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1. 1  B  R  A^  R  Y 


Theological    Seminary 

PRINCETON.     N.    j. 

C((.ic  Division,. 
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M  A  L  C  O  M  '  S      N  K  \\'      U  1  C  X  I  O  >'  A  K  Y, 
A 

DICTIONARY 

or    TJIE    MOST    IMPOETANT 

NAMES,    OBJECTS,    AND    TERMS 

FOUND  I-V   THE 

HOLY    SCRIPTURES. 


tSTEXDED  PRINCIPALLY  FOE 


SUNDAY  SCHOOLS  A^'D  BIBLE  CLASSES. 

AND  A3    AN  AID    TO 

FAMILY     INSTRUCTION. 
HOWARD    MALCOM,   D.D., 

ULTX    PEESIDENT     OF . "  LEWISBIBQ     CNITERSITY,"    PEOFESSOE    OF    UOBXL  JUTS 
INTELLECTUAL    PUILOSOPUT,  ETC. 

w  I T  ir 
NUMEROUS    ILLUSTRATIONS. 

NEW    YOEK: 

SHELDON  &   COMPANY,    677   BROADWAY 

AND  214  &  216  MERCER  STREET, 

Umdbr  Grakd  Central  Hotel. 

1874. 


tiotat*^  ajeotiiog  to  Act  of  CjnftreM,  in  the  year  1868.  fcy 

oouLT    'i;^^  i.?:n;;oln, 

'Jl  tK  Cter>"»  OfiQce  of  the  District  Ccurt  for  th^  District  cf  Maas^eur-  «lli 


PREFACE. 


TwE  Authoi  engaged  heartily  in  Sunday  Schools  at  thtir  first  i  troducrion, 
In  the  pres-^nt  form,  into  ihe  city  of  Philadelphia  ;  and,  fiom  thai  time  to  the 
present,  his  estimate  of  their  value  has  constantly  increased.  In  his  labori 
as  teacher,  superintendent  and  pastor,  he  was  early  made  to  feel  the  need  of  a 
dictionary,  arranged  expressly  for  the  constantly  increasing  class  of  investi 
gators  of  God's  word,  produced  by  Sunday-school  influence  ;  but  there  wai 
none.  At  length,  in  1824,  he  undertook  to  supply  the  desideratum  ;  and,  after 
devoting,  for  six  years,  all  the  time  he  could  command  for  the  purpose,  the 
result  was  published.  The  reception  of  the  work  was  highly  flattering.  Be 
side  an  immediate,  rapid,  and  wide-spread  sale  in  this  country,  it  was  repub- 
lished in  London,  and  still  continues  to  be  largely  circulated  in  Great  Britain. 

As  successive  editions  were  called  for,  each  was  laboriously  improved.  All 
the  works  of  Bible  illustrators,  such  as  Calmet,  Whitby,  Wells,  Brown,  Car- 
penter, Wood,  Paxton,  Harmer,  Harris,  Jones,  and  others,  were  carefully  con- 
sulted ;  besides  gazetteers,  geographies,  reports  of  missionaries,  voyages  and 
t.'avels,  &c.  Much  aid  was  also  obtained  from  distinguished  biblical  scholars  ; 
ar.d  one  friend  patiently  went  over  the  entire  mass  of  scripture  references 
making  it  an  evening  exercise  in  his  family  to  look  out  in  the  Bible  every 
quotation  ;  by  which  process  hundreds  of  errors  were  detected  in  quotations, 
transferred  from  works  consulted.  In  fine,  no  pains,  labor,  or  exi)en8e  waa 
epared  to  make  the  work  as  complete  as  possible  within  the  size  deemed  de- 
fiimble,  till  the  sixth  edition,  when  it  was  stereotyped. 

The  work,  from  its  first  appearance,  received  the  unqualified  commendation 
of  a  large  number  of  ecclesiastical  bodies,  leading  periodicals,  and  clergymen 
A  still  more  satisfactory  evidence  of  its  general  acceptableness  is  the  fact  of 
its  steady  sale  for  nearly  twenty-five  years,  and  its  circulation  reaching  th« 
extraordinary  number  of  130,000  copies,  notwithstanding  the  publication  of 
several  other  works  of  like  aim,  during  this  period. 

The  stereotyping  of  his  book  did  not  induce  the  author  to  discontinue  hid 
labors  upon  it.  Having  become  deeply  mterested  in  this  department  of  studyj 
his  investigations  were  continued,  and  an  interleaved  copy  of  the  book  kepi 
at  hand,  in  which  were  made  constant  alterations,  corrections,  and  additions, 
as  his  reading  or  travels  enabled  him.  A  year  ago,  the  publishers  havmg  re- 
solved to  stereotype  the  work  anew,  and  to  adopt  a  larger  page,  allowing  con- 
siderable addition  to  the  reading  matter,  the  work  of  improvement  was 
restuned  systematically.  Every  line  has  been  revised,  authorities  researched, 
and  very  valuable  additions  made  from  entirely  new  sources,  such  as  Kitto, 
Robinson,  Smith,  Lynch,  Layard,  Bayard  Taylor,  and  others.  The  result  of 
all  is,  that  scarcely  an  article  has  not  beep  improved,  more  than  half  hav« 
been  enlarged,  and  nearly  a  hundred  new  ones,  with  a  very  complete  Har 
mony  of  the  Four  GospelSy  have  been  added.  The  pnblisners  also  have 
Incurred  the  expense  of  a  new  and  more  complete  map  cf  Palestine,  and  a 
large  number  of  new  illustrations.    Tbua  it  is  essentially  a  new  work. 


VI  PREFACE. 

The  advantages  )f  this  Dictionary  over  similar  works  will  be  fcuid  to  be, 

1.  It  contains  greatly  more  actual  illustration  of  the  word  of  God.  No 
ipace  is  consumed  with  rehearsals  of  scripture  history  nor  biographies  which 
can  be  bettm-  read  in  the  Bible  itself,  nor  tedious  discussions  on  points  whicb 
have  never  been  decided  ;  nor  antiquated  statements  respecting  countries  and 
customs,  which  have  been  superseded  by  modern  research. 

2.  It  quotes  mure  extensively  those  passages  which  may  be  explained  by 
Che  article  ;  thus  making  it  a  brief  critical  commentary  on  the  whole  Bible 

3.  It  gives  the  modern  names  of  places  mentioned  in  the  Bible,  in  all 
cases  where  there  is  any  certainty ;  thus  defining  and  fixing  the  reader'* 
conceptions 

4.  Events  and  personages  prominent  in  profane  history  are  mentioned  in 
connection  with  names  and  events  in  the  scripture  history,  so  as  to  form  a 
chronological  arrangem.ent  in  the  mind  of  the  reader,  and  assist  his  memory 
by  association  of  ideas. 

5.  The  name  of  each  book  in  the  Bible  is  given,  followed  by  an  article 
which  briefly  gives  all  that  is  known  of  writer,  date,  design,  kc,  thus  often 
giving  a  key  to  the  whole. 

6.  It  contains  a  sufficient  Geography  of  the  Bible,  and  much  more  con 
venient  for  Sunday  Schools  than  a  separate  work  on  that  subject  can  be, 
becjiuse,  by  the  alphabetical  arrangement,  every  one  may  find  the  desired 
information. 

7.  The  full  desciiption  of  all  the  animals,  birds,  reptiles,  insects,  ydants 
minerals,  kc,  to  which  important  allusions  are  made,  furnishes  an  adequate 
natural  history  of  tlie  Bible. 

8.  A  large  part  of  the  work  is  new,  being  derived  from  recent  sourcefl- 
Upwards  of  four  hundred  articles  are  not  found  in  other  Bible  Dictionaries. 
When  the  article  itself  is  not  new,  it  has  been  improved,  if  any  additional 
light  has  been  thrown  upon  the  subject  by  recent  writers. 

9.  Distinct  and  correct  impressions  of  what  could  not  be  well  taught  by 
words,  are  given  by  engravings,  faithfully  and  elegantly  drawn. 

10.  Names  liable  to  erroneous  pronunciations  are  accented. 

For  the  above  reasons,  the  value  of  the  book  is  not  lessened  by  tl»e  posses- 
elon  of  any  other  Bible  Dictionary. 

In  addition  to  the  common  purposes  of  a  dictionary,  this  may  furnish  not 
only  a  useful,  but  a  very  delightful  Sunday  exercise  in  the  family,  if  a  pairnt 
would  read  a  few  articles,  while  the  other  members  of  the  family,  each  with  a 
Bible,  look  out  the  references,  and  read  them  aloud.  Great  light  would  thus 
be  cast  on  important  subjects,  and  happy  effects  produced  in  fixing  sacred 
truth  upon  the  memory. 

And  now,  not  without  regrets,  is  this  labor  of  love  laid  aside  forever.  For 
thirty  years  the  mines  have  been  worked,  with  ever  fresh  interest,  to  priduce 
this  cabinet  of  truths.  To  relinquish  the  task  is  to  lose  a  great  satisfaction, 
and  to  break  up  a  fixed  habit.  But  all  buman  labor  has  its  limit,  and  this 
performance  is  now  bequeathed  to  the  world,  ended  though  not  flnisLeO. 
Abandoned  but  still  loved. 

Lcwisburg,  Penn.,  August,  1863 


BIBLE  DICTIONARY. 


la'ron,  a  prince  of  the  family 
of  Levi,  born  in  Egypt,  one  year 
before  the  edict  for  destroying 
Hebrew  male  children,  and  three 
years  before  Moses.  By  divine 
direction  he  was  consecrated  the 
first  High  Priest.  After  the 
schism  of  Korah,  Numb.  IC,  the 
Lord  evidenced  his  appointment 
by  the  miracle  of  the  budding 
rod  and  other  signs.  He  died  in 
Mount  Hor,  40  years  after  coming 
out  of  Egypt,  i.  e.,  A.  m.  2552, 
aged  123  years,  and  was  suc- 
jeeded  by  his  son  Eleazar.  See 
Priksthood. 

Abad'don,  literally  The  De- 
stroyer, is  "  the  angel  of  the  bot- 
tomless pit,  whose  name  in  He- 
brew is  Abaddon,  but  in  Greek, 
Apollyon."  Rev.  9:  11.  Writers 
on  the  prophecies  greatly  ditfer 
In  their  interpretation  of  the 
above  text.  Some  would  apply 
the  name  exclusively  to  Satan. 
Others  regard  it  as  being  also 
applied  to  Mahomet,  and  others 
to  the  Pope  of  B'>me. 

Ab'ana  and  Pharpar,  rivers 
of   Syria,    which     Naaman    toe 


Leper  thought  "  better  than  ali 
the  waters  of  Israel."  Abana 
is  probably  the  Barraddy,  which 
rises  in  Lebanon,  and  runs  to- 
wards the  south.  Perhaps  the 
Pharpar  is  the  same  with  the 
Orontes,  which,  rising  a  little  to 
the  north-east  of  Damascus,  pass- 
es Antioch,  and,  after  a  course 
of  200  miles  to  the  north-west, 
loses  itself  in  the  Mediterranean 
Sea.     2  Kings  5:  12. 

AVba,  a  Syriac  word,  signify 
ing  a  beloved  father.  The  word 
is  used  by  our  Lord  in  his  agony, 
Mark  14  :  36,  and  by  Paul,  when 
he  recounts  to  the  believers  of 
Rome  and  Galatia  their  glorious 
privileges,  Rom.  8  :  15  ;'Gal.  4: 
6.  We  thus  perceive,  both  in 
the  term  itself,  and  the  manner 
of  using  it,  how  endearing  and 
consoling  is  the  access  to  God 
which  the  christian  enjoys. 

Abel,  literally  vanity,  the  sec- 
ond son  of  Eve.  The  reason  why 
his  offering  was  accepted  rather 
than  Cain's  is  explained,  Heb 
11  :  4,  where  it  is  said  to  have 
been    because    Abel    had   faixh 


ABI 


8 


ABI 


ihak  is,  had  respect  to  the  Mes- 
siah to  come  and  to  the  divine  ap- 
pointment. It  is  said  that  being 
dead  he  yet  speaketh,  i.  e.,  hi3 
example  and  suJerings  are  a  les- 
son to  U3 

Abel)  otherwise  called  the  field 
ofjiiahua,  was  near  Bethshemesh, 
and  was  probably  so  called  from 
the  mournhig  ot  the  Hebrews  for 
those  who  were  struck  dead  for 
looking  into  the  ark.  1  Sam. 
C  :  18,  19. 

Abel-DIaim,   or    Abel-beth 

Maacha,  a  city  in  the  north  of 
the  canton  of  Naphtali,  where 
Sheba  was  beheaded.  2  Sam. 
20  :  14.  Eighty  years  after,  it 
was  ravaged  by  Benhadad.  1 
Kings  15  :  20.  In  the  days  of 
Christ,  it  was  called  Ahila. 

Abel-IIIizraiDI,  literally  the 
mourning  of  the  J^gyptians,  so 
called  from  their  lamentation 
over  Jacob's  corpse  when  they 
carried  it  to  IMachpelah.  It  is 
-jailed  «'  the  floor  of  Atad." 
Gen.  50  :  11. 

Abel-Meliolah,  a  city  west  of 
Jordan,  10  miles  south  of  Beth- 
Bhau,  in  the  tribe  of  Manasseh. 
1  Kings  4:  12.  It  was  the 
birth-place  of  Elisha.  1  Kings 
19  :  16.  Near  this  city  Gideon 
defeated  the  Midianites. 

Abel-Shittim,  a  town  beyond 
Jordan,  in  the  plain  of  Moab. 
Here  24,000  Israelites  were  de- 
stroyed in  one  day  for  falling 
into  the  sins  of  Moab.  Numb. 
25.  It  was  probably  the  mourn- 
ing for  this  event  that  gave  the 
DMue  of  Abel  to  the  spot. 

4bi'a|  second  son  to  Samuel, 


and  :,rother  to  dO»l.  When  tho 
priests  were  divided  into  twenty- 
four  cimrses,  the  8th  was  called 
after  him  ;  or,  as  some  suppose, 
after  Abijah,  mentioned  1  Cliron. 
24  :  10      Luke  1  :  5. 

A' bib,  or  NiSAN,  the  naiAe  of 
the  first  sacred  and  seventh  civil 
month  of  the  Jewish  year.  It 
answered  to  our  March  and  April. 
The  word  signifies  ripe  Jruit,  and 
was  given  to  this  month,  because, 
in  the  middle  of  it,  the  Jewa 
generally  began  their  harvest. 
On  the  14th  day  of  this  month, 
the  Passover  was  eaten.  Their 
civil  year  commenced  in  Septem- 
ber ;  and  therefore  their  jubilees, 
and  other  civil  matters,  were 
regulated  in  that  way.  See 
Levit.  25  :  8, 9, 10.  This  change 
of  beginning,  as  to  the  sacred 
year,  took  place  at  the  redemp- 
tion of  Israel  from  Egypt.  Ex. 
12  :  2. 

Abile'ne,  a  small  canton  in 
Syria,  between  Lebanon  and  An- 
tilibanus.  It  took  its  name  from 
the  city  Abiluy  or  Abel-Maim. 
Lysanias  was  governor  here  in  the 
15th  y-ear  of  Tiberius.  Luke  3:  1. 

AbimVleeh,  the  title  of  the 
kings  of  Philistia,  as  Ptolemy 
was  of  the  kings  of  Egypt,  and 
C^ESAn  of  the  emperors  of  Rome 
Gen.  21  and  36.  It  was  also 
the  name  of  a  very  wicked  lulei 
in  Israel,  in  the  time  of  the 
Judges,  Jud.  9;  and  cf  a  high 
priest  in  the  time  of  David,  1 
Chron.  18  :  16,  who  was  the  same 
as  Ahimelech,  2  Sam.  8  :  17,  and 
probably  the  same  as  Ahiatka^, 
1  Sam.  22  :  20. 


ABY 


ACE 


Abomination,  a  thing  hateful. 
Stn  is  called  an  abomination,  be- 
cause detestable  to  God  and  good 
beings.  Various  gross  practices 
are  so  called.  Wearing  the  dress 
of  the  opposite  sex,  Deut.  22  :  5. 
Lying,  Prov.  12  :  22.  False 
weights,  Isa.  66  :  3.  False  doc- 
trines. Rev.  17:4.  Idols,  Deut. 
7  :  26.  Proud  persons,  Prov.  16; 
5.  The  sacrifices,  ways,  and  even 
thoughts,  of  the  wicked,  Prov. 
15  •  8,  9,  26.  And  "  he  that 
turneth  away  his  ear  from  hear- 
ing the  law,  even  his  prayers 
shall  be  an  abomination,"  be- 
cause evidently  hypocritical, 
Prcv.  28  :  9.  In  Dan.  12  :  11, 
and  Matt.  24  :  15,  the  allusion 
is  t^)  the  Roman  armies,  which, 
as  heathen,  were  hateful  to  the 
Jews. 

Abraham,  a  wandering  shep- 
herd of  vast  wealth  and  pre- 
eminent piety.  I'e  wsis  born  A. 
M.  2008,  only  two  years  after  the 
death  of  Noah,  though  there 
were  nine  generations  between 
them.  Some  learned  chronolo- 
gera  place  his  birth  sixty  years 
before  Noah's  death.  Being  the 
progenitor  of  all  the  Jews,  and 
the  brightest  example  of  justify- 
ing f:iith,  he  was  called  the 
"  Father  of  the  faithful."  His 
name,  Abram,  or  "  high  father," 
was  changed,  when  God  prom- 
ised him  a  great  posterity,  into 
Abraham,  or  "  father  :>f  a  mul 
titude."  Gen.  17  :  4,  n.  His 
history  is  one  of  deep  mterest, 
and  is  given  in  Genesis  at  great 
length 

AbjSS,  s  word  used  in  Scrip- 


ture, sometimes  to  mean  heli, 
sometimes  the  depths  of  th« 
ocean,  and  sometimes  the  water> 
which  flow  under  the  earth. 

Ae'eho,  a  seaport  of  Canaan, 
belonging  to  the  tribe  of  Asher, 
but  never  conquered  by  them. 
Jud.  1  :  31.  It  first  became  an 
important  city  in  the  reign 
of  Ptolemy  Philadelphus,  who 
greatly  enlarged  and  beautified 
the  place,  and  from  whom  it  was 
long  called  Ptoleniais.  It  became 
famous  during  the  crusades,  and 
was  then  called  St.  Jean  de  Acre. 
The  christians  were  expelled 
from  it,  as  their  last  hold  in 
Palestine,  about  1291,  and  it  has 
since  been  held  by  the  Turks. 
The  French,  under  Napoleon, 
met  a  repulse  here,  in  1799. 
The  population,  in  1825,  was 
about  5,000,  according  to  Mr. 
Jowett.  It  is  erroneously  stated 
in  some  works  to  be  from  18  to 
20,000.     It  is  now  called  Acre. 

Acel'dama,  a  field  lying  a  little 
south  of  Jerusalem,  where  pot- 
ters dug  their  clay.  The  money 
which  Judas  threw  back  to  the 
Jewish  rulers,  being  the  price  of 
blood,  as  they  called  it,  they 
would  not  put  into  the  Lord's 
treasury,  but  with  it  purchased 
this  field;  wherefore  it  was  called 
"  Aceldama,  or  The  Field  (/ 
Blood."  Acts  1  :  18,  19.  Zech 
11  :  12,  13.  It  was  then  appro- 
priated as  a  place  to  bury  stran- 
gers, from  which  the  burial- 
ground  for  this  purpose  is,  m 
some  cities,  called  the  Potters 
Field.  Matt.  27  :  8.  The  spot 
is  still  used   by  the   ArmenianJ 


ACT 


10 


ADD 


tot  a  grave-yard  It  is  no\f 
about  100  fe«t  long  and  70  broad, 
and  \3  called  C.uii^o  tiancto.  It 
is  surrounded  by  a  wall,  and  is 
in  fact  a  vast  vault  arched  over, 
into  which  bodies  are  lowered 
through  seven  apertures  from 
above. 

Acha'ia,  in  the  largest  sense, 
comprehended  all  Greece  Proper, 
now  called  Llvadia.  This  seems 
the  meaning,  2  Cor.  11  :  10. 
Thus,  what  is  Acha'.a,  Acts  19  : 
21,  is  Hellas,  i.  e.,  Greece,  Acts 
20  :  2.  In  the  strict  use  of  the 
term,  Achaia  was  that  northern 
part  of  the  Peloponnesus,  the 
capital  of  which  was  Corinth.  2 
Cor.  1  :  1. 

A'cllOr.  This  word  signifies 
trouble,  and  was  the  name  of  a 
valley  near  Jericho,  given  to  it 
because  of  the  tribulation  pro- 
duced by  the  theft  of  Achan, 
who  was  stoned  here.  Josh.  7  : 
24— 2G.     Hos.  2  :  15. 

AcrCt  The  English  acre  is 
4840  square  yards,  the  Roman 
3200,  and  the  Egyptian  3G98  ; 
but  the  Hebrew  acre  appears  to 
mean  as  much  as  one  yoke  of 
oxen  could  pk)Ugh  in  a  day. 
Ten  acres  of  vineyard  yielding 
one  bath,  and  the  seed  of  an 
homer  producing  an  ephah,  Isa. 
ft:  10,  means  that  the  land  should 
be  afflicted  with  dreadful  steril- 
ity, for  such  a  crop  is  scarcely  a 
tenth  part  of  the  seed  sown. 

At'ts  OP  THE  Apostles,  the 
history  of  the  primitive  church, 
irritten  by  Luke.  It  does  not 
contain  a  full  account  of  the 
labors  of    all    the    apostles,  but 


only  of  a  few  a.3  a  specimen  , 
chiefly  those  of  Paul.  The  nar 
rative  commences  at  the  ascen 
sion  of  Christ,  and  extends  to 
Paul's  arrival  at  Rome,  on  h'u 
appeal  to  Caesar,  a  period  of 
about  30  years.  To  read  this 
book  with  profit,  the  map  ol  the 
travels  of  Paul,  common  in  Sun- 
day-schools, should  be  referred 
to. 

Adad-Rim'mon,  a  city  in  the 
valley  of  Jezreel,  famous  for  a 
dreadful  battle.  2  Kings  23  :  29. 
Zech.  12  :  11.  It  was  afterwards 
called  Maocimianopolis,  in  honor 
of  the  emperor  Maximian. 

Ad'amant,  a  beautiful  stone, 
of  the  hardest  kind,  generally 
called  diamond.  Sinners'  hearts 
are  compared  to  adamant.  Zech. 
7  :  12.     See  Diamond. 

A'dar,  the  twelfth  month  of 
the  Jewish  sacred  year,  and  the 
sixth  of  the  civil  ;  correspond- 
ing to  February.  The  inter- 
calary month  added  at  the  end 
of  every  third  year  was  called 
Ve-Adar,  or  second  Adar. 

Adder,  a  venomous  reptile, 
brought  forth  alive,  and  not 
liatched  from  eggs,  as  are  most 
serpents.  It  is  often  called  viper. 
The  terra  occurs  five  times  in  our 
translation.  In  Gen.  49  :  17, 
the  original  word  is  SHEPHirnox, 
thought  by  critics  to  be  the  ceras' 
tis,  a  viper  which  lurks  in  the 
sand,  the  color  of  which  it  reseiu- 
bles.  In  Psalms  58  :  4,  and  91  • 
13,  the  Hebrew  word  is  pethen, 
an  asp.  In  Psalms  40  :  3  it  ia 
AcnsuB,  which  is  also  rendered 
asp.     In  Prov   23  •  32.  the  t^rm 


ADO 


11 


AOU 


fcsTziPHOxr,  which  in  Isa.  14  :  29, 
and  Jer.  8  :  17,  &c.,  is  rendered 
cockatrice,  or  basilisk,  a  serpent 
said  to  kill  with  its  breath. 

Serpents,  like  most  other  crea- 
tures, are  attracted  by  music. 
Many  authors,  both  ancient  and 
modern,  confirm  this  fact.  This 
is  called  charming  them  ;  and 
while  their  delight  in  the  music 
continues,  they  are  perfectly 
harmless,  and  will  go  after  the 
person  playing.  The  deaf  adder, 
or  asp,  mentioned  Ps.  56  :  4, 
probably  means  one  so  full  of 
venom  as  to  be  insensible  to  sweet 
sounds.  To  which  other  allusions 
agree.  See  Ecc.  10  :  11.  Jer. 
8:  17. 

Adjure.  It  was  a  custom 
among  the  Jews  to  adjure,  which 
was  b^  a  form  of  execration  laid 
on  the  person  if  he  did  not  an- 
swer truly.  It  was  the  same  as 
administering  an  oath  is  now  ;  so 
that  though  Jesus  held  his  peace 
when  merely  interrogated,  he  ac- 
knowledged, when  adjured,  that  he 
was  the  Son  of  God.  Matt.  2C :  63. 

IdOiiiraDl,  one  of  Solomon's 
overseers  on  Lebanon,  1  Kings 
5  :  14.  He  is  also  called  Adoram. 
by  contraction,  2  Sam.  20  :  24, 
and  Hadoram,  2  Chr.  10  :  18. 

Adoption,  the  act  of  taking 
one  into  the  family  for  a  child. 
Pharaoh's  daughter  adopted  Mo- 
ses. Mordecai  thus  received 
Esther.  Many  other  instances 
occur  in  Scripture.  The  double 
parentage  thus  created  has  greatly 
eonfused  chronologers,  and  caused 
unlearned  objections  to  scripture 
genealogies.     True   believers   in 


Christ,  who  rely  upon  his  effica- 
cious atonement,  and  the  sura 
merit  of  his  perfect  righteous- 
ness, for  the  pardon  of  their  sins 
and  reconciliation  to  God,  being 
regenerated  by  the  Spirit,  and 
freely  justified  by  grace,  through 
the  redemption  of  Jesus  Christ, 
are  said  to  be  brought  into  this 
state  of  adoption.     2  Cor.  6  :  18. 

Adrani'nielech,  a  deity  of  the 
Sepharvaites,  who  seems  to  havo 
been  worshipped  as  the  god  of 
flocks  and  herds. 

This  was  also  the  name  of  u 
son  of  Sennacherib,  who,  with 
his  brother  Sharezer,  slew  theii 
father  in  the  temple  of  Nisrooh. 
Isa.  37  :  38. 

Adramyt'tiuui  is  by  some  ge 
ographers  affirmed  to  be  the  same 
with  Thebes  in  Egypt.  Otheni 
maintain,  with  more  probability, 
that  this  city  was  in  Mysia,  op- 
posite Lesbos.  The  latter  was 
situated  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Ida. 
and  was  founded  by  a  colony 
from  Athens.  It  was  a  place  of 
much  commerce.  Acts  27:2;  but 
it  is  now  a  poor  fishing  village, 
and  is  called  Dramiti. 

A'dria,  a  sea  on  the  coast  of 
Italy,  where  Paul,  in  going  to 
Rome,  suilered  an  extreme  tem- 
pest. Acts  27  :  27.  It  is  now 
called  the  Gulf  of  Venice. 

Adni'Iam  was  once  a  noble 
town  in  the  north  part  of  the  lot 
of  Judah.  Near  it  was  the  place 
of  Divid's  concealment  1  Sam 
22  :  1.  It  continued  to  be  an 
important  place  for  several  cen- 
turies after  Christ,  but  ia  no» 
extinol. 


AHA 


12 


AIR 


Adtt'.tery,  a  general    term  for  I 
»>ery  species  of  uiicliastity,  but  j 
DOW  generally  restricted  to  im-  j 
purity  by  married    persons.     In 
a  spiritual  sense,  it  means  idol- 
atry.    Jer.  3:  9.    Ezck.  23  :  37. 
Advocate,    a    title    of   Jesus, 
shoTiing  his  intercession   for  his 
people.     We  have  a  specimen  of 
the  manner  in  which  he  acts  as 
ach,  in  John  16  and  17. 

Affinity,  relation.  For  the 
degrees  of  affinity  which  ob- 
structed matrimony,  see  Leviti- 
cus 18. 

Agnate,  a  gem  of  various  colors 
and  degrees  of  transparency.  It 
is  found  in  the  form  of  rounded 
nodules,  from  the  size  of  a  pin's 
head  to  more  than  a  foot  in  diam- 
eter, in  the  river  Wolga,  in  Ger- 
many, in  the  pudding-stone  of 
Siberia,  in  Ceylon,  Scotland,  Ac. 
Those  of  the  last  named  country 
are  commonly  called  Scotch  peb- 
bles. It  is  a  stone  of  great 
beauty,  and  is  only  cheap  because 
found  in  abundance.  It  was  the 
second  stone  in  the  lower  row  of 
the  high  priest's  breast-plate. 
Ex.  28  :  19. 

Our  translation  has  agate,  Isa. 
54  :  12,  and  Ezek.  27  :  16,  where 
a  very  diiferent  substance  is 
meant.  The  word  in  these  places 
ought  to  be  talc,  or  isinglass. 

Agrip'pa.     See  Herod. 

Ahssaa'rus.  There  were  sev- 
eral kings  of  this  name. 

1.  AsTYAGES  the  Mede,  son 
ol  Cyaxares.     Dan.  9:1. 

2  Cambyses,  king  of  Persia, 
during  wh-jse  r^ign  the  rebuild- 


ing of  the  temple  was  suspended 
Ezra  4  :  6,  7. 

3.  Darius  Hystaspes,  thg 
husband  of  Esther.  Est.  1  :  1. 
He  died  A.  M.  3519.  Prideaua 
thinks,  with  Severus  and  many 
others,  that  Artaxerxes  Longi- 
manus  was  the  person  ;  Scaliger, 
Jahn,  and  others,  that  it  was 
Xerxes. 

Aha'vJl,  a  river  on  the  banks 
of  which  Ezra  assembled  the 
Jews  who  were  returning  with 
him  to  their  own  land.  Ezra  8  : 
15.  It  is  probably  the  country 
called  Ava,  2  Kings  17  :  24, 
whence  the  king  cf  Assyria  drew 
settlers  for  Palestine,  and  where 
he  colonized  the  Israelites.  1 
Kings  18  :  34,  and  19  :  13. 

Air,  a  fluid  which  surrounds 
the  earth  to  the  height  of  about 
fifty  miles.  Air  has  considerable 
weight.  About  2160  pounds' 
weight  of  it  presses  on  every 
square  foot  ;  and,  allowing  the 
surface  of  a  human  body  to  be 
15  square  feet,  the  pressure  of 
air  on  it  must  amount  to  32,400 
pounds.  But  this  pressure  is  not 
felt,  because  our  bodies  contain 
such  a  portion  of  air  as  serves  to 
buoy  them  up.  Air  is  necessary 
to  the  existence  of  all  animals 
and  plants.  The  winds  keep  it 
pure.  Creatures  inhabiting  the 
water  need  air  as  much  as  land 
animals.  Some  of  these  eome 
often  to  the  surface  to  breathe, 
and  those  which  have  gills  man- 
ufacture air  for  themselves  out 
of  water.  If  there  were  no  air, 
we  could  neither  seo,  hear,  noc 
speak  ;   there   could   be   ueithoi 


ALA 


ALE 


oloudd  nor  rain.  Indeed,  the 
whole  world  would  be  destroyed, 
if  the  air  were  to  be  destroyed, 
vr  oven  become  stagnant. 

«  To  beat  the  air,"  1  Cor.  9  : 
20;  14  :  9,  is  to  speak  or  labor  to 
no  purpose.  In  Eph.  2  :  2,  "the 
power  of  the  air  "  means  those 
who  exercise  that  power,  viz., 
evil  spirits  who  are  under  the 
control  of  Satan,  here  called 
their  jonnc€.  The  word  "  heaven  " 
is  used  to  signify  the  air.  Gen. 
19  :  24.     2  Kings  1  :  10. 

Alabaster,  a  name  now  applied 
to  a  soft,  fine,  white  species  of 
marble,  or  sulphate  of  lime, 
found  near  Thebes,  Damascus, 
wad  other  places.  The  word  is 
derived  from  the  name  given  by 
the  Greeks  to  an  urn  or  vessel 
without  handles,  especially  those 
made  narrow  at  the  top,  so  as  to 
be  easily  stopped,  and  thus   es- 


pecially proper  for  ointments  and 
perfumes  Alabasters  were  of 
glass,  silver,  or  gold.  It  was 
customary  at  feasts  among  the 
great  to  anoint  the  hair  of  the 
guests  with  costly  perfume.  Pa. 
23  :  5,  and  45  :  7.  Matt.  26  :  7. 
In  Matt.  26  :  6,  7,  "  breaking** 
the  box  means  simply  breaking 
the  seal  so  as  to  uncork  it.  Mary 
could  not  have  poured  out  the 
ointment  if  shie  had  broken  the 
bottle  or  box  ;  and  the  pieces 
would  have  been  inconvenient. 
Beside,  it  would  have  been  a 
needless  waste  of  a  valuable  ar- 
ticle, and  the  apostles  only  re- 
proved her  for  wasting  the  oint 
merit. 

Albeit,  an  old  word  for  never 
theless,  or  although. 

Alexandria,  a  celebrated  city 
in  Lower  Egypt  ;  situated  be- 
tween  Lake   Mareotis   and    the 


ALEXANDR 


western  branch  of  the  Nile,  near  I  the  destruction  of  Carthage,  it 
its  mouth  ;  founded  by  Alexan-  I  was,  for  nearly  seventeen  cen- 
der  the  Great,  B.  c.  331.     After    turies,  the  chief  city  of  the  woild 


ALE 


14 


A  ^  M 


next  to  Rome.  Its  commerce 
extended  to  every  part  of  the 
then  known  world,  and  for  a  long 
time  it  was  the  chief  seat  of 
learning  and  the  sciences.  The 
Ptolemies  made  it  their  royal 
residence,  and  each  successive 
monarch  labored  to  embellishjt. 
When  the  Romans,  at  the  death 
of  Cleopatra,  b.  c.  26,  conquered 
Egypt,  they  respected  and  pre- 
served the  beauties  of  this  city, 
and  it  continued  to  flourish.  In 
a  ship  belonging  to  Alexandria, 
Paul  sailed  for  Rome.  Acts  27  : 
6.  Christianity  was  early  planted 
in  this  place.  Mark  is  said  to 
have  founded  the  church  here, 
A.  D.  60,  and  was  here  martyred, 
A.  D.  C8.  Here  Apollos  was  born. 
Acts  18  :  24.  Clemens  Alexan- 
drinus,  Origen,  Athanasius,  and 
other  eminent  ministers,  flour- 
ished here.  Numerous  Jews^ 
resided  here,  engaged  in  trade 
and  commerce  ;  50,000  of  whom 
were  murdered  under  the  Em- 
peror Nero.  Under  the  Sara- 
cens, who  conquered  it  a.  d.  646, 
it  began  to  decay.  They  stupidly 
burnt  its  famous  library  of  700,- 
000  volumes.  The  famous  ver- 
sion of  the  0.  T.  called  the  Sep- 
tuagint  was  made  here  nearly  300 
years  before  Christ.  It  then 
contained  4000  baths  and  400 
theatres.  It  is  now  dwindled  to 
a  village,  with  nothing  remark- 
able but  the  ruins  of  its  ancient 
granaeur,  and  is  called  Skanderia. 
Alexandrians,  Jews,  natives 
of  Alexandria,  and  speaking  that 
language,  who  were  numerous  at 
Terusalem.      Acts  6  :  9. 


AH,  overy  creature  or  peiscn. 
Sometimes  this  epithet  is  used 
indefinitely,  expressing  a  great 
many,  or  the  greatest  part.  Matt. 
3  :  15  ;  sometimes  for  every  class 
and  condition  of  men.  1  Tim. 
2  :  4.     Titus  2  :  11. 

AHegory,  a  similitude  carried 
out  to  more  length  than  a 
metaphor.  Gal.  4  :  24,  31. 
This  figure  abounds  in  the 
Bible,  and  all  oriental  writings. 
Christians  have  often  fallen  into 
error  by  interpreting  them  too 
closely,  or  treating  plain  pas- 
sages as  such. 

Allelnia,  a  word  occurring  in 
almost  every  psalm,  and  always 
translated  "  Praise  ye  the  Lord." 
It  occurs  in  the  Apocalypse,  and 
is  transferred  in  our  version  ;  be- 
ing sometimes  written  Hallelujah 

Almond,  a  tree  bearing  the 
well-known  fruit  so  called.  Its 
blossoms  are  white.  Ecc.  12  :  5. 
In  size  and  shape  it  resembles 
the  peach-tree. 

Alms>  Bounty  to  the  poor 
Matt.  6:1. 

Armng-tree.  It  is  thought  to 
be  the  same  with  the  Shittah,  or 
Shittim-tree.  1  Kings  10  :  11. 
Some  have  supposed  it  to  be  the 
nandal-wiod,  much  used  in  the 
East  for  costly  purposes.  A  spe- 
cies of  this  wood  found  in  Siam, 
Japan,  <fcc.,  yields  a  beautiful 
red  dye  This  resemblance  in 
color  to  toral  may  have  given  it 
the  name  almug,  which,  in  Rab- 
binic, signifies  coral,  and  then 
the  meaning  of  the  term  would 
he  coral-wood. 


ALO 


>  L  T 


H'oei)*  Tournefort  reckons 
fourteen  kinds  of  the  aloe.  Some 
are  trees,  others  shrubs  or  herbs. 
The  American  aloe  is  famous  for 
its  fine  flowers,  which  are  of  the 
lily  kind  ;  the  Asian  for  the  pur- 
gative drug  prepared  from  it.  It 
is  made  by  expressing  the  juice 
from  the  leaves,  and  hardening 
it  in  the  sun  to  the  consistence 
of  a  gum.  That  which  is  most 
nicely  prepared  is  called  the  suc- 
cotrine,  the  next  is  called  hypatic, 
and  the  coarsest  is  the  horse  aloe. 
Th3  fragrant  wood  of  a  species 
gi  J  wing  in  China,  Cochin  China 


1  and  Siam,  is  so  precis-is  as  to  bo 
I  worth  more  than  its  weight  in 
1  gold.     Compare  Canticles  4  :  14, 

and  Prov.  7  :  17.  Alces  were 
j  used  for  the  embalming  of  dead 
I  bodies,  and  as  a  perfume.     John 

19  :  39.     Prov   7  :  17. 
I      AKpha,  the  first  letter  of  the 

Greek  alphabet.  It  is  used  in 
i  connection  with  Omega,  which  is 

the    last   letter,   to   express   the 
!  eternity  of  Jesus  Christ.     Rev. 
I  1  :  8,  11. 
I      Altar,    among    the    Jews,    a 


mound  or  large  stone  table  where 
sacrifices  were  laid  and  oifered. 


After  the  erection  of  the  taber- 
nacle, two  altars  were  appointed, 
one  for  saci-ifices,  the  other  for 
incense,  and  on  no  others  were 
offerings  lawful.  The  preceding 
picture  represents  the  "  altar  of 
burnt  offering"  as  made  by  Solo- 
mon, which  was  thirty  feet 
square,  and  fifteen  feet  high.  It 
stood  not  in  the  tabernacle,  but 
in  the  court.  The  "  altar  nf  in- 
cense "  was  a  table  about  two 
feet  square,  and  four  feet  high, 
plated  with  gold,  which  stood  in 


the    Holy  Place.     Some    chria. 


tians  still  apply  the  term  altar  ti 


A  M  L 


16 


A  M  O 


the  table  where  the  communion 
is  administered  ;  but  Christ  is 
the  only  christian  altar,  to  which 
we  bring  all  our  sacrifices  and 
services.     Heb.  13  :  10. 

Am'alekites,  a  nation  dwelling 
between  the  Red  and  Dead  Seas. 
About  A.  M.  2091,  Chedorlaomer 
ravaged  their  country,  at  which 
time  multitudes  left  it.  It  is 
thought  by  some  that  these 
poured  themselves  on  Egj-pt,  and 
were  the  shepherds  mentioned  by 
Manetho.  For  their  great  wick- 
edness, God  utterly  ruined  this 
people  by  the  hand  of  Saul.  1 
Sam.  15.  Afterwards  a  remnant 
gathered  again,  which  was  finally 
destroyed  by  the  Simeonites,  in 
the  days  of  Hezekiah.     1  Chr.  4. 

Ambassador,  a  legate  or  apos- 
tle. A  person  sent  on  behalf  of 
another,  with  powers  to  a  at  ac- 
cording to  general  instructions. 
2  Cor.  5  :  20. 

Amber,  a  yellow,  inflammable 
substance,  transparent  if  pure, 
which  seems  to  have  been  origi- 
nally in  a  fluid  state,  as  leaves 
and  insects  are  often  found  in  it. 
It  is  obtained  from  Turkey,  Ger- 
many, Poland,  &c.,  but  chiefly 
from  Prussia.,  where  it  is  so  abun- 
dant that  mmes  are  regularly 
worked  for  it.  It  was  formerly 
cut  into  various  ornaments,  and 
ranked  among  the  precious  stones. 
Esek.  1  :  4,  and  8  :  2. 

Amen,  true,  verily,  be  it  so. 
Christ  is  called  The  Ame.v,  be- 
cause he  is  the  God  of  truth. 
Rev.  3  :  14.  The  oromises  are 
said  to  be  "Yea  nro  Amen  "  in 
Christ,  because  that,  by  him  they 


will  infaiiibly  be  all  ao*"^ 
plished.  2  Cor.  1  ;  20.  "When 
used  in  devotion,  it  means  be  it 
so.  When  repeated  in  affirma- 
tion, it  is  equivalent  to  our 
phrase,  indeed,  indeed. 

Among  the  Jews  and  early 
christians,  the  whole  assembly 
responded  an  audible  Amen  at 
the  close  of  a  public  prayer. 
Jerome  says  that  when  the  chris- 
tians said  Amen  at  the  close  of  a 
prayer,  &g.,  the  sound  was  like 
a  clap  of  thunder. 

Am'ethystj  a  very  rare  gem, 
generally  of  a  purple  or  viole* 
color.  It  is  found  in  Germany, 
Spain,  and  other  countries,  but 
the  most  valuable  are  obtained 
in  Asia  and  Russia. 

AmmOQ,  or  No-AjuroN.  See 
No. 

Ammonites,  a  people  descend- 
ed from  Lot  through  Ammon  or 
Ben-Ammi.  They  oppressed  Is- 
rael 18  years,  and  were  then 
overcome  by  Jephthah.  Jud.  10, 
<fcc.  At  various  times,  in  after 
ages,  they  were  permitted  to 
scourge  the  Hebrews.  2  Chron. 
20.  At  length  Judas  Maccabeus 
overcame  them,  ravaged  their 
country,  and  burnt  their  cities. 
The  poor  remains  were  afterward 
mingled  among  the  Arabs,  and 
the  name  was  lost  from  imong 
nations.  Amos  1  :  11 — 14  Zepb 
2  :  9—11. 

Am'orites,  inhabitants  of  tha 
part  of  Syria  which  was  given  to 
Israel.  They  occupied  the  por- 
tion which  afterwards  constituted 
the  lots  of  Reuben,  Gad,  Manas- 
seh,   Dan,  Judah,  Simeon,  an  J 


ANA 


17 


ANG 


BenjamLn.  As  they  were  the 
moet  powerful  of  the  devoted 
tribes,  all  the  Canaanites  some- 
times went  under  their  naur 
Jud.  6  :  10.     2  Kings  21  :  11. 

Amos  began  to  prophesy  a  lit- 
tle before  Hosen,  and  continued 
a  while  cotemporary  with  that 
prophet,  during  the  reign  of 
Uzziah,  about  800  years  B.  c. 

The  Book  reproves  the  terrible 
wickedness  of  the  Hebrews  who 
abandoned  themselves  to  every 
evil,  pronounces  the  ruin  of  the 
neighboring  nations,  judgment 
on  the  Jews,  and  the  final  pros- 
perity of  Messiah's  kingdom. 

Amphip'olis,  a  city  of  Mace- 
donia. Acts  17  :  1.  It  is  al- 
most surrounded  by  the  river 
Strymon,  whence  its  name,  which 
means  "a  city  surrounded."  It 
is  now  called  Emboli. 

Anam'melech,  an  idol  of  the 

Sepharvaites,  a  tribe  of  the  Sa- 
maritans.    2  Kings  17  :  31. 

Anaai^as,  the  name  of  three 
persons  mentioned  in  the  Xew 
Testament. 

1.  A  professed  christian,  who, 
with  his  wife  Sapphira,  died  at 
Ihe  rebuke  of  Peter,  for  false- 
hood and  hypocrisy.  Acts  5  : 
1—5. 

2.  A  christian  of  Damascus, 
who  restored  Paul  to  sight.  Acts 
9  :  10 — 17,  <fec.  He  became  pas- 
tor of  the  church  there,  and  died 
a  martyr. 

3.  The  high  priest,  who  pre- 
sided in  the  council  at  Pau"s 
examination.     Acts  23  :  2. 

Aaatb'ema,  a  solemn   curse  ; 
2* 


an  accursed  person  or  thing,  i. 
Cor.  16  :  22.     See  MARANAin^. 

Andreiv,  our  Saviour's  Bret 
disciple.  He  suffered  martyrdoai 
at  Patras,  in  Achaia.  It  is  said 
he  was  nailed  to  a  '^ross  shaped 
like  the  letter  X  ;  he.ice  a  cross 
of  this  shape  is  called  St.  An- 
drew's cross. 

Ingcl,  a  messenger.  It  ia 
applied  to  those  heavenly  agents 
which  are  the  highest  created 
intellectual  beings,  whom  God 
makes  use  of  as  his  ministers  to 
execute  the  orders  of  providence; 
Rev.  22  :  8,-— to  Christ,  as  the 
Mediator  and  Head  of  the  church ; 
Zech.  1  :  12.  Rev.  10  :  1,  — to 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  who  arc 
ambassadors  for  Chnst  ;  Rev.  2  • 
1,  and  3  :  1,  7  ;  — to  tUose  whoa. 
God  employs  to  execute  his  judg- 
ments ;  Rev.  15  :  8,  and  16  :  1, 
—  to  devils  ;  Matt.  25  :  41.  1 
Cor.  6  ;  3.  In  1  Cor.  11  :  10,  it 
may  mean  spies,  who  were  sent 
to  watch  for  the  faults  of  chris- 
tians. 

The  most  common  application 
of  the  term  is  to  the  happy  spirits 
who  have  never  fallen.  Wher 
God  founded  the  earth  with  sucl 
skill  and  goodness,  they  sang 
together  and  shouted  for  joy. 
Job  38  :  6,  7.  They  were  cre- 
ated with  eminent  wisdom,  holi- 
ness, purity,  and  happiness;  but 
capable  of  change,  and  some  of 
them  fell.  Their  knowledge  is 
great,  but  not  infinite  ;  they  de- 
sire to  look  into  the  mystery  of 
our  salvation.,  and  learn  from  the 
church  the  manifold  wisdom  of 
God.     Nor  can  they  search   lb  a 


A^^O 


la 


A  NT 


.carta  of  icin,  nor  know  future 
things,  but  as  particularly  in- 
ftructed  of  God.  1  Pet.  1  :  12. 
Eph.  3  :  10.  Jer.  17  :  10.  Matt. 
24  :  36.  Their  power  is  vast, 
but  reaches  to  nothing  strictly 
miraculous.  Their  number  a- 
mounts  to  many  millions.  Ps. 
68  :  17.  Matt.  26  :  53.  Rev. 
5  :  11.  Dan.  7  .  10.  Their 
names,  of  "  thrones,  dominions, 
principalities,  and  powers,"  sug- 
gest an  order  of  gradation  among 
them,  though  of  what  kind  we 
cannot  ascertain.     Col.  1  :  16. 

Guardian  angels  are  thought 
to  be  alluded  to.  Gen.  48  :  16. 
Ps.  34  :  7;  91-:  11.  Acts  12  : 
15.  But  those  passages  do  not 
necessarily  convey  this  idea. 

An'ger,  a  violent  displeasure 
and  indignation  accompanied  with 
grief.  Mark  3:5.  It  is  lawful 
v/hen  directed  against  sin,  Eph. 
4  :  26  ;  sinful  when  pointed 
against  the  person  of  another, 
and  accompanied  with  a  desire 
of  revenge. 

An'ise,  a  small  plant,  some- 
what like  parsley,  very  common 
in  Judea.  The  seed  is  carmina- 
tive and  fragrant. 

Anna,  a  prophetess.  Luke  2  : 
36.  Her  continuing  without  ceas- 
ing in  the  temple  means  only 
that  she  never  omitted  the  regu- 
lar morning  and  evening  services 
tuere. 

Anoint,  to  pour  oil  upon  a  per-  I 
?on,  as  was  done  among  the  Jews, 
not  only  for  the  general  purposes 
fcf  health  and  cleanliness,  but 
especially  when  they  set  apart  a 
persdo    to   a   holy  office,  as   of 


prophet,  priest,  or  king  ;  wbicb, 
being  by  divine  appointment^  wai 
to  denote  the  person's  being 
endued  with  the  gifts  of  the 
Spirit.  Ex.  29  :  7.  Lev.  4  :  3. 
Jud.  9  :  8,  &c.  But  Jesus  Christ 
was  the  only  one  ever  particularly 
designated  by  God  to  fill  all  the 
three  distinct  offices  of  prophet, 
priest,  and  king.  He  was  in  a 
peculiar  manner  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  of  which  anointing 
with  oil  was  the  emblem.  Christ 
is  emphatically  styled  the  anointed 
in  various  parts  of  Scripture.  Pa. 
45  :  7.    Isa.  01  :  1.    Dan.  9  :  24. 

Anon,  a  word  in  common  use 
when  our  translation  of  the  Bible 
was  made.  It  is  of  the  same 
import  as  quickly.     Mark  13  :  20. 

An'telope.    See  Koe. 

An'tichrist  is  a  word  of  Greek 
origin,  signifying  a  person  or 
power  actuated  by  a  spirit  oppo- 
site to  that  of  Christ.  In  the 
days  of  John,  there  were'  already 
many  antichrists.  1  John  2  :  lb, 
and  4:3.  The  term  has  been 
commonly  applied  to  the  church 
of  Rome,  which  is  thought  to  be 
described,  2  Thess.  2  :  4.  Com- 
pare Daniel  7  :  24,  25,  and  Rev. 
17  :  1—6.  Whether  this  appli- 
cation  of  the  terra  be  correct  o» 
not,  has  little  to  do  with  the  cou- 
troversy  respecting  the  Romish 
religion,  as  that  must  stand  on 
the  general  agreement  or  dis- 
agreement of  its  doctrines  and 
practices  with  Scripture. 

An'tioch,  the  capital  of  Syria, 
lying  on  both  banks  of  the  Oron- 
tes,  twelve  miles  from  the  Med- 
Uerranean.  built  by  i^icanor.  B,  o 


ANT 


19 


APO 


JOl.  It  -was  the  third  city  of  the 
earth,  being  scarcely  inferior  to 
A  lexandria,  and  the  residence  of 


the  kings  of  Syria.  Luke  and 
Theophilus  were  born  in  this 
place.  Here  Paul  and  Barnabas 
preached, and  here  the  disciples  of 
Christ  were  first  called  Christians. 
Chrysostom  preached  here  in  the 
foarth  century  with  great  success. 
This  church  was  famous  for  many 
hundred  years.  It  has  many 
times  suffered  from  earthquakes, 
in  which  from  sixty  to  a  hundred 
thousand  of  its  inhabitants  have 
perished.  In  1188,  it  was  de- 
molished by  the  Saracens.  In 
1822,  a  tremendous  earthquake 
completely  destroyed  the  remains 
of  this  once  splendid  city  ;  and 
it  IS  now  a  poor  town  named 
A^akia. 

There  were  various  other  cities 
called  Antioch,  none  of  which  are 
aaentioned  in  Scripture  but  that 
In  Pisidia,  which  is  row  called 
Ak'sher  and  sometimes  Antiochi'->. 
lets  13  :  14. 


Antip'atris,  a  city  of  Canaan. 
situated  in  a  pleasant  valley,  neai 
the  mountains,  in  the  way  from 
Jerusalem  to  Caesa- 
rea,  about  17  milei 
from  Joppa,  and  42 
from  Jerusalem.  Aota 
23  :  31.  It  was  for- 
merly called  Caphav' 
salama^  (1  Macc. 
7  :  31),  but  was  of 
little  note  till  en- 
larged and  adorned 
by  Herod,  who  named 
it  after  his  father, 
Antipater. 

Apoc'rypha  prop- 
erly signifies  '^  hid- 
den "  or  '^concealfid.'* 
The  name  is  applied  to  a  number 
of  books  often  placed  between 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments. 
They  were  not  admitted  by  an- 
cient christians  into  the  canon  of 
Scripture.  None  of  them  were 
ever  received  by  the  Jews.  They 
are  not  found  in  the  catalogue  oi 
the  canonical  books,  made  by 
Mileto,  bishop  of  Carthage,  in 
the  second  century  ;  nor  doea 
Origen.  in  the  third,  or  Epipha- 
nius,  in  the  fourth,  acknowledge 
their  authenticity.  The  oldest 
Syriac  version  of  the  Biijle  does 
not  contain  these  books.  Few  of 
I  them  were  allowed  to  be  canon- 
I  ical,  until  the  ninth  .and  tenth 
centuries,  when  the  ignorance, 
both  of  the  people  and  of  the 
clergy,  was  most  deplorable.  The 
popish  council  of  Trent  voted 
them  to  be  authentic,  and  they 
are  still  retained  by  Papists. 
Some  of   these    books,   such  a« 


APP 


20 


ARA 


Maccabees  and  Ecclesiasticns, 
contain  usetul  history  and  wholc- 
Bome  advice,  but  others  are  pue- 
rile and  fabulous.  There  are 
also  many  apocryphal  books  of 
the  New  Testament. 

Apollo'nia,  a  city  of  Macedonia, 
now  unimportant,  and  called  Po- 
Kna.     Acts  17  :  1. 

Apoll'yon,  literally  the  "  de- 
ttroi/er."     See  Abaddo-n. 

Apostle,  minister,  or  messen- 
ger. The  term  implies  selection, 
commission,  qualification,  mis- 
sion, accountability  and  recom- 
pense. The  title  is  specially 
given  to  those  whom  Christ  chose 
to  be  witnesses  and  inspired 
teachers  of  his  life,  doctrine, 
and  resurrection.  It  is  also  ap- 
plied to  Christ,  who  was  sent 
from  heaven  to  assume  our  nature, 
and  to  efifect  man's  redemption 
by  his  merits  and  death.  Heb. 
3  :  1. 

Ap'pii-fornm,  a  place  in  the 
gouth-west  of  Italy,  about  fifty 
miles  from  Rome,  where  Paul 
wa?  met  by  his  christian  friends. 
Acts  28  :  15.  It  is  now  called 
Fossa  Nuova. 

Apple-tree.  The  apple  ia  a 
species  of  fruit  not  common  in 
Palestine,  though  found  there. 
The  tree  so  called  in  Scripture  is 
probably  the  citron,  which  is 
large,  ever-green,  and  fragrant, 
and  affords  a  delightful  shade. 
Sol.  Song  8  :  5.     Prov.  25  :  11. 

The  word  occurs  but  seldom  in 
Scripture.  In  Solomon's  Song 
8:5,'  Apples  of  gold,  in  pic- 
tures of  silver  "   means   golden 


colored   citrons,   in   silver   frui*. 
baskets  of  curious  net-work. 

The  Apple  of  Sodom  is  a  fruit 
resembling  the  apple,  containing, 
when  green,  an  acid,  milky  juice ; 
but  in  winter,  when  driedj  a  yel- 
lowish, offensive  dust. 

Arabia,  a  large  country  of 
Asia,  lying  partly  on  the  east, 
but  chiefly  southward,  of  Canaan. 
Its  greatest  length  from  east  to 
west  is  about  1620  miles  ;  and  its 
greatest  breadth  from  north  to 
south  about  1550.  It  has  the 
Indian  Ocean  on  the  south,  the 
Red  Sea  and  Isthmus  of  Suez  on 
the  west,  Canaan  and  Syria  on 
the  north-west  and  north,  the 
mountains  of  Chaldea  and  the 
Persian  Gulf  on  the  east.  It  is 
ordinarily  divided  into  three 
parts. 

1.  Arabia  Petrxa,  or  the  rocky, 
on  the  north-west,  and  which  is 
now  called  Hejiaz.  In  the  south- 
west part  of  it  now  stand  the 
famed  cities  of  Mecca  and  Me- 
dina, so  much  visited  by  Mahom- 
etan pilgrims.  This  division 
contained  the  land  of  Edom, 
Kadesh  Barnea,  Paran,  Cushan, 
<fec.  The  people  of  this  part  are 
called  «•  Men  of  the  east."  Qen. 
25  :  G.     Jud.  6  :  3. 

2.  Arabia  Deserta,  which  lay 
eastward  of  Canaan,  and  otm- 
prehended  the  land  of  Uz,  of 
Ammon,  Moab,  Midian,  with  the 
country  ol  the  Itureans,  Hagai'- 
enes,  &c.  In  this  part  was  JMount 
Si7iai.  The  inhal  itants  have  in 
all  ages  dwelt  in  >ents,  and  led 
a  wandering  life.  They  art  at 
preeett  called  Bedouins, 


AKA 


21 


A  RC 


3.  Arabia  Felix,  or  the  happy, 
»n  the  south  of  the  two  former, 
betweea  the  Persian  Gulf  and 
Red  Sea.  Scarcely  any  part  of 
Arabia  is  well  watered  ;  but 
Arabia  Felix  is  the  most  so,  and 
is  famed  for  its  opium,  myrrh, 
cassia,  and  ether  drugs,  as  well 
AS  for  fine  spices  and  fruits. 

The  Arabians  are,  in  general, 
the  descendants  of  Ishmael.  The 
descendants  of  Abraham  by  Ke- 
turah,  as  well  as  those  of  Lot 
and  Esau,  dwelt  also  in  this  land, 
and  either  mixed  with  or  sup- 
planted the  inhabitants.  The 
Arabic  language  is  one  of  the 
most  ancient  in  the  world,  and  is 
remarkable  for  its  copiousness. 
The  ancient  Arabic  was  without 
points.  The  present  Arabic  char- 
acters are  modern. 

Of  all  nations,  says  Calmet,  the 
Arabs  have  spread  most  over  the 
world,  and,  in  all  their  wander- 
ings, they  have,  more  than  any 
other  nation,  preserved  their  lan- 
guage, manners,  and  peculiar 
customs.  They  are  cunning,  in- 
genious, poetical,  superstitious, 
vindictive,  sanguinary,  and  thiev- 
ish. In  character  and  customs 
they  have  scarcely  varied  since 
the  days  of  the  patriarchs.  Chris- 
tianity was  early  extended  over 
this  country,  and  we  read  of 
martyrs,  councils.  &c.,  in  Arabia. 

Ar'arat,  a  mountain  in  the 
pountry  of  the  same  name.  Part 
of  the  province  which  was  for- 
merly so  called,  lies  in  Turco- 
niania,  and  the  rest  is  in  Persia. 
It  has  Georgia  on  the  north, 
Mcjdia  on  the  east,  Assyria  on  the 


south,  and  Lesser  Asia  on  thk 
west.  Here  the  rivers  Euphjates, 
Tigris,  Araxes,  and  Phasis,  have 
their  source.  Here  stand  the 
famed  mountains  Taurus  an^ 
Antitaurus,  Niphates,  Gordian, 
Ac.  Mount  Ararat,  upon  which 
Noah's  ark  rested,  was  probably 
the  Ar-dagh,  or  finger  mountain, 
in  Armenia,  standing  in  a  large 
plain,  36  miles  east  from  Erivan, 
rising  in  a  conical  shape  to  the 
height  of  about  12,000  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea,  and  visible 
nearly  200  miles  distant.  Its 
top  is  inaccessible  on  account  of 
the  pernetual  snow.  The  middle 
part  is  haunted  by  tigers  ;  some 
poor  flocks  and  small  monasteries 
are  at  the  foot. 

Archer,  a  soldier  who    fought 
with   a   bow  and   arrows.     Gun- 


powder being  a  modern  inven- 
tion, most  of  the  ancient  war 
riors  were  archers. 

Archangel,  the  chief  angel 
The  Jews  supposed  that  there 
are   seven   of   them,  greater  in 


ARK 


ARK 


power  than  the  rest,  and  that  the 
guardianship  of  particular  nations 
is  committed  to  them.  Michael 
was  considered  the  patron  of  the 
Jews.  Dan.  10  ?  13,  21.  The 
name  is  never  -zsed  in  the  plural, 
ind  some  learned  men  are  of 
opinion  that  it  means  Jesus 
Christ.     1  Thess.  4  :  IG. 

Arcto'rus,  a  star  of  the  first 
magnitude  in  the  constellation 
Bootes,  near  the  north  pole.  It 
becomes  visible  in  September, 
and  sets  in  March.  Job  9:9. 
The  "  sons  of  Arcturus "  are 
probably  the  inferior  stars  adja- 
cent.    Job  38  :  32. 

Areop'agns,  the  high  court  of 
Athens,  called  Mars-hill,  be- 
cause it  was  held  on  that  emi- 
nence. It  first  consisted  of  nine 
judges,  afterward  of  thirty,  and 
finally,  about  the  days  of  Paul, 
of  500.  Their  jurisdiction  at 
that  period  extended  to  religious 
as  well  as  civil  atfuirs.  There 
are  still  to  be  seen  vestiges  of 
their  seats,  cut  in  the  rock.  Paul, 
when  cited  before  them  on  a 
charge  of  setting  forth  strange 
gods,  preached  so  ably,  that  he 
was  dismissed,  and  Dionysius, 
one  of  the  judges,  and  some 
others,  became  converts.  Acts  17. 

Ariinathe'a,  a  pleasant  town 
between  Jerusalem  and  Joppa. 
It  is,  however,  more  probably  the 
city  of  Ramuh,  in  Mount  Ephra- 
>m,  called  Ra?nathaim,  1  Sam. 
1  :  I,  19,  and  by  Josephus,  Ra- 
matka  Matt.  27  :  57.  It  is  now 
called  Ramla. 

Ark,  the  vessel  built  by  Xoah. 
It  is  compitei,  from  the  measure- 


ment recorded  in  Genesis,  tc 
have  been  of  the  burden  of  more 
than  81,000  tons.  Allowing  18 
inches  to  the  cubit,  the  length 
was  450  feet,  the  width  75,  and 
the  height  45.  This  size  amply 
sufficed  for  all  the  creatures  to  be 
saved  within  it,  and  their  food. 
Only  such  animals  as  Ould  not 
live  in  water  or  mud,  or  on  the 
floating  rubbish,  were  taken  into 
the  ark.  It  had  three  decks  or 
stories,  divided  into  numerous 
stalls  or  apartments,  besides  the 
hold,  where  water  and  provisions 
were  stowed.  Calmet  reckons 
only  150  species  of  quadrupeds  ; 
of  birds  there  are  more  in  num- 
ber, but  smaller  ;  of  reptiles, 
most  species  can  live  in  the  water, 
and  so  were  not  taken  into  tho 
ark.  The  window  or  windows 
were,  by  divine  appointment,  in 
the  roof  only.  The  inmates  were 
therefore  saved  the  misery  of 
seeing  the  dreadful  scenes  which 
were  around  them,  and  from  being 
induced  to  receive  any  person  in. 
Gen.  6  and  7. 

Ark  of  the  CoTcnant,  a  chest 
nearly  four  feet  in  length,  of 
which  a  good  idea  may  be  formed 
from  the  picture.  It  contained 
the  original  stone  tables  of  the 
law,  Aaron's  rod  that  budded,  the 
pot  of  manna,  and,  in  after  times, 
a  copy  of  the  five  book?  of  Moses. 
These  seem  at  one  time  to  have 
been  kept  before  the  ark,  1  Kings 
8  :  9,  and  at  another,  within  it. 
Heb.  9  :  4.  During  the  captiv- 
ity, these  precious  articles  seem 
to  have  been  lost,  except  the 
stone  tables.     The  Md  of  the  arV 


ARM 


ARM 


ivas  called  the  mercy-scot,  over  1  Armc'llia,  a  c  >untry  north  of 
which  rested  the  Shechina  like  a  |  Mesopotamia,,  was  reduced  to  a 
visible  cloud,  in  the  manner  rep-  ;  Persian  province  by  Cyrus.  After 
resented  in  the  picture.  i  the  days  of  Alexander,  it  became 

iree.  but  was  co;i. 
quered  by  the  Ko' 
mans  about  half 
a  century  befor-<» 
Christ,  and  suose 
quently  fell  to  the 
Saracens.     It  now 

forms  part  of  the 

Turkish  empire. — 
Isa.  37  :  38. 

Anuor.  (l.)  A 

coat  of  mail.  Rom 
13  :  12.  Not  be- 
ing proof  against 
musket  balls,  it 
An    ark    similar    to    this    was  1  has  been  disused  since  the  inven- 

made   for  the  second  temple;  but  j  tion  of  gunpowder.  (2.)  Weupong 

it  was  destitute  of 

the  sacred  contents 

above      mentioned, 

and  of  the  Shechina. 

irmaged'don. 

This    word     is     of     .„  ,. 

doubtful  import.  It  ||A/\A/^0 
is  thought  by  Gro- 
tius  to  mean  the 
Mount  of  meeting, 
ftnd  to  signify  the 
place  where  Con- 
stantino, with  a 
christian  army  of 
98,000  men,  con- 
quered Maxentius 
▼ith  an  army  of 
•.b8,000  heathen, 
vnich  victory  was 
:o  signal  and  entire, 
'hat  the  church  was 
▼holly  freed  from 
Maxentius  tyran- 
oy.     Rev.  ]<5:  16, 


1.2.  Early  Greek.    3.  Orer-lc.  4.5.  Re    lan.  6.  B/u-bai<an 


ASH 


24 


ASH 


:i  war.  Those  formerly  used 
wore  sword,  spear,  bow  and  ar- 
row, sling,  javelin,  &c. 

Army,  a  body  of  soldiers.  Jew- 
ish armies  were  not  composed  of 
regular  troops  kept  for  war,  but 
were  collected  as  occasion  re- 
quired, received  no  pay,  and 
found  their  own  arms  and  pro- 
visions. The  size  of  some  of  the 
armies  mentioned  in  Scripture  is 
surprisiiig,  but  profane  history 
Bpeaks  of  some  still  greater. 
The  proclamation  mentioned 
Deut.  20  :  5,  was  always  made 
before  the  Jews  gave  battle. 

Artaxerx'es,  the  name  of  a 
race  of  Persian  kings,  as  Ptolemy 
iFas  of  the  Egyptian.  The  king 
who  married  Esther,  Est.  2,  and 
commiosioned  Ezra  and  Nehemiah 
to  repair  the  holy  city,  was  prob- 
ably Artaxerxss  Longimants, 
who  died  B.  c.  425,  after  a  mild 
reign  of  thirty-nine  years.  He 
who  is  mentioned  Ez.  4  :  7,  is 
the  Smerdis  of  Herodotus. 

Asa,  a  good  king  of  Judah, 
who  ascended  the  throne  about 
A.  M.  3049.  Respectable  chro- 
nologists  reckon  that  it  was  in  his 
days  that  the  Argonauts  made 
the  voyage  up  the  Hellespont. 
See  under  Bithynia.    ■ 

Asaph,  a  Levite  and  famous 
musician  in  the  time  of  David. 
Twelve  Psalms  bear  Jjis  name, 
but  it  is  not  generally  thought 
he  composed  them.  Probably  he 
set  then,  tc  music,  or  some  of  his 
descendants  did,  and  called  them 
by  his  name. 

Ashdod,  a  fortified  city  of  the 
Philistines,  lying   in    the  lot. of 


Judah,  and  called  by  the  Greekl 
Azotus.     1  Sam.  5.     Acts  8  :  40. 

Ashima,  the  god  of  the  Ham- 
athites,  who  settled  in  Samaria. 
It  is  not  certain  what  was  the 
shape  under  which  he  wa.«i  wor- 
shipped ;  probably  the  ape.  2 
Kings  17  :  30. 

Ash'taroti),  Ashtoreth,  or  As' 
tarte,  a  famed  goddess  of  the 
Zidonians.  1  Kings  11:5.  The 
moon,  or  queen  of  heaven,  Jer. 
7  ;  18,  was  worshipped  under 
this  name.  Cicero  calls  her  the 
fourth  Venus  of  Syria.  Perhaps 
she  is  the  jEstar,  or  Eo&tre,  of 
the  Saxons,  from  wQom  the  term 


Easter  is  derived.  She  is  va- 
riously represented  ;  sometimes 
in  a  long,  sometimes  in  a  short 
habit  ;  sometimes  as  holding  a 
long  staff,  with  a  cross  at  the  top, 
sometimes  she  is  crowned  with 
rays  ;  at  other  times,  with  the 
horns  of  a  bull  ;  which,  according 
to  Sanchoniathon,  were  emblems 
of  the  new  moon. 

Asli'tarotli-kar'naim.  a  city  be- 
longing to  the  half- tribe  of  Ma- 
nasseh, eastward  of  Jordan,  about 
six  miles  from  Edrei,  where  Che- 
dorlaomer  smote  the  gigantic 
Rephaims,    and    where    was    the 


Afel 


'lb 


AS.s 


resJdeiice  of  Og,  king  of  Bashan. 
Sen.  14  :  5. 

Asia,  (1.)  One  of  the  four 
'TontinentiJ.  (2.)  Asia  Minor,* 
lying  between  the  Propontis  3.nd 
Euxine,  on  the  north,  and  the 
Mediterranean  on  the  south  ; 
peopled  by  the  offspring  of  Ja- 
pheth.  Peter  (1  Epis.  1  :  1), 
speaking  of  Asia  in  connectioii 
lyith  Pontus,  Cappadocia,  &c., 
probably  means  Proconsular  Asia, 
which  included  Phrygia,  Mysia, 
Caria,  and  Lydia,  and  comprise  I 
the  seven  churches  to  which  Joh.i 
wrote.  Asia  Minor  was  anciently 
parcelled  out  into  many  small 
sovereignties,  which  first  became 
subject  to  Persia  ;  then  to  the 
Greeks  ;  and  then  to  the  Romans. 
From  the  Romans  it  was  wrested 
by  the  Saracens.  The  ancient 
capital  was  Mysia,  but  the  Ro- 
mans made  Ephesus  •the  seat  of 
their  government,  which  they 
administered  first  by  a  praetor, 
and  afterward  by  a  proconsul. 
"The  Saracens  were,  after  300 
years,  supplanted  by  the  Turks, 
under  whose  cruel  bondage  this 
fine  country  has  been  reduced 
almost  to  a  desert.  A  revolu- 
tion commenced  A.  D.  1821, 
which,  through  the  intervention 
of  European  powers,  has  termi- 
nated in  rendering  Greece  some- 
what independent. 


*  "  Asia  in  the  New  Testament  is 
always  ukeii  tor  Asia  Minor." 

Whitby. 

"  Asia,  one  of  tlie  largest  divisions 
of  tiie  ul<l  W'uriil.  is  nut  nieulioned 
in  tlie  Oiil  lestaiut-nl.  In  llie  New 
restaiaent  it  is  always  taken  tor  Asia 
Minor,    as    it    includes    Prw:onsular 


isia.' 


Uokxk's  Introd. 


This  is  thought  by  some  to  be 
the  country  called  Isles  of  the  ISku, 
in  Old  Testament  prophecies 
Isa.  42  :  4.  Flourishing  ihurchei 
were  jjlauted  here  by  the  apos- 
tles, some  (jf  which  remain  till 
this  day,  but  in  a  deplorable 
state  of  error  and  superstition. 
Missions  from  this  country  are 
now  maintained  there. 

Ab'kelon,  a  noble  seaport  of 
the  Philistines,  between  Gaza  and 
Ashdud  ;  the.  birthplace  of  Herod 
the  Great.  In  the  time  of  the 
crusades,  it  became  an  important 
post,  and  was  greatly  improved 
as  well  as  fortified  by  Richard  I. 
of  England.  It  is  now  a  wretched 
village,  called  Sculona,  or  Scalon 

Asp,  a  serpent  of  fatal  venom, 
about  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches 
long,  generally  spotted.  Deut. 
32  :  33.  Dr.  Harris  quotes  the 
ablest  critics  to  show  that  the 
beautiful  passage,  Ps.  91  :  13, 
"  Thou  :.balt  tread  upon  the  lion 
and  the  adder,"  &c.,  should  be 
rendered  "  the  asp  and  the  ad- 
der ;"  and  the  idea  of  "tram- 
pling under  foot  "  seems  to  forbid 
a  relerence  to  lions.  The  Hebrew 
wuid  here  used  is  translated  by 
the  Septuagint  dragoiiy  in  some 
places. 

Ass,  a  well-known  beast  of 
burden  among  the  Jews. 

The  wild  ass,  called  by  the 
Greeks  Onager,  is  a  far  more 
stately  and  fleet  animal  than  the 
domestic.  They  were  once  com- 
mon in  Palestine  and  Syria. 
They  inhabit  the  mountains  of 
Tartary,  whence  they  migrate  in 
great  herds,  at  the  approach  of 


aSS 


26 


ATH 


iriater  into  Persia  md  If.dia. 
Ancient  princes  rode  on  asses 
decorated  pompously.  Our  Sa- 
viour assumed  the  style  of  roy-- 
alty  by  riding  on  an  ass,  but  in 
great  meekness,  and  with  no 
pomp  but  the  spontaneous  eflfu- 
eions  of  the  people. 

The  word  ass  means,  in  many 
places,  a  measure  of  (juantity. 
Thus  understood,  several  obscure 
passages  are  made  plain.  For 
example,  2  Kings  6  :  25,  means 
that  a  measure  of  wheat  was  sold 
for  eighty  pieces  of  silver,  or 
forty  dollars.  In  1  Sam.  16  :  20, 
it  is  said  that  David's  father  sent 
Saul  "  an  ass  of  bread,"  for  the 
words  laden  with  are  added  by  the 
translators.  The  Greek  poet, 
Sosibius,  speaks  of  a  glutton  who 
ate  in  one  day  *'  three  asses  of 
bread."  In  Exod.  S  :  14,  where 
frogs  are  said  to  have  been  gath- 
ered "  in  heaps,"  the  original 
reads  "  asses,  asses." 

ASSOS,  a  city  of  Mysia,  oppo- 
site Adramyttium.  Acts  20  :  13. 
It  is  now  a  poor  village  called 
Beiram. 

Assurance,  a  firm  confidence. 
When  christians  possess  a  strong 
and  steadfast  belief  of  God's 
grace  in  his  Son  Jesus,  and 
wholly  confide  in  him  for  salva- 
tion, it  is  called  the  *'  full  assur- 
ince  of  faith."  Heb.  10  :  22. 
"  The  full  assurance  of  hope  "  is 
(in  undoubting  expectation  of 
future  blessedness  Heb.  6  :  11. 
All  christians  do  not  enjoy  the 
grace  of  assurance,  but  all  are 
comraarded  to  obtain  it.  2  Cor. 
13  :  5      Heb.  6  :   11,     1   Thess. 


5  :  21.  Some  have  certainly  en- 
joyed it.  Job  19  :  25.  Ps.  17  : 
15.  2  Tim.  1  :  12.  The  only 
proof  of  its  genuineness  is  a  holy 
life.     1  John  2  :  3,  and  3  :  14. 

AsSjVia,  an  ancient  kingdofh, 
the  boundaries  of  which  varied 
grieatly  in  diiferent  ages  ;  but 
which  is  generally  described  as 
having  Armenia  on  the  north, 
Persia  on  the  east  and  south,  and 
the  Tigris  on  the  west.  It  was 
founded  by  Ninus,  who  began  his 
reign,  according  to  Usher,  A.  M. 
2737,  during  the  period  that 
Deborah  judged  Israel.  Its  chief 
city  was  Nineveh.  Under  Tig 
lath  Pilestr,  and  his  immediate 
■successors,  Salmunc^er,  Sennache- 
rib, Esarhaddon,  &c.,  it  was  a 
powerful  kingdom,  1  Chron.  5  : 
2G,  but  was  afterwards  annexed 
to  Persia.  It  is  now  a  desolate 
country,  and  infested  with  rob- 
bers. Its  present  name  is  Cur- 
diistan. 

Astl'Ol'ogers,  persons  who  pre- 
tend to  foretell  events  by  the 
stars. 

Ath'ens,  a  very  celebrated  city 
of  Greece,  built  more  than  1200 
years  before  Christ.  Cicero  saya 
its  inhabitants  perfected  all  learn- 
ing .and  eloquence,  and  that  from 
them  humanity,  learning,  reli-. 
gion  and  laws,  were  dispersed 
through  the  whole  world  ;  but  he 
adds,  "  they  only  knew  what  was 
right,  for  they  would  not  do  it." 
Phitarch  says  they  were  sus- 
piciofls  and  vain-glorioua.  See 
what  Paul  says.  Acts  17  :  16 — • 
22.  It  produced  Solon,  Socrates, 
Plato,     Aristides,    Demosthenes, 


BAA 


27 


BAA 


fcc,  besides  many  renowned  gen- 
erals. 

Atonement*  The  satisfaction 
raade  by  Christ  to  divine  justice, 
by  his  obedience  and  suiferings. 
The  word  thus  rendered  is  more 
oommonly  tran<-lated  reconcilia- 
tion. It  is  by  faith  that  man, 
convinced  of  sin,  looks  to  the 
merits  and  death  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and,  through  the  operation  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  obtains  pardon,  peace, 
and  holiness.     Rom.  5  :  10. 

Axe.      The     word      rendered 


"axe,"  2  Kings  C  :  ",  is  literallj 
"iron;"  but  as  an  axe  is  cer- 
tainly meant,  the  passage  shows 
that  iron  was  used  for  that  pur- 
pose  by  the  Hebrews  of  that  day 
Those  which  have  been  found  in 
Egypt  are  of  bronze,  which  was 
very  anciently  and  generally  used 
for  that  purpose. 

Azo'tus,  a  city  in  the  tribe  ni 
Dan.  Acts  8  :  40.  It  was  f  )r- 
merly  Ashdod  of  the  Philistines, 
where  the  ark  of  God  triumphed 
over  Dagon.     1  Sam.  5  :  2. 


B. 


Ba'al)  or  Bel,  signifies  lord, 
and  perhaps,  in  the  earliest  ages, 
was  a  name  applied  to  the  true 
God.  It  is  generally  agreed  that 
Baal  was  the  sun,  and  on  this 
supposition  all    allusions  to  him 


ai  Scripture  may  be  explained. 
The  sun  is  expressly  called  Baal, 
1  Kings  21  :  5,  7.  The  great 
luminary  was  adored  all  over  the 
East,  and  this  was  the  first  species 
if  idolatry. 


It  is  supposed,  but  without 
satisfactory  reasons,  that  the  idol 
atry  of  Baal  arose  from  the  de 
ification  of  Belus,  the  first  and 
greatest  monarch  of  the  Assyri 
ans.  His  magnificent  temple  is 
described  by  Herodotus  and  Dio- 
dorus. 

It  was  a  very  common  name  of 
the  male  idols  among  eastern 
nations,  as  Ashtaroth,  or  Astarf^ 
was  of  their  female  deities.  The 
Moabites,  Phoenicians,  Assyrians. 
Chaldeans,  and  frequently  the 
Hebrews,  had  their  Baal,  ♦hich, 
from  his  place  of  worship,  or 
supposed  office,  had  often  distin- 
guishing epithets  annexed  ;  as 
Baal-berith,  Baal-peoi,  Baal-ze- 
bub,  <fec.  Often  this  name  Baal 
was  a  part  of  the  names  of  per- 
sons and  cities,  perhaps  to  signify 
that  the  most  of  them  were  dedi- 
cated to  his  service.  This  the 
piou?  Hebrews  sometimes  turned 


BAA 


28 


BAB 


Into  Bosheth,  which  signifies 
thame  ;  thus  Jerubbaa  is  turned 
into  Jerubosheth,  Judg.  6  :  32. 
2  Sam.  11  :  21  ;  Eshbaal  into 
Ishbosheth  ;  Meribaal  into  Me- 
pbibosheth.  Baal  is  oft  named 
Baalim,  in  the  plural,  because 
there  were  many  Baals  ;  or,  at 
least,  many  images  of  him.  Every 
sort  of  abomination  was  commit- 
ted on  the  festivals  of  this  idol, 
and  of  Ashtaroth,  his  mate.  In 
his  temples  was  kept  a  perpetual 
fire  ;  and  altars  were  erected  to 
him  in  groves,  high  places,  and 
on  the  tops  of  houses.  Jer.  32  : 
35.  2  Kings  17  :  16.  The  origin 
of  this  idolatry  is  very  ancient. 
The  Moabites  begun  their  wor- 
ship of  Baal  before  the  days  of 
Moses.  The  Hebrews  began  theirs 
in  his  time.  Num.  22  :  41. 
Psalm  106  :  28.  They  relapsed 
into  that  idolatry  after  the  death 
of  Joshua,  and  under  the  judges 
Ehud,  Gideon,  and  Jephthah. 
Judg.  2  :  13  ;  3  :  7  ;  6  :  25  ; 
10  :  6.  Humtin  sacrifices  were 
offered  on  some  occasions.  Jer. 
ly  :  5.  Samuel  seems  to  have 
quite  abolished  the  Avorship  of 
this  idol  from  Israel  ;  1  Sam.  7  : 
4.  But  Ahab  and  Jezebel,  above 
200  years  afterward,  revived  it 
in  all  its  abominations  ;  450 
priests  were  appointed  to  attend 
his  service,  and  nearly  as  many 
for  Ashtaroth.  It  was  often  re- 
vived in  succeeding  generations, 
till  after  the  captivity,  and  the 
«stablishment  of  "synagogues, 
since  Avhich  the  Jews  have  not 
b^en  addicted  to  idolatry,  Greek 
iud  Boman  authors  give  the  name 


Jupiter    Belus    to   the    Bel    ^^ 
shipped  at   Babylon,  and  wh     i 
may  have  meant  the  planet      i- 
piter. 

Baal-gad,  t  city  in  the  va-  ej 
of  Lebanon.  Josh.  11  :  17.  de- 
cent travellers  regard  it  as  »er-- 
tainly  the  Heliopolis  of  the  Gr«»ek8. 
It  is  called  by  the  natives  Baal» 
bek.  It  was  a  city  of  great  splen- 
dor for  some  centuries,  but  fell 
into  decay  about  the  time  of  Con- 
stantine.  It  was  sacked  bj  the 
kalif  of  Damascus  A.  D.  74f ,  and 
in  1400  was  pillaged  by  Timour 
Beg.  It  is  now  a  village  oC  2000 
inhabitants,  but  its  super!*  ruing 
are  the  admiration  of  travel- 
lers. 

Babel.  In  the  year  of  the 
world  1758,  that  is,  102  yeara 
after  the  flood,  mankind  btji-jg  all 
of  one  language  and  religi  in,  they 
agreed  to  erect  a  tower  of  pro- 
digious extent  and  height.  Their 
design  was  not  to  secure  fhem- 
selvea  against  a  sec  )nd  delu  <e,  or 
they  would  have  built  thoir  cower 
on  a  high  mountain  ;  bit  to  get 
themselves  a  famous  character, 
and  to  prevent  their  dispersion 
by  the  erection  of  a  monument 
which  should  be  visible  from  a 
great  distance.  No  quarries  being 
found  in  that  alluvial  soil,  they 
made  bricks,  and  used  slime  for 
mortar.  Their  haughty  and  re- 
bellious attempt  displcjised  the 
Lord,  and  after  they  had  worked, 
it  is  said,  twenty-two  years,  he 
confounded  their  language.  Thia 
effectually  stopped  the  building, 
procured  it  the  naue  of  Babd,  n 
I  Confusion,  and   obliged    the    oft" 


BAB 


li'.t 


B  A  B 


spring  of  Noah  to  disperse  them- 
selves, and  replenish  the  world. 

Geographers  are  not  able  cer- 
tainly to  identity  the  tower  of 
Babe  with  any  existing  ruins  ; 
but  i'  is  generally  believed  to  be 
the  shapeless  mass  of  the  Birs 
Nimrud,  of  which  a  drawing  is 
given  below. 


Bab'yion,  the  name  of  the 
capital  of  Chaldea,  and  often 
given  to  the  whole  empire.  Isa. 
12  :  9 — 11.  -  It  was  a  city  of  as- 
t<)nishing  maguifieence,  built  per- 
fectly square,  with  the  streets 
running  at  right  angles.  The 
Euphrates  ran  through  the  midst, 
from  north  to  south.  The  statue 
of  Jupiter  Belus,  in  the  great 
temple,  here,  is  thought  to  have 
been  the  same  that  Nebuchadnez- 
zar erected  in  the  plain  of  Dura. 
Dan.  3.  The  famous  "  hanging 
gardens,"  as  they  are  termed,  did 
not  hang  literally,  but  were  a 
succession  of  terraces  raised  on 
arches  of  increasing  height,  till 
they  reached  the  level  of  the  top 
of  the  city  wall,  which  was  300 
feet  high.  Niuirod  founded  the 
3* 


city  ;  Belus  enlarged  it  ;  .ina 
Nebuchadnezzar  perfecte  i  and 
beautified  it.  During  the  reig  i 
of  this  monarch,  Judea  was  an- 
nexed to  the  territory  of  Babylon 
and  the  chief  men  withdrawn 
thence,  and  settlea  in  Babylonia 
This  occurred  about  A.  m.  3420, 
and  is  called  in  Jewish  histo- 
^      -  ry  the  Babylonish 

Captivity.  Baby- 
lon was  afterwards 
captured  and  rav- 
aged by  Cyrus,  a. 
M.  34C8  ;  and  was 
subsequently  still 
more  injured  by 
Darius  and  Xerxes 
In  the  time  of  our 
Saviour,  it  had 
been  wholly  aban 
doned.  The  course 
of  the  Euphrates 
is  now  changed,  and  the  spot  on 
which  Babylon  stood  was  for  ages 
unknown  !  It  has  lately  been 
identified  by  the  traveller  Lay- 
ard.  See  Isa.  13,  14,  21,  46,  and 
47.  Jer.  50.  The  striking  ac- 
complishment of  prophecy  in  the 
conquest,  decline,  and  desolation 
of  Babylon,  is  shown  in  a  very 
interesting  manner  by  Rollin,  in 
his  Ancient  History,  Vol.  II.  A 
chief  cause  of  the  total  ruin  cf 
Babylon  was  the  building  of  Se^ 
leucia,  45. miles  southward,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Tigris.  This  city  was 
sometimes  called  New  Babylon 
It  became  the  capital  of  Babylo 
nia,  and  in  time  utte.  ly  sup 
planted  the  old  city  ;  the  bricks, 
(fee,  being  removed  to  build 
wiih 


BAD 


30 


BAL 


Htrfl  the  famous  Babylonish 
Tawiud*  Wis  compiled. 

Babylon  tlie  Great  is  a  sym- 
bolical term,  used  in  the  New 
Testament,  chiefly  in  the  Revela- 
tions ;  generally  considered  to 
mean  Rome,  1  Pet.  5  :  13,  or  the 
popish  church  and  kingdom.  Rev. 
IG,  17,  and  18. 

Bac:l)  the  mulberry-tree  ;  a 
valley  so  called,  Ps.  84  :  7,  where 
this  tree  abounded,  which  grows 
in  dry  places.  The  LXX.  render 
it  the  valley  of  weeping,  and  the 
Latin  Vulgate  the  valley  of  tears. 
It  does  not  seem  to  mean  a  par- 
ticular vs^ey,  but  any  rough, 
tedious,  desert  place.  Those  who, 
"passing  the  valley  of  Baca, 
make  it  a  well,"  mean  either 
those  who,  in  coming  up  to  the 
annual  festivals,  esteem  the  sad- 
dest part  of  their  journey  pleas- 
ant, in  their  longing  for  the 
courts  of  the  Lord,  or  who,  to 
facilitate  future  travellers,  dig 
wells,  or  pools,  to  be  filled  by  the 
rains. 

Backslider,  one  who  gradually 
falls  back  from  his  religious  ardor 
a^d  engagements.  AVhen  this 
becomes  total,  it  is  called  apostasy. 
Prov.  14  :  14.  Jer.  8  :  5.  For 
a  full  and  searching  exhibition 
of  the  scriptural  symptoms,  causes 
and  remedy  of  backsliding,  see 
the  Backslider,  by  Mr.  Fuller. 

Badger,  a  well-known  animal, 
mentioned  many  times  in  the  Old 


*  The  Jews  have  two  Talmuds,  one 
of  Jerusalem,  the  other  of  Ba'  ^fion,  so 
CdKed  from  the  places  where  they 
were  written.  These  are  e  ^rapilatiotis 
of  their  traUitioTHiry  la.    tvith  com- 


Testament.  The  word  literally 
means  hyacinth,  or  violet  color 
The  probability  is,  that  the  badger 
is  not  meant  in  any  of  the  pas- 
sages where  the  word  is  found. 
Its  skin  is  not  suitable  for  cover- 
ing a  tent,  nor  for  making  shoes. 
Ezek.  16  :  10.  It  inhabits  cold 
countries,  and  is  not  found  it 
Arabia.  The  great  probability 
is,  that,  as  Rosenmuller  and 
others  contend,  the  seal  is  meant 
Ex.  26  :  14.     Numb.  4  :  6—25. 

Ba'laam,  an  ancient  prophet, 
who  became  very  wicked,  and 
practised  incantations.  Numb. 
22,  23,  24.  He  counselled  Moab 
to  seduce  Israel  to  sin,  that  they 
might  bring  that  curse  on  them- 
selves which  he  could  not  inflict. 
Numb.  31  :  16.  To  be  anxious 
to  get  gain,  even  by  wickedness, 
is  called  "  the  way  of  Balaam." 
2  Pet.  2  :  15.  Allowing  of  un 
cleanness,  is  called  "  the  doctrine 
of  Balaam."     Rev.  2  :  14. 

Balm,  a  resin  or' balsam,  ex 
tracted  from  the  balm-tree,  whic!j 
grows  in  various  parts  of  Arabia 
and  Canaan.  The  estimation  in 
which  it  was  held  as  a  medical 
drug,  is  not  only  apparent  from 
Scripture,  but  Pliny,  Strabo, 
Diodorus  Siculus,  Tacitus,  Jus- 
tin, Solinus,  and  others,  celebrate 
its  virtues  as  such.  That  of 
Gilcad  was  reckoned  the  best. 
The  Arabs  sold  of  it  to  the  Egyp- 
tians, and  the  Jews  to  the  Tyri- 
ans.  Gen.  37  :  25.  Ezek.  27  : 
17.  Its  specific  gravity  is  lighter 
than  water.  The  taste  is;  bitter. 
It  is  no  longer  cultivated  in  Pal- 
estine.    But   so  lately  as   17C6. 


BAP 


31 


BAR 


Mariii  saw  it  growing  ia  the 
plaia  of  Jericho,  aud  describes 
the  process  of  obtaining  the  bal- 
eam.  It  appears  to  be  the  tere- 
Linthujj  or  turpentiae  tree. 

Band,  literally  "  a  cord,"  any 
tie  ;  also,  a  company  of  soldiers  ; 
when  applied  to  the  Roman  divis- 
ions, it  means  the  thirtieth  part 
of  a  legion. 

Baptism.  1.  A  christian  or- 
dinance, in  which  is  represented 
the  washing  away  of  our  guilt 
and  renovation  of  our  life,  through 
a  crucified,  buried,  and  risen  Sa- 
viour.    Rom.  6  :  3,  4,  11. 

2.  The  entire  engrossing  of 
the  apostles  and  others  in  the 
primitive  church,  by  the  divine 
Spirit,  which  filled  the  place 
vfhere  they  were,  and  by  which 
they  received  miraculous  endow- 
ments. This  species  of  baptism 
is  not  now  enjoyed  by  christians, 
as  is  evinced  by  their  not  possess- 
ing the  powers  which  always 
accompanied  it. 

3.  Overwhelming  afflictions  or 
trials.  Matt.  20  :  22.  Luke  12: 
50. 

"  Baptism  for  the  dead,"  is  a 
very  obscure  expression.  Chry- 
sostom  and  Theophylact  regard 
it  as  meaning  "  in  the  belief  of 
the  resurrection  of  the  dead." 
Numerous  learned  critics  under- 
stand it  as  meaning  "  on  account 
jf  the  dead,"  that  is,  Christ. 
lertuUian,  the  oldest  writer  who 
gives  an  opinion  on  this  subject, 
auderstands  the  word  "  for  "  aa 
equivalent  to  ''on  account  of" 
the  d^ad,  that  is,  *hey,  the  bap- 
tized  persons,  had  a  guarantee, 


or  emblem,  of  tbeii  resurrection 
in  the  act  of  sinking  under  and 
rising  up  from  the  water.  A 
submission  to  this  rite  ia  behalf 
of  the  dead,  was  practised,  it  ia 
thought  by  the  Marcionites,* 
in  the  days  of  the  apostles.  This 
sect  denied  the  resurrection  of 
the  body,  and  Paul  is  thought  to 
turn  his  argument  against  them 
by  his  question,  1  Cor.  13  :  2d. 

Baptize.  1.  To  dip  or  immerse. 
2.  To  wash,  cleanse,  or  purify  by 
immersion.  The  word  has  been 
incorporated  into  our  language 
with  an  English  termination. 
Had  the  word  been  translated 
into  plain  English  in  our  Bible, 
there  would  now  perhaps  be  no 
controversy  on  the  mode  of  bap- 
tism. Matt.  28  :  19.  John  4  : 
2.  Acts  2  :  41  ;  8  :  12  ;  9  :  18  ; 
10  :  47,  &o 

Barbarian,  literally  "  a  stran 
ger;''^  a  term  used  by  the  Greeks, 
Romans,  and  Jews,  respectively, 
to  designate  all  those  belonging 
to  other  nations.  It  contains  nc 
implication  (as  used  in  Scripture) 
of  savage  nature  or  manners  in 
those  to  whom  it  is  applied. 
Acts  28  :  4. 

Barley,  a  well-known  grain, 
anciently  used  for  cattle,  and  to 
make  coarse  bread.  1  Kings  4  : 
28.  2  Kinga  4  :  22.  John  6  :  8 
— 10.  It  is  still  used  very  gen- 
erally for  the  latter  purposes  in 
Wales.     Pliny   says   barley  was 


*  Followers  of  Marcion,  a  christian 
teacher  of  the  second  century,  who, 
being  disappointed  in  his  hopes  of 
ecclesiastical  preferment  at  Rome, 
united  with  Cenio  in  establishing  a 
new  i«c.t. 


BE  A 


82 


BED 


whe  most  ancient  food  of  man- 
kind. It  was  used  in  the  cere- 
monial ofiFerings.  Numb.  5  :  15. 
Bartholomew,  literally  "the 
ton  of  Ptolemy"  one  of  the 
«vvelve.  Matt.  10  :  3.  It  is 
ihought  he  preached  the  gospel 
m  the  Indies.  He  is  probably 
'.he  same  with  Nathaniel.     John 

I  •  46,  and  21  :  2. 

Bii'shan,  or  Batan^a,  one  of 
the  most  fruitful  countries  in  the 
irorld,  lying  chiefly  within  the 
lot  of  Manasseh,  eastward  of 
Jordan.  Numb.  32  :  33.  Besides 
rillages,  it  contained  sixty  fenced 
jities.  It  was  peculiarly  famous 
for  its  rich  pasture,  excellent 
ftocks  and  herds,  and  stately 
paks.     Ezek.  39  :  18. 

Bath,  a  Hebrew  measure  con- 
taining one  tenth  part  of  a  ho- 
mer, that  is,  seven  or  eight  gall. 
It  seems  to  be  the  same  as  the 
Epha. 

Bay-tree,  the  tree  laurel,  from 
which  conquerors'  wreaths  were 
made  by  the  ancients.  It  is  a 
large  and  elegant  tree  ;  and  be- 
longs to  the  same  genus  with  the 
eamphor,  cinnamon  and  sassafras, 
tts  leaves  are  stilf,  shining,  point- 
ed, and  evergreen.  Flowers  fra- 
grant, fruit  worthless.  Ps.  37  : 
35. 

Bdel'liaill  is  usually  considered 
to  be  a  fragrant  gum,  produced 
ill  the  East.  Bochart  considers 
it  to  be  the  pearl ;  Reland  calls 
it  crystal.     Gen.  2  :  12.     Numb. 

II  :  7. 

Beasts  were  divided,  by  the 
wremonial   law,  into   clean   and 


unclean.  The  former  w  re  all 
those  which  had  the  hoof  par*«d 
in  the  middle,  and  chewed  the 
cud.  Lev.  11  :  34.  This  dis- 
tinction, it  is  thought,  prevailed 
even  before  the  flood.  The  clear 
fat  of  all  beasts  was  forbidden  as 
food,  as  was  the  blood  in  all 
cases,  on  pain  of  death.  For 
this  last  reason,  animals  which 
had  died  of  themselves,  or  been 
strangled,  were  not  eaten,  nor 
those  which  had  been  torn  bj 
impure  beasts.     Lev.  11. 

The  word  "beasts"  in  Rev. 
4  :  5,  <fec.,  should  have  been 
"  living  creatures  ; "  and  the 
original  is  so  rendered,  in  other 
places.  Ezek.  1  :  5.  Paul,  when 
he  says  he  fought  with  beasts  at 
Ephesus,  may  mean  ferocious 
men,  who  persecuted  him.  1  Cor. 
15  :  22. 

Bed.  Familiar  as  this  word  is, 
few  understand  its  Bible  mean- 
ing. Feather  beds  and  hair  mat- 
trasses,  such  as  we  use,  are  never 
meant  by  this  word  in  Scripture. 

The  bed  of  a  common  person 
in  the  East,  such  as  those  whou, 
Christ  healed,  and  told  to  take 
up  their  bed  and  walk,  is  nothing 
more  than  a  piece  of  floor  matting^ 
used  both  to  sit  and  sleep  upon. 
Rich  persons  used  pillows,  to 
assist  in  sitting  comfortably  by 
leaning  on  their  elbows. 

This  explains  many  passages 
of  Scripture  ;  as  Esther  7 ;  8, — 
llaman  fell  on  the  mat  where 
Esther  was  sitting.  It  eXijlaius, 
also,  all  those  passages  which 
speak  of  washing  or  baptizing, 
beds.    E.ek.  13  :  18  means  "  wo» 


BE  II 


8a 


B  E  L 


to  those  who  accommodate  luxu- 
rious temptations  to  the  taste  of 
every  sort  of  person  to  seduce 
him  from  rectitude,  or  quiet  his 
conscience  in  the  commission  of 
crime.     See  Pillow. 

Bcel'zebub,  the  prince  of  flies, 
or  i,9jd  of  Ekron,  worshipped  as 
having  power  over  all  hurtful 
insects.  The  name  is  applied  in 
the  New  Testament  to  Satan. 
Matt.  10:  25  ;  12  :  2"4.  Luke 
11  :  15—19. 

Beer'sheba,  a  city  in  the 
eouthern  extremity  of  Canaan, 
as  Dan  was  in  the  northern. 
Hence  the  expression  "  from  Dan 
to  Beersheba,"  which  often  occurs 
in  the  Bible,  meant  Oie  whole 
land. 

Beetle,  a  genus  of  inseo's,  of 
T^hich  there  are  many  species. 
The  Egyptians  paid  it  divine 
honors,  and  we  still  find  its  image 
on  their  obelisks.  It  is  men- 
tioned only  in  Lev.  11  :  22. 

Be'bcmotli.  Sacred  critics  are 
not  agreed  whether  this  is  the 
elephant  or  hippopotamus      Ele- 


phants are  so  often  exhibited 
through  the  country,  that  it  is 
needless  to  do-cribc  them    here 


The  hippopotamus  is  shown  in  tut 
engraving. 

Belroot,  or  Bayrout,  ia  n 
place  which,  though  not  men- 
tioned in  Scripture,  deserves  a 
place  here,  from  its  having  be- 
come the  chief  seat  of  the  Amer 
ican  mission  to  the  Holy  Land 
It  is  a  seaport  oc  the  Mediterra 
nean,  14  miles  north-east  of 
Sidon,  and  137  miles  north  from 
Jerusalem;  and  has  8,000  inhab- 
itants. The  Romanists  have  long 
maintained  i\  mission  here,  as 
they  have  aL«  ^  in  other  parts  of 
this  country 

Beka,  a  half  shekel,  from  a 
Hebrew  word  which  means  to 
divide.  Its  value  was  twenty-five 
cents.  Every  Jew  paid  a  beka 
annually  for  the  support  of  the 
temple.     Exod.  30  :  13. 

Bel,  the  principal  god  of  the 
Assyrians,  Persians,  and  Baby- 
lonians. The  same  god  is  called 
Nebo,  Isa.  46  :  1,  from  the  He- 
brew word  Neba,  to  prophesy,  be- 
cause it  was  consulted  as  an 
oracle.  Bel  is  probably  an  ab- 
breviation of  Baal. 

Belial,  literally 
"  a  wicked,  headstrong 
man."  An  appella- 
tion of  Satan. 

Believe,  to  have  a 
firm  trust  and  con- 
fidenee  in  the  truth 
of  a  report.  To  be- 
lieve the  gospel,  is 
to  have  a  full  per- 
suasion of  the  divine  authority 
of  its  doctrines,  and  a  determine*i 
rcs«'lucii>n,  by  the  grace  of  God 


IJEK 


B  r.  T 


It  obej  its  precepts; — to  re- 
ceive, and  rely  upon  Christ  for 
life  and  salvation.  John  1  : 
12.  Rom.  9  :  33.  A  bare  assent 
to  gospel  truths  is  sometimes 
called  belief.     Acts  8  :  13. 

Celshaz'zar,  a  profligate  king 
of  Babylon,  who  reigned  17 
years,  and  was  killed  by  some 
soldiers  of  Darius,  on  the  night 
of  his  guilty  feast.  Dan.  5. 
His  kingdom  thenceforth  passed 
to  the  Medes  and  Persians. 

Bere'jJj  a  city  of  Macedonia, 
very  populous  in  the  days  of 
Paul.  Acts  17.  It  now  bears 
the  name  of  Viria. 

Berni'co,  the  daughter  of 
Agrippa  the  Great.  She  was 
first  betrothed  to  Mark,  son  of 
Alexander,  governor  of  the  Jews 
at  Alexandria.  She,  however, 
married  her  own  uncle,  Heuod, 
king  of  Chalcis.  After  his  death, 
she  married  Polemon,  king  of 
Pontus,  but  left  him,  and,  re- 
turning to  Agrippa, 
her  brother,   lived  ^ 

with    him    in     in-  -     r 

cest.  They  sat  with 
pomp  to  hear  Paul 
preach.  Acts  25. 
Bcr'yl,  a  gem,  re- 
sembling in  many 
points  the  emerald. 
Its  size  varies  ex- 
ceedingly ;  some 
being  not  larger 
than  a  hair,  while 
some  have  been 
found  a  foot  long, 
and  three  or  four 
inches  in  diameter.  The  ordi- 
«arv  size  is  about  that  of  a  large 


JL\ 


pea.  The  color  is  a  fine  blue, 
often  bordering  on  green.  In  ita 
perfect  state,  it  is  about  as  hard 
as  the  garnet.  Found  in  the 
East  Indies  and  South  America. 
^Bestead,  an  obsolete  word  foi 
conditioned  or  disposed.  Isa.8:  21. 

Bethany,  a  village  two  miles 
east  from  Jerusalem,  on  the  road 
to  Jericho. 

Bethe',  literally  "  the  house  of 
God.*'  The  place  which  was  so 
named  by  Jacob,  Genesis  28:  19, 
was  where  Abram  had  pitched 
his  tent.  Gen.  12  :  8.  Jacob 
afterwards  resided  here.  Gen. 
35  :  6.  It  afterwards  became 
the  site  of  an  important  city. 
Though  it  was  called  Luz  when 
Abram  dwelt  there,  Moses  called 
it  Bethel,  because,  in  his  day,  il 
was  only  known  by  that  name 
It  was  about  ten  miles  no  .-h  of 
Jerusalem. 

Bethes^da,  a  pool  on  the  eas/ 
of  Jerusalem.     The  name  signi 


fies     "a    hov^e    of    mercy;'*    so 
called  because  a  public  bath  was 


BET 


85 


BIK 


here  erected,  or  because  God 
graciously  bestowed  healing  vir- 
tue on  the  pool.  Aa  ij  lay  near 
the  temple,  the  sacrifices  might 
be  wjished  in  it  ;  but  it  did  not 
thance  derive  its  virtue.  John 
6:9.  A  basin  in  Jerusalem, 
3(J0  feet  long  and  130  wide,  now 
dry,  is  generally  pointed  out  as 
the  pool  of  Bethesda,  and 
though  Dr.  Robinson  doubts  its 
identity,  more  recent  travellers 
eeem  to  have  proved  the  point. 

Betll'lieron,  a  city  12  miles 
north-west  from  Jerusalem. 

Beth'lehem,    ^'the    house    of 

bread,^^  a  city  of  Judah,  about 
six  miles  south  of  Jerusalem. 
It  is  also  called  Ephratah  and 
Ephrath,  its  inhabitants  Ephrath- 
ites,  from  its  founder.  It  was 
considerable  only  for  giving 
birth  to  Ibzan,  Elimelech,  Boaz, 
David,  and  chiefly  to  the  Messi- 
ah. Mic.  5  :  2.  It  now  con- 
tains 1000  inhabitants,  most  of 
whom  are  nominal  christians. 
Its  present  name  is  Beet-la-hm. 

Beth'phage,  "  a  place  of  figs,'' 

a  small  village  belonging  to  the 
priests.  It  was  hard  by  Bethany, 
and  nearly  two  miles  east  of 
Jerusalem.  Here  our  Saviour 
obtained  the  ass  for  his  lowly 
triumph.     Matt.  21  :  1. 

BcttlS<Vida,  literally  «  a  place 
of  fishing  ;"  a  city  of  Galilee, 
on  the  west  coast  of  the  sea  of 
TiLcrias.  It  was  the  residence 
of  Philip,  Andrew,  and  Peter. 
John  \  :  ii.  It  had  a  woe  pro- 
no!i5:ccd  against  it  by  Christ, 
aod  vas  one  of  the  first  places 
r&faged  by  the  Romans.     Matt. 


11  .  21.  It  is  now  cali^d  Ea  f 
siDA.  Some  think  there  wiu 
another  place  of  this  naiie,  on 
the  opposite  coast,  near  the  en 
trance  of  the  Jordan. 

Beth'shean,  a  city  west  of  ths 
Jordan,  known  in  ancient  geog- 
raphy as  Scythopolis,  —  but  now 
called  Bysan,  and  containing 
only  70  or  80  houses. 

Bethshemesh,  Jer.   43 :    16, 

literally,  "  the  house  of  the  sun," 
was  a  city  of  Judah,  once  be- 
longing to  the  Philistines.  It 
was  a  very  large  and  populous 
city  when  the  Ark  of  God  was 
there,  in  the  time  of  Ahaz.  1 
Kings  4:9.  It  is  now  a  mean 
village  called  Ain  She?tis. 

Bctrotll,  to  contract  marriage. 
It  was  often  done  by  parents  for 
young  children  without  their 
consent,  and  sometimes  preceded 
the  nuptials  many  years. 

Bewitch',  to  practise  sorcery 
upon,  to  mislead  by  delusive 
pretences.    Gal.  3  :  1.     See  SoR- 

CEREK. 

Bewray',  to  betray,  expose,  or 
make  visible. 

Bible.  This  word,  which  does 
not  occur  in  Scripture,  means 
literally  The  Book.  An  excel- 
lent article  on  this  word  is  found 
in  Buck's  Theologi'  U  Dictionaiy. 
See  Scripture. 

Birds  were  created  on  the 
fifth  day.  Like  all  other  crea- 
tures, they  are  wonderfully 
adapted  to  their  mode  of  life. 
Such  as  chiefly  fly,  have  very 
large  wings.  Such  as  wade  in 
the  mud,  have  long  legs,  bare  of 


JilR 


.36 


15  IT 


feathers  Such  as  swim,  have 
webbed  feet.  Such  as  bore  trees 
for  insects,  have  strong  round 
bills  Such  as  live  on  prey, 
have  crooked  bills,  to  tear  flesh. 
Such  as  rise  high  in  the  air, 
have  eyes  capable  of  seeing  the 
Bimallest  worm  from  a  great 
height.  Such  as  grope  for  their 
food  in  the  mud,  where  it  cannot 
be  seen,  have  flat  bills,  with  the 
nerves  running  down  to  the  very 
end,  so  that  they  have  as  delicate 
a  sense  of  feeling  there,  as  we 
have  in  our  fingers.  Many  other 
proofs  of  the  wisdom  and  good- 
ness of  God  are  found  in  the 
study  of  ornithology,  as  this  sub- 
ject is  called.  Birds  are  classed 
by  naturalists  by  referring  to 
their  bills,  feet,  &c.  Under  the 
Jewish  dispensation,  they  were 
divided  into  clean  and  unclean. 
It  may  be  observed  in  general, 
that  such  ■  as  fed  on  grain  or 
seeds,  were  clean  ;  while  such  as 
ate  flesh,  fish,  or  carrion,  were 
prohibited.  The  following  is  a 
list  of  the  unclean :  the  rest 
were  allowed  to  be  eaten.  The 
modern  names  are  given  on  the 
authority  of  Calmet's  Dictionary 

Eagle,  Easle. 

Ossifragc,  Vulture. 

Ospray,  Black  Eagle, 

Vulture,  Hawk. 

Kite,  Kite. 

Kaven,  Kaven. 

Owl,  Ostrich. 

NiEiht  Hawk,  Night  Owl. 

Cuckoo,  Saf-Saf. 

Hawk,  Ancient  Ibla. 

Little  Owl,  Sea  Gnli, 

Cormorant,  Connorant. 

Great  Owl,  Ibis  Ardea. 

Swan,  Wild  Goose. 

Pelican,  Pelican. 

Gier  Eagle,  Alcyone 

Stork,  Slorl:, 

Heron,  Longneck 

Lapwing,  Hoopoe. 
Bat,  Bat. 


Birthright,  the  partieulaf 
privileges  enjoyed  in  most  coun- 
tries by  the  first-born  son.  In 
eastern  countries,  especiallv 
where  polygamy  exists,  the  priv 
ileges  are  important.  In  patri 
archal  ages,  they  were  stiil 
greater,  giving  a  sort  of  domin- 
ion and  priesthood  to  the  poa- 


Bishop,  a  shepherd,  or  ovot 
seer.  In  the  New  Testament^ 
the  word  means  a  spiritual  over- 
seer, having  the  charge  of  souls, 
to  instruct  and  guide  them  by 
the  word.  It  seems  to  bo  sy- 
nonymous with  Elder,  or  Pres 
byter.  Acts  20,  compare  the  17th 
and  20th  verses.  Titus  1  :  5— 
7.  1  Pet.  5  :  1,  2.  The  word 
is  applied  to  Christ  himself.  1 
Pet.  2  :.  25. 

Bitliyu'ia,  a  province  on  the 
south  of  the  Euxine  Sea,  west 
of  Pontus  and  Galatia,  north  of 
Asia  Proper,  and  east  of  the 
Propontis,  supposed  to  have  been 
settled  by  Thracians.  It  was 
formerly  called  Mygdonia.  It 
was  famed  in  the  time  of  the 
Argonautic  expedition,*  which 
might  be  during  the  reign  of 
Rehoboam,  if  not  earlier.  The 
metropolis  was  Nicomedia,  a 
city  famous  not  only  under  the 
kings  of  Bithynia,  but  also  un- 
der the  emperors  of  Rome,  par- 


*  The  Argonautic  expedition  Is  au 
era  in  ancient  history  rendered  Im 
portant  by  the  frequency  of  reference 
made  to  it  by  early  writers.  Sir  Isaac 
Newton  labored  to  ascertain  the  exact 
date  of  it,  and  thence  to  rectify  and 
settle  all  ancient  chronology.  A  suf- 
ficient account  of  this  voyage  may  b« 


found  in  Gillies'  History  of  Greece,  o* 
any  FMcyclopmliq,  under  the 


[)e  wor<l. 


BIT 


87 


BL£ 


Ueularly  Diocletian,  who  had  a 
palace  there,  the  destruction  of 
which  by  fire  occasioned  the 
Tenth  general  persecution  of 
christians.  Its  other  important 
cities  were  Prusa,  Libyssa  and 
Therma.  Chalcedon,  an  ancient 
city  in  this  cour^try,  situated  on 
the  Bosphorus,  was  famous  for 
the  ecclesiastical  council  which 
met  in  it.  At  Nice,  another  of 
its  distinguished  cities,  one  of 
the  most  celebrated  of  all  chris- 
tian councils  was  held,  A.  D. 
325.  At  a  very  early  period, 
Christianity  was  here  planted, 
and  a  number  of  Jews  and 
others  believed.  1  Pet.  1  :  1. 
Pliny,  who  described  the  char- 
acter of  christians,  waa  gover- 
nor here  about  A.  D.  106.  '  His- 
torians trace  a  church  here  for 
1000  years  after  Christ.  Indeed, 
there  are  still  a  few  christians 
in  the  place.  It  is  now  called 
Ikcksan^^il,  and  sometimes  Bur- 
nia. 

Bit'tern,  a  fowl  of  the  heron 
kind.  It  is  common  in  fenny 
countries,  skulks  among  the 
reeds  and  sedges,  and  ordinarily 
stands  with  its  neck  and  beak 
straight  upward.  It  suffers  peo- 
ple to  come  very  near  it ;  and, 
if  unable  to  escape,  will  strike 
at  them.  It  flies  mostly  in  the 
dusk  of  the  evening,  and  makes 
a  plaintive  noise  among  the 
reeds.  Nineveh  and  Babylon 
6ecame  a  possession  for  the  bittern, 
when  the  spot  wj»s  partly  turned 
into  a  fen  or  pool  of  water.  Isa. 
14  :  23,  and  31  :  11.  Zeph.  2  : 
U. 

4 


Blaspheme,  to  reproach  and 
revile  God,  by  denying  or  riJi- 
culing  his  perfections,  word,  or 
ordinances,  and  by  ascribing  to 
him  anything  base  or  sinful 
Tit.  2  :  5.  Rev.  13  :  6.  Wbaj 
the  unpardonable  blasphemy 
against  the  Holy  Ghost  is,  has 
been  much  controverted.  The 
occasion  of  Christ's  meutioni-ug 
it,  Matt.  12  :  21—31,  has  in- 
duced many  to  think  that  it  con- 
sists only  in  ascribing  his  mir- 
acles to  diabolical  influence  ; 
when  we  consider,  also,  Heb.  6 
4,  5,  and  10  :  26—30,  it  appears 
that  an  obstinate  and  malicious 
rijection  of  Christ,  and  salva- 
tion through  him,  notwithstand- 
ing strong  conv^ictions  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  is  an  unpardonable 
sin. 

Bless,  to  make  happy,  which 
properly,  is  the  act  of  God  alone, 
the  author  of  every  blessing. 
God  blesses,  especially,  by  the 
rich  provision  which  he  has 
made  in  his  glorious  plan  of 
redemption,  in  the  supplies  of 
his  grace,  and  by  the  gifts  of 
his  Holy  Spirit,  whereby  man  ia 
enabled  to  serve  him  acceptably 
in  tliis  world,  and  to  receive  a 
fitness  for  that  eternal  inherit 
ance  in  heaven,  where  he  will 
be  perfectly  happy  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  God  forever.  This  word 
is  often  used  in  an  inferior  5ense, 
and  man  is  said  to  bles9  God, 
when,  with  a  grateful  heart,  he 
praises  him  for  benefits  recfived 
and  lives  to  his  glory.  He  raav 
be  said  to  bless  his  fellow-croa 
tures,    when    he    wishes    tht>*ja 


BOD 


38 


BOO 


every  good,  and  uses  his  best 
endeavors  to  promote  their  hap- 
piness. 

6l00d<  The  Jews  were  for- 
bidden to  eat  blood.  Various 
reasons  seem  to  have  rendered 
this  proper  and  necessary.  It 
is  a  most  unwholesome  food, 
in  a  hot  country.  It  seems  to 
tend  to  cruelty.  It  was  "the 
life  **  of  the  animal.  Lev.  17  : 
11,  and  so  Virgil  calls  it.  E.veid 
IX.  349.  It  was  then  common, 
and  still  is,  in  those  countries,  to 
bleed  animals,  and  cook  the 
blood  for  food.  The  Irish  and 
Scotch,  in  times  of  famine,  do 
go  now.  But  this  is  cruel,  and 
wisely  forbidden. 

Boaner'ges,  sons  of  thunder. 
Wie  sons  of  Zebedee  are  called 
BO,  because  vehement  in  their 
feelings,  and  powerful  in  their 
preaching.     Mark  3  :  17. 

Body,  the  material  part  of 
man.  The  term  is  used  iu  Scrip- 
ture to  denote  an  organized  sys- 
tem  of  any  kind.  Hence  we  read 
of  the  body  of  sin,  which  is  to  be 
put  off  when  baptized  into  the 
death  of  Christ.  This  is  to  be 
remembered  in  order  to  under- 
stand much  of  the  figurative 
language  of  Paul  relative  to 
christian  experience  and  sancti- 
fication.  It. signifies,  also,  the 
church  of  God,  which  is  the 
mystical  body  of  Christ.  1  Cor. 
10  :  17.  Col.  1  :  18.  In  the 
Lord's  supper,  the  bread  is 
called  the  body  of  Christ,  tnat 
is,  the  representation  of  his 
body,  and  is  received  as  a  me- 
tnorial  of  hi?  sufferings,  and  the 


pledge  of  all  the  benefits  j.ur' 
chased  by  his  death. 

BoU'ed,  a  word  which  occurs 
but  once  in  the  Bible,  namely, 
Ex.  9  :  31,  "The  flax  wad 
boiled,"  which  seems  tc  mean 
that  it  was  nearly  ripe,  and  the 
round  seed-vessels  fully  devel- 
oped. 

Bonnet,  a  covering  for  the 
head  of  Hebrew  priests,  made, 
of  linen,  somewhat  in  the  form 
of  a  turban.  That  of  the  high 
priest  was  adorned  with  gold 
and  fronted  with  the  plate 
inscribed  "Holiness  to  thb 
Lord."    Ex.  28  :  40. 

Book,  a  volume  written  or 
printed.  The  different  parts  of 
Scripture  are  called  books.  They 
were  at  first  written  and  circu- 
lated separately,  somewhat  as 
tracts  are  now.  Formerly,  plates 
of  lead  and  copper,  the  bark  of 
trees,  thin  bricks,  stone,  and 
wood,  were  used  to  write  upon 
Hesiod's  works  were  written  on 
lead  ;  God's  law  on  stone  ;  and 
the  laws  of  Solon  on  planks. 
When  these  last  were  used,  they 
were  generally  covered  with  a 
thin  coat  of  wax,  for  ease  both 
in  writing  and  in  blotting  out. 
which  explains  the  expression 
of  David  when  he  prays  that  his 
sins  may  be  blotted  out  as  a 
cloud,  that  is,  the  reoord  of 
them.  Palm  leaves,  being  more 
convenient  as  to  bulk  and  por- 
tableness,  were  afterwards  made 
into  books,  and  are  still  so  used 
in  India.  Then  the  thin  inner 
bark  of  trees,  eipeeiallj  the 
elm  ;     hence    the    Latin    wnrd 


BOO 


8V» 


Bor 


iUer  (the  inner  bark  of  a  tree), 
means  also  a  book.  Afterwards 
tho  Papyrus,  or  "  paper  reed," 
was  used.  Isa.  19  :  7.  Parch- 
ment was  afterwards  invented  in 
Pergamos.  Boolvs  of  these  two 
last  substances  were  rolled  on 
eticks  like  cloth,  and  hence  the 
word  volume,  from  the  Latin  word 
tolvo,  to  roll.  It  was  held  and 
read  in  ttic  manner  here  shown. 


A  book  thus  rolled  might  have 
Beveral  seals,  so  that  a  person 
might  break  one  and  read  till 
he  came  to  another  ;  whereas, 
if  one  of  our  books  had  several 
seals,  all  would  be  broken  if  one 
were.  This  explains  Rev.  5. 
Paper,  such  as  we  now  use,  was 
invented  about  nine  hundred 
years  ago,  and  printing  was  in- 
vented about  four  hundred  years 
ago.     See  Paper, 

Book  OF  Life  signifies  God's 
recognition  of  his  people,  and 
his  secure  remembrance  of  them, 
and  is  an  allusion  to  the  regis- 
ters kept  in  cities  of  the  names 
of  all  t';e  regular  citizens.  Phil. 
4:3.  Honorable  persons,  not 
citizens,  were  sometimes  entered 
here,  which  was  giving  the  frec- 
dcm  of    the    city.     Vigabonds 


and  disorderly  persons  oad  thelf 
names  erased.     Rev.  3:5. 

BoO'Il,  a  shelter  generally 
made  of  forked  poles  diiven 
into  the  ground,  covered  with 
green  boughs.  Lev.  T6  :  42 
During  the  feast  of  tabernacles 
the  Jews  resorted  to  the  country 
and  set  up  booths,  in  commemc  - 
ration  of  the  desert  wanderiugg 
of  their  forefathers.  Xeh.  8  : 
14.  This  was  a  very  joyoua 
festival,  occurring  in  the  fall 
of  the  year  amidst  all  abun- 
dance, and  intended  to  be 
gladsome  in  the  utmost  de- 
gree. Nearly  the  whole 
population  left  their  houses, 
and,  for  several  days,  dwelt 
in  booths  and  tents,  with 
^  processions,  illuminations, 
feasts,  songs,  and  religioua 
services. 

Border,  a  fringe  or  tassel 
made  of  wool,  and  worn  by  tho 
Jews  on  their  outer  garments, 
in  order  that  they  might  be  dis- 
tinguished from  the  Gentiles, 
and  be  constantly  reminded  of 
their  laws.  Mark  6  :  56.  See 
Phylacteries. 

Bosses,  the  thick,  stronf.  and 
sometimes  pointed  centre  of  a 
shield  or  buckler.  Job  15  :  26. 
Bottle.  Anciently,  bottles 
were  made  of  leather,  as  glass 
was  unknown.  The  skin  of  a 
goat,  pulled  oSF  whole,  and  the 
places  where  the  legs  were  being 
tied  up,  formed  a  convenient  bot- 
tle, as  shown  by  tho  engraving. 
As  they  grew  tender  by  using, 
new  wine,  which  had  net  done 
fermenting,  could  not  be  safelv 


BRA 


40 


C  RE 


put    in    them.     Matt.    9  :     17. 
l)avid,    in     distress,     compares 


himself  to  a  bottle  i6  the  smoke, 
dried  up  and  withered.  Ps. 
no":  83. 

BoirelS)  a  word  used  formerly 
very  much  as  we  now  use  the 
word  heart  ;  that  is,  to  represent 
tenderness,  mercy,  <&c.  1  Kings 
3  :  26,  Ac. 

Bozrah  was  a  city  situated  to 
the  eastward  of  Bashan. 

BrasS)  a  word  of  frequent  oc- 
currence in  the  Bible.  As  it  is 
well  known  that  this  compound 
metal  was  first  made  in  Germany, 
only  six  or  seven  hundred  years 
ago,  it  seems  much  more  proper 
to  translate  the  Hebrew  word 
nehest,  copper.  Iron  and  copper 
were  known  before  the  flood. 

There  was  a  compound,  very 
unlike  ours,  called  brass,  made 
ill  early  times,  and  highly  val- 
ued. It  consisted  chiefly  of  gold 
and  silver,  with  some  copper. 
It  was  capable  of  an  exquisite 
polish  for  mirrors,  and  may  be 
the  substance  mentioned  Job 
S7  :  18,  and  Isa.  2  :  S.  Josephus 
speaks  of  "  vessels  of  brass, 
noro     valiiafole     than     gold." 


"  Corinthian  brass,**  which  was 
for  ages  held  in  the  highest  es- 
timation, may  have  been  such  a 
compound. 

Bread  is  a  word  used  in  Scrip- 
ture for  food  in  general.  Gen. 
3  :  19.  Ex.  2  :  20.  Bread  waa 
made  in  various  ways.  See 
Oven.  As  it  was  generally  made 
by  the  Jews  in  thin  cakes,  it 
was  not  cut  but  broken,  which 
gave  rise  to  the  phrase,  "  break- 
ing  of  bread,**  to  signify  eating. 
See  Shew-bread. 

Breat^.-plate)  a  part  of  tlie 

high-priest's  holy  apparel.  It 
was  about  10  inches  square,  and 
consisted  of  twelve  gems,  set  in 
gold,  each  gem  representing  a 
tribe  of  Israel.  They  were  set 
in  four  rows.  In  the  uppermost 
were  a  sardius,  topaz,  and  car- 
buncle, for  Reuben,  Simeon,  and 
Levi  ;  in  the  second,  an  eme- 
rald, sapphire,  and  diamond,  for 
Judah,  Dan,  and  Naphtali  ;  in 
the  third,  a  ligure,  an  agate, 
and  amethyst,  for  Gad,  Asher, 
and  Issachar  ;  in  the  lowest,  a 
beryl,  onyx,  and  jasper,  for 
Zebulon,  Joseph,  and  Benjamin. 
The  reader  will  find  these  stones 
described  under  their  respective 
names  This  breast-plate  waa 
fastened  to  the  embroidered 
ephod  of  the  high  priest,  so  aa 
to  hang  upon  his  bosom,  and 
was  worn  only  on  appointed 
occasions.  It  was  called  a  "  ine- 
morial,**  because  it  taught  the 
priest  to  bear  his  people  on  hii' 
heart  before  God,  and  reminded 
the  people  -of  the  blessing  of  th« 
ministry 


CAB 


^i 


C.ES 


Brig'andinc,  an  ancient  kind 
of  mail,  worn  in  battle,  to  secure 
khe  soldiers  from  sword-cuts. 
Jer.  46  :  4. 

Brother  is  a  term  used  in 
Scripture  for  several  kinds  of 
relations.  Lot,  who  was  Abra- 
ham's nephew,  was  called  broth- 
er.    So  in  many  other  instances. 

Bulrush.     See  Paper 

Burnt-offeriiig,  A  "  whole 
burnt-ofifering "  was  a  sacrifice 
in  which  the  victim  was  wholly 
consumed  on  the  altar.  A 
"  burnt-offering  "  was  the  fat  of 
the  intestines  and  kidneys,  and 
the  fat  tail  of  sheep,  burnt  after 
being  sprinkled  with  salt.  The 
right  fore  quarter  was  the  por- 
tion of  the  priest,  and  the  rest 
was  given  back  to  the  offerer, 
who  commonly  ate  it  as  a  feast, 
and  invited  widows,  orphans, 
Levites,  &c.,  to  partake. 

Bary*  The  Hebrews  were 
careful  to  bury  even  their  ene- 
mies. 1  Kings  11  :  15.  Ezek. 
39  :  14.  The  troublesome  pollu- 
tion of  dead  bodies  required  it. 
To  be  deprived  of  burial,  or  cast 
into  an  unclean  place,  they 
reckoned  a  terrible  calamity. 
When  one   died,  if  his  fi  lends 


were  able,  he  was  embalmca, 
and,  after  a  proper  time,  carried 
out  to  his  grave  ;  on  a  bier  if 
poor,  or  on  a  stately  bed,  if  rich. 
Dead  bodies  were  arrayed  in 
suitable  clothes  ;  but  from  the 
resurrection  of  Lazarus,  and 
other  evidence,  it  appears  they 
were  not  buried  in  coffins.  The 
Jews  sometimes,  but  not  often, 
burned  their  dead.  1  Sam.  31:12. 
With  the  Greeks  and  Romans  it 
was  the  most  common  mode  ; 
hut  in  the  earliest  ages,  all  na- 
tions buried  the  dead,  regarding 
the  earth  as  the  most  fit  recep- 
tacle. 

To  be  "  buried  with  Christ  in 
baptism  "  imports  our  mortifica- 
tion of  sin,  by  virtue  of  fellow- 
ship with  him  in  his  death, 
represented  in  our  baptism. 
The  apostJe  would  say,  that  just 
as  Christ  closed  his  mortal  ex- 
istence, and  was  laid  in  the 
tomb,  soon  to  rise  from  thence, 
and  enter  on  a  new  and  glorifief 
state,  so,  the  baptismal  burial 
of  the  believer  is  an  emblem  of 
his  renouncing  the  great  pur- 
pose of  his  past  life,  and  coming 
forth  into  a  new  and  more  ex- 
alted state  of  being.  Rom.  6  : 
4.     Col.  2  :  12. 


G. 


Cab,  )r  Kab,  a  Hebrew  meas- 
ure, about  equal  tc  our  quart. 
2  Kings  6  :  25.  In  giving  the 
'.capacity  of  Hebrew  measures, 
authors  are  followed  who  seem 
juost  reasonable  ;  but  it  is  a 
4* 


subject    on   wLich    reita    great 
uncertainty. 

Caefiar,  a  name  which,  after 
becoming  dignified  in  the  person 
of  Julius  CcBsar,  was  the  appel- 
lation of  his  snccesiors  on   *.ha 


C  jEo 


42 


CAL 


throne  The  emperors  mentioned 
or  alluded  to  by  this  title  in  the 
New  Testament,  are  Augustus, 
Luke  2:1;  Tiberius,  Luke  3  : 
1,  and  20  :  22—25  ;  Claudius, 
Acts  11  :  28  ;  and  Nero,  Acts 
25  :  8.  The  reader  will  do  well 
to  look  out  these  passages,  and 
where  the  distinctive  title  is  not 
found  in  the  text,  to  write  it  in 
the  margin  of  his  Bible.  It  is 
remarkable  that  Caligula,  who 
succeeded  Tiberius,  is  not  men- 
tioned. 

C«sare'a  is  on  the  coast  of  the 
Mediterranean,  about  sixty  miles 
from  Jerusalem.  Anciently,  it 
was  a  small  town,  called  Stra- 
tonice,  or  the  Tower  of  Strato, 
and  had  an  inconvenient,  ex- 
posed harbor.  Herod  the  Great 
built  a  noble  breakwater,  en- 
li^.rged  and  beautified  the  place, 
and  called  it  C'jexarea,  in  honor 
of  the  emperor,  his  patron. 
Eiisebius,  the  historian,  was  born 
here.  Here  Cornelius  lived. 
Acts  10  :  1  ;  here  Agrippa  was 
smitten  of  worms  ;  and  here 
Agabus  foretold  Paul's  impris- 
onment. Acts  21  :  10,  11.  This 
is  the  Caesarea  mentioned  also 
in  the  following  places  :  —  Acts 
8  :  40  ;  9  :  30  ;  12  :  19  ;  21  :  8; 
23  :  23,  33  ;  25  :  4,  13.  It  is 
now  deserted  and  desolate  ;  and 
its  ruins  have  long  been  resorted 
to  for  building  materials  re- 
quired at  Accho.  The  name  of 
the  place,  at  the  present  time,  is 
Kaisaria. 

Csesare'a  Pliilip'pi  stood  be- 
tween Sidon  and  Damascus,  near 
the  sources  of  the    Jordan.     It 


is  thought  by  many  geograpfceii 
to  be  the  city  called  Laiahy  of 
Dan,  in  the  Old  Testament.  It 
was  enlarged  and  embellished 
by  Philip  the  Tetrarch  ;  and 
hence  its  double  name,  —  he 
choosing  to  honor  Tiberius  Csecar 
and  himself.  It  was  the  resi- 
dence of  the  woman  healed  of 
the  issue  of  blood.  Matt.  9  : 
20.  It  is  now  an  inconsiderablo 
village,  called  Banias. 

