijah, [30]Abijah Or Abijam, 1]
Abila
[[31]Abilene]
Abilene
(land of meadows), (Luke 3:1) a city situated on the eastern
slope of Antilibanus, in a district fertilized by the river
Barada (Abana). The city was 18 miles from Damascus, and stood
in a remarkable gorge called Suk Wady Barada .
Abimael
(father of Mael), a descendant of Joktan, (Genesis 10:28; 1
Chronicles 1:22) and probably the progenitor of an Arab tribe
(Mali).
Abimelech
(father of the king), the name of several Philistine kings, was
probably a common title of these kings, like that of Pharaoh
among the Egyptians and that of Caesar and Augustus among the
Romans. Hence in the title of (Psalms 34:1) ... the name of
Abimelech is given to the king, who is called Achish in (1
Samuel 21:11)
+ A Philistine, king of Gerar, Genesis 20,21, who, exercising
the right claimed by Eastern princes of collecting all the
beautiful women of their dominions into their harem, (Genesis
12:15; Esther 2:3) sent for and took Sarah. A similar account
is given of Abraham's conduct of this occasion to that of his
behavior towards Pharaoh. [[32]Abraham] (B.C. 1920.)
+ Another king of Gerar int he time of Isaac, of whom a similar
narrative is recorded in relation to Rebekah. (Genesis 26:1)
etc. (B.C. 1817.)
+ Son of the judge Gideon by his Shechemite concubine. (Judges
8:31) (B.C. 1322-1319.) After his father's death he murdered
all his brethren, 70 in number, with the exception of Jotham,
the youngest, who concealed himself; and he then persuaded
the Shechemites to elect him king. Shechem now became an
independent state. After Abimelech had reigned three years,
the citizens of Shechem rebelled. He was absent at the time,
but he returned and quelled the insurrection. Shortly after
he stormed and took Thebez, but was struck on the head by a
woman with the fragment of a millstone, comp. (2 Samuel
11:21) and lest he should be said to have died by a woman, he
bade his armor-bearer slay him.
+ A son of Abiathar. (1 Chronicles 18:16)
Abinadab
+ A Levite, a native of Kirjath-jearim, in whose house the ark
remained 20 years. (1 Samuel 7:1,2; 1 Chronicles 13:7) (B.C.
1124.)
+ Second son of Jesse, who followed Saul to his war against the
Philistines, (1 Samuel 16:8; 17:13) (B.C. 1063.)
+ A son of Saul, who was slain with his brothers at the fatal
battle on Mount Gilboa. (1 Samuel 31:2) (B.C. 1053.)
+ Father of one of the twelve chief officers of Solomon. (1
Kings 4:11) (B.C. before 1014.)
Abiner
(father of light). Same as [33]Abner. (1 Samuel 14:50) margin.
Abinoam
the father of Barak. (Judges 4:6,12; 5:1,12) (B.C. 1300.)
Abiram
+ A Reubenite, son of Eliab, who with Korah, a Levite,
organized a conspiracy against Moses and Aaron. (Numbers
16:1) ... [For details, see [34]Korah] (B.C. 1490.)
+ Eldest son of Hiel the bethelite, who died when his father
laid the foundations of Jericho, (1 Kings 16:34) and thus
accomplished the first part of the curse of Joshua. (Joshua
6:26) (B.C. after 905.)
Abishag
a beautiful Shunammite (from Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar),
taken into David's harem to comfort him in his extreme old age.
(1 Kings 1:1-4)
Abishai, Or Abishai
(father of a gift), The eldest of the three sons of Zeruiah,
David's sister, and brother to Joab and Asahel. (1 Chronicles
2:16) Like his two brothers he was the devoted follower of
David. He was his companion in the desperate night expedition
to the camp of Saul. (1 Samuel 26:6-9) (B.C. 1055.) On the
outbreak of Absalom's rebellion he remained true to the king,a
nd commanded a third part of the army in the decisive battle
against Absalom. He rescued David from the hands of the
gigantic Philistine, Ishbi-benob. (2 Samuel 21:17) His personal
prowess on this, as on another occasion, when he fought
singlehanded against three hundred, won for him a place as
captain of the second three of David's mighty men. (2 Samuel
23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20)
Abishalom
(father of peace), father or grandfather of Maachah, who was
the wife of Rehoboam and mother of Abijah. (1 Kings 15:2,10) He
is called Absalom in (2 Chronicles 11:20,21) This person must
be David's son. See LXX.; (2 Samuel 14:27)
Abishua, Or Abishua
(father of deliverance).
+ Son of Bela, of the tribe of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 8:4)
+ Son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, and father of Bukki, in
the genealogy of the high priests. (1 Chronicles 6:4,5,50,51;
Ezra 7:4,5)
Abishur
(father of the wall), son of Shammai. (1 Chronicles 2:28)
Abital
(father of the dew), one of David's wives. (2 Samuel 3:4; 1
Chronicles 3:3)
Abitub
(father of goodness), son of Shaharaim by Hushim. (1 Chronicles
8:11)
Abiud
(father of praise), descendant of Zorobabel in the genealogy of
Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:13)
Ablution
[[35]Purification]
Abner
(father of light).
+ Son of Ner, who was the brother of Kish, (1 Chronicles 9:36)
the father of Saul. (B.C. 1063.) Abner, therefore, was Saul's
first cousin, and was made by him commander-in-chief of his
army. (1 Samuel 14:51; 17:57; 26:5-14) After the death of
Saul David was proclaimed king of Judah; and some time
subsequently Abner proclaimed Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, king
of Israel. War soon broke out between the two rival kings,
and a "very sore battle" was fought at Gibeon between the men
of Israel under Abner and the men of Judah under Joab. (1
Chronicles 2:16) Abner had married Rizpah, Saul's concubine,
and this, according to the views of Oriental courts, might be
so interpreted as to imply a design upon the throne. Rightly
or wrongly, Ish-bosheth so understood it, and he even
ventured to reproach Abner with it. Abner, incensed at his
ingratitude, opened negotiations with David, by whom he was
most favorably received at Hebron. He then undertook to
procure his recognition throughout Israel; but after leaving
his presence for the purpose was enticed back by Joab, and
treacherously murdered by him and his brother Abishai, at the
gate of the city, partly, no doubt, from fear lest so
distinguished a convert to their cause should gain too high a
place in David's favor, but ostensibly in retaliation for the
death of Asahel. David in sorrow and indignation, poured
forth a simple dirge over the slain hero. (2 Samuel 3:33,34)
+ The father of Jaasiel, chief of the Benjamites in David's
reign, (1 Chronicles 27:21) probably the same as the
preceding.
Abomination Of Desolation
Mentioned by our Saviour, (Matthew 24:15) as a sign of the
approaching destruction of Jerusalem, with reference to (Daniel
9:27; 11:31; 12:11) The prophecy referred ultimately to the
destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and consequently the
"abomination" must describe some occurrence connected with that
event. It appears most probable that the profanities of the
Zealots constituted the abomination, which was the sign of the
impending ruin; but most people refer it to the standards or
banners of the Roman army. They were abomination because there
were idolatrous images upon them.
Abraham
(father of a multitude) was the son of Terah, and founder of
the great Hebrew nation. (B.C. 1996-1822.) His family, a branch
of the descendants of Shem, was settled in Ur of the Chaldees,
beyond the Euphrates, where Abraham was born. Terah had two
other sons, Nahor and Haran. Haran died before his father in Ur
of the Chaldees, leaving a son, Lot; and Terah, taking with him
Abram, with Sarai his wife and his grandson Lot, emigrated to
Haran in Mesopotamia, where he died. On the death of his
father, Abram, then in the 75th year of his age, with Sarai and
Lot, pursued his course to the land of Canaan, whither he was
directed by divine command, (Genesis 12:5) when he received the
general promise that he should become the founder of a great
nation, and that all the families of the earth should be
blessed in him. He passed through the heart of the country by
the great highway to Shechem, and pitched his tent beneath the
terebinth of Moreh. (Genesis 12:6) Here he received in vision
from Jehovah the further revelation that this was the land
which his descendants should inherit. (Genesis 12:7) The next
halting-place of the wanderer was on a mountain between Bethel
and Ai, (Genesis 12:8) but the country was suffering from
famine, and Abram journeyed still southward to the rich
cornlands of Egypt. There, fearing that the great beauty of
Sarai might tempt the powerful monarch of Egypt and expose his
own life to peril, he arranged that Sarai should represent
herself as his sister, which her actual relationship to him, as
probably the daughter of his brother Haran, allowed her to do
with some semblance of truth. But her beauty was reported to
the king, and she was taken into the royal harem. The deception
was discovered, and Pharaoh with some indignation dismissed
Abram from the country. (Genesis 12:10-20) He left Egypt with
great possessions, and, accompanied by Lot, returned by the
south of Palestine to his former encampment between Bethel and
Ai. The increased wealth of the two kinsmen was the ultimate
cause of their separation. Lot chose the fertile plain of the
Jordan near Sodom, while Abram pitched his tent among the
groves of Mamre, close to Hebron. (Genesis 13:1) ... Lot with
his family and possessions having been carried away captive by
Chedorlaomer king of Elam, who had invaded Sodom, Abram pursued
the conquerors and utterly routed them not far from Damascus.
The captives and plunder were all recovered, and Abram was
greeted on his return by the king of Sodom, and by Melchizedek
king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who mysteriously
appears upon the scene to bless the patriarch and receive from
him a tenth of the spoil. (Genesis 14:1) ... After this the
thrice-repeated promise that his descendants should become a
mighty nation and possess the land in which he was a stranger
was confirmed with all the solemnity of a religious ceremony.
(Genesis 15:1) ... Ten years had passed since he had left his
father's house, and the fulfillment of the promise was
apparently more distant than at first. At the suggestion of
Sarai, who despaired of having children of her own, he took as
his concubine Hagar, her Egyptian main, who bore him Ishmael in
the 86th year of his age. (Genesis 16:1) ... [[36]Hagar;
[37]Ishmael] But this was not the accomplishment of the
promise. Thirteen years elapsed, during which Abram still dwelt
in Hebron, when the covenant was renewed, and the rite of
circumcision established as its sign. This most important
crisis in Abram's life, when he was 99 years old, is marked by
the significant change of his name to Abraham, "father of a
multitude;" while his wife's from Sarai became Sarah. The
promise that Sarah should have a son was repeated in the
remarkable scene described in ch. 18. Three men stood before
Abraham as he sat in his tent door in the heat of the day. The
patriarch, with true Eastern hospitality, welcomed the
strangers, and bade them rest and refresh themselves. The meal
ended, they foretold the birth of Isaac, and went on their way
to Sodom. Abraham accompanied them, and is represented as an
interlocutor in a dialogue with Jehovah, in which he pleaded in
vain to avert the vengeance threatened to the devoted cities of
the plain. (Genesis 18:17-33) In remarkable contrast with
Abraham's firm faith with regard to the magnificent fortunes of
his posterity stand the incident which occurred during his
temporary residence among the Philistines in Gerar, whither he
had for some cause removed after the destruction of Sodom. It
was almost a repetition of what took place in Egypt a few years
before. At length Isaac, the long-looked for child, was born.
Sarah's jealousy aroused by the mockery of Ishmael at the
"great banquet" which Abram made to celebrate the weaning of
her son, (Genesis 21:9) demanded that, with his mother Hagar,
he should be driven out. (Genesis 21:10) But the severest trial
of his faith was yet to come. For a long period the history is
almost silent. At length he receives the strange command to
take Isaac, his only son, and offer him for a burnt offering at
an appointed place Abraham hesitated not to obey. His faith,
hitherto unshaken, supported him in this final trial,
"accounting that God was able to raise up his son, even from
the dead, from whence also he received him in a figure."
(Hebrews 11:19) The sacrifice was stayed by the angel of
Jehovah, the promise of spiritual blessing made for the first
time, and Abraham with his son returned to Beersheba, and for a
time dwelt there. (Genesis 22:1) ... But we find him after a
few years in his original residence at Hebron, for there Sarah
died, (Genesis 23:2) and was buried in the cave of Machpelah.
The remaining years of Abraham's life are marked by but few
incidents. After Isaac's marriage with Rebekah and his removal
to Lahai-roi, Abraham took to wife Keturah, by whom he had six
children, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbok and Shuah, who
became the ancestors of nomadic tribes inhabiting the countries
south and southeast of Palestine. Abraham lived to see the
gradual accomplishment of the promise in the birth of his
grandchildren Jacob and Esau, and witnessed their growth to
manhood. (Genesis 25:26) At the goodly age of 175 he was
"gathered to his people," and laid beside Sarah in the tomb of
Machpelah by his sons Isaac and Ishmael. (Genesis 25:7-10)
Abram
(a high father), the earlier name of Abraham.
Absalom
(father of peace),third son of David by Maachah, daughter of
Tamai king of Geshur, a Syrian district adjoining the northeast
frontier of the Holy Land. (Born B.C. 1050.) Absalom had a
sister, Tamar, who was violated by her half-brother Amnon. The
natural avenger of such an outrage would be Tamar's full
brother Absalom. He brooded over the wrong for two years, and
then invited all the princes to a sheep-shearing feast at his
estate in Baalhazor, on the borders of Ephraim and Benjamin.
Here he ordered his servants to murder Amnon, and then fled for
safety to his grandfather's court at Geshur, where he remained
for three years. At the end of that time he was brought back by
an artifice of Joab. David, however, would not see Absalom for
two more years; but at length Joab brought about a
reconciliation. Absalom now began at once to prepare for
rebellion. He tried to supplant his father by courting
popularity, standing in the gate, conversing with every suitor,
and lamenting the difficulty which he would find in getting a
hearing. He also maintained a splendid retinue, (2 Samuel 15:1)
and was admired for his personal beauty. It is probable too
that the great tribe of Judah had taken some offence at David's
government. Absalom raised the standard of revolt at Hebron,
the old capital of Judah, now supplanted by Jerusalem. The
revolt was at first completely successful; David fled from his
capital over the Jordan to Mahanaim in Gilead, and Absalom
occupied Jerusalem. At last, after being solemnly anointed king
at Jerusalem, (2 Samuel 19:10) Absalom crossed the Jordan to
attack his father, who by this time had rallied round him a
considerable force. A decisive battle was fought in Gilead, in
the wood of Ephraim. Here Absalom's forces were totally
defeated, and as he himself was escaping his long hair was
entangled in the branches of a terebinth, where he was left
hanging while the mule on which he was riding ran away from
under him. He was dispatched by Joab in spite of the
prohibition of David, who, loving him to the last, had desired
that his life might be spared. He was buried in a great pit in
the forest, and the conquerors threw stones over his grave, an
old proof of bitter hostility. (Joshua 7:26)
Absaloms Pillar, Or Place
A monument of tomb which Absalom had built during his lifetime
in the king's dale, i.e. the valley of the Kedron, at the foot
of Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem, (2 Samuel 18:18) comp. with
2Sam 14:27 For his three sons, and where he probably expected
to be buried. The tomb there now, and called by Absalom's name
was probably built at a later date.
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Table of
Contents Accad
one of the cities in the land of Shinar. (Genesis 10:10) Its
position is quite uncertain.
Accaron
[[38]Ekron]
Accho
(the [39]Ptolemais of the Maccabees and New Testament), Now
called Acca, or more usually by Europeans St. Jean d'Acre, the
most important seaport town on the Syrian coast, about 30 miles
south of Tyre. It was situated on a slightly projecting
headland, at the northern extremity of that spacious bay which
is formed by the bold promontory of Carmel on the opposite
side. Later it was named Ptolemais, after one of the Ptolemies,
probably Soter. The only notice of it in the New Testament is
in (Acts 21:7) where it is called Ptolemais .
Aceldama
(the field of blood) (Akeldama in the Revised Version), the
name given by the Jews of Jerusalem to a field near Jerusalem
purchased by Judas with the money which he received for the
betrayal of Christ, and so called from his violent death
therein. (Acts 1:19) The "field of blood" is now shown on the
steep southern face of the valley or ravine of Hinnom,
"southwest of the supposed pool of Siloam."
Achaia
(trouble) signifies in the New Testament a Roman province which
included the whole of the Peloponnesus and the greater part of
Hellas proper, with the adjacent islands. This province, with
that of Macedonia, comprehended the while of Greece; hence
Achaia and Macedonia are frequently mentioned together in the
New Testament to indicate all Greece. (Acts 18:12; 19:21;
Romans 15:26; 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 7:5;
9:2; 11:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:7,8) In the time of the emperor
Claudius it was governed by a proconsul, translated in the
Authorized Version "deputy," of Achaia. (Acts 18:12)
Achaicus
(belonging to Achaia), a name of a Christian. (1 Corinthians
16:17)
Achan
(troubler), an Israelite of the tribe of Judah, who, when
Jericho and all that it contained were accursed and devoted to
destruction, secreted a portion of the spoil in his tent. For
this sin he was stoned to death with his whole family by the
people, in a valley situated between Ai and Jericho, and their
remains, together with his property, were burnt. (Joshua
7:19-26) From this event the valley received the name of Achor
(i.e. trouble). [[40]Achor, Valley Of] (B.C. 1450.)
Achar = Achan
(1 Chronicles 2:7)
Achaz = Ahaz
king of Judah, (Matthew 1:9)
Achbor
(mouse).
+ Father of Baalhanan king of Edom. (Genesis 36:38,39; 1
Chronicles 1:49)
+ Son of Michaiah, a contemporary of Josiah, (2 Kings 22:12,14;
Jeremiah 26:22; 36:12) called [41]Abdon in (2 Chronicles
34:20) (B.C. 623.)
Achim
son of Sadoc and father of Eliud in our Lord's genealogy.
(Matthew 1:14) The Hebrew form of the name would be Jachin,
which is a short form of Jehoiachin, the Lord will establish.
Achish
(angry), a Philistine king of Gath, who in the title of the
34th Psalm is called Abimelech. David twice found a refuge with
him when he fled from Saul. (B.C. 1061.) On the first occasion
he was alarmed for his safety, feigned madness, and was sent
away.
Achmetha
[[42]Ecbatana]
Achor, Valley Of
(valley of trouble), the spot at which Achan was stoned.
(Joshua 7:24,26) On the northern boundary of Judah, (Joshua
15:7) near Jericho.
Achsa
(1 Chronicles 2:49) [[43]Achsah]
Achsah
(ankle-chain, anklet), daughter of Caleb. Her father promised
her in marriage to whoever should take Debir. Othniel, her
father's younger brother, took that city, and accordingly
received the hand of Achsah as his reward. Caleb added to her
dowry the upper and lower springs. (B.C. 1450-1426.) (Joshua
15:15-19; Judges 1:11-15)
Achshaph
(fascination), a city within the territory of Asher, named
between Beten and Alammelech, (Joshua 19:25) originally the
seat of a Canaanite king. (Joshua 11:1; 12:20)
Achzib
(lying, false).
+ A city in the lowlands of Judah, named with Keilah and
Mareshah. (Joshua 15:44; Micah 1:14) It is probably the same
with [44]Chezib and [45]Chozeba, which see.
+ A town belonging to Asher, (Joshua 19:29) from which the
Canaanites were not expelled, (Judges 1:31) afterwards
Ecdippa. It is now es-Zib, on the seashore, 2h. 20m. north of
Acre.
Acrabbim
See MAALEH-ACRABBIM, (Joshua 15:3) in the margin.
Acts Of The Apostles
the fifth book in the New testament and the second treatise by
the author of the third Gospel, traditionally known as Luke.
The book commences with an inscription to one Theophilus, who
was probably a man of birth and station. The readers were
evidently intended to be the members of the Christian Church,
whether Jews or Gentiles; for its contents are such as are of
the utmost consequence to the whole Church. They are the
fulfillment of the promise of the Father by the descent of the
Holy Spirit, and the results of that outpouring by the
dispersion of the gospel among the Jews and Gentiles. Under
these leading heads all the personal and subordinate details
may be arranged. First St. Peter becomes the prime actor under
God int he founding of the Church. He is the centre of the
first group of sayings and doings. The opening of the door to
Jews, ch. 2, and Gentiles, ch. 10, is his office, and by him,
in good time, is accomplished. Then the preparation of Saul of
Tarsus for the work to be done, the progress, in his hand, of
that work, his journeyings, preachings and perils, his stripes
and imprisonments, his testifying in Jerusalem and being
brought to testify in Rome,--these are the subjects of the
latter half of the book, of which the great central figure is
the apostle Paul. The history given in the Acts occupies about
33 years, and the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius,
Caligula, Claudius and Nero. It seems most probable that the
place of writing was Roma, and the time about two years from
the date of St. Paul's arrival there, as related in (Acts
28:30) This would give us fro the publication about 63 A.D.
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Table of
Contents Adadah
(festival or boundary), one of the cities in the extreme south
of Judah, named with Dimonah and Kedesh. (Joshua 15:22)
Adah
(ornament, beauty).
+ The first of the two wives of Lamech, by whom were borne to
him Jabal and Jubal. (Genesis 4:19) (B.C. 3600).
+ A Hittitess, one of the three wives of Esau, mother of
Eliphaz. (Genesis 36:2,10,12,16) In (Genesis 26:34) she is
called [46]Bashemath. (B.C. 1797.)
Adaiah
(adorned by Jehovah).
+ Maternal grandfather of King Josiah, and native of Boscath in
the lowlands of Judah. (2 Kings 22:1) (B.C. 648.)
+ A Levite of the Gershonite branch, and ancestor of Asaph. (1
Chronicles 6:41) In v. (1 Chronicles 6:21) Heb Isa called
[47]Iddo.
+ A Benjamite, son of Shimhi, (1 Chronicles 8:21) who is
apparently the same as Shema in v. (1 Chronicles 8:13)
+ A priest, son of Jehoram. (1 Chronicles 9:12; Nehemiah 11:12)
+ Ancestor of Maaseiah, one of the captains who supported
Jehoiada. (2 Chronicles 23:1)
+ One of the descendants of Bani, who had married a foreign
wife after the return from Babylon. (Ezra 10:29) (B.C. 459).
+ The descendant of another Bani, who had also taken a foreign
wife. (Ezra 10:39)
+ A man of Judah, of the line of Pharez. (Nehemiah 11:5)
Adalia
(a fire-god), the fifth son of Haman. (Esther 9:8)
Adam
a city on the Jordan, "beside Zaretan," in the time of Joshua.
(Joshua 3:16)
Man, generically, for the name Adam was not confined to the
father of the human race, but like homo was applicable to woman
as well as to man . (Genesis 5:2)
(red earth), the name given in Scripture to the first man. It
apparently has reference to the ground from which he was
formed, which is called in Hebrew Adamah . The idea of redness
of color seems to be inherent in either word. The creation of
man was the work of the sixth day--the last and crowning act of
creation. Adam was created (not born) a perfect man in body and
spirit, but as innocent and completely inexperienced as a
child. The man Adam was placed in a garden which the Lord God
had planted "eastward in Eden," for the purpose of dressing it
and keeping it. [[48]Eden] Adam was permitted to eat of the
fruit of every tree in the garden but one, which was called
("the tree of the knowledge of good and evil," because it was
the test of Adam's obedience. By it Adam could know good and
evil int he divine way, through obedience; thus knowing good by
experience in resisting temptation and forming a strong and
holy character, while he knew evil only by observation and
inference. Or he could "know good and evil," in Satan's way, be
experiencing the evil and knowing good only by contrast. -ED.)
The prohibition to taste the fruit of this tree was enforced by
the menace of death. There was also another tree which was
called "the tree of life." While Adam was in the garden of
Eden, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air were
brought to him to be named. After this the Lord God caused a
deep sleep to fall upon him, and took one of his ribs from him,
which he fashioned into a woman and brought her to the man. At
this time they were both described as being naked without the
consciousness of shame. By the subtlety of the serpent the
woman who was given to be with Adam was beguiled into a
violation of the one command which had been imposed upon them.
She took of the fruit of the forbidden tree and gave it to her
husband. The propriety of its name was immediately shown in the
results which followed; self-consciousness was the first-fruits
of sin their eyes were opened and they knew that they were
naked. Though the curse of Adam's rebellion of necessity fell
upon him, yet the very prohibition to eat of the tree of life
after his transgression was probably a manifestation of divine
mercy, because the greatest malediction of all would have been
to have the gift of indestructible life super-added to a state
of wretchedness and sin. The divine mercy was also shown in the
promise of a deliverer given at the very promise of a deliverer
given at the very time the curse was imposed, (Genesis 3:15)
and opening a door of hope to Paradise, regained for him and
his descendants. Adam is stated to have lived 930 years. His
sons mentioned in Scripture are Cain, Abel and Seth; it is
implied, however, that he had others.
Adamah
(red earth), one of the "fenced cities" of Naphtali, named
between Chinnereth and Ramah. (Joshua 19:36)
Adamant
the translation of the Hebrew word Shamir in (Ezekiel 3:9) and
Zech 7:12 In (Jeremiah 17:1) it is translated "diamond." In
these three passages the word is the representative of some
stone of excessive hardness, and is used metaphorically. It is
very probable that by Shamir is intended emery, a variety of
corundum, a mineral inferior, only to the diamond in hardness.
Adami
(my man, earth), a place on the border of Naphtali. (Joshua
19:33)
Adar
[[49]Month]
(high), a place on the south boundary of Judah. (Joshua 15:3)
Adasa
(new), a place in Judea, about four miles from Beth-horon. 1Ma
7:40,45 [[50]Hadashah]
Adbeel
(offspring of God), a son of Ishmael, (Genesis 25:13; 1
Chronicles 1:29) and probably the progenitor of an Arab tribe.
(B.C. about 1850.)
Addan
(strong or stony), one of the places from which some of the
captivity returned with Zerubbabel to Judea who could not show
their pedigree as Israelites. (Ezra 2:59) Called [51]Addon
(Nehemiah 7:61)
Addar
(mighty one), son of Bela, (1 Chronicles 8:3) called [52]Ard in
(Numbers 26:40)
Adder
This word is used for any poisonous snake, and is applied in
this general sense by the translators of the Authorized
Version. The word adder occurs five times in the text of the
Authorized Version (see below), and three times int he margin
as synonymous with cockatrice, viz., (Isaiah 11:8; 14:29; 59:5)
It represents four Hebrew words:
+ Acshub is found only in (Psalms 140:3) and may be represented
by the Toxicoa of Egypt and North Africa.
+ Pethen. [[53]Asp]
+ Tsepha, or Tsiphoni, occurs five times in the Hebrew Bible.
In (Proverbs 23:32) it is it is translated adder, and in
(Isaiah 11:8; 14:29; 59:5; Jeremiah 8:17) it is rendered
cockatrice . From Jeremiah we learn that it was of a hostile
nature, and from the parallelism of (Isaiah 11:8) it appears
that the Tsiphoni was considered even more dreadful than the
Pethen .
+ Shephipon occurs only in (Genesis 49:17) where it is used to
characterize the tribe of Dan. The habit of lurking int he
sand and biting at the horse's heels here alluded to suits
the character of a well-known species of venomous snake, and
helps to identify it with the celebrated horned viper, the
asp of Cleopatra (Cerastes), which is found abundantly in the
dry sandy deserts of Egypt, Syria and Arabia. The cerastes is
extremely venomous. Bruce compelled a specimen to scratch
eighteen pigeons upon the thigh as quickly as possible, and
they all died in nearly the same interval of time.
Addi
(ornament). (Luke 3:28) Son of Cosam, and father of Melchi in
our Lord's genealogy; the third above Salathiel.
Addon
(lord). [[54]Addan]
Ader
(flock), a Benjamites, son of Beriah, chief of the inhabitants
of Aijalon. (1 Chronicles 8:15) The name is more correctly
Eder.
Adida
a fortified town near Jerusalem, probably the [55]Hadid of
(Ezra 2:33) and referred to in 1Ma 12:38
Adiel
(ornament of God).
+ A prince of the tribe of Simeon, descended from the
prosperous family of Shimei. (1 Chronicles 4:36) He took part
in the murderous raid made by his tribe upon the peaceable
Hamite shepherds of the valley of Gedor in the reign of
Hezekiah. (B.C. about 711.)
+ A priest, ancestor of Maasiai. (1 Chronicles 9:12)
+ Ancestor of Azmaveth, David's treasurer. (1 Chronicles 27:25)
(B.C. 1050.)
Adin
(dainty, delicate), ancestor of a family who returned form
Babylon with Zerubbabel, to the number of 454, (Ezra 2:15) or
655 according to the parallel list in (Nehemiah 7:20) (B.C.
536.) They joined with Nehemiah in a covenant to separate
themselves from the heathen. (Nehemiah 10:16) (B.C. 410.)
Adina
(slender), one of David's captains beyond the Jordan, and a
chief of the Reubenites. (1 Chronicles 11:42)
Adino, Or Adino, The Eznite
(2 Samuel 23:8) See [56]Jashobeam.
Adithaim
(double ornament), a town belonging to Judah, lying in the low
country, and named, between Sharaim and hag-Gederah, in (Joshua
15:36) only.
Adlai Or Adlai
(justice of Jehovah), Ancestor of Shaphat, the overseer of
David's herds that fed in the broad valleys. (1 Chronicles
27:29) (B.C. before 1050.)
Admah
(earthy, fortress), one of the "cities of the plain," always
coupled with Zeboim. (Genesis 10:19; 14:2,8; 29:23; Hosea 11:8)
Admatha
(given by the highest), one of the seven princes of Persia.
(Esther 1:14)
Adna
(rest, pleasure).
+ One of the family of Pahath-moab, who returned with Ezra and
married a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:30) (B.C. 459.)
+ A priest, descendant of Harim in the days of Joiakim, the son
of Jeshua. (Nehemiah 12:15) (B.C. 500.)
Adnah
(pleasure).
+ A Manassite who deserted from Saul and joined the fortunes of
David on his road to Ziklag from the camp of the Philistines.
He was captain of a thousand of his tribe, and fought at
David's side in the pursuit of the Amalekites. (1 Chronicles
12:20) (B.C. 1054.)
+ The captain of over 300,000 men of Judah who were in
Jehoshaphat's army. (2 Chronicles 17:14) (B.C. 908.)
Adonibezek
(lord of Bezek), king of Bezek, a city of the Canaanites.
[[57]Bezek] This chieftain was vanquished by the tribe of
Judah, (Judges 1:3-7) who cut off his thumbs and great toes,
and brought him prisoner to Jerusalem, where he died. He
confessed that he had inflicted the same cruelty upon 70 petty
kings whom he had conquered. (B.C. 1425).
Adonijah
(my Lord is Jehovah).
+ The fourth son of David by Haggith, born at Hebron while his
father was king of Judah. (2 Samuel 3:4) (B.C. about 1050.)
After the death of his three brothers, Amnon, Chileab and
Absalom, he became eldest son; and when his father's strength
was visibly declining, put forward his pretensions to the
crown. Adonijah's cause was espoused by Abiathar and by Joab
the famous commander of David's army. [[58]Joab] His name and
influence secured a large number of followers among the
captains of the royal army belonging to the tribe of Judah,
comp. (1 Kings 1:5) and these, together with all the princes
except Solomon, were entertained by Adonijah at the great
sacrificial feast held "by the stone Zoheleth, which is by
En-rogel." [EN-ROGEL] Apprised of these proceedings, David
immediately caused Solomon to be proclaimed king, (1 Kings
1:33,34) at Gihon. [[59]Gihon] This decisive measure struck
terror into the opposite party, and Adonijah fled to the
sanctuary, but was pardoned by Solomon on condition that he
should "show himself a worthy man." (1 Kings 1:52) The death
of David quickly followed on these events; and Adonijah
begged Bath-sheba to procure Solomon's consent to his
marriage with Abishag, who had been the wife of David in his
old age. (1 Kings 1:3) This was regarded as equivalent to a
fresh attempt on the throne [[60]Absalom; [61]Abner]; and
therefore Solomon ordered him to be put to death by Benaiah.
(1 Kings 2:25)
+ A Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 17:8)
+ The same as Adonikam. (Nehemiah 10:16) [[62]Adonikam, Or
Adonikam]
Adonikam, Or Adonikam
The sons of Adonikam, 666 in number, were among those who
returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:13; Nehemiah
7:18); 1Esd 5:14 (B.C. 506-410.) The name is given as
[63]Adonijah in (Nehemiah 10:16)
Adoniram
(lord of heights), (1 Kings 4:6) by an unusual contraction
[64]Adoram, (2 Samuel 20:24) and 1Kin 12:18 Also [65]Hadoram,
(2 Chronicles 10:18) chief receiver of the tribute during the
reigns of David, (2 Samuel 20:24) Solomon, (1 Kings 4:6) and
Rehoboam. (1 Kings 12:18) This last monarch sent him to collect
the tribute from the rebellious Israelites, by whom he was
stoned to death, (B.C. 1014-973.)
Adonizedek
(lord of justice), the Amorite king of Jerusalem who organized
a league with four other Amorite princes against Joshua. The
confederate kings having laid siege to Gibeon, Joshua marched
to the relief of his new allies and put the besiegers to
flight. The five kings took refuge in a cave at Makkedah,
whence they were taken and slain, their bodies hung on trees,
and then buried in the place of their concealment. (Joshua
10:1-27) (B.C. 1450.)
Adoption
an expression used by St. Paul in reference to the present and
prospective privileges of Christians. (Romans 8:15,23;
Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5) He probably alludes to the Roman
custom by which a person not having children of his own might
adopt as his son one born of other parents. The relationship
was to all intents and purposes the same as existed between a
natural father and son. The term is used figuratively to show
the close relationship to God of the Christian. (Galatians
4:4,5; Romans 8:14-17) He is received into God's family from
the world, and becomes a child and heir of God.
Ador, Or Adora
[[66]Adoraim]
Adoraim
(double mound), a fortified city built by Rehoboam, (2
Chronicles 11:9) in Judah. Adoraim is probably the same place
with Adora, 1Ma 13:20 Unless that be Dor, on the seacoast below
Carmel. Robinson identifies it with Dura, a "large village" on
a rising ground west of Hebron.
Adoram
[[67]Adoniram; [68]Hadoram]
Adoration
The acts and postures by which the Hebrews expressed adoration
bear a great similarity to those still in use among Oriental
nations. To rise up and suddenly prostrate the body was the
most simple method; but, generally speaking, the prostration
was conducted in a more formal manner, the person falling upon
the knee and then gradually inclining the body until the
forehead touched the ground. Such prostration was usual in the
worship of Jehovah, (Genesis 17:3; Psalms 95:6) it was the
formal mode of receiving visitors, (Genesis 18:2) of doing
obeisance to one of superior station, (2 Samuel 14:4) and of
showing respect to equals. (1 Kings 2:19) It was accompanied by
such acts as a kiss, (Exodus 18:7) laying hold of the knees or
feet of the person to whom the adoration was paid, (Matthew
28:9) and kissing the ground on which he stood. (Psalms 72:9;
Micah 7:17) Similar adoration was paid to idols, (1 Kings
19:18) sometimes, however, the act consisted simply in kissing
the hand to the object of reverence, (Job 31:27) and in kissing
the statue itself. (Hosea 13:2)
Adrammelech
(splendor of the king).
+ The name of an idol introduced into Samaria by the colonists
from Sepharvaim. (2 Kings 17:31) He was worshipped with rites
resembling those of Molech, children being burnt in his
honor. Adrammelech was probably the male power of the sun,
and [69]Anammelech, who is mentioned with Adrammelech as a
companion god, the female power of the sun.
+ Son of the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who, with his brother
Sharezer, murdered their father in the temple of Nisroch at
Nineveh, after the failure of the Assyrian attack on
Jerusalem. The parricides escaped into Armenia. (2 Kings
19:37; 2 Chronicles 32:21; Isaiah 37:38)
Adramyttium
named form Adramys, brother of Croesus king of Lydia, a seaport
in the province of Asia [[70]Asia], situated on a bay of the
Aegean Sea, about 70 miles north of Smyrna, in the district
anciently called Aeolis, and also Mysia. See (Acts 16:7)
[[71]Mitylene] (Acts 27:2) The modern Adramyti is a poor
village.
Adria
more properly A'drias, the Adriatic Sea. (Acts 27:27) The word
seems to have been derived from the town of Adria, near the Po.
In Paul's time it included the whole sea between Greece and
Italy, reaching south from Crete to Sicily. [[72]Melita]
Adriel
(flock of God), son of Barzillai, to whom Saul gave his
daughter Merab, although he had previously promised her to
David. (1 Samuel 18:19) (B.C. about 1062.) His five sons were
amongst the seven descendants of Saul whom David surrendered to
the Gibeonites. (2 Samuel 21:8)
Adullam
(justice of the people), Apocr. [73]Odollam, a city of Judah
int he lowland of the Shefelah, (Joshua 15:35) the seat of a
Canaanite king, (Joshua 12:15) and evidently a place of great
antiquity. (Genesis 38:1,12,20) Fortified by Rehoboam, (2
Chronicles 11:7) it was one of the towns reoccupied by the Jews
after their return from Babylon, (Nehemiah 11:30) and still a
city in the time of the Macabees. 2Ma 12:38 Adullam was
probably near Deir Dubban, five or six miles north of
Eleutheropolis. The limestone cliffs of the whole of that
locality are pierced with extensive excavations, some one of
which is doubtless the "cave of Adullam," the refuge of David.
(1 Samuel 22:1; 2 Samuel 23:13; 1 Chronicles 11:15)
Adultery
(Exodus 20:14) The parties to this crime, according to Jewish
law, were a married woman and a man who was not her husband.
The Mosaic penalty was that both the guilty parties should be
stoned, and it applied as well to the betrothed as to the
married woman, provided she were free. (22:22-24) A bondwoman
so offending was to be scourged, and the man was to make a
trespass offering. (Leviticus 19:20-22) At a later time, and
when owing, to Gentile example, the marriage tie became a
looser bond of union, public feeling in regard to adultery
changed, and the penalty of death was seldom or never
inflicted. The famous trial by the waters of jealousy, (Numbers
5:11-29) was probably an ancient custom, which Moses found
deeply seated--(But this ordeal was wholly in favor of the
innocent, and exactly opposite to most ordeals. For the water
which the accused drank was perfectly harmless, and only by a
miracle could it produce a bad effect; while in most ordeals
the accused must suffer what naturally produces death, and be
proved innocent only by a miracle. Symbolically adultery is
used to express unfaithfulness to covenant vows to God, who is
represented as the husband of his people.)
Adummim
(the going up to), a rising ground or pass over against
Gilgal," and "on the south side of the 'torrent'" (Joshua 15:7;
18:17) which is the position still occupied by the road leading
up from Jericho and the Jordan valley to Jerusalem, on the
south face of the gorge of the Wady Kelt. (Luke 10:30-36)
Advocate
or Paraclete, one that pleads the cause of another. (1 John
2:1) Used by Christ, (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7) to describe the
office and work of the Holy Spirit, and translated Comforter,
i.e. (see margin of Revised Version) Advocate, Helper,
Intercessor. This use of the word is derived from the fact that
the Jews, being largely ignorant of the Roman law and the Roman
language, had to employ Roman advocates in their trials before
Roman courts. Applied to Christ, (1 John 2:1)
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Table of
Contents Aegypt
[[74]Egypt]
Aeneas
(laudble), a paralytic at Lydda healed by St. Peter. (Acts
9:33,34)
Aenon
(springs) a place "near to Salim," at which John baptized.
(John 3:23) It was evidently west of the Jordan, comp. (John
3:22) with John 3:26 and with John 1:28 And abounded in water.
It is given in the Omomasticon as eight miles south of
Scythopolis "near Salem and the Jordan."
Aera
[[75]Chronology]
Aethiopia
[[76]Ethiopia]
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Table of
Contents Affinity
[[77]Marriage]
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Table of
Contents Agabus
(a locust), a Christian prophet in the apostolic age, mentioned
in (Acts 11:28) and Acts 21:10 He predicted, (Acts 11:28) that
a famine would take place in the reign of Claudius. Josephus
mentions a famine which prevailed in Judea in the reign of
Claudius, and swept away many of the inhabitants. (In (Acts
21:10) we learn that Agabus and Paul met at Caesarea some time
after this.)
Agag
(flame), possibly the title of the kings of Amalek, like
Pharaoh of Egypt. One king of this name is mentioned in
(Numbers 24:7) and another in 1Sam 15:8,9,20,32 The latter was
the king of the Amalekites, whom Saul spared contrary to
Jehovah's well-known will. (Exodus 17:14; 25:17) For this act
of disobedience Samuel was commissioned to declare to Saul his
rejection, and he himself sent for Agag and cut him in pieces.
(B.C. about 1070.) [[78]Samuel]. Haman is called the
[79]Agagite in (Esther 3:1,10; 8:3,5) The Jews consider him a
descendant of Agag the Amalekite.
Agagite
[[80]Agag]
Agar
[[81]Hagar]
Agate
a beautifully-veined semi-transparent precious stone, a variety
of quartz. Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or
bands or blended in clouds. It is mentioned four times in the
text of the Authorized Version, viz., in (Exodus 28:19; 39:12;
Isaiah 54:12; Ezekiel 27:16) In the two former passages; where
it is represented by the Hebrew word shebo it is spoken of as
forming the second stone in the third row of the high priest's
breastplate; in each of the two latter places the original word
is cadced, by which, no doubt, is intended a different stone.
[RUBY] Our English agate derives its name from the Achates, on
the banks of which it was first found.
Age, Old
The aged occupied a prominent place in the social and political
system of the Jews. In private life they were looked up to as
the depositaries of knowledge, (Job 15:10) the young were
ordered to rise up in their presence, (Leviticus 19:32) they
allowed them to give their opinion first, (Job 32:4) they were
taught to regard gray hair as a "crown of glory," (Proverbs
16:31; 20:29) The attainment of old age was regarded as a
special blessing. (Job 5:26) In pubic main qualification of
those who acted as the representatives of the people in all
matter of difficulty and deliberation. [ELDERS]
Agee, Or Agee
(fugitive), a Hararite, father of Shammah, one of David's three
mightiest heroes. (2 Samuel 23:11) (B.C. 1050.)
Agriculture
This was little cared for by the patriarchs. The pastoral life,
however, was the means of keeping the sacred race, whilst yet a
family, distinct from mixture and locally unattached,
especially whilst in Egypt. When grown into a nation it
supplied a similar check on the foreign intercourse, and became
the basis of the Mosaic commonwealth. "The land is mine,"
(Leviticus 25:23) was a dictum which made agriculture likewise
the basis of the theocratic relation. Thus every family felt
its own life with intense keenness, and had its divine tenure
which it was to guard from alienation. The prohibition of
culture in the sabbatical year formed a kind of rent reserved
by the divine Owner. Landmarks were deemed sacred, (19:14) and
the inalienability of the heritage was insured by its reversion
to the owner in the year of jubilee; so that only so many years
of occupancy could be sold. (Leviticus 25:8-16; 23-35)
Rain.--Water was abundant in Palestine from natural sources.
(8:7; 11:8-12) Rain was commonly expected soon after the
autumnal equinox. The period denoted by the common scriptural
expressions of the "early" and the "latter rain," (11:14;
Jeremiah 5:24; Hosea 6:3; Zechariah 10:1; James 5:7) generally
reaching from November to April, constituted the "rainy
season," and the remainder of the year the "dry season."
Crops.--The cereal crops of constant mention are wheat and
barley, and more rarely rye and millet(?). Of the two former,
together with the vine, olive and fig, the use of irrigation,
the plough and the harrow, mention is made ln the book of (Job
31:40; 15:33; 24:6; 29:19; 39:10) Two kinds of cumin (the black
variety called fitches), (Isaiah 28:27) and such podded plants
as beans and lentils may be named among the staple produce.
Ploughing and Sowing.--The plough was probably very light, one
yoke of oxen usually sufficing to draw it. Mountains and steep
places were hoed. (Isaiah 7:25) New ground and fallows,
(Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12) were cleared of stones and of
thorns, (Isaiah 5:2) early in the year, sowing or gathering
from "among thorns" being a proverb for slovenly husbandry.
(Job 5:5; Proverbs 24:30,31) Sowing also took place without
previous ploughing, the seed being scattered broad cast and
ploughed in afterwards. The soil was then brushed over with a
light harrow, often of thorn bushes. In highly-irrigated spots
the seed was trampled by cattle. (Isaiah 32:20) Seventy days
before the passover was the time prescribed for sowing. The
oxen were urged on by a goad like a spear. (Judges 3:31) The
proportion of harvest gathered to seed sown was often vast; a
hundred fold is mentioned, but in such a way as to signify that
it was a limit rarely attained. (Genesis 26:12; Matthew 13:8)
Sowing a field with divers seed was forbidden. (22:9) Reaping
and Threshing.--The wheat etc., was reaped by the sickle or
pulled by the roots. It was bound in sheaves. The sheaves or
heaps were carted, (Amos 2:13) to the floor--a circular spot of
hard ground, probably, as now, from 50 to 80 or 100 feet in
diameter. (Genesis 1:10,11; 2 Samuel 24:16,18) On these the
oxen, etc., forbidden to be muzzled, (25:4) trampled out the
grain. At a later time the Jews used a threshing sledge called
morag, (Isaiah 41:15; 2 Samuel 24:22; 1 Chronicles 21:23)
probably resembling the noreg, still employed in Egypt--a stage
with three rollers ridged with iron, which, aided by the
driver's weight crushed out, often injuring, the grain, as well
as cut or tore the straw, which thus became fit for fodder.
Lighter grains were beaten out with a stick. (Isaiah 28:27) The
use of animal manure was frequent. (Psalms 83:10; 2 Kings 9:37;
Jeremiah 8:2) etc. Winnowing.--The shovel and fan, (Isaiah
30:24) indicate the process of winnowing--a conspicuous part of
ancient husbandry. (Psalms 35:5; Job 21:18; Isaiah 17:13)
Evening was the favorite time, (Ruth 3:2) when there was mostly
a breeze. The fan, (Matthew 3:12) was perhaps a broad shovel
which threw the grain up against the wind. The last process was
the shaking in a sieve to separate dirt and refuse. (Amos 9:9)
Fields and floors were not commonly enclosed; vineyard mostly
were, with a tower and other buildings. (Numbers 22:24; Psalms
80:13; Isaiah 5:5; Matthew 21:33) comp. Judg 6:11 The gardens
also and orchards were enclosed, frequently by banks of mud
from ditches. With regard to occupancy, a tenant might pay a
fixed money rent, (Song of Solomon 8:11) or a stipulated share
of the fruits. (2 Samuel 9:10; Matthew 21:34) A passer by might
eat any quantity of corn or grapes, but not reap or carry off
fruit. (23:24,25; Matthew 12:1) The rights of the corner to be
left, and of gleaning [[82]Corner; [83]Gleaning], formed the
poor man's claim on the soil for support. For his benefit, too,
a sheaf forgotten in carrying to the floor was to be left; so
also with regard to the vineyard' and the olive grove.
(Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19)
Agrippa
[[84]Herod]
Agur
(a gatherer, i.e. together of wise men), The son of Jakeh, an
unknown Hebrew sage who uttered or collected the sayings of
wisdom recorded in Prov 30.
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Table of
Contents Ahab
(uncle).
+ Son of Omri, seventh king of Israel, reigned B.C. 919-896. He
married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of Tyre; and in
obedience to her wishes, caused temple to be built to Baal in
Samaria itself; and an oracular grove to be consecrated to
Astarte. See (1 Kings 18:19) One of Ahab's chief tastes was
for splendid architecture which he showed by building an
ivory house and several cities. Desiring to add to his
pleasure-grounds at Jezreel the vineyard of his neighbor
Naboth, he proposed to buy it or give land in exchange for
it; and when this was refused by Naboth in accordance with
the Levitical law, (Leviticus 25:23) a false accusation of
blasphemy was brought against him, and he was murdered, and
Ahab took possession of the coveted fields. (2 Kings 9:26)
Thereupon Elijah declared that the entire extirpation of
Ahab's house was the penalty appointed for his long course of
wickedness. [[85]Elijah] The execution, however, of the
sentence was delayed in consequence of Ahab's deep
repentance. (1 Kings 21:1) ... Ahab undertook three campaigns
against Ben-hadad II. king of Damascus, two defensive and one
offensive. In the first Ben-hadad laid siege to Samaria, but
was repulsed with great loss. (1 Kings 20:1-21) Next year
Ben-hadad again invaded Israel by way of Aphek, on the east
of Jordan; yet Ahab's victory was so complete that Ben-hadad
himself fell into his hands, but was released contrary to
God's will, (1 Kings 20:22-34) on condition of restoring the
cities of Israel, and admitting Hebrew commissioners into
Damascus. After this great success Ahab enjoyed peace for
three years, when he attacked Ramoth in Gilead, on the east
of Jordan, in conjunction with Jehoshaphat king of Judah,
which town he claimed as belonging to Israel. Being told by
the prophet Micaiah that he would fall, he disguised himself,
but was slain by "a certain man who drew a bow at a venture."
When buried in Samaria, the dogs licked up his blood as a
servant was washing his chariot; a partial fulfillment of
Elijah's prediction, (1 Kings 21:19) which was more literally
accomplished in the case of his son. (2 Kings 9:26)
+ A lying prophet, who deceived the captive Israelites in
Babylon, and was burnt to death by Nebuchadnezzar. (Jeremiah
29:21)
Aharah
(after the brother), third son of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 8:1)
[[86]Aher; [87]Ahiram]
Aharhel
(behind the breastwork), a name occurring in an obscure
fragment of the genealogies of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:8)
Ahasai
(whom Jehovah holds), a priest, ancestor of Maasiai, (Nehemiah
11:13) called [88]Jahzerah in (1 Chronicles 9:12)
Ahasbai
(blooming), father of Eli-phelet, one of David's thirty-seven
captains. (2 Samuel 23:34) In the corrupt list in (1 Chronicles
11:35) Eliphelet appears as "Eliphal the son of Ur." (B.C.
about 1050.)
Ahashverosh
Another (the Hebrew) form of AHASUERIUS. (Ezra 4:6) in margin.
Ahasuerus
(lion-king), the name of one Median and two Persian kings
mentioned in the Old Testament.
+ In (Daniel 9:1) Ahasuerus is said to be the father of Darius
the Mede. [[89]Darius] This first Ahasuerus is Cyaxares, the
conqueror of Nineveh. (Began to reign B.C. 634.)
+ The Ahasuerus king of Persia, referred to in (Ezra 4:6) must
be Cambyses, thought to be Cyrus' successor, and perhaps his
son. (B.C. 529.)
+ The third is the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther. This
Ahasuerus is probably Xerxes of history, (Esther 1:1) (B.C.
485), and this conclusion is fortified by the resemblance of
character and by certain chronological indications, the
account of his life and character agreeing with the book of
Esther In the third year of Ahaseuerus was held a great feast
and assembly in Shushan the palace, (Esther 1:3) following a
council held to consider the invasion of Greece. He divorced
his queen Vashti for refusing to appear in public at this
banquet, and married, four years afterwards, the Jewess
Esther, cousin and ward of Mordecai. Five years after this,
Haman, one of his counsellors, having been slighted by
Mordecai, prevailed upon the king to order the destruction of
all the Jews in the empire. But before the day appointed for
the massacre, Esther and Mordecai influenced the king to put
Haman to death and to give the Jews the right of
self-Defence.
Ahava
(water), a place, (Ezra 8:15) or a river, Ezra 8:21 On the
banks of which Ezra collected the second expedition which
returned with him from Babylon to Jerusalem. Perhaps it is the
modern Hit, on the Euphrates due east of Damascus.
Ahaz
(possessor), eleventh king of Judah, son of Jotham, reigned
741-726, about sixteen years. At the time of his accession,
Rezin king of Damascus and Pekah king of Israel had recently
formed a league against Judah, and they proceeded to lay siege
to Jerusalem. Upon this Isaiah hastened to give advice and
encouragement to Ahaz, and the allies failed in their attack on
Jerusalem. Isai 7,8,9. But, the allies inflicted a most severe
injury on Judah by the capture of Elath, a flourishing port on
the Red Sea, while the Philistines invaded the west and south.
2Kin 16; 2Chr 28. Ahaz, having forfeited God's favor by his
wickedness, sought deliverance from these numerous troubles by
appealing to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, who forced him
from his most formidable enemies. But Ahaz had to purchase this
help at a costly price; he became tributary to Tiglath-pileser.
He was weak, a gross idolater, and sought safety in heathen
ceremonies, making his son pass through the fire to Molech,
consulting wizards and necromancers. (Isaiah 8:19) and other
idolatrous practices. (2 Kings 23:12) His only service of
permanent value was the introduction of the sun-dial. He died
at the age of 36, but was refused a burial with the kings his
ancestors. (2 Chronicles 28:27)
+ Son of Micah. (1 Chronicles 8:35,36; 9:42)
Ahaziah
(sustained by the Lord).