CaKamns,  a  fragrant  reed  or 
cane,  common  in  the  East,  and 
growing  to  the  height  of  two  or 
three  feet  Its  essence  consti- 
tuted one  of  the  ingredients  of 
the  holy  anointing  oil.  Ex.  30  : 
23.     Ezek.  27  :  19. 

Calf.  The  passage,  Jer.  34  : 
18,  19,  contains  a  very  obscure 
allusion  to  the  calf,  which  ia 
made  plain  by  knowing  that  in 
ratifying  a  covenant,  it  was  cus- 
tomary to  cut  the  victim,  gener- 
ally a  calf,  into  two  parts,  and 
the  i^arties  passed  between  them, 
Hence  the  covenant,  in  the  abo\  e 
passage,  was  said  to  be  mado 
"  in  presence  of  the  calf." 

Calling.  (1.)  Any  lawful 
employment.  1  Cor.  7  :  20.  — 
(2.)  The  genera.1  invitation  to 
repentance,  by  the  ministry,  bj 
providence,  or  by  the  motions 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  the  con- 
sciences of  men,  whereby  they 
are  warned  of  their  danger,  and 
taught  the  need  of  a  Saviour. , 
Isa.  22  :  12.  Matt.  22:  14.— 
(3.)  That  more  particular  invi- 
tation by  the  preaching  of  the 
word,  and  etfectual  operation  vf 
the  Holy  Spirit,  wherebj  sinner*' 


CAM 


43 


C  A  \T 


tarn,  believe,  and  obey  the  gos- 
pel.    Ilom.  11  :  29. 

Calvary,  or  Golgotha,  *'the 
Place  of  Sk'ills.''  A  small  hill, 
oa  the  north  sile  of  Mt.  Zion.  so 
called  either  from  its  being  in  the 
shape  of  a  man's  head,  or  because 
it  was  a  place  of  execution,  which, 
among  the  Romans  as  well  as 
Jews,  was  often  done  by  behead- 
ing. Jud.  9  :  5.  Matt.  14  :  10. 
The  empress  Helena  built  a  noble 
church  on  this  spot,  which  still 
exists. 

Camel,  an  animal  belonging  to 
the  same  genus  as  the  dromedary, 
lama  and  pacos.  It  is  a  native 
of  Asia,  lives  between  forty  and 
fifty  years,  subsists  on  poor  and 
scanty  herbage,  endures  aston- 
.shing  labors  and  intense  heat, 
can  go  for  many  days  without 
water,  and  is  extremely  docile 
and  patient.  Of  the  coarse  part 
of  its  hair  nackcloth  is  made.  Rev. 
6:12,  and  very  coarse  raiment, 
Buch  as  was  worn  by  John  Bap- 
tist, and  is  now  worn  by  the  Der- 
vishes of  the  East.  Of  the  finest 
parts,  beautiful  shawls,  <tc.,  are 
made.  It  is  the  great  dependence 
of  the  Arabs,  for  food,  clothing 
and  labor.  No  other  animal 
could  at  all  supply  its  place. 
Job,  after  his  afflit-tiun,  had  six 
thousand  camels. 

Camp*  In  the  camp  of  the 
Hebrews  in  the  desert,  the  taber- 
nacle was  placed  in  the  midst. 
Moses,  Aaron,  and  their  families, 
had  their  tents  on  the  east  of  it, 
Khich  was  considered  the  front. 
da  the  south  pitched  the  Kohath- 
Ue"  :    on  the  west,  ihi  Gershcn- 


I  ites  ;  on  the  north,  the  Mer*r 
ites.  Thus  it  was  encompassed 
by  the  Levites.  In  front  of  thp 
tents  of  the  priests,  on  the  cast, 
was  the  camp  of  Judah,  Issaehar 
and  Zebulon  ;  on  the  south,  of 
Reuben,  Simeon  and  Gad  ;  on  the 
west,  of  Ephraim,  Manasseh  and 
Benjamin  ;  on  the  north,  of  Dan, 
Asher,  and  Naphtali.  Before 
commencing  a  march,  which  was 
onlj'  when  the  cloud  moved  from 
over  the  tabernacle,  the  people 
had  three  warnings  by  the  silver 
trumpets  ;  one,  to  pack  up  bag- 
gage ;  a  second,  to  assemble  to 
the  standards  ;  and  a  third  to 
begin  the  march.  The  camp  of 
Judah  marched  first  ;  the  taber^ 
nacle  was  then  taken  down  ;  and 
the  Gershonites  and  Merarites, 
laying  the  various  materials  on 
wagons,  followed.  Next  the 
camp  of  Reuben  marched  ;  the 
Kohathites  followed  with  the 
more  sacred  furniture  of  tho 
tabernacle  on  their  shoulders. 
Next  fallowed  Ephraim  ;  and 
Dan  brought  up  the  rear.  Numb 
1,  2,  4,  10. 

Camp  hire,  a  white,  translu- 
cent,  vegetable  product,  of  a 
highly  fragrant  odor,  and  aro- 
matic taste.  It  is  procured  from 
two  Sijecies  of  trees,  one  of  which 
grows  in  Japan  ;  the  other,  from 
which  the  best  and  largest  })or- 
tion  of  the  drug  is  obtained, 
grows  wild  in  Burneo  and  Su- 
matra. These  trees  are  of  tho 
laurel  species,  but  of  astonishing 
magnitude,  some  attaining  a 
height  of  two  hundred  feel. 
The  blossoms  diJuse  a  powecf«U 


CAN 


41 


C  A  ^ 


tnd  delicious  fragrance,  and  are 
much  used  to  adorn  baths  and 
iwellings.  Turkish  and  Egyp- 
tian ladies  use  the  powder  of  the 
dried  leaves  to  give  a  red  tinge 
to  their  nails,  a  practice  of  great 
antio.uity. 

Ca'na*  There  were  two  places 
of  this  name  without  Galilee,  one 
in  Asher,  Josh.  19  :  28,  the  other 
hi  Ephraim,  16  :  8  ;  17  :  9  ;  and 
one  within  Galilee,  about  four 
niiles  north  of  Nazareth,  whence 
Christ  went  down  to  Capernaum. 
John  2  :  12  ;  4  :  46.  The  latter 
still  exists,  though  a  small  vil- 
lage of  only  GO  houses.  Half  of 
the  inhabitants  are  christians  of 
the  Greek  church. 

Ca'naan^  the  Scripture  nf.me 
of  what  is  now  called  Palestixe, 
or  the  Holy  Land.  Its  nan»e 
was  deri\ed  from  Canaan,  whose 
posterity  settled  here,  and  re- 
mained for  ab">ut  seven  hundred 
years.  Beco  ling  enormously 
corrupt,  they  were  devoted  to 
destruction,  and  their  land  given 
to  Israel.  Its  conquest  is  re- 
corded in  the  book  of  Joshua, 
Ac,  after  which  it  was  called 
"The  land  of  Israel."  Its  boun- 
daries, as  generally  laid  down, 
are  Lebanon  on  the  north,  Arabia 
on  the  east,  Idumea  on  the  south, 
and  the  sea  on  the  west.  Under 
David  and  Solomonr,  its  extent 
was  greatly  increased,  by  the 
lonquest  of  Ammon,  Moab,  Edom, 
SO.  1  Kings  4  :  21—24.  It  was 
a  most  beautiful  and  fertile  coun- 
try, and  the  Jews  ir-'Uiplied  in 
it  t'l  an  astonishing  degree. 

Under    Kchoboam.  a  dreadful 


rending  asunder  of  the  kinj^JoOi 
took  place,  which  rcaie  Judah 
ind  Benjamin  one  kingdom,  au'^ 
the  remaining  ten  tribes  another. 
1  Kings  12.  Jerusalem  contin- 
ued the  metropolis  of  Judah  anJ 
Benjamin  ;  and  this  kingvlom 
adhered  to  the  true  God,  and  hia 
proper  worship.  Samaria  became 
the  metropolis  of  Israel,  and  that 
people  worshipped  golden  calves 
at  Bethel  and  Dan.  These  sepa- 
rate kingdoms  were  often  at  war, 
to  their  unspeakable  detriment, 
and  were  often  devastated  by 
foreign  enemies.  At  last,  about 
B.  c.  721,  Israel  was  entirely 
overthrown  by  Shalmaneser,  king 
of  Assyria,  after  it  had  stood 
about  254  years,  and  has  never 
since  been  restored.  Judah  sur- 
vived as  a  kingdom  about  130 
years  longer,  and  was  then,  b.  c. 
590,  entirely  conquered  by  Nebu- 
chadnezzar, king  of  Babylon,  who 
carried  away  with  him  the  mos» 
important  of  the  people. 

After  a  captivity  of  seventy 
years,  they  returned  gradually  ; 
their  temple  and  city,  which  had 
laid  in  ruins,  were  rebuilt,  and 
they  enjoyed  peace  as  a  province 
of  Persia.  When  that  monarchy 
was  overthrown  by  Alexander, 
Judea  (as  the  whole  of  Canaan 
was  then  called)  submitted  to 
the  conqueror.  After  Alexander*a 
death,  tlis  country  was  some- 
times sulject  to  Syria,  and  some- 
times to  Egypt,  and  for  a  time 
asset^ted  and  maintained  its  in- 
dependence under  John  Hyrcanus 
and  his  successors.  It  however 
iras   forced,  about   B.  c.   Q'i,  by 


C  A  N 


-15 


CAl' 


PooiDcy,  to  submit  to  the  victo- 
rious  Romans,  who  divided  it  into 
[irovinces,  and  set  rulers  over 
them.  These  provinces,  at  the 
iime  of  Christ,  were  Judea,  Sa- 
mnria,  and  Galilee.  There  was 
also  a  province  on  the  north, 
called  PercBa,  and  one  on  the 
eouth,  called  Iduniea,  which  were 
considered  as  belonging  to  Pales- 
tine. It  continued  thus,  in  pos- 
eesaion  of  much  peace  and  pros- 
perity, for  many  years,  during 
which  the  temple  was  rebuilt 
with  great  magnificence,  ahd  in 
its  courts  and  the  renovated 
streets  the  Saviour  taught,  and 
wrought  his  wondrous  miracles. 
The  infatuated  Jews,  however, 
after  crucifying  their  Messiah, 
became  unquiet  and  mutinous, 
and  drew  on  themselves  the  ven- 
geance of  the  Romans,  who,  un- 
ier  Titus,  destroyed  Jerusalem, 
A.  D.  TO,  and  terminated  wholly 
the  existence  of  the  Jews  as  a 
nation. 

Since  that  period,  Israelites 
have  been  found  in  almost  every 
commercial  part  of  the  world,  and 
not  a  few  have  ever  continued  on 
the  soil  of  their  forefathers  ;  but 
their  once  beautiful  land  has  been 
constantly  suffering  under  the 
horrors  of  servitude  and  frequent 
wars.  The  Saracens,  crusaders, 
.Mamelukes,  and  Turks,  have 
ruled  it  in  succession  ;  and  under 
these  last  masters,  who  have  pos- 
sessed it  since  the  year  1317,  its 
eterility  and  desola  ion  have  con- 
stantly increased.  Its  once  noble 
cities  *re  now  poo.-  villages,  «vnd 


most  of  its  former  Adllages  sr« 
utterly  extinct. 

The  territory  is  now  divided 
into  two  districts,  namely.  Acre, 
comprising  the  seaboard,  and 
Damascus,  embracing  the  re- 
mainder ;  each  of  which  is  gov. 
erned  by  a  pacha,  or  bashaw.  The 
population  is  now  very  mixed, 
consisting  of  Tuiks  (who  hold 
the  chief  otfces),  Syrians,  Bedouhi 
Arabs,  Jews,  Copts,  Druses,  and 
Christians.  The  last  are,  gen- 
erally, Roman  Catholics,  Greeks 
and  Armenians.  Many  monks 
reside  here,  and  most  of  the  chief 
towns  have  convents.  Several 
denominations  of  christians  have 
maintained  missions  here  for  some 
years. 

Cane.     See  Calamus. 

Cantii'Ies.    See  Song  of  Solo 

MON. 

Capernaum,  a  principal  city 
of  Galilee  It  stood  on  the  west- 
ern shore  of  the  Sea  of  Tiberias, 
in  the  border  of  Zebulon  and 
Naphtali,  not  far  from  Bethsaida, 
and  received  its  name  from  a 
clear  fountain  adjacent.  Hero 
Christ  resided  and  taught,  and 
here  Matthew  was  called.  It  if 
now  called  Talhume. 

Caphtor  is  thought  by  Bochart 
to  be  the  same  as  Cappadocia  ; 
but  by  Calmet  to  be  Crete.  Deut 
2:  23. 

Cappado'cia,  a  province  in  the 
north-eastern  part  of  Asia  Minor, 
peopled  by  the  descendants  of 
Togarmah,  and  once  forming  part 
of  the  kingdom  of  Lydia.  It 
was  famous  for  horses,  oiuleg  ac'J 


.  CAR 


i: 


C  A  R 


flocks  ;  and  traded  in  these  with 
the  Tyrians.  Ezek.  27  ;  14. 
According  to  H«Todotus,  it  sub- 
mitted to  the  Medes,  and  then  to 
the  Persians,  parts  of  whose  w  or- 
ship  the  inhabitants  incorporated 
with  their  own  idolatry.  It  after- 
ward formed  part  of  the  vas; 
Roman  empire.  Christianity  was 
Uitroduced  here  in  the  days  of 
the  apostles,  Acts  2  :  9,  and  con 
tinues  to  this  day.  At  the  vil 
lage  of  Dacora,  in  this  province, 
was  born  Eunowius  the  Arian. 
Some  of  its  early  pastors  were 
very  distinguished  for  piety  and 
learning. 

Captivity,  the  state  of  a  per- 
son who  is  at  the  command  of 
another.  God  often  punished  the 
vices  and  infidelity  of  his  people 
by  the  different  captivities  into 
which  they  were  permitted  to  fall. 
The  most  remarkable  instances 
are  the  Assyrian  captivity,  2 
Kings  18  :  9—12,  and  the  Baby- 
lonish captivity,  Jer.  25  :  12.  It 
is  generally  believed  that  there 
was  no  return  from  the  former 
captivity,  and  that  the  ten  tribes 
never  came  back  again  after  their 
dispersion.  Christ  "  led  capthity 
captive,''^  Eph.  4:8;  that  is,  our 
Lord,  by  his  victory  over  death, 
Satan  and  sin,  conquered  and 
triumphed  over  all  our  spiritual 
enemies  and  oppressors.  Ps.  68  : 
18  Rom.  7  :  23.  2  Tim.  2  : 
26. 

Car'bancle,  a  gem  next  in 
value  to  the  diamond.  It  is 
rarely  found,  and  (as  yat)  only 
in  the  East  Indies.     It  is  of  a 


bri^^ht  red  color,  shiaing  in  thfi 
dark,  commonly  of  the  size  of  a 
small  pea.  Ezek.  28  :  13.  Xt 
was  called  by  the  ancients  anthrax^ 
or  coal,  because  its  appearance 
in  the  sun  was  that  of  a  piece  of 
burning  coal.  Its  name,  cai- 
buncle,  has  the  same  meaning. 

Car'chcinisli,  2  Chron.  35  :  20, 
a  city  of  Mesopotamia,  thought 
to  be  the  same  as  the  ancient 
Circesium,  the  modern  name  of 
which  is  Kerkish. 

Care,  anxious  thought,  or  ex 
traordinary,  cautious  concern. 
Man's  care  is  lawful  when  he 
endeavors  to  please  God,  mourns 
for  his  sins,  and  regulates  his  con- 
duct by  the  word  of  God  ;  when 
he  is  concerned  about  the  welfare 
of  others,  and  solicitous  for  the 
salvation  of  their  souls  ;  or  when 
he  aoderately  takes  thought  for 
the  tbings  of  this  present  life, 
resigning  himself,  at  the  same 
time,  to  the  will  of  God.  2  Cor. 
7  :  11,  i2.  But  it  is  unlawful 
when  he  is  careful  about  forbid- 
den things,  and  makes  "  provision 
for  the  flesh  to  fulfil  the  lusta 
thereof  ;"  or  when  he  has  a  per- 
plexing care  about  lawful  things, 
to  the  neglect  of  the  worship  of 
God,  and  distrust  of  his  provi 
dence.     Phil.  4  :  6. 

Carniel,  though  generall> 
spoken  of  as  a  single  mountain, 
Is  a  range  of  hills,  ending  in  a 
promontory,  which  forms  the  bay 
of  Acre.  The  district  was  famed 
for  fine  timber  and  pasturage. 
2  Kings  19  :  23.  The  cave  il 
stil    shown,  in  which,  it  ts  siiid. 


CA 


47 


^AU 


Eiijah  reside  1.  There  was  amther  115  :    50.     2   Sam.*, 
Carinel  in  the  lot  of  Jucljih.  Josh,    now  called  El  Kirmcl. 


Z,    It  u 


Carnal.  (1.)  Things  belong- 
ing to  the  flesh  ;  worldly  things, 
such  as  silver  and  gold,  and 
things  needful  for  sustaining  the 
body.  Romans  15  :  27.  1  Cor. 
9  :  11.  (2.)  Sensual,  or  gov- 
erned by  sensual  appetites.  In 
this  sense  it  is  applied  to  such  as 
are  in  a  natural,  unregenerated 
state,  who  are  enemies  to  God, 
and  given  to  sensual  pleasures. 
John  3  :  6.  Rom.  8  :  7.  The 
ceremonial  law  is  called  carnal, 
because  it  consisted  of  such  rites, 
ceremonies,  ordinances,  as  only 
rehited  to  the  body  and  the  puri- 
fying of  the  flesh,  but  did  not 
reach  the  soul.     Ileb.  9  :  10. 

Carpos,  the  friend  and  host  of 
Paul,  when  he  was  at  Troas.  2 
Tim.  4  :  13.  lie  is  thought  to 
have  been  one  of  the  seventy 
disciples. 

Cassia,  the  bark  of  a  specie? 
)f  laur<)I,   very  common    in  Su- 


]  matra,  Malfibar,  and  adjacent 
countries  ;  commonly  called  ciri' 
namon.  It  was  used  with  other 
drugs  as  a  perfume.  Ps.  45  :  8 
The  name  is  derived  from  a  He 
brew  word, which  means  "  stripped 
oflf,"  because  the  bark  only  ia 
used.  Ex.  30  :  24.  Ezek.  17  .  19 
Castor  and  Pollnx,  the  fabled 
sons  of  Jupiter.  Tbey  were  prob- 
ably heroes  who  cleared  the  sea 
of  pirates,  and  came,  in  after 
times,  to  be  worshipped  as  deities. 
The  vessel  Pau-  sailed  in,  Acta 
28,  had  their  figures  carved  at 
the  prow.  Most  vessels  had  the 
image  of  some  gyA  on  its  prow, 
and  to  this  day  it  is  customary  to 
have  what  is  called  "a  figure- 
head." 

Caul,  a  cap,  or  bag.  The  word 
is  applied  to  a  membrane  which 
encloses  the  heart,  Hos.  13  :  8, 
and  sometimes  t^  the  head-drew 
'vi  females.     Isa.  3  :  13 


r  E  N 


48 


C  H  A 


CedaP)  a  tree  of  great  size  and 
beauty  in  warm  latitudes,  and 
much  celebrated  in  the  Scriptures 
It  is  ar.  evergreen,  of  slow  growth, 
and  the  timber  it  produces  does 
not  decay  when  preserved  from 
damp.  A  few  yet  remain  on 
Lebanon.  They  were  formerly 
fjund  there  in  great  abundance. 
Bayard  Taylor  visited  them  in 
the  year  1852.  He  says,  •'  We 
descended  [from  the  snow-capped 
summit  of  Lebanon]  over  occa- 
eional  beds  of  snow,  and  reached 
the  cedars  in  an  hour  and  a  half. 
*  *  *  *  There  are  about  three 
hundred  trees  in  all,  many  of 
which  are  of  last  century's 
growth  ;  but  at  least  fifty  of  them 
would  be  considered  grand  in  any 
forest.  Five  of  them  are  un- 
doubtedly as  old  as  the  christian 
era,  if  not  the  age  of  Solomon." 
Ce'dron,  or  Ke'drox,  a  small 
brook,  rising  near  Jerusalem, 
passing  through  the  valley  of 
Jehoshaphat,  and  issuing  in  the 
Sea  of  Sodom.  As  is  the  case 
with  most  streams  in  that  coun- 
try, it  is  a  rapid  torrent  after 
rains,  but  dry,  or  nearly  so,  in 
the  midst  of  summer.  2  Sam. 
15:23.  Jer.  31:40.  John  18: 
I. 

Cen'chrea,  a  port  of  Corinth, 
Acts  18  :  18,  situated  on  the  east- 
ern side  of  the  isthmus. 

Censer,  a  pan  or  urn,  in  which 
incense  was  burned.  It  was  made 
in  various  forms.  That  here 
represented  was  most  common. 
Where  the  twenty-four  elders  are 
said  tc  have  golden  vials  full  of 
odors.   Rev.    5  :    8.  it   seems    to 


mean  censers,  not  such  vlaU 
we  now  use. 


Ceatai'ion,  an  officer  who  had 
the  command  over  a  hundred 
soldiers. 

Cesare'a*    See  C.esarea. 

Chal'fedOQV,  a  precious  stone, 
resembling  the  agate.  There  are 
several  vaiieties  of  this  gem. 
(1 .)  A  pale-gray  or  bluish  stone, 
found  in  Saxony,  Hungary,  Ice- 
land, Scotland,  and  Asiatic  Rus. 
sia.  It  seems  to  have  beeu 
originally  obtained  from  Chairs, 
don  in  Bithynia,  whence  it  de- 
rives its  name.  Rev.  21  :  17. 
(2.)  A  species  in  which  a  red 
hue  prevails,  and  which  is  com- 
monly called  Cornelian.  It  ia 
found  in  various  countries,  but 
chiefly  in  Arabia,  Surat  and  Cam- 
bay  in  India.  (3.)  There  are 
some  with  white  and  red  alter- 
nate stripes,  which  are  callel 
onyx  stones. 

The  names  given  by  modem 
lapidaries  to  many  jewels,  are  6C 
different  from  their  ancient  ap- 
pellations, that  it  is  impossible  tc 
be  certain,  in  all  casoe,  as  to  those 
which  are  mentioned  in  Scripture, 

Clialdea,  a  country  in  Asia, 
eastward  of  the  north  part  of 
Judea.  Its  capital  was  Babylon. 
It  was  bounded  by  Mesopotamia 


CHA 


49 


CHA 


on  the  north,  and  Arabia  the 
Desert  on  the  west,  the  Persian 
Gulf  and  part  of  Arabia  Felix 
on  the  south.  The  soil  is  fertile; 
bat  rain  seldom  falls,  sometimes 
scarcely  any  for  eight  months. 
This  deficiency  is  supplied  by  the 
annual  inundations  of  the  Tigris 
ami  Euphrates.  The  inhabitants 
laboriously  water  the  lands  which 
lie  too  high  to  be  overflowed.  Its 
ancient  name  was  Skinar,  because 
the  Lord,  by  the  confusion  of 
tongues,  did,  as  it  were,  shake  the 
inhabitants  out  of  it,  to  people 
the  rest  of  the  world.  It  is  now 
called  Kaldar, 

Chaldeans.  (1.)  The  inhab- 
itants of  Chaldea  ;  and  (2.)  A 
sect  of  philosophers  whose  em- 
ployment was  to  interpret  dreams, 
and  foretell  future  events. 

Chamois,  a  goat.     The  exact 


species  which  is  so  called  vc  the 
Scriptures,  cannot  now  be  ascer- 
tained.    Deut.  14  :  5. 

Chapiter,  an  ornamental  finish 
to  the  top  of  a  pillar.  2  Kings 
25  :  17,  &c. 

Charger,  a  large  dish,  or,  as 
we  should  now  call  it>  a  salver,  or 
waiter.     Numb.  7  :  17. 

Charity,  a  principle  of  love  to 
God,  and  benevolence  to  men, 
which  inclines  the  possessor  to 
glorify  God,  and  to  do  good  to 
others.  Its  distinguishing  char- 
acteristics may  be  seen,  1  Cor. 
13.  The  word  is  never  used  in 
Scripture  to  mean  alms-giving,  or 
an  indiscriminate  regard  for  other 
denominations,  but  always  means 
love. 

Chariot.  The  earliest  notice 
of  chariots  in  Scripture,  is  Gea 


41:43.  They  were  very  common 
in  the  East,  and  were  much  used 
in  war.  They  had  two  wheels, 
and  no  cover  ;  being  drawn  by 
Bne,  two,  or  three  horse?. 
The  word  rendered   *' chariot  " 


in  Cant.  3  :  9,  is  one  which  oc- 
curs nowhere  else  in  the  Ilebrew 
Bible  ;  though  chariots  are  so 
often  mentioned.  It  literally 
means  "moving  couch,"  and 
most   probably  was  a  pilinkeen 


CHE 


60 


CHI 


0ilow  is  a  representation  of  one 
of  these,  such  as  was  then  com- 
mon in  Egypt.  It  is  taken  from 
an  Egyptian  drawing. 


Charran.    See  Harax. 

Chas'tisement,  the  correction 
cf  an  offender,  either  by  word 
or  deed.  The  "  chastisement  of 
our  peace,"  Isa.  53  :  5,  signifies 
that  punishment  which  was  laid 
upon  Christ  by  God's  justice,  and 
by  which  our  peace,  that  is,  our 
reconciliation  to  God,  was  to  be 
procured. 

CiieerfnlnesS,  gladness  of  heart; 
gayety  of  disposition  ;  freedom 
from  dejection,  or  gloomy 
thoughts  ;  also  contentment  in 
present  circumstances. 

Clie'mosh,  a  Moabitish  idol, 
supposed  by  some  to  be  the  sun, 
but  others  have  thought  it  was 
the  same  as  Bacchus. 

C:ie!'el!litCS,  Philistines  who 
were  made  guards  to  the  king, 
and    executioners.     See     Pele- 

THITES. 

Cherub,  the  singular  of  Cheru- 
hm,  a  word  of  double  derivation, 
bvLt  seeming  to  mean  knowledge. 


It  is  thought  by  some  that  tl»fl 
Egyptian  sphinxes  and  the  winged 
bulls  lately  disinterred  by  Layard, 
at  Nineveh,  were  imitations  of 
the  Hebrew  cherubs. 
Grotius,  Bochart,  and 
Spencer, suppose  they 
resembled  an  ox  or  a 
calf.  Others  describe 
them  as  represented 
in  a  form  comix)unded 
of  a  man,  an  eagle, 
an  ox,  and  a  lion. 
Heb.  9  :  5.  God's 
riding  on  Cheruhim^ 
means  his  using  them 
in  the  dispensations 
of  providence.  Ps.  18  :  10.  Ilia 
dwelling  between  the  Cheiubim, 
means  the  presence  of  the  She- 
chinah,  or  glory  over  the  mercy- 
seat  of  the  ark.     Ps.-SO  :  1. 

Chios,  an  island  of  Greece, 
famous  once  for  its  Malmsey 
wine,  and  more  recently  for  its 
literature.  The  place  was  almost 
ruined,  and  great  numbers  of  its 
inhabitants  were  massacred  by 
the  Turks,  in  the  late  revolution. 
Its  modern  name  is  .S'cio.  Acta 
20  :  15. 

Chislen,  the  Jews'  third  civil 
month.     See  Month 

Chittim,  a  country  concercicg 
the  place  of  which  there  haa 
been  much  dispute.  The  proba- 
bility seems  to  be,  that  it  means 
the  islands  of  the  Mediterranean, 
especially  those  of  Greece.  Jo- 
se phus  understands  by  it  the 
island  of  Cyprus.  Numb.  24  j 
24. 
Chinn,  the   name  o/  an   idoii 


CHR 


51 


CHU 


H  .rsblp|->ed     by    Israel.      It     is 
thought  to  be  Saturn.     Amos  5  ; 

Cliora'zin,  a  city  near  Caper- 
Damn  It  is  now  called  TM-oui. 
Matt.  11  :  21. 

Christ,  literally  "the  anoint- 
td."  The  practice  of  anointing 
priests  and  kings  has  been  com- 
mon in  all  ages  of  the  world. 
Our  Saviour  was  emphatically 
*•  the  Anointed  One,"  and  as 
such,  in  his  two  natures,  human 
and  divine,  perfected  a  priestly 
work,  which  saves  unto  the  ut- 
most all  that  come  unto  God  by 
dim.  Heb.  7  :  25.  He  never 
was  externally  anointed,  or  other- 
wise introduced  into  the  outward 
priesthood.  At  the  last  day,  he 
will  judge  the  world.  Acts  17  : 
31.     2  Tim.  4  :  1. 

Chroaities.  Two  books  of 
Scriptures  are  so  called,  the  writer 
of  which  is  not  now  known.  Nor 
is  the  time  when  they  were  writ- 
ten certain  ;  but  the  orthography, 
the  style,  and  the  facts  given, 
indicate  it  to  have  been  after 
Jeremiah.  The  Jewish  tradition 
that  they  were  written  by  Ezra, 
is  not  improbable.  They  are 
evidently  compiled  under  the 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  from 
copious  registers  and  documents, 
which,  being  uninspired,  have 
not  been  preserved.  The  first 
BOOK  traces  the  Israelites  from 
Adam  to  David.  The  second, 
rel.ites  the  progress  and  dissolu- 
lion  of  the  kingdom  of  Judah, 
and  the  return  of  the  Jews  from 
■^  .  ^,^A.-/:.o-iu€ix  Ciiptlvity.  They 
fona  an  abridgment  of   a/1  the 


I  sacred  history,  down  to  tie  r» 
turn  of  the  Jew?  fro'n  their  hist 
captivity  ;  embracing  a  period  of 
about  3468  years.  They  omit 
what  is  largely  related  in  other 
Old  Testament  books,  and  supply 
details  not  there  given  ;  and,  in 
a  great  multitude  of  cases,  throw 
much  light  on  passages  in  the 
former  books. 

Chrys'olite  was  probably  the 
ancient  name  of  the  gem  now 
called  topaz.  The  stone  now 
called  chrysolite  is  seldom  found 
larger  than  a  pin's  head.  It  wao 
the  tenth  in  the  breast-plate  of 
Aaron,  and  bore  the  name  of  Zeb- 
ulon.     Rev.  21  :  20. 

Cliryso'prasns,  a  precious  stone 
of  a  grass-green  color,  found 
chiefly  in  Silesia.     Rev.  21  :  20. 

Church.  The  word  so  ren- 
dered was  anciently  used  to  sig- 
nify any  public  meeting  of  citi- 
zens. It  is  thought  by  many 
that  the  place  of  sacred  meeting 
is  so  called,  in  1  Cor.  11  :  18,  22; 
14  :  34.  As  the  word  is  used  in 
the  New  Testament,  it  has  for 
the  most  part  two  significations. 
(1.)  The  whole  of  the  elect  in 
heaven  and  earth,  which  ia 
Christ's  spouse,  or  body,  and  u 
what  we  call  the  invisible  church, 
because  we  cannot  now  know  with 
certainty  who  belong  to  it,  —  or 
the  catholic f  or  universal  church, 
because  it  embraces  the  truly 
pious  in  all  the  earth.  Matt. 
16  :  18.  1  Cor.  6  :  4.  C:l.  I  : 
18.  (2.)  A  particular  bcdy  oi 
men,  who  are  wont  to  meet  to- 
gOCac;.  xiL  CL,.0  i'mSc-,  i  p '■;.•*■':-. 
worship,    and    serve    tho    LrrJ 


CIR 


52 


CLE 


Jhri.t.  Such  were  the  churches 
of  Ephesus,  Smyrna  Jijrusalem, 
Rome,  &c.  Acts  8  1.  Col.  4  : 
16.  Rev.  1  :  4.  ITius  we  read 
also  of  churches  in  particular 
houses.  Rom.  IG  5.  Col.  4  : 
15.  The  followers  of  Christ,  who 
are  here  iu  a  state  of  spiritual 
warfare  against  the  world,  the 
fiesh  and  the  devil,  are  called, 
by  tl  eulogians,  the  church  77nli- 
tant  ;  but  those  in  heaven,  whose 
conquest  over  sin  and  death  is 
complete,  and  who  are  rewarded 
w\fh  eternal  blessedness,  are 
styled  the  church  triumphant. 

Ciliciaj  a  province  on  the  north- 
eastern extremity  of  the  Medi- 
terranean Sea.  Near  Issus,  one 
of  its  great  cities,  was  fought  one 
of  the  famous  battles  of  Alexan- 
der. Cicero  was  its  proconsul. 
In  Tarsus,  its  metropolis,  Pajil 
was  born.  It  produces  superior 
eatfron  in  great  quantities,  and  is 
now  called  Caramania. 

Cinnamon,  a  species  of  laurel. 
What  is  sold  in  the  shops,  under 
this  name,  is  the  bark,  and  is 
obtained  from  Ceylon  and  Mala- 
bar. It  was  one  of  the  ingre- 
lients  of  the  holy  oil. 

Cirenmeise,  to  cut  off  the  fore- 

•kin,  according  to  the  command- 
ment given  to  Abraham,  as  a  sign 
of  that  covenant  which  God  had 
entered  into  with  him,  that  out 
of  his  loins  should  proceed  the 
xMcsisiarh.  To  be  spiritually  cir- 
tumciscd,  or  to  be  the  spiritual 
seed  of  Abraham,  is  to  have  the 
thing  signified  by  that  ceremony, 

< .-.-  .?  "••  '"T  %u  -Pv,-:o  ;r*'",' 
te-i2Ja,  circumcision  was  designed 


to  enforce,  —  namely,  to  boliov* 
iu  the  Messiah,  to  put  off  the  old 
man,  and  to  serve  him  as  new 
creatures,  which  is  signified  by 
our  acceptance  of  the  ordinances 
of  the  gospel,  and  submission  to 
them.     Phil.  3:3. 

Circumcision  was  by  no  means 
peculiar  to  the  J&ws,  but  waa 
practised  by  the  Egyptians, 
Arabs,  «fcc.,  and  continues  to  be, 
in  several  countries,  to  this  day. 

Citizen,  in  the  Old  and  New 
Testament,  generally  means,  not 
merely  an  inhabitant  or  dweller 
in  a  city,  but  one  admitted  to  its 
corporate  privileges.  Citizenship 
was  sometimes  derived  from  birth 
(the  parents  of  a  child  conveying 
it  to  him),  and  sometimes  ob- 
taincd  by  purchase  ;  both  of 
which  sources  are  alluded  to  in 
Acts  22  :  28.  Roman  emperori" 
sometimes  bestowed  citizenship 
as  a  favor,  or  reward,  on  indi- 
viduals, cities,  and  whole  prov- 
inces. 

Claudia,  a  small  island  on  the 
coast  of  Crete,  mentioned  Acta 
27  :  16,  which  is  now  called 
Gozzo. 

Clandiog.    See  C^sar. 

Clean,  pure,  free  from  defile- 
ment. Grain  is  clean  when  freed 
from  the  chaff.  Isa.  30  :  24. 
Clean  beasts  and  birds  were  thosa 
which  God  judged  it  proper  for 
his  people  to  eat.  S&s  Bibds  and 
Beasts. 

Under  the  New  Testament,  to 
the  pure  all  things  are  pure  ;  that 
is,  all  food  is  clean  if  we  eat  it 

C'eanness  of  teetk,  in  tho  Oil  Te» 


\uOA 


53 


COL 


Utment,  means  the  want  of  any- 
thing U.  eat. 

Clement;  a  christian  mentioned 
Phil.  4:3.  It  is  supposed  that 
be  is  the  same  with  the  Cle?nens 
RomanuSf  famous  in  church  his- 
tory as  the  chief  uninspired 
writer  of  the  first  century.  Many 
productions  are  attributed  to  him, 
only  one  of  which,  a  letter  to  the 
Corinthians,  is  universally  ac- 
knowledged to  be  genuine. 

Cle'oplias.  Two  persons  of 
this  name  are  mentioned  in  the 
New  Testament,  and  must  not  be 
confounded.  (1.)  Alpheus,  father 
of  James  the  Less,  and  husband 
of  the  Virgin  Mary's  sister.  This 
is  the  one  mentioned  Matt.  10  : 
3  ;  Luke  6  :  15  ;  and  John  19  : 
25. 

(2.)  A  disciple  who  walked 
with  JesHS  to  Emmaus,  after  the 
resurrection.  Luke  24  :  18. 
Alpheus  is  said  to  have  been 
the  brother  of  Joseph,  our  Lord's 
reputed  father.  He  Tras  the  hus- 
band of  Mary,  sister  of  the 
blessed  Virgin,  and  was  the  father 
of  Simon,  and  James  the  Less, 
and  of  Jude,  and  Joseph,  or 
Joses,  the  cousin  of  Christ. 

Clothes.    See  Raiment. 

Coals*  A  pot  of  charcoal  was 
used  at  our  Saviour's  trial  for  the 
men  to  warm  themselves,  who 
had  been  exposed  to  the  night  air 
and  dew  in  apprehending  Christ. 

It  has  been  always  presumed 
that  when  coal  is  mentioned  in 
the  Bible,  charcoal  is  meant ;  and 
doubtless  it  is  so  generally.  But, 
from  very  recent  disclosures,  it 
Vi  evident  that  stone  coal  was 
5* 


used  anciently  in  Syria.  It  haa 
been  found  on  Lebanon,  and  at 
this  time  (1853),  a  mine  is  ac- 
tually worked  at  Cornale,  eight 
miles  from  Beiroot.  In  1837, 
4000  tons  were  taken  out. 

Coekatrice,  a  serpent  of  great 
venom  ;  probably  the  Cobra  de 
Capcllo.  Prov.  23  :  32.  The 
prophecy,  Isa.  11  :  6 — 8,  scoma 
to  have  been  obscurely  known  to 
the  a'ncient  Hindoos.  Their  god 
Krishnu  is  represented  as  playing 
on  a  flute  with  such  charming 
melody,  that  before  him  stand,  in 
one  peaceful  group,  a  young  ox, 
a  tiger,  and  a  serpent. 

Coekle*  The  word  occurs  only 
in  Job  31  :  40,  where  it  is  ren- 
dered by  the  Chaldee  paraphrase 
noxious  herbs.  Michaelis  calls  it 
aconite,  a  poisonous  plant.  Bishop 
Stork  and  Mr.  Good  translate  it 
nightshade.  The  original  word 
imports  not  only  a  noxious  weed, 
but  one  of  a  fetid  smell. 

Cogitations,  meditations,  con- 
templations, purposes.  Dan.  7  : 
28. 

CoIIops,  slices  or  lumps ;  masses 
of  fat  on  the  ribs,  &c.  Job  15  : 
27. 

Colos'se,  a  city  of  Phrygia 
near  Laodicea.  Col.  2  :  1,  ana 
4  :  13.  Paul  sent  the  christian! 
here  an  inspired  Epistle.  The 
city  was  destroyed  by  an  earth- 
quake in  the  tenth  year  of  Nero; 
that  is,  A.  D.  6?  ;  but  was  imme. 
diately  rebuilt  The  huge  Mt. 
Cadmus  rises  close  iu  the  rear. 
The  modern  name  of  this  place 
is  Kunos. 


COM 


54 


CON 


ColOSSians,  an  epistle  bj  Paul, 
•rho,  though  he  seems  not  to  have 
founded  the  Church,  waa  con- 
sulted by  it  (through  Epaphras, 
their  messenger  to  him  while  im- 
prisoned in  Rome),  touching  some 
doctrines  preached  among  them 
by  false  teachers.  They  seem  to 
have  inculcated  the  worship  of 
angels,  abstinence  from  animal 
food,  Jewish  rites,  long  fastings, 
Ac 

Whoever  would  understand  this 
Epistle  and  that  to  the  Ephesians, 
must  read  them  together.  The 
following  passages  are  given  as 
specimens  of  the  manner  in  which 
one  serves  as  an  exposition  of  the 
other.  Standing  alone,  in  either 
epistle,  they  are  susceptible  of 
diverse  interpretations  ;  but  read 
together,  can  scarcely  be  misun- 
derstood. 


EPHESIAXS 

COLOSSI  AN  S. 

1  :  6,  7, 

1:  14. 

1:  10. 

1  :  19,  20. 

I  :  15,  16, 

1:^,4. 

1 :  22,  and  3 : 

10,11 

1 :  16—18. 

2:1, 

1  :  21. 

2  :  13-16, 

1  ••  20,  and  2 :  14. 

3:  1, 

1:  2.^.. 

3:3. 

1 :  2(5,  29. 

4:2-4, 

2:  12-15. 

4:  16, 

2:  19. 

4  :  22-25, 

3:  9,  10. 

4  :  17-21. 

1:21, 

and  2 :  6,  and  3  :  8. 

4:  29, 

4:  6. 

4:  32. 

3:12,13. 

4:  31, 

3    8. 

5:5, 

3-  5. 

5:  6, 

3:  6. 

8 :  7,  8, 

3:7,8. 

6 :  15,  16, 

4:  5. 

6:  18,20. 

3:  16.17. 

ft :  21—23,  aad  6  :  1- 

-9.             3-  18-25. 

6 :  18-20, 

1 :  2-4. 

6:  21,22, 

4:7-9. 

Comforter,  a  title  givfjn  by  our 
Saviour  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  John 
14  :  16. 

Commanion,  the  concord  of 
doctrines  or  opinions  in  several 
persons      The    a^t   of    receiving 


the  Lord's  Supper,  that  sign  o. 
our  fellowship  with  Christ.  1 
Cor.  10  :  16.  The  communion  of 
saints  is  that  fellowship  which 
the  saints  have  with  Christ  by 
faith,  and  among  themselves  by 
love.  1  John  1:3.  Acts  4  :  32, 
34,  35. 

Compass;  the  instrument  so 
called,  used  .now  by  navigators, 
was  wholly  unknown  to  the  an- 
cients. The  expression,  "fetch 
a  compass,"  Acts  28  :  13,  means 
to  go  round,  and  not  directly  to  a 
place.  The  carpenter's  compass 
is  mentioned  Isa.  44  :  13. 

Coneision,  a  term  used  in 
reference  to  persons  who  v/ould 
cut  asunder,  or  make  schisms  in, 
the  church  of  Christ.  Phil.  3  : 
2.     Rev.  2  :  9. 

ConenMne,  a  term  used  in 
Scripture  to  signify  a  lawful  wife, 
but  of  an  inferior  grade.  She 
differed  from  a  proper  wife,  in  the 
solemnity  of  marriage,  having  no 
dowry,  and  not  sharing  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  family. 

Condemnation,  the  act  of  pass- 
ing sentence  against  a  person,  by 
which  he  is  doomed  to  punish- 
ment ;  —  the  punishment  itself. 
Among  the  Greeks,  condemnation 
was  signified  by  a  black  stone, 
and  acquittal  by  giving  a  white 
stone^  to  which  an  allusion  is 
made  in  Rev.  2  :  17.  In  the 
same  manner  white  and  blick 
balls  are  now  often  used  in  so 
ciety  elections. 

Coney,  a  .small  animal  which 
seems,  from  the  allusions  to  it  in 
Scripture,  to  have  been  common 
in    Palestine      As   the   name   \i 


CON 


55 


C  UxN 


row  obsolete,  it  h;i£  become  a 
matter  of  dispute  what  animal  is 
meant.  Bruce  is  confident  it  is 
the  ashkoko,  found  in  Ethiopia, 
Arabia,  Palestine,  and  parts  adja- 
cent. Its  size  is  rather  less  than 
that  of  a  cat.  It  has  neither 
tail  nor  voice,  and  chews  the  cud. 
It  is  remarkably  inoffensive  and 
timid,  feeding  only  on  roots  and 
fruits.  Ac,  but  escapes  its  ene- 
mies by  running  into  holes  inac- 
cessible to  larger  animals.  Bo- 
chart,  Pennant,  and  other  authors 
of  high  authority,  consider  the 
'frhoa  to  be  the  coney  of  Scrip- 
tare.  This  aniqial  is  about  the 
«ize  of  a  rabbit,  and  has  a  long 
tail.  Its  form  and  common  pos- 
ture are  shown  by  the  engraving, 
which  supersedes  the  necessity 
of  a  particular  description.  The 
Arabs  call  it  mountain  rat,  and 
''^wem  its  flesh  a  great  delicacy. 


The  editor  of  Calmet  inclmes 
»»)  regard  the  ashkoko  as  the 
ut»neii  of  ?.  iripturo.  Lev.  11  :  5. 
(Alma  10 i  :   18.     Prov.  30  :  24, 


2G,  <fee.,  and  the  jerboa  as  th« 
moxuie  mentioned  Lev.  11  :  29. 
1  Sam.  G  :  5,  &c. 

ConfeSS)  openly  to  acknowl- 
edge. Jesus  Christ  will  confess 
his  people  at  the  last  day,  that 
is,  publicly  own  them  as  his  chil- 
dren and  faithful  servants.  Luke 
12  :  8.  They  ccnfeAS  him  before 
men,  when,  notwithstanding  all 
danger  and  opposition,  they 
openly  profess  and  adhere  to  his 
truth,  observe  his  ordinances,  and 
walk  in  his  way.  Matt.  10  :  32. 
To  confess  God,  is  to  praise  and 
thank  him.  Heb.  13  :  15.  To 
confess  sin,  is  candidly  to  ac- 
knowledge our  guilt  before  God, 
who  can  pardon  or  punish  us  ;  or 
to  our  neighbor,  whom  we  have 
offended,  or  who  can  give  us 
proper  instruction  and  comfort. 
Ps.  32  :  5.  James  5  :  16.  Matt. 
3  :  6. 

Papists  utterly  pervert  the 
christian  duty  of  confessing  our 
sins  one  to  another,  by  substitut- 
ing auricular  confession,  or  con- 
fession to  a  priest,  who  pretends  to 
forgive  sins.  This  sinful  custom 
produces  the  most  injurious  con- 
sequences both  to  the  penitent 
and  the  priest.  The  Scripture 
duty  applies  to  all  Avhom  we  may 
injure  or  ofifend. 

CoDscienee,  that  faculty  of 
our  mind,  which  comparco  quali- 
ties and  actions  with  the  law  of 
God,  and  decides  on  the  good  or 
evil  tendency  according  to  its 
degree  of  light.  Rom.  2  :  15. 
A  conscience  is  called  good,  when 
it  discerns  the  will  of  God,  and 
urges  obedience  to  his  law.  fronc 


coo 


56 


COR 


gospel  motives.  1  Tim.  1  :  5. 
It  is  called  "  pure,"  and  "  purge'? 
from  dead  works,"  when,  by  the 
application  of  Jesus'  blood,  it  is 
freed  from  the  sentence  of  death 
due  to  sin,  delivered  from  the 
slavery  of  indwelling  corruption, 
and,  by  the  instruction  -  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  is  rendered  clear  in 
its  views,  holy  in  its  aims,  and  a 
vigorous  opposer  of  everything 
einful.  1  Tim.  3  :  9.  Heb.  9  : 
14  ;  10  :  2,  22. 

COHtCsmfl)  to  despise,  to  reject 
with  disdain,  as  the  wicked  do 
God,  Ps.  10  :  13,  and  his  law,  Ps. 
107  :  11. 

Conversation,  discourse.    It  is 

commonly  used  in  Scripture  to 
mean  deportment,  or  the  general 
tenor  of  a  person's  life.  Eph. 
4  :  22.     1  Pet.  3  :  16. 

Conyersion,  a  turning  from 
one  manner  of  life,  or  set  of 
prir.ciples,  to  another.  Acts.  15  : 
3.  In  the  Gospels,  the  word  is 
used  to  signify  the  entire  change 
which  religion  produces  in  the 
disposition,  principles,  and  be- 
havior. Without  this  change 
we  cannot  enter  heaven.  Matt. 
18:3. 

Conyiet,  or  Convince,  to  per- 
fluade  one  of  the  truth  of  any- 
thing. Acts  18  :  28.  The  Holy 
Spirit  does  this,  when  it  applies 
the  law  to  the  conscience,  and 
produces  genuine  repentance. 

Co'OS,  a  small  island  in  the 
Mediterranean,  near  the  south- 
west point  of  Asia  Minor.  Hip- 
pocrutes,  the  fanmus  jihysitiian, 
and  Af.f.Ues,  tiie  ealinen^  niii.iter. 


were  natives  of  this  island.     D 
is  now  called  Stancore. 

Copper,  a  metal,  known  anfd 
wrought  before  the  flood.  Whsro 
the  word  brass  occurs,  it  should 
be  rendered  copper. 

CWj  a  Hebrew  measure,  equal 
to  about  six  bushels.  Some  com- 
putations make  it  mv  'h  move. 

Cor'al,  a  hard,  cretaceous,  ma- 
rine production,  resembling  a 
plant.  It  is  of  various  colors, 
white,  black,  and  red  ;  the  lattev 
is  the  sort  usually  called  coral, 
and  is  the  mtst  valuable.  I, 
was  anciently  held  in  high  es- 
teem. The  word  occurs  only  in 
Job  28  :  18,  and  Bzek.  27  :  IG. 

Corban,  a  gift  1»  religious  pur- 
poses. Mark  7  :  11,  12.  The 
Pharisees,  in  the  days  of  Christ, 
taught  that  a  man  might  escape 
all  obligation  to  support  his  in- 
digent parents,  by  saying  of  hi3 
property,  "  Be  it  corban."  In 
this  case,  if  he  did  not  give  his 
property  at  that  time  to  the  tem- 
ple, he  was  bound  to  do  so  at  his 
death,  though  his  parents  should 
thus  be  left  destitute.  Thus  did 
they  "  make  voiki  the  law  "  of 
honoring  their  father  and  their 
mother,  "  through  their  tra- 
ditions."    Mark  7  :  13. 

Coriander,  a  strongly  aromatic 
plant,    bearing    a    small    round 
seed,  fragrant  t    the  smell,  and 
of  an  agreeable  taste.     Ex.  16 
31.     Numb.  11     7. 

Cor'ittth,  one  of  the  ricliest 
citie^  of  Greece,  and  capital  of 
Achaia.  Its  commodioua  haven, 
and  advantageous  lccati<-n,  tf&v< 


cou 


0( 


GOV 


It  a  va^t  oommerce,  and  immense 
wealth       During*    a    'var    with  ' 
Rome,  L.  Mummius   burr';  it  to 
the  ground,  a.  m.  3827.     It  -ns 
afterward  rebuilt  under  the  au- 
spices of  Julius  Csesar.     It  fell 
into  tne  hands  of  the  Turks,  under 
JNla hornet  II.  Paul  preached  here  j 
nearly  two  years.     Acts  1j  ;   1.  j 
It  is  now  called  Corinto.  I 

Corinthians.  The  two  epis- 
lles  under  this  name  were  written 
ay  Paul  to  the  christians  at  Cor- 
mth,  where  he  had  preached  with 
^reat  success.  Acts  18.  False  ' 
Deachers  had  led  them  into  great  j 
jrrors,  which  he  here  exposes  and  | 
ienounces.  The  nature  of  these  j 
nrors  may  be  best  learned  from  ' 
the  epistle  itself.  j 

Paul  visited  Corinth  the  second 
time  after  writing  these  letters, 
.Acts  20  :  2,  3,  and  made  collec- 
tions for  the  brethren  in  Jerusa- '. 
lem.  j 

Cor'morant,  awat<;r  fowl,  about ' 
the  size  of  a  goose.  It  lives  on  ' 
Gsh,  which  i\  catches  with  aston- 
ishing skill.  It  is  of  shy  and 
solitary  habits.     Zeph.  2  :  14.       I 

Corn,  the  generic  name  in  ] 
Scripture,  for  grain  of  all  kinds. 
Parched  corn  still  constitutes  an 
important  and  not  unpleasant 
part  of  the  food  of  the  Arabs  of 
Palestine,  <feo.     See  THREbHiNG. 

Cotes,  folds  for  sheep. 

Connc"!.  a  tribunal  frequently 
mentioned  in  the  New  Testament. 
The  Great  Council,  so  called,  did 
not  consist  of  the  72  elder?  who 
were  originally  appointed  to  as- 
sist Moses  in  the  civil  administra- 
tion of  the  q;overnment,  but  was 


instituted  in  the  titne  of  th« 
Maccabees.*  It  consisted  of  chief 
priests,  elders  (who  were,  per- 
haps, the.  heads  of  the  tribes  o, 
families),  and  scribes,  amounting 
in  the  whole  to  72  persons,  and 
is  called  by  Jewish  writers,  the 
Sanhedrim.  This  council  pos- 
sessed extensive  authority,  taking 
cognizance  not  only  of  religious 
matters,  but  of  appeals  from  in- 
ferior courts  of  justice,  and  of  the 
general  affairs  of  the  kingdom 
After  Judea  became  a  Roman 
province,  the  council  was  deprived 
of  the  power  of  inflicting  capital 
punishments,  for  which  reason 
they  delivered  our  Saviour  to 
Pilate,  demanding  his  death. 
The  stoning  of  Stephen  was  in 
consequence,  not  of  a  decree  of 
the  council,  but  of  a  riot.  Ac'.s 
7  :  57,  58.  This  is  the  tribunal 
mentioned  Matt.  5  :  22,  and  27  . 
1,     John  11  :  47,  <fec. 

Course.    See  Abia. 

Conrt,  an  enclosed  space  near 
or  within  a  house.  That  round 
the  tabernacle  was  formed  of  pil- 
lars, and  curtains  hung  by  cords 
The  method  of  building  private 
houses  in  the  form  of  a  hollow 
square,  made  the  court  in  the 
inside.     See  Temple. 

Covenant,  an  agreement  to  do 
some  particular  thing.  The  prom- 


*  The  Maccabees  were  a  race  of 
princes  who  united  In  their  laniily  tlie 
rejral  and  pontirtcal  offices.  Iliey 
were  men  of  distlniinished  pnideiue 
and  valor,  who,  liaving  delivered  Is- 
rael from  the  yoke  of  Assyria,  governcc 
honorably  for  126  years,  when  (aboui 
5(i  years  b.  c.)  their  cnuitry  was  con 
qiiered  by  Ponipey,  ai;d  made  tribn 
tary  to  Rome.  'J'hey  are  frequentlj 
<  alk-d  in  histurv  the  A»iuonetiH  priiuxt 


CRE 


58 


CRU 


be  to  Noah  that  the  waters 
Bhould  uo  more  destroy  the  earth, 
is  called  a  covenant.  Gen.  9  ;  9 
— 17.  God  also  made  a  covenant 
with  Abraham,  that  he  should 
have  a  numerous  seed,  <itc.  Gen. 
J6:  2 — 9.  The  law  given  on 
Mount  Sinai  was  another  cove- 
nant. Deut.  4  :  13.  The  cove- 
nant of  redemption,  and  salvation 
by  grace,  is  called  a  new  and 
better  covenant,  Heb.  8  :  6,  8,  in 
respect  to  its  dispensation,  and 
manner  of  manifestation  ;  its  be-  j 
ing  ratified  by  the  actual  suffer- 
uigs  and  blood  of  Christ,  and 
freed  from  former  ceremonies  ; 
its  containing  a  more  full  revela- 
tion of  religion,  and  being  at- 
tended with  a  larger  measure  of 
the  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Spirit, 
while  it  is  never  to  wax  old,  or 
be  abolished. 

CyvetOaSBesS,  an  eager,  un- 
reasonable desire  of  gain  ;  a 
longing  after  the  goods  of  an- 
other. It  is  called  Klolatry,  Col. 
3  :  5,  because  the  c.  vetous  man 
places  that  delight  and  confidence 
in  riches,  which  are  due  only  to 
God.  This  sin  is  expressly  for- 
bidden in  the  tenth  command- 
ment. 

Craeknels,  a  sort  of  seed-cakes, 
or  buns.     1  Kings  14=  :  3. 

Crete,  an  island  at  the  mouth 
of  the  ^gean  Sea,  between 
Rhodes  and  Peloponnesus.  Acts 
27  :  7.  Jupiter  is  said  to  have 
been  brought  up  here,  and  also 
bui  ieJ.  It  was  the  seat  of  legis- 
lariu'e  to  all  Greece.  There  were 
once  100  cities  on  the  island. 
The  inhabitants  were  exceedingly 


addicted  to  lying.  Tit  1  :  11 
The  gospel  converted  many  pen 
sons  here.  Tit.  1:5.  It  is  no^ 
called  Cundia. 

Crispiug-pins,    curling    irom 
for  the  hair.     Isa.  3  :  22. 

Gross,  a  sort  of  gibbet^  ocn- 
sisting   of    two   pieces   of    wool 
placed  across  each  other,  in  th:5 
form  of  f  or    X-     That  of  our 
Saviour  is  said  to  have  been  of 
the  former  kind.     It  was  a  com- 
mon punishment  among  the  Syr- 
ians,  Egyptians,   Persians,  Afri- 
cans, Greeks  and  Romans.    "Wiih 
the  Jews,  it  was  not  used  at  all  ; 
hanging  on  a  tree  being  an  exe- 
cution  of    a   diiferent    kind.     It 
was    therefore   no  inconsiderable 
proof  of  the  divine  Providence,  so 
to  order  matters   as  that   Jesus 
should  suffer  this  death,  according 
to  prophecy.     It  was  exccediUj^ly 
painful  and  lingering.     First,  thd 
criminal  was  scourged  with  cords, 
often  with   bones   at   their  end. 
Next  he  bore  his  cross,  or  part 
of  it,  to  the  place  of  execution. 
Crucified  persons  were  sometimes 
bound  to  the  cross  with  cords,  as 
St.    Andrew  probably  was  ;    but 
more  commonly,  nails  were  driven 
through    the    hands    and    feet. 
Sometimes  persons  were  crucified 
with  their  heads  downwards.     In 
this    manner,   it   is   said,   Peter 
desired  to  be  crucified,  not  think- 
ing himself  worthy  to  die  like  his 
Master.     An   inscription,    repre- 
senting the  cause  of  the  punish- 
ment, was  ordinarily  written  on 
I  a  tablet  at  the  top  of  the  cross 
I  It  is  often  said  that  the  crimiaa' 
I  was  fastened  to  the  cross  befori 


CRU 


5'J 


CRT 


fc  \\as  raised.  This  was  probably 
the  case  when  cords  were  used. 
But  the  jar  of  forcibly  settling 
the  cross  in  the  ground  would 
have  broken  off  a  body  fastened 
wiih  nails.  A  piece  of  wood 
usually  jutted  out  under  the  feet, 
or  a  large  peg  was  inserted  half 
way  up  the  cross,  to  serve  as  a  sort 
of  seat.  It  is  observable,  how 
the  inscription  on  the  cross  of 
Christ,  instead  of  charging  him 
with  a  crime,  plainly  hinted  his 
innocence  and  Messiahship  ;  nor 
could  the  heathen  governor  be 
prevailed  on  to  alter  it.  The 
word  is  used  metaphorically  for 
the  whole  of  Christ's  sufiferings, 
but  especially  those  on  the  tree 
or  cross.     Heb.  12  :  2. 

Crown,  an  attire  or  dress  for 
cbe  head.  Those  used  in  the 
games  were  made  of  parsley, 
pine,  flowers,  &o.  Those  for 
kings,  of  gold  adorned  with  gems. 
Metaphorically,  that  is  a  crown 
which  gives  glory  or  dignity. 
Thus  Jehovah  was  a  crown  of 
glory  to  Judah.  Isa.  62  :  3. 
Christ  is  said  to  have  a  "  crown 
of  gold,"  and  "  many  crowns," 
meaning  his  inefifable  grandeur 
and  sovereignty.  Kev.  19  :  12, 
Ac.  Conv^erts  are  thus  a  crown 
to  ministers.  Phil.  4:1.1  Thess. 
2  :  19.  See  also  Prov.  12  :  4  ; 
17  :  6,  and  27  :  24. 

Craeify,  to  put  to  death  by  the 
eross.  A  Roman  mode  of  exe- 
cuting slaves,  but  considered  a 
very  infamous  death  for  soldiers 
or  citizens.  Figuratively^  it 
means  to  subuu*  our  evil  proper 
lities 


ing  liquids.  The  common  forma 
are  given  in  the  cut  ;  one  being 
covered   with   wicker  work,   the 


other  with  a  hairy  skin.  East- 
ern travellers  arc  always  pro- 
vided with  them.  1  Sam.  26  : 
11. 

Crystal,  a  hard,  transparent, 
and  colorless  fossil,  of  a  regularly 
angular  form.  The  word  trans- 
lated crystal  in  Ezek.  1  :  22,  ia 
rendered  frost  in  Gen.  31  :  40, 
Job  37  :  10,  and  Jer.  36  ;  3C, 
and  ice  in  Job  6  :  16,  38  :  29, 
and  Ps.  147  :  17.  There  are 
three  kinds  of  pure  crystal,  be- 
side various  sorts  mixed  with 
other  diiferent  substances.  Crys- 
tal was  anciently  reckoned  very 
valuable.  Job  28  :  17.  Pliny 
mentions  a  crystal  vase,  worth 
about  5000  dollars.  Nero  fu- 
riously broke  two  such  cups,  to 
chastise  his  subjects  by  impover- 
ishing them.  It  is  now  of  far 
less  esteem.  Th«  firmament 
above  the  cherubims,  the  sea  of 
glass  before  the  throne  of  God, 
the  river  of  life,  and  the  light  of 
the  new  Jerusalem,  are  compared 
to  crystal,  for  their  purity,  ^lear- 

'■  ness  and  splendor.     Ezek.  1  :  22 

I  Rev.  4  :  6  ;  22  :  1. 


cus 


60 


C  Y  M 


Cubit,  an  arm,  or  a  measure 
equal  to  eighteen  inches.  It 
rose  from  measuring  with  the  arm 
from  the  elbow  to  the  end  of  the 
hand.  The  sacred  cubit  was 
nearly  22  inches  in  length.  Ezek. 
ii  :  13. 

Cncnmber,  a  vegetable  plen- 
tiful in  hot  climates,  and  much 
used  for  food.  That  of  Egypt  is 
like  ours,  but  two  or  three  times 
the  size,  and  much  superior  in 
quality  and  wholesomeness. 

Caitimiu,  a  small  plant,  very 
common  in  Judea.  Its  seeds, 
being  agreeably  aromatic  and 
pungent,  were  used  as  a  spice. 
It  is  now  raised  for  this  pur- 
pose in  considerable  quantities 
in  Malta.  The  hypocrisy  of  the 
Pharisees,  in  rigidly  paying  the 
tenth  of  this  unimportant  pro- 
duct to  religious  uses,  and  yet 
neglecting  the  solemn  duties  of 
mercy,  &c.,  is  very  striking. 
Matt.  23  :  23. 

Cnrse.  Learned  commentators 
aver  that  wherever  the  Hebrew 
word  so  translated  occurs  in  con- 
nection with  the  name  of  God,  it 
should  be  rendered  bless.  It  is 
actually  often  so  rendered  in  our 
Bible,  as  Gen.  33  :  11.  Jud.  1  : 
15.  1  Sam.  25  .  27.  2  Kings 
5  :  15,  &G.  In  Job  2  :  9,  Job's 
wife  is  represented  as  saying, 
"  Curse  God  and  die."  It  may 
be  translated,  "  Dost  thou  still 
retain  thy  integrity,  blessing  God 
and  dying  1 " 

Cnsh.     (1.)     The   eldest    son 

Oi'  lfa;«,  and  the  father  of  Nim- 

,        Gen.  10  :  8.      (2.)   A  coun- 


try on  ia«  Araxes,  afterward« 
inhabited  by  the  Scythians.  Ilab. 
3  :  7.  (3.)  Another  name  foi 
Ethiopia.  Isa.  11  :  11.  (4.)  A 
country  in  Arabia  Petrea,  border 
ing  on  Egypt,  of  which  Zipporah 
was  a  native. 

Castonu  (l.j  The  commdj 
usage.  Luke  4  :  16.  John  18  . 
19.  (2.)  Duty  or  tax  paid  to 
government.  Rom.  13  :  7.  (3.) 
A  natural  disease  of  women. 
Gen.  31  :  35. 

Catting  the  flesh,  a  custom 
always  common  among  the  hea- 
then, either  as  a  sign  of  great 
grief,  or  an  act  of  worship.  God 
expressly  forbids  the  practice 
Lev.  19  :  28.  Deut.  14  :  1.  Pa- 
gan gods  are  cruel,  and  hence 
were  supposed  to  be  pleased  with 
self-inflicted  tortures  and  san- 
guinary  rites.  Read  the  story 
of  the  prophets  of  Baal,  1  Kicgs 
18  :  28.  The  author  has  seen  m 
India  such  exhibitions. 


In  the  engraving,  the  devotee 
has  three  spikes  stuck  through 
his  arm,  and  a  short  sword 
through  the  skin  of  his  belly. 

Cymba^)  an  instrument  of  loud 
music,  used  with  others,  but  giv- 


DAG 


61 


UAG 


Ing  no  melody  of  itself.  To 
ipeak  with  tongues,  if  uot  done 
out  of  love  to  souls,  was  but  a 
pompous  and  useless  act  of  self- 
I'lais-e.     1  Cor.  13  :  1. 

Cypress,  a  beautiful,  lofty, 
evergreen  tree.  The  wood  is 
heavy,  strong,  and  almost  incor- 
luptible.  The  blossoms  are 
delightfully  fragrant. 

Cyprus,  a  populous  island  in 
fche  Mediterranean  Sea,  so  called 
from  the  Cypress  trees  with 
which  it  abounded.  It  was  peo- 
pled by  the  descendants  of  Chit- 
tim.  The  chief  deity  was  Venus, 
worshipped  under  the  name  of 
Cypris,  or  Cypria.  A  famous 
temple  of  hers  stood  on  Mount 
Ol^'mpus.  Asbestos,  emeralds, 
and  amethysts,  are  found  here. 
Barnabas  was  born,  and,  accord- 
ing to  tradition,  suffered  mar- 
tyrdom, in  Cyprus.  It  now  con- 
tains a  population  of  about 
60,000,  mostly  Greeks. 

Cyre'lie  a  country  west  of 
Egypt,  and  the   birthplace   of 


Callimachus  the  poet,  Eratos- 
thenes the  historian,  and  Si/tion, 
who  bore  the  Saviour's  cross. 
Many  Jews  from  hence  were  at 
the  Pentecost,  and  were  con- 
verted under  Peter's  sermon. 
Acts  2.  The  region  is  now  under 
the  Turkish  power,  and  has  bo- 
come  almost  a  desert.  It  is  now 
called  Cai'roan. 

Cyrenians^  inhabitafits  of  Gy- 
rene, who  had  a  synagogue  at 
Jerusalem  ;  as  had  those  of 
many  other  nations.  It  is  said 
there  were  480  synagogues  in 
Jerusalem. 

Cyrns,  son  of  Cambyses,  kin  » 
of  Persia,  by  the  daughter  of 
Ahasuerus,  king  of  Media.  Hi« 
inherited  the  crowns  both  of 
Media  and  Persia,  having  mar- 
ried the  only  daughter  of  Durius 
He  died  at  the  age  of  70,  afte* 
having  reigned  30  years.  Dan 
7  :  5.  Isa.  46  :  11.  The  firs, 
three  chapters  of  Ezra  describe 
his  measures  to  restore  Jerusa- 
lem. 


D. 


Dagon,  a  chief  idol  of  the 
Philistines,  probably  the  same 
as  Nebo,  Isa.  46  :  1.  Though  so 
signally  disgiaced  at  Ashdod, 
the  worship  of  it  was  not  aban- 
doned till  A.  jf.  3840,  when  the 
Jewish  leader  Jonathan  burnt  it 
and  its  temple.  The  image  rep- 
resented the  body  of  a  fish,  with 
the  head  and  arms  of  a  man. 
The  figures  of  this  god  are  not 
G 


all  exactly  alike,  though  all 
combine  the  human  form  with 
that  of  a  fish.  This  mermaid 
figure  was  worshipped  at  Ascalon 
under  the  name  of  Derceto,  as 
Diodorus  Siculus  relates.  Tho 
same  god  's  probably  meant  by 
Pliuy  whea  he  describes  a  fish 
with  a  human  face  worshipped 
at  Joppa,  under  the  name  of 
Celo,    And  it  may  be  that  Cicero 


DA.G 


62 


DAL 


means  this  deity  when  ho  says, 
In  his  book  on  the  gods,  that  the 
Syrians  have  a  great  veneration 
for  a  certain  fish.     The  picture 


of  this  idol,  here  given,  is  taken 
from  a  drawing,  by  Gentil,  given 
in  Calmet's  Dictionary.  Dagon 
is  thought,  by  some,  to  be  tha 


the  Vishnu  of  the  Hin- 
doos. Near  Rangoon,  in  Bur- 
aah,  is  the  Shoe  Dogou^^  or  /"'* 
temple  of  Dagon. 


Dalmann'tha,  a  proTinoa  oa 

the  east  side  of  the  Sea  of  Tibe- 

or  aoAr  It.    Kar's  3  ;  10. 


DAN 


DAR 


Dalci'i't'Kl,  a  district  on  the 
Gulf  of  Venice,  visited  bj  Tffeus. 
2  Tiia.  4  ;  9. 

Damascus,  once  a  most  noble 
city  in  the  north  of  Palestine, 
and  one  of  the  most  ancient  on 
earth.  Gen  14:15.  It  is  now 
under  the  government  of  the 
pacha  of  Egypt,  and  contains 
80,000  inhabitants,  or,  according 
to  a  modern  traveller,  200,000. 
Mr.  Connor  estimates  the  Jews 
in  Damascus  at  2,500,  and  the 
nominal  christians  at  20,000, 
"  including  Greeks,  Latins,  Cath- 
olics, Maronites,  Armenians,  and 
Nestorians."  It  is  computed 
that  50,000  Mahometan  pilgrims 
annually  pass  through  this  city 
from  the  north,  on  their  way  to 
Mecca.  Superior  swords  are 
made  here,  and  a  species  of  silk, 
called,  from  the  place,  damask. 
We  have  roses  and  pluuis  which 
were  introduced  from  thence, 
and  bear  the  same  name.  The 
Greek  patriarch  of  Antioch  re- 
sided there.  It  is  now  called 
Dame^chk,  or  Scham. 

DamDatlon,  exclusion  from 
olivine  mercy  ;  that  condemna- 
tion to  eternal  punishment  which 
is  the  awful  condition  of  the 
wicked  in  a  future  state.  Matt. 
23  :  33.  The  word  was  formerly 
used  more  commonly  than  now, 
and  often  meant  only  condemna- 
tion. It  should  be  so  rexidered 
Rom.  13  :  2,  and  14:  23.  1  Cor. 
11  :  29. 

Dan,  one  of  Jacob's  sons;  and 
the  name  of  a  city  in  the  ex- 
treme northern  part  of  Pales- 
tina,    called     formerly     Laish. 


"From  Dan  to  Beersheia/* 
which  is  the  southernmost  ciiji 
meant  the  whole  country. 

Daniel,  a  Hebrew  prophet, 
contemporary  with  Ezekiel,  but 
living  longer  than  he.  lie  was 
of  the  royal  family,  and,  though 
carried  captive  to  Babylcn,  B 
c.  606,  rose  to  wisdom  and 
honor.  His  great  eminence  maj 
be  inferred  from  Ezek.  14  :  13, 
14,  and  28  :  2,  3,  both  which 
passages  the  reader  should  look 
out,  as  well  as  from  his  own 
narrative. 

The  Book  which  bears  his 
name  foretells  not  only  the 
coming  of  Messiah,  as  oibei 
prophets,  but  the  very  time  of 
his  birth.  Under  the  emblem 
of  a  great  image  of  four  ma- 
terials, and  of  four  beasts,  the 
successive  rise  and  fall  of  the 
four  great  monarchies  of  Baby- 
lon, Persia,  Greece,  and  Rome, 
are  predicted  ;  after  which,  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  like  the 
stone  from  the  mountain,  shall 
fill  the  earth  and  continue  for- 
ever. The  first  six  chapters  are 
historical,  and  describe  the  car- 
rying away  of  Daniel  and  other 
noble  persons.  He  was  there 
educated  and  rose  to  distinction 
The  rest  is  strictly  prophetical, 
extending  to  the  advent  and 
death  of  Mecsiah,  and  the  ulti 
mate  univeisality  of  the  church. 

Darins,  (called  in  Xenophon 
CrAXARES,  and  by  the  LXX, 
Artaxeuxks),  king  of  the 
Medes,  was  brother  to  the 
mother  of  Cyrus.  When  ha 
cona'iered  Batyicn,  he   consti- 


DA  Y 


64 


VEX 


luted  a  senate  to  govern  i«,  of 
which  Daniel  was  one. 

Dari'as  Codomanns  was  origi- 
nally poor  and  obscure  ;  but, 
for  his  valor,  was  made  governor 
of  Armenia  by  the  king  of  Per- 
sia. He  contrivbd  the  murder 
of  his  sovereign,  and  by  the 
intrigue  of  Bagoas,  the  chief 
eunuch,  ascended  the  throne. 
He  was  soon  after  conquered  and 
deprived  of  his  ill-gotten  throne, 
by  Alexander  the  Great. 

Dari'DS  Hjstas'pes  was,  ac- 
cording to  Archbishop  Usher, 
Ahasuerusy  the  husband  of  Es- 
ther. 

Dates,  the  fruit  of  the  Palm- 
tree.  The  word  occurs  2  Chron. 
31  :  5  only.    See  Palm, 

David,  the  most  eminent  king 
of  Israel,  and  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  persons  mentioned 
in  the  Old  Testament,  both  for 
his  piety,  talents,  dignity,  and 
success.  He  wrote  nearly  all 
the  Psalms.  Christ,  being  a 
lineal  descendant,  is  called  "  the 
Son  of  David."  When  it  is  said 
of  him,  while  yet  a  youth  among 
the  folds,  that  he  was  a  man 
■■♦  after  God's  own  heart,"  it 
means  that  God  chose  him  to  be 
king  over  Israel,  and  ^  would 
qualify  him  for  that  purpose. 

Day,  a  division  of  time,  which 
signifies,  (1.)  That  space  which 
intervenes  between  the  rising 
and  setting  of  the  sun.  (2.) 
The  period  of  a  revolution  of 
the  earth  on  its  axis,  comprising 
24   hours.     The  commencement 

,«•     ■!.!.. ;„J    V™„    Koar,     rj;rt-o,.ov,* 


among  dilereut  nations  'Ih* 
Hebrews  began  in*  the  evening 
Lev.  23  :  32.  The  Persians  and 
Greeks  begin  at  sunrise  ;  the 
Arabians  at  noon  ;  and  ourselva 
and  most  modern  nations  ai 
midnight.  (3.)  A  period  in 
which  any  particular  event  is  to 
occur.  John  8  :  oG.  1  Thess. 
5  :  2.  (4.)  A  season  of  mer- 
ciful opportunity.  Luke  19  : 
47.  (5.)  The  time  of  a  man's 
life.  Job  3  :  8  ;  Ps.  37  :  13. 
(6.)  A  prophetic  year.  Ezek. 
4  :  5,  6.  Dan.  9  :  24.  Rev.  11  . 
3.  (7.)  Moral  light,  the  knowl- 
edge and  practice  of  religion. 
1  Thess.  5  :  5.  (8.)  Heaven. 
Rom.  13:  12. 

Dsacon  is  a  word  derived  from 
the  Greek,  and  signifying  ser- 
vant. The  cftuse  and  manner  of 
the  appointment  of  deacons  are 
clearly  recorded,  Acts  6  :  1 — 6. 
Paul  specifies  their  duty  as  con- 
sisting in  "  serving  tables,"  Phil. 
1  :  1.  The  qualifications  re- 
quired for  this  oSice  are  laid 
down,  1  Tim.  3  :  8—12.  If 
married,  they  were  to  have  bu4 
one  wife,  in  opposition  to  the 
polygamy  then  common  ;  and 
the  wife  must  be  "  grave,  not 
slanderous,  sober,  faithful  in  all 
things."  It  is  thought  that 
there  were  in  the  primitive 
churches  females  chosen  to  be 
deaconesses^  who,  as  Calmet  says, 
"  assisted  females  to  dress  and 
undress  at  baptism,  visited  those 
of  their  own  sex  in  sickness,  and 
when  imprisoned  for  their  faith, 
<fec.  They  were  always  per- 
cona  nf  advanced  asre.  and  wer" 


DEA 


65 


DEE 


appointed  to  the  office  *>y  the 
imposition  of  hands.'  It  is 
thought  such  sisters  are  alluded 
to,  1  Tim.  5  :  9—18  ;  and  that 
Phoebe  was  such  an  one.  Rom. 
16:  1. 

Dead  Sea,  the  same  with  the 
l-^ke  Asphaltites,  in  the  south- 
east part  of  Canaan.  The  val- 
ley of  Siddim,  which  was  near 
Sodom,  makes  part  of  this  sea. 
Gen.  14  :  3.  Its  water  is  clear 
when  taken  up  in  a  glass,  but 
very  bitter,  much  more  salt 
than  common  sea  water,  and  of 
greater  specific  gravity,  so  that 
a  man  may  swim  in  it  with  great 
ease.  The  air  round  the  lake 
seems  loaded  with  sulphureous 
and  bituminous  vapors,  which 
prevent  vegetation,  and  give 
that  deadly  aspect  which  all 
travellers  remark.  The  moun- 
tains on  each  side  are  about 
eight  miles  apart,  but  the  ex- 
panse of  water  in  that  part  does 
not  exceed  six  in  breadth.  Its 
extreme  length  is  about  75  miles, 
and  its  greatest  breadth  nearly 
sixteen.  This  lake  receives  the 
river  Jordan,  the  river  Arnon, 
and  the  brook  Kidron,  besides 
other  rivulets,  and  has  no  vis- 
ible cc  mmunication  with  the 
•ea. 

Death.  (1.)  The  extinction 
of  life,  or  separation  of  the  soul 
from  the  body.  (2.)  A  sepa- 
ration of  soul  and  body,  from 
God's  favor  in  this  life,  which  is 
the  state  of  all  the  unregenerate, 
and  is  called  spiritual  death. 
(3.)  Perpetual  exclusion  from 
GK)d'8    heavenly   presence    and 


glory,  wnich  is  called  »  the  tec- 
ond  death." 

Debtor,  one  that  owes  any- 
thing to  another.  As  the  c?red- 
itor  has  a  righ  to  exact  pay- 
ment from  the  debtor,  so  God 
has  a  right  to  inflict  punish- 
ment on  the  guilty.  Thus  men 
are  debtors  to  Gx)d  by  trespass- 
ing against  him  ;  and  to  their 
neighbors  whom  they  injure, 
wrong,  or  offend.  "  Debtor  to 
the  whole  law,"  Gal.  5  :  3, 
means  obliged  to  keep  the  whole 
law  of  Moses,  as  the  condition 
of  eternal  life,  and  so  virtually 
disclaiming  all  pardon  by  Christ. 
The  apostle  Paul  says  he  was  a 
debtor  "  both  to  the  Greeks  and 
to  the  Barbarians  ;"  that  is, 
bound  by  his  office  to  preach  tho 
gospel  to  all  nations. 

Decap'oliS,  a  country  on  the 
Sea  of  Tiberias.  Matt.  4  :  25. 
Mark  5  :  20.  Its  name  is  Greek, 
and  means  "  the  ten  cities."  Some 
eminent  authors  consider  it  to 
be  a  part  of  Percea.  Concerning 
its  limits,  and  the  names  of  its 
ten  cities,  geographers  are  by 
no  means  agreed. 

.Dedieation,  the  solemn  act  of 
setting  apart  any  person  or  thing 
to  a  religious  use.  The  Feast 
of  Dedication,  observed  by  the 
Jews  for  eight  days,  was  to  com- 
memorate the  restoration  of  the 
temple  at  Jerusalem,  under 
Judas  Maccabeus,  after  it  had 
been  destroyed  by  Antiochus 
Epiphanes 

Deep  signifies,  (1.)  Jlell. 
Luke  8  :  31.  •  (2.)  The  grave, 
or  place    of   the   dead,   caUid 


DEV 


G6 


1   I  \ 


depth  5  of  the  earth.  Rjm.  10  : 
7.  (3.)  The  deep  i.,rts  of  the 
lea.  Ps.  107  :  26.  (4.)  The 
original  chaos.     Gen.  1  :  2. 

Degrees,  a  title  prefixed  to 
15  Psalms  (from  120  to  134), 
»nd  is  not  certainly  understood. 
Perhaps  the  word  rendered  de- 
grees means  something  else. 

Delage,     See  Flood. 

Desertt  Some  deserts  were 
entirely  barren,  Isa.  13  :  21  ; 
others  had  fine  pastures.  Ex, 
3:1.  Almost  every  town  had 
a  desert  belonging  to  it,  similar 
to  our  coin/nons.  See  Wilder- 
ness. 

Denteronomy,  the  fifth  book 

of  Moses,  —  so  called  from  its 
Greek  name,  which  signifies  repe- 
tition of  the  law.  That  part  of 
this  book  which  mentions  the 
death  of  Moses  was  added  by 
inspired  penmen  afterward.  The 
period  of  time  comprised  in  this 
book  is  less  than  two  months. 
It  not  only  recapitulates,  but 
sxplains  the  law,  and  forcibly 
urges  the  people  to  obedience. 

It  contains  one  remarkable 
prophecy  of  Christ,  viz.,  Deut. 
18  :  15 — 19  ;  which,  in  Acts  3  : 
22,  23,  and  7  :  37,  is  expressly 
applied  to  him. 

Devil,  literally  a  slanderer,  a 
fallen  angef,  or  infernal  spirit. 
Satan  is,  by  way  of  eminence, 
called  the  devil,  and  the  god  of 
this  world,  from  his  power  and 
influence.  John  12  :  31.  2  Cor. 
4:4.  He  has  various  titles 
given  him  in  Scripture,  expres- 
sive  of  bis  character  :  Satan, 


Job  2:6;  Beelzebcb,  Matt 
12  :  24  ;  Belial,  2  Cor.  6  :  15  ; 
Lucifer,  Isa.  14  :  12  ;  Dragon, 
Rev.  12  :  7  ;  Adversary,  1  Pet. 
5:8;  Prince  of  Darkness,  Eph. 
6:12;  Apollyon,  or  destroyer. 
Rev.  9  :  11  ;  Angel  of  the  bot- 
tomless pit.  He  is  represented 
as  a  sinner  from  the  beginning, 
1  John  3  :  8  ;  a  liar,  John  8  : 
44  ;  a  deceiver.  Rev.  20  :  10  ; 
an  accuser.  Rev.  12  :  10  ;  and  a 
murderer,  John  8  :  44. 

Devilish,  infernally  wicked 
This  strong  epithet  occurs  only 
in  James  3  :  15,  where  it  forms  a 
grand  and  awful  climax.  Envy 
and  strife  are  there  said  to  bo 
"earthly,  sensual,  devilish," 
and  to  produce  "  confusion,  and 
every  evil  work."  How  little 
do  the  promoters  of  contention 
consider  this  ! 

Dew.  The  dew  in  Palestine, 
and  some  other  oriental  coun- 
tries, is  very  heavy,  wetting  the 
ground  like  a  smart  shower.  It 
sustains  vegetation,  in  some  dis- 
tricts, where  rain  seldom  oi 
never  falls.     Gen.  27  :  28. 

Diamond  is  the  hardest  sub- 
stance in  nature,  and  one  of  ita 
rarest  productions.  It  is  gen- 
erally called  in  Scripetire  Ada« 
MANT,  which  see.  Diamond  is 
the  purest  carbon  known,  and 
will  burn  like  charcoal  if  ex- 
posed to  great  heat.  The  value 
of  this  and  all  other  precioua 
stones  is  estimated  by  carats. 
A  carat  is  four  grains.  The 
larger  a  diamond  is,  the  greater 
in  proportion  is  its  value.  One 
is  mentioned  belonj;ing  to  Kua- 


DIA 


67 


d:v 


«ia  wofthi  n  tons  of  gold  !  Dia- 
monds of  a  very  small  size,  not 
exceeding  one  fifth  of  a  carat, 
are  the  most  abundant.  These 
are  reduced  to  a  powder,  which 
is  of  tlie  greatest  importance  to 
lapidaries,  as,  without  it,  larger 
iiamonds,  and  other  hard  gems, 
oould  not  be  cut  or  polished. 
With  this  powder,  rock  crystal 
is  cut  into  leaves,  and  cut  and 
IX)lished  for  spectacles  and  other 
optical  instruments.  In  the 
natural  state,  diamonds  are  not 
brilliant,  being  covered  with  an 
earthy  crust.  Diamonds  were 
formerly  obtained  chiefly  from 
India,  where  the  principal  mines 
were  in  Golconda,  Visapoor,  and 
Borneo.  They  are  now  prin- 
cipally derived  from  Brazil. 

Dia^a,  a  celebrated  goddess, 
Btipposed  to  preside  over  hunting 
and  highways,  and  represented 
IS  a  young  huntress,  with  a 
rewent  on  her  head,  the  pedes- 


tal ornamented  with  heads  of 
rtags,  dogs,  &c.  She  was  also 
called  Hebe,  Trivia,  Hecate,  and 
Lucina.  Jer.  7  :  18,  and  44  :  17. 
As  the  tutelary  deity  at  Ephe- 
stjs,  she  was  a  represertative  of 


the  power  w/iich  presider  ovei 
birth,  and  is  the  same  hk  tha 
Philistines  worshipped  under  ti  o 
name  of  Ashtoreth.  The  cut 
here  given  is  an  Ephesian  coin, 
representing  her  in  a  "  shrine." 
Acts  19  :  24. 

Dionyslas,  the  Areopagite. 
or  judge  in  the  court  of  Areop- 
agus. In  his  youth,  it  is  stEid, 
he  was  bred  in  all  the  learning 
of  Athens,  and  went  afterwards 
to  Egypt  to  perfect  himself  in 
astronomy.  Being  at  On  when 
our  Saviour  died,  and  observing 
the  miraculous  darkness,  ho 
cried  out,  "  Either  the  God  ol 
nature  suffers  himself,  or  sym- 
pathizes with  one  that  suffers." 
He  was  converted  at  Athens  by 
Paul,  and,  it  is  said,  became  an 
evangelist,  and  was  burnt  as  a 
martyr  in  his  own  city,  a.  d.  95. 

Dip,  to  immerse.  The  people 
of  the  East  eat  with  their  fingers 
instead  of  knives  and  forks,  and 
therefore  dip  their  hand  in.  the 
dish.  For  fluid  substances  they 
have  spoons.  John  12  :  26, 
See  Eating. 

Diseiple,  a  learner,  or  follower 
of  another.  John  9  :  28.  It 
signifies,  in  the  New  Testament, 
a  follower  of  Christ,  Ac,  or  a 
convert  to  his  gospel  John  20: 
18.    Acts  6  :  1. 

DiTination,  an  art  much  prac- 
tised among  heathen.  So  sin- 
ful is  it  in  the  sight  of  God  to 
resort  to  witches,  magicians,  or 
diviners,  that  the  offence  was 
made  punishable  with  death. 
Deut.  18.  The  means  by  which 
diviners  pretended  to   discover 


DOC 


68 


DO  '/ 


aidden  thmgs,  and  foretell  des- 
tiny, were  various  ;  sucjh  as 
observing  thf  flight  of  birds, 
examining  the  entrails  of  beasts, 
casting  lots,  <fcc.  These  signs 
were  called  omens.  The  word 
"divine,"  in  Gen.  44:  5,  15, 
seems  to  mean  a  natural  sagacity 
in  searching  out  and  bringing  to 
light  hidden  transactions. 

To  contemplate  the  miserable 
anxieties  and  doubts  which  bur- 
den a  pagan's  mind,  is  truly 
affecting.  It  would  require  a 
book  larger  than  this  to  describe 
the  auguries  of  even  the  polished 
and  literary  Romans.  Many  of 
their  ceremonies  were  most 
childish,  and  some  revolting. 
Let  us  contrast  a  noble  Roman, 
fumbling  among  the  entrails  of 
a  beast,  or  watching  how  chick- 
ens picked  up  their  corn,  or  how 
smoke  rose  from  a  fire,  with  a 
christian,  cheerfully  relying  on 
the  unerring  Providence  of  a 
paternal  God,  and  the  mercy  of 
an  Almighty  Saviour.  Then 
shall  we  feel  one  of  the  reasons 
why  we  should  be  grateful  for 
Revelation. 

Doctrine,  knowledge  or  learn- 
ing ;  tho  leading  matter  in  a 
discourse  ;  the  truths  of  the  gos- 
pel in  general.  Tit.  2  :  10.  It 
signifies  a  tenet  or  opinion. 
Matt.  16  :  12  ;  divine  institu- 
tions. Matt.  15  :  9  ;  instruction, 
information,  and  confirmation,  in 
the  truths  of  the  gospel,  2  Tim. 
3  :  16.  It  is  distressing  that 
christians  take  so  little  pains  to 
require  doctrinal  knowledge, 
vitbont   which   much  of   their 


practice  is  vain,  and  the  tea.u 
ings  of  the  divine  word  astlesf 

Dog,  a  well-known  animal, 
which,  when  properly  domesti 
cated  and  trained,  is  highly  use- 
ful and  intelligent.  Under  the 
law,  the  dog  was  not  to  be  eaten, 
and  the  Jews  held  him  in  great 
contempt.  Hence,  when  David 
and  Mephibosheth  would  use  the 
most  humbling  terms,  they  com- 
pared themselves  to  "  a  dead 
dog."  1  Sam.  24  :  14.  2  Sam. 
9  :  8.  Isaiah  compares  the  false 
teachers  of  his  day  to  dogs. 
Isa.  56  :  10,  11.  It  must  have 
been  a  hard  saying,  to  the  faith 
of  the  poor  woman,  who  applied 
to  Christ  for  help,  that  it  was 
not  proper  to  "  give  children's 
bread  to  dogs."  Matt.  15  :  26. 
To  call  a  person  a  dog,  is  still, 
in  the  East,  expressive  of  the 
highest  contempt.  The  dog  was 
not,  in  those  days,  made  a  com- 
panion, or  rendered  very  use- 
ful. Few  dogs  had  a  particular 
owner,  but  lived  as  they  could, 
chiefly  by  prowling  at  night  fo; 
offal. 

The  meaning  of  Matt.  7  :  6  is 
consider  the  character  of  the 
person  you  rebuke,  for  some  will 
not  only  be  incorrigible,  but 
resent  your  kindness. 

Doves'  Dnng.  It  is  doubtful 
whether  this  article,  mentioned 
2  Kings  6  :  25,  was  really 
pigeons'  dung  used  for  manure, 
as  Josephus  and  Theodoret 
think,  or  wrhat  the  Arabians  call 
chick-peas,  a  kind  of  ta^e,  or 
cicer,  resembling  doves'  dung 
when    parched.     Some   if   tbi 


DVLl 


69 


DU 


rabbir  j  jtErm  that  it  was  the 
c;rain  taken  from  the  crops  of 
pigeons  which,  luring  the  siege, 
filled  themselves  in  the  neigh- 
boring fields. 

Dragon  signifies  either  a 
large  fish,  as  the  whale,  or  a 
crocodile,  or  great  serpent.  In 
fiome  places,  it  evidently  means 
the  deadly  poisonous  lizard 
called  Gecko  by  the  East  In- 
dians. 

Dl'Cam*  Dreams  proceed  from 
business,  constitution,  habit, 
outward  sensations  of  the  body, 
&c.  By  supernatural  dreams, 
God  of  old  informed  men  of  his 
mind.  Gen.  15  :  12.  These 
were  not  the  same  as  visiotis. 
The  former  happened  during 
sleep,  Gen.  20  :  3,  and  31  :  11  ; 
the  latter  when  the  person  was 
wile  awake.  Ezek.  1  :  1.  Acts 
2:  17. 

Drink)  to  swallow  liquids.  As 
the  allotments  of  God's  provi- 
dence were  often  represented 
among  the  Jews  by  a  cup,  so  to 
roeeive  good  or  evil  at  the  hand 
of  God  is  represented  by  diink- 
Ing  its  contents.  John  18  :  11. 
To  eat  the  flesh  and  drink  the  blood 
of  Christ,  is  to  imbibe,  that  is, 
cordially  to  receive  and  obey  his 
precepts,  John  6  :  53 ;  to  become 
3ne  with  him,  in  principle,  feel- 
ing, and  action.  John  6  :  34. 
As  a  cordial  desire  and  love  of 
divine  truth  is  often  represented 
as  thirsting,  so  drinking  is  used  to 
express  the  actual  reception  of 
the  g03i  el  and  its  benefits.  John 
7:  37. 

Drink-offering;  »  Mbation  of 


wine,  appointed  to  accDmi^anj 
certain  sacrifices  under  the  cer- 
emonial law,  which  was  poured 
out  upon,  or  around,  the  altar. 
Numb.  28  :  7. 

Dromedary,  a  fleet  animal,  so 
called  from  the  Greek  word 
dromo,  I  run.  It  is  smaller  and 
more  slender  than  a  camel,  but 
can  carry  a  man  a  hundred 
miles  in  a  day.  It  is  governed 
by  a  bridle  connected  with  a 
ring  fixed  in  its  nose  ;  which 
illustrates  the  expression  in  2 
Kings  19  :  28,  meaning  that 
Sennacherib  should  go  back 
tamely  and  swiftly. 

DrusiHa,  the  third  daughter 
of  Agrippa,  was  married  to 
AzizuSf  king  of  the  Emesse- 
nians,  whom  she  abandoned,  that 
she  might  marry  Claudius  Felix, 
by  whom  she  had  a  son  named 
Agrippa.  She  was  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  women  of  her  age, 
but  exceedingly  licentious.  Acta 
24  :  24. 

Dry-shodj  without  wet  feet 
Isa.  11  :  15. 

Duke,  a  term  signifying,  in 
Scripture,  merely  a  leader  or 
chief,  and  by  no  means  indicat- 
ing a  rank  like  that  which  the 
term  now  imports  in  Europe. 

Dnlcimer,  a  musical  instru. 
ment,  use  I  to  make  up  a  full 
chorus.  It  is  thought  by  some 
to  have  resembled  the  pre'»ent 
Scotch  bagpipe.     Dan.  3  ;  5. 

Daniah,  a  country  somewhere 
near  or  in  Arabia  Potraea,  so 
called  from  a  son  of  Ishmael 
Isa.  21  :  li. 


EAQ 


70 


EAR 


Dure,  to  last,  continue,  en- 
Jure.    Prov.  8  :  18. 

Dnst*  To  tvipe  off  the  dust  from 
vne's  ftet  was  a  sign  of  renounc- 
ing all  connection  with  those 
towards  whom  the  action  was 
directed,  Matt.  5:14;  to  throw 
dust  into  the  air,  was  an  expres- 
Bion  of  contempt  and  malice, 
Acte  22  :  23  ;  to  throw  dust  on 
the  head,  of  grief  and  mourning. 
Rev.  18  :  19. 

Dwell,  to  abide,  or  live  in  a 
place.  God  is  said  to  dwell  in 
the  heavens,  and  also  with  him 
that  is  of  a  contrite  spirit. 
Christ  dwells  in  the  heart  by 
faith,  justifying  the  believing 
soul  by  his  merit,  renewing  it 


by  his  grace,  purifying  it  by  bit 
Spirit,  teaching  it  by  his  wis- 
dom, keeping  it  by  his  power, 
and,  by  his  communion  and 
compassion,  sharing  with  it  in 
all  its  troubles,  and  supporting 
it  under  all  its  trials.  The 
Holy  Ghost  dwells  in  the  soul 
by  his  gracious  operations,  work* 
ing  faith,  love,  and  other  graces 
therein. 

■  The  word  of  God  may  be  said 
to  dwell  in  a  person  when  it  is 
diligently  studied,  firmly  be- 
lieved, and  carefully  practised. 
Col.  3  :  16.  The  pious  are  said 
to  dwell  in  God,  by  having  the 
most  intimate  union  and  com- 
munion with  him  in  Christ.  1 
John  3  :  21. 


E. 


Eagle,  the  noblest  of  the 
feathered  tribe.  Its  size  is  about 
that  of  a  turkey  ;  but  it  has 
much  longer  wings.  It  has  a 
beak  strong  and  hooked,  and  is 
a  very  courageous  and  ravenous 
bird.  It  sees  or  smells  dead 
carcasses  at  a  prodigious  dis- 
tance, and  is  said  to  break  the 
bones  of  its  prey  to  come  at  the 
marrow.  Every  year  it  moults, 
and  becomes  almost  naked  and 
bald,  and  then  "  renews  its 
youth  "  by  producing  a  set  of 
new  feathers.  Ps.  103:5.  Eagles 
are  extremely  tender  of  their 
young,  and  take  them  on  their 
lyings  when  weak  and  fearful. 
Ex.  19  :  4.     They  fly  high  and 


quick,  Jer.  4  :  13,  have  their 
nests  in  rocks,  Jer.  49  :  16,  and 
live  a  hundred  years.  Several 
species  of  the  eagle  seem  to  be 
mentioned  in  Scripture  ;  but  a1 
this  distance  of  time,  they  can- 
not be  easily  distinguished.  The 
golden  and  common  eagle  rare- 
ly, if  ever,  eat  carrion,  which 
the  vulture  prefers.  Not  onlj 
all  eagles,  but  the  whole  species, 
comprising  the  hawk,  kite,  Ac, 
were  unclean  to  the  Jews,  and 
are  seldom  eaten  now. 

Ear  means,  sometimes,  in 
Scripture,  the  same  as  to  till,  or 
plough,  as  "  ear  the  ground.** 
1  Sam  8  :  12  ;  Isa.  30  :  24.  A 
valley     "  neither     eared     uol 


EAT 


71 


EDA 


eown,"  ::::an8  one  not  ploughed 
or  sown  Deut.  21:4  *'  Ear- 
ing time  and  harvest  *  means 
the  time  of  plautiag  and  reajj- 
ing.     Ex.  14:  :  21. 

Earnest,  a  pledge  ;  a  small 
part  of  the  price  of  a  thing, 
paid  in  hand,  to  confirm 
an  agreement.  It  is  ap- 
plied to  signify  the  assur- 
ance which  the  Spirit  of 
adoption  gives  to  believ- 
ers of  their  inheritance 
in  heaven.  "  So  the  ear- 
nest of  the  Spirit,"  2  Cor. 
1  :  22,  is  a  proof  that  the 
bargain  will  be  made  good  ; 
and  "  the  first  fruits  of  the 
Spirit,"  Rom.  8  :  23,  or  the 
graces  wrought  in  the  soul  by 
the  Spirit,  are  some  pledges  of 
that  fulness  of  joy  and  perfec- 
tion of  holiness,  of  which  be- 
lievers shall  partake  in  heaven. 

East)  The  Hebrews,  in  speak- 
ing of  the  different  parts  of  the 
heavens,  always  suppose  the 
face  looking  toward  the  east. 
Hence,  before  means  east, — 
behind,  west,  —  the  right  hand, 
Bouth,  —  and  the  left  hand, 
north. 

Easter,  a  word  improperly 
put  for  passover.  On  this  day, 
some  christians  commemorate 
our  Saviour's  resurrection.  Dif- 
ferent churches  observe  differ- 
ent days. 

Eatitt2:.  Knives  and  forks 
being  unknown  to  the  ancients, 
as  they  are  to  this  day  in  the 
East,  the  hand  alone  was  used 
to  convey  food  to  the  mouth. 
A.t  ent^rtai  iments   two  peraons 


generally  ate  out  of  the  same 
dish  ;  and  it  seems  to  have  been 
in  this  way  that  Judas  -was 
pointed  out  by  Christ  as  his 
betrayer.  John  13  :  26.  It  was 
common  to  put  a  double  portion 
on  the  dish  of  a  guest  who  waa 


to  be  specially  honored.  Gen. 
43  :  34.     See  Table. 

Ebony^  an  Indian  wood, 
black,  hard,  heavy,  easily  pol- 
ished, and  anciently  very  valu- 
able.    Ez.  27  :  15. 

Eeelesiastes,  literally  a  prpac^- 
er.  It  is  the  name  of  one  of 
the  sacred  books  written  by 
Solomon,  in  which  is  most  forc- 
ibly shown  the  vanity  of  life, 
the  propriety  of  enjoying  it 
temperately  and  in  the  fear  of 
God,  the  necessity  of  patience 
under  unavoidable  ills,  and  that 
we  must  do  all  the  gOod  in  our 
power,  and  seek  the  heavenly 
kingdom. 

Edar,  tower  of,  the  place  to 
which  Jacob  removed  after  the 
d^^ath  of  Rachel.  Gen.  35  : 
21  It  is  called  also  the  tower 
of  the  Jlocks.  Micah  4:8.  It 
was  a  place  of  fine  pasturage, 
about  a  mile  from  Bethlehem, 
supposed  to  be  the  very  spot  or, 
which  the  shepherds  received 
the  announcement  c*"  the  birtlj 


EDO 


72 


EG  f 


»{  Christ.  It  is  very  remark- 
able, that  the  Targum  of  Jon- 
athan calls  it  "  the  place  where 
King  Messiah  shall  be  revealed 
m  the  end  of  days." 

Eden  proUasji^y  stood  on  the 
Euphrates,  not  far  north  of  the 
Persian  Gulf.  Here  is  still  the 
most  fertile  and  pleasant  part 
of  the  Turkish  empire,  though 
now  miserably  cultivated. 

Edification,  a  building  up. 
Saints  are  edified  or  built  up 
when  they  grow  in  holy  knowl- 
edge and  practice.  1  Cor.  8:1. 
To  edify  ourselves,  we  must  read, 
watch,  pray,  hear,  meditate, 
and  obey  positive  institutions. 
To  edify  others,  there  must  be 
leve,  good  example,  faithful 
exhortation,  and  benevolent  en- 
deavor. 

Edom  was  called  Esau,  be- 
cause he  was  hairy  ;  and  Edom, 
either  because  his  hair  and  com- 
plexion were  red,  or,  more  prob- 
ably, because  he  sold  his  birth- 
right for  a  mess  of  red  pottage. 
He  was  born  A.  m.  2173. 

Edom,  the  country  of  the 
Edomites.  It  lay  on  the  south 
and  south-east  of  the  inherit- 
ance of  Judah,  and  extended  to 
the  Elanitic  Gulf  of  the  Red 
SeJi.  It  was  very  mountainous, 
iacluding  mounts  Seir  and  Hor 
Its  principal  cities  were  Selah, 
Bozrah,  Elath,  and  Ezion-geber. 

Edomites,  descendants  of 
Edom.  They  possessed  them- 
selves of  the  territory  originally 
occupied  by  the  Horitpji,  who  are 
•apposed  to  have  finally  blended 


with  their  conquerors.  IiiToi> 
erate  foe»  to  Israel,  they  wer€ 
rendered  tributary  by  Da^vd, 
but  revolted  under  Jehoram, 
and  rendered  themselves  inde- 
pendent. 2  Chron.  21  :  8 — 10. 
See  Idumea. 

Egypt  is  bounded  by  the  Med- 
iterranean Sea  on  the  north  ; 
Abyssinia  on  the  south  ;  and  oa 
the  east  and  west  by  mountains, 
running  parallel  with  the  Nile. 
It  was  anciently  called  Chemia, 
or  the  land  of  Ham  ;  and  the 
present  Copts  call  it  Chcmi,  per- 
haps because  Ham  resided  here. 
The  Hebrews  call  it  Mizraim  ; 
and  the  Arabs  to  this  day  call 
it  Mesr,  from  Mizraim,  the  son 
of  Ham,  who  peopled  it.  The 
arts  and  sciences  were  very 
early  cultivated  here,  and  main- 
tained a  greater  degree  of  per- 
fection, for  some  ages,  than  waa 
found  in  any  other  nation, 
Pythagoras,  Plato,  &c.,  travel- 
led hero  to  complete  their 
studies.  But  the  people  wor- 
shipped beasts,  fowls,  onions, 
beans,  and  monsters  of  their 
own  imagination.  "  The  world 
by  wisdom  knew  not  God."  1 
Cor.  1  :  21.  The  name  Egypt 
was  given  it  by  the  Greeks,  and 
signifies  either  the  land  of  the 
Copts,  a  name  which  the  ancient 
inhabitants  gave  to  themselves; 
or  the  land  jf  blick,:ess,  because 
the  soil  and  water  are  of  a 
blackish  col.x".  It  was  divided 
into  two  districts  —  Upper  Egypt, 
or  Thebais  ;  a.ia  Lower  Egypt, 
or  the  Delta.  The  river  Nile 
runs  through  it  co^^hward,  and 


EGT 


73 


EGY 


f eanj  vraters  it,  so  that  rain  is 
scarcely  requisite  ;  and  indeed 
Beldom  happens  in  Upper  Egypt. 
The  heat  of  summer  is  exces- 
fiive,  but  fruits  abound.  Lower 
Egypt  produces  the  most  excel- 
lent dates,  almonds,  figs,  lem- 
ons, oranges,  olives,  &c.  Date- 
trees  abound  ;  and  some  villages 
are  surrounded  by  such  num- 
bers, as  to  seem  embosomed  in 
a  forest.  These  form  a  great 
source  of  subsistence.  The 
threat  to  cut  them  down,  Jer. 
46  :  22,  23,  was,  therefore,  ex- 
ceedingly terrible,  and  involved 
utter  ruin.  The  horses  are  very 
famous.  The  river  abounds 
with  fish,  crocodiles,  and  hippo- 
potami. The  practice  of  charm- 
ing snakes,  so  as  to  carry  them 
about  safely,  still  prevails  here. 
Ps.  58  :  4,  5.     Jer.  8  :  17. 

The  pyramids  of  Egypt  are 
3000  years  old,  and  stand  south- 
west of  Grand  Cairo.  The 
largest  is  500  feet  high,  and 
covers  a  spaco  of  more  than 
eleven  acres.  The  object  of 
building  them  is  not  known. 
If  they  were  intended  by  the 
monarchs  who  built  them  as 
eternal  monuments  of  their 
greatness,  it  affords  a  striking 
lesson  of  the  vanity  of  posthu- 
mous fame,  for  the  very  names 
of  the  builders  have  long  been 
forgotten.  In  my  opinion  the 
pyramids  are  paijvaas,  or  re- 
ligious edifices,  like  those  of 
liurmati  and  China  at  the  pres- 
ent day.  See  "  Malcom's  Trav- 
els in  South  Eastern  Asia.'* 
Egypt     was     anciently     ex- 


tremely fertile  ;  but  as  the  Nile 
has,  by  yearly  additions,  rai&ed 
the  surface  of  the  earth  con- 
siderably, it  now  overflows  to  a 
less  height,  and  brings  worse 
mud  along  with  it  ;  and  as  the 
inhabitants  have  become,  under 
Turkish  oppression,  less  indus- 
trious and  thrifty,  it  is  now  but 
moderately  fertile,  and  in  time 
may  become  barren.  Prophecy 
has  been  strikingly  verified  in 
the  history  of  Egypt.  It  was 
foretold  that  their  perfidy  to 
Israel  in  violating  alliances, 
should  be  punished  by  their  be- 
coming a  mean  people,  who 
should  no  more  have  a  prince 
of  their  own  to  govern  them. 
Ez.  29,  30,  and  31  :  13.  Soon 
after  the  day  of  that  seer,  Per- 
sia annexed  Egypt  to  its  empire. 
Afterwards,  they  were  succes- 
sively tributary  to  the  Greeks, 
Romans,  Saracens,  and  Mame- 
lukes. The  French  overran  this 
country  in  1798,  apparently  in- 
tending to  keep  it,  and  open 
through  it  a  new  channel  for 
the  East  India  trade.  They 
were  soon  obliged  to  relinquish 
it,  the  Egyptians  being  aided 
by  the  Ottoman  Porte  and  by 
the  British  It  is  now  a  prov- 
ince of  Turkey,  governed  by  a 
bashaw,  or  pacha.  Considerable 
light  is  cast  on  the  history  of 
this  interesting  country  by  the 
discovery,  by  M.  Champollion, 
of  a  mode  of  deciphering  hie- 
roglyphics. The  mformatioi 
obtained  strikingly  corroborates 
the  Scripture  history.  The 
population   is   about    two   mil- 


ELD 


74 


ELt: 


fleas,  a  considerable  portion  of 
whom  are  christians  and  Jews. 
These  christians  are  called 
^o/rfs,  or  CojO^ic  Christians.  They 
reside  chiefly  in  Upper  Egypt, 
and  speak  commonly  the  Arabic 
language  ;  have  a  patriarch, 
who  resides  at  Cairo  ;  use  a 
liturgy^  and  baptize  their  chil- 
dren by  immersion  in  luke-warm 
water.  They  are  Monophysites, 
that  is,  believe  that  Christ  had 
only  one  nature,  namely,  the 
divine,  and  was  human  iu  ap- 
pearance only. 

The  River  of  Egypt,  Josh. 
15  :  47,  does  not  mean  the  Nile, 
but  the  Sihor,  or  the  brook 
Bezor,  which  runs  into  the 
Mediterranean  on  the  southern 
boundary  of  Palestine,  issuing 
near  Gaza. 

Elam  is  the  country  called  in 
Greek  and  Roman  classics  Ely- 
MAis.  Gen.  14  :  1.  Dan.  8  :  2. 
See  Persia. 

Elder,  a  person  advanced  in 
age.  Elderly  men  being  always 
chosen  in  early  ages  to  bear 
rule,  the  term  at  length  became 
a  title  of  office.  Our  word  sen- 
ator has  the  same  origin.  The 
Hebrew  elders  were  the  chiefs 
of  the  principal  families,  or 
persons  of  allowed  wisdom  and 
prudence.  There  seem  to  have 
been  generally  seventy  of  them. 
Ex.  24  :  1—9.  These,  with 
Moses  and  Aaron,  made  exactly 
?ix  from  each  tribe.  After  the 
captivity,  there  were  eiders  in 
every  city.  Ezra  10  :  14.  Thu 
erm,  as  used  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament, 's   the   proper  title  of 


office  to  denote  christian  pa» 
tors,  or  presbyters.  Acts  20  : 
17,  28.  Tit.  1  .  5—7.  1  Pet 
5  :  1,  2. 

Election,  choice.  The  word 
is  always  used  in  the  New 
Testament  in  relation  to  that 
gracious  purpose  of  God,  by 
which  a  portion  of  the  human 
family  is  destined  to  salvation. 
Rom.  8  :  9.  Election  is  (1.) 
Sovereign,  Rom.  9  :  11 — 16  ; 
(2.)  Personal,  Matt.  20  :  23  ; 
2  Tim.  2  :  19  ;  (3.)  Eternal, 
Eph.  1:4;  2  Thess.  2  :  13  ; 
(4.)  Irrevocable,  Rom.  8  :  33  ; 
2  Tim.  2  :  19  ;  (5.)  It  is  unto 
holiness,  1  Thess.  5:9;  (6.)  Is 
all  of  grace.  Rom.  11  :  5.  That 
the  doctrine  is  plainly  one  of 
divine  revelation,  is  proved  by 
a  fair  interpretation  of  the  fol- 
lowing passages,  togethc-  with 
those  just  quoted  terms  and 
phrases.  Rom.  8  :  28—30.  Eph. 
1  :  3—5,  2  Thess.  2  :  13.  1 
Thess.  1  :  4.  All  christian  de- 
nominations admit  that  some  of 
the  human  family  will  possess 
and  enjoy  the  glories  of  the 
heavenly  world.  But  this  can- 
not be,  except  God  permit  or 
design  it.  If  this  design  exist 
in  the  divine  mind,  it  always 
did  exist ;  for  he  forms  no  new 
designs,  and  is  incapable  of 
change.  If  it  always  did  exist 
in  his  mind,  it  is  an  eternal 
purpose.  That  purpose  is  elec- 
tion. This  doctrine  necessarily 
follows  from  that  of  God's  in- 
finite knowledge.  If  he  cer 
tainly  knew  how  things  would  be 
from   eternity^  it  was   because 


EMB 


EMB 


he  had  so  arranged  them.  If 
anything  was  left  ai  random, 
then  how  that  would  be  he  did 
not  know,  and  so  was  not  omnis' 
dent.  As  free  moral  agents,  we 
are  under  the  law  and  gospel, 
and  we  need  not  pry  into  this 
myf  tery,  but  do  as  we  are  bid 
by  command,  and  encouraged 
by  promise.  God  saves  unto 
the  uttermost  all  who  come  to 
him  through  Christ. 

Elements,  the  constituent 
parts  of  compound  bodies.  Fire, 
air,  earth,  and  water,  used  to 
be  called  elements  ;  but  it  is 
now  ascertained  that  all  these 
are  compounds.  The  earth,  in 
its  various  kinds  of  original 
matter,  shall  be  melted  with 
fervent  heat  at  Christ's  second 
coming.  2  Pet.  3  :  10.  Ele- 
ments also  signify  the  alphabet 
of  letters,  and  syllables  formed 
of  them  ;  and  the  phrase  is 
thence  used  to  signify  the  ru- 
diments, or  first  principles,  of  a 
science.  Col.  2  :  8.  Heb.  5  : 
12.  The  "rudiments  of  this 
world,"  which  are  not  to  be 
used  in  the  gospel-church,  are 
ceremonial  laws  and  human  cua- 
to;as,  whick  are  not  proper  for 
such  as  enjoy  the  clear  instruc- 
tions of  the  gospel.  Col.  2  : 
2C— 22. 

Elm  is  a  word  which  occurs 
but  once  in  our  translation  of 
the  Bible,  viz.,  Hos.  4  :  13  ;  and 
the  original  word  Alahy  there 
used,  ijs  in  all  other  places  ren- 
dered oak 

Elul.     See  Moxth. 

To  Embalm  dead  bodies  is  to 


fill  them  »fith  odcriferou?  tno 
drying  drugs.  The  embalming 
of  dead  bodies  appears  to  have 
had  its  origin,  as  well  as  to 
have  attained  its  highest  per- 
fection, among  the  Egyptians  ; 
but  whether  their  want  of  access 
to  the  earth  to  bury  their  dead, 
during  the  overflow  ./  the  Nile, 
or  a  rega'd  to  civil  honor,  or  a 
fanc^  that  the  freshness  of  the 
body  tended  to  detain  the  soul 
in  it,  chiefly  prompted  them 
thereto,  we  know  not.  When  a 
person  died,  the  corpse  was  car- 
ried to  the  cofiin-maker,  that  he 
might  prepare  a  fit  coflSn,  with 
its  upper  side  representing  the 
body  enclosed  ;  and  great  men 
had  their  coffins  painted  or  em- 
bellished according  to  their 
quality.  The  corpse  was  next 
carried  to  the  embalmer,  and 
the  price  of  embalming  settled 
with  him.  The  highest  was 
about  1300  dollars  ;  the  second 
about  440,  and  the  lowest  but 
a  mere  trifle.  The  corpse  being 
extended  on  a  table,  the  inwards 
and  brains  were  all  drawn  out, 
and  the  parts  filled  with  myrrh, 
cassia,  and  other  spices,  frank- 
incense excepted.  The  whole 
body  was  then  anointed  with 
oil  of  cedar,  myrrh,  cinnamon, 
(fee,  for  thirty  days.  It  was 
*ext  put  into  salt  about  forty 
days.  Gen.  50;  3.  Afterwards 
it  was  wrapped  in  linen,  some- 
times, it  is  said,  to  the  extent 
of  above  one  thousand  yards, 
dipped  in  the  oil  of  myrrh,  and 
rubbed  with  a  certain  gum.  It 
was  then  delivered  to  the  rela- 


£M£ 


76 


EPA 


tions,  who  pui  it  into  the  C(^fl5n, 
and  either  kept  it  in  their  own 
house  or  in  a  tomb.  Great 
quantities  of  these  bodies  re- 
main, some  of  which  are  several 
thousand  years  old.  They  are 
called  mummies.  Several  have 
been  exhibited  in  this  country. 

The  poor  had  oil  of  cedar 
infused  to  destroy  the  intes- 
tines, and  the  body  wrapped  in 
nitre.  Some  of  the  poorest  did 
but  cleanse  the  inside,  by  in- 
jecting a  certain  liquor,  and 
then  laid  the  body  seventy  days 
in  nitre,  to  dry  it.  Jacob  and 
Joseph  were  no  doubt  embalmed 
in  the  manner  of  the  Egyptians, 
as  they  died  in  that  country. 
Gen.  50  :  2,  3,  26.  The  Jews 
embalmed  dead  bodies  ;  but 
probably  in  a  very  diderent  and 
less  efifectual  mode  than  that  of 
the  Egyptians.  When  our  Sa- 
viour was  crucified,  the  neces- 
sity of  his  hasty  burial  obliged 
them  only  to  wrap  his  body  in 
linen,  with  a  hundred  pounds 
of  myrrh,  aloes,  and  like  spices, 
bestowed  by  Nicodemus  ;  but 
Mary,  and  other  holy  women, 
had  prepared  ointment  and 
spices,  for  further  embalming 
it.  Matt.  27  :  59.  Luke  23  : 
56.  John  19  :  39,  40.  The  use 
of  a  large  quantity  of  spices, 
on  such  occasions,  was  thought 
to  do  au  honor  to  the  deceased. 

Eraeraldj  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  valuable  of  gems, 
of  a  green  color,  seldom  exceed- 
ing the  size  of  a  pea.  It  is 
derived  from  India  and  South 
America. 


Emerods,  a  disease,  the  ihar- 
acter  of  which  is  not  exactly 
known.  Most  commentators 
consider  it  to  be  what  is  now 
called  piles.  Bent.  28;  27.  1 
Sam.  5  :  12. 

Emmanael)  or  Immaxuel,  a 

Hebrew  word,  which  signifiea 
"  God  with  us."  Matt.  1  :  23. 
It  is  applied  to  the  Messiah,  in 
whom  the  two  natures,  divine 
and  human,  were  united.  Isa 
7  :  14,  and  8  :  8. 

Ein'maos  probably  stood  sey 
en  miles  N.  of  Jerusalem. 

Enelianter.  See  Ixchanter 
and  Serpent. 

EaOB)  literally  the  place  of 
waters,  was  the  place  where  John 
baptized.  Its  situation  is  not 
accurately  known,  but  probably 
was  in  Galilee. 

Envy)  a  painful  vexation  of 
mind  at  another's  enjoyment. 
It  tends  to  malice  and  persecu- 
tion. Acts  13  :  45.  It  is  hate- 
ful to  God,  and  always  destroys 
the  peace  of  such  as  indulge 
it.  Phil.  1  :  15.  Prov.  14  :  30. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  diabolical 
feelings  which  can  be  cherished; 
and  yet  is  one  of  the  most  com- 
mon sins  of  men.  Those  who 
trust  their  outward  morality, 
little  consider  this  and  other 
vices,  which  render  them  odioua 
in  the  sight  of  God. 

Ep'aphraS)  the  same  as  Ep- 
aphroditus,  a  friend  of  Paul 
Col.  1:7.  He  was  pastor  of 
the  church  at  Hieropolis,  a  g~eat 
city   not  far  from   Colosse  and 


El'H 


77 


EPir 


tiaodicea,  tUe  present  name  of 
tfhich  is  Pamlukale. 

Cpha,  a  Hebrew  measure, 
containing  somewhat  more  than 
half  a  bushel. 

Kphesians,  an  epistle  of  Paul, 
addressed  to  the  church  at  Ephe- 
8U3,  founded  by  Paul  during  a 
residence  there  of  three  months. 
Acts  18  :  19-  21.  It  was  writ- 
ten during  Paul's  first  imprison- 
ment at  Rome,  to  confirm  and 
instruct  the  christians  there. 
It  is  eminently  valuable  for  its 
minute  instructions  and  solemn 
admonitions.    See  Epistles  and 

COLOSSIANS. 

Eph'esns,  one  of  the  most 
famous  cities  of  Asia,  said  to 
have  been  built  by  Ephesus,  an 
Amazon  lady,  as  early  as  the 
days  of  David.  It  was  situated 
on  the  river  Cayster,  about  forty 
miles  south  of  Smyrna,  and 
was  chiefly  famed  for  a  magnifi- 
cent temple  of  Diana.  This  is 
said  to  have  been  425  feet  long, 
and  220  broad.  Its  roof  was 
supported  by  127  pillars,  70  feet 
high,  27  of  which  were  curiously 
carved,  and  the  rest  polished. 
It  was  burnx,  oy  the  infamous 
Erasu^it'iSy  on  the  very  day  Soc- 
rates was  poisoned,  and  Alex- 
ander waa  born,  viz.,  400  years 
before  Christ.  Afterward,  it 
was  rebuilt  with  increased 
splendor,  at  the  common  ex- 
pense of  all  the  Grecian  states. 
It  was  finally  burnt  and  de- 
Btroyed  by  the  Goths. 

Before  the  time  of  Alexander, 
Ephesus  had  kings  of  its  own. 
After  it  fell  into  the  hands  of 
7* 


the  Komaus,  the  inhabitants  le 
volted  to  Mithridates,  king  of 
Pontus,  and,  on  that  account, 
were  cruelly  pillaged  by  Sylla, 
the  Roman  general.  It  was 
destroyed  by  an  earthquake,  A. 
D.  19,  but  soon  rebuilt.  Ab.out 
the  time  of  Christ,  all  the  Gre- 
cian cities  seemed  to  decline, 
except  this,  which  flourished 
more  and  more.  Christianity 
was  planted  here  by  Paul,  about 
A.  D.  54,  when  he  reasoned  with 
the  Jews,  in  their  synagogues, 
for  three  months.  Acts  18,  19. 
— 21.  He  returned  next  year, 
and  preached  to  the  Gentiles 
with  wonderful  success.  Acts 
19,  staying  three  years.  Acts 
20:31.  It  suffered  exceedingly 
in  its  various  sieges  and  cap- 
tures, by  the  Saracens,  Tartais, 
and  Turks,  and  has  gradually 
sunk  to  nothing.  Tournefort 
found  at  Ephesus  but  thirty  or 
forty  houses.  Chandler,  in  17(34, 
found  not  so  many  individuals 
Now,  no  human  being  lives  a.''- 
Ephesus!  i^jz-^a/wci,  which  may 
be  considered  another  name  for 
Ephesus,  does  not  stand  on  the 
same  place,  and  contains  only 
a  few  wretched  Turkish  huts. 
The  candlestick  has  been  re- 
moved out  of  its  place  !  "  How 
doth  the  city  sit  solitary  that 
was  full  of  people  ! "  The 
apostle  John  spent  most  cf  his 
life,  and  closed  it  here. 

Ephod)  an  ornamental  uppei 
garment,  which  made  a  part  of 
the  oflBcial  dress  of  the  Hebrew 
priest.  That  of  the  commou 
priest  was  made  of  Udou.*  and 


EPI 


78 


EPI 


that  ■  of  tho  high  priest  was 
richly  embroidered,  and  con- 
tained the  sacred  breastplnie.  It 
was  without  sleeves,  and  con- 
sisted of  two  parts,  one  hang- 
ing before,  the  other  behind. 
See  Bbeastplate. 

Ephraim.  (l.)  The  younger 
BOD  of  Joseph,  born  2293,  and 
head  of  a  tribe  in  Israel,  which, 
at  the  time  of  their  deliverance 
out  of  Egypt,  amounted  to  40,- 
500  persons.  (2.)  The  lot  of 
Ephraim y  lying  in  the  heart  of 
the  Holy  Land.  (3.)  The  moun- 
tains of  Ephraim,  highly  fertile, 
except  where  they  approach  the 
Jordan  in  rocky  precipices.  A 
spur  of  this  range  approaches 
Jericho,  the  passes  of  which 
have  ever  been  infested  by  rob- 
bers. (4.)  There  was  a  forest 
of  Ephraim,  where  Absalom's 
army  was  routed.  2  Sam.  18  : 
6_17.  (5.)  From  the  days  of 
Jeroboam  till  the  ten  tribes 
were  carried  away  captive  by 
Salmaneser,  the  whole  land,  not 
included  under  Judah,  was  often 
called  Ephraim.  Jer.  31  :  6. 
(().)  The  city  of  Ephraim,  where 
Christ  retired  with  his  disciples 
not  long  before  he  suffered 
John  11  :  54. 

Epicn'reans,  philosophers  who 
adopted  the  doctrine  of  Epicu- 
rus, who  flourished  at  Athens, 
about  A.  M.  3700.  They  denied 
that  God  governs  the  world,  or 
in  the  least  condescends  to  in- 
terfere with  creatures  below. 
They  denied  also  the  immortal- 
ity of  the  soul,  and  the  existence 
■^f     angels.     They    maintained 


that  the  world  was  no>,  foraed 
by  God,  nor  with  any  design, 
but  by  the  fortuitous  concourse 
of  atoms.  They  maintained 
that  happiness  consisted  in 
pleasure  ;  but  some  of  them 
placed  this  pleasure  in  the  tran- 
quillity and  joy  of  the  mind, 
arising  from  the  practice  of 
moral  virtue,  which  is  probably 
the  true  principle  of  Epicurus  ; 
others  understood  him  in  a 
grosser  sense,  and  placed  all 
their  happiness  in  sensual  pleas- 
ure. 

Epistle,  or  Letter.  Twenty- 
one  of  the  books  of  the  New 
Testament  are  epistles.  The  first 
fourteen  were  written  by  Paul  ; 
the  other  seven  were  written, 
one  by  James,  two  by  Peter, 
three  by  John,  and  one  by  Jude. 
The  messages  to  the  seven 
churches  of  Asia,  recorded  in 
the  book  of  Revelation,  aro 
called  epistles.  Rev.  2,  and  3. 
To  understand  the  epistles^  we 
must  consider  the  time,  occasion^ 
design,  and  parties  addressed. 

They  abundantly  confirm  all 
the  main  facts  in  the  Evange- 
lists and  Acts  ,  as  well  i^s  form 
commentaries  and  explications 
of  the  doctrines  there  advanced. 
They  also  contain  many  impor-- 
tant  instructions  as  to  religioui 
duties. 

The  arrangement  of  the  Epis« 
ties,  as  they  stand  in  our  Bible, 
is  not  the  order  of  their  date  ; 
but  is  exactly  that  which  haa 
always  been  their  order  sino« 
collected  ;  and  Lardner  haa 
shown  many  reasons  why  it  i« 


ESA 


ETH 


ne  best  arrangement.  Still,  the 
gtudeut  will  be  glad  to  see  the 
order  as  to  time,  which  is  here 
taken  from  "  Home's  Introduc- 
tion." 


EPISTLES  OF  PAUL. 

1  Thess.,        from  Corinth. 

4.  D.  52 

2  Thess., 

<            <t 

52 

Galatians, 

«            <« 

52 

1  Corinth.,      ' 

'      Ephesus, 

57 

Romans,         ' 

'      Corinth, 

57 

2  Uoriiith.,      ' 

'      Philippi, 

5i 

Kphcsians,      ' 

'      Kome, 

61 

Paiiip., 

<            <i 

62 

Coloss., 

■            « 

62 

Philemon, 

•            << 

63 

Hebrews, 

'      Italy, 

63 

1  Tim., 

'      Macedonia,. 

61 

Titus. 

<            « 

64 

2  Tim., 

*      Rome, 

66 

The  other  epistles  were  writ- 
ten between  the  years  61  and 
6"J  ;  those  of  John  being  the 
latest. 

Critics  and  chronologers  have 
not  all  agreed  on  these  dates, 
and  there  is  great  difficulty  in 
deciding  as  to  some  of  them. 
See  under  each  name. 

Erastns,  a  disciple  of  Paul, 
and  chamberlain,  that  is,  treas- 
urer, of  the  City  of  Corinth.  He 
resigned  his  office,  and  became 
an  assistant  to  Timothy.  Rom. 
16  :  23. 

Esalas,  the  same  as  Isaiah, 
which  see. 

Esar'haddon,  the  third  son 
of  Sennacherib,  who  succeeded 
his  father  about  the  22d  year 
of  the  reign  of  Hezekiah.  In 
him  the  kingdoms  of  Assyria 
and  Babylon  became  united  ; 
after  which  he  invaded  Judah, 
and  carried  Manas.^eh  away  in 
chains  ;  which  was  the  occasion 
of  the  repentance  and  reforma- 
tion 01  that  wicked  prince.  2 
Kings  ■?! .     He  reigned  over  As- 


Syria  39  years,  and  over  Baby 
Ion    13,    and    died    668    yeiurs 
before  Christ. 

Esau.     Sec  Edom. 

Esdraelon,  a  noble  pUia, 
about  15  miles  square,  near 
Mount  Carmel,  famous  in  all 
ages  for  the  great  battle  fought 
upon  it.  It  was  once  exceed- 
ingly populous,  but  is  now 
almost  a  desert. 

E.spoasals,  the  act  or  cere- 
mony of  marriage.  Jer.  2  :  2. 
Espousing  sometimes  means  in 
Scripture  only  betrothing,  or 
making  a  matrimonial  engage- 
ment.    See  Betroth. 

Es'ther,  a  queen  of  Persia. 
The  king,  her  husband,  was, 
some  think,  Artnxerxe^-  Longimcf 
nils  ;  but  others,  Darius  Hystas- 
pes.  The  book  of  Esther  con- 
tains a  narrative  which  comes 
in  between  the  sixth  and  seventh 
chapters  of  Ezra.  The  author 
is  not  known  ;  but  is  by  some 
supposed  to  be  Mordecai. 

Eternity,  strictly  speaking, 
is  duration  without  beginning 
or  end.  God  alone  is  therefore 
truly  eternal.  See  Everlast- 
ing. 

Ethiopia  is  sometimes  called, 
in  the  Old  Testament,  Cush, 
from  the  oldest  son  of  Ham, 
whose  posterity  settled  on  the 
south-west  of  the  Rei  Sea. 
Acts  8  :  27.  It  bordered  on 
Egypt,  and  was  once  a  vast  and 
powerful  kingdom,  with  many 
noted  cities.  It  is  now  called 
Abyssinia.  Splendid  ruins  in 
dififerent  places  attest  the  high 
ci7ilization  rf  its  former  inhab- 


EUP 


80 


EVE 


itantc.  Its  highest  prosperity 
was  about  800  or  900  years  B. 
c.  As  an  evidence  of  its  vast 
resources  at  that  time,  read 
2  Chron.  14  :  9.  Numerous 
prophecies  declared  the  conver- 
sion of  this  people  ;  Isa.  45  : 
14.  Zeph.  3  :  10,  <fcc.j  acd  it  is 
known  that  Abyssinia  is  at  this 
day  a  chrisoian  state. 

Eanuch)  the  name  given  to 
certain  officers  who  served  in 
the  inner  courts  and  chambers 
of  kings.  The  intimate  access 
to  the  monarch,  thus  enjoyed, 
was  often  the  means  of  their 
attaining  stations  of  great  honor 
and  power. 

Enphra'tes,  the  most  famous 
river  in  Western  Asia.  From 
its  source  in  the  mountains  of 
Armenia,  its  course  is  westward ; 
after  which,  at  the  foot  of  Mount 
Taurus,  it  bends  southward,  re- 
ceives the  Melas,  runs  along 
the  east  side  of  Syria,  and,  after 
having  watered  Chaldea,  pro- 
ceeds south,  and  joins  the  Tigris 
at  Koorma,  just  above  where 
the  ancient  Paradise  is  supposed 
to  have  stood.  About  GO  miles 
farther  south,  the  united  rivers 
discharge  themselves  into  the 
Persian  Gulf.  Like  the  Nile, 
it  is  subject  to  an  annual  over- 
flow, by  which  it  imparts  great 
fertility  to  its  valley.  On  its 
banks  stood  Babylon.  Bussorah, 
about  fifty  miles  from  its  mouth, 
IS  now  a  place  of  some  impor- 
tance. The  entire  length  of  the 
river  is  about  1400  miles  ;  of 
which  but  140  are  navigable  for 
vteamboats.   But  rafts  and  flats. 


floated  on  inflate  1  skins,  brin* 
down  produce  from  Armenia  and 
Cappadocia.  This  majestic  river 
flows  now,  for  the  most  part, 
through  a  dreary  solitude. 