+ Son of Ahab and Jezebel eighth king of Israel, reigned B.C.
896-895. After the battle of Ramoth in Gilead, in which Ahab
perished [[90]Ahab], the vassal king of Moab refused his
yearly tribute; comp. (Isaiah 16:1) Before Ahaziah could take
measures for enforcing his claim, he was seriously injured by
a fall through a lattice in his palace at Samaria. Being an
idolater, he sent to inquire of the oracle of Baalzebub in
the Philistine city of Ekron whether he should recover his
health. But Elijah, who now for the last time exercised the
prophetic office, rebuked him for this impiety, and announced
to him his approaching death. The only other recorded
transaction of his reign, his endeavor to join the king of
Judah in trading to Ophir, is related under [91]Jehoshaphat.
(1 Kings 22:49-53; 2 Kings 1:1; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37)
+ Fifth king of Judah, son of Jehoram and Athaliah (daughter of
Ahab), and therefore nephew of the preceding Ahaziah, reigned
one year, B.C. 884. He is Galled [92]Azariah, (2 Chronicles
22:2) probably by a copyist's error, and [93]Jehoahaz. (2
Chronicles 21:17) He was 22 years old at his accession. (2
Kings 8:26) (his age 42, in (2 Chronicles 22:2) Isa a
copyist's error). Ahaziah was an idolater, and he allied
himself with his uncle Jehoram king of Israel against Hazael,
the new king of Syria. the two kings were, however defeated
at Ramoth, where Jehoram was severely wounded. The revolution
carried out in Israel by Jehu under the guidance of Elisha
broke out while Ahaziah was visiting his uncle at Jezreel. As
Jehu approached the town, Jehoram and Ahaziah went out to
meet him; the former was shot through the heart by Jehu, and
Ahaziah was pursued and mortally wounded. He died when he
reached Megiddo.
Ahban
(brother of the wise, discreet), son of Abishur by his wife
Abihail. (1 Chronicles 2:29) He was of the tribe of Judah.
Aher
(following), ancestor of Hushim a Benjamite. The name occurs in
the genealogy of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:12) It is not
improbable that Aher and Ahiram, (Numbers 26:38) are the same.
Ahi
(a brother).
+ A Gadite, chief of a family who lived in Gilead in Bashan, (1
Chronicles 5:15) in the days of Jotham and of Judah. (B.C.
758.)
+ A descendant of Shamer, of the tribe of Asher. (1 Chronicles
7:34)
Ahiah, Or Ahijah
(friend of Jehovah).
+ Son of Ahitub, grandson of Phinehas and great-grandson of
Eli, succeeded his father as high priest in the reign of
Saul. (1 Samuel 14:3,18) Ahiah is probably the same person as
Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. (B.C. 980.)
+ One of Solomon's princes. (1 Kings 4:3)
+ A prophet of Shiloh, (1 Kings 14:2) hence called the
Shilonite, (1 Kings 11:29) of whom we have two remarkable
prophecies extant, the one in (1 Kings 11:30-39) addressed to
Jeroboam, announcing the rending of the ten tribes from
Solomon; the other in (1 Kings 14:6-16) in which he foretold
the death of Abijah, the king's son, who was sick, and the
destruction of Jeroboam's house on account of the images
which he had set up. (1 Kings 14:2,3) (B.C. about 956.)
+ Father of Baasha king of Israel. (1 Kings 15:27,33)
+ Son of Jerahmeel. (1 Chronicles 2:25)
+ Son of Bela. (1 Chronicles 8:7)
+ One of David's mighty men. (1 Chronicles 11:36)
+ A Levite in David's reign. (1 Chronicles 26:20)
+ One of the "heads of the people" who joined in the covenant
with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:26)
Ahiam
son of Sharar the Hararite (or of Sacar,) (1 Chronicles 11:35)
one of David's thirty mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:33) (B.C. 1050.)
Ahian
a Manassite of the family of Shemidah. (1 Chronicles 7:19)
Ahiezer
(brother of help).
+ Son of Ammishaddai, hereditary chieftain of the tribe of Dan.
(Numbers 1:12; 2:25; 7:66) (B.C. 1490).
+ The Benjamite chief of a body of archers in the time of
David. (1 Chronicles 12:3) (B.C. 1050.)
Ahihud
(brother of renown).
+ The son of Shelomi and prince of the tribe of Asher. (Numbers
34:27)
+ Chieftain of the tribe of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 8:7)
Ahijah
[[94]Ahiah, Or Ahijah]
Ahikam
(a brother who raises up), son of Shaphan the scribe, an
influential officer at the court of Josiah, was one of the
delegates sent by Hilkaih to consult Huldah. (2 Kings 22:12-14)
In the reign of Jehoiakim he successfully used his influence to
protect the prophet Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 26:24) He was the
father of Gedaliah. [[95]Gedaliah] (B.C. 641).
Ahilud
(a brother of one born, i.e. before him).
+ Father of Jehoshaphat, the recorder or chronicler of the
kingdom in the reigns of David and Solomon. (2 Samuel 8:16;
20:24; 1 Kings 4:3; 1 Chronicles 18:15) (B.C. before 1015.)
+ The father of Baana, one of Solomon's twelve commissariat
officers. (1 Kings 4:12) It is uncertain whether he is the
same with the foregoing.
Ahimaaz
(brother of anger).
+ Son of Zadok the high priest in David's reign, and celebrated
for his swiftness of foot. During Absalom's rebellion he
carried to David the important intelligence that Ahithophel
had counselled an immediate attack upon David and his
followers. (2 Samuel 15:24-37; 17:15-22) Shortly afterwards
he was the first to bring to the king the good news of
Absalom's defeat. (2 Samuel 18:19-33) (B.C. 972-956.)
+ Saul's wife's father. (1 Samuel 14:50) (B.C. before 1093.)
+ Solomon's son-in-law. (1 Kings 4:15) (B.C. after 1014.)
Ahiman
(brother of the right hand).
+ One of the three giant Anakim who inhabited Mount Hebron,
(Numbers 13:22,23) seen by Caleb and the spies. (B.C. 1490.)
The whole race was cut off by Joshua, (Joshua 11:21) and the
three brothers were slain by the tribe of Judah. (Judges
1:10)
+ A Levite porter. (1 Chronicles 9:17)
Ahimelech
(brother of the king).
+ Son of Ahitub, (1 Samuel 22:11,12) and high priest of Nob in
the days of Saul. He gave David the shew bread to eat, and
the sword of Goliath; and for so doing was put to death, with
his whole house, by Saul's order. Abiathar alone escaped.
[[96]Abiathar] (B.C. 1085-1060.)
+ A Hittite. (1 Samuel 26:6)
Ahimoth
(brother of death), a Levite apparently in the time of David.
(1 Chronicles 6:25) In v. (1 Chronicles 6:35) for Ahimoth we
find [97]Mahath, as in (Luke 3:26)
Ahinadab
(brother the noble, i.e. a noble brother), Son of Iddo, one of
Solomon's twelve commissaries who supplied provisions for the
royal household. (1 Kings 4:14) (B.C. 1014-975.)
Ahinoam
(brother of grace, i.e. gracious).
+ The daughter of Ahimaaz and wife of Saul. (1 Samuel 14:50)
(B.C. about 1090.)
+ A native of Jezreel who was married to David during his
wandering life. (1 Samuel 25:43) (B.C. 1060.) She lived with
him and his other wife Abigail at the court of Achish, (1
Samuel 27:3) was taken prisoner with her by the Amalekites
when they plundered Ziklag, (1 Samuel 30:5) but was rescued
by David. (1 Samuel 30:18)
Ahio
(brotherly).
+ Son of Abinadab, who accompanied the ark when it was brought
out of his father's house. (2 Samuel 6:3,4; 1 Chronicles
13:7) (B.C.1043.)
+ A Benjamite, one of the sons of Beriah. (1 Chronicles 8:14)
+ A Benjamite, Son of Jehiel. (1 Chronicles 8:31; 9:37)
Ahira
(brother of evil, i.e. unlucky), Chief of the tribe of
Naphtali. (Numbers 1:15; 2:29; 7:78,83; 10:27)
Ahiram
(brother of height, lofty), one of the sons of Benjamin, and
ancestor of the AHIRAMITES (Numbers 26:38) In (Genesis 46:21)
the name appears as "Ehi and Rosh." It is uncertain whether
Ahiram is the same as [98]Aher, (1 Chronicles 7:12) or
[99]Aharah, (1 Chronicles 8:1)
Ahisamach
(brother of help), a Danite, father of Aholiab one of the
architects of the tabernacle. (Exodus 31:6; 35:34; 38:23) (B.C.
1490)
Ahishahar
(brother of the dawn), one of the sons of Bilhan, the grandson
of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:10)
Ahishar
the controller of Solomon's household. (1 Kings 4:6)
Ahithophel
(brother of foolishness), a native of Giloh, was a privy
councillor of David, whose wisdom was highly esteemed, though
his name had an exactly opposite signification. (2 Samuel
16:23) (B.C. 1055-1023.) He was the grandfather of Bathsheba.
Comp. (2 Samuel 11:3) with 2Sam 23:34 Ahithophel joined the
conspiracy of Absalom against David, and persuaded him to take
possession of the royal harem, (2 Samuel 16:21) and recommended
an immediate pursuit of David. His advice was wise; but Hushai
advised otherwise. When Ahithophel saw that Hushai's advice
prevailed, he despaired of success, and returning to his own
home "put his household in order and hanged himself." (2 Samuel
17:1-23)
Ahitub
(brother of goodness).
+ The son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli, and therefore of the
family of Ithamar. (1 Samuel 14:3; 22:9,11) (B.C. 1125.) He
was succeeded by his son Ahijah ([100]Ahimelech). (B.C.
1085.)
+ Son of Amariah, and father of Zadok the high priest, (1
Chronicles 6:7,8; 2 Samuel 8:17) of the house of Eleazar.
(B.C. before 1045.)
Ahlab
(fertile), a city of Asher from which the Canaanites were not
driven out. (Judges 1:31)
Ahlai, Or Ahlai
(ornamental) daughter of Sheshan, whom, having no issue, he
gave in marriage to his Egyptian slave Jarha. (1 Chronicles
2:31,35) From her were descended Zabad, one of David's mighty
men, (1 Chronicles 11:41) and Aza-riah, one of the captains of
hundreds in the reign of Joash. (2 Chronicles 23:1)
Ahoah
(brothely), son of Bela the son of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 8:4)
In (1 Chronicles 8:7) he is called [101]Ahiah, Or Ahijah. The
patronymic, [102]Ahohite, is found in (2 Samuel 23:9,28; 1
Chronicles 11:12,29; 27:4)
Ahohite
[[103]Ahoah]
Aholah And Aholibah
(my tabernacle) two symbolical names, are described as harlots,
the former representing Samaria and the latter Judah. Ezek. 23.
Aholiab
a Danite of great skill as a weaver and embroiderer, whom Moses
appointed with Bezaleel to erect the tabernacle. (Exodus
35:30-35) (B.C. 1490.)
Aholibamah Or Abolibamah
(my tabernacle is exulted), One of the three wives of Esau.
(B.C. 1797.) She was the daughter of Anah. (Genesis 36:2,26) In
the earlier narrative, (Genesis 26:34) Aholi-bamah is called
Judith, which may have been her original name.
Ahumai
(brother of water, i.e. cowardly), Son of Jabath, a descendant
of Judah, and head of one of the families of the Zorathites. (1
Chronicles 4:2)
Ahuzam
(possession), properly Ahuzzam son of Ashur, the father or
founder of Tekoa, by his wife Naarah. (1 Chronicles 4:6)
Ahuzzath
(possesions) one of the friends of the Philistine king
Abimelech, who accompanied him at his interview with Isaac.
(Genesis 26:26) (B.C. about 1877.)
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(heap of ruins).
+ A city lying east of Bethel and "beside Bethaven." (Joshua
7:2; 8:9) It was the second city taken by Israel after the
passage of the Jordan, and was "utterly destroyed." (Joshua
7:3-5; 8:1; Joshua 9:3; 10:1,2; 12:9)
+ A city of the Ammonites, apparently attached to Heshbon.
(Jeremiah 49:3)
Aiah
(clamor).
+ Son of Zibeon, a descendant of Seir and ancestor of one of
the wives of Esau, (1 Chronicles 1:40) called in (Genesis
36:24) [104]Ajah = A Iah. He probably died before his father,
as the succession fell to his brother Anah.
+ Father of Rizpah, the concubine of Saul. (2 Samuel 3:7;
21:8,10,11) (B.C. before 1040.)
Aiath
(feminine of Ai), a place named by Isaiah, (Isaiah 10:28) in
connection with Migron and Michmash probably the same as Ai.
Aija
like Aiath probably a variation of the name Ai, mentioned with
Michmash and Bethel. (Nehemiah 11:31)
Aijalon, Or Ajalon
(place of gazelles).
+ A city of the Kohathites. (Joshua 21:24; 1 Chronicles 6:69)
It was a Levitical city and a city of refuge. It was
originally allotted to the tribe of Dan, (Joshua 19:42)
Authorized Version, AJALON, which tribe, however, was unable
to dispossess the Amorites of the place. (Judges 1:35)
Aijalon was one of the towns fortified by Reheboam, (2
Chronicles 11:10) and the last we hear of it is being in the
hands of the Philistines. (2 Chronicles 28:18) Being on the
very frontier of the two kingdoms, we can understand how
Aijalon should be spoken of sometimes, (1 Chronicles 6:69)
comp. with 1Chr 6:66 As in Ephraim and sometimes, (2
Chronicles 11:10; 1 Samuel 14:31) as in Judah and Benjamin.
It is represented by the modern Yalo, a little to the north
of the Jaffa road, about 14 miles out of Jerusalem.
+ A broad and beautiful valley near the city of Aijalon over
which Joshua commanded the moon to stand still during the
pursuit after the battle of Gibeon. (Joshua 10:12)
+ A place in Zebulon, mentioned as the burial-place of Elon,
one of the Judges. (Judges 12:12)
Aijeleth Shahar
(the hind of the morning dawn), found once only in the Bible,
in the title of (Psalms 22:1) It probably describes to the
musician the melody to which the psalm was to be played.
Ain
(spring, well).
+ One of the landmarks on the eastern boundary of Palestine.
(Numbers 34:11) It is probably 'Ain el-'Azy, the main source
of the Orontes.
+ One of the southernmost cities of Judah, (Joshua 15:32)
afterwards allotted to Simeon, (Joshua 19:7; 1 Chronicles
4:32) and given to the priests. (Joshua 21:16)
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[[105]Aijalon, Or Ajalon]
Ajah = A Iah
+ (Genesis 36:24)
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Contents Akan
(sharp sighted), son of Ezer, one of the "dukes" or chieftains
of the Horites, and descendant of Seir. (Genesis 36:27) He is
called [106]Jakan in (1 Chronicles 1:42)
Akeldama
Revised Version of (Acts 1:19) for [107]Aceldama.
Akkub
(insidious).
+ A descendant of Zerubbabel and son of Elioenai. (1 Chronicles
3:24)
+ One of the porters or doorkeepers at the east gate of the
temple. (B.C. 636-440.)
+ One of the Nethinim, whole family returned with Zerubbabel.
(Ezra 2:45) (B.C. 536.)
+ A Levite who assisted Ezra in expounding the law to the
people. (Nehemiah 8:7)
Akrabbim
(the ascent of, or the going up to); also MAALEH-ACRABBIM (the
scorpion pass), A pass between the south end of the Dead Sea
and Zin, forming one of the landmarks on the south boundary at
once of Judah, (Joshua 15:3) and of the Holy Land. (Numbers
34:4) Also the boundary of the Amorites. (Judges 1:36) As to
the name, scorpions abound in the whole of this district.
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Table of
Contents Alabaster
from the Arabic al bastraton, a whitish stone or from
Alabastron, the place in Egypt where it is found. It occurs
only in (Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3; Luke 7:37) The ancients
considered alabaster to be the best material in which to
preserve their ointments. The Oriental alabaster (referred to
in the Bible) is a translucent carbonate of lime, formed on the
floors of limestone caves by the percolation of water. It is of
the same material as our marbles, but differently formed. It is
usually clouded or banded like agate, hence sometimes called
onyx marble. Our common alabaster is different from this, being
a variety of gypsum or sulphate of lime, used In its finer
forms for vases, etc.; in the coarser it is ground up for
plaster of Paris. The noted sculptured slabs from Nineveh are
made of this material.
Alameth
properly Al'emeth (covering), one of the sons of Beecher,the
son of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:8)
Alammelech
(king's oak), a place within the limits of Asher, named between
Achshaph and Amad. (Joshua 19:26) only.
Alamoth
(virgins), (Psalms 46:1) title; (1 Chronicles 15:20) Some
interpret it to mean a musical instrument, and others a melody.
Alemeth
(covering), a Benjamite, son of Jehoadah or Jarah, (1
Chronicles 8:36; 9:42) and descended from Jonathan the son of
Saul. (B.C after 1077.)
Alexander
+ Son of Simon the Cyrenian, who was compelled to bear the
cross for our Lord. (Mark 15:21)
+ One of the kindred of Annas the high priest. (Acts 4:6)
+ A Jew at Ephesus whom his countrymen put forward during the
tumult raised by Demetrius the silversmith, (Acts 19:33) to
plead their cause with the mob.
+ An Ephesian Christian reprobated by St. Paul in (1 Timothy
1:20) as having, together with one Hymenaeus, put from him
faith and a good conscience, and so made shipwreck concerning
the faith. This may be the same with
+ Alexander the coppersmith, mentioned by the same apostle, (2
Timothy 4:14) as having done him many mischiefs.
Alexander Iii
(helper of men--brave) king of Macedon, surnamed the Great, the
son of Philip and Olympias, was born at Pella B.C. 356, and
succeeded his father B.C. 336. Two years afterwards he crossed
the Hellespont (B.C. 334) to carry out the plans of his fathers
and execute the mission of (Greece to the civilized world. He
subjugated Syria and Palestine B.C. 334-332. Egypt next
submitted to him B.C. 332, and in this year he founded
Alexandria. In the same year he finally defeated Darius at
Gaugamela, who in B.C. 330 was murdered. The next two years
were occupied by Alexander in the consolidation of his Persian
conquests and the reduction of Bactria. In B.C. 327 he crossed
the Indus; turning westward he reached Susa B.C. 325, and
proceeded to Babylon B.C. 324, which he chose as the capital of
his empire. In the next year (B.C. 323) he died there of
intemperance, at the early age of 32, in the midst of his
gigantic plans; and those who inherited his conquests left his
designs unachieved and unattempted. cf. (Daniel 7:6; 8:5; 11:3)
Alexander is intended in (Daniel 2:39) and also Dani 7:6;
8:5-7; 11:3,4 The latter indicating the rapidity of his
conquests and his power. He ruled with great dominion, and did
according to his will, (Daniel 11:3) "and there was none that
could deliver .... out of his hand." (Daniel 8:7)
Alexandria, Or Alexandria
(from Alexander), 3 Ma 3:1; (Acts 18:24; 6:9) the Hellenic,
Roman and Christian capital of Egypt. Situation .-- (Alexandria
was situated on the Mediterranean Sea directly opposite the
island of Pharos, 12 miles west of the Canopic branch of the
Nile and 120 miles from the present city of Cairo.) It was
founded by Alexander the Great, B.C. 332, who himself traced
the ground plan of the city. The work thus begun was continued
after the death of Alexander by the Ptolemies. Description .--
Under the despotism of the later Ptolemies the trade of
Alexandria declined, but its population and wealth were
enormous. Its importance as one of the chief corn-ports of Rome
secured for it the general favor of the first emperors. Its
population was mixed from the first. According to Josephus
Alexander himself assigned to the Jews a place in his new city.
Philo estimated the number of the Alexandrine Jews in his time
at a little less than 1,000,000 and adds that two of the five
districts of Alexandria were called "Jewish districts," and
that many Jews lived scattered in the remaining three. "For a
long period Alexandria was the greatest of known cities." After
Rome became the chief city of the world, Alexandria ranked
second to Rome in wealth and importance, and second to Athens
only in literature and science. Its collection of books grew to
be the greatest library of ancient times, and contained at one
time 700,000 rolls or volumes. Here was made the Septuagint
translation of the Old Testament into Greek, begun about B.C.
285, especially in grain, was very great. According to the
common legend, St. Mark first "preached the gospel in Egypt,
and founded the first church in Alexandria." At the beginning
of the second century the number of Christians at Alexandria
must have been very large, and the great leaders of Gnosticism
who arose there (Basilides, Valentinus) exhibit an exaggeration
of the tendency of the Church. PRESENT CONDITION. The city
still bears the same name and is a thriving metropolis, with
inhabitants from nearly every European and Oriental nation.
Cleopatra's needle, set up by Thotmes in 1500 B.C., was found
in Alexandria.
Alexandrians
the Jewish colonists of Alexandria, who were admitted to the
privileges of citizenship and had a synagogue at Jerusalem.
(Acts 6:9)
Algum Or Almug Trees
the former occurring in (2 Chronicles 2:8; 9:10,11) the latter
in (1 Kings 10:11,12) These words are identical. From (1 Kings
10:11,12; 2 Chronicles 9:10,11) we learn that the almug was
brought in great plenty from Ophir for Solomon's temple and
house, and for the construction of musical instruments. It is
probable that this tree is the red sandle wood, which is a
native of India and Ceylon. The wood is very heavy, hard and
fine grained, and of a beautiful garnet color.
Aliah
[[108]Alvah]
Alian
[[109]Alvan]
Allegory
a figure of speech, which has been defined by Bishop Marsh, in
accordance with its etymology as, "a representation of one
thing which is intended to excite the representation of another
thing." ("A figurative representation containing a meaning
other than and in addition to the literal." "A fable or
parable; is a short allegory with one definite moral."--Encyc.
Brit.) In every allegory there is a twofold sense--the
immediate or historic, which is understood from the words, and
the ultimate, which is concerned with the things signified by
the words. The allegorical interpretation is not of the words,
but of the thing signified by them, and not only may, but
actually does, coexist with the literal interpretation in every
allegory, whether the narrative in which it is conveyed be of
things possible or real. An illustration of this may be seen in
(Galatians 4:24) where the apostle gives an allegorical
interpretation to the historical narrative of Hagar and Sarah,
not treating that narrative as an allegory in itself; as our
Authorized Version would lead us to suppose, but drawing from
it a deeper sense than is conveyed by the immediate
representation. (Addison's Vision of Mirza and Bunyan's
Pilgrim's Progress are among the best allegories in all
literature.)
Alleluia
so written in (Revelation 19:6) foll., or more properly
[110]Hallelujah, praise ye Jehovah, as it is found in the
margin of (Psalms 104:35; 105:45; 106; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1)
comp. Psal 113:9; 115:18; 116:19, 117:2 The literal meaning of
"hallelujah" sufficiently indicates the character of the Psalms
in which it occurs as hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
Alliances
On the first establishment of the Hebrews in Palestine no
connections were formed between them and the surrounding
nations. But with the extension of their power under the kings
alliances became essential to the security of their commerce.
Solomon concluded two important treaties exclusively for
commercial purposes the first with Hiram king of Tyre (1 Kings
5:2-12; 9:27) the second with a Pharaoh, king of Egypt. (1
Kings 10:28,29) When war broke out between Amaziah I and
Jeroboam II, a coalition was formed between Rezin, king of
Syria, and Pekah on the one side, and Ahaz and Tiglath-pileser,
king of Assyria, on the other. (2 Kings 16:5-9) The formation
of an alliance was attended with various religious rites. A
victim was slain and divided into two parts, between which the
contracting parties passed. (Genesis 15:10) Generally speaking
the oath alone is mentioned in the contracting of alliances,
either between nations, (Joshua 9:15) or individuals. (Genesis
25:28; 31:53; 1 Samuel 20:17; 2 Kings 11:4) The event was
celebrated by a feast. Genesis l.c.; (Exodus 24:11; 2 Samuel
3:12,20) Salt, as symbolical of fidelity, was used on these
occasions. Occasionally a pillar or a heap of stones was set up
as a memorial of the alliance. (Genesis 31:52) Presents were
also sent by the parties soliciting the alliance. (1 Kings
15:18; Isaiah 30:6); 1 Macc 16:18. The fidelity of the Jews to
their engagements was conspicuous at all periods of their
history, (Joshua 9:18) and any breach of covenant was visited
with very severe punishment. (2 Samuel 21:1; Ezekiel 17:16)
Allon
a large strong tree of some description probably an oak.
+ [111]Allon more accurately [112]Elon, a place named among the
cities of Naphtali. (Joshua 19:33) Probably the more correct
construction is to take it with the following word, i.e.,
"the oak by Zaanannim. [[113]Elon]
+ [114]Allon BACHUTH (oak of weeping) the tree under which
Rebekah's nurse, Deborah, was buried. (Genesis 35:8)
(an oak) a Simeonite, ancestor of Ziza, a prince of his tribe
in the reign of Hezekiah (1 Chronicles 4:37) (B.C. 727.)
Almodad
(measure) the first in order of the descendants of Joktan.
(Genesis 10:26; 1 Chronicles 1:20)
Almon
(concealed) a city within the tribe of Benjamin, with "suburbs"
given to the priests. (Joshua 21:18) [[115]Alemeth]
Almond Tree; Almond
This word is found in (Genesis 43:11; Exodus 25:33,34;
37:19,20; Numbers 17:8; Ecclesiastes 12:5; Jeremiah 1:11) in
the text of the Authorized Version. It is invariably
represented by the same Hebrew word, shaked meaning hasten.
(Jeremiah 1:11,12) The almond tree is a native of Asia and
North Africa, but it is cultivated in the milder parts of
Europe." It resembles the peach tree in form, blossom and
fruit. It is in fact only another species of the same genus."
The height of the tree is about 12 or 14 feet; the flowers are
pink, and arranged for the most part in pairs, the leaves are
long, ovate, with a serrated margin and an acute point. The
covering of the fruit is down and succulent, enclosing the hard
shell which contains the kernel. It is this but for which the
tree is chiefly valued. It is curious to observe, in connection
with the almond bowls of the golden candlestick, that, in the
language of lapidaries, almonds are pieces of rock crystal,
even now used in adorning branch candlesticks.
Almondiblathaim
(concealing the two cakes), one of the latest stations of the
Israelites between Dibon-gad and the mountains of Abarim
(Numbers 33:46,47) It is probably identical with
Beth-diblathaim.
Alms
The duty of alms-giving, especially in kind, consisting chiefly
in portions to be left designedly from produce of the field,
the vineyard and the oliveyard, (Leviticus 19:9,10; 23:22;
15:11; 24:19; 26:2-13; Ruth 2:2) is strictly enjoined by the
law. Every third year also, (14:28) each proprietor was
directed to share the tithe of his produce with "the Levite,
the stranger, the fatherless and the widow." The theological
estimate of alms-giving among the Jews is indicated in the
following passages: (Job 31:17; Proverbs 10:2; 11:4; Esther
9:22; Psalms 112:9; Acts 9:36) the case of Dorcas; (Acts 10:2)
of Cornelius; to which may be added Tobit 4:10,11; 14:10,11,
and Ecclus. 3:30; 40:24. The Pharisees were zealous in
almsgiving, but too ostentatious their mode of performance, for
which our Lord finds fault with them. (Matthew 6:2) The duty of
relieving the poor was not neglected by the Christians.
(Matthew 6:1-4; Luke 14:13; Acts 20:35; Galatians 2:10) Regular
proportionate giving was expected. (Acts 11:30; Romans
15:25-27; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4)
Almug Trees
[[116]Algum Or Almug Trees TREES]
Aloes, Lign Aloes
(in Heb. Ahalim, Ahaloth), The name of a costly and
sweet-smelling wood which is mentioned in (Numbers 24:6; Psalms
45:8; Proverbs 7:17; Song of Solomon 4:14; John 19:39) It is
usually identified with the Aquilaria agollochum, an aromatic
wood much valued in India. This tree sometimes grows to the
height of 120 feet, being 12 feet in girth.
Aloth
a place or district, forming with Asher the jurisdiction of the
ninth of Solomon's commissariat officers. (1 Kings 4:16)
Alpha
(A), the first letter of the Greek alphabet. With Omega, the
last letter, it is used in the Old Testament and in the New to
express the eternity of God, as including both the beginning
and the end. (Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13; Isaiah 41:4;
44:6) hence these letters became a favorite symbol of the
eternal divinity of our Lord, and were used for this purpose in
connection with the cross, or the monogram of Christ (i.e. the
first two letters, ch and r, of Christ's name in Greek). Both
Greeks and Hebrews employed the letters of the alphabet as
numerals.
Alphabet
[[117]Writing]
Alphaeus
(changing) the father of the apostle James the Less, (Matthew
10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13) and husband of Mary.
(John 19:25) [[118]Mary] In this latter place he is called
Clopas (not, as in the Authorized Version, Cleophas).
Altar
The first altar of which we have any account is that built by
Noah when he left the ark. (Genesis 8:20) In the early times
altars were usually built in certain spots hallowed by
religious associations, e.g., where God appeared. (Genesis
12:7; 13:18; 26:25; 35:1) Though generally erected for the
offering of sacrifice, in some instances they appear to have
been only memorials. (Genesis 12:7; Exodus 17:15,16) Altars
were most probably originally made of earth. The law of Moses
allowed them to be made of either earth or unhewn stones.
(Exodus 20:24,25) I. The Altar of Burnt Offering . It differed
in construction at different times. (1) In the tabernacle,
(Exodus 27:1) ff.; Exod 38:1 ff., it was comparatively small
and portable. In shape it was square. It as five cubits in
length, the same in breadth, and three cubits high. It was made
of planks of shittim (or acacia) wood overlaid with brass. The
interior was hollow. (Exodus 27:8) At the four corners were
four projections called horns made, like the altar itself, of
shittim wood overlaid with brass, (Exodus 27:2) and to them the
victim was bound when about to be sacrificed. (Psalms 118:27)
Round the altar, midway between the top and bottom, ran a
projecting ledge, on which perhaps the priest stood when
officiating. To the outer edge of this, again, a grating or
network of brass was affixed, and reached to the bottom of the
altar. At the four corners of the network were four brazen
rings, into which were inserted the staves by which the altar
was carried. These staves were of the same material as the
altar itself. As the priests were forbidden to ascend the altar
by steps, (Exodus 20:26) it has been conjectured that a slope
of earth led gradually up to the ledge from which they
officiated. The place of the altar was at the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation.)" (Exodus 40:29) (2) In
Solomon's temple the altar was considerably larger in its
dimensions. It differed too in the material of which it was
made, being entirely of brass. (1 Kings 8:64; 2 Chronicles 7:7)
It had no grating, and instead of a single gradual slope, the
ascent to it was probably made by three successive platforms,
to each of which it has been supposed that steps led. The altar
erected by Herod in front of the temple was 15 cubits in height
and 50 cubits in length and breadth. According to (Leviticus
6:12,13) a perpetual fire was to be kept burning on the altar.
II. The Altar of Incense, called also the golden altar to
distinguish it from the altar of burnt offering which was
called the brazen altar. (Exodus 38:30) (a) That in the
tabernacle was made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold. In
shape it was square, being a cubit in length and breadth and
two cubits in height. Like the altar of burnt offering it had
horns at the four corners, which were of one piece with the
rest of the altar. This altar stood in the holy place, "before
the vail that is by the ark of the testimony." (Exodus 30:6;
40:5) (b) The altar of Solomon's temple was similar, (1 Kings
7:48; 1 Chronicles 28:18) but was made of cedar overlaid with
gold. III. Other Altars . In (Acts 17:23) reference is made to
an alter to an unknown God. There were several altars in Athens
with this inscription, erected during the time of a plague.
Since they knew not what god was offended and required to be
propitiated.
Altaschith
(destroy not), found in the introductory verse to Psalms
57,58,59,75. It was probably the beginning of some song or poem
to the tune of which those psalms were to be chanted.
Alush
(a crowd of men) one of the stations of the Israelites on their
journey to Sinai, the last before Rephidim. (Numbers 33:13,14)
Alvah
(evil), a duke of Edom, (Genesis 36:40) written [119]Aliah in
(1 Chronicles 1:51)
Alvan
(tall), a Horite, son of Shobal, (Genesis 36:23) written
[120]Alian in (1 Chronicles 1:40)
Amad
(enduring), an unknown place in Asher, between Alammelech and
Misheal. (Joshua 19:26) only.
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Table of
Contents Amadatha
(Esther 16:10,17) and Amad'athus . (Esther 12:6)
[[121]Hammedatha]
Amal
(labor), an Asherite, son of Helem. (1 Chronicles 7:35)
Amalek
(dweller in a valley), a son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah
grandson of Esau, and chieftain ("duke," Authorized Version) of
Edom. (Genesis 36:12,16; 1 Chronicles 1:36) (B.C. about 1700.)
Amalekites
a nomadic tribe of uncertain origin, which occupied the
peninsula of Sinai and the wilderness intervening between the
southern hill-ranges of Palestine and the border of Egypt.
(Numbers 13:29; 1 Samuel 15:7; 27:8) Their wealth consisted in
flocks and herds. Mention is made of a "town" (1 Samuel 15:5)
but their towns could have been little more than stations or
nomadic enclosures. The Amalekites first came in contact with
the Israelites at Rephidim, but were signally defeated. (Exodus
17:8-16) In union with the Canaanites they again attacked the
Israelites on the borders of Palestine, and defeated them near
Hormah. (Numbers 14:45) Saul undertook an expedition against
them. (1 Samuel 14:48) Their power was thenceforth broken, and
they degenerated into a horde of banditti. Their destruction
was completed by David. (1 Samuel 30:1-17)
Amalekites, Mount Of
a mountain in Ephraim, (Judges 12:15) probably so named because
the Amalekites once held possession of it.
Amam
(gathering place), a city in the south of Judah named with
Shema and Moladah in (Joshua 15:26) only.
Aman
[[122]Haman] (Esther 10:7; 12:6; 13:3,12; 14:17; 16:10,17)
Amana
(a covenant), apparently a mountain in or near Lebanon. (Song
of Solomon 4:8) It is commonly assumed that this is the
mountain in which the river Abana, (2 Kings 5:12) has its
source.
Amariah
(the Lord says, i.e. promises).
+ Father of Ahitub according to (1 Chronicles 6:7,52) and son
of Meraioth, in the line of the high priests.
+ The high priest in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles
19:11) He was the son of Azariah.
+ The head of a Levitical house of the Kohathites. (1
Chronicles 23:13; 24:23)
+ The head of one of the twenty-four courses of priest. (2
Chronicles 31:15; Nehemiah 10:3; 12:2,13)
+ One of the sons of Bani in the time of Ezra. (Ezra 10:42)
+ A priest who returned with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah 10:3;
12:2,13)
+ A descendant of Pharez. (Nehemiah 11:4)
+ An ancestor of Zephaniah the prophet. (Zephaniah 1:1)
Amasa
(a burden).
+ Son of Ithra, or Jether, by Abigail, David's sister. (2
Samuel 17:25) He joined in Absalom's rebellion, B.C. 1023,
was appointed commander-in-chief and suffered defeat by Joab.
(2 Samuel 18:6) David, incensed against Joab for killing
Absalom, forgave Amasa and appointed him Joab's successor. (2
Samuel 19:13) Joab afterwards, when they were both in pursuit
of the rebel Sheba, pretending to salute Amasa stabbed him
with his sword. (2 Samuel 20:10)
+ A prince of Ephraim, son of Hadlai, in the reign of Ahaz. (2
Chronicles 28:12)
Amasai, Or Amasai
(burdensome)
+ A Kohathite, father of Mahath and ancestor of Samuel (1
Chronicles 6:25,35)
+ Chief of the captains of Judah and Benjamin, who deserted to
David while an outlaw at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:18) (B.C.
1060.)
+ One of the priests who blew trumpets before the ark. (1
Chronicles 15:24)
+ Another Kohathite, in the reign of Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles
29:12)
Amashai Or Amashai
(burdensome), son of Azareel, a priest in the time of Nehemiah,
(Nehemiah 11:13) apparently the same as [123]Maasiai. (1
Chronicles 9:12) (B.C. 440.)
Amasiah
(whom Jehovah bears), son of Zichri and captain of 200,000
warriors of Judah in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles
17:16) (B.C. 910.)
Amath
[[124]Hamath]
Amaziah
(the strength of the Lord).
+ Son of Joash, and eighth king of Judah, reigned B.C. 837-809.
He succeeded to the throne at the age of 25, on the murder of
his father, and punished the murderers. In order to restore
his kingdom to the greatness of Jehoshaphat's days, he made
war on the Edomites, defeated them in the Valley of Salt,
south of the Dead Sea, and took their capital, Selah or
Petra, to which he gave the name of Jokteel, i.e.
"God-subdued." Flushed with his success, he challenged Joash
king of Israel to battle, but was completely defeated, and
himself was taken prisoner and conveyed by Joash to
Jerusalem, which opened its gates to the conqueror. Amaziah
lived 15 years after the death of Joash; and in the 29th year
of his reign was murdered by conspirators at Lachish, whither
he had retired from Jerusalem for safety. (2 Chronicles
25:27)
+ A descendant of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:34)
+ A Levite. (1 Chronicles 6:45)
+ Priest of the golden calf at Bethel who endeavored to drive
the prophet Amos from Israel into Judah. (Amos 7:11,12,14)
Ambassador
a person of high rank employed by a government to represent it
and transact its business at the seat of government of some
other power. The earliest examples of ambassadors employed
occur in (Numbers 20:14; 21:21; Judges 11:7-19) afterwards in
that of the fraudulent Gibeonites, (Joshua 9:4) etc., and in
the instances of civic strife mentioned (Judges 11:12) and Judg
20:12 Ambassadors are found to have been employed not only on
occasions of hostile challenge or insolent menace, (1 Kings
20:2,6; 2 Kings 14:8) but of friendly compliment, of request
for alliance or other aid, of submissive deprecation and of
curious inquiry. (2 Kings 14:8; 16:7; 18:14; 2 Chronicles
32:31) Ministers are called ambassadors of Christ.
Ambassage
embassy, a message of a public nature brought by ambassadors.
The word also sometimes includes the ambassadors themselves.
(Luke 14:32)
Amber
(Heb. chasmal) occurs only in (Ezekiel 1:4,27; 8:2) It is
usually supposed that the Hebrew word chasmal (denotes a metal)
and not the fossil resin called amber .
Amen
literally "true" and used as a substantive, "that which is
true," "truth," (Isaiah 65:16) a word used in strong
asseverations, fixing, as it were, the stamp of truth upon the
assertion which it accompanied, and making it binding as an
oath. Comp. (Numbers 5:22) In the synagogues and private houses
it was customary for the people or members of the family who
were present to say "amen" to the prayers which were offered.
(Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 14:16) And not only public
prayers, but those offered in private, and doxologies, were
appropriately concluded with "amen." (Romans 9:5; 11:36; 15:33;
16:27; 2 Corinthians 13:14) etc.
Amethyst
(Heb. achlamah) a subspecies of quartz of a bluish-violet
color. Mention is made of this precious stone, which formed the
third in the third row of the high priestly breastplate, in
(Exodus 28:19; 39:12) It occurs also in (Revelation 21:20)
Ami
(builder), one of Solomon's servants, (Ezra 2:57) called
[125]Amon, Or Amen, [126]Amon in (Nehemiah 7:59)
Amittai
(true), father of the prophet Jonah. (2 Kings 14:25; Jonah 1:1)
Ammah
(head), The hill of, A hill facing Giah by the way of the
wilderness of Gibeon, named as the point to which Joab pursued
Abner (2 Samuel 2:24)
Ammi
i.e., as explained in the margin of the Authorized Version, my
people . (Hosea 2:1)
Ammiel
(people of God).
+ The spy from the tribe of Dan. (Numbers 13:12) (B.C. 1490.)
He perished by the plague for his evil report.
+ Father of Machir of Lo-debar. (2 Samuel 9:4; 17:27)
+ Father of Bath-sheba, (1 Chronicles 3:5) called [127]Eliam in
(2 Samuel 11:3)
+ The sixth son of Obed-edom, (1 Chronicles 26:5) and one of
the doorkeepers of the temple. (B.C. 1014.)
Ammihud
(people of praise).
+ An Ephraimite father of Elishama, the chief of the tribe at
the time of the Exodus. (Numbers 1:10; 2:18; 7:48,53; 10:22;
7:26) and, through him, ancestor of Joshua. (B.C. 1491.)
+ A Simeonite, father of Shemuel. (Numbers 34:20)
+ The father of Pedahel, prince of the tribe of Naphtali.
(Numbers 34:28)
+ The father-of Talmai king of Geshur. (2 Samuel 13:37)
+ A descendant of Pharez, son of Judah. (1 Chronicles 9:4)
Amminadab
(one of the prince's people).
+ Son of Ram or Aram, and father of Nahshon, or [128]Naasson
(as it is written) (Matthew 1:4; Luke 3:32); (Numbers 1:7;
2:3; Ruth 4:19,20; 1 Chronicles 2:10) One of the ancestors of
Jesus Christ.
+ The chief of the 112 sons of Uzziel, a Junior Levitical house
of the family of the Kohathites. (Exodus 6:23; 1 Chronicles
15:10,11)
+ In (1 Chronicles 6:22) Izhar, the son of Kohath, is called
[129]Amminadib; probably a clerical error.
Amminadib
Probably another form of Amminadab. He was noted for the
swiftness of his chariot. (Song of Solomon 6:12) It is
uncertain whether we ought to read here AMMINADIB, with the
Authorized Version, or my willing people, as in the margin.
Ammishad'da-i (people of the Almighty), the father of Ahiezer,
prince of the tribe of Dan at the time of the Exodus. (Numbers
1:12; 2:25; 7:66,71; 10:25) (B.C. 1491.)
Ammizabad
(people of the Giver, i.e. God), the son of Benaiah, who
commanded the third division of David's army. (1 Chronicles
27:6) (B.C. 1050.)
Ammon
(sons of renown, mountaineers), Am'monites, Children of Ammon,
A people descended from Ben-ammi, the son of Lot by his younger
daughter. (Genesis 19:38) comp Psal 83:7,8 The Ammonites are
frequently mentioned with the Moabites (descendants of
Ben-ammi's half-brother), and sometimes under the same name.
Comp. (Judges 10:6; 2 Chronicles 20:1; Zephaniah 2:8) etc. The
precise position of the territory of the Ammonites is not
ascertainable. In the earliest mention of them, (2:20) they are
said to have dwelt in their place, Jabbok being their border.
(Numbers 21:24; 2:37; 3:16) (i.e. Land or country is, however,
but rarely ascribed to them. Their capital city was Rabbath,
called also Rabbath Ammon on the Jabbok. We find everywhere
traces of the fierce habits of maranders in their incursions.)
(1 Samuel 11:2; Amos 1:13) and a very high degree of crafty
cruelty to their toes. (Jeremiah 41:6,7; Judges 17:11,12) Moab
was the settled and civilized half of the nation of Lot, and
Ammon formed its predatory and Bedouin section. On the west of
Jordan they never obtained a footing. The hatred in which the
Ammonites were held by Israel is stated to have arisen partly
from their denial of assistance, (23:4) to the Israelites on
their approach to Canaan. But whatever its origin the animosity
continued in force to the latest date. The tribe was governed
by a king, (Judges 11:12) etc.; (1 Samuel 12:12; 2 Samuel 10:1;
Jeremiah 40:14) and by "princes." (2 Samuel 10:3; 1 Chronicles
19:3) The divinity of the tribe was Molech [[130]Molech], and
they were gross idolaters.
Ammonitess
a woman of Ammonite race. (1 Kings 14:21,31; 2 Chronicles
12:13)
Ammonno
See [131]No-Amon.
Amninadab
(Matthew 1:4; Luke 3:33) [[132]Amminadab, 1]
Amnon
(faithful).
+ Eldest son of David. (B.C. 1052.) He dishonored his
half-sister Tamar, and was in consequence murdered by her
brother. (2 Samuel 13:1-29)
+ Son of Shimon. (1 Chronicles 4:20)
Amok
a priest who returned with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah 12:7,20) (B.C.
536.)
Amon
(builder).
+ One of Ahab's governors. (1 Kings 22:26; 2 Chronicles 18:25)
+ King of Judah, son and successor of Manasseh, reigned two
years, from B.C. 642 to 640. Amon devoted himself wholly to
the service of false gods, but was killed in a conspiracy,
and was succeeded by his son Josiah.
Amon, Or Amen
(the mysterious), an Egyptian divinity, whose name occurs in
that of No-amon. (Nahum 3:8) Amen was one of the eight gods of
the first order and chief of the triad of Thebes. He was
worshipped at that city as Amen-Ra, or "Amen the Sun."
Amorite, The Amorites
(dwellers on the summits, mountaineers), one of the chief
nations who possessed the land of Canaan before its conquest by
the Israelites. As dwelling on the elevated portions of the
country, they are contrasted with the Canaanites, who were the
dwellers in the lowlands; and the two thus formed the main
broad divisions of the Holy Land, (Numbers 13:29) and see
(14:7; 1:7,20) "Mountain of the Amorites;" (1:44; Joshua 5:1;
10:6; 11:3) They first occupied the barren heights west of the
Dead Sea, at the place called afterwards Engedi. From this
point they stretched west to Hebron. At the date of the
invasion of the country, Sihon, their then king, had taken the
rich pasture land south of the Jabbok. This rich tract, bounded
by the Jabbok on the north, the Arnon on the south, the Jordan
on the west and "the wilderness" on the east, (Judges 11:21,22)
was, perhaps in the most special sense the "land of the
Amorites," (Numbers 21:31; Joshua 12:2,3; 13:10; Judges
11:21,22) but their possessions are distinctly stated to have
extended to the very foot of Hermon, (3:8; 4:48) embracing
"Gilead and all Bashan," (3:10) with the Jordan valley on the
east of the river. (4:49) After the conquest of Canaan nothing
of importance is heard of the Amorites in the Bible.
Amos
(burden), native of Tekoa in Judah, about six miles south of
Bethlehem, originally a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees,
who was called by God s Spirit to be a prophet, although not
trained in any of the regular prophetic schools. (Amos 1:1;
7:14,15) He travelled from Judah into the northern kingdom of
Israel or Ephraim, and there exercised his ministry, apparently
not for any long time. (His date cannot be later than B.C. 808
for he lived in the reigns of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam
king of Israel; but his ministry probably took place at an
earlier date, perhaps about the middle of Jeroboam's reign
Nothing is known of the time or manner of his death.--ED.)
Amos, Book Of
The book of the prophecies of Amos seems to be divided into
four principal portions closely connected together. (1) From
1:1 to 2:3 he denounces the sins of the nations bordering on
Israel and Judah. (2) From 2:4 to 6:14 he describes the state
of those two kingdoms, especially, the former. (3) From 7:1 to
9:10 he relates his visit to Bethel, and sketches the impending
punishment of Israel. At last he promises blessings. The chief
peculiarity of the style consists in the number of allusions to
natural objects and agricultural occupations, as might be
expected from the early life of the author.
Amoz
(strong), father of the prophet Isaiah, and, according to
rabbinical tradition, brother of Amaziah king of Judah. (2
Kings 19:2,20; 20:1; Isaiah 1:1) (B.C. before 756.)
Amphipolis
(a city surrounded by the sea), a city of Macedonia, through
which Paul and Silas passed on their way from Philippi to
Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) It was distant 33 Roman miles from
Philippi, to the southwest, and about three miles from the sea.
Its site is now occupied by a village called Neokhorio ; in
Turkish Jeni-Keni, or "New Town."
Amplias
(large), a Christian at Rome. (Romans 16:8) (A.D. 55.)
Ampliatus
(Revised Version,) (Romans 16:8) (the full name of which
[133]Amplias, above, is the contraction. The name in this form
is "common in the sepulchral inscriptions of persons connected
with Caesar's household." (A.D. 55.)--ED.)
Amram
(an exalted people).
+ A Levite of the family of the Kohathites, and father of
Moses. (Exodus 6:18,20) (B.C. 1571.)
+ A son of Dishon and descendant of Seir, (1 Chronicles 1:41)
properly "Hamram" = [134]Hemdan in (Genesis 36:26)
+ One of the sons of Bani in the time of Ezra, who had married
a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:34) (B.C. 459).
Amramites
A branch of the great Kohathite family of the tribe of Levi,
(Numbers 3:27; 1 Chronicles 26:23) descended from Amram, the
father of Moses.
Amraphel
(keeper of the gods) perhaps a Hamite king of Shinar or
Babylonia, who joined the victorious incursion of the Elamite
Chedorlaomer against the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and the
cities of the plain. Gen. 14. (B.C. 1898.)
Amulets
were ornaments, gems, scrolls. etc.. worn as preservatives
against the power of enchantments, and generally inscribed with
mystic forms or characters. The "earrings" in (Genesis 35:4)
were obviously connected with idolatrous worship and were
probably amulets taken from the bodies of the slain
Shechemites. They are subsequently mentioned among the spoils
of Midian. (Judges 8:24) In (Hosea 2:13) is another like
reference. The "earrings" in (Isaiah 3:20) were also amulets.
Amzi
(strong).
+ A Levite of the family of Merari. (1 Chronicles 6:46)
+ A priest. (Nehemiah 11:12)
Anab
(grape-town), a town in the mountains of Judah, (Joshua 15:50)
named with Debir and Hebron as once belonging to the Anakim.
(Joshua 11:21)
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Table of
Contents Anah
(one who answers), the son of Zibeon and father of Aholibamah,
one of Esau's wives. (Genesis 36:2,14,25) He is supposed to
have discovered the "hot springs" (not "mules," as in the
Authorized Version) in the desert as he fed the asses of Zibeon
his father. (B.C. 1797.)
Anaharath
(gorge or pass), a place within the border of Issachar, named
with Shihon and Rabbith. (Joshua 19:19)
Anaiah
(whom Jehovah answers).
+ Probably a priest. (Nehemiah 8:4)
+ One of the "heads of the people" who signed the covenant with
Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:22)
Anakim
(long-necked), a race of giants, descendants of Arba, (Joshua
15:13; 21:11) dwelling in the southern part of Canaan, and
particularly at Hebron, which from their progenitor received
the name of "city of Arba." Anak was the name of the race
rather than that of an individual. (Joshua 14:15) The race
appears to have been divided into three tribes or families,
bearing the names Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai. Though the
war-like appearance of the Anakim had struck the Israelites
with terror in the time of Moses, (Numbers 13:28; 9:2) they
were nevertheless dispossessed by Joshua, (Joshua 11:21,22) and
their chief city, Hebron, became the possession of Caleb.
(Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:20) After this time they vanish from
history.
Anamim
a Mizraite people or tribe. (Genesis 10:13; 1 Chronicles 1:11)
Anammelech
(image of the king), one of the idols worshipped by the
colonists introduced into Samaria from Sepharvaim. (2 Kings
17:31) He was worshipped with rites resembling those of Molech,
and is the companion-god to Adrammelech.
Anan
(a cloud), one of the "heads of the people" who signed the
covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:26) (B.C. 410.)
Anani
(Protected by Jehovah), the seventh son of Elioenai, descended
from the royal line of Judah. (1 Chronicles 3:24)
Ananiah
a place, named between Nob and Hazor, in which the Benjamites
lived after their return from captivity. (Nehemiah 11:32)
(protected by Jehovah) probably a priest, and ancestor of
Azariah, who assisted in rebuilding the city wall in the days
of Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 3:23) (B.C. before 446.)
Ananias
(whom Jehovah has graciously given)
+ A high priest in (Acts 23:2-5; 24:1) He was the son of
Nebedaeus. He was nominated to the office by Herod king of
Chalcis in A.D. 48; was deposed shortly before Felix left the
province and assassinated by the Sicarii at the beginning of
the last Jewish war.
+ A disciple at Jerusalem, husband of Sapphira. (Acts 5:1-11)
having sold his goods for the benefit of the church he kept
back a part of the price, bringing to the apostles the
remainder as if it was the whole, his wife being privy to the
scheme. St. Peter denounced the fraud, and Ananias fell down
and expired.
+ A Jewish disciple at Damascus, (Acts 9:10-17) of high repute,
(Acts 22:12) who sought out Saul during the period of
blindness which followed his conversion, and announced to him
his future commission as a preacher of the gospel. Tradition
makes him to have been afterwarded bishop of Damascus, and to
have died by martyrdom.