Enroc'iydon,  a  violent  and 
dangerous  north-east  wind,  com- 
mon in  the  Mediterranean  about 
the  beginning  of  winter.  Acta 
27  :  14.  It  is  called  by  sailors 
a  Levanter. 

ETSngelist)  a  bringer  of  good 
news.  It  was  applied  first  to 
the  inspired  historians  of  the 
gospel,  and,  also,  in  the  primi- 
tive church,  to  those  who  went 
from  place  to  place  to  preach 
the  glad  tidings  of  the  ever 
blessed  gosptjl.  The  term  is 
now  used  to  signify  a  minister 
who  travels,  and  is  not  settled 
with  any  particular  people. 

ETen,  Evening.  The  Jews 
had  two  evenings.  The  first 
was  the  after  part  of  the  day  ; 
the  second  was  the  hour  or  two 
immediately  afr.er  dark.  Where 
the  word  occurs  in  Ex.  12  :  6, 
Numb.  9  :  3,  and  28  :  4,  &c.,  it 
reads  in  the  original  "  between 
the  evenings,"  and  means  the 
twilight.  This  was  the  time  the 
passover  was  to  be  sacrificed. 
Deut.  16  :  6. 

Everlasting,  enduring  for- 
ever ;  eternal.  God  is  ever- 
lasting, Ex.  15  :  18  ;  and  th» 
covenant  of  grace,  Heb.  13  :  3WJ; 
and  the  future  blessedness  of 
the  righteous,  Luke  16  :  9  ;  2 
Cor.  4  :  17  ;  and  the  punish- 
ment of  the  wicked,  Matt.  25  : 
46. 

Our  finite  minds  cannot  em 


EVl 


81 


EXH 


brace  the  thought  of  everlast- 
ing duration.  Millions  of  mil- 
lion? of  years,  multiplied  to 
the  furthest  powers  of  computa- 
tion, are  as  nothing  to  eternity. 
Any  period  we  can  compute  will 
as  certainly  come  to  an  end  as 
a  single  day,  and  then  the  space 
beyond  is  not  diminished  !  0, 
''  who  can  dwell  in  everlasting 
burnings  1 " 

Evil,  an  action  contrary  to 
the  law  of  God  ;  any  wrong 
done  by  one  man  to  another. 
Matt.  5  :  39.  It  is  put  for  the 
afflictions  or  punishments  which 
<jiod  sends.  Job  2  :  10  ;  for  sin 
and  its  sufferings.  Matt.  6  :  13-. 
To  have  an  evii  eye,  Prov.  23  : 
6,  is  to  be  covetous,  and  grudge 
the  grace  that  is  dispensed  to 
others.  Evil  days,  Eccl.  12  :  1, 
eignify  the  time  of  old  age, 
which  is  calamitous  in  itself, 
and  often  saddened  with  the 
remembrance  of  youthful  fol- 
lies. To  "  put  far  away  the  evil 
day,'^  Amos  6  :  3,  means  to 
drive  away  the  thoughts  of  ap- 
proaching judgment  and  death. 
Satan  is  called  the  evil  one,  or 
evil  spirit ;  he  is  the  author  of 
sin  ;  ho  perpetually  works  wick- 
edneei,  and  causes  trouble. 
John  17  :  15.  Acts  19  :  12. 
An  evil  time  is  a  season  of  much 
sinning,  danger,  and  trouble. 
Amos  5  :  13. 

Enl  Speaking,  affirming  de- 
famatory falsehoods,  or  re- 
proachfully and  unnecessarily 
speaking  of  real  faults.  It  is 
a    deplorably    prevalent    vice, 


even  among  those  who  pride 
themselves  on  their  morality. 
It  is  scarcely,  if  at  all,  less  sin- 
ful to  listen  with  pleasure  to 
such  conversation.  1  Cor.  5  : 
11,  and  6  :  10. 

Exacter,  an  officer  whose 
business  it  was  to  collect  fines 
levied  by  the  courts,  and  some- 
times also  to  gather  taxes. 

Examine*     See   Self-Exa.mi- 

iTATION. 

Exclnde,  to  shut  out.  The 
word  excommunicate,  which  is 
now  common,  is  not  found  in 
our  translation,  though  the  ex- 
pression "  cast  out,"  in  John  9  : 
34,  might  be  so  rendered.  Ex- 
clusion from  a  church  is  an 
awful  censure  which  Christ  em- 
powers his  visible  people  to 
inflict  on  members  who  are  in- 
corrigible, or  who  have  commit 
ted  scandalous  offences.  Ex- 
eluded  persons  forfeit,  (1.)  The 
fellowship  of  the  church.  Matt 
18  :  17.  (2.)  The  common  so- 
ciety of  the  members,  except 
so  far  as  civil  relations  require 
it,  2  Thess.  3  :  6,  14  ;  Rom.  16  . 
17.  (3.)  The  inward  privileges 
of  the  professed  people  of  God. 
The  design  of  exclusion  is,  (1.) 
To  purge  the  church.  (2.)  To 
warn  other  members.  (3.)  To 
reclaim  the  offender. 

Exhort,  to  urge  others  to  the 
performance  of  known  duty 
It  is  a  christian  requirement, 
Heb.  3  :  13,  and  was  the  con- 
stant practice  of  Christ  and  the 
apostles.  Luke  3  :  18.  Acta 
11  :  23.     Some  mry  be  useful  in 


EXP 


82 


EZE 


ihis  waj  wlio  are  nwl  called  to 
th<3  ministry.     Rom.  12  ;  8. 

Exodns,  the  second  book  of 
Moses,  so  called  from  its  name 
in  the  Greek  version,  which  sig- 
nifies departure ;  because  it  re- 
lateg  to  the  history  of  the 
departure  of  the  Israelites  from 
Egypt.  It  is  a  narrative  of  the 
transactions  of  about  145  years, 
from  the  death  of  Joseph,  A. 
M.  2S6D,  to  the  erection  of  the 
tabernacle,  in  2514.  It  de- 
scribes the  history  of  Moses, 
the  plagues  of  Egypt,  the  jour- 
ney of  Israel,  the  dispensation 
of  the  law,  the  construction  of 
the  tabernacle,  and  the  entrance 
into  Canaan. 

Ex'OFfist,  one  who  drives 
away  evil  spirits,  or  casts  out 
devils.  Our  Saviour,  when  he 
sent  out  his  disciples  to  preach 
the  gospel,  gave  them  power 
over  unclean  spirits,  to  cast 
them  out.  Matt.  10  :  1  ;  by 
which  gift  they  gained  repute 
among  the  people,  and  gave 
proof  that  they  were  sent  of 
God.  But  those  Jewish  ex- 
orcists, mentioned  Acts  19  :  13, 
were  impostors,  deluding  the 
people  by  witchcraft  or  diabol- 
ical agency. 

Expiation,  atonement.  Ex- 
piatory sacrifices  were  early 
ordained  of  God,  and  from  these 
doubtless  originaf.ed  all  those 
piaeular  offerings  enjoined  in 
the  worship  of  heathen  naiions. 
The  "  great  day  "  of  expiation 
was  the  10th  of  the  month 
Tizri.  The  ceremony  is  de- 
•cribed  Lev.  16.     When  expia- 


tion is  mavie,  the  guilt  is  re. 
moved,  and  the  obligation  ta 
punishment  is  cancelled.  Se« 
Propitiatiox. 

Eyelids  were  painted  by  an 
cient  Jewish  females,  and  still 
are  in  Arabia,  <tc.  This  is  what 
Jezebel  did,  2  Kings  .9  :  30. 
The  edge  of  the  lids,  between 
the  hair  and  the  eye-balls,  ia 
made  black,  to  increase  the  ap- 
parent size  and  vivacity  of  the 
eye.  Jer.  4  :  30,  may  refer  to 
this  custom  or  to  the  stretViag 
of  the  face  by  pricking  a  dark 
powder  through  the  skin,  as 
sailors  now  do  on  their  arms 
This  practice  remains  in  various 
countries  to  this  day. 

Ezeliiel, "  God-strengthened," 
was  a  descendant  of  Aaron,  and 
of  course  belonging  to  the 
priesthood.  Being  carried  away 
by  Nebuchadnezzar  among  the 
captives,  he  settled  on  the  banks 
of  the  Chebar,  in  Mesopotamia, 
and  was  there  favored  with  his 
extraordinary  revelations.  He 
seems  to  have  exercised  his 
prophetic  oflBce  about  twenty 
yeai-s,  and  was  ootemporary 
with  Jeremiah  and  Daniel. 

The  Book  of  Ezekiel  is  sim 
ilar  to  that  of  Jeremiah  in  ita 
scope,  but  very  different  ia 
style,  being  more  pointed  and 
severe.  It  predicts  the  dread- 
ful calamities  to  be  inflicted  on 
Judea  a7\d  Jerusalem,  for  idol- 
atry and  wickedness  ;  the  judg- 
ments that  would  be  sent  upon 
the  false  prophets,  who  deluded 
the  people  with  vain  hopes,  and 
wi-Aked  at  their  sins  ;   the  duj*- 


LZR 


83 


EZR 


la  I  meats  which  should  befall 
Amrnon,  Edoni,  Philistia,  Tyre, 
and  Egypt  ;  the  restoration  of 
Israel  and  Judah  ;  and  the 
blessedness  of  the  gospel  churoh 
under  the  Messiah. 

Biblical  critics  assign  this 
book  a  high  place  for  grandeur. 
Grotius  and  Lowth  place  him 
beside  Homer. 

Ezlon-Ge'ber,     the    famous 

port  from  which  Solomon  sent 
his  ships  for  gold,  &c.,  was  on 
the  eastern  arm  of  the  Red  Sea. 
Robinson  says  no  trace  of  it 
now  remains. 

Ezra,  a  captive  Jewish  priest, 
who,  by  wisdom  and  integrity, 
rose  to  eminence  in  the  Persian 
court.  By  authority  of  his  sov- 
ereign, Artaxerxes  Longimanus, 
B.  c.  457,  he  assembled  a  large 
colony  of  his  countrymen,  and 
went  to  repair  Jerusalem,  and 
rebuild  the  temple.  To  Ezra  is 
ascribed  the  important  work  of 
collecting  the  different  inspired 
books,  arranging,  combining, 
and  correcting  them,  and  so 
forming  the  complete  canon  of 
the  Old  Testament. 

The  Book  of  Ezra  was  doubt- 
less written  by  him.  It  con- 
fiists  of  two  principal  divisions  ; 
the  first  gives  the  narrative  of 
the  return  of  the  Jews  from 
Babylonia  ;  and  the  second  dc- 
wribea  the    great    reforicaticn 


of  religion  which  tdok  phtca 
among  the  people.  It  spreads 
ovor  a  period  of  79  years.  The 
various  monarchs  who  flourished 
during  that  period  were,  Cyrus, 
Cambyses,  Magus,  Darius  Hya- 
taspes,  Xerxes,  and  Arta,xerxes; 
in  the  eighth  year  of  whose 
reign  the  narrative  ceases.  It 
materially  elucidates  the  proph- 
ecies of  Ilaggai  and  Zechariah. 
Compare  Ezra  5,  with  Hag.  1  : 
12,  and  Zech.  3  :  14.  Part  of 
the  book,  corsisting  of  letters, 
decrees,  &c.,  is  in  the  Chaldee 
language,  then  common  among 
the  Jews. 

In  the  Jewish  Talmud  it  is 
stated  that  Ezra  died  on  his  way 
from  Jerusalem  to  Babylon,  to 
confer   with    the    king    on    the 


affairs  of  Judea  A  tomb,  said 
to  be  his,  represented  in  the 
engraving,  stands  on  the  Tigris, 
about  20  miles  above  its  juua*> 
tjon  -yith  the  Euphrateu. 


FAL 


84 


FAS 


F. 


Fair  HaTen,  an  unsafe  road- 
artead  in  Crete,  north-east  of 
Cape  Leon,  or  Matala.  To  this 
day  it  bears  the  same  name. 
Acts  27  :  8. 

Faith)  dependence  on  the 
truth  of  an  assertion.  Divine 
faith  is  firm  belief  upon  the 
authority  of  divine  revelation. 
It  is  thus  we  are  persuaded  to 
believe  all  truths  relating  to 
God,  revealed  to  us  in  the 
Scriptures.  Justifying,  or  sav- 
ing, faith  is  a  grace  wrought  in 
the  soul  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
whereby  we  receive  Christ,  as 
he  is  revealed  in  the  gospel,  to 
be  our  Prophet,  Priest,  and 
King  ;  trust  in  him  ;  and  rely 
upon  his  righteousness  alone  for 
salvation.  This  faith  begets  a 
sincere  obedience  in  life  and 
conversation.  "  Faith  which 
worketh  by  love,"  Gal.  5  :  6,  is 
faith  which  shows  itself  by  pro- 
ducing in  us  love  to  God  and  to 
our  neighbor.  Faith  is  put  for 
a  belief  and  profession  of  the 
gospel,  Rom.  1  :  8. 

Fall,  to  drop  down,  to  be 
ruined,  to  apostatize.  By  way 
of  eminence,  man's  first  dis- 
obedience, and  consequent  deg- 
radation, is  called  7%e  Fall.  By 
it  our  race  lost  the  image  of  i 
God,  and,  being  totally  des- 1 
tirute  of  any  natural  tendencies  j 
to  holiness,  wc  "  are  estranged, 
from  the  womb."  Ps.  51  :  5, 
and  58  :  3.  Isa  .58  ;  8.  From 
this  awful  condition  and  its  con- 


sequences, we  are  deliveied  bj 
"  the  second  Adam." 

Fan,  an  instrument  for  sep< 
arating  chaff  from  grain,  for- 
merly made  in  the  shape  of  a 
wooden  shovel,  with  a  long 
handle.  The  shape  and  man- 
ner of  using  it  are  shown  in 
the  picture  of  a  threshing-floor. 
With  this  the  grain  was  tossed 
in  the  air  when  the  wind  blew, 
so  that  the  chaff  was  driven 
away.  As  it  fell  round  the 
place,  it  was  customary  to  sweep 
it  together  and  burn  it.  See 
Matt.  3  :  12. 

Farthing,  a  coin  used  by  the 
Romans.  Our  translators  give 
this  English  to  both  ^Jonaiiwv 
(aasarioji)  and  /{oSuixrrr^c  (quad' 
rantes),  but  these  were  different. 
The  first  was  a  tenth  part  of  a 
Roman  penny,  or  about  two 
cents.  Matt.  10  :  29.  The  lat- 
ter was  equal  to  two  mites,  and 
is  about  a  fourth  part  of  our 
cent.     Mark  12  :  42. 

Fast,  a  solemn  forbearance 
from  food,  accompanied  by  hu- 
miliation before  God,  prayer, 
and  the  reformation  of  life. 
Our  Saviour  did  not  appoint 
any  fast  days,  but  gave  reasons 
why,  after  his  death,  his  dis- 
ciples should  fast.  Afflictions 
and  perplexities  soon  became 
common  to  christians,  and  then 
they  fasted.     2  Cor.  6  :  5. 

Fasting,  though  much  neg- 
lected by  modern  christians,  ia 
a  duty  of  great  importance,  ani 


F  A  T 


85 


TEA 


sb  -uld  not  be  overlooked  among 
our  means  of  growth  in  grace. 
It  should  consist,  (1.)  in  total 
or  partial  abstinence  from  food 
and  all  other  animal  indulg- 
ences, as  far  as  bodily  health 
and  vigor  of  mind  will  permit ; 
(2.)  humiliation  and  confession 
of  sin  ;  (3.)  abandoning  sinful 
acts  ;  (4.)  prayer ;  (5.)  liberal- 
ity to  good  objects.  Matt.  9  : 
15.     1  Cor.  7  :  5. 

Fat*  In  the  ceremonial  law, 
it  was  ordered  that  "  all  the  fat  " 
was  the  Lord's  ;  and  the  Jews 
were  to  eat  "  neither  fat  nor 
blood."  Lev.  3  :  4—17.  This 
does  not  mean  the  fat  as  inter- 
mixed with  the  lean,  but  all  the 
fat  parts ;  such  as  round  the 
kidneys,  <fcc.  Indeed,  as  ani- 
mals were  not  generally  fatted 
for  slaughter,  except  for  great 
occasions,  these  detached  parts 
of  fat  comprised  nearly  the 
whole. 

Father,  he  that  has  a  child. 
It  is  a  title  given  to  the  first 
ancestor,  as  Rom.  4  :  16  ;  to  the 
inventor  and  master  of  any  art 
or  science  ;  or  the  founder  of  a 
particular  profession.  Gen.  4  : 
20,  22  ;  to  him  who  is  affected 
with  the  miseries  of  the  poor, 
and  endeavors  to  provide  for 
their  wants.  Job  29  :  1*5.  God 
declares  himself  to  be  "  the  Father 
of  the  fatherless.''  Ps.  G8  :  5. 
God  is  eminently  the  Father, 
Creator,  Preserver,  and  Protec- 
tor of  all  his  creatures,  but 
principally  of  those  who  know 
and  serve  him.  Deut.  32  •.  6. 
Bv^.  S  :    15,  IG      The  devil  is 

3 


j  called  the  father  of  *he  wiciLcd. 
John  8  :  44.  In  church  histoVy, 
the  term  is  applied  to  the  chriS' 
tian  writers  of  the  first  cen 
turies.  It  is  customary  Jo  give 
this  epithet  to  aged  and  eminent 
saints,  2  Kings  2  :  12,  and  to 
the  minister  under  whom  we 
are  converted,  1  Cor.  4  :  15  ;  I 
Tim.  1  :  18. 

Fatling,  a  young  animal  fed 
for  slaughter.  Isa.  11 :  6.  Matt. 
22  :  4. 

Fear,  apprehension  of  danger 
Guilt  produces  that  solicitude 
and  dread  which  is  called  slavish 
feu^.  Acts  24  :  25.  That  holy 
feeling  of  the  renewed  heart 
toward  God,  which  produces  a 
reverent  submission  to  his  prov- 
idence, and  ready  obedience  to 
all  his  commands,  is  filial  foar. 
Heb.  5  :  7. 

Feast,  a  season  of  joy  and 
thanksgiving  appointed  of  God 
to  commemorate  great  events, 
to  give  rest  and  confirmation  to 
the  pious,  to  promote  and  sanc- 
tify social  affections,  and  to 
prefigure  the  blessings  of  the 
gospel. 

The  following  enumeration  is 
prepared  with  great  care,  ana 
should  be  familiar  to  every 
reader  of  Scripture. 

The  Feast  of  the  Passover 
lasted  eight  days,  beginning  on 
the  15th  of  the  month  Nisau 
Ex.  12  :  14.     See  Passoveii. 

The  Feast  of  Pentecost  came 
fifty  days  after  the  Passover. 
See  Pentecost 

The  Feast  of  Tabernaclesj 
continued  for  a  week,  and  w 


FEA 


86 


FEA 


tc  commeno^rate  the  dwelling 
of  the  Israelites  in  tents.  It  is 
Eometimea  called  the  feast  of 
ngatherings.  Ex.  23  :  16,  and 
34  :  22.  The  following  are  the 
principal  ceremonies  (1.)  Dur- 
ing the  entire  week  of  its  con- 
tinuance, the  people  dwelt  in 
booths  or  tents,  erected  in  the 
fields  or  streets,  or  on  the  flat, 
terrace-like  roofs  of  their 
houses.  (2.)  Extraordinary  of- 
ferings were  made.  See  Numb. 
29.  (3.)  During  the  feast, 
branches  of  palm,  olive,  citron, 
myrtle,  and  willow,  were  car- 
ried in  the  hands,  singing  "  Ho- 
sannUj"  that  is,  Save  now  ;  or, 
!Savey  I  beseech  thee.  Ps.  118  : 
25.  It  was  meant  as  a  prayer 
for  the  coming  of  the  Messiah. 
Thus  was  Jesus  conducted  into 
Jerusalem,  by  the  multitude, 
who  believed  him  to  be  the 
promised  Saviour.  (4.)  The 
libation  of  water  upon  and 
around  the  altar,  which  was  an 
emblem  of  the  effusion  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  To  this  Christ 
alluded,  when,  in  the  last  day 
of  the  feast,  he  cried,  "  If  any 
man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto 
me  and  drink."  During  the 
whole  festival,  music,  feasting, 
rejoicings,  and  illuminations, 
gladdened  the  city. 

The  Day  of  Atonement  was 
kept  on  the  10th  day  of  Tizri, 
or  September.  On  this  day  only, 
in  the  whole  year,  was  the  high 
priest  permitted  to  enter  the 
most  holy  place,  and  then  not 
without  due  preparation,  on  the 
p»'n  of  death.     Lev.  16:  2—17. 


The  Feast  of  Weeks,  Ex.  34* 
22,  occurred  seven  weeks  after 
the  second  day  of  the  Passover. 
It  is  the  same  as  the  feast  of 
Pent6cost. 

The  Feast  of  Trumpets  wa« 
held  on  the  first  and  second 
days  of  the  month  Tizri,  which 
was  the  commencement  of  the 
civil  year.  The  name  is  derived 
from  the  blowing  of  trumpets 
in  the  temple  with  more  than 
usual  solemnity. 

The  preceding  were  appointed 
of  God.  The  two  following 
were  purely  of  human  origin. 

The  Feast  of  Lots,  or  Purim, 
was  introduced  in  after  times, 
and  was  celebrated  in  February. 
On  this  occasion,  the  entire  book 
of  Esther  is  always  read  in  the 
synagogues. 

The  Feast  of  the  Dedica- 
tion of  the  second  temple  (men- 
tioned in  John  10  :  22)  waa 
instituted  after  the  days  of 
Malachi,  by  Judas  Maccabeus, 
about  170  B.  c,  in  commemora- 
tion of  the  cleansing  of  the 
temple,,  after  its  profanation  by 
Antiochus.  1  Maccab.  4  :  52 — 
59.  It  commenced  on  the  25th 
of  Cisleu,  or  December. 

The  preceding  are  the  chief 
annual  festivals  of  Old  Testa- 
ment times.  Modern  Jews  have 
added  various  others,  which  this 
work  need  not  notice.  The  fol- 
lowing were  the  extraordinary 
festivals  of  divine  appointment. 

The  Sabbatical  Year.  Ev- 
ery seventh  year  the  land  was 
to  lie  fallow,  and  its  spontaneous 
produce   to  be  shared  in  com* 


FEL 


87 


FEK 


mm  by  tLj  servants  of  the 
family,  the  poor,  the  stranger, 
and  the  cattle.  It  was  the  year 
of  release  from  personal  sla- 
very, Ex.  21  :  2,  and  from  pe- 
cuniary debts,  Deut.  15  :  1,  2. 
In  order  to  guard  against  fam- 
ine ou  this  and  the  ensuing 
year  (which  would  also  be  par- 
tially deficient,  in  consequence 
of  the  entire  rest  of  the  seventh 
year),  God  promised  a  triple 
produce  for  the  sixth  year.  Lev. 
25  :  21,  22.  The  breach  of  this 
command  was  among  the  chief 
national  >iins  which  caused  the 
captivity.  Lev.  26  :  33,  34.  Jer. 
25  :  9.     2  Chron.  36  :  21. 

The  Jubilee  was  a  more  sol- 
emn feast  held  every  seventh 
sabbatical  year,  that  is,  once  in 
fifty  year".     See  Jubilee. 

Feasts  of  Charitv,  or  Love 
Feasts,  were  entertainments  of 
the  christian  church  in  the  first 
ages,  which  tended  to  relieve 
the  poor,  and  promote  union. 
The  Lord's  supper  was  gener- 
ally administered  at  the  close. 
They,  however,  became  occa- 
sions of  evil,  and  were  discon- 
tinued. 

Felix  was  deputy -governor  of 
Judea.  He  enticed  Drusilla  to 
divorce  Azizus,  king  of  Emesa, 
and  then  took  her  as  his  own 
wife.  He  defeated  about  4000 
outlaws,  headed  by  an  Egyptian 
impostor,  who  had  postei  them- 
selves in  the  Mount  of  Olives. 
Acts  21  :  38.  During  his  ad- 
ministration, Judea  was  in  a 
constant  turmoil,  being  infested 
with  robbers  and  assassins,  and 


overrun  with  impostors  pretend 
ing  to  be  the  Messiah.  It  waa 
this  prince  that  trembled  at  the 
words  of  Paul,  Acts  24  :  25. 
He  was  a  bad  man,  and  gov- 
erned with  great  injustice  and 
cruelty.  In  a.  d.  CO,  he  was 
recalled  to  Rome,  and  Festus 
was  sent  in  his  room.  Tho 
Jews  followed  him,  and  com- 
plained to  the  government  cf 
his  extortion  and  violence.  Ho 
would  have  been  punished  with 
death,  had  not  his  brother  Pal- 
las, by  his  credit  at  court,  pre- 
served his  life.  Acts  ^3,  and 
24. 

Fellowship,  or  Coaijiuxigw,  is 
a  term  of  great  importance  in 
the  Scriptures.  There  is  a  fel- 
lowship to  which  the  people  of 
Christ  are  admitted  with  God 
the  Father,  and  with  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  the  blood  of  Jesus 
cleansing  them  from  all  sin.  1 
John  1:3,5,  &c.  There  is  also 
a  fellowship  which  they  have 
with  one  another,  in  Ihe  spirit- 
ual blessings  which  the  gospel 
brings  to  the  guilty  ;  and  iu 
temporal  things,  which  takes 
place  when  the  disciples  of 
Christ  communicate  jointly  of 
their  worldly  substance  to  the 
support  of  the  poor.  Acts  2  : 
42.  Church  connection  is  called 
a  fellowship,  and  is  opposed  to 
having  connection  with  the  un- 
fruitful works  of  darkness.  Eph. 
5:11. 

Ferret,  a  species  of  wcaseL 
The  word  so  rendered.  Lev.  11 : 
30,  means  "  the  cner,''^  on  which 
acsount  some   take   it  foi    thf 


FIG 


FIG 


frog.  It  seems  on  the  whole  to 
be  the  gecko,  or  noisy  lizzard. 

Feneed  Cities,  that  is,  walled 

and  fortified  towns,  are  of  very 
ancient  origin.  We  can  trace 
them  back  fifteen  centuries 
before  Christ ;  so  early  did  man 
loai-n  "  the  art  of  war."  The 
walls  were  of  stone  or  brick, 
and  of  great  strength.  The 
gates  generally  had  towers 
built  over  them,  in  which  were 
held  courts  and  councils.  See 
Gate. 

FestOS  succeeded  Felix  in  the 
government  of  Judea,  appointed 
by  Nero,  in  the  first  year  of  his 
reign.  He  sent  Paul,  whom 
Felix  had  left  bound  at  Ccesarea, 
to  Rome,  to  be  tried  by  Cassar, 
to  whom  he  appealed.  Acts  25. 
Festus  was  very  diligent  and 
successful  in  his  efforts  to  put 
an  end  to  the  disturbances  and 
robberies  which  had  become  so 
frequent  in  Judea,  in  the  reign 
of  Felix,  but  took  no  trouble  to 
investigate  the  claims  of  Chris- 
tianity ;  and  when  Paul  spoke 
of  its  mysteries,  he  thought  that 
much  learning  had  made  him 
mad.  Acts  26.  He  died  about 
A.  D.  62. 

Fig-TreC)  a  well-known  tree, 
which  flourishes  in  warm  coun- 
tries. It  attains  a  good  degree 
tf  perfection  in  the  most  south- 
ern of  the  United  States.  The 
fruit,  which  grows  from  the 
trunk  and  large  branches,  and 
not  from  the  exterior  twigs,  is 
nutritious  and  medicinal.  It 
was  very  common  in  Palestine,  \ 
fcnd    ia    so   now   in    the    Luv;i-a*.  ! 


whence  it  is  exported,  in  a  dried 
state,,  to  every  part  of  the  world. 
The  leaves  are  very  large,  oa 
which  account  Adam  and  Eve 
made  aprons  of  them.  The  tree 
itself  is  large,  and  some  have 
been  mentioned  which  would 
shelter  three  hundred  men.  1 
Kings  4  :  25.  John  1  :  49. 
Christ  blasted  a  fig-tree  on 
which  was  no  fruit,  "  though 
the  time  of  figs  was  not  yei,'* 
—  that  is,  the  time  of  gathering 
figs  had  not  quite  arrived.  The 
tree  was,  therefore,  evidently 
barren,  and  had  not  already 
been  stripped.  Matt.  21  :  19. 
It  is  remarkable  that  his  curse 
was  only  the  establishment  of 
its  previous  sterility.  Being  on 
the  public  road,  no  man's  prop- 
erty wa%  injured.  It  was  aa 
awful  lesson  to  those,  of  whose 
hypocritical  exterior  and  worth- 
less pretensions  it  was  a  strik- 
ing emblem,  and  to  fruitless 
professors  in  all  ages.  The 
goodness  of  God  is  remarkably 
appirent  in  this  tree.  It  flour- 
ishes  in  rocky,  barren  places, 
whire  scarcely  anything  else 
will  grow  ;  and  a  single  tree 
will  sometimes  produce  280 
pounds  of  figs.  So  valuable 
was  this  tree  in  the  land  ol 
Canaan,  that  to  have  it  killed, 
or  even  to  have  it  fail  of  iti 
annual  fruit,  was  reckoned  a 
dreadful  calamity.  Joel  1  :  6, 
7.     Hab.  ;?  :  17. 

Fi}^I!r<^,  shape,  resemblance. 
Idol.<  are  called  figures,  becaus* 
they  are  made  after  the  like 
BC.  •     '.t     some     oriijinal     furia 


FIR 


89 


FIS 


Acta  7  :  43.  Adam,  Isaac,  <fcc., 
and  some  ancient  ceremonies, 
were  figures  or  types,  as  they 
shadowed  forth  Jesus  Christ. 
Rom.  5  :  14.  Heb.  11  :  19,  and 
9  :  9.  Baptism  is  called  a  fig- 
ure ;  its  washing  in  water  shad- 
ows forth  the  washing  of  our 
Bculs  in  the  blood  of  Christ. 

Fillet.  (1.)  A  band  for  the 
liair.  (2.)  An  astragal,  or  ar- 
chitectv.ral  ornament.  Ex.  36  : 
38,  and  38  :  28. 

Fir,  a  very  tall,  straight, 
evergreen  tree,  of  dense  foliage, 
and  abounding  with  a  gum 
called  rosin.  Its  fruit  somewhat 
resembles  burrs  of  the  pine- 
tree.  The  wood  was  anciently 
used  for  spears,  musical  instru- 
ments, building,  and  furniture 
for  houses  and  ships.  It  was 
the  chosen  abode  of  the  stork. 
Ps.  104  :  17.  Jesus  Christ  is 
compared  to  a  green  fir-tree. 
Hos.  14  :  8.  His  people  are 
likened  to  fir-trees.  Isa.  41  : 
19,  and  55  :  13,  and  60  :  13. 

Fire,  the  state  of  combus- 
tion ;  flame,  2  Pet.  3:7;  Rev. 
9  :  17  ;  suffering  of  the  utmost 
severity,  Jude  7.  The  word  is 
often  used  to  denote  the  tor- 
ment of  hell.  To  "salt  with 
fire  "  means  to  prove  or  purify 
by  suffering.     Mark  9  :  49. 

Firkin^  a  Greek  measure, 
equal,  it  is  thought,  to  four 
gallons  and  a  half  ;  that  is, 
about  a  fourth  part  of  a  batfi. 
There  is  no  certainty  as  to  its 
•ize.    John  2  :  6. 

Firmament,  the  expanse  of 
beaven,   the    sky.     The    lower 


region  of  the  firmament  separ- 
ates, as  is  said  Gen.  1  :  6,  7,  the 
waters  of  the  clouds  above  fron? 
the  waters  of  the  earth  beneath. 
Job  37  :  18. 

First- Frnits,  c^e rings  of  the 
earliest  ripe  grain,  fruit,  »&c., 
which  were  made  before  the 
harvest  was  fully  gathered. 
Neither  the  time  nor  quantity 
is  prescribed.  Every  person 
was  to  offer  for  himself. 

Fisll,  a  general  name,  in 
Scripture,  for  aquatic  animals. 
Fishes  were  created  on  the  fifth 
day,  by  the  word  of  God's 
power.  Some  are  of  monstrous 
size,  and  some  are  too  small 
to  be  seen  without  powerful 
glasses.  Their  element  has  ever 
prevented  an  accurate  knowl- 
edge of  their  number,  structure, 
or  habits.  Doubtless  many  ex- 
ist in  the  vast  extent  and  pro- 
fundity of  the  ocean,  which 
have  never  come  under  human 
observation.  Even  when  drawn 
from  their  watery  abode,  and 
the  form  examined  and  de- 
scribed, their  migrations,  pur- 
suits, and  pleasures,  remain 
concealed  in  most  cases.  The 
sea  not  affording  vegetable  fv>od 
in  the  profusion  that  is  seen  on 
land,  the  natives  of  the  deep 
subsist  by  preying  on  each 
other.  The  fecundity  and  lon- 
gevity of  fishes  are  adapted  to 
this  order  of  things.  A  single 
cod  will  produce,  in  a  season, 
nine  millions  of  eggs  ;  a  floun- 
der above  one  million,  and  a 
mackerel  five  hundred  thou. 
sand.     Large  fish  live  on  small 


FLA 


90 


FLE 


ones,  and  these  find  fooa  in  the 
««rplus  spawn.  Thus  myriads 
of  creatures  partake  of  the 
pleasures  of  existence,  in  an 
element  which  would  otherwise 
have  been  a  silent  waste. 

Under  the  Hebrew  law,  none 
were  called  clean,  and  allowed 
to  be  eaten,  but  such  as  had 
■fins  and  scal''^-;  so  that  lobsters, 
oysters.  <fec..  were  prohibited. 

Fitelies,  or  Fetches,  a  sort 
of  tare,  growing  to  the  height 
of  12  or  18  inches.  The  seeds 
are  fragrant  and  pungent,  and 
were  used  in  bread  and  cakes 
by  the  Jews.  Occurs  only  in 
Isa.  28  :  25,  27. 

Flag)  a  tall  rush,  common  on 
the  banks  of  the  Nile  ;  grateful 
to  cattle  as  food,  and  made  into 
ropes,  &G.,  by  the  Egyptians. 
Gen.  41  :  2,  18.  Job  8  :  11.  See 
Paper. 

Flagon,  a  vessel  or  cruse 
usually  intended  for  wine,  and 
containing  about  a  pint.  See 
Cruse.  The  word  seems  to 
mean  a  cake,  or  pressed  lump 
of  raisins.  2  Sam.  6  :  19.  1 
Chron.  16  :  3. 

Flax,  a  well-known  plant,  of 
which  linen  is  made.  Egypt 
carried  on  a  great  trade  in 
linen,  Ezek.  27  :  7.  Wrought 
mto  garments,  it  was  the  only 
raiment  of  the  priests,  and  the 
principal  article  of  dress  of  all 
the  people.  It  was  famous  in 
all  countries  for  its  fineness  ;  but 
this  was  because  the  art  of  spin- 
ning was  then  in  so  rude  a  state, 
for  that  which  is  row  taken 
from  the  best  mummies  seems 


to  us  very  coarse.  The  destruo 
tion  of  flax,  in  one  of  the 
plagues  of  Moses,  must  have 
been  a  great  calamity.  Ex.  9  : 
31.  It  is  still,  according  to 
NoRDEN,  one  of  their  principal 
articles  of  export.  When  it  is 
said  the  flax  had  "  bulled,'*  it 
means  that  the  seed  vessels  had 
begun  to  assume  a  roundish 
form.     See  Lamp. 

Flay^  to  strip  off  the  skin  ;  a 
punishment  used  in  some  coun- 
tries upon  great  offenders,  by 
which  they  were  slowly  killed, 
with  the  utmost  suffering.  Mic. 
3:3.  Some  of  the  early  chris- 
tians were  martyred  in  this 
manner. 

Flesh,  that  soft  part  of  any 
animal,  which  lies  between  the 
skin  and  the  bone.  The  word 
is  used  in  Scripture  for  living 
men,  and  animals  in  general, 
Gen.  G  :  13  ;  for  the  whole 
nature  of  man,  as  it  comes  into 
the  world  infected  with  sin, 
Rom.  7:5;  8:8;  for  all  that 
in  religion  which  is  outward, 
and  to  be  seen  with  the  eye,  as 
moral  works  or  ceremonies  of 
the  law,  Rom.  4:1,  Gal.  3:3; 
for  the  natural  corruptions, 
which  act  in  opposition  to  the 
Spirit  in  regenerated  persons. 
Rom.  7:  18,  25.  GaL  5:  17,  24. 
Fiesh  also  signifies  the  human 
nature  of  Christ,  whereby  bia 
divine  nature  was  veiled,  even 
as  the  mercy-seat  and  the  most 
holy  place  were  by  the  veil 
Heb.  10  :  20.  It  is  also  take* 
for  the  outward  appearance 
John  8  :  15.  "  A  heart  of  flesh   ' 


FLO 


yi 


FLY 


denotes  a  tender,  tractable  tem^ 
per  and  disposition  of  soul. 

Flood,  an  inundation  or  col- 
lection of  waters.  The  Red  Sea 
19  so  called,  Ps.  66:  6,  and  heavy 
rains,  Matt.  7  :  25,  and  by  a 
figure,  great  afflictions,  Ps.  69  : 
15,  violent  efiforts  of  the  enemies 
of  the  church.    Isa.  59  :  19,  &Q. 

In  most  instances  where  this 
word  occurs,  it  means  that 
awful  deluge  which  once  de- 
stroyed the  earth,  as  described 
in  Genesis.  Noah,  with  his 
family,  and  the  various  animals 
which  God  brought  to  him,  were 
preserved  in  the  ark,  which 
was  their  habitation  for  about  a 
year.  This  memorable  event  is 
computed  to  have  occurred  A. 
M.  1656.  Persons  and  things 
existing  previous  to  it  are  called 
antediluvian.  Of  this  event,  most 
heathen  nations  have,  to  this 
day,  some  tradition,  and  many 
ancient  Gentile  writers  allude 
to  it.  Scarcely  any  ancient  fact 
is  so  well  authenticated  by  pro- 
fane history,  by  tradition,  and 
by  commemorative  rites,  as  the 
flood.  The  present  state  of  the 
earth  furnishes  evidence  of  its 
having  occurred.  Trees,  teeth, 
bones,  sea-shell,  <tc.,  <fec.,  are 
often  found  on  the  tops  of  moun- 
tains, or  buried  in  the  earth,  in 
the  hardest  strata,  in  solid 
rocks,  in  beds  of  marl,  and  in 
the  bottoms  of  mines. 

FlODF,  the  bottom  of  a  r^^om. 
1  Kings  6  :  15.  The  place  where 
2orn  was  threshed  out,  Hos.  9 : 
1.  Judg.  6  :  37.  See  Tuuesh- 
ixG-Fr.ooR. 


Flotes,  flat-bottomed  vosseh, 
such  as  are  now  called  scows  or 
barges  ;  or  a  collection  of  trees, 
fastened  together  by  ropes,  to 
be  drawn  along  by  water,  in  the 
manner  we  make  a  raft.  1  Kinga 
5:  9. 

Flowers  are  mentioned  in  a 
multitude  of  places  in  Serif  tare. 
They  are  among  the  most  beau- 
tiful objects  in  nature  ;  various 
in  form  and  color,  delicate, 
graceful,  fragrant,  and  useful. 
They  enclose  and  protect  the 
tender  organs  by  which  the 
seeds  and  fruits  are  perfected 
The  care  and  study  of  flowers 
is  a  most  pure  and  ennobling 
pursuit,  and  was  assigned  to 
both  man  and  woman  before  the 
fall.  Few  comparisons  are  more 
common  than  that  between  a 
flower  and  human  life.  Job 
14  :  2.  Ps.  103  :  15.  Isa.  40  : 
6,  8. 

Flate,  a  sweet,  soft  wind-in- 
strument, of  very  ancient  date. 
We  find  it  used  in  the  time  of 
David,  1  Kings  1  :  40,  and  a^" 
Nebuchadnezzar's  concert.  Dan. 
3  :  5. 

Fly,  an  insect  of  which  there 
are  many  kinds,  some  having 
two,  and  some  four  wings.  Son- 
nini  says,  that  in  Egypt  no  in- 
sects are  so  troublesome  as  flies, 
which  are  there  extremely  ra- 
pacious and  bold,  stinging  the 
tenderest  parts  of  the  body,  and 
creating  almost  insupportable 
pain.  Isa.  7  :  18  According 
to  the  custom  c^'  idolatrous 
countries,  to  worsh.p  what  wajj 
hurtful,  the  Egyptians  paid  su 


FOO 


92 


FOO 


perstitious  homage  to  several 
Borts  of  flies,  so  that  nothing 
could  be  more  striking  than  the 
plague  of  them  by  Moses.  Beel- 
zebub, or  the  god  of  Jlies,  was 
worshipped  by  the  Philistines, 
Amorites,  &c.,  because  he  was 
■opposed  to  defend  his  votaries 
from  these  distressing  insects. 

FoOu,  among  the  ancient 
Jews,  was  exceedingly  plain. 
Gen.  18:  6,  7.  The  articles 
destined  for  the  king's  table 
were  very  simple.  2  Sam.  16  : 
1,  and  17  :  28,  29.  Bread  was 
the  most  common  food.  Milk 
and  honey  were  dainties.  Flesh 
was  a  luxury.  They  were  ac- 
3ustomed  to  eat  under  the  shade 
•jf  a  tree.  Gen.  18  :  8.  They 
would  not  eat  indi  Jerently  with 
all  persons,  deeming  it  deroga- 
tory and  polluting  in  many 
3ases.  Gen.  43  :  32.  John  4  :  9. 
Matt.  9:11.  In  general,  each 
had  his  separate  table.  Thus 
Elkanah  gave  his  two  wives 
•Leir  portion  apart.  1  Sam. 
1  :  4,  5.  Special  respect  was 
paid  to  guests  by  giving  them  a 
great  plenty  for  their  portion. 
Joseph  sent  Benjamin  Jive  times 
as  much  as  either  of  the  rest, 
and  Samuel  set  a  quarter  of  a 
calf  before  Saul.  Generally, 
the  ancient  Jews  sat  cross-legged 
round  a  mat,  as  is  now  custom- 
ary in  the  East,  but  in  later, 
times  more  luxurious  postures 
were  adopted.  They  ate  with 
their  fingers,  knives  and  fork? 
being  a  modern  invention. 
Their  time?  ')f  meals  were  sun- 
rJae.    i  litt.vi   before   n(V)n,  and 


five  in  the  afternoon.  Theil 
ordinary  beverage  was  wa  ter. 

The  Jews  were  restricted  ia 
their  food  to  animals  called 
"  clean,"  which  are  described 
in  classes.  The  reasons  seem  tc 
have  been  both  moral  and  po- 
litical ;  and  particularly  to  keep 
Israel  distinct  from  other  peo- 
ple. Lev.  20  :  24—26.  Deut. 
14  :  2,  3.  Nearly  every  crea- 
ture pronounced  unclean  was 
held  sacred  by  adjacent  nations. 
Ensnaring  intercourse  with  pa- 
gans was  thus  effectually  ob- 
structed, as  those  who  cannot 
eat  and  drink  together,  are  not 
likely  to  become  intimate. 

Fool)  an  idiot,  or  a  very  weak 
person  ;  one  who  foresees  not 
evils,  to  prevent  them,  and 
neglects  the  season  of  obtaining 
what  is  good.  In  the  language 
of  Scripture,  a  sinner;  one  who 
makes  something  in  this  world 
his  highest  aim,  and  spends  his 
chief  time  and  labor  about  it, 
to  the  neglect  of  infinitely  high- 
er interests.  2  Sam.  13  :  12. 
Ps.  38  :  5.  Those  who  VDb>-»i(i 
their  brethren  as  fools  are  in 
danger  of  hell.  Matt.  5  :  22. 
Whatever  is  without  good  rea- 
son, and  does  not  secure  meu's 
true  and  eternal  advantage,  is 
foolish  ;  and  hence  we  read  of 
foolish  talking,  foolish  lusta, 
foolish  questions,  &g.  Eph.  5  . 
4.     1  Tim.  6  :  9.     Tit.  3  :  9. 

Foot,  that  on  which  anything 
stands,  or  is  supported  ;  a  ueas- 
ure  of  12  inches.  In  old  times, 
it  was  customary  to  wa^b  the 
feet  of  stranj'crs  il'ter  a  \ouriiey 


FOX 


93 


FOX 


because  ihey  either  walked  bare- 
foot, or  wore  only  sandals.  Gen. 
18  :  4;  19  :  2;.2-t  :  32.  Widows 
maiatained  by  the  church  were 
to  be  such  as  had  washed  the 
feet  of  the  saints  ;  that  is,  had 
been  ready  to  do  the  meanest 
services  for  the  servants  of  God. 
1  Tim.  5  :  10.  Our  blessed  Sa- 
viour vrashed  the  feet  of  his 
apostles  ;  and  though  there  is 
not  sufl5cient  reason  for  regard- 
ing this  as  a  positive  institution, 
like  the  Lord's  supper,  yet  it 
most  plainly  and  movingly 
Bhows  that  christians  are  to  be 
very  afifectionate,  and  ready  to 
perform  the  most  humble  ser- 
vices for  one  another. 

Foreship)  the  bow,  or  forward 
part  of  a  ship.     Acts  27  :  30. 

ForgiYC)  to  pardon  an  oflfence. 
To  forgive  sin  is  the  prerogative 
of  God  only.  Isa.  43  :  25. 
When  the  Pharisees,  who  denied 
the  divinity  of  Christ,  heard 
him  forgiving  sins,  they  said, 
"  This  man  blasphemeth."  Mat. 
y  :  3.  That  Christ  exercised 
this  power,  proves  him  to  be 
divine.     Acts  5  :  31. 

Fornieation  means,  (l.)  Crim- 
inal intercourse  between  un- 
married persoas,  1  Cor.  7:2; 
(2  )  Adultery,  Matt.  5  :  32  ; 
(3.)  Idolatry,  2  Chron.  21  :  11; 
(4.)  Heresy,  Rev.  19  :  2.  The 
word  occurs  much  more  fre- 
quently in  its  metaphoriaal  than 
in  its  literal  sense.  Jer.  3  :  8, 
9.     Ezek.  16  :  26. 

Fox.  There  is  reason  t )  think 
that  the   word   shuol    means  a 


jackal,  and  not  a  fox  ;  and  that 
the  true  fox  is  not  mentioned  in 
all  the  Scriptures.  The  fox  does 
not  prey  on  carrion  ;  nor  are 
our  foxes  fond  of  grapes,  as 
jackals  are  known  to  be.  Cant. 
2  :  15.  Samson  might  have 
caught  jackals  by  scores,  but 
the  fox  is  scarcely  ever  found 
in  Judea,  and  is  not  a  gregarious 
animal.  When  it  is  said  Sam- 
son caught  300  foxes,  it  probably 
means  that  he  had  them  caught. 
Barbarous  nations  of  the  East 
ravage  the  country  they  con- 
quer, leaving  the  habitations 
desolate,  and  the  dead  bodies 
unburied.  These  carcasses  the 
jackals  devour.  David  alludes 
to  this,  Ps.  63  :  10,  when  he 
says  his  enemies  "  shall  be  a 
portion  for  foxes."  Jackals 
abound  in  Asia  Minor  and  the 
neighboring  countries.  They 
choose  hilly  places,  boldly  ap- 
proach travellers,  and  at  night 
enter  villages,  always  going  in 
troops.  The  jackal  is  not  so 
large  as  a  wslf,  but  rather  larger 
than  a  fox,  and  lives  on  small 
animals,  grapes,  vegetables,  and 
carcasses.  The  general  resem- 
blance of  the  fox  and  jackal 
may  have  caused  the  sacred 
writers  to  use  the  term  shttol 
(fox),  as  comprehending  similai 
animals.  Scaliger  and  Olearius, 
as  quoted  by  Bochart,  expressly 
call  the  jackal  a  fox  ;  and  San- 
dys says,  "  the  jackals  are,  ic 
my  opinion,  no  other  than 
foxes."  Kajmpfer  says,  the  jack 
al  may  not  improperly  be  «alle4 
the  "  w,  If -foxy 


FRO 


94 


FRU 


Frankincense,  a  gum,  burnt 
fn  temples,  and  used  in  medi- 
cine. It  distils  from  incisions 
made  in  the  ti-ee  during  the 
heat  of  the  summer,  and,  when 
placed  on  live  coals,  sends  up  a 
dense  fragrant  smoke.  Some 
frankincense  is  brought  from 
the  East  Indies  ;  but  it  is  net 
equal  to  that  of  Arabia  or  Af- 
rica. The  form  of  the  frank- 
incense-tree is  like  a  pear-tree. 
Johnson,  in  his  Travels  in  Ahys- 
sviia,  says  that  it  is  exported  in 
large  quantities  from  the  Sou- 
malee  coast  of  Africa,  being 
brought  from  the  interior  on 
tamels,  and  was  sold  at  about 
tne  cent  a  pound.  Ex.  30  :  34. 
Luke  1  :  10.     Rev.  8  :  4. 

Fray,  to  chase  or  fright  away, 
Deut.  28  :  26. 

Frog.  There  are  two  species 
of  frog,  one  of  which  lives  in 
the  water,  and  the  other  on  the 
land.  The  former  was  made 
the  plague  of  Egypt.  Ex.  8. 
As  the  frog  in  Egypt  was  the 
emblem  of  Osiris,  it  was  held 
sacred  by  the  people  ;  and  this 
plague  is  one  of  the  many  in- 
stances in  which  Jehovah  pun- 
ishes men  by  means  of  the  very 
things  which  they  improperly 
regard.  This  is  still  more  ap- 
parent when  we  consider  that 
the  Nile,  in  which  they  were 
produced,  was  supposed  by  the 
Egyptians  to  be  peculiarly  sa- 
cred, and  deserving  of  religious 
veneration.  Though  the  frog  is 
not  venomous,  such  legions  of 
them  penetrating  every  place, 
and  filling  their  food  and  beds. 


rendered  life  intolerable.  Whea 
it  is  said,  Ps.  78  :  45,  "  He  sent 
frogs  and  destroyed  them,"  it 
probably  means  that  the  stencb 
of  them,  when  killed,  infected 
the  air,  and  created  a  pestilence. 
Had  God  sent  lions,  tigers,  and 
crocodiles,  instead  of  frogs,  lice, 
flies,  &c.,  the  cause  would  havo 
seemed  so  adequate  to  the  effect, 
that  his  hand  in  the  punishment 
might  have  been  overlooked. 
Because  frogs  show  themselves 
most  actively  after  a  rain,  some 
have  foolishly  imagined  that 
they  are  produced  by  rain,  or 
descend  with  it. 

Frontlet,  or  Telephix,  a  brow- 
band,  or  fillet,  worn  on  the  fore- 
head. The  Jews,  regarding  the 
command,  Deut.  6  :  8,  9,  as  in- 
tended literally,  or  being  dis- 
posed to  adopt  the  pagan  cus- 
tom of  wearing  amulets  and 
talismans,  wore  these  on  their 
foreheads.    See  Phylactery. 

Fmit,  production,  conse- 
quence. "  Fruit  of  cattle  "  is 
their  young.  "  Fruit  of  the 
body  "  signifies  children.  Deut. 
18  :  4.  "  Fruit  of  the  lips  " 
is  the  sacrifice  of  praise  and 
thanksgiving.  Heb.  13  15. 
"  Fruits  meet  for  repentance," 
are  such  a  holy  life  and  conver- 
sation as  manifest  the  reality 
of  repentance.  Matt.  3  :  8. 
"  Fruits  of  the"  Spirit "  mean 
love  both  to  God  and  our  neigh- 
bors, and  those  gracious  habits 
wrought  by  the  Spirit  in  the 
soul  ;  as  joy,  peace,  long-suflTer- 
ing,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith, 
meekness,  and  temperance.  Gal 


GAB 


95 


GAD 


5  :  22,  23.  "  Fruits  of  righ  eous- 
ness,"  Phil.  1  :  11,  are  such 
good  ■works  and  holy  actions  as 
spring  from  a  gracious  frame  of 
aeart.  —  Fruit  is  taken  for  a 
charitable  contribution,  which 
is  the  fruit  or  effect  of  faith  and 
love.  Rom.  15  :  28.  Frut/,  when 
spoken  of  good  men,  means  the 
fruits  or  works  of  righteousness 
and  holiness  ;  but,  in  regai'd  to 
wicked  men,  it  designates  the 
effects  of  sin,  immorality,  and 
wickedness.  See  our  Saviour's 
doctrine.     Matt.  7  :  16. 

Full,  fulness.  (1.)  Desiring 
QO  more  of  a  thing,  Isa.  1  :  11; 
(2.)  Perfect,  that  which  wants 
nothing,  2  John  8  ;  (3.)  Being 
puffed  up  with  a  conceit  of  our 
own  sufficiency  and  worth,  so  as 
to  feel  no  need  of  Christ.  "  Woe 
unto  you  that  are  full."     Luke 

6  :  25.  To  be  "  full  of  years," 
is  to  have  lived  to  old  age. 
Gen.  25  :  8.  "  The  fulness  of 
time  "  is  the  time  when  Messiah 
appeared,  which  was  appointed 


by  God,  promised  to  the  Fatherc, 
foretold  by  the  prophets,  ex- 
pected by  the  Jews  themselves, 
and  earnestly  longed  for  by  ali 
who  looked  for  redemption  ;  the 
fulness  of  this  time  is  wheu  it 
was  fully  come.  Gal.  4  :  4. 
The  "  fulness  of  God  "  is  such 
a  measure  of  perfection  as  God 
hath  appointed  to  every  one  of 
the  elect  through  Christ.  Eph. 
3  :  19.  "  That  ye  might  be 
filled  with  all  the  fulness  of 
God,"  is  sharing  in  the  most 
ample  manner  in  the  unsearch- 
able riches  of  Christ. 

Furlong,  the  eighth  part  of  a 
mile — forty  rods.  Luke  24: 
13.     John  11  :  18. 

Fary,  tempestuous  rage 
When  it  is  ascribed  to  God,  it 
means  not  that  he  is  discom 
posed,  but  that  his  dispensa- 
tions will  resemble  what  men 
would  do  in  a  fury  if  they  had 
power.  How  awful  must  be  the 
\  condition  of  those  on  whom  it 
is  poured  out  ! 


G. 


Gab'batllR,  a  word  of  Chaldee 
or  Syriac  origin,  which  means 
ihe  pavement,  a  large  court  or 
apartment,  used  as  Pilate's  judg- 
ment seat.  John  19  :  13.  It 
was  evidently  outside  of  the  prae- 
torium. 

Gabriel,  literally, "  the  mighty 
one  of  God,"  the  angel,  men- 
tioned Luke  1  :  11,  26,  who  ap- 
peared   at    different     times    to 


Daniel,  Zaoharias,  Ac.  Dan. 
10,  12.  The  word  never  occurs 
in  the  plural.  Some  learned 
men  think  that  the  term  is  ap- 
plied to  Christ. 

Gad,  «a  troop."  (1.)  The 
son  of  Jacob,  by  Zilpah,  Gen. 
30  ;  (2.)  A  tribe  in  Isiael,  de- 
rived from  this  patriarch,  ^Num. 
26  :  15—18  ;  (3.)  The  name  of 
the  province  or  canton  occupied 


GAL 


96 


GAL 


by  the  tribe  of  Gad,  I'Sam.  13  : 
7  ;  (4.)  A  prophet  who  lived  in 
the  days  of  David,  of  whose 
reign  he  wrote  a  history,  as  did 
also  Nathan,  the  prophet ; 
neither  of  which  seem  to  have 
been  inspired,  or  at  least  were 
not  preserved.    1  Chron.  29  :  29. 

dad'ara,  the  capital  of  Pergea, 
is  Coelo-Syria,  stood  about  four 
miles  eastward  of  the  Sea  of 
Tiberias.  Great  numbers  of 
swine  were  kept  here,  which  was 
directly  contrary  to  the  Mosaic 
law.  When  Christ,  in  healing 
two  possessed  persons,  suffered 
the  devils  to  enter  their  herd  of 
Bwine,  and  drown  them,  instead 
of  being  humbled  by  their  pun- 
ishment, they  besought  the  Sa- 
viour to  leave  their  country. 
About  forty  years  after,  the  city 
was  burnt  by  the  Romans. 
Matthew  (chap.  8  :  28)  calls 
this  the  country  of  the  Gerge- 
senes,  because  Gergesa  was  the 
name  of  the  country  where  Gad- 
ara  stood,  or  was  a  city  near  to 
Gadara  ;  and  Christ  healed  the 
possessed  men  on  the  border 
between  the  two,  or  in  a  place 
e'»mmon  to  both.  Mark  5:1. 
It  is  now  called  Kadar,  and 
sometimes  Om-Kias. 

Galatia,  an  extensive  province 
af  Aaia  Minor,  north  of  Lycao- 
nia.  It  was  called  Galatia,  or 
Gaullo-Graecia,  from  the  Gauls, 
to  whom  Nicomedes,  king  of 
Bithynia,  gave  it  as  a  reward 
for  assisting  him  in  his  wars 
against  his  brother.  Its  chief 
oity  was  Ancyra,  now  called 
Angora.    About  175  years  before 


Christ,  it  was  reduced  to  a  Ro 
man  province.  The  gospel  wa« 
planted  here  by  Paul,  who  wrot» 
an  epistle  to  these  churches 
Acts  16.  Dejotauus,  for  whouc 
Cicero  interceded,  in  an  oration 
still  extant,  was  king  of  this 
country.  About  A.  D.  2Cfi,  it 
was  overrun  by  the  Goths  ;  and 
afterward  became  a  province  of 
Turkey.  It  is  now  called  Na- 
tuiia. 

Galatians.  This  epistle  dis 
cusses  much  the  same  topics  as 
that  to  the  Romans.  Certain 
preachers  had  urged  on  them  the 
duty  of  circumcision,  Ac,  and 
depreciated  Paul's  character. 
He  therefore  asserts  his  apostol- 
ical character,  shows  the  hypoc- 
risy of  their  preachers,  and 
refutes  their  errors. 

Gal'bannin,  an  odoriferous 
gum,  obtained  by  incision  from 
the  ferula  galhanifera,  which 
grows  in  Arabia,  Syria,  Africa, 
&G.  It  constituted  an  ingredient 
in  the  holy  anointing  oil.  Occurs 
Ex.  30  :  34  only. 

Galilee^  the  northern  part  of 
Canaan,  comprehending  Issa- 
char,  Zebulun,  Naphtali,  and 
Asher.  The  upper  part  was 
called  Galilee  of  the  Gentiles,  from 
its  containing  many  Gentile  in- 
habitants out  of  the  neighboring 
nations  ;  as  the  Phoenicians, 
Syrians,  Ac.  This  mixture  of 
population  corrupted  the  dialect ; 
hence  Peter  was  detected  by  his 
speech.  Mark  14  :  70.  Our  Sa- 
viour and  most  of  the  disciplea 
were  educated  here  ;  and  hero 
were     most     of    the     miracles 


OAM 


97 


GAR 


in^)jght.  On  this  account,  Jesus 
and  his  followers  were  often 
called  Galileans.  Luke  23  :  G. 
Acts  2:7. 

Galilee,  Sea  of.  See  Gen- 
nesareth. 

Gall,  a  general  name  for  what- 
ever is  very  bitter  or  nauseou.''. 
Several  different  words,  of  the 
original  Scriptures,  are  trans- 
lated by  this  term.  In  Job  16  : 
13,  it  means  the  animal  secre- 
tion so  called.  In  Matt.  17  : 
34,  it  seems  synonymous  with 
myrrh.  T)ie  word  occurs  meta- 
phorically,meaning  great  troubles, 
Jer.  8  :  14  ;  exceeding  mcked- 
ness,  Amos  6:12;  abominable 
depravity  of  heart.  Acts  8  :  23. 
Bee  Myrrh. 

GalliO  was  brother  to  Seneca, 
the  famous  moralist,  and  adopted 
aon  of  Lucius  Junius  Gallio, 
after  whom  he  was  named.  Un- 
der Claudius,  he  became  gover- 
nor of  Achaia.  He  acted  as  a 
judge,  very  mildly  and  properly, 
when  a  rabble,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  Sosthenes,  accused  Paul, 
declaring  that  he  was  ready  to 
judge  civil  causes,  but- not  to 
punish  men  for  religious  opin- 
ions. But  he  dreadfully  erred 
in  not  inquiring  into  the  nature 
of  Christianity,  and  accepting 
its  salvation.  Acts  18  :  17. 
During  the  reign  of  the  fr'ious 
Nero,  he  was  put  to  death 

Gamaliel,  the  distinguished 
Pharisee  under  whom  Paul 
studied  law,  grandson  of  Hillel, 
the  famous  teacher. 

Gam'madims,  inhabitants  of 
braamade,    or    <>amale,    which 


was  probably  a  province  of 
Phoenicia.  Ezek.  27  :  11.  The 
term  so  rendered  is  thought  by 
some  not  to  mean  a  nation,  but 
simply  the  brave. 

Garment*  It  was  the  custom 
when  great  men  of  the  East 
gave  a  feast,  to  make  a  present 
to  each  guest  of  a  robe  to  wear 
on  that  occasion  ;  and  some- 
times the  silver  or  gold  cup  out 
of  which  they  drank  was  also 
added.  This  explains  Matt.  Tl : 
11 — 13,  which  might  otherwise 
seem  severe.  The  man  acted 
contemptuously  and  insultingly, 
and  merited  his  doom  ;  as  do 
all  who  reject  the  robe  of 
Christ's  righteousness.  Princes, 
especially  great  kings  and 
priests,  generally  wore  white 
garmeifts  ;  such  were  also  worn 


on  the  occasions  of  great  joy  tnd 
gladness.  Eccl.  9:8.  In  mourn- 
ing, men  generally  wore  sack- 
cloth or  hair-cloth.  Prophets, 
when  their  messages  were  ter- 
rible, and  the  times  dark,  on 
wore  a  ncourning  dress  of  coarsfl 


GAT 


98 


G  AZ 


ituff,  or  skin.  2  Kings  1  :  7,  8. 
Matt.  3  :  4.  False  prophets,  in 
oriier  to  deceive  the  people, 
clothed  themselves  after  the 
Baine  manner.  Zech.  13  :  4. 
It  was  common  to  lay  up  stores 
of  raiment  (as  the  fashion  of 
dress  does  not  alter  in  the  East, 
and  loose  robes  are  capable  of 
fitting  anybod;'),  especially  by 
the  rich,  \^ho  either  loaned  or 
gave  away  miny  such  at  their 
great  feasts.  Sometimes  thou- 
sands of  garments  were  laid  up. 
Hence  the  Saviour  warns  men 
of  the  folly  of  laying  up  treas- 
ures which  the  moth  may  con- 
sume. Matt.  6  :  19.  Luke  12  : 
33.     Jam.  5  :  2. 

What  is  said  in  Matt.  9:16, 
•'  No  man  putteth  a  piece  of 
new  cloth  into  an  old  garment," 
&c.,  is  explained  by  the  parallel 
text,  Luke  5 :  36,  "  No  man 
putteth  a  piece  of  a  new  gar- 
ment upon  an  old;"  that  is,  no 
man  cuts  up  a  new  cloth  to 
mend  an  old.     See  Raiment. 

Gate,  the  entrance  to  a  resi- 
dence or  fortified  place.  A 
large  room  was  built  over  the 
gate  on  the  wall  of  the  city, 
used  as  a  council-chamber,  and 
court  of  justice,  or  town  hall. 
We  have  a  remarkable  example 
of  the  mode  of  procedure,  in 
the  fourth  chapter  of  Ruth.  It 
was  here  that  Absalom  made  his 
eeditiotis  speeches.  2  Sam.  15. 
Mordecai  sat  at  the  king's  gate, 
not  aj  a  poor  mendicant,  but  as 
%  judge  ;  and  therefore  Ilaman 
Baid,  "  All  this  availeth  me 
nothing,  30  long  as  I  see  Mor- 


iecai  the  Jew  sitting  at  th.a 
king's  gate."  Esth.  5  :  I'i 
Peace  and  war  were  proclaimed 
from  the  gate  ;  and  hence  "  tho 
gates  of  hell,"  is  a  proper  ex- 
pression for  the  power  and  in 
lluence  of  hell,  which  shall  not 
prevail  against  the  church 
Matt.  16  :  18. 

Gath,  a  city  of  Philistia,  the 
capital  of  the  people  called  Git- 
tites.  It  stood  14  miles  south 
of  Joppa,  and  was  one  of  tho 
most  ancient  cities  in  the  world. 
It  still  exists,  though  now  a 
place  of  small  consequence.  Its 
present  name  is  Jrbna. 

Several  other  places  appear 
to  have  gone  under  this  name; 
one  in  Galilee,  where  Jonah  was 
born.  Josh.  19  :  13  ;  2  Kings 
14  :  25  ;  one  in  the  tribe  of 
Dan  ;  and  another  in  Manasseh. 
Josh.  21  :  24. 

Gaza.  (1.)  A  city  of  the 
Ephraimites,  1  Chron.  7  :  28, 
now  called /iJazra.  (2.)  A  city 
between  Palestine  and  Egypt, 
and  about  two  miles  and  a  half 
from  the  Mediterranean  Sea.  It 
was  anciently  a  city  of  the  Phil- 
istines, but  included  in  the  tribe 
of  Judah,  who  conquered  it 
after  the  death  of  Joshua.  Jud. 
1  :  18.  The  Philistines  retook 
it,  and  kept  possession  till  the 
reign  of  David.  Samson  car- 
ried the  gates  of  it  to  the  top 
of  a  high  hill  on  the  road  to- 
wards Hebron  ;  afterwards  ha 
was  imprisoned,  and  died  here, 
Jud.  16.  During  the  reign  of 
David,  it  was  reconquered  by 
the  jQTfS,  and  remained  ^ubjool 


GEN 


99 


GEW 


ko  them  many  years.  During 
the  wars  of  Alexander,  it  was 
laid  waste  ;  and,  a  new  town  of 
the  same  name  being  laid  out 
not  far  distant,  it  fell  into  decay, 
and  became  desolate,  according 
to  the  prediction,  Zeph.  2  :  4. 
The  old  town  is  referred  to  in 
Acts  8  :  26,  as  "  Gaza  which  is 
desert." 

Genealogy,  a  list  of  ancestors ; 
an  account  or  history  of  the 
rise,  progress,  and  present  state 
of  any  person  or  family,  show- 
ing the  regular  descent.  The 
exactness  of  the  Jews  in  this 
respect,  was  ordered,  that  it 
aiight  be  certainly  known  of 
what  tribe  and  family  the  Mes- 
siah was  born.  After  the  birth 
of  Christ,  such  circumspection 
was  unnecessary  ;  and  if  per- 
pisted  in,  could  only  indicate  an 
unchristian  pride  of  ancestry  ; 
as  will  appear  from  the  words 
of  the  apostle  Paul,  1  Tim.  1  : 
4.  Tit.  3  :  9.  The  diflference 
in  the  genealogies  of  Christ,  as 
given  by  Matthew  and  Luke, 
orose  from  one  giving  the  line 
of  Joseph,  the  other  of  Mary. 

Generation  signifies,  in  Scrip- 
tnre,  (1.)  Posterity,  offspring. 
Gen.  10  :  1.  (2.)  Line  of  de- 
scent. The  "  book  of  the  gen- 
eration of  Jesus  Christ  "  is  a 
history  of  his  lineage,  life,  and 
death.  Matt.  1  :  1.  (3.)  The 
persons  existing  at  any  particu- 
lar period.  Matt.  1  :  17.  "  This 
generation  shall  not  pass  away 
till  all  these  things  be  fulfilled," 
Matt.  24  :  34,  means  eitl^r  that 
the  people.living  in  the  time  of 


Christ  should  not  be  all  dead 
when  Jerusalem  and  the  Jewish 
nation  would  be  ruined  by  the 
Romans ;  or,  that  the  Jewish 
nation  should  not  pass  away  till 
his  second  coming.  We  cer- 
tainly see  them  subs-isting  at 
this  day,  a  distinct  and  separate 
generation.  In  Christ's  time, 
the  Jews  were  a  faithless,  per- 
verse, and  untoward  generation, 
Mark  9  :  19.  Acts  2  :  40.  The 
saints  are  *'  a  chosen  genera 
tion,"  that  is,  literally,  an  elect- 
ed race.     1  Pet.  1  :  2,  and  2  :  9. 

Genesis,  the  first  book  of 
Scripture.  This  title  is  derived 
from  a  Greek  word,  which  sig- 
nifies generation  or  beginning. 
The  book  contains  an  account 
of  the  beginning  or  creation  of 
the  world,  and  settles  forever 
that  question  which  heathen 
sages  could  never  decide, — 
whence  sprung  this  earth,  and 
its  inhabitants  1  The  disclosure 
of  this  grand  truth,  that  the 
Author  of  all  things  is  one 
glorious,  supreme,  and  self-ex- 
istent Being,  establishes  the 
principle  and  foundation  of  all 
religion  and  morality,  and  ia 
the  source  of  comfort  and  hope 
to  the  human  family. 

This  book  comprises  a  period 
of  2369  years  ;  and  beside  the 
history  of  the  creation,  it  con- 
tains an  account  of  man's  origi- 
nal innocence  ;  his  fall  ;  the 
propagation  of  mankind  ;  the 
rise  of  religion  ;  the  corruption 
of  the  world  ;  the  deluge  ;  the 
repeopling  and  division  of  the 
earth  ;  the  history  »f  tlie  fir»t 


GEN 


100 


(J  EK 


patriarchs  ;  an  1  the  setUemcnt 
of  Israel  in  Egypt.  It  was 
written  by  Moses ;  probably 
during  his  exile  iu  the  land  of 
Midian.     See  Traditiox. 

Gennes'aretll,  a  fine  lake,  six- 
teen miles  long,  and  five  or  six 
broad.  Its  waters  are  exceed- 
ingly sweet  and  pure,  and 
abound  with  fish.  The  north- 
ern coast  is  covered  with  ba- 
ealtes,  lava,  and  other  volcanic 
productions.  Its  edges  are  not 
marshy,  but  form  sandy  beach- 
es, from  which  fine  hills  rise, 
covered  once  with  the  beauty 
of  cultivation,  but  now  silent 
and  drear.  It  is  very  subject, 
from  the  character  of  the  sur- 
rounding hills,  to- sudden  gusts 
of  wind  ;  and  when  these  come 
from  the  south,  and  oppose  the 
current  of  the  Jordan,  its  sur- 
face is  very  roixgh,  as  was  the 
case  when  Christ  walked  on  the 
water  to  his  disciples.  Matt. 
14:  24 — 26.  It  is  the  same  as 
the  Sea  of  Tiberias,  John  21 : 
1,  and  Sea  of  Galilee,  Matt.  4  : 
18,  and  14:  34. 

Gentile,  a  term  applied  by  the 
Jews  to  all  who  were  not  of  their 
religion  ;  one  ignorant  of  the 
true  God  ;  a  heathen  or  pagan, 
eometimes  called  a  Greek.  Horn. 
1  :  14.  1  Cor.  1  :  22,  &c.  Paul 
is  commonly  called  the  apostle 
of  the  Gentiles,  1  Tim.  2  :  7,  as 
he  was  principally  sent  to  preach 
Christ  to  them  ;  whereas  Peter 
and  the  other  apostles  preached 
generally  to  the  Jews,  and  were 
therefor 3  called  the  apostles  of 
Ibe    cir  unicision.      Gal.    2  :  7 


1  That  the  ancient  godl}'  Jews  «»• 
sired  the  conversion  of  the  Gen- 
tiles, appears  from   the  prayer 
of   Solomon   after    the   dedica- 
tion of  the  temple.     1  Kings  8  ; 
!  41—43.     The  Psalmist  says  th-tt 
>  the  Lord  shall  give  the  Gentiles 
!  to   the    Messiah  for  an  inherit- 
'  ance.    Ps.  2  :  8.    And  the  Chris- 
tian church  is  now  composed  al- 
most wholly  of  Gentiles. 
'      ConuT  OF  THE  Gentiles.     See 
I  Temple. 

Gentleness,  though  little  ad- 
mired by  the  world,  compared 
with  enterprise,  bravery,  «fec.,  is. 
in  the  sight  of  God,  an  impor- 
tant virtue.  Jam.  3:17.  It 
stands  opposed  to  harshness, 
bluntness,  arrogance,  oppres- 
j  sion,  and  bitterness.  When  ap- 
plied to  God,  gentleness  means 
his  gracious  condescension  and 
favor.     Ps.  18  :  35. 

Ge'rah,  the  least  of  Jewish 
moneys  being  the  twentieth  part 
of  a  shekel.     Ex.  30  :  13. 

Ger'izioi,  a  fine  mountain  in 
the  tribeship  of  Ephraim,  on 
which  the  Samaritan  temple 
was  built,  because  the  Jews 
would  not  allow  the  Samaritans 
to  help  them  build  their  temple. 
2  Kings  17.  Ezra  4.  It  was 
begun  B.  c.  408  years.  About 
the  time  it  was  finished,  two 
remarkable  events  occur  in 
profane  history :  Xexophcm 
brought  home  the  Greeks  that 
followed  Cyrus  ;  ani  Socrates 
was  put  to  death  by  the  Atheni- 
ans. This  temple  was  destroyed 
by  Hyrcanus,  a  Jewish  prince, 
120   years   before  Christ.     Ih* 


K}KR 


T)l 


G  I  A 


S'tiin.irita.ns    have    continued  to  |  day,,  oftea  going  there  to  iroi 
e.«teem    the  spot  sacred  to  this  '  ship  God.     John  4  :  20.     It  i* 


MOUNT     G 

about  one  thousand  feet  high. 
Opposite,  at  a  distance  of  only 
about  300  yards,  stands  Mt. 
Ebal.  In  the  narrow  valley 
took  place  the  august  ceremony 
commanded  by  Moses,  Deut.  27. 
Six  of  the  tribes  stood  on  Ebal, 
and  six  on  Gerizim,  while  the 
ark  and  the  priests  stood  in  the 
ralley.  The  Levites  recited 
God's  blessing  on  the  obedient, 
and  his  curses  on  the  rebellious, 
and  at  each  sentence  the  tribes 
on  the  mountains  shouted  their 
grand  "Amen." 

Gershonites,  a  branch  of  the 
priestly  race,  descended  from 
(iershon,  eldest  son  of  Levi.  It 
nras  their  business  to  carry  the 
rails  and  curtains  of  the  taber- 
aacle.  Numb.  3  :  21—25,  and 
9* 


E  R  I  Z  I  M  • 

4  :  24—28.  On  settling  in  Ca- 
naan,  thirteen  cities  were  as- 
signed them.    Josh.  21  :  16—33. 

Gcthsem''ane,  a  retired  garden 
at  the  foot  of  the  Mount  of  Ol- 
ives. Luke  22  :  40.  The  re- 
mains of  its  stone  wall  are  yet 
seen,  and  eight  ancient  olive 
trees.     Matt.  26. 

Ghint,  a  man  of  extraordinary 
stature  or  might.  There  were 
races  of  men,  in  ancient  times, 
who  far  exceeded  the  present 
size  of  man.  Gen.  6  :  4.  Numb. 
13  :  33.  Deut.  3  :  10,  and 
21  :  20.  In  the  days  of  David 
there  was  a  family  of  giauts,  of 
whom  Goliath  was  one.  2  Sam. 
21.  After  this,  we  read  no 
m)re  of  giants  in  Canaan.  Not 
only    in   Scripture,  but    in  th* 


GIF 


101 


GIL 


irritings  of  Homer,  Herodotus, 
Pliny,  Plutarch,  Virgil,  &G  ,  we 
read  of  giants  in  stature. 

That  the  common  size  of  man 
never  differed  much  from  what 
it  is  now,  is  clear  from  the  skel- 
etons found,  from  the  armor, 
from  the  size  of  habitations, 
.vieasures  of  length,  &c. 

Gibeah)  a  city  of  Benjamin, 
situated  on  a  fine  hill  four 
miles  north  from  Jerusalem. 
Josh.  15  :  57.  It  was  for  a 
while  the  royal  residence  of 
Saul. 

Gibeon,  a  city  five  miles  north 
of  Jerusalem,  the  inhabitants 
of  which  deceived  Joshua,  by 
sending  a  deputation  to  him  to 
make  a  treaty  of  peace,  whose 
dress,  &c.,  indicated  that  they 
had  come  from  a  very  great  dis- 
tance, and  consequently  did  not 
belong  to  any  of  the  nations 
which  God  had  commanded  them 
to  destroy,  and  whose  country 
they  were  to  occupy.  The  cov- 
enant was  kept  by  the  Hebrews, 
though  thus  falsely  obtained  ; 
and,  instead  of  being  destroyed, 
they  were  made  to  serve  as 
'•hewers  of  wood  and  drawers 
of  water."     Josh.  9  and  10. 

Gfcr-ea'gle,  an  Egyptian  spe- 
cies of  vulture,  remarkable  for 
affecti.^n  to  its  young.  It  may 
be  found  described  in  Bruce, 
under  the  name  of  Rachma, 

Giftj  that  which  is  given  with- 
out pay.  It  is  applied  in  an 
eminent  manner  to  Jesiis  Christ, 
trod's"  unspeakable  gift."  Our 
Lord  says  to  the  woman  of  Sa- 
maria.  "  If  thou   knewest   the 


gift  of  God,  viz.,  Him  that  salm 
to  thee.  Give  me  to  drink,"  <S;o 
I  John  4  :  10.  When  Christ  as- 
'  cended  up  on  high,  he  received 
'  gifts  for  the  rebellious.  Ps. 
I  68 :  18.  Of  these  he  poured 
down  on  the  day  of  Pentecost, 
and  gave  some  apostles,  proph- 
ets, <&c.  Faith  is  the  gift  of 
God,  Eph.  2:8;  and,  as  the 
wages  of  sin  is  death,  so  the 
"  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life." 
Rom.  6 :  23.  Every  good  and 
perfect  gift  comes  from  God. 
Jam.  1  :  17.  "  The  gifts  and 
calling  of  God  are  without  re- 
pentance ;"  that  is,  what  he 
hath  given,  according  to  hia 
divine  and  eternal  purpose,  can- 
not be  reversed. 

Giinboa,  a  ridge  of  mountains 
in  the  north  of  Palestine,  ren- 
dered famous  by  the  overthrow 
and  death  of  Saul  and  his  two 
sons.  Some  of  the  peaks  rise 
1000  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea.     1  Sam.  28  :  4. 

Gilcad,  a  mountainous  lime- 
stone district  extending  from 
Lebanon  to  Moab,  eastward  of 
the  river  Jordan,  famous  for 
balm,  Jer.  8  :  22,  and  for  pas- 
ture. Songs  4  :  1.  The  north- 
ern part  of  this  range  was  called 
Baahan.  The  valloys  were  dis- 
tinguished for  fertility. 

Gilgal.  (1.)  A  city  near  Jeri- 
cho, where  was  an  altar.  1  Sara. 
11  :  15.  Idols  were  worshipped 
here  in  after  times.  Hos.  4  : 
15.  (2.)  A  city  near  Antipa* 
tris,  Josh.  12  :  23.  There  re. 
mained  a  village  on  this  sp»t 
called  Gal^uUs,  for  several  hua 
dred  years  after  Christ. 


GLA 


103 


GLO 


iiirdle,  anything  bound  round 
»he  waiat.  It  is  still  necessary 
in  the  East,  bc-iusv  of  the  long, 
loose  raiment  worn  by  both 
Bexes.  Girdles  were  sometimes 
excessively  costly.  All  classes 
strove  to  obtain  those  of  value. 
Girdles  of  leather  were  worn  in 
token  of  humility,  as  by  Elijah, 
2  Kings  1:8;  and  John  the 
Baptist,  Matt.  3  :  4.  Girdles 
of  sackcloth  were  marks  of  hu- 
miliation, worn  in  times  of 
mourning.  Isa.  3  :  24.  To  have 
the  loins  girded,  Luke  12  :  35, 
is  to  be  always  prepared  for  any 
service  that  God  may  require, 
and  be  like  servants  who  are 
ready  to  obey  their  masters' 
commands. 

Gir'gashites,  a  family  belong- 
ing to  the  tribe  of  Hivites  in 
Canaan. 

Git'tites,  inhabitants  of  Gath. 
Josh.  13  :  3. 

Git'tith.    See  Psalm. 

Glass  is  not  mentioned  in  the 
Old  Testament,  not  being  known 
in  those  times.  According  to 
Pliny  and  Tacitus  the  Phoeni- 
cians were  the  inventors  of  glass ; 
but  De  Pan  regards  their  nar- 
rative as  fabulous.  It  was  prob- 
ably not  made  in  Rome  previous 
to  the  reign  of  Tiberius.  Speci- 
mens of  glass  have  been  dis- 
covered among  the  ruins  of 
Herculaneum  (destroyed  in  the 
first  century  of  the  christian 
era),  but  they  might  have  been 
imported  from  the  East.  Mir- 
rors were,  in  early  times,  made 
ftf  plates     t   met.al  highly  pol- 


ished Ex.  58  :  8.  The  Ethio- 
pians ancier.tly  preserved  their 
dead  bodies  in  large  glasses. 
The  invention  of  burning-glasses 
is  commonly  ascribed  to  Archim^ 
e.dea,  of  Sicily,  who  lived  b.  C, 
200.  Window-glass  was  not 
made  in  England  till  A.  D.  674, 
The  word  of  God  is  compared  to 
a  glass,  because  it  represents  to 
us  our  real  character,  as  a  glass 
dues  the  face.  James  1  :  23,  25. 
Thi.5  is  ojie  great  internal  evi- 
dence of  the  truth  of  revela- 
tion. 

Glean,  to  collect  scattered 
stalks  of  grain,  bunches  of 
grapes,  <fec.  The  Jews  were  for- 
bidden to  glean  their  own  fields, 
or  fruit-trees,  but  were  required 
to  leave  the  remnant  for  the 
poor.  Lev.  19  :  10.  Deut.  24: 
21. 

Glede,  a  ravenous  and  filthy 
bird,  thought  by  Bochart  to  bo 
the  black  vulture.  Deut.  14  :  13 
Isa.  34  :  15. 

Glorify,  to  pay  divine  honor  ; 
to  make  glorious  ;  to  exalt  to 
dignity.  God  glorifies  his  peo- 
ple by  adorning  them  with  gifta 
and  graces  in  this  world,  and  by 
bringing  them  to  the  full  pos- 
session of  glory  and  blessedness 
in  heaven.  We  are  said  to 
glorify  God  when  we  ascribe  to 
him  the  glory  of  every  excel- 
lency, whether  of  nature  or  of 
grace.  Rev.  4  :  11  ;  Avhen  we 
believe  God's  promises,  and 
wait  for  the  performance,  Rom. 
4  :  20  ;  when  we  publicly  ac- 
knowledge true  religion,  or  anj 
truth  of  God,  that  is  ^^nerallj 


GNA 


104 


GOA 


opposed,  Luke  23  :  47  ;  when 
we  suffer  for  God,  1  Pet.  4  :  16; 
when  we  give  thanks  for  benefits 
or  deliverances,  Luke  17  :  18  ; 
when,  as  on  the  Sabbath,  we 
devote  ourselves  only  to  the  ser- 
vice of  God,  Isa.  58  :  13  ;  and 
when  we  love,  praise,  admire, 
and  esteem  Christ  above  all. 

God  the  Father  is  glorified  in 
Christ  ihe  Mediator,  by  his  obe- 
dience unto  death,  whereby  the 
woi'k  of  man's  redemption  was 
consummated,  and  the  justice, 
wisdom,  mercy,  and  holiness  of 
God  made  manifest. 

God  glorified  Christ  by  mani- 
festly owning  him  to  be  his  Son ; 
by  sustaining  his  human  nature 
in  his  temptations  and  sutfer- 
ings  ;  and  by  enabling  him  to 
triumph  over  his  people's  ene- 
mies in  his  resurrection,  ascen- 
sion, and  exaltation  to  his 
Father's  right  hand.  John  17  : 
I. 

Glory.  (1.)  The  unspeakable 
blessedness  of  .the  saints  in 
heaven.  Col.  3:  4.  (2.)  Worldly 
splendor  and  greatness.  "  The 
heavens  declare  the  glory  of 
God  ;"  that  is,  manifest  his  in- 
finite wisdom,  power,  and  good- 
ness, and  ought  to  excite  our 
gratitude,  love,  adoration,  and 
praise.  The  miracles  which  our 
Saviour  wrought  manifested  his 
glory,  or  his  divine  power.  John 
3:  11. 

Gnat,  a  small  winged  insect 
very  common  in  wax'ra  cow>  • 
tries.  This  and  other  insects 
being  apt  to  get  into  wine,  &c.. 
It  id  customary  to  pass  liquors 


thiough  a  strain?-  The  word 
at,  in  Matt.  23  :  24  seems  to  be 
a  typographical  error,  in  King 
James'  version  ;  and  should  b€ 
out,  as  it  is  in  the  preceding  ver- 
sions. "  Ye  strain  out  a  gnat." 
The  Greek  word  ihvXiL ovTfg  does 
not  mean  to  make  an  effort  to 
swallow,  but  to  fdter.  It  should 
be  remembered  that,  by  the 
Jewish  law,  both  gnats  and 
camels  were  unclean. 

Goad,  a  rod  with  an  iron 
point,  used  in  driving  cattle. 
"  The  words  of  the  wise  are  as 
goads,"  because  they  stimulate 
men  to  diligence  in  good  things. 
See  Pricks. 

Goat,  a  well-known  animal, 
of  which  there  are  several  va- 
rieties. The  kind  most  common 
in  Palestine  is  not  very  unlike 
those  of  the  United  States,  but 
has  longer  hair,  which  is  manu- 
factured into  cloth.  There  is  a 
Rock  Goat,  mentioned  in  sev- 
eral passages  of  Scripture,  and 


which,  being  of  a  singular  form 
is  represiented  In  the  above  e/i.- 
graving.    Prov.  5  ;  19.    It  is  tha 


tJOA 


105 


GOD 


Mine  which  Pliuy  and  Gesner 
eallcd  the  Ibex ;  and  Bufifon, 
Ac,  describe  as  the  Bouquetin. 
Among  the  Germans,  its  familiar 
uame  is  Steiyi-bock,  or  buck  of 
the  rock.  It  i3  common  in  all 
the  mountains  of  Europe  and 
Northern  Asia.  It?  size  is  less 
than  the  common  wild  goat. 
The  horns  arc  of  extraordinary 
Bt^c,  bending  back  over  the 
animal's  body,  sometimes  to  the 
length  of  three  feet.  Like  other 
goats,  it  is  peculiarly'  adapted 
for  climbing,  and  delights  in  the 
most  rugged  mountains,  staying 
at  great  elevation.  Job  3C  ,  1. 
Ps.  104  :  8.     1  Sam.  24  :  2. 

The  goat  was  worshipped  by 
the  Egyptians,  Greeks,  and  Ro- 
mans, who  represented  the  god 
Pan,  their  satyrs  and  other 
idols,  in  the  form  of  goats.  The 
word  SEiRiM,  rendered  *'  devils," 
Lev.  17  :  21,  is  literally  hairy 
ones,  or  goats.  The  same  word 
is  translated  satyrs,  Isa.  13  :  21. 
We  read  in  Maimonides,  that 
Zabian  idolaters  worshipped 
daemons,  under  the  form  of 
goats,  imagining  them  to  appear 
in  that  form;  whence  tbey  called 
them  SKIRIM. 

The  tresses  of  the  spouse, 
Cant.  4  :  1,  and  6  :  4,  are  com- 
pared to  goat's  hair,  which  ob- 
viously refers  to  the  delicate, 
.silken  hair  of  the  Eastern  goats. 
From  such  goat's  hair  are  made 
the  Angola  shawls. 

The  goat  was  eminently  use- 
ful to  the  Hebrews,  on  account 
of  the  delica.'y  of  its  fiesh,  the 
Mcelle-  ce  of  its  flceeo  the  rich- 


ness and  abundance  of  its  milk, 
the  cheapness  of  its  food,  the 
value  of  its  skin  for  bottles,  <fec. 
Flocks  of  goats,  therefore,  form- 
ed an  important  part  of  the 
wealth  of  all  great  men, 

God,  the  Supreme,  Almighty, 
and  Eternal  One,  of  whom  are 
all  things.  However  ignorant 
mankind  may  have  been  of  the 
true  character  of  God,  all  men, 
in  all  ages,  have,  in  one  degree 
or  another,  acknowledged  his 
existence. 

The  names  applied  to  the 
Godhead  in  Scripture  are  va- 
rious, and  have  each  their  re- 
spective significations,  applica- 
ble to  the  characters  in  which 
God  has  been  pleased  to  reveal 
himself.  The  words  Jehovah 
Elohim  occur  more  than  once  in 
Genesis  as  the  name  of  the  God-, 
head.  "  And  the  Lord  God  (Je- 
hovah Elohim)  said.  Behold,  the 
man  is  become  like  one  of  us." 
Gen.  3  :  22.  Oyie  of  its  unavoid- 
ably implies  a  plurality  of  per- 
sons. "We  may,  in  a  general 
way,  infer  the  power,  goodness, 
and  some  other  attributes  cf 
God,  from  the  works  of  nature; 
but  from  the  Scriptures  only  can 
we  obtain  any  just  ideas  of  hia 
character  and  attributes.  The 
Hebrews  endeavor  to  avoid  the 
use  of  the  word  God,  substitut- 
ing for  it  Lord,  Most  High,  &c. 

Godhead  means  the  nature  oi 
essenoe  of  God.  Col.  2:9.  Rom. 
1  :  20.     Acts  17  :  29. 

Godliness,  the  whole  revela. 
tion  of  God.  Thus  Paul  says 
"  G'-eat  is  the  mystery  of  godli 


GOL 


106 


GOL 


bess."  1  Tim.  3  :  16.  It  some- 
times means  the  imitation  of 
God  by  a  holy  life.  1  Tim.  2  : 
2.     2  Pet.  3  :  11. 

Godly,  that  which  proceeds 
fiom  or  resembles  God  ;  thus 
godly  sorrow  is  the  sorrow  which 
God  only  can  produce,  and  work- 
eth  repentance.  2  Cor.  7  :  10. 
Godly  fear  is  that  fear  of  God 
which  is  the  beginning  of  wis- 
dom, Heb.  12  :  28  ;  and  a  godly 
man  is  he  who  loves  God  from  a 
grateful  sense  of  much  forgive- 
ness.    Ps.  12  :  1. 

Gog  and  Magog  are  terms 
usually  joined  together  in  Scrip- 
ture, on  wLiich  critics  have  ex- 
pended much  unsatisfactory  la- 
bor. The  probability  seems  to 
be  that  the  northern  barbarians 
are  meant,  or  some  of  the  tribes 
comprehended  under  the  general 
term  Scythians,  whose  irrup- 
tions into  civilized  Europe  and 
Asia  were  so  dreadful.  Ez.  38 
and  39.     Rev.  20  :  8.  I 

Golan,  a  Levitical  town  in  the 
tribe  of  Manasseh,  which  gave 
its  name  to  a  small  district  lying 
east  of  the  Sea  of  Tiberias.  It 
is  now  called  JAan.  \ 

Gold,  the  most  precious  metal ;  | 
seldom  found  in  a  state  of  ore, 
but  in  a  native  state  ;  though 
even  native  gold  has  almost 
always  some  mixture  of  other 
metals.  Native  gold  is  found 
In  pure  masses,  from  the  small- 
est grains  up  to  the  magnitude 
01  12  or  15  ounces,  and  occa- 
Bionaily  much  larger.  A  mass 
found,  in  South  America,  weigh- 
ing 132  ounces,  is  deposited  in 


the  royal  cabinec  at  Madrid,  it 
is  found  mingkd  with  the  sand 
of  many  rivers,  especially  in 
Africa,  South  America,  Austra- 
lia, and  India.  Arabia  had  for- 
merly its  gold  mines.  •'  The 
gold  of  Sheba,"  Ps.  72  :  15,  is 
in  the  Septuagint  and  Arabic 
versions,  the  gold  of  Arabia, 
Xorth  Carolina,  in  the  United 
States,  and  much  more  Califor- 
nia, are  famous  for  gold  mines 
Gold  is  often  found  bedded  in 
stones  of  various  kinds,  and 
even  in  the  earth  at  the  depth 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  fathoms 
It  is  the  most  ductile  of  all 
metals  ;  an  ounce  of  it,  not 
larger  than  a  common  bullet, 
having  been  drawn  into  a  wire 
two  hundred  and  forty  miles 
long  !  It  is  incapable  of  ox- 
idization in  a  common  fire  ;  but 
the  heat  produced  by  a  galvanic 
discharge  can  be  made  sufficient 
to  convert  the  metal  into  a  pur- 
ple oxide.  If  exposed  to  the 
focus  of  a  strong  burning-glass, 
it  flies  off  in  small  partieJej.  It 
requires  less  heat  to  melt  gold 
than  iron. 

Gol'gutha.    See  Calvarv. 

Goirath,  a  famous  giant  of 
Gath,  whose  height  was  nine 
feet  four  inches.  His  brazen 
helmet  weighed  about  15  pounds 
avoirdupois  ;  his  target,  or  col- 
lar, affixed  between  his  shoul- 
ders to  defend  his  neck,  about 
30  ;  his  spear  wap  26  feet  long, 
and  its  head  weighed  38  pounds; 
his  sword,  4  ;  his  greaves  on  his 
legs,  30  ;  and  his  toat  of  mail 
156  :   and  so  the  whole  armor. 


GOS 


lOi 


GOS 


213  pounds'  weight.     lie  seems  I 
to  Lave   been   the   last   of  the 
Anakims. 

Go'pher,  the  wood  of  which 
the  ark  was  built  ;  which  kind 
It  was,  is  not  agreed.  As  it  is 
scarcely  probable  that  a  struc- 
ture so  large  was  made  wholly 
of  any  one  species  of  wood,  it 
is  possible  the  word  may  mean 
ligfit,  or  durable  wood.  Vast 
quantities  of  cypress  grew  in  the 
district  where  the  ark  was  tuilt. 
It  occurs  only  in  Gen.  6  :  14. 

Goshen*  There  are  two  dis- 
tricts so  called  in  Scripture, 
which  it  is  very  important  should 
not  be  confounded.  (1.)  That 
portion  of  Egypt  allotted  to  the 
Hebrews,  and  mentioned  so  often 
in  the  books  of  Genesis  and 
Exodus.  (2.)  A  district  of  the 
Holy  Land,  included  in  the  lot 
of  Judah,  and  mentioned  Josh. 
10  :  41,  and  11  :  IC,  &o. 

Gospel,  good  news  ;  a  revela- 
tion of  the  grace  of  God  to  fallen 
man,  through  a  Mediator  ;  and 
a  means,  which,  by  the  Spirit, 
saves  men  from  perdition.  The 
term  is  found  in  ancient  Greek 
writers.  Plutarch,  in  his  life 
of  Pompey,  says,  "  The  messen- 
ger arrived  at  Pontus,  bringing 
the  gospel,"  that  is,  the  joyful 
intelligence.  The  word  is  also 
used  to  mean  tlie  narrative  of 
our  Saviour  s  life,  death,  and 
resurrection  ;  and  sometimes  for 
the  doctrines  contained  in  that 
narrative. 

The  books  of  Matthew,  Mark, 
I-^ke  and  John,  are  commonly 
-wiled    Gospels-.     They  show,  as 


has  been  said,  the  wa^  of  siilra 
tion  In  some  parts  of  tne  New 
Testament,  there  are  brief  sum- 
maries of  the  gospel  dcctrine,— 
as  John  3  :  14,  15,  16.  They 
exhibit  a  morality  incomparably 
5uperior  to  that  of  all  other 
books  ;  in  forbidding  not  only 
acts  of  sin,  but  the  first  risings 
of  evil  desires  in  the  heart  ;  by 
inculcating  the  mild,  passive, 
and  lovely  virtues,  instead  of 
that  high-spirited  and  proud 
temper,  which  the  world  ad- 
mires ;  by  requiring  the  forgive- 
ness- of  enemies,  and  the  love 
of  them  that  hate  us  ;  by  ex- 
cluding from  our  alms,  devo- 
tions, and  other  virtues,  all  love 
of  fame  ;  by  laying  down  two 
great  principles  of  morality, — 
love  to  God  and  love  to  men,  — 
and  by  deducing  thence  every 
other  duty  ;  by  exhibiting  a 
perfect  exemplification  of  all 
these  Excellences  in  Christ  ;  and 
by  adding  those  awful  sanctions 
which  relate  to  an  eternal  world. 
The  number  of  mankind  liv- 
ing in  nations  enlightened  by 
the    gospel    is   probably   three 

HUNDRED    MILLIONS,    only.        Of 

these,  one  half  are  Rrmian  Oith- 
olics,  and  thirty  millions  are 
Greeks,  whose  churches  are 
scarcely  less  corrupt  than  the 
Roman  Catholic.  See  Scrip- 
ture. 

In  every  age,  christians  have 
more  or  less  exerted  themselves 
to  diflFuse  a  knowledge  of  the 
gospel.  Even  when  Poperj  was 
at  its  height,  missions  were 
never  diaoontinued  by  thit  claai 


GRA 


108 


GliA 


of  christians,  nor  by  those  who  '  taken    for    a    lively   tenfe    of 
rejected  Popery,  infant  bap^sm,    this  favor,  or  the  love  and  fear 
sprinkling,  ic,  who  have  borne 
various  names  at  different  times, 


of  God  dwelling  in  the  heart, 
2  Cor.  1  :  12  ;  and  (3.)  for  the 
doctrine   of    the    gospel,  which 

are    now    called  \  proceeds  from  the  grace  of  God. 

About  100  years  |  2  Cor.  6:1. 


from  the  earliest  ages  of  the 
church,  and 
"  Baptists." 
ago,  "  modern  missions,"  as  I 
they  are  called,  may  be  said  to 
have  begun,  when  Ziegenbald 
went  from  Denmark  to  India. 
Xear  the  close  of  the  last  cen- 
tury, the  Baptists  of  England 
began  to  send  missionaries  to 
the  heathen,  and  to  the  negroes 
of  the  West  Indies  ;  and  other 
denominations  soon  followed. 

The  results  of  these  labors 
are  brought  into  our  view,  with 
much  research  and  accuracy,  in 
one  of  the  dissertations  at  the 
end  of  "  Malcom's  Travels  in 
South-eastern  Asia." 

Gourd.  What  was  the  plant, 
80  called,  that  sheltered  Jonah, 
cannot  now  be  ascertained.  It 
sufi&ces  us  to  know  it  was  a 
shady  plant.  It  is  somewhat 
probable  it  was  the  castor  bean, 
improperly  called  palma  christi. 
The  Wild  Gourd,  2  Kings  4  : 
39,  Celcius  supposes  to  be  the 
colocynth,  a  species  of  cucumber, 
growing  wild,  excessively  bit- 
ter, and  a  most  violent  purga- 
tive. 

Grare.  (1.)  Free  and  unde- 
perved  favor.  Divine  grace  is 
the  free  and  undeserved  love  of 
God,  which  is  the  spring  and 
source  of  all  the  benefits  we 
receive  from  him,  especially  re- 


Grape.  This  well-known  fruit 
obtained  great  perfection  in 
Palestine.  The  proverb,  "  The 
fathers  have  eaten  sour  grapes, 
and  the  children's  teeth  are  set 
on  edge,"  was  a  wicked  com- 
plaint, prevalent  among  the 
Jews  in  the  time  of  Jeremiah, 
that  they  suffered  without  being 
guilty.  Jer.  31  :  29  ;  Ezek. 
18  :  2. 

Wild  Grapes  were  either  a 
vile  fruit  called  in  Latin  la- 
brxisca;  or,  as  Hasselquist  be- 
lieves, the  nightshade,  called  by 
the  Arabs  wolfs  grapes,  "  which 
grows  much  in  vineyards,  is 
very  pernicious  to  them,  and  is 
a  vine."  The  prophet  could 
not  have  found  a  plant  more 
opposite  to  the  "  true  vine " 
than  this. 

Grass.  This  word,  in  our 
translation,  generally  means 
herbage,  or  all  shrubs  not  in- 
cluded under  the  term  tree.  It 
is  particularly  to  be  so  under- 
stood in  Gen.  1  :  11  ;  Matt.  6  : 
30  ;  Isa.  35  :  7  ;  Rev.  8  :  7,  &o. 
Grasshopper,  a  well-known 
species  of  locust,  very  destruc- 
tive to  vegetation.  Amos  7  : 
1.  The  law  allowed  them  to  be 
eaten.  Lev.  11  :  22.  When  it 
is    said   the    grasshopper    s^  all 


demption  through  Jesus  Christ.  1  prove  a  burden,  Eccl.  12  :   .,  it 
Rom.    11  :   6.      (2.)    Grace    is  '  means  that  so  feeble  and  Ian 


GRE 


luy 


GRl 


Ruld  is  extremo  old  age,  that 
the  smallest  annoyance  or  bur- 
den is  distressing. 

Greaves,  that  part  of  a  coat 
of  mail  which  defended  the  feet 
ond  legs.     1  Sam.  17  :  IG. 

Oreeee,  in  Hebrew,  Javan, 
Isa.  66  :  19  ;  a  country  in  the 
south-east  of  Europe.  Largely 
taken,  it  contained  the  Pelopon- 
nesus, or  Morea,  Achaia,  Thes- 
ealy,  Macedonia,  and  Epirus  ; 
but  more  strictly,  it  contained 
only  the  three  former.  It  is 
about  400  miles  from  south  to 
north,  and  356  from  east  to  west. 
Its  present  divisions  are,  M  ice- 
donia,    Albania,    Livaoia,    the 


Morea,  the  Archipelago,  Kni 
Candia.  It  was  probably  peo- 
pled soon  after  the  flood.  Few 
countries  are  more  favored  by 
nature,  as  to  its  soil,  climate, 
and  productions.  Many  of  tho 
most  famous  statesmen,  orators, 
and  generals  of  antiquit}'  had 
their  birth  here.  The  arts  and 
sciences  in  Greece  attained  a 
great  eminence,  as  did  also 
poetry  and  eloquence.  Part  of 
ancient  Greece  is  now  Included 
in  Albania  and  Rxmmelia  in  Tur 
key. 

Greet.     See  Salute. 

Grind,  to  bruise,  or  break 
small,  as  meal  is  bruised  in  a 


^*'>BOn. 


mill.  Anciently  they  had  only 
hand-mills  for  grinding  their 
meal.  The  stones  were  about 
tho  size  of  a  common  grind- 
stone. Women  and  slaves,  such 
ae  Samson  was  at  Gaza,  and 
the  Hebrews  at  Babylon,  were 
usually  the  grinders.  Jud.  16: 
21  ;  Lam.  5  :  13.  They  sat  on 
each  side  of  the  mill,  one  turn- 
ing the  handle  half  way  round, 
10 


and  the  other  then  taking  hold 
and  finishing  the  revolution 
Matt.  24  :  41  A  clear  appre- 
hension of  the  form  of  the  mill 
and  method  of  operating  it  may 
be  obtained  from  the  picture.  It 
does  not  appear  that  there  were 
any  public  mills  or  bakers,  ex- 
cept for  the  king.  Each  family 
had  a  mill  for  itself,  which, 
being   so   necessary,  could   nt>l 


HAB 


110 


If  AG 


lawfully  be  taken  in  pledge  or 
for  a  debt.  Deut.  24  :  6.  As 
it  was  customary  to  grind  every 
evening,  the  desolation  of  a 
city  is  called  "  taking  away  the 
sound  of  the  mill-stones."  Jer. 
25  :  10.  Christ's  falling  on  men, 
and  "  grinding  them  to  pow- 
der," denotes  their  utter  de- 
struction for  their  contempt  and 
rejection  of  him. 

Grizzled)  colored  with  various 
shades  ;  brindled.  When  ap- 
plied to  horses,  it  perhaps  means 
horses  spotted  like  dogs,  with 
large  patches  of  various  colors. 
Zech.  6:3. 


Guest,  one  bidden  to  partt-ko 
of  our  hospitality.  Formerly  it 
was  common  to  give  raiment  as 
well  as  a  repast?  The  loose, 
flowing  robes  fitted  any  person, 
and  were  hung  in  the  entry  for 
guests  to  put  on  as  they  entered 
the  hall  of  banqueting.  The 
man  who  had  not  on  a  wedding 
garment  was  therefore  wholly  to 
blame,  and  offered  an  insult  by 
violating  the  rules  of  decorum. 

Gntter,  a  trough,  Ac.  The 
gutter  through  which  Jerusalem 
might  be  entered,  was  probably 
a  common  sewer,  or  culvert.  2 
Sam.  5  :  8. 


H. 


HaVakkok  prophesied  during 
the  reigns  of  Manasseh  and  Jo- 
Biah,  and  was  contemporary 
with  Jeremiah.  Usher  supposes 
that  his  life  extended  to  the 
reign  of  Jehoiakin.  He  predicts 
the  chastisement  of  the  Jews  by 
the  Chaldeans,  and  the  subse- 
quent overthrow  of  the  Chal- 
deans themselves  ;  and  encour- 
ages the  pious  to  rely  upon  God 
for  making  good  his  promises  to 
their  posterity. 

The  Book  of  this  prophet 
consists  of  two  parts  ;  the  first 
containing  a  dialogue  between 
God  and  the  prophet  ;  and  the 
•second,  a  sublime  ode  or  hymn, 
which  was  probably  intended  to 
be  used  in  public  worship. 

Haber'geon,  a  breast-plate 
worn    by    soldiers     in     former 


times.  Ex.  28  :  32.  The  name 
seems  to  be  given  to  a  sort  of 
lance,  or  harpoon.  Neh.  4  :  16, 
Job  41  :  26. 

Haggai,  the  first  of  the  three 
prophets  who  flourished  after 
the  Jewish  captivity,  was  born 
in  Chaldea,  and  began  his  pub- 
lic work  of  prophesying  about 
seventeen  years  after  the  return 
from  Babylon  lie,  together 
with  ZechariftU,  excited  and  en- 
courageu  the  Jews  to  finish  the 
temple,  assuring  them  that  Mes- 
siah should  appear  in  the  flesh, 
teach  in  the  courts  of  the  new 
temple,  and  render  it  more  glo- 
rious than  the  first.  Ezra  5  ; 
1,  2  ;  Haggai  1  and  2. 

The  Book  of  Haggai  is  plain 
in  its  style,  but  is  interspersed 
with  passages  of  lofty  diction. 


UA  R 


111 


HAR 


ft  had  the  effect  of  inducing  the 
Jews,  who  had  returned  from 
captivity,  and  who,  for  fourteen 
years,  had  suspended  work  on 
the  temple,  to  resume  and  com- 
plete the  undertaking. 

Hail,  an  obsolete  salutation, 
importing  a  cordial  wish  for 
the  welfare  of  the  persons  ad- 
dressed. 

Hale,  or  Hacjl,  to  drag  vio- 
lently.    Luke  12  :  58. 

flallelajab,  a  Hebrew  word 
signifying  Praise  the  Lord,  fre- 
quently met  with  in  the  Psalms 
and  Revelation  of  John. 

Hallow,  to  reverence  as  holy. 
Matt.  6  :  10. 

Hjllt,  to  limp,  to  falter.  To 
halt  between  two  opinions  is  to 
stagger  in  mind,  or  vibrate  be- 
tween contrary  impressions.  1 
Kings  18  :  21. 

Has,  (literally  black,)  the 
son  of  N^oah,  had  four  sons,  viz., 
Cush,  Mizraim,  Phut,  and  Ca- 
naan. His  posterity  peopled 
Africa,  and  part  of  the  west  of 
Asia.  They  have  been  gener- 
ally wicked  and  miserable,  and 
few  of  them  have  hitherto  en- 
ioyed  the  light  of  the  gospel. 
From  him  the  land  of  Egypt 
was  called  Chemia,  or  the  land 
of  llam. 

Uamath)  a  town  of  Syria, 
called  by  the  Greeks  Epiphanea, 
and  now  called  Hama. 

Haply,  possibly,  perhaps,  per- 
adventure.  Mark  11  :  13  ;  Acts 
5  :  S9. 

Haran.  (l.)  The  eldest  broth- 
er of  Abraham,  whose  daughter, 
Sarah,  b«f^a,me  Abraham's  wife. 


(2.)  A  town,  probably  cailcl 
after  this  person,  standing  on  a 
small  river  of  the  same  name, 
which  flowed  into  the  Euphra- 
tes, through  the  north-western 
part  of  Mesopotamia.  Near 
this  town  occurred  the  cele- 
brated defeat,  by  the  Parthians, 
of  the  Roman  army  under  Cras- 
sus,  who  was  slain,  with  20,000 
of  his  men,  b.  c.  53.  The  place 
still  retains  its  ancient  name, 
and  is  peopled  by  a  few  Arabs. 

Harness,  tfce  furniture  of  a 
horse,  Jer.  ^6  :  4  ;  but  more 
frequently  a  coat  of  mail,  or 
set  of  defensiv  e  armor.  1  Kings 
22  :  34.  The  children  of  Israel 
went  up  out  o.  Israel  harnessed^ 
that  is,  equipt^ed  for  the  battle. 

Harp,  an  instrument  com- 
posed of  a  hollow  base,  with 
two  branches,  to  which  were 
fastened  three,  six,  or  more 
strings.  2  Sam.  6  :  5.  From 
the  fact  that  David  danced  while 
he  played  the  harp  before  the 


ark,  that  which  he  then  uaea 
must  have  been  light,  like  a 
lyre,  or  guitar.  During  the 
captivity  in  Babylon,  the  Le- 
vitical  singers  hung  their  harps, 
as  useless,  on  the  willow  tre<H 


HAY 


112 


HE  A 


on  the  banks  of  the  EuphrateE 
and  other  rivers  in  Chaldea. 
Ps.  137  :  2.  The  Greeks  and 
Romans  derived  the  harp  from 
the  East.  The  engraving  is 
taken  from  an  ancient  Egyptian 
monument. 

The  modern  harp  is  one  of  the 
noblest  of  instruments,  and  is 
vastly  superior  in  power  and 
'Sompass  to  those  in  ancient  use. 

Hart,  a  stag,  or  male  deer. 
Ps.   42  :   1  ;    Isa.    35  :   G.     See 

HlXD. 

HarTCSt,  the  time  of  gather- 
ing the  fruits  of  the  earth.  In 
Canaan  it  began  in  March,  and 
was  finished  about  the  middle 
of  May.  Any  tLus  of  gainful 
labor  is  called  haitKst  ;  hence,  a 
"sleeper  in  hardest  causeth 
shame  "  to  hiraseVf  and  friends. 
Prov.  10:5.  A  people  ripened 
by  sin  for  destrurvion  are  lik- 
ened to  a  harvest  ready  for  the 
sickle  of  God's  veigeance.  Isa. 
18  :  5  ;  Joel  3  :  IS  ;  Rev.  14  : 
15.  A  remarkab?£-  time  of  suc- 
cess of  the  gospe  is  called  har- 
i.e^t.  Matt.  9:37  J8  ;  John  4  : 
35.  The  day  ol  judgment  is 
likened  to  a  har\  <?st  ;  then  all 
things  shall  be  rine  for  a  final 
gathering.     Matt    13. 

Hawk,  a  gent  1x1  name  for 
several  rapacioui  birds  of  the 
falcon  family.  Lent.  14:  5. 
It  was  eonsecr  t^ed  by  the 
Greeks  to  Apollo  It  is  migra- 
tory.    Job  39  :  2)., 

Hay*  There  it  no  hay  made 
in  the  East  ;  so  tlat  this  word, 
in  the  only  place?  where  it  oc- 
•nrs.  viz.,   Prov.    27  :  25,   Isa. 


15  ;  16,  means  the  very  reverse 
of  hay  ;  viz.,  the  first  spxn^iKg 
shoots  of  grass. 

Hear,  to  receive  sounds  by 
the  ear.  To  hear  the  word  of 
God,  means,  (1.)  a  mere  listen- 
ing without  layirjg  to  heart, 
Matt.  13  :  19  ;  (2.)  to  yield  a 
willing  assent,  with  a  firm  pur- 
pose to  believe  and  obey  it. 
John  8  :  47.  God  is  said  to 
hear  prayer  when  he  grants  our 
requests. 

Heart,  the  seat  of  the  afiFec- 
tions  and  passions.  God  only 
knows  it.  Jer.  17  :  10.  The 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  demon- 
strated his  Godhead  on  many 
occasions,  by  searching  the 
heart,  declares  that  from  the 
heart  of  man  proceeds  every 
evil.  Matt.  15  :  18.  As  the 
great  evil  which  corrupts  and 
defiles  the  heart  is  unbelief,  so 
the  only  purifier  of  the  heart 
mentioned  in  the  Scripture  is 
faith.  Acts  15  :  9.  "  With  the 
heart  man  believeth  unto  right- 
eousness ;"  that  is,  sincere  and 
saving  faith  engages  the  affec- 
tions. Rom.  10  :  10.  This  is 
called  the  "  righteousntiSS  of 
faith."     Rom.  4  :  13. 

Heath,  a  lowly  shrub,  grow- 
ing in  desert  places  ;  whence 
such  barren  spots  are  called  in 
England  heaths,  whether  that 
plant  be  found  on  them  or  not. 
It  bears  no  fruit,  is  worthless  aa 
fodder,  and  is  reckoned  by 
Pliny  among  the  "  unhappy 
plants."  Men  who  trust  in 
man,  and  not  in  God,  are  "  like 
the  heath  in  the  desert."  wbicb 


HE  A 


113 


If  En 


rainly  strikes  its  roots  into,  a 
toil  not  capable  of  giving  it 
rigor.  Jer.  17  :  6.  To  this 
unpleasant  plant,  persons  are 
compared  who  fly  their  country 
or  homes,  and  endure  hardships 
in  secluded  places.  Jer.  48  : 
6. 

Heathen,  a  term  which,  like 
the  word  Gentile,  was  applied 
by  tJie  Jews  to  all  who  were  not 
Hebrews.  It  is  now  confined  to 
those  who  worship  false  gods, 
and  includes  all  those  who  are 
not  Jews,  Mahommedans,  or 
Christians.  More  than  two 
thuds  of  the  human  race  belong 
to  this  class  !  The  countries 
which  are  yet  pagan  are  all 
that  part  of  Africa  which  lies 
between  the  tropic  of  Cancer 
and  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  the 
aborigines  of  North  and  South 
America,  China,  Burmah,  Hindos- 
tan,  Tartnry,  Japan,  and  many 
islands  in  the  Indian  and  other 
oceans.  They  are  called  Pa- 
gans from  the  Greek  word  Tiaytj 
{paga),  a  fountain,  or  rural 
place  ;  or  from  the  Latin  word 
vaganus,  a  countryman,  o^  rus- 
tic, because  Christianity  was 
first  taught  and  planted  in 
exties,  while  the  ignorant  country 
people  adhered  longer  to  their 
old  superstitions.  It  is  a  strong 
argument  in  favor  of  Christian- 
ity, that  it  seeks  not  conceal- 
ment to  work  on  ignorance,  but 
comes  forth  to  the  day,  and 
challenges  learning  and  power. 
Its  early  conquests  were  in  the 
chief  cities  of  the  earth,  where 
•ducation  was  most  enjoyed  ; 
10* 


and  in  all  ages,  learning  and 
science  have  been  its  hand- 
maids.    See  Gkxtile. 

HeaTen.  The  Jews  spoke  of 
three  heavens  ;  —  (1.)  Tho  at- 
mosphere, or  lower  region  of  the 
air,  in  which  birds  and  vapors 
fly.  Job  35  :  11  ;  Matt.  16  :  1. 
(2.)  The  expanse  above,  in 
which  the  stars  are  disposed, 
and  which  they  seem  to  have 
thought  was  a  solid  concave 
Matt.  24  :  29.  (3.)  The  habi- 
tation of  God,  where  his  power 
and  glory  are  more  immediately 
and  fully  manifested,  and  where 
good  angels  and  pure  departed 
souls  pay  their  continual  adora- 
tion ;  the  residence  or  abode  of 
the  blessed  ;  the  sacred  man- 
sion of  light,  and  joy,  and 
glory,  where  the  body  will  be 
revived  to  a  glorious  life,  and 
the  soul  live  in  constant  com- 
munion with  God  in  Christ.  2 
Cor.  12  :  2.  The  "  kingdom  of 
heaven "  often  means,  in  the 
New  Testament,  the  reign  of 
Christ  on  earth,  or  gospel  dis- 
pensation. 

Heave-Offering  was  the  name 
given  to  portions  of  animals, 
grain,  meal,  fruits,  &o.,  brought 
by  the  people  for  the  use  of  the 
priests  and  Levites,  and  which 
were  first  heaved  or  loaved  before 
God  as  an  oftering  and  acknowl- 
edgment to  him.  Num.  15  :  20. 
Hebrews.  Some  learned  men 
supposed  this  name  to  be  de- 
rived from  Heber,  an  ancestcr 
of  Abraham.  It  is  more  prob- 
able that  they  received  it  from 
their  coming  from  beyond   Uiti 


HEB 


114 


HEB 


fiver,  as  the  word  means  to  pass 
9ver.  The  Hebrew  nation  began 
in  Abraham.  In  Isaac  and  Ja- 
cob it  continued  small  ;  but 
when  thi  children  of  the  latter 
settled  in  Egypt,  they  grew  to  a 
great  multitude.  Being  brought 
forth  under  Moses  (then  num- 
bering about  three  millions), 
they  wandered  forty  years  in  the 
desert,  and  were  settled  in  Ca- 
tiaan  under  Joshua.  They  were 
governed,  in  the  name  of  Jeho- 
vah, by  judges,  till  the  time  of 
Saul.  This  is  what  Josephus 
calls  a  Theocracy.  It  became  a 
great  kingdom  under  David,  and 
still  more  so  under  Solomon. 
Under  Rehoboam  it  was  split 
into  the  kingdoms  of  Judah  and 
Israel.  At  length,  for  their  sins, 
they  were  scattered  and  carried 
captive.  Under  Zerubbabel, 
some  colonies  returned,  rebuilt 
the  temple,  commonly  called  the 
second  temple,  and  set  up  a 
kingdom,  Avhich  lasted  140 
years,  under  the  auspices  of 
Persia.  They  then  fell  to  Alex- 
ander, then  to  Egypt,  then  to 
Syria,  then  became  independent 
under  the  Maccabees,  and  then 
submitted  to  the  Romans.  They, 
however,  continued  a  separate 
nation  until  A.  d.  72,  when, 
under  Titus,  the  city  was  de- 
stroyed, and  they  were  finally 
scattered.  They  have  been  se- 
verely persecuted  in  every  sub- 
sequent age  of  the  world,  and 
in  every  nation  whither  they 
went.  During  the  prevalence 
of  the  crusades,  thousands  were 
mr.rdered  by  the  christian  ar- 


1  mies  on  their  march  to  reemii! 
j  Canaan  from  the  Turks,  and 
I  thousands  of  them  destrdyed 
I  their  own  children  lest  they 
should  fall  into  the  crusaders' 
hands.  In  almost  every  cen- 
tury, false  Messiahs  have  ap- 
peared, whose  seditious  opera- 
tions have  caused  the  death  of 
vast  numbers.  Even  a  brief 
account  of  their  suiferings  and 
degradations  would  fill  volumes. 
In  Spain  and  Portugal,  where 
their  treatment  has  been  ex- 
ceedingly severe,  a  great  num- 
ber of  papists,  even  monks  and 
bishops,  are  Jews  in  disguise, 
and  secretly  train  their  children 
in  the  Hebrew  faith.  Jews  ar« 
still  found  in  most  parts  of  the 
earth,  though  everywhere  de- 
graded and  oppressed  either  by 
custom  or  law.  Their  number 
now  amounts  to  three  or  four 
millions.  About  one  million 
are  in  the  Turkish  empire,  which 
now  embraces  the  Holy  Land 
In  Europe  they  are  numerous, 
especially  in  Poland,  where 
there  are  500,000  ;  viz.,  GaU 
licia,  90,000  ;  Prussian  Poland, 
chiefly  in  Warsaw,  Thorn,  Paren 
and  Lissa,  110,000  ;  Russian 
Poland,  chiefly  in  Wilna,Kauen, 
Grodno,  Pinck  and  Mohilow, 
where  they  have  a  university 
300,000. 

Aa  to  the  rest  of  Europe, 
there  are  in  Hungary,  cbiefly 
at  Bresburgh,  Newratz  and 
Miskolz,  7(5,000  ;  in  Germany, 
chiefly  at  Frankfort  on  the 
Maine,  Prague,  Furth  and  Ber- 
lin, 200.000  I  in  Holland.  20« 


HEB 


115 


HEX 


900  ;  in  England,  14,000  ;  iu 
France,  50,000. 

Thev  are  also  numerous  in 
the  Barbary  States  and  the  Le- 
vant. In  the  United  States 
there  are  not  more  than  3000. 
Most  Jews  are  traders  and  bro- 
kers ;  feAV,  if  any,  choose  to 
cultivate  the  soil.  The  ancient 
distinction  oi  tribes  seems  wholly 
lost,  but  they  are  now  divided 
into  sects.  Of  these,  the  prin- 
cipal, at  the  present  time,  are 
the  Rabbinical  and  the  Karaite. 
See  Sect. 

An  "  Hebrew  of  the  He- 
brews "  is  one,  both  of  whose 
parents  are  Hebrews.  Phil.  3  : 
5.  Sometimes  only  those  Jews 
were  called  Hebrews  who  spoke 
the  Hebrew  language,  in  con- 
tradistinction to  the  Jews  who 
spoke  the  Greek.     Acts  5:1. 

When  the  Epistle  to  the 
Hebrews  was  written  is  uncer- 
tain. Perhaps  Paul  wrote  it 
towards  the  close  of  his  first 
imprisonment  at  Rome.  It  is 
addressed  to  the  Hebrews,  or 
Jews  living  within  the  Holy 
Land:  as  distinguished  from  the 
Hel' ".rusts,  or  Jews  scattered  in 
other  countries.  It  ranks  among 
the  most  important  portions  of 
the  Holy  Oracles,  and  contains, 
.iraong  other  things,  proof  of 
the  divinity,  humanity,  atone- 
mentj  and  priesthood  of  Christ ; 
the  r^ai  object  and  meaning  of 
the  Mosaic  ritual  ;  and  numer- 
ous admirable  practical  obser- 
vations and  encouragements. 

This  epistle  is  an  admirable 
♦xposition  and   supplement  to 


those  to  the  Romans  and  Gala< 
tians.     See  .Jerusale«. 

He'brOIl  was  the  original  name 
of  the  place  afterward  called 
Area,  or  Kirjath-arba,  be- 
cause Arba,  the  noted  giant,  waa 
king  of  it.  It  was  built  on  a 
hill,  not  long  after  the  flood. 
Numb.  13  :  22  ;  and  stood  22 
miles  south  of  Jerusalem.  Hero 
Anak  and  his  father  and  sons 
dwelt  ;  but  Caleb,  receiving  it 
for  his  inheritance,  expelled 
these  giants,  and  restored  the 
name  Hebron.  Josh.  14  :  13,  14. 
It  was  made  a  city  of  refuge, 
and  given  to  the  priests.  David 
reigned  here  seven  years  over 
Judah,  before  he  was  crowned 
over  all  Israel.  2  Sam.  2  :  11, 
and  5  :  3.  Here  Absalom  firot 
set  up  for  king.  2  Sam.  15 
The  present  number  of  housef 
is  estimated  at  800.  The  houses 
are  of  stone,  well  built,  and  the 
shops  well  furnished.  The  only 
local  manufacture  is  glass.  It 
has  several  mosques,  and  two 
synagogues.  It  was  visited  by 
Mr.  Fisk  in  1824,  who  informs 
us  that  its  present  name  is 
Haleel  Rahman. 

HedgQ)  something  that  en 
closes  or  defends.  1  Chron  4  : 
13  ;  Job  1  :  10.  Troubles  aro 
called  hedges,  as  they  arrest  our 
career  of  sin.  Lam.  3:7;  Job 
19  :  8.  The  way  of  the  slothful 
is  a  hedge  of  thorns  ;  that  is,  he 
always  sees  difficulties,  or  al- 
ways entangles  himself  in 
trouble. 

Heir,  one  who  is  to  susceed 
to   au    estate.     Christians    ar« 


II  EL 


116 


HER 


Jeira  of  (Jod  both  by  birth  and  i 
ty  will  ;  an  important  and  i 
delightful  consideration.  Rom.  | 
4  :  U.  The  term  utterly  pre-  | 
eludes  the  idea  of  our  meriting 
or  earning  our  heavenly  por- 
tion. 

Heliopolis.    See  On. 

Hell,  the  place  of  punishment 
for  the  wicked  after  this  life  ; 
also  the  grave,  or  state  of  the 
dead. 

The  Greek  word  hadesy  ren- 
dered hell  in  our  version,  means 
literally  "  place  of  darkness," 
and  corresponds  to  the  Hebrew 
sheol.  Critics  find  great  diffi- 
culty in  settling  the  exact  mean- 
ing of  these  words,  and  on  this 
meaning  depends,  in  great 
measure,  the  doctrine  of  "  the 
intermediate  state  "  or  condition 
of  the  dead  before  the  resur- 
rection. It  seems  to  have  been 
held  by  all  the  early  christians, 
and  to  have  been  the  foundation 
of  the  Romanist  doctrine  of 
Tpurgatory.  At  present,  like 
naany  other  difficult  and  not 
very  practical  qiiestions,  it 
seems  not  to  be  much  contested. 
Most  christians  now  believe  that 
eouls  go  at  once  to  hell  or 
heaven ;  though  not  to  full 
\misery  or  enjoyment ;  but  the 
doctrine  of  an  intermediate 
state  is  held  by  many  of  the 
beat  and  most  learned  writers 
on  the  New  Testament. 

By  the  "  gates  of  hell,  '  Matt. 
16  :  18,  is  meant  the  power  and 
policy  of  the  devil  and  his  in- 
struments. The  expression  is 
derived  ^rom  the  fact  that  courts 


of  legislation  and  justice  wer€ 
often  held  in  rooms  at  or  over 
the  gates  of  walled  cities.  It  ia 
therefore  equivalent  to  saying 
the  councils  of  hell. 

Helmet,  a  cap  of  metal  or 
strong  leather  for  protecting  a 
soldier's  head.  1  Sam.  17  :  5. 
Salvation  is  God's  helmet ;  the 
hope  of  it  rendering  God's  peo- 
ple courageous  in  their  spiritual 
warfare.  Eph.  6  :  17.  1  Thes. 
5  :  8. 

Hemlock.  The  plant  so  called 
in  Scripture  seems  to  mean  the 
water-hemlock,  Deut.  29  :  18  ; 
Hos.  10  :  4  ;  and  not  the  stately 
tree  which  bears  this  name.  Its 
juice  was  sometimes  used  by 
pagans  to  put  criminals  to 
death.  The  passage,  Hos.  10  : 
4,  "  Judgment  springeth  up  as 
hemlock  in  the  furrows  of  the 
field,"  means  that  the  courts  of 
justice  were  perverted,  so  that 
where  there  should  be  good 
fruit  there  was  poison. 

Heresy,  an  opinion  contrary 
to  the  fundamental  principles 
of  religion,  maintained  with 
obstinacy  and  a  refusal  to  admit 
conviction.  Christianity  was 
called  a  sect,  or  heresy,  by  Ter- 
tullus  and  the  profane  Jews. 
Acts  24  :  5,  14. 

Hermoil)  the  most  elevatec 
summit  in  the  range  of  th« 
Anti-Liba  nus ;  10,000  feet  abov« 
the  level  of  the  sea.  The  Si- 
donians  called  it  ISirion ;  and 
the  Amorites,  Shenir.  Deut.  3. 
9.  Its  dews  are  copiouc  and 
refreshing.  Psal.  133  :  3.  The 
snow  lies  on  it  during  tho  «aiB« 


HER 


117 


II  EK 


mer,  and  was  carried  to  Tyre, 
as  ice  is  brought  into  our  cities, 
and  sold  in  summer  as  a  lux- 
ury. 

Her  od.  Four  persons  of  this 
name  are  mentioned  in  the  New 
Testament. 

1.  Herod  the  Great,  the  son 
of  Antipater,  was  born  about 
B.  c.  70,  His  father  is  said  by 
some  to  have  been  a  Jew  ;  by 
others,  an  Idumean  proselyte. 
He  vanquished  and  extirpated 
the  family  of  the  Maccabees 
about  B,  c,  37,  His  character 
was  exceedingly  ferocious  and 
sensual.  His  frequent  murders 
and  ungovernable  temper  ren- 
dered him  miserable  ;  and  to 
occupy  his  thoughts,  as  well  as 
to  ingratiate  himself  with  the 
Jews,  he  rebuilt  their  temple, 
md  rendered  it  exceedingly 
stately  and  glorious.  He  also 
built  other  important  edifices, 
and  instituted  various  public 
sports.  When  the  wise  men  i 
from  the  East  made  inquiry  in 
Jerusalem  for  the  new-born 
King  of  the  Jews,  he  desired 
them  to  bring  him  back  word 
where  and  how  he  might  find 
him,  being  resolved  to  murder 
him,  while  but  an  infant.  Being 
disappointed,  he  ordered  to  be 
destroyed  every  child  in  and 
t.'30ut  Bethlehem,  under  two 
years  old,  that  he  might  make 
Bure  of  murdering  the  Messiah 
among  them.  He  died  in  a 
miserable  manner,  a  year  or  two 
after  this  atrocious  action. 

2.  Herop    Axtipas,    son    of 
Herod    the    jreat.  had   the   te- 


trarchy  of  Galilee  and  Pcrea^ 
by  the  last  will  of  his  father 
,  He  divorced  his  first  wife,  and 
took  Herodias,  the  wife  of 
Philip,  who  still  lived.  For 
reproving  this  incestuous  mar- 
riage, John  Avas  imprisoned  and 
beheaded.  Matt.  14:  3—12. 
This  was  he  to  whom  Pilate  sent 
our  Saviour,  and  by  whom  he 
was  mocked  and  arrayed  in  a 
gorgeous  robe.  Luke  23  :  8 — 
11.  He  was  uncle  to  Herod 
Agrippa,  and  great  uncle  to  that 
Agrippa  who,  by  Paul's  dis- 
course, was  "  almost  persuaded 
to  be  a  christian," 

3,  Heuod  A"grippa,  the  son 
of  Aristobulus,  grandson  of 
Herod  the  Great,  was  appointed 
by  Caligula  to  the  government 
of  Abilene.  About  A,  D,  44,  or 
perhaps  49,  he  caused  the  mur- 
der of  James,  the  son  of  Zebe- 
dee.  Observing  the  Jews  pleased 
with  this,  he  apprehended  Peter, 
intending  to  murder  him  also. 
But  Providence  defeated  his 
designs,  by  cutting  him  off  in  a 
miserable  manner  at  Cesarea, 
where  he  was  flattered  by  the 
multitude  crying  out  that  he 
spoke  like  a  god.  Acts  12,  and 
23  :  35.  He  reigned  seven  or 
ten  years,  and  was  the  father 
of  Agrippa,  Bernice,  Drusilla, 
and  Mariamne. 

4.  Herod  Agrippa  II,,  son 
of  the  preceding,  is  mentioned 
in  the  New  Testament  only  by 
the  name  of  Agrippa.  He  wa» 
born  A.  D,  20.  Fcstus  brought 
Paul  before  him,  who  almosi 
persuaded   him   to  be  a  chti^ 


UIG 


1:8 


HIN 


dan.  Acts  25  and  26.  After 
the  destruction  of  Jerusalem, 
he  went  to  Rome,  where  he  died, 
at  the  age  of  70. 

nerodiAnS,  a  sect  among  the 
Jews  (whether  religious  or  po- 
litical is  not  clear),  so  named 
from  Herod  the  Great.  It  is 
thought,  by  some,  that  he  was 
regarded  by  them  as  the  prom- 
ised Messiah. 

ner'OI)  a  bird  of  the  crane 
species.  It  is  only  mentioned 
Lev.  11  :  19,  and  Deut.  14  :  18. 

Hesllbon,  a  town  20  miles 
east  of  the  .point  where  the  Jor- 
dan enters  the  Dead  Sea.  It 
originally  belonged  to  the  Mo- 
abites.  Josh.  3  :  10,  but  became 
a  Levitical  city.  It  is  now 
called  Heshhan. 

Uid'dekel,  the  Tigris,  a  noble 
river  rising  in  the  mountains  of 
Armenia,  and  issuing  in  the 
Persian  Gulf.  On  it  once  stood 
the  great  cities  Nineveh,  Ctesi- 
phon,  and  Selucia  ;  and  at  pres- 
ent, the  cities  of  Bagdad,  Mosul, 
Diarbekir,  «fcc.  Gen.  2  :  14  ; 
Dan.  10  :  4. 

merap'oiiS,  a  city  near  Colos- 
66,  early  blessed  with  gospel 
light.  Col.  4  :  13.  It  was  de- 
stroyed by  an  earthquake,  in 
the  times  of  the  apostles.  The 
ruins  are  still  visible,  and  the 
place  is  called  by  the  Turks 
Pambuk  Kalasi. 

High  Plaees,  hills  on  which 
were  groves,  altars,  Ac,  for 
worship.  Gen  22.  At  first, 
/ehovah  was  worshipped  upon 
•uch,  then  idols.     To  the  Israel- 


ites they  were  strictly  foi  bidden, 
but  seem  never  to  have  been 
wholly  abolished.  2  Kings  15  : 
3,  4;  16:  3,  4,  &c. 

Hln,  a  liquid  measure,  con 
taining  about  three  of  oul 
quarts.  It  was  the  sixth  pari 
of  an  ephah. 

Hind)  a  female  deer,  mted 
for  elegance  of  form  and  affec- 
tion to  its  mate.  Prov.  5  :  19 
Like  other  deer,  it  is  very  swift 
and  sure-footed.     Ps.  18  :  33. 

Binnom,  a  valley,  or  rather 
ravine,  on  the  south  side  of 
Jerusalem,  closed  in  on  one 
side  by  the  steep  side  of  Mount 
Zion,  and  on  the  other  by  a  line 
of  cliffs  less  elevated.  From 
some  point  in  these  cliffs,  tra- 
dition relates  that  Judas  sought 
his  desperate  end.  The  position 
of  the  trees,  which  in  various 
places  overhang  the  brow  of  the 
cliff,  accords  with  the  common 
opinion  that,  when  he  hung 
himself,  the  rope  breaking,  he 
fell,  and  his  bowels  thus  were 
made  to  gush  out.  This  valley 
was  once  selected,  for  its  shade 
and  privacy,  for  the  worship  of 
Moloch.     See  Tophet. 

When  Josiah  overthrew  the 
horrid  idolatry  of  Moloch,  he 
made  the  place  abominable  by 
making  it  the  receptacle  of  the 
filth  of  the  city,  dead  carcasses, 
&c.  ;  which  was  occasionally 
consumed,  as  far  as  possible,  by 
burning.  Hence  it  became  a 
type  of  hell,  and  the  word  Ge- 
henna [Ge-hinnom]  is  the  vallej 
of  Hinnom.  Matt.  5  :  22  ;  Luk« 
17:5:  John  3  :  6. 


HOL 


119 


HC  N 


Holy,  pious,  religious,  Mark 
5  :  20  ;  sacred,  divine,  Luke  1  : 
72  ;  halloAved,  consecrated  to 
divine  use.  Matt.  7:6;  Luke 
2  :  23  ;  pure,  free  from  the  pol- 
lution of  sin,  Eph.  1:4;  Col. 
1  :  22.  It  is  applied  to  the 
Trinity  —  to  the  Father,  Lev. 
19  :  2  ;  Ps.  145  :  17  ;  to  the 
Bon,  Ps.  16  :  10  ;  Luke  1  :  35, 
4  :  34  ;  Acts  3  :  14  ;  and  it  is 
the  common  epithet  of  the  third 
Person  of  the  glorious  Trinity. 
It  is  applied  also  to  angels, 
Matt.  25  :  31  ;  and  to  persons 
and  things  dedicated  to  God, 
Ex.  30:  35;  31  :  14.  The  saints 
are  called  holy  by  separation 
and  choice,  1  Pet.  2:9;  by  the 
imputation  of  Christ's-  holiness 
or  righteousness  to  them,  Ezek. 
16  :  14  ;  2  Cor.  5  :  21  ;  by  par- 
taking of  a  holy  principle  of 
grace,  whereby,  the  soul  is  re- 
newed in  holiness  by  degrees, 
till  it  attain  a  perfection  of  it. 
Heb.  12  :  23. 

Holy  Ghost,  the  third  Person 
of  the  Trinity.  The  proofs  of 
his  essential  divinity  are,  (1.) 
He  is  expressly  called  God, 
Acts  5  :  3,  4.  (2.)  Attributes 
peculiar  to  Jehovah  are  ascribed 
to  him,  as  eternity,  Heb.  9  :  14  ; 
omniscience,  1  Cor.  2  :  10,  11  ; 
omnipresence,  Ps.  139:  7.  (3.) 
Works  which  only  God  can  per- 
form are  ascribed  to  him,  Ps. 
53  :  6  ;  Job  26  :  13  ;  Luke  1  : 
35  ;  2Pet.l  :  21  ;  John  16  :  13; 
Rom.  15  :  16.  (4.)  The  same 
divine  worship  is  paid  to  him  as 
to  the  Father  and  the  Son,  Matt. 
28  :  19  ;  2  Cor.  13  :  14;  2  Thess. 


3  :  5.  (5.)  In  the  Greek,  a 
masculine  article  is  joined  to 
his  name,  Pnkuma,  which  i» 
natural]}'  of  the  neuter  gender 
(6.)  Things  affirmed  of  God  in 
some  passages  of  Scripture  are 
in  others  attributed  to  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Among  many  others, 
compare  1  Cor.  3  :  16,  with  6  : 
19,  and  2  Tim.  3  :  16,  with  2 
Pet.  1  :  21.  (7.)  Baptism  is  ad- 
ministered  in  his  name,  and  the 
apostolic  benediction.  When  he 
is  spoken  of  as  given  or  sent  by 
the  Father  or  the  Son,  it  is  to 
be  understood  of  his  particular 
station  or  agency  in  the  plan  of 
redemption. 

By  him  sinners  are  convicted, 
John   16  :   9  ;    enlightened,  Eph. 

1  :  17,  18  ;  regenerated,  John  3  : 
5,  6  ;   sanctified,  1  Pet.  1  :  2. 

Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  was  enjoyed  in  the  apos- 
tolic age,  and  is  described  Acts 

2  :  1 — 4,  was  attended  with  the 
gift  of  tongues  and  power  of 
working  mirh,oles. 

Homer,  a  Hebrew  measure  of 
twenty-four  bushels,  thought  t<j 
be  the  same  as  the  Cor.  Ezek. 
45  :  14. 

Honey  was  produced  in  great 
quantities  in  the  land  of  Pales- 
tine, and  was  an  article  of  ex- 
port. Ezek.  27  :  17.  It  wag 
often  called  "  a  land  flowing 
with  milk  and  honey."  Besido 
the  bees  raised  in  yards,  multi- 
tudes were  wild,  and  laid  up 
their  stores  in  hollow  trees  am! 
fissures  of  rock?.  Matt.  3:4; 
Deut.  32  :  13.  Campbell,  in 
his  Travels  in  Africa,  says,  "  Thr 


HOP 


120 


HOR 


bees  have  a  habit  of  plastering 
Iheir  honey  on  the  surface  of 
rocks  in  cliffs  ;  which,  for  its 
protection,  they  cover  with  a 
layer  of  dark-colored  wax,  not 
easily  distinguished  from  the 
rock  itself.  By  making  an  in- 
cision in  its  outer  coat,  and 
applying  his  mouth,  a  person 
eould  suck  out  plenty."  This 
explains  Deut,  32  :  13.  The 
writer  has  seen  high  perpen- 
dicular cliffs  in  Buimah,  almost 
coveied  with  such  hte-nives  ; 
protected  on  the  outside  by  a 
covering  resembling  that  on  a 
wasps'  nest.  The  ancients  used 
honey  as  we  do  sugar,  and 
prized  it  highly  ;  hence  it  is  an 
image  of  pleasure.  Ps.  119  : 
103  ;  Cant.  4  :  11,  &e. 

A  sweet  sirup,  procured  from 
ripe  dates,  seems  to  have  borne 
this  name.  The  word  rendered 
"  honey,"  in  2  Chron.  31  :  5, 
properly  signifies  dates.  Jose- 
phus  mentions  palm  hotter/.  Bo- 
chart,  Celsius,  and  Geddes,  con- 
sider the  honey  mentioned  Gen. 
43  :  11,  to  be  of  this  sort. 

HopC)  a  prospect,  real  or 
imaginary,  which  we  think  of 
with  pleasure,  and  are  desirous 
cf  obtaining.  The  emotion  it- 
relf  is  also  called  hope.  The 
cnristian's  hope  of  eternal  hap- 
piness and  glory  is  founded  on 
the  merits,  the  blood,  the  grace, 
the  promises,  and  spirit  of 
Corist,  and  the  unchangeable 
truth  and  almighty  power  of 
'iod.  Religious  hope  is  dis- 
tinguished from  carnal  by  its 
inseparable    effect,  a    cleansing 


efficacy  by  the  assistance  of  tlie 
Holy  Spirit.  1  John  3  :  3. 
Jesus  Christ  is  styled  "  the  hci>9 
of  Israel,"  Acts  28  :  20,  as  ha 
was  promised  by  God,  his  man- 
ner of  coming  foretold  by  the 
prophets,  and  the  event  expected 
by  the  people  of  Israel.  He  is 
called  "  our  hope,"  1  Tim.  1:1, 
because  he  is  the  only  founda* 
tion  on  which  to  build  our  hope 
of  any  real  good  here  or  here- 
after. It  ia  sometimes  taken 
for  that  eternal  salvation,  which 
is  the  object  or  end  of  our  hope. 
Tit.  2:13. 

Uoi'O,  a  symbol  cf  strength, 
Deut.  33  :  17  ;  Jer.  48  :  25  ; 
Hab.  3  :  4.  Hence  kingdoms 
are  represented  as  horna. 


Perhaps  this  was  wholly  meta- 
phorical. Or  it  ma}'  have  been 
the  custom  to  wear  such  a  hel- 
met, or  head-dress,  In  some 
oriental  countries  such  orna- 
ments are  now  worn.  Wm.  Penn 
states  that  among  some  chiefs 
he  met  in  council,  was  one  who 
wore  a  sort  of  crown,  to  which 
was  fjistened  a  real  horn.  Tb« 
fivo  hyrns  of  the  ram  in  Dariel*. 


HOK 


121 


11  OS 


risiimare  the  kingdoms  of  Media 
tnd  Persia.  The  one  horn  of  the 
following  goat  is  the  kingdom  of 
Greece  under  Alexander,  which, 
at  his  death  was  divided  into 
four  parts,  predicted  Dan.  8  :  8. 
The  Utile  horn,  which  grew  out 
of  one  of  these,  is  supposed  to 
be  the  kingdom  of  Antiochus 
Etiphanes,  who  overran  Judea, 
<fec.  The  ten  hirns  of  the  great ! 
dragon.  Rev.  12  :  3,  are  the 
kingdoms  which  compose  the 
Roman  empire  and  dominions 
of  the  pope.  Various  authors 
have  named  these  kingdoms, 
but  with  little  precision,  because 
of  the  continual  fluctuations  of 
those  countries.     Rev.  13  :  1. 

Hornet)  an  insect  like  a  wasp, 
but  larger,  with  »  black  breast, 
and  double  black  spots.  It  is 
extremely  bold  and  mischievous. 
The  sting  is  attended  with  great 
pain  and  inflammation,  and  even 
danger.  Great  swarms  of  them 
plagued  the  Canaanites  in  the 
d»ys  of  Joshua.  Deut.  7  :  20  ; 
Josh.  24  :  12.  It  is  said,  in  the 
place  last  quoted,  that  the  hor- 
nets "  drove  out "  two  kings 
>nd  their  people.  The  learned 
Bochart  has  traced  some  of 
their  colonies  into  Greece,  and 
the  Talmudical  writers  say  that 
some  passed  into  Africa. 

Horonaim,  a  city  of  Moab, 
perhaps  the  same  as  Beth-ho- 
RON.  It  ia  thought  to  be  the 
city  which  is  called  by  Ptolemy 
Avaroy  and  by  Josephus  O'ona. 

Horse,  £.n  animal  rare  among 
the  early  Jews,  but  common  in 
Egypt,  &c.     The  passage    in   1 
11 


Kings  10:  28,  instead  of*  Lcrses 
and  linen  yarn,"  should  read  aa 
it  is  literally,  horses  in  strings 
which  was  and  is  now  the  modo 
of  transporting  them  for  sale. 
As  Orientals  supposed  the  sua 
to  drive  along  the  sky  in  a 
chariot  with  horses,  they  con- 
secrated to  him  the  finest  steeds. 
Israel  was  once  infected  with 
this  idolatry.     2  Kings  33  :  11. 

Horse-Leeek,  a  black  worm 
that  lives  in  water,  and  is  now 
called  only  leech.  It  occurs  only 
in  Prov.  30  :  15. 

HosannS)  an  exclamation  of 
praise,  or  invocation  of  blessing. 
It  was  a  common  word  with  the 
Jews,  and  seems  to  mean  liter- 
ally, save  norv.  The  multitude 
who  uttered  this  cry  before 
Christ,  probably  indicated  by  it 
their  desire  and  hope  that  he 
would  now,  as  their  Messiah, 
raise  up  their  nation  from  its 
fallen  state.     Matt.  21  :  9—15. 

HoseA)  the  first  of  the  minor 
prophets,  as  arranged  in  our 
Bibles.  These  twelve  books  are 
called  minor  prophets,  not  from 
their  inferiority,  but  from  their 
brevity.  Hosea  lived  a  long 
time,  and  prophesied  under  four 
kings,  viz.,  Uzziah,  Jotham, 
Ahaz,  and  Hezekiah. 

The  Book  of  Hosea,  which 
seems  to  be  but  a  part  of  the 
author's  predictions,  is  of  a  sen 
tentious,  and  sometimes  obscure 
style,  but  always  energetic.  The 
topics  are  the  guilt  and  stub- 
bornness of  the  Jews,  the  heavy 
judgments  which  awaited  them, 
and    their    final    restoration    tv 


HO  U 


121i 


HOU 


God'd  favor  and  great  national 
prosperity.  He  calls  Judah 
Loruh'ima.,  and  Israel  L  ammi. 
The  book  is  written  in  sublime 
poetry,  and  is  more  laconic  ani 
sententious  than  the  other  proph- 
ets, which  makes  it  diiScult  to 
translate  or  understand,  at  this 
long  distance,  when  so  many  of 
the  allusions  are  obscure. 

Hospitality,  love  or  kindness 
expressed  by  entertaining  per- 
sons kindly.  Rom.  12  :  13  ;  1 
Tim.  3  :  2.  The  first  christians 
were  remarkably  hospitable  and 
kind  to  all  strangers,  but  par- 
ticularly to  those  of  the  same 
faith.  Paul  makes  use  of  Abra- 
ham's and  Lot's  conduct,  men- 
tioned Gen.  18  :  2,  3  ;  19  :  1,  2, 
Ac,  as  examples  to  encourage 
and  persuade  us  to  the  exercise 
of  hospitality.  Heb.  13  :  2. 
Hospitality  is  to  be  "used  one 
to  another  without  grudging." 

I  Pet.  4  :  9. 

Hough,  to  disable  an  animal 
>  y  severing  the  great  tendon  on 
,he  back  of  the  hind  leg.   Josh. 

II  :  6—9. 

Honr.  (1.)  The  twenty-fourth 
part  of  a  natural  day.  When 
the  New  Testament  was  written, 
the  Jews  divdded  their  day  into 
twelve  equal  parts,  after  the 
manner  of  the  Greeks  and  Ro- 
mans, Matt.  20  :  3,  5,  6  ;  John 
11  :  9  ;  which  of  course  varied 
m  length  according  to  the  dif- 
ferent seasons.  When  the  sun 
rose  at  the  time  we  call  six 
o'clock,  their  third  hour  agreed 
with  our  ninth,  their  sixth  with 
our  noon,  and  their  ninth  with 


our  three  o'clock.  Their  night 
was  divided  in  the  same  manner 
(2.)  Hour  signifies  any  fixed 
season  or  opportunity.  Heneo 
we  read  of  the  hmr  of  tempta- 
tion ;  of  judgment  ;  of  Christ's 
death,  or  second  coming  ;  of  the 
power  of  Satan  and  his  agents 
against  Christ  ;  Ac.  Rev.  3  :  3, 
10.     Luke  22  :  53. 

House.  (1.)  A  dwelling-place. 
The  body  is  called,  2  Cor.  5  :  1, 
the  house  of  the  soul.  The  houses 
in  Canaan  and  other  "Eastern 
countries  are  built  in  the  form 
of  a  hollow  square.  The  rooms 
open  into  the  court  in  the  cen- 
tre, where  some  have  fountains 
of  water  playing.  The  roof  is 
flat,  and,  when  the  sun  is  not 
hot,  is  a  plac§  of  agreeable  re- 
tirement. Peter  had  his  vision 
here.  Acts  10  :  9.  An  awning 
is  frequently  extended  over  the 
open  space  in  the  centre,  to 
exclude  the  sun.  This  was  lifted 
away,  and  the  low  battlement 
of  tiles  "  broken  up,"  by  the 
friends  of  the  man  sick  of  the 
palsy,  whom  they  had  brought 
across  the  roofs  of  the  neighbor- 
ing houses,  so  that  they  could 
lower  him  down  before  Christ. 
Mark  2:  3;  Luke  5  :  19.  When 
the  destruction  of  Jerusalem 
came,  the  disciples  of  Jesus 
were  to  escape  from  the  roofs, 
if  they  should  be  there,  without 
going  down  into  the  house.  This 
in  our  houses  would  be  impos- 
sible ;  but  there  they  could 
come  down  the  stairs,  and  pass 
through  the  balconies  which  led 
round   the    inner  court,  and  sa 


riUS 


123 


HYP 


out  into  the  street,  through  the 
oovered  .  gateway.  Mark  13  : 
15.  (!:.)  The  family  household, 
or  tribe,  dwelling  together. 
Children  do  not  necessarily  form 
part  of  a  household,  as  many 
families  are  without  any.  Acts 
16:  15. 

Hamiliation,  the  act  of  hum- 
bling one's  self.  It  diflfers  from 
humility.  Humility  is  the  ha- 
bitual state  of  that  person's 
mind  who  has  low  thoughts  of 
himself,  founded  upon  the 
knowledge  of  his  imperfections 
and  unworthiness,  and  his  de- 
pendence upon  God.  Humilia- 
tion is  a  special  act  of  devotional 
mortification,  or  self-denial,  in 
an  individual  or  a  nation,  shown 
by  fasting,  prayer,  <fcc. 

The  humiliation  ascribed  to 
Christ,  Acts  8  :  33  ;  Phil.  2  :  8, 
is  a  proof  of  his  divine  nature  ; 
for  if  Christ  were  a  mere  man, 
or  oven  the  highest  angel,  and 
was  created  of  God  to  perform 
the  work  of  redemption,  he  did 
no  more  than  his  duty,  and 
would  have  been  eternally  lost 
had  he  come  short  of  it. 

Haraility,  that  grace  of  the 
Spirit  which,  from  a  proper 
gense  of  lowliness  and  unwor- 
thiness, makes  us  patient  under 
trials,  and  contentedly  submis- 
sive to  the  will  of  Providence. 

Hnsk,  the  sheath  or  cover  of 
grain,  &c.  Numb.  6:4.  2 
Kings  4  :  42.  It  is  thought  by 
Wahl,  and  others,  that  the  husks 
mentioned  in  the  parable  of  the 
prodigal  son,  are  the  pods  of 
the   oarob-tree,  or  ceratonia  sil- 


tqua  of  Linnaeus.  Tnese  poJs 
are  about  a  foot  long,  somewJ  at 
sickle-shaped,  and  contain  a 
sweet  pulp,  and  several  brown 
seeds  like  beans.  Swine*faiton 
on  this  food,  and  it  is  often 
eaten  by  the  poor  people  in 
Syria  and  Palestine.  Luke  15  : 
16. 

Hyaeinth.  The  flower  of  this 
name  is  never  mentioned  in  the 
Bible.  The  jewel  so  called  is 
supposed  to  be  what  we  now 
call  garnet.  Some  of  these  are 
very  precious.  Those  of  Bur 
mah  are  most  valuable.  Com 
mon  ones  are  so  abundant  in 
some  parts  of  Germany  as  to 
be  used  as  a  flux  for  some  iron 
ores.  They  are  plenty  also  in 
some  parts  of  the  United  States 

Hymiij  a  religious  ode  or  song 
Hilary  is  said  to  have  been  tho 
first  comppser  of  metrical  hymns 
to  be  sung  in  public  worship. 
The  book  of  Psalms  contained 
the  "  hymns  and  spiritual 
songs  "  commonly  sung  by  the 
Jews  and  early  christians.  ..'""ve 
Psalms  are  called,  in  general, 
hymns,  by  Philo  the  Jew  ;  and 
JosEPHCS  calls  them  "  songs 
and  hymns."     See  Singing. 

Hypocrite.  (1.)  One  who  dis 
sembles  or  feigns  to  be  what  he 
is  not.  Matt.  23.  Such  per- 
sons may  be  detected  by  their 
neglect  of  the  duties  they  enjoin 
on  others  ;  by  their  zeal  for 
trifles  and  omission  of  great 
duties  ;  by  their  love  of  titles 
and  precedence  ;  and  by  theif 
severe  censures  of  others  foi 
sins  wliich  they  commit   them 


ICO 


124 


IDD 


jelves.  (2.)  One  who  is  de- 
3eived,  and  relies  on  a  false 
hope.  Job  20  :  5,  and  27  :  8. 
Such  persons  find  excuses  for 
obvious  neglects  ;  they  study 
an  external  rather  than  inward 
purity  ;  they  pray  in  affliction 
with  great  fervor,  but  are  apt 
to  neglect  that  du'y  in  prosper- 
ity ;  and  though  keen  and  ac- 
tive in  business,  are  dull  and 
destitute  of  zeal  in  spiritual 
affairs. 

Hyssop,  an  herb  which,  in  the 
East,  grows  not  only  in  gardens, 
but  also  wild.  It  rises  to  the 
height  of  two  feet,  growing  in 
bunches,  and  putting  out  many 


stalks  from  a  single  root.  Oa 
this  account  it  is  extremely  weli 
adapted  to  be  used  as  a  spi'ink 
ler,  as  it  commonly  was  Ik 
Jewish  purifications.  It  has  a 
pleasant  smell,  but  is  very  bit- 
ter and  pungent.  "  Solomon 
described  plants  from  the  great 
cedar  to  the  hyssop  that  spiing- 
eth  out  of  the  wall,"  1, Kings 
4  :  33.  Hasselquist  supposes 
the  small  plant  here  mentioned 
to  be  a  moss  which  is  very  com- 
mon on  the  walls  of  Jerusalem. 
SiBTHORPE  thinks  it  more  prob- 
ably a  little  plant  still  called 
hysoppo,  frequently  growing  on 
the  rocks  of  Palestine. 


leO'niHm,  the  chief  city  of 
»Jie  tetrarchy  of  Lycaonia  ;  said 
by  Strabo  to  be  well  built,  and 
situated  in  the  richest  part  of 
the  province.  The  visit  of  Paul 
to  this  place,  which  was  greatly 
blessed  in  the  conversion  of 
multitudes,  happened  A.  D.  45 
or  46.  Acta  14  :  1—3.  The 
church  thus  planted  may  be 
iraced  through  eight  succeeding 
centuries,  but  is  lost  sight  of 
during  the  ravages  of  the  Turks 
and  Saracens.  At  present,  it 
IS  a  place  of  some  consequence, 
and  strongly  fortified  by  walls 
four  miles  in  extent.  The  popu- 
lation is  estimated  at  70,000. 
Though  much  of  tho  town  within 
the  walls  lies  waste,  no  Jew  or 
ehristian  is  allowed  by  the  Turks 
*o  1  ve    there  ;    but   ?uch    reside 


in    the    suburbs.     Its    proseut 
name  is  Cogni,  or  Konee. 

Iddo,  a  prophet  of  Judah, 
who  seems  to  have  been  the  his- 
torian of  his  day,  and  whose 
record  and  genealogies  are  men- 
tioned in  Scripture.  2  Chron. 
9  :  2'J,  and  12  :  15.  His  writings 
never  made  a  part  of  the  canon 
of  the  Old  Testament.  Indeed, 
had  everything  done  or  said  by 
holy  men,  according  to  the  will 
of  God,  been  inserted  in  the 
Bible,  it  would  have  made  the 
book  too  large  to  be  useful. 
Josephus  is  of  opinion  that  this 
was  the  prophet  sent  to  .Jero- 
boam at  Bethel,  and  slain  by  a 
lion  on  his  return.  1  Kings  13. 
Whether  he  was  the  grandfather 
of  Zechariah,  is  uncertain. 
Zech.  J     1.     There  were  several 


iDO 


12b 


IDO 


•tlicr  persons  of  this  name.     1 
Chron.  27  :  21  ;   Esra  8  :  17. 

Idol,  a  represen cation  or  im- 
tge  of  any  sort,  created  either 
by  art  or  fancy  ;  any  object  re- 


''^B 

w. 

/Sir 

W\ 

— (llyiii.iiii                  <ta 

-^ . 

ceiving  human  worship,  in  con- 
tradistinction to  the  true  God. 
1  Cor.  8:  1;  1  John  5  :  21.  As 
it  is  the  first  principle  of  true 
religion,  that  there  is  one  only 
living  and  true  God,  so  Jehovah 
ylaims  divine  worship  as  due 
Dnly  to  himself  j  and  has  pro- 
hibited the  worship  of  idols,  as 
a  crime  of  the  first  magnitude. 
Ex.  20  :  4.  The  most  fervent 
remonstrances  against  paying 
homage  to  idols  are  found  in 
the  prophets  ;  and  some  such 
passages  in  Isaiah  are  consid- 
11* 


ered  to  surpass  in-  energy,  ar 
gument,  and  elegance,  anything 
that  has  been  written  on  tho 
subject.  Isa.  44  :  12—20,  and 
46  :  1,  2,  &c. 

The  following  idols  are  men- 
tioned in  Scripture  :  — 

Adram-mdech.  2  Kings  17 :  31. 

Anamelech,  2  Kiiigs  17  :  31. 

Aahhna,  2  Kings  17  :  30. 

A-Maroth,  Jud.  2  :  13. 

Baul,  Numb.  22:  41  ;  (in  tbe  plnni, 

Hacdim,  1  Sam.  7  :  1.) 
Baal-berith,  Jud.  8  :  33. 
Bitul-peor,  Numb.  25  :  3  ;  Deut.  4  :  3. 
Beelzebub,  2  Kings  1 :  2. 
Bel,  Isa.  4G  :  1  •,  -Jer.  50 :  2. 
OiJitor  and  Pvllux,  Acts  28 :  11. 
Ixigon,  Jud.  1(5 :  23. 
muna.  Acts  19  -.  24 — 11. 
Jiipiicr,  Acts  14  :  11,  12. 
Mercury,  Acts  14  :  12. 
Mulveh,  Lev.  18 :  21  ;  (called  iHlcom,  \ 

Kings  11 :  5,  and  Malcluiin,  Zeph.  1 : 

5.) 
Nebo,  Isa.  15  :  46. 
Neroal,  2  K'.ngs  17 :  30. 
NihUaz,  2  Kings  17  :  31. 
yisroch,  2  Kings  19  :  37. 
Bemplian,  Acts  7  :  43. 
Riinmon,  2  Kings  5  :  18. 
Sheshuch,  Jer.  51  :  41. 
Snccoth-benoth,  2  Kings  17  :  30. 
Taimnuz,  Ezek.  3  -.  14. 
Turtak,  2  Kings  \1 :  31. 

Beside  whicii  v/ere  the  Ttruplum, 
and  the  Gulden  CcUvea. 

The  Jews  seem  never  to  have 
had  idols  peculiar  to  themselves, 
but  to  have  often  adopted  those 
of  other  nations. 

Idolatry  is  either  internal  or 
external.  Internal  is  an  inor- 
dinate love  of  the  creatures, 
riches,  honors,  and  the  pleas- 
ures of  this  life.  Eph.  5  :  5 
Col.  3  :  5.  Phil.  3  :  19.  Exter. 
nal  is  the  paying  of  homage 
to  outward  objects,  either  natu- 
ral or  artificial  ;  and  this'is  the 
more  common  sense  of  the  term. 

Soon  after  the  flood,  mon  fell 
into  idolatry.  A  large  portion 
of  our  race  have  ever  sin-^o 
practised  this  sin,  —  dreadfuUj? 


IDO 


126 


II>0 


Indicatire  of  the  corruption  and 
degrac'.ition  of  human  nature. 
At  fir  t  heavenly  bodies,  and 
eminert  benefactors  of  man- 
kind, were  worshipped,  then 
aninials,  plants,  reptiles,  and 
figures  made  by  art.  To  these 
were  paid  not  only  reverence 
and  devotion,  but  the  most  hor- 


rid rites.  The  grossest  ind»^ 
cencies,  murder,  suicide,  tor- 
ture, drunkenness,  and  every 
abomination,  have  been  consid- 
ered proper  acts  of  worship. 
In  pagan  countries,  idolatry 
still  retains  these  shocking 
characteristics. 

In  Burmah,  beside  idolatrous 


PAGODA    AT    AVA. 


temples,  they  have  pagodas, 
which  are  nothing  more  than 
piles  of  brick  and  earth,  set  up 
in  honor  of  their  gods,  as  we 
erect  pillars  to  commemorate 
events.  They  are  generally 
solid,  and  cannot  Ve  entered. 
Worship  and  oTerings,  <fec.,  are 
«iade  before  them.     The  Egyp- 


I  tian  pyiamlds  are,  in  my  opin- 
ion, genuine  pagodas.  The  tower 

!  shown  in  the  Encyclopedia  of 
Religious  Knowledge,  I  con- 
sider  one  of  the  same  soit  of 
structures. 

The  veneration  which  Roii>i>a 
Catholics    pay    to    the    Virgin 

I  Mary,  angei^,  and  saints,  or  >9*' 


ILL 


INC 


es,  images,  relics,  and  the  host, 
(or  bread  tf  the  Lord'j<  supper,) 
is  idolatiy.  Tliis  tliey  of  course 
deny,  and  consider  the  worship 
paid  to  God  as  supreme,  and  that 
which  is  paid  to  saints,  «fec.,  as 
subordinate. 

When  we  consider  in  how 
many  ways  we  may  practise 
inward  idolatry,  Phil.  3  :  19; 
Col.  3  :  5,  we  should  carefully 
watch  and  pray  against  this 
Jreadful sin. 

that  great  multitudes  have 
their  hearts  set  on  some  earthly 
object,  who  little  think  them- 
selves idolaters. 

Idnme'a^  a  district  on  the 
south  margin  of  Palestine,  em- 
bracing a  part  of  Arabia,  and 
receiving  its  name  from  Edom 
(i.  e.,  Esau),  who  first  settled  it. 
During  the  Babylonish  captivi- 
ty, the  Edomites  seem  to  have 
seized  on  a  considerable  portion 
of  Judea.  Long  before  the 
birth  of  Christ,  they  had  been 
reduced  to  subjection,  and  mul- 
titudes of  them  embraced  the 
Hebrew  faith.  The  region,  how- 
ever,    seems  to  have    retained 


traced  through  eight  cenlurion, 
and  to  this  thiy  not  a  few  nomi- 
nal  chi  rftians  r'.:jide  here.  Rom 
15:  10.  Part  of  it  is  now  called 
Croatia,  and  part  Hclaionia,  oi 
Albania. 

Image)  any  similitude  cr  like- 
ness. Jesus  Christ  is  said  to 
be  the  "  image  of  God,"  Heb. 
1  :  3,  as  he  represents  God  to 
us,  and  is  "  in  the  form  of  God," 
essentially  and  not  circumstan 
It  is  to  be  feared  |  tially ;  for  there  can  be  no  form, 
or  "  express  image,"  of  God,  but 
what  is  essentially  divine.  The 
phrase  implies  sameness  in  na- 
ture and  distinctness  in  person 
Man  is  said  to  have  been  made 
in  the  image  of  God,  Gen.  1 : 
26,  27,  because  he  resembled 
God  in  beirg  wise,  holy  and 
immortal,  and  in  possessing 
dominion  over  the  creatures. 
Idols,  carved  into  shapes  sup- 
posed to  resemble  various  dei- 
ties, are  called  images.  2  Kings 
3:2. 

Impute^  to  put  anything  to 
a  person's  account.  The  right- 
eousness of  Christ  is  imputed  to 
those  who  believe  on  him,  and 


their  name  in  the  days  of  their  sins  are  imputed  to  him. 
Christ,  and  for  some  ages  after-  llom.  4  :  6 — 8.  2  Cor.  5  :  19. 
wards.  Mark  3  :  18.  It  was  j  Ineeose,  a  fragrant  gum 
the  native  country  of  Herod.  {brought  from  Arabia  and  the 
lilyrlcam  is  about  480  miles  East  Indies.  The  form  of  the 
in  length,  and  120  in  breadth,  j  tree  is  not  precisely  known. 
It  has  Austria  and  part  of  Hun-  The  incense  used  in  the  Jewish 
gary  on  the  north,  Servia  on  offerings,  at  least  that  which 
the  east,  and  the  Adriatic  Sea  j  was  burnt  on  the  altar  of  in- 
and  part  of  Macedenia  on  the  cense,  and  before  the  ark,  wa? 
south.  Here  the  gospel  was  a  precious  mixture  of  sweet 
preached  ana  a  christian  church  spices,  stacte,  onycha,  galba- 
planted  by  Paul    which  can  be  '  num.     »nd   purr    frankincense. 


INF 


128 


INS 


beateii  very  small.     Ex.30:  7,  i      lukhorn,    a    small    portftbla 
54,     None  but  priests  were  to    ease  for  pens  and  ink  ;   which 


burn  it,  nor  was  any,  under 
pain  of  death,  to  make  any  like 
to  it.  This  incense  was  burnt 
twice  a  day  on  the  golden  altar. 
Where  so  many  victims  were 
daily  slaughtered  and  burnt  to 
ashes,  some  such  perfume  was 
necessary'.  It  seemed  also 
beautifully  emblematic  of 
prayer.  Ps.  141 :  2.  Rev.  8  : 
3,  4.    See  Fuankincexse. 

luchamers,  persons  who  prac- 
tise incantations  or  charms, 
particularly  on  serpents.  There 
are  still  such  persons  in  the 
Fast,  whose  performances  are 
astonishing.  Sometimes,  when 
a  poisonous  snake  is  known  to 
have  got  into  a  house  or  3hip, 


is  often  worn  by  writers  in  the 
East,  fastened  to  some  conven- 
ient part  of  the  dress  Ezek. 
9  :  2,  11. 

Inil)  in  our  Bible,  means  gen- 
erally a  caravansera.  GeneraJlr 
they  are  simply  places  of  rest, 
near  a  fountain,  if  possible  ; 
others  have  an  attendant,  who 
merely  waits  on  travellers;  and 
others  have  a  family,  which 
sells  provisions.  They  are  found 
in  every  part  of  the  East.  In 
Turkey  they  are  called  Khans ; 
in  Hindustan,  Cfiotdtrieji ;  iu 
Burmah,  Zayats.  The  latter 
are  mere  sheds,  like  a  market 
house.  The  former  are  enciuiied 
securely. 


one    of    these    men 

is  sent  for,  who  in-      (C^X^n  j^)  h  R  al!l>^ 

duces     it    to    come       "'^     ^       aj_i_tw 

forth,  puts  it  in  a 
oag,  and  carries  it 
away.     Compare  Ps.  58  :  4,  6. 


I  have  personal  knowledge  of 
such  facts,  and  other  feats  of 
these  snake-charmers  equally 
wonderful. 

Infirmity,  in  Scripture,  means, 
(1.)  Sickness,  Luke  13  :  12  ;  1 
Tim.  5  :  23  ;  (2.)  Afllictions,  2 
Cor.  12  :  10  ;  (3.)  Natural  ap- 
petites, such  as  hunger,  thirst, 
sleep,  &Q.,  Matt.  24  :  41  ;  (4.) 
Weakness  of  human  nature. 
Gal.  4:  13;  Rom.  8:  26.  Mere 
infirmities  are  not  sins,  except 
so  far  as  we  bring  them  on  our- 
selves. Christians  are  bound 
to  pay  a  tender  regard  to  the 
Infirmities  of  others.  Rom.  H :  1. 


In  the  stable  of  such  a  place, 
the  better  parts  being  all  occu- 
pied, the  Saviour  of  the  world 
Avas  born.  Of  course  where  such 
are  the  inns,  the  traveller  goes 
prepared  to  keep  house  wher- 
ever he  stops  ;  having  with  biis 
his  bed,  cooking  utensils,  &o. 

Inscription)  or  Supep.scbif- 
TiON,  writing  on  coins,  pillars, 
<tc.  Much  of  the  history  of  na- 
tions may  be  learnt  from  them. 
Matt.  22  :  20.  The  history  of 
Greece,  for  1318  years,  is  isi- 
scribed  on  the  Arundel  marbles. 
Parts  of  the  ■  aw  of  Moses  wera 
inscribed  or  the  altar  at  Bb^Jl 
Deut.  27  :  8 


ISA 


129 


rsR 


iDtcrrcssion,  the  act  of  com- 
ing in  between  two  parties,  in 
order  to  plead  in  behalf  of  the 
one  that  his  offended.  Christ 
intercedes  for  his  church,  by 
appearing  for  it  before  the 
Father,  by  presenting  the  merits 
cf  his  sacrifice  once  offered,  and 
obtaining  answers  to  petitions 
or  prayers  made  in  his  name. 

Iron  was  known  very  ancient- 
ly. Gen.  4:  22.  Moses  speaks 
rf  its  hardness.  Lev.  26  :  19  ; 
ri'  the  iron  mines.  Dent.  8:9; 
of  the  furnace  in  which  it  was 
made,  Deut.  4  :  20  ;  and  that 
the  bedstead  of  Og,  king  of 
Bashan,  was  of  this  metal,  Deut. 
3:   11. 

Isaiah,  a  prophet  of  Israel, 
who  wrote  the  inspired  book  of 
chat  name.  His  language  is 
remarkable  for  elegance  and 
sublimity  ;  and  his  wondrous 
prophecies  are  yet  being  ex- 
pounded by  events.  He  seems 
to  have  been  favored  with  an 
entire  view  of  the  gospel  dispen- 
sation, from  the  birth  and  suffer- 
ings of  Christ  to  the  day  when 
all  shall  know  God.  He  is 
thought  to  have  died  about 
seventy  years  before  Jeremiah 
prop'hesied. 

The  Book  of  Isaiah,  though 
placed  first,  because  of  its  size 
and  importance,  is  the  fifth  in 
order  of  time.  See  the  table 
given  under  the  word  Prophets. 
Passages  from  Isaiah  are  quoted 
by  Zephaniah,  Ezekiel,  and 
Habakkuk,  as  well  as  by  the 
New  Testament  writers.  He 
has  boo )  called  the  eva'^gelical 


prophet,  from  the  great  numbe? 
and  minuteness  of  his  predic- 
tions concerning  the  advent, 
character.,  preaching,  labors, 
sufferings,  and  death  of  our 
Lord.  The  style  is  greatly  ad- 
mired by  linguists,  as  uniting 
elegance  to  bublimity,  force  ti» 
ornament,  and  energy  to  co- 
piousness. 

Ishi,  a  hu.-bond.  It  is  said, 
Hos.  2:16,  that  Israel  should 
no  more  call  (rod  "  Baali,"  Lord, 
or  rigid  Master,  but  "  Ishi," 
husband,  a  kind  and  gentle 
ruler. 

Israel,  the  common  name  of 
the  Hebrew  people  and  country. 
The  name  means  "  Prince  with 
God,"  and  was  given  to  Jacob 
after  his  prevalent  prayer  at 
Peniel. 

Under  Rehoboam,  successor 
to  Solomon,  a  fatal  schism  too'' 
place  between  the  tribes  of  Ju- 
dah  and  Benjamin,  and  the  ref. 
of  the  nation.  1  Kings  12.  The 
land  was  then  divided  into  Ju- 
dah,  of  which  Jerusalem  contin- 
ued the  metropolis  ;  and  Israel, 
of  which  Samaria  was  the  royal 
residence.  This  division  occa 
sioned  many  dreadful  civil  wars, 
and  separated  the  ten  tribes 
from  the  true  religion.  At 
length,  after  having  existed 
about  250  years,  Israel  was  en- 
tirely destroyed,  1  Kings  17  : 
6,  <fec.  ;  and  the  whole  country 
was  then  called  Judah,  or  Ju- 
dea.  About  130  years  after  the 
overthrow  of  the  ten  tribes, 
Judah  was  laid  waste  by  Nebu* 
chadnez^ar,  and  the  people  ear 


JAC 


IbO 


JAM 


rled  captive  to  Babylon,  where 
they  continued  seventy  years.  2 
Kings,  2t  :  9  ;  Jer.  39  :  2,  and 
24  :  11,  12.  Under  Darius  and 
Cyrus  many  of  the  Jews  re- 
turned, and  the  temple  was  re- 
built a  little  more  than  500  years 
B.  c.  See  Canaan,  and  He- 
brews. 

Issne,  a  sending  out,  an  effect 
or  result  arising  from  some 
cause.  It  is  applied  to  children, 
who,  from  the  relation  which 
they  bear  to  their  parents,  are 
called  issue  or  offspring. 

Ilnre'.!,  a  region  in  the  north- 
east of  Palestine,  thought  to 
have  derived  its  name  from 
Jetur,  a  son  of  Ishmael.  Hau- 
ren  was  one  of  its  cities,  whence 
the  province  was  called  Hau- 
ranitis  by  the  ancients.  Philip 
was   its   tetrarch    in   the    days 


of    Christ.     Luke  3  :    1.      The 

modern  name  is  Houran. 

Ivory  is  the  tusks  of  elephants, 
resembling  horns.  Ezek.  27  . 
15.  Some  tusks  are  from  90  to 
125  pounds  weight.  In  Russia, 
and  other  places  of  Euiope,  a 
kind  of  ivory  is  found  buried  in 
the  ground;  and  at  Petersburgh 
is  such  a  tusk  of  180  pounia 
weight.  In  this  country  also  are 
found  the  fossil  bones,  teeth,  and 
tusks  of  the  extinct  mammoth 
and  mastodon.  Some  of  these 
bones  and  teeth  are  in  a  perfect 
state  of  preservation  ;  but  the 
tusks  soon  fall  to  pieces  when 
exposed  to  the  air.  Ivory  was 
anciently  very  plentiful  in  Ca- 
naan ;  wardrobes  were  cased 
with  it,  to  prevent  the  damage 
of  moths.  Ps.  45  :  8.  Solomoo 
had  a  throne  of  it.    1  Ki.  10  :  19. 


Jab'1[>0k)  a  brook  rising  in  the 
mountains  of  Gilead,  and  enter- 
ing the  Jordan  just  after  it 
leaves  Lake  Gennesareth.  Dcut. 
2  :  37. 

Jacinth)  the  same  as  hyacinth; 
a  precious  stone  of  a  yellowish 
color,  brought  generally  from 
Ceylon. 

Ja'cob,  the  second  son  of 
Isaac,  and  founder  of  the  Jewish 
nation,  was  born  A.  m.  2167. 
He  removed  to  Egypt  with  his 
family  at  the  request  rf  Joseph, 


and  died  after  having  dwelt  in 
Goshen  seventeen  years. 

Jab,  a  Hebrew  contraction  for 
Jehovah.     Ps.  68  :  4. 

Jahaz,  a  city  of  Moab,  called 
also  Jahazah.  Josh.  13  :  18. 
It  is  called  by  Ptolemy  Ziza. 

James  the  Great,  or  Elder, 
and  John  the  evangelist,  sons  of 
Zebedee  and  Salome,  were  orig- 
inally  fishermen  of  Galilee 
Matt.  4  :  21.  They  are  called 
Boanerges,  or  "  the  soi  s  of  th  in- 
der.'»    Mark  3:  17;  Luke  9. 


JAM 


131 


J  AV 


54.  After  our  Saviour'3  resur- 
rection, they  for  awhile  returu.- 
ed  to  their  business  of  fishing. 
John  21  :  2,3.  j>bout  A.  D.  44, 
James  was  murdered  by  Herod. 
Acts  12  :  2.  He  is  now  the  pre- 
tended patron  saint  of  Spain. 

2.  James  the  Less,  called  the 
brother  of  our  Lord,  was  the 
Bon  of  Cleophas,  by  Mary,  the 
sister  of  the  blessed  Virgin. 
He  was  called  the  less,  probably, 
because  smaller  or  younger  than 
the  former.  For  the  admirable 
holiness  of  his  life,  he  was  sur- 
named  the  Just.  Our  Saviour 
appeared  to  him  by  himself, 
after  his  resurrection.  1  Cor. 
15:  7.  About  three  years  after 
Paul's  conversion,  he  was  at 
Jerusalem,  and  was  considered 
as  a  main  prop  of  the  church 
there.  Gal.  1  :  19.  He  was 
put  to  death  by  order  of  Annas, 
the  high  priest.  Festus  being 
dead,  and  his  successor  Albinus 
not  having  arrived,  the  oppor- 
tunity was  seized  to  gratify 
their  animosity  against  the 
christians. 

The  Epistle  of  this  apostle  is 
called  genera],  because  not  ad- 
dressed to  any  particular  church. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  pathetic 
and  instructive  in  the  New 
Testament  ;  and  contains  an 
admirable  summary  of  those 
practical  duties  which  are  in- 
cumbent on  all  believers.  In 
the  fifth  chapter  there  is  an 
•llusion  to  the  then  impending 
destruction  of  Jerusalem,  and 
the  miseries  of  the  Jews. 


Jannes    and    Jambres,    the 

reading  magicians  of  the  com- 
pany who  counterfeited  the 
niiracles  of  Moses  before  Pha 
raoh.     2  Tim.  3  :  8. 

Ja'pbeth,  Noah's  eldest  son, 
born  A.  M.  1556.  He  was  pro- 
phetically blessed  by  his  dying 
father.  His  posterity  settled 
all  Europe,  the  north  of  Asia, 
and  probably  America.  The 
latter  continent  is  now,  at  least, 
inhabited  by  his  descendants. 
They  have  also,  by  conquest 
and  otherwise,  become  possessed 
of  Southern  Asia,  Syria,  Pales- 
tine, &G.,  according  to  the  pre- 
diction of  Noah,  Gen.  9  :  27. 

Jash'er.  The  book  of  Jasher 
was  probably  a  public  register 
in  which  memorable  events  were 
written  by  a  scribe  of  this  name. 
Josh.  10  :  13.  That  it  was  the 
practice  of  the  Jews  to  keep 
such  a  register,  appears  from 
various  passages.  1  Kings  11  : 
41  ;  2  Chron.  12  :  15,  and  20  : 
34,  &c.  These  archives  were 
laid  up  in  the  temple,  and  Jo- 
sephus  sometimes  refers  to  them 
for  the  truth  of  his  narrative. 

JaspCTj  a  precious  stone  of 
various  colors,  white,  red, 
brown  and  bluish  green.  It  la 
somewhat  like  the  finer  marble, 
or  the  half-transjarent  gems. 
It  strikes  fire  with  steel  ;  but 
makes  no  effervescence  in  aqua- 
Wtis.  It  is  found  in  the  Indies, 
in  Persia,  Syria,  Armenia,  Bo- 
hemia, &e. 

JaveUs,  a  short  spear,  to  bt 


JEP 


132 


JLR 


kbrown  at  an  enemy  by  the  hand. 
1  iSam.  18  :  11. 


It  is  a  weapon  of  small  value 
in  war,  but  has  been  mure  or 
lees  in  use  in  all  ages. 

Jehosh'aphat,  one  of  the  best 

of  the  kings  of  Judah,  ascended 
the  throne  A.  M.  3090,  and 
reigned  twenty-five  years.  His 
regard  for  the  spiritual  interests 
of  his  people  was  shown  in  his 
sending  missionaries  into  all 
parts  of  his  kingdom.  2  Chron. 
IT  :   9. 

The  valley  of  Jehoshaphat 
lay  between  Jerusalem  and  the 
Mount  of  Olives.     Joel  3 :  2, 12. 

Jeho'Tah)  the  name  of  God, 
often  rendered  Lord  in  our  Bi- 
bles, and  printed  in  capitals  to 
distinguish  it  from  Lord,  signi- 
fj'ing  a  governor.  The  pagan 
name  Jove  and  the  name  Jevo  of 
the  Moors  seem  derived  from 
the  true  name  of  God. 

Jephtliah,  the  tenth  judge  of 
Israel,  who,  in  consequence  of 
B  wicked  vow,  sacrificed  his 
daughter.  Judges  11.  Some 
learned  men,  by  altering  one 
of  the  original  words,  infer  that 
he  only  consigned  her  to  celiba- 
»y.  But  this  seems  to  be  a 
*ery  forced  interpretation.     In 


his  day  Troy  was  burnt  by  th« 
Greeks,  about  A.  m.  2800. 

Jeremiah,  a  priest  of  the 
tribe  of  Benjamin,  wuo,  when 
very  young,  became  a  proph»»t. 
He  lived  about  seventy  years  af- 
ter Isaiah;  began  to  prophecy  in 
the  thirteenth  year  of  the  reign 
of  Josiah  ;  and  discharged  his 
oflBce  for  at  least  forty-two 
years.  He  was  always  very 
unpopular  with  the  Jews,  though 
a  man  of  the  loftiest  piety  and 
patriotism.  By  the  Jewish  tra- 
dition, his  fidelity  at  length  coat 
him  his  life,  and  he  was  stoned 
to  death  by  the  people. 

The  Book  of  Jeremiah  con- 
tains a  great  mass  of  predic- 
tions, chiefly  concerning  the 
Jews,  delivered  at  different  pe- 
riods of  his  life.  Some  of  them 
relate  to  the  Messiah  ;  as  chap- 
ter 23  :  5,  6.  The  last  chapter 
was  probably  added  by  Ez'-a. 

Jerieho,  a  city  of  thj  Jenja- 
mites,  nineteen  miles  east  from 
Jerusalem.  Josh.  16  :  1,  7 
The  curse  pronounced  (Josh. 
6  :  26)  upon  the  man  who 
should  rebuild  this  city,  after 
its  destruction  by  Joshua,  was 
literally  fulfilled  in  the  day?  of 
Ahab,  537  years  after  this, 
upon  Hiel.  1  Kings  16  :  34. 
After  its  restoration  it  flour- 
ished, and  became  in  importance 
second  only  to  Jerusalem. 
There  seems  to  have  been,  how- 
ever, during  this  interval, 
another  Jericho,  where  David's 
insulted  ambassadors  remained 
till  their  beards  were  grown. 
The  road  to  Jericho  was  throngk 


JER 


133 


JER 


%  rocky  desert,  infested  with 
rubbers.  Luke  10  :  30.  It  is 
10  this  day  the  most  dangerous 
road  in  Palestine.  Henniker, 
an  English  traveller,  was  in 
this  very  place  robbed  and 
wounded  in  1820.  The  plain 
on  which  it  stood  was  extremely 
fertile,  noted  for  palm-trees, 
and  for  the  best  of  balm.  The 
general  depression  of  the  coun- 
try has  sunk  noble  Jericho  into 
a  mere  mud-built  village.  Its 
present  name  is  Erika,  or 
Uika. 

JeroWam,  one  of  the  most 
wicked  rulers  that  ever  lived. 
He  was  a  distinguished  man 
under  Solomon,  and  was  chosen 
head  of  the  ten  tribes  which 
revolted  after  Solomon's  death, 
A.  M.  3029.  lie  reigned  in  hor- 
rible wickedness  22  years  1 
Kings  11,  12,  15. 

Jeroboam  II,,  the  13th  king 
«f  Israel,  succeeded  his  father, 
Joash,  A.  M.  3179,  and  reigned 
jver  Israel  41  years.  He  was 
a  very  wicked  prince,  but  raised 
ais  kingdom  to  great  outward 
prosperity.     2  Kings  14,  15. 

JernVbaal,  the  same  as 
Gideon. 

Jerusalem,    the    capital   of 

Judea,  first  called  Salem,  where 
Melchisedek  was  king,  Gren.  14: 
18,  who,  as  some  suppose,  built 
it.  It  stands  42  miles  cast  of 
the  Mediterranean.  The  name 
signifies  the  Vision  of  Peace. 
It  was  called  Jebus  by  the  Jebu- 
lites,  who  possessed  it,  and  held 
the  castle  of  Sion,  till  David 
dislodged  them,  and  took  the 
12 


place.  1  Chr.  11  :  4,  5,  7.  It 
is  surrounded  with  a  strong 
wall  40  or  50  feet  high.  Ita 
general  form  is  nearly  a  hepta- 
gon, or  figure  with  seven  sides. 
The  circumference  is  nearly 
three  miles. 

It  was  a  city  often  plunderei, 
and  several  times  burnt.  1 
Kings  14  :  16.  After  Nebu 
chadnezzar  destroyed  it  (2  Chi 
3G),  it  lay  in  ruins  130  years, 
when  it  was  rebuilt  by  Nehe- 
miah.  Many  years  afterward 
it  was  again  destroyed  by  Ptolo- 
my.  Afterwards  it  suflFered  a 
similar  fate  from  Antiochua 
Epiphanes,  who  killed  40,000 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  sold  for 
slaves  as  many  more.  It  was 
rebuilt  by  Judas  Maccabeus, 
and  was  somewhat  flourishing 
in  the  time  of  our  Saviour. 
About  A.  D.  70,  after  a  dreadful 
siege  of  two  years,  during 
which  the  inhabitants  suftered 
so  much  from  famine  as  to  eat,  in 
some  instances,  the  dead  bodies 
of  their  friends,  it  was  taken 
by  Titus,  son  of  Vespasian  ;  and 
our  Saviour's  prediction,  that  it 
should  become  a  heap  of  rains, 
was  fully  verihed.  It  gradually 
became  settled  again,  but  in 
A.  D.  134,  the  emperor  Adriau 
banished  all  the  Jews,  prohibit- 
j  ing  their  return  on  pain  of 
I  death.  The  temple  was  demol- 
1  ished  and  the  site  ploughed  up. 
Christians  were  not  embraced  ic 
i  this  edict,  and  remained  in  great 
I  numbers.  He  also  changed  the 
j  name  of  the  city  to  jEliu,  which 
it  retained,  almost  eiclusivcly. 


184 


JER 


135 


JES 


till  tbe  time  of  Constantine, 
when  its  original  name  was  re- 
stored. In  A.  D.  G14,  the  Per- 
sians captured  it,  and  90,000 
christians  were  slain.  In  C37, 
the  Saracens  seized  it,  and  kej^t 
it  till  1079,  when  the  Seljukian 
Turks  became  its  masters.  Soon 
afterwards  the  Crusades  were 
begun,  and  continued,  from  time 
to  time,  for  a  century,  when  the 
Ottoman  Turks  became  its  pos- 
sessors ;  and  they  remain  so  to 
this  day. 

Its  present  population  is  by 
some  computed  at  20.000,  but 
by  Mr.  Jowett  at  about  12,000  ; 
one  fourth  of  which  are  Jews  ; 
but  there  has  been  no  regular 
census  for  many  ages.  The 
Greek  christians  are  estimated 
at  2000,  and  the  Roman  Cath- 
olics at  1500.  There  are  also 
Armenian,  Coptic,  Syrian,  and 
Abyssinian  christians  residing 
here.  The  city  is  without  trade, 
and  consequently  exceedingly 
poor.  The  Latins  subsist  chiefly 
on  remittances  from  Catholic 
countries  ;  the  Greeks  and  Ar- 
menians by  the  contributions 
of  the  pilgrims,  and  the  Jews 
on  collections  made  all  over 
Europe,  and  brought  by  pil- 
grims. A  late  writer,  speaking 
of  their  wretched  poverty,  says, 
••  their  houses  are  as  dung- 
hills." 

The  christian  and  Jewish 
pilgrims  which  annually  resort 
here,  amount  to  several  thou- 
sands. To  these  the  places 
where  the  events  of  our  Sa- 
viour's life  and  death  occurred. 


are  shown  with  ridiculous  r[A- 
nuteness  ;  in  many  cases  they 
are  unworthy  of  confidence.  On 
the  site  of  the  temple  is  a  mag- 
nificent mosque.  Protestant 
missionaries  have  of  late  yeara 
made  known  on  this  sacred  spot 
the  glorious  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  No  less  than  eight 
of  these  labored  there  in  one 
year  during  Mr.  Jowett's  visit. 
The  obstacles  to  success,  how- 
ever, are  peculiarly  great. 

JsSDSj  the  name  given  to  the 
Messiah  by  his  parents,  at  the 
command  of  the  angel.  Matt. 
1:21;  the  word  means  Saviour. 
His  divinity  appears  from  the 
titles  of  Deity  being  applied  to 
him,  Rom.  9:5;  Rev.  1  :  11; 
from  the  unqualified  ascription 
to  him  of  the  attrihtdes  of  Deity, 
as  eternity.  Rev.  22  :  13  ;  omrus- 
ciencCf  Rev.  2  :  23  ;  omnipotence, 
Phil.  3:21;  omnipresence.  Matt. 
18  :  20.  He  is  declared  to  be 
the  Creator,  John  1  :  12  ;  the 
Preserver,  Col.  1  :  16,  17  ;  the 
true  God,  1  John  5  :  20,  21  ;  to 
have  the  power  of  forgiving 
sins,  Matt.  9  :  2—6  ;  Col.  3  :  13, 
&c.  ;  to  have  power  to  raise  the 
dead,  John  5  :  21,  25  ;  to  be  the 
Judge  of  quick  and  dead,  2  Cor 
5  :  10  ;  Rom.  14  :  10.  He  was 
often  worshipped,  and  did  not 
forbid  it  ;  and  such  worship  is 
declared  proper,  Phil.  2  :  10, 
11  ;  Heb.  1  :  6.  See  also  Numb 
21  :  5,  6  ;  Ps.  78  :  56  ;  John 
20  :  28  ;  Luke  24  :  5]  ;  Mark  4; 
39  ;  Col.  2  :  10,  &s.  Two  yeara 
after  the  birth  of  Christ,  tbe 
famous   Seneca  \ias  born.     Th« 


JOE 


36 


JOH 


land  of  tie  Jews  bad  then  been  ' 
a  Roman  province  but  about 
60  years. 

Jews.     See  Hebrews. 

Joasll,  king  of  Judah,  began 
to  reign  about  b.  e.  874,  and 
reigned  40  years.  In  his  days 
Lycuugus  flourished. 

Joas!),  king  cf  Israel,  as- 
cended the  throne  about  b.  c. 
835,  and  reigned  16  years. 

Job  lived  about  1500  years 
3.  C,  and  his  trial  seems  to 
have  occurred  about  29  years 
before  the  Israelites  came  up 
out  of  Egypt  ;  and  perhaps , 
much  earlier.  Hales  makes  it  | 
1S4  years  before  the  birth  of 
Abraham.  Calmet  and  others 
make  Uz,  his  country,  to  have 
been  Arabia  ^Deserta  ;  but 
Lowth,  Magee,  Ilorne,  &c., 
prove  it  to  have  been  Idumea. 

The  Book  of  Job  is  agreed  to 
be  the  most  ancient  now  in  ex- 
istence. It  is  a  historical  poem, 
lofty,  magnificen*:,  diversified, 
and  touching.  Though  Job  is 
here  proved  to  have  been  a  pat- 
tern of  patience,  probity,  and 
devotion,  yet  all  his  express- 
ions cannot  be  justified.  His 
friends  cherished  unfounded 
suspicions  of  his  guilt,  but  their 
fipeeches  are  weighty  and  pious. 
It  was  probably  written  by  Job 
himself,  copied,  improved  and 
c-iiculatcd  by  Mosos.  The  com- 
mon division,  into  chapters  and 
verseS;  has  very  much  tended  to 
confuse  and  obscure  this  book. 
Joel,  a  Hebrew  prophet,  of 
whose  history  noching  is  now 
lartainly  known      Most  modern 


commentators  believe  him  to 
have  been  cotemporary  with 
Amos  and  Hosea. 

The  Book  is  highly  poetical, 
and  is  greatly  admired  by  critica 
for  its  elegance  and  sublimity. 
It  predicts  the  overthrow  of  the 
Jewish  polity,  and  the  copious 
blessings  of  gospel  times. 

John  THE  Baptist,  the  hju-- 
binger  of  Christ.  He  remained 
obscure  till  the  age  of  30,  when 
he  began  to  preach,  and  bap- 
tized  thousands  who  confessed 
their  sins.  He  was  put  to  deatl, 
by  Herod  Antipas. 

John,  brother  of  James,  was 

of  a  very  mild  and  affectionate 

disposition,  but  bold  in  preach- 

I  ing.     See    James.      John    was 

i 

j  the  Saviour's  beloved  disciple. 

j  younger  than  the  rest,  and 
younger  than  Christ  himself. 
[  After  suffering  much  for  his 
j  religion,  under  the  empeior 
i  Domitian,  he  was  banjc.ned, 
A.  D.  95,  to  Patmos,  wLerd  he 
wrote  the  Revelation.  When 
Nerva  became  emperor,  lie  was 
recalled,  and  lived  to  write  his 
Gospel  and  three  Epistles.  He 
died  at  Ephesus,  at  about  the 
age  of  100  years,  and  in  the 
third  year  of  Trajan.  Before 
his  death,  the  various  heresies 
of  the  Ebionites,  Corinthians. 
Docetse,  Gnostics,  Nicolaitans, 
Ac,  had  been  broached. 

The  Book  of  John's  Grospel 
was  not  written,  as  some  sup- 
pose, to  supply  omissions  in  the 
other  three  evangelists  ;  but  a.i 
they  had  written  chiefly  of  hi; 
life     and     actions.    John    wroto 


JON 


37 


JOR 


chiefly  of  his  person  and  ojfi^ty 
and  in  refutation  of  errors  which 
nad  sprung  up,  some  of  which 
are  named  above. 

The  Epistles  of  John,  so  called, 
seem  not  to  be  strictly  epistles. 
They  are  not  directed  to  any 
particular  persons  or  church  ; 
but  seem  to  be  tracts  or  trea- 
tises, written  for  genera]  use, 
and  have  neither  a  salutation  at 
the  beginning,  nor  benediction 
at  the  end.  They  teach  the 
Deity  of  Christ;  his  atonement, 
salvation  by  grace,  the  neces- 
sity of  good  works,  &c. 

John,  surnamed  Mark,  the 
companion  of  Paul  and  Bar- 
nabas, Acts  12  :  12,  who  wrote 
the  second  Gospel. 

John,  a  member  of  the  San- 
hedrim, and  relation  of  the 
high  priest.     Acts  4  :  6. 

Jonah  lived  earlier  than  any 
of  the  minor  prophets,  probably 
in  the  reign  of  Jehu.  From  his 
history  the  Greeks  seem  to  have 
derived  their  story  of  Hercules 
having  been  three  days  without 
injury  in  the  belly  of  a  dog. 
Bent  against  him  by  Xeptune. 
The  fable  of  Arion  and  the  dol- 
phin has  probably  the  same 
origin. 

The  Book  of  this  prophet  is 
designed  to  show,  as  in  the  case 
of  Nineveh,  the  long-suSfering 
of  God,  and  his  alacrity  to  show 
mercy.  Some  critics  have  re- 
garded this  book  as  a  parable  ; 
but  from  2  Kings  14  :  25,  Matt. 
12  :  29,  and  IG  :  4,  Luke  16  :  4, 
lud  11  .  29,  etc.,  it  seems  cer- 
tain that  it  is  a  true  narrative, 

T)* 


and  that  Jonah  was  u  very  eini. 
nent  personage. 

Joppa,  a  seaport  of  Pales- 
tine, of  very  ancient  date, 
though  possessing  an  inferior 
harbor.  Its  name  is  thought  to 
have  been  derived  from  Japhet, 
son  of  Noah,  who  founded  it. 
It  is  now  nothing  more  than  a 
ruinous  village  of  fishermen, 
called  by  the  natives  Jaffa. 

Jordan,  a  river  which  rises  in 
Mount  Lebanon,  about  twelve 
miles  north  of  Caesarea-Philippi. 
About  twelve  miles  more  to  the 
south,  it  receives  a  considera- 
ble branch,  which,  under  ground, 
proceeds  from  the  Lake  Phiala. 
About  fifteen  miles  further 
south,  it  forms  the  waters  of 
Merom,  or  lak.e  of  Samechon 
(both  names  signifying  the  high- 
er lake),  which  is  nearly  four 
miles  broad,  and  seven  and  a 
half  long.  Twenty-eight  miles 
farther  south,  it  forms  the  Lake 
of  Gennesareth,  which  is  six- 
teen miles  in  length,  and  five  in 
breadth.  Thence  it  runs  south- 
w'ai'd  through  a  long  desert  val- 
ley, whose  air  is  unwholesome, 
till  it  loses  itself  in  the  Deal 
Sea.  Its  whole  course  is  about 
160  miles.  It  overflows  its 
banks  in  March  or  April,  by  the 
melting  of  the  snow  on  Lebanon 
and  Hermon.  Before  it  enters 
the  Dead  Sea,  its  ordinary 
breadth,  according  to  Shaw,  is 
thirty  yards,  and  twenty-five 
according  to  Thomson.  The 
ordinary  depth  is  about  twelve 
feet  ;  but  Shis  was  greutly  in- 
creased at  certain  reasons      The 


JOS 


138 


JOS 


current  is  vey  rapid.  It  has 
an  outer  bank,  about  a  fuilong 
distant  from  the  other  ;  such,  it 
seen  5,   was    its    width    when    it 


was  swelled.  The  banks  c.f  • 
great  part  of  it  are  covered  witQ 
thickets,  in  which  lions  were 
wont    to    lod^re.     When    driven 


theace  by  the  overflowing  of 
the  river,  they  wandered  about, 
and  were  dangerous  to  such  as 
dwelt  near,  Jer.  id  :  19.  Al- 
most all  the  streams  in  Pales- 
tine but  this  become  dry  in  the 
midst  of  summer.  Its  waters 
are  remarked  for  being  pecu- 
liarly sweet  and  wholesome. 
There  were  fordable  places  dur- 
ing the  dry  season.  Judges  3  : 
28  ;  and  several  ferries,  2  Sam. 
19  :  18.  The  deep  stream  of 
Jordan  was  divided  under 
Joshua,  and  by  Elijah  and  Eli- 
eha.  In  it  John  baptized  mul- 
titudes, and  among  them  our 
Saviour.  Josh.  3.  2  Kings  2. 
Matt.  3      Mark  1. 

Josliaa,  the  succes-  ^r  to  I\Io- 
ms  ai  leader  of  Israe)       He  wa& 


born  A.  M.  2460,  and  died  about 
seventeen  years  after  Moses. 
Seven  years  of  his  government 
he  vfas  engaged  in  the  conquest 
of  Canaan,  and  during  the  re- 
mainder he  enjoyed  it  in  peace- 
ful possession.  He  was  the 
writer  of  the  first  of  the  histori' 
cal  books  of  the  Old  Testament, 
as  they  are  called,  which  ia« 
elude  all  the  succeeding  hooka 
as  far  as  Esther.  Though  the 
writings  of  Moses  (called  the 
Pentatfuch,  because  in  five 
books)  are,  in  a  large  degree, 
historical,  yet,  because  they  con- 
tain the  law  which  God  gave  on 
Sinai,  they  are  together  called 
The  Law.  John  1  :  ]  7.  His 
expulsion  of  the  Canaanites  ia 
abundantly  corroborated  by  pio- 


.1  a  Y 


139 


JUB 


fane  history.  Among  the  many 
evidences  from  hence,  we  may 
mention  the  pillar  which  Pro- 
copius  saw  in  the  time  of  Jus- 
tinian, near  to  where  Tangier, 
in  Africa,  now  stands,  on  which 
were  inscriptions  to  this  effect  — 
"  We  are  fugitives  from  the 
PACE  OF  Joshua,  the  robber, 
TH3  SON  OF  Nun."  The  pagan 
fable  of  Phaeton  driving  the 
chariot  of  the  sun  for  one  day, 
is  thought  to  have  arisen  from 
its  standing  still  at  the  word  of 
Joshua. 

The  Eook  of  Joshua  com- 
prises the  history  of  about 
twenty  years,  and  formf  a  con- 
tinuation and  completion  to  the 
Pentateuch.  It  describes  the  con- 
quest of  Canaan  ;  its  partition 
among  the  tribes;  and  the  death 
and  burial  of  Joshua.  By  some 
authors  Phineofi  is  considered  as 
the  writer  of  this  book  ;  by 
others  Eleazar  ;  by  others  Jere- 
7\iah  ;  by  others  Samuel.  Prob- 
ibly  a  great  part  of  it  was  writ- 
;»n  by  Joshua  himself. 

Jot,  a  point  ;  the  least  assign- 
able quantity.  The  allusion  is 
to  the  Hebrew  letter  Jod,  which 
is  scarcely  more  than  a  point. 
Matt.  5  :  18. 

Jothani,  a  king  of  Judah, 
Buecessor  to  Uzziah.  He  reigned 
sixteen  years,  during  the  latter 
part  of  which  Rome  was  founded. 

Joarney,  a  passage  from  place 
to  place.  A  "  Sabbath-day's 
journey  "  was  about  a  mila  ;  a 
eommon  day's  journey  was  about 
twenty  miles.     Acts  1:11. 

•Joy,  an  agreeable  affection  of 


the  soul,  arising  "rom  the  hope 
or  possession  of  some  benefit. 
Religious  joy  is  the  delight  and 
satisfaction  of  the  soul  in  its 
union  with  God  in  Christ,  as  the 
greatest  and  highest  good. 

Jabilee«  An  extraordinary 
festival  held  every  seventh  sab- 
batical year.  It  commenced  on 
the  day  of  atonement,  and  wa« 
like  the  sabbatical  year,  but 
more  important.  All  debts  were 
cancelled,  and  even  those  slaves 
who  had  voluntarily  relinquishea 
their  freedom  at  the  end  of 
six  years'  service  were  liberated. 
The  whole  state  of  society  was 
now,  in  some  degree,  reorgan- 
ized, by  vmiversal  resolution  ; 
no  family  could,  therefore,  be 
doomed  to  perpetual  poverty. 
The  value  of  estates,  of  course, 
diminished  in  proportion  to  the 
nearness  of  the  jubilee.  Houses 
in  walled  towns,  except  those 
which  belonged  to  the  Levites, 
did  not  revert  to  their  original 
owners  in  the  jubilee.  Ler.  25: 
29,  30. 

The  laws  concerning  the  sab- 
batical year  and  the  jubilee 
afford  a  decisive  proof  of  the 
divine  mission  of  Moses  ;  for 
what  lawgiver  in  his  senses 
would  have  enacted  a  statute 
which  required  a  special  inter- 
position of  Heaven  to  facilitate 
its  execution  1  The  jubilee 
tended  to  preserve  the  distinc- 
tion of  tribes,  by  rendering  it 
inecensary  for  families  to  pre- 
scr\''0  their  genealogies.  Thus 
}  -vas  the  family  of  the  Messiah 
I  certainly    known.      Dr.    Hales. 


JUD 


140 


JUD 


Ihe  chroriologist,  makes  one  ;f 
the  years  of  our  Saviour's  min- 
'stry  to  have  been  the  jubilee, 
which  gave  the  people  great 
opportunity  for  attending  to  his 
instructions.     Luke  4  :  18,  19. 

Jndas,  called  Iscariot,  prob- 
ably from  Ish-cariotta,  "  the  man 
who  has  the  bag."  There  is  no 
reason  to  suppose  his  appearance 
of  piety  was  ever,  to  human 
eye,  less  than  that  of  the  other 
disciples.  After  his  dreadful 
apostas}',  he  hung  himself  in  de- 
spair ;  but  the  cord  or  the  limb 
of  the  tree  breaking,  he  fell, 
burst  open,  and  died  miserably. 

Jadas  or  Jade^  the  same  as 
Thaddeus  and  Lebbeus,  brother 
of  James  the  Less.  Matt.  10  : 
3.  He  was  one  of  the  twelve 
apostles,  but  he  is  mentioned 
very  seldom  in  the  gospels.  It  is 
said  that  he  preached  chiefly  in 
Arabia  and  Persia. 

The  Epistle  which  bears  his 
name  is  intended  chiefly  to 
guard  believers  against  false 
teachers.  These  were  teaching 
doctrines  which  cancelled  all 
obligations  to  holiness,  and 
authorized  the  grossest  licen- 
tiousness. Thus  early  was  the 
blessed  gospel  of  Christ  abused 
and  perverted  by  ungodly  min- 
isters ! 

Jndea,  or  Jewry,  a  name  now 
applied  to  the  whole  of  Canaan, 
which  was  never  so  called  till 
after  the  captivity.  Sometimes 
the  whole  land  of  Canaan  seems 
in  the  New  Testament  to  have 
been  called  Judea,  Gal  1  :  22  ; 
*ut  more  properly  it  was  divided 


into  Galilee,  Sarntna,  and  Juito- 
Judea,  thus  taken,  contained  the 
original  portions  of  the  tribes 
of  Judah,  Benjamin,  Dan,  and 
Simeon.  It  consisted  of  three 
parts  :  the  plain  country  on  the 
west  ,•  the  hill  country  south- 
ward of  Jerusalem  ;  and  the 
south,  toward  the  borders  of  the 
land  of  Edom.  Matt.  3:1. 
Acts  2  :  9.     See  Canaan. 

The  truth  of  Bible  history  ia 
supported  by  all  history,  and 
by  all  known  medals  and  coins 
of  ancient  date,  of  which  many 
are  still  in  existence. 

The  conquest  of  Judea  ia 
commemorated  by  a  coin,  which 
bears  on  one  side  the  head  of 
the  Emperor  Vespasian,  and  on 
the  other  Judea  in  sorrow,  sit- 
ting on  the  ground  with  her 
armor  hung  up.  Compare  Isa. 
3  :  26,  and  47  :  1. 

Judges.  1.  Ofiicers  of  law 
and  justice.  The  Jews  had 
three  courts.  (1.)  A  court  of 
three  or  seven  petty  judges,  who 
decided  small  cases.  (2.)  A 
court  of  twenty-three,  whose 
power  in  some  cases  extended 
to  life  and  death.  (3.)  The 
great  Sanhedrim,  which  deter- 
mined the  highest  cases,  and 
was  the  last  appeal.  It  con- 
sisted of  seventy  judgeg,  of 
which  the  high  priest  was  presi- 
dent. Each  court  had  cogni- 
zance  of  both  civil  and  ecclc' 
siastical  cases. 

2.  Extraordinary  L.en,  raised 
up  by  Jehovah,  to  deliver  Israel 
from  oppression,  before  they 
had   I  king.     When  the  natioa 


JUD 


in 


JUD 


linued,  it  was  punished  by  an- 
archy, invasion,  or  conquest  ; 
but  when  it  had  been  duly  hum- 
jled,  a  deliverer  was  found. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the 
judges  in  their  order,  with  the 
length  of  theii  administration, 
and  the  times  of  the  intervening 
oppressions, 

I'ears. 
Othn\el  judged  Jsm^l,  .    .        .40 
Oppreatiion  oj  Mo  ib,  .    .        .  13 

Ehud So 

Oppression  oj  Philistia  .        .    1 

Shanigar I 

Op2>ression  of  Canaan, .         .  2ii 

Jeborah  and  Barak, .    .    .        ,  *0 

Op])reiiiiion  of  MUUan,  ...    7 

Gideon 4" 

Abimelech, 3 

Tola 2;i 

Jair. 22 

Ojjpression  of  Ammon,  ...  18 

Jephthah 6 

Ibzan, 7 

Elon, 10 

Abdon 8 

Oppression  of  Philistia,    .  \    ^^ 

S«/?wo«'i-  lobt  10, 

Eli, -40 

Oppression  of  Philistia,-    .     .  20 
Samuel, 12 

456 

The  apostle  Paul  says  that 
the  period  during  which  Israel 
was  governed  by  judges  was 
•■*  about  450'  years."  Acts  13  : 
20. 

The  Book  of  Judges  forms  an 
Important  part  in  the  history  of 
Israel  ;  and,  independently  of 
ihe  ample  proofs  of  its  authen- 
ticity found  in  its  style,  and  in 
its  being  quoted  by  both  Old  and 
New  Testament  writers,  the 
transactions  it  records  are  con- 
firmed by  traditions  current 
among  the  heathen.  Thus  we 
find  the  memorial  of  Gideon's 
transactions  preserved  by  S  m- 
chmiatko.  The  Vulpinaria,  or 
icnat  of  the  foxes,  celebrated   )v 


the  Romans  in  the  month  of 
April  (the  time  of  the  Jewish 
harvest),  in  which  they  let  loose 
foxes  ;o  whose  tails  were  fas- 
tened burning  torches,  was  de- 
rived from  the  story  of  Samson. 
In  the  history  of  Samson  and 
Delilah  we  find  the  original  of 
Nisus  and  his  daughters,  who 
cut  off  those  fatal  hairs  upon 
which  victory  depended  Dr. 
A.  Clarke  has  fully  shown  that 
Samson  is  the  original  and  es- 
sential Hercules  of  pagan  my- 
thology. 

The  book  seems  to  have  been 
written  by  Samuel,  and  before 
the  capture  of  Jerusalem  by 
David.  Compare  Jud.  1  :  21, 
with  2  Sam.  5:6.  It  comprises 
a  period  of  about  300  years, 
and  furnishes  a  lively  descrip- 
tion of  the  political  advantages 
of  true  religion,  and  the  civil 
disasters  which  result  from  im- 
piety. It  displays,  also,  the 
I  mercy  of  Gott,  and  his  steady 
1  justice  in  prospering  the  people 
M'hen  they  walked  uprightly, 
and  giving  them  over  to  distress 
when  they  corrupted  themselves 
Jadg;inCDt,  that  faculty  of  the 
soul  by  which  it  perceives  the 
relation  between  two  or  more 
ideas,  and  discerns  right  from 
wrong  ;  the  solemn  action  and 
trial  at  the  great  and  last  day, 
Eccl.  12  :  14  ;  Jud.  G  ;  the  sen- 
tence or  decision  of  a  judge,  1 
1  Kings  3  :  28  ;  the  remarkable 
punishments  of  God,  Prov.  19  : 
29 ;  afflictions  and  chf^.'tisemeiits 
for  trial  and  profita';  >  instruc- 
tiona-   1   Pfit.  I  :  11      aentiioon* 


KAD 


142 


K  Ai> 


or  opinion,  1  Cor.  1:10;  ad- 
vJ.ce,  1  Cor.  7  :  25  ;  the  gospel 
or  kingdom  of  grace,  Matt.  12  : 
20  ;  the  skill,  knowledge  or 
understanding  which  a  person 
has  attained  in  any  art,  science 
or  business  ;  a  court  of  justice 
existing  among  the  Jews  in  the 
time  of  our  Saviour,  which  had 
cognizance  of  petty  causes  only, 
and  to  which  there  is  an  allusion 
Matt.  5  :  22. 

Juniper,  an  evergreen,  not 
anlike  the  cedar,  and  sometimes 
called  by  that  name.  Whether 
this  was  the  exact  tree  meant  by 
the  Hebrew  word  Rothem,  is 
very  uncertain.  It  occurs  only 
1  Kings  19  :  4,  5  ;  Job  30  :  4, 
and  Ps.  120  :  4 

Jnpitef)  the  principal  deity 
of  the  ancient  heathens.  Per- 
haps the  name  is  derived  from 
Ja,  or  Jehovah,  and  pa/er,  father. 
There  were  many  Jupiters. 
Three  were  principally  famous 
— the  son  of  ^ther,  the  son  of 
Coelus,  and,  chiefly,  the  son  of 
oaturn.  Histoi'ians  discover 
that  he  was  son  to  a  king  of 
Crete,  who  lived  about  the  time 
of  Moses,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  wicked  wretches  that  ever 
breathed,  though  his  port  and 
bearing  is  always  described  as 


dignified  and  commanding  Th« 
heathens,  however,  whose  the- 
ology was  chiefly  derived  from 
the  fictions  of  their  poets,  be- 
lieved that  he  had  the  govern- 
ment of  heaven  and  earth  ;  and 
that  under  him  Neptune  ruled 
the  sea,  and  Pluto  was  king  of 
hell.  The  noble  demeanor  cf 
Barnabas,  and  his  miracles, 
made  the  citizens  of  Lystra  im- 
agine him  to  be  Jupiter.  Acts 
14:  11. 

Jastify,  to  clear  a  person 
from  the  charge  of  guilt ;  to 
make  his  innocence  appear  ;  to 
acquit  a  sinner  from  the  guilt 
or  punishment  of  sin,  by  pardon, 
through  the  imputation  of 
Christ's  righteousness.  Rom. 
3  :  28,  and  5  :  9.  The  word 
never  signifies  to  render  holy 
This  is  done  by  sanctification, 
which  is  righteousness  imparted 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  acquirec 
by  the  Deliever.  .Justification 
is  by  righteousness  imputed 
Man  cannot  be  justified  leg;illy, 
Rom  3  :  20  ;  Gal.  2  :  16  ;  but 
evangelically,  Rom.  5:1;  and 
this  is  said  to  be  by  grace  free- 
ly, Rom.  3  :  24  ;  fit.  3  :  7 ;  by 
faith.  Gal.  3:8;  by  Christ, 
2  :  16  ;  by  his  blood,  Rom.  5  • 


K. 

Kab*     See  Cab.  I  Canaan,  about   24    miles  sontb 

Ka^desbj  Krdesh,  or  Ka'desh-  I  from  Hebron,   and  on  the  edge 

BAB>K4,  a  place  on  the  south  of  I  of    the    wilderna?!    of    Parao 


KTN 


143 


K  IN 


N  anib.  7:16.  It  was  anciently 
called  ExjiiCHPAT,  or  Well  of 
Judgtnent,  because  there  the 
Canaanites  had  judged  their 
people  near  to  a  well.  Gen. 
14 :  7.  Some  authors  suppose 
it  was  the  same  as  Rithmah. 
Nuoib.  33  :  18. 

KadiliOaites,  a  tribe  of  Ca- 
naanites, east  of  Jf  rdan,  near 
Mount  Ilermon.  Gen.  15  :  19. 
Cadmus,  the  famous  inventor  of 
the  Greek  alphabet,  is  thought 
to  have  emigrated  from  this 
country. 

Kedai'j  (^black,)  a  son  of  Ish- 
mael,  and  father  of  the  Keda- 
ren(?s,  who  resided  about  the 
south  parts  of  Arabia  the  Desert, 
ordinarily  in  tents,  but  some- 
times in  villages,  and  whose 
wealth  chiefly  consisted  in  fiocks 
and  herds.  Song  1:5.  Isa. 
42  :  11  ;  and  21  :  16,  17. 

KedrOD.     See  Cedro-n. 

Ren'ites  a  tribe  of  Arabians, 
whose  border  extended  west  of 
the  Dead  Sea.     1  Sam.  15  :  6. 

King)  the  sovereign  of  a  na- 
tion. His  power,  in  some  coun- 
tries, is  limited  by  law,  and  a 
senate  ■)- parliament.  In  others 
it  is  absolute.  The  kings  men- 
tioned in  early  Scripture  were 
very  petty  princes,  whose  power 
often  extended  no  further  than 
a  single  city.  The  Lord  himself 
was  Israel's  king,  until  they 
became  discontented,  and  Saul 
was  given  to  be  their  ruler. 

The  following  is  a  table  of  the 
kings  of  'he  Hebrews,  both  be- 
foie    and    aP.er   their   dlFision 


into  the  goverrments  of  Juduh 

and  Israel  : — 

Saul        reigned  40  years. 
David  "       4J 

Salomon      "       40       " 
Kehoboam  "         1       " 

Kings  of  Judah. 

Rehoboam  reiL^ned  17  years. 

Abijam  "         S      •• 

Asa  "  41      " 

Jchoshaphat  "  27 

Jeliorain  "         8      " 

Ahaziah  "         1      " 

Athaliah  "         6      " 

Jchoash  "  40 

Amaziah  "  29      " 

Uzziati  "  .52      •' 

Jiitham  "  16      " 

Ahaz  "  16      " 

Hezekiah  "  29      " 

Manasseii  "  5.5 

Aiiiniou  "  2      " 

Jusiah  "  31      " 

Jehoi.ikiin  "  11      " 

Jeli<iakin  "         3  months 

Zedfkiab  "  11  years. 

Ki?tgfi  of  Is-'ufI. 

Jeroboam  rel^jneJ  22  years. 

Nadab  "  2 

P.aasha  "  2t      ' 

Elah  '•         2      " 

Ziniri  '•         7  davs. 

Oniri  "         6  years. 

Ahab  "  22      " 

Ahaziah  "         1      " 

Jorani  "  12      '* 

Jelui  "  28      " 

Jehoahaz  "  17      '' 

Jehoash  "  41      " 

Jeroboam  II.  "  41      * 

Zechariah  "         6  months. 

Shallum  "         1      " 

Menahim  "  10  years. 

Pekaiah  "         2       * 

Pekah  "  20      " 
Rosea  carried  captive. 

Kingdom,  (l.)  The  territorie* 
of  a  king  ;  (2.)  Royal  powei 
and  dominion.  "Where  the  woid 
occurs  in  the  Xew  Testament, 
it  is  generally  synonymous  with 
reign.  Matt.  3  :  2,  5.  19,  20  , 
13  :  47,  Ac. 

Kings,  the  title  of  two  books 
of  Scripture,  thought  to  have 
been  digested  into  their  present 
form  by  Ezra,  or  more  probably 
Jeremiah,  from  records  and  writ- 
ings    by    the     various     kingi 


KTP 


144 


KXE 


scribes,  and  i^rophets,  mentioned 
in  them.  The  First  book  em- 
braces a  period  of  126  years, 
from  the  .tnointing  of  Solomon 
to  the  dpath  of  Jehoshaphat. 
The  Second  book  continues  the 
history  to  the  destruction  of 
Jerusalem  by  Nebuchadnezzar, 
a  period  of  300  years  longer  ; 
during  which  flourished  Elijah, 
Elisha,  Jonah,  Joel,  Amos, 
Hosea,  Isaiah,  Micah,  Nahum, 
Jeremiah,  Habakkuk,  Daniel 
and  Ezekiel. 

Kir.  (1.)  Acityof  Moab,  Isa. 
15:  1,  called  also  KiR-HARESETH, 
and  KiR-HARETH,  Isa.  16  :  7, 
U,  and  KiR-HERES,  Jer.  48  : 
31.  (2.)  A  city  of  Assyria. 
Amos  1:5.  2  Kings  16  :  9. 
Thought  by  Maj.  Rennel  to  be 
in  the  country  now  called  Kir- 
distan,  or  Kourdistan.  (3.)  A 
city  of  Media.     Isa.  22  :  6. 

Kir'jath-je'aTim,  or  Kirjath- 
BAAL,  was  a  c'.ty  of  the  Gibeon- 
ites,  10  miles  north-west  of 
Jfcru3f.leni.  Here  the  ark  of 
G.id  ab'jde  80  years  after  it  had 
been  restored  by  the  Philistines. 

RishOD)  a  river  rising  at  the 
foot  of  Mount  Tabor,  passing  by 
the  base  of  Mount  Carmel, 
through  the  plain  of  Esdraelon, 
and  falling  into  the  sea  at  a 
place  called  Caypha,  in  the  bay 
of  Acre,  or  Accho,  after  running 
a  length  of  about  seven  miles. 
On  its  banks  was  fought  the  fa- 
mous battle  in  which  10,000 
Hebrews,  under  Deborah  and 
Barak,  routed  the  vast  host  of 
Canaanites    under   Sisei'a,    and 


freed  Israel  from  a  grievous  oj^ 
pressiou  of  twenty  years. 

RisSj  a  natural  symbol  of  a^' 
fection  and  reverence,  of  very 
ancient  date.  Gen.  29  :  13, 
and  prevalent  in  all  ages.  *2 
Sam.  20  :  9  ;  Acts  20  :  37. 
Xenophon  speaks  of  it  as  a  cus- 
tom of  the  Persians.  Idolaters 
kissed  their  idols  ;  or  if  the  ob- 
ject were  distant,  as  the  moon, 
threw  kisses  to  them  by  kissing 
the  hand  ;  which  explains  Job 
31  :  27.  It  was  common,  as  a 
token  of  profound  respect,  to 
put  the  hand  to  the  mouth  and 
keep  it  there  ;  which  explains 
Jud.  18  :  19  ;  Job  21  :  6,  and 
29  :  9,  and  40  :  4  ;  and  Is.  39 
9,  <tc.  The  figures  in  the  cut 
are  Egyptians,  before  superiors, 
keeping  their  hand  on  their 
mouths. 


Early  christians  conformvi 
to  custom,  and  kissed  each  othev 
at  the  close  of  public  worship 
Rom.  16  :  16 ;  1  Cor.  16  :  20  \ 
2  Cor.  13  :  12.  Modern  chris- 
tians, instead  of  this,  shako 
hands,  as  this  is  the  present 
usage. 

KitC)  the  same  as  Vult  pre. 

Kneading:  Troughs.  The 
word  so  rendered  means  j*  roanal 


LAM 


145 


LAM 


piece  of  leather  with  loop  holes 
in  the  circumference,  and  a 
leathern  thong  by  which  it  can 


be  dravrn  together  as  a  purse, 
and  slung  over  the  shoulder,  or 
hung  on  a  camel.  Spread  on  the 
ground,  it  answers  for  a  table 
and  table-eloth,  and  contains 
the  fragments  when  the  meal  is 
finished.  The  description,  Ex. 
12:  34:,  is  entirely  incompatible 
with  a  wooden  bowl ;  for  the 
"  trough,"  as  it  is  rendered,  was 
"  bound  up  in  their  clothes  upon 
their    shoulders."     Ex.  8  :    3. 


An  exact  idea  of  this  articU 
may  be  had  Irom  the  picture. 

RilOp,  a  tufted  top  ;  a  knot : 
a  cluster. 

Know,  has  in  the  Bible  fre- 
quently  the  iuport  of  approve,  or 
recognize.  As  IIos.  8:  4,  "They 
have  set  up  princes,  and  I  knew 
it  not."  Matt.  7  :  23,  "Then 
will  I  declare  unto  them.  De- 
part from  me,  I  never  knew 
you."  AiscJobS:  24;  2  Sam. 
22  :  44  ;   2  C'  r.  5  :  21  ;   <fcc. 

Kahath,  tLe  second  son  of 
Levi.  His  descendants  were 
called  Kohat/uies.  Their  busi- 
ness was  to  carry  on  their 
shoulders  the  ark,  and  other 
sacred  utensils  of  the  taberna 
cle  ;  but  they  were  not,  under 
pain  of  death,  allowed  to  look 
into  any  of  these,  except  the 
brazen  laver.  Ex.  6  :  IG — 25, 
Numb.  10      21 . 


L. 


La'mech  is  supposed  to  be 
the  first  person  who  had  more 
than  one  wife.  Gen.  4  :  23. 
The  speech  made  to  his  wives  is 
BO  oppositely  construed  by  crit- 
ics, and  of  so  little  importance 
MOW,  that  no  remarks  here  would 
bfi  asefuL 

Lameatalious,  a  book  of  Scrip- 
ture, written  by  Jeremiah,  after 
the  troubles  he  had  foretold  in 
the  book  called  by  his  name 
hnd  overtaken  Israel.  It  con- 
tains five  distinct  lamentations. 


or  elegies,  or  poetical  dirgea. 
He  mourn.-s  the  delusion  of  the 
people  by  false  prophets,  the 
destruction  of  the  holy  city,  the 
overthrow  of  the  government 
and  the  scattering  of  the  people 
Lamp.  The  lamps  of  the  an- 
cients were  of  various  kindfc. 
Those  used  at  wedding  proces- 
sions consisted  of  old  rags, 
squeezed  hard  against  ono 
another  in  a  round  figure,  like 
a  great  sausage  My  torch 
bearer    in    India  had    bis  roll 


LAO 


14G 


LAW 


uhree  feet  long,  and  as  thick  as 
ft  hroom  handle.  Those  who 
hidd  them  have  in  the  other 
hand  a  pitcher,  with  a  very  nar- 
row neck,  full  of  oil,  of  which 
they  pour  from  time  to  time  on 
the  flame.  This  explains  Chri:<t's 
declaration,  that  he  will  "  not 
quench  the  smoking  flax,"  Matt. 
12  :  20  ;  and  shows  why  the 
foolish  virgins  needed  "oil  in 
their  vessels."     Matt.  25  :  4. 

Ltin^aage  was  originally  given 
to  man  by  his  Creator,  and  af- 
terwards broken  into  a  multi- 
tude of  tongues  at  Babel.  The 
Hebrew,  it  is  almost  certain,  was 
the  language  of  Adam  and  Eve. 
In  it  most  of  the  Old  Testament 
is  written.  After  the  destruc- 
tion and  final  dispersion  of  the 
Jewish  nation,  it  ceased  to  be 
the  vernacular  tongue  of  the 
Jews,  and  is  now  a  dead  lan- 
guage ;  that  is,  it  is  no  one's 
common  speech. 

Laodice'a,  a  city  of  Phrygia, 
in  Asia  Minor,  42  miles  south  of 
Ephesus.  It  was  anciently  trailed 
Diospolis,  and  then  Rkoas ; 
but  Seleucus,  or  perhaps  Antio- 
chus,  the  Syro-Grecian  king, 
rebuilt  it,  and  called  it  Laodicea, 
after  his  wife.  It  was  destroyed 
by  an  earthquake,  in  the  tenth 
year  of  Nero,  a.  d.  65,  but  soon 
rose  from  its  ruins.  A  christiaa 
church  was  early  planted  in 
this  place.  Rev.  1:11.  I*,  is  j 
now  an  extensive  ruin,  haunted  ! 


by  wolve ;  and  jackals.  The  na- 
tives call  the  place  Ladiky.  An 
adjacent  Tillage  is  called  Eski- 


hissar,  where  a  few  christians 
were  found  in  1820. 

Lapwing,  The  bird  so  called 
in  our  translation  is  undoubt- 
edly the  hoopoe,  a  very  beautiful 
bird,  but  disgusting  in  its  habits. 
The  LXX.  render  it  epopnh,  and 
the  Vulgate  upupa,  both  which 
names  are  expressive  of  its  loud 
note.  The  word  occurs  only  in 
Lev.  11  :  19,  and  Deut.  14  :  8. 

Lattie^)  a  window  made  of 
bars  crossing  each  other.  Jud 
5  :  28. 

Laver,  a  vessel  for  washing 
The  laver  which  stood  in  the 
enclosure  of  the  tabernacle  waa 
made  of  the  fine  brass  mirrors 
which  the  Hebrew  women  gave 
for  the  service  of  the  tabernacle. 
Solomon  had  one  made  of  vast 
size,  supported  by  twelve  brass 
or  bronze  oxen,  which  was  called 
the  jnolten  sea.  1  Kings  7:  22 — 
26.  It  was  nearly  fifty  feet  in 
circumference,  and  eight  feet 
deep.  It  held  water  for  the 
priests  to  wash  their  hands  and 
feet  with,  having  cocks  by 
which  the  water  ran  into  baiiins. 
He  also  made  ten  of  inferior 
size,  placed  near  the  entrance 
of  the  temple,  for  the  washing 
of  the  olferings.  2  Chron  4  : 
6. 

Law.  (1.)  A  rule  directing 
and  obliging  a  rational  creature 
in  iQoral  and  religious  actions, 
Prov.  28  :  4.  (2.)  The  whole 
doctrine  delivered  by  God  to  hia 
church,  contained  in  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments.  (3.)  The 
principles  of  reason,  or  the  law 


LEA 


147 


LEB 


»f  nature  wiltten  on  a  man's 
leart.  Rom.  2  :  74.  (4.)  The 
decalogue,  or  ten  command- 
jients.  Rom.  2  :  25  ;  7  :  7. 
(5.)  Tlie  precepts  of  God  in  re- 
gard to  tlie  Jews,  John  1  :  17, 
irliich  are  divided  into  moral, 
or  thoee  binding  all  men  ;  cere- 
monial, or  those  which  prescribed 
the  Jewish  ritual  ;  and  civil,  or 
those  which  related  to  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  Jews  as  a  nation. 
(6.)  The  doctrine  of  the  gospel. 
Uom.  3  :  27. 

Lawyer,  one  versed  in  the 
laws.  As  the  Jews  bad  no 
written  laws,  except  those  con- 
tained in  the  Old  Testament,  a 
lawyer  a,nong  them  was  a  per- 
son familiar  with  Scripture,  and 
V  hose  business  it  was  to  expound 
It. 

Lazarns.  (1.)  The  brother  of 
Martha,  who  was  raised  from  the 
dead  by  his  Lord.  John  11, 
12.  (2.)  A  character  described 
by  the  Saviour  in  his  parable  of 
the  rich  and  poor  man.  Luke 
16  Hence  beggars  are  now 
called  in  Europe  Lazaroni.  A 
receptacle  for  the  sick  is  called, 
for  the  same  reason,  a  Lazaretto, 
er  iMZar-hotise. 

Ll'Sd  was  very  early  known, 
Ex.  15 :  10,  and  was  used,  among 
other  purposes,  to  write  upon. 
From  Jer.  G:  20,  and  Ezek.  22  : 
17,  22,  we  perceive  it  was  then 
used  in  refining  metuls.  It  was 
used  by  the  Romans  to  sheath 
their  vessels,  being  fastened 
with  bronze  nails. 

LeilSing,  falsehoods,  lies.  Ps. 
4  :  2  ;  5  :  G, 


LeavcDj  a  substance  used  t« 
make  bread  light  by  produciag 
fermentation.  To  this  are  com 
pared  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel, 
Matt.  13  :  33,  on  account  cf 
their  silent  extension  and  power 
ful  effects  in  the  world.  It  is  also 
applied  to  erroneous  doctrinei 
and  vicious  practices,  which 
insidiously  diffuse  themselves. 
Matt.  16  :  6,    12  ;   1  Cor.  5  :  6 

Lebanon,  {white,)  a  famous 
range  of  mountains  in  the  north 
of  Canaan.  At  the  top  is  eternal 
snow  ;  on  the  sides  are  cedars; 
and  at  the  base  excellent  vines 
There  are  two  ridges,  the  eastern, 
called  by  the  Greeks  Anti-Liba- 
Him,  and  the  western,  or  Proper 
Libaniis,  which  runs  nearly 
parallel  to  the  coast  of  the  Great 
Sea,  From  hence  Solomon's 
workmen  "  brought  great  stones, 
costly  stones,  and  hewed  stones 
to  lay  the  foundation  of  the 
house."  1  Kings  5  :  14—18. 
The  rock  is  whitish  limestone 
of  fine  quality.  Mines  of  iron 
and  copper  were  worked  here. 
Deut.  8  :  9.  The  highest  sum- 
mits are  about  12,000  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  ocean. 
From  the  snow-clad  summits 
descend,  in  summer,  sweet  and 
refreshing  rivulets  on  every  side 
The  principal  range  extends 
somewhat  in  the  form  of  a  cres- 
cent, from  Cilicia  to  Esdraelon, 
a  distance  of  fift  f  leagues.  A 
spur  of  this  mountain  next  the 
Holy  Land  is  called  Hirmon. 
Another  spur  to  the  eastward  is 
Mount  Gilead,  where  Laban 
orertook  Jacob,  Gen  31  :  25. 


LEN 


148 


LEP 


Oo  the  sides  of  Lebanon 
"•sido  the  Maronites,  a  christian 
people,  who  are  said  by  Bayard 
Ta^-lor  (who  visited  them  in 
A852)  to  bd  "  the  most  thrifty, 
industrious,  honest,  and  happy 
people  in  Syria."  I 

Leek)  a  plant  very  similar  in 
shape  and  qualities  to  the  onion.  | 
The   thick    stalk  is  eaten    raw,  i 
and  is  highly  prized.     The  seed  | 
i.s  made  into  bread.     Its  bulbous  ' 
root  is  boiled   and    eaten   like 
potatoes.     The  word    occurs  in 
our  translation  only  in  Numb. 
11:5.     The  original  term  chat-  \ 
zir  is  in  most  other  places  ren-  i 
iered  "grass.'"     Ps.  37  :  2,  &c.  I 
In  Isa.  19  :    6,   it  is   rendered 
flags,  which  Lowth  says  should  ! 
be  lotus,  the  famous  water-lily  ' 
of  Egypt. 

Lees,  dregs.     Lees  of  old  wine  j 
were  so  highly  valued  anciently  j 
»s  not  to  be  sold  with  the  liquor, 
unless  it  were  expressly  agreed.  1 
When  wine  a  year  old  was  put 
into  a  cask  with  the  old  lees,  it 
'ooked  muddy  for  a  while,  but 
they  soon  subsided,  carrying  all 
impurities      to      the      bottom. 
Hence  "  wiae  on  the  lees  "  is  noted 
as  so  excellent.     Isa.  25  :  6. 

Legion,  in  the  Roman  army, 
was  a  body  of  soldiers,  consist- 
ing of  ten  cohorts,  or  six  thou- 
sand men.  It  seems,  however, 
to  have  varied  in  the  number  of 
men,  at  different  periods.  In 
the  case  of  the  demoniac,  Mark 
5  :  9,  the  word  seems  to  be  used 
for  an  indefinite  multitude. 

Lentiles,  a  sort  of  pulse  like 
(>ed3e,   much   esteemed   by  the 


ancients.  2  Sam.  17  :  28.  Dr 
Shaw  says  that  in  Egypt,  beans, 
lentiles,  and  garvancoes  are  the 
chief  of  the  pulse  kind,  and, 
when  stewed  with  oil  and  gar- 
lic, are  the  principal  food  of 
persons  of  all  ranks.  Lentiles 
make  a  pottage  of  a  chocolate 
color.  This  was  the  "  red  pot- 
tage "  for  which  Esau  ex- 
changed his  birthright.  Gen 
25  :  34. 

Leopard,  a  beast  of  prey, 
equal  in  size  to  a  large  dog  ; 
beautifully  spotted,  and  exceed- 
ingly fierce,  cruel,  and  rapa- 
cious. The  happy  peace  which 
shall  distinguish  Messiah's  king- 
dom  is  beautifully  predicted  by 
the  figure  of  the  leopard  lying 
down  with  tlxe  kid.     Isa.  11  :  G. 

Leprosy,  one  of  the  most 
calamitous  of  all  diseases,  but 
not  often  found  in  cold  countries 
Its  first  attack  is  on  the  skin, 
but  at  last  it  affects  the  whole 
system.  Patients  often  live 
many  years,  but  are  seld  jm  if 
ever  cured.  It  is  not  now  very 
common  anywhere,  but  is  often 
found  among  the  Arabs,  in  the 
Levant,  and  generally  over  the 
East.  At  Scio,  Howard  found 
a  hospital  expressly  for  patients 
laboring  under  this  malady.  It 
contained  120  persons,  lodged 
in  separate  rooms.  The  symjv- 
toms  and  progress  of  the  infec- 
tion are  fully  described  in  the 
law  of  Moses.  Lev.  13.  This, 
however,  is  not  the  leprosy  now 
common  in  the  East.  I  have 
seen  many  in  Burmah  whose 
fingers  and  toes  had  fallen  off. 


LEV 


149 


LIB 


»ud  scmetimes  the  feet  and 
hands  als<.  They  are  denied  a 
residence  among  the  people, 
though  it  does  not  seem  to  be 
infectious,  and  dwell  by  them- 
selves in  villages,  supported  by 
charity. 

Let  is  expressive,  (1.)  of  com- 
mand, 1  Kings  18  :  40  ;  (2.)  of 
entreaty,  Ps.  69  :  6  ;  (3.)  of 
permission.  Josh.  24  :  28  ;  (4.) 
of  intrusting,  or  assigning  by 
lease,  Song  8  :  11  ;  (5.)  to  hin- 
der, or  keep  back,  Isa.  43  :  13  ; 
2  Thess.  2  :  7. 

Letter,  a  mark  used  as  the 
representative  of  a  sound.  The 
ancient  Egyptians  wrote  in 
hieroglyphics,  though  they  had 
written  characters  also.  The 
Chinese  use  letters,  which,  in- 
stead of  signifying  simple 
sounds,  signify  words.  It  is 
said  they  amount  to  80,000  ; 
making  it  immensely  difficult 
for  a  foreigner  to  learn  the  lan- 
guage. The  Hebrew  letters, 
from  which  all  other  alphabets 
except  the  Chinese  seem  to  have 
been  originally  derived,  are  an 
invention  so  wonderful  and  use- 
ful, as  to  make  it  almost  certain 
that  they  were  the  gift  of  God  ; 
irobably  in  the  tables  of  the 
law  given  to  Moses.  Other 
facts  make  it  quite  certain. 

Leviathan.  Probably  the  ani- 
mal meant  by  this  name  is  the 
crocodile,  which  is  a  creature 
every  way  terrible,  growing  of- 
ten to  tho  length  of  thi-ty  feet. 
It  is  shaped  like  the  lizard,  and 
lays  it?  eggs  in  the  sand,  to  be 
tiw*  u  ed  by  the  sun.  By  the 
13* 


kind  providence  o."  ^od,  the  ich 
neumon  is  fond  of  thcbC  eggs, 
and  discovers  and  destroys  great 
quantities  of  them.  Were  it 
not  for  this,  they  would  iroat' 
fully  increase, 

LeTite,  one  of  the  tribe  ol 
Levi  ;  an  inferior  minister  iu 
the  Jewish  temple  ;  by  which 
title  he  is  distinguished  from 
tKe  priest,  who,  though  likewise 
ol  the  race  of  Levi,  yet  was 
descended  from  Aaron,  whoso 
posterity  were  employed  in  the 
higher  offices. 

LCTiticas,  the  third  book  of 
the  Old  Testament  ;  so  called 
chiefly  because  it  contains  the 
various  laws  of  the  Hebrews, 
especially  the  sacrifices,  the 
charge  of  which  was  committed 
to  the  Levites.  In  the  Arabic 
and  Syriac  versions  it  is  called 
the  law  of  the  priests.  Without 
this  book,  many  parts  of  the 
Xew  Testament,  especially  tho 
Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  could 
not  be  fully  understood. 

Libertines,  free  men,  an  ap- 
pellation given  to  such  Jews  as 
had  obtained,  by  birth  or  other- 
wise, the  freedom  of  a  Roman 
city  ;  or,  in  other  words,  the 
rights  of  a  Roman  citizen.  Act 
6  :  9.  It  was  a  birthright  cf 
Paul.     Acts  22  :  28. 

Liberty,  the  power  to  do,  01 
forbear  to  do  ;  freedom,  as  op- 
posed to  slavery,  or  to  neces 
sity  ;  deliverance  from  any 
bondage  ;  freedom  from  the 
veil  of  ignorance  and  spiritual 
blindness,  from  the  curse  and 
yoke  of  the  law,  aaJ  *'rum  tiye 


LIG 


150 


LIL 


•lavery  of  sin;  a  power  of  choice 
in  using  things  indififerent.  1 
Cor.  8  :  9. 

Libya,  a  pa  rt  of  Africa,  lying 
along  the  Mediterranean  Sea, 
bordering  on  Egypt,  famous  for 
its  armed  chariots  and  horses. 
2  Chron.  16  :  8. 

Light.  (1.)  That  pure  bright- 
ness which  is  everywhere  dif- 
fused by  the  rays  of  the  sun, 
and  is  the  medium  of  vision. 
(2.)  God,  who  is  a  being  of 
infinite  wisdom,  truth,  holiness, 
purity,  (fee,  1  John  1:5.  (3.)  i 
Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  Foun- 
tain and  Author  of  all  knowl- 
edge, both  natural  and  spiritual. 
Luke  2  :  32.  John  1  :  9.  (4.) 
The  word  of  God,  and  saving 
knowledge  of  it,  which  conducts 
and  guides  christians  in  this 
world,  and  points  out  the  way 
to  eternal  happiness.  Ps.  119  : 
105.  Matt.  4  :  16.  2  Pet.  1  : 
19.  (5.)  The  apostles  or  min- 
isters of  the  gospel,  who  assist 
others,  and  direct  tliem  to  Christ 
and  salvation.  Matt.  5  :  14, 
16.  (6.)  Christians,  who  are 
enlightened  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  are  a  light  unto  the  world. 
Luke  16  :  8.     Eph.  5  :  8. 

Lightning,  the  flash  of  the 
electric  fluid,  as  it  passes  from 
one  cloud  to  another,  or  from 
any  body  overcharged  with  it  to 
oce  which  has  less.  The  report 
it  makes  is  called  thunder,  and  is 
but  one  crack,  though  its  echoes 
from  cloud  to  cloud  give  it  a 
continued,  rumbling  noise.  The 
power  and  wrath  of  God  are 
»r'tea    represented   by   thunder 


and  lightning.     Job  37  :  3 — 9. 
Ps.  18  :  12.     Dan.  10  :  6,  Ac. 

Lign  Aloe,  a  small  tree,  eigM 
or  ten  feet  high,  from  both  the 
flower  and  the  v/ood  of  which  a 
rich  and  costly  perfume  is  still 
obtained  in  the  East.  Ps.  45  : 
9.     Cant.  4  :  14. 

Lignre,  a  precious  stone  ;  but 
of  what  exact  kind  it  is  now 
difiicult  to  ascertain.  It  is  gen- 
erally thought  by  learned  men 
to  be  the  leschem,  a  gem  of  a 
deep  red  color,  resembling  the 
carbuncle.  It  was  the  first  in 
the  third  row  of  the  high  priest's 
breast-plate,  and  had  the  name 
of  Gad  inscribed  on  it.  It  oc- 
curs in  Ex.  28  :  19,  and  39  :  12, 
only. 

Lily,  a  well-known  and  beau- 
tiful plant,  of  which  there  are 
many  varieties.  The  fields  of 
the  Levant  are  overrun  with  the 
superb  amaryllis  lutea,  to  which, 
probably,  our  Saviour  alludes. 
Matt.  6  :  30.  Some  learned 
critics  contend  that  the  Saviour 
here  means  the  crown  imperial. 
As  the  scarcity  of  fuel  obliges 
the  inhabitants  to  use  every 
sort  of  combustible  matter,  the 
withered  stalks  of  these  and 
other  flowers  are  used  for  heat- 
ing ovens,  &Q. 

By  the  "lily  of  the  valley," 
we  are  not  to  understand  the 
humble  flower  so  called  with  us, 
but  the  noble  flower  of  the 
larger  kind.  The  lily  mentioned 
Cant.  2  :  2  ;  5  :  13,  seems  to  be 
the  crown  imperialy  or  I'ersiaa 
lily.  The  drop  of  sweet  liquoi 
alluded   to  is  the  dewy  ncctai 


LIO 


15. 


LOG 


nlvvays  found  at  the  bottom  of 
this  flower. 

L'.Hie,  a  friable  substance 
derived  from  calcining  shells, 
and  certain  species  of  stone. 
It  must  have  been  known  very 
early  as  a  cement,  being  spoken 
of  as  such,  Uimt.  27  :  2,  4,  and 
Isa.  33  :  12.  The  land  of  Pal- 
estine is  a  limestone  country. 

Linen,  cloth  made  of  flax, 
well  known  at  a 
very  early  period. 
In  Ex.  25  :  4,  the 
word  so  rendered 
probably  means  cot- 
ton. Specimens  of 
cotton  cloth  are 
found  on  the  oldest  mummies. 

Lintel,  that  part  of  a  door- 
frame which  crosses  the  door 
overhead. 

Lion,  the  noblest  of  animals. 
It  is  found  only  in  torrid  cli- 
mates, and  much  less  numerous 
now  than  formerly.  It  lives 
sixty  or  eighty  years,  but  is  not 
prolific.  The  allusions  to  its 
strength,  courage,  voracious- 
ness, generosity,  &c.,  in  Scrip- 
ture, are  very  numerous.  His 
rage  is  tremendous.  Job  4:11. 
Prov.  30  :  30.     Amos  3  :  8. 

Lions  were  sent  by  Jehovah 
4o  chastise  the  profaners  of  his 
«hosen  heritage.  2  Kings  17  : 
25,  2G.  The  people  humbled 
themselves,  and  adopted  the 
Jewish  laws  and  worship,  at 
first  in  addition  to  their  heathen 
institutions,  but  afterward  ex- 
cl-;siveiy.  These  were  the  Sa- 
m  irita/is. 

The   «*Lion  of  the   tribe  of 


Judah "  is  Jesus  Chri&v,  wh; 
will  mightily  destroy  the  ino- 
mies  of  his  church,  and  gra 
ciously  receive  such  as  suomit 
themselvea.     Rev.  5  :  5. 

Litter.  The  Hebrew  word  so 
translated  in  Isa.  G6  :  20,  la 
rendered  "  wagons  "  in  Numb. 
7:3,  and  probably  resembled 
the  Persian  mode  of  conveyaaco 
shown  below. 


Both  passengers  and  mer- 
chandise were  so  carried,  and 
such  conveyances  are  still  used 
in  Palestine. 

Lizard  occurs  in  Lpv.  11 :  30, 
and  is  no  doubt  the  animal  now 
called  by  that  name. 

Lo,  the  same  as  look,  behold. 

Locnst,  an  insect  well  known 
among  us,  which  in  the  East  is 
often  five  or  six  inches  long, 
and  of  the  thickness  of  a  man'j 
thumb.  Its  head  is  shaped  like 
that  of  a  horse.  Joel  2  :  4 
The  mouth  is  large,  and  fur. 
nished  with  four  incisive  teeth, 
which  traverse  each  other  like 
scissors.  The  noise  by  a  flock 
of  them  eating  is  compared  by 
Joel  (2  :  5)  to  the  crackling 
sound  of  fire  among  stubble, 
and  by  modern  travellers  to  the 
rattling  of  hail-stones.  The 
propheti';al  writings  of  the  Old 
Testament  abound  with  allusiona 
to  this   insect  as  one  of  God*f 


LOG 


152 


LOT 


most  dreadful  scourges.  All 
travellers  in  the  East  speak  of 
the  occasional  ravages  of  this 
insect.  The  swarms  =tre  often 
a  mile  in  length,  darkening  the 
day  as  they  pass  over,  and  form- 
ing a  thickness  of  several  inches 
when  they  settle  on  the  earth. 
Nothing  can  impede  their 
march  ;  they  fill  up  the  deepest 
tr etches,  extinguish  fires,  and 
climb  walls.  All  verdure  dis- 
appears, and  the  country  looks 
as  if  burnt  over  wUh  lire.  Ex. 
10  :  4—19. 

Pliny  states  that  in  Ethiopia 
and  Parthia  they  were  generally 
eaten  as  wholesome  and  agree- 
able food.  The  law  of  Moses 
pronounced  them  lawful  to  be 
eaten.  Lev. 11  :  22.  John  the 
Baptist  ate  locusts  while  in  the 
wilderness.  Mark  ]  6.  But 
whether  these  were  the  insects 
so  called,  or  the  3woet,  pulpy 
pods  of  a  tree,  is  not  fully 
agreed.  His  easing  locusts 
shows,  not  that  he  lived  like  a 
wild  man,  but  like  a  poor  man. 
They  are  considered  very  poor 
food,  except  by  the  Arabs,  who 
catch  great  quanities,  which 
they  cook  in  various  ways,  re- 
moving the  legs  and  wings,  and 
adding  oil,  salt,  &<:.  Jackson, 
in  his  account  of  Morocco, 
nates  that  locusis  .re  there 
esteemed  a  delicacy,  and  dur- 
ing the  time  of  their  ^warming, 
which  is  in  April,  they  are 
forved  up  at  the  principal  tables. 
The  way  the  legs  and  wings  are 
"omoved,  is   to  dry  tbom   after 


boiling,  and  then  winnow  than 
like  wheat. 

Log,  a  Hebrew  liquid  ucaa 
ure,  containing  about  a  pins 
Lev.  14  :  10. 

LoIdS,  the  lower  region  of  the 
back.  The  Orientals,  who  wear 
long  robes,  are  obliged,  when 
they  apply  themselves  to  any 
business,  to  use  a  girdle.  Hence, 
to  have  the  "  loins  girded"  is 
the  same  as  to  be  in  readinesa 
for  action.  L«ke  12  :  35.  Eph. 
6:  14. 

LookiBg-GIass.    See  Mhjrob. 

Lord,  a  name  of  God,  often 
given  in  Scripture  to  Jesus 
Christ."  When  the  word  is  found 
in  our  translation  printed  in 
small  capitals,  it  always  stands 
for  the  Hebrew  word  Jkhovah. 
The  word,  in  restricted  senses, 
is  applied  to  those  who  possess 
authority,  as  a  husband,  Gen. 
18  :  12  ;  a  master,  John  15  :  15; 
a  prince.  Gen.  24  :  18.  On  this, 
and  also  on  other  grounds,  it  is 
to  be  regretted  that  the  word 
Jehovah  was  not  retained  in  our 
translation  wherever  it  occurs 
in  the  Hebrew.  A  great  num- 
ber of  passages  would  have 
been  more  impressive  than  they 
now  are,  and  many  would  have 
been  more  plain. 

Lu-rniiania,  "  not  beloved  ;  **  a, 
term  applied  by  Hosea  to  the 
people  of  Judah,  as  distinct 
from  the  ten  tribes,  whom  he 
calls  Lo-AMMi,  or  "  not  my  peo- 
ple.'' 

Lot,  the  son  of  Ilarmi,  and 
nephew  of   Abraham  :    and.  a  J 


LUC 


153 


LUS 


we  suppose,  brother  of  Sarah. 
After  the  death  of  his  father, 
he  lived  and  travelled  with 
Abraham.     Gen.  11  :  31. 

Lots,  things  cast  or  drawn  in 
ordtr  to  determine  a  point  in 
debate.  It  is  a  solemn  appeal 
to  God,  for  an  immediate  inter- 
pojial  of  his  directive  power,  for 
determining  an  afifaiv  ;  and,  on 
that  account,  ought  to  be  used 
in  nothing  but  what  is  impor- 
tant, and  cannot  otherwise  be 
peacefully  determined;  and  then 
to  be  used  with  reverence  and 
prayer.  Prov.  16  :  33  ;  18  :  18. 
Acts  1  :  24—26.  1  Sam.  14  :  41. 

Love,  a  natural  affection  of 
the  mind,  inclining  us  to  esteem 
or  delight  in  an  object  ;  a  gra- 
cious principle  or  habit  wrought 
in  the  soul  by  God,  which  in- 
clines us  to  obey  him,  to  seek 
communion  with  him,  and  to 
study  to  promote  his  glory,  and 
disposes  us  to  do  good  to  all. 

Low,  not  rising  far  upwards, 
Ezek.  17  :  6,  24  ;  not  elevated 
in  situation,  Isa.  32  :  19  ;  not 
high  in  rank.  Job  5  :  11  ;  Luke 
1  :  48,  52  ;  humble,  not  proud, 
Ezek.  21  :  26.  **  Lower  parts 
of  the  earth,"  in  Isa.  44  :  23, 
signify  the  valleys  ;  in  Ps.  63  : 
9,  Eph.  4  :  9,  the  grave,  or  the 
state  of  the  dead. 

Lu'cifer,  literally  a  light-giver, 
or  brilliant.  The  name  occurs 
but  once  in  our  translation,  Isa. 
14  :  12,  and  there  must  mean 
the  king  of  Babylon.  Falling 
from  heaven  is  a  figure  to  denote 
a  sudden  political  overthrow, 
from     an     illustrious      station. 


Princes  are  often  callei  star»  hi 
the  Bible,  and  the  king  of 
Babylon  was  thus  distinguished 
above  others,  as  Venus  (for- 
merly called  Lucifer)  is  among 
stars.  Some  of  the  fathers 
thought  this  passage  meant 
Satan,  and  hence  he  is  now  fre- 
quently called  Luciftr. 

Luliith,  a  city  of  Moab.  Isa 
15  :  5.  Its  name  in  Josephu? 
and  Ptolemy  is  Lyssa. 

Lnke,  a  native  of  Antioch, 
and  a  physician.  He  was  not 
one  of  Christ's  personal  follow- 
ers, but  is  mentioned  for  the 
first  time.  Acts  16  :  10,  as  a 
companion  of  Paul  at  Troas 
Thence  he  went  with  him  to 
Judea,  sailed  with  him  to  Rome, 
and  staid  with  him  during  his 
two  years  of  confinement. 

The  Book  of  Luke's  Gospel 
was  written  to  correct  numerous 
erroneous  narratives  of  the  life 
of  Christ.  The  style,  both  in 
this  and  in  the  Acts,  is  pure  and 
elevated,  and  many  facts  are 
given  which  are  not  contained 
in  the  other  evangelists.  He 
wrote  not  only  the  Gospel  which 
is  called  by  his  name,  but  the 
Acts  of  the  Apostles.  His  lan- 
guage is  exceedingly  pure  and 
classical. 

Lnkewarm,  neither  cold  nor 
hot.  This  state  is  describeil 
as  inexpressibly  loathsome  to 
Christ;  but,  alas!  great  number? 
of  professors  are  obviously  and 
habitually  lukewarm.  Rev.  3  ; 
16. 

Lust,  or  desire,  a  term  used  in 
Scripture  for  any  depravefl    in 


M  A  C 


id4 


M  A  C 


cimation,  such  a?  revenge,  cov- 
etousness,  envy,  malice,  incun- 
tinence,  &c.  When  it  is  said 
"the  spirit  luiteth  against  the 
flesh,"  it  meani  that  the  spirit 
excites  desires  contrary  to  flesh- 
ly and  carnal  appetites.  Gal. 
5  :  17.  This  conflict  of  desires 
constitutes  part  of  the  chris- 
tian warfare.  The  mortification 
of  lusts  is  a  prominent  part  of 
our  duty,  Rom.  8  :  13  ;  1  Cor. 
9  :  27  ;  Col.  3:5;  and  being 
of  ecurse  most  difiicult  when 
first  attempted,  makes  a  re- 
ligious life  most  arduous  at  the 
outlet. 

Lycao^nia  has  Cappadocia  on 
the  east,  Galatia  on  the  north, 
Phrygia  on  the  west,  and  Pisidia 
on  the  south.  A  remarkable 
lake  exists  in  this  province, 
called  7'««a,  and  by  the  mod- 
erns Tuzla,  which  yields  salt. 
Its  chief  cities  were  Iconium, 
Derbe,  and  Lystra.  The  present 
name  of  this  proviice  is  Cara- 
mania. 

Lyc'Ia,  or  Lysia,  a  province 
of    Asia     Minor,    having     the 


Mediterranean  on  the  south,  anJ 
I'amphylin  on  the  north.  In 
'ibVi  this  country  was  explored 
by  Messrs.  Spratt  and  Forborf,  of 
the  British  navy.  They  found 
evidence  of  its  having  been  a 
country  of  astonishing  opulence 
and  populousness  They  visited 
more  than  fifty  cities,  now 
wholly  deserted.  The  '  modern 
port  of  Makri  is  on  the  west 
coast  of  Lycia.  The  whole 
country  is  now  little  better  than 
a  desert. 

Lydda,  a  large  village  or  city, 
not  far  from  Joppa,  Acts  9  :  38, 
eminent  for  its  schools  of  learned 
Jews.  It  was  burnt  by  Centiusj 
while  its  males  were  gone  to 
Jerusalem  to  the  feast  of  taber- 
nacles ;  God,  after  the  crucifix- 
ion, not  taking  the  care  of  them 
at  these  times  as  he  had  for- 
merly done.  It  is  now  called 
Dtoxpdis. 

Lystra,  a  city  of  Asia  Minor, 
where  Timothy  was  born  ;  tho 
precise  site  of  which  is  now 
uncertain.  It  seems,  however, 
to  have  been  south  of  Iconium. 


M. 


Macedonia,  a  large  country 
north  of  Greece,  peopled  by 
the  descendants  of  Javan,  and 
formerly  called  Emathia.  It 
was  bounded  by  the  mountains 
of  Heemus  on  the  north,  the 
^gean  Sea  on  the  east,  Achaia 
on  the  south,  and  the  Adriatic 


Sea  on  the  west.  Its  mctropolia 
was  ThessiloT.icj..  One  of  its 
mountains  was  the  famoui? 
Olymp'.is.  Several  other  coun- 
tries, however,  had  mountain;? 
so  called,  and  esteemed  sacred. 
It  was  a  famous  monarchy  under 
Philii),  and  Alexander  the  'ireit 


MAL 


155 


M  A  N 


who  conquered  Greece,  Persia,  | 
and   a   part   of  Judea.     About  \ 
K.  M.  385(3,  it  became   a  part  of  I 
the  great   Koman  empire,    and 
continued  so  IGOO'  years,  when 
the    Ottoman  Turks   conquered 
it.      Paul    planted    the    gospel 
here,  and    the    christians    con- 
tributed    very     generously    to 
their  suffering  brethren  at  Jeru- 
salem.    Christianity  has   never 
been    wholly    eradicated    from 
Macedonia,   though   the    Turks 
have    been   cruel    masters    and 
persecutors. 

Much  of  ancient  Macedonia  is 
now  the  western  part  of  Roume- 
lia. 

Machpe'Iah,  the  cave  where 
Abraham  was  buried,  was  near 
Hebron. 

Mag'dala,  a  city  or  territory 
on  the  margin  of  Lake  Genne-' 
sareth  ;  either  the  same  as  Dal- 
manutha,  or  very  near  it.  Com- 
pare Matt.  15  :  39,  with  Mark 
8  :  10.  Mary  Magdalene  was 
to  called  from  having  lived  here. 

Magicians,  or  Magi.  See 
Wise  Men 

Ma'gOg.     See  Goo. 

MalacUi,  the  last  of  the 
prophets  of  the  Old  Testament. 
He  flourished  after  the  rebuild- 
ing of  Jerusalem  and  the  temple 
by  Nehemiah,  and  was  cotempo- 
rary  with  Plato,  Socrates,  and 
Xenophox  ;  CiMON,  the  Athenian 
general  ;  Amyrt.ecs,  king  of 
Egypt,  and  Darius  Nothus, 
king  of  Persia.  With  him  the 
prophetical  ofiBee  seems  to  have 
ceased  for  400  years  ;  that  is, 
tiU   Messiah    came.     Abv  ut  40 


years  after  the  deli^  3ry  oi 
his  prophecy,  was  born  Aris 
totle,  the  philosopher. 

The  Book  of  Malachi,  unlike 
the  other  prophetical  books,  \n 
almost  wholly  in  prose,  and  in 
dicates  that  literature  was  de 
dining  in  his  day.  It  censured 
the  Jews  for  relapsing,  after 
Ezra's  reformation,  into  inter- 
marriages with  heathen  women, 
for  withholding  tithes,  kc,  and 
powerfully  urges  repentance. 

Mallows,  a  plant  useful  in 
medicine.  One  species  grows 
to  about  the  size  of  Indian  corn 
What  plant  is  meant.  Job  30  . 
4,  where  alone  the  word  occurs^ 
is  not  certain.  It  is  evidently 
food  for  poor  people,  and  may 
therefore  be  the  halumis,  a  salt- 
ish plant  growing  wild  on  poor 
land,  which  is  eaten  in  Syria 
and  elsewhere,  as  we  do  greens. 

Mammon,  a  Syriac  word  sig- 
nifying riches  or  treasure.  No 
man  can  *'  serve  God  and  mam- 
mon ;"  i.  e.,  no  one  can  servo 
God,  while  his  great  aim  and 
desire  is  to  heap  up,  enjoy,  and 
retain  worldly  wealth.  Matt 
6  :  24. 

Man*  The  Hebrew  word  for 
man  is  Enoshf  that  is,  wretched, 
to  denote  his  condition  in  his 
apostasy  from  God.  The  "nat- 
ural man,"  1  Cor.  2  :  14,  mea-^:! 
one  that  is  unrenewed,  and  had 
no  principle  of  grace  in  the 
heart.  "  Tho  inward  man,'' 
Rom.  7  :  22.  is  the  regenerate 
part  within,  or  the  pri  v:iple  ol 
grace  in  the  heart.  "  bo  man 
of  God,"   2  Tim.  3  :      I.  is  ont 


MAN 


156 


MAK 


ihat  i&  guided  by  the  Spirit  of 
Grod,  and  in  a  special  manner 
devoted  to  his  service. 

Man  of  Six.    See  Antichrist. 

Maudrake,  a  species  of  melon 
or  berry,  cultivated  in  the  East, 
for  the  sake  of  its  fragrance. 
Though  commentators  have 
pu?zled  themselves  with  ques- 
tions on  this  subject,  it  seems 
plain  that  the  word  is  properly 
••endered  mandrake,  and  means  a 
plant  so  called  in  the  East  to 
tnis  day.  The  original  word, 
which  occurs  only  twice,  is  so 
rendered  by  the  LXX.  and  both 
tbe  Targums.  It  grows  like 
lettuce,  has  purple  flowers,  and 
bears  a  fruit  resembling  a  small 
rod  apple.  The  smell  and  taste 
»re  pleasant  ;  but  it  stupefies  o-r 
intoxicates  if  eaten  to  excess. 

Ma'nell,  a  Hebrew  weight  of 
sixty  shekels.  Ezek.  45  :  12. 
It  was  the  fiftieth  part  of  a 
talent. 

Maima,  the  food  which  God 
gave  the  children  of  Israel  in 
the  wilderness.  It  was  a  little 
grain,  white,  like  our  hoar-frost, 
which  fell  every  morning,  except 
on  the  Sabbath,  about  the 
camp  of  the  Israelites.  Ex.  16: 
15.  Besides  the  nourishing  vir- 
tue of  the  manna,  that  sustained 
the  Hebrews  in  the  desert,  it  was 
altogether  miraculous  on  other 
accounts.  It  fell  on  six  days 
of  every  week,  not  on  the 
seventh,  and  in  such  prodigious 
quantities,  as  to  sustain  almost 
three  millions  of  men,  women 
and  children  !  It  fell  in  double 
»uanti'ics  on  the  sixth  day,  that 


there  might  be  enouj;"h  for  the 
seventh.  It  fell  only  on  Israel's 
camp.  It  remained  fresh  all 
the  seventh  day,  but  at  any 
other  time  bred  worms,  if  kept 
over  night.  It  constantly  con- 
tinued for  forty  years,  and 
ceased  as  soon  as  the  Ilebrewa 
had  access  to  eat  of  the  produce 
of  Canaan.  Christ  is  tbe  hidden 
manna,  the  bread  of  eternal 
life,  which  those  eat  who  partake 
of  the  blessings  and  comforta 
which  flow  from  him.  John  6  : 
32,  35. 