Anath
(answer), father of Shamgar. (Judges 3:31; 5:6)
Anathema
which literally means a thing suspended, is the equivalent of
the Hebrew word signifying a thing or person voted. Any object
so devoted to Jehovah was irredeemable. If an inanimate object,
it was to be given to the priests, (Numbers 18:14) if a living
creature or even a man, it was to be slain. (Leviticus
27:28,29) The word anathema frequently occurs in St. Paul's
writings, and is generally translated accused. An examination
of the passages in which it occurs shows that it had acquired a
more general sense as expressive either of strong feeling,
(Romans 9:3) or of dislike and condemnation. (1 Corinthians
12:3; 16:22; Galatians 1:9)
Anathoth
a priests' city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, with
"suburbs." (Joshua 21:18; 1 Chronicles 6:60) Anathoth lay about
three miles from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 10:30) The cultivation of
the priests survives in tilled fields of grain, with figs and
olives. There are the remains of walls and strong foundations,
and the quarries still supply Jerusalem with building stones.
(answers to prayer).
+ Son of Becher, a son of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:8)
+ One of the "heads of the people" who signed the covenant in
the time of Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:19) (B.C. 410.)
Anchor
(Acts 27:29)
Andrew
(manly), one of the apostles of our Lord, (John 1:40; Matthew
4:18) brother of Simon Peter. He was of Bethsaida, and had been
a disciple of John the Baptist, leaving him to follow our Lord.
By his means his brother Simon was brought to Jesus. (John
1:41) His place among the apostles seems to have been fourth,
next after the three Peter, James and John, and in company with
Philip. (Mark 3:18; Acts 1:13) The traditions about him are
various. He is said to have preached in Scythia, in Greece, in
Asia Minor and Thrace, and to have been crucified at Patrae in
Achaia.
Andronicus
(man-conqueror).
+ An officer left as viceroy, 2 Macc. 4:31, in Antioch by
Antiochus Epiphanes during his absence. 2 Macc. 4:31-38.
(B.C. 171.)
+ Another officer of Antiochus Epiphanes who was left by him on
Garizem. 2 Macc. 5:23.
+ A Christian at Rome, saluted by St. Paul, (Romans 16:7)
together with Junia.
Anem
(two springs), a city of Issachar, with "suburbs," belonging to
the (Gershonites). (1 Chronicles 6:70)
Aner
one of the three Amorite chiefs of Hebron who aided Abraham in
the pursuit after the four invading kings. (Genesis 14:13,24)
(boy), a city of Manasseh, west of Jordan, with "suburbs,"
given to the Kohathites. (1 Chronicles 6:70)
Anethothite
(2 Samuel 23:27) Anet'othite, (1 Chronicles 27:12) and
An'tothite, (1 Chronicles 11:28; 12:3) an inhabitant of
Anathoth, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Angel Of The Lord
(Genesis 16:7) etc. (The special form in which God manifested
himself to man, and hence Christ's visible form before the
incarnation. Compare (Acts 7:30-38) with the corresponding
Old-Testament history; and (Genesis 18:1,13,14,33) and Genesis
19:1)
Angels
By the word "angels" (i.e. "messengers" of God) we ordinarily
understand a race of spiritual beings of a nature exalted far
above that of man, although infinitely removed from that of
God--whose office is "to do him service in heaven, and by his
appointment to succor and defend men on earth. I. Scriptural
use of the word .--There are many passages in which the
expression "angel of God" is certainly used for a manifestation
of God himself (Genesis 22:11) with Genesis 22:12 and Exod 3:2
with Exod 3:6 and Exod 3:14 It is to be observed, also, that
side by side with these expressions we read of God's being
manifested in the form of man--as to Abraham at Mamre, (Genesis
18:2,22) comp. Genesis 19:1 To Jacob at Penuel, (Genesis
32:24,30) to Joshua at Gilgal, (Joshua 5:13,15) etc. Besides
this, which is the highest application of the word angel, we
find the phrase used of any messengers of God, such as the
prophets, (Isaiah 42:19; Haggai 1:13; Malachi 3:1) the priests,
(Malachi 2:7) and the rulers of the Christian churches.
(Revelation 1:20) II. Nature of angels--Angels are termed
"spirits," as in (Hebrews 1:14)--but it is not asserted that
the angelic nature is incorporeal. The contrary seems expressly
implied in (Luke 20:36; Philemon 3:21) The angels are revealed
to us as beings such as man might be, and will be when the
power of sin and death is removed, because always beholding his
face, (Matthew 18:10) and therefore being "made like him." (1
John 3:2) Their number must be very large, (1 Kings 22:19;
Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22) their strength is great, (Psalms
103:20; Revelation 5:2; 18:21) their activity marvelous (Isaiah
6:2-6; Matthew 26:53; Revelation 8:13) their appearance varied
according to circumstances, but was often brilliant and
dazzling. (Matthew 28:2-7; Revelation 10:1,2) Of the nature of
"fallen angels," the circumstances and nature of the temptation
by which they fell, we know absolutely nothing. All that is
certain is that they "left their first estate" and that they
are now "angels of the devil." (Matthew 25:41; Revelation
12:7,9) On the other hand the title especially assigned to the
angels of God--that of the "holy ones," see (Daniel 4:13,23;
8:13; Matthew 25:31)--is precisely the one which is given to
those men who are renewed in Christ's image. Comp. (Hebrews
2:10; 5:9; 12:23) III. Office of the angels . Of their office
in heaven we have only vague prophetic glimpses as in (1 Kings
22:19; Isaiah 6:1-3; Daniel 7:9,10; Revelation 6:11), etc.,
which show us nothing but a never-ceasing adoration. They are
represented as being, in the widest sense, agents of God's
providence, natural and supernatural, to the body and to the
soul. In one word, they are Christ's ministers of grace now,
and they shall be of judgment hereafter. (Matthew 13:39,41,49;
16:27; 24:31) etc. That there are degrees of the angelic
nature, both fallen and unfallen, and special titles and
agencies belonging to each, is clearly declared by St. Paul,
(Ephesians 1:21; Romans 8:38) but what their general nature is
it is useless to speculate.
Aniam
(sighing of the people), a Manassite, son of Shemidah (1
Chronicles 7:19)
Anim
(fountains), a city in the mountains of Judah, named with
Eshtemoh and Goshen. (Joshua 15:50)
Anise
This word occurs only in (Matthew 23:23) It is by no means a
matter of certainty whether the anise (Pimpinella anisum, Lin.)
or the dill (Anethum graveolens) is here intended though the
probability is more in favor of the latter plant. "Anise is an
annual plant growing to the height of one foot, carries a white
flower, and blooms from June till August. The seeds are
imported and used in large quantities on account of their
aromatic and carminative properties. It grows wild in Egypt, in
Syria, Palestine and all parts of the Levant. Among the
ancients anise seems to have been a common pot-herb in every
garden. Although it is less used in medicine by the moderns
than by the ancients, it still retains its former reputation as
an excellent stomachic, particularly for delicate women and
young children. The Romans chewed it in order to keep up an
agreeable moisture in the mouth and to sweeten the breath,
while some Orientals still do the same." Dill, a somewhat
similar plant, is an annual, bearing small aromatic seeds, used
also for cookery and medicine.
Anklet
This word does not occur in the Authorized Version; but anklets
are referred to in (Isaiah 3:16,18,20) They were fastened to
the ankle band of each leg; were as common as bracelets and
armlets and made of much the same material. The pleasant
jingling and tinkling which they made as they knocked against
each other was no doubt one of the reasons why they were
admired, They are still worn in the East.
Anna
(grace), a "prophetess" in Jerusalem at the time of our Lord's
Presentation in the temple. (Luke 2:36) She was of the tribe of
Asher.
Annas
(humble), the son of one Seth was appointed high priest A.D. 7
by Quirinus, the imperial governor of Syria, but was obliged by
Valerius Gratus, procurator of Judea, to give way to Ismael,
son of Phabi, at the beginning of the reign of Tiberius, A.D.
14. About A.D. 25 Joseph Caiaphas, son-in-law of An-nas, became
high priest, (John 18:13) but in Luke 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas
are both called high priests. Our Lord's first hearing, (John
18:13) was before Annas, who then sent him bound to Caiaphas.
Some maintain that the two, Annas and Caiaphas, were together
at the head of the Jewish people,--Caiaphas as actual high
priest, Annas as resident of the Sanhedrin- (Acts 4:6) Others
again suppose that Annas held the office of sagin, or
substitute of the high priest; others still that Annas held the
title and was really the ruling power. He lived to old age,
having had five sons high priests.
Anointing
in Holy Scripture, is either, I. Material--with oil--or II.
Spiritual--with the Holy Ghost. I. MATERIAL.--
+ Ordinary . Anointing the body or head with oil was a common
practice with the Jews, as with other Oriental nations.
(28:40; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15) Anointing the head with oil or
ointment seems also to have been a mark of respect sometimes
paid by a host to his guests. (Luke 7:46) and Psal 23:5
+ Official . It was a rite of inauguration into each of the
three typical offices of the Jewish commonwealth. a. Prophets
were occasionally anointed to their office, (1 Kings 19:16)
and were called messiahs, or anointed. (1 Chronicles 16:22;
Psalms 105:15) b. Priests, at the first institution of the
Levitical priesthood, were all anointed to their offices,
(Exodus 40:15; Numbers 3:3) but afterwards anointing seems to
have been specially reserved for the high priest, (Exodus
29:29; Leviticus 16:32) so that "the priest that is
anointed," (Leviticus 4:3) is generally thought to mean the
high priest. c. Kings. Anointing was the principal and
divinely-appointed ceremony in the inauguration of the Jewish
Kings. (1 Samuel 9:16; 10:1; 1 Kings 1:34,39) The rite was
sometimes performed more than once. David was thrice
anointed. d. Inanimate objects also were anointed with oil,
in token of their being set apart for religious service. Thus
Jacob anointed a pillar at Bethel. ((Genesis 31:13; Exodus
30:26-28)
+ Ecclesiastical . Anointing with oil is prescribed by St.
James to be used for the recovery of the sick. (James 5:14)
Analogous to this is the anointing with oil practiced by the
twelve. (Mark 6:13) II. SPIRITUAL.--
+ In the Old Testament a Deliverer is promised under the title
of Messiah, or Anointed, (Psalms 2:2; Daniel 9:25,26) and the
nature of his anointing is described to be spiritual, with
the Holy Ghost. (Isaiah 61:1) see Luke 4:18 In the New
Testament Jesus of Nazareth is shown to be the Messiah, or
Christ or Anointed, of the Old Testament, (John 1:41; Acts
9:22; 17:2,3; 18:4,28) and the historical fact of his being
anointed with the Holy Ghost is asserted and recorded. (John
1:32,33; Acts 4:27; 10:38) Christ was anointed as prophet
priest and king.
+ Spiritual anointing with the Holy Ghost is conferred also
upon Christians by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21) " Anointing
"expresses the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit upon
Christians who are priests and kings unto God.
Ant
(Heb. nemalah). This insect is mentioned twice in the Old
Testament: in (Proverbs 6:6; 30:25) In the former of these
passages the diligence of this insect is instanced by the wise
man as an example worthy of imitation; in the second passage
the ant's wisdom is especially alluded to; for these insects
"though they be little on the earth, are exceeding wise." (For
a long time European commentators and naturalists denied that
ants stored up grain for future use, as was asserted in
Proverbs but while this is true of most of the 104 European
species, two of those species do lay up food, and are called
harvesting ants . Like species have been found in Texas and
South America, and are known to exist in Palestine. They show
many other proofs of their skill. Some of them build wonderful
houses; these are often several stories high, sometimes five
hundred times the height of the builders, with rooms,
corridors, and vaulted roofs supported by pillars. Some species
keep a kind of cows; others have a regular army of soldiers;
some keep slaves--"No closer imitation of the ways of man could
be found in the entire animal economy." (See Encyc. Brit.)
McCook's "The Honey Ants" gives many curious facts about the
habits of this peculiar kind of ant, and of the harvesting ants
of the American plains.--ED.)
Antichrist
This term is employed by the apostle John alone, and is defined
by him in a manner which leaves no doubt as to its intrinsic
meaning. With regard to its application there is less
certainty. In the first passage-- (1 John 2:18)--in which it
occurs, the apostle makes direct reference to the false Christs
whose coming, it had been fore-told, should mark the last days.
In v. 22 we find, "he is antichrist, that denieth the Father
and the Son;" and still more positively, "every spirit that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of
antichrist." Comp. (2 John 1:7) From these emphatic and
repeated definitions it has been supposed that the object of
the apostle in his first epistle was to combat the errors of
Cerinthus, the Docetae and the Gnostics on the subject of the
Incarnation. (They denied the union of the divine and human in
Christ.) The coming of Antichrist was (believed to be foretold
in the "vile person" of Daniel's prophecy, (Daniel 11:21) which
received its first accomplishment in Antiochus Epiphanes but of
which the complete fulfillment was reserved for the last times.
He is identified with "the man of sin, the son of perdition."
(2 Thessalonians 2:3) This interpretation brings Antichrist
into close connection with the gigantic power of evil,
symbolized by the "beast," (Revelation 13:1) ... who received
his power from the dragon (i.e. the devil, the serpent of
Genesis), continued for forty and two months, and was invested
with the kingdom of the ten kings who destroyed the harlot
Babylon, (Revelation 17:12,17) the city of seven hills. The
destruction of Babylon is to be followed by the rule of
Antichrist for a short period, (Revelation 17:10) to be in his
turn overthrown in "the battle of that great day of God
Almighty," (Revelation 16:14) with the false prophet and all
his followers. Rev. 19. The personality of Antichrist is to be
inferred as well from the personality of his historical
precursor as from that of him to whom he stands opposed. Such
an interpretation is to be preferred to that which regards
Antichrist as the embodiment and personification of all powers
and agencies inimical to Christ, or of the Antichristian might
of the world.
Antioch
(from Antiochus)-
+ IN [135]Syria. The capital of the Greek kings of Syria, and
afterwards the residence of the Roman governors of the
province which bore the same name. Situation .--This
metropolis was situated where the chain of Lebanon, running
northward, and the chain of Taurus, running eastward. are
brought to an abrupt meeting. Here the Orontes breaks through
the mountains; and Antioch was placed at a bend of the river,
16 1/2 miles from the Mediterranean, partly on an island,
partly on the levee which forms the left bank, and partly on
the steep and craggy ascent of Mount Silpius, which, rose
abruptly on the south. It is about 300 miles north of
Jerusalem. In the immediate neighborhood was Daphne the
celebrated sanctuary of Apollo 2 Macc. 4:33; whence the city
was sometimes called Antioch by Daphne, to distinguish it
from other cities of the same name. Destruction .--The city
was founded in the year 300 B.C., by Seleucus Nicator. It
grew under the successive Seleucid kings till it became a
city of great extent and of remarkable beauty. One feature,
which seems to have been characteristic of the great Syrian
cities,--a vast street with colonnades, intersecting the
whole from end to end,--was added by Antiochus Epiphanes. By
Pompey it was made a free city, and such it continued till
the time of Antoninus Pius. The early emperors raised there
some large and important structures, such as aqueducts,
amphitheatres and baths. (Antioch, in Paul's time, was the
third city of the Roman empire, and contained over 200,000
inhabitants. Now it is a small, mean place of about
6000.--ED.) Bible History .--No city, after Jerusalem, is so
intimately connected with the history of the apostolic
church. Jews were settled there from the first in large
numbers, were governed by their own ethnarch, and allowed to
have the same political privileges with the Greeks. The chief
interest of Antioch, however, is connected with the progress
of Christianity among the heathen, Here the first Gentile
church was founded, (Acts 11:20,21) here the disciples of
Jesus Christ were first called Christians (Acts 11:26) It was
from Antioch that St. Paul started on his three missionary
journeys.
+ IN [136]Pisidia, (Acts 13:14; 14:19,21; 2 Timothy 3:11) on
the borders of Phrygia, corresponds to Yalobatch, which is
distant from Aksher six hours over the mountains. This city,
like the Syrian Antioch, was founded by Seleucus Nicator.
Under the Romans it became a colonia, and was also called
Caesarea.
Antiochus
(an opponent), the name of a number of kings of Syria who lived
during the interval between the Old and New Testaments, and had
frequent connection with the Jews during that period. They are
referred to in the Apocrypha especially in the books of the
Maccabees.
Antipas
[[137]Herod]
(like the father), martyr at Pergamos, (Revelation 2:13) and
according to tradition the bishop of that place. (A.D. before
100.)
Antipatris, Or Antipatris
(for his father), a town to which the soldiers conveyed St.
Paul by night on their march. (Acts 23:31) Its ancient name was
Capharsaba; and Herod, when he rebuilt the city, changed it to
Antipatris, in honor of his father, Antipater. The village
Kefr-Sabba still retains the ancient name of Antipatris.
Antonia
(from Marc Antony) (a square stone fortress or castle adjoining
the northwest corner of the temple area at Jerusalem. There was
a tower at each corner. It was rebuilt by Herod the Great, and
named by him from Marc Antony. From the stairs of this castle
Paul addressed the multitude who had assaulted him (Acts
21:31-40)--ED.)
Antothijah
(answers of Jehovah), a Benjamite, one of the sons of Jeroham.
(1 Chronicles 8:24)
Antothite
a dweller at Anathoth. (1 Chronicles 11:28; 12:3)
[[138]Anathoth]
Anub
(confederate), son of Coz and descendant of Judah, through
Ashur the father of Tekoa (1 Chronicles 4:8)
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Table of
Contents Apelles
(called), a Christian saluted by St. Paul in (Romans 16:10)
Tradition makes him bishop of Smyrna or Heraclea. (A.D. 55.)
Apes
(Heb. kophim) are mentioned in (1 Kings 10:22) and 2Chr 9:21
There can be little doubt that the apes were brought from the
same country which supplied ivory and peacocks, both of which
are common in Ceylon; and Sir E. Tennent has drawn attention to
the fact that the Tamil names for apes, ivory and peacocks are
identical with the Hebrew.
Apharsathchites, Apharsites, Apharsacites
the names of certain tribes, colonies from which had been
planted in Samaria by the Assyrian leader Asnapper. (Ezra 4:9;
5:6) The first and last are regarded as the same. Whence these
tribes came is entirely a matter of conjecture.
Aphek
(strength), the name of several places in Palestine.
+ A royal city of the Canaanites, the king of which was killed
by Joshua, (Joshua 12:18) probably the same as [139]Aphekah
in (Joshua 15:53)
+ A city, apparently in the extreme north of Asher, (Joshua
19:30) from which the Canaanites were not ejected, (Judges
1:31) though here it is [140]Aphik. This is probably the same
place as APHEK, (Joshua 13:4) on the extreme north "border of
the Amorites,"; identified with the Aphaca of classical
times, the modern Afka .
+ A place at which the Philistines encamped while the
Israelites pitched in Eben-ezer, before the fatal battle in
which the sons of Eli were killed and the ark was taken. (1
Samuel 4:1) This would be somewhere to the northwest of and
at no great distance from Jerusalem.
+ The scene of another encampment of the Philistines, before an
encounter not less disastrous than that just named,--the
defeat and death of Saul. (1 Samuel 29:1) It is possible that
it may be the same place as the preceding.
+ A city on the military road from Syria to Israel. (1 Kings
20:26) It is now found in Fik, at the head of the Wady Fik,
six miles east of the Sea of Galilee.
Aphekah
(strong place), a city of Judah, in the mountains (Joshua
15:53) probably the same as [141]Aphek, 1.
Aphiah
(refreshed), one of the fore-fathers of King Saul. (1 Samuel
9:1)
Aphik
(strong), a city of Asher from which the Canaanites were not
driven out. (Judges 1:31) Probably the same place as
[142]Aphek, 2.
Aphrah
(dust), The house of, a place mentioned in (Micah 1:10) Its
site is uncertain.
Aphses
(the dispersion), chief of the 15th of the 24 courses in the
service of the temple. (1 Chronicles 24:15)
Apocalypse
A Greek word meaning revelation, applied chiefly to the book of
Revelation by John. [[143]Revelation Of St. John]
Apocrypha
(concealed, hidden).
+ Old Testament Apocrypha ._The collection of books to which
this term is popularly applied includes the following (the
order given is that in which they stand in the English
version); I. 1 Esdras; II. 2 Esdras; III. Tobit; IV. Judith;
V. The rest of the chapters of the book of Esther, which are
found neither in the Hebrew nor in the Chaldee; VI. The
Wisdom of Solomon; VII. The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of
Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus; VII. Baruch; IX. The Song of the
Three Holy Children, X. The History of Susanna; XI. The
History of the destruction of Bel and the Dragon; XII. The
Prayer of Manasses king of Judah; XIII. 1 Maccabee; XIV. 2
Maccabees. The primary meaning of apocrypha, "hidden,
secret," seems, toward the close of the second century to
have been associated with the signification "spurious," and
ultimately to have settled down into the latter. The separate
books of this collection are treated of in distinct articles.
Their relation to the canonical books of the Old Testament is
discussed under [144]Canon Of Scripture, The.
+ New Testament Apocrypha-- (A collection of legendary and
spurious Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, and Epistles. They
are go entirely inferior to the genuine books, so full of
nonsensical and unworthy stories of Christ and the apostles,
that they have never been regarded as divine, or bound up in
our Bibles. It is said that Mohammed obtained his ideas of
Christ entirely from these spurious gospels.--ED.)
Apollonia
(belonging to Apollo), a city of Macedonia, through which Paul
and Silas passed in their way from Philippi and Amphipolis to
Thessalonica. (Acts 17:1) According to the Antonine Itinerary
it was distant 30 Roman miles from Amphipolis and 37 Roman
miles from Thessalonica.
Apollos
(given by Apollo) a Jew from Alexandria, eloquent (which may
also mean learned) and mighty in the Scriptures; one instructed
in the way of the Lord, according to the imperfect view of the
disciples of John the Baptist, (Acts 18:24) but on his coming
to Ephesus during a temporary absence of St. Paul, A.D. 54,
more perfectly taught by Aquila and Priscilla. After this he
became a preacher of the gospel, first in Achaia and then in
Corinth. (Acts 18:27; 19:1) When the apostle wrote his First
Epistle to the Corinthians, Apollos was with or near him, (1
Corinthians 16:12) probably at Ephesus in A.D. 57. He is
mentioned but once more in the New Testament, in (Titus 3:13)
After this nothing is known of him. Tradition makes him bishop
of Caesarea.
Apollyon
or, as it is literally in the margin of the Authorized Version
of (Revelation 9:11) "a destroyer," is the rendering of the
Hebrew word [145]Abaddon, "the angel of the bottomless pit."
From the occurrence of the word in (Psalms 88:11) the rabbins
have made Abaddon the nethermost of the two regions into which
they divide the lower world; but that in (Revelation 9:11)
Abaddon is the angel and not the abyss is perfectly evident in
the Greek.
Apostle
(one sent forth), in the New Testament originally the official
name of those twelve of the disciples whom Jesus chose to send
forth first to preach the gospel and to be with him during the
course of his ministry on earth. The word also appears to have
been used in a non-official sense to designate a much wider
circle of Christian messengers and teachers See (2 Corinthians
8:23; Philemon 2:25) It is only of those who were officially
designated apostles that we treat in the article. Their names
are given in (Matthew 10:2-4) and Christ's charge to them in
the rest of the chapter. Their office.-- (1) The original
qualification of an apostle, as stated by St. Peter on the
occasion of electing a successor to the traitor Judas, was that
he should have been personally acquainted with the whole
ministerial course of our Lord from his baptism by John till
the day when he was taken up into heaven. (2) They were chosen
by Christ himself (3) They had the power of working miracles.
(4) They were inspired. (John 16:13) (5) Their world seems to
have been pre-eminently that of founding the churches and
upholding them by supernatural power specially bestowed for
that purpose. (6) The office ceased, a matter of course, with
its first holders-all continuation of it, from the very
condition of its existence (cf. (1 Corinthians 9:1)), being
impossible. Early history and training .--The apostles were
from the lower ranks of life, simple and uneducated; some of
them were related to Jesus according to the flesh; some had
previously been disciples of John the Baptist. Our Lord chose
them early in his public career They seem to have been all on
an equality, both during and after the ministry of Christ on
earth. Early in our Lord's ministry he sent them out two and
two to preach repentance and to perform miracles in his name
Matt 10; Luke 9. They accompanied him in his journey, saw his
wonderful works, heard his discourses addressed to the people,
and made inquiries of him on religious matters. They recognized
him as the Christ of God, (Matthew 16:16; Luke 9:20) and
described to him supernatural power (Luke 9:54) but in the
recognition of the spiritual teaching and mission of Christ
they made very low progress, held back as they were by weakness
of apprehension and by national prejudices. Even at the removal
of our Lord from the earth they were yet weak in their
knowledge, (Luke 24:21; John 16:12) though he had for so long
been carefully preparing and instructing them. On the feast of
Pentecost, ten days after our Lord's ascension, the Holy Spirit
came down on the assembled church, Acts 2; and from that time
the apostles became altogether different men, giving witness
with power of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, as
he had declared they should. (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8,22; 2:32;
3:15; 5:32; 13:31) Later labors and history.--First of all the
mother-church at Jerusalem grew up under their hands, Acts 3-7,
and their superior dignity and power were universally
acknowledged by the rulers and the people. (Acts 5:12) ff.
Their first mission out of Jerusalem was to Samaria (Acts
8:5-25) where the Lord himself had, during his ministry, sown
the seed of the gospel. Here ends the first period of the
apostles' agency, during which its centre is Jerusalem and the
prominent figure is that of St. Peter. The centre of the second
period of the apostolic agency is Antioch, where a church soon
was built up, consisting of Jews and Gentiles; and the central
figure of this and of the subsequent period is St. Paul. The
third apostolic period is marked by the almost entire
disappearance of the twelve from the sacred narrative and the
exclusive agency of St. Paul, the great apostle of the
Gentiles. Of the missionary work of the rest of the twelve we
know absolutely nothing from the sacred narrative.