The  manna  now  sold  in  the 
shops  is  a  different  substance 
from  the  miraculous  food  of  the 
Hebrews.  It  is  produced  abun- 
dantly in  the  East.  Bvrckhnrdt 
found  it  in  the  Holy  Land, 
dropping  from  the  tarfa  tree,  in 
the  month  of  June.  The  Araba 
clear  away  the  leaves,  dirt,  Ac, 
and  when  boiled  and  strained, 
put  it  into  bags  or  skins,  to  be 
used  as  we  do  honey.  It  is 
highly  nourishing,  but  if  eaten 
in  large  quantities,  proves 
slightly  purgative. 

Ma'on,  a  district  where  David 
hid  himself  from  Saul.  1  Sam. 
23  .  24  ;  Josh.  15  :  55.  Rob- 
inson regards  the  town  as  being 
on  the  site  of  the  present  Main! 
seven  miles  sovith-east  of 
Hebron. 

Marana'tha,  a  Syriac  word, 
meaning  "  our  Lord  cometh." 
The  expression  "  Let  him  he 
anathema maranatha,"  ICor.  IC: 
23,  means  "  Let  him  be  cur-ed 
at  the  coming  of  the  Lord;'  u 
though  it  were  sa'  1,  "  Our  di*^ 


MAR 


167 


MAR 


fiiplise  is  not  adequate  ti  his 
olfen'e  ;  he  is  remitted  to  the 
rengoanoe  of  God." 

Marble,  a  valuable  and  well- 
known  species  of  stone.  The 
Beptuagint  and  Vulgate  render 
the  word,  where  it  occurs, 
Parian  stone.  The  cliff  Ziz,  2 
Chr.  15  :  16,  was  probably  so 
called  from  its  being  a  marble 
crag.     1  Ch.  29  :   2.     Est.  1:  C. 

Mark,  the  writer  of  one  of  the 
gospels,  was  not  an  apostle,  nor 
a  companion  of  Christ.  lie  was 
son  to  a  pious  woman  at  Jeru- 
salem, at  whose  house  the  apos- 
tles often  held  meetings  for 
religious  worship,  Acts  12  :  12, 
and  seems  to  have  been  con- 
verted under  Peter,  for  he  calls 
him  his  "son."  1  Pet.  5  :  13. 
lie  travelled  with  Paul,  Barna- 
bas, Peter,  and  Tipiothy,  as 
their  "minister,"  Acts  13  :  5; 
which  may  mean  that  he  wholly 
or  partly  paid  their  charges. 
He  is  supposed  to  have  suffered 
martyrdom  in  Egypt. 

The  Book  of  Mark  was  evi- 
dently written  for  Gentile  con- 
verts, probably  about  thirty 
years  after  the  death  of  Christ. 
Though  some  have  supposed  that 
Mark  did  little  more  thau 
abridge  Matthew's  gospel,  it 
has  been  shown  by  Koppe, 
Michaelis,  and  other  great 
critics,  that  he  could  not  even 
have  seen  that  book  ;  but 
drew  his  facts  from  Peter,  who, 
equally  with  Matthew,  was  an 
eye-witness  of  oar  Lord's  life. 

Market,  the  place  of  selling 
meat,  &o.,  which,  anciently, 
14 


was  generally  some  open  space, 
near  temples,  theatres,  courts  of 
justice,  &c.  Ilence  we  hear  of 
Paul's  disputing  in  the  market, 
Acts  17  :  17,  and  being  led  to 
the  market  to  be  accused,  Acta 
16  :  19.  And  hence  Phiiisees 
loved  "  greetings  in  the  market- 
places," from  judges  and  learned 
persons  who  there  passed  to  and 
fro.     Mark  12  :  38. 

Marriage,  the  legal  union  of 
a  man  and  woman  in  wedlock. 
It  also  signifies  the  sacred  and 
aiystical  union  between  Christ 
and  his  church.  Eph.  5  :  30 — 
32.  Christians  are  forbidden  to 
marry  unbelievers.  2  Cor.  6  : 
14.     1  Cor.  7  :  39. 

Mars-Hill.     See  Areop'agus. 

Mary.  Four  or  five  persons 
mentioned  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment seem  to  have  borne  this 
name.  Great  difficulty  occurs 
in  designating  them,  and  learned 
men  differ  widely  in  their  at- 
tempts to  make  the  subject 
plain.  The  following  account 
seems  liable  to  fewest  objections. 

1.  The  mother  of  our  Lord 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Eli,  or 
Joachim,  of  the  family  of  David 

2.  The  wife  of  Cleophas,  and 
mother  of  James,  Jude,  Jcses, 
Simeon,  and  Salome.  It  hjis 
been  thought  that  Cleophas,  and 
Joseph  the  husband  of  thfi  virgin 
Mary,  were  brothers  ;  which 
would  make  these  Marys  .sisters, 
and,  according  to  the  custom  of 
the  .Jews,  her  children  would  be 
called  brothers  of  ou-  Lord. 
John    19  :    25.     Matt.  27  :    56 


MAT 


158 


ME  A 


Lake  25  :  10.  Matt.  13  :  55. 
She  early  believed  on  our  Sa- 
viour, attended  his  preaching, 
and  ministered  to  his  support. 
She  was  a  witness  of  his  cruci- 
fixion, Mark  15  :  40,  41,  and  at 
his  burial  prepared  spices  for 
embalming  his  body.  Luke  23  : 
66, 

3.  Mary  Magdalene  seems 
to  have  been  an  inhabitant  of 
Magdala.  It  is  thought  that 
she  was  a  plaiter  of  hair  to  the 
women  of  her  city.  It  is  com- 
monly considered,  that,  be- 
fore her  conversion,  she  was 
of  infamous  character  ;  but  this 
"s  not  aflSrmed  in  the  Scriptures. 
It  is  also  commonly  supposed 
that  this  was  she  who  anointed 
Christ's  feet  in  the  Pharisee's 
house  ;  but  some  suppose  that 
che  woman  who  so  did  was 
Mary  the  sister  of  Martha.  But 
the  anointing  in  the  house  of 
the  Pharisee  and  that  at  Betha- 
ny seem  not  to  have  been  the 
same. 

Of  the  other  several  Marys 
nothing  can  be  aifirmed  posi- 
tively. 

Mas^chil,  a  title  to  several 
psalms,  probably  denoting  a 
Bong  of  instruction. 

Matrix,  a  place  in  which  any- 
thing is  formed  ;  a  womb.  Ex. 
13  :  12,  15. 

Matthew,  also  named  Levi, 
was  a  Galilean  by  birth,  and  a 
tax-gatherer  by  profession.  He 
wrote  the  Gospel  called  by  his 
name,  probably  about  A.  d.  38 
or  41,  in  the  Hebrew  language, 
bnme    critics   taaintain    th<tt,    a 


few  years  afterward,  he  winti 
his  Gospel  in  Greek  ;  and  some 
consider  it  to  have  been  origi« 
nally  written  in  that  language. 
About  A.  D.  184,  there  was  found 
in  the  East  Indies  a  Greek  copy. 
In  the  year  488,  another  Greek 
copy  was  found  at  Cyprus, 
written  on  wood,  and  esteemed 
very  ancient. 

The  Book  of  Matthew  was  the 
first  written  of  all  the  gospels, 
and  contains  allusians  to  thaj 
violent  persecution  by  the  Jews 
in  which  Paul  enlisted  himself 
afterwards  so  warmly.  It  is  a 
full  narrative  of  the  birth,  life, 
doings  and  death  of  Christ.  The 
style  is  very  plain  and  perspic- 
uous. It  is  the  only  one  of  the 
gospels  which  gives  our  Lord's 
description  of  the  process  of  the 
general  judgment. 

Matthias,  one  of  the  seventy 
disciples,  chosen  by  the  first 
church,  perhaps  without  a  suffi- 
cient divine  warrant,  to  fill  the 
place  of  Judas  Iscariot.  Paul 
was  certainly  an  apostle  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Rom.  1:5.  1 
Cor.  9  :  2,  and  15  :  9.  2  Cor. 
11  :  5.  The  number  12  is  pre- 
served in  relation  to  the  apostles 
in  the  Apocalypse,  and  not  13. 
Rev.  21  :  14. 

Maz'z&roth)  supposed  to  mean 
a  constellation  in  the  heavens. 
It  was  the  Chaldce  name  for  the 
signs  of  the  Zodiac.  Job  38  : 
32. 

Mensare,  that  by  which  any. 
thing  is  measured  or  propor« 
tioned.  Many  learned  men 
have  bestowed   great    labor   i« 


MED 


159 


MEE 


»i»ceitai!ung  the  exact  length  or 
capacity  of  Hebrew  measures  ; 
but  they  differ  widely  from  each  i 
other.  Standard  lueasnires, 
made  b}'  Moses,  were  at  first 
deposited  in  the  tabernacle,  and 
afterwards  in  the  temple,  under 
the  cognizance  of  the  priests. 
Vrhen  Solomon's  temple  was  de- 
stroyed, these  standards  of 
coarse  perished,  and  the  whole 
subject  is  now  uncertain  ;  and 
though  tables  of  measures  are 
often  given  in  books,  they  can- 
not be  implicitly  relied  on. 
Under  each  term  of  this  sort, 
that  explanation  is  given  which 
seems  most  probable. 

Mcflt.  The  term  is  applied 
to  divine  instruction,  because  it 
nourishes  the  mind.  The  higher 
and  more  difficult  doctrines  are 
called  meat,  in  contradistinction 
to  the  first  principles,  which  are 
called  77it7A.  1  Cor.  3  :  2.  This 
word,  in  Scripture,  ne>-er  means 
flesh,  but  often  means  any 
food  but  flesh,  and  generally 
anything  to  be  eaten. 

Mcat-oSei'inp;,  an  offering 
consisting  of  flour,  meal,  oil,  <fec., 
or  cakes  baked  in  an  oven. 

Med'eba,  a  city  of  Moab. 
Numb.  21  :  30.  Josh.  13  :  16. 
It  was  destroyed  about  the 
days  of  Isaiah,  and  rebuilt 
some  considerable  time  before 
the  advent  of  our  Lord.  It  is 
called  in  profane  history  Me- 
dava. 

Sledes,  inhabitants  of  Media, 
who  were  for  a  long  period  a 
highly  civilized  and  wealthy 
peofte.     They  were    the  domi- 


nant race  in  all  Asia  Thei? 
monarch  was  absolute,  thei'" 
language  polished,  and  their 
religion  was  the  worship  of  the 
heavenly  bodies.  Their  priest? 
were  called  Magi  This  people 
is  not  mentioned  in  the  Bible 
till  the  days  of  Hosea,  B.  c.  740. 

Media,  a  vast  region  between 
Persia  and  the  Caspian  Sea,  de- 
riving its  name  from  Madai,  son 
ofJaphftt.  Gen.  10:  2.  Cyrus, 
king  of  Persia,  became  by  his 
wife  heir  tu  the  crown  of  Media, 
thus  uniting  the  kingdom  of  the 
Modes  and  Persians.  Media  is 
now  called  Aidrr-Beitzan,  and 
sometimes  Irak-Adjam, 

Mediator,  one  who  acts  be 
tween  parties  at  variance,  in 
order  to  bring  them  to  an  agree- 
ment. Gal.  3  :  20.  Mcses  was 
often  a  mediator  between  Jeho- 
vah and  the  Jews.  Deut.  5  :  5. 
The  Lord  Jesus  is  now  the  "  one 
Mediator  between  God  and 
men."  1  Tim.  2  :  5.  He,  by 
his  satisfaction  to  God,  and 
intercession  with  him  on  one 
hand,  and  by  his  powerful  and 
gracious  influence  on  sinful  men 
on  the  other,  brings  both  "'to- 
gether, into  a  new  covenant 
state  of  agreement.  Ileb.  8:  6; 
12:  24. 

Meekness,  that  quiet  temper 
of  mind  which  is  not  soon  pro- 
voked to  anger,  but  suffers  in- 
,  juries  without  desire  of  revenge, 
and  submits  to  the  will  of  God, 
Col.  3  :  12.  A  humble  frame 
of  spirit,  ready  to  receive  and 
entertain  the  truths  of  God'9 
word.     James  1  :  21.      It  is  * 


II  EL 


IGO 


MEju 


grace  of  unapeakable   value,  1  i 
Pet.  3:4;    Ps.  37  :  11  ;    and  j 
shone  conspicuously  in  the  life  \ 
of  Christ.    2  Cor.  10  :  1.    Matt.  ' 
11:  29.  Curistians  are  exhorted, 
with  great  frequency  and  fervor, 
to  excel  in  this  grace.     Eph.  4: 
2.     1  Tim.    6  :   11.     Tit.  3  :   2, 

Megid^do,  a  city  in  the  tribe 
of  Manasseh,  famous  for  two 
great  battles  being  fought  near 
it.  In  one,  Jabin's  army  was 
routed  by  Deborah  and  Barak, 
Tuclg.  5  :  19  ;  in  the  other, 
Josiah  was  overthrown  and  slain 
by  Necho,  king  of  Egypt,who  was 
on  his  way  through  the  land  of 
Israel  to  attack  the  king  of , 
Babylon.  2  Kings  23  :  29,  30. 
Near  Megiddo  was  the  town 
of  Hadad-Rimmon  (afterwards 
called  Maximiajiopolis) :  therefore 
the  lamentation  for  the  death  of 
Josiah  is  called  "  the  mourning 
of  Hadad-Riramon,  in  the  valley 
Df  Megiddo."  Zech.  12  :  11. 
The  greatness  of  that  mourning 
for  good  Josiah  was  such  as  to 
cause  this  expression  to  become 
a  proverbial  one  for  any  great 
sorrowing,  and  is  so  used  by 
the  prophet. 

Dr.  Robinson  thinks  the  place 
is  now  called  Lejjun,  which 
Btands  upon  the  western  border 
of  the  great  plain  of  Esdraelon, 
on  the  route  now  taken  by  the 
caravans  which  trade  between 
Egypt  and  Damascus. 

Melclliscdek,  a  priest,  though 
not  a  Jew.  Of  his  nation,  par- 
entage, age,  <fcc.,  nothing  i6 
k^uown.     Hence  he  is  said  to  be 


"without  descent,  having 
neither  beginning  of  days,  nor 
end  of  life."  (?en.  14:  17— 2U. 
Heb.  7  :  1 — 11.  Jesus  is  a 
Priest  after  the  crder  qf  Mel- 
chisedek  :  as  God.  he  was  with- 
out beginning  ;  as  Man,  his 
origin  was  miraculous  :  he  was 
installed  in  his  oflBce  only  by 
God,  and  is  therein  superior  to 
all  otiacr  priests.  Heb.  5  :  10; 
6:  20. 

MeHta,  or  Malta,  a  small 
island  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea 
18  miles  long,  and  12  broad, 
which  seems  to  have  had  ita 
name  from  its  being  Melet,  or  a 
place  of  refuge  to  the  ancient 
Tyrians  in  their  voyages  to 
Carthage  and  Spain.  About 
A.  D.  C3,  Paul  and  his  compan- 
ions were  shipwrecked  on  this 
island,  and  kindly  entertained 
by  the  natives.  It  was  seized 
by  the  Goths  and  Vandals  in  the 
fifth  century,  then  by  the  Nor- 
mans in  the  eleventh,  and  after- 
ward was  taken  by  Louis  IX.  of 
France.  About  A.  D.  1530  it  was 
given  by  Charles  V.  to  the  mili- 
tary knights  who  had  been 
driven  by  the  Turks  from 
Rhodes.  These  were  dispos- 
sessed and  dispersed  by  the 
French  under  Bonaparte,  in 
1798.  It  was  afterwards  taken 
from  the  French  by  England, 
under  whose  government  it  now 
remains.  The  number  of  inhab- 
itants is  about  50,000.  These 
are,  for  the  most  part.  Catholics, 
and  excessively  ignorant  and 
degraded.  Mr.  Fisk  saw  no 
books   in   the  linguage,   but  a 


M  E  L 


161 


M  E  ii 


[lopish  catechism,  the  Gospel  of 
John  (printed  by  the  Chun-jh 
Missionary  Society),  a  grammar 
and  a  dictionary.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Temple,  speaking  of  the 
aversion  of  Romish  priests  to 
the  perusal  of  the  Scriptures  by 
the  common  people,  says  that, 
on  account  of  this  prejudice, 
*'  government  has,  for  the  last 
£ve  years,  declined  giving  per- 
mission to  the  Malta  Bible  So- 
ciety to  place  a  board  over  the 
door  of  its  depository  for  the 
purpose  of  informing  the  public 
that  Bibles  could  be  had  there!" 
It  has  lately  become  a  centre  of 
missionary  and  Bible  operations 
for  the  countries  bordering  on 
the  Mediterranean.  By  the  j 
contributions  of  christians, 
printing-presses  are  established 
here,  and  kept  employed  in 
producing  tracts,  &c.,  in  the 
Arabic,  Greek,  Turkish,  and 
other  languages.  As  it  is  a 
place  of  great  commerce,  these 
productions  are  easily  dis- 
tributed. 

Melons  are  common  in  the 
East,  and  are  similar  to  ours, 
but  more  various  in  their  kinds. 
In  Egypt,  they  are  excellent  ; 
but  in  Hindostan  and  Burmah 
water-melons  are  so  insipid  as 
to  be  eaten  with  sugar. 

ihe  original  word  in  Numb. 
11  :  5,  means  water-melons ; 
which  Hasselquist  says  served 
the  Egyptians  for  food,  drink, 
and  physic.  He  says  the  com- 
mon people  almost  live  on  them 
at  one  season  of  the  year.  No 
wonder  the  Israelites,  in  a 
14* 


parched  desert,  longed  foi  such 
refreshing  fruit. 

Mempllls,  an  Egyptian  ci4;y  of 
great  size  and  splendor,  which 
stood  near  old  Ca  ro,  but  of 
which  there  are  now  only  some 
ruins.  InHos.  9:  6,  it  is  called 
Moph,  and  in  Isa.  19^:  13,  Noph. 
It  declined  after  the  building 
of  Alexandria,  and  many  of  the 
materials  have  been  removed  to 
build  Cairo.  It  was  the  metro- 
politan city  under  the  Ptolemies, 
and  in  it  the  arts  were  carried 
to  great  perfection.     See  Noph 

Mer'ariteSj  descendants  of 
Mer'ari,  the  third  son  of  Levi. 
These  were  bearers  of  the  mate- 
rials of  the  tabernacle,  and  in 
after  times  the  sacred  porters. 

Mercury,  one  of  the  fabulous 
deities  of  the  heathen,  was  the 
son  of  Jupiter  and  Maia,  and 
messenger  to  the  rest.  He  waa 
worshipped  as  the  patron  of 
learning,  eloquence,  and  trade. 
He  was  sometimes  called  Hermes. 
The  fluency  of  Paul  made  the 
people  of  Lystra  suppose  Paul 
was  Mercury.     Acts  14  :  12. 

Mercy,  that  attribute  of  God 
which  induces  him  to  pity  and 
relieve  his  suffering  creatures. 
Tit.  3  :  5.  Our  blessings  are 
therefore  called  mercies,  Rom. 
12:  1.  It  means  also  that  feel- 
ing which  prompts  us  to  assist 
the  unfortunate,  and  to  forgive 
those  that  do  wrong.  Matt.  5  . 
7.     Luke  6  :  36. 

Mercy-seat,  the  lid  of  tht  ark 
of  the  covenant,  round  which 
was  the  crown  or  border  of  gold, 
and  on  which  the  cherubim  were 


MER 


1C12 


iMIC 


represented  as  looking.  Before 
this  the  high-priest  stood  to  ask 
counsel  of  the  Lord,  and  there 
he  received  blessings  for  the 
people.  Christ  is  our  mercy- 
seat,  Rom.  3  :  25,  and  by  him 
we  have  access  to  the  Father. 
See  Ark. 

Mero'dach,  a  Babylonian  idol, 
representing,  it  is  thought,  the 
planet  Mars.  Jer.  50  :  2.  'It 
was  often  a  part  of  the  names  of 
kings,  as  Merodach-Baladan. 
Isa.  39  :  1. 

Merodaeh-Baladan  was  the 
son  of  Baladin  or  Belesus,  was 
a  king  of  Babylon,  who  began 
his  reign  in  the  year  that  Sa- 
maria was  taken  by  Salmaneser, 
which  was  the  fourth  year  of 
Hezekiah,  king  of  Judah. 

Me'rODi)  the  northern  lake 
supplied  by  the  Jordan.  It  lies 
near  Mount  Hermon.  It  is  now 
called  the  lake  of  Houle.  See 
Jordan. 

Meroz,  a  district  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  brook  Kishon 
[which  see],  where  the  great 
battle  with  Sisera  was  fought. 
Jud.  5.  The  awful  curse  pro- 
nounced on  this  people  should 
alarm  those  who,  in  this  day, 
act  in  like  manner.  The  true 
people  of  God  are  carrying  on  a 
great  struggle  with  the  powers 
of  darkness.  Reader  '.  turn  to 
the  passage,  Judges  5  :  23,  and 
weigh  its  import. 

Consider,  1.  What  Mnroz 
did  1  Nothing.  2.  What  they 
should  have  done  1  Helped. 
3.  The  Lord  won  the  battle 
without  Meroz.     4   Meioz  was 


cursed  for  doing  nothing,  thougl 
the  cause  of  God  did  nut  suffei 
for  want  of  their  aid  5.  Whal 
are  you  doing  for  God  1  6. 
What  you  may  expect  if  you 
hold  back. 

Mesopotamia  (literally  be. 
tween  rivers),  the  famous  province 
between  the  Tigris  and  Euphra- 
tes, called  in  the  Old  Testanient 
Padan-Aram ;  by  the  ancient 
Greeks,  Selencia ;  and  by  tno 
Latins,  Mediamna.  Some  sup- 
pose that  the  wise  men  who 
visited  the  infant  Jesus  were 
from  this  country.  Here  were 
the  garden  of  Eden  and  the 
tower  of  Babel.  It  was  the 
original  residence  of  Abraham, 
Isaac,  Jacob,  and  all  their 
children,  save  Benjamin.  Gen. 
11  :  31.  It  was  astonishingly 
populous,  containing,  according 
to  Ptolemy,  seventy  important 
cities.  Christianity,  in  a  muti- 
lated form,  still  exists  here,  amid 
much  Turkish  oppression.  The 
region  is  still  fertile,  and  is  now 
called  Diarbekir,  and  Algesira. 

Messiah,  literally  the  anointed. 
It  is  applied  exclusively  to  that 
sovereign  Deliverer,  who  was 
expected  by  the  Jews,  and  came 
at  the  appointed  time.  Dan.  9  . 
25,  26.  John  1  :  41.  See 
Christ. 

Micah,  a  prophet  of  the  tribe 
of  Judah,  who  lived  in  the  latter 
days  of  Isaiah  and  Hosf  a,  and 
in  the  reigns  of  Jotham,  Ahaz. 
and  Hezekiah. 

The  Book  of  Micah  is  one  or 
the  most  important  prophecies 
in  the  Old  Testament    Preeiom 


MID 


163 


MIL 


j>Todietions  had  limited  the 
•*  seed  of  woman  "  to  the  line 
of  Shem,  the  descendants  of 
Abraham,  the  tribe  of  Judah, 
and  the  house  of  David.  Micah 
sheds  further  light,  by  designat- 
ing the  very  place  of  his  birth 
(■jh.  5  :  2),  with  other  impor- 
tant circumstances  of  his  king- 
dom and  glory. 

MicC)  as  well  as  almost  every 
living  thing,  have  been  objects 
of  worship.  1  Sam.  6  :  4,  18. 
IJoth  vStrabo  and  Plutarch  speak 
of  the  Egyptians  as  worshipping 
field  mice. 

3IichaeI)  the  name  of  the 
archangel.  Rev.  12:7.  Per- 
sons often  speak  of  "  angels  and 
archangels,"  but  the  latter  word 
is  never  in  Scripture  used  in  the 
plural. 

Micil'mash,  a  city  of  Benja- 
min, nine  miles  north-east  of 
Jerusalem.     1  Sam.  13  :  5. 

Jilidiail)  a  territory  on  the  east 
border  of  the  Dead  Sea,  so 
called  from  Midian,  the  fourth 
son  of  Abraham,  by  Keturah. 
The  Midianites  joined  withMoab 
in  seducing  Israel,  for  which 
their  kingdom  was  nearly  de- 
stroyed. They  gradually  grew 
to  strength  again,  and,  200 
years  afterward,  proved  a 
scourge  to  the  Israelites.  Hav- 
ing oppressed  Israel  seven 
years  in  the  days  of  Gideon,  the 
/^rd  delivered  them  into  the 
hands  of  a  few  Hebrews,  by 
Trhom  they  were  nearly  exter- 
minated, and  the  remainder  are 
supposed  to  have  beconae  incor- 
Dorated  w^th   the  Moabites    or 


Ammonites.     Ex.  3:1.      Jud 
6;   8. 

Migdol)  a  frontier  fortress  of 
the  Egyptians,  on  the  route  of 
the  children  of  Israel  in  their 
exodus.  It  is  the  same  ai 
Magdolum. 

MU'com.     See  Moloch. 

Slile*  The  Roman  mile,  men- 
tioned Matt.  5  :  41,  was  149 
yards  less  than  our  mile,  i.  e., 
1611  yards.  It  was  equal  to 
eight  Greek  stadia. 

Miletus,  or  MiLETUM,  a  sea- 
port of  Caria  in  Lesser  Asia,  and 
the  capital  of  both  Caria  and 
Ionia.  It  stood  about  thirty- 
six  miles' south-west  of  Ephesus, 
and  is  said  to  have  been  built 
by  Miletus,  the  son  of  the  god 
Apollo,  whose  temple  here  was 
exceedingly  magnificent,  and 
whose  oracle  continued  to  be 
consulted  as  late  as  the  fourth 
century.  Here  were  four  har 
bors  suflScient  to  hold  all  the 
Persian  fleet.  Here  Thales  and 
Anaximenes,  the  philosophers, 
and  Timotheus,  the  musician, 
were  born.  The  place  waa 
famed  for  its  milote,  or  milatey  a 
soft  kind  of  wool,  of  which  they 
made  fine  carpets.  Paul  eent 
for  and  gave  solemn  charges  to 
the  elders  of  that  church.  Acts 
20  :  15—38.  For  about  300 
years  after  Christ,  we  find  no 
trace  of  a  church  at  Miletus  • 
but  in  the  fifth,  sixth,  seventh, 
and  eighth  centuries  of  thd 
christian  era,  there  were  bishops 
in  this  place.  Since  the  Sara- 
cens ravaged  these  parts,  it  has 
80  gone  to  ruin  that  nothing  ii 


JMIN 


l(i4 


MIU 


to  fee  seen  but  rubbish,  and  a 
few  Cottages  for  shepherds.  The 
site  is  called  by  the  Turks 
Mdcuf. 

Slilk,  in  its  various  states, 
forms  aa  important  article  of 
food  in  some  countries.  In 
Western  Asia,  not  only  cows 
but  camels,  goats,  and  sheep, 
are  made  to  supply  this  food  for 
man,  Gen.  32  :  15  ;  Deut.  32  : 
14  ;  Prov.  27  :  27  ;  for  which 
purpose  it  is  first  allowed  gen- 
erally to  become  curd.  See 
Seethe. 

Millf     See  Grind. 

Millet)  a  very  common  grain 
in  Eastern  countries,  *but  far 
inferior  in  excellence  to  wheat. 
Its  name  is  derived  from  the 
Latin  mille,  a  thousand,  in  allu- 
sion to  its  extraordinary  fruit- 
fulness.  It  is  made  into  bread 
with  oil  or  butter,  and  is  almost 
the  only  food  of  the  poorer 
classes  in  Arabia  Felix.  The 
word  occurs  Ezek.  4  :  9,  only. 

Mincing,  doing  a  thing  affect- 
edly, as  eating,  walking,  &c. 
Isa.  3  :  16. 

Minister,  one  who  serves  an- 
other. It  is  applied  to  Christ, 
who  is  called  a  "  minister  of 
the  sanctuary,"  leing  now  en- 
tered into  heaven,  where  he  is 
our  prevalent  Intercessor  ;  —  to 
such  as  are  appointed  to  attend 
the  service  of  God  in  his  church, 
to  dispense  faithfully  and  wisely 
the  word  and  sacraments  ;  —  to 
officers  of  the  state  and  magis- 
trates, who  punish  the  trans- 
poefsra  of  the  law,  aud  defend 


the  good  ;  —  to  the  holy  angels, 
who  are  always  ready,  as  wil- 
ling servants,  to  execute  the 
commands  of  God. 

Minstrel,  a  professed  musicia  n, 
or  singer.  Elisha  had  one  to 
soothe  his  troubled  mind,  1 
Kings  3  :  15  ;  as  did  Ss'il,  1 
Sara.  16  :  23.  Some  of  theio 
were  employed  at  funenls  to 
superintend  the  rites  of  incor- 
ment.  They  sang  and  played 
funeral  odes,  and  mournful 
songs  ;  uttered  doleful  shriek? 
and  ejaculations,  and  excited 
the  sympathy  of  spectators  by 
exhibiting  the  most  vehement 
expressions  of  grief.  The  prac- 
tice was  very  ancient,  as  we 
learn  from  Jer.  9  :  17,  18. 
"  Call  for  the  mourning  women, 
that  they  may  come,  and  send' 
for  cunning  women,  that  they 
may  come  ;  and  let  them  make 
haste,  and  take  up  a  wailing 
for  us,  that  our  eyes  may  run 
down  with  tears,  and  our  eye- 
lids gush  out  with  waters." 
We  discover  the  practice  also  in 
the  time  of  our  Saviour  ;  for 
these  were  the  persons  who 
laughed  him  to  scorn,  when 
about  to  raise  the  ruler's  daugh- 
ter.    Matt.  9  :  23,  24. 

Miracle,  a  wonder  ;  an  effect 
above  any  human  skill,  per- 
formed in  proof  of  some  impor- 
tant truth.  The  divinity  of  our 
Saviour  was  proved  by  the  mir- 
acles he  performed.  They  were 
such  as  could  be  wrought  only 
by  the  power  of  God,  and  had 
for  their  object  to  confirm  a 
doc*,rine  becoming  the  gloHcof 


MIR 


165 


MIT 


attributes  of  God,  and  the  ac- 
complishment of  prophecies  con- 
cerning the  Messiah,  whose 
coming,  it  was  foretold,  should 
be  with  miraculous  power.  John 
3  :  2,  9,  16.  The  form  of  true 
religion  being  now  established 
in  the  world,  miracles  are  no 
longer  necessary.  The  power 
of  working  miracles  did  not  ter- 
minate abruptly  with  the  apos- 
tles, but  was  possessed  by  other 
early  disciples  for  a  generation 
or  two,  and  subsided  gradually. 
The  existence  and  prevalence 
of  Christianity,  amid  general 
opposition  and  persecution  in 
all  ages,  with  the  frequent  ful- 
filments of  prophecy  now  taking 
place,  are  sufficient  authentica- 
tions. Modern  popish  miracles 
are  a  sad  evidence  of  the  chica- 
nery and  corruption  of  Roman- 
ism. 

The  following  is  a  list  of 
Christ's  miracles,  as  usually 
given,  but  of  course  cannot 
embrace  the  whole,  as  "  many  " 
were  performed  which  are  not 
particularized.  They  are  gen- 
erally related  in  several  Gos- 
pels, but  there  is  room  only  to 
quote  one. 

Water  turned  into  wine,  .    .  John  2 
N'ibleinaii's  son  healed,    .    .  John  4. 
Passing  through  the  multi- 
tude  Luke  4. 

Draught  of  fishes,    ....  Liil<e  5. 

Demoniac  cured Mark  I. 

Peter's  wife's  mother,  .  .  .  Mat.  8. 
" Multitudes"  healed,  .  .  .  Mat.  8. 
Also  throughout  Galilee.  .    .  Mat.  4 

A  leper  healed Alat.  8. 

The  paralytic Mat.  9. 

The  Impotent  man,  ....  John  5. 
The  withered  hand,    .    .    .  Mat.  12. 

"  Many  "  healed Mat.  12. 

"A  great  multitude  ".  healed,  Luke  6. 
Centurion's  servant,  .  .  .Lukj7. 
Th&  vviduw'8  son  raised    .    .  Luke  7. 


Miracles  appealed  to,  .    ,    .  Luke* 

"  Many  "  healed, Mat.  9. 

The  tempest  stilled Mat.  8. 

Legion  of  devils  cast  out,  .    .  Mat.  8. 

The  issue  of  blood Mat.  9. 

The  daughter  of  Jairus,  .    .  Mat.  9. 

Two  blind  men, Mat.  9. 

A  dumb  demoniac,  ...  Mat.  9. 
Power  given  to  the  apostles,  Mat.  10 
"Many"  sick  healed,  .  .  .  Vlat.  14 
Five  thousand  led,  ....  Mat.  14 
He  walks  on  the  sea,  .  .  .  Mat.  14 
As  "  many  as  touched  "  heal- 
ed  Mat  14. 

Syrophenician  woman,  .  .  Mat.  15. 
Deaf  and  dumb  man,  .  .  .Mark?. 
*' Multitudes"  healed, .  .  .  Mat.  1,'^ 
Four  thousand  fed,  ....  Mark  8 
A  blind  man  cured, ....  Mark  8. 
The  transrtgnration,  .  .  .  Mark  9. 
Deaf  and  dumb  demoniac,  .  Luke  9. 
A  Hsli  brings  money,  .  .  .  Mat.  17. 
The  man  blind  from  birth,  .  John  9. 
Infii-m  woman  restored,   .    .  Luke  1.1 

The  dropsy  healed Luke  14. 

Ten  lepers  cleansed,    .    .    .  Lake  17. 

Lazarus  raised John  II. 

Blind  Bartimeus Mat.  20. 

"Many"  blind  and  lame,  .  Mat.  21. 
The  barren  tig-tree,  ....  Mat.  21. 
The  ear  of  Malchus,  .  .  .  Luke  22. 
Draught  of  tishes,    ....  John  21. 

Mirror.  The  oldest  mirrors 
were  made  of  metal.  It  waa 
from  such,  contributed  by  the 
women,  that  the  brazen  laver 
was  made.  Ex.  38  :  8.  The 
word  in  that  passage  is  improp- 
erly translated  "  looking-glass- 
es." The  art  of  making  glass 
was  then  unknown.  See  Glass 
On  the  discovery  of  America, 
the  Mexicans  were  found  ro 
possess  mirrors  made  of  black 
vitrified  lava,  highly  polished. 
The  North  Americans  were 
found  with  mirrors  .  f  copj'er 
and  silver. 

Mish'na.     See  Tradition 

Mite,  the  smallest  Jewish 
ooin^  equal  to  about  one  sixth 
of  our  cent.     Luke  12  :  59. 

Mitre,  a  head-dress  worn  by 
the  Jewish  high  priest,  ind  by 
papal  bishops  and  abbots,  op 
special   occasions.     The   top   \» 


MO  A 


ICG 


MOL 


deft  in  tne  middle,  and  rises  in 
two  points.     Ex.  28  :  4. 

Mityle'ue)  the  capital  of  Les- 
bos, an  island  of  the  Grecian 
Archipelago,  was  a  large  and 
beautiful  eity.  It  was  famous 
as  the  birth-place  of  Alcceus, 
the  poet,  kJappho,  the  poetess, 
Theophanes,  the  historian,  Pit- 
taais,  the  philosopher,  and  Bi- 
ophanen,  the  orator.  On  the 
same  island  we';e  born  Theophras- 
tus,  the  sage,  and  Potamon,  the 
rhetorician.  It  is  now  called 
Castro,  and  sometimes  Metiliji. 
Acts  20  :  14. 

Mixture,  a  compound.  God's 
wrath  being  poured  out  without 
mixture,  means  it  should  be  most 
severe  and  unmitigated.  Rev. 
14  :  10. 

Miz'pah,  literally  a  pillar  ;  a 
yity  eighteen  miles  northward 
of  Jerusalem.  Jud.  20  :  1.  1 
Sam.  7  :  5,  6. 

Moab.  (1.)  The  son  of  Lot, 
was  born  about  the  same  time 
as  Isaac,  in  A.  M.  2108 
(2.)  The  Und  called  by 
his  name,  eastward  and 
southward  of  the  Dead 
Sea,  and  about  the  river 
Arnon.  This  country  has 
been  lately  explored, 
and  is  covered  with  evi- 
dences of  former  great- 
ness. A  multitude  of 
ruins  and  sites  are 
found,  where  there  have 
been  vast  cities  ;  the  plains, 
though  now  deserted,  are  of  the 
richest  soil  ;  and  there  are  re- 
uai'.s  of  highways  completely 


paved,  with  milestones,  on  wble4 
the  distances  can  still  be  read 

It  should  be  remembered  tha< 
it  was  in  its  highest  state  o» 
prosperity  that  the  prophets 
j  foretold  that  it  should  be  Btterly 
!  desolate.  Not  one  of  its  indent 
cities  is  now  tenanted  by  man  ! 
Jer.  48  :  2—39.  Amos  2  :  2. 
Zeph.  2:9.  The  present  name 
of  this  country  is  El-Rabba. 

Molftt  In  that  passage,  Isa. 
2  :  20,  where  it  is  prophesied 
that  idols  shall  be  cast  to  the 
moles  and  the  bats,  it  seema 
probable  that  the  two  words 
should  be  read  as  one,  which  i? 
the  case  in  three  of  Dr.  Kenni- 
cott's  manuscripts.  The  word 
thus  joined  means  a  ca-ne,  or  sub- 
terranean vault.  Many  caves  in 
Burmah  have  been  made  recep- 
tacles for  idols,  till  they  have 
multiplied  to  ship-loads.  See 
an  account  of  one  of  these  in 
my  "  Travels  in  South-eastern 
Asia." 


In  Lev.  11  ;  30,  There  the 
word  mole  occurs,  the  chamtleon 
is  meant,  as  Bochart  and  others 
have  fully  shown    It  is  a  species 


M  0  X 


icy 


M0?5 


Df  lizaid,  whose  shape  may  be 
aufficieutly  learned  by  the  pre- 
ceding cut. 

Moloch,  an  idol  of  the  Am- 
monites ;  called  also  Ashtoreth, 
and  Malcom,  or  Milcom.  Solo- 
mon built  a  temple  to  this  deity, 
End  the  Israelites  seemed  more 


easily  to  slide  into  the  idolatry 
of  this  god  than  any  other. 
Lev.  18  :  21.  1  Kings  11.  See 
Ashtoreth  and  Baal. 

Money,  in  ancient  times,  was 
dealt  out  by  weight,  and  still  is 
in  Turkey,  Syria,  Egypt,  China, 
Burmah,  &c,  ;  coins  themselves 
being  generally  weighed  by  the 
merchant.  Gen.  23  :  9 — 16.  Job 
G  :  2.  Zech.  11  :  12.  The  Per- 
sians began  to  use  coined  money 
about  the  time  of  Darius  Hys- 
tacpes.  The  Greeks  had  no 
coin  before  the  days  of  Alexan- 
der ;  nor  the  Egyptians,  before 
the  Ptolemies;  nor  the  Hebrews, 
till  the  government  of  Judas 
Maccabeus,  to  whom  Antiochus 
Sidetes,  king  of  Syria,  granted 
the  privilege  of  coining  his  own 
money     in    Judea       The    coin 


commonly  called  '  a  piece  it 
money"  was  probably  a  shehl^ 
or  the  Greek  stater,  which  was 
of  the  value  of  fifty  cents. 
Matt.  17  :  27.  A  pound  vraa 
about  equal  to  sixty  shekels 
A  penny  was  one  fourth  of  a 
stater  or  shekel,  equal  to  twelve 
cents  of  our  money.  A  farthing 
was  the  fortieth  part  of  a  pen- 
ny, or  about  the  third  of  our 
cent.  Matt*.  5:  26.  A  miYe  was 
half  a  farthing.  Mark  12  :  42. 
It  is  thought  there  was  also  a 
farthing  equal  to  one  tenth  of  a 
Roman  penny.  Instead  of  in- 
serting uncertain  tables  of  coins, 
the  best  practicable  elucidation 
of  such  as  are  mentioned  in  the 
Bible  is  given  under  each  word 
of  the  kind  as  it  occurs. 

Money  Changers    were   such 

as,  for  profit,  exchanged  foreign 
coins,  or  gave  smaller  pieces  of 
money  for  larger,  or  larger  for 
smaller,  to  accommodate  sueb 
as  came  to  worship  at  Jerusalem. 
As  all  Jews  were  obliged  to 
contribute  for  the  support  of 
the  temple,  and  to  pay  in  Jew- 
ish money,  their  traffic  was 
profitable.  Neh.  10  :  32.  They 
seem  not  to  have  been  strictly 
just  in  their  dealings,  and  the 
place  they  chose  for  their  busi- 
ness was  improper.  Jesus  twice 
drove  them  from  the  temple. 
John  2  :  14,  15.  Matt.  21  ,  12, 
Month,  a  space  of  time,  which, 
if  measured  by  the  moin  (whence 
its  name),  is  called  lunar  ;  and 
if  by  the  sun,  is  called  solars. 
See  Year.  When  we  speak  of 
Jewish  months  as  covrespcmdinj^ 


MOB 


168 


MOT 


go  ours,  some  allowance  must 
be  made  ;  for  theirs  were  lunar, 
and  ours  are  solar,  which  are 
not  exactly  alike.  The  Hebrew 
laouths  commonly  answer  to  two 
of  our  months,  and  take  part 
of  both.  In  the  following  table 
the  months  are  numbered  as 
they  stood  both  in  the  civil  and 
^acred  years  :  — 


•5    i 

1.  7.  Tizrl,        or        September. 

2.  8.  Marchesvan,       October. 

3.  9.  Chisleu,  November. 

4.  10.  Tebet,  December. 

5.  11.  Shebat,  January. 

6.  12.  Adar,  February. 

7.  1.  Abib,  or  Nisan,   March. 

8.  2.  Jair,  or  Zif,  April. 

9.  3.  Sivan,  May. 

10.  4.  Thammus,  June. 

11.  5.  Ab,  July 

12.  6.  Elul,  August. 

Dloon,  a  secondary  planet, 
always  attendant  on  our  earth. 
The  moon  was  formed  to  give 
light  in  and  rule  the  night,  and 
to  distinguish  times  and  seasons. 
Gren.  1  :  14.  She  seems  to  have 
a  mighty  influence  on  the  ebb- 
ing and  flowing  of  the  sea  ;  and 
was  the  great  regulator  of  the 
Jewish  feasts.  The  heathens 
have  generally  worshipped  the 
moon,  under  the  names  of  Queen 
of  heaven,  Venus,  Urania,  Suc- 
coth-bejioth,  Ashtaroth,  Diana, 
Hecate,  or  perhaps  Meni,  &o. 
Job  31  :  26,  27.  Deut.  4  :  19  ; 
17:3.  The  Orientals  regulate 
their  j.)urneys  by  the  moon,  and 
set  off  soon  after  her  change. 

Moi'decai,  the  son  of  Jair, 
grandson  of  Kish,  and  descend- 
ant of  the  family  of  Saul,  was 
carried  to  Babylon  with  Jehoia- 
•hin,  king  of  Judah,  when  he 


was  very  yoang.  He  rose  to  a 
seat  at  the  king's  gate  ;  that  is. 
to  be  one  of  the  great  men  of 
the  kingdom.    Kuth  4  :  1.    Est. 

2  :  19,  and  5  :  9. 

Moriail,  a  hill  adjacent  to 
Jerusalem,  on  the  north-east 
Here  Abraham  offered  his  son. 
Gen.  22.  When  Solomon  built 
the  temple  on  it,  it  became  in- 
cluded   in    the    city.     2  Chron. 

3  :  1. 

Mortar.  (1.)  Cement  used 
in  building.  Gen.  11  :  3.  (2.) 
A  strong  vessel,  in  which  grain 
is  beaten  or  brayed.  The  prov- 
erb of  "  braying  a  fool  in  a 
mortar "  may  be  understood 
from  a  passage  in  Knolles'  his- 
tory of  the  Turks.  Speaking 
of  some  criminals,  he  says, 
"  Some  were  impaled,  and  some 
were  pounded  or  beaten  to  pieces^ 
in  great  mortars  of  iron,  wherein 
they  usually  pound  their  rice." 
Prov.  27  :  22. 

MotC)  a  speck,  or  splinter  ; 
any  very  small  thing  A  per- 
son greatly  under  the  dominion 
of  any  particular  sin,  reproving 
another  who  is  less  so,  is  com- 
pared by  our  Saviour  to  a  man's 
attempting  to  pull  a  mote  out 
of  his  friend's  eye,  while  a  beam 
is  in  his  own.     Matt.  7     3. 

Moth,  a  very  small,  frail  ir.- 
sect,  found  most  frequently  :e 
garments  which  lie  long  unused. 
Insects  which  fly  are  divided 
by  naturalists  into  diurnal  and 
nocturnal,  or  butterflies  and 
moths.  By  far  the  grea'.est 
number  belong  to  the  lattei 
class,  of  which  some  idea  ma^ 


MOT 


169 


MOU 


be  guincd  from  the  variety  which 
assemble  round  a  light  in  sum- 
mer. The  kiud  which  produces 
the  injury  to  woollens  is  the  tinea 
ifgenter,  a  small  white  miller, 
sten  in  the  spring,  flying  about 
in  book  or  fur  stores,  &g.  It 
lays  its  eggs  where  the  worm, 
which  is  of  a  shining  silvery 
oolor,  may,  when  hatched,  find 
food  till  changed  into  a  winged 
insc?t,  like  the  parent.  The 
allusions  to  this  creature  in  sa- 
cred Scripture  are  important, 
though  not  numerous.  It  is 
said,  Job  4  :  19,  that  man  is 
"crushed  before  the  moth  ;" 
that  is,  he  is  overcome  by  the 
smallest  enemies,  and  secretly 
and  imperceptibly  wastes  away, 
as  doth  a  garment.  Isa.  50  :  9. 
When  the  Lord  meant  to  destroy 
Ephraim,  but  not  suddenly,  he 
says,  "  I  will  be  as  a  moth  unto 
Ephraim."  The  moth  forms  her 
cell  in  the  cloth,  and  is,  there- 
fore, destroying  her  abode 
gradually,  till  at  last  both  are 
reduced  to  nothing  Such  is 
the  prosperity  of  a 
wicked  man  ;  "  he 
buildeth  his  house 
as  a  moth."  He 
lives  only  to  adjust 
his  nest,  and  revel 
in  his  plenty  ;  but 
both  he  and  his  shall 
be  destroyed.  Job 
22  :  18. 
Mother,    the    fe- 

r.ale  parent.  Being 

•  without    father  and 
with)ut     mother,'^     Heb.    7  :    3, 
means  that  the  parents  of  Mel- 
1^ 


chisedek  are  not  entered  Ih  tti« 
genealogies  which  the  Jews  so 
sedulously  kept. 

The  law  of  Moses  required 
no  less  reverence  for  the  mothei 
than  for  the  father  ;  and  thua 
shone  out  in  beautiful  superior*- 
ity  of  other  Eastern  systems,  in 
which  woman  stands  aegraded. 
Xo  book  in  the  world  containa 
so  many  portraits  of  lovely 
women  as  the  Bible. 

MonntaiDt  Judea  may  be 
called  a  mountainous  country. 
The  principal  mountains  men- 
tioned in  Scripture  are  Seir, 
Iloreb,  Sinai,  Hor,  Gilboa,  Xebo, 
Tabor,  Engedi,  Lebanon,  Ebal, 
Amalek,  Gerizim,  Gilead,  Mo- 
riah,  Paran,  Gahash,  Olivet, 
Pisgah,  Hermon,  and  Carmel. 
These  contain  several  metals  of 
great  value,  but  the  Jews  seem 
never  to  have  understood  min- 
ing. 

Monming  is  expressei  with 
great  vehemence  in  Oiiental 
countries.  The  Jews,  from  their 
earliest     period,    made     great 


lamentations  for  the  dead.   Uen 
50  :  7 — 14.     Tearing  the  hail 


MOU 


170 


MUL 


renolng  the  clothes  (which  was 
prohibited  to  the  high  priest), 
and  uttering  piercing  cries, 
going  barefoot,  and  striking 
the  breast,  wearing  sackcloth, 
sprinkling  dust  on  the  head,  and 
fasting,  were  common  modes  of 
expressing  grief.  The  picture 
is  from  an  Egyptian  painting., 
and  expresses  frantic  sorrow. 
Some  of  the  figures  seem  to  in- 
dicate the  putting  of  ashes  on 
the  head.  It  seems  to  have 
been  customary  among  them  to 
hire  mourners,  who  superintend- 
ed the  lamentations,  and  who, 
in  funeral  odes,  melancholy 
songs,  and  dolorous  ejaculations, 
deplored  the  sorrows  of  the 
bereft,  celebrated  the  virtues  of 
the  deceased,  and  excited  the 
sympathy  of  spectators.  Jer. 
9  :  17,  18.  Amos  5  :  16.  Matt. 
9  :  23.  It  would  seem  that  a 
collection  of  such  odes,  or  pane- 
gyrics, made  for  great  men,  was 
preserved  among  the  state  ar- 
chives. 2  Chr.  35  :  25.  See 
those  which  David  composed  for 
Saul  and  Jonathan,  Abner  and 
Absalom.  That  of  Jeremiah, 
referred  to  in  the  passage  just 
quoted,  is  not  now  extant.     See 

MiXSTREL. 

Mouje)  a  very  small  quadru- 
ped, but  very  injurious.  Some 
are  peculiar  to  fields  and  gar- 
dens, never  approaching  houses ; 
an'  some  live  in  houses  only. 
In  Eastern  countries,  the  field 
mouse  sometimes  ravages  whole 
fields,  and  even  districts,  which 
was  oae  of  the  plagues  endured 
b.i  tlie  Philistines  for  detaining 


tne  ark  of  God,  and  the  leasoo 
why  jive  golden  mice  were  sent 
back  with  it.  1  Sam.  6  :  4,  3 
In  the  twelfth  century,  Pales- 
tine was,  for  four  successive 
years,  so  overrun  with  mice  as 
to  cause  a  famine.  Some  emi- 
nent authors  consider  that  our 
common  mouse  is  not  mentioned 
in  Scripture,  and  that  the  word 
so  rendered,  1  Sam.  G  :  5,  Isa. 
C6  :  17,  means  the  jn-hoa,  or 
mountain  rat,  of  Arabia,  Pales- 
tine, &c.  Mice  are  amazingly 
prolific  ;  and,  were  not  the 
increase  kept  down  by  their 
being  the  chosen  fjod  of  owls, 
hawks,  snakes,  weasels,  cats, 
(fee,  they  would  prove  a  con- 
tinual scourge.     See  C-^sey. 

Mafflers,  masks  or  thick  veils, 
worn  by  women,  concealing  al 
the  face  except  the  eyes.  Isa 
3  :  19. 

Mttlberry.  Whether  this  is 
the  tree  denoted  by  the  original 
term,  is  doubtful,  and  cannot 
be  settled.  The  word  is  baca, 
and  is  so  given  in  Ps.  84  :  7. 
A  plant  is  still  common  in  Ara- 
bia called  baca  by  the  natives. 

MalC)  an  animal  of  mixed 
breed,  between  a  horse  and  an 
ass.  We  know  of  the  existence 
of  mules  so  long  ago  as  the  time 
of  Homer  ;  and  though  the 
Jews  were  forbidden  to  have  any 
mixed  race  of  animab,  yet  they 
were  employed  in  the  Holy 
Land  long  before  the  time  of 
David.  It  is  remarkably  srre- 
footed  patient,  hardy,  obsti- 
nate, swift,  and  strong  ;  and 
lives    to    twice    the   age   of   a 


MUS 


171 


MUS 


horse.  They  are  little  used  in 
New  England,  but  are  very 
common  in  the  Southern  States. 
Btill  more  use  is  made  of  them 
In  South  America,  France,  Spain, 
and  especially  in  mountainous 
regions,  as  the  Alps,  Pyrenees, 

JIODitiim,  a  fort  ;  a  secure 
place.  Isa.  33  :  16.  The  word 
<s  now  chiefly  used  for  materials 
for  war. 

MarraiQ^  a  disease  which 
Bmote  the  cattle  of  the  Egyp- 
tians, and  is  rapid  and  destruc- 
tive in  its  progress.  As,  in 
Europe,  epidemic  distempers  in 
catt>  have  been  known  to  ad- 
vance over  a  country  at  the  rate 
of  a  certain  number  of  miles 
in  a  day, they  have  been  sup- 
posed to  be  caused  by  flying  in- 
jects. 

Music  is  of  very  ancient  ori- 
gin. Tubal,  a  descendant  of 
Cain,  long  before  the  flood, 
taught  men  to  play  on  the  harp 
and  organ.  Laban  complained 
that  Jacob  deprived  him  of  an 
opportunity  of  sending  ofif  his 
daughters  with  music.  Gen.  4  : 
"21  ;  31  :  27.  The  ancient  He- 
Drews  had  a  knowledge  of  mu- 
lifi  •  when  they  had  passed 
the  Red  Sea,  both  men  and 
iromeu  sung  their  respective 
hymns  to  the  praise  of  their 
ulraculous  Deliverer.  Ex.  15» 
Silver  trumpets  were  divinely 
ndered  to  be  made  for  sounding 
ffer  their  sacrifices,  especially 
<A  solemn  feasts.  Numb.  10. 
^fivid  was  an  excellent  musi- 
uin   and  bad  plenty  of  singing 


men  and  singing  women  in  his 
court.  1  Sam.  16.  Solon  on  had 
them,  perhaps,  in  far  greater 
number.  Eccl.  2:8.  In  the 
time  of  Jeroboam,  the  son  of 
Joash,  the  Israelites  valnea 
themselves  upon  inventing  new 
musical  instruments.  Amos  6  : 
5.  At  his  idolatrous  festival, 
Nebuchadnezzar  had  a  large 
concert  of  music  ;  and  musio 
was  the  ordinary  recreation  of 
the 'Median  king.  Dan.  3  :  5, 
15.  David  composed  a  variety 
of  Psalms,  and  caused  his  skil- 
ful players  to  set  them  to  music, 
as  appears  by  their  inscriptionn 
to  Jeduthun,  Asaph,  &g.,  the 
sons  of  Korah.  1  Chr.  15  :  16. 
As  the  Levites  were  eased  of  a 
great  part  of  their  charge,  by 
the  tabernacle  and  ark  being 
fixed  in  a  place,  David  bad 
great  numbers  of  them  devote 
themselves  to  music,  and  dis- 
tributed 4000  sacred  singers 
into  twenty-four  classes,  who 
should  serve  at  the  temple  ic 
their  turns.  The  three  chief 
musicians  were  Asaph,  Heman, 
and  Jeduthun.  The  four  son? 
of  Asaph,  six  of  Jeduthun,  and 
fourteen  of  Heman,  constituted 
the  chiefs  of  these  twenty-four 
classes.  Their  negiinoth,  or 
stringed  instruments,  were  the 
psaltery  and  harp,  to  which  may, 
perhaps,  be  added  the  shemineth, 
shushan,  or  shushaniin,  and  the 
alamoth,  the  dutcimer,  and  sack- 
hut  ;  and  the  nehiloth,  or  wind* 
instruments,  were  the  organ, 
corned,  flutes  pipe,  and  trumpet 
They  had  also  ttjntrels,  cymbals 


M  Y  Pv 


172 


MYS 


and  bells.  But,  as  to  many  of 
these  instruments,  our  best  in- 
formation affords  ixs  no  certain 
knowledge  of  th'jir  particular 
forms.     See  Harp.     "" 

Mustard,  a  plant,  the  seed  of 
which  is  very  small,  but  which, 
in  some  la*'tudes,  becomes  ar- 
boreous, and  acquires  a  great 
size,  so  as  to  be  truly  the 
"  greatest  among  herbs."  Men- 
tion is  male  in  the  Talmud  of 
enormous  mustard  plants,  into 
one  of  which  the  owner  climbed, 
as  into  a  fig-tree  ;  and  another 
was  so  large  as  to  cover  a  tent. 
That  mentioned  in  Matt.  13 :  31, 
is  called  by  Linnaeus  sin.ipi  euro- 
coides.  Its  branches  are  real 
wood. 

Myrrh,  a  gum  issuing  i"rom  a 
tree  of  the  same  name,  common 
in  Arabia,  Egypt,  and  Abys- 
sinia. Sometimes  it  issues  spon- 
taneously, but  is  chiefly  obtained 
by  means  of  incisions  which  are 
made  twice  a  year,  the  gum 
being  received  on  mats  spread 
below.  It  comes  to  Europe  in 
loose  grains,  somewhat  like 
gum-arabic.  The  ancients  used 
it  as  a  perfume,  and  for  embalm- 
ing the  dead.  It  is  very  bitter, 
whence  it  is  called  gall ;  and, 
being  supposed  to  have  the 
property,  like  opium,  of  miti- 
gating the  sense  of  pain,  it  was 
anciently  administered  to  crimi- 
nals to  alleviate  their  anguish. 
Hence  some  one  benevolently 
offered  it  to  Christ  ;  but  he  de- 
elined  suoh  relief.  Mark  15 :  23. 

Myrtle,  a  beautiful  plant, 
yerv  oommon  in  \he  East,  where 


it  attains  the  size  of  a  tice.  It 
flourishes  in  all  warm  countries, 
and  is  everywhere  admired  and 
valued.  In  some  places  its 
berries  are  used  as  spice.  In 
Greece  and  Italy  its  leaves  are 
often  used  for  tanning.  The 
blossoms  are  perfectly  white, 
and  intensely  fragrant.  In  this 
uncongenial  climate,  its  size  is 
very  diminutive  ;  but  in  tho 
Levant,  it  attains  the  height  of 
eight  or  ten  feet.  The  church 
is  compared  to  the  myrtle.  Isa. 
55  :  13. 

Mys'ia,  the  north-western 
province  of  Asia  Minor,  on  the 
^gean  Sea.  Acts  16  :  7,  8. 
Cicero,  in  his  Orations,  calls  the 
people  a  despicable  race.  It  is 
the  place  called  in  classic 
writers  ./Eolis. 

Hystery,  a  secret  ;  something 
which,  at  present,  we  do  not 
fully  understand.  Thus  the 
doctrines  of  a  Trinity,  the  In- 
carnation, the  Union  which  ex- 
ists between  Christ  and  his 
people,  &c.,  are  mysteries.  Many 
things  which  were  mysteries 
anciently  are  made  known  by 
Christ  and  his  apostles  ;  and 
many  things  in  the  Bible  which 
are  mysteries  to  the  irreligious, 
or  to  feeble  christians,  are  un- 
derstood by  such  as  are  emi- 
nently good  and  studious.  A 
mystery,  therefore,  in  Scripture, 
does  not  mean  what  cannot  be, 
but  what  is  not  understood. 
Pagan  worship  has  its  "  mys. 
teries  of  iniquity;^*  shaiuefuJ 
crimes  committed  ly  thisi  nh« 
were  fully  ipitiated. 


.N  A  K 


17;^ 


NAT 


N. 


Kftliaia,  the  seventh  of  the 
ninor  propht  t?,  a  native  of 
Jalilee,  is  thought  to  have  lived 
at  the  time  Sennacherib  invaded 
Judah,  after  the  ten  tribes  had 
ceased  to  be  a  nation. 

The  Bo„k  of  Nahum  is  a 
poem  ;  and  is  tlioii^ht  by  critics 
to  be  one  of  tlie  most  finished 
and  sublime  extant  in  any  lan- 
guage. It  foretells  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Assyrian  empire, 
then  in  all  its  glory  ;  and  par- 
ticularly the  ruin  of  Nineveh, 
which,  after  repeating  at  the 
preaching  of  Jonah,  relapsed 
into  aggravated  wickedness. 
He  also  foretells  the  deliverance 
of  Hezekiah,  and  the  death  of 
Sennacherib. 

Nail,  a  term  by  which  two 
different  Hebrew  words  are  ren- 
dered in  our  translation  ;  one 
of  which  {yathed)  seems  to  mean 
a  common  nail  or  tent  pin,  Isa. 
22  :  23,  and  the  other  (mismer) 
an  ornamental  or  large-headed 
nail.  1  Chr.  22  :  3.  Chardin 
says,  that,  in  the  East,  nails  are 
not  driven  into  walls  with  a 
hammer  ;  stone  and  mortar 
being  too  hard,  and  the  clay  of 
common  houses  too  friable  ;  but 
they  are  fixed  in  the  wall  when 
buili, /which  explains  Isa.  22  : 
23. 

Naked,  uncovered,  exposed. 
Gen.  2  :  25.  This  word  is  often 
used,  in  a  modified  sense,  to 
describe  a  person  only  partly 
clothed  Mic.  1  :  8.  John 
11  :  7.  All  Orientals  wear  a 
15* 


mere  cloth  round  their  hips 
when  at  labor,  and  are  theE 
called  "  naked."  It  is  from  not 
knowing  this  that  some  have 
supposed  that  persons  wei'  for- 
merly baptized  in  a  state  of 
literal  nakedness;  whereas  they 
only  laid  aside  the  loose  outer 
garment.  The  word  is  used  figur- 
!  atively,  in  various  senses.  Job 
26  :  6,  &G. 

Name,  when  applied  to  God, 
often  means  his  nature  and  at- 
tributes, that  is,  God  himself. 
Ps.  20  :  1.  Prov.  18  :  10.  T( 
take  God's  name  in  vain,  is  t' 
take  a  false  oath,  or  to  mingle 
his  name  uselessly  in  our  dis- 
course.    Ex.  20  :  7. 

Na'onii  and  her  husband  Elim- 
elech  retired  to  the  land  of 
Moab,  because  of  a  famine  in 
Canaan  ;  where  their  two  sons, 
Mahlon  and  Chilion,  married 
Orpah  and  Ruth.  After  about 
ten  years,  Elimelech  and  hia 
I  sons  died  without  leaving  any 
.  children.  The  return  of  Naomi 
to  her  country,  and  her  subse- 
quent history,  are  narrated  with 
great  beauty  and  instructive- 
ness  in  the  book  of  Ruth. 

Nardt     See  Spikk.vabd. 

Nathaniei.  See  Bartholo- 
mew. 

Nature.  (1.)  The  natural  or- 
der of  things  established  in  the 
world.  (2.)  The  actual  state 
of  anything,  or  that  which 
makes  it  what  it  is.  (3.)  Thai 
principle  (f  reason,  or  natural 
light  in  i)  e  mind  of  man,  which 


NAZ 


174 


N  EI$ 


Is  capable  of  great  improvement, 
out  r*;uire5  the  grace  of  God 
to  dir«'"t  it  to  its  proper  end. 
Rom.  2  :  14.     1  Cor.  11  :  14. 

Nazareth,  a  small  city  of 
Galilee,  about  seA'enty-five  miles 
north  of  Jerusalem,  situated  on 
the  side  of  a  hill,  and  overlook- 
ing a  superb  and  spacious  val- 
ley formed  by  surrounding 
iBountains.  It  was  over  a  prec- 
ipice on  this  side  (described  by 
vTowett  as  fifty  feet  high),  that 
the  people  sought  to  throw  our 
Saviour.  It  was  noted  for  wick- 
edness. Mark  1  :  9.  John  1  : 
46.  Here  our  Saviour  labored 
most  of  the  thirty  years  of  his 
private  life  ;  but  their  contempt 
of  his  ministry,  and  attempt  to 
murder  him,  occasioned  his  re- 
siding there  but  little  after- 
wards, and  working  but  few 
miracles  among  them.  Luke 
4  :  16—29.  It  has  continued  to 
this  day  to  be  a  place  of  some 
note,  and  contained  at  the  time 
of  Mr.  Jowett's  researches, 
about  3000  souls.  Among  the 
population  are  Greeks,  Catho 
lies,  Greek  Catholics,  and  Ma- 
ronites.  The  precipice  over 
which  the  people  attempted  to 
throw  our  Saviour  is  still  con- 
Bpicuous.     Luke  4  :  29. 

Nazarite,  or  Nazarene,  a 
Jew  who  made  a  vow  to  observe 
uncommon  devotion,  either  for 
a  given  period  or  for  life. 
Numb.  6. 

Jesus  Chrir'  was  in  fact  what 
these  were  in  profession,  amse- 
cvati'd  to  God,  and  hence  i=  called 
»  Nazaro  .e.    That  Christ  ;hr)uld 


be  thus  consecrated,  is  declared 
by  various  prophets,  though  he 
is  not  mentioned  in  the  Olu 
Testament  under  that  expresa 
title.     Matt.  2  :  23. 

Jfeap'oHs,  a  seaport  in  Mace- 
donia, Acts  16  :  11,  the  game 
which  is  now  called  Napoli.  See 
Shechem. 

NebO,  a  city  eight  miles  south 
of  Heshbon.  Numb.  32  :  38. 
Isa.  15  :  2.  It  is  now  callec 
Abarim, 

Kcho,  a  mountain  where  ]\r> 
ses  died,  stood  in  the  lot  of 
Reuben.     Deut.  34  :  1. 

NVbo,  an  idol,  thought  by 
some  to  be  the  same  as  Dagon. 
Isa.  46  :  1.  As,  however,  this 
name  is  found  in  the  composition 
of  many  Chaldee  words,  such 
as  Nebuchadnezzar,  Nabonassar^ 
Nabopolassar,  &c.,  it  was  prob 
ably  a  different  god.  See  Bel- 
Nebuchadnezzar,    Nebuchad 

rezzar,  or  Nabopolassar,  the  most 
famed  king  of  Babylon.  His 
father,  Nabopolassar,  having 
raised  an  immense  army  ta 
quell  a  revolt  of  the  Syrians, 
Phoenicians,  &c.,  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  its  command,  and 
with  it  not  only  subdued  those 
provinces,  but  overran  Canaan, 
Moab,  Ammon,  Assyria,  Egypt, 
Ac,  and  made  them  tributary. 
He  carried  to  Babylon,  among 
other  princes  of  Judah,  Daniel, 
Hananiah.  Mishael,  and  Azari 
ah  ;  whom  he  called  BeUeshaZ' 
zar,  Shadrach,  Meshachf  and 
Abednego.  These,  and  other 
young  captives,  he  iiused  to  h0 


NEG 


i: 


NEI/ 


trained  up  iv  all  the  learning  I 
of  the  Cha?  leans,  ;hat  they 
might  serve  in  the  court.  2 
Kings  24.  Dan.  1.  He  twice 
afterward  invaded  and  cnastised 
Judea,  and  carried  away  into 
captivity  many  Jews,  among 
»vhom  was  Ezekiel  the  prophet. 
2  Chr.  36.  Ez.  25,  35.  Jehoia- 
ciiim  and  Jehoiachiu  were  kings 
of  Judea  during  these  troubles. 

About  A.  jr.  3399,  his  father 
died,  arid  he  became  king  of 
Babylon.  In  the  second  year 
of  his  reign,  he  had  a  surpris- 
ing dream,  but  entirely  forgot 
i»;.  All  the  diviners  being  ap- 
plied to  in  vain,  Daniel  declared 
to  him  both  the  dream  and  the 
interpretation.  He  was  so  aston- 
ished, and  yet  so  convinced  of 
the  truth,  that  he  fell  on  his 
face  beforfe  Daniel,  and  acknowl- 
edged his  God  to  be  the  God  of 
gods  and  Lord  of  kings.  He 
made  Daniel  chief  of  the  wise 
men,  and  governor  of  the  prov- 
ince of  Babylon  ;  and  made 
Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed- 
nego,  subordinate  governors  in 
the  same  place.     Dan.  2. 

Towards  the  close  of  his  life 
he  fell  into  that  species  of  hypo- 
chondriacal monomania,  which 
leads  the  patient  to  believe  that 
he  is  some  animal  or  utensil, 
and  act  accordingly.  During 
this  period  (about  seven  years), 
be  thought  himself  an  ox,  and 
dwelt  in  the  fields.  He  recov- 
ered, but  we  have  no  account  of 
his  subsequent  life. 

Ne'chOj  a  famous  king  of 
Egypt,  meotionea  not   only  in 


Scripture,  but  by  Herodotus, 
who  lived  aboat  GOO  years  b.  c. 
He  conquered  J  jdea  in  the  daya 
of  Josiah. 

Nec'romancer,  a  conjurer  ; 
one  who  pretended  to  reveal 
secrets  by  intercourse  with  the 
deal.     Deut.  18  :  11. 

jVeg'iuoth,  stringed  instru- 
ments. This  title  to  some  of 
the  psalms  implies  a  sort  of 
direction  'to  the  chief  performei 
on  instruments. 

IVeheiniah  was,  perhaps,  of 
the  royal  family  of  David.  Hia 
being  cup-bearer  to  Artaxerxes 
Longimanus,  and  his  succeeding 
Zerubbabel  in  the  government 
of^he  .Jews,  tend  to  confirm 
this  opinion.  Furnished  with 
royal  letters  of  authority,  he 
went  to  Jerusalem,  and  spent 
twelve  years  in  laboring  for  its 
-cstoration.  He  afterwards  re- 
turned to  the  Holy  City,  and 
died  there.  Nehemiah  was  not 
a  prophet,  but  a  historian  ;  and 
his  narrative  begins  about 
twelve  years  after  that  of  Ezra 
closes. 

In  his  days  flourished  tha 
prophet  Malachi  ;  Herodotus 
and  Thucydides,  the  two  most 
ancient  profane  historians  whose 
works  are  extant  ;  and  Plato 
the  philosopher. 

The  Book  of  Nehemiah  waa 
written  by  him  whose  name  ii 
bears,  and  describes  his  admin- 
istration through  a  space  ot 
thirty-six  years  ;  and  with  it 
the  historical  part  of  the  Old 
Testaiuint  is  closed. 

Xe'hMotli,    a    ^ord  found  a> 


NET 


17C 


NEW 


the  beginning  of  Ps.  5,  which 
means  wind-instruments,  and 
impli'js  that  it  is  addressed  to 
the  superintendent  of  the  per- 
formers on  flutes  in  the  sanc- 
tuary. 

A'ehash'tau,  "brass  ;"  a  con- 
temptuous name  given  by  good 
lle^ekiah  to  the  brazen  serpent 
When  it  became  an  object  of 
idolatrous  worship,  he  caused  it 
to  be  destroyed,  and  called  it 
Nthushtan,  that  is,  a  little  brans 
serpen.'..     2  Kings  18  :  4. 

Neighbor,  (l.)  One  who  lives 
near  another.  (2.)  Every  man 
fco  Avhom  we  have  an  opportunity 
Df  doing  good.  Matt.  22  :  39. 
(3.)  One  who  pities  and  relieves 
another  in  distress.  Luke  10  : 
36.  (4.)  One  who  stands  in 
need  of  help.  Prov.  3  :  28. 
Our  Saviour  reproved  the  Phari- 
sees for  using  the  word  in  a  re- 
stricted sense,  and  informed 
them  that  all  men  were  their 
neighbors,  and  that  charity 
should  be  exercised  even  to 
enemies.  Matt.  5  :  43,  44.  Luke 
10  :  29—37. 

Ner'gal,  an  idol  mentioned 
2  Kings  17  :  30,  which  Calmet 
agrees  with  the  Rabbins  in  sup- 
posing was  in  the  form  of  a 
cock.  Recent  writers  regard 
Nergal  as  one  of  the  names  of 
the  planet  Mars  ;  a  symbol  of 
bad  luck  and  war. 

Netlllniius,  persons  who  wait- 
ed on  the  Lord's  house,  perform- 
ing inferior  offices,  under  the 
dire  Jtion  of  the  Levites.  Ezra 
2  :  58,  and  8  :  20.  They  are 
Vipposed  to  be  the  descendants 


of  the  i  ibeonites,  who  deceit  e»l 
the  Helrew  princes,  and  were 
devote  J  to  laborious  occupa- 
tions. Josh  5).  They  had  a 
particular  place  in  Jerusalem 
where  they  dwelt,  called  Ophel, 
Neh.  3  :  26.     Ezra  8  :  17—20. 

JVetopha,  the  same  as  Neto- 
phnthi,  a  city  of  Judah,  near 
Bethlehem. 

Nettles,  in  Job  30  :  7,  cannot 
mean  our  nettles,  because  per- 
sons took  shelter  under  it.  It 
probably  means  a  thorny  thicK- 
et,  such  as  is  common  in  India. 

New  Testament,  the  sacred 

book  of  christians,  though  not 
to  the  exclusion  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament. The  books  which  com 
pose  the  New  Testament  are 
supposed  to  have  been  written 
in  the  following  order  :  — 

A.  D. 

38.  The  Gospel  of  Matthew,  written 

in  Judea. 
52.  1st  and  2d  Thess.,  written  froT 

Corinth. 
"   Galatians,  written  from  Corinth  ( t 

Macedonia. 
56.  1st  Corinth.,  from  Ephesus. 
67.  2(1  Corinth.,  from  Macedonia. 
58.  Konians,  from  Corinth. 

61.  Ephesians,  from  Konie. 

"    James,  written  at  Jerusalem. 

62.  Philippians,  Colossians,  and  PWle 

nioii.  from  Rome. 

63.  The  Gospel  of  huke,  written  in 

(ireece. 
"    Hebrews,  from  Rome. 

64.  The  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  ^vTitten 

in  Greece. 
"   1st  Timothy  and  Titus,  written  in 

Macedonia. 
"    1st  Peter,  from  Babylon. 

65.  The  Gospel  of  Mark,  written  ficia 

Rome. 
"   2d  Timothy,  from  Rome. 
"    2d  Peter,  from  Babylon. 
"    Jude,  where  written,  unknown. 
90.  1st  John,  from  Patmos. 
"    2d  and  .3d  John,  from  Ephesus. 

96.  John,  at  Ephesus,  writes  the  book 

of  Revelation. 

97.  John  writes  his  Go.spel  at  the  same 

place. 

The  lapguage  of  the  New 
Testa.  eiV  is  Greek  of  the  Mao© 


NIC 


177 


NIL 


ioniau  dialect,  in  which  Hebrew 
idioms,  and  modes  of  construc- 
tion, are  common.  !••  has,  how- 
ever, examples  of  all  the  Greek 
dialects.  When  it  was  written, 
Oreek  was  the  learned  language 
of  the  world  ;  spoken  and  read 
by  the  educated  in  every  part  of 
the  Roman  Empire,  especially 
the  eastern.  In  tiiis  language 
were  mary  books  already  ex- 
taut,  by  the  reading  of  which 
■we  of  this  day  are  enabled  the 
more  exactly  to  understand  the 
sacred  writers. 

A  large  portion  of  the  Jews, 
in  the  time  of  our  Saviour, 
cpoke  Greek  as  their  mother 
tongue  ;  particularly  in  Gali- 
lee, Egypt,  Syria,  Asia  Minor, 
nnd  Greece  ;  and  these  are 
called  Hellenists. 

NiVilAZ,  an  idol  of  the  Hivites, 
worshipped  in  the  form  of  a  dog. 
2  Kings  17  .    31 

!^lC0la1tailS«     It  is  not  known 
whether    these  were    a   sect^   or  { 
only  certain   false  and  seducing  i 
teachers  ;   nor  is  it  known  from 
V  horn  the  name  is  derived.   The 
Greek   name   for  Nicolas  corre- 
f-ponds    with    the    Hebrew    for  ! 
Halanm.     They  are  supposed  to 
have    denied    the    real    human  ; 
nature  of  Christ,  ar.d  of  course  ' 
the    reality  of    his    sufferings, 
riiey  seem  to  have  been  singu- 
larly   profligate     and    impure. 
iJev.  2:6.     It  is  thought  they 
are  alluded  to  in  2  Pet.  2,  and 
Jude   7 — 19.     They     seem     to 
be  the  people  called  in  church 
li'Story    Gnostics;     ir,    rather, 
tJut  they  at  length  becamf^  such. 


IVICOp'o'.iS,  the  name  ol 
several  ancient  cities.  That  to 
which  Paul  refers,  Titus  3  :  12; 
is  probably  in  Thrace,  on  the 
river  Nestus,  near  the  eastern 
border  of  Macedonia. 

IVighU  (1.)  The  time  between 
evening  and  morning.  (2.)  The 
time  of  heathenish  ignorance 
and  profaneness.  Rom.  13:  l*i. 
(3.)  Adversity.  Isa.  21  :  12. 
(4.)  Death,  wherein  we  are  laid 
asleep.  John  9  :  4.  (5.)  The 
season  in  which  anything  cornea 
suddenly  and  unexpectedly 
upon  us.  1  Thes.  5  :  2.  Isa. 
15  :  1.  Luke  12  :  20.  (6.) 
The  whole  time  of  our  life  on 
earth,  during  which  we  are  dark 
by  reason  of  ignorance,  and  are 
exposed  to  danger  and  sinful 
stumbling.     Rom.  13  :  12. 

JVigllt-IlAWk)  the  strix  orien- 
talis,  a  voracious  bird,  of  the 
size  of  the  common  owl,  so  bold 
and  daring  in  Syria  as  to  attack 
even  children  if  exposed  at 
night.  Occurs  Lev.  11  :  16. 
Deut.  14  :   15,  only. 

MIC  This  river  is  not  ex- 
pressly named  in  Scripture,  but 
is  referred  to  in  the  account  of 
the  plagues  of  Eygpt,  and  the 
very  word  occurs  in  the  original 
in  Isa.  27  :  12,  and  2  Kings 
24  :  7.  An  immense  commerce 
continues  to  be  carried  on,  iu 
boats  of  every  size,  on  this 
river.  It  rises  in  Ethiopia. 
Its  course  is  at  first  tortuous, 
but  afterwards  nearly  ncrth. 
It  is  not  the  same  as  the  river  of 
Egypt  "See  Egypt.  Its  length 
is  2000   miles.     Dr.  Suith,  of 


NIL 


178 


NIN 


Boston,  lescribes  the  lower  part 
of  the  river,  up  to  within  twenty- 
five  miles  of  Cairo,  as  very  deep 
and  rapid,  with  perpendicular 
banks.  On  the  shore  are  arti- 
ficial mounds  or  levees,  gen- 
erally about  ten  feet  high, 
through  which  sluices  are  cut, 
having  strong  gates,  erected  to 
regulate  the  flooding  of  the 
land  The  overflow  occurs  in 
August,  by  reason  of  the  rainy 
season  in  the  covmtry  of  its 
sources.  The  water  then  ex- 
tends in  the  fiat  or  northern  part 
of  Egypt,  about  twenty  miles  on 
each  side  of  the  river.  "When 
the  waters  are  nearly  subsided, 
the  inhabitants  sow  their  seed, 
which  settles  into  the  mud,  and 
without  further  trouble  pro- 
duces a  crop,  which  explains 
Eec.  11  :  1,  "  Cast  thy  bread 
upon  the  waters,"  <fcc.  Artifi- 
cial lakes  and  cisterns  are  made 
to  retain  the  water.  It  is  said 
that  200,000  oxen  are  employed 
in  raising  the  water  from  these 
and  from  the  river  in  the  dry 
season.  If  the  annual  rise  was 
not  sufficient  to  cover  and  fill 
these  cisterns  or  pools,  famine 
followed.  Ancient  writers  give 
aorrible  accounts  of  some  of 
these  famines.  The  river  w^ater 
is  discolored,  but  very  whole- 
some. So  dependent  were  the 
Egyptians  on  their  river,  that 
they  paid  it  sacred  honors,  and 
worshipped  its  reptiles  and 
plants.  Most  striking  therefore 
was  the  punishment  which 
Jehovah  sent  them  through  the 
W'ver,  when  he  turned  its  waters 


into  blood,  and  afteiward» 
caused  it  to  bring  forth  myriada 
of  frogs.     Ex.   7  :   8. 

Nimrah,  a  city  in  the  canton 
of  Gid.     Numb.  32  .  3,30. 

IViiurini,  a  city  east  of  Jor- 
dan. Isa.  15:  6.  It  is  thought 
to  be  the  same  which  St.  Jerome 
calls  Nemra. 

Nini'rodj  a  hunter  and  chieftain 
of  vast  ambition  and  success. 
He  was  born  just  before  the 
commencemeiit  of  the  tower  of 
Babel.  "When  he  rose  to  be 
king,  he  repeopled  Babel,  which 
had  been  desolate  since  the 
confusion  of  tongues,  but  did 
not  attempt  the  finishing  of  the 
tower.  The  Scriptures  inform 
us  he  became  "mighty  upon 
earth  ;"  but  the  extent  of  hia 
conquests  is  not  known. 

NinCTeh,  a  city  of  Assyria, 
called  also  Nimis.  It  was  the 
capital  of  that  empire  till 
Esarhaddon  conquered  Babylon, 
when  that  city  shared  the  royal 
presence,  the  court  being  some- 
times at  one  place  and  some- 
times at  the  other.  It  was 
founded  by  A.shnr,  the  son  ol 
Shem,  Gen.  10  :  11,  and  became 
one  of  the  largest  cities  in  the 
world.  In  the  2yth  year  of  thfi 
reign  of  Josiah,  king  of  .Judah, 
Nineveh  was  utterly  destroyed 
by  the  Medes.  It  was  after- 
wards partially  rebuilt,  but 
never  became  considerable,  and 
was  finally  destroyed  by  the 
Saracens  in  the  seventh  century. 
It  is  now  called  Mosul,  and  is 
only  famous  for  being  the  resi 
dence   of  the  patriarch  of  th« 


NIN 


179 


NO 


Nestorians,  of  which  feet  are  j 
most  of  the  christians  in  those 
parts.  Mosul  is  on  the  west ' 
Bide  of  the  Tigris,  and  was  an- 
ciently only  an  appendage  to  the 
city,  which  itself  stood  on  the 
east  side,  where  ruins  of  vast 
extent  hav^e  been  visited  by  mod- 
ern travellers.  According  to 
LWodorus  Siculus,  the  circum- 
ference of  Nineveh  was  sixty 
miles.  Jonah  was  three  days 
in  going  round  to  proclaim  its 
overthrow  ;  twc&l/  miles  being 
as  much  as  he  could  leisurely 
walk  in  a  day. 

The  destruction  of  Nineveh 
fulfilled  the  following  prophe- 
cies, to  which  the  reader  is  re- 
ferred. Jon.  3.  Nah.  2  and 
3.  Zeph.  2  :  13.  It  is  often 
a  matter  of  wonder  how  struc- 
tures so  vast  as  were  many 
in  Nineveh,  especially  the  walls, 
which  were  nearly  thirty  feet 
thick,  could  be  so  utterly  thrown 
down,  that  the  very  situation  of 
some  of  these  ancient  cities  has 
not  till  recently  been  clearly 
ascertained.  The  cause  is  partly 
explained  by  the  fact  that  the 
cost  and  difficulty  of  obtaining 
materials  for  building  in  the 
East  have  made  it  common,  from 
time  immemorial,  to  resort  to 
de33rted  towns  for  materials  to 
erect  new  ones.  Thus  Seleucia 
was  built  with  the  ruins  of  Baby- 
lon, and  Mosul  from  those  of 
Nineveh. 

Recent  examinations  of  the 
ruins  of  Nineveh  have  been 
made,  at  great  expense,  by  Mr. 
IiAYARD,  and  a  large  number 
of  most  interesting  articles  re- 


covered from  the  ruins.  Maaj 
of  these  throw  great  light  on 
Old  Testament  history,  and  in 
every  case  corroborate  the  sa- 
cred narrative.  The  work  oi 
Mr.  Layard  has  been  used  in  re- 
vising many  of  the  articles  of 
this  Dictionary,  for  the  present 
edition.  It  contains  a  large 
fund  of  useful  information. 

Nis'rocll,  a  god  of  Assyria., 
worshipped  under  the  form  of 
an  eagle.     2  Kings  19  :  37. 

Nitre*  This  word,  which  oc- 
curs but  twice  in  the  Bible,  does 
not  mean  what  we  now  call  nitrt 
or  saltpetre,  but  is  that  native  salt 
called  natrum  by  naturalists. 
The  natrum  is  an  earthy  alka 
line  salt,  found  in  abundance  on 
the  surface  of  the  Lake  Natron 
in  Egypt,  in  Sindy,  an  interior 
province  of  Asia,  and  many 
other  places.  It  is  in  all  re- 
spects the  same  as  the  Smyrna 
"  soap  earth."  Solomon  evi- 
dently means  this  substance 
when  he  compares  the  effect  of 
unseasonable  mirth  upon  man 
in  affliction  to  the  action  of  vin- 
egar on  nitre.  Prov.  25  :  20. 
Vinegar  has  no  effect  upcnwhat 
we  call  nitre,  but  up^n  th'S 
earthy  alkali  it  produces  viole  it 
effervescence.  Being  of  a  soa  py 
nature,  it  was  used  to  cleanse 
clothes  and  the  skin  ;  to  which 
is  the  allusion  in  Jer.  2  :   22. 

No,  an  Egyptian  city,  which 
Vitringa  considers  to  be  tho. 
same  as  iV^jfA,  whicl  see.  This, 
however,  is  very  improbable. 
The  name  of  the  city  is  properly 
Nn-Amotif  i.  e.,  the  seat  of  the 
god  Amon  (the  Egyptian  name 


NO  A 


180 


NOV 


ror  Jupiter),  generally  called 
■imply  No.  Nah.  3  :  8.  Ezek. 
30  :  14—16.  The  cut  is  from 
an  Egyptian  representation- 


Modern  investigations  have 
settled,  beyond  doubt,  that  this 
city  was  Thebes,  the  famous  cap- 
ital of  Egypt,  called  also  Dios- 
polis  by  the  Greeks,  and  the 
ebief  seat  of  the  worship  of 
Jupiter  Ammon.  Its  ruins  are 
the  wonder  and  delight  of  all 
travellers.  Jer.  46  :  25.  The 
destruction  of  No-Amon  seems 
to  have  a  little  preceded  that  of 
Nineveh,  and  to  have  occurred 
while  Hezekiah  ruled  in  Judea, 
and  Sevechus,  whom  Herodotus 
^alls  Sethon,  was  king  of  Egypt, 
•.hat  is,  about  b.  c.  710. 

JVoah)  after  leaving  the  ark, 
Beems  to  have  settled  in  China  ; 
Rnd  is  probably  their  Fohi. 
Hence,  probably,  is  their  notion 
that  Fohi  had  no  father.  Civil- 
ization and  literature  may  be 
traced  to  as  early  a  period  in 
'Shina  as  anywh'^.re  in  the  wovM. 


Jfodj  a  land  to  which  C»2n 
withdrew  after  his  fratricide. 
Gen.  1  :  16.  We  have  no 
means,  at  present,  of  knowing 
what  country  this  was.  Gen, 
4  :   16. 

Noph,  the  ancient  Memphis^ 
near  to  which  are  the  famous 
pyramids.  It  seems  not  im- 
probable that  these  pyramids 
were  built  by  the  children  of 
Israel,  while  slaves  to  Pharaoh; 
but  whether  they  were  designed 
as  objects  of  worship  or  sepul- 
chres for  the  dead,  is  uncertain. 

Nose-jewel,  mentioned  Gen. 
24  :  47,  and  Isa.  3  :  21,  and 
in  various  other  places.  It  re- 
mains  to  this  day  a  favorite 
female  ornament.  The  carti- 
lage of  the  nose  is  not  perforated, 
but  the  ring  is  cut,  and  merely 
presses  on  each  side  of  the  flesh. 


ICovlce,  a  new  convert.  Sucfc 
a  one  is  not  to  be  put  into  th« 
ministry.     1  Tim.  3  :  6. 


UAT 


1«1 


OAT 


Nanibcrs,  the  fourth  book  of 
the  Old  Testament,  so  called 
from  its  containing  an  account 
of  the  numbering  of  the  children 
of  Israel,  chapters  1,  2,  and 
26.  It  records  the  history  of 
Israel  for  thirty-eight  years  ; 
*hat  is,  from  the  second  month 
of  the  second  year  after  their 
exodus  from  Egypt,  to  the 
eleventh   month  of  the  fortieth 


year  of  tueir  journey ings  JIosX 
of  the  transactions  which  are 
mentioned  took  place  in  tho 
second  and  the  tidrty-eigjah 
years. 

jVatSj  a  word  which  oocura 
only  Gen.  43  :  11,  and  is  va- 
riously  rendered.  It  is  proba- 
bly the  fruit  of  the  pistachio  tree 
The  size  is  about  the  same  as 
the  hazel  nut. 


O. 


Oalij  a  tree  of  great  stat- 
ure and  durability.  Abraham 
pitched  his  tent,  and  Joshua  set 
up  the  tabernacle,  beneath  an 
oak.  Josh.  24  :  26.  The  tree 
is  not  common  in  Palestine.  Its 
durability  made  the  idolater  se- 
lect it  as  the  substance  of  his 
god.  Is.  44  :  14.  The  British 
Druids  held  it  sacred.  It  is  ad- 
mirable timber  for  ships,  and  is 
now  chiefly  used  for  that  purpose. 

Oath)  a  solemn  act,  wherein 
we  swear  by  God,  or  call  him  to 
witness  the  truth  of  what  we 
assert  or  promise,  and  to  curse 
us  in  time  and  eternity,  if  we 
swear  what  is  false  or  unknown 
to  us,  or  if  we  do  not  perform 
what  we  engage.  The  forms  of 
administering  an  oath  have  been 
very  various  among  different 
peoples,  and  in  different  periods. 
»*As  the  Lord  liveth;"  "God 
do  so  to  me  and  more  also  ;*' 
•*  As  thy  soul  li\  tith ; "  "  So  help 
16 


me  God;'*  Ac,  and  many  other 
forms  have  been  used.  An  oath 
should  never  be  taken  but  in 
matters  of  importance;  nor  sworn 
by  tho  name  of  any  but  the  true 
God,  as  it  is  an  act  of  solemn  wor- 
ship ;  nor  irreverently,  without 
godly  fear  and  awe  of  the  Most 
High.  Josh.  23:  7.  James  5  : 
12.  Deut.6:13.  Matt.  5:  34,  35. 
Jer.  5  :  7.  The  multiplication 
of  oaths,  therefore,  in  commerce 
and  common  afifairs,  is  a  great 
sin.  The  irrev"erent  and  hur- 
ried manner  in  which  they  are 
too  frequently  administered  has 
a  great  tendency  to  iucreasa 
perjury. 

Few  sins  are  so  heinoua 
as  pre  fane  swearing.  It  has 
neither  the  force  of  bodily  ap- 
petite, nor  love  of  gain,  for  its 
excuse  ;  while  it  betrays  the 
grossest  contempt  of  God.  and 
tends  to  destroy  all  certainty  cl 
testimony.     Matt.  5  :  34. 


OFF 


182 


OFF 


Obadiah,.  the  prophet,  is 
thought  to  have  lived  about  the 
time  that  Jerusalem  was  sacked 
by  Nebuchadnezzar. 

The  Book  of  Obadiah  contains 
prophecies  of  the  destruction  of 
Edom,  and  the  future  prosperity 
of  Zion. 

Oblation,  an  offering  where 
no  life  was  destroyed,  Obla- 
tion? consisted  of  bread,  fruit, 
meal,  wine,  oil,  cakes,  &c.  See 
Offering,  and  Sacrifice 

Offend*  (1.)  To  commit  sin. 
Acts  25  :  8.  (2.)  To  cause  to 
commit  sin.  "  Whoso  shall  of- 
fend one  of  these  little  ones," 
&c.  Matt.  18  :  6—9.  1  Cor. 
10:32.  (3.)  To  be  scandalized 
or  displeased.  Matt.  15  :  12. 
Thus  the  meanness  of  Christ's 
birth  was  a  stone  of  stumbling 
md  rock  of  offence.  Isa.  8  :  14. 
1  Cor.  8  :  13.  In  this  sense  we 
are  to  understand  Ps.  119  :  165, 
where  it  is  said  of  those  who 
love  God's  law,  that  "  nothing 
shall  offend  them." 

Offering,  a  sacrifice,  anything 
offered  or  presented  in  worship. 
The  Hebrews  had  several  kinds 
of  offerings,  which  were  all  in- 
tended to  exhibit  and  enforce 
he  great  truths  of  religion. 

The  Burnt-Offerings  were 
presented  to  God,  as  the  Maker, 
Preserver,  and  Lord  of  the  uni- 
verse, entitled  to  all  adoration 
*nd  honor.  The  "  whole  burnt- 
offerings,"  as  their  name  im- 
ports, were  all  burnt  except  the 
pkin.  They  signified  that  the 
whole  man,  in  whose  stead  they 
were  offered,  was  to  be  entirely 


devoted  to  God,  without  leserve . 
that  he  himself  had  deserved  to 
be  utterly  consumed  ;  that  the 
sufferings  of  the  Messiah,  as  the 
sinner's  Substitute,  would  be 
extremely  great  ;  and  that  all 
fleshly  lusts  and  selfishness  of 
principle  are  to  be  completely 
mortified. 

The  Sin-Offerixg  and  the 
Trespass-Offering  are  de- 
scribed in  Lev.  4  and  5;  but 
the  exact  difference  between  the 
transgressions  to  which  they 
have  reference  is  very  obscure. 
It  seems  probable  that  the  sin- 
offering  was  for  violation  of 
prohibitory  statutes  ;  and  the 
trespass-offering  was  for  neglect 
of  imperative  statutes.  It  was 
not  so  entirely  consumed  by  fire 
as  the  burnt-offering.  (Compare 
Lev.  1  :  9,  and  ch.  7  :  8,  with 
ch.  6  :  25,  26,  and  29.)  The 
victim  was  brought  to  the  door 
of  the  tabernacle  ;  the  offender 
put  his  hand  upon  its  head,  con- 
fessed his  sins,  and  supplicated 
pardon,  saying,  "  I  beseech  thee, 
0  Lord  ;  I  have  sinned,  I  have 
trespassed,  I  have  rebelled  : 
but  now  I  repent,  and  let  this  *' 
(that  is,  his  sacrifice)  "  be  my 
expiation."  The  animal  was 
then  slain,  and  reconciliation 
enjoyed  with  God.  It  is  thus 
we  confess  our  sins,  in  an  hum- 
ble dependence  upon  the  atone- 
ment of  Jesus  Christ,  and  look 
for  salvation  through  hia 
precious  blood.  Restitution,  so 
often  mentioned  in  Scripture, 
formed  an  indispensable  part  of 
the  duty  of  him  that  presented 


UfF 


18?> 


OLl 


^ese  oflFerings.  If  he  held  his 
neighbor's  property  unjustly, 
he  not  only  now  restored  it,  but 
aided  a  fifth  part.  Num.  5:  5, 
8.     Ex.  22  :  3,  8. 

The  Peace-Offerings  and 
TnANK-OFFERiNGS  had  respect 
to  God,  as  reconciled  to  us,  and 
a£  the  Giver  of  all  our  posses- 
sions. They  were  free-will  or 
voluntary  oblations,  either  in 
return  for  blessings  received,  or 
in  supplication  for  mercies  de- 
sired. The  blood,  &c.,  of  these 
victims  was  offered  up  by  the 
priest,  and  the  remainder  re- 
turned to  the  worshipper,  who 
added  to  it  such  other  things  as 
he  chose,  and  made  a  feast,  to 
which  widows,  orphans,  slaves 
and  Levites,  were  invited. 
Christ  is  our  Peace-Offering  ; 
and  it  is  for  him,  and  by  him, 
that  we  render  thanksgiving 
unto  the  Father. 

The  Wave-Offerings  were 
shaken  or  tossed  to  and  fro, 
towards  the  several  parts  of  the 
world,  to  denote  God's  universal 
dominion  and  the  extent  of  the 
Redeemer's  sacrifice.     Lev.  8. 

The  Meat-Offering  consisted 
of  gifts  of  flour,  incense,  oil, 
spice,  &c.  The  priest  sprinkled 
part  of  the  flour  and  all  the  in- 
cense upon  the  altar,  and  the 
rest  belonged  to  him  and  the 
other  priests. 

Drixk-Offerings  were  not 
commonly  offered  alone,  but 
accompanied  other  offerings  ; 
part  of  the  wine,  oil,  &c.,  was 
poured  on  the  altar,  the  rest 
Tas  for  the  pri?st. 


"  The  law  was  a  hadow  «  : 
good  things  to  come  ;  but  the 
body  is  of  Christ. '=  Col.  2  : 
17;  and  Heb.  10  :  1.  Many 
of  the  Hebrews,  it  is  prouable, 
placed  a  carnal  dependence  on 
ceremonial  offerings,  and  did  not 
entirely  appreciate  their  sym 
bolical  lieaning.  But  this  error 
is  decidedly  condemned  in  many 
places.  Ps.  50  :  8—23  ;  40  : 
6,  9.  Isa.  1  :  11—20.  Hos.  6: 
6.     Mic.  6  :  6—8,  &c. 

Oil,  or  Ointment,  is  now  ex- 
tracted from  the  fat  of  fishes 
from  flaxseed,  and  a  multitude 
of  other  substances.  Oil  ob- 
tained from  olives,  that  is,  such 
as  we  now  call  sweet  oil,  was 
abundant  in  the  Holy  Land. 
Deut.  32  :  13.  Bread  dipped  in 
oil  was  reckoned  a  delicate  re- 
past. An  infusion  of  some 
flowers  made  it  fragrant.  Matt. 
26  :  7.  Ps.  92  :  10.  The  He- 
brews  used  olive  oil  in  their 
meat-offerings,  in  their  sacred 
lamps,  and  in  their  comm-in  use ; 
but  'inhere  was  a  sacred  oil  com- 
pounded with  cinnamon,  cala- 
mus, cassia,  and  myrrh,  which 
was  used  in  the  anointing  of 
j  the  priests,  the  tabernacle  and 
furniture.  None  of  it  was  to 
be  applied  to  any  other  use  ; 
nor  was  any  to  be  made  like  it 
except  for  sacred  uses. 

Olive,  a  tree  very  common 
iu  Judea.  It  makes  a  fine 
appearance,  having  spreading 
branches  like  our  apple-tree, 
and  remaining  green  in  the 
winter.  It  flourishes  about  200 
years.     There  are  two  kinds.  tb« 


OLI 


184 


ONE 


irilJ  a.".d  the  cultivated  ;  the 
former  being  smaller  and  poorer 
than  the  latter.  It  is  the  chief 
resource  of  Orientals  for  oil;  an 
article  they  use  in  great  abun- 
dance, both  for  food  and  oint- 
ment, as  well  as  light.  Its  oil 
was  considered  good  for  wounds, 
bruises,  &c.  The  fruit,  which  is 
about  the  size  of  a  small  plum,  is 
rery  wholesome  and  nourishing. 

Capt.  Cook  found  that  its 
green  branches,  carried  in  the 
hands,  or  stuck  in  the  ground, 
were  emblems  of  peace,  univer- 
sally employed  and  understood 
by  the  untutored  inhabitants  of 
the  South  Sea  Islands.  The 
origin  of  a  custom  thus  re- 
ceived and  religiously  observed 
by  nations  dwelling  on  opposite 
sides  of  the  globe,  who  never  had 
the  smallest  intercourse  with 
one  another,  must  be  sought  for 
near  the  beginning  of  time, 
when  the  inhabitants  of  our 
earth,  forming  but  one  family, 
attached  the  most  pleasing 
recollections  to  the  bringing  of  j 
an  olive  branch.  Gen.  8  :  11.  { 
A  reference  to  the  same  sign  of 
mercy  to  Noah,  may  be  traced 
in  the  derivation  of  the  Greek 
word  (Xaioct  mercy,  from  skuiUt 
an  olive. 

Olivet,  or  Mount  of  Olivbs, 
stood  about  625  paces  east  of 
Jerusalem,  from  which  it  was 
separated  by  the  valley  of  Je- 
hoshaphat  and  brook  Kidron. 
From  its  summit  there  is  a  fine 
view  of  Jerusalem,  of  the  Dead 
S«a,  of  the  vast  and  irregular  i 
dell    which    leads   to    it,    com- 


mencing at  the  valley  of  Jehc3h> 
aphat,  and  of  the  distant  plainf 
and  mountains  of  Moab.  This 
is  the  spot  whence  our  Savioui 
ascended  into  heaven  in  sight  of 
bis  apostles. 

Ome'^a,  the  last  letter  of  the 
Greek  alphabet.     See  Alpha. 

O'mer,  see  Homeb. 

On,  a  city  of  Lower  Egypt, 
called  Hcliopolis  by  the  Septua- 
gint  version,  Gen.  41  :  45,  and 
by  Herodotus,  who  says  the 
inhabitants  were  "  the  wisest  of 
the  Egyptians."  It  was  one  of 
the  oldest  cities  in  the  world, 
and  about  two  hours'  ride  from 
Cairo.  The  father-in-law  oi 
Joseph  was  high  priest  of  Oi., 
and  thus  the  noblest  priest  in 
Egypt.  This  was  the  city  of 
Moses,  according  to  lierosus, 
and  accounts  for  bis  being 
"learned  in  all  the  wisdom  of 
the  Egyptians."  Acts  7  :  22. 
Heliopolis  was  the  Greek  trans- 
lation of  Bttk-skemtsk,  "  the 
house  or  city  of  the  san,"  and 
is  called  ( Jer.  43  :  13)  "  Betk- 
shemesh  in  the  land  of  Egypt," 
to  distinguish  it  from  a  place  of 
the  same  name  in  Canaan.  Josh 
19  :  38. 

The  site  of  this  once  great- 
and  famous  city  is  now  a  com- 
mon field,  distinguished  only  by 
a  single  obelisk,  about  seventy 
feet  high,  of  red  granite. 

Oneslmas,  a  slave  of  Phile 
mon,  a  wealthy  christian  in 
Colosse.  For  some  unknown 
reason,  he  absconded  from  hi? 
master.  Coming  to  Rome  he 
was  copverted  to  Christianity  b) 


UNY 


•i85 


OFF 


Paul  ;  ami  being  a  man  of  in- 
telligerce  and  respectability,  as 
Oriental  servants  often  were,  he 
proved  very  useful  to  Paul 
during  his  imprisonment.  He 
then  returned  to  his  former  sit- 
uation, with  Paul's  Epistle  to 
PuiLEMON  ;   which  see. 

Oliesiph'oms  was  an  Ephesian 
convert  of  some  distinction,  who, 
being  at  Rome  during  Paul's  im- 
prisonment, openly  befriended 
hiai,  and  supplied  his  wants, 
when  many  of  his  friends  were 
afraid  to  do  so.  2  Tim.  1  :  16, 
and  4  :   19. 

Onion,  a  word  occurring  Num. 
11:5,  only.  Those  of  Egypt 
greatly  surpass  any  others  in 
excellence.  The  fact  that  onions 
were  eaten  in  Egypt  during  the 
bondage  of  Israel,  may  indicate 
that  they  had  not  then  become 
so  gross  in  idolatry  as  to  wor- 
ship this  plant,  as  was  the  case 
in  the  days  of  Juvenal,  who 
satirizes  the  Egyptians  for  this 
superstition.  In  warm  coun- 
tries, and  especially  in  Egypt, 
onions  are  very  large,  soft,  and 
sweet ;  very  different  from  those 
of  the  United  States. 

Ono  was  in  the  tribe  of  Ben 
jamin,  1  Chron.  8  :  12. 

On'ycha,  a  fragrant  gum, 
probably  the  bdellium^  which  is 
a  gum,  smooth  and  shining  like 
a  man's  nail,  which  the  Greeks 
call  biiyxy  and  is  by  some 
authors  called  "  bdella  onyx,"  to 
distinguish  it  from  other  kinds. 
Some  authors  have  followed 
DicscoriJes,  who  considers  the 
16* 


ony  ha  to  b-i  the  produce  of  a 
shell  fish,  found  in  some  lakes  of 
India.  But  India  was  too  dis- 
tant for  drugs  to  be  imported 
thence  into  Judea  ;  and  beside 
the  original  word  means  to 
"  drop  like  a  tear,"  to  "  distil," 
and  must  mean  something  that 
exudes.  The  word  occurs  in  Ex 
30  :  34,  only. 

O'nyx,  a  precious  stone,  tak- 
ing its  name  from  its  color  re- 
sembling the  finger  nails.  What 
it  was  is  very  uncertain ;  proba- 
bly a  variety  of  the  agate,  or  the 
chalcedony. 

Opllir,  the  son  of  Joktan 
Whether  he  gave  name  to  the 
country  famous  for  gold,  or 
where  that  country  was,  we  can 
hardly  determine.  It  is  certair 
that  it  was  somewhere  in  India, 
as  the  fleet  passed  down  the 
Bed  Sea  to  get  to  it,  and  that  its 
gold  was  renowned  even  in  the 
time  of  Job,  ch.  22  :  24  ;  28 
16  ;  and  that  from  the  time  of 
David  to  the  time  of  Jehosha- 
phat.  the  Hebrews  traded  with 
it,  and  that  Uzziah  revived  this 
trade  when  he  made  himself 
master  of  Elath,  a  noted  port  on 
the  Red  Sea.  In  Solomon's  time, 
the  Hebrew  fleet  took  up  three 
years  in  their  voyage  to  Ophir, 
and  brought  home  gold,  apes, 
peacocks,  spices,  ivory,  ebcny, 
and  almug-trees.  1  King^  9:28, 
10:  11;   22:   48.     2  Chr.  9  :  10. 

Oppression,  unreasonable  im- 
position, whether  on  man's 
property,  character,  or  con- 
science      Persecution     of     ail 


ORG 


186 


GST 


kinds  partake*  of  the  nature  of 
this  sin. 

Grade,  sonething  delivered 
by  supernatural  wisdom.  The 
"  most  holy  place,"  in  the  tem- 
ple, was  called  the  oracle,  be- 
cause there  the  priest  inquired 
of  God.  1  Kings  6  :  5 — 19. 
The  Scriptures  are  the  oracles 
of  God,  which  christians  ought 
to  consult  at  all  times;  espec- 
ially in  matters  of  diflaculty,and 
in  the  great  affairs  relating  to 
their  souls  and  another  life. 
Heb.  5  :  12.     Acts  7  :  38. 

Ordinance,  an  appointed  rite 
or  observance.  No  religious 
ordinance  is  binding,  or  even 
admissible,  which  is  not  of 
divine  institution  ;  nor  can  any 
so  instituted  be  varied  or  modi- 
fied by  human  caprice  or  judg- 
ment. Baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper  are  the  only  proper  or- 
dinances of  Christianity. 

Organ,  a  wind  instrument  of 
music,  invented  by  Jubal,  the 
sixth  in  descent  from  Cain  ;  but 
Jubal's  was  probably  very  dif- 
ferent from  ours,  which  are  com- 
pos d  of  various  kinds  of  pipes, 


Bome  of  them  thirty  to  forty 
feel  long.  The  present  kind  we 
do  not  kiow  to  be  more  than 
800  yeari  old      Ps   150  :  4 


The  primitive  organ  was  what 
is  called  "  Pan's  pipes,"  as  seen 
in  the  cut  ;  made  of  reeds,  and 
blown  into  with  the  mouth. 
Gen.  4  :  21.  Organs  made  of 
reeds  five  or  six  feet  long  are 
still  used  in  Burmah,  Siam,  <tc., 
of  which  some  fine  specimens 
are  in  the  Baptist  missionary 
rooms,  Boston. 

Ori'on,  a  constellation  con- 
sisting of  nearly  eighty  stars, 
which  appear  to  us  in  Novem- 
ber.   Job  38  :  31. 

O'see,  one  of  the  prophets, 
called  in  the  Old  Testament 
Hosea.     Rom.  9  :  25. 

Ospray,  the  black  eagle. 
Bruce  has  probably  described 
this  bird  under  the  name  nissa 
tokoor.  It  occurs  in  Lev.  11  : 
13,  and  Deut.  14  :  12,  only. 

Ossifrage,  the  vulture,  occurs 
Lev.  11  :  13,  Deut.  14  :  12,  only. 

Ostriell,  the  largest  of  all 
fowls,  weighing  from  sixty  to 
eighty  pounds,  and  apparently 
the  connecting  link  between 
birds  and  quadrupeds.  It  is 
often  seven  or  eight  feet  in 
height.  Its  eggs,  of  which  it 
lays  thirty  or  forty  in  a  season, 
are  as  large  as  a  child's  head, 
and  are  said  to  be  left  in  the 
sand  to  be  hatched  by  the  sun 
Job  39  :  14,  16.  Ostriches  are 
found  in  the  desert  of  Arabia 
where  they  live  chiefly  on  vege- 
tables, and  le£.d  a  social,  inof- 
fensive life.  It  sometimes  utters 
a  remarkably  plaintive  note,  asf 
though  it  was  in  great  pain 
Mic    1:8      In  swiftness  thev 


PAL 


187 


PAL 


%r  exceed  the  hor?ej  Job  39  : 
18,  and  though  taken  by  men 
jn  horseback,  it  is  bj  strata- 
gem. The  Arabs  often  ride 
upon  them.  The  ostrich  is  so 
timid  that,  at  any  alarm,  it  will 
fly  and  leave  its  eggs,  or  even 
its  young  ones  ;  which  explains 
Lam.  4:3.  It  is  there  foretold 
that  the  distress  of  the  Jews 
should  be  so  great,  that  parents 
would  sufifer  their  children  to 
perish,  being  engrossed  with 
anxiety  to  preserve  themselves. 
It  is  said,  Job  39  :  16,  17,  "  she 
is  hardened  against  her  young 
ones,  as  though  they  were  not 
hers,"  and  that  she  is  "  deprived 
of  understanding  ;"  and  such  is 
remarkably  the  fact.  In  flight, 
it  sometimes  hides  its  head  ; 
and,  thinking  itself  safe  when  it 
cannot  see  its  pursuer,  is  easily 
takeu. 

Oaehes,  sockets  for  the  gems 
of  the  high  priest's  breastplate. 
Ex.  39  :  6.  The  solderings  of 
the  rings  at  the  corners  seem 
also  to  be  so  called.    Ex.  39  :  16. 

Ontefj  external.   "  Outer  dark- 


ness "  meaLS  the  darkness  of  th« 
night  without,  in  opposition  to 
the  light  and  splendor  of  the 
feast  within.  Hence  the  pnrase 
is  also  used  to  express  the  state 
of  exclusion  fiom  the  kingdom 
of  God.     Matt.  8  :  12. 

Oven,  a  place  for  baking 
food.  Some  were  dug  in  the 
ground.  Others  were  similtr  to 
American  ovens.  Some  were 
like  a  pitcher  ;  the  fire  being 
put  inside,  and  the  dough  spread 
thin  over  the  outside,  which  was 
baked  in  a  few  minutes.  Fuel 
being  scarce,  as  it  is  in  all 
Eastern  countries,  dried  cow- 
dung,  stubble,  stalks  of  flowers, 
and  grass,  were  used.  Lev.  11  ; 
35.     Matt.  6  :  30. 

Owl,  a  bird  of  night,  of  the 
rapacious  kind,  very  various  in 
size  and  color,  and  found  chiefly 
in  desert  solitudes  and  ruined 
houses.  Isa.  13  :  21.  Its  voice 
is  excessively  disagreeable  and 
melancholy.  Job  30  :  29.  Ps. 
102  :  6.  Wicked  men  are  com- 
pared to  owls,  in  that  they  haw 
the  light.     Isa.  43  :  20. 


P. 


Pa'dan  A'ram,  another  name 
for  Mesopotamia. 

Palai-Tree,  a  tree  remarkable 
for  loftiness,  straightness,  and 
productiveness  and  hence  made 
m  eml  lem  in  Scripture  of  up- 
ligbtne^s,  fruitfulness,  and  vic- 
tory There  are  many  varietie.i 
«f    this    tree      One    bears    the 


date,  very  sweet  and  nourishing, 
and  a  large  portion  of  the  in- 
habitants of  Egypt,  Arabia,  and 
Persia,  subsist  almost  entirely 
upon  it.  Camels  are  fond  of 
the  stone.  The  fruit  is  of  the 
size  of  an  olive.  Various  palms 
of  Hindostan,  Burmah,  and  ad- 
jacent countries  yield  no  useful 


PAL 


188 


PAN 


fruit.  Palm  branches  were  sig- 
nals of  joy  and  triumph,  and 
therefore  the  blessed  in  heaven 
are  represented  as  bearing  them. 
Rev.  7  :  9.     The  leaves  are  six 


or  eight  feet  long,  and  propor- 
tionably  broad  when  spread  out, 
and  are  used  to  cover  houses, 
and  make  couches,  baskets, 
bags,  fences,  hats,  &g.  From 
the  fibre  of  the  branches  are 
made  thread,  ropes,  rigging, 
&c.  Indeed,  "  the  natives  (says 
Gibbon)  celebrate,  either  in 
prose  or  verse,  three  hundred 
and  s'xty  uses  to  which  the 
trunk,  branches  leaves,  juice, 
and  fruit  are  applied." 

The  date-tree  attains  maturity 
\a  thirty  years  from  planting 
the  seed,  continues  in  full 
strength  eighty  years,  bearing 
innuallv  three  or  four  hundred 


pounds  of  aates,  &nd  finally 
dies  at  about  two  hundred  years 
old.  From  its  sap  palm  ivine  is 
made,  called  by  the  natives 
araky.  It  is  a  beverage  which 
easily  intoxicates,  and  is  thought 
by  Bishop  Lowth  to  be  the 
"  strong  drink,"  menti:;3ed  ir- 
Isa.  5  :  11,  and  24  :  9. 

From  the  species  called  Ian 
dan,  growing  wild  in  various 
parts  of  the  East,  the  common 
sago  is  procured.  It  forms  a 
nutritious  diet  for  the  natives, 
who  eat  it  as  we  do  rice.  This 
kind  of  palm  bears  no  fruit  but 
the  sort  of  cabbage  on  the  top, 
which  is  common  to  all  palms. 
The  sago  is  obtained  from  the 
pith  of  the  tree,  which  is  ground 
and  granulated. 

Palmer-worm,  a  sort  of  cat- 
erpillar of  great  voracity.  Bo- 
CHAUT  contends,  against  the 
majority  of  learned  men,  that 
it  is  a  species  of  the  locust.  It 
occurs  only  in  Joel  1  :  4  ;  2  :  25 
Amos  4  :  i). 

Pamp'.iylia,  a  province  of 
Asia  Minor,  having  the  Med- 
iterranean on  the  south,  Lycia 
on  the  west,  Pisidia  on  the 
north,  and  Cilicia  on  the  east 
Attalia  and  Perga  were  its  prin- 
cipal cities.  That  part  of  the 
Mediterranean  lying  en  the 
south  of  it  wa?  called  the  Sta 
of  Pamphylia,  Acts  2  :  10  ;  13  : 
13,  <fec.  This  and  the  adjacent 
provinces  are  now  called  tkt 
Levant^ 

Pannag,  probably  the  valu- 
able plant  which  DioscokijES 
and  Pliny  descriVc  bv  the  rami 


I'AP 


18'J 


r  A  R 


of  '*  Panax,"  from  whiuh  a  com- 
position was  made,  esteemed 
eerviccable  in  many  diseases  ; 
whence  pan  icea  became  a  name 
fur  a  univeisal  medicine.  It  is 
said  to  resemble  millet,  and  to 
have  been  used  as  food.  It  is 
spoken  of  nowhere  but  in  Ezek. 
'11  :  17. 

Paper  was  invented  in  very 
early  times.  2  John  12.  It 
derives  its  name  from  the  papy- 
rus, or  paper-reed,  a  species  of 
bulrush,  growing  on  the  banks 
of  the  Nile.  Isa.  19  :  7.  The 
stalk  is  triangular,  rising  to  the 
height  of  eight  or  nine  feet, 
besides  several  feet  under  the 
water,  and  terminating  at  the 
top  in  a  crown  of  small  filaments 
resembling    thistle.      Of    these 


the  Egyptians  made  baskets, 
shoes,  cloths,  and  small  boats. 
i]x.  2:3.  Isa.  18  :  2.  To  make 
paper,  they  peeled  ofiF  the  dif- 
ferent skins  or  films  of  the 
plant,  which  succeed  ea  h  other 
like  thoi  3  of  an  onion.     These 


j  they  laid  on  a  table,  like  the 
shingles  of  a  roof,  to  the  intend 
ed  length  and  breadth  of  the 
paper,  and  laid  over  them  a 
thin  jiaste  ;  above  which  they 
spread  a  cross  lajer  of  other 
films  or  leaves,  and  then  driei 
it  in  the  sun.  The  films  near- 
est the  heart  of  the  plant  made 
the  finest  paper.  When  one  of 
the  Ptolemies  denied  Attains, 
king  of  Pergamus,  this  kind  of 
paper,  for  writing  his  library, 
he  invented,  or  greatly  im- 
proved, the  manufacture  of 
parchment  ;  after  which,  books 
of  note  were  written  on  parch- 
ment for  almost  1300  years 
The  parchments  which  Paul  left 
at  Troas,  and  ordered  Timothy 
to  bring  with  him,  were  prob- 
ably either  the  original  drafts 
of  some  of  his  epistles,  or  a 
marked  copy  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment. 2  Tim.  4  :  13.  Paper 
made  of  rags  has  been  in  use 
about  550  years.  Latterly,  cot- 
ton rags,  old  ropes,  straw,  and 
other  substances,  have  been 
made  into  paper. 

Pa'pllOS,  a  commercial  city  of 
Cyprus,  visited  by  Paul  Acts 
13  :  6.  Twenty-five  or  thirty 
poor  hilts  are  all  that  remain  of 
this  once  metropolitan  city. 
This  miserable  village  is  now 
called  Baffa. 

ParabK',  a  short,  weighi^v 
similitude,  used  to  convty  in- 
struction to  ignorant,  preju 
diced,  or  inattentive  hearers 
The  ancients  used  parables  fre 
quently. 


PAR 


190 


PAR 


The  following  table  shows  the 

order  ia  which  those  of  Christ 

were  delivered  :  — 

Hlind  loading  the  blind,  Luke  6  :  39. 
11  )use  founded  on  a  rock,  Matt.  7  :  2i. 
'i'he  t%s-o  debtors,  .  .  .  Luke  7  :  41. 
JCxpelled  devil  returning,  Malt.  12  -.  43. 

The  rich  fool Luke  12  :  16. 

The  wutchfiil  servants,  .  "  12  :  :iS. 
The  barren  fig-tree,     .    .      "     13 :    6. 

The  sower Matt.  13 :    3. 

The  wheat  and  tares, .  .  Matt.  13 :  U. 
Tne  growth  of  the  seed,  Mark  4  :  26. 
The  mustard  seed,  .    .    .  Matt.  13  :  31. 

The  leaven "      "33. 

The  hidden  treasure,  .  .  "  "  44: 
The  pearl  of  great  price,  "  "  45. 
The  fishing  net,  .  .  .  .  "  "  47. 
The  good  householder,  .  "  "  52. 
New  piece  to  the  gar- 
ment  Luke  5 :  36. 

New  wine  in  old  bottles, 


Matt.  18 

John  10 

Luke  10 

"      14 


"      17 

','.      \? 

Matt.  20 

Luke  19 

Matt.  21 


Tne  lost  sheep,  .    . 
Unmerciful  servant. 
Shepherd  and  sheep, 
Good  Samaritan.    . 
The  ambitious  guests,    , 
The  neglected  invitations. 
Building  a  t/>wer,  .    .    . 
King  going  to  war,     .    . 
The  lost  piece  of  silver, 
The  prodigal  son,  .    .    . 
The  unjust  steward,  .    . 
Kich  man  and  Lazainis, 
The  master  and  servant, 
The  unjust  Judge,  .    .    . 
Pharisee  and  publican. 
Laborers  in  vineyard,   . 
The  ten  pounds,    .    .    . 
the  two  sons,    .... 
Wicked  husbandmen,    . 
Wedding  garment,    .    . 
Fig-tree  putting  forth,  . 
The  master's  return,    . 
The  ten  virgins,    .    .    . 

The  talents 

The  true  vine,  ....  J 

To  understand  parables,  it  is 
proper  to  observe,  (1.)  It  is  not 
necessary  that  the  representa- 
tion of  natural  things  in  a  par- 
able should  be  strictly  matter 
of  fact,  because  the  design  is 
not  to  inform  concerning  these, 
but  concerning  some  more  mo- 
mentous truth  ;  nor  is  it  neoes- 
Bary  that  all  the  actions  in  a 
parable  be  strictly  just.  2  Sam. 
14.  Luke  16  :  1—8.  (2.)  We 
must  chiefly  attend  to  the  scope 
5t'  the  parable,  which  is  to  be 


ga  hered  from  its  inspired  exjli 
ca*ion,  if  any  ;   or  from  the  iD« 
troluction  to  it,  or  the  conclu 
sion  of  it.     (^>.)  Hence   it  lol 
lows,  that  we  are  not  to  expe(  i 
that  every  circumstance  in  the 
parable  should  be  answered  by 
something  in    the  explication  ; 
for   several   circumstances  may 
be  added  for  the  sake  of  deco 
rum,  or  mere  allusion  to  tha 
whence  the  figure  of  the  parable 
is   taken.     (4.)  Yet   a   parable 
may  inform  us  of  several  truths 
besides  that  which  is  the  main 
intent  of  it. 

Paradise,  the  abode  of  glori- 
fied spirits.  Luke  23  :  44.  2 
Cor.  12:4.  Rev.  27.     See  Edex. 

Paran  formed  a  part  of  Ara- 
bia Petrea.     Deut.  33  :  2. 

Parched    Corn.     The    Jew? 

were  fond  of  both  wheat  anC 
maize,  or  Indian  corn,  parched, 
and  they  were  so  sold  in  the 
markets.  The  Indian  corn  was 
eaten  in  this  way  also  before  it 
was  ripe,  as  it  is  now  in  An^er- 
ica,  Egypt,  India,  (fee,  and  is  a 
favorite  food.  Lev.  23  :  14. 
Ruth  2  :  14.     1  Sam.  17  :  17. 

Pardon,  the  remission  of  pun- 
ishment due  to  guilt.  Varioua 
similitudes,  and  touching  ex- 
pressions, are  used  in  Scripture, 
to  show  how  ready  the  Lord  ia 
to  pardon  sinners,  and  t(>  blot 
out  their  sins,  cant  thtm  bi  hiud 
him,  &c.  Christians  are  re- 
quired to  pardon  others,  by 
that  noblest  of  motives,  "  ever 
as  God  for  Christ's  sake  hatl 
pardoned  us." 


PAR 


191 


PAT 


Parthia,  an  ancient  empire,  I 
south  of  the  CaiC6?us,  and  east  ' 
of  the   Tigris,  which    subsisted 
400  years,  beginning  b.  c.  250.  1 
The    natives   were    remarkable  , 
for    continuing    to    fight    even 
when   they  were   obliged  to  re- 
treat.    In  the  latter  periods  of 
the  Roman  republic    they  were 
a    poweiful     people.      It    now 
forms  a  part  of  Pei'sia.     Doubt- 
less the  -Tews  from  Parthia,  who 
heard   Peter's   sermon,   carried 
home    the    knowledge    of    the 
christian  faith  ;   but  for  many 
ages   past   there  has   been   but 
little    Christianity    here.     Acts 
2  :  9. 

Partition,  a  separation  be- 
tween the  parts  of  a  thing.  The 
peculiar  ceremonies  of  the  Jews 
were  a  "  wall  of  partition  "  be- 
tween them  and  the  Gentiles. 
Jesus  did  them  away,  and 
now  the  wall  of  separation  is 
entirely  abolished.  Eph.  2  :  14 
-1 6. 

Partridge.  This  Urd  is  men- 
tioned but  twice  in  Scripture. 
In  1  Sam.  26  :  20,  David  com- 
pares himself  to  it  hunted  by 
an  enemy.  The  prophet  speaks 
of  "  the  partridge  that  sitteth  on 
ggs  and  hntchcth  them  not,''^  as 
being  like  the  man  who  "  getteth 
riches,  and  not  by  right."  As  the 
Dird  makes  no  other  nest  than 
a  hollow  on  the  ground,  her 
eggo  are  vory  often  destroyed 
by  rains  or  the  feet  of  animals. 
Several  of  them  win  sometimes 
lay  in  the  game  n^st,  so  that  the 
sitting  hen  cannot  cover  them 
all,  aud  many  are  spoiled     Fifty 


or  sixty  eggs  are  often  found  in 
one  nest.     Jer.  17  :  11. 

Parva'm,  a  region  thought  to 
be  the  same  as  Ophir.  2  Chron. 
3  :  6. 

Passion^  any  strong  or  violent 
emotion  of  the  mind  ;  desire 
for,  or  aversion  to,  a  thing,  aa 
anger,  love,  joy,  Ac,  —  the  last 
sufferings  of  the  Redeemer  of 
the  world. 

Pa-SOTer,  a  feast  of  the  Jews, 
in  commemoration  of  the  time 
when  God,  smiting  the  first-born 
of  the  Egyptians,  passed  over  the 
habitations  of  the  Hebrews, 
Ex.  12,  The  lamb  which  was 
slain,  called  the  pascal  lamb,  waa 
a  type  of  Christ,  the  Lamb  of 
God,  slain  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world.  Rev.  13  :  8.  Ana, 
as  the  destroying  angel  passed 
over  the  houses  of  the  Hebrews, 
which  were  marked  with  the 
blood  of  this  pascal  lamb,  so 
the  wrath  of  God  passes  over 
those  whose  souls  *re  sprlnkU-a 
vltn  the  blood  of  Christ.  1  Cor. 
5  :  7.  Heb.  12  :  24.  The  month 
of  the  exodus  from  Egypt  -naa 
ordained  thenceforth  to  be  the 
first  of  the  sacred  year.  On  the 
14th  day  of, this  month,  abow 
sunset,  th€  pascal  lamb  was  i/ 
be  killed.     See  Feast. 

Pat'ara,  a  seaport  of  Lycie* 
Here  was  a  famous  temple  of 
Apollo  ;  and  oracles,  equal  '- 
repvite  to  those  of  Delphos. 
were  given  for  six  months  of 
the  year.  Paul  touched  here  in 
his  way  from  Macedonia  to  Je 
rusalem.  Acts  21  :  I.  We  find 
no   traces   of   ohriatianity   hera 


PAT 


02 


PAD 


till  the  fourth  century,  nor  after 
the  ninth,  when  the  Saracens 
wasted  the  country. 

Path.     See  AVay. 

Pathros,  a  city  or  canton  of 
Egypt.  It  is  probably  the 
Pkaturis  of  Pliny.  It  had  its 
name  from  Pathrusira,  the  fifth 
son  of  Mizraim,  who  built  or 
peopled  it.  Uen.  10  :  14.  It 
is  thought  by  Calmet  to  be  the 
Greek  TJiebnis. 

Patience,  that  noble  passion 
or  power  of  the  mind  which 
renders  us  capable  of  enduring 
the  difficulties,  afflictions,  and 
disappointments,  that  happen 
in  this  life  ;  that  grace  which 
enables  us  readily  to  submit  to 
the  will  of  God  under  all  circum- 
stances ;  an  humble  and  sub- 
missive waiting  for  and  expec- 
tation of  eternal  life,  and  the 
accomplishment  of  God's  prom- 
ises ;  that  long-suffering  of  God, 
which  delays  the  punishment 
of  sinners,  and  allows  them  space 
for  repentance.  Matt.  18  :  26, 
29.  Rom.  2:4.  It  is  a  virtue 
which,  though  much  overlooked, 
and  reckoned  of  inferior  grade, 
is,  however,  one  of  the  noblest 
attainments  of  the  christian. 
Jam.  1:4. 

PatuiOS,  a  poor,  rocky  island 
in  the  Grecian  Archipelago, 
about  twenty-five  miles  in  cir- 
cumference. To  this  island 
John  was  banished  by  Domitian, 
in  A.  D.  94,  and  here  he  received 
his  Revelations^  which,  however, 
were  not  published  till  his  re- 
turn to  Ephesus.  The  chief 
town    is   in   the  centre   of   the 


island,  5000  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  sea,  and  contains  200 
houses  and  a  Catholic  convent. 
The  present  name  of  the  island 
is  Patmol,  or  Patmosa. 

PatriarcU,  a  venerable  man, 
with  a  large  posterity.  The 
word  is  chiefly  applied  to  those 
who  lived  before  Moses,  Acta 
7:8;  and  hence  we  speak  of 
the  "  patriarchal  age." 

A  list  of  the  patriarchs,  with 
the  length  of  their  lives  : — 

Adam,  who  lived  930  years. 

Seth,  "  "  912  " 

Eiios,  "  "  905  " 

Caiiian,  "  "  910 

Mahalaleel,  "  "  895  " 

Jared,  "  "  962  " 

Knuch,  "  "  365  " 

Methuselah,    "  "  969  " 

Lamech,  "  "  777  " 

Noah,  "  "  950  " 

Sheni,  "  "  6(10  " 

Arphaxad,  "  "  438  " 

Salah,  "  "  433  " 

p:ber,  "  "  464  " 

Peleg,  "  "  239 

Reu,  "  "  239  " 

Serug,  "   .    "  230  " 

Nahor,  "  "  148  " 

Terah,  "  "  2(5  ' 

Abraham,  "  "  175  ' 

Isaac,  "  "  ISO  " 

Jacob,  "  "147  " 

Paul  was  of  the  tribe  of  Ben- 
jamin, born  in  Taisus,  which,  as 
it  was  a  free  city  of  Rome,  gave 
him  the  honor  and  advantage 
of  Roman  citizenship,  though 
both  of  his  parents  were  Jews. 
His  name  at  first  was  Saul.  He 
was  sent  to  .lerusalem  for  his 
education,  and  became  a  very 
learned  and  prominent  Pharisee, 
He  was  not  converted  till  after 
our  Saviour's  death  ;  which 
makes  him  speak  of  himself  aa 
"  born  out  of  due  time."  He 
seems  to  have  been  raised  up  to 
take  the  place  of  Judas.  311a 
wonderful    labors    and  snocesa 


PEA 


198 


PEA 


are  recorded  in  the  Acts  of  tjie 
Apostles.  He  was  at  last  be- 
beaded  by  Nero,  at  or  near 
P.orae,  about  a.  d.  66.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  order  and  date  of 
his  epistles,  as  given  by  Bishop 
Pearson  : — 

A.  D.  62,  the  1  Ep.  to  the  Thcss. 

"  52,  "  2 ' 

"  57,  "  1  "    Corinthians. 

"  "  "  "  Galatians. 

"  *'  "  2  **    Corinthians. 

"  "  "  "  Koinans. 

"  62,  "  "  Ejihesians. 

"  "  "  "  Philippiana. 

"  "  "  "  Colossians. 

"  "  "  "  Philemon. 

"  63,  "  "  Hebrews. 

"  65,  "  1  "    Timothy. 

"       "  "  "  Titus. 

"  67.  "  2  "    Timothy. 

Some  chronologists  have  as- 
signed a  little  different  date  to 
some  of  these.  The  computa- 
tions adopted  by  Horne  will  be 
found  under  the  head  of  New 
Testament. 

His  writings  show  him  to  have 
been  eminently  acquainted  with 
both  Hebrew  and  Greek  learn- 
ing. Hid  quotations  from  the 
Old  Testament  show  how  pro- 
foundly and  accurately  he  un- 
derstood thetlewish  Law.  His 
having  read  the  (rreek  poets  is 
pvinced  by  his  universally  ac- 
knowledged quotations  from 
Aratus,  Epimenidcs  and  Me- 
nander,  and,  as  some  maintain, 
from  ^schylus,  Sophocles  and 
Euripides. 

Peace,  happy  tranquillity. 
The  gospel  does  not  promise  ex- 
citing pleasures,  but  peace. 
Christ  is  the  "  Prince  of  peace. ^^ 
Christians  are  required  to  "  live 
In  peace,"  and  endeavor  to  pro- 
mote it  in  the  earth.  The  wicked 
tnd  awful  wars  which  have 
17 


desolated  the  earth  sn.iU  be  ' 
known  no  more  when  Christian- 
ity reigns.  Isa.  2:4.  Tc 
bring  about  universal  peace, 
direct  means  should  be  em- 
ployed, as  well  as  for  other  good 
objects.     Matt.  5  :  9. 