Appaim
or Ap'paim (the nostrils), son of Nadab, and descended from
Jerahmeel, the founder of an important family of the tribe of
Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:30,31)
Appeal
The principle, of appeal was recognized by the Mosaic law in
the establishment of a central court under the presidency of
the judge or ruler for the time being, before which all cased
too difficult for the local court were to be tried. (17:8,9)
According to the above regulation, the appeal lay in the time
of the Judges to the judge, (Judges 4:5) and under the monarchy
to the king. Jehoshaphat delegated his judicial authority to a
court permanently established for the purpose. (2 Chronicles
19:8) These courts were re-established by Ezra. (Ezra 7:25)
After the institution of the Sanhedrin the final appeal lay to
them. St. Paul, as a Roman citizen, exercized a right of appeal
from the jurisdiction of the local court at Jerusalem to the
emperor. (Acts 25:11)
Apphia
(fruitful) a Christian woman addressed jointly with Philemon
and Archippus in Phil. 2; apparently a member of Philemon's
household, and not improbably his wife. (A.D. 57)
Appii Forum
(market-place of Appius), a well-known station on the Appian
Way, the great road which led from Rome to the neighborhood of
the Bay of Naples. (Acts 28:15) There is no difficulty in
identifying the site with some ruins near Treponti .
[[146]Three Taverns [147]Taverns, The Three]
Appius, Market Of
Revised Version for Appii Forum. (Acts 28:16)
Apple Tree, Apple
(Heb. tappuach). Mention of the apple tree occurs in the
Authorized Version in (Song of Solomon 2:3; 8:5) and Joel 1:12
The fruit of this tree is alluded to in (Proverbs 25:11) and
Song 2:5; 7:8 It is a difficult matter to say what is the
specific tree denoted by the Hebrew word tappuach . ("The apple
proper is rare in Syria, and its fruit inferior.") Most modern
writers maintain that it is either the quince or the citron;
(others speak of the apricot, which is abundant and deliciously
perfumed.) The quince had some plausible arguments in its
favor. Its fragrance was held in high esteem by the ancients.
The quince was sacred to Venus. On the other hand Dr Royle
says,"The rich color, fragrant odor and handsome appearance of
the citron, whether in flower or in fruit, are particularly
suited to the passages of scripture mentioned above." But
neither the quince nor the citron nor the apple appears fully
to answer to all the scriptural allusions. The orange would
answer all the demands of the scriptural passages, and orange
trees are found in Palestine; but there does not appear
sufficient evidence that this tree was known in the earlier
times to the inhabitants of Palestine. The question of
identification therefore, must still be left an open one.
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Table of
Contents Aquila
(an eagle), a Jew whom St. Paul found at Corinth on his arrival
from Athens. (Acts 18:2) (A.D, 52,) He was a native of Pontus,
but had fled with his wife Priscilla, from Rome, in consequence
of an order of Claudius commanding all Jews to leave the city.
He became acquainted with St. Paul, and they abode together,
and wrought at their common trade of making the Cilician tent
or hair-cloth. On the departure of the apostle from Corinth, a
year and eight months after, Priscilla and Aquila accompanied
him to Ephesus. There they remained and there they taught
Apollos. At what time they became Christians is uncertain.
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Table of
Contents Ar
(a city), or Ar of Moab, one of the chief places of Moab.
(Numbers 21:28; Isaiah 15:1) In later times the place known as
Areopolis and Rabbath-Moab. The site still called Rabba . It
lies about halfway between Kerak and the Wady Mojeb, 10 or 11
miles from each, the Roman road passing through it.
Ara
(lion), one of the sons of Jether, the head of a family of
Asherites. (1 Chronicles 7:88)
Arab
(ambush) a city of Judah in the mountainous district, probably
in the neighborhood of Hebron; mentioned only in (Joshua 15:62)
Arabah
(burnt up). Although this word appears in the Authorized
Version in its original shape only in (Joshua 18:18) yet in the
Hebrew text it is of frequent occurrence. It indicates more
particularly the deep-sunken valley or trench which forms the
most striking among the many striking natural features of
Palestine, and which extends with great uniformity of formation
from the slopes of Hermon to the Elanitic Gulf (Gulf of Akabah)
of the Red Sea; the most remarkable depression known to exist
on the surface of the globe. Through the northern portion of
this extraordinary fissure the Jordan rushes through the lakes
of Huleh and Gennesaret down its tortuous course to the deep
chasm of the Dead Sea. This portion, about 150 miles in length,
is known amongst the Arabs by the name of el-Ghor . The
southern boundary of the (Ghor is the wall of cliffs which
crosses the valley about 10 miles south of the Dead Sea. From
their summits, southward to the Gulf of Akabah, the valley
changes its name, or, it would be more accurate to say, retains
old name of Wady el-Arabah .
Arabia
(desert, barren), a country known in the Old Testament under
two designations:--
+ The East Country, (Genesis 25:6) or perhaps the East,
((Genesis 10:30; Numbers 23:7; Isaiah 2:6) and Land of the
Sons of the East, (Genesis 29:1) Gentile name, Sons of the
East, (Judges 6:3; 7:12; 1 Kings 4:30; Job 1:3; Isaiah 11:14;
Jeremiah 49:28; Ezekiel 25:4) From these passages it appears
that Land of the East and Sons of the East indicate,
primarily, the country east of Palestine, and the tribes
descended from Ishmael and from Keturah; and that this
original signification may have become gradually extended to
Arabia and its inhabitants generally, though without any
strict limitation.
+ 'Arab and 'Arab, whence Arabia. (2 Chronicles 9:14; Isaiah
21:13; Jeremiah 26:24; Ezekiel 27:21) (Arabia is a triangular
peninsula, included between the Mediterranean and Red seas,
the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. Its extreme length,
north and south, is about 1300 miles, and its greatest
breadth 1500 miles. -Encyc. Brit.) Divisions .--Arabia may be
divided into Arabia Proper, containing the whole peninsula as
far as the limits of the northern deserts; Northern Arabia
(Arabia Deserta), constituting the great desert of Arabia;
and Western Arabia, the desert of Petra and the peninsula of
Sinai, or the country that has been called Arabia Petraea, I.
Arabia Proper, or the Arabian penninsula consists of high
tableland, declining towards the north. Most of it is well
peopled, watered by wells and streams, and enjoys periodical
rains. The moist fertile tracts are those on the southwest
and south. II. Northern Arabia, or the Arabian Desert, is a
high, undulating, parched plain, of which the Euphrates forms
the natural boundary from the Persian Gulf to the frontier of
Syria, whence it is bounded by the latter country and the
desert of Petra on the northwest and west, the peninsula of
Arabia forming its southern limit. It has few oases, the
water of the wells is generally either brackish or unpotable
and it is visited by the sand-wind called Samoom . The
inhabitants principally descended from Ishmael and from
Keturah, have always led a wandering and pastoral life. They
conducted a considerable trade of merchandise of Arabia and
India from the shore of the Persian Gulf. (Ezekiel 27:20-24)
III. Western Arabia includes the peninsula of Sinai
[[148]Sinai, Or Sinai] and the desert of Petra; corresponding
generally with the limits of Arabia Petraea. The latter name
is probably derived from that of its chief city, not from its
stony character. It was mostly peopled by descendants of
Esau, and was generally known as the land of Edom or Idumea
[[149]Edom, Idumaea Or Idumea], as well as by its older
appellation, the desert of Seir or Mount Seir. [[150]Seir]
Inhabitants .-- (Arabia, which once ruled from India to the
Atlantic, now has eight or nine millions of inhabitants,
about one-fifth of whom are Bedouin or wandering tribes, and
the other four-fifths settled Arabs.--Encyc. Brit.)
+ The descendants of [151]Joktan occupied the principal
portions of the south and southwest of the peninsula, with
colonies in the interior. The principal Joktanite kingdom,
and the chief state of ancient Arabia, was that of the Yemen.
+ The ISHMAELITES appear to have entered the peninsula from the
northwest. That they have spread over the whole of it (with
the exception of one or two districts on the south coast),
and that the modern nation is predominantly Ishmaelite, is
asserted by the Arabs.
+ Of the descendants of [152]Keturah the Arabs say little. They
appear to have settled chiefly north of the peninsula in
Desert Arabia, from Palestine to the Persian Gulf.
+ In northern and western Arabia are other peoples, which, from
their geographical position and mode of life are sometimes
classed with the Arabs, of these are [153]Amalek, the
descendants of [154]Esau, etc. (Productions-- The productions
are varied. The most noted animal is the horse. Camels,
sheep, cattle, asses, mules and cats are common. Agricultural
products are coffee, wheat, barley, millet, beans, pulse,
dates and the common garden plants. In pasture lands Arabia
is peculiarly fortunate. In mineral products it is singularly
poor, lead being most abundant.--Encyc. Brit.) Religion .--
The most ancient idolatry of the Arabs we must conclude to
have been fetishism. Magianism, an importation from Chaldaea
and Persia, must be reckoned among the religions of the pagan
Arabs; but it never had very numerous followers. Christianity
was introduced into southern Arabia toward the close of the
second century, and about a century later it had made great
progress. It flourished chiefly in the Yemen, where many
churches were built. Judaism was propagated in Arabia,
principally by Karaites, at the captivity. They are now
nominally Mohammedans. Language .-- Arabic the language of
Arabia, is the most developed and the richest of Shemitic
languages, and the only one of which we have an extensive
literature; it is, therefore, of great importance to the
study of Hebrew. Government .-- Arabia is now under the
government of the Ottoman empire.
Arabians
the nomadic tribes inhabiting the country to the east and south
of Palestine, who in the early times of Hebrew history were
known as Ishmaelites and descendants of Keturah.
Arad
a royal city of the Canaanites, named with Hormah and Libnah.
(Joshua 12:14) The wilderness of Judah was to the south of
Arad." (Judges 1:16) It may be identified with a hill, Tel
'Arad, an hour and a half northeast by east from Milh
(Moladah), and eight hours from Hebron.
(a wild ass), a Benjamite, son of Beriah, who drove out the
inhabitants of Gath. (1 Chronicles 8:15) (B.C. 536.)
Arah
(wayfaring).
+ An Asherite, of the sons of Ulla. (1 Chronicles 7:39)
+ The sons of Arah returned with Zerubbabel in number 775
according to (Ezra 2:5) but 652 according to (Nehemiah 7:10)
(B.C. 536.) One of his descendants, Shechaniah, was the
father-in-law of Tobiah the Ammonite. (Nehemiah 6:18)
Aram
(high).
+ The name by which the Hebrews designated, generally, the
country lying to the northeast of Palestine; the great mass
of that high tableland which, rising with sudden abruptness
from the Jordan and the very margin of the Lake of
Gennesaret, stretched at an elevation of no less than 2000
feet above the level of the sea, to the banks of the
Euphrates itself. Throughout the Authorized Version the word
is, with only a very few exceptions, rendered, as in the
Vulgate and LXX., [155]Syria. Its earliest occurrence in the
book of Genesis is in the form of Aram-naharaim, i.e. the
"highland of or between the two rivers." (Genesis 24:10)
Authorized Version "Mesopotamia." In the later history we
meet with a number of small nations or kingdoms forming parts
of the general land of Aram; but as Damascus increased in
importance it gradually absorbed the smaller powers, (1 Kings
20:1) and the name of Aram was at last applied to it alone.
(Isaiah 7:8) also 1Kin 11:24,25; 15:18 etc.
+ Another Aram is named in (Genesis 22:21) as a son of Kemuel
and descendant of Nahor.
+ An Asherite, one of the sons of Shamer. (1 Chronicles 7:34)
+ Son of Esrom or Hezron, and the Greek form of the Hebrew
[156]Ram. (Matthew 1:3,4; Luke 3:33)
Aramitess
a female inhabitant of Aram. (1 Chronicles 7:14)
Aramnahataim
(highlands of two rivers). (Psalms 60:1), title. [[157]Aram]
Aramzobah
Psal 60:1, title. [[158]Aram, 1]
Aran
(wild goat), a Horite, son of Dishan and brother of Uz. Genesis
36:28; 1Chr 1:42
Araunah
(ark), a Jebusite who sold his threshing floor on Mount Moriah
to David as a site for an altar to Jehovah, together with his
oxen. (2 Samuel 24:18-24; 1 Chronicles 21:25)
Arba
(city of the four), the progenitor of the Anakim, or sons of
Anak, from whom their chief city, [159]Hebron, received its
name of Kirjath-Arba. (Joshua 14:15; 15:13; 21:11)
Arbah
Hebron, or Kirjath-Arba, as "the city of Arbah" is always
rendered elsewhere. (Genesis 35:27)
Arbathite
a native of the Arabah or Ghor . [[160]Arabah] Abi-albon the
Arbathite was one of David's mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:31; 1
Chronicles 11:32)
Arbite
a native of Arab. Paarai the Arbite was one of David's guard.
(2 Samuel 23:35)
Arch Of Titus
A triumphal arch erected at Rome, and still remaining there, to
commemorate the conquest of Judea and the destruction of
Jerusalem by the emperor Titus. It was erected after his death,
A.D. 91, by the senate and people of Rome. It was a magnificent
structure, decorated with bas-reliefs and inscriptions, and is
of especial interest because its historic bas-reliefs represent
the captors carrying in triumph to Rome the golden candlestick
and sacred utensils from the Jewish temple at Jerusalem. From
these we obtain our best idea of their shape.--ED.
Archelaus
(prince of the people), son of Herod the Great by a Samaritan
woman, Malthake, and, with his brother Antipas brought up at
Rome. At the death of Herod (B.C. 4) his kingdom was divided
between his three sons, Herod Antipas, Archelaus and Philip.
Archelaus never properly bore the title of king, (Matthew 2:22)
but only that of ethnarch. In the tenth year of his reign, or
the ninth according to Dion Cassius, i.e. A.D. 6, a complaint
was preferred against him by his brothers and his subjects on
the ground of his tyranny, in consequence of which he was
banished to Vienne in Gaul, where he is generally said to have
died.
Archery
[[161]Arms, Armor]
Archevites
perhaps the inhabitants of Erech, some of whom had been placed
as colonists in Samaria. (Ezra 4:9)
Archi
(Joshua 16:2) A place in the neighborhood of Bethel, on the
boundary between Ephraim and Benjamin. It designates a clan
perhaps originally from Erech in Babylonia, of which Hushai was
one. [[162]Archite, The]
Archippus
(master of the horse), a Christian teacher in Colossae,
(Colossians 4:17) called by St. Paul his "fellow soldier," Phil
2. He was probably a member of Philemon's family. (A.D. 62.)
Archite, The
(as if from a place named Erech, on the frontiers of Ephraim),
the usual designation of David's friend Hushai. (2 Samuel
15:32; 17:5,14; 1 Chronicles 27:33)
Architecture
The book of (Genesis 4:17,20,22) appears to divide mankind into
two great characteristic sections, viz., the "dwellers in
tents" and the "dwellers in cities." To the race of Shem is
attributed (Genesis 10:11,12,22; 11:2-9) the foundation of
those cities in the plain of Shinar, Babylon Nineveh and
others. The Israelites were by occupation shepherds, and by
habit dwellers in tents. (Genesis 47:3) They had therefore
originally, speaking properly, no architecture. From the time
of the occupation of Canaan they became dwellers in towns and
in houses of stone. (Leviticus 14:34,45; 1 Kings 7:10) The
peaceful reign and vast wealth of Solomon gave great impulse to
architecture; for besides the temple and his other great works,
he built fortresses and cities in various places, among which
Baalath and Tadmor are in all probability represented by
Baalbec and Palmyra. But the reigns of Herod and his successors
were especially remarkable for their great architectural works.
Not only was the temple restored, but the fortifications and
other public buildings of Jerusalem were enlarged and
embellished. (Luke 21:5) The town of Caesarea was built on the
site of Strato's Tower; Samaria was enlarged, and received the
name of Sebaste. Of the original splendor of these great works
no doubt can be entertained; but of their style and appearance
we can only conjecture that they were formed on Greek and Roman
models. The enormous stones employed the Assyrian Persepolitan
and Egyptian buildings find a parallel in the substructions of
Baalbec and in the huge blocks which still remain at Jerusalem,
relics of the buildings either of Solomon or of Herod.
Arcturus
(bear-keeper). The Hebrew words 'Ash and 'Aish, rendered
"Arcturus" in the Authorized Version of (Job 9:9; 38:32) in
conformity with the Vulgate of the former passages are now
generally believed to be identical, and to represent the
constellation Ursa Major, known commonly as the Great Bear or
Charles' Wain.
Ard
(one that descending), the son of Bela and grandson of
Benjamin. (Genesis 46:21; Numbers 26:40) In (1 Chronicles 8:3)
he is called [163]Addar.
Ardites
the descendants of Ard or Addar, the grandson of Benjamin.
(Numbers 26:40)
Ardon
(fugitive) a Son of Caleb, the son of Hezron, by his wife
Azubah. (1 Chronicles 2:18)
Areli
(heroic), a son of Gad. (Genesis 46:16; Numbers 26:17) His
descendants are called Arelites. Numb 26:17.
Areopagite
a member of the court of Areopagus. (Acts 17:31) [[164]Mars
Hill' HILL]
Areopagus
[[165]Mars Hill' HILL]
Aretas, Or Aretas
(graver).
+ A contemporary of Antiochus Epiphanes, B.C. 170, and Jason. 2
Macc. 5:8.
+ The Aretas alluded to by St. Paul (2 Corinthians 11:32) was
father-in-law of Herod Antipas.
Argob
perhaps a Gileadite officer who was governor of Argob. He was
either an accomplice of Pekah in the murder of Pekahiah or was
slain by Pekah. (2 Kings 15:25)
(stony), a tract of country on the east of the Jordan, in
Bashan, the kingdom of Og, containing 60 great and fortified
cities. In later times it was called Trachonitis, and it is now
apparently identified with the Leiah, a very remarkable
district south of Damascus and east of the Sea of Galilee.
(3:4,13,14)
Aridai
(the strong), ninth son of Haman. (Esther 9:9)
Aridatha
sixth son of Haman. (Esther 9:8)
Arieh
(lion). Either one of the accomplices of Pekah in his
conspiracy against Pekahiah, or one of the princes of Pekahiah
who was put to death with him. (2 Kings 15:20) (B.C. 757.)
Ariel
(lion of God).
+ One of the "chief men" who under Ezra directed the caravan
which he led back from Babylon to Jerusalem. (Ezra 8:16)
(B.C. 459.) The word occurs also in reference to two Moabites
slain by Benaiah. (2 Samuel 23:20; 1 Chronicles 11:22) Many
regard the word as an epithet, "lion-like;" but it seems
better to look upon it as a proper name, and translate "two
[sons] of Ariel."
+ A designation given by Isaiah to the city of Jerusalem.
(Isaiah 29:1,2,7) We must understand by it either "lion of
God," as the chief city, or "hearth of God," a synonym for
the altar of burnt offering. On the whole it seems most
probable that, as a name given to Jerusalem, Ariel means
"lion of God," whilst the word used by Ezekiel, (Ezekiel
43:15,16) means "hearth of God."
Arimathea
(heights). (Matthew 27:57; Luke 23:51; John 19:38) St. Luke
calls it "a city of Judea." It is identified by many with the
modern Ramleh .
Arioch
(venerable).
+ The king of Eliasar, one of the allies of Chedorlaomer in his
expedition against his rebellious tributaries. (Genesis 14:1)
(B.C. 1921-1912.)
+ The captain of Nebuchadnezzar's body-guard. (Daniel 2:14)
etc.
+ Properly Eirioch, or Erioch, mentioned in Judith 1:6 as king
of the Elymaeans.
Arisai
(lion-like), eighth son of Haman. (Esther 9:9)
Aristarchus
(the best ruler), a Thessalonian, (Acts 20:4; 27:2) who
accompanied St. Paul on his third missionary journey. (Acts
19:29) He was with the apostle on his return to Asia, (Acts
20:4) and again, Acts 27:2 On his voyage to Rome. We trace him
afterwards as St. Paul's fellow prisoner in (Colossians 4:10)
and Phle 1:24 Tradition makes him bishop of Apamea.
Aristobulus
(the best counsellor), a resident at Rome, some of whose
household are greeted in (Romans 16:10) Tradition makes him one
of the 70 disciples and reports that he preached the gospel in
Britain.
Ark Of Moses
A small boat or basket made of the papyrus, a reed which grows
in the marshes of Egypt. It was covered with bitumen to make it
water tight.
Ark Of The Covenant
The first piece of the tabernacle's furniture, for which
precise directions were delivered. Exod 25. I. Description.--
It appears to have been an oblong chest of shittim (acacia)
wood, 2 1/2 cubits long by 1 1/2 broad and deep. Within and
without gold was overlaid on the wood, and on the upper side or
lid, which was edged round about with gold, the mercy-seat was
placed. The ark was fitted with rings, one at each of the four
corners, and through these were passed staves of the same wood
similarly overlaid, by which it was carried by the Kohathites.
(Numbers 7:9; 10:21) The ends of the staves were visible
without the veil in the holy place of the temple of Solomon. (1
Kings 8:8) The ark, when transported, was enveloped in the
"veil" of the dismantled tabernacle, in the curtain of badgers'
skins and in a blue cloth over all, and was therefore not seen.
(Numbers 4:5,20) II. Its purpose was to contain inviolate the
divine autograph of the two tables, that "covenant" from which
it derived its title. It was also probably a reliquary for the
pot of manna and the rod of Aaron. III. History .--Before
David's time its abode was frequently shifted. It sojourned
among several, probably Levitical, families, (1 Samuel 7:1; 2
Samuel 6:3,11; 1 Chronicles 13:13; 15:24,25) in the border
villages of eastern Judah; and did not take its place in the
tabernacle, but dwelt in curtains, i.e. in a separate tent
pitched for it in Jerusalem by David. Subsequently the temple,
when completed, received, in the installation of the ark in its
shrine, the signal of its inauguration by the effulgence of
divine glory instantly manifested. It was probably taken
captive or destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Esdr. 10:22, so that
there was no ark in the second temple.
Ark, Noahs
[[166]Noah]
Arkite, The
from Arka, one of the families of the Canaanites, (Genesis
10:17; 1 Chronicles 1:16) and from the context evidently
located in the north of Phoenicia. The site which now bears the
name of 'Arka lies on the coast, 2 to 2 1/2 hours from the
shore, about 12 miles north of Tripoli and 5 south of the Nahr
el-Kebir .
Armageddon
(the hill or city of Megiddo). (Revelation 16:16) The scene of
the struggle of good and evil is suggested by that
battle-field, the plain of Esdraelon, which was famous for two
great victories, of Barak over the Canaanites and of Gideon
over the Midianites; and for two great disasters, the deaths of
Saul and Josiah. Hence it signifies in Revelation a place of
great slaughter, the scene of a terrible retribution upon the
wicked. The Revised Version gives the name as Har-Magedon, i.e.
the hill (as Ar is the city) of Megiddo .--ED.)
Armenia
(land of Aram) is nowhere mentioned under that name in the
original Hebrew, though it occurs in the English version, (2
Kings 19:37) for Ararat. Description.--Armenia is that lofty
plateau whence the rivers Euphrates, Tigris, Araxes and
Acampsis pour down their waters in different directions; the
first two to the Persian Gulf, the last two respectively to the
Caspian and Euxine seas. It may be termed the nucleus of the
mountain system of western Asia. From the centre of the plateau
rise two lofty chains of mountains, which run from east to
west. Divisions.--Three districts are mentioned in the Bible.
(1) ARARAT is mentioned as the place whither the sons of
Sennacherib fled. (Isaiah 37:38) It was the central district,
surrounding the mountain of that name. (2) [167]Minni only
occurs in (Jeremiah 51:27) It is probably identical with the
district Minyas, in the upper valley of the Murad-su branch of
the Euphrates. (3) [168]Togarmah is noticed in two passages of
(Ezekiel 27:14; 38:6) both of which are in favor of its
identity with Armenia. Present condition.--The Armenians,
numbering about two millions, are nominally Christians. About
half of them live in Armenia. Their favorite pursuit is
commerce. The country is divided, as to government, between
Russia, Turkey and Persia.--ED.
Armlet
an ornament universal in the East, especially among women; used
by princes as one of the insignia of royalty, and by
distinguished persons in general. The word is not used in the
Authorized Version, as even in (2 Samuel 1:10) it is rendered
by "the bracelet on his arm."
Armoni
son of Saul by Rizpah. (2 Samuel 21:8)
Arms, Armor
The subject naturally divides itself into-- I. Offensive
weapons: Arms. II. Defensive weapons: Armor. I. Offensive
weapons.--
+ Apparently the earliest known and most widely used was the
Chereb or [169]Sword. Very little can be gathered as to its
shape, size, material or mode of use. Perhaps if anything is
to be inferred it is that the Chereb is both a lighter and a
shorter weapon than the modern sword. It was carried in a
sheath, (1 Samuel 17:51; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1 Chronicles 21:27)
slung by a girdle, (1 Samuel 25:13) and resting upon the
thigh, (Psalms 45:3; Judges 3:16) or upon the hips. (2 Samuel
20:8)
+ Next we have the [170]Spear; and of this weapon we meet with
at least three distinct kinds. A. The Chanith, a "spear," and
that of the largest kind. It was the weapon of Goliath, (1
Samuel 17:7,45; 2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 20:5) and also
of other giants, (2 Samuel 23:21; 1 Chronicles 11:23) and
mighty warriors. (2 Samuel 2:23; 23:18; 1 Chronicles
11:11,20) b. Apparently lighter than the preceding was the
Cidon or "javelin." When not in action the Cidon was carried
on the back of the warrior, (1 Samuel 17:6) Authorized
Version "target." c. Another kind of spear was the Romach .
In the historical books it occurs in (Numbers 25:7) and 1Kin
18:28 And frequently in the later books, as in (1 Chronicles
12:8) ("buckler"); (2 Chronicles 11:12) (It varied much in
length, weight and size.) d. The Shelach was probably a
lighter missile or "dart." see (2 Chronicles 23:10; 32:5)
("darts"); (Nehemiah 4:17,23) (see margin); (Job 33:18;
36:12; Joel 2:8) e. Shebet, a rod or staff, is used once only
to denote a weapon. (2 Samuel 18:14)
+ Of missile weapons of offence the chief was undoubtedly the
[171]Bow, Kesheth . The [172]Arrows were carried in a quiver.
(Genesis 27:3; Isaiah 22:6; 49:2; Psalms 127:5) From an
allusion in Job 6:4 they would seem to have been some times
poisoned; and (Psalms 120:4) may point to a practice of using
arrows with some burning material attached to them.