Peacockj  a  beautiful  bird,  r.ot 
known  in  Palestine  till  impo  "ted 
by  Solomon.  1  Kings  10  :  22. 
Its  native  country  seems  to  be 
Persia  and  India.  When  Alex- 
ander reached  the  river  Indus 
he  was  so  charmed  at  the  sight 
of  these  birds,  that  he  forbado 
them  to  be  killed  under  a  se 
vere  penalty  ;  and  when  Hoi- 
tensius  first  killed  one  for  sup 
per  at  Rome,  he  was  tried  for 
the  offfence. 

Pearl,  a  hard,  white,  shining 
substance,  found  in  some  shell 
fishes.  The  matter  proper  to 
enlarge  the  shell,  bursting  from 
the  vessels  that  convey  it  to  the 
outside,  forms  into  a  pearl. 
Common  oysters,  the  pinna-ma- 
rina, and  several  other  fish, 
form  pearls  ;  but  the  proper 
pearl  oyster  produces  the  best. 
The  chief  fisheries  for  pearl  are 
at  Bahrein,  in  the  Persian  Gulf, 
and  near  the  Isle  of  Ceylon,  in 
the  East  Indies.  The  next  to 
these  are  the  pearl  fisheries  in 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  beau- 
tiful inside  of  the  shell  of  the 
pearl  oyster  is  called  "  mother  of 
pearl.'''  In  fifty  years,  pearla 
generally  lose  their  beauty ;  and 
in  a  hundred  they  are  scarcely 
worth  anything.  Cleopatra  had 
a  pearl  valued  at  80,000  poundl 
sterling      The  Persian  emperor 


PEL 


1^4 


PEN 


had  »»r.e  worth  110,000  pounds 
sterling  ;  and  Philip  II.,  of 
Spain,  had  one  as  large  as  a 
pigeon's  egg,  and  valued  at 
144,000  ducats.  What  our  la- 
dies wear  in  their  necklaces  are 
ordinarily  false  pearls,  made  of 
fish-scales  bruised,  and  enclosed 
in  glass.  What  is  very  excel- 
lent is  likened  to  pearls.  How 
precious  !  how  hard  to  be  come 
at  in  a  proper  manner  !  how 
truly  orhamental  !  and  how  apt 
are  men  to  counterfeit  them  ! 
Matt.  13  :  46.  Rev.  21  :  21, 
22.  To  "  cast  pearls  before 
swine,"  is  to  preach  the  gospel 
to  persecutors  ;  to  apply  the 
promises  and  privileges  proper 
to  saints  to  men  really  wicked; 
to  dispense  sacraments  to  per- 
sons notoriously  profane  ;  or  to 
administer  reproofs  to"  obstinate 
scoffers.     Matt.  7  :  6. 

Pelegj  whose  name  signifies 
division,  was  born  one  hundred 
years  after  the  flood.  He  was 
so  named,  because  in  his  days 
the  earth  was  divided  into  na- 
tions, in  consequence  of  the  con- 
fusion of  tongues  at  the  tower 
of  Babel.     Gen.  10  :  25. 

Pel'ethites  are  always  men- 
tioned with  Cherethites,  and 
were  part  of  the  king's  guard, 
rhey  were  chiefly  used  as  run- 
aers  or  messengers.  See  Chere- 
thites. 

Pelican,  an  aquitia  bird, 
somewhat  larger  than  a  common 
goose.  Its  color  i  5  nearly  white, 
the  neck  yellowish,  and  the  back 
dark  brown.  It  has  a  long, 
oroolipd  beak,  and  the  fore  part 


of  the  heal  towards  tht  throit 
naked.  Pelicans  have  a  bag  at 
their  throat,  nearly  as  capacious 
as  a  peck  measure,  into  which 
they  gather  fishes,  &c.,  for 
themselves  and  for  their  young, 
of  whom  they  are  extremely 
careful.  Its  feeding  its  young 
from  the  bag  on  its  breast  has 
perhaps  been  the  origin  of  the 
fable  of  its  giving  them  its  owa 
blood  ;  and  thus  caused  it  to  be 
the  emblem  of  paternal,  as  the 
stork  is  of  filial  afiection.  This 
bird  is  very  retired  in  its  habits, 
sitting  for  whole  days  alone 
among  rocks  and  solitudes.  Itfi 
voice  is  plaintive  and  disagree- 
able. Hence  David  compares 
himself,  in  his  distress,  to  the 
pelican.     Ps.  102  :  6. 

Pen,  an  instrument  for  writ- 
ing. Anciently,  when  tablets 
of  wax,  &c.,  were  used,  the  pen 
was  generally  made  of  reed. 
John,  in  his  3d  epistle,  verse 
13,  says,  "I  have  many  things 
to  write  unto  thee,  but  not  with 
pen  (xaXaiior,  calamus)  and 
ink."  The  English  word  pen 
comes  from  the  Latin  penna,  a 
feather  ;  but  the  use  of  quills  ia 
a  modern  invention  ;  the  first 
authentic  testimony  of  their 
being  so  used  is  in  Isidorus,  who 
died  A.  D.  63G. 

Peni'el,  where  Jacob  saw  the 
Lord,  was  east  of  Jordan,  near 
the  brook  Jabbok.  Gen.  32  : 
24—28. 

Penny,  a  Roman  silver  coin, 
equal  to  about  thirteen  3ent3 
It  was  the  common  price  of  r 
day's  work.     Mat^    20  :  ?  -1 3 


PEN 


195 


PER 


tn  wane  ocuntries,  the  fruits  of 
the  earth  are  produced  in  great 
abundance,  and  the  inhabitants 
require  but  little  clothing  ;  so 
that  labor  is  very  cheap.  The 
pay  of  soldiers  was  still  less. 
It  is  very  necessary  to  remem- 
ber the  value  of  the  penny,  to 
understand  that  the  wages  men- 
tioned in  the  passage  just  quoted 
were  very  generous  ;  that  the 
money  given  by  the  Samaritan 
to  the  innkeeper  was  reasona- 
ble ;  and  that  the  sum.  Rev.  6  : 
6,  is  a  high  price,  and  denotes  a 
great  scarcity. 

This  piece  of  money  was  first 
coined  by  the  Romans  b.  c.  269. 
In  the  time  of  Christ  it  bore  the 
image  of  the  reigning  Emperor. 
Matt.  22  :  19. 


Pentecost,  a  feast  of  the  Jews, 
on  the  fiftieth  day  after  the 
Passover.  It  was  a  solemn 
thanksgiving  for  the  harvest, 
and  a  grateful  commemoration 
of  their  being  delivered  from 
Egyptian  servitude,  and  enjoy- 
ing thXiir  property,  by  reaping 
the  fruits  of  their  labors.  Lev. 
23  :   10,  11,  &c. 

It  is  called  by  other  names  in 
the  sacred  writings,  as,  (1.)  the 
feast  of  weeks  (Ex.  24:  22. 
Deut.  16 :  10),  because  cele- 
brated seven  weeks,  or  a  week 
of  weoks,  after  the  first  day  ci 


the  Passover  ;  (2.)  t  e  J'taft  ,/f 
harvest  (Ex.  23  :  IG);  and,  (3.) 
the  day  of  firat  fruits  (Numb 
28  :  26),  because  on  this  day 
the  Jews  offered  thanks  for  the 
bounties  of  the  harvest,  and 
presented  the  first  fruits  of 
wheat,  in  bread  baked  of  the 
new  grain.  Ex.  23  :  16.  Lev. 
23  :  14.     Numb.  28  :  26. 

Perdition,  utter  ruin,  eternal 
death.  The  son  of  perdition  meaoa 
Judas  Iscariot.  Antichrist  \% 
also  called  by  this  epithet.  2 
Thess.  2  :  3,  4. 

Perfect,  complete,  without 
blemish  or  defect.  It  is  applied 
(1.)  to  God,  who  is  absolutely 
7-rfect,  Matt.  5  :  48  ;  (2.)  to 
that  man  who  has  risen  to  the 
measure  of  his  stature  in  Christ, 
Col.  1  :  28;  (3.)  to  some 
who  are  innocent  in  compari- 
son of  others,  Job  8  :  20  ; 
(4.)  to  one  who  is  sincere  in 
heart,  and  unblamable  in 
life.  Gen.  6:9;  (5.)  to 
those  who  imitate  God  in 
doing  good  to  the  unworthy. 
Matt.  5  :  48  ;  (6.)  to  such  as 
have  a  good  degree  of  under- 
standing, J  Cor.  2  :  6;  (7.)  to 
inanimate  things,  as  weighti, 
measures,  <fec.     Deut.  25  :   15. 

Perfnme,  an  Jigreeable  smell. 
In  the  East,  perfumes  were  used 
to  testify  great  respect.  Dan. 
2  :  46.  The  Hebrews  had  two 
sacred  perfumes,  one  of  incenu, 
and  the  other  an  oil.  Ex.  30  : 
23—38.  They  were  addicted  to 
the  perfuming  of  dead  brdiea 
clothes,  beds,  &c.  Prov.  7  :  17 
Pb.  45  ;  8.     Song  3  :  6. 


PER 


1U6 


PER 


Perga,  »  city  of  Pamphylia, 
on  the  river  Castrus,  near  to 
which,  on  an  eminence,  stood  a 
temple  of  Diana.  It  was  famed 
for  the  birth  of  Apollonius,  the 
geometrician.  Here  Paul  and 
Barnabas  preached,  Acts  13  : 
14  ;  14  :  25  ;  and  to  the  end  of 
the  eighth  century  we  find  a 
christian  church  here.  It  is  at 
present  a  place  of  little  impor- 
tance. There  was  another  Per- 
ga  in  Epirus. 

PerganiOS,  the  ancient  me- 
tropolis of  Mysia,  and  the  resi- 
dence of  the  Attalian  kings, 
stands  on  a  rich  and  spacious 
plain,  near  the  banks  of  the 
Caicus.  It  was  famous  for"  its 
extent  and  grandeur ;  for  a  tem- 
ple to  Esculapius  ;  for  a  library 
of  200,000  volumes,  which  was 
removed  to  Egypt  by  Cleopatra; 
and  for  its  being  the  birthplace 
of  the  celebrated  Galen.  Parch- 
ment was  invented  here,  and  re- 
ceived its  name  from  the  place. 
The  christian  church  here  soon 
degenerated,  and  tolerated  for- 
nication, but  appears  to  have 
been  reformed  by  John's  letter, 
(Rev.  2),  and  for  800  years  af- 
terward it  was  a  considerable 
church.  A  GreeK  and  Armenian 
church  exist  here  at  the  present 
day.  Of  the  population  now  es- 
timated at  30,000  persons,  there 
ire  300  Armenian  christians, 
1500  Greeks,  and  a  synagogue 
of  100  Jews.  The  remainder 
are  Turks.  The  streets  are  wide 
and  clean,  for  an  Eastern  city. 
Its  present  name  is  Bergamo. 


PerizzitCS,  one  of  the  devoted 
nations  of  Canaan.  They  were 
never  fully  extirpated.  Solo- 
mon exacted  tribute  of  them. 
2  Chr.  8:7.  So  late  »s  the 
days  of  Ezra  we  find  them  inter- 
married with  the  Jews.     Ez   9: 

Perscfntion,  unjust  vexation 
and  injury  on  account  of  re- 
ligious principles  or  modes  of 
worship.  Acts  8  :  1,  and  13  : 
50.  Rom.  8  :  35.  Gal.  6  :  12. 
It  is  in  some  degree  the  lot  of 
all  the  truly  pious  ;  therefore, 
while  the  Saviour  promises  all 
necessary  good  to  his  followers, 
he  forewarns  them  that  persecu- 
tion will  be  added.  Mark  10  : 
30.  2  Tim.  3  :  12.  The  dread- 
ful practice  began  in  the  first 
human  family,  and  has  never 
ceased.  The  form  in  which  per- 
secution now  ordinarily  shows 
itself,  is  in  hard  words,  unchari- 
table censures,  and  underhand 
opposition.  When,  however,  a 
time  of  persecution  is  spoken  of  in 
history,  it  means  when  men  are 
dragged  before  tribunals,  ban- 
ished, imprisoned,  fined,  and 
slain  for  their  religion.  There 
were  ten  general  and  dreadful 
persecutions  previous  to  A.  B. 
313.  Since  the  Roman  church 
has  gained  power,  she  has 
always  been  prone  to  persecu- 
tion. The  inquisition  was  es- 
tablished for  this  very  purpose., 
and  continues  to. this  day.  All 
Europe  has  been  deluged  with 
Protestant  blood,  and  hundredf 
of  thousands  of  men,  women  and 


PER 


197 


PET 


thildren  have  been  butchered 
with  the  most  exquisite  cruelty. 
This  abominable  characteristic 
of  Popery  is  one  of  the  proofs 
<tf  its  being  Antichrist.  Perse- 
cution in  any  way  is  directly 
contrary  to  the  gospel.  1  Cor. 
4:12      Matt.  5  :  43—45. 

'Pcrseverauce,  continuance  in 
in  any  design,  state,  or  opinion. 
Eph.  6  :  18.  All  who  are  truly 
born  of  the  Spirit  Avill,  by  di- 
vine grace,  persevere  to  the  end. 
Mercy  being  secured  to  them  not 
through  their  will  or  merit,  but 
God's  own  will  and  mercy,  and 
they  being  really  united  to 
Ohrist,  as  members  to  a  body, 
they  cannot  be  finally  cast  off. 
Eph.  1  :  4,  23.  Many  positive 
declarations  of  Scripture  teach 
the  final  perseverance  of  the 
saints.  Job  17  :  9.  Ps.  94  : 
14,  and  125.  Jer.  32  :  40. 
John  10  :  28,  and  17  :  12.  1 
Cor.  1  :  8,  9.     1  Pet.  1  :  5. 

Persia,  a  country  in  Asia, 
which  has  been  subject  to  various 
fluctuations  of  extent  and  glory. 
Its  most  ancient  name  was  Elam. 
In  the  book  of  Daniel  it  is  called 
Pares  It  is  bounded  north  by 
Russia  and  Tartary,  east  by  the 
Mogul  empire,  south  by  the 
Arabian  Sea  and  Persian  Gulf, 
west  by  Georgia,  Armenia,  and 
Arabia.  When  Cyrus  conquered 
Babylon,  the  Persian  monarchy 
swallowed  up  that  of  Chaldea. 
Dan.  7  :  3 — 5.  Persia  was  af- 
terwards conquered  by  Alexan- 
der. Dan.  7:6.  It  was  sub- 
•eqjently  a  part  of  Parthia,  and 
17* 


remained  ?<:»  till  about  A.  d.  235 
About  641,  the  Saracens,  undei 
Omar,  conquered  it,  and  it  re- 
mained  subject  to  the  caliphs  of 
Bagdad  615  years.  Since  then 
it  has  undergone  various  vicii- 
situdes,  sometimes  triumphant 
and  often  prostrate.  Its  mon- 
arch's title  at  present  is  shah^ 
and  sometimes  sophi.  The  coun- 
try has  few  rivers,  many  moun- 
tains, and  several  desert  plains. 
Opium,  senna,  rhubarb,  and 
assafoetida  are  procured  here. 
The  religion  of  Persia  at  this 
time  is  Mahometan,  of  the  sect 
of  the  Chia.<i  or  Schiites.  Its 
capital"  city  was  Persepolis,  now 
Chdmiiiar. 

Pestilence,  a  name  given  in 
Scripture  to  any  prevailing  coi  - 
tagious  disease. 

Peter,  son  ■  of  Jonas,  born  in 
Bethsaida.  He  was  of  a  prompt, 
resolute  temper,  and  sometimes 
impetuous.  He  moved  with  bis 
wife  and  family  to  Capernaum, 
and  there  it  was  that  Christ 
sometimes  made  his  home  with 
them.  After  a  life  of  most  ex- 
alted usefulness,  he  was  cruci- 
fied for  his  Master's  sake  about 
A.  D.  70.  The  Roman  Catholics 
consider  the  popes  to  be  the  suc- 
cessors of  Peter,  as  Bishop  of 
Rome  ;  but  learned  men  deny 
that  he  ever  visited  that  city. 

Two  Epistlks  were  written  by 
him  ;  the  first,  four  or  five  years 
before  the  other.  They  are 
called  general,  because  written 
for  the  use  of  all  the  converts 
to  Christianity,  especially  sucli 


TEA 


198 


PHA 


as  were  formerly  Jews,  and  not 
to  those  of  any  particular  city. 
The  Jint  epistle  is  evidently 
addressed  to  converts  from  Ju- 
daism dwelling  among  heathen 
in  the  countries  named  in  the 
first  verse.  The  second  epistle 
was  a  long  time  regarded  as 
spurious,  and  is  not  quoted  by 
any  christian  writer  till  the 
fourth  century.  Since  then  it 
has  generally  been  received  as 
genuine  ;  but  with  less  certainty 
of  evidence  than  any  other  book 
in  the  Bible. 

Pha'raoh,  pronounced  Pha'ro, 
the  common  title  of  the  ancient 
sovereigns  of  Egypt,  as  Ptolemy 
was  afterward 

There  are  several  kings  of 
this  name  mentioned  in  Scrip- 
ture. 

1.  He  who  took  away  Abra- 
ham's wife.     Gen.  12. 

2.  He  who  exalted  Joseph. 
Gen.  41,  39. 

3.  He  who  first  oppressed 
Israel.     Ex.  1  :  8. 

4.  He  who  released  Israel. 
Ex.  5,  14. 

5.  He  who  gave  his  wife's 
Bister  in  marriage  to  Hadad. 
1  Kings  11. 

6.  Serechus,cotemporarywith 
Ahaz.     2  Kings  17  :  4. 

7.  Tirhakah,  called  by  Strabo 
Tearcho.  He  lived  in  the  days 
of  Hezekiah.  2  Kings  19  :  9  ; 
Isa.  37  :  9 

8.  Pharioh  Necho,  who  set 
up  Jehoiakim  to  be  king  of 
Tudea,  in  place  of  Josiah,  who 
was  slain  in  the  battle  of  Me- 
giddo,  B.  c    610,  according  to 


Prideaux.  Herodotus  mentioui 
this  battle  as  the  battle  of  Mag' 
dolum.  2  Kings  23  :  24.  He  is 
called  Necus  in  Egyptian  his- 
tory. In  the  fourteenth  yea' 
of  his  reign,  Daniel  interpreted 
the  prophetic  dream  of  the  king 
of  Babylon.  This  monarch  sent 
out  a  fleet  by  the  Red  Sea  and 
Straits  of  Babelmandel  to  dis- 
cover the  coasts  of  Africa,  which 
went  entirely  round  and  re- 
turned the  third  year  by  the 
Straits  of  Gibraltar.  This  was 
more  than  2000  years  before 
Vasquez  di  Gama  discovered 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

9.  Pharaoh-Hophra,  called  in 
profane  history  Apries,  who  made 
a  league  with  Zedekiah,  in  con- 
sequence of  which  many  of  the 
Jews  sought  refuge  in  Egypt, 
and  carried  the  prophet  Jere- 
miah with  them.  Jer.  43  :  8 — 
12,  and  44  :  1.  This  Pharaoh 
died  B.  c.  570  years.  In  conse- 
quence of  Zedekiah's  revolt  and 
league  with  Egypt,  Nebuchad- 
nezzar besieged  and  destroyed 
Jerusalem,  and  erected  the 
colossal  golden  image  on  the 
plain  of  Dura. 

Pharisees,  one  of  the  most 
ancient  and  noted  sects  among 
the  Jews,  remarkable  for  their 
rigid  way  of  living,  fasting  con- 
stantly every  second  and  fifth 
day  of  the  week,  and  submit- 
ting to  many  austerities.  They 
studied  the  law,  were  very  exact 
in  the  outward  observance  of 
it,  and  pret/jnded  to  more  holi- 
ness than  others  ;  adding  volun- 
tary sacrifices  to  those  that  wer« 


Pill 


199 


PHI 


•ommanded,  and  m-^king  a  great  I 
Bhow  of  exactly  performing  all 
their  vows.  By  these  methods, 
they  gained  the  good  opinion  of 
the  populace,  and  were  esteemed 
persons  of  great  learning  and 
sanctity.  But  they  corrupted 
the  word  of  God  by  their  ex- 
positions, and  substituted  hu- 
man traditions  in  the  room  of 
divine  truth.  Many  of  them 
were  very  wicked  men,  though 
a  majority  perhaps  really  lived 
as  they  professed. 

Phai'par.  See  Abaxa. 
Philadelphia,  a  city  of  Lydia, 
at  the  foot  of  Mount  Tmolus, 
seventy -two  miles  from  Smyrna, 
was  so  called  from  Attalus  Phil- 
adelphus,  who  built  it.  A  chris- 
tian church  was  very  early 
planted  here,  to  which  John  was 
directed  to  write  a  consolatory 
and  instructive  epistle.  Rev. 
3  :  7 — 13.  Though  we  can  only 
trace  the  regular  history  of 
Christianity  in  this  place  for 
about  800  years,  it  has  never 
been  extinguished.  At  present 
there  are  in  it  about  2000  chris- 
tians, chiefly  Greeks,  Avho  speak 
the  Turkish  language,  formed 
into  five  churches,  and  having 
d.t  least  twenty  places  of  public 
worship.  An  archbishop  resides 
here,  whose  diocese  extenis  to 
Sardis  on  the  west,  and  Laodicea 
on  the  east.  The  town  contains 
about  3000  houses.  Gibbon 
says,  "  Among  the  Greek  colo- 
nies and  churches  of  Asia,  Phil- 
adelphia is  still  erect,  —  a  c^l- 
Ui»n  in  a  siene  of  ru  ns  "     Jt  is 


now  called  AUah  Schyr,  or  th« 
"  Fair  City." 

Phill'  inOD  seems  to  have  been 
some  eminent  Christian  residing 
at  Colosse,  whose  servant,  named 
Oneaim^is,  absconded  and  fled  to 
R  nne.  There  he  was  converted, 
and  sent  back  to  his  master 
with  a  letter  from  Paul,  called 
the  Epistle  to  Philemon. 

The  Epistle  seems  to  have 
been  written  by  Paul  during  his 
detention  at  Rome,  a.  r.  fi2  or 
63,  and  was  sent,  together  witn 
the  Epistles  to  the  Ephesians 
and  Colossians,  by  Tychicus  and 
Onesimus.  Paley,  in  his  Horae 
Paulinfe,  has  brought  many  un- 
answerable proofs  of  the  au- 
thenticity of  Scripture  from  the 
undesigned  coincidences  between 
this  Epistle  and  the  Acts  of  the 
Apostles,  written  by  Luke. 

Philip,  son  of  Herod  the 
Great  and  Cleopatra.  From  him 
the  city  Cesarea  Philippi  re- 
ceived its  name.  Matt.  l(i  :  13, 
&c. 

Philip,  another  son  of  Herod, 
by  his  wife  Mariamne.  He  was 
sometimes  called  Herod,  and  was 
the  husband  of  Herodias.  He 
was  disinherited  by  his  father, 
and  lived  a  private  life.  Matt. 
14  :  3,  &c. 

Philip,  one  of  the  twelve 
apostles  ;  a  native  of  Bethsaida 
in  Galilee.  Some  ancient  his- 
torians say  that  he  was  the  in- 
dividual who  requested  of  Jesui 
that  he  might  "first  go  and 
bury  his  father. "  MaVt.  8  :  21, 
22. 


I  111 


200 


PHI 


Philip,  one  of  the  seven  dea- 
eun3  of  the  church  at  Jerusa- 
lem. Acts  6:5;  also  called 
"  evangelist,"  Acts  21:8;  wh ich 
then,  as  now,  means  one  of  those 
ministers  who  itinerate  and  are 
not  settled  over  any  one  church. 
Epfc.  4  :  11.  He  founded 
churches  in  Samaria,  Azotus, 
&c.,  and  settled  in  Cesarea. 
He  had  several  daughters  who 
preached,  and  perhaps  uttered 
predictions.     Acts  21  :  9. 

Philippi,  a  city  of  Macedonia, 
anciently  called  Datos ;  bijt 
being  repaired  by  Philip,  father 
of  Alexander  the  Great,  it  re- 
3eived  its  name  from  him.  It 
stood  about  seventy  miles  north- 
east of  Thessalonica,  and  was 
famous  for  the  defeat  of  Brutus 
and  Cassius  in  its  neighborhood. 
Here  Paul  preached  about  a.  d. 
52  ;  and  Lydia  and  many  others 
were  converted.  Acts  16  :  12. 
This  church  supported  Paul 
while  he  labored  as  a  missionary 
at  Thessalonica,  Phil.  4  :  15,  16, 
and  also  when  at  Corinth,  2  Cor. 
11:9,  and  remitted  him  money 
for  his  support,  while  he  lived 
at  Rome  in  "  his  own  hired 
house."  Phil.  2  :  25,  and  4  ; 
10—18 

The  Epistle  to  these  chris- 
tians seems  to  have  been  writ- 
ten from  Rome  during  the  lat- 
ter part  of  Paul's  first  imprison- 
ment. The  church  had  been 
founded  by  Paul  ;  see  Acts  16  ; 
and,  of  all  his  churches,  seems  to 
oave  loved  him  most,  and  to 
Have  been  most  generous  in  his 
support.     He    wrote    to    thank 


them  for  their  bounty,  And  to 
teaoli  them  God's  truth.  It  is 
the  c  nly  Epistle  of  Paul  which 
expresses  no  censure. 

Pliilistia,  or  Palestine,  is  a 
name  now  given  to  the  whole  of 
Canaan  ;  but  in  Scripture  it 
means  only  a  narrow  strip  of 
land  along  the  sea-coast,  in  the 
south-west  of  Canaan,  about 
forty  miles  long  and  fifteen 
miles  broad.  Its  cities  were 
Gerar,  Gaza,  Majuma,  Askelon, 
Ekron,  Ashdod,  and  Gath.  The 
Philistines  and  the  Caphtorim 
descended  from  Casluhim,  the 
son  of  Mizraim,  who  peopled 
Egypt  ;  and  their  country  is 
perhaps  called  of  Caphtor.  Jer. 
47  :  4.  Their  territory  was  al- 
lotted to  the  Hebrews,  but  they 
neglecting  to  take  possession  of 
it,  the  Philistines  were  made  a 
severe  and  lasting  scourge  to 
them.  Josh.  13  :  2,  3  ;  15  :  45, 
46,  47.  Jud.  3  :  1,  2,  3.  See 
Canaan. 

Perhaps  no  territory  in  the 
world  was  ever  so  prosperous  as 
Philistia,  owing  mainly  to  the 
commerce  between  Europe  and 
Asia  being,  for  ages,  almost 
wholly  carried  on  by  its  inhab- 
itants. 

Philosophy,  a  word  literally 
signifying  love  of  wisdom.  In 
its  usual  acceptation,  however, 
it  denotes  a  science,  or  colleo* 
tion  of  sciences,  of  which  all 
things,  both  of  body  and  spirit, 
are  the  objects.  When  the  term 
is  thus  employed,  it  admits  of 
various  definitions.  That  pnrt 
of  philosophy  which   treats   of 


Pllli 


201 


PHY 


Ood,  is  called  Theology  ;  that 
which  treats  of  nature,  Physics, 
or  Natural  Philosophy  ;  that 
which  treats  of  mind,  Meta- 
physics ;  that  which  treats  of 
morality.  Ethics,  <fec.  When 
St.  Paul  cautioned  the  Colos- 
sians  to  "  beware  lest  any  man 
should  spoil  them  through  phi- 
losophy "  (chap.  2  :  8),  he  did 
not  mean  to  forbid  the  pursuit 
of  knowledge  in  general,  but  to 
condemn  that  vain  affectation  of 
wisdom,  of  which  the  heathens 
were  notoriously  fond,  and 
which  stood  in  opposition  to  the 
simplicity  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ. 

Phcenicia,  a  province  of  Syria. 
It  contained,  the  famous  cities 
Sarepta,  Ptolemais,  Tyre  and 
Sidon.  The  Tyrians  and  Sidoni- 
ans  had,  for  a  long  time,  almost 
all  the  trade  of  the  then  known 
world.  There  was  scarcely  a 
shore  or  isle  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean Sea  where  they  did  not 
plant  colonies.  The  most  noted 
of  these  was  that  of  Carthage, 
which  once  long  contended  with 
Rome.  It  is  thought  the  Phoe- 
nicians pushed  their  trade  as  far 
as  Britain,  and  they  probably 
had  settlements  on  the  Red  Sea 
and  Persian  Gulf.  Sir  Isaac 
Newton  thinks  that  vast  num- 
bers of  Edomites  fled  hither  in 
the  days  of  David,  and  carried 
their  arts  along  with  them. 
The  chief  city  of  this  region, 
and  sometimes  the  region  itself, 
is  now  called  Tr'ipdi. 

Phl'_)'2;ia,  a  country  of  Lesser 
Asia      having      Dithynia     and 


Galatia  on  the  north,  Cappadi>» 
cia  on  the  east,  and  Pisidia  and 
Lycia  on  the  south,  and  Lydiaj 
Mysia  and  Caria  on  the  west. 
The  gospel  was  very  early 
preached  in  Phrygia,  and  a 
church  formed,  which,  for  many 
ages,  made  a  considerable  ap- 
pearance. Acts  IG  :  6  ;  18  :  23. 
A  portion  of  the  inhabitants  are 
Christians  to  this  day. 

Phylac'tery,  a  slip  or  box  of 

parchment,  on  which  was  written 
some  important  texts  of  Scrip- 
ture, worn  by  pious  Jews  on 
their  foreheads  or  arms  when 
they  went  to  the  synagogue,  or 
at  morning  and  evening  prayer, 
<fcc.  The  common  form  may  b* 
seen  in  the  engraving. 


Our  Lord  censures  the  Phari- 
sees  for  wearing  theirs  very 
large  and  conspicuous,  out  of 
vain-glory  and  hypocrisy,  and 
making  the  use  of  them  a  great 
part  of  their  religion.  The  cu;*- 
torn  was  founded  oa  the  com- 
mand, in  Ex.  13  16,  and 
Numb.  15  :  37 — 40  ;  which  waa 
I  probably    only    figurativo    Ian 


FIL 


202 


PIS 


guage,  meaning  that  they  should 
most  carefully  remember  God's 
word.  But  the  Jews  were  apt 
to  turn  all  the  law  into  carnal 
observances.  The  passages  com- 
monly written  on  them,  were 
Numb.  15  :  41;  Deut.  6  :  6—9; 
Ex.  13  :  8,  9,  and  13  :  14—16; 
Deut.  11  :  18—21.  It  does  not 
appear,  however,  that  they  con- 
fined themselves  to  these  texts. 
There  is  no  evidence  of  their 
being  worn  by  the  ancient  Jews. 
The  custom  seems  to  have  origi- 
nated about  the  time  of  the  rise 
of  the  sect  of  Pharisees.  Some 
Jews  now  wear  a  square  piece 
of  stutf  under  their  clothes,  with 
four  strings  and  four  tassels  at 
the  corners,  which  they  call 
Arbah  Ccusotk. 

Pilate.    See  PoxTius. 

Pilgrim,  a  wanderer  ;  one  who 
travels  to  a  holy  place.  It  is 
not  probable  that  pilgrimages, 
as  now  made  by  papists  and 
pagans,  were  known  in  early 
times  ;  but  good  men  in  all 
ages  have  esteemed  themselves 
"  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the 
earth."     Heb.  11  :  13. 

Pillar^  a  column,  a  supporter, 
a  monument.  "  The  pillars  of 
the  earth,"  and  "  pillars  of 
heaven,"  are  metaphorical  ex- 
pressions, by  which  the  world  is 
compared  to  a  vast  edifice, 
reared  by  the  poAver  and  skill 
»f  Jehovah.  Job  9:6;  26  : 
.  1  ;  and  38  :  4,  6.  Ps.  75  :  3. 
James  was  a  pillar  in  the  church ; 
that  is,  a  great  support  and  or- 
nament ;  and  the  church  itself 
is  the  "  pillar   and   ground   of 


the  truth  ; "  that  is,  it  maintains 
truth  in  the  world.  1  Tim.  5  ; 
15. 

Pilled,  skinned,  or  barkeu. 
Gen.  30  :  39. 

Pillow.  The  piiiOw,  in  Pal- 
estine  and  other  Eastern  coun- 
tries, where  people  sit  on  the 
floor,  or  recline  on  divans  round 
the  room,  is  as  much  used  by 
day  as  by  ni^ht.  Those  used 
by  day  are  "  arm  pillows,",  to 
lean  upon.  I  have  seen  them 
made  of  rattan,  hollow,  and 
woven  like  a  basket.  In  Siam, 
they  are  three-sided,  made  of 
morocco  and  well  stuffed. 

Fine,  a  species  of  fir-tree.  It 
grew  on  Lebanon,  but  is  meu' 
tioned  only  thrice  in  Scripture  ; 
Neh.  8:15.  Isa.  61  :  19  ;  and 
GO  :  13. 

Pianadg,  a  turret,  or  high 
summit.  The  "  pinnacle  of  the 
temple,"  Matt.  4  :  5,  seems  to 
have  been  the  battlement  of  the 
roof  of  Solomon's  porch,  which 
stood  on  ground  made  by  car- 
rying up  a  wall  of  several  hun- 
dred feet  from  the  valley  below, 
and  thus  enlarging  the  space  for 
the  temple  on  the  top.  It  was 
a  dizzy  height  (Josephus  says 
750  feet),  and  commanded  an 
extensive  prospect. 

PiSgah,  the  highest  top  of 
that  chain  of  mountains  called 
Abarim,  and  a  part  of  Mount 
Nebo  ;  and  so  Moses  is  some- 
times said  to  view  Canaan  from 
Nebo,  ftnd  sometimes  from  Pis- 
gah.  Deut.  3  :  27  ;  34  :  I. 
There  were  several  fine  spring* 
of  wf  ceratitsbase,  Deut.  4:4i> 


PIT 


20i 


PLO 


PisKdia,  a  province  of  Lesser 
Asia,  west  of  Mount  Taurus, 
Bouth-west  of  Lycaonia,  and 
aqrtli  of  Pamphylia.  Its  present 
name  is  NatoUa. 

Pi'son,  the  name  of  the  first 
branch  of  the  river  of  Eden.  It 
id  supposed  to  be  the  western 
branch  of  the  divided  stream  of 
the  Tigris  and  Euphrates,  which 
runs  along  the  side  of  Havilah 
Ini^-abia.     Gen.  2  :  II 

Pitch.  The  substance  so 
called,  Gen.  6  :  14,  is  the  same 
as  che  sliine,  mentioned  Gen.  13  : 
3,  and  14  :  10  ;  and  is  generally 
supposed  to  be  the  inflammable 
mineral  called  asphaltos,  from 
the  lake  Asphaltites,  or  Dead  Sea, 
in  Judea,  on  the  surface  of 
which  it  is  found.  When  first 
obtained,  it  is  soft,  viscous,  and 
pliable,  but  soon  acquires  a 
hardness  and  tenacity  superior 
to  our  pitch.  It  was  therefore 
excellent  for  smearing  the  ark, 
Ex.  2  :  3,  or  for  building  the 
tower  of  Babel.  Gen.  11:  3. 
The  Arabs  still  use  it  for  the 
bottom  of  boats  ;  and  in  the 
ruins  of  Babylon,  large  masses 
of  brick-work  cemented  with  it 
have  been  discovered.  Naptha, 
Petroleum^  Barbadoes  tar,  <fec.,  are 
different  varieties  of  this  sub- 
stance. 

Pi'thom  and  Rame^ses  were 
the  two  cities  for  the  building 
or  fortifjing  of  which  the  He- 
brews made  brick  Ex.  1  :  11. 
Herodotus  mentions  a  city 
called  Pathumos,  situated  on  the 
eanal  made  to  join  the  Red  Sea 
fcod    the   River   Nile,  which    is 


probably  the  same  aa  Pithom 
Such  is  the  opinion  of  tha 
learned  men  who  acctmpanied 
the  French  expeditit  n  The 
present  name  is  Abbcuseh. 

Rameses  was  in  GoslieUj  and 
was  the  point  from  which  the 
Hebrews  started  in  their  Ex 
odus. 

Pledge,  a  pawn  Avhich  a 
lender  takes  from  a  borrower,  Ui 
secure  the  payment  of  money. 
No  millstone  was  to  be  taken  ia 
pledge  ;  the  widow's  ox,  or  a 
person's  clothing  for  body  or 
bed,  if  taken,  was  to  be  restored 
the  same  night.  No  Hebrew 
was  to  take  a  pledge  from  a 
poor  man  of  his  own  nation,  nor 
to  go  into  the  borrower's  house 
to  take  a  pledge  for  himself,  but 
the  borrower  was  to  bring  out 
to  him  that  which  could  best  be 
spared.  Ex.  22  :  26.  Deut 
24  :  10—17.  Ezek.  18  :  7—12, 
16. 

Ple'iade?,  a  beautiful  cluster 
of  stars,  sometimes  called  *'  the 
seven  stars."  They  are  in  the 
constellation  Taurus,a,xidi  appear, 
in  our  hemisphere,  the  last  of 
March! 

Plow,  an  instrument  of  tillage. 
To  plow  and  look  back,  Luke  9  : 
62,  is  to  make  bad  work,  if  indeed 
one  could  thus  work  at  all,  es- 
pecially with  the  imperfect 
plows  used  in  the  time  of  our 
Saviour.  Christians,  therefore, 
must  not  look  back  on  the  world 
with  pleasure  and  detire,  but 
give  all  heed  to  the  important 
work  and  i  ^ward  which  lies  be 
fore  them.     1  Cor.  9  :   10 


POM 


201 


VOF 


Poets,  composers  of  songs  or 
verses  in  metre.  Acts  17  :  28. 
Uoiner,  Pindar,  Anacreon,  and 
Sappho,  excelled  among  the 
Greeks  ;  Virgil  and  Horace 
among  the  Latins.  Many  por- 
tions of  the  sacred  writings  are 
in  poetry  ;  the  grandeur  of 
which  incomparably  transcends 
that  of  any  human  production. 
As  the  true  pronunciation  of  the 
Hebrew  language  is  not  now 
known,  we  cannot  perceive  the 
harmony  of  words  or  quantity 
of  syllables  which  mark  true 
poetry.  Yet  it  is  plain  that  the 
Hebrews  regarded  those  things, 
as  we  find  letters  added  to,  or 
omitted  from,  the  ends  of  words, 
<fec.,  evincing  submission  to 
rhythm  and  quantity.  The 
reader  is  referred  to  the  Lec- 
tures of  Bishop  Lowth  on  the 
Poetry  of  the  Hebrews,  as  con- 
taining all  that  is  satisfactorily 
known  on  this  subject. 

Poll,  (pronounced  pole,)  the 
head  of  a  person :  —  a  register  of 
heads  or  persons.  Numb.  1  :  2. 
1  Chr.  23  :  3,  24.  As  a  verb,  it 
means  to  lop,  cut,  or  prune.  2 
Sam.  14  •  26.     Ezek.  44  :  20. 

Polinx,  see  Castok. 

Pomegraii'ate,  a  species  of 
the  apple-tree.  Its  growth  is 
low  and  spreading  ;  its  wood 
hard  and  knotty  ;  its  bark  red- 
dish and  prickly ;  its  leaves 
greenish,  inclining  to  red  ;  and 
its  blossoms  large,  and  bell- 
shaped.  The  fruit,  which  re- 
sembles an  apple,  ripens  about 
August,  and  is  sometimes  three 


or  four  inches  in  diameter,  and 
of  a  pound  weight.  It  was  es- 
teemed one  of  the  most  delicious 
fruits  in  the  world.  Numb.  13  : 
23.  The  pomegranate  juice  ia 
frequently  made  into  wine,  or 
mixed  with  it.  Song  8  :  2. 
One  kind  was  sour,  and  was  used 
to  give  a  flavor  to  meats  and 
liquors,  till  the  juice  of  lemona 
and  oranges  superseded  it. 
Deut  8:7,  8.  It  comes  to 
perfection  in  our  Southern 
States. 

Pon^lns  Pilate,  the  Roman 
governor  of  Judea,  was  in  office 
ten  years.  By  his  covetous  and 
cruel  administration  he  caused 
himself  to  be  exceedingly  hated, 
both  by  the  Jews  and  Samari- 
tans. At  length,  three  yeara 
after  the  death  of  Christ,  com- 
plaints against  him  reached  the 
court  of  the  Emperor  Caliguhy 
and  he  was  recalled  to  Rome, 
tried,  and  banished  to  Gaul. 
Afterwards,  through  poverty 
and  shame,  he  committed  sui- 
cide. 

Pontns,  a  province  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Euxine  Sea, 
extending  from  the  River  Halys 
on  the  west,  to  the  country  of 
Colchis  on  the  east.  In  this 
district  is  the  River  Thermodoon, 
beside  which  the  Amazons  ar« 
fabled  to  have  dwelt. 

Poplar.  The  tree  thus  named 
in  Scripture  is  the  white  poplatf 
so  called  from  the  whiteness  of 
its  leaves,  bark,  and  wood  The 
word  occurs  Gen.  30  :  37  ;  and 
Ho8.  4  :  3,  only. 


PR  A 


205 


PR  A 


Possessed.  The  1  osscsfeion  of 
levils,  mentioned  often  in  the 
N^ew  Testament,  has  employed 
the  pen  of  many  eminent  crit- 
ics. Some  have  regarded  these 
cases  as  mere  diseases  ;  but  in 
some  i^assages,  as  Luke  4  :  33 — 
36,  thvjy  are  distinguished  ex- 
pressly from  diseases.  Besides, 
Christ  speaks  to  the  devil  (or 
more  properly  demon),  as  dis- 
tinct from  the  person  possessed; 
commands  it,  questions  it,  or 
forbids  it  to  speak.  The  man- 
ner of  evoking  is  often,  as  in 
the  case  of  the  swine,  Matt. 
8  :  31,  wholly  incompatible  with 
the  idea  of  mere  distemper. 

Post.  (1.)  An  upright  tim- 
ber. (2.)  A  carrier  of  despatches 
or  letters,  who  goes  with  haste. 
Jer.  51  :  31.  Man's  days  are 
more  swift.     Job  9. 

Potsherd,  a  piece  of  broken 
earthen  ware.     Job  2  :  8. 

Potters'  Field,  see  Aceldama. 

Power,  a  word  variously  used, 
to  signify  ability,  libertj',  juris- 
diction, prerogative,  &c.  The 
expression,  1  Cor.  11  :  10,  has 
caused  much  discussion.  A 
probable  interpretation  is,  that 
a  woman's  veil  was  regarded  as 
an  emblem  of  subjection  to  the 
other  sex.  The  word  messenger, 
there  translated  angel,  may 
mean  spies,  who  came  into  the 
christian  assembly,  and  would 
maliciously  report  if  their 
women  departed  from  estab- 
lished customs. 

Praise,      to     commend.      To 
praise  God  is  to  duly  acknowl- 
'?dge  his  great  excellences.    Ps. 
18 


138,  &c.  Rev.  19  :  5.  It  won* 
of  the  noblest  acts  of  worship  , 
and  is  the  dictate  of  nature.  Td 
refuse  it  to  God  is  to  refuse  to 
be  duly  affected  by  his  amaz- 
ing  and  unspeakable  goodness. 
No  character  is  deemed  so  odious 
among  men  as  the  ungrateful, 
and  yet  none  is  so  common  as  \\ 
respects  God.  To  praise  men, 
is  to  declare  their  good  actions 
or  qualifications.     Ps.  27  :   2. 

Pray,  to  entreat,  or  ask 
earnestly  with  submission  ;  to 
appeal  to  the  judgment  and  de- 
cision of  another  ;  to  intercede 
in  behalf  of  others,  and  to  beg 
that  some  evil  may  be  averted, 
or  some  favor  or  good  obtained ; 
to  make  known  our  desires  to 
God,  by  offering  up  our  peti- 
tions for  things  lawful  and 
necessary,  with  an  humble  con- 
fidence of  obtaining  them, 
through  Christ's  mediation 
alone,  to  the  praise  of  God's 
mercy,  truth  and  power.  Matt. 
6  :  6.  John  16  :  23,  24,  26. 
We  are  exhorted  to  pray  for  all 
men,  1  Tim.  1:2;  and  are  en- 
couraged to  this  benevolent  act. 
Jam.  5  :  16  ;  but  we  must  seek 
and  expect  the  help  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Rom.  8  :  26.  The 
prayers  that  we  direct  to  God 
are  the  ordinary  means  Dy 
which  we  receive  grace  fiom 
him. 

To  neglect  prayer  is  a  great 
sin  against  the'  majesty  and 
mercy  of  God,  attended  with 
unspeakable  loss  to  ourselver. 
The  pious  Jews  used  to  pray 
i  three  times  a  day,   at   morning 


PRE 


206 


PRE 


Roon  an  i  evening  ;  and  less 
than  this  ought  not  to  satisfy 
christians. 

The  true  nature  of  prayer  may 
be  best  ascertained  from  a  view 
^f  the  manner  in  which  it  is 
spoken  of  in  Scripture.  It  is 
sailed  inquiring  of  the.  Lord,  Gen. 
25  :  22  ;  supplication,  Zech.  12  : 
10;  entreaty,  Ex.  8:  8;  vyrestling 
with  God,  Rom.  15  :  30  ;  lifting 
up  the  soul,  Ps.  25  :  1  ;  pouring 
out  the  heart,  Ps.  62  :  8  ;  looking 
up  to  God,  Ps.  5:3;  taking  hold 
of  God,  Isa.  64  :  7  ;  crying,  1 
Sam.  7:8;  asking,  John  15  : 
16;  seeking  and  knocking.  Matt. 
7  :  7,  <fcc.,  Ac.  How  plainly 
may  we  see,  from  this  method 
of  speaking  of  prayer,  the  unac- 
ceptableness  and  inefficiency 
of  cold,  formal  and  heartless 
repetitions  before  God  ! 

Preach,  see  Gospel.  To 
preach  is  loudly  to  proclaim  the 
will  of  God,  as  his  appointed 
heralds.  Eph.  3:8.  To  preach 
in  a  proper  manner,  requires  no 
small  attention,  in  order  that  no 
fault  in  the  pronunciation,  the 
gesture,  the  language,  the  order, 
or  the  matter,  may  tend  to  bring 
the  truths  of  the  gospel  into 
contempt  ;  or,  by  feeding  the 
earnal  fancy  of  airy  minds,  di- 
vert them  from  the  important 
subject. 

Predestinate,  to  predetermine. 
The  word  is  used  in  reference 
to  God's  purpose  to  save  a  part 
of  the  human  race  from  that 
norruption  and  condemnation 
which  all  have  amply  deserved 


Rom.  8  :  29,  30.  Eph.  I  :  h 
The  ancient  Hebrews  kne^r  af 
well  as  ourselves  that  God  fore- 
knew what  every  p-erson  would 
be,  do,  or  become.  This  is  in- 
volved  in  the  very  notion  of 
omniscience.  God  says  to  Jere- 
miah (1  :  5),  "  Before  I  formed 
thee  I  knew  thee,  and  before 
thou  camest  forth  out  of  the 
womb  I  sanctified  thee,  and 
ordained  thee  to  be  a  prophe*,.'* 
This  is  a  most  difficult  subject, 
on  which  we  are  to  think  and 
speak  with  profound  reverence ; 
and,  with  minds  confirmed  in  the 
belief  of  Jehovah's  infinite  jus- 
tice and  mercy,  govern  ourselves 
by  the  plain  injunctions  of 
Scripture. 

Pres'bytery,  a  body  of  minis- 
ters met  for  ordaining  a  person, 
or  other  purposes.  1  Tim.  4  ; 
14. 

Press,  see  Wine  Press. 

Preto'rium,  the  residence  of 
the  Roman  governor  at  Jerusa- 
lem. Mark  15  :  16.  Here  ho 
sat  to  administer  justice.  It  ia 
called  the  judgment  hall.  Acta 
23  :  35.  What  Paul  calls  the 
pretorium  (in  the  Eng.  trans. 
palace),  Phil.  1  :  13,  seems  to 
mean  the  camp  of  the  pretoriaii 
bands,  to  which  he  was  probably 
carried  by  the  soldier  to  whor^ 
he  was  chained. 

Prevent,  to  hinder,  as  the 
word  is  now  used.  But  this  is 
never  its  signification  in  the 
Bible.  It  there  always  means 
to  precede,  or  go  before  J  this  be- 
ing the  use  of  tlie  word  at  th» 


PRI 


207 


PRi 


time  our  translation  was  made. 
Ps.  80  :  3.  2  Sam.  22  :  6.  1 
Thess.  4  :  15. 

Pricks,  sharp  points  placed 
\n  the  end  of  a  long  staif,  and 
used  formerly  to  drive  oxen. 
Acts  9  :  5.  They  are  now  com- 
monly called  goads.  To  "  kick 
against  the  pricks  "  is  a  pro- 
verbial expression,  applied  to 
those  who  injure  themselves  by 
struggling  against  inevitable 
nscessity. 

Pride,  (l.)  The  elition  of  a 
mind  filled  with  self-conceit, 
contempt  of  God,  and  disdain  of 
men.  (2.)  What  one  is  proud 
of,  as  power,  wealth,  church- 
ordinances,  and  relation  to  God, 
(fee.  (3.)  The  haughty  looks  and 
words,  or  wicked  deeds,  by 
which  a  man  discovers  the  pride 
of  his  heart.  Ps.  31  :  20.  Hos. 
5  :  5. 

Priesthood.  (1.)  The  office 
of  a  priest.  Numb.  16  :  10. 
Under  the  Jewish  law,  the 
priest  offered  sacrifices,  taught 
the  people,  and  prayed  for  them. 
Aaron's  was  an  "  everlasting 
priesthood  ;"  it  secured  to  him 
and  his  seed  the  office  of  priest 
for  many  generations.  Ex. 
40  :  15.  Numb.  25  :  13.  But 
Christ's  is  an  "  unchangeable 
priesthood,"  as  it  never  can 
pass  from  him  to  another.  Heb. 
7  :  24.  (2.)  A  class  of  persons 
who  iierform  religious  offices, 
according  to  the  will  of  God. 
The  saints  are  an  "  holy  "  and 
a  "royal  priesthood;"  a  com- 
pany of  spiritual  priests, 
vashed  "n   Jesus'    blood,  sanc- 


tified by  his  word  and  Spirit,  and 
enabled  to  offer  up  spiritual 
sacrifices  of  prayer  and  praise 
to  God,  through  Jesus  Christ. 
1  Pet.  2  :  5,  9.  Rer.  1  :  6. 
Before  the  consecration  of  Aarcn 
and  his  sons,  fathers,  or  elder 
brothel-s,  acted  as  priests  ;  as 
Noah,  Abraham,  Job,  Melchise- 
dek,  (fee,  and  occasionally  every 

I  man    so   acted   for   himself,    as 
Abel,  Cain,  <tc. 

The  High  Prikst  was  the  head 
of  the  Jewish  priesthood.  Hia 
duty  was  to  offer  sacrifices,  to 
oversee  the  house  of  God,  regu- 
late the  services  of  the  other 
priests  and  the  Levites,  direct 
public  worship,    obtain    special 

I  indications  of  the  divine  will, 
and  once  a  year  enter  the  Holy 
of  Holies,  with  blood  and  in- 
cense, as  described  Lev.  16 
His  dress,  both  for  common  and 
special  occasions,  is  described 
Ex.  39,  &G.  In  the  engraving 
he  is  seen  as  robed  on  the 
day  of  expiation.  Lev.  10. 
The  office  began  in  Aaron,  and 
was  continued  in  his  family  till 
near  the  time  of  the  ruin  of  tb.o 
Jewish  polity  by  the  Romans  , 
when,  among  other  acts  of  cor 
ruption,  the  office  was  sold  fv 
money. 

The  high  priest,  once  a  j'eai 
made  atonement  for  the  sins  ol 
all  the  people  ;  but  Christ  is  thr 
true  High  Priest,  who  by  the 
sacrifice  of  himself,  ma  ie  atone 
ment  for  the  sin?  of  the  whole 
world,  and   now    intercedes,  a] 

j  the  right  hand  of  God,  for  all 
who     believe     on     his     cama 


pp  I 


208 


PRO 


with   their   precincts. 
35  :  1—3. 


Niiml 


The  Lord  gave  no  inheritance 
to  the  priests  as  he  did  to  the 
other  tribes,  because  he  intended 
they  should  be  supported  by 
their  brethren.  To  them  be- 
longed the  skin  or  fleece  of  every 
animal  sacrificed,  which  was  no 
small  revenue.  Of  peace  offer- 
ings they  kept  also  the  shoulder 
and  breast,  Lev.  7  :  33 ;  and  of 
sin  offerings  the  whole  carcass, 
except  the  solid  fat,  which  was 
Durnt.  Lev.  7  :  6,  10.  They 
had  also  a  tenth  of  everything, 
beside  the  first  fruits.  When 
any  man  killed  an  animal  for 
his  own  use,  he  was  required  to 
give  the  priests  the  shoulder. 
Deut.  18  :  3.  They  also  ha'd 
houses,   and   forty -eight    cities. 


ernor  ;  a  king's  son.  Christ 
is  Prince  of  peace,  being  the 
purchaser  and  procurer  of 
peace  between  God  and  men; 
between  men  and  men  ;  and 
between  Jews  and  Gentiles. 
Eph.  2  :  15.  John  14  :  27. 
He  is  Prince  of  life.  Acts  3  : 
15,  because  he  is  the  Author 
of  tempoi-al  life,  in  whom  we 
live,  and  move,  and  have 
our  being.  He  is,  also, 
"  Prince  of  the  kings  of  thf. 
earth,''''  llev.  1  :  5,  as  he  rules 
over  all.  Satan  is  the 
'' prince  of  this  world,^'  be- 
cause he  boasts  of  having  all 
the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  at 
his  disposal.  Matt.  4  :  9  ; 
and  because  he  has  an 
usurped  dominion  in  the 
world,  and  great  power  in  the 
hearts  of  the  children  of  diso- 
bedience, who  yield  a  voluntary 
subjection  to  him  Of  all  this 
power  he  shall  soon  be  dispos- 
sessed.    John  12 :  31. 

Pl'Ofiine,  openly  wicked,  want- 
ing in  religious  reverence  to 
sacred  names  or  things,  1  Tim. 
1  :  9  ;  unholy  or  impure.  1 
Tim.  6  :  20.  Esau  is  called 
profane  because  he  sold  his  birth- 
right, which  was  a  holy  thing  ; 
not  only  because  the  priesthood 
was  annexed  to  it,  but  also  be- 
cause it  was  a  privilege  leading 
to  Christ,  and  a  type  of  his  title 
to  the  heavenly  inheritance. 
When  the  apostle  censured 
**  profane  babblings,"  ho  meant 


PAO 


209 


PRO 


tbitse  heathen  absurdities  which 
were  founded  in  superstition  and 
ignorance,  or  possibly  novel 
ideas  introduced  into  religion, 
1  Tim.  6:  20. 

Promise,  an  issuranee,  by 
which  a  person  engages  to  do,  or 
forbear  to  do,  something.  Grod, 
in  his  word,  promise."  blessings 
to  his  people.  The  fifth  com- 
mandment, "  Honor  thy  father 
and  mother,"  is  called  thf  "  com- 
viandmint  with  promise  "  (Eph. 
G:  2),  because  God  has  added 
this  declaration  —  that  they  who 
honor  their  parents  shall  have 
their  days  lengthened  on  th'i 
earth.  Jesus  Christ  nas  prom- 
ised to  be  with  his  people  to  the 
end  of  the  world.  Matt.  28  : 
20.  The  Holy  Ghost  is  called 
the  "  Holy  Spirit  of  promise^" 
Eph.  1  :  13,  being  promised  to 
them  that  believe  on  Christ,  and 
being  the  seal  and  pledge  of 
♦  heir  everlasting  happiness. 
The  fulfilment  of  promises  may 
be  delayed,  but  will  come  most 
a<.<urcdly. 

Fropliecy.  (1.)  A  declara- 
tion of  future  things,  ^'eh.  6  : 
12  (2.)  A  declaration  of 
hidden,  obscure,  and  important 
things.  Prov.  30  :  1.  (3.)  The 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  1 
Tim  4  :  U.  Rom.  12  :  6. 
(4  )  The  gift  of  explaining  ob- 
scure passages  of  Scripture,  or 
jf  foretelling  things  to  come.  1 
Cor.  12  :   10  ;   and  13  :  8. 

The  numerous  prophecies  of 
Scripture  which  have  been  pre- 
cisely fulfilled,  are  a  complete 
proof  that  the  Bible  is  the  word 
IS* 


of  God.  Ihe  cccurren<!e  of  an 
c  vent  long  after  it  was  predicted, 
demonstrates  that  a  higher 
power  has  been  pleased  to  mak* 
known  its  designs. 

Prophet,  one  wh  )  foretells 
what  is  to  come  ;  a  person  in- 
spired, and  appointed  by  God  to 
reveal,  his  will,  to  warn  of  ap- 
proaching judgments,  to  explai"- 
obscure  passages  of  fcriptuy-e, 
or  to  make  known  the  truths  of 
the  Bible,  and  urge  men  to 
obedience.  1  Gor.  14 .:  2o. 
Jesus  Christ  is  "  that  Prophet," 
who,  having  taught  the  will  of 
God  on  earth,  with  an  infinite 
superiority  to  all  the  rest  in 
force  of  authority,  extent  of 
knowledge,  and  efficacy  of  iu- 
a+.raction,  and  being  now  exalted 
to  the  right  hand  of  power  in 
heaven,  still  teaches  by  his  word 
and  Spirit.  Such  as  refuse  his 
teachings  incur  certain  reproba- 
tion. Ae<-,s  3  :  22.  Heb.  12  :  25 

A'bout  the  time  of  Samuel, 
i-thools  of  the  prophets  were  formed, 
wherein  young  men  were  piously 
educated,  to  prepare  them  fur 
receiving  the  gift  of  prophecy 
Such  schools  we  find  at  Bethel, 
Gilgal,  Najoth,  Je-icho,  and 
Jerusalem  ;  but  it  does  not  ap 
pear  that  all  these  young  men 
were  afterwards  inspired.  Th'?y 
were  inspected  by  Samuel,  Eli 
jah,  Elisha,  &g.  1  Sam  10, 
11,  19.  2  Kings  2.  VVheth 
er  the  most  of  the  noted 
prophets  were  anointed  at  their 
entrance  on  their  oflBce,  wo 
know  not.  It  is  certain  that 
they  generally  lived  in  a  werM 


PRO 


210 


PR  (J 


low  ai  1  temperate  manner.  The 
presents  giren  them  were  such 
as  oil,  bread,  fruits,  honey.  2 
Kings  4  :  42.  1  Sam.  1)  :  7,  8  ; 
10  :  1.  John  Baptist  was  "  r..ure 
than  a  prophet,"  as  he  pointed 
out  Jesus  Chriit  as  already  in- 
carnate. Matt,  n  :  tt.  Paul, 
Peter,  and  John,  may  be  called 
projects,  as  there  is  in  their 
writings  a  variety  of  predic- 
tionS.  2  Thess.  1  :  7—10  ;  2  : 
■t— 11.  ITim.  4:1— 3.  2  Pet. 
3  :  10,  Ac.  Almost  the  entire 
book  of  Revelation  is  a  proph- 
ecy. 

The  fulluwing  is  a  catalogue 
of  the  prophets.  The  order  of 
succession  is,  in  some  instances, 
uncertain,  and  some  chronolo- 
gists  give  diiTorent  dates.  Some 
of  the  prophets  lived  under  suc- 
cessive kings,  but  the  space 
allows  the  mention  of  only  one. 


Samuel  proi>hp<ip(i 

SI 

David 

4.S 

Elijah 

"  under  Aluih,   .    .    . 

14 

Xiisha 

"     " 

Jehoniin, 

00 

Jotiali 

"     " 

J^hu, 

Joel 

<>     <i 

Uzziah, 

Amos 

><     « 

JeroOoum  J  J. 

2>i 

Hosea 

"     " 

L2 

Isaiah 

•  1     <i 

AJutz,  .     .    . 

62 

Micab 

<i     ti 

4u 

Nahum 

"     " 

Hezfki'ah'. 

Zephauiah 

"     " 

Joviith. 

Habakkuk 

«     «< 

" 

Jeremiah 

"     " 

" 

41 

OiKirtiah 

'•  iu  the  captivitj-. 

Ezekiel 

" 

21 

Dariiel 

'< 

t>y 

Haggai 

"  after  the  captivity. 

Zfchariah 

2 

lialachi 

" 

3 

Propitiation,  an  atonement 
for  guilt  ;  that  which  propiti- 
ates. It  has  been  defined  as 
•*  the  averting  the  punishment 
due  to  any  one  by  undergoing 
the  penalty  in  the  room  of  the 
guilty."     Christ    i3    "the   pre 


pitiation  for  our  sins,"  —  thaj 
is,  the  sins  of  his  pec  pic  ;  be 
iause  his  complete  righteous- 
ness and  atonement  satisfies  the 
Father  for  all  their  transgres- 
sions, and  secures  the  cancelling 
of  the  demands  of  justice. 
Rom.  3  :  25,  and  8  :  32—39.  1 
John  2  :  2. 

Pros'elyte,  literally  a  s^angp', 
means,  in  Scripture,  one  that 
turned  from  heathenism  to  the 
Jewish  religion.  Acts  2  :  10. 
Some  were  proselytes  of  the  gate, 
who,  though  they  renounced 
idolatry,  observed  what  the  rab- 
bins call  the  seven  precepts  of 
Noah  ;*  and  attended  the  Jew- 
ish instructions  ;  yet  were  not 
circumcised,  nor  allowed  to  par- 
take of  the  passover.  To  these 
the  Jews  allowed  hopes  of  eter- 
nal life,  and  permitted  them  tc 
dwell  in  Canaan.  Of  this  kind 
of  proselytes  we  may  suppose 
Naaman.  Cornelius,  the  Ethi 
opian  eunuch,  and  Solomon's 
153,600  servants  to  have  been. 
Others  were  proselytes  of  righteous^ 
ness,  or  of  the  covenant  ;  being 
obliged  to  fulfil  the  whole  law 
of  Moses.  At  their  admission, 
the  motives  influen:ing  them 
to  change  their  religion  were 
examined,  and  they  were  in- 
structed in  the  principles  of 
Judaism.  Xext,  if  males,  they 
were  circumcised  ;  after  which. 


*  There  were  seven  laws,  whicb, 
they  iiiuiutaiiied.  were  given  by  Jebo 
vali  to  the  sous  of  Noah;  viz.,  1.  To 
avoid  idolatry.  2.  To  worship  (tO<L 
3.  To  abh'ir  incest.  4.  To  (oniniit  no 
murder.  5.  Sot  to  steal,  'i.  To  ptu> 
i:.h  murder  with  death.  7  Xot  to  eat 
blood  or  things  strauided. 


PRO 


211 


PSA 


Ihey  presented  their  oblation  to 
Lhe  Lord.  Wh  =»ther  they  were 
also  dipped  'n  water  is  much 
disputed,  and  seems  not  prob- 
able. Xo  mention  is  made  of 
such  a  rite  in  Scripture,  which 
wi-.uld  leave  it  without  author- 
ity if  practised.  Nor  is  it  men- 
tioned in  Josephus,  Philo,  the 
ADO<^rypha,  the  New  Testament, 
or  by  any  writer  for  several 
hundred  years  after  Christ.  No 
boys  under  twelve  years  of  age, 
or  girls  under  thirteen,  were 
admitted  without  the  consent 
of  their  parents  ;  or,  if  these 
refused,  without  the  consent  of 
the  judges  of  the  place.  Dur- 
ing the  time  of  Christ,  the  Jews, 
ind  especially  the  Pharisees, 
greatly  exerted  themselves  to 
make  proselytes.  Compare  Mat. 
23  :  15,  with  Acts  13  :  43. 

Proverbs,  the  name  of  a  book 
in  the  Scriptures,  containing  the 
inspired  precepts  of  Solomon. 
1  Kings  4  :  32.  The  whole  in 
the  original  seems  to  be  poetry. 
Though  written  by  Solomon, 
they  seem  to  have  been  col- 
lected and  arranged  by  others. 
Let  the  reader  turn  to  ch.  25  : 
I,  and  30:  1.  The  Proverbs 
are  frequently  quoted  by  tbe 
.\postles  ;  indeed,  more  so  than 
any  other  part  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament ;  showing  that  the  book 
constitutes  a  great  treasure  of 
revealed  morality, 

PrOTidence,  a  care  for  the 
future.  The  word  is  principally 
used  in  reference  to  that  super- 
intendence which  our  heavenly 
Father  exercises  over  his  crea- 


tures, supporting  them  in  theit 
being,  and  governing  them  ic 
all  their  actions.  This  govern 
ment,  ±ough  exact  and  minute, 
infriiiges  not  our  perfect  liberty 
of  choice,  and  complete  rejpon- 
sibility  for  our  actions. 

Psalm,  a  holy  song.  The 
Psalms  are  particularly  sweet  to 
a  christian,  because  they  con- 
tain so  much  of  the  experience 
of  a  religious  man.  Most  of 
them  were  composed  by  David. 
The  90th  was  composed  by  Mo- 
ses ;  perhaps  the  80th  -by  He- 
man.  Those  under  the  name  of 
Asaph  were  probably  directed 
to  him  as  leader  of  the  temple 
choir.  Some  psalms  are  doc- 
trinal, as  Ps.  1  ;  some  historical, 
as  Ps.  77,  105,  106  ;  some  pro- 
phetic, as  Ps.  110  ;  some  peni- 
tential, as  Ps.  51  ;  some  consist 
of  praj'er  and  complaints,  as 
Ps.  6,  38,  <fec.  ;  others  consist 
of  praise  and  thanksgiving,  as 
Ps.  30,  46,  145,  150,  ic.  In 
some,  most  or  all  of  these  sub- 
jects are  connected,  as  Ps.  89. 

The  Jews  divided  the  entire 
collection  into  five  books,  at  the 
end  of  four  of  which  are  the 
words  "  Amen,  amen,"  and  of 
the  fifth  "Hallelujah."  The 
first  division  ends  at  the  40th 
psalm,  the  second  at  the  72d, 
the  third  at  the  8Sth,  the  fourth 
at  the  105th,  and  the  fifth  at  the 
150th.  The  words  at  the  con- 
clusion are  thought  to  have 
been  put  there  by  Ezra.  The 
book  itself  forms  an  inestimable 
treasure,  and  is  the  glory  of  the 
Old  Testament.    It  oontainr  th« 


PSA 


212 


I'UB 


fjrandest  conceptig  as  of  God,  j 
the  most  remarkable  prophecies, 
and  the  most  perfect  models  of 
resignation,  faith,  and  trust  in 
God.  Luther  says  "  All  sorts 
of  divine  doctrines  and  precepts 
are  contained  in  it." 

Whether  the  titles  of  the 
Psalms  are  of  divine  authority, 
is  not  agreed.  The  Hebrew 
words  therein  mentioned  are 
by  some  considered  as  names  of 
instruments  of  music,  or  tirst 
words  of  some  songs  ;  or  to  de- 
note the  subject  matter  of  the 
psalm.  It  is  thought  Maschil 
means  a  poem,  or  set  composi- 
tion ;  and  signifies  that  the 
psalm  is  designed  for  instruc- 
tion, Ps.  32  ;  that  Michtmn  de- 
notes the  jvecious  or  golden 
nature  of  the  psalm  ;  and  per- 
haps all  the  psalms  so  marked 
relate  to  Jesus  Christ,  as  Gus- 
setius  observes.  Ncginoth,  or 
Neginath,  signifies  stringed  in- 
struments, Ps.  4,  61.  Nehiloth, 
wind  instruments  ;  Ps.  5  ;  Git- 
tith,  a  kind  of  instrument  in- 
vented at  Gath,  Ps.  8  ;  Alamoth, 
the  treble,  or  a  song  to  be  sung 
by  virgins,  Ps.  46.  Shiggaioriy 
or  Shigionoth,  may  denote  that 
the  psalm  is  to  be  sung  with 
diversified  tunes,  or  embraces 
various  subjects.  Ps.  7.  Hab. 
3.  The  Greek  word,  signifying 
a  stringed  instrument,  is  psal- 
terion.  Hence,  by  a  metaphor, 
the  book  of  Psalms  is  sometimes 
called  the  Pnalter. 

Psal'tery,  a  musical  instru- 
ment, first  mentioned  in  the 
Pcalo-s  of  David      It  seems  to 


have  been  shaped  much  like  th6 
present  harp  ;  or  the  Greek  let- 
ter delta  inverted,  thus,  v.  The 
body  was  of  wood,  hollow  ;  and 
Josephus  says  it  had  twelve 
strings.  The  chords  were  at 
first  of  flax,  but  subsequently 
were  manufactured  from  the 
entrails  of  sheep.  Harp-sti'inga 
of  the  latter  kind  are  mentioned 
by  Homer  as  a  recent  invention. 

The  modern  psaltery  is  a  flat 
instrument,  of  a  triangular  form, 
strung  from  side  to  side  with 
iron  or  brass  wire,  and  played 
on  with  a  kind  of  bow. 

PtOlemaMS)  a  seaport  in  Gali- 
lee of  Judea,  now  called  Acrt 
Acts  21  :  7.     See  Accho. 

Pablican,  a  collector  of  taxes 
The  Romans  farmed  out  the'r 
revenue  to  men  who  paid  in*o 
the  treasury  of  the  state  a  cer- 
tain sum,  and  took  the  risk  of 
collecting.  Contracts  were  gen- 
erally taken  by  principal  men, 
who  let  out  small  districts  to 
collectors  for  specified  sums 
Cicero  says  that  among  the  pub- 
licans were  the  flower  of  the 
Roman  knights,  the  ornament 
of  the  city,  the  strength  of  the 
commonwealth.  But  the  infe- 
rior publicans  were  looked  upon 
as  n>  better  than  pickpockets. 
Printing  not  being  known,  and 
the  laws  little  understood,  these 
inferior  agents  generally  com- 
mitted gross  impositions  and 
extortions.  They  were  there- 
fore greatly  hated  by  the  Jews, 
whose  pride  was  mortified  bj 
having  to  pay  tribute  at  ail. 
MaHhew,  Zaccheus,  and  pre  Ik 


PUR. 


213 


PYQ 


»My  other  pufclicans,  oecame 
aisciples  of  Christ.  Like  15  : 
2.  Matt.  21  :  31.  Zaccheus 
was  of  the  noble  publicans,  and 
a  man  of  the  highest  considera- 
tion.    Luke  19  :  2. 

PqU  (1.)  Akingof  As.yria, 
hired  by  the  king  of  Israel  to- 
assist  him.  2  Kings  15 :  19. 
Hos.  5  :  13.  (2.)  A  district  in 
Africa,  thought  by  Bochartto 
be  an  island  in  the  Nile  not  far 
from  Syene.     Isa.  G6  :  19. 

PalSCj  the  seed  of  leguminous 
plants,  as  peas,  vetches,  beans, 
Ac.  Lev.  23:  14.  2  Sam.  17:  28. 

Panishment,  sufiFering  for  sin. 
Taken  exactly,  it  means  the  in- 
fliction of  deserved  evil.  When 
ustd  in  reference  to  our  Sa- 
viour, it  means  sufferings  in- 
stead of  the  penalty  which  sin- 
ners would  have  endured,  but 
for  his  standing  in  their  place. 
See  Isa.  53  :  4—11.  1  Pet.  2  : 
14.     Rev.  5  :  9,  <fec. 

The  Civil  Puxishmexts  of  the 
Jews  were,  (1.)  Retaliation  ; 
(2.)  Fines  ;  (3.)  Scourging  ; 
(4.)  Imprisonment,  which  was 
sometimes  accompanied  by  con- 
finement to  painful  postures  ; 
(5.)  Death.  Tyrants  sometimes 
invented  cruel  punishments, 
such  as  putting  out  the  eyes, 
Jud.  16  :  21  ;  cutting  off  mem- 
bers of  the  body,  Jud.  1  :  !> — 7. 

Pa'rifll  is  the  plural  of  Pur, 
and  means  lots.  It  is  the  name 
of  a  solemn  feast  among  the 
Jews,  in  commemoration  of  Ha- 
inan's   overthrow.      It    derives 


its  name  from  the  circumstano* 
that  Haman  cast  lots  to  ascer 
tain  the  best  day  for  destroying 
the  Jews.  Esth.  3  :  7,  and  9  : 
26. 

Pnrple,  a  color  much  worn  by 
kings  and  emperors.  Mark  15  : 
17.  It  is  the  famous  Tyrian 
dye,  so  costly,  and  so  celebrated 
in  antiquity.  It  is  called,  in  1 
Maccab.  4  :  23,  "  purple  of  the 
sea."  It  was  made  from  the 
blood  of  a  shell-fish  ;  plenty  of 
which  were  found  in  the  sea,  on 
the  north-west  of  Canaan,  and 
are  now  found  about  the  Carib- 
bee  Islands,  and  other  parts  of 
America,  and  on  the  west  of 
England. 

Pate'oli,  a  city  of  Campania, 
in  Italy  ;  so  called  from  its  hot 
waters,  or  the  multitude  of  its 
wells.  Its  ancient  name  was 
Delus  Minor.  It  stood  upon  the 
bay,  about  «ight  miles  north- 
west from  Naples,  and  was 
much  frequented  on  account 
of  its  mineral  waters.  From 
hence  a  considerable  trade  was 
carried  on  with  Alexandria,  in 
Egypt.  Paul  halted  here  seven 
days,  as  he  went  prisoner  to 
Rome.  Acts  28  :  13.  We  find 
several  of  its  bishops  in  the 
primitive  councils  of  the  Chris- 
tian church.  The  present  name 
of  the  place  is  PozzuoU. 

Py'gtrg,  a  species  of  gazelle 
or  antelope,  about  the  size  of 
our  deer.  It  is  probably  the 
aadace  of  the  ancients  The 
•word  occurs  Deut.  14  r  5,  only. 


RAB 


214 


RAB 


Q. 


Qnail,  a  gallinaceous  bird, 
■omewhat  leas  in  size  than  the 
iurtle-dove.  Quails  are  ex- 
tremely numerous  in  warm  coun- 
tries. Ex.  16  :  13.  Numb.  11  : 
31,32.  The  accounts  of  travel- 
lers, respecting  the  immense 
flocks  of  this  bird,  render  the 
account  in  Scripture  perfectly 
credible.  In  Numb.  11  :  31,  it 
says,  "  they  fell  two  cubits  high 
upon  the  face  of  the  earth." 
The  word  high  is  not  in  the 
original.  It  means  they  lighted 
80  thick  as  to  be  only  two  cubits 
apart  J  or  came  down  within  two 
cubits  of  the  surface  of  the 
ground.  The  oriental  quail  is 
about  the  size  of  a  turtle-dove, 
and  is  migratory.  Travellers  in 
the  East  state  that  they  come  in 
such  numbers  as  often  to  put 
vessels  in  danger  of  oversetting. 
Their  appearance  in  so  great 
numbers  for  the  supply  of  the 
journeying  Hebrews  was  a  great 
miracle,  for  the  region  they 
were  in  is  not  in  the  line  of  this 
bird's  migrations,  which  is  over 
Malta,  Crete,  Constantinople, 
Ac. 


(^naternion,  a  file,  consistini 
of  four  soldiers.  Peter  was 
placed  under  the  care  of  four 
quaternions,  in  order,  probably, 
that  each  might  guard  him  three 
hours  at  a  time.     See  Watch. 

Qaeen  often  means  in  Scrip- 
ture a  king's  mother.  A  refer- 
ence to  this  fact  will  remove 
several  apparent  discrepancies 
in  the  Old  Testament.  The  word 
has  still  the  same  meaning 
among  Orientals. 

Qneen  of  Heayen,  a  name 

given  by  the  Hebrew  idolaters 
to  Ashtoreth,  or  the  moon.  Jer. 
7  :  17  ;  44  :  16—18. 

Qoiek*  The  living  flesh,  the 
sensible  part  of  the  body.  Those 
persons  who  shall  be  alive  at 
the  resurrection  are  called  the 
quick,  in  distinction  from  those 
who  will  arise  from  the  dead. 
Acts  10  :  42.  To  give  spiritual 
life  to  sinners  is  called  quicken- 
ivg  them.     Eph.  2  :  1 — 5. 

Qnit,  to  acquit.  Josh.  2  :  20. 
1  Sam.  4  :  9.  Christians,  in 
their  great  conflict  with  sin  and 
temptation,  are  to  "  quit  them- 
selves as  men."     1  Cor.  16  :  13. 


R. 


Rabba,  the  city  mentioned  by 
Joshua  (ch  15  :  Ifi"),  was  in  the 
tribe  of  Judah. 

Rab'bath,  the  capital  of  the 
Ammonites,  was  situated  in  the 
r-ouutains  of  Gilead,  beyonrf  Jor- 


dan. It  was  a  famous  city,  even 
in  the  time  of  Moses.  Deut.  3  : 
11.  Here  Uriah  lost  his  life,  by 
a  secret  oj.ler  from  David.  S 
Sam.  11,  1"  It  was  dest-03'ed, 
according    to    prophecy,    Ezek 


RAC 


215 


RAI 


15  :  5  ,  Amos  1  :  14,  a  few  years 
after  the  destruction  of  Jerusa- 
lem. It  was  by  Ptolemy  called 
Philadelphia,  and  is  so  named 
on  our  maps  of  Palestine.  Its 
present  name  is  Amman. 

RabM,  a  name  of  dignity 
among  tke  Jews,  signifying  doc- 
tor or  master.  It  was  bestowed 
on  any  learned  man^  but  es- 
pecially on  very  eminent  teach- 
ers of  their  law.  The  rabbi  was 
ruler  of  the  synagogue,  decided 
all  religious  disputes,  and  re- 
ceived the  utmost  homage.  Our 
Saviour  exhorts  the  disciples  not 
to  use  such  distimJtions  and 
titles,  but  to  look  to  him  as 
their  only  Lawgiver  and  Teach- 
er, whom  they  were  to  follow  in 
all  matters  of  faith  and  wor- 
ship.    Matt.  23  :  7,  8. 

liilbboni,  a  derivative  from 
rabbi.  It  was  a  greater  title 
than  rabbi,  and  was  never  for- 
mally conferred,  except  on  a 
few  extraordinary  doctors  of  the 
school  of  Hillel.  John  20  :  16. 
Eaca,  a  Syriac  word,  meaning 
a  silly  fellow.  A  term  used  by 
the  Jews  to  express  the  utmost 
contempt.  Matt.  5  :  22.  The 
awful  prohibition,  given  in  the 
verse  just  quoted,  does  not  for- 
bid j-Mst  expressions  oi  indigna- 
tion. James  (2  :  20)  uses  the 
word  ;  and  language  of  similar 
import  is  used  by  Christ,  —  "  0 
generation  of  vipers,"  Matt.  3  : 
7,  and  12  :  34  ;  and  by  the 
Apostles,  Acts  13  :  10  ;  Phil.  3  : 
2,  &C. 

Race)  a  rapid  course,  gener- 
ally implying  contest      The  nu- 


merous alluswns  to  G  recian  fool 
races,  contained  in  Paul's  Epis- 
tles, require  some  knowledge  of 
the  laws  of  those  games.  The 
apostle  says,  1  Cor.  9  :  24, 
"  Know  ye  not  that  they  who 
run  in  a  race,  run  all,  but  one 
[only]  receiveth  the  prize  1  So 
run  that  ye  may  obtain."  And 
"  every  one  who  striveth  is  tem- 
perate," <fec.  Also,  2  Tim.  2  . 
5,  "  If  a  man  strive  for  master- 
ies, yet  is  he  not  crowned  except 
he  strive  lawfully."  See  also 
Heb.  12  :  1.  Gal.  5  :  7,  Ac 
Plutarch  and  Cicero  describe 
most  extravagant  honoi's  and 
emoluments  given  to  victors, 
especially  at  the  Olyinpic  games. 
Homer  declares  that  men  could 
gain  no  higher  honors  than 
those  won  by  strength  and  fleet- 
ness  !  Those  persons  who  de- 
signed to  contend  in  these 
games  were  obliged  to  repair  to 
the  public  gymnasium  ten 
months  before  the  solemnity, 
where  they  prepared  themselves 
by  continual  exercises.  No  man 
who  had  omitted  to  present  him- 
self in  this  manner  was  allowed 
to  contend  for  any  of  the  prizes; 
nor  were  the  accustomed  re- 
wards of  victory  given  to  such 
persons,  if,  by  any  means,  they 
introduced  tnemselves,  and  over- 
came their  antagonists. 

RaHin^,  insolent,  reproachful 
language.  Christians  are  strict- 
ly forbidden  it.  1  Cor.  5  :  11. 
When  we  are  thus  reviled,  wa 
must  return  blessing.  1  Pet. 
3  :  9. 

Raiment  was  at  first  made  or 


RAI 


216 


RAI 


ihe  ekfns  of  beasts,  Oen  3:21; 
out  the  art  of  spinning  and 
weaving  was  soon  invented,  Ex. 
28  :  42,  and  even  embroidering, 
Ex.  35  :  35,  which  became  com- 
mon in  the  days  of  the  judges. 
The  common  garment,  in  the 
days  of  Christ,  was  a  sort  of 
shirt  or  lanic,  reaching  to  the 
ankle?,  generally  with  sleeves, 
but  sometimes  having  only  arm- 
boles.  A  girdle  confined  it  at 
the  waist.  Over  this  various 
garments  were  worn,  according 
to  the  quality  of  the  person. 
The  dress  of  females  among  the 
Jews  always  concealed  their 
faces  when  they  walked  in  pub- 
lic, and  such  is  still  the  custom 
in  the  East.  The  cut,  un^er  the 
head  Vail,  illustrates  the  pres- 
ent Hindu  dress.  I  have  seen 
Jewesses  in  the  streets  of  Ran- 
goon and  Ava,  wearing  the 
same  costume.  All  classes  wore 
something  in  the  form  of  a  large 
shawl,  called  a  *'  cloak, ^'  or 
"  upper  garment."  Matt.  21  : 
8  Some  affected  the  posses- 
sion of  a  great  number  of  these 
garments.  James  5  :  2.  Per- 
sons could  carry  various  articles 
in  the  folds  of  their  shawl,  Luke 
6  :  38  ;  and  at  night,  in  that 
climate,  they  rarely  needed  any 
other  bed-clothes.  See  Ex.  22  : 
26,  27.  Around  this  outer  gar- 
ment the  ancient  Jews  were 
accustomed  to  have  a  border  or 
fringe,  sometimes  marked  with 
^xts  of  Scripture.  The  Phari- 
sees, through  ostentation,  made 
theirs  remarkably  large.  Matt. 
23  :  5.     When    engaged    in    la- 


borious work,  this  oatei  gar 
ment  was  laid  aside,  as  bj  oai 
Saviour,  when  be  washed  his 
disciples'  feet,  John  13  :  4  ;  and 
Peter,  when  he  fished,  John  21  ; 
7.  When  thus  retaining  nothing 
but  thin  under  garments,  they 
were  said  to  be  "  naked."  John 
21  :  7.  This  explains,  also. 
Matt.  24  :  18.  These  upper  gar- 
ments  would  of  course  lit  per- 
sons of  any  size  equally  well. 
To  give  raiment  was  therefore 
common  ;  and  especially  when 
opulent  or  eminent  men  gave 
rich  entertainments.  In  such 
eases,  not  to  accept  and  put  on 
the  proffered  robe,  was  a  great 
affront.  Matt.  22  :  12.  See 
Vail,  Sandals,  &c. 

Rain  was  plentiful  in  Israel 
twice  a  year.  "  The  early  and 
the  latter  rain  "  ocvnirred,  the 
former  in  September,  the  latter 
in  March.  After  these,  the 
weather  becomes  settled,  and 
about  May  the  grain  is  gathered. 
In  Egypt  it  scarcely  ever  rains; 
the  overflow  of  the  Nile,  and 
copious  dews,  answering  the 
purpose.  In  tropical  climates 
the  winter  is  the  rainy  season. 
Violent  winds  often  attend  these 
rains,  and  overthrow  insecure 
houses.  Hence  our  Saviour's 
parable.     Matt.  7  :  25. 

Rainbow,  a  splendid  arch, 
consisting  of  all  the  colors 
formed  by  the  refraction  and 
reflection  of  the  rays  of  light 
by  rain  or  vapor.  It  alway.s 
appears  opposite  the  sun,  and 
never  when  he  is  higher  thai, 
f  )rty-two    degrees     above     the 


RAM 


217 


KAV 


horizon.  Many  critics  have  sup- 
f)used  that  previous  to  the  flood 
this  beautiful  bow  had  not  ap- 
peared. If  not,  the  confirma- 
tion to  Xoah's  faith  must  have 
been-  exceedingly  effectual.  Its 
appearance,  though  now  com- 
mon, continues  to  be  a  gracious 
token  that  the  earth  shall  not 
again  be  covered  with  waters. 
(',en.  9  :  8—17. 

Raisins,  dried  grapes.  They 
nre  much  used  for  food  in  many 
countries,  and  are  considered 
very  wholesome. 

Ram,  a  male  sheep.  See 
SuEEP.  Battrring  rams  were  used, 
before  the  invention  of  cannon, 
to  destroy  the  fortifications  of 
cities.  This  machine  was  a  huge 
log  of  timber,  with  an  iron  head 
at  one  end,  suspended  by  the 
middle  to  elevated  poles,  and 
driven  violently  against  the 
wall,  by  great  numbers  of  men, 
until  a  breach  was  effected.  A 
shelter  was  erected  to  defend 
these  men  from  archers  on  the 
wulls.     Ezek.  4  :  2,  and  21  :  22. 

Ramah,  a  city  of  Benjamin, 
which  stood  eight  miles  north- 
ward    from    Jerusalem,    Josh. 
18  :    25,   and,   being  on  a  hill, 
was  visible  from  thence.     Xear 
to  it  Deborah  dwelt.     Jud.  4  : 
5.     Elkanah    and    Samuel    re- 
sided in  it,  1  Sam.  1  :  1,  19  ;  7:  | 
)7  ;   8:4;   25  :  1  ;   and  at  Na- | 
joth,  or  the  meadoAvs  of  Ramah,  i 
was  a  college  of  young  prophets.  ' 
1  Saoi.  19.    A  small  village  now 
occupies  the  spot,  called  Erram. 

Ihere  was  another  Ramah  on 
«Li    west    border   of    Naphtali, 
19 


Josh.  19  .  36  ;  also  a  Eamath  oi 
Ramoth,  which  we  suppose  the 
same  as  Baalath-beer,  in  the  lot 
of  Simeon,  Josh.  19  :  8;  1  Sam. 
30  :  27  (see  Gilead),  and  also  a 
Ramoth,  Remeth,  or  Jarmuth, 
in  the  lot  of  Issachar.  Josh. 
19  :  21. 

Ram-Skins,  dyed  red,  were 
used  in  the  construction  of  the 
tabernacle.  Dr.  Clarke  has 
proved  from  Homer,  Pliny,  and 
modern  travellers,  that  there 
are  rams  whose  natural  color  ia 
red.  From  this  fact  the  fable 
of  the  golden  fleece  may  have 
had  its  origin. 

Ransom,  the  price  paid  for 
the  pardon  of  an  offence,  or  the 
redemption  of  a  slave  or  captive 
Prov.  6  :  35.  Ex.  21  :  30.  To 
prevent  the  plague  and  make 
ceremonial  atonement  for  their 
souls,  all  male  Hebrews  of  adult 
age  paid  half  a  shekel  yearly,  as 
a  ransom.  Ex.  30  :  12.  The  obe- 
dience and  death  of  Christ  are 
the  proper  ranso?n  and  price  of 
our  deliverance  from  sin  and 
misery.  Matt.  20  :  28.  Job  33  : 
24. 

Rayen,  a  bird  about  the  size 
of  a  pullet.  Its  color  is  black, 
and  its  voice  harsh  and  doleful. 
It  delights  in  solitude,  and  lives 
on  carrion,  &c.  It  is  not  the 
same  as  the  crow.  It  is  larger, 
more  sagacious,  and  lives  in 
pairs,  not  in  flocks. 

'J'he  raven  which  Noah  sent 
forth  did  not  return,  probably, 
because  it  found  rest  and  food 
on  the  floating  carcasses  It 
has  by  all  nations  been  consid- 


REC 


2l>i 


KEE 


ered  a  iisgusting  and  hateful 
bird  ;  but  especially  so  to  the 
Jews,  whose  laws  pronounced 
it  unclean.  How  striking,  there- 
fore, is  ";he  argument  of  God's 
paternal  regard  to  all  his  crea- 
tures, derived  from  his  care  of 
this  bird  !  Job  38  :  41.  He  not 
only  feeds  the  ravens,  but,  if 
killed,  he  cares  for  their  un- 
fledged young.  "  He  giveth 
food  to  the  young  ravens  which 
cry."  Ps.  147  :  9.  If  the  Lord 
takes  care  of  ravens,  how  con- 
fidently may  his  people  trust 
him  !     Luke  12  :  24. 

Razor.     See  Shave. 

BeilSOD,  the  power  by  which 
we  discover  and  apprehend 
truth.  True  religion  is  alto- 
gether a  reasonable  service, 
Rom.  12  :  1  ;  but,  though  reason 
can  see  its  reasonableness  and 
excellence,  when  revealed,  it 
could  not,  by  the  mere  light  of 
nature,  discover  fully  the  char- 
acter and  pleasure  (  f  God.  The 
province  of  reason  in  religion 
's,  to  examine  the  evidences  of 
the  authenticity  of  Scripture, 
and,  this  being  ascertained,  it 
is  to  be  employed  in  understand- 
ing the  whole  will  of  God,  as 
tliere  revealed. 

Re'chabites,  a  tri'-e  of  Mid- 
ianites,  who  lived  in  tents,  and 
roamed  the  country  for  pasture, 
%a  the  Arabs  and  Tartars  now 
do.  Their  origin  and  manner 
of  life  are  described  2  Kings  10 : 
15—23  ;  Jer.  35  :  5—7.  It  is 
thought  that  some  tribes  now 
dwelling  on   the   north-east  of 


Medina  are  descendants  of  lti» 
ancient  Rechabites. 

R^fondliatioa,  a  restoring  to 
favor,  or  reunion  between  those 
who  had  been  at  variance.  See 
Atonement  and  Expiation. 

Redeem,  to  buy  back  what 
was  sold,  pledged  or  forfeited. 
Luke  1  :  68.  The  word  is  de- 
rived from  a  Latin  word  signify- 
ing to  buy  again.  In  the  Greek 
Testament  several  words  are 
used  in  relation  to  the  saints' 
deliverance  from  hell,  which 
signify  obtaining  something  by 
paying  a  price.  1  Cor.  6  :  20. 
Gal.  3  :  13.     1  Pet.  1  :  18. 

Redeemer,  one  who  ransoms 
by  paying  the  price.  Jesus 
Christ  redeemed  us  by  suffering 
in  our  stead  the  penalty  of  the 
divine  law.     1  Pet.  1  :  19. 

Red  Sea.     See  Sea. 

Reed,  (l.)  A  tall,  hollow, 
jointed  plant,  growing  in  fenny 
places,  much  used  in  hot  coun- 
tries, where  the  plant  abounds 
for  buildings,  carriages,  &c.,  &c. 
In  this  country  it  is  employed  for 
fishing-rods,  weavers'  reeds,  &e. 
It  was  anciently  used  for  writing, 
and  answered  to  the  word  "p/i  " 
3  John  13.  The  use  of  quills  for 
writing  cannot  be  traced  further 
back  than  to  Isidorus,  who  died 
in  A.  D.  63G.  (2.)  An  instru- 
ment of  music  like  a  flute. 
When  our  Lord  said.  Matt.  12: 
20,  "  a  bruised  reed  he  would 
not  break,"  it  is  not  certain 
whether  he  alluded  to  the  plant 
or  the  instrument  ;  but  in  refer- 
ence to  either,  the   allusion  if 


EG 


219 


REB 


Dighly  ins  ;ructire.  v3.)Ameas- 
nre  of  nine  feet. 

Refng;*,  a  place  of  safety,  to 
which  a  person  may  fly  in  case 
of  danger.  The  Lord  com- 
manded Moses  to  appoint  si.x 
cities  of  reftige  for  those  who 
slew  any  one  unintentionally. 
Josh  20  :  7 — 9.  The  roads  to 
theso  were  required  to  be  fifty- 
eight  feet  wide,  and  kept  in 
perfect  repair,  with  bridges  over 
the  streams,  and  guide-boards, 
marked  Refuge,  pointing  the  way 
at  every  corner.  This  arrange- 
ment strikingly  typified  the 
Lord  Jesus.  God  is  called  the 
Refuge  of  his  people,  Deut.  33  : 
27,  as  he  defends  them  against 
all  the  assaults  of  their  enemies. 
Jesus  Christ  is  the  only  refuge 
for  sinners. 

In  these  six  cities  the  refugee 
was  to  be  lodged  and  fed  gratis. 
All  the  other  forty-eight  cities 
of  the  priesthood  were  cities  of 
refuge  also,  but  had  the  right  to 
refuse  to  receive  refugees,  and 
to  receive  pSij'^  for  the  subsistence 
of  such  as  were  received. 

A  refuge  of  lies  means  a  false 
hope.     Isa.  28  :  17. 

Regeneration,  the  new  birth, 
or  a  spiritual  change  from  a  car- 
nal to  a  christian  life.  This 
renovation  of  the  soul,  with  all 
its  aHectioDS,  is  effected  by  the 
Spirit  and  grace  of  God,  and  is 
called  the  new  birth.  It  consists 
in  the  infusion  of  spiritual  life 
into  the  soul,  by  which  it  is 
enabled  to  perform  spiritual 
aoti(  ns,  and  to  live  unto  God. 
fit.  3  :  5. 


I  //  differs  from  conversion,  be- 
cause regeneration  is  a  power 
conferred,  and  conversion  is  the 
exercise  of  that  power.  Re- 
generation is  the  principle  givec 
to  turn  unto  the  Lord  ,  conver- 
sion is  our  actual  turning  unto 
him  ;  regeneration  is  the  life 
itself,  conversion  its  motion. 

It  differs  from  justification.  Jus 
tification  acquits  a  man  from  the 
charge  of  guilt ;  regeneration 
imparts  a  new  nature.  Justi 
fication  is  effected  by  the  obe- 
dience, death,  and  resurrection 
of  Jesus  Christ  ;  but  regenera- 
tion is  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

It  differs  from  adoption.  Adop 
tion  entitles  to  heaven,  and  re- 
generation is  that  which  con- 
stitutes our  meetness  for  its 
enjoyment. 

The  word  is  also  used  for  that 
new  life  which  is  expected  at 
the  general  resurrection  and 
restitution  of  all  things.  Matt. 
19  :  28. 

Rehobo'am,  son  of  Solomon 
by  an  Ammonitess,  ascended  the 
throne  b.  c.  970,  being  then  for 
ty-one  years  old  ;  and  reigned 
seventeen  years.  By  following 
the  absurd  counsel  of  his  j'oung 
companions,  he  caused  the  re- 
volt of  the  ten  tribes,  an  event 
productive  of  infinite  mischief, 
and  which  spread  its  influencs 
over  the  whole  subsequent  his- 
tory of  the  Hebrews,  leading  at 
last  to  their  political  ruin. 

Reho'both,  literally  room  or 
place.  (1.)  A  city  of  Edom. 
(2.)    A   well    digged   by    Isaac 


REM 


220 


REP 


earitward  of  Gerar,  so  called  be- 
cause there  the  Lord'made  room 
fur  hiui  to  dwell.     Gen.  26  :  22. 

Reign,  to  rule  as  supreme, 
liod,  who  is  the  absolute  Mon- 
arch of  the  world,  reigns  in  the 
proper  sense  of  the  word,  as  he 
disposes  of  all  things,  in  heaven 
and  on  earth. 

Sin  is  said  to  reign,  when  its 
motions  and  influences  are  read- 
ily obeyed,  and  it  exercises  an 
absolute,  uncontrolled  power  in 
the  soul.  Rom.  6  :  12. 

Grace  is  said  to  reign,  when 
we  are  governed  by  the  impulses 
of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Reins,  the  loins  or  kidneys. 
The  word  is  used  in  Scripture, 
like  the  word  heart,  to  signify 
the  dispositions  and  affections 
of  the  mind.  Ps.  7  :  9.  .Jer.  12: 
2. 

Religion,  the  inward  and 
spiritual  knowledge  and  belief 
of  divine  truth.  It  is  manifest- 
ed in  a  proper  acknowledgment 
of  God,  and  obedience  to  him  ; 
and  in  showing  proper  regard  to 
men,  according  to  their  various 
conditions,  stations  and  rela- 
tions to  us.  The  word  is  used 
also  to  denote  any  system  of 
faith  and  worship  in  distinction 
from  others. 

Reuiphan,  an  Egyptian  idol. 
The  learned  are  very  little 
agreed  who  this  god  was.  Some 
ai'e  very  peremptory,  and  others 
quite  despair  of  ascertaining. 
The  Israelites  worshipped  this 
false  god,  calling  him  Chiu.x. 
Amos  5  :  2f>.  Probably  it  was 
'NV."-/t.      ActiT  :  4J. 


Repentance,  grief  fo:  sin,  a 
change  of  mind  by  which  we 
wish  any  of  our  conduct  undone. 
Evangelical  repentance  is  tha» 
saving  grace  wrought  in  tha 
heart  of  a  sinner  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  by  which  the  sinner  turns 
from  a  course  of  disobedience, 
and  sincerely  endeavors  to  live 
unblamably  before  God,  in 
the  expectation  of  forgiveness 
through  the  merits  of  Christ. 
Matt.  3  :  2,  &c.  The  repentance 
which  Esau  sought  with  teara 
was  not  his  own  regret,  which 
of  course  he  could  and  did  ex- 
ercise, but  a  change  of  purpose 
in  his  father.  That  is,  though 
with  tears  he  sought  to  induce 
his  father  to  repent  and  re- 
store to  him  the  birthright,  it 
could  not  be  done.  When  it  is 
said,  Rom.  11  :  29,  "The  giftfi 
and  calling  -of  God  are  without 
repentance,"  it  means  that  his 
purposes  of  love  to  his  people 
are  unalterable.  Thus  it  is  said, 
1  Sam.  15  :  Id,  "God  is  not  a 
man,  that  he  should  repent;" 
that  is,  does  not  change  his  pur- 


Repetitions.  The  vain  repe- 
titions blamed  by  our  Saviour, 
Matt.  6  :  7,  were  lifeless  forma 
of  prayer  frequently  repeated. 
It  is  to  be  feared  many  of  our 
prayers  are  little  better.  The 
papists  openly  make  a  merit  or" 
frequently  repeating  in  a  given 
time  the  same  prayer. 

Reph'aim,  a  valley  near  Jo 

rusalemj  fruitful  in  wheat     J  ^a 

17  :  5.      It    seems  to    have   do- 

\  rived   il  i   name  f"om  the  gio-ifi 


REP 


221 


RES 


il  at  anci  mtlyinhabited  it.  Here 
the  ho.ic  of  the  Philistines  en- 
sau.ped  frequently.  1  Chr.  11  : 
i5. 

Hephldiin,  a  place  east  of 
the  Red  Sea,  where  the  Hebrews 
tempted  God,  and  quarrelled 
with  Moses  for  want  of  water. 
It  Mas  therefore  called  Meribah, 
contention  ;  and  Massah,  temp- 
tation.    Ex.  17  :  7,  8. 

Reprobate,  rejected  ;  given 
up  to  sin  ;  lost  to  virtue  ;  fatal- 
ly erroneous  in  sentiment.  A 
reprobate  mind  is  one  whose  con- 
science is  callous.  Men  are  rep- 
robate to  every  good  work,  when 
utterly  averse  to  doing  or  per- 
mitting others  to  do  good.  Tit. 
1  :  16. 

Reproof,  blame  charged  upon 
a  person  to  his  face  ;  or  admo- 
nition upon  account  of  some 
fault.  Reproof  requires  the 
utmost  care  and  prudence  in  the 
person  by  whom  it  is  adminis- 
tered, or  it  may  exasperate,  and 
make  the  otFender  sin  the  more. 
Unless  circumstanbes  imperative- 
ly require  it,  let  it  never  be  done 
publicly,  but  always  in  secret. 
Make  it  evident  that  the  good  of 
the  transgressor  is  the  sole  mo- 
tive of  your  censure  ;  that  it  is 
a  painful  task,  to  which  you  are 
urged  by  a  sense  of  duty,  and 
prompted  by  the  most  tender  so- 
licitude for  his  happiness.  Let 
not  an  air  of  self-importance, 
an  angry  countenance,  or  a 
wrathful  tone  of  expression, 
discover  itself  in  your  rebukes. 
You  must  feel,  ana  you  are  al- 
lowed to  feel ;  but  it  is  to  be 


the  feeling  of  Christianity , 
that  is,  pity,  kii  dness,  and  the 
most  sincere  affection  for  the  of 
fender  himself.  Not  his  joeraor., 
but  his  ain,  and  his  sin  alone,  is 
to  be  the  object  of  your  indi^ 
nation  ;  and  every  admonition 
should  be  accompanied  with  fer» 
vent  jiayer  to  God  for  his  bless- 
ing on  your  efiforts  to  do  good 
"  As  an  ear-ring  of  gold,  and  an 
ornament  of  fine  gold,  so  is  a 
wise  reprover  upon  an  obedient 
ear."  It  is  most  mournful  that 
this  great  duty  is  so  little  re- 
garded. We  are  bound  to  per- 
form it  as  we  are  to  pay  our 
honest  debts  ;  and  in  the  dis- 
charge of  it  would  gain,  as  well 
as  impart,  inestimable  blessings. 
2  Tim.  4:2. 

Rereward,  the  rear-guard 
Josh.  6  :  13.  God  promises  to 
be  the  rereward  of  his  people, 
defending  them  as  they  press  on 
their  march,  from  unseen  ene^ 
mies  behind.     Isa.  52  :  12. 

Rest.  (1.)  A  ceasing  from 
bodily  labor.  (2.)  The  quiet- 
ness of  sleep  or  death.  (3.) 
That  peace  with  God  and  in 
their  own  consciences,  which 
believers  enjoy  in  this  world. 
Matt.  11  :  29,  arising  from  a 
cheerful  confidense  in  the  prom- 
ises and  providence  of  God.  Ps. 
116  :  7.  (4.)  A  quiet  and  se- 
cure habitation,  such  as  was 
promised  to  the  Israelites  in  the 
land  of  Canaan,  which  was  also 
a  type  of  that  eternal  rest  in 
the  heavenly  Canaan,  where  the 
saints  shall  enjoy  a  never-end- 
ing blessedness  in  the  pres-^oce 


RES 


222 


REV 


of  brod,  at  the  termination  jf 
all  the  toils  and  troubles  of  this 
life.    Heb.  4  :  9. 

Restitation.  (1.)  The  restor- 
ing of  anything  to  its  former 
state.  Acts  3  :  21.  (2.)  The 
returning  of  a  thing  unjustly 
gotten,  or  making  amends  for  an 
injury.  This  is  very  particular- 
ly enjoined  in  the  law  of  Moses. 
Ex.  21.  Lev.  24.  Deut.  19.  It 
■was  done  at  the  reformation  un- 
der Nehemiah.  Neh.  5  :  10, 11  ; 
and  by  Zaccheus,  who,  following 
the  Roman  law,  agreed  to  re- 
store fourfold.     Luke  19  :  8. 

Resurrection,  the  act  of  ris- 
ing from  the  dead,  or  returning 
to  life.  It  commonly  means  the 
general  resurrection  at  the  last 
day,  or  the  end  of  the  world; 
Job  19  :  25—27  ;  John  5  :  28, 
29  ;  when  we  must  stand  before 
the  judgment-seat  of  Christ,  and 
be  admitted  to  eternal  happi- 
ness, or  doomed  to  endless  mis- 
ery. The  doctrine  of  the  resur- 
rection was  unknown  to  the 
wisest  heathens,  and  is  peculiar 
to  the  Bible.  They  had  some 
glimmerings  of  the  soul's  im- 
mortality, but  no  knowledge  of 
the  reviving  of  the  body.  The 
resurrection  of  Christ  is  a  clear 
proof  that  our  debt  has  been 
paid,  and  that  divine  justice  has 
reoeived  full  satisfaction.  On 
this  doctrine  of  Christ's  power 
over  death,  which  was  most  sol- 
emnly published  to  the  world,  is 
br.ilt  our  faith  in  his  promises,, 
and  our  hope  of  life  and  glory. 
Kom.  4  :  25.  A  grain  of  corn, 
•own  i  I  the  ear  th,  is  the  image 


made  use  of  by  our  Saviour  aid 
the  apostle  Paul  to  represent  the 
resurrection.  John  12  :  24.  1 
Cur.  15  :  36. 

Reveal,  to  disclose.  Christ 
was  rei;ealed  when  he  came  in 
the  flesh.  The.  wrath  of  God  is 
revealed  when  sinners  are  mada 
to  suffer  his  open  judgments. 

Revelatiou,  a  discovery.  The 
sacred  Scriptures  are  a  revelation, 
or  disclosure,  of  God's  will  tc 
man. 

The  last  book,  being  the  dec 
larations  of  John  in  reference 
to  futurity,  is  called  the  Reve- 
lation, from  its  containing  such 
minute  and  ample  predictions 
of  the  state  of  the  church  in 
future  ages.  It  is  commonly 
called  the  Apocalypse.  Accord- 
ing to  Eichhorn  and  others,  it 
was  written  about  A.  D.  70 ;  but 
critics  generally  assign  the  year 
95  or  90  as  the  true  date.  To 
understand  this  book  is  verj 
difficult,  and  parts  of  it  are  in- 
capable of  illustration  till  prov- 
idence is  further  unfolded.  In 
general,  it  may  be  said  that 
the  stars,  sun  and  moon,  itc, 
mean  the  great  men  of  the 
earth.  The  numbers  are  sel- 
dom to  be  taken  arithmetically. 
Most  of  the  predictions  were 
probably  fulfilled  in  the  early 
age  of  the  church,  but  many  of 
them  extend  to  the  remotest  pe- 
riods of  the  world.  These  are 
to  the  Christian  Church  just 
what  the  prophecies  respecting 
the  Church  were  to  the  Jews 
They  could  not  comprehend  how' 
a  child  should  be  born  of  a  vir- 


REV 


223 


RID 


gin,  or  a  man  not  see  corrup- 
tion, or  a  despised  mal  3factor 
occupy  the  throne  of  David. 
/et  as  the  piojts  Jew  \  elieved 
and  waited,  so  the  Christian 
low  waits  for  "  the  things  which 
shall  be  hereafter." 

Revenge,  to  vent  displeasure 
apou  a  person  for  a  real  or  imag- 
inary fault.  Men  revenge 
themselves  because  they  are  too 
easily  offended,  and  too  much 
influenced  by  the  impulses  of 
passion  and  self-love.  But 
when  it  is  said,  in  Scripture, 
that  God  revenges  himself,  it 
means  no  more  than  that  he 
vindicates  the  injuries  done  to 
his  justice  and  his  majesty  ;  to 
the  order  he  has  established  in 
the  world  ;  and  to  his  servants; 
because  he  is  just,  and  order  and 
justice  must  be  preserved. 

Revenge  is  the  result  of  cher- 
ished resentment  —  a  union  of 
sorrow  and  malignity.  He, 
therefore,  who  cherishes  this 
feeling,  endures  suffering,  and 
nourishes  a  passion  which  all 
men  condemn.  His  meditations 
only  increase  his  misery,  and  his 
only  hope  of  orjoyment  is  the 
witnessing  of  the  misery  of 
another.  How  fc  ise  and  wretch- 
ed is  such  a  rate  of  mind! 
Only  by  forgiv't  ^  can  we  enjoy 
the  gladness  of  prosperity,  or 
cho  calraness  of  innocence. 

RCTCUger  of  Blood,  a  name 
given  to  the  person  who  had  a 
right,  under  Jewish  customs,  to 
take  t>  e  life  of  him  who  had 
killed  his  relation.  See  Ref- 
use. 


Reward,  recompense.  Gixxi 
men's  rewanl  is  on  high,  not  on 
earth.  Raphelius  has  shown. 
says  Dr.  DoddiiJge,  that  misthos 
not  only  signifies  reward  of 
debt,  but  reward  of  grace,  and 
that  the  phrase  misthon  cnregcn 
occurs  in  Herodotus  ;  so  that 
the  phrase  "  reward  of  grace, 
Rom.  4  :  4,  is  a  classical,  as  well 
as  theological  expression. 

Rhe'giam,  a  seaport  of  the 
kingdom  of  Naples,  about  op- 
posite to  Messina,  in  Sicily.  It 
is  said  to  have  been  originally 
built  by  a  colony  from  Chalcis 
Paul  doubtless  preached  here  at 
his  visit.  Acts  28  :  13,  though 
Luke  does  not  record  the  fact 
Its  present  name  is  Reggio. 

Rhodes,  an  island  in  the 
Mediterranean  Sea,  north-east 
of  Crete,  and  ranked  for  digni 
ty  and  size  next  to  Cyprus  and 
Lesbos,  being  about  120  miles 
in  circumference.  It  had  its 
name  Rodos,  a  rose,  from'  the 
multitude  of  roi-es-  that  grew  on 
it.  On  this  island  was  the  fa- 
mous statue  of  Apollo,  called 
Colossus,  standing  across  the  en- 
trance of  the  harbor,  so  high 
that  ship?  sailed  in  between  the 
legs.  No  vestige  of  this  now  re- 
mains. The  Rhodians  were  fa- 
mous about  the  time  of  the  Tro- 
jan war.  The  most  ancient  cities 
wore  Lindus,  Camirus,  and  Jaly- 
sus  ;  but  Rhodes  eclipsed  all 
the  rest,  and  is  still  a  place  of 
note.  Acts  21  :  1.  Rhodes  in 
ancient  classic  authors  is  called 
Asteria. 

Riding  iras  a   maik  of  rank 


RIM 


*J-'4 


Kl  V 


among  the  Jews,  Ecc.  10:  7;  and 
the  degree  of  rank  was  indi- 
cated, among  other  things,  by 
the  number  of  attendants  on 
loot  As  there  are  no  side- 
walks in  Eastern  cities,  one  or 
more  ran  in  front  to  clear  the 
way  and  prevent  unwary  per- 
sons from  being  run  over.  1 
Kings  18  :  46.     See  Litter. 

RigliteoasQCss.     (l.)     That 

upright  life  and  conversatioii 
which  proceed  from  a  pious  dis- 
position, inclining  us  to  render 
the  worship  due  to  God,  and  be 
just  in  our  dealings  with  all 
men.  It  signifies,  also,  (2.) 
That  perfection  of  the  divine 
nature,  whereby  God  is  most 
holy  in  himself,  and  most  just 
in  all  his  dealings  with  his  crea- 
tures. (3.)  The  active  and 
passive  obedience  of  Christ, 
Christ  is  called  "  the  Lord  our 
Righteousness,"  as  being  the 
Procurer  and  Bestower  of  all 
the  ilghteousness  and  holiness 
which  believers  possess. 

Rigllt  Haad  is,  in  Scripture, 
a  symbol  of  power.  Ex.  15  : 
(j.  Ps.  21 :  8.  The  word  is  also 
used  to  mean  southward,  as  the 
Jews  always  spoke  of  the  East 
as  before  them,  and  the  west  be- 
hind. 

Rinunon,  or  Remmon.  (1.)  A 
city  belonging  to  the  Simeon- 
ites,  25  miles  south-west  of  Je- 
rusalem. Josh.  19  :  7.  Neh. 
11  :  29.  (2.)  Remmnn-methoarf 
a  city  of  Zebulun,  given  to  the 
Levites.  Josh.  19  :  13.  1  Chr. 
6  :  77.  (3  )  A  steep  reck  near 
Sibeah,    whither    six   hundred 


I  Benjamites  iled  A^hcn  the  rest  of 
their  tribe  WiJi  lestroyed.  Jud 
20:  45.  (4.)  A  prrincipal  idol  of 
the  Syrians,  worshipped  at  Da- 
mascus. The  name  signifies 
elevation  ;  but  whether  that  idol 
be  the  Elion,  or  Most  High,  of 
the  Phoenicians,  or  Saturn,  or 
Venus,  is  not  agreed.  He  ia 
nowhere  mentioned  in  the  Bible 
but  in  2  Kings  5  :  18. 

Ringt  The  wearing  of  ring? 
is  a  very  ancient  custom.  Gen 
24  :  22.  It  was  an  ensign  of 
authority  in  princes  and  great 
men.  Thus,  when  Pharaoh  com- 
mitted the  government  of  all 
Egypt  to  Joseph,  he  took  the 
ring  from  his  finger  and  gave  it 
to  him.  Ahasuerus  gave  h's 
ring  to  his  favorite  liaman,  an  1 
granted  the  same  favor  to  Mor- 
decai,  who  succeeded  Haman  in 
his  dignity.  The  practice  con- 
tinues in  those  countries  to  this 
day.  Few  great  men  can  write, 
but  sign  documents  by  rubbing 
a  little  thick  ink  on  their  signet 
ring,  and  then  pressing  it  on  the 
paper. 

It  is  also  used  as  an  emblem 
of  conjugal  fidelity,  and  a  con- 
stant memorial  of  the  marriage 
vow. 

Ring-Streaked,  having  circu 

lar  streaks  or  lines  on  the  body, 
as  we  often  see  on  cattle.  Gen 
30  :  35. 

RiveP)  a  large  stream  of  wa- 
ter. The  rivers  mentioned  in 
Scripture  are  the  Jordan,  Ki- 
shon,  Jabbok,  Arnon,  Abana 
Pharpar,  Euphrates,  H.ddekel 
Gihon,  Pison,  Chebar,  ^  bar  ah. 


ROE 


225 


ROM 


Ulai.  The  Nile  is  alluded  to, 
out  is  not  mentioned  by  name, 
«'  The  river  of  Egypt,"  men- 
tioned in  the  Bible,  is  not  the 
Nile,  but  a  small  stream,  falling 
into  the  Mediterranean  near 
Gaza.  "  From  the  river  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth,"  means  from 
the  Euphrates  to  the  end  of  the 
then  known  world.  No  river 
in  Palestine  withstands  the 
drought  of  summer  but  the  Jor- 
dan, and  that  becomes  greatly 
diminished.  The  others,  though 
torrents  in  the  .rainy  season, 
become  mere  rivulets  in  sum- 
mer, and  sometimes  wholly  dis- 
appear. Job  compares  false 
friends  to  such.     Job  6  :  15. 

Robe*  See  Raiment.  Jesus' 
imputed  righteousness  is  a  robe 
which  beautifies,  warms,  and 
protects  our  souls.  Isa.  41  :  10. 

Rod.  (1.)  A  small  branch  of 
a  tree.  Gen.  30  :  37.  (2.)  A 
staff  for  walking.  Ex.  4  :  4. 
(3.)  A  shepherd's  crook.  Ps. 
23  :  4.  (4.)  A  measuring-reed, 
used  by  surveyors.  (5.)  A  scep- 
tre, and  hence  denotes  power 
and  authority.     Isa.  14  :  5. 

Roe,  a  small  species  of  deer, 
exceedingly  beautiful  and  swift. 
2  Sam.  2:  18.  It  is,  no  doubt,  the 
gazelle  or  antelope,  which  is  called 
rot  in  Scripture.  It  is  about  2i 
feet  high, is  gregarious,  has  horns 
afoot  long,  short,  erect  tail, and 
beautiful  eyes.  It  abounds  in 
Palestine,  Arabia  and  Egypt, 
and  is  excellent  food.  1  Chr. 
12  :  8.  Cant.  2  •  8,  9,  &c.  The 
ancient  method  of  catching  this 
inimal  was  by  a  net.     Pr»'V.  6  : 


5.  Its  Gieek  name  is  Dorcas 
and  its  exceeding  beauty  prob* 
ably  caused  its  name  to  be  giv- 
en to  females.  To  be  called  a 
"  Gazelle-eyed  beauty "  is  i 
high  oriental  compliment 

Roll,  a  bajk.  Ezra  f  2. 
Jer.  36.  Ezek.  3.  Before  the 
invention  of  the  present  manner 
of  binding,  writings  wererolkd 
on  a  staff.  Such  are  now  used 
in  the  Hebrew  synagogues.  See 
the  cia  under  Book. 

RomailS.  Paul  had  never 
been  at  Rome  when  he  wrote 
this  Epistle.  It  was  called 
forth  by  his  having  heard  of 
their  condition,  and  especially 
of  the  diflBculties  existing  be- 
tween the  Jewish  and  the  Gen- 
tile membeis.  He  controverts 
many  of  the  errors  of  both 
Jews  and  Pagans,  as  to  ances- 
tral merit,  justification,  the  effi- 
caoy  of  sacrifices,  election,  sub- 
mission to  foreign  rulers,  &o, 
Paul  was  nearly  sixty  years  old 
when  he  wrote  this  letter,  dur- 
ing a  residence  of  some  months 
at  Corinth. 

Rome,  iof  a  long  time  the 
most  noted  city  In  the  world.  It 
was  built  by  the  Etrurians. 
Romulus  enlarged  it  about  the 
time  of  Hezekiah,  Ising  of  Ju- 
dah,  that  is,  A.  M.  3254.  It 
gradually  increased,  till  it  ex- 
tended over  seven  hills.  The 
river  Tiber  runs  through  it,  af- 
fording water  to  the  city,  ani 
carrying  off  the  filth,  which  i3 
conveyed  to  it  by  sewers  under 
gr^und.  Its  walls  seem  never 
W    lave   been    abore    thirteen 


K  0  M 


226 


ROS 


miles  in  circumference  ;  but  it 
had  a  vast  extent  of  suburbs. 
In  the  time  of  Romulus  it  con- 
tained about  three  thousand  in- 
habitants, and  in  the  time  of 
Augustus,  two  millions.  Chris- 
tianity was  early  planted  here, 
and  has  continued  to  this  day, 
though  for  ages  obscured  by 
popish  superstitions.  Most  of 
its  early  pastors  suffered  martyr- 
dom. 

While  the  Romans  governed  a 
great  part  of  the  world,  they 
were  in  the  habit,  either  for 
money  or  good  deeds,  or  of  free 
favor,  of  conferring  the  right  of 
citiaens  on  some  who  were  not 
of  their  nation,  and  even  some- 
times on  the  inhabitants  of  a 
whole  city.  In  this  sense,  Paul 
and  Silas  were  Romans,  and  had 
a  legal  title  to  all  the  privileges 
of  the  citizens  of  Rome,  by 
having  been  born  in  a  free  city. 
Acts  16  :  37,  38  ;  22  :  25,  26, 
27. 

The  present  population  of  this 
city  is  only  154,000  ;  but  the 
territories  of  the  pope  embrace 
13,000  square  mile^,  and  a  popu- 
lation of  two  millions  and  a  half. 
Not  more  than  about  the  third 
jjart  of  what  is  within  the  walls 
is  now  inhabited.  It  is  noted 
for  many  fine  ancient  ruins, 
for  St.  Peter's  church,  which 
was  one  bundled  years  in  build- 
ing, and  for  the  Vatican,  or  win- 
ter palace  of  the  pope,  which 
consists  of  about  12,500  cham- 
bers, halls  and  closets,  and  has 
a  famed  library,  garden  and 
arsenal.     Its.  hospitals  are   re- 


marked for  their  excellent  re». 
ulations  ;  but  the  inhabitants 
are  licentious  to  an  uncommor. 
degree. 

We  J, re  not  informed  when,  or 
by  whom,  the  gospel  was  first 
preached  at  Rome.  But,  as 
among  those  converted  at  Jeru- 
salem, on  the  day  of  Pentecost, 
there  were  "  strangers  from 
Rome,"  Acts  2  :  10,  there  can 
be  no  doubt  but  that  on  their 
return  home  they  set  up  a  chris- 
tian church.  It  must  have 
grown  rapidly,  though  tho 
preacher  is  not  named;  for  in  a. 
D.  68  their  number  drew  the  at- 
tention of  government,  and  th€ 
horrid  persecutions  of  Nerc 
killed  vast  multitudes. 

Roof,  the  covering  of  a  house 
The  Jews  had  theirs  flat,  foi 
walking,  or  erecting  booths  on 
and  a  battlement  breast  high 
around,  to  prevent  any  one  fall- 
ing from  them.  As  this  rendered 
them  private  places,  they  often 
performed  their  devotions  on 
them.  Acts  10  :  9. 

R0S6,  the  queen  of  flowers. 
From  the  frequent  connectioi 
of  the  lily  with  this  flower,  when 
spoken  of  in  Scripture,  it  seema 
evident  that  the  wild  rose  must 
be  meant,  which  in  all  hot  coun- 
tries is  extremely  beautiful. 
Christ  is  compared  to  it.  Song 
2:  1.  "The  wilderness  shall 
blossom  as  the  rose,"  when 
Christianity  restores  this  wilder- 
ness wcrld  to  order  and  beauty 
Isa.  35  •  1.  In  the  East  Indies, 
an  extract  is  made,  called  "otta 
of  rasei!,'''  which  is  very  costlj 


RU  F 


221 


RUT 


knd  the  most  exquisite  perfume 
in  nature. 

RODgh,  coarse,  ragged,  une- 
ven. By  the  powerful  preach- 
ing of  John  the  Baptist,  the 
*•  rough  places  were  made 
plain  ; "  that  is,  people  of  the 
most  ignorant  and  hardened 
description  were,  through  divine 
grace,  humbled,  and  prepared 
to  receive  the  full  truths  of 
Christ's  mission  and  ministry. 
Luke  3  :  5. 

Raby^  a  beautiful  gem,  of  a 
red  color,  of  great  hardness  and 
lustre,  but  seldom  found  larger 
than  a  grape  seed.  A  perfect 
ruby,  above  3J  carats  in  size, 
exceeds  in  value  a  diamond  of 
equal  size.  A  deep-colored  ru- 
by, exceeding  20  carats  in 
weight,  is  called  carbuncle. 
Wherever  the  word  occurs,  it 
should  be  translated  pearls.  Job 
28:  18;  Prov.  3:  15;  Lam.  4:  7. 

Rue,  a  useful  medicinal  plant, 
common  in  gardens.  It  has  an 
unpleasant  smell,  and  a  bitter, 
pungent  taste.  The  word  occurs 
in  Luke  11  :  42,  only. 

RnfnS,  son  of  Simon  the  Cy- 
renian,  who  bore  our  Saviour's 
cross.  He  seems  to  have  been  a 
very  distinguished  preacher 
with  the  Apostles,  though  not 
much  is  affirmed  of  him  direct- 
ly. Rom.  16  :  13.  His  mother 
naa  a  great  christian,  and  kind 
to  Paul,  who  calls  her  his 
"  mother."  Polycarp,  a  fellow- 
laborer  with  the  Apostles,  whose 
writings  are  still  extant,  speak- 
ing of  extraordinary  christian 
attainments^    says    "  which    ye 


have  seen  set  before  youi  eyst 
in  the  blessed  Ignatius,  ami 
Zozimus,  and  Rufus,  and  Paul 
himself." 

Run,  to  press  on  rapidly.  As 
men  when  running,  especially 
for  a  prize,  exert  themselves 
earnestly  and  perseveringly. 
the  frequent  use  of  the  term,  in 
reference  to  the  christian  career, 
is  very  impressive,  and  ought  to 
alarm  indolent  professors.  See 
1  Cor.  9  :  24.  Heb.  12  :  1. 

Runners,  persons  who  ran  be 
fore  the  king's  chariot,  or  bore 
messages  in  haste.  They  were 
employed  particularly  to  carry 
into  the  provinces  tidings  of  the 
enactment  of  any  edict  or  law. 

Rush,  an  aquatic  plant,  com- 
mon on  the  banks  of  the  Nile, 
&G.  .Tob  8:11.  It  is  the  same 
as  the  bulrush,  Ex.  2  :  3  ;  Isa 
18  :  2  ;  and  the  paper  reed,  Isa. 
19:  7.  It  is  the  cyperus  papyrus 
of  LinNtEUS  ;  commonly  called 
"  the  Egyptian  reed.'^ 

The  stalk  is  triangular,  rising 
to  the  height  of  nine  or  ten 
feet,  beside  three  or  four  under 
water,  and  terminating  in  a 
crown  resembling  the  thistle. 
See  the  picture,  article  Paper. 

Ruth,  one  of  the  ancestorp  of 
our  Saviour,  who  lived  in  the 
days  of  Gideon,  or  perhaps  of 
Ehud  ;  about  300  years  before 
Homer  flourished. 

The  book  of  this  name  i"J 
thought  to  have  been  written  by 
Samuel,  and  forms  a  sort  of  ap- 
pendix to  the  book  of  Judges. 
The  principal  scope  of  the  booi 
is  to  record  the   genealogy  of 


13  A  15 


228 


SAB 


Christ  in  David's  line.  Compare 
Ruth  4  :  18—22  with  Matt.  1  : 
6,  6.  The  adoption  of  Ruth,  a 
heathen  convert  to  Judaism 
has  been  generally  considered  i^ 
pre-intimation  of  the  admission 
of  the  Gentiles  into  the  church. 
A  further  design  of  this  book 
is,  to  evince  the  care  of  Prov- 
iJence  over  such  as  fear  God. 

Rye  is  mentioned  Ex.  9  :  32, 
and  Isa.  28  :  35.    The  word  in 


the  original  means  only  beardt-d. 
and  makes  it  doubtful  whal 
grain  is  meant.  Some  suppose 
rice  to  be  intended.  This  is  ren- 
dered very  probable  by  several 
considerations.  The  passage 
Isa.  32  :  20  almost  certainly 
means  rice  ;  and  the  allusion  ic 
Eccl.  14: 1  is  rendered  beautiful 
and  intelligible  if  understood  of 


S. 


Sabachtha'ni  means  "  Thou 
last  forsaken  me. "  Mark  15  : 
35, 

SaVaoth,  a  Hebrew  word,  sig- 
nifying hosts  or  armies.  Jehovah 
is  called  "  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth," 
because  the  hosts  of  all  crea- 
tures are  his.  Angels,  ministers. 
Christians,  stars,  planets,  &c., 
are  all  marshalled  and  ruled  by 
the  Lord  God  omnipotent.  Rom. 
9  :  29.  Jam.  5  :  4. 

Sabbath,  literally  rest,  the 
holy  day.  When  God  had  made 
the  heavens  and  the  earth,  in 
the  space  of  six  days,  he  rested 
on  the  seventh,  and  set  it  apart 
for  himself,  to  be  occupied  in 
the  exercises  of  religion.  The 
perpetual  obligation  of  the 
oabbath  is  inferable  not  only 
from  the  injunction  being  one  of 
the  immutable  ten  command- 
ments, but  from  the  reasons 
which  are  given  for  its  institu- 
tion being  of  a  moral,  and  not 
o!  a  eeren  onial  nature,  and  the 


modes   of  its  observance  being 
of  universal  obligation. 

Though  it  was  really  the 
seventh  day  to  God,  to  man,  who 
was  formed  on  the  evening  of 
the  last  day,  it  was  the  /i7-s<,and 
was  kept  as  such  for  ages, 
though  called  the  seventh  part 
of  time.  Gen.  2:  2,  3.  In  the 
first  institution  of  the  Sabbath, 
it  was  intended  to  call  to  mind 
the  wisdom,  power  and  goodness 
of  God,  as  they  are  displayed  in 
the  creation  of  the  world  ;  but 
after  the  return  of  the  children 
of  Israel  from  their  state  of  ser- 
vitude and  hard  bondage  in 
Egypt,  that  was  urged  as  an  ad- 
ditional object  of  recollection  on 
the  Sabbath-day,  and  also  a  a 
an  additional  motive  to  its  ob- 
servance. The  day  was,  at  the 
same  time,  changed,  to  corre- 
spond with  that  memorable  event 
and  to  preserve  the  Hebrew 
more  efiFectually  from  idolatry, 
by  making  their  day  of  worship 
different  from  that  of  the  bea^ 


SAB 


229 


SAC 


then  Deut.  5  :  14,  15.  Under 
•the  cbfistian  dispensation,  which 
unites  Jews  and  Gentiles,  the 
Sabbath  is  altered  back  again 
from  the  seventh  to  the  first 
day  of  the  week,  on  which  the 
Redeemer  himself  rose  from  the 
i^ad.  It  13  thus  no  longer 
an  institution  for  the  Jews,  as 
the  Mosaic  Sabbath  was,  but  for 
the  world,  as  it  was  before  Mo- 
ses. In  the  Apostolic  age  the 
first  dity  of  the  week  was  never 
called  Sabbath,  but  Lord's  day. 
Many  of  the  converts  from  Ju- 
daism observed  both.  Rev.l:  10. 

On  the  "  first  day  of  the 
week,"  Jesus  Christ  made  re- 
peated visits  to  his  disciples, 
who  were  evidently  assembled 
together  for  religious  purposes. 
John  20  :  19,  26.  On  the  first 
day  of  the  week  the  disciples 
came  together  to  break  bread 
and  hear  Paul  preach.  Acts 
20  :  7.  Upon  the  first  day  of 
the  week  the  Corinthians  were 
required  to  lay  by  their  contri- 
butions for  the  poor.  1  Cor.  16  : 
2. 

It  is  to  be  sanctified  by  a  ces- 
sation from  all  worldly  affairs  ; 
by  a  remembrance  of  God  in 
creation,  providence,  and  re- 
demption ;  by  meditation, 
prayer,  reading  the  Scriptures, 
attending  public  worship,  and 
by  holy  anticipations  of  that 
eternal  Sabbath  which  remains 
for  the  people  of  God. 

Sabbath  day's  Journey.  The 

)ourney  of  a  man  on  foot,  for  a 

day,  was  commonly  reckoned  at 

25  or  30  miles  ;   but  .Jewish  tra- 

'10 


dition  allowed  a  man  to  trp.vel 
on  the  Sabbat'i  only  one  mile. 
Thus  a  Sabbath  day's  journey 
was  arranged  so  as  barely  to 
allow  a  person  to  go  to  the  near* 
est  synagogue. 

Sabbatical  year,  the  seventh 
year,  in  which  the  land  was  to 
have  rest.  Ex.  23.  Lev.  25.  It 
served  to  remind  Israel  of  the 
authority  and  goodness  of  (rod, 
to  inculcate  humanity,  to  be 
friend  the  poor,  to  give  time  for 
devotion,  study,  and  deeds  of 
mercy. 

Sabe'ans,  a  people  of  Arabia, 
descendants,  probably,  of  Sheha^ 
the  son  of  Cush.  It  is  contend- 
ed by  some  that  the  "  queen  of 
Sheba  "  was  from  the  neighbor 
hood  of  Abyssinia,  in  Africa. 

Sackbnt,  a  musical  instru- 
ment, generally  thought  to  have 
had  four  strings  :  but  Isidore 
considers  it  a  kind  of  flute  or 
hautboy.  It  was  probably  what 
we  call  trombone,  as  the  word 
seems  to  signify  what  may  be 
lengthened  or  shortened. 

Sackt'loth,  a  coarse  cloth, 
made  of  the  hair  of  horses,  and 
coarsest  hair  of  camels  and 
goats.  It  was  the  common 
clothing  of  very  poor  people, 
and  was  much  used  for  tentSj 
awnings,  &c.  Elijah  and  John 
the  Baptist  wore  such  ;  indeed, 
it  was  anciently  very  common 
for  all  prophets  to  be  thus  hum- 
bly clad.  Hence,  the  false 
prophets  wore  "  a  rough  gar* 
ment  to  deceive."  Zech.  l.'J  .  4. 
It  was  also  used  ^y  mournorft 
Isa.  50  :  3. 