+ The [173]Sling is first mentioned in (Judges 20:16) This
simple weapon, with which David killed the giant Philistine,
was the natural attendant of a shepherd. Later in the
monarchy, slingers formed part of the regular army. (2 Kings
3:25)
+ The BATTLE AXE, (Jeremiah 51:20) a powerful weapon of whose
exact form we have no knowledge. II. Armor.--
+ The [174]Breastplate, enumerated in the description of the
arms of Goliath, a "coat of mail," literally a "breastplate
of scales." (1 Samuel 17:5) This word has furnished one of
the names of Mount Hermon. See (3:9)
+ The [175]Habergeon is mentioned but twice--in reference to
the gown of the high priest. (Exodus 28:32; 39:28) It was
probably a quilted shirt or doublet.
+ The [176]Helmet is referred to in (1 Samuel 17:5; 2
Chronicles 26:14; Ezekiel 27:10)
+ ([177]Greaves) or defences for the feet, made of brass, are
named in (1 Samuel 17:6) only.
+ Two kinds of [178]Shield are distinguishable. A. The large
shield; encompassing, (Psalms 6:12) the whole person. When
not in actual conflict it was carried before the warrior. (1
Samuel 17:7,41) b. Of smaller dimensions was the buckler or
target, probably for use in hand-to-hand fight. (1 Kings
10:16; 2 Chronicles 9:15,16)
Army
I. [179]Jewish ARMY.--Every man above 20 years of age was a
soldier, (Numbers 1:3) each tribe formed a regiment, with its
own banner and its own leader (Numbers 2:2; 10:14) their
positions in the camp or on the march were accurately fixed,
Numb. 2; the whole army started and stopped at a given signal,
(Numbers 10:5,6) thus they came up out of Egypt ready for the
fight. (Exodus 13:18) On the approach of an enemy a
conscription was made from the general body, under the
direction of a muster-master, (20:5; 2 Kings 25:19) by whom
also the officers were appointed. (20:9) The army had then
divided into thousands and hundreds under their respective
captains, (Numbers 31:14) and still further into families.
(Numbers 2:34; 2 Chronicles 25:5; 26:12) With the king arose
the custom of maintaining a body-guard, which formed the
nucleus of a standing army, and David's band of 600, (1 Samuel
23:13; 25:13) he retained after he became king, and added the
[180]Cherethites and [181]Pelethites. (2 Samuel 15:18; 20:7)
David further organized a national militia, divided into twelve
regiments under their respective officers, each of which was
called out for one month in the year. (1 Chronicles 27:1) ...
It does not appear that the system established by David was
maintained by the kings of Judah; but in Israel the proximity
of the hostile kingdom of Syria necessitated the maintenance of
a standing army. The maintenance and equipment of the soldiers
at the public expense dated from the establishment of a
standing army. It is doubtful whether the soldier ever received
pay even under the kings. II. [182]Roman Empire ARMY.--The
Roman army was divided into legions, the number of which varied
considerably (from 3000 to 6000), each under six tribuni
("chief captains,") (Acts 21:31) who commanded by turns. The
legion was subdivided into ten cohorts ("band,") (Acts 10:1)
the cohort into three maniples, and the maniple into two
centuries, containing originally 100 men, as the name implies,
but subsequently from 50 to 100 men, according to the strength
of the legion. There were thus 60 centuries in a legion, each
under the command of a centurion. (Acts 10:1,22; Matthew 8:5;
27:54) In addition to the legionary cohorts, independent
cohorts of volunteers served under the Roman standards. One of
these cohorts was named the Italian, (Acts 10:1) as consisting
of volunteers from Italy. The headquarters of the Roman forces
in Judea were at Caesarea.
Arnan
In the received Hebrew text "the sons of Arnan" are mentioned
in the genealogy of Zerubbabel. (1 Chronicles 3:21)
Arni
(Used in the Revised Version for Aram in (Luke 3:33) and is
probably another name or form of the name of Aram. [[183]Aram,
4])
Arnon
(roaring), the river or torrent which formed the boundary
between Moab and the Amorites, on the north of Moab, (Numbers
21:13,14,24,26; Judges 11:22) and afterwards between Moab and
Israel (Reuben). (2:24,36; 3:8,12,16; 4:48; Joshua 12:1,2;
13:9,16; Judges 11:13,26) There can be no doubt that the Wady
el-Mojeb of the present day is the Arnon. Its principal source
is near Katrane, on the Haj route.
Arod
(a wild ass), a son of Gad, (Numbers 26:17) called [184]Arodi
in (Genesis 46:16)
Arodi
[[185]Arod]
Arodites
[[186]Arod]
Aroer
(ruins).
+ A city on the torrent Arnon, the southern point of the
territory of Sihon king of the Amorites and afterwards of the
tribe of Reuben, (2:36; 3:12; 4:48; Joshua 12:2; 13:9,16;
Judges 11:26; 2 Kings 10:33; 1 Chronicles 5:8) but later
again in possession of Moab. (Jeremiah 48:19) It is the
modern Ara'ir, upon the very edge of the precipitous north
bank of the Wady Mojeb .
+ Aroer, "that is 'facing' Rahbah" (Rabbah of Ammon), a town
built by and belonging to Gad. (Numbers 32:34; Joshua 13:25;
2 Samuel 24:5) This is probably the place mentioned in
(Judges 11:33) which was shown in Jerome's time.
+ Aroer, in (Isaiah 17:2) if a place at all, must be still
farther north than either of the two already named.
+ A town in Judah, named only in (1 Samuel 30:28) perhaps Wady
Ar'arah, on the road from Petra to Gaza.
Aroerite
Hothan the Aroerite was the father of two of David's captains.
(1 Chronicles 11:44)
Arpad, Or Arphad
(strong city), (Isaiah 36:19; 37:13) a city or district in
Syria, apparently dependent on Damascus. (Jeremiah 49:23) No
trace of its existence has yet been discovered. (2 Kings 18:34;
19:13; Isaiah 10:9)
Arphaxad
(stronghold of the Chaldees).
+ The son of Shem and ancestor of Eber. (Genesis 10:22,24;
11:10)
+ Arphaxad, a king "who reigned over the Medes in Ecbatana,"
Judith 1:1-4; perhaps the same as Phraortes, who fell in a
battle with the Assyrians, 633 B.C.
Arrows
[[187]Arms, Armor]
Artaxerxes
(the great warrior).
+ The first Artaxerxes is mentioned in (Ezra 4:7) and appears
identical with Smerdis, the Magian impostor and pretended
brother of Cambyses, who usurped the throne B.C. 522, and
reigned eight months.
+ In (Nehemiah 2:1) we have another Artaxerxes. We may safely
identify him with Artaxerxes Macrocheir or Longimanus, the
son of Xerxces, who reigned B.C. 464-425.
Artemas
(gift of Artemis), a companion of St. Paul. (Titus 3:12)
According to tradition he was bishop of Lystra.
Aruboth
(windows), the third of Solomons commissariat districts. (1
Kings 4:10) It included Sochoh, and was therefore probably a
name for the rich corn-growing lowland country.
Arumah
(height), a place apparently in the neighborhood of Shechem, at
which Abimelech resided. (Judges 9:41)
Arvad
(wandering) (Ezekiel 27:8,11) The island of Ruad, which lies
off Tortosa (Tartus), two or three miles from the Phoenician
coast. In agreement with this is the mention of "the Arvadite,
in (Genesis 10:18) and 1Chr 1:16 As a son of Canaan, with
Zidon, Hamath an other northern localities.
Arvadite
[[188]Arvad]
Arza
prefect of the palace at Tirzah to Elah king of Israel, who was
assassinated at a banquet in his house by Zimri. (1 Kings 16:9)
Top
of Page |
Table of
Contents Asa
(physician, or cure).
+ Son of Abijah and third king of Judah. (B.C. 956-916.) (His
long reign of 41 years was peaceful in its earlier portion,
and he undertook the reformation of all abuses, especially of
idolatry. He burnt the symbol of his grandmother Maachah's
religion and deposed her from the dignity of "king's
mother,") and renewed the great altar which the idolatrous
priests apparently had desecrated. (2 Chronicles 15:8)
Besides this he fortified cities on his frontiers, and raised
an army, amounting, according to (2 Chronicles 14:8) to
580,000 men, a number probably exaggerated by an error of the
copyist. During Asa's reign, Zerah, at the head of an
enormous host, (2 Chronicles 14:9) attacked Mareshah. There
he was utterly defeated, and driven back with immense loss to
Gerar. The peace which followed this victory was broken by
the attempt of Baasha of Israel to fortify Ramah. To stop
this Asa purchased the help of Benhadad I. king of Damascus,
by a large payment of treasure, forced Baasha to abandon his
purpose, and destroyed the works which he had begun at Ramah.
In his old age Asa suffered from gout, He died, greatly loved
and honored, in the 41st year of his reign.
+ Ancestor of Berechiah a Levite who resided in one of the
villages of the Netophathites after the return from Babylon.
(1 Chronicles 9:16)
Asahel
(made by God).
+ Nephew of David, being the youngest son of his sister
Zeruiah. He was celebrated for his swiftness of foot. When
fighting under his brother Joab at Gibeon, he pursued Abner,
who was obliged to kill him in self-defence. (2 Samuel 2:18)
ff. [[189]Abner] (B.C. 1050.)
+ One of the Levites in the reign of Jehoshaphat, who went
throughout the cities of Judah to instruct the people in the
knowledge of the law. (2 Chronicles 17:8) (B.C. 910.)
+ A Levite in the reign of Hezekiah, who had charge of the
tithes and dedicated things in the temple. (2 Chronicles
31:13) (B.C. 927.)
+ A priest, father of Jonathan, in the time of Ezra. (Ezra
10:15) He is called AZAEL in 1Esd 9:14. (B.C. before 459.)
Asahiah
(the Lord hath made), a servant of King Josiah, sent by him to
seek information of Jehovah respecting the book of the law
which Hilkiah found in the temple, (2 Kings 22:12,14) also
called [190]Asaiah. (2 Chronicles 34:20) (B.C. 641.)
Asaiah
(the Lord hath made).
+ A prince of one of the families of the Simeonites in the
reign of Hezekiah. (1 Chronicles 4:36) (B.C. 910.)
+ A Levite in the reign of David, chief of the family of
Merari. (1 Chronicles 6:30) With 120 of his brethren he took
part in bringing the ark from the house of Obed-edom to the
city of David. (1 Chronicles 15:6,11)
+ The first-born of "the Shilonite," from Shiloni, (1
Chronicles 9:5) who with his family dwelt in Jerusalem after
the return from Babylon. (B.C. 536.) In (Nehemiah 11:5) he is
called [191]Maaseiah.
+ (2 Chronicles 34:20) [[192]Asahiah]
Asaph
(collector of the people).
+ A Levite, son of Berechiah, one of the leaders of David's
choir. (1 Chronicles 6:39) Psalms 50 and 73-83 are attributed
to him; and he was in after times celebrated as a seer as
well as a musical composer. (2 Chronicles 29:30; Nehemiah
12:46) (B.C. 1050.)
+ The father or ancestor of Joah, the chronicler to the kingdom
of Judah in the reign of Hezekiah, (2 Kings 18:18,37; Isaiah
36:3,22) probably the same as the preceding.
+ The keeper of the royal forest or "paradise" of Artaxerxes,
(Nehemiah 2:8) a Jew, in high office at the court of Persia.
(B.C. 536.)
+ Ancestor of Mattaniah, the conductor of the temple-choir
after the return from Babylon. (1 Chronicles 9:16; Nehemiah
11:17) Most probably the same as 1 and 2.
Asaph, Sons Of
(A school of poetry and musical composers founded by Asaph.)
Asareel
(whom God hath bound (by an oath)), a son of Jehaleleel, in the
genealogies of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:16)
Asarelah
(upright toward God), one of the sons of Asaph, a musician, (1
Chronicles 25:2) called [193]Jesharelah in ver. 14
Ascalon
[[194]Ashkelon, Askelon]
Asenath
(worshipper of Neith), daughter of Potipherah, priest, or
possibly prince, of On [[195]Potipherah, Or Potipherah], wife
of Joseph, (Genesis 41:45) and mother of Manasseh and Ephraim.
(Genesis 41:50; 46:20) (B.C. 1715.)
Aser
(Luke 2:36; Revelation 7:6) [[196]Asher, [197]Asher]
Ash
(Heb. oren), only in (Isaiah 44:14) As the true ash is not a
native of Palestine, some understand this to be a species of
pine tree. Perhaps the larch (Laryx europaea) may be intended.
Ashan
(smoke), a city in the low country of Judah. (Joshua 15:42) In
(Joshua 19:7) and 1Chr 4:32 It is mentioned again as belonging
to Simeon. It has not yet been identified.
Ashbea
(I adjure), a proper name, but whether of a person or place is
uncertain. (1 Chronicles 4:21)
Ashbel
(reproof of God), second son of Benjamin and ancestor of the
Ashbelites. (Genesis 46:21; Numbers 26:38; 1 Chronicles 8:1)
Ashchenaz
(1 Chronicles 1:6; Jeremiah 51:27) [[198]Ashkenaz]
Ashdod, Or Azotus
(a stronghold), (Acts 8:40) one of the five confederate cities
of the Philistines situated about 30 miles from the southern
frontier of Palestine, three from the Mediterranean Sea, and
nearly midway between Gaza and Joppa. It was assigned to the
tribe of Judah, (Joshua 15:47) but was never subdued by the
Israelites. Its chief importance arose from its position on the
high road from Palestine to Egypt. It is now an insignificant
village, with no memorials of its ancient importance, but is
still called Esdud.
Ashdodites
the inhabitants of Ashdod, (Nehemiah 4:7) called Ashdothites in
(Joshua 13:3)
Ashdothpisgah
(3:17; Joshua 12:3; 13:20) and in Deuteronomy 4:49 Authorized
Version, translated springs of Pisgah, i.e. a valley or
fountain near Mount Pisgah.
Asher
a place which formed one boundary of the tribe of Manasseh on
the south. (Joshua 17:7) Mr. Porter suggests that Teyasir may
be the Asher of Manasseh. Handbook, p.348.
Apocrypha and New Testament, A'ser (blessed), the eighth son of
Jacob, by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid. (Genesis 30:13) (B.C. 1753.)
The general position of his tribe was on the seashore from
Carmel northward with Manasseh on the south, Zebulun and
Issachar on the southeast, and Naphtali on the north-east.
(Joshua 19:24-31; 17:10,11) and Judg 1:31,32 They possessed the
maritime portion of the rich plain of Esdraelon;, probably for
a distance of 8 or 10 miles from the shore. This territory
contained some of the richest soil in all Palestine.
Asherah
(straight), the name of a Phoenician goddess, or rather of the
idol itself (Authorized Version "grove"). Asherah is closely
connected with [199]Ashtoreth and her worship, (Judges 3:7)
comp. Judg 2:3; 6:25; 1Kin 18:19 Ashtoreth being, perhaps, the
proper name of the goddess, whilst Asherah is the name of her
image or symbol, which was of wood. See (Judges 6:25-30; 2
Kings 23:14)
Asherites
descendants of Asher, and members of his tribe. (Judges 1:32)
Ashes
The ashes on the altar of burnt offering were gathered into a
cavity in its surface. The ashes of a red heifer burnt entire,
according to regulations prescribed in Numb. 19, had the
ceremonial efficacy of purifying the unclean, (Hebrews 9:13)
but of polluting the clean. [[200]Sacrifice] Ashes about the
person, especially on the head, were used as a sign of sorrow.
[[201]Mourning]
Ashima
a god of the Hamathite colonists in Samaria. (2 Kings 17:30) It
has been regarded as identical with the Pan of the Greeks.
Ashkelon, Askelon
Apocrypha As'calon (migration), one of the five cities of the
Philistines, (Joshua 113:3; 1 Samuel 6:17) a seaport on the
Mediterranean, 10 miles north of Gaza. Samson went down from
Timnath to Ashkelon. (Judges 14:19) In the post-biblical times
Ashkelon rose to considerable importance. Near the town were
the temple and sacred lake of Derceto, the Syrian Venus. The
soil around was remarkable for its fertility. Ashkelon played a
memorable part in the struggles of the Crusades.
Ashkenaz
(spreading fire), one of the three sons of Gomer, son of
Japhet. (Genesis 10:3) We may probably recognize the tribe of
Ashkenaz on the northern shore of Asia Minor in the name of
Lake Ascanius, and in Europe in the name Scandia, Scandinavia .
Knobel considers that Ashkenaz is to be identified with the
German race.
Ashnah
the name of two cities, both in the lowlands of Judah: (1)
named between Zoreah and Zanoah, and therefore probably
northwest of Jerusalem, (Joshua 15:33) and (2) between Jiptah
and Nezib, and therefore to the southwest of Jerusalem. (Joshua
15:43) Each, according, to Robinson's map (1857), would be
about 16 miles from Jerusalem.
Ashpenaz
(horse-nose), the master of the eunuchs of Nebuchadnezzar.
(Daniel 1:3)
Ashriel
properly As'riel (vow of God). (1 Chronicles 7:14)
Ashtaroth
and once As'taroth (a star), a city on the east of Jordan in
Bashan, in the kingdom of Og, doubtless so called from being a
seat of the worship of the goddess of the same name. (1:4;
Joshua 9:10; 12:4; 13:12)
Ashterathite
a native or inhabitant of Ashtaroth, (1 Chronicles 11:44)
beyond Jordan.
Ashteroth Karnaim
(Ashteroth of the two horns or peaks) a place of very great
antiquity, the abode of the Rephaim. (Genesis 14:5) The name
reappears but once, as Carnaim or Carnion, 1 Macc. 5:26,43,44;
2 Macc. 12:21,26, in "the land of Galaad." It is probably the
modern Es-Sanamein, on the Haj route, about 25 miles south of
Damascus.
Ashtoreth
(a star) the principal female divinity of the Phoenicians,
called Ishtar by the Assyrians and Astarte by the Greeks and
Romans. She was by some ancient writers identified with the
moon. But on the other hand the Assyrian Ishtar was not the
moon-goddess, but the planet Venus; and Astarte was by many
identified with the goddess Venus (or Aphrodite), as well as
with the plant of that name. It is certain that the worship of
Astarte became identified with that of Venus, and that this
worship was connected with the most impure rites is apparent
from the close connection of this goddess with [202]Asherah. (1
Kings 11:5,33; 2 Kings 23:13)
Ashur
(black), the posthumous son of Hezron by his wife Abiah. (1
Chronicles 2:24; 4:5) He became "father" or founder of the town
of Tekoa. (B.C. 1658.)
Ashurim
(steps), a tribe descended from Dedan, the grandson of Abraham.
(Genesis 26:3) Knobel considers them the same with the Asshur
of (Ezekiel 27:28) and connected with southern Arabia.
Ashurites, The
Only in (2 Samuel 2:9) By some of the old interpreters the name
is taken as meaning the Geshurites; but if we follow the Targum
of Jonathan, "the Asherites" will denote the inhabitants of the
whole of the country west of the Jordan above Jez-reel.
Ashvath
One of the sons of Japhlet, of the tribe of Asher. (1
Chronicles 7:33)
Asia
(orient). The passages in the New Testament where this word
occurs are the following; (Acts 2:9; 6:9; 16:6; 19:10,22,26,27;
20:4,16,18; 21:27; 27:2; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2
Corinthians 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 1:1; Revelation
1:4,11) In all these it may be confidently stated that the word
is used for a Roman province which embraced the western part of
the peninsula of Asia Minor and of which Ephesus was the
capital.
Asiarchae
(chief of Asia) (Authorized Version; (Acts 19:31)), officers
chosen annually by the cities of that part of the province of
Asia of which Ephesus was, under Roman government, the
metropolis. They had charge of the public games and religious
theatrical spectacles, the expenses of which they bore.
Asiel
(created by God).
+ A Simeonite whose descendant Jehu lived in the reign of
Hezekiah. (1 Chronicles 4:35)
+ One of the five swift writers whom Esdras was commanded to
take to write the law and the history of the world. 2 Esd.
14:24.
Asnah
(thorn-bush). The children of Asnah were among the Nethinim who
returned with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:50)
Asnapper
(swift), mentioned in (Ezra 4:10) as the person who settled the
Cutheans in the cities of Samaria. He was probably a general of
Esarhaddon. (B.C. 712.)
Asp
(Heb. pethen), translated (adder in) (Psalms 58:4; 91:13)
Probably the Egyptian cobra, a small and very poisonous
serpent, a dweller in the holes of walls, (Isaiah 11:8) and a
snake upon which the serpent-charmers practiced their art.
Aspalathus
the name of some sweet perfume mentioned in Ecclus. 24:15. The
Lignum rhodianum, is by some supposed to be the substance
indicated by the aspalathus, the plant which yields it is the
Convolvulus scoparius if Linnaeus.
Aspatha
third son of Haman. (Esther 9:7)
Asphar
the pool in the "wilderness of Thecoe." 1 Macc. 9:33. Is it
possible that the name is a corruption of lacus Asphaltites?
Asriel
the son of Gilead and great-grandson of Manasseh. (Numbers
26:31; Joshua 17:2) He was the founder of the family of the
Asrielites. (B.C. 1444.)
Ass
Five Hebrew names of the genus Asinus occur in the Old
Testament.
+ Chamor denotes the male domestic ass.
+ Athon, the common domestic she-ass.
+ Air, the name of a wild ass, which occurs (Genesis 32:15;
49:11)
+ Pere, a species of wild ass mentioned (Genesis 12:16)
+ Arod occurs only in (Job 39:5) but in what respect it differs
from the Pere is uncertain. The ass in eastern countries is a
very different animal from what he is in western Europe. The
most noble and honorable amongst the Jews were wont to be
mounted on asses. (With us the ass is a symbol of
stubbornness and stupidity, while in the East it is
especially remarkable for its patience, gentleness,
intelligence, meek submission and great power of
endurance."--L. Abbott. The color is usually a reddish brown,
but there are white asses, which are much prized. The ass was
the animal of peace as the horse was the animal of war; hence
the appropriateness of Christ in his triumphal entry riding
on an ass. The wild ass is a beautiful animal.--ED.) Mr.
Lavard remarks that in fleetness the wild ass (Asinus
hemippus) equals the gazelle and to overtake it is a feat
which only one or two of the most celebrated mares have been
known to accomplish.
Asshur
second son of Shem, (Genesis 10:22) also the Hebrew form for
Assyria. [[203]Assyria, Asshur]
Assir
(captive).
+ Son of Korah. (Exodus 6:24; 1 Chronicles 6:22)
+ Son of Ebiasaph, and a forefather of Samuel (1 Chronicles
6:23,37)
+ Son of Jeconiah, (1 Chronicles 3:17) unless "Jeconiah the
captive" be the true rendering.
Assos, Or Assus
(approaching), a seaport of the Roman province of Asia in the
district anciently called Mysia, on the northern shore of the
Gulf of Adrn-myttium, and about seven miles from Lesbos. (Acts
20:13,14)
Assur
(Ezra 4:2; Psalms 83:8) [[204]Asshur, [205]Assyria, Asshur;
ASSYRIA]
Assyria, Asshur
was a great and powerful country lying on the Tigris, (Genesis
2:14) the capital of which was Nineveh. (Genesis 10:11) etc. It
derived its name apparently from Asshur, the son of Shem,
(Genesis 10:22) who in later times was worshipped by the
Assyrians as their chief god.
+ Extent.-- The boundaries of Assyria differed greatly at
different periods, Probably in the earliest times it was
confined to a small tract of low country lying chiefly on the
left bank of the Tigris. Gradually its limits were extended,
until it came to be regarded as comprising the whole region
between the Armenian mountains (lat. 37 30') upon the north,
and upon the south the country about Baghdad (lat. 33 30').
Eastward its boundary was the high range of Zagros, or
mountains of Kurdistan; westward it was, according to the
views of some, bounded by the Mesopotamian desert, while
according to others it reached the Euphrates.
+ General character of the country.-- On the north and east the
high mountain-chains of Armenia and Kurdistan are succeeded
by low ranges of limestone hills of a somewhat arid aspect.
To these ridges there succeeds at first an undulating zone of
country, well watered and fairly productive, which extends in
length for 250 miles, and is interrupted only by a single
limestone range. Above and below this barrier is an immense
level tract, now for the most part a wilderness, which bears
marks of having been in early times well cultivated and
thickly peopled throughout.
+ Original peopling.--Scripture informs us that Assyria was
peopled from Babylon, (Genesis 10:11) and both classical
tradition and the monuments of the country agree in this
representation.
+ Date of the foundation of the kingdom.--As a country, Assyria
was evidently known to Moses. (Genesis 2:14; 25:18; Numbers
24:22,24) The foundation of the Assyrian empire was probably
not very greatly anterior to B.C. 1228.
+ History.--The Mesopotamian researches have rendered it
apparent that the original seat of government was not at
Nineveh, but at Kileh-Sherghat, on the right bank of the
Tigris. The most remarkable monarch of the earlier kings was
called Tiglath-pileser. He appears to have been king towards
the close of the twelfth century, and thus to have been
contemporary with Samuel. Afterwards followed Pul, who
invaded Israel in the reign of Menahem (2 Kings 15:29) about
B.C. 770, and Shalmaneser who besieged Samaria three years,
and destroyed the kingdom of Israel B.C. 721, himself or by
his successor Sargon, who usurped the throne at that time.
Under Sargon the empire was as great as at any former era,
and Nineveh became a most beautiful city. Sargon's son
Sennacherib became the most famous of the Assyrian kings. He
began to reign 704 B.C. He invaded the kingdom of Judea in
the reign of Hezekiah. He was followed by Esarhaddon, and he
by a noted warrior and builder, Sardanapalus. In Scripture it
is remarkable that we hear nothing of Assyria after the reign
of Esarhaddon, and profane history is equally silent until
the attacks began which brought about her downfall. The fall
of Assyria, long previously prophesied by Isaiah, (Isaiah
10:5-19) was effected by the growing strength and boldness of
the Medes, about 625 B.C. The prophecies of Nahum and
Zephaniah (Zephaniah 2:13-15) against Assyria were probably
delivered shortly before the catastrophe.
+ General character of the empire.-- The Assyrian monarchs bore
sway over a number of petty kings through the entire extent
of their dominions. These native princes were feudatories of
the great monarch, of whom they held their crown by the
double tenure of homage and tribute. It is not quite certain
how far Assyria required a religious conformity from the
subject people. Her religion was a gross and complex
polytheism, comprising the worship of thirteen principal and
numerous minor divinities, at the head of all of whom stood
the chief god, Asshur, who seems to be the deified patriarch
of the nation. (Genesis 10:22)
+ Civilization of the Assyrians.-- The civilization of the
Assyrians was derived originally from the Babylonians. They
were a Shemitic race originally resident in Babylonia (which
at that time was Cushite) and thus acquainted with the
Babylonian inventions and discoveries, who ascended the
valley of the Tigris and established in the tract immediately
below the Armenian mountains a separate and distinct
nationality. Still, as their civilization developed it became
in many respects peculiar. Their art is of home growth. But
they were still in the most important points barbarians.
Their government was rude and inartificial, their religion
coarse and sensual, and their conduct of war cruel.
+ Modern discoveries in Assyria.-- (Much interest has been
excited in reference to Assyria by the discoveries lately
made there, which confirm and illustrate the Bible. The most
important of them is the finding of the stone tablets or
books which formed the great library at Nineveh, founded by
Shalmaneser B.C. 860, but embodying tablets written 2000
years B.C. This library was more than doubled by
Sardanapalus. These tablets were broken into fragments, but
many of them have been put together and deciphered by the
late Mr. George Smith, of the British Museum. All these
discoveries of things hidden for ages, but now come to light,
confirm the Bible.--ED.)
Astaroth
(1:4) [[206]Ashtaroth]
Astarte
[[207]Ashtoreth]
Asuppim, And House Of
(1 Chronicles 26:15,17) literally house of the gatherings. Some
understand it as the proper name of chambers on the south of
the temple others of certain store-rooms, or of the council
chambers in the outer court of the temple in which the elders
held their celebrations.
Asyncritus
(incomparable), a Christian at Rome, saluted by St. Paul.
(Romans 16:14)
Top
of Page |
Table of
Contents Atad
(thorn), The threshing-floor of, called also Abel-mizraim,
(Genesis 50:10,11) afterwards called Beth-hogla, and known to
have lain between the Jordan and Jericho, therefore on the west
side of Jordan.
Atarah
(a crown) a wife of Jerahmeel, and mother of Onam. (1
Chronicles 2:26)
Ataroth
(crowns).
+ One of the towns in the "land of Jazer and land of Gilead,"
(Numbers 32:3) east of the Jordan, taken and built by the
tribe of Gad. (Numbers 32:34)
+ A place on the (south?) boundary of Ephraim and Manasseh.
(Joshua 16:2,7) It is impossible to say whether Ataroth is or
is not the same place as
+ ATAROTH-ADAR, or -[208]Addar, on the west border of Benjamin,
"near the 'mountain' that is on the south side of the nether
Beth-horon." (Joshua 16:5; 18:13) Perhaps the modern Atara,
six miles northeast of Bethel.
+ "ATAROTH, THE [209]House OF [210]Joab," a place(?) occurring
in the list of the descendants of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:54)
Ater
(shut up).
+ The children of Ater were among the porters or gate-keepers
of the temple who returned with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:42;
Nehemiah 7:45)
+ The children of ATER OF [211]Hezekiah to the number of 98
returned with Zerubbabel, (Ezra 2:16; Nehemiah 7:21) and were
among the heads of the people who signed the covenant with
Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:17)
Athach
(lodging place). (1 Samuel 30:30) As the name does not occur
elsewhere, it has been suggested that it is an error of the
transcriber for Ether, a town in the low country of Judah.
(Joshua 15:42)
Athaiah
(whom Jehovah made), a descendant of Pharez, the son of Judah,
who dwelt at Jerusalem after the return from Babylon, (Nehemiah
11:4) called [212]Uthai in (1 Chronicles 9:4)
Athaliah
(afflicted of the Lord) daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, married
Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah and introduced
into that kingdom the worship of Baal. (B.C. 891.) After the
great revolution by which Jehu seated himself on the throne of
Samaria she killed all the members of the royal family of Judah
who had escaped his sword. (2 Kings 11:1) From the slaughter
one infant, named Joash, the youngest son of Ahaziah, was
rescued by his aunt Jehosheba wife of Jehoiada, (2 Chronicles
23:11) the high priest. (2 Chronicles 24:6) The child was
brought up under Jehoiada's care, and concealed in the temple
for six years, during which period Athaliah reigned over Judah.
At length Jehoiada thought it time to produce the lawful king
to the people, trusting to their zeal for the worship of God
and their loyalty to the house of David. His plan was
successful, and Athaliah was put to death.
Athenians
natives of Athens (Acts 17:21)
Athens
(city of Athene), the capital of Attica, and the chief seat of
Grecian learning and civilization during the golden period of
the history of Greece. Description--Athens is situated about
three miles from the seacoast, in the central plain of Attica.
In this plain rise several eminences Of these the most
prominent is a lofty insulated mountain with a conical peaked
Summit, now called the Hill of St. George, and which bore in
ancient times the name of Lycabettus . This mountain, which was
not included within the ancient walls, lies to the northeast of
Athens, and forms the most striking feature in the environs of
the city. It is to Athens what Vesuvius is to Naples, or
Arthur's Seat to Edinburgh Southwest of Lycabettua there are
four hills of moderate height, all of which formed part of the
city. Of these the nearest to Lycabettus and at the distance of
a mile from the latter, was the Aeropolis, or citadel of
Athens, a square craggy rock rising abruptly about 150 feet,
with a flat summit of about 1000 feet long from east to west,
by 500 feet broad from north to south. Immediately west of the
Aeropolis is a second hill of irregular form, the Areopagus
(Mars' Hill). To the southwest there rises a third hill, the
Pnyx, on which the assemblies of the citizens were held. South
of the city was seen the Saronic Gulf, with the harbors of
Athens. History.--Athens is said to have derived its name from
the prominence given to the worship of the goddess Athena
(Minerva) by its king, Erechtheus. The inhabitants were
previously called Cecropidae, from Cecrops, who, according to
tradition, was the original founder of the city. This at first
occupied only the hill or rock which afterwards became the
Acropolis; but gradually the buildings spread over the ground
at the southern foot of this hill. It was not till the time of
Pisistratus and his sons (B.C. 560-514) that the city began to
assume any degree of splendor. The most remarkable building of
these despots was the gigantic temple of the Olympian Zeus or
Jupiter. Under Themistocles the Acropolis began to form the
centre of the city, round which the new walls described an
irregular circle of about 60 stadia or 7 1/4 miles in
circumference. Themistocles transferred the naval station of
the Athenians to the peninsula of Piraeus, which is distant
about 4 1/2 miles from Athens, and contains three natural
harbors. It was not till the administration of Pericles that
the walls were built which connected Athens with her ports.
Buildings.--Under the administration of Pericles, Athens was
adorned with numerous public buildings, which existed in all
their glory when St. Paul visited the city. The Acropolis was
the centre of the architectural splendor of Athens. It was
covered with the temples of gods and heroes; and thus its
platform presented not only a sanctuary, but a museum
containing the finest productions of the architect and the
sculptor, in which the whiteness of the marble was relieved by
brilliant colors, and rendered still more dazzling by the
transparent clearness of the Athenian atmosphere. The chief
building was the Parthenon (i.e. House of the Virgin), the most
perfect production of Grecian architecture. It derived its name
from its being the temple of Athena Parthenos, or Athena the
Virgin, the invincible goddess of war. It stood on the highest
part of the Acropolis, near its centre. It was entirely of
Pentelic marble, on a rustic basement of ordinary limestone,
and its architecture, which was of the Doric order, was of the
purest kind. It was adorned with the most exquisite sculptures,
executed by various artists under the direction of Phidias. But
the chief wonder of the Parthenon was the colossal statue of
the virgin goddess executed by Phidias himself: The Acropolis
was adorned with another colossal figure of Athena, in bronze,
also the work of Phidias. It stood in the open air, nearly
opposite the Propylaea. With its pedestal it must have been
about 70 feet high, and consequently towered above the roof of
the Parthenon, so that the point of its spear and the crest of
its helmet were visible off the promontory of Sunium to ships
approaching Athens. The Areopagus, or Hill of Ares (Mars), is
described elsewhere. [[213]Mars Hill' HILL] The Pnyx, or place
for holding the public assemblies of the Athenians, stood on
the side of a low rocky hill, at the distance of about a
quarter of a mile from the Areopagus. Between the Pnyx on the
west) the Areopagus on the north and the Acropolis on the east,
and closely adjoining the base of these hills, stood the Agora
or "Market," where St. Paul disputed daily. Through it ran the
road to the gymnasium and gardens of the Academy, which were
situated about a mile from the walls. The Academy was the place
where Plato and his disciples taught. East of the city, and
outside the walls was the Lyceum, a gymnasium dedicated to
Apollo Lyceus, and celebrated as the place in which Aristotle
taught. Character.--The remark of the sacred historian
respecting the inquisitive character of the Athenians (Acts
17:21) is attested by the unanimous voice of antiquity. Their
natural liveliness was partly owing to the purity and clearness
of the atmosphere of Attica, which also allowed them to pass
much of their time in the open air. The Athenian carefulness in
religion is confirmed by the ancient writers. Of the Christian
church, founded by St. Paul at Athens, according to
ecclesiastical tradition, Dionysius the Areopagite was the
first bishop. [[214]Dionysius] Present condition.-- (The
population of Athens in 1871 was 48,000. Its university has 52
professors and 1200 students. Educational institutions are very
numerous. A railway connects the Pirzeus or port with the city
and its terminus stands in the midst of what was once the
Agora.--ED.)
Athlai
(whom Jehovah afflicts), one of the sons of Bebai, who put away
his foreign wife at the exhortation of Ezra. (Ezra 10:28)
Atonement, The Day Of
I. The great day of national humiliation, and the only one
commanded in the Mosaic law. [[215]Fasts] The mode of its
observance is described in Levi 16, and the conduct of the
people is emphatically enjoined in (Leviticus 23:26-32) II.
Time.-- It was kept on the tenth day of Tisri, that is, from
the evening of the ninth to the evening of the tenth of that
month, five days before the feast of tabernacles. Tisri
corresponds to our September-October, so that the 10th of Tisri
would be about the first of October. [[216]Festivals] III. How
observed.-- It was kept by the people as a high solemn sabbath.
On this occasion only the high priest was permitted to enter
into the holy of holies. Having bathed his person and dressed
himself entirely in the holy white linen garments, he brought
forward a young bullock for a sin offering, purchased at his
own cost, on account of himself and his family, and two young
goats for a sin offering, with a ram for a burnt offering,
which were paid for out of the public treasury, on account of
the people. He then presented the two goats before the Lord at
the door of the tabernacle and cast lots upon them. On one lot
"For Jehovah " was inscribed, and on the other "For Azazel ." A
phrase of unusual difficulty. The best modern scholars agree
that it designates the personal being to whom the goat was
sent, probably Satan. This goat was called the scapegoat .
After various sacrifices and ceremonies the goat upon which the
lot "For Jehovah " had fallen was slain and the high priest
sprinkled its blood before the mercy-seat in the same manner as
he had done that of the bullock. Going out from the holy of
holies he purified the holy place, sprinkling some of the blood
of both the victims on the altar of incense. At this time no
one besides the high priest was suffered to be present in the
holy place. The purification of the holy of holies and of the
holy place being thus completed, the high priest laid his hands
upon the head of the goat on which the lot "For Azazel " had
fallen and confessed over it all the sins of the people. The
goat was then led, by a man chosen for the purpose, into the
wilderness, into "a land not inhabited," and was there let
loose. The high priest after this returned into the holy place
bathed himself again, put on his usual garments of office, and
offered the two rams as burnt offerings, one for himself and
one for the people. IV. Significance. In considering the I.
meaning of the particular rites of the day, three points appear
to be of a very distinctive character.
+ The white garments of the high priest.
+ His entrance into the holy of holies.
+ The scapegoat. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews,
(Hebrews 9:7-25) teaches us to apply the first two
particulars. The high priest himself, with his person
cleansed and dressed in white garments, was the best outward
type which a living man could present in his own person of
that pure and holy One who was to purify his people and to
cleanse them from their sins. But respecting the meaning of
the scapegoat we have no such light to guide us, and the
subject is one of great doubt and difficulty. It has been
generally considered that it was dismissed to signify the
carrying away of the sins of the people, as it were, out of
the sight of Jehovah. If we keep in view that the two goats
are spoken of as parts of one and the same sin offering, we
shall not have much difficulty in seeing that they form
together but one symbolical expression; the slain goat
setting forth the act of sacrifice, in giving up its own life
for others "to Jehovah;" and the goat which carried off its
load of sin "for complete removal" signifying the cleansing
influence of faith in that sacrifice.
Atroth
(crowns), a city of Gad. (Numbers 32:35)
Attai
(opportune).
+ Grandson of Sheshan the Jerahmeelite through his daughter
Ahlai, whom he gave in marriage to Jarha, his Egyptian slave.
(1 Chronicles 2:35,36) His grandson Zabad was one of David's
mighty men. (1 Chronicles 11:41)
+ One of the lion-faced warriors of Gad, captains of the host,
who forded the Jordan at the time of its overflow and joined
David in the wilderness. (1 Chronicles 12:11) (B.C. 1060.)
+ Second son of King Rehoboam by Maachah the daughter of
Absalom. (2 Chronicles 11:20) (B.C. 975.)
Attalia
(from Attalus), a coast-town of Pamphylia, mentioned (Acts
14:25) It was built by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamos,
and named after the monarch. All its remains are characteristic
of the date of its foundation. Leake fixes Attalia at Adalia,
on the south court of Asia Minor, north of the Duden Su, the
ancient Catarrhactes.
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Contents Augustus
(venerable) Cae'sar, the first Roman emperor. He was born
A.U.C. 691, B.C. 63. His father was Caius Octavius; his mother
Atia, daughter of Julia the sister of C. Julius Caesar. He was
principally educated by his great-uncle Julius Caesar, and was
made his heir. After his murder, the young Octavius, then Caius
Julius Caesar Octavianus, was taken into the triumvirate with
Antony and Lepidus, and, after the removal of the latter,
divided the empire with Antony. The struggle for the supreme
power was terminated in favor of Octavianus by the battle of
Actium, B.C. 31. On this victory he was saluted imperator by
the senate, who conferred on him the title Augustus, B.C. 27.
The first link binding him to New Testament history is his
treatment of Herod after the battle of Actium. That prince, who
had espoused Antony's side, found himself pardoned, taken into
favor and confirmed, nay even increased, in his power. After
Herod's death, in A.D. 4, Augustus divided his dominions,
almost exactly according to his dying directions, among his
sons. Augustus died in Nola in Campania, Aug. 19, A.U.C. 767,
A.D. 14, in his 76th year; but long before his death he had
associated Tiberius with him in the empire.
Augustus Band
(Acts 27:1) [[217]Army]
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Table of
Contents Ava
(ruin), a place in the empire of Assyria, apparently the same
as Ivan. (2 Kings 17:24)
Aven
(nothingness).
+ The "plain of Aven" is mentioned by (Amos 1:5) in his
denunciation of Syria and the country to the north of
Palestine. This Aven is by some supposed to be the once
magnificent Heiropolis, "city of I the sun," now Baalbek
(Bal'bek) of Coele-Syria, whose ruins are one of the wonders
of the ages. It was situated in a plain near the foot of the
Anti-Libanus range of mountains, 42 miles northwest of
Damascus. It is famous for the colossal ruins of its temples,
one of which with its courts and porticos, extended over 1000
feet in length. The temples were built of marble or limestone
and granite. Some of the columns were 7 feet in diameter and
62 feet high, or including capital and pedestal, 89 feet.
Some of the building-stones were 64 feet long and 12 feet
thick. The temples are of Roman origin.
+ In (Hosea 10:8) the word is clearly an abbreviation of
Bethaven, that is, Bethel. Comp. (Hosea 4:15) etc.
+ The sacred city of Heliopolis or On, in Egypt. (Ezekiel
30:17)
Avim
(ruins), A'vims or A'vites .
+ A people among the early inhabitants of Palestine, whom we
meet with in the southwest corner of the seacoast, whither
they may have made their way north-ward from the desert,
(2:23) probably the same as the Hivites.
+ The people of Avva, among the colonists who were sent by the
king of Assyria to reinhabit the depopulated cities of
Israel. (2 Kings 17:31)
Avith
(ruins), the city of Hadad ben-Bedad, one of the kings of Edom
before there were kings in Israel. (Genesis 36:35; 1 Chronicles
1:46)
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Table of
Contents Awl
a tool of which we do not know the ancient form. The only
notice of it is in connection with the custom of boring the ear
of the slave. (Exodus 21:6; 15:17)
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Table of
Contents Azal
a name only occurring in (Zechariah 14:5) It is mentioned as
the limit to which the ravine of the Mount of Olives will
extend when "Jehovah shall go forth to fight."
Azaliah
(whom the Lord reserved), the father of Shaphan the scribe in
the reign of Josiah. (2 Kings 22:3; 2 Chronicles 34:8) (B.C.
before 641.)
Azaniah
(whom the Lord hears), the father or immediate ancestor of
Jeshua the Levite, in the time of Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:9)
Azarael
a Levite musician. (Nehemiah 12:36)
Azareel, Or Azareel
(whom the Lord helps).
+ A Korhite who joined David in his retreat at Ziklag. (1
Chronicles 12:6) (B.C. 1060.)
+ A Levite musician of the family of Heman in the time of
David, (1 Chronicles 25:18) called [218]Uzziel in (1
Chronicles 25:4) (B.C. 1050.)
+ Son of Jeroham, and prince of the tribe of Dan when David
numbered the people. (1 Chronicles 27:22)
+ One of the sons of Bani, who put away his foreign wife on the
remonstrance of Ezra. (Ezra 10:41) (B.C. 459.)
+ Father or ancestor of Maasiai, or Amashai, a priest who dwelt
in Jerusalem after the return from Babylon. (Nehemiah 11:13)
comp. 1Chr 9:12 (B.C. about 440.)
Azariah
(whom the Lord helps) a common name in Hebrew, and especially
in the families of the priests of the line of Eleazar, whose
name has precisely the same meaning as Azariah. It is nearly
identical, and is often confounded, with Ezra as well as with
Zerahiah and Seraiah. The principal persons who bore this name
were--
+ Son of Ahimaaz. (1 Chronicles 6:9) He appears from (1 Kings
4:2) to have succeeded Zadok, his grandfather, in the high
priesthood, in the reign of Solomon, Ahimaaz having died
before Zadok. (B.C. About 1000.) [[219]Ahimaaz]
+ A chief officer of Solomon's, the son of Nathan, perhaps
David's grandson. (1 Kings 4:5)
+ Tenth king of Judah, more frequently called Uzziah. (2 Kings
14:21; 15:1,6,8,17,23,27; 1 Chronicles 8:12)
+ Son of Ethan, of the sons of Zerah, where, perhaps, Zerahiah
is the more probable reading. (1 Chronicles 2:8)
+ Son of Jehu of the family of the Jerahmeelites, and descended
from Jarha the Egyptian slave of Sheshan. (1 Chronicles
2:38,39) He was probably one of the captains of hundreds in
the time of Athaliah mentioned in (2 Chronicles 23:1) (B.C.
886.)
+ The son of Johanan. (1 Chronicles 6:10) He must have been
high priest in the reign of Abijah and Asa. (B.C. 939.)
+ Another Azariah is inserted between Hilkiah, in Josiah's
reign, and Seraiah who was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar, in
(1 Chronicles 6:13,14)
+ Son of Zephaniah, a Kohathite, and ancestor of Samuel the
prophet. (1 Chronicles 6:36) Apparently the same as Uzziah in
ver. 24.
+ Azariah; the son of Oded, (2 Chronicles 15:1) called simply
Oded in ver. 8, was a remarkable prophet in the days of King
Asa, and a contemporary of Azariah the son of Johanan the
high priest, and of Hanani the seer. (B.C. 939.)
+ Son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 21:2)
(B.C.910.)
+ Another son of Jehoshaphat, and brother of the preceding. (2
Chronicles 21:2)
+ In (2 Chronicles 22:6) Azariah is a clerical error for
Ahaziah.
+ Son of Jeroham, one of the captains of Judah in the time of
Athaliah. (2 Chronicles 23:1)
+ The high priest in the reign of Uzziah king of Judah. The
most memorable event of his life is that which is recorded in
(2 Chronicles 26:17-20) (B.C. 810.) Azariah was contemporary
with Isaiah the prophet and with Amos and Joel.
+ Son of Johanan, one of the captains of Ephraim in the reign
of Ahaz. (2 Chronicles 28:12)
+ A Kohathite, father of Joel, in the reign of Hezekiah. (2
Chronicles 29:12) (B.C. 726.)
+ A Merarite, son of Jehalelel, in the time of Hezekiah. (2
Chronicles 29:12)
+ The high priest in the days of Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles
31:10,13) He appears to have co operated zealously with the
king in that thorough purification of the temple and
restoration of the temple service, which was so conspicuous a
feature in his reign. He succeeded Urijah, who was high
priest in the reign of Ahaz.
+ Son of Maaseiah who repaired part of the wall of Jerusalem in
the time of Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 3:23,24) (B.C. 446-410.)
+ One of the leaders of the children of the province who went
up from Babylon with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah 7:7)
+ One of the Levites who assisted Ezra in instructing the
people in the knowledge of the law. (Nehemiah 8:7)
+ One of the priests who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah
(Nehemiah 10:2) and probably the same with the Azariah who
assisted in the dedication of the city wall. (Nehemiah 12:33)
+ (Jeremiah 13:2) (Jezaniah).
+ The original name of Abednego. (Daniel 1:6,7,11,19) He
appears to have been of the seed-royal of Judah. (B.C. 603.)
Azaz
(strong), a Reubenite, father of Bela. (1 Chronicles 5:8)
Azaziah
(whom the Lord strengthens)
+ A Levite musician in the reign of David, appointed to play
the harp in the service which attended the procession by
which the ark was brought up from the house of Obed-edom. (1
Chronicles 15:21) (B.C. 1048.)
+ The father of Hoshea, prince of the tribe of Ephraim when
David numbered the people. (1 Chronicles 27:20)
+ One of the Levites in the reign of Hezekiah, who had charge
of the tithes, and dedicated things in the temple. (2
Chronicles 31:13)
Azbuk
(strong devastation), father or ancestor of Nehemiah, the
prince of part of Bethzur. (Nehemiah 3:16)
Azekah
(dugover), a town of Judah, with dependent villages, lying in
the Shefelah or rich agricultural plain. It is most clearly
defined as being near Shochoh, (1 Samuel 17:1) but its position
has not yet been recognized.
Azel
(noble), a descendant of Saul. (1 Chronicles 8:37,38; 9:43,44)
Azem
(bone), a city in the extreme south of Judah, (Joshua 15:29)
afterwards allotted to Simeon. (Joshua 19:3) Elsewhere it is
[220]Ezem.
Azgad
(strength of fortune). The children of Azgad, to the number of
1222 (2322 according to) (Nehemiah 7:17) were among the laymen
who returned with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:12; 8:12) With the other
heads of the People they joined in the covenant with Nehemiah.
(Nehemiah 10:15) (B.C. 536.)
Aziel
(whom God comforts), a Levite. (1 Chronicles 15:20) The name is
a shortened form of Jaaziel in ver. 18.
Aziza
(strong) a layman of the family of Zattu, who had married a
foreign wife after the return from Babylon.
Azmaveth
a place to all appearance in Benjamin, being named with other
towns belonging to that tribe. (Ezra 2:24) The name elsewhere
occurs as BETH-AZMAVETH.
(strong unto death).
+ One of David's mighty men, a native of Bahurim, (2 Samuel
23:31; 1 Chronicles 11:33) and therefore probably a
Benjamite. (B.C. 1060).
+ A descendant of Mephibosheth, or Merib-baal. (1 Chronicles
8:36; 9:42)
+ The father of Jeziel and Pelet, two of the skilled Benjamite
slingers and archers who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles
10:3) perhaps identical with No. 1.
+ Overseer of the royal treasures in the reign of David. (1
Chronicles 27:25)
Azmon
(strong), a place named as being on the southern boundary of
the Holy Land, apparently near the torrent of Egypt (Wadi
el-Arish). (Numbers 34:4,5; Joshua 15:4) It has not yet been
identified.
Aznothtabor
(the ears (i.e. possibly the summits) of Tabor), one of the
landmarks of the boundary of Naphtali. (Joshua 19:34) The town,
if town it be, has hitherto escaped recognition.
Azor
(a helper), son of Eliakim, in the line of our Lord. (Matthew
1:13,14)
Azotus
[[221]Ashdod, Or Azotus]
Azriel
(whom God helps).
+ The head of a house of the half tribe of Manasseh beyond
Jordan, a man of renown. (1 Chronicles 5:24) (B.C. 741.)
+ A Naphtalite, ancestor of Jerimoth, the head of the tribe at
the time of David's census. (1 Chronicles 27:19) (B.C. 1015.)
+ The father of Seraiah, an officer of Jehoiakim. (Jeremiah
36:26) (B.C. 605.)
Azrikam
(help against the enemy).
+ A descendant of Zerubbabel, and son of Neariah of the royal
line of Judah. (1 Chronicles 3:23)
+ Eldest son of Azel, and descendant of Saul. (1 Chronicles
8:38; 9:44) (B.C after 1037.)
+ A Levite, ancestor of Shemaiah, who lived in the time of
Nehemiah. (1 Chronicles 9:14; Nehemiah 11:15) (B.C. before
536.)
+ Governor of the house, or prefect of the palace, to King
Ahaz, who was slain by Zichri, an Ephraimite hero, in the
successful invasion of the southern kingdom by Pekah king of
Israel. (2 Chronicles 28:7) (B.C. 738.)
Azubah
(forsaken).
+ Wife of Caleb, son of Hezron. (1 Chronicles 2:18,19)
+ Mother of King Jehoshaphat. (1 Kings 22:42; 2 Chronicles
20:31) (B.C. 950.)
Azur
properly Az'zur (he that assists)
+ A Benjamite of Gibeon, and father of Hananiah the false
prophet. (Jeremiah 28:1)
+ Father of Jaazaniah, one of the princes of the people against
whom Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy. (Ezekiel 11:1)
Azzah
(the strong). The more accurate rendering of the name of the
well-known Philistine city Gaza. (2:23; 1 Kings 4:24; Jeremiah
25:20)
Azzan
(very strong), the father of Paltiel prince of the tribe of
Issachar, who represented his tribe in the division of the
promised land. (Numbers 34:26)
Azzur
(one who helps), one of the heads of the People who signed the
covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:17) (B.C. 410.) The name
is probably that of a family, and in Hebrew is the same as is
elsewhere represented by [222]Azur.