JSAC 


230 


SAC 


Sae'rifice,  an  offering  to  God, 
siade  on  an  altar  by  a  regular 
priest.  It  differed  from  an  obia- 
tvin,  which  meant  only  the  sim- 
ple offering  of  a  gift.  The  justice 
of  God  required  the  death  of  the 
offender  ;  but,  being  tempered 
with  mercy,  it  accepted  a  sacri- 
fice in  his  stead.  Before  the 
giving  of  the  law,  every  man 
offered  as  he  chose,  and  was  his 
own  priest  ;  but  that  gave  rules 
both  as  to  the  things  to  be  sac- 
rificed, and  the  quantity  to  be 
offered  ;  and  restricted  the 
priesthood  to  the  family  of  Aa- 
ron, In  some  cases  no  fire  was  put 
to  the  sacrifice,  which  was  con- 
sumed by  fire  from  heaven.  It 
is  probable  this  was  the  way  in 
which  AbePs  sacrifice  was  ac- 
cepted. The  Hebrews  had  but 
four  sorts  of  sacrifices,  viz.  : 

1.  BURNT-OFFEKING,   Or   holo- 

oaust,  which  was  wholly  con- 
sumed, except  the  skin,  which 
was  for  the  priest. 

2.  Sin-offering,  or  sacrifice  of 
expiation,  which  was  offered  by 
one  who  had  offended,  to  whom 
no  part  was  returned,  but  the 
priest  had  a  share.  See  Lev.  4 
and  5. 

3.  Peace-offering,  a  thankful 
return  for  favors  received,  or  to 
satisfy  private  devotion,  or  sim- 
ply to  honor  God.  It  was  offered 
at  pleasure,  there  being  no  law 
to  require  it  ;  and  the  age  or 
iiex  of  the  animal  was  not  desig- 
nated. Most  of  the  flesh  was 
returned  to  the  offeret-,  who  ate 
It  with  his  frienc's.     See  Lev.  3. 


4.  Trespass-offering,  which 
seems  to  have  been  different 
from  the  sin-offering,  both  being 
required  of  the  leper.  Lev.  14. 
It  might  have  been  for  particu- 
lar cases  comprised  in  the  gen- 
eral rules  for  sin-offeringg.  ll» 
character  is  not  fully  under 
stood. 

The  perpetual  sacrifice  was 
the  offering  of  a  lamb  every 
morning  at  sunrise,  and  another 
every  evening  about  twilight. 
They  were  burnt  as  holocausts, 
but  by  a  small  fire,  that  they 
might  last  the  longer.  "With 
each  of  these  was  offered  half  a 
pint  of  wine,  half  a  pint  of 
sweet  oil,  and  three  pints  of  fine 
flour. 

All  the  sacrifices,  with  their 
several  ceremonies,  were  either 
acknowledgments  of  sin,  or  im- 
ages of  the  punishment  due  to 
it  ;  and  had  relation  to  Christ, 
the  gospel  Sacrifice,  in  whom  all 
these  types  had  their  fulfilment. 
They  signified  the  expiation  of 
moral  guilt,  by  the  sacrifice  of 
Christ,  who  is  called  the  Lamb  of 
God,  John  1  :  29;  and  the  Lamb 
slain  from  the  fnunflation  of  the 
world.  Rev.  13  :  8. 

The  doctrine  of  atonement  by 
animal  sacrifices  could  never 
be  derived  from  human  reason- 
ings ;  and  the  universal  preva- 
lence of  sacrifices  is  ample  proof 
of  their  being  derived  rom  the 
practice  of  men  instructed  of 
God,  in  the  earliest  ages. 

Sacrilege,  an  outrage  against 
holy  things  or  persons.  Idolatry 
is   called   sacrilege,  as    being  » 


SA 


231 


SAL 


crime  which  especially  insults 
Deity. 

Saddnfees,  a  sect  among  the 
Jews,  founded  by  Sadoc,  who 
flourished  Sv  i.ewhat  more  than 
200  years  before  Christ,  and  de- 
nied the  existence  of  angels  and 
spirits,  the  immortality  of  the 
soul,  and  the  resurrection  of  the 
body.  They  are  accused,  though 
not  with  good  proof,  of  rejecting 
all  the  books  of  the  Scripture, 
except  the  five  books  of  Moses. 
They  were  observers  of  the  law, 
and  enforced  it  upon  others  ; 
but,  contrary  to  the  Pharisees, 
they  kept  only  to  the  simple 
text,  without  traditions,  expla- 
nations, or  modifications  ;  and 
maintained  that  only  what  was 
written  was  to  be  observed. 
The  Sadducees  were  generally 
persons  of  wealth  and  influence. 
Among  the  modern  Jews,  there 
are  few,  if  any,  nominal  Sad- 
ducees ;  but  infidelity  prevails 
among  them  to  a  melancholy 
extent. 

Saffron,  the  crocus,  a  bulbous 
plant,  common  in  gardens.  The 
flowers  are  considered  medicinal. 
Occurs  in  Cant.  4  :  14,  only. 

Saints,  converted  persons,  Ps. 
16  :  3  ;  Phil.  4  :  21  ;  they  whc 
spend  much  time  in  religious 
exercises,  and  are  eminent  for 
piety  and  zeal  in  the  cause  of 
God,  Ps.  16  :  3  ;  Heb.  6  :  10  ; 
those  blessed  spirits  whom  God 
graciously  admits  to  partake  of 
everlasting  glory  and  ble;  red- 
ness, 1  Thess.  3  :  13  ;  Rev.  18  : 
24  ;  the  holy  angels,  Deut.  33  : 
% ,  Jude  14.     There  is  no  pro- 


priety in  prefixing  gaint  to  the 
names  of  the  writers  of  the  Nevr 
Testament,  any  m(re  than  to 
those  of  the  Old.  It  is  better 
to  say  "  the  evangelist  Mat. 
thew,"  or  "  Paul  the  apostle.'* 

S.llim,  wliere  John  baptized, 
is,  perhaps,  the  same  as  Salem, 
where  Mclchisedek  was  king, 
near  the  river  Jordan.  Gen  14. 
Jerusalem,  called  by  contraction 
Salem,  Ps.  76  :  2,  was  originally 
called  Jebus. 

Salo'me,  the  wife  of  Zebedee, 
and  the  mother  of  James  and 
John.  She  foolishly  begged 
that  her  two  sons  might  have 
the  principal  honors  in  Christ's 
temporal  kingdom. 

Salt  is  in  many  places  dug 
from  the  earth,  or  obtained  from 
springs,  but  is  commonly  ob- 
tained by  evaporating  sea  water. 
It  was  appointed  to  be  used  in 
all  the  sacrifi'ces  that  were  of- 
fered to  God.  Lev.  2  :  13.  It 
is  the  symbol  of  wisdom  —  "  Let; 
your  speech  be  seasoned  with 
salt,"  Col.  4  :  6  ;  of  fidelity  and 
perpetuity  ;  thus,  a  firm  and 
lasting  covenant  is  called  a  covt- 
nant  of  salt.  Numb.  18  :  19  ;  and 
of  maintenance  or  hospitality, 
Ez.  4  :  14,  where  "  maintenance 
from  the  king's  table  "  may  be 
rendered  literally  "  salted  with 
the  salt  of  the  palace."  The 
phrase  "  salted  with  fire."  Mark 
9  :  49,  means  that  the  victims 
of  divine  justice  in  heJl  shall  bf 
as  it  were  salted  with  fire,  and, 
instead  of  being  consumed  by 
it,  shall  continue  immortal  in 
the  midst  of  their  Cames.  Awfm 


SAL 


232 


SAL 


lliou^ht  '  The  Jews  were  ac- 
customed to  rub  salt  on  new- 
born babes,  or  bathe  them  with 
salt  water,  Exek.  16  :  4,  a  very 
mistaken  practice.  Large  quan- 
tities of  salt  put  on  land  ren- 
ders it  barren.  Hence  a  salt 
land  means  a  barren  region. 
Jud  9  :  45.  Zeph.  2  :  4.  Jer. 
17:6.  In  small  quantities,  it 
perves  as  a  valuable  manure. 
Luke  14  :  34.  When  our  Sa- 
viour told  his  disciples  that  they 
were  the  salt  of  the  earth,  he 
meant  that,  being  themselves 
endued  with  grace,  they  ought 
to  season  others,  and  preserve 
them  from  corruption.  The 
truths  of  the  gospel  are  in  op- 
position to  the  corruption  of 
the  world,  both  in  respect  to 
doctrine  and  morals. 

Lot's  wife  was  not  turned  into 
a  pillar  of  such  salt  as  we  use 
at  table,  but  into  rock  salt,  as 
hard  and  compact  as  stone.  In 
some  parts  of  Arabia,  houses 
are  built  of  this  material.  The 
salt  used  by  the  ancients  was 
chiefly  what  we  call  rock,  or  fos- 
sil salt  ;  and  also  that  left  on 
the  shores  of  salt  lakes.  Both 
of  these  kinds  were  impure, 
being  mixed  with  earth,  sand, 
&c.,  and  lost  their  strength  by 
exposure  to  the  atmosphere. 
Maunduell,  in  his  description 
of  the  valley  of  salt,  speaks  of 
a  small  precipice  on  the  side 
toward  Gibal,  where  he  broke 
»ome  pieces  from  a  part  exposed 
t«j  the  weather,  which,  "  though 
tney  had  all  the  appearance  of 
Bait,  had  perfectly  lost  its  savor  ; 


while  the  inner  part,  which  «va8 
connected  with  the  rock,  re- 
tained its  savor,  as  I  found  by 
proof."  Compare  Matt.  5  : 
13.  ScHOETGEXius  has  largely 
proved,  in  his  "  Horaj  He- 
braicte,"  that  such  as  had  thu3 
become  insipid  was  used  to  re- 
pair roads.  This  is  exactly  the 
use  said  to  be  made  of  it,  in  the 
above  quoted  passage. 

Salt,  Valley  of,  some  vale 
opening  into  the  Dead  Sea, 
where  rock  salt  was  procured. 

Salate,  to  address  with  civil- 
ity. The  forms  of  salutation 
vary  exceedingly  in  different 
countries.  Among  Orientals,  so 
m,uch  ardor  is  expressed,  and 
so  long  a  ceremony  used,  as 
would,  in  our  eyes,  appear 
ridiculous.  When  an  Arab  meets 
his  friend,  he  begins,  yet  afar 
off,  to  make  gestures  indicative 
of  recognition.  On  coming  up, 
he  shakes  hands,  then  kisses  his 
hand,  and  inquires  concerning 
his  friend's  health,  and  that  of 
his  family,  with  great  m  "ute- 
ness.  All  this  is  of  course  uono 
by  the  other.  Sometimes  the 
beard  is  reverently  kissed. 
When  they  separate,  to  pass 
on,  each  pronounces  a  solemn 
benediction,  as  "  The  blessing 
of  Jehovah  be  with  you,"  <fec. 
"Peace  be  with  you,"  "God 
be  with  you."  This  la?t  ve 
seem  to  have  abridged  inlJ 
"  good  by." 

In  Egypt,  the  custom  now  is, 
and  probably  was  anciently,  to 
clap  each  other *s  hands  recipP 
rooally  fifteen  or  twenty  time», 


SAL 


>33 


SAM 


■aying,  "  How  do  you  do  '?"  and 
asking  many  questions  about 
each  ther's  children,  mention- 
ing eaih  by  name. 


The  later  Jews  were  more 
moderate  than  the  neighboring 
nations,  and  used  different 
degrees  of  homage,  according  to 
the  person  and  the  occasion.  A 
bow  of  the  head  was  the  com- 
mon civility  ;  to  bend  the  body 
indicated  more  respect  ;  and  to 
lay  down  the  face  on  the  ground 
signified  the  highest  reverence. 
Jacob  bowed  himself  seven  times 
when  he  met  Esau.  Gen.  33. 
When  the  prophet  sent  his  ser- 
vant in  great  haste  to  raise  the 
dead  child,  he  forbade  him  to 
salute  any  one,  or  ansAvor  any 
ealutation,  because  of  the  time 
it  would  occupy.  2  Kings  4  : 
20.  And  our  Saviour  exoner- 
ated the  seventy  disciples  from 
such  unmeaning  waste  of  time. 
Luke  10  :  4.  Presents  commonly 
form  a  part  of  oriental  saluta- 
tion when  a  visit  is  made.  Gen. 
*:i  ;  11.  1  Sam  10  :  4.  Matt. 
■1)* 


2  :  11.  When  Saul  was  recom 
mended  to  seek  Samuel's  aid, 
he  thought  it  utterly  improper 
to  speak  to  him,  because  he  had 
no  suitable  present;  but  went 
when  he  found  they  had  a  quar- 
ter shekel,  that  is,  twelve  and  a 
half  cents.  1  Sam.  9:7.  So 
small  a  present  was  evidently 
intended  not  for  pay,  but  for 
respect.  A  flower,  or  an  orange, 
is  sufficient  to  satisfy  custom. 

Salvatton,  literally,  deliver- 
ance. There  is  no  salvation  but 
in  Christ,  through  the  mere 
mercy  and  free  grace  of  God. 
Christ  brings  "  great  salvation," 
—  vastly  more  than  mere  deliv- 
erance from  deserved  and  im- 
pending ruin.  2  Cor.  7  :  10. 
Eph.  1:13.  We  "  work  out  our 
salvation,"  when  we  accept 
Christ's  free  mercy,  and  walk 
by  his  strength  in  newness  of 
life. 

Samaria.  1.  The  country  of 
the  Ephraimites,  or  ten  tribes 
In  the  New  Testament  it  always 
signifies  the  territory  between 
Judea  and  Galilee. 

2.  The  seat  of  government  of 
the  ten  tribes,  who  revolted  from 
Rehoboam.  It  was  built  by 
Omri,  A.  M.  3080,  forty-two 
miles  north  of  .Jerusalem.  After 
various  sieges,  &g.,  during  sev 
eral  ages,  it  was  at  last  laid  ij 
complete  ruins,  by  Shalmanezer. 
Alexander  the  Great  establiiheJ 
a  colony  of  Macedonians  there. 
About  the  year  3947,  Gabinius, 
a  Roman  governor  of  Syria,  im- 
proved it  ;  and  subsequont[3f 
Herod    restored    it    to    matrnili- 


SAM 


234 


S  A  M 


eence,  and  called  it  ScboA-te.  For 
Bome  hundred  years  after  Christ, 
Samaria  continued  to  be  an  im- 
portant citj,  but  about  the 
fairth  century  it  seems  to  have 
become  desolate.  During  the 
crusades,  an  elegant  christian 
church  was  erected,  of  which 
eome  noble  ruins  remain. 

Samaritan.  When  Shalma- 
neser  removed  many  of  the  ten 
tribes  to  Babylon,  he  sent  in 
their  place  Babylonians  ;  these 
intermarried  with  the  remaining 
Hebrews,  and  their  descendants 
ivere  the  Samaritans.  Between 
these  ai.d  the  pure  Jews  there 
were  constant  jealousy  and 
hatred.  John  4.  The  name 
was  used  by  the  Jews  as  a  terra 
Df  the  greatest  reproach.  John 
8  :  48.  The  Samaritans,  like  the 
Jews,  lived  in  the  expectation 
of  Messiah,  and  many  of  them 
embraced  him  when  he  appeared. 
John  4.  Acts  8  :  1,  and  9  :  31. 
They  formerly  had  synagogues 
at  Damascus,  Gaza,  at  Grand 
Cairo,  Shechem,  and  Joppa, 
Askelon  and  Caes^area.  At  pres- 
ent, their  chief,  if  not  only  res- 
idence, is  Naplou.1,  the  ancient 
Shechem,  and  Jo/»pa.  They  per- 
haps do  not  amount  to  hUO  per- 
sons in  all.  They  have  a  high 
priest,  who  is  considered  to  be  a 
descendant  of  Aaron.  Though 
few  in  number,  they  pretend  to 
great  strictness  in  their  obser- 
vance of  the  law  of  Moses,  and 
consider  the  Jews  far  less  rigid. 
From  the  letter  of  their  high 
priest  to  Joseph  Scaliger,  210 
Teara  ago,  i*  appears  that  they 


profess  to  believe  in  God,  and 
in  his  servant  Moses,  and  in  the 
holy  law,  thj  Mount  Gerizim, 
the  house  of  God,  and  the  day 
of  rengeance  and  peace.  They 
keep  the  Sabbath  so  strictly, 
that  they  will  not  move  out  of 
their  place,  except  to  their  syn- 
agogue. They  always  circum- 
cise their  children  on  the  eighth 
day  after  their  birth.  They  do 
not  marry  their  own  nieces,  nor 
allow  a  plurality  of  wives. 

Samoon.     See  Wi.vds. 

SamOSj  an  island  of  the  Gre- 
cian Archipelago,  nine  miles 
south-west  of  the  coast  of  Lydia, 
in  Asia  Minor.  The  inhabitants 
chiefly  worshipped  Juno,  who 
was  said  to  have  been  born  there. 
It  is  now  inhabited  by  Greeks, 
who  are  very  poor,  and  who, 
though  nominally  christians,  are 
sunk  in  ignorance  and  super- 
stition. The  population  of  the 
island  now  is  about  75,000 
souls.  Here  Pythagoras  was 
born,  and  here  Lycurgus  died. 

Samothra'cia,  a  small  island 
of  the  ^Egean  Sea,  about  twenty 
miles  in  circumference.  It  de- 
rived its  name  from  having 
been  peopled  by  Samiaus  and 
Thracians.  Its  present  name  U 
Samodrnki. 

Samson,  a  judge  of  Israel,  of 
the  tribe  of  Dan.  Dr.  Clarke 
has  shown,  from  M.  De  Levaur, 
that  he  is  the  original  of  the 
fabled  Hercules  of  heathen  my- 
thology. He  judged  Israel 
twenty  years,  and  died  1117 
years  B.  c,  aged  40.  Jud.  13  • 
IG.     Heb     11  :   32,    33.      His 


SAJN 


235 


SAN 


rtrength  did  not  result  from  his 
having  long  hair,  for  that  has  no 
such  influence  ;  but  the  unshorn 
hair  was  the  badge  and  pledge  of 
his  Nazariteship,  on  losing  which 
his  vow  was  broken,  and  God's 
Hid  forfeited. 

Samuel,  an  eminent  prophet, 
born  at  Ramah,  in  the  tribe  of 
Ephraim,  and  from  his  birth 
dedicated  by  his  mother  to  God's 
service.  1  Sam.  3  :  1.  He  wrote 
the  First  Book  of  Samuel,  and, 
as  is  supposed,  those  of  Judges 
and  Ruth. 

Two  BOOKS  of  this  name  are 
found  in  our  canon  of  Scripture. 
The  FIRST  describes  the  proph- 
et's life,  and  the  history  of 
Israel  under  Saul,  embracing 
a  period  of  about  eighty  3"ears. 
The  SECOXD,  written,  it  is  sup- 
posed, by  the  prophets  Gad  and 
Nathan  (1  Chron.  29  :  29),  con- 
tains the  history  of  David  dur- 
ing a  period  of  nearly  forty 
years.  These  books,  besides 
their  other  various  important 
uses,  serve  greatly  to  explain 
the  Psalms.  As  specimens  of 
the  use  which  may  thus  be  made 
of  them,  compare  Ps.  Ill  with 
2  Sam.  15  ;  Ps.  4,  with  1  Sam. 
22,  23,  26  ;  Ps.  7,  with  2  Sam. 
16  :  2,  11  ;  Ps.  24,  with  2  Sam. 
6  ;  12  ;  Ps.  30,  with  1  Sam.  5  : 
11  ;  Ps.  51,  with  2  Sam.  12  ;  Ps. 
25,  with  2  Sam.  15  ;  Ps.  42  and 
43,  with  2  Sam.  17  :  22—24;  Ps. 
63,  with  1  Sam.  22  :  5.  Many 
Kuch  references  might  be  given. 
Saactify.  (1.)  To  set  apart 
any  pers'  u  or  thing  to  a  re- 
iigkuc'  use      Thus   the  priests 


the  offerings,  the  tabernacle, 
<fec.,  under  the  law  were  sancti- 
fied. Lev.  8  :  10.  Thus  the  Sab- 
bath is  sanctified  or  set  apart. 
And  thus  Christ  sanctified  him- 
self, by  setting  himself  af  art  as 
a  Sacrifice  to  God.  John  17  : 
19.  (2.)  To  cleanse  a  sinner 
from  the  pollution  and  dominion 
of  sin.  This  commences  at 
regeneration  ;  is  wrought  by  the 
Spirit  ;  is  progressive  during 
life  ;  makes  the  Christian  fit  for 
heaven  ;  and  constitutes  his 
evidence  of  adoption.  1  Cor.  6: 
11.     2Thess.  2:13. 

Sanetnary,  the  most  holy  place 
in  the  Jewish  temple.  The  word 
often  means  the  temple  itself,  2 
Chron.  20  :  8  ;  Ps.  73  :  17  ;  and 
sometimes  a  place  of  refuge, 
Isa.  8  :  14  ;  Ezek.  11  :  16. 

Sandals,  soles  of  leather  or 
wood,  tied  to  the  feet  with 
strings.  As  these  afi'orded  the 
traveller  no  protection  from 
dust,  it  was  a  necessary  act  of 
hospitality  to  have  the  feet  of 
the  guest  washed  before  he  could 
retire  to  bed.  John  13  :  10.  1 
Tim.  5  :  10.  They  are  still  worn 
in  several  eastern  countries,  by 
both  sexes,  and  all  classes  ;   the 


value  and  beauty  being  pruj/or- 
tioned  to  the  rank  of  the  wearer 
They  are  generally  put  off  on 
going  into  a  house  or  templo. 
Ex.  3  :  5.  Deut.  25  :  9.  The 
picture  gives  the  form  now  wori» 
in  Burmah  ;  there  is,  however, 
a  groat  variety  of  forms  of  the 


SAR 


236 


SAT 


sandal;  but  all  esaentially  the 
eame,  consisting  of  a  sole  only, 
fastened  variously  to  the  foot. 
To  bind  and  loose  the  sandals, 
and  wash  the  feet,  was  the  busi- 
ness of  the  lowest  slaves.  Gen. 
18:4.  Matt.  3:11.  The  poor 
generally  go  barefoot,  and  the 
rich  do  so  as  a  sign  of  mourn- 
ing. 

San''hedrim,  the  supreme  Jew- 
ish court.  This  name,  though 
common  among  theological  writ- 
ers, does  not  occur  in  the  Bible. 
See  Council. 

Sapphire,  a  pellucid  gem, 
which,  in  its  finest  state,  is  in- 
ferior in  value  only  to  the  dia- 
mond. The  finest  are  of  a  pure 
blue  color,  and  others  are  of 
various  lighter  shades,  even  to 
perfect  whiteness,  resembling 
crystal,  though  of  a  finer  lus- 
tre. Some  are  red,  and  go  under 
the  name  of  rilhy.  Such  as  are 
reddish,  and  slightly  tinged  with 
blue,  are  called  amethyst.  The 
finest  are  obtained  in  Burmah 
and  Ceylon.  One  in  the  Garden 
.  f  Plants  at  Paris  cost  $15,000. 
It  was  the  second  stone  in  the 
high  priest's  breast-plate. 

Sardine,  or  Saruius,  a  pre- 
cious stone,  of  a  reddish  or 
bloody  color,  said  to  derive  its 
name  from  Sardis,  where  the 
best  were  found.  The  best  now 
come  from  about  Bagdad.  It  was 
the  first  jewel  in  the  high 
priest's  breast-plate. 

SardfSy  a  town  at  the  foot  of 
Mount  Traolus,  ten  hours'  ride 
south  of  Ihyatira.  It  was  the 
eapital  of  Lydia,  celebrated  for 


its  opulence  and  debaucher/ 
Here  the  famous  Croexiis  lit^ea 
According  to  the  Lord's  threat, 
its  candlestick  has  been  removed 
out  of  its  place.  A  missionary, 
who  visited  Sardis  in  1826,  found 
no  christian  residing  on  the  spot. 
It  is  now  a  miserable  village 
called  ISart. 

Sar'donyx,  a  gem  supposed  to 
partake  of  the  qualities  and 
appearance  of  the  sardine  and 
onyx,  of  which  names  the  word 
seems  to  be  compounded.  Rev. 
21  :  10. 

SareptHt  See  Zarephath. 

Sargon,  Isa.  20  :  1,  is  the 
same  as  Sennacherib,  son  of  Sal- 
maneser,  king  of  Assyria,  whc 
came  with  a  great  army  to  over- 
throw Judea  in  the  fourteenth 
year  of  Hezekiah. 

Sardias,  the  gem  which  is  no^f 
called  cornelian,  which  was  very 
plenty  at  Sardis. 

Satan,  the  prince  of  hell. 
The  name  is  Hebrew,  and  means 
enemy,  for  the  devil  is  the  enemy 
of  God  and  man.  Much  of 
man's  wickedness  may  be  as- 
cribed to  him.  See  instances. 
Gen.  3  ;  Job  1  ;  Acts  5:3.  He 
is  called  the  god  of  this  world,  for 
his  power  in  it.  Unconverted 
persons  are  said  to  be  under  his 
influence.  Acts  26  :  18.  Peter 
is  called  Satan,  that  is,  enemy, 
because  he  wished  his  master  to 
avoid  that  suffering  to  which  he 
was  appointed.  Matt.  16  :  23. 
The  proper  name  ?f  Satan  is  the 
Devil  ;  and  in  the  origi-.al 
tongue  the  name  is  exclusiv*  iy 
appropriated  to  hioa.and  nevot 


SA  V 


237 


SCA 


to  inose  unhappy  sj/irlts  who 
are  in  banishment  with  him  ; 
who  are  called  "  demons."  But 
our  common  English  version  has 
fiiiled  to  observe  this  distinc- 
tion. 

Sat'yr,  a  name  given  to  some 
animal  which  prowls  round  the 
ruins  of  Babylon  ;  probably  the 
:vpe  or  baboon.  Isa.  13  :  21, 
and  34  :  14.  Some  of  the  an- 
cients worship  it  as  a  god,  de- 
lineating it  as  half  man  and 
^.alf  goat. 

SavCj  to  preserve  from  dan- 
ger, or  from  eternal  death  :  to 
deliver  from  the  guilt  or  the 
power  of  sin.  Matt.  1  :  21. 
Jesus  Christ  saves  his  people 
from  sin  and  from  destruction  ; 
and,  having  merited  their  salva- 
tion by  his  death,  he  applies  the 
purchased  redemption,  by  shed- 
ding abroad  the  Holy  Ghost  in 
their  hearts.  The  righteous  are 
"  scarcely  saved,"  because  huge 
difficulties  lie  in  their  way.  We 
are  said  to  be  saved  by  the  word 
of  God,  by  faith,  by  baptism,  by 
hope,  <fec.,  as  these  each  form  a 
part  of  the  glorious  plan  of  sal- 
vation. 

Sa'fiour,  a  term  applied  pre- 
eminently to  Christ,  who  came 
"  to  save  his  people  from  their 
sins."  He  is  therefore  called 
jEsrs,  which  signifies  a  Saviour. 
He  is  the  "  Saviour  of  all  men," 
because  he  preserves  and  deliv- 
ers them  from  dangers,  grants 
favors,  and  is  equally  suited  to 
the  case  of  all  sinners,  Jews  as 
well  as  Gentiles,  and  is  equally 
held  up  to  them  in  the  gospel, 


as  saving  all  who  come  unto  God 
by  him  ;  but  he  is  the  Saviour 
"  especially  of  them  that  be- 
lieve ;"  by  bestowing  grace, 
rescuing  from  sin  and  misery, 
and  giving  eternal  life. 

Savor,  the  amell  or  taste  of 
anything.  The  ancier.t  sacrifices 
were  a- "  sweet  savor  unto  God ; '' 
he  accepted  of,  and  delighted  in 
them,  as  typical  of  the  obe- 
dience and  suffering  of  Christ 
Gen.  8  :  21.  Ezra  K  :  10.  Eph 
5:2.  "A  savor  of  death  "  is  a 
noxious  odor  which  causes  death, 
and  "  a  savor  of  life  "  is  a  pure 
fragrance  contributing  to  life  ; 
a  figure  used  with  great  force, 
in  relation  to  the  different  ef- 
fects of  the  gospel.  2  Cor.  2  , 
16. 

Srall,  a  disease  incident  to  the 
hairy  parts  of  the  body,  as  the 
head  or  beard.  It  is  called 
nethek  in  Hebrew,  indicating 
that  the  hair  is  plucked  up.  Lev 
13  :  30—36. 

Seape  Gost,  a  goat  which,  on 
the  great  day  of  atonement,  was 
banished  into  the  wilderness, 
after  the  high  priest  had  con- 
fessed upon  it  the  sins  of  all  the 
people.  See  the  account.  Lev. 
16. 

Scarlet,  a  color  much  admired 
and  worn  in  former  times.  It 
was  anciently  produced  from  a 
little  worm  found  in  the  watery 
excrescences  of  a  shrub  or  small 
tiee,  called  the  kermef  oak.  The 
ejfcrescences,  or  bladders,  are 
about  the  size  of  juniper  oer- 
ries,  and  are  caused  by  the 
insect.      Toi  rnefobt    saw    tha 


SCH 


288 


rfCO 


kerme?  collected  in  the  island  of 
Crete,  and  Bellon  saw  them 
near  Damascus.  The  article  is 
still  known  in  commerce  in  the 
Levant,  Palestine,  Persia,  &c. 
Ex.  25  :  4,  &c. 

Sceptre)  a  staff,  or  wand,  sig- 
nifying royalty.  Ps.  45  :  6. 
Rev.  IW  :  15.  Anciently  kings 
were  shepherds,  and  hence,  prob- 
ably, this  badge  took  its  origin. 
Ez.  19  :  11.  Est.  8  :  4.  The 
"  rod  of  the  wicked "  means 
their  power  and  influence.  Pi. 
125  :  3. 

School,  a  place  of  instruction. 
Each  parent,  by  the  obvious 
law  of  nature,  is  bound  to  edu- 
cate his  child  according  to  his 
station.  The  association  of  a 
number  of  parents  to  procure  a 
person  who  shall  devote  his 
whole  mind  and  time  to  this 
subject,  seems  not  to  have  been 
known  in  the  early  periods  of 
the  world.  We  read  of  schools 
for  the  prophets  in  the  days  of 
Saul.  1  Sam.  19  :  18—24.  About 
the  time  of  Christ,  eminent  doc- 
tors delivered  stated  instruc- 
tions, which  were  attended  by 
the  studious,  whether  priests  or 
others.  Paul  was  in  this  man- 
ner educated  by  Gamaliel,  the 
most  celebrated  rabbi  of  his 
time.  Acts  22  :  3.  Each  great 
teacher  had,  of  course,  his  pe- 
culiar views.  Such  as  fully 
adopted  these,  called  him  father 
or  master,  and  themselves  chil- 
dren. The  exhortation,  "  call  no 
aian  father  on  earth,"  means 
that  we  are  not  to  give  ourselves 
UD  implicitly  to  any  great  doc- 


trinal leader,  bat  examine  for 
ourselves.     Matt.  23  :  9. 

Scorpion,  a  reptile  of  fata! 
venom,  found  in  most  hot  coun- 
tries, and  so  malicious  as  to  be 
constantly  striking  at  every  cV 
ject  within  its  reach.  WL  l 
put  together,  they  immediate  ' 
destroy  each  other.     In  gene*    » 


they  do  not  exceed  Wr  j^  ^  oui 
inclies  in  length,  thoug'-.,  u.  .oo.* 
hot  countries,  they  J*rc  t«..v/  t« 
j  become  eight  or  ton  incae<i  long. 
I  Some  are  yellow,  other&  brown, 
\  and  some  black.  The  sting  is 
I  in  the  tail.  Rev.  9  :  10.  II 
[has  eight  legs,  and  four  eyes, 
j  perhaps  more.  The  torment 
\  produced  by  their  sting  is  dread- 
'  ful.  Rev.  9:5.  In  Africa  some 
!  grow  to  the  size  of  a  very  small 
lobster,  which  they  resemble  in 
shape,  as  is  seen  by  the  pc^wrp. 
j  The  south  border  of  Judea, 
i  and  the  dese  -t  between  that  fvn  J 


15  C  R 


23y 


SCR 


Kgypt,  was  much  infested  with 
ecorpioiis.  Deut  8  :  15.  They 
delight  in  stony  places,  and  in 
old  ruins. 

Wicked  men  i.re  called  scorpi- 
ons.    Ezek.    2  :  6.     The    state- 
ments of  some  authors,  that  the 
only  cure  for  its  bite  is  to  crush 
the  reptile  on  the  wound  —  that 
the   young   ones  instantly   kill 
their  mother,  &c.,  are  absurd. 
The  folly  and  cruelty  of  Reho- 
boam  in  threatening  to  rule  Is- 
rael as  with  scorpions,  is  very  j 
striking.  What  father  would  give  | 
his  child    such  a  reptile,  when  ! 
it   "  asked    of    him    an  egg  1  " 
Luke    11  :    12.      The    complete  I 
security  of  Christ's  followers  is  < 
forcibly  seen  when  he  gives  them  ! 
power  to  '*  tread   on  scorpions  " 
unharmed.     Luke  10  :  19. 

SfOUl'ge,  a  whip,  a  lash  ;  an 
instrument  of  discipline  or  pun- 
ishment. In  the  punishment  of 
the  scourge,  the  offender  was 
stripped  from  his  shoulders  to  his 
waist,  and  tied  by  his  arms  to  a 
low  pillar,  that  he  might  lean 
forward  for  the  convenience  of 
the  executioners.  The  law  di- 
rected them  not  to  exceed  forty 
stripes,  and  the  Jews,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  command  being 
broken,  always  limited  the 
number  of  lashes  to  thirty  and 
nin\  Deut.  25  :  2,  3.  When 
the  scourge  had  three  lashes,  as 
wa?  common,  thirteen  blows 
made  out  the  "forty  stripes, 
save  one."  This  was  done  to 
Paul  five  times       2  Cor.  11  :  24. 

Scribe,  (l  )  A  clerk,  writer, 
4r   Sf^crctary.     2   Sam.   8  :    17. 


(2.)  A  person  skilled  in  tho 
Jewish  law,  who  copied,  taught 
and  exijlained  the  Scriptures. 
Our  Saviour  classes  the  Scribes 
with  prophets  and  wise  men 
The  estimation  in  which  they 
were  held  by  the  people  ap- 
pears in  Matt.  17  ;  10  ;  Mark 
12  :  35,  <fec.  The  injury  done 
to  true  religion,  by  the  tradi- 
tions  of  these  interpreters  and 
preachers  of  the  law,  may  bo 
gathered  from  the  severe  re- 
buke which  Christ  gave  to  their 
obtrusive  question.  Matt.  15 : 
2,  3,  &c.  Our  Saviour  gave  va- 
rious instances  of  their  irregu 
lar  and  unjust  dealings.  Matt 
23  :  2,  3,  4,  &c.  He,  therefore, 
on  the  Mount,  warns  his  audi- 
ence of  the  dangers  they  wero 
exposed  to  from  such  teachers 
Matt.  5  :  20.  They  existed  as  x 
separate  class  of  men  as  early 
as  the  days  of  Deborah.  Most 
of  them  were  of  the  tribe  of 
Levi. 

Scrip,  a  bag  or  purse.  Ac- 
cording to  its  size,  <fec.,  it  wa« 
used  for  food  or  for  money.  1 
Sam.  17  :  40. 

Scriptnre,  that  which  is  writ- 
ten. The  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, which  contain  the  whole 
will  of  God  necessary  to  be 
known  for  our  salvation,  are 
called  the  Scripture,  or  the  Writ- 
ings, the  Bible,  or  th(  Book,  by 
way  of  eminence,  because  they 
far  excel  all  other  writings 
Though  written  by  divers  men 
at  different  times,  yet  they  all 
agree,  as  if  written  by  one  man 
"  All  Scripture  is  given  by  in- 


SCil 


240 


SCR 


%piration  of  God,"  2  Tim.  3  : 
IG,  "  and  is  profitable,  for  doc- 
trine," to  declare  and  confirm 
the  truth  ;  "  for  reproof,"  to 
convince  of  sin  and  confute  er- 
rors ;  "  for  correction,"  to  re- 
form the  life  ;  and  "  for  instruc- 
tion in  righteousness  ;"  that  is, 
to  teach  us  to  make  a  farther 
progress  in  the  way  to  heaven, 
or  to  instruct  us  in  the  true 
righteousness  revealed  by  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  which 
we  may  appear  with  com- 
fort before  God,  It  is  proba- 
ble that  the  apostles  used  the 
term  in  reference  to  the  Old 
Testament  only. 

Every  mark  of  authenticity 
which  we  can  demand  is  found 
in  the  Scripture.  Its  unequalled 
authority  and  majesty  of  style  ; 
depth,  purity,  and  benevolence 
of  matter  ;  its  tendency  to  glo- 
rify Godj  and  correct  the  corrupt 
inclinations  of  man ;  the  obvious 
candor  of  the  writers  in  relating 
their  own  weaknesses  and  faults ; 
their  amazing  harmony,  though 
of  very  different  stations,  ages, 
characters,  and  circumstances  ; 
its  entire  superiority,  as  to  mor- 
als, above  anything  ever  pub- 
lished by  man  ;  its  abundant 
attestation  by  vast  numbers  of 
public  and  incontestable  mir- 
acles, and  important  and  au- 
thentic history,  and  by  the 
cheerful  martyrdom  of  a  multi- 
tude of  its  witnesses  ;  its  won- 
derful preservation  upon  earth  ; 
Its  amazing  success  in  purifying 
the  most  dissolute,  and  restrain- 
ing the  most  tunous  of  men  ;  in 


civilizing  nations  ;  in  comfort- 
ing, enlightening  and  ennobling 
all  who  receive  it  ;  the  exact 
fulfilment  of  its  numerous  and 
circumstantial  prophecies,  &c.., 
are  so  many  infallible  proofs 
that  it  is  indeed  the  Word  of 
God.     2  Tim.  3  :  15—17. 

It  will  greatly  assist  the 
young  to  remember  the  contents 
and  character  of  the  varioua 
books  of  Scripture,  to  commit 
to  memory  the  following  de- 
scriptive titles  of  each  part  : 

Genesis.  The  Cabinet  of  AntiquJ 
ties. 

Exodus.  The  Departure,  and  Moral 
Law. 

Leviticus.    The  Ceremonial  Law. 

Numbers.  Enumeration  and  Con 
tinuatlon. 

Deuteronomy.  Rehearsal  and  Ex- 
planation. 

Joshua.    The  Wars  and  Settlement 

Judges.    History  of  the  Governors. 

KuTH.  The  Widow  and  her  Daugh- 
ters. 

Samuel  and  Kings.  The  History  of 
the  Kings. 

Chronicles.  Tlie  Record  of  tho 
Times. 

Ezra.    The  restoration  of  Israel. 

Nehemia*.  The  Reformation  of  Is- 
rael. 

Esther.  The  Wonderful  Deliver- 
ance. 

Job,    The  Schotil  of  Patience. 

Psalms.  The  heights  of  Holy  A«i»U-- 
Ings. 

Proverbs.  Ethics,  MetapLysJc*, 
Politics. 

EccLEsiASTES.    The  Vanity  of  Man. 

Canticles.  The  Church  and  hei 
Spouse. 

Isaiah.    The  Evangelical  Prophet. 

Jeremiah  and  Lamentations.  ThI 
Devout  Mourner. 

EzEKiEL.    The  Captive  Prophel, 


SCY 


241 


SEA 


DiNiEL.    The  Historical  Prophet. 

HojEA.    Faith  and  repentance. 

Joel.    Awful  Threatenings. 

Amos  axd  Obadiah.  Keen  Reproofs. 

JowAH.    The  Runaway  Prophet. 

MicAH  AND  Nahdji.  Israel's  Sins 
aLd  Dangers. 

ITabarkuk.    Comfort  for  Captives. 

ZephaiMaii,  Haggai  and  Zechakiah. 
Prepuraticn  for  Sad  Times. 

Malachi.    The  last  of  the  Prophets. 

3Iatthew,  Mark,  Luke,  and  John. 
5Uie  life  and  sayings  of  Christ. 

Acts.    KstaWishment  of  the  Church. 

Ko.MANS.   Foundation  Doctrines. 

1  and  2  Corinthians.  Christian  De- 
portment. 

Galatians.    Epitome  of  the  Truth. 

Ephesians.  Cautions  and  Encour- 
agements. 

Philippians.  Coinmendatious  and 
Exultations. 

CoLossiANs.  Brief  rules  of  Faith  and 
{Manners. 

1  Thessalonians-  Practical  Theol- 
ogy. 

2  Thessalonians.  Controversial  The- 
ology. 

1  &  2  Ti-MOTHT.    Pastoral  Theology. 

Titus.    Clerical  Counsel. 

Phii  EMON.   The  Runaway  Restored. 

Hebrfvs.  The  Sacriiicial  System 
Illustrated. 

James.    Faith  shown  by  Worics. 

1  &  2  Peter.  A  Theological  Sum- 
Biiry. 

1  John.    Heresies  kindly  refuted. 

2  John.    The  Christian  Matron. 
2  John.    The  Liberal  Christian. 
Jcde.    False  Prophets. 
Retelation.    Description  of  Future 

Things. 

Scyth'ia  is  now  called  Tartary, 
but  the  ancient  Scythia  compre- 
hended Tartary,  Asiatic  Russia, 
the    Crimea,    Poland,    part    of 
21 


Hungary,  Lithuania,  Sweden 
Norway,  and  the  northern  part* 
of  Germany.     Col.  3:11. 

Sea,  a  large  collection  of 
waters.  The  Hebrews  applied 
this  term  to  lakes  of  moderate 
size  ;  and  the  modern  inhabit- 
I  ants  of  Palestine  still  retaia 
the  same  phraseolog3'. 

1.  The  Sea  of  (Ialilee  was 
anciently  called  the  Sea  of  Cin- 
nereth,  Numb.  34  :  11,  or  Cin- 
neroth.  Josh.  12:3;  in  the  time 
of  the  Maccabees,  Genesar,  1 
Maec.  11  :  (37  ;  and  in  the  daya 
of  our  Saviour,  the  Sea  of  Ti- 
berias, John  6:1,  from  the  great 
city  of  that  name  which  stood 
on  its  banks  ;  and  Gennesareth, 
from  the  neighboring  district  of 
the  same  name,  Mark  6  :  5:^ 
See  Gennesareth. 

2.  The  Dead  Sea  was  an- 
ciently called  the  Sea  of  the 
Plain,  Deut.  4  :  49  ;  the  SaU 
Sea,  Deut.  3:17;  Josh.  15:5; 
and  the  East  Sea,  Ezek.  47:18; 
Joel  2  :  20.  By  Josephus  and 
other  writers,  it  is  called  Lake 
Asphaltites,  from  the  bitumen 
found  in  it.  It  is  about  seventy- 
five  miles  long,  and  eighteen 
broad.  The  term  Dead  Sea 
seems  to  have  been  given  to  it 
from  the  erroneous  opinion  that 
no  living  creature  could  exi.*t 
in  its  waters,  and  that  birds  fell 
dead  into  the  water  in  attempt- 
ing to  fly  over.  Its  waters  are 
clear,  but  very  salt,  and  some 
late  travellers  who  have  bathed 
in  it,  found,  on  coming  out,  a 
disagreeable  itching  of  the  skin. 
They  saw  birds  fly  over  it  often 


&EA 


242 


SEA 


On  the  shores,  sulphur  is  found, 
and  asphaltum  or  bitumen.  It 
is  imbedded  among  lofty  moun- 
tains. It  is  sometimes  called 
Sea  of  Sodom,  because  it  occu- 
pies the  site  of  that  place,  and 
the  other  cities  of  the  plain 
which  were  destroyed  for  their 
vriokedness  in  the  days  of  Lot, 
viz.,  Gomorrah,  Admah,  and 
Zcboira.  The  ruins  of  these 
cities  may  now  be  discerned 
under  the  water  when  it  is  low. 
See  Dead  Sea. 

3.  The  Great  Sea  is  the  Med- 
iterranean, called  sometimes  the 
Hinder  Sea,  in  contradistinction 
to  the  lied  Sea,  which  is  called 
the  Former  Sea,  Zech.  14  :  8  ; 
because  Orientals  commonly  call 
the  east  before,  the  west  behind, 
the  left  hand  north,  and  the  right 
hand  south.  The  word  beyond, 
for  the  same  reason,  means  ea.st. 
The  Mediterranean  Sea  is  about 
2000  miles  long,  and  varies  in 
breadth  from  80  to  500  miles, 
beautifully  sprinkled  with  isl- 
ands, and  bordered  by  fertile 
and  opulent  countries.  No 
tides  are  pei'ceptible  in  it,  ex- 
cept in  narrow  straits. 

4.  The  Red  Sea  is  that  arm 
of  the  Indian  Ocean  which  runs 
ilong  the  south-west  side  of 
Arabia,  and  the  east  of  Ethio- 
pia and  Egjpt,  to  the  length  of 
1200  miles,  now  called  the  Ara- 
hian  Gulf  As  the  Edomites  had 
long  the  property  and  use  of  it 
for  their  shipping,  it  came  to  be 
ealled  the  Sea  of  Edom,  which 
the  Greeks  translated  into  the 
Rf^  Sea,  Edom  signifying  red. 


Hence  originated  the  mistakB 
that  its  water,  or  its  bottom,  was 
reddish. 

Se'a'l,  a  Hebrew  measure,  con- 
taining about  two  and  a  half 
gallons. 

Seal,  an  engraved  stamp;  also 
the  impression  made  by  such  a 
stamp.  Formerly,  writing  was 
a  trade  by  itself ;  for  even 
princes  could  not  sign  their 
name.  Hence  the  use  of  a  seal 
to  authenticate  documents.  The 
transfer  of  Pharaoh's  seal  to 
Joseph  put  him  in  possession 
of  the  entire  royal  authority. 
The  same  was  done  to  Haman. 
The  expression,  2  Tim.  2  :  I'J, 
"the  foundation. of  God  stand- 
eth  sure,  having  this  seal  [secu- 
rity], the  Lord  knoweth  them  thai 
are  his,"  seems  to  allude  to  a 
certified  instrument.  John  3  : 
33.     See  Book. 

The  cutting  of  seals  upon 
stones,  and  using  them  for  the 
authentication  of  documents,  is 
of  very  early  date.  The  prac- 
tice, as  mentioned  by  Moses, 
1700  years  B.  c,  has  continued 
in  the  East,  with  little  variation, 
to  this  day.  The  Bible  is  full 
of  references  to  the  use  of  seals. 

Seared,  burnt  off,  or  burnt 
hard,  as  flesh  is  with  a  hot  iron. 
Men  have  their  conscience 
seared,  when  it  is  so  stui^efied 
with  guiU  and  inward  corrup- 
tion, that  it  regards  nothing, 
however  horrid  and  abomiriable. 
1  Tim.  4  :  2. 

Seat,  abode,  station.  "  Mosef. 
seat"  means  the  station  o/ 
authority  occupied  by  those  whe 


SEC 


243 


SEE 


interpreted  and  expounded  the 
l^ord  of  God.     Matt.  23  :  2. 

Sect,  a  party  of  perr;ons  united 
togtither  under  some  leader,  or 
proles-iing  the  same  tenets  or 
opinions.  The  Jews,  in  the  time 
of  our  Saviour,  were  divided 
into  the  sects  of  Pharisees,  Sad- 
due  res,  EsscneSf  Herodians,  and 
Z''alot-s.  These  are  described 
under  their  respective  name?, 
except  the  Essenes,  which  are 
not  expressly  mentioned  in 
Scripture. 

The  EsSEXES  were  a  very  an- 
cient sect,  spread  through  Syria, 
Palestine,  Egypt,  and  the  neigh- 
boring countries.  They  seem 
to  have  made  religion  to  consist 
chiefly  in  quietness  and  contem- 
plation ;  regarding  a  serene 
mind  as  the  most  acceptable 
offering  to  God.  All  agreed, 
therefore,  in  avoiding  the  snares 
of  cities  and  of  traffic.  Some 
dwelt  in  villages,  practising 
agriculture  and  the  mechanic 
arts  ;  others,  retiring  to  deserts, 
gave  themselves  wholly  to  soli- 
tude and  devotion.  They  set  a 
high  value  on  the  Old  Testament, 
and  addicted  themselves  to  its 
perusal  ;  but  did  not  practise 
any  of  the  ceremonies,  consider- 
ing them  allegorical.  They  re- 
fused to  take  oaths,  but  were 
remarkable  for  uprightness  and 
yera'.ity.  Their  dress  and  diet 
were  plain  and  cheap,  their  lives 
inoffensive,  and  in  doctrinal 
views  they  nearly  coincided  with 
the  Pharisees.  Slavery,  which 
hi^a  always  been  common  in  the 


East,  they  regarded   as   repag< 
nant  to  nature. 

The  TiiERAPEUT^,  Trho  were 
numerous  near  Alexandria,  seeu! 
to  have  been  a  branch  of  this 
sect,  differing  from  them  but 
little  either  in  sentiments  or 
habits. 

These  sects  have  gradually 
become  extinct,  and  the  princi 
pal  present  divisions  of  the  Jews 
are  into  Rabbinical,  who  hold  to 
the  multitude  of  traditions  and 
commentaries  ;  and  Karaites, 
who  adhere  to  the  simple  text 
of  the  Old  Testament.  Beside 
these,  there  are  the  sects  of  Po' 
lish  Jews,  which  include  those 
of  Germany  and  Russia  ;  the 
Spanish  Jews,  or  Sephartim,vrh ich 
include  those  of  Portugal  ;  and 
the  Italian  Jews,  which  include 
all  the  Levant.  They  keep  sep- 
arate, and  have  different  syna- 
gogues, even  in  the  Holy  Land. 
The  Spanish  Jew  considers  hi«i 
party  so  exalted  above  the 
others,  that  if  one  of  them 
marry  among  the  other  Jew.-,  he 
is  excommunicated,  and  his 
friends  go  in  mourning  for  him, 
as  though  he  were  dead. 

Seer,  a  prophet,  so  call  od  from 
his  foresight  of  the  future.  1 
Sam.  9  :  9. 

Seethe,  to  boil  anything.  Ex. 
23:19.  The  Jewish  prohibiticn, 
"  thou  shalt  not  seethe  a  kid  in 
its  mother's  milk,"  is  regarded 
by  the  Jews  as  a  general  pro- 
hibition of  the  luxury  of  boil- 
ing any  flesh  in  milk.  It  may 
have  been  enacted  because  such 


SEL 


244 


SEL 


ft  custom  tended  to  cruelty. 
CifDWORTH  shows  an  additional 
reason  for  the  prohibition  in  the 
fact  that  it  was  an  idolatrous 
rite.  He  says,  "  It  was  a  custom 
of  ancient  heathen,  at  the  close 
of  harvest,  to  seethe  a  kid  in 
ts  mother's  milk,  and  then  go 
about  in  a  magical  way,  and 
with  it  sprinkle  their  trees, 
fields,  and  gardens,  thinking  to 
thus  make  them  fruitful  the 
next  year." 

Se'la,  called  by  the  Jews  Joh- 
teel,  is  probably  the  place  called 
Kerek  in  Burckhardt's  travels. 
In  Greek  authors,  it  is  called 
Petra,  and  was  the  celebrated 
capital  of  Arabia  Petrea.  2 
Kings  14  :  7.   See  Selah. 

Seiah,  a  word  of  doubtful  im- 
port. Some  suppose  it  to  mark 
the  beginning  of  a  new  para- 
graph ;  others,  that  it  indicates 
an  elevation  of  voice.  It  is 
probably  no  more  than  a  7wta 
bene,  calling  for  particular  at- 
tention. 

Sdah)  the  capital  of  Edgm. 
The  earliest  notice  of  this  city 
seems  to  be  Judges  1  :  36.  Ama- 
ziah  took  it  by  war,  and  called 
it  Joktheel.  It  is  twice  mentioned 
by  Isaiah,  and  was  evidently  a 
place  of  the  greatest  conse- 
quence 800  years  before  Christ. 
In  the  time  of  the  Roman  em- 
perors it  was  the  capital  of  Ara- 
bia Petrea,  and  was  subjugated 
by  Trajan.  It  then  gradually 
declined,  and  for  the  last  thou- 
sand years  its  very  existence  was 
unknown.  It  was  first  visited 
to  1811   by  EuRCKHARDT.     Sev- 


eral otlier  travellers  then  visited 
and  described  it  ,  and  in  1836 
our  countryman,  Stevens,  saw 
it,  and  gives  a  vivid  description 
in  his  account  of  Arabia  Petrea. 
It  is  now  called  Pef-a.  Its  ruina 
are  declared  to  be  no  less  won- 
derful and  grand  than  the  Colis- 
eum, the  Acropoli?,  or  the  Pyr- 
amids. 

Mount  Hor,  where  Aaron  died, 
is  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 
Volney  states  that  within  three 
days'  journey  are  upwards  of 
thirty  ruined  and  deserted  cities, 
with  magnificent  ruins.  Let  the 
reader  compare  these  facts  with 
the  prophecies  made  against 
these  cities  of  Idumea  or  Edom, 
in  the  days  of  their  greatness,  by 
Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Obadiah,  and 
others. 

Seleu't'ia.  There  were  several 
cities  of  this  name  in  Asia.  One 
in  Mesopotamia,  on  the  same 
site,  or  very  near  to  it,  is  the 
present  city  of  Bagdad.  The 
Scripture  mentions  only  that  of 
Syria,  near  the  river  Orontes, 
which  was  •  built  by  Seleucus 
Nicanor,  the  first  Syro-Grecian 
monarch.  From  its  proximity 
to  Mount  Pierius,  it  is  called 
in  profane  history  Pierea. 

Self-Examination,  that  indis 
pensable  calling  of  ourselves  t~ 
account,  which  is  so  expressly 
commanded  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment. 2  Cor.  13  :  5.  It  con- 
sists in  fully  considering  our 
heart  and  life,  comparing  them 
with  Scripture  requirements,  and 
sincerely  desiring  perfect  recti* 
tude.     Times  of  trouble,  birth 


SEN 


245 


SEP 


ia/s,  communion  seasons,  Ac, 
ought  to  be  especially  improved 
for  thir  purpose.' 
•  Sell  The  Hebrews  might  sell 
l.hem^.lrea  or  their  children, 
Lev.  25  :  39  ;  Ex.  21  :  7  ;  but 
were  not  to  be  treated  as  com- 
mon slavea.  Lev.  25  :  44 — 46. 
Insolvent  debtors  and  their  chil- 
dren were  sold,  2  Kings  4:1; 
Matt.  18  :  25  ;  as  were  also 
thieves  not  able  to  make  resti- 
tution.    Ex.  22  :  3. 

Seunach^erib,  a  king  of  As- 
syria, successor  to  Shalmaneser. 
The  kings  of  Judah  having  re- 
fused to  pay  tribute  to  him,  he 
laid  waste  their  country.  Tak- 
ing part  of  his  army  to  invade 
Egypt,  he  left  Rabshakeh  in  the 
command  of  the  army  in  Judah, 
whose  blasphemy  and  insults  we  j 
read  in  2  Kings  18,  19.  Heze- 
kiah  and  Isaiah  resorted  to 
prayer,  and  an  angel  destroyed  • 
185,000  of  the  Assyrians  in  one  ' 
night.  The  remnant  of  the  I 
invaders  returned  to  Nineveh, 
where,  shortly  after, Sennacherib 
was  slain  by  his  sons.  2  Kings  | 
19:  36,37.  During  the  reign  j 
of  this  monarch,  Sevechus  was  i 
ting  of  Egypt,  and  Deioces  ' 
king  of  Media.  About  this  j 
time,  also,  Romulus  laid  the  [ 
foundation  of  Rome.  j 

Sense  means,  ( l .)  That  facul- 
ty of  a  living  creature  whereby 
it  receives  the  impression  of  | 
material  oLjects.  (2.)  The  im- i 
pression  of  an  object  upon  the 
senses.  (3.)  Meaning  or  im- 
port. (4.)  Common  sense,  by 
which  "Jicn  apprehend  or  under- 
21 » 


stand  things  alike,  '.r  in  com 
mon. 

Sensnal,  belonging  to  the 
jenses.  Persons  addicted  tc 
animal  gratifications  are  sen 
sual.  James  3  :  15.  Christiana 
are  to  rise  superior  tc  any  sla- 
very to  their  body.  1  Cor.  9  : 
27.  The  mortification  of  unrea- 
sonable appetites  is  a  great  part 
of  religion.  Rom.  8  :  13.  Col 
3  :  5. 

Sepharva'im,  or  Sepharvites 
They  seem  to  have  originally 
dwelt  north  of  Media,  or  about 
Siphora,  on  the  River  Euphrates. 
Sennacherib,  king  of  Assyria, 
ravaged  the  country  about  the 
days  of  Hezekiah,  and,  after 
destroying  great  numbers,  colo- 
nized most  of  the  remainder  in 
Canaan,  whwre  they  at  length 
became  a  tribe  of  Samaritans. 

Sep'ulehre,  a  place  for  receiv 
ing  the  dead.  Every  vault, 
tomb,  or  grave,  may  be  termed 
a  sepulchre.  The  Jews  inva- 
riably placed  them  without  the 
cities,  as  they  always  should  b«? 
on  account  of  the  noxious  efflvi 
via  rising  from  them.  The  roya 
family  only  were  bu*ried  in  Jeru 
salem.  2  Chron  24  :  16.  Natu 
ral  caves  were  often  used  fa  • 
interment  ;  and  in  these  thieves 
and  lunatics  sometimes  resided. 
Hence  the  grave  is  called  a  pit. 
Ps.  88  :  3—12.  Our  Saviour's 
sepulchre  was  "  hewn  out  of  a 
rock  ;"  and  the  door  beinsr 
sealed,  it  was  impossible  ne 
should  be  stolen  without  the 
knowledge  of  the  guards.  The 
si  le  of  the  stone  which  fo.med 


SEll 


246 


SEK 


JLe  d>or  was  itself  an  ample 
lecurity.  It  was  "a  great  stone," 
that  was  generally  selected  for 
this  purpose.  Matt.  27  :  60. 
Clarke,  in  his  travels  in  Greece 
and  the  llolj'  Land,  informs  us 
that  "  on  the  reputed  tomb  of 
Agamemnon  is  placed  a  stone 
twenty-seven  feet  in  length, 
seventeen  in  breadth,  and  four 
feet  seven  inches  in  thickness." 
6ee  Tomb. 

Seraphim,  the  plural  of  Ser- 
A.PH.  The  word  seems  to  be  de- 
rived from  flame,  and  to  mean 
fiery  ones,  or  those  who  excel  in 
love  and  zeal.  Isa.  6  :  1 — 7. 
It  plainly  means  an  order  of 
heavenly  beings  ;  but  what  is 
their  special  rank  or  employ- 
ment, we  know  not. 

Serpent.  There  are  many 
kinds  of  serpents.  The  only 
remarkable  kind  mentioned  in 
Scripture  is  the  flying  serpent, 
thought  by  some  to  be  so  called 
from  their  swift,  darting  motion. 
They  were  called ^cry  from  their 
color  and  their  venom.  Isa.  30  : 
6.  Several  profane  authors 
mention  serpents,  found  in  the 
East,  with  wings  like  a  bat. 
HuaoDOTUs  afiQrms  that  he  saw 
Buch  at  the  city  of  Butus,  and 
describes  them  minutely.  Bo- 
CHART  quotes  many  authors  to 
y-ove  that  they  are  the  same  as 
th«  nydra  of  the  Greeks  and 
Latins.  The  craft  of  this  rep- 
tile is  often  alluded  to  in  Scrip- 
ture. Gen.  3  :  1.  Matt.  10  : 
16.     See  Adder. 

The  serpent  was  worshipped 
\n   C balden.  Egypt,  P.ome,  and 


other  Oriental  nations.  Esca 
lapiua  was  adored  at  Epidaurus, 
under  the  form  of  a  serpent. 
See    Inchanters    and    Cocka-* 

TRICE. 

Servant.  The  Hebrews  had 
several  kinds  of  servants.  (1  ) 
Slaves  for  life,  who  were  stran- 
gers, bought  or  taken  in  war. 
Lev.  25  :  44,  <fec.  (2.)  Hebrew 
or  bond-servants,  who  could  be 
bound  only  six  years,  and  then 
to  be  dismissed  with  presents. 
Slavery  was  common  before  the 
deluge  ;  and  some  of  the  patri- 
archs, as  Job  and  Abraham, 
appear  to  have  owned  hun- 
dreds ;  but  they  seem  to  have 
been  treated  with  great  tender- 
ness, and  often  to  have  had 
wages,  and  much  confidence 
placed  in  them.  Among  the 
Romans,  they  were  often  brand- 
ed, for  security  ;  but  this  was 
forbidden  to  the  Jews.  The 
New  Testament  requires  ser- 
vants to  be  faithful.  Matt.  24  : 
45  ;  Tit.  2  :  10  ;  and  diligent,  1 
Thess.  4  :  11.  They  must  obey 
their  employers  in  all  things, 
except  what  is  6ontrary  to  mo- 
rality, or  beyond  their  power, 
or  not  according  to  their  en- 
gagement, domestic  slavery, 
as  it  exists  in  the  United  States, 
is  contrary  to  the  entire  spirit 
of  the  New  Testament,  and  every 
good  citizen  should  be  anxious 
for  its  speedy  extinction.  See 
Sell. 

Serye,  to  labor,  do  work  for, 
or  help  a  person  in  any  employ- 
ment ;  to  attend  or  wait  upon  a 
person,  in    order   to    obey   and 


«  H  A 


547 


S  II  E 


MAist  him.  To  serve  God  is  to 
obey  him,  not  on".y  by  worship- 
ing him,  as  required,  in  spirit 
and  in  truth,  but  also  by  study- 
ing to  know  and  do  his  will,  on 
all  occasions,  however  opposed 
to  our  depraved  inclinations,  or 
at  variance  with  our  apparent 
temporal  interests. 

SeveU)  a  number  which,  in 
Scripture,  is  used  so  often  and 
so  remarkably,  as  obviously  to 
have  an  especial  import.  Gen. 
8,  41,  &c.  The  term  often  de- 
notes a  perfect  or  complete  num- 
ber. Job  5  :  19.  Lev.  26  :  24. 
Ps.  12  :  6.  Sevenfold,  or  seven 
times,  often  only  means  abun. 
dantly,  completely.  Gen.  4 : 
15,  24.  Lev.  26  :  24.  Ps.  12  : 
C.  Seventy  times  seven  is  a 
Btill  higher  superlative. 

Shaluianeser,  a  king  of  As- 
syria, who,  succeeding  Tiglath- 
Pileser,  began  his  reign  A.  m. 
3267,  and  reigned  fourteen 
years.  He  conquered  Israel 
when  Hoshea  was  its  king  ;  and 
three  years  afterward,  finding 
out  a  negotiation  with  Egypt  to 
set  themselves  free  from  his 
yoke,  he  overrun  Israel  with  his 
acmies,  ravaged  the  country, 
destroyed  the  fenced  cities, 
killed  many  of  the  inhabitants, 
captured  Samaria,  the  metropo- 
lis, and  transported  Hoshea  and 
the  chief  citizens  to  Media  and 
other  eastern  parts  of  his  em- 
pire. 2  Kings  17.  Among  these 
was  Tubit,  whose  history  is  given 
in  the  Apocryphal  book  which 
bears  his  name.  At  this  time 
nr^E(c:AH   reigned   in   Judah  ; 


and  Sabacus  in  Egj'pt.  Tli* 
successor  of  Shalmaneser  wa« 
Sknnacherib. 

Sliame*  (l.)  Confusion  aris- 
ing from  conscious  guilt.  Gtn. 
2  r  25.  Ezra  9  :  6.  (2.)  Re- 
proach, Ignominy.  Ezck.  33  : 
6.  Prov.  9.  Groat  modesty  la 
called  shame-fated II ens,  and  ia 
recommended  to  women.  1  Tim. 
2  :  9. 

Sha'ron,  a  beautiful  district 
ncT  Carmel,  along  the  sea- 
coast.  Cant.  2:1.  The  name 
became  proverbial  to  express  a 
place  of  great  fertility  and 
beauty.  Modern  travellers  give 
the  name  Sharon  to  the  plain 
between  Ecdippe  and  Ptolemais. 

Shave.  Shaving  the  head  or 
beard,  among  the  Jews,  was  a 
sign  of  mourning.  Isa.  15  :  2. 
Jer.  41  :  5.  They  preserved 
their  beards  from  their  youth, 
with  great  care,  so  that  to  lose 
it  was  a  great  humiliation.  2 
Sam.  10.  The  Lord's  threaten- 
ing to  shave  Israel  with  "  a 
hired  razor,"  means  that  foreign 
troops  should  utterly  scrape  or 
despoil  the  land.  Isa.  7  :  20, 
Short  hair  has  always  been  con- 
sidered unbecoming  in  women 
1  Cor.  11  :  6. 

Sheba,  or  Seba.  There  were 
several  of  this  name.  (1.)  The 
son  of  Cush,  who  gave  the  name 
to  a  country  in  Arabia.  Gen. 
10  :  7.  Ps.  72  :  10.  (2.)  The 
grandson  of  Cush.  Gen.  10  :  7. 
(3.)  The  son  of  Joktan.  Gen. 
10  :  29.  (4.)  The  grandson  Bf 
Abraham.  Gen.  25  :  3.  All 
these   seem   to   have   taken  up 


SHE 


218 


SHE 


their  residence  in  Arabia,  and 
pcrliapa  most  of  them  in  the 
south  part  of  it.  (5.)  The  s  n 
of  Bichri,  a  Jew,  who  headed  a 
revolt  in  the  reign  of  David. 
2  Sam.  20.  (6.)  The  name  of  a 
famous  well,  sometimes  called 
Hheba,  and  sometimes  Beershcba. 
Oen.  2G  :  33. 

ShebS)  a  country  often  men- 
tioned in  connection  with  gold  ; 
and  is  thought  to  be  Arabia 
Felix.  In  the  Arabic  and  Sep- 
tuagint  versions,  Ps.  72  :  15  is 
rendered  "  gold  of  Arabia."  It 
was  a  queen  of  this  part  of  Ara- 
bia who  visited  Solomon. 

Sheeheni}  a  very  ancient  city, 
thirty-five  miles  north  of  Jeru- 
salem, which  the  sons  of  Jacob 
cruelly  ravaged,  to  revenge  the 
injury  done  to  their  sister  by 
its  prince.  Gen.  34.  Near  it 
was  "  .Jacob's  well,"  John  4  :  6, 
and  his  purchased  burial-place, 
where  the  remains  of  Joseph, 
Eleazar,  and  Joshua,  were  de- 
posited. Next  to  Jerusalem 
this  is,  perhaps,  the  most  inter- 
esting spot  in  Palestine.  Mount 
Gerizim  rises  near  the  town  on 
the  south,  and  Mount  Ebal  on 
the  north.  After  the  ruin  of 
the  city  of  Samaria,  Shechem 
I  ecame  the  metropolis  of  Sama- 
ria, and  was  called  Sychar. 
Near  it  occurred  our  Saviour's 
fonversation  with  the  Samaritan 
woman,  which  resulted  in  the 
conversion  of  so  many  of  the 
citizens.  John  4.  Matthew  Hen- 
ry observes,  "  Shechem  yielded 
the  first  proselytes  to  the  church 
ti  Israel  (Gen   'U),  and  it  wap 


the  first  place  where  the  gospel 
was  preached  out  of  Israel." 
It  was  enlarged  and  beautified 
by  Vespyasian,  about  forty  years 
after  Christ's  death  «»nd  was  by 
him  called  Neapoli^,  or  the  New 
City. 

It  has  been  in  the  hands  of  th« 
Mahometans  since  A.  D.  1242  j 
and  is  a  fine  town,  reckoned  by 
Dr.  Olin,  a  recent  traveller,  to 
contain  10,000  inhabitants,  of 
whom  500  are  christians  (of  the 
Greek  church),  130  Samaritans, 
50  Jews,  and  the  rest  Turks. 

In  the  Samaritan  synagogue 
is  a  famous  MS.  of  the  Penta- 
teuch, which  they  suppose  to  bo 
3^000  years  old,  and  an  exact 
copy  of  it  800  years  old.  They 
were  shown  to  Dr.  Huntingdon, 
English  chaplain  at  Aleppo,  and 
more  recently  to  Mr.  Jowett, 
agent  of  the  Bible  Society.  This 
city  is  now  called  Naplouse.  See 
Samaria. 

Sheep,  a  well-known  animal, 
of  great  utility,  and  famed  for 
meekness.  In  Syria  are  two 
varieties  of  sheep, —  one  differ- 
ing little  from  ours  ;  the  other 
more  common  and  more  este  am- 
ed,  having  a  tail  of  extraordi- 
nary bulk,  often  weighing  twelve 
or  fifteen  pounds,  and  sometimea 
more.  It  seems  to  consist  of  a 
substance  between  fat  and  n  ar- 
row, and  was  commanded  to  be 
ofiFered  in  sacrifice  to  God.  Lev. 
3  :  9.  The  wealth  of  ancient 
king-,  and  other  great  men, 
consisted  chiefly  in  flo'iks  an«^ 
herds,  2  Kings  3:4;  und  this 
ii  still  the  -.  \se  in  some  ".Jasteirf 


SHE 


249 


SHE 


countries,  t  specially  where  the 
j^eople  aie  few,  and  pastures 
'uxuriant.  Christians  are  com- 
pared to  sh?ep,  for  their  inno- 
cence and  excellence.  Christ  is 
"the  Lamb  of  God;"  that  is, 
the  great  atoning  sacrifice.  John 
1  :  29. 

In  India,  sheep  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished from  goats  by  a  com- 
mon observer ;  at  least,  I  could 
never  tell  them  apart.  They 
are  never  white,  and  they  have 
short  nair  rather  than  wool. 
This  fact  gives  force  to  the 
declaration  that  Christ  will  di- 
vide the  good  and  bad,  as  a 
shepherd  divides  his  sheep  from 
the  goats.  We  may  not  be  able 
to  distinguish  hypocrites,  but 
Christ  will  infallibly  divide  them 
from  his  sheep. 

Sliek'el)  a  weight  among  the 
Hebrews  ;  but  its  precise  heavi- 
ness  is   not    agreed    on.      The 


common  shekel  of  money  was 
equal  to  a  half-dollar.  The 
shekel  of  the  sanctuary  was 
possibly  double  that  sum. 

The  Jewish  horror  of  idolatry 
forbid  their  putting  on  coins 
the  image  of  a  deity,  or  even  of 
»  living  ruler.  The  impression 
on  the  shekel  was  that  of  Aaron's 
budding  rod  on  one  side,  and 
the  pot  ^f  ma-ina  on  t'^e  other. 


Shem,  the  second  son  of  Noah^ 
was  born  a.  m.  1558,  about  9» 
years  be  ere  the  deluge.  His 
posterity^  of  which  the  Jews  ara 
a  part,  peopled  the  greater  part 
of  Asia.  It  is  thought  ly  some 
that  he  was  the  Pluto  of  tho 
heathen. 

As  Shem  did  not  die  till  abou^ 
the  time  of  the  death  of  Abra- 
ham, he  was  able  to  impart  tQ 
that  patriarch,  and  also  to  Isaaa 
and  Jacob,  full  and  authentic  in 
formation  about  the  antediluvi- 
ans, and  all  the  wonders  of  the 
flood  and  of  the  ark. 

Shem^inith,  a  stringed  instru- 
ment ;  or  possibly  a  species  of 
music  ;  or  a  particular  part  of 
the  composition.  Ps.  6,  12,  &^ 
Shew,  or  Shoav,  an  appear 
ance  or  pretence  ;  also  any  pub 
lie  sight. 

Christ  made  a  shew  of  princi 
palities  and  powers.  Col.  2  :  15, 
when  he  openly  tri 
umphed  over  theru 
on  his  cross.  To 
make  a  "  fair  shew 
in  the  flesh,"  is  to 
be  hypocritical  by 
carefully  observing 
outward  forirs,  while 
real  piety  at  the  heart  is  not 
sought.     Gal.  6  :  12. 

Shew-Bread  was  that  whiob 
was  constantly  exhibited  in  the 
temple.  Twelve  loaves,  accord 
ing  to  the  twelve  tribes,  were 
every  day  put  upon  the  golden 
table,  to  be  exposed  for  thj 
whole  week.  This  bread  was 
forbiddfjn  to  be  eaten  by  anj 
e* -ep*    the    priests;    therefore. 


sill 


200 


SHI 


111  che  extraordinary  case  of 
David,  Qothing  but  urgent  ne- 
cessity could  exempt  him  from 
sin.  1  Sam.  21  :  3—7.  Matt. 
12:4.  It  served  to  remind  the 
Hebrews  of  their  dependence 
on  God  for  daily  support,  and 
was  an  emMem  of  Jesus,  who 
is  the  bread  of  life.  John  6  : 
4S. 

ShiVboleth,  a  Hebrew  word, 
signifying  a  stream  of  water. 
It  was  a  word  which  Ephraimites 
could  not  pronounce  in  the  man- 
ner of  the  men  of  Gilead,  and 
by  which  42,000  were  detected 
and  slain  at  the  Jordan.  Jud. 
12.  H  affords  a  proof  of  the 
different  modes  of  pronouncing 
the  same  language,  even  in  those 
early  days,  and  of  the  impossi- 
bility of  now  settling,  by  the 
masoretic  points,  the  true  pro- 
nunciation of  the  Hebrew 
tongue.     Jud.  12  :  5. 

Shield)  an  instrument  of  de- 
fence, held  on  the  left  arm,  to 
ward  off  blows.  In  Scripture, 
God  is  often  called  the  shield  of 
his  people.  Princes  and  great 
men  are  called  shields,  because 
they  ought  to  be  the  protectors 
of  their  people.  Ps.  47  :  9. 
Faith  is  likewise  called  the 
Christian's  '*  shield,"  Eph.  6  : 
6,  because  it  derives  strength 
from  Chri?t-  for  overcoming  the 
temptations  of  Satan. 

Shiggaron,  a  word  f(  und  in 
the  title  of  the  seventh  psalm. 
It  comes  from  a  Hebrew  word, 
which  signifies  to  stray,  or  wan- 
der ;  whence  some  conjecture 
Ihat  it  denotes  the  song  to  be 


various,  running  from  one  kind 
of  tune  into  another,  and  ex. 
pressive  of  great  anguish  ol 
heart.  Others  suppose  it  to  be 
an  instrument  of  music. 

Shigi'ODOth  seems  to  bo  the 
plural  of  Shiggaion.  Hab.  3  : 
1. 

Shilo'ah.    See  Siloam. 

Slliloh.  (1.)  One  of  the  name* 
of  Jesus  Christ  ;  the  great 
Deliverer  ;  he  that  frees  from 
the  law,  sin,  and  death.  Gen. 
49  :  10.  It  denotes  the  Re- 
deemer, the  author  of  our  hap- 
piness, and  our  sole  peacemaker 
with  God.  (2.)  A  famous  city 
of  Ephraim,  about  twenty-five 
miles  north  of  Jerusalem.  Here 
Joshua  fixed  the  tabernacle  of 
God  ;  and  here  it  continued  at 
least  310  years. 

Sliiiilir,  the  same  asCHALDEA ; 
which  see. 

Ships.  Probably  Noah's  ark 
was  the  first  vessel  of  this  kind 
ever  formed.  The  tribes  of 
Zebulon  and  Dan  appear  to  have 
earlj  engaged  in  commerce. 
Gen^  49  :  13.  Jud.  5  :  17.  Solo- 
mon, and  after  him,  Jehosha- 
phat,  set  on  foot  a  considerable 
trade  by  §ea.  1  Kings  10  :  22. 
The  Trojans  were  powerful  at 
sea  ;  but  the  Tyrians  and  Side 
nians  for  twelve  long  centuries 
were  much  more  so.  The  Car- 
thagenians  and  Greeks  were  alsc 
in  their  turns  famous  by  sea. 
Their  navigation,  hawever,  waa 
very  imperfect,  as,  even  in  the 
time  of  Paul,  vessels  passing 
from  Judea  to  Italy  frecjuently 
w'ntered  on  the  way.     Acts  3"^ 


SHI 


25: 


SII  ) 


(2  ;  28  :  IJ.  The  -ve'sels  were 
email,  and  had  oars,  as  well  aa 
Bails.  The  compas.s  being  un- 
known, they  dared  not  go  out 
of  sigbt  of  land.  After  the 
Saracens  had  ruined  the  Gre- 
cian commerce,  the  Venetians 
and  Genoese  became  great  in 
commerce.  About  SOU  years 
ago,  the  Spaniards  and  Portu- 
guese became  the  most  commer- 
cial people^  Then  the  Dutch 
took  the  lead  ;  but  at  present, 
the  English  and  Americans  each 
carry  on  more  business  by  sea 
than  any  other  nation. 

As  to  the  Jews,  they  never 
had  much  commerce  by  ships  ; 
and  probably  none  of  any  con- 
sequence till  David  made  him- 
self master  of  two  ports  on  the 
Red  Sea.  There  he,  and  still 
more  Solomon,  built  vessels 
which  traded  with  African  ports, 
being  generally  absent  two  or 
three  'years  at  a  time.  This 
trade  was  utterly  abolished  in 
the  reign  of  Ahaz,  by  the  seizure 
of  the  ports  by  the  Assyrians. 

Ships,  even  at  the  time  of 
Christ,  were  very  small  and 
poorly  manned.  Cicero  speaks 
of  some  as  very  large,  which 
did  not  exceed  fifty  tons.  We 
must  be  careful,  therefore,  not 
to  be  misled  when  we  read  of 
chips  in  the  Bible,  by  imagining 
8uch  huge  structures  as  are  in 
use  now. 

Slilttah  Tree,  the  same  as 
the  Shittim.     See  next  article. 

Shittim  Wood  was  much  ised 
in  building  the  tabernacle,  and 
^u  making   ♦he  sacred  utensils. 


<fec.  ;  but  it  is  not  now  known 
exactly-  woat  kind  of  a  tree  it 
was.  Most  probably  it  was  the 
acanthus,  or  acacia  vera,  which 
grows  in  all  the  deserts  from  the 
northern  part  of  Arabia  to  the 
extremity  of  Ethiopia.  It  18 
about  the  size  of  a  mulbetry 
tree,  the  bark  of  a  grayish 
black,  wood  pale  yel](>w,  and 
very  hard,  branches  thorny, 
flowers  sometimes  white,  but 
generally  yellow,  and  the  fruit, 
which  resembles  a  bean,  con- 
tained in  pods,  like  the  lupin 
Both  the  wood  and  the  flowers 
have  a  very  pleasant  smell. 
From  this  tree  is  obtained  the 
gum  Arabic,  by  making  a  gash 
with  an  axe.  Its  leaves  are 
almost  the  only  food  for  camels 
while  travelling  in  the  great 
deserts. 

Shoe,  a  defence  for  the  foot. 
Among .  the  Hebrews,  slaves 
went  barefoot  ;  others  generally 
had  their  feet  and  legs  covered 
when  they  went  abroad  ;  and 
women  of  quality  wore  shoes 
or  gaiters  of  very  costly  texture. 
Song  7  :  1.  Ezek.  16  :  10.  Shoes 
were  ordinarily  of  no  great 
value,  and  so  a  pair  of  shoes  de- 
notes a  very  inconsiderable 
bribe.  Amos  2  :  6.  Soldiers 
often  wore  shoes  of  iron  and 
brass  ;  and  to  this  day,  many 
people,  especially  in  the  East, 
wear  iron  plates  on  the  heels 
and  the  fore-sole  of  their  shoes. 
The  Hebrews  eating  of  the  firt  t 
passover  with  their  shoes  on, 
loins  girded,  and  stajfs  in  then 
hand,  imported   that   thoy  wcr* 


S  II  u 


SID 


immediately  to  begin  their  jour- 
ney. Ex.  12  :  11.  Putting  off 
shjes  ioiported  reverence,  and 
was  done  in  presence  of  God,  or 
on  entering  the  mansion  of  a 
superior.  Ex.  3  :  5.  Josh.  5  : 
15.  Want  of  shoes  denoted 
mourning,  debasement,  and  sla- 
very. 2  Sam.  15  :  30.  Ezek. 
2t  :  17.  Isa.  20  :  2,  4.  The 
plucking  off  a  shue  and  giving  it 
to  another,  imported  resignation 
of  right  to  him.  Ruth  4  :  7. 
To  bear  or  unloose  the  shoes  of  an- 
other, imports  doing  for  him  the 
humblest  offices.  Matt.  2:11. 
Luke  3  :  1(5.  David  cas^  his  shoe 
over  Edom,  when  he  took  pos- 
session of  the  country,  and  used 
the  people  as  slaves.  Ps,  CO  : 
8  ;  108  :  9.     See  Sandals. 

Shrine,  a  cabinet,  or  case,  to 
hold  the  effects  of  saints,  or  the 
relics  of  their  bodies  ;  also  the 
tomb  or  place  where  pilgrims 
otFer  up  their  prayers  and  obla- 
tions to  the  saints.  Those  of 
Ephesus  seem  to  have  been 
small  models  of  Diana's  temple, 
with  her  image  enclosed.  Acts 
19  :  24. 

Slranem,  a  city  of  Issachar, 
about  five  miles  south  of  Tabor. 
Josh.  19  :  18.  In  a  great  adja- 
cent plain,  the  Philistine  army 
encamped,  while  Saul'^  lay  at 
Uilboa,     1  Sam.  28  :  4. 

Shu^namit«,  an  inhabitant  of 
Shunem  or  Shunam. 

Shnshan,  or  Susa,  a  city  on 
the  banks  of  the  River  Ulai,  in 
Persia.  It  is  said  to  have  been 
built  by  Meninon,  before  the 
t'niaa  w.ir.      It  \v:is  the  winter 


residence  of  the  Persian  king* 
from  the  time  of  Cyrus.  Hero 
Daniel  had  his  vision  of  the  ram 
and  he-goat.  Dan.  8  The  com- 
missioners engaged  (in  1852)  in 
running  the  boundary  between 
Turkey  and  Persia  discovered 
the  remains  of  the  ancient  pal- 
ace of  Shushan,  mentioned  ic 
Esther  and  Daniel.  The  "  pave 
ment  of  red  and  blue,  and  black 
and  white  marble,"  still  exists. 
Not  far  from  the  palace  is  a 
tomb,  on  which  is  sculptured 
the  figure  of  a  man,  bound  hand 
and  foot,  with  a  lion  in  the  act 
of  springing  upon  him.  This  is 
probably  the  tomb  of  Daniel. 

Sbnsiiaue'datll,  a  musical  in- 
strument, Ps.  60,  called  also 
Shoshannim.  Ps.  45,  69.  The 
word  seems  to  mean  a  lily.  It 
is  possible  the  cymbal  is  meant, 
as  it  resembles  that  flower. 

Sibniali,  Shebmah,  or  Shebam, 
a  city  about  half  a  mile  from 
Heshbon.  The  best  vines  grew 
about  it.  Isa.  16  :  8.  It  was 
originally  the  property  of  the 
Moabites,  and  fell  within  the 
lot  of  Reuben.  Numb.  32  :  38. 
Josh.  13  :  19. 

Siehenii     See  Shechem. 

Sidon,  a  great  commercial 
city,  and  the  capital  of  the 
Phoenicians.  It  was  built  soon 
after  the  flood,  by  Sidon,  the 
eldest  son  of  Canaan.  Tyre, 
twenty-five  miles  south  of  it, 
was  built  by  a  colony  from  thia 
city,  and  rapidly  grew  to  vastly 
greater  size  and  magnificence 
Both  cities  lay  within  the  lot  of 
Anher  ;  bu!  that  tribe  never  es 


3U 


253 


SIM 


^lled  the  people.  Indeed,  at 
one  time  the  Sidonians  overcame 
all  Israel  ;  and  in  the  days  of 
Ahaz  they  drove  a  great  com- 
merce in  exporting  the  Jews  for 
slaves.  Joel  3  :  4.  The  gospel 
was  at  the  first  proclaimed  here, 
and  flourishing  churches  con- 
tinued for  many  ages.  After 
being  lost  and  won  in  the  cru- 
sades, the  Saracens  finally  made 
themselves  masters  of  it  in  A. 
D  1289.  Some  christians  are 
yet  found  here.  It  now  con- 
tains 16,000  inhabitants,  and  is 
called  Saide.     See  Tyre. 

Si'llOr,  in  Josh.  13  :  3,  means 
the  little  river  in  the  south  of 
Judea,  called  River  of  Egypt. 
In  Isa.  23  :  3,  and  Jer.  2  :  18,  it 
must  mean  the  Nile. 

Silk  is  not  mentioned  in  the 
Bible  except  in  Ezek.  16  :  10, 
13.  The  original  word  means 
to  draw  out  gently  ;  and,  as  there 
is  no  historical  evidence  that 
silk  was  known  in  the  days  of 
Ezekiel,  it  might  be  better  to 
translate  the  word  very  fine 
Unen  ;  the  threads  of  which  are 
drawn  out  with  great  care  in 
spinning. 

Sil'oani,  a  fountain  rising  at 
the  foot  of  Mount  Zion.  Its 
waters  were  received  into  two 
large  pools  ;  and  whatever 
overflowed  from  the  lower  one 
passed  into  the  brook  Kedron. 
There  are,  even  at  this  day, 
beautiful  gardens  and  small 
fields  watered  by  it,  on  its  way 
♦o  Kedron.  The  upper  pool  was 
Bometimes  called  the  "King's 
pool,"  probably  because  his 
22 


gardens  were  watered  fiora  it 
From  these  pools  the  Jews  drew 
water  on  the  last  day  of  the 
feast  of  tabernacles,  which  they 
brought  into  the  city  with  great 
signs  of  joy,  singing  portions  of 
Isa.  12.  It  was  poured  on  and 
around  the  altar,  with  joyful 
acclamations.  Near  this  place 
stood  the  tower  of  which  Christ 
speaks.     Luke  13  :  4. 

Silver  is  not  mentioned  as 
having  been  in  use  before  the 
flood,  nor  till  the  time  of  Abra- 
ham ;  nor  was  it  coined  till  long 
after,  but  Avas  used  in  bars  or 
ingots.  Its  ore  generally  con- 
tains other  metals,  such  as  lead, 
tin,  &c.,  and  must  be  often 
purged  to  render  it  fine.  Ps. 
12  :  6.  The  fine  silver  of  the 
ancients  was  found  in  the  mines 
of  Tarshish.  Jer.  10  :  9.  Great 
quantities  of  it  were  used  in  the 
building  of  the  temple  by  Solo- 
mon. 1  Chrcn.  29  :  4.  It  is 
put  for  all  temporal  wealth. 
Hos.  9  :  6. — A  silverling,  or 
"  piece  of  silver,"  is  the  same 
as  a  shekcJ. 

Simeon.  (1.)  The  second  son 
of  Jacob,  born  in  the  year  2247. 
(2.)  An  aged  saint  who  em- 
braced the  infant  Jesus.  Luke 
2  :  25—34.  It  is  thought  by 
some  learned  historians  he  was 
the  great  rabbi,  with  whom  Ga- 
maliel,  Paul's  teacher,  studied. 
(3.)  A  Christian  minister  of 
Antioch.     Acts  13  :  1. 

Simon  Peter,  a  distinguished 
disciple  of  our  Lord.  The  Ro- 
man Catholics  call  him  the  priyict 
of  apostles,  though    Paul   seema 


SIM 


254 


SIN 


more  deserving  of  such  a  title. 
The  celibacy  of  the  clergy  finds 
no  example  in  his  case,  as  we 
know  he  had  a  wife.  Mark  1  : 
29,  30 

Simon,  the  C/renian,  is 
thought  by  some  to  be  the  same 
as  Niger,  the  teacher  at  Anti- 
och.  Matt.  27  :  32,  It  is  said 
that  he  was  afterv.'ards  the  pas- 
tor of  Bosra,  or  Bezer,  and  died 
a  cheerful  martyr  for  the  faith. 

Simon  Zelotjes,  or  the  Cana- 
anite,  one  of  Christ's  apostles. 
lie  was  called  Zdotes,  because 
he  had  been  one  of  those  Gali- 
leans, or  zealous  Jews,  who  re- 
fused to  pay  tribute  to  the  Ro- 
mans. The  term  Canaanite  is 
applied  to  him,  not  because  he 
was  a  n.ative  Canaanite,  like  the 
woman  mentioned  Matt.  15:  22, 
for  all  the  apostles  were  Jews  ; 
but  either  because  he  was  born 
in  Cana  of  Galilee,  or  more 
probably  from  the  Hebrew  word 
Kanaim,  which  is  synonymous 
to  the  Greek  word  Zelotes. 

Some  suppose  that  he  preached 
the  gospel  in  Egypt,  Cyrenaica, 
Lybia  and  Mauritania,  if  not 
also  in  Britain.  Others  affirm 
him  to  have  been  murdered  at 
Lunir,  in  Persia,  along  with 
Jude.     See- Zelotes. 

Simon^  the  brother  or  cousin 
of  our  Saviour,  and  the  son  of 
Cloophas.     Matt.  13  :  55. 

Simon,  the  Pharisee,  was  he 
T-bo  invited  our  Saviour  to  an 
entertainment  ;  and  though  he 
diaitted  the  customary  civility 
jf  giving  him  water  for  his  feet, 
took  o  fife  nee  at  his  allowing  Ma- 


ry Magdalene  to  anoint  them 
Jesus,  by  the  parable  of  tl  e  tw« 
debtors,  convicted  him  of  Lii 
mistake.     Luke  7  :  3G — 50. 

Simon  Magcs,  or  the  Sor- 
cerer, a  very  extraordinary 
person  in  Samaria,  who  ap- 
peared converted  under  Philip. 
From  his  attempt  to  buy  the 
gifts  and  powers  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  with  money,  the  purchase 
of  pastorships  and  ministerial 
salaries  is  called  Simony.  Acts 
8  :  18.  After  his  apostasy  he 
became,  historians  affirm,  the 
founder  of  a  sect,  who  denied 
Christ  to  be  divine,  paid  relig- 
ious honors  to  angels,  and  held 
various  licentious  tenets.  His 
doctrines  were  substantially 
those  of  the  Gnostics.  He  rep- 
resented himself  to  be  the  Word 
of  God,  the  Paraclete,  &c. 

There  were  also  Simon,  a  tan- 
ner. Acts  9  :  43  ;  Simon,  tho 
father  of  Judas  Iscariot,  John 
12:4,  and  others. 

SimpIC)  harmless,  free  from 
deceit.  To  be  "  simple  con- 
cerning evil,  '  is  to  have  little 
knowledge  of  the  arts  of  the 
world  in  committing  it.  Rom. 
16:  19.  The  "simplicity  that 
is  in  Christ,"  is  either  the  plain 
self-consistent  truth  of  the  goa- 
pel,  or  an  unfeigned  faith  in 
this  truth.     2  Cor.  11:3. 

Sinj  offence  against  the  law 
of  God,  either  by  doing  what  it 
forbids,  or  neglecting  what  it 
enjoins.  Desiring  forbidden 
things,  or  disliking  duties,  is 
also  sin.  It  is  the  cause  of  all 
tire  misery  ic   this  world,  aud 


SIN 


^65 


SIN 


ftf  everlasting  woe  to  tlie  finally 
impenitent.    Sins  are  called  tres- 


Tpas.ses, 


becau:;u  tliey  violate  the 


law.  When  it  is  said,  he  that 
'*  committeth  sin  is  of  the  devil," 
and  is  the  "  servant  of  sin,"  it 
uieanf--,  such  is  the  character  of 
those  who  -mlfully  sin.  When 
it  is  said,  the  children  of  God 
do  not  sin,  John  8  :  34;  1  John 
3  :  6,  9  ;  5  :  18,  it  means  that 
such  do  not  willingly  sin.  When 
they  sill,  it  is  through  the  power 
of  temptation,  and  gives  them 
•  great  grief.  •'  Thou  shalt  visit 
thine  habitation,  and  not  sin," 
means,  we  must  not  live  in  a 
wicked  manner.     Job  5  :  24. 

Original  Sin  is  that  bias  to 
evil,  in  consequence  of  the  sin 
and  fall  of  our  first  parents, 
•/hereby  our  whole  nature  is 
defiled,  and  rendered  contrary 
to  the  nature  and  law  of  God. 
Ps.  ill  :  5.  Hence,  the  inward 
part  is  said  to  be  vtry  wicked- 
ness ;  that  is,  the  heart  is  en- 
mity against  God.  Ps.  5  :  9. 
This  is  the  sin  that  dwells  in  us, 
Rom.  7  :  17,  20,  and  works  in 
us  all  manner  of  concupiscence. 
Rom.  7  :  8,  23. 

The  Sin  against  the  Holy 
Ghost,  as  it  rejects  and  tramples 
on  all  his  evidence  and  convic- 
tions, is  called  the  sin  unto  deaths 
because,  being  never  pardoned, 
it  inevitablj' ruins  men.  1  John 
5:  16  The  exact  nature  of  this 
gin  is  not  easily  determined.  It 
feems,  however,  to  require  words 
vpoken  as  well  as  thoughts  in- 
dulged.    Matt.  12  :  32. 

What    we    render   sin-offcriig 


is  often  the  same  in  tht  Hebrew 
as  what  we  render  sin.  Lev.  4  : 
3,  25,  29,  And  the  priests  are 
said  to  eat  sin  J  thar  is,  with 
pleasure  feast  on  sin-oQerings. 
Hos.  4  :  8.  Christ  is  said  to  be 
"  made  sin,  that  we  might  bt. 
made  the  righteousness  of  God 
in  him  ;"  that  is,  he  had  oui 
sins  charged  to  his  account,  and 
was  made  a  sin-offering.  2  Cor. 
5  :  21.  1  Peter  2  :  24.  Isa. 
53  :  6. 

Sin,  the  name  of  several  places 
mentioned  in  the  Old  Testament 

1.  The  desert  south  of  Judea 
Deut.  32  :  5.1. 

2.  The  city  Pelusium,  in 
Egypt,  now  extinct. 

3.  A  country  called  also  Sin- 
IM,  which  is  probably  China 
Isa.  49:  12. 

Sinai,  the  mountain  on  which 
Jehovah  appeared  to  Moses,  and 
gave  the  law.  The  Hebrews 
came  to  this  place  in  the  third 
month  of  their  pilgriir'nge.  The 
law  was  given,  it  is  thougnL,  just 
fifty  days  after  their  exodus  from 
Egypt;  and  hence,  the  Pentecost 
was  observed  on  the  fiftieth  day 
after  the  Passover.  Thi,«  mount 
stands  in  Arabia  Petrea.  and  is 
called  by  the  Arabs  Jibbil  Mousa, 
or  the  Mountain  of  Moses,  and 
sometimes  El  Tor,  or  the  Mount. 
It  has  two  summits,  Horeh,  at  the 
north,  and  Sinai,  at  the  south  ; 
which  last  is  much  the  higher, 
and  is  called  the  Mount  of  God 
The  ascent  is  very  steep,  and  is 
by  steps,  which  the  Empress 
Helena,  the  mother  of  Constan- 
tine  the  Great,  caused  to  le  cut 


SIJ^ 


25G 


SIS 


m  the  rock.  These  are  now  so 
worn  and  decayed,  as  to  make 
xhe  ascent  difficult.  At  the  top 
cf  Sinai  there  is  an  uneven  and 
rugged  place,  sufScient  to  hold 
sixiy  persons.  Here  stands  a 
chapel,  and  near  to  it  is  a  foun- 
tain of  fresh  water.  At  the  bot- 
tom, in  a  narrow  valley,  is  the 
convent  of  St.  Catharine,  en- 
closed by  high  walls  without  a 
door,  to  preserve  them  from 
Arab  robbers.  Whoever  enters, 
is  drawn  up  in  a  basket.  Mount 
Sinai,  says  Niebuhr,  has  numer- 
ous beautiful  springs,  but  they 
are 'not  so  copious  as  to  unite 
and  form  streams  that  last  the 
whole  year.  Various  modern 
travellers  have  ascended  to  the 
summit  of  this  mount  ;  but  the 
Arabs  practise  upon  them  great 
impositions.  It  has  been  lately 
visited  by  the  American  travel- 
ler, Robinson,  and  described  by 
him  in  his  ^'Biblical  Researches." 

Siocerity,  pureness  of  mind, 
without  double-dealing.  The 
word  is  derived  from  the  Latin 
cincerus,  composed  of  sinsy  with- 
out, and  cera,  wax  ;  or  pure 
honey.  1  Cor.  v.  8.  The  Greek 
word  fiXixiiivnat  translated  sm- 
cerity,  means  an  evident  purity 
when  held  up  in  the  light  of  the 
sun,  as  we  would  examine  water. 
2  Cor.  1  :  12. 

Singing  has  always  been  a 
part  of  divine  worship,  by  hea- 
thens, Jews  and  Christians.  The 
gospel  not  only  authorizes  it  by 
example.  Matt.  26  :  30,  but  ex- 
p'essly  enjoins  it.  Eph.  5  .  19. 
^?cl.  3  :  16.      It  should  be  per- 


formed with  an  underttanding 
of  its  nature  and  importance, 
and  with  spiritual  emotions. 
Pres.  Edwards  observes  that, 
"  As  it  is  the  command  of  God, 
that  all  should  sing,  so  all  should 
make  a  conscience  of  learning  to 
sing,  as  it  is  an  exercise  that 
cannot  be  decently  performed 
without  learning.  Those,  there- 
fore (where  there  is  no  natural 
inability),  who  neglect  to  learn 
to  sing,  live  in  sin,  as  they  neg- 
lect what  is  necessary  in  order 
to  their  attending  one  of  the 
ordinances  of  God's  worship." 

Singing  was  by  the  early 
christians  usually  performed  in 
a  standing  posture.  The  mode 
of  pronunciation  was  clear  and 
intelligible,  not  greatly  varying 
from  a  recitative  tone.  Those 
modern  tunes  which  almost  pre- 
clude intelligible  enunciation, 
tend  to  defeat  the  object  of  the 
ordinance.  The  Jewish  hymns 
were  accompanied  with  various 
musical  instruments,  to  assist 
the  voices  of  the  Levites. 

Sis'era,  a  general  of  the  Cana- 
anites,  under  Jabin  II.  Jael 
invited  him  into  her  house,  ainl 
being  instigated  of  God  to  de- 
stroy this  murderous  idolater 
and  devoted  Canaanite,  she 
drove  a  nail  through  his  tem- 
ples. 

Sister,  a  term  of  considerable 
latitude  with  the  Hebrews  ;  be- 
ing applied  to  all  very  near  rela- 
tions. Matt.  12  :  50  ;  13  :  50. 
Sarah,who  was  Abraham's  niece, 
is,  therefore,  truly  called  hit 
sister    Gen.  12:  13,  and  20'  12 


SLI 


25< 


SMY 


Sith,  an  obsolete  word,  mean- 
ing since,  or  because.  Jer.  15: 
"i.     Ezek.  35  :  6. 

SI  van,  the  third  month  of 
the  Jewish  sacred  year.  See 
Month. 

Slander,  the  uttering  of  false 
accusations  against  another.  It 
may  consist  in  surmises  or  asser- 
tions ;  in  imputing  bad  motives 
to  correct  actions ;  in  partial 
and  lame  accounts  of  our  neigh- 
bor's conduct  ;  in  putting  false 
constructions  on  words  or  con- 
duct; in  magnifying  real  faults; 
in  imputing  consequences  to  our 
neighbor's  conduct  which  do 
not  or  may  not  follow  ;  and  in 
any  way  of  speaking  which  shall 
be  designed  to  injure  one's  fame, 
safety,  or  welfare.  Christians 
should  be  anxious  to  guard 
against  the  very  appearance  of 
this  odious  vice. 

Slave.     See  Sebvant. 

Slime  was  used  by  the  build- 
ers of  Babel  instead  of  mortar. 
It  is  called,  in  the  Septuagint 
version,  asphaltos  ;  and  is  bitu- 
men, or  a  kind  of  pitch.  Great 
quantities  of  it  are  still  found 
in  the  neighborhood  of  ancient 
Babylon.  Herodotus,  Dioscor- 
ides,  Justin,  Vitruvius,  Strabo, 
Diodorus  Siculus,  &c.,  speak  of 
its  being  used  as  mortar. 

The  slime  pits  of  Sidim  were 
mud-holes  or  springs,  out  of 
which  issued  this  liquid  bitu- 
men, or  naphtha.  It  was  used 
in  the  process  of  embalming, 
anl  was  hence  called  gummi 
22* 


funtrum,      and      mumia.        Sot 
Pitch. 

Sling,  one  of  the  earliest 
weapons  invented  by  man.  By 
long  practice,  wonderful  skill  is 
attained  in  the  use  of  it,  ar  was 


the  case  with  the  Benjamites, 
who,  "with  either  hand,  could 
sling  stones  at  a  hair,  and  not 
miss."     Judges  20  :  16.    • 

Smite,  a  word  often  used  in 
Scripture  as  meaning  to  kill. 
Thus  the  Lord  s7note  Nabal.  To 
"  smite  with  the  tongue,"  is  to 
utter  reproaches.  To  "  smite 
the  thigh,"  was  a  token  of 
amazement  or  indignation.  .Ter 
31  :  10. 

Smyrna,  a  city  of  Ionia,  built 
by  the  Amazons,  about  forty 
miles  north  of  Ephesus.  It  waa 
famous  as  early  as  the  time  of 
Homer,  whose  birthplace  it 
claims  to  be.  About  A.  m.  3400, 
the  Lydians  destroyed  it  ;    bui 


SMY 


258 


SO  A 


It  was  rebuilt  300  years  after, 
in  the  time  of  Alexander  the 
Great.  A  christian  church  was 
planted  here  very  early  ;  the 
members  of  which  maintained 
their  holy  faith  with  such  exact- 
ness, that  in  the  divine  epistles 
sent  them  by  John,  there  is  no 
reproof,  but  only  praise  and 
direction.  Rev.  2  :  8,  9,  10.  At 
the  time  that  Christianity  was 
introduced  here,  Smyrna  was  in 
all  its  glory,  abounding  in 
wealth,  works  of  art,  and  schools 
of  learning.  Persecution  soon 
raged  against  the*  christians  ; 
and  Polycarp  and  many  others 
had  to  lay  down  their  lives  for 
Christ  ;  but  multitudes  were 
converted.  Polycarp  was  prob- 
ably the  "  angel  of  the  church 
of  Smyrna."  Rev.  2  :  8.  The 
christians  there  hold  his  memory 
in  great  veneration,  and  go 
annually  in  procession  to  his 
tomb,  which  is  near  his  place  of 
martyrdom.  How  absurd  is  the 
assertion  of  infidels  that  the 
New  Testament  was  written  only 
a  few  hundred  years  ago  ! 

It  has  often  suflFered  from 
earthquakes,  plague,  fires,  and 
war  ;  but  at  present  is  one  of 
the  most  flourishing  places  in 
the  Levant  ;  having  a  large  and 
good  harbor,  and  sustaining  an 
active  commerce  with  all  na- 
tions. During  the  late  revolu- 
tionary struggle  this  city  suffered 
dreadfully  ;  but  since  Greece 
D«came  free,  it  has  gradually 
regained  some  of  its  ancient 
prosperity.  Before  the  late  rev- 
olution   it     contained     100,000 


30uls,  of  which  above  lOjOOt 
were  christians  of  the  Greek 
church  ;  5,000  Armenians  ;  the 
rest  Turks,  Jews,  &c.  At  pres- 
ent it  has  a  population  of  140,« 
000,  and  is  the  seat  of  a  chris- 
tian mission.  The  Turks  call  it 
Izmir. 

Snail  occurs  but  twice  in  our 
translation.  In  Lev.  11  :  30, 
critics  are  confident  that  some 
sort  of  lizard  is  intended.  Cer- 
tainly snails  are  not  common  in 
hot  and  dry  regions.  In  Ps. 
58  :  8,  the  true  snail  is  certainly 
meant,  though  the  LXX.  and 
Vulgate  have  rendered  it  wax. 

Snare,  a  trap;  metaphorically, 
whatever  tends  to  entangle  us 
in  evil.  The  Lord  Jesus  is  a 
"  snare,"  when,  on  account  of 
the  lowliness  of  himself  and 
people,  men's  corrupt  propensi- 
ties will  not  allow  them  to  ac 
cept  the  gospel,  and  so  theii 
guilt  is  increased.  Isa.  8  :  14 
God  "  rains  snares  "  on  meo 
when  he  punishes  them  by  let 
ting  them  fall  into  the  conse 
quences  of  their  sins.  Ps.  1 1  ; 
6.     Ez.  12:13. 

Snow  falls  occasionally  ia 
Palestine,  and  always  in  flakes 
as  large  as  a  chestnut.  Henc* 
the  expression,  "  He  giveth  snow 
like  wool."  Ps.  147  :  17.  It 
was  brought  from  the  top  of 
Lebanon,  and  sold  in  the  hot 
season  to  cool  wine,  <fec.,  as  ice 
is  in  our  cities.  Its  M'ater  was 
considered  very  ck  ansing.  Job 
9:30. 

Soap,  a  word  which  occurs  onlj 
:n  Jer.  2  :  22,  and  Mai    3:;  2. 


SOD 


269 


SOP 


It  seems  to  mean  dome  cleansing 
herb  ;  probably  the  boritk,  or 
saltwort,  a  very  common  plant 
in  Syria  and  parts  adjacent. 
The  natives  burn  it,  and  leach 
the  ashes.  The  water  becomes 
impregnated  with  a  strong  salt, 
very  proper  for  removing  stains 
from  cloth.  There  is  also  an 
unctuous  kind  of  earth  called 
steatites,  or  soap-earth,  of  much 
esteem  in  the  baths  of  the  East 
for  cleansing  and  softening  the 
skin.  Harris  thinks  it  prob- 
able that  the  two  mules'  burden 
of  earth,  taken  by  Naaman, 
were  for  this  use.  2  Kings  5  : 
17.  The  barilla,  as  our  dealers 
call  it,  which  is  brought  to  this 
country  from  Spain  and  the 
Mediterranean,  is  thought  to  be 
the  plant  borith,  above  men- 
tioned.   Jer.  2  :  22.   Mai.  3  :  2. 

Socket,  a  kind  of  mortice  in 
which  the  pillars  of  the  taber- 
nacle were  fixed.  A  vast  num- 
ber of  sockets  were  made,  of 
wnich  one  hundred  were  of 
silver,  a  talent  to  each.  Ex. 
28  :  27  ;  26  :  37 ;  38:  27.  The 
weight  of  these  sockets  tended 
to  make  the  pillars  stand  firm. 

Sodom,  Gomorrah,  Admah, 
Zeboim,  and  Zoar,  were  five 
cities  of  the  Canaanites.  In 
the  days  of  Abraham  they  had 
each  a  king.  The  Dead  Sea  now 
covers  the  site  of  these  cities. 
Jude  7.  The  Scripture  account 
of  the  overthrow  of  these  cities 
is  corroborated  by  the  accounts 
of  Strabo,  "Diodorus  Siculus, 
Tacitus,  Solinus,  <&c.,  as  well  as 
by  tl  e   geological   appearances 


of  the  region,  which  is  still-  suN 
ject  to  earthquakes. 

The  apples  of  Sodom  are  de- 
scribed by  Dr.  Smith,  of  Bo» 
ton,  as  "  the  fruit  of  a  gigantic 
milk-weed,  cjhaped  like  a  peach, 
and  two  inches  in  diameter." 

Solomoilt  (pacific)  His  history 
is  full  of  interest,  and  amply 
given  in  Scripture.  He  was  the 
author  of  several  books,  besides 
those  in  the  Bible,  viz.,  3000 
Proverbs,  1005  Songs,  beside 
works  on  botany,  natural  his- 
tory, and  commerce.  His  his- 
tory is  fraught  with  both  re- 
ligious and  political  instruction. 
No  monarch  ever  enjoyed  such 
popularity  and  prosperity,  and 
yet  he  was  very  far  from  being 
happy. 

Song  OF  Solomon,  a  sublime 
mystical  allegory,  representing 
the  reciprocal  love  of  Christ  and 
the  church.  In  1  Kings  4  :  32, 
we  are  informed  that  Solomon's 
Songs  were  a  thousand  and  Jive,  of 
which  this  is  supposed  to  be  the 
chief  for  length  and  grandeur, 
or  as  being  inspired,  and  ia 
hence  called  a  Song  of  Songs. 
It  is  a  book  on  which  vast  learn- 
ing and  labor  have  been  be- 
stowed without  making  either 
its  object  or  meaning  certain. 

Soothsayer.     See  Sorcerer, 

Sop.  As  spoons  were  not 
used  (and  are  not  yet)  in  East* 
em  countries,  though  much  of 
their  food  is  fluid,  it  was  com- 
mon to  dip  bread  in  the  gra^'y 
or  soup.  It  is  a  matter  of 
politeness  for  the  njistetof  tht 


sou 


260 


S  l»  A 


Boose  to  pick  out  nice  pieces 
with  his  fingers,  or  sop  a  piece 
of  bread  in  the  gravy,  and  put 
it  into  the  mouth  of  his  guest. 
See  John  13  :  26. 

Sort'Crers,  conjurers,  or  those 
who  undertake  to  disclose  se- 
crets, or  foretell  events,  by 
magical  or  diabolical  power. 
Acts  13:8.  They  falsely  claimed 
the  power  of  calling  up  de- 
parted spirits,  1  Sam.  28  ;  of 
inflicting  plagues,  Ex.  8  :  18, 
&c.  The  damr^ition  of  such  as 
addict  themselves  to  the  practice 
of  sorcery  is  often  declared. 
Isa.  47  :  9.  Rev.  21  :  8,  and 
22  :  15. 

Sorrow,  inward  pain,  arising 
from  guilt  or  affliction.  It  is 
said  "  the  sorrow  of  the  world 
worketh  death  ;"  that  is,  mere 
distress,  without  regard  to  Grod 
and  looking  to  him  for  help, 
breaks  the  heart,  and  brings  us 
to  the  grave.  The  Scripture 
cautions  us  against  it.  Prov. 
25  :20.  IThess.  4  :  13.  "Godly 
sorrow  "  is  grief  tempered  with 
reliance  on  God,  and  submission 
to  deserved  suffering.  "The 
sorrows  of  hell,"  Ps.  18  :  5,  are 
mental  troubles  of  great  magni- 
tude. 

Soul.  1.  That  spiritual,  ra- 
tional, and  immortal  part  or 
substance  in  man,  which  dis- 
tinguishes him  from  the  brute 
creation,  and  bears  some  resem- 
blance to  its  Divine  Maker  ; 
which  possesses  consciousness 
of  its  own  existence,  and  actu- 
ates, directs,  or  disposes,  in  all 
the  relations  of  life.    The  Scrip- ! 


ture  ascribes  to  beasts  a  ft,  rJ, 
which  enables  them  to  think  and 
plan,  as  they  evidently  do. 
They  have  many  mental  powers, 
such  as  memory,  <fec.,  which  do 
not  belong  to  mere  matter.  But 
man  alone  has  an  immortal  soul, 
possessing  the  knowledge  of 
God,  wisdom,  immortality,  the 
hope  of  future  happiness  and  of 
eternal  life  ;  and  man  alone  is 
threatened  with  the  punishment 
of  another  life,  and  the  pains  of 
hell.  That  the  Jews  knew  the 
immortality  of  the  soul  seemj 
evident  from  Balaam's  feeling 
the  difference  between  the  death 
of  a  good  and  bad  man,  Numb. 
23  :  10  ;  from  their  believing  in 
apparitions  of  the  departed,  1 
Sam.  28  :  13—15  ;  Matt.  14  : 
2G,  <fec.  ;  and  from  the  fact  that 
the  Sadducees,  who  denied  it, 
were  but  a  sect  among  them. 
But  their  ideas  on  this  point 
were  vague  compared  with  those 
which  we  derive  from  the  New 
Testament.  It  is  most  true  that 
by  Christ  was  the  truth  first 
fully  and  clearly  disclosed.  2 
Tim.  1  :  10.  All  that  the  hea- 
then knew  or  taught,  concerning 
the  future  state  of  the  soul,  was 
from  confused  tradition  or  mere 
poetical  fancy. 

2.  Soul  is  sometimes  used  for 
a  human  creature,  or  the  whole 
person,  both  soul  and  body. 
Gen.  12:  5.  Numb.  11:  6. 
Acts  2  :  41.  When  the  sou/ and 
spirit  are  spoken  of  together, 
spirit  probably  means  the  tem- 
per. 

Spain  anciently  comprehended 


SPE 


261 


SPI 


Knat  is  now  Portugal,  that  is, 
the  whole  peninsula.  In  the 
time  of  the  apostles,  it  belonged 
to  Kome.  Paul  intended  to  visit 
this  country,  but  whether  he  did 
so  or  not  is  uncertain.  Rom. 
15  :  24—28. 

Sparrow,  a  very  small,  well- 
Known  bird.  It  is  gregarious 
and  remarkably  lively  ;  and 
V"hen  lamed,  or  deserted  by  its 
mate,  seems  quite  disconsolate. 
Ps.  102  :  7.  Sparrows  were  so 
cheap  at  Jerusalem,  that  "  five 
were  sold  for  two  farthings." 
Luke  12:6.  The  care  of  Divine 
Providence  is  therefore  most 
strikingly  depicted  when  his 
minute  attention  to  them  is 
declared.  Matt.  10  :  29.  Ps. 
104  :  24—31. 

SpeeUde,  a  public  show.  The 
Romans  were  remarkably  fond 
of  shows  and  games.  The  thea- 
tres for  this  purpose  were  some- 
times very  splendid  ;  generally 
round,  like  our  circuses,  and 
without  a  roof.  One  of  the  com- 
mon exhibitions  was  to  put  crim- 
iaals  in  the  arena,  and  let  loose 
wild  beasts  upon  them.  Hence 
the  apostle's  allusion,  Heb.  10  : 
32,  33.  Perhaps,  when  he  says 
he  "  fought  with  beasts  at  Ephe- 
6US,"  he  means  literally  that  he 
was  thus  exposed.  1  Cor.  15  : 
32.  Those  who  were  not  con- 
demned to  certain  death  were 
allowed  weapons  of  defence. 
When  the  company,  which  was 
always  vast,  had  enjoyed  the 
horrid  sight  of  these  contests,  in 
which  the  criminal  was  gener- 
ally victor,  then  were  brought 


those  capitally  condemned,  wh« 
were  allowed  no  weapons,  nol 
even  raiment  ;  and  were  of 
course  soon  destroyed.  To  the 
latter  class  Paul  seems  to  com- 
pare ministers,  when  he  says 
they  are  "  set  'orth  last,  as  it 
were  appointed  unto  death, 
being  made  a  spectacle  to  the 
world,  to  angels,  and  to  men." 
1  Cor.  4  :  9. 

Spiee,  any  aromatic  drug. 
Spices  were  very  much  used  by 
the  ancients  to  season  food,  give 
flavor  to  wine,  embalm  the  dead, 
perfume  their  person?  and  beds, 
and  to  burn  as  incense  in  public 
worship. 

Most  of  the  spices  mentioned 
in  Scripture  have  been  identi- 
fied, and  many  of  them  continue 
to  be  articles  of  commerce  to 
this  day. 

Spider,  a  crafty  insect,  men- 
tioned but  t'iree  times  in  the 
Bible,  and  each  time  in  allusion 
to  wicked  men.  Job  8  :  14. 
Isa.  59  :  4—7.  Prov.  30  :  28. 
The  story  of  the  bite  of  that 
species  called  tarantula  being 
curable  only  by  music,  is  a  ri- 
diculous fable. 

Spikenard,    a   very    fragrant 

species    of    grass,   which,  when 

trodden  upon,  fills  the  air  with 

sweetness.     The    ear   is    about 

the  size  of  one's  finger,  and  ia 

of  a  strong  smell  and  bitterish 

i  taste.    The  medicinal  properties 

I  reside    principally  in  the  root. 

The  ointment  made  of  it  is  very 

precious,   and    was    i    favorite 

1  perfume   at  ancient   baths    and 

I  feasts.      Mark    14      3       It    i* 


SP 


262 


SPO 


Balled  by  Iloraco,  "  unguentura 
nardi  spicatae,"  and  contained 
the  very  essence  of  the  plant. 
A  pound  of  it  in  the  days  of 
Christ  was  worth  300  'denarii, 
equal  to  forty  dollars,  a  great 
Bum  at  that  time.  John  12  :  3. 
The  best  spikenard  comes  from 
India.  When  cultivated  in  gar- 
dens, it  attains  to  the  height  of 
five  or  six  feet. 

Spirit,  an  incorporeal  being, 
ES  God,  John  4  :  24  ;  angels, 
Heb.  1  :  14  ;  the  human  soul, 
Acts  7  :  59  ;  the  Holy  Ghost, 
the  third  person  in  the  adorable 
Trinity,  Matt.  ?*  :  16  ;  equal  in 
power  and  glory  with  the  Father 
and  the  Son.  1  John  5:7.  He 
Inspired  the  ancient  prophets  to 
foretell  future  events,  2  Pet.  1  : 
21  ;  and  bestowed  on  the  apos- 
tles miraculous  gifts.  Acts  2. 
He  now  quickens,  illuminates, 
sanctifies,  and  comforts  the  peo- 
ple of  God.  John  3:5.  1  Pet. 
1  :  2,  and  John  14  :  26.  See 
Holy  Ghost. 

Discerning  of  spirits,  which  was 
once  a  miraculous  ministerial 
gift,  was  the  power  of  discover- 
ing impostors  in  the  ministry. 
1  Cor.  12  :  10.  1  John  4  :  1. 
Rev.  2-:  2. 

Quenching  the  Spirit  is  a  meta- 
phorical expression,  meaning  to 
force,  as  it  were,  by  our  sins,  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  withdraw  from 
us.  Or  it  may  mean  suppress- 
ing the  graces  of  the  Spirit, 
which  are  compared  to  light  and 
heat  ;  or,  still  more  probably, 
«he  gifts  of  the  Spirit  are  meant. 

Gnevine  'he  Spirit  may  be  done 


both  by  taints  and  sinners,  ia 
committing  any  sin,  Eph.  4  :  30; 
by  resisting  convictions  of  duty: 
by  living  in  a  lukewarm  con- 
dition ;  or  by  abusing  his  fa- 
vors, through  vanity,  curiosity, 
or  negligence.     2  Tim.  1  :  6. 

Blasphemy  against  the  Holp 
Spirit  is  a  sin  of  the  tongue,  and 
its  unpardonableness  is  a  proof, 
if  there  were  no  other,  of  his 
divine  personality.     See  Soul. 

Spiritual)  that  which  belongs 
to  spirits.  The  church  is  a  spir- 
itual house;  her  members  are 
renewed  in  spirit  ;  Jesus  is  her 
foundation  ;  and  his  Spirit  and 
grace  connect  them  with  him, 
and  with  one  another.  1  Pet. 
2  :  5.  Prophets  and  ministers 
are  spiritual  men,  because  their 
office  lies  in  spiritual  exercises. 
Hos.  9  :  7.  God's  law  is  spir- 
itual ;  it  is  a  transcript  of 
the  divine  nature.  It  is  given 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  ex- 
tends its  security  and  authority 
to  duties  of  a  spiritual  nature. 
Rom.  7  :  14. 

We  are  required  to  be  spirit- 
ually minded ;  that  is,  to  have 
our  joys,  exercises,  objects  and 
motives  spiritual.  Such  as  have 
not  this  spiritual-mindedness  are 
said  to  be  "  dead,"  while  such 
as  possess  it  have  "  life  and 
peace."     Rom.  8  :  5^9. 

Sponge,  a  sub-marine  sub- 
stance, forming  one  of  the  links 
between  animals  and  vegeta- 
bles. Its  innumerable  and  deli- 
cate cells  imbibe  water  easily, 
and  as  easily  part  with  it  ut  iei 
pressure.     Ma-it.  9,7  :  48. 


S  T  A 


2G3 


STA 


Spot.  The  allusion  in  Deut. 
52  :  5,  is  to  the  practice  among 
heathen  of  marking  on  their 
forehead,  arms,  and  breast  a 
token  indicating  what  deity  the 
person  serres. 


These  marks  are  put  on  fresh 
every  morning,  after  washing. 
But  sometimes  they  are  made 
permanent  in  the  same  way  that 
sailors  mark  their  arms  or  hands, 
with  a  process  like  tattooing. 
Rev.  3  :  2,  and  17  :  5,  and  22  :  4. 

Staete,  a  fragrant  gum,  of 
amber  color,  supposed  to  distil 
from  the  myrrh-tree.  The  only 
difference  between  the  stacte  and 
gum  myrrh  seems  to  be  that  the 
former  oozed  spontaneously  from 
the  tree,  and  was  perfectly  pure, 
while  the  latter  was  obtained 
by  incision,  and  was  generally 
less  excellent.  It  is  mentioned 
Ex.  30  :  34  cnly. 

Standard,  a  military  ensign 
•r  token.     The  ancient  Jewish 


tribes  had  each  separate  slan* 
dards.  The  Romans  had  sev- 
eral  sorts,  of  which  the  eagle, 
as  represented  in  the  cut,  wai 
the  most  common. 


Star,  a  bright  heavenly  body 
seen  in  the  night.  Under  the 
name  star,  the  Jews  compre- 
hended all  the  heavenly  bodies, 
except  the  sun  and  moon.  We 
now  speak  of  them  as  distinct 
from  planets.  Some  stars  are 
fixed;  that  is,  retain  the  same 
relative  distance  from  the  star* 
which  surround  them  ;  ethers 
revolve  round  the  sun,  viz.,  plan- 
ets and  comets.  The  naked  eye 
can  perceive  only  about  1000. 
The  telescope  of  Mr.  Flamstead 
enabled  him  to  discover  about 
3000.  The  prodigious  telescope 
of  Herschel  rendered  visible  in- 


ST  A 


264 


STA 


mumerable  stars  which  had  befoie 
been  hidden  from  our  knowl- 
edge. He  could  see  116,000 
etars  in  Hfteen  minutes.  Adams' 
astronomy  computes  the  whole 
number  of  fixed  stars  in  the 
universe  at  seventy-five  millirnsi. 
The  ancient  heathen  worshipped 
the  Sun,  Moon,  Mercury,  Mars, 
Jupiter,  Venus,  and  Saturn,  for 
■planets,  that  is,  wandering  lumi- 
naries; and,  as  our  fathers  wor- 
shipped these,  they  dedicated 
the  several  days  of  the  week  to 
them,  as  the  names  they  still 
bear  indicate.  But,  according 
to  the  new  astronomy,  the  solar 
system  consists  of  thirty-four 
primary  planets,  viz.,  Mercury, 
Venus,  the  Earth,  Mars,  a  group 
of  twenty-six  very  small  ones, 
called  asteroids.  Jupiter,  Saturn, 
Uranus,  and  Xeptune ;  and  seven- 
teen secondary  planets,  of  which 
the  Earth  has  one,  viz.,  the 
Moon  ;  Jupiter  has  four,  Saturn 
eight,  and  Uranus  four.  All 
these  planets  move  round  the 
sun,  as  well  as  round  their  own 
axes  ;  and  the  satellites  move 
also  round  the  planets.  They 
appear  luminous  by  the  reflection 
of  the  rays  of  the  sun.  The  dis- 
tance of  the  fixed  stars  from  the 
?an  renders  it  impossible  for 
them  to  be  illuminated  by  the 
reflection  of  his  rays.  It  is 
thought  that  many  of  them  are 
equal  to  our  sun  in  magnitude, 
and  only  appear  small  by  reason 
of  their  distance.  The  nearest 
fixed  star  is  No.  61  Cygni,  whose 
distance  is  calculated  to  be  not 
less  than  400,000  times  greater 


than    that   of    the    sun!     Soon 
\  stars   are   calculated  to  be   svi 
hundred  times  farther  than  Sirius  ! 
Hence,  it  would  take  four  thou- 
'  sand    years    for    their   light   to 
I  reach    us.     As  new   stars  have 
;  become   visible   in    later  times, 
I  perhaps  there  are    some  whose 
light,    since    the    creation,   has 
I  but    now    reached    our    earth, 
j  though  it  travels  thirteen  mil- 
lions   of    miles    in    a    minute. 
I  How  immense  must  He  be,  whom 
I  the  heavens,  and  the  heaven  of 
'  heavens,  cannot  contain  ;    who 
numbers    the    stars,    and    calls 
them  by  their  names  !     Ps.  147  : 
4.     We   have   a    few   of    their 
names   in   Scripture,  as  Chuin, 
Mazzaroth,  Arcturus,  Orion,  and 
Pleiades. 

The  star  which  conducted  the 
wise  men  to  the  infant  Jesus, 
was  probably  a  meteor  which 
moved  in  the  air.  Matt.  2. 
I  Jesus  Christ  is  called  the  Morn' 
ing  Star,  by  a  similitude  bor- 
rowed from  a  star  which  usually 
rises  shortly  before  the  sun,  as 
he  introduced  the  light  of  the 
gospel-day,  and  brought  a  fuller 
manifestation  of  the  truths  cf 
God  than  the  prophets,  wLcse 
predictions  are  now  accom- 
plished. 

By  stars  are  sometimes  meant 
the  princes  and  nobles  of  a 
kingdom,  Dan.  8  :  10;  and  some- 
times pastors  or  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  who  ougkt  lo  shine  like 
stars  in  their  lives  and  doctrine. 
Rev.  1  :  20.  The  angels  aro 
i  also  called  stars.  Job  38  :  7.  lo 
'  Scripture,an  extraordinary  mul- 


BTO 


265 


STO 


litude  is  often  expressed  under 
the  similitude  of  the  stars  of 
^leavcn. 

Staves,  plural  of  staff,  a  word 
not  now  often  used.  Mark  14 :  48. 

Steel,  iron  combined  with 
about  one  pavt  of  carbon  in 
about  200  of  iron.  The  word 
occurs  very  seldom^  and  prob- 
ably ought  to  be  rendered  copper. 
It  is,  in  fact,  so  translated  Job 
28  :  2,  and  40  :  18,  as  well  as  in 
v^arious  other  places. 

Steward,  one  who  manages 
the  affairs  of  another,  and  is 
accountable  to  him  for  the  prop- 
er discharge  of  the  duties  of 
his  office.  The  ministers  of 
Jesus  Christ  are  "  stewards  of 
the  mysteries  of  God,"  being 
intrusted  with  the  management 
of  God's  people,  and  the  distri- 
bution of  their  spiritual  food. 
1  Cor.  4:1.  1  Pet.  4  :  10.  In- 
deed, all  mankind  are  stewards 
nnder  God,  and  must  give  an 
account  to  him  of  all  the  talents 
with  which  they  have  been  in- 
trusted. We  should,  therefore, 
attend  seriously  to  our  impor- 
tant charge,  and  stand  prepared 
for  our  Lord's  appearance.  Matt. 
25.     Tit.  1  :  7. 

Stocks,  an  instrument  of 
punishment.  The  off"ender  sits 
on  a  block,  with  his  legs  ex- 
tended, and  fastened  between 
plaL's,  which  have  openings  to 
receive  the  ankles.  Acts  16  .  24. 
Stoics,  a  sect  of  heathen  phi- 
losophers, founded  by  Zexo  of 
Cyprus  (350  years  B.  c),  so 
called  from  his  teaching  in  the 
Utoa,  or  porch,  at  Athens      lle- 


garding  pain,  poverty,  6ere^\  o- 
ment,  &e.,  as  only  imaginary 
evils,  and  the  gratifications  of 
life  as  only  imaginary  pleasures, 
they  tried  to  preserve  a  cooi 
indifference  under  all  circum- 
stances. Paul  artr- led  with  thena 
when  in  Athens.  Acts  17  :  18. 
Some  of  Zeno'j  opinions  owe 
their  degree  of  truth  to  hi« 
knowledge  of  the  Old  Testament, 
and  some  he  gathered  from  the 
writings  of  Socrates  and  Plato 
One  of  his  favorite  sayings  waa 
that  "  men,  having  two  ear* 
should  hear  much ;  and  oa* 
mouth,  should  speak  little.'* 

Stone,  a  hard  body,  formci 
of  some  species  of  eartb,  &g  J 
white  stoue  is  promised  to  th» 
victorious  christian,  P.ev.  2  . 
17,  probably  in  allusion  to  th« 
custom  of  giving  su:;h  a  token 
to  the  victors  at  the  Grecian 
games,  by  which  they  were  en- 
titled to  public  honors  and  to 
public  maintenance.    See  Rack. 

Stoning:,  the  punishment  gen- 
erally appointed  in  the  law  of 
Moses  for  capital  offences.  One 
of  the  witnesses  first  threw  the 
culprit  on  the  ground.  Then, 
another  cast  upon  his  breast  a 
great  stone,  kept  for  the  pur- 
pose at  the  place  of  execution. 
Then,  if  he  were  not  dead,  the 
multitude  present  stoned  hint 
also.  Paul  was  stoned  at  Lys- 
tra,  and  left  for  dead  by  the 
mob;  but,  as  his  brethren  stood 
round  him  lamenting,  he  rose 
up  and  returned  into  the  c  ty. 
Acts  14  :  19. 

A  "  corner   stone,"  oi    ih  ai 


SIR 


266 


S  U  M 


Blone,  might  be,  as  Calhet  sajs, 
nither  in  the  foundation,  at  an 
angle  of  the  building,  or  at  the 
top  of  the  wall.  It  could,  there- 
fore, either  be  stuml)led  upon, 
or  could  fall  on  a  man,  which 
explains  Matt.  21:  42.  See,  also, 

I  Pet.  2  :  6.     Deut.  17  :  5—7. 
Stork,  a  bird  about  the  size 

of  a  goose,  which,  as  it  obtains 
its  food  by  wading,  and  not  by 
swimming,  has  very  long  legs, 
and  a  nook  in  proportion,  mak- 
ing it  about  three  feet  high,  or 
more.  It  is  a  bird  of  passage, 
Jer.  8  :  7,  and  frequented  the 
region  round  Cana  and  Naza- 
reth in  great  flocks,  unmolested 
by  the  inhabitants,  chiefly  be- 
cause they  ate  up  injurious  in- 
sects and  reptiles.  Such  being 
its  chosen  food,  rnay  furnish 
the  reason  why  it  was  not  to  be 
eaten    by  the  Israelites.     Lev. 

II  :  19.  It  is  remarkable  for 
its  love  to  its  parents.  Bochart 
jind  ScHEUCHZER  have  collected 
many  testimonies  to  this  fact 
from  the  ancients.  Its  very 
hame,  in  the  Hebrew  language, 
signifies  mercy  or  piety.  In 
Holland,  Germany,  Switzerland, 
and  elsewhere  in  Europe,  where 
this  bird  is  common,  it  builds 
its  nest  in  high  towers,  or  on 
the  tops  of  houses.  But  in  Pal- 
estine, and  such  hot  countries, 
where  the  roofs  are  flat,  and 
frequented  by  the  pe  iple  of  the 
house,  the  stork  builds  its  nest 
In  lofty  trees.     Ps.  104  :  17. 

Strailf^Ie,  to  kill  by  suffoca- 
tion, or  without  shedding  the 
bli  id.     It   is   forbidden    chris- 


tians to  eat  animals  killed   ia 
this  way.     Acts  15  :  20 — 25. 

Straw,  or  more  properly  sfrew; 
to  scatter,  or  spread  abroad. 
Matt.  25  :  24. 

Stnbble,  the  stalks  left  in  a 
field  of  grain  which  has  been 
reaped.  Stubble  is  of  little 
value;  of  no  strength  or  force ; 
is  easily  scattered  by  the  wind, 
and  easily  burnt.  Job  13  :  25; 
41  :  29  ;  21  :  18.  Joel  2  :  5. 
To  it  wicked  men  are  compared. 
Ps.  83  :  14.  Isa.  40  :  24.  Mai. 
4  :  1.  False  doctrines  are  aa 
stubble,  of  no  worth;  of  no 
force  to  convince  or  comfort 
men's  consciences,  and  cannot 
abide  the  trial  of  God's  word. 
1  Cor.  3  :  12. 

Snceoth  means  tents,  or  booths. 
There  were  two  places  of  this 
name.  (1.)  In  Egypt,  where 
the  Hebrews  first  set  up  their 
tents.  Ex.  12  :  37.  (2.)  A 
city  east  of  .lordan,  and  south 
of  the  Sea  of  Galilee,  where 
Jacob  set  up  his  tents  or  succotk^ 
as  he  came  from  Padanaram. 
Gen.  33:17.  It  seems  probable 
that  in  the  valley  near  it  Hiram 
cast  the  large  utensils  for  the 
temple.  Ps.  60  :  6.  1  Kings 
7  :  46. 

Snnmer,  the  warm  season  of 
the  year.  Gen.  8  :  22.  In  coun- 
tries north  of  the  equin'  jtial 
line  it  begins  in  June  and  ends 
in  September.  South  of  tho 
equinoctial,  it  begins  in  De- 
cember and  ends  in  Mar'.h. 
Seasons  of  prosperity,  and  of 
opportunities  of  salvation,  are 


SUN 


2f;i 


SUP 


called   summer.      Pre  7.    10  ;    5. 
Zech.  14  :  8. 

Sun,  the  great  source  of  light 
and  heat;  brought  into  exist- 
ence on  the  fourth  day  of  crea- 
tion. The  diameter  of  the  sun 
is  about  800,000  miles.  His 
distance  from  our  earth  is 
nincty-f.ve  millions  of  miles;  so 
that  light,  which  flies  at  the  in- 
conceivable swiftness  of  two 
hundred  thousand  miles  in  a  sec- 
ond, requires  eight  minutes  to 
reach  our  earth  !  A  cannon 
ball  shot  thence,  and  moving 
with  unabated  swiftness,  viz. 
(according  to  Durham),  a  mile 
in  eight  and  a  half  seconds, 
would  take  about  thirty  years 
to  reach  our  earth  !  The  spots 
which  often  appear  on  the  sun 
have  never  been  satisfactorily  ac- 
counted for.  Herschel  thought 
them  to  arise  from  chasms  in 
the  sun's  atmosphere,  caused 
temporarily  by  the  ascent  of 
gases.  Three  miraculous  events 
are  related  of  the  sun.  It  stood 
still  at  the  command  of  Joshua. 
Chap.  10  :  12.  It  returned  back 
in  the  time  of  King  Hezekiah. 
2  Kings  20  :  11.  It  was  involved 
in  darkness  at  the  time  of  our 
Saviour's  crucifixion,  though 
the  moon  was  then  at  the  full, 
which  proves  it  was  not  an  ordi- 
nary eclipse.  Matt.  27  :  45. 
Multitudes,  from  the  brightness 
and  usefulness  of  the  sun,  have 
worshipped  it,  under  the  char- 
acters of  Baal,  Chemosh,  Mo- 
loch, Ph(nbu.<i,  &G.  Even  the 
i^ews  at  times  worshipped  this 
luminary,    and   Josiab    had    to 


take  away  the  horses,  and  burc 
the  chariots,  consecrated  to  th* 
3un.  2  Kind's  23  :  11.  After  h.ia 
death,  we  again  find  the  Jewa 
worshipping  the  sun.  Ezek. 
8  :  16. 

"  From  the  rising  to  th  -  set- 
ting of  the  sun,"  imports  the 
whole  world  over.  Ps.  113  :  3. 
"  Before  the  sun,"  or  "  in  the 
face  of  the  sun,"  imports  the 
most  daring,  public,  and  open 
manner.    Jer.  8  :  2,    Numb.  25: 

4.  To  continue  while  the  "  sun 
and  moon  endure,"  is  to  last 
very  long,  or  forever.     Ps.  72  : 

5,  17.  Christ  is  called  the  "  Sun 
of  Righteousness,"  as  he  en- 
lightens, quickens,  and  comforts 
his  people.  "  A  woman  clothed 
with  the  sun,"  and  having  the 
moon  under  her  feet,  signifies 
the  church,  clothed  with  the 
righteousness  of  Christ,  and 
rising  superior  to  worldly  things. 
Rev.  12  :  1. 

Saperscription,  that  which  is 
written  on  the  top  or  outside  of 
anything.  Matt.  22  :  20.  It 
was  the  custom  of  the  Romaus 
to  write  on  a  tablet  or  board 
the  crime  for  which  any  man 
suffered  death.  This  tablet  they 
carried  before  the  oflender  to 
the  place  cf  execution,  and  fast- 
ened it  over  his  head,  that  all 
might  read  his  transgressioUj, 
and  beware  of  violating  the 
laws  of  their  country,  llenco 
the  superscription  written  over 
the  head  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  re- 
corded by  all  the  evangelists. 
Matt.  27  :  37. 

SaperstitiOD,  foolish  fcar.»,  o? 


SUP 


2158 


SUR 


extras  igant  fancies;  mistaken 
devotion  in  divine  worship;  the 
performance  of  uncommanded 
iites,  and  extravagant  depend- 
ence on  such  as  are  of  divine 
institution;  a  servile  and  slavish 
mode  of  serving  God;  or  too 
much  ceremony  in  religion, 
without  due  regard  being  paid 
to  the  attainment  of  inward 
holiness.  Those  are  supersti- 
tious who  are  alarmed  at  the 
howl  of  a  dog,  the  spilling  of 
salt,  or  are  afraid  of  ghosts, 
witches,  &o.  A  proper  regard 
to  the  divine  government  would 
assure  us  of  our  perfect  safety 
from  all  evil,  so  long  as  we 
tiusted  in  God  and  obeyed  him. 
AVhen  Paul  tells  the  Athenians, 
he  perceived  "  they  were  too 
superstitious,"  he  did  not  use  a 
word  which  conveyed  to  them 
any  reproach.  This  would  have 
been  contrary  to  his  usual  cour- 
tesy and  tact.  He  in  fact  said, 
"  I  perceive  you  are  greatly  ad- 
dicted to  religious  observances ; " 
a  most  graceful  and  ingenious 
introduction  to  his  powerful 
discourse. 

Snpper  was  an  important 
meal  with  the  ancients.  Mark 
6  :  21.  Luke  14  :  12—24.  John 
12  :  2.     Eev.  19  :  9—17. 

After  eating  the  Passover, 
our  Saviour  instituted  that  sol- 
emn ordinance  which  is  called 
he  Ijord's  Supper.  1  Cor.  11  :  20. 
In  this  rite  we  spiritually  feed 
upon  Christ,  the  living  bread. 
Rom.  3  :  20.  1  Cor.  11.  It  is 
called  the  communion,  because 
we  therein  commune  both  with 


Chiist  and  our  brethren.  It  ii 
not  a  sacrifice,  as  the  Eoman 
Catholics  regard  it,  but  a  cottv 
memoration.  It  is  to  be  observeil 
till  the  end  of  the  world.  1  Cor 
11  :  26.  None  are  to  partaka 
but  such  as  have  been  baptized 
and  maintain  a  credible  pro- 
fession of  religion. 

The  early  christians  generally 
had  a  social  meal  before  the 
Lord's  Supper,  called  Agape,  or 
love  feast;  mentioned  Jude  12 
The  following  description  of  one 
of  these  feasts  is  given  by  Ter 
tullian.  "  We  do  not  sit  dowr 
to  it  till  we  have  first  tasted 
prayer  to  God ;  we  eat  to  satisfy 
our  hunger;  we  drink  no  more 
than  befits  the  temperate;  we 
feast  as  those  who  recollect  that 
they  are  to  spend  the  night  in 
devotion;  we  converse  as  those 
who  know  that  the  Lord  is  an 
ear-witness.  After  water  for 
washing  our  hands  [knives  and 
forks  not  used],  and  lights  have 
been  brought  in,  every  one  is 
required  to  sing  something  to 
the  praise  of  God,  either  from 
the  Scriptures  or  his  own 
thoughts;  by  this  means,  if  an v 
one  has  indulged  to  excess,  he 
is  detected.  The  feast  is  closed 
with  prayer."  A  contribution 
was  always  made  for  the  poor 
members.  These  social  meald 
were  soon  a  source  of  evil,  1  Cor. 
11  :  21,  and  were  discontinue!. 

Sorety,  one  who  becomas 
bound  for  another.  Sins  ara 
called  debts.  Matt.  6  :  12,  a-iJ 
Jesus  Christ  is  called  the  Su-  -ty 
Heb.  7  :  22.     Christ  fulfill ea  tu« 


SWE 


269 


SYC 


law  b}  the  holiness  of  his  life, 
and  underwent  the  penalty  when 
he  offored  up  himself  a  sacrifice 
to  satisfy  divine  justice.  The 
Scripture  forbids  suretyship,  or 
engagement  for  the  payment  of 
another  person's  debt.  Prov. 
11  .  15;   22  :  26. 

Swallow,  a  small  bird,  nearly 
black,  which  migrates  to  warm 
countries  every  winter;  but  re- 
turns, often  to  the  very  nest 
occupied  before,  which  it  con- 
structs generally  under  the 
eaves  of  houses,  in  chimneys, 
<fec.  It  seems  some  had  their 
nests  round  the  ceilings  of  the 
temple.  Ps.  84  :  3.  In  coun- 
tries not  very  cold,  swallows 
often  venture  to  remain  during 
winter,  and  fixing  themselves 
in  caves  or  clefts  of  mountains, 
or  secluded  buildings,  become 
torpid.  But  it  is  not  true  that 
they  conceal  themselves  under 
water,  or  in  marshes. 

SWAII*  The  Hebrew  word  so 
rendered  is  very  ambiguous,  and 
is  translated.  Lev.  11  :  30,  mole. 
The  Septuagint  renders  it  ibis; 
and  Parkhukst  considers  it  to 
be  the  goose,  because  the  word 
imports  breathing  in  a  strong 
manner,  or  hissing,  as  the  goose 
is  known  to  do.  It  occurs  Lev. 
11:  18,  and  Deut.  14  :  16. 

Swear,  to  make  a  solemn  ap- 
peal to  Almighty  God,  desiring 
his  mercy  and  protection  no 
otherwise  than  as  the  matter  or 
thing  affirmed  is  true  or  false; 
—  to  declare,  promise,  or  give 
evide  ice  upon  oath.  We  ought 
oever  to  swear  but  upon  very 
23* 


urgeit  necessity,  and  hence  » 
vast  amount  of  legal  swearing 
is  absolutely  sinful.  Our  Sa- 
viour, who  came  into  the  world 
not  to  destroy  the  law,  but  to 
fulfil  it,  forbade  all  profane 
oaths.    Matt.  5  :  34.    See  Oath. 

Swire,  the  plural  of  hog.  It 
was  not  only  unclean  by  the 
Levitical  law,  but  by  strict  Jews 
was  regarded  as  impure  and  de- 
testable in  the  highest  degree. 
They  would  not  so  much  as  pro- 
nounce its  name,  but  called  it 
the  strange  thiiig.  Among  the 
charges  of  gross  sins,  mentioned 
by  Isaiah,  the  eating  of  swine's 
flesh  is  specified.  Is.  65  :  4. 
The  keeping  of  herds  of  swine 
in  the  country  of  the  Gergesenes 
was  a  violation  of  the  law  of 
Moses.  Matt.  8  :  30—32.  The 
sottish  slavery  of  persons  de- 
voted to  sensuality,  and  their 
contemptuous  rejection  of  re- 
proof, is  strikingly  indicated  by 
their  being  compared  to  swine 
trampling  pearls  under  their 
feet.     Matt.  6  :  6. 

Sycamine.  Critics  do  not 
agree  whether  or  not  this  is  the 
same  tree  as  the  sycxmore.  Much 
learning  has  been  displayed  by 
HiLLER  and  Celsius  to  prove  it 
to  be  the  morus,  or  mulberry- 
tree,  and  they  have  made  it 
very  probable.  It  occurs  Luko 
17  :  6,  only. 

Syeamore,  a  tree  which  bear  8 
fruit  like  a  f  g,  and  has  leaves 
like  a  mulberry.  The  Egyp- 
tians seem  to  be  more  fond  of 
its  fruit  than  any  other  people 
It  is   always  green,  and  i?  sair 


SYN 


270 


S  VN 


to  i»raduce  seven  crops  a  year. 
The  tree  abounded  in  Palestine. 
1  Kings  10  :  27. 

We  find,  in  1  Chr.  27  :  28, 
that  the  Jews  highly  prized  it. 
It  attains  a  great  size,  three 
men  sometimes  not  being  able 
to  clasp  one.  The  fruit  is  about 
the  size  of  a  fig,  and  is  often 
called  by  that  name,  though 
not  equal  in  flavor  to  the  real 
fig.  It  is  remarkable  that  the 
fruit  does  not  grow  on  the 
branches  and  twigs,  but  on  the 
trunk  of  the  tree,  attached  by 
sprigs  like  grape-stalks.  The 
wood,  though  of  coarse  grain, 
is  remarkable  for  durability. 
Mummy  chests  of  it  were  found 
in  the  catacombs  by  Shaw,  and 
had  remained  sound  for  3000 
years. 

Syehcm,  the  same  as  Shechem. 

Syene,  once  an  important  city 
of  Egypt.  Ezek.  29  :  10.  It 
is  the  true  terminus  of  the  Nile 
navigation  for  boats  of  the  first 
class,  and  is  still  a  large  town, 
with  ruins  extending  every  way, 
and  indicating  its  former  great- 
ness. Syenite  takes  its  name 
from  this  town,  where  gi'anite 
was  wrought  4000  years  ago. 
Opposite  is  the  island  of  Ele- 
phantis.  It  is  now  called  ^5- 
iuan,  pronounced  by  the  natives 
As -wan. 


Synagogue, 


assembly 


among  the  Jews  for  religious 
worship.  The  place  where  they 
met  to  pray,  to  read,  and  to 
hear  the  reading  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  other  instruc- 
tions :    and   where    ^ y  sermon;? 


and  exhortations  delivered  tc 
them,  by  prophets  formerly,  and 
afterwards  by  the  doctors  or 
teachers,  the  people  were  kept 
in  the  knowledge  of  God  and 
his  laws.  They  began  to  bo 
used  about  the  time  of  Ezra, 
and  were  very  useful  in  keep- 
ing up  a  knowledge  of  God 
among  the  people.  There  was 
a  council  or  assembly  of  rev- 
erend and  wise  persons,  versed 
in  the  law,  who  had  the  care  of 
all  things  belonging  to  the  ser- 
vice of  the  synagogue,  and  the 
management  of  certain  judicial 
afiairs.  Over  these  was  set  a 
president,  called  the  "  ruler  of 
the  synagogue."  Luke  8  :  41. 
As  there  was  but  one  temple, 
and  to  this  a  resort  was  re- 
quired but  thrice  a  year,  and 
then  by  males  only,  such  a  mode 
of  keeping  the  Sabbath  became 
indispensable.  Soon  after  the 
captivity,  the  Jews  had  great 
numbers  of  synagogues,  which 
increased  till  there  were  about 
480of  them  in  Jerusalem.  Every 
trading  fraternity  had  their  syn- 
agogue ;  and  companies  of 
strangers,  as  Alexandrians,  Cy- 
renians,  and  others,  had  theirs 
for  public  prayer,  and  for  read- 
ing the  Scriptures.  Our  Saviour 
and  his  apostles  found  the  syna- 
gogues very  convenient  places 
for  proclaiming  the  good  news 
from  heaven.     Luke  4  :  20. 

There  are  in  the  United  State* 
synagogues  in  Newport,  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  Richmond, 
Charleston,  Cincinnati,  and 
many    other   places 


5  YU 


L'7l 


SYR 


Syraense  a  famous  city, called 
Also  Saragosisa,  on  the  south- 
east coast  of  Sicily,  twenty-two 
miles  in  circumference.  It  was 
founded  A.  m.  3269,  and  was 
once  the  largest  and  richest 
;ity  of  the  Greeks.  Arckimedes, 
with  astonishing  inventions,  de- 
fended the  place  from  the  Ro- 
mans ;  but  it  was  taken,  and  he 
was  slain,  about  B.  c.  208.  The 
Saracens  seized  it  A.  d.  675  ; 
but  in  1090  it  was  taken  from 
them  by  Roger,  Duke  of  Apulia. 
Here  Paul  tarried  three  days,  as 
he  went  prisoner  to  Rome. 
Christianity  was  early  planted 
here,  and  still  continues,  at 
least  in  name.  The  city  has 
wholly  lost  its  ancient  splendor. 
Acts  28  :  12. 

Syria,  or  Aram.  The  Syrians 
descended  from  Aram,  and  pos- 
sessed Mesopotamia,  Chaldea, 
and  part  of  Armenia.  But 
Syria  proper  had  the  Mediterra- 
nean Sea  on  the  west,  Cilicia  on 
the  north,  the  Euphrates  on  the 
east,  and  Canaan  and  part  of 
Arabia  the  Desert  on  the  south. 
Its  good  soil,  and  noble  rivers, 
Euphates,  Orontes,  Cnssimere, 
Adonis,  Bnrrady,  *fec.,  rendered 
it  a  delightful  country.  It  was 
divided  into  various  provinces, 
which  derived  their  names  from 
their  chief  cities,  situation,  or 
clroumstance. 

C(elo-Syria  included  the  val- 
ley between  the  ridges  of  Liba- 
nus  ard  Anti-Libanus.  The 
word  otten  occurs  in  the  books 
of  Maccabees,  an  I  signifies 
*^yria  the  Hf-lloto. 


Syria  of  Damascus  nas  a 
province  stretching  eastward 
along  Mount  Libanus,  of  which 
Damascus  was  the  capital.  Ita 
limits  varied  according  as  its 
princes  were  more  or  less  pow- 
erful. 1  Chron.  18  :  5.  Isa 
7  :  8. 

Syria  of  Rehob  was  that  part 
of  which  Rehob  was  the  metrop. 
olis.  2  Sam.  10  :  6.  It  bor- 
dered  on  Palestine,  and  was 
given  to  Asher.     Josh.  19  :  28. 

Syria  op  Maachah  lay  be 
yond  Jordan, towards  Lebanon, 
and  was  given  to  Manasseh.  2 
Sam.  10  :  6.  Deut.  3  :  14.  It 
is  called  Abelbeth  Mnacah.  2 
Kings  15  :  29. 

ToB,  or  IsHTOB,  was  a  province 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Libanus 
Jud.  11  :  3,  5. 

Syria,  without  any  other  ap- 
pellation, stands  for  the  whole 
kingdom  of  Syria  ;  of  which 
Antiuch  became  the  capital,  after 
the  reign  of  the  Selcucidae,  be- 
fore which  the  name  is  seldom 
used  alone.  Its  chief  cities,  in 
addition  to  those  above  men- 
tioned, were  Seleucia,  Helbon, 
Rehoboth,  Hamath,  Ribla,  and 
Tadmor.  The  whole  country 
has  several  times  changed  raa». 
ters  ;  falling  under  the  Chal- 
deans, Persians,  Greeks,  Ro- 
mans, Saracens,  and  Turks.  In 
1832  the  pacha  of  Egypt  con- 
quered it,  but  it  was  restored  to 
the  Turks  in  1841. 

Syro-Phoenlcla,  or  Syrian 
Phoenicia,  was  either  that  part 
of  Phoenicia  bordering  on  Syria, 
or  perhaps  the  whole  of  PhoexJ- 


TAB 


TAli 


eia,  which  by  conquest  had  been 
united  to  Syria.  The  people 
were      originally      Canaanites. 


Gen.  10  ;  15.  Mark  7  :  26.  Matt 
15  :  22—28.  It  included  Tjr« 
and  Sidon. 


TaberDacle.    (1.)  ^  t^nt,  or 

temporary  building,  made  to  be 
carried  from  place  to  place. 
(2.)  That  particular  tent  in 
which  the  Israelites  performed 
their  religious  exercises,  while 
in  the  wilderness.  It  was  called 
"  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Congre- 
gation." Ex.  33  :  7.  Here, 
till  the  building  of  the  temple, 


was  kept  the  ark  of  the  cove- 
nant,  which  was  a  symbol  of 
God's  gracious  presence  with  the 
Jewish  church.  Ex.  26  :  1. 
Ileb.  9  :  2,  3.  It  was  forty -five 
feet  long  and  fifteen  wide.  A 
good  idea  of  the  tabernacle,  of 
its  division  into  two  parts,  its 
pillars,  boards,  curtains,  and 
mode  of  erection,  may  be    ob 


tained  from  the  picture.  Some 
men  on  ladders  are  suspending 
the  curtains,  while  part  of  the 
boards  and  coverings  are  lying 
by  the  side.  A  curtain  divided 
it  into  two  apartments,  the 
eastern  one,  called  the  Most 
H)ly  Place,  being  fifteen  feet 
square.  Within  the  Holy  Place 
itood  the  altar  of  incense,  the 


candlestick,  and  the  table  r** 
shew-bread.  Within  the  Holg 
of  Holies  was  the  ark  of  the 
covenant,  with  its  mercy-seat, 
and  overshadowing  cherubim, 
between  which  rested  the  shechi- 
nah,  or  visible  glory.  See  Ark. 
It  was  a  splendid  and  costl7 
structure  ;  but  having  been  re. 
moved  often,  it  became  entirelj 


TAB 


273 


Tab 


worn  out  by  the  time  Solomon's 
temple  was  ready. 

It  stood  in  a  court  150  feet 
lang  and  75  wide,  enclosed  by 
ourtains   eight    feet    high,    sus- 


tained by  fifty-six  pillars,  With 
in  this  area  stood  the  tabernacle 
at  the  west  end,  and  the  altar 
of  burnt-o.feriag,  brazen  la\«r, 

Ac. 


The  tabernacle  was  a  type  of 
Christ's  human  nature,  wherein 
God  dwells  personally,  Ileb. 
S  :  2  ;  9  :  11.  The  natural  body 
is  the  tabernacle  of  the  soul. 
1  Cor.  5  :  1.  2  Pet.  1  :  13.  The 
"  tonts  of  Judah "  are  such 
Jews  as  dwelt  in  unfortified 
cities.  Zech.  12:7-  The  church's 
"  tent  was  enlavged,"  and  "  her 
.jurtains  stretched  out,"  her 
"  01  rds  lengthened,"  and  her 
"  stakes  strengthened,"  when 
the  Gentiles  were  converted  to 
Christ,  and  her  gospel  state 
estiiblished,  Isa.  54  :  2  ;  and  are 
to  be  still  more  wondrously  so 
in  the  millennium.  "  The  tab- 
ernacle of  God  is  with  men," 
when  they  enjoy  his  eminent 
fellowship  and  favor.  Rev.  21  : 
%.     The  flhurch    and    her   true 


members  are  like  "  the  tents  of 
Kedar  ;"  their  outward  appear- 
ance is  mean  and  despicable, 
and  their  condition  in  this  world 
very  unsettled.     Song  1  :  5. 

Feast  of  l^aberaacles.  Se« 
Feast. 

Tabitha,  the  Syrian  name  of 
a  christian  woman,  called  in 
Greek  Dorcas,  who  lived  at 
Joppa.  She  was  raised  from 
the  dead  by  Peter.     Acts  9. 

Table.  The  Jewish  tabl<: 
mostly  in  use  was  probably  a 
circular  piece  of  leather  spread 
on  the  floor,  on  which  the  food 
is  laid,  while  those  who  partako 
sit  round  with  their  legs  crossed. 
Among  those  in  high  life,  each 
guest  had  his  separate  table  and 
mess.  S  >e  cut  under  Kxeadinu 
Trough. 


TAB 


274 


TAB 


Sometimes   a   low   table  WwS  I  them  the  more  refined  PersiiD 


used,  as  in  the  engraving 
low. 


be-  i  method  of  eating,  which  was  to 


have 


table  like  ours,  only 
shaped  like  a  br-rse- 
shoe,  or  three  »idea 
of  a  square.  Against 
these  were  placed,  not 
chairs,  but  couches, 
with  their  end  to  the 
table.  The  body  re- 
clined, propped  by  the 
left  arm.  The  open 
space  in  the  centre 
enabled  the  servants 
to  perform  their  duty. 
Such  a  posture  ena- 
bled Mary  to  come  be- 
hind Christ  to  wash 
':Vhen  the  Jews  returned  from!  and  anoint  his  feet.  From  the 
captivity,    they    brought    with    following  engraving  a  true  idea 


may  be  fonrsod  of  this  ancient 
mode  of  eating. 

Tablets,  ornaments  mentioned 
»ty  Isaiah  and  others,  as  worn 
by  Jewish  women.  What  they 
were  we  cannot  now  tell,  which 
is  the  kjase  also  with  various  ar- 
ticles of  dress  and  ornament,  as 
well    as    musical     instruments, 

Tabor*  (1.)  A  conical  moun- 
tain in  Galilee.  Josh.  19  :  12, 
VI.     It    is   about    18C0    French 


feet  high,  and  on  the  top  is  ik 
beautiful  plain  about  a  mile  vn 
circumference,  and  enclosed  bj 
trees,  except  towards  the  south. 
From  the  top  is  one  of  the  most 
delightful  prospects  in  the  world. 
On  the  north-west  is  seen  the 
Mediterranean  ;  west  and  south 
is  the  noble  plain  of  Esdraelon  ; 
south  and  east  is  Galilee,  and 
north-east  stret  'hes  away  the 
beautiful  Sea  of  Tiberias,  famed 
for    many    miracles.      On    tiiia 


TAH 


275 


TAM 


moo  at  Barak  assembled  his 
army,  and,  at  the  foot  of  it,  de- 
feated the  host  of  Jabin.  Judg. 
4  :  6,  8.  It  is  thought  by  some 
that  here  our  Saviour  was  trans- 
figured, (2.)  The  name  of  a 
city  given  by  the  Zebulonites  to 
the  Levites  of  Merari's  family, 
1  Chron.  6  :  77  ;  and  of  a  place 
near  Bethel,  1  Sam.  10  :  3. 

Tabret.     See  Tcmbfel. 

Taches,  loops  or  clasps,  by 
which  curtains  were  buttoned. 
Ex.  26:  C, 

Tadmor,  a  noble  city  in  the 
north  of  Canaan.  Its  imme- 
diate vicinity  was  exceedingly 
fertile,  though  at  a  little  dis- 
tance all  was  a  sandy  desert.  It 
was  probably  built  by  Solomon, 
to  facilitate  his  commerce  with 
the  East.  It  submitted  to  Rome 
A.  D.  130.  About  150  years 
afterwardj  the  Saracens  took  it. 
Here  lived  the  famous  Zenobia, 
and  Longinus.  It  was  destroyed 
A.  n.  273.  It  is  now  famous 
only  fur  its  ruins,  which  are 
described  by  modern  travellers 
as  very  extensive  and  magnifi- 
eent ;  especially  the  remains  of 
the  great  temple  of  the  sun. 
About  thirty  poor  families  con- 
Btitute  its  population.  The  mod- 
ern name  of  the  town  was  Pnl- 
myra,  but  it  now  again  is  called 
Taelmor  throughout  the  East. 

Tahap'anes,  the  same  as  Te- 
fiaph'enes,  a  large  city  in  the 
north  of  Egypt,  called  by  He- 
rodotus the  Pelusaic  Daphne. 
Jer.  2  :  16.  Ezek.  30  :  18. 
Hither  many  Jews  emigrated 
ifter  the  ruin  of  their  country. 


ari  took  Jeremiah  with  ihein 
Jer.  43  :  7—9. 

Tale,  number  reckoned.  Ex 
5:8,  &c.     We  now  say  Tally. 

Talent,  a  Jewish  coin  oi 
weight.  Money  of  specific  cur- 
rent value  was  not  known  in 
early  times  ;  but  gold  and  silver 
were  weighed  out  when  pur- 
chases were  made.  Gen.  23  : 
16,  and  37  :  28.  Jer.  32  :  10. 
The  Jews  did  not  begin  to  coin 
money  till  about  150  years  be» 
fore  Christ.  It  is  not  clear  what 
was  the  exact  value  of  the  tal- 
ent. That  of  silver  was  prob- 
ably somew^here  near  1,500  dol- 
lars, and  that  of  gold  about  25,- 
000.  "Whatever  gifts  or  oppor- 
tunities God  gives  to  men  for 
their  usefulness,  are  called  tal- 
ents. To  seme  he  gives  these 
in  greater,  and  to  others  in  less 
proportion  ;  but  all  ought  to 
improve  what  they  receive  ;  for 
of  all  will  a  strict  account  be 
exacted.  Matt.  25.  Luke  19. 
When  our  Saviour  speaks,  in  a 
parable,  of  the  obligations  we 
owe  to  God,  and  those  which 
men  owe  to  each  other,  he  calls 
the  first  ten  thousand  talents, 
and  the  last  a  hundred  pence  ; 
strikingly  teaching  us  how  small 
are  our  offences  toward  each 
other,  compared  with  those  wo 
commit  against  God  !  Matt. 
18  :  24—28. 

Talmud.     See  Traditiox. 

Tammnz,  or  Thasimuz,  an 
Egyptian  deity,  thought  by  som« 
to  be  Apis,  or  Serapis,  or  Osiris, 
(three  names  for  tl  e  same  god), 
and    by   others    to    be    Adonis^ 


TAP 


'zm 


TAR 


irhose  untimely  death  was  hon- 
ored by  an  annual  mourning. 
Ezek.  8  :  14. 

The  tenth  month  of  t  e  Jew- 
'sh  civil  year  also  b;:e  this 
uame.     Jer.  S'J  :  2. 

Ta'nac'l,  city  of,  lay  beyond 
J  ordan,  in  the  half-tribe  of  Ma- 
nasseh.     Josh.  12  :  21. 

Taiming;  was  carried  to  great 
perfection  by  the  Egyptians,  and 
of  course  known  to  the  Jews, 
Leather  was  beautifully  dressed, 
dyed,  embossed,  and  gilded,  for 
girdles,  sandals,  &g.  Acts  10  : 
6. 

Tapestry,  cloth  wrought  into 
figures  in  the  loom,  or  with  the 
needle.  It  was  used  in  the  East, 
as  early  as  the  time  of  Solomon. 
Its  figures  were  frequently  j 
formed  with  threads  of  gold,  i 
Prov.  7:  16.  The  crusaders! 
Beam  to  have  introduced  the  art 
of  making  it  into  Europe.  The 
English  and  Flemish  first  dis- 
tinguished themselves  in  making 
it.  It  was  used  to  cover  beds 
and  to  ornament  rooms,  but  is 
now  become  unfashionable.  A 
ppecies  is  still  made  in  the  royal 
Gobelin  tapestry  factory  at 
Paris,  which  is  not  less  beauti- 
ful and  accurate  than  the  most 
exquisite  painting,  but  is  enor- 
mously expensive. 

Tap'pnallt  (l.)  The  same  as 
Entappuah,  in  the  south  of 
Ephraira.  Josh.  17  :  7,  8.  (2.) 
A  cir-y  of  the  same  name,  in  the 
canton  of  Judah  Josh.  15  :  34, 
which  Robinson  ientifies  as  the 
present  Teffce 


Tares,  a  weed  injurious  t& 
grain,  both  by  occupying 
space,  and  by  the  seed  being 
unwholesome.  In  this  country, 
the  wheat  fan  gets  out  the  tare 
seed  ;  but  the  ancient  fan  could 
not.  [See  Fan.]  On  this  ac- 
count they  pulled  up  the  tare?, 
or  separated  them  before  thresh- 
ing, when  the  best  flour  was  to 
be  made.  Mr.  FiSK  found  on 
the  plains  round  Ephesus  some 
Greek  men  and  woir.en,  employed 
in  the  fields  of  grain,  pulling  up 
tares.  Matt.  13  :  28.  This  prac- 
tice is  now  customary  in  Eng- 
land, and  elsewhere.  Travel- 
lers in  Syria  have  SQ^n  the 
reapers  separate  the  tares  from 
the  wheat  as  they  proceeded, 
and  bind  them  in  separate  bun- 
dles. See  Matt.  13  :  30.  Some- 
times a  sieve  is  used.  Thus  Satan 
desired  to  sift  Peter  as  wheat. 
Luke  22  :  31. 

Tarshish,  or  Tarsus.  There 
were  several  places  called  by 
this  name,  viz.  : 

1.  Tarsus  in  Cilicia,  the  capi 
tal  of  that  country,  stood  on  the 
river  Cydnus,  about  six  milea 
from  the  sea,  built,  Strabo  says, 
by  Sardanapalus,  the  king  of 
Assyria.  It  once  excelled  evea 
Athens  and  Alexandria  in  learn- 
ing ;  those  cities,  and  even 
Rome  itself,  being  indebted  to 
it  for  their,  best  professors 
Julius  Cesar,  and  afterward  Oo- 
tavius,  delighted  to  honor  it, 
and  granted  its  citizens  the 
same  privileges  as  those  of 
Rome  ;  and  hence  Paul  was  hert 
«  free  born."     It  wis  the  privl> 


TEM 


277 


TEM 


•«ge  of  such  cities  to  be  gov- 
erned by  their  own  laws  and 
magistrates,  without  having  a 
Roman  governor  or  garrison 
To  evince  their  gratitude,  the 
inhabitants  called  their  city 
Juliopjlis,  or  the  city  of  Julius. 
This  city  at  present  is  of  no 
importance  ;  but  Christianity, 
planted  here  by  Paul,  has  never 
been  wholly  eradicated.  Its 
present  name  is  Trassa,  or  Ter- 
sus  ;  and  its  population  30,000. 

2.  The  name  seems  to  be  ap- 
plied to  Tartessus,  in  Spain,  not 
far  from  the  famous  city  of  Gre- 
nada.    Ps.  72  :  10. 

3.  A  place  on  the  east  of 
Africa,  not  far  from  Ophir.  1 
Kings  10  :  22. 

4.  Carthage.     Isa.  23  :  6. 
Teil-Tree,    the    same    as   the 

linden,  or  "  Tilia  Europasus,"  of 
botanists.  Its  leaf  resembles 
laurel,  and  its  flower  that  of  the 
olive.  The  word  occurs  only 
Isa.  6  :  13.  The  original  word 
is  everywhere  else  rendered  oak. 

Te'kel,  a  Chaldee  word  signi- 
fying, Thou  art  weighed.  See 
Uphabsin. 

Teko'a,  a  city  of  Judah,  twelve 
miles  south-east  of  Jerusalem. 
Around  it  was  an  extensive  wil- 
derness, or  pasture  land,  and 
forest.  Amos,  the  prophet,  kept 
a  herd  here,  before  his  call  to 
the  ministry.     Amos  1:1. 

Tel'abib,  a  city  or  district  be- 
tween  the  rivers  Chebar  and 
Saocoras.     Ezek.  3  :  15. 

Tcman,  a  grandson  of  Esau, 
lyciu  whom  descsnded  the  Tc- 
24 


manites.  Job  4:1.  The  land 
of  Edom  is  so  called.  Jer.  4'J  . 
20.     Amos  1:12. 

Temperance,  moderation ;  that 
command  o\ier  ourselves  which 
enables  us  to  abstain  from  ex- 
cessive eating,  drinking,  or  any 
other  enjoyment.  It  is  opposed 
to  every  excess  by  which  the 
mental  faculties  are  beclouded, 
or  the  moral  habits  rendered 
unchaste.  Luke  21  :  34.  Phil. 
4  :  5.  Intemperance  in  the  use 
of  ardent  spirits  had  become 
awfully  prevalent  in  this  coun- 
try, and  threatened  entire  ruin, 
till  vast  numbers  of  good  men 
alarmed  at  the  approaching  cri- 
sis, rose  to  check  the  spreading 
evil.  Associations  were  formed, 
newspapers  established,  agents 
employed,  tracts  circulated,  ad- 
dresses delivered,  &c.  ;  and  by 
the  blessing  of  God  the  growth 
of  the  evil  is  not  only  checked, 
but  a  good  measure  of  reform 
produced.  It  is  the  purpose  of 
those  who  began  to  sound  the 
alarm  not  to  cease  till  such 
liquors  are  only  used  as  a  medi' 
cine,  according  to  the  Scriptures. 
Prov.  31:6.  Every  true  friend 
of  religion,  or  of  his  country,  is 
bound  to  promote  to  the  utmost 
this  important  reform,  and  to 
endeavor  to  have  such  laws 
passed  as  will  suppress  those 
horrid  grog  shops  where  men 
are  absolutelj'  murdered,  both 
in  soul  and  body. 

Temple,  The  word  is  some^ 
times  applied  to  the  tabernacle, 
1  Sam.  1:9;  Ps.  18  :  6  ;  a»d 
sometimes  the   temple  itrelf  lit 


TEM 


278 


TEM 


Balled  tabernacle,  2  Chron.  1  : 
5.  But  the  word  is  chiefly  ap- 
plied to  the  house  builc  at  Jeru- 
salem for  the  worship  of  Grod. 
The  preparations  for  this  tem- 
ple were  immense.  David  and 
his  princes  contributed  108,000 
talents  of  gold  ;  1,017,000  tal- 
ents of  silver,  which  together 
amounted  to  4G,000  tons  weight 
of  gold  and  silver,  or  the  value 
of  more  than  4,000  millions  of 
dollars!  About  184,000  men 
were  employed  seven  ytars  in 
building  it.  It  was  erected  on 
Mount  Moriah  ;  and  was  dedi- 
cated with  solemn  prayer  by 
Solomon,  during  seven  days  of 
sacred  feasting,  and  by  a  peace- 
offering  of  20,000  oxen  and 
120,000  sheep,  to  consume  which 
the  holy  fire  came  down  anew 
from  heaven. 

It  remained  in  its  glory  only 
about  thirty-four  years,  when 
Shiahak  carried  off  all  its  treas- 
ures. 1  Kings  14  :  25,  26.  Je- 
hoiada  and  Joash  repaired  it 
about  A,  M.  3150.  Soon  after, 
Joash  gave  its  treasures  to  Ha- 
■ael,  king  of  Syria.  2  Kings 
12:4,  5.  Ahaz  stripped  it  so 
completely,  to  hire  the  assist- 
ance of  Assyria,  that  it  was  for 
a  long  time  entirely  shut  up. 
2  Chron.  28.  Hezekiah  repaired 
it,  and  made  such  vessels  for  it 
as  it  wanted  ;  but,  in  the  four- 
teenth year  of  his  reign,  was 
obliged  to  take  from  it  much  of 
its  wealth  to  give  to  Sennache- 
rib. 2  Kings  18.  Manasseh 
idolatrously  reared  altars  to  the 
host  of  heaven   1?   the   sacred 


courts,  but  afterwards  restored 
the  true  worship  of  God.  Joaiah, 
his  grandson,  further  purged 
the  temple,  and  replaced  the 
ark  of  God  in  it.  2  Kings  21, 
22.  About  A.  M.  3398,  Nebu- 
chadnezzar carried  the  sacred 
vessels  to  Babylon,  and  at  las^ 
about  A.  M.  3416,  entirely  de 
molished  it.     Jer.  52  :  12—23. 

About  A.  M.  3469,  Cyrus  or- 
dered  it  to  be  rebuilt,  which  was 
done  under  the  direction  of 
Zerubbabel.  It  wanted,  how- 
ever, as  the  Jews  say,  five 
things  which  were  the  chief 
glory  of  the  former  ;  viz.,  the 
Ark,  and  its  furniture,  the  She' 
chinah,  or  the  cloud  of  the  di- 
vine presence,  the  Holy  fire^  the 
Urim  and  Thummim,  and  the 
Spirit  of  "prophecy.  Ez.  1,  3,  6. 
About  A.  M.  3837,  Antiochus 
Epiphanes  profaned  it,  and 
stopped  the  daily  sacrifice  ;  but, 
about  three  years  after,  Judas 
Maccabeus  purified  and  repaired 
it,  and  restored  divine  worship. 

The  second  temple  having 
stood  more  than  500  years,  and 
being  greatly  out  of  repair, 
Herod  the  Great,  about  A.  M. 
3987,  began  to  build  it  anew. 
In  nine  years  he  finished  the 
principal  parts  of  it  ;  but  forty- 
six  years  after,  when  our  Sa- 
viour had  begun  his  public  xin- 
istry,  it  was  not  quite  finished  ; 
indeed,  till  the  beginning  of 
their  ruinous  wars,  they  still 
added  to  its  buildings.  It  was 
thus  made  far  more  complete 
and  beautiful  than  that  of  Zerub- 
babel. and  wa9  one  of  the  moHt 


T  E  M 


279 


T  E  M 


•stonishing  structures  in  the 
world  for  magnitude  aud  mag- 
nificence. Though  almost  a  new 
edifice,  it  retained  the  name  of 
Sfic.rmd  Tempie.  It  was  more 
glorious  than  the  original  tem- 
ple, Hag.  2  :  9,  because  honored 
with  the  presence  and  ministry 
of  Christ.  It  was  burnt  and 
entirely  destro3'ed  by  the  Ro- 
man army  under  Titus.  A  Ma- 
hometan m-^sque  now  stands  on 
the  very  spot.  Into  this  no 
Jew  or  Christian  dare  venture 
on  pain  of  death,  or  of  redeem- 
ing his  life  by  becoming  a  dis- 
ciple of  Islamism. 

The  Court  of  the  Gextiles, 
the  exterior  court  of  the  tem- 
ple, into  which  Gentiles  were 
admitted,  was  the  largest,  by 
far,  of  all  the  courts  of  the  tem- 
ple. From  this  place  our  Sa- 
viour drove  out  the  sellers  of 
cattle,  which  had  been  improp- 
erly Irought  here. 

Th'j  Court  of  the  Women  was 
not  exclusively  for  the  resort  of 
women  ;  but  was  so  called  be- 
cause they  could  go  no  farther, 
except  that  when  they  brought 
a  sacrifice,  they  proceeded  to 

The  Court  op  Israel,  a  space 
more  interior,  where  priests 
were  always  admitted,  and  com- 
mon men  on  very  particular 
occasion.^. 

The  size  and  splendor  of 
Solomon's  temple  gave  rise  to 
great  magnificence  in  those 
which  w«irc  afterward  erected  to 
heather  gods.  The  vast  size  of 
the  temple  of  Dagon  may  be 
iudjod   from   the   circum3*<M  ce 


of  3,000  persons  being  ^n  flu 
flat  roof.  Some  conception  ol 
the  extent  aqd  grandeur  of  Di- 
ana's  temple  may  be  obtaired 
from  what  we  have  said  under 
Efhesus.  The  temple  of  Zerub- 
babel  was  larger  than  that  of 
Solomon,  and  that  of  Herod 
still  larger.  According  to  our 
Saviour's  prediction,  this  superb 
structure  is  now  utterly  demol- 
ished. 

Pagodas  are  diflFerent  from 
temples,  inasmuch  as  they  are 
not  generally  hollow,  nor  used 
in  the  interior  for  purposes  of 
worship,  but  solid  masses  of 
brick     and     mortar,    inteuled 


chiefly  as  monuments  to  the 
honor  of  the  deity  ;  the  woi^ 
ship   being  performed  outsiie 


TEM 


280 


TEN 


The  preceding  cut  rcpi-eoents 
»  Chinese  pagoda.  The  one 
below  exhibits  9  •  pagoda  in 
Burmah,  visited  by  the  author 
in  1836,  and  drawn  by  him  on 
the  spot,  of  which  also  the  size 
may  be  inferred  from  the  size 
of  the  men  delineated  at  the 
base.      This    is    comparatively 


small.  There  is  one  near  Ran- 
goon equal  in  size  to  some  of 
the  famous  pyramids  of  Egypt. 
Temptation.  (1.)  Theactof 
enticing  to  a  crime.  (2.)  The 
state  of  being  tried.  (3.)  Any- 
thing offered  to  the  mind  as  a 
motive  to  ill.  It  signifies  those 
means  which  are  made  use  of  by 
the  devil  to  ensnare  mankind, 
and  draw  them  from  their  duty. 
M-.c.  6:13  ;  26:41.  Luke  11  : 
4.  God  is  said  to  tempt  or  try 
men  by  those  afflictions  which 
exercise,  prove,  and  confirm  the 
graces  of  his  people.  Ocn.  22  : 
I.     They   shoif  Id    therefore    be 


borne  by  Christians  wilhoul 
murmuring,  that  they  may  b« 
patterns  of    obedience.     JameiJ 

I  :  2,  12.  Men  ttrnpt  God,yfhen 
they  unseasonably  and  irrever- 
ently require  proofs  of  his  pres- 
ence, power,  and  goodness  ;  Ex. 

II  :  2,  7  J  when  they  expose 
jhemselves  to  danger,  frooj 
which  they  cannot  escape  with- 
out his  miraculous  interposition. 
Matt.  4:7;  and  when  they  sin 
with  great  boldness,  as  if  to  try 
whether  God  would  punish 
them.     Mai.  3:15.     Acts  5  :  9. 

We  may  conclude  an  evil 
thought  to  be  a  temptation  of 
Satan,  and  not  the  fruit  of  our 
own  minds,  first,  when  it  is  con- 
trary to  our  general  character  ; 
secondly,  when  it  is  opposite  to 
our  present  frame  of  mind,  and 
seems  to  come  suddenly;  thirdly, 
when  it  is  unnatural,  or  contrary 
to  reason  ;  fourthly,  when  it  ia 
detested  and  opposed  from  the 
moment  of  the  suggestion. 

Tenon,  the  end  of  a  board  or 
timber,  fitted  to  a  mortice  or 
socket  in  framing.     Ex.  26  :  19. 

Teat,  a  portable,  curtained 
abode,  invented  by  Jubal,  be- 
fore the  flood.  Mankind,  for 
many  centuries,  lived  in  tents  ; 
as  those  do  to  this  day,  whose 
pastoral  or  migratory  habits 
cause  frequent  removals.  The 
word  tent  is  synonymous  with 
tabernacle.  The  words  succoth 
and  rnasac  are  variously  ren- 
dered in  our  common  English 
version,  viz.,  curtain,  taber- 
nacle, covert,  pavilion,  orvey. 
in,";;,  hanging,  booth 


TES 


281 


TEA 


Teutli-deal,  the  tenth  part  of 
an  ephah;  that  is,  an  omer,  or 
nearly  five  pints. 

Terall,  the  son  of  Nahor,  was 
born  A.  M.  1878-;  and,  at  the 
ISOthyear  of  his  life,  had  Abram 
oorn  to  him.  He  and  his  family 
were  id^^laters;  but  the  call  of 
Abraham  seems  to  have  been 
blessed  to  his  conversion.  It  is 
certain  -that  Terah  emigrated 
with  Abraham  to  Haran,  and 
died  there.  Gen.  11  :  24—32. 
Josh.  24  :  2,  14. 

Teraplllm,  images  or  house- 
hold gods.  Judges  18  :  14. 
Some  think  they  were  talismans 
or  amulets^  to  preserve  from 
evil.  Eastern  nations  have  for 
many  ages  been  addicted  to 
such  charms.  The  Persians  call 
them  tdepliin,  a  name  not  dis- 
siuiilir  to  teraphim.  They  were 
sometimes  consulted  for  oracles. 
Zech.  10  :  2.  The  worship  of 
Teraphim  is  as  old  as  the  time 
of  .Jacob.  The  "  gods  "  stolen 
from  Laban  by  Rachel  are  called, 
in  the  original,  "  teraphim." 
Gen.  31  :  19,  32,  35.  The  cele- 
brated KiRCHEB  says  they  are 
the  same  as  the  Egyptian  idol 
Serapis,  that  is,  a  doll  or  small 
child  wrapped  up,  without  hands 
cr  feet. 

Tertias,  Paul's  amanuensis  in 
writing  his  epistle  to  the  Ro- 
mans. Rom.  16  :  22.  It  is  prob- 
able that  he  was  the  same  as 
Silasy  that  Hebrew  name  signi- 
fying the  same  as  the  Latin 
Tertiiis. 

Testame:it,  the  will  of  a  tes- 
24* 


tator.  Gal.  3  :  15.  Heb.  9 . 
16,  17.  The  Greek  word  so 
translated  in  the  New  Testa 
ment  is  that  by  which  the  LXX. 
have  uniformly  translated  the 
Hebrew  word  ijt  covenant.  The 
Old  Scriptures  are  called  the 
Old  Testament,  or  Covenant,  or 
Dispensation.  2  Cor.  3  :  14. 
The  dispensation  of  the  cov- 
enant of  grace,  as  contained  in 
the  writings  of  the  evangelists 
and  apostles,  is  called  the  New 
Testament.  It  is  last  in  order, 
and  shall  never  be  abolished. 
Though  it  agrees  with  the  Old 
Testament,  it  is  far  more  clear, 
spiritual,  eiBcacious,  and  easy 
Heb.  9  :  15.     Acts  15  :  10. 

Testimony,  proof,  witness,  or 
declaration.  The  law  is  G  id's 
testimony,  Ps.  119,  <fec. ;  which 
Israel  bound-themselves  to  obey. 
See  WiTXESS. 

Te'trarch,  a  Roman  magis- 
trate, who  governed  the  fourth 
part  of  a  kingdom.  The  term 
was  afterward  applied  to  any 
petty^  sovereign,  and  became 
synonymous  with  Ethnarch. 

Tliani'mnz,  or  Am'muz,  an  idol 
thought  to  be  the  same  as  that 
worshipped  by  the  Greeks  under 
the  name  of  Osiris,  and  by  the 
Arabians  under  the  name  of 
Adonis.  Prostitution,  and  other 
abominable  practices,  formed 
parts  of  his  worship. 

Tlmnks^iviDg,  grateful  ac- 
knowledgment of  benefits.  It 
implies  (1.)  A  real  sense  of 
value  in  the  things  rece/ved; 
(2.)   A  reception  of  them  with 


THE 


282 


THE 


eomplao?ncy;  (3.)  A  cheerful 
avowal  )f  the  obligation  con- 
ferred;  (4.)  Grateful  love  to 
the  Beatower;  and  (.t.)  Hearty 
desires  to  compensate  or  honor 
him  who  blesses  us.  Phil.  4  :  6. 
1  Tim.  2  :  1.  Christians  greatly 
err  in  not  making  it  a  more  im- 
portant part  of  their  daily  de- 
Tctions.  Phil.  4:6.  1  Tim. 
2:  3. 

Theft.  Thieves,  under  the 
Jewish  economy,  were  always 
required  to  make  full  restitu- 
tion, even  to  four  times  the 
value  of  the  thing  stolen.  Ex". 
22  :  1.  If  they  had  not  property 
enough,  they  were  sold  to  service 
for  a  term  of  years,  Ex.  22  : 
23.  A  night  robber  might  be 
killed,  if  done  in  the  act;  but 
it  was  not  lawful  in  the  day 
time. 

Thebez,  a  city  of  Ephraim, 
half  a  mile  from  Shechem.  Jud. 
9:  50. 

Thessalonians,  the  title  of 
two  Epistles  written  to  the 
church  at  Thessalonica,  which 
was  planted  by  Paul.  See  Acts 
17. 

The  First  Epistle  is  gener- 
ally admitted  to  have  been  the 
earliest  of  Paul's  letters.  He 
enjoined  it  to  be  read  to  all  the 
adjacent  churches.  Chap.  5  :  27. 
His  object  seems  to  have  been 
to  confirm  them  in  the  faith, 
and  to  excite  their  piety. 

The  Secoxd  Epistlk,  written 
soon  after  the  first,  ommends 
their  faith  and  charity,  rectifies 
their  mistake  in  supposing  that 
the   day   of  judgment   was    at 


I  hand,  admonishes  them  of  oetf 
tain  irregularities,  &c. 

Beside  the  marks  of  genuine- 
ness and  authority  which  this 
!  Epistle  has  in  common  with  the 
I  rest,  HoRNE  remarks,  "  It  has 
!  one  peculiar  to  itself,  in  the 
exact  representation  it  contains 
of  the  pai^al  power,  under  the 
characters  of  the  '  Man  of  Sin,' 
and  the  '  Mystery  of  Iniquity.* 
For,  considering  how  directly 
opposite  the  principles  de- 
scribed, ch.  2,  were  to  the  genius 
of  Christianity,  it  must  have 
appeared  at  that  time  highly 
improbable  that  they  should 
ever  have  prevailed  in  the  Chris- 
tian Church ;  and,  consequently, 
a  prediction  like  this,  which 
answers  so  exactly  in  every  par- 
ticular to  the  event,  must  prove 
that  its  author  wrote  under  di- 
vine influence." 

Thessaloni'ca,  tl  e  capital  of 
Macedonia.  It  was  anciently 
called  Halis,  and  TkermcB ;  but 
Philip,  father  of  Alexander  the 
Great,  called  it  Thessalonica,  to 
commemorate  his  victory  over 
theThessalians.  About  A.  D.  52, 
Paul,  Silas  and  Timothy  planted 
a  church  here.  It  was  then  a 
city  of  great  commerce  and 
wealth,  and  abounded  with  Jews. 
The  Saracens  took  it  about  a.d. 
800;  and,  after  various  other 
revolutions,  it  fell  under  the 
power  of  Turkey.  It  is  at  thi« 
time  one  of  the  chief  ports  of 
modern  Greece,  containing  CO,- 
000  inhabitants,  of  which  12,000 
are  Jews.  A  Protestant  mission 
from  the  United  States  is  mam 


TUG 


283 


THR 


tained  here.     Its  present  name 
is  Saloniky. 

Tlieu'das,  a  false  Messiah, 
whose  I  llowera,  amounting  to 
400  persons,  were  disperse- 
Acts  5  :  36.  Josephus  mentions 
one  of  the  same  name,  who  rose 
forty  years  later,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  several  thousands, 
many  of  whom  were  slain. 

Tllirstj  a  sensation,  the  in- 
tensity of  which,  to  travellers 
in  Eastern  countries,  we  can 
scarcely  conceive.  We  should 
think  of  this  when  we  read  such 
passages  as  Ps.  42  :  2.  Matt. 
5:  6. 

Thistle,  a  general  name  for 
thorny,  noxious  plants.  They 
form  part  of  the  curse  pro- 
rounced  in  Eden,  and  should 
c«  nstantly  remind  us  of  our  fall 
in  Adam. 

Tbonias,  or  Didymcs,  one  of 
the  apos;les.  Matt.  10  :  3.  He 
B'^id  several  years  at  Jerusa- 
lem, after  the  Pentecost;  and 
then  went,  it  is  said,  to  preach 
among  the  Parthians,  Medes, 
Hyrcanians,  and  Bactrians.  He 
suffered  martyrdom 
in  Meliapoor,  in  the 
East  Indies,  where, 
three  hundred  years 
ago,  the  Portuguese 
discovered  chris- 
tians, who  called 
themselves  by  his 
name.  Many  such 
exist  there  at  this  day,  and  are 
spread  o'er  the  Madras  terri- 
tory. 

Tiiorus,  prickly  shrubs  of  va- 
rious kinds  larger  than  thistles. 


Hasselquist  found  a  thorny  vine, 
common  round  Jerusalem,  which 
was  probably  the  plant  used  in 
crowning  our  Saviour.  It  is 
supple,  having  a  beautiful  doep 
green  leaf,  resembling  the  ivy. 
which  was  commonly  used  for 
garlands.  The  pictures  which 
represent  this  crown  as  of  mere 
thorns  are  erroneous,  as  are  al- 
most all  old  pictures  found  in 
Bibles.  They  were  painted  by 
men  who  were  not  allowed  to 
read  the  Bible,  and  ought  never 
to  have  been  put  into  Bibles. 
Many  modern  pictures  in  Bible? 
are  correct  and  instructive. 

Three  Taverns,  a  place  about 
30  miles  from  Rome.  Here  the 
most  of  the  friends  of  Paul 
waited  for  him,  while  a  few 
went  on  to  meet  him.  Acts  2y: 
15.  The  place  still  exists,  and 
ia  called  Tre  Taverne. 

Threshing-floor.  A  very  good 
idea  of  this  important  part  of  a 
Jewish  farm  may  be  got  from 
the  annexed  picture,  which  rep- 
resents the  mode  still  practised 
in  the  Holy  Land.     It  was  pre 


pared  in  the  open  field,  as  it  is  at 
this  day  in  our  Southern  States, 
by  trampling  and  rolling  a  suf- 
ficient spot  of  grounii,  generally 
on  some  gentle  eminence  for  tb« 


TIIR 


284 


Tuy 


Bake  of  the  wiad.  The  lees  of 
oil  were  mixed  up  Avith  the  clay, 
which  rendered  it  impervious  to 
water.  Here  the  smaller  kinds 
were  beaten  out  with  a  long 
Btaff  or  flail;  the  larger  kinds 
with  oxen  or  horses.  Sometimes 
they  used  a  set  of  rollers,  over 


which  was  constructed  a  seat 
for  the  driver  of  the  team.  Isa. 
'IS  :  27.  The  passage,  Isa.  41  : 
]  5,  which,  to  the  common  reader, 
is  nonsense,  becomes  finely  illus- 
trative when  we  remember  that 
gtraw  was  purposely  cut  for  ma- 
nure, and  that  in  this  case  the 
rollers  had  sharp  teeth.  These 
large  implements  formed  suf- 
ficient wood  for  a  burnt-oEFering, 
which  our  flails  would  not  do, 
which  explains  1  Chr.  16  :  23. 
To  separate  the  chafiF  and  grain 
the  fan  was  used.  (See  Fan.) 
The  grain  was  cleared  of  heavier 
substances,  such  as  lumps  of 
dirt,  by  means  of  the  sieve.  To 
depict  the  dire  ruin  of  the 
wicked,  it  is  said,  "  they  shall 
be  as  chaff  driven  with  the  whirl- 
wind out  of  the  floor."  0  why 
will  not  sinners  consider  their 
dreadful  and  inevitable  doom 
except  they  repent  and  turn  to 
*iod  !     H'.s.  l:i  :  ;{.     Job  21     IS. 


ity.   Gen. 


The  church  is  likened  to  a  thresh- 
ing-floor, for  here  Christ  gatLem 
his  glorious  hai  vest,  and  her« 
he  will  thoroughly  cleanse  it. 
Matt.  3  :  12. 

Throne,  the  seat  of  a  mon- 
arch. Being  always  higher  than 
a  ehair,  it  needed  a  footstool, 
where,  in  token  of 
reverence,  appli- 
cants  bowed  them- 
selves. Ps.  99  :  5. 
Solomon's  thronn 
was  raised  six  steps, 
a  nd  was  of  solid  gold 
and  ivory.  The 
word  is  used  to  de- 
note kingly  author- 
41  :  40;  and  hence 
angels  are  called  thrones,  in  Col. 
1:  16. 

Thyati  ra  is  situated  betwcet 
Sardis  and  Pergamos,  near  a 
branch  of  the  Caicus,  in  the 
centre  of  an  extensive  plain. 
At  the  distance  of  four  or  five 
miles  a  l>elt  of  mountains  sur- 
rounds it.  It  was  once  famous 
for  its  purple  dye.  Acts  IG  :  14. 
There  are  now  about  1000  houses 
in  the  place,  but  poor.  The 
streets  are  very  narrow  and 
dirty.  Its  modern  name  is  Ak 
Hisar, 

Thy'ine,  the  same  as  the  thya 
tree.  It  resembles  the  cedar,  is 
aromatic  and  evergreen.  It 
rises  with  a  strong  trunk  to  the 
height  of  thirty  feet  or  more, 
the  branches  projecting  hori- 
zontally, aid  at  right  angles 
with  each  ether.  The  wood  ia 
hard,  and  idmics  a  fine  polish, 
on  which    acc<unt   tie  hcathea 


TIG 


285 


TIM 


tnake  gods  of  it.     From  this  tree 
is  obtained  tlie  gum  sandrac. 
Tiberias,  Sea  of.     See  Gen- 

NESARETH. 

Tiberias,  a  city  of  Galilee, 
built  by  Agrippa,  aui  so  named 
in  honoi  of  the  empeior  Ti- 
berius. Hegesippus  says  it  was 
tho  same  as  Cinnereth.  In  the 
time  ol  the  Jewish  wars,  his 
city,  then  ,he  capital  of  Gal  lee, 
was  bravely  defended  by  Jose- 
phus,  the  historian  ;  but,  being 
taken  by  Vespasian,  it  was  al- 
most demolished.  It  was,  how-  ! 
ever,  a  place  of  considerable  j 
note  for  many  ages  after.  Here  { 
was  held  the  last  session  of  the  ! 
Sanhedrim,  and  here  the  Talmud 
was  collected.  It  is  still  a  de- 
cent town,  and  around  it  are 
extensive  ruins,  indicative  of 
its  former  extent  and  grandeur. 
Thirty  or  forty  families  of  Greek 
Catholics  reside  here.  The  pres- 
ent name  is  Tdbaria. 

TiberinSi  Cassar  Augustus, 
having  married  Livia,  Tiberius' 
mother,  adopted  him  as  his  heir. 
In  the  beginning  of  his  reign 
Tiberius  behaved  with  modera- 
tion ;  but  afterwards  became 
peevish,  cruel,  and  oppressive. 
About  the  thirteenth  year  of 
his  reign  he  made  Pilate  gov- 
ernor of  Judea.  In  the  fifteenth 
year,  John  Baptist  began  to 
preach.  Luke  3  :  1.  Soon  after, 
he  took  from  the  Jews  the  power 
of  putting  criminals  to  death. 

Tiglatli-Pile'zer,  a  king  of 
Assyria,  who  was  called  upon 
ay  Ab»B,  king   of    Judah,  for 


help  against  Pekeh,  kinj^  of 
Israel,  and  Rezin,  king  of  Da- 
mascus. 1  Kings  11.  He  died 
B.  c.  729,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Shalmanezer.  He  is  called,  ia 
profane  history,  Arbace^. 

Tile,  an  earthen, plate,  used 
to  cover  roofs.  What  is  ren- 
dered tiling,  in  the  narrative  of 
the  sick  man,  Luke  5  :  19,  is  by 
some  considered  to  mean  the 
poles  stretched  across  the  open- 
ing of  the  inner  court  to  sustain 
the  awning  ;  and  by  others,  the 
hdiLstrade  round  the  opening. 
What  the  men  removed,  in  order 
to  bring  the  paralytic  to  Christ, 
must  certainly  have  been  some- 
thing that  did  not  damage  the 
building. 

Timbrel,  an  instrument  of 
music,  very  like  our  tambourine^ 
consisting  of  a  brass  hoop,  over 
which  was  stretched  a  parch- 
ment. It  was  held  in  the  left 
hand,  and  struck  with  the  right; 
and  was  played  on  while  danc- 
ing, on  occasions  of  great  joy. 
Ex.  15  :  20.  It  is  sometimes 
called  tabret. 

Time,  the  measure  of  dura- 
tion ;  the  season  to  do  a  thing 
To  redeem  time,  is  to  be  doubly 
diligent  in  duty  on  account  of 
former  negligence.  Time  is  re- 
deemed by  avoiding  excessive 
sleep,  useless  recreations,  in- 
dolent habits,  formal  visits,  tri- 
fling reading,  vain  conversation, 
and  officious  employments.  Thi 
last  times  mean  gospel  times, 
which  are  under  the  last  dis- 
pensations  of  gr:x3e.     The  ful 


TIN 


286 


Tir 


ness  of  time- caeans  the  time  when 
everything  is  prepared  for  an 
event.  Gal.  4  :  4.  See  Watch. 
Tim'nath,  a  city  called  also 
TiMNAH,  and  Timnathath,  which 
stood  about  six  miles  from  Adul- 
lam,  in  the  tfibe  of  Dan. 

Timothy,  or  Timotheus,  was 
a  native  of  Lystra.  His  father 
was  a  Greek,  but  his  grand- 
mother and  mother,  being  pious 
Jewish  women,  trained  him  up 
in  the  knowledge  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, Acts  16  :  1.  His  bodily 
constitution  was  weak,  but  his 
gifts  and  graces  were  eminent. 
He  was  much  with  Paul,  and 
seems  to  have  been  ordained 
before  he  was  twenty  years  old. 
He  preached  in  many  cities, 
but  chiefly  in  Ephesus. 

The  Two  Epistles  to  Timothy 
were  written  by  Paul,  from 
Rome,  not  long  before  his  death. 
In  these  he  is  instructed  in  the 
';hoice  of  oflScers  for  the  church, 
in  the  proper  deportment  of  a 
ehristian  minister,  in  the  method 
of  church  government  and  dis- 
cipline, the  importance  of  stead- 
fastness in  christian  doctrine, 
the  perils  and  seductions  that 
should  come,  &,o. 

Tin,  a  white  metal  of  little 
elasticity,  lighter  than  almost 
any  other  metal,  and  so  ductile 
as  to  be  capable  of  being  beaten 
out  into  leaves  as  thin  as  paper. 
It  is  procured  in  Germany, 
Saxony,  England,  South  Amer- 
ica, and  the  East  Indies.  It 
seems  to  have  been  known  and 
used  very  early,  being  men- 
tioned  Numb.  31  :  22,  and   by 


Homer  i  the  Iliad.  Its  crei 
frequently  occur  in  granite. 
Tin  ware,  ais  it  is  called,  is  really 
sheet-iron  ware,  wasted  with 
tin,  to  prevent  rust.  In  Isa.  1  : 
25,  the  word  is  improperly  put 
for  dross. 

Tiph'sata,  an  important  city 
on  the  Euphrates,  which  consti- 
tuted the  extreme  northern 
boundary  of  Solomon's  king- 
dom. It  is  called  in  history 
Thapsacus.     1  Kings  4  :  24. 

Tire.  The  Targum  and  Tal- 
mud, as  well  as  Rabbi  Jarchi, 
interpret  the  word  in  Ezek.  24  : 
7,  of  the  phylacteries,  or  front- 
lets, worn  on  the  forehead.  The 
"  round  tires  like  the  moon," 
mentioned  Is.  3  :  18,  were  neck' 
laces,  such  as  were  found  upon 
the  necks  of  the  Midianite  kings, 
and  even  on  their  camels.  Jud. 
8  :  21,  26.  In  the  latter  text 
the  same  Hebrew  word  i?  called 
chains  which  is  here  called  tires 

Tir'hakah,  a  king  of  Gush  ; 
called,  in  profane  history, 
Tearchon.     2  Kings  19  :  9. 

Tir'sh.itha,  a  title  of  honor 
bestowed  on  Nehemiah,  thought 
to  be  equivalent  to  commissioner 
Ez.  2  :  63.     Neh.  10  :  1. 

TIrzah  (literally  pleasant),  a 
very  beautiful  city  belonging 
to  the  tribe  of  Ephraim.  1  King: 
14  :  17. 

Tithes  means  Tenths.  The 
early  practice  of  giving  a  tenth 
of  income  to  religious  purposes 
seems  to  have  been  by  divine 
institution.  Abram  gave  to 
Melchisedec,  the  Lord's  priest, 
the.  tenth  of  his  spoils  taken  in 


TIT 


287 


T  1  T 


oattle.  Gen.  14  ;  ?.0.  Jacob 
("edicated  to  God  the  tenth  of 
1  is  gain.  Gen.  28  :  22.  Many 
ot  tne  Greeks,  Romans,  and 
ether  heathen,  devoted  the  tenth 
1  art  of  their  incomes  to  the 
service  of  their  gods. 

By  the  Jewish  law,  the  tenth 
of  the  product  of  corn,  cattle, 
ic,  was  assigned  to  the  Levites. 
Of  what  remained  to  the  pro- 
j/rietor,  another  tithe  was  levied, 
and,  in  value  or  kind,  sent  to 
the  service  of  the  tabernacle 
and  temple,  and  the  ministers 
thereof,  at  the  solemn  feasts. 
On  every  third  year  a  third  tithe 
was  levied,  for  the  use  of  the 
Levites,  and  the  fatherless, 
widows  and  strangers.  The  Le- 
vites paid  to  the  priests  the 
tithe  of  what  they  received  from 
the  people.  Deut.  14  :  28.  It 
does  not  appear  that  the  tithe 
of  small  herbs  was  demanded. 
The  Pharisees,  however,  tithed 
their  mint,  anise,  cummin,  and 
rue  ;  but  neglected  weightier 
things,  as  mercy,  judgment,  and 
faith.  Deut.  14  :  22—29.  Num. 
18  :  20. 

When  we  add  the  several 
tenths  which  a  Jew  had  to  pay, 
to  the  three  journeys  a  year  to 
Jerusalem,  the  giving  of  all 
"  first  fruits  "  and  "  first  born," 
and  the  offerings  required  after 
every  sickness,  or  connection 
with  the  sick,  it  is  evident  that 
no  one  could  be  i,  good  Jew 
without  expending  on  his  re- 
ligion Qi'out  half  of  all  his  earn- 
ings. 

Chrhitianity  \?  a  higher  and 


I  holier  system  than  Judaism.  II 
I  takes  not  an  eye  for  an  eye,  or 
j  a  tooth  for  a  tooth,  but  retuma 
good  for  evil.  It  forbids  not 
adultery  only,  but  the  thought 
of  it  ;  not  murder  only,  but  all 
wrath  and  malice.  It  excuses 
us  from  an  oppressive  round  of 
ceremonies,  but  demands  entire 
consecration  of  life. 

Christians,  therefore,  utterly 
mistake  the  very  genius  of  their 
religion,  when  they  are  nig- 
gardly in  giving  to  the  support 
of  good  objects.  They  are  re- 
quired to  excel  Jews  in  piety. 
Matt.  5  :  20.  A  tenth  of  gross 
income  seems  to  be  the  lowest 
proportion  that  we  should  think 
of  giving,  unless  we  are  sup- 
ported by  charity.  Many  should 
give  a  fourth,  or  the  half,  or 
more  ;  and  each  should  prayer- 
fully determine  his  own  propor- 
tion, and  give  by  rule.  Let  all 
examine  the  Xew  Testament  on 
this  point.  If  we  hope  for  sal- 
vation by  the  goapel,  it  must  be 
in  conformity  to  the  gospel. 

Tittle,  a  minute  point  at- 
tached to  some  of  the  characters 
in  the  Hebrew  alphabet.  A 
small  circumstance.     See  Jot. 

Titns  seems  to  have  been  a 
Greek,  and  one  of  Paul's  early 
converts.  Of  the  time,  place, 
or  manner  of  his  deat\,  we  have 
no  certain  account.  Tradition 
says  he  lived  to  the  age  cf 
ninety-four  years,  and  was 
buried  in  Crete,  where  he  had 
been  left  by  Paul.     Tit.  1  :  5. 

The  Epistle  to  Titus  is  emi- 
nently valuable    for   \\a    eluci- 


T  0  M 


283 


TON 


datioos  of  the  nature  and  duties 
of  the  christian  ministry  —  the 
manner  of  accommodating  our 
exhortation  to  the  characters  of 
the  persons  we  address  —  the 
necessity  of  a  minister's  setting 
an  example  of  what  he  teaches 
—  the  doctrine  of  obedience  to 
civil  rulers  —  the  necessity  of 
good  works,  and  the  proper 
treatment  of  foolish  questions 
and  heretics. 

The  epistle  seems  to  have  been 
written  from  Ephesus,  shortly 
after  Paul  had  visited  Crete. 
Ch.  1:6. 

Tob.     See  Syria. 

Togar^mah,  the  Hebrew  name 
for.  Armenia.  The  Armenians 
consider  themselves  to  be  de- 
scended from  Torgom. 

Tomb,  a  grave;  a  vault  in 
which  dead  bodies  are  placed; 


^l^^f^^]iiI^r^^^>Voi' 


to   house   or    monument    raised 
»Fer  a  grave.     When  cupolas  or 


vaulted  chambers  were  raised 
over  graves,  they  were  generally 
ten  or  twelve  feet  square,  and 
so  might  well  aflFord  lodging  for 
demoniacs.  See  Mark  5  :  5. 
Forbes,  in  his  "  Oriental  Me- 
moirs," informs  us  that  these 
often  afford  shelter  to  the  weary 
traveller,  and  to  robbers,  who 
sally  forth  from  them  to  commit 
their  nocturnal  depredations. 
Buckingham  speaks  of  seeing 
old  tombs  occupied  by  families, 
and,  in  one  case,  it  was  a  car- 
penter's shop.  Robinson  saw 
one  occupied  by  an  Arab  family 
and  their  cattle  ;  the  walls 
blackened  by  smoke.  He  him- 
self lodged  in  one  large  enough 
to  hold  thirty  people.  Tho 
graves  of  the  poor  were  often 
distinguished  by  some  slight 
stone  or  board,  which,  when  it 
fell,  was  not  set  up  again,  by 
which  means  graves  did  not  ap- 
pear. Hence  they  could  bo 
walked  over  unperceived.  Luke 
11  :  44.     See  Sepulchre. 

Tongne.  (I.)  That  member 
by  which  we  articulate  sounds. 
James  3:5.  (2.)  The  language 
spoken  in  any  country.  Deut. 
28  :  49.  There  appears  to  have 
been  but  one  language  till  the 
confusion  of  tongues  at  Babel. 
The  Hebrew  tongue  containa 
more  internal  evidence  of  Ceing 
the  same  that  God  communi- 
cated to  Adam  tlian  any  other: 
but  is  supposed  to  have  under- 
gone alterations,  iu  the  series 
of  so  many  ages,  from  Adam 
down  to  Moses,  The  simplicity 
of  its  construction  ;  the  concise- 


TOP 


289 


TOW 


oe3>  And  energy  of  its  expres- 
sion ;  its  peculiar  fertility  ;  the 
lelation  it  has  to  the  most  an- 
cient Oriental  languages,  which 
seem  to  derive  their  origin  from 
it  ;  the  etymology  of  the  names 
whereby  the  first  of  mankind 
were  called,  which  naturally 
occurs  in  this  language;  the 
names  of  animals,  which  are 
often  significant  of  their  nature 
and  habits  ;  the  most  ancient 
book,  viz.,  the  Old  Testament, 
being,  for  the  most  part,  in  this 
language,  <fec.,  —  indicate  that  it 
was  the  original  language  of 
the  human  species. 

TopJlZ,  a  gem  obtained  in  vari- 
ouy  parts  of  the  earth,  generally 
about  the  size  of  a  pin's  head. 
Scarcely  any  exceed  the  sixth 
part  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 
The  most  valuable  topaz  in  the 
■svorld  is  that  in  p  ssession  of 
tiie  Great  Mogul,  said  to  weigh 
IjT  carats,  and  to  be  worth 
nearly  a  million  of  dollars.  In 
the  mountains  of  Siberia  are 
found  topazes  of  green  anVi  blue 
colors.  In  Connecticut,  which 
is  the  principal  locality  for  them 
in  the  Urited  States,  they  are 
usually  white.  Those  from 
Brazil  are  pink,  and  strongly 
resemble  the  ruby. 

Tophet,  a  drum  or  timbrel. 
TLo  name  of  a  place  in  the  val- 
ley of  Ilinuom,  called  Gehejjna, 
where  the  idolatrous  Jews  burned 
their  children  to  Moloch.  It 
was  called  Tophet,  from  the  beat- 
ing of  drums  (toph  being  the  He- 
brew name  of  a  drum),  which 
were  used  to  drown  the  cries  of 


the  infants  sacrificed  to  the  im 
age.  2  Kings  23  :  10.  In  ordei 
to  disqualify  this  valley  from 
being  a  place  of  worship,  and 
thus  the  more  thoroughly  to 
have  Moloch  discarded,  Josiah 
caused  it  to  be  a  place  for  car- 
casses which  were  refused  burial, 
and  filth  of  every  kind.  2  Kings 
23  :  10.  Jer.  19.  From  that 
time  it  was  universally  abhorred 
and  abandoned  to  loathsome- 
ness. In  order  to  prevent  the 
pestilent  infiuence  of  such  a 
place,  perpetual  fires  were  kept 
burning  there.  Hence  it  grew 
to  be  an  image  of  hell  ;  and 
ultimately  the  name  Gehenna 
was  definitively  applied  to  the 
place  of  future  and  eternal  pun- 
ishment.    See  HiNNOM. 

Tormentors,  agents  of  Jewish 
courts  of  justice,  whose  duty 
it  was  to  execute  sentences. 
Matt.   18  :  34. 

Tortoise.  It  is  the  land  tor- 
toise that  is  mentioned  in  Scrip- 
ture. It  feeds  on  flowers  and 
insects,  lives  longer  than  men, 
and  has  a  wonderful  power  of 
enduring  the  want  of  food.  It? 
general  size  is  from  four  t»» 
eight  inches  long  ;  but  in  the 
Isle  of  Madagascar,  the  Galli- 
pagos,  &c.,  it  attains  five  or  six 
times  that  size,  covered  with  a 
variegated  shell,  of  great  value 
in  commerce,  and  much  used  for 
ladies'  combs,  &c.  The  word 
occurs  only  Lev.  11  :  29. 

Tower.  (1.)  A  high  stage 
erected  in  cultivated  fields,  on 
which  a  watchman  was  stationed 
towfsrd  harvest  to  g'lard  agauinT 


TRA 


290 


TRA 


thieves  Jer.  6  :  27.  (2.)  A 
fortified  building  to  afford  pro- 
tection against  enemies,  or  to 
aunoy  them.     2  Kings  17  :  9. 

To  Mit,  an  old  expression, 
meaning,  "  that  is  to  say."  2 
Cor.  5  :  19.  "  We  do  you  to 
wit  "  ULeanj,  We  give  you  to 
understand.     2  Cor.  8:1. 

Trachoui'tis,  a  district  border- 
ing the  lloly  Land  to  the  north- 
east. It  is  a  craggy,  moun- 
tainous region,  infested,  during 
the  government  of  Philip,  with 
many  robbers.     Luke  3:1. 

Tradition,  a  narrative  or  cere- 
nony  delivered  from  father  to 
ion  by  word  of  mouth,  without 
any  written  memorial.  The  tra- 
dition of  the  creation  of  the 
world  came  down  from  Adam, 
through  five  different  lines,  to 
Noah  ;  and  so  directly  as  to 
leave  no  chance  for  error.  (1.) 
Adam  was  cotemporary  with 
Enos  695  years,  and  Enos  with 
Noah  84  years.  (2.)  He  was 
cotemporary  with  Canaan  600 
years,  and  Canaan  with  Noah 
179  years.  (3.)  He  was  co- 
temporary  with  Mahalaleel  535 
years,  and  Mahalaleel  with 
Noah  224  years.  (4.)  He  was 
cotemporary  with  Jared  470 
years,  and  Jared  with  Noah  366 
years.  (5.)  He  was  cotemporary 
with  Methuselah  243  years,  and 
•Methuselah  with  Noah  600 
years.  The  generations  from 
Adam  to  the  flood  were  eleven. 
Of  these,  Adam  was  cotemporary 
with  nine,  Seth  with  nine,  Enos 
ten,  Canaan  ten,  Mahalaleel 
ten,  Jared  ten,  Enoch  nine,  Me- 
tbu.«(.!lah  eleven.  I^imeob  eleven. 


Noah  eight ;  making  nght^  o<«< 
different  channels  ! 

Those  traditions,  for  the  ob- 
servance of  which  the  Scribea 
and  Pharisees  so  much  con- 
tended, were  condemned  by  our 
Saviour,  as  subversive  of  the 
true  intent  of  Scripture.  Matt. 
15  :  2,  3.  The  fifth  command- 
ment was  so  strangely  perverted 
that,  according  to  them,  a  man 
might  give  the  surplus  of  hia 
estate  as  a  religious  gift  to  God, 
and  deny  any  support  to  his 
parents  when  destitute  of  the 
necessaries  of  lite.  Matt.  15  : 
0.  (See  CoRBAN.)  These  tra- 
ditions became  in  time  amazing- 
ly numerous,  and  had  regard  to 
the  most  trifling  actions  of  life. 
About  A.  D.  190,  they  were  col- 
lected  and  written  by  the  in- 
dustrious Rabbi  Judah.  He 
called  his  work  the  Mishna,  or 
second  law.  About  one  hundred 
years  after.  Rabbi  Jochanan 
wrote  a  commentary  on  the  Mish- 
na, which  he  called  Gemara,  or 
Perfection.  The  whole  was  called 
the  Taljiud,  or  Instruction. 
About  A.  D.  500,  the  Babylonian 
rabbins  composed  another  Tal- 
mud, written  in  a  clearer  st3'l«, 
and  not  quite  so  full  of  absurd- 
ities. It  makes  ten  or  twelve 
large  folio  volumes  ;  but  there 
is  an  abridgment  by  Maimon- 
ides,  a  distinguished  Spanish 
Jew,   of    the    twelfth   century 

The  Roman  Catholics  are  fond 
of  traditions,  and  hold  to  many. 
The  word  of  God,  however,  is 
our  only  guide  in  faith  and 
practice  ;  and  whatever  has  no 
warrant  there  ought  not  to  b« 


TRE 


291 


Rl 


OOTisidered  binding.  Before  the 
New  Testament  was  completed, 
*nd  while  the  apostles  remained 
to  examine    traditions,    it   was 

1  roper  for  Christians  to  regard 
euch  as  were  by  them  sanctioned. 

2  Thess.  2  :  15.  It  would  now 
bo  hazardous  to  trust  in  them 
•t  all  ;  and  might  be  considered 
as  adding  t^.  the  word  of  God. 
Rev.  22  :  18. 

Tranee,  that  state  of  a  per- 
lon's  mind  in  which  super- 
natural things  are  revealed  to 
him.  Paul  was  cast  into  a 
trance.  Acts  22  :  17.  And  so 
was  Peter.  Acts  10  :  10;  11  : 
6,  <fcc. 

Transfigure,  is  to  change  the 
outward  form.  The  word  is 
chiefly  used  in  reference  to  the 
supernatural  change  in  the  ap- 
pearance of  our  Saviour  on  the 
mount.  The  word  occurs  only 
in  Matt.  17  :  2,  and  Mark  9  :  2. 

Translate  now  means  to  render 
one  language  into  another  ;  but 
its  signification  in  Scripture  is, 
to  transfer  from  one  person  or 
place  to  another  The  word 
and  its  derivatives  are  used  five 
times  in  the  Bible,  viz.,  2  Sam. 

3  :  10:  Col.  1:  13;  Heb.  11 :  5  ; 
in  the  latter  verse  thrice. 

Treasury,  a  place  where  pub- 
lic money  is  kept  or  managed. 
It  was  the  name  given  to  that 
part  of  the  Jewish  temple  where 
stocd  the  chests  for  collecting 
the  voluntary  contributions  of 
the  people  ;  over  which  were 
the  chambers  for  depositing  the 
sacred  stores.  Jo'jh.6:l**.  Jer. 
J8  :  11.     Matt    27  :  6       Luke 


21  :  1.  Johns  :  20.  Tue  money 
collected  in  these  chests  was  ap 
propriated  to  the  purchase  of 
fael  for  the  altar,  salt,  &c. 

Trees  are  useful,  some  for 
fuel,  some  for  timber,  some  for 
medicine,  some  for  dyeing,  eome 
for  fruit,  &c.  The  Scripture 
mentions  the  palm,  shittah,  bay, 
cedar,  chestnut,  almond,  willow, 
cypress,  pine,  ebony,  almug  or 
algum,  oak,  teil,  apple,  ash,  elm, 
juniper,  box,  fir,  oil,  olive,  cit- 
ron, balsam,  pomegranate,  fig_, 
sycamore,  sycamine,  poplar, 
thyine,  and  mulberry.  Trees  in 
Palestine  generally  put  forth 
their  foliage  in  the  month  of 
January,  when  the  old  leaves 
of  many  trees  are  not  fallen  off 
The  first  blossoms  are  those  of 
the  almond  tree.  Jesus  Christ 
is  called  the  "  tree  of  life,"  be- 
cause by  partaking  of  his  ful- 
ness we  attain  life. everlasting 
Rev.  22  :  2.  Christians  are  called 
"  trees  of  righteousness,"  be- 
cause like  Christ,  and  yielding 
benefits  to  men.     Ps.  1  :  3. 

Tribe,  a  division  of  people 
The  tribes  of  Israel  were  thij 
descendants  of  Jacob's  sons 
Jacob  blessed  both  ManasseL 
and  Ephraim,  Joseph's  sons, 
which  made  thirteen  tribes,  and 
yet  no  tribe  of  Joseph.  The  laud 
of  promise,  however,  was  divided 
only  into  twelve  portions,  be- 
cause the  tribe  of  Levi  was  to 
be  supported  by  tithes.  There 
being  twelve  tribes  who  each 
paid  the  Levites  a  te7ith  of  every- 
thing, their  condition  was  more 
easy  than  the  other  tribes.     The 


TRO 


292 


TB  n 


,  e«8  assert,  though  without  very 

eatisfactory     proof,    that    each 

tribe  had  it?  appropriate  banner, 

as  follows  :  — 

Judah,         a  Lion  couching.  Gen.  49:  9. 
Issachar,     an  Ass,  "     "  14. 

Zebulon,      a  Ship,  "     "   13. 

Keul)en,      a  Alan,  "     "    3, 

Simeon,      a  Sword,  "     "     5. 

Guil,  a  Lii.n,  Dcut.  33:22. 

Ephraim,    a  Uiiicorn,  "       "     17. 

Manasseli,  a  Hull,  "      "     17. 

BoDjamin,  a  VVulf,  Gen.  49  :  27. 

Dan,  a  Serpent,  "     "     17. 

Ashcr,         a  Sheaf  ot  wheat,"     "     20. 
Naphtali,  a  Hind,  "     "     21. 

The  division  of  a  people  into 
tribes  is  still  prevalent  among 
the  Arabs,  Bedouins,  Berbers, 
Moors,  Scotch,  American  In- 
dians, &c. 

Tribote^  money  paid  as  a 
tax.  Our  Saviour,  Matt.  22:  17, 
shows  clearly  that  religion  does 
not  exempt  men  from  civil 
duties  ;  and  the  apostle  Paul 
recommends  to  faithful  chris- 
tians to  pay  according  to  law. 
Rom.  13  :  7.     See  Publicans. 

Troas,  a  city  of  Mysia,  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Hellespont, 
four  miles  from  the  famous 
Troy,  and  built  chiefly  with 
materials  from  its  ruins.  The  ! 
celebrated  siege  and  capture  of 
Troy  occurred,  according  to  Sir 
Isaac  Newton,  about  904  years 
B.  c,  or  during  the  reign  of  Je- 
hoshaphat.  Paul  often  preached 
at  Troas,  lodging  with  one  Car- 
pus. Acts  16  :  8;  20  :  5—12. 
2  Tim.  4  :  13.  A  Christian 
church  long  existed  here,  but  it 
is  now  extinct,  and  the  place 
lies  in  ruins. 

Trogyriium,  a  cape  whijh 
formed  a  \>ay  ab»*ut  nve  miles 


from  Samos,  where  the  vjssel 
in  which  Paul  sailed  to  Mact.- 
donia  made  an  anchorage  for  a 
night.     Acts  20  :  15. 

Vrow,  to  think,  or  suppose; 
to  believe;  to  trust.   Luke  17;  9. 

Trumpet,  an  inst'-ument  of 
loud  music,  still  in  common  use. 
It  was  originally  made  of  the 
horn  of  a  ram  or  ox,  and  sub- 
sequently of  metal.  The  bugle 
is  a  modern  improvement  of 
this  instrument.  On  that  new 
moon  festival  which  commenced 
the  Jewish  civil  year,  that  is, 
the  first  day  of  Tizri,  was  held 
the  Fea^t  of  Trumpets.  Lev.  23. 
Num.  29.     See  Feast 

Trnst,  confidence  in  any  per- 
son or  thing.  To  trust  in  man 
is  both  sinful  and  vain.  Jer. 
17  :  5.  Trust  in  God  should  be 
.smcere,  Prov.  3  :  5,  6;  unreserved, 
1  Pet.  5:7;  steadfast,  Isa.  26  : 
4;  and  cheerful,  Mic.  7  :  7.  Such 
as  trust  God  are  safe,  Ps.  125  : 
1 ;  courageous,  Ps.  27  :  1 — 3 ;  and 
serene,  Ps.  26  :  3. 

Truth,  the  positive  matter  of 
fact,  contrary  to  falsehood. 
Moral  truth  is  the  conformity 
of  words  and  actions  to  the 
thoughts  of  the  heart ;  as  when 
a  man  speaks  what  he  thinks, 
and  is  in  reality  what  he  seems 
to  be.  It  is  taken  for  the  true 
principles  of  religion,  the  true 
doctrine  of  the  gospel  ;  and 
Jesus  Christ,  being  the  Author, 
is  emphatically  styled  "  thf 
Trulh,''^  because  he  is  tb*  sub- 
stance of  all  the  types.  Jobs 
14:  6. 


TA\  I 


293 


T  Y  P 


Tnrii*-dove,  a  well-known 
bird,  often  mentioned  in  Scrip- 
ture. 


In  Ps.  74  :  19,  it  seems  that 
by  ^  being  written  for  -],  an 
error  very  easily  made,  turtle- 
dwe  has  occurred  instead  of 
"  confettsing  thee.''''  The  text  ac- 
cordingly stands  in  the  Septua- 
gint  and  Syriac  versions,  "  0 
deliver  not  the  soul  of  him  that 
confesseth  thee  unto  the  multi- 
tude of  the  wicked." 

This  bird,  being  common  and 
cheap  in  Palestine,  was  the 
usual  ofiFering  of  very  poor  per- 
sons :  a  fact  which  illustrates 
the  humble  condition  of  uae 
Virgin  Mary,  who  offered  a  pair 
of  them  at  her  purification,  in- 
stead of  a  lamb. 

Twilight,  the  light  which  con- 
tinues after  the  sun  has  set,  and 
commences  before  it  rises.  1 
.Sam.  30  :  17.  Prov.  7  :  9.  This 
13  caused  by  the  atmosphere, 
which,  being  thicker  than  the 
epaee  between  it  and  the  sun, 
bends  down  or  refracts  the  raj's 
of  light,  and  even  makes  the 
;un  itself  appear  when  it  is  be- 
neath the  horizon.  In  the  uorth- 
•rn  parts  of  Scotland,  the  sun 
25* 


sets  but  for  a  short  tyme  in  th« 
summer,  and  the  tvilight  will 
enable  a  person  to  read  even  at 
midnight.  Near  the  poles,  twi- 
light continues  for  several  weeks 
together,  without  the  sun's 
rising.  It  then  rises  and  zhiues 
uninterruptedly  the  whole  sum- 
mer. Then  the  twilight  of  sev- 
eral weeks  recurs,  and  aftei* 
ward  the  sun  sets,  to  be  seen  no 
more  till  the  next  summer. 

Type,  a  person  or  thing,  pre- 
figuring something  relative  to 
Christ  or  his  church.  These 
•were  numerous,  as  none  of  them 
could  fully  point  out  its  anti 
type  ;  and  were  a  kind  of  re.cu 
predictions  of  things  to  come, 
as  those  uttered  by  the  prophets 
were  verbal.  There  were  typical 
persons,  as  Ad  ,m,  Noah,  Mel- 
chisedec,  Isaac,  Aaron,  Joshua, 
David,  Solomon,  Jonah  ;  typical 
classes  of  persons,  as  Israelite?, 
first-born  males,  kinsmen-re- 
deemers, Nazarites,  high  priests ; 
typical  things,  as  Noah's  ark, 
Jacob's  ladder,  the  burning  bush, 
the  cloudy  pillar,  the  water  of 
Marah,  the  manna,  the  pool  of 
Bethesda,  the  deliverance  of  th« 
Hebrews  from  Egypt,  their  pas- 
sage through  the  sea,  their 
travels  in  the  wilderness,  their 
entrance  into  Canaan,  their  wara 
with  the  heathens,  <fec.  The 
typical  institutions  were  circum- 
cision, sanctifioation  of  fruit- 
trees,  offering  no  base  things  to 
God,  exclusion  from  the  con- 
gregation of  the  Lord,  wearing 
proper  apparel,  avoiding  mixeo 
garments,  sowing  mingled  seed. 


T  YR 


294 


T  Y  R 


ploughing  with  oxen  and  asses, 
iendernesy  to  beasta,  not  muz- 
zling the  treading  ox,  &c.  The 
typical  places  were  Canaan,  the 
cities  of  refuge,  Jerusalem, 
Zion,  the  tabernacle,  and  the 
temple.  The  typical  utensils 
were  the  ark,  the  pot  of  manna, 
the  table  of  shew-bread  with  its 
loaves,  the  golden  altar  of  in- 
cense, the  golden  candlestick, 
the  silver  trumpets,  the  brazen 
laver  and  sea,  the  brazen  altar, 
<fcc.  The  typical  offerings  were 
the  burnt,  the  sin,  the  trespass, 
peace,  and  meat  offerings,  the 
drink-offerings,  the  anointing 
oil,  ransom-money,  tithes,  first- 
fruits,  things  voluntarily  de- 
voted, the  ram  caught  in  the 
thieket,  &c.  The  typical  sea- 
sons were  the  time  of  the  daily 
sacrifices,  the  Sabbath,  the  feast 
of  new  moons,  the  passover  and 
feast  of  unleavened  bread,  Pen- 
tecost, the  feast  of  trumpets, 
the  feast  of  tabernacles,  the 
year  of  release,  and  the  jubilee, 
Ac.  The  typical  purifications 
were  from  the  defilement  of  uii- 
holy  things,  from  childbirth, 
leprosy,  infection  by  dead  bodies, 
&c.  To  him  that  discerns  the 
evangelical  signification  of  these 
various  types,  the  narratives  of 
the  Old  Testament  are  not  a  dry 
history,  but  appear  replenished 
with  the  most  useful  instructions 
CK)ncerning  our  Saviour  and  his 
body  the  church. 

TyrCj  a  very  ancient  city, 
possessing,  for  many  ages,  as- 
tonishing enterprise  and  wealth. 
Isa.  23  :  8.     It  was  founded  by 


the  Sidonians,  about  240  yeara 
before  the  erection  of  Solomon'a 
temple  ;  for  Sidon  being  con- 
quered by  the  Philistines,  many 
of  the  people,  escaping  in  ships, 
established  themselves  at  Tyre. 
Hence  it  is  called  by  Isaiah, 
"  Daughter  of  Sidon."  It  was  at 
first  built  four  furlongs  from  the 
shore,  on  an  island,  but  spreau 
itself  upon  the  opposite  land. 

The  period  of  its  greatest 
prosperity  seems  to  have  been 
about  B.  c.  600,  when  it  was 
described  by  Ezekiel,  ch.  27. 
After  a  siege  of  thirteen  years 
by  Nebuchadnezzar,  b.  c.  537, 
it  was  overcome  and  ravaged. 
The  insular  city  flourished  for 
200  years,  •  when  Alexander 
stormed  and  took  it,  having  with 
this  intent  built  a  causeway  to 
it,  out  of  the  ruins  of  the  old 
town.  Alter  many  other  changes, 
it  at  last  fell  under  the  Romans. 
It  was  the  emporium  of  com- 
merce and  the  arts.  Their  ships 
found  the  way  even  to  England, 
whence,  among  other  things, 
they  brought  tin  from  the  mines 
at  Cornwall.  Its  kings  swayed 
a  powerful  sceptre,  and  their 
colonies  were  scattered  over  all 
the  Mediterranean. 

The  chief  deities  of  the  plaee 
were  Hercules  and  Astarte.  It 
belonged  to  the  tribe  of  Asher, 
but  was  never  wholly  subdued. 
About  A.  D.  200,  it  was  sacked 
by  Niger,  emperor  of  Rome. 
After  this  it  flourished  500  years, 
under  the  Seljakian  Turks,  was 
then  taken  by  the  crusaders^  and 
desolated    A     :>.    1289,   by    ths 


U^Mi 


H'JO 


UNC 


enlt£.,D  of  Egyi  t.  It  was  seized 
by  the  Ottomin  Turks,  A.  D. 
1516,  who  are  to  this  day  mas- 
ters of  all  thit  country.  The 
predictions  of  Isaiah  and  Eze- 
kiel,  that  this  city,  for  its  wick- 
edness, should  be  utterly  de- 
stroyed, and  which  were  uttered 
when  it  was  in  all  its  glory,  have 
been  most  severely  fulfilled. 
Isa.  33.  Ezek.  26,  28.  For  a 
long  time  it  was  utterly  desolate, 
but  at  length  revived  a  little, 
and  was  of  some  importance 
during  the  Crusades,  and  was 
strongly  fortified.  In  1837  it 
was    almost    destroj'ed    by    an 


earthquake.  Maunuuell  found 
only  a  few  miserable  inhabit- 
ants, subsistiag  chiefly  by  fish- 
ing. A  village  adjacent  then 
bore  the  name.  There  is  now 
a  considerable  village  built 
among  the  ruins  ;  the  popula- 
tion of  which  },lr.  Jowett  esti- 
mates at  about  1,500.  Mr 
Connor  reckons  them  at  double 
that  number.  It  is  now  called 
Shur  or  Zur,  which  was  also  ita 
most  ancient  name,  and  from 
which  the  whole  country  waa 
called  Syria. 

Tythes.     See  Tithes. 


U. 


U'lai)  a  branch  of  the  Euphra- 
tes, on  the  banks  of  which  Dan- 
'el  had  his  famous  vision.  Dan. 
S.  It  is  called  in  Greek  authors 
Choas'pes.  Its  present  name  is 
'Kir^rah. 

Unbelief,  infidelity,  or  a  dis- 
trust of  any  narrative,  person, 
or  doctrine.  Unbelief  of  God's 
holy  word  is  a  universal  sin  in 
the  world.  It  is  the  cause  of 
disobedience  to  his  commands  ; 
and  that  man  will  be  eternally 
condemned  over  whom  it  shall 
finally  prevail.  Matt.  13  :  58. 
It  is  a  dreadful  crime,  as  it 
makes  God  a  liar,  rejects  Jesus 
and  his  whole  salvation,  and  is 
the  root  of  all  other  sins.  Un- 
belief is  either  negative,  in  such 
as  hs^ve  not  beard  the  gospel, 
*3  in  the  hea*  len,  1  Cor.  6    C  ; 


2  Cor.  6  :  14  ;  or  positive,  as  in 
those  who,  though  they  hear 
the  gospel,  and  profess  to  re- 
gard it,  yet  believe  not  with 
their  hearts.  Luke  12  :  46, 
Tit.  1:15.  Unbelief  is  either 
with  respect  to  a  particular  dec- 
laration of  God  ;  as  when  Zacha- 
rias  discredited  God's  promise 
of  a  son  to  him,  Luke  1  :  20  ; 
or  universal,  having  respect  to 
the  whole  declarations  of  God. 
It  is  either  partial,  importing 
some  degrees  of  distrust,  Mark 
9  :  24  ;  or  total,  where  there  ia 
no  trust  at  all      1  Tim.  1  :  13. 

rnclesn.  Persons  or  things 
are  unclean,  (1.)  Naturally;  aa 
dunghills,  or  hateful  animals 
are  unclean.  Rev.  18  :  2.  (2.) 
Ceremonially  ;  as  personj  rhc 
tciched    dead    bodies,    <fec.     A 


UNI 


296 


UR 


great  number  of  beasts  were 
thus  unclean.  Numb.  19  Lev. 
11,  16.  (j.)  In  scrupu  ous 
opinion  ;  so  some  moats  were 
reckoned  unelean  by  the  primi- 
tive Christians.  Rom.  14  :  14. 
(4.)  Morally  ;  being  polluted 
with  sin  ;  so  devils  are  "  un- 
clean spirits."  Matt.  10  :  1 
Uncleanness  means  lewdness. 
Rom.  1  :  24. 

Uncover,  to  remove  a  cover- 
ing, as  a  veil,  from  the  head. 
For  females  so  to  do  in  public 
assemblies  was  considered,  in 
Eastern  countries,  highly  im- 
modest.    1  Cor.  11:5. 

Unirorn,  a  fierce  and  power- 
ful animal,  often  mentioned  in 
Scripture.  It  is  generally 
thought  to  mean  the  rhi7ioceros, 
which  has  a  strong  horn  between 
its  forehead  and  nose,  with 
which  it  rips  up  trees  into  splin- 
ters for  food.  Some  have  thought 
that  the  buffalo  was  the  true 
unicorn.  The  pictures  which 
represent  the  unicorn  in  the 
form  of  a  horse,  with  a  horn  in 
its  forehead,  have  generally 
been  thought  fictitious  ;  but  I 
am  fully  persuaded  that  such  an 
animal  exists  in  Africa.  Many 
ecalptures  on  the  ruins  of  Per- 
sepolis  exhibit  it.  Pliny  de- 
fcribes  it  as  very  fierce,  resem- 
bling a  horse,  and  with  a  horn 
of  three  feet,  projecting  from 
the  centre  of  its  forehead.  Bar- 
fcma,  a  Roman  traveller,  in 
1530,  saw  two  of  these  animals 
at  JNIecca,  kept  as  great  curiosi- 
ties, which  had  been  received 
from    Ethiopia       Father    Lobo 


saw  unicorns  in  Abyssinia  in 
1720.  The  Hottentots  informed 
Dr.  Sparman,  in  1776,  that 
horses,  with  one  horn  in  their 
forehead,  were  sometimes  seen. 
The  Quarterly  Review  of  Oct. 
1820,  gives  an  account  of  uni- 
corns, seen  by  Frazier  in  Thibet. 
It  is  there  called  t^cpo.  It  goet 
in  herds.  Its  hoofs  are  round, 
like  those  of  a  horse,  but  clo- 
ven. The  camelnpard  was  long 
regarded  by  naturalists  as  a 
fictitious  animal  ;  it  has,  how- 
ever, been  discovered  by  modern 
travellers,  and  brought  to  Eu- 
rope alive. 

Upharsin,  one  of  the  Chaldee 
words  written  on  the  wall  jit 
Belshazzar's  feast,  which  signi- 
fies dividing.  Why  none  of  the 
Chaldean  astrologers  a  nd  learned 
men  could  read  these  words, 
Dan.  5  :  7,  is  not  now  known. 
Perhaps  being  all  written  as  one 
word,  they  could  not  rightly 
divide  the  letters,  or,  possiblj', 
only  the  initial  letters  of  the 
words  might  have  been  written. 
Peres,  which  is  used  for  this 
word  in  Daniel's  interpretation, 
ch.  5  :  28,  is  the  singular  of 
Pharsiji ;  the  letter  U,  put  be- 
fore the  latter  word,  answering 
to  our  word  and. 

Cr,  an  ancient  city  of  Chaldea, 
or  Mesopotainia,  where  Terah 
and  Abraham  dwelt.  Gen.  15  : 
7.  Mr.  Layard  has  uade  many 
interesting  discoveries  here.  He 
thinks  it  was  a  holy  city,  the 
region  round  being  a  vast  ne- 
cropolis. In  the  excavations 
of  Assyria  he  fo  and  no  fv/Kw*  ; 


1}  RI 


2'Jt 


UZ 


but  here  "  there  were  thousands 


upon  thousands."     The  present 
name  is  Urka,  or  Wurka. 

trim  and  Thummim,  literally, 
Jights  and  perfections^  mentioned  i 
Ex.  28  •  30,  and  Lev.  8:8.  It 
seems  probable  that  they  were 
the  twelve  precious  stones  of 
the  high  priest's  breast-plate  ; 
on  which  were  engraven  the 
names  of  the  tribes  of  Israel  ; 
and  that  the  letters,  by  standing 
out,  or  by  an  extraordinary 
illumination, marked  such  words 
as  contained  the  answer  of  God 
to  him  who  consulted  this  or- 
acle. Many  learned  men  are 
of  opinion  that  the  answer  was 
given  in  an  audil/e  voice  from 
the  Shechinah,  or  that  bright- 
ness which  always  rested  be- 
tween the  cherubim  over  the 
mercy-seat.  Ps.  80  :  1,  and  99  : 
1.  When  the  Urim  and  Thum- 
mim were  to  be  consulted,  the 
high  priest  put  on  his  golden 
vestment,  and  went  into  the 
sanctuary,  standing  with  his 
face  toward  the  holy  of  holies. 
The  Urim  and  Thummim  were 
never  consulted  in  matters  of 
faith,  as  in  these  the  .Jews  had 
the  written  law  for  their  rule  ; 
nor  in  matters  of  small  moment; 
but  in  case  of  doubtful  duty  in 
reference  to  providence  and  cir- 
cumstances. IS  one  but  priests, 
rulers,  or  prophets,  were  allowed 


to  use  the  Urim  and  Ihumuiici. 
1  Sam.  22  :  10. 

I'snry,  among  the  Jews,  meant 
the  customary  price  paid  for  tha 
use  of  money.  The  word  now 
means  extortionate  and  unlawfu  I 
interest.  The  law  of  naturo 
forbids  not  the  receiving  of  in- 
terest for  the  loan  of  money, 
any  more  than  the  taking  of 
rent  for  houses.  As  the  Jews 
had  very  little  concern  in  trade, 
and  therefore  only  borrowed  in 
cases  of  necessity,  and  as  their 
system  was  calculated  to  estab- 
lish every  man's  inheritance  to 
his  own  family,  they  were  pro- 
hibited to  take  usury  from  their 
brethren  of  Israel,  at  least  if 
they  were  poor.  Ex.  22  :  25. 
Lev.  25  :  35—37.  They  were 
allowed  to  lend  money  upon 
usury  to  stfangers.  Deut.  23  : 
20. 

\jZ,  (1.)  The  grandson  of 
Shem.  Gen.  10  :  23.  (2.)  A 
Horite.  Gen.  30  :  28.  (3.)  The 
country  of  Job,  the  situation  of 
which  has  called  forth  mud 
learned  labor.  Calmet,  who 
thinks  Job  is  the  Jihab  men- 
tioned Gen.  36  :  33,  places  it  iii 
Moab.  Good,  in  the  prefitce  to 
his  commentary  on  Job,  insists, 
with  a  large  array  of  proof, 
that  it  was  in  Arabia  Petrea, 
and  was  the  same  which  aftetr 
ward  was  called  Idumea 


VAI 


298 


VAN 


V 


Vail,  or  Veil,  whatever  hid3s 
inythiug  from  being  seen.  The 
vail  which  divided  the  holy  of 
holies  from  the  holy  place,  in 
the  Jewish  taber- 
nacle, was  a  type  of 
the  human  nature 
of  Christ,  and  also 
of  the  separation 
between  the  Jews 
and  (ieutiles  ;  but 
was  rent  in  twaii\  at 
our  Saviour's  death, 
and  the  separation 
is  now  removed  by 
the  preaching  of  th 
gospel  to  the  Gen- 
tiles. Heb.  10  :  20. 
Eph.  2  :  14.  Matt. 
27  :  51.  The  vail  of 
ignorance,  blindness,  and  hard- 
ness of  heart,  which  kept  the 
Jews  from  understanding  the 
spiritual  sense  and  meaning 
of  the  law,  caused  them  to 
crucify  the  Saviour,  resist  the 
introduction  of  the  new  cove- 
nantj  and  reject  the  gospel  light, 
is  still  a  hinderance  to  the  ex- 
tension of  the  lledeemer's  king- 
dom. John  9  :  39.  2  Cor.  3  : 
14,  15.  Women  disgraced  theiu- 
ielves  by  appearing  in  public 
without  a  vail,  1  Cor.  11  :  3 — 
10  .  especially,  perhaps,  as  it 
W?.s  the  chief  and  almost  the 
only  diSFereace  between  the 
dress  of  women  and  men.  In 
ISyria,  Egypt,  <fec.,  these  close 
vails  are  still  worn.  To  lift  up 
a  woman's  vail  was  a  gross  in- 
tuit •    much    more    to    take    it 


away.     See   Cant.  5  :   7.     (Sefl 
Power.) 

There  were  various  forms  ol 
the    vail  :     some    covered    the 


whole  pers(  n,  others  only  the 
bust.  They  were  by  no  means 
so  transparent  as  those  now 
commonly  worn,  but  entirely 
concealed  the  face.  That  of 
Ruth  was  strong  as  well  as  large 
enough  to  hold  six  measures  of 
barley.  Ruth  3-:  15.  The  vail 
was,  and  is  still,  so  adjusted  as 
to  expose  one  eye,  that  the 
woman  may  see  to  go  about ; 
which  explains  Cant.  4  :  9 
"When  alone,  or  in  the  country, 
they  lay  aside  the  vail,  but  drop 
it  at  the  approach  of  a  stranger; 
as  Rebecca  did  on  meeting 
Isaac. 
Valley  of  Hlutiom.    See  To- 

PHET. 

Vanity,  emptiness.  The  term 
is  applied  in  Scripture  to  th« 
world,  as   unsatisfactory,  Eccl. 


VAP 


299 


V  I  S 


1:2;  to  idols,  Deut.  33  21  ; 
2  Rings  17:  15  ;  Jer,  14  :  22; 
Acts  14  :  15,  and  very  many 
other  places  ;  to  mean  deceit- 
fulness,  Ps.  4  :  2  ;  to  whatever 
disappoints  our  hopes,  Ps.  60  : 
li  ;  to  iniquity,  Ps.  119  :  37. 

Vapor,  water  combined  with 
BO  much  heat  as  to  cause  it  to 
rise  in  a  gaseous  form.  Its 
expansive  force  is  greater  than 
even  that  of  gunpowder,  and  the 
moderns  have  discovered  the  art 
of  making  it  eminently  useful 
in  propelling  engines  for  boats, 
factories,  mines,  &.Q.  The  steam 
engine  is  the  noblest  aid  ever 
contrived  by  human  ingenuity. 
By  its  means  a  single  bushel  of 
coal  can  do  the  work  of  ten 
horses  for  one  hour. 

Vapor  raised  by  the  sun  is 
held  by  the  air,  till  it  accumu- 
Jates  in  clouds,  and  by  electric- 
ity, or  some  unexplained  cause, 
descends  in  rain.  Ps.  135.:  7. 
Vapor  is  a  wonderful  evidence 
of  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of 
God.  Jer.  10  :  U,  and  51  :  16. 
By  evaporation  we  obtain  rain, 
mist,  dew,  &c.  By  its  constantly 
passing  from  the  human  body, 
man  is  enabled  to  sustain  the 
heat  of  every  climate.  By  the 
extraction  of  vapors  from  the 
earth,  the  air  is  cooled  and  made 
refreshing.  Without  evapora- 
tion, grain  and  grass  couli  not 
ije  cured  for  use,  clothes  could 
not  be  dried,  if  washed.  In 
fine,  a  great  variety  of  common 
operations  on  which  our  com- 
fort depends,  could  not  be  per- 
formed.    The  occasional  drying 


winds  of  Afrie  i  carry  witi  the>rt 
terror  and  death.  See  Wind 
AVell  does  David,  therefore,  rep 
resent  the  vapor  as  praising 
God,  and  "fulfilling  his  word." 
Ps.  148  :  8.  Human  life  is  com- 
pared, for  frailty  and  transitori- 
nesSi  to  a  vapor.  James  4  :  14. 
Verily,  truly.  When  spoken 
twice  at  the  beginning  of  a  re- 
mark, it  denotes  a  strong  and 
solemn  affirmation. 

VestinCDt,  a  word  which  oc- 
curs in  Scripture  only  in  2  Kings 
10  :  22,  and  there  means  the 
sacred  robes  of  pagan  priests. 
The  vestrr/  was  the  place  where 
they  lay,  and  were  put  off  and 
on.  A  vesture  is  chiefly  an  up- 
per robe.  Deut.  22  :  12.  Christ's 
having  his  "  vesture  dipped  in 
blood,"  and  inscribed  Arith  this 
name,  "  King  of  kings,  and  Lord 
of  lords,"  imports  that  in  con- 
quering and  destroying  his  ene- 
mies, he  mightily  shows  his 
sovereign  power  and  dominion. 
Rev.  19  :  13, 16.  See  Raiment. 
Vetches.  See  Fitches. 
ViaK  See  Cexser. 
Vine,  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent  productions  of  Canaan,  and 
flourishing  best  in  the  lot  of 
Judah,  which  contained  the 
mountains  of  Engedi,  and  the 
vallej's  of  Eshcol  and  Sorek . 
Gen.  49  :  11.  At  the  present 
day,  a  single  cluster  from  thwo 
vines  will  often  weigh  twelve 
pounds;  and,  as  the  whole  coun- 
try is  now  comparatively  neg- 
lected and  barren,  it  is  probable 
thev   once   were   much    larger 


VI  N 


300 


VIN 


flenco  the  spies,  to  avoid  bruis- 1 
ing  the  fii.e  specimens  they  i 
brought  to  Moses,  hung  them  on  ! 
a  pole,  borne  by  two  men.  The  I 
grapes  of  Egypt  being  small 
and  poor,  we  can  easily  imagine 
the  surprise  of  Joshua  tnd  the, 
other  messengers  when  they 
found  such  grapes.  Profane 
authors  speak  of  the  excellent 
wines  of  Gaza,  Sarepta,  Libanus, 
Saron,  Ascalon,  and  Tyre.  Bo- 
chart  says  a  triple  produce  is 
gathered  from  the  same  vine 
every  year.  Notwithstanding 
the  very  depressed  condition  of 
Canaan,  it  even  now  exports 
vast  quantities  of  grapes,  raisins, 
and  inspissated  grape-juice  (or 
honey  of  raining,  as  it  is  called), 
into  Egypt. 

The  vinti  of  Sodom  grows  near 
the  Dead  Sea.  Its  grapes  are 
bitter,  and  considered  poisonous. 
Moses  compares  rebellious  Is- 
rael to  this  plant.  Deut.  32  : 
32. 

Wild  Grapes  were  the  fruit  of 
a  wretched  plant,  called  by  Lin- 
naeus vitis  labrusca.  They  were 
good  only  for  vinegar.  See  Isa. 
5  ;  2- -4  ;   Jer.  2  :   21. 

Sitting  under  vines  was,  and 
is  still,  common  in  the  East, 
where  the  houses  are  often 
small,  and  the  weather  warm. 
Gen.  18  :  8.  Jud.  C  :  VJ.  Zech. 
5  :  10.  A  period  of  security 
and  repose  is  indicated  by  every 
one  sitting  under  his  own  vine. 

ViaegaF)  an  acid  commonly 
ttcrived  from  saccharine  fer- 
mented liquors.     When  distilled 


it  becomes  colorless,  and  is  in 
sreascd  in  strength.  It  sjeemi 
that  sour  wine  was  called  vine 
gar.  Thus  Matthew  says,  "  they 
gave  him  vinegar  to  drink, 
mingled  with  gall  ; "  whereas 
Mark  tells  us,  "  they  gave  him 
to  drink  wine  mingled  with 
myrrh."  Boaz  told  Ruth  that 
she  might  partake  of  the  vinegar 
provided  for  his  harvesters.  Dr. 
A.  Clarke  says,  "  It  was  a  com- 
mon custom  to  administer  a 
stupefying  potion,  compounded 
of  sour  wine,  frankincense,  and 
myrrh,  to  condemned  persons, 
to  alleviate  their  suflFerings  ;  or 
so  to  disturb  their  intellect  that 
they  might  not  be  sensible  of 
them."  The  rabbins  grounded 
this  on  Prov.  31  :  6.  Our  Lord, 
of  course,  refused  such  aid.  By 
his  first  tasting,  before  refusing 
it,  we  may  infer,  that  if  it  had 
been  merely  adapted  to  quench 
thirst,  it  would  not  have  been 
refused.  Laborers  in  harvest 
refreshed  themselves  with  this 
weak  wine,  or  vinegar.  Ruth 
2:  14. 

Vineyard, 'a  piece  of  ground 
planted  with  vines.  The  vine- 
yard was  prepared  with  great 
care,  the  stones  being  gathered 
out,  a  secure  fence  made  rou.id 
it,  and  a  scafibld,  or  high  sum- 
mer-house, built  in  the  centre, 
where,  as  the  fruit  ripened,  a 
watchman  was  stationed,  and 
where  there  was  always  sbeltei 
for  the  workmen  at  their  meals, 
and  a  suitable  place  to  keep  th»< 
tools.   Isa.  5  :  1—7.    Matt   '}  . 


VIS 


301 


V  o  w 


33.  This  was,  of  cou-se,  de- 
eerted  at  other  seasous  of  the 
fear.     See  Isa.  1:8. 

\  iper,  A  serpent  which  brings 
forth  its  young  alive,  and  not, 
as  is  generally  the  case,  by  eggs. 
It  seldom  exceeds  eighteen 
inches  in  length.  There  is  no 
creature  more  malignant  and 
venomous  ;  the  bite  of  some 
species  produces  death  in  a  few 
hours.  See  Job  20  :  16.  Isa. 
SO  :  6.  Harris  is  sure  that  the 
"cockatrice,"  mentionei  Isa. 
59  :  5,  is  a  viper. 

Virgin.  (1.)  A  virtuous  un- 
married woman.  Isa.  7  :  14. 
(2.)  The  word  is  often  used  for 
a  nation  or  people.  Isa.  47  :  1. 
Lam.  2  :  13.  (3.)  The  people 
of  God  are  often  spoken  of  un- 
der this  term.  Matt.  25  :  1. 
Rev.  14  :  4. 

Papists  make  it  a  great  point 
to  insist  that  the  mother  of  our 
Lord  was  always  a  virgin  ;  which 
is  absurd. 

Virtat)  energy  to  produce  an 
effect  ;  — courage,  2  Pet.  1  :  3 — 
5  ;  — holiness  of  heart  and  life. 
The  latter  is  now  its  more  com- 
mon signification,  but  in  defin- 
ing it  writers  are  not  agreed. 
Some  define  it  "  universal  be- 
nevolence ;"  others  "  the  imita- 
tion of  Grod  ;"  others  "  a  wise 
regard  to  our  own  interest  ;" 
others  "  moral  goodness."  We 
may  say,  it  means  in  general 
whatever  is  opposed  to  vice. 
Phil.  4  :  8. 

Viiion,  a  supernatural  ap- 
I'earance  of  men  and  thing;;  to 
lue  mihd  of  a  person  not  asleep. 
26 


Acts  9  :  10.  2  Cor.  12  .  1.  That 
has  God  often  shown  his  people 
what  eye  had  not  seen,  nor  ear 
heard.     See  Dream. 

Vocation,  the  gracious  act  of 
God,  by  which,  through  his 
word,  he  calls  sinners  out  of  tho 
bondage  of  the  world  into  the 
liberty  of  the  gospel  and  the 
fellowship  of  Christ.  Matt.  11: 
28.     2  Tim.  1  :  9,  Ac. 

Voice,  in  general,  signifies 
any  kind  of  noise,  whether  made 
by  animals  or  things.  God'.<» 
voice  is,  (1.)  The  thunder 
which  loudly  declares  his  ex 
istence  and  providence.  Ps.  29. 
(2.)  His  laws,  teaching,  and 
promises  ;  in  which  he  declares 
his  will  to  men.  Ex.  15  :  26. 
(3.)  His  providences,  wherein 
he  publishes  his  own  excellences, 
awakens  us  from  our  stupidity, 
and  calls  us  to  our  duty.  Mic. 
0  :  9.  Am.  1:2.  To  mark 
John  Baptist  as  not  the  true 
Messiah,  but  a  proclaimer  of 
his  appearance,  he  is  called  a 
mice.     Isa.  40  :  1. 

Volume.     See  Book. 

Vow,  a  sacred  promise,  made 
to  God,  to  leave  off  some  sin, 
or  to  perform  some  duty.  Gen. 
28  :  20.  A  gen-eral  vow  of 
evangelical  obedience  is  made 
at  baptism.  The  word  is  now 
usee  in  an  inferior  sense  to  sig- 
nify an  oath,  or  solemn  assur- 
ance to  a  person. 

The  use  of  vows  and  prom'§e» 
is  verj  observable  in  Scripture, 
from  the  earliest  times.  (Jen. 
28  :  22.  The  Mosaic  law  gave 
distinct   rules   for  their  eaecu 


V^Al. 


302 


W  A  > 


Hon.  The  vows  of  children  were 
not  valid,  except  ratified  by 
parents,  Numb.  30  ;  nor  those 
of  a  wife,  except  known  and 
unforbidden  by  the  husband. 
A  common  mode  of  uttering 
vows  was,  "  God  do  so  to  me. 


and    more   also,   if,"   &6      See 

0)BBAN. 

Vulture,  a  species  of  eagle, 
belonging  to  the  order  accipiter 
It  is  of  great  rapacity,  and  feeda 
on  carrion.  Lev.  11  :  14.  It  ia 
called  the  glede,  Deut.  14  ;  13. 


W, 


Wafer  means  in  Scripture  a 
flat  cake,  used  in  Jewish  wor- 
ship. Ex.  29  :  2.  Lev.  2  :  4, 
and  7  :  12.     Numb.  6  :  19. 

Wages*     See  Reward. 

Wagon.  The  Hebrew  word  so 
translated  is  also  in  some  places 
rendered  cart.     Numb.  7:3. 

Waiters,  in  the  East,  while 
attending  their  masters,  are  sel- 
dom spoken  to,  but  are  governed 
by  motions  of  the  hand  ;  es- 
pecially when  waiting  on  the 
table.  Servants  therefore  stand 
and  watch  every  motion  of  their 
master's  hand.     See  Ps.  123  :  2. 

Wailing  for  the  dead  is  pur- 
sued as  a  profession  in  Egypt 
and  some  Eastern  countries.  Dr. 
Smith,  in  1852,  describes  the 
women  so  employed  in  Egypt, 
as  shouting  and  weeping  with 
most  violent  appearance  of  emo- 
tion. They  had  mud  on  their 
fases  and  bosoms,  and  seemed 
in  a  perfect  agony.    See  Mourn- 

tNG. 

AValk,  to  move  by  leisurely 
steps.  It  is  ofteji  used  in  Scrip- 
ture to  denote  conversation  and 
manner  of  life  :   and  to  w  dk  in 


darkness  is  to  live  in  a  course  of 
ignorance  and  sin  ;  to  walk  in  tht 
light,  is  to  live  in  the  ways  of 
truth  and  holiness  ;  to  walk  by 
faith,  is  to  rely  upon  Christ  for 
salvation,  and  to  five  in  the 
firm  belief  that  the  promises  of 
the  word  will  be  fulfilled  and 
accomplished  ;  to  walk  through 
the  fire,  Isa.  43  :  2,  is  to  be  exer- 
cised with  many  afflictions  ;  to 
walk  after  the  flesh,  is  to  be  guided 
by  the  sensual  appetites,  or  dic- 
tates of  corrupt  nature  ;  to  walk 
in  the  flesh,  is  to  live  a  natural 
life  ;  that  is,  subject  to  many 
infirmities  and  calamities  ;  to 
walk  with  God,  is  to  live  in  secret 
communion  with  him,  and  en- 
deavoring above  all  things  to 
please  him,  and  to  be  approved 
of  him  ;  to  walk  after  the  Spirit^ 
is  to  be  led  by  his  counsels  and 
motions  to  order  our  whole  con- 
versation according  to  the  rule 
of  God's  word. 

Wandering,  a  term  applied  to 
the  journeys  of  Israel  through 
the  desert.  Dr.  Robinson,  in 
his  late  tour,  visited  some  of 
the  places  where  the  Hebrew* 
encamped,  and  ""ound  every   {qa 


VV.    R 


303 


W  A  H 


wure  of  tbo  country  tc  corie- 
spond  with  the  Bible  account 
See  Wilderness. 

War,  a  contest  of  nations, 
Parried  on  by  force.  War  inva- 
riably originates  in  the  wicked 
passions  of  men.  Jam.  4  :  1 — 
3.  Luke  2  :  14.  It  is  an  awful 
mass  of  evils  and  crimes,  and 
fias  been  permitted  by  a  right- 
eous God  to  scourge  the  nations 
whose  lusts  drive  them  to  its 
perpetration.  Murder,  robbery, 
Sabbath-breaking,  violation  of 
chastity,  neglect  of  every  do- 
mestic duty,  waste  of  treasure, 
pride,  revenge,  jealousy,  and 
stratagem,  are  the  natural  and 
necessary  fruits  of  war. 

The  implements  of  war  have 
been  constantly  becoming  more 
deadly.  The  inventory  of  Uz- 
ziah's  arsenal  was  "  shields, 
spears,  helmets,  habergeons, 
bows,  and  slings."  Afterward 
he  invented  machines  to  shoot 
stones  from  the  ramparts.  2 
Chron.  20.  About  100  years 
after,  we  find  battering  rams 
were  used.  Ezek.  4  :  2.  How 
different  are  the  present  modes 
of  attack  and  defence  !  What 
misdirected  ingenuitj'  and  sci- 
ence have  been  employed  in 
rendering  man  a  more  dreadful 
destroyer  !  God  commanded  the 
Hebrews  to  destroy  the  Canaan- 
ites  ;  but  the  wickel  wars  of 
the  world  derive  no  authority 
from  that  circumstance.  The 
Jewish  wars  may  lairly  be  con- 
sidered in  the  light  of  execu- 
tions. At  any  rate,  there  was 
express  divine  command,  which 


will    not    be    pleaded    foi    any 
modern  war. 

Chri?t  is  "  the  Prince  of 
peace  ;"  his  doctrines  inculcate 
"peace  on  earth;"  and  when 
his  kingdom  shall  universally 
prevail,  "  the  nations  shall  learn 
war  no  more."  Christians  should 
therefore  be  men  of  peace,  and 
should  use  all  proper  exertions 
to  banish  war  in  all  its  forms 
from  the  earth.  Matt.  5  :  9, 
Rom.  12 :  18.  Peace  societiea 
have  of  late  done  much  to  en- 
lighten the  public  mind  on  this 
weighty  subject.  It  is  certain 
that  before  we  can  have  the  full 
millennium,  wars  must  cease. 

The  struggle  in  a  christian's 
bosom,  between  the  j^owers  of 
grace  and  nature,  is  called  a 
warfare,  Rom.  7  :  23  ;  and  a  per- 
severance in  this  contest,  doing 
our  duty  amon^-  all  dijfficulties, 
is  "  fighting  the  good  fight  of 
faith."     1  Tim.  6  :  12. 

Wash,  to  bathe,  or  purify 
The  Jews  washed  before  eating, 
as  they  used  their  hands  instead 
of  knives  and  forks.  Mark  7  : 
3.  KixTo  says  that  when  some 
Pharisees  remarked  that  our 
Lord  ate  with  unwashen  hands, 
they  did  not  mean  that  he  did 
not  at  all  wash  the  hands,  but 
that  he  did  not  plunge  them  ac- 
cording to  their  own  practice. 
Strangers  and  travellers  had 
their  feet  washed  by  a  servant. 
For  the  master  of  the  house  to 
do  it  was  esteemed  the  greatest 
condescension.     John  13  :  8. 

Xo  J^vf  entered  a  house  with- 
out removing  his  shoes  or  3ai»« 


W  A  1 


304 


>\  A  1 


liils  ;  nor  do  Orientals  to  this 
day.  We  see  the  propriety  of 
this  when  we  consider  that 
chairs  not  being  used,  all  sat 
upon  the  floor,  which,  therefore, 
must  be  kept  very  clean. 

Waslliug  of  le.;t.  From  what 
is  said  above,  and  other  reasons, 
this  is  not  a  christian  ordinance, 
to  continue  in  the  church.  It  was 
an  act  of  hospitality,  Gen.  18:  4; 
Jud.  19:  21;  appropriate  at  the 
time,  but  now,  at  least  in  Euro- 
pean countries,  and  in  America, 
no  longer  useful,  and  of  course 
no  longer  required,  either  by 
h(jspitality  or  humility.  But  we 
must  be  very  careful  to  study 
and  practise  the  lesson  our  Lord 
teachef,  John  13  :  4 — 15,  or  we 
shall  bring  a  snare  and  great 
guilt  upon  our  souls.  AtFection- 
ate  attention  and  lowly  services 
to  our  fellow-christians,  are  in- 
dispensable to  a  correct  Chris- 
tianity. 

Mash-pot,  a  word  applied  to 
Moab,  to  show  a  determination 
to  bring  that  people  to  the  low- 
est degree  of  servitude,  even  as 
a  vessel  in  which  the  hands  or 
i'eet  are  washed.  Ps.  60  :  8. 
Compare  2  Sam.  8  :  2. 

Watch,  a  guard  ;  —  the  period 
that  a  giard  kept  watch.  The 
flighr,  «as  anciently  divided  by 
she  Jews  into  three  watches  ; 
the  Jirnt,  Lam.  2  :  19,  the  middle, 
Jud.  7  :  19,  and  the  morning 
watch,  Ex.  14  :  24.  This  divis- 
ion  is  also  mentioned  by  Homer, 
Livy,  Xenophon,  &c.  In  the 
time  of  Christ,  the  night  was 
livia  id    by    Jews     into    four ' 


watches,  which  was  then  tb< 
common  practice  of  the  Gieek* 
and  Romans.  The  second  and 
third  of  these  divisions  are  men- 
tioned Luke  12  :  38  ;  the  fourth 
M-att.  14  :  25,  and  all  of  thorn 
Mark  13  :  35.  These  watches 
differed  according  to  the  length 
of  the  night,  which  in  Palestine 
varies  from  fourteen  houra 
twelve  minutes  to  nine  hours 
forty-eight  minutes. 

The  practice  of  having  watch- 
men patrol  cities  in  the  night 
was  of  very' ancient  origin  ;  as 
we  see  from  Isa.  '-:!  :  5  ;  Sol. 
Song  3  :  3,  and  5  :  7,  <tc. 

Watchfnl,  vigilant  to  guard 
against  dangers.  Watchfulness 
is  often  and  urgently  inculcated 
upon  christians.  We  must  be 
watchful  against  the  temptations 
of  Satan,  Rom.  10  :  12  ;  the 
allurements  of  *;he  world.  Pa. 
39  :  1  ;  Mark  8  :  15  ;  the  deceit- 
fulness  of  our  hearts,  Heb.  3  : 
12  ;  erroneous  doctrines  ;  and, 
in  short,  against  whatever  would 
hinder  our  piety  and  usefulness. 
We  are  to  watch  for  the  teach- 
ings of  Providense,  Ps.  5:8; 
the  fulfilment  of  prophecies, 
Rev.  16  :  15  ;  righteous  deliver- 
ance from  trouble,  Ps.  130  ; 
proper  topics,  spirit,  and  seasons 
of  prayer,  Eph.  6  :  18  ;  death 
and  judgment,  Mark  13  :  37. 

Water  occupies  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  globe.  Moisture 
raised  by  the  sun,  in  the  form 
of  vapor,  being  carried  about 
in  the  air,  and  meeting  in  a  col- 
lective mass,  produces  clouds 
and  falls  dovn  in  dew  or  n  in, 


W^  T 


•^Oo 


\V  A  T 


More  mi  a  falls  on  high  than  on 
low  ground,  and  the  water  en- 
tering through  crevices  on  the 
hills,  and  finding  its  way  through 
the  earth  to  the  surface,  pro- 
duces springs.  The  streams  of 
toese  uniting,  form  brooks, 
which  unite  into  rivers  ;  and 
after  adding  to  the  beauty  of 
the  country',  and  accomplishing 
very  many  useful  purposes, 
empty  themselves  into  the  sea. 
Water  is  81G  times  heavier 
than  common  air  ;  a  pint  of  it 
weighs  a  pound,  and  a  c-ubic 
foot  about  1000  ounces,  or  (32A 
pounds.  Ice  is  crystal- 
ized  water  ;  and  by  a 
remarkable  exemption 
from  the  common  laws 
of  heat,  becomes  lighter 
as  it  grows  colder.  In 
this  are  strikingly  ex- 
emplified the  wisdom 
and  goodness  of  God. 
Dreadful  would  have 
been  the  consequences 
if,  1  ike  other  fluids,  water 
had  grown  heavier  by 
loss  of  heat.  In  winter, 
the  ice  on  the  surface  of 
rivers  would  have  sunk 
as  it  froze,  in  successive 
sheets,  until  the  whole 
would  have  become  a 
mass  of  ice,  which  no 
summer  could  thaw  ;  and  the 
world  would  have  become  unin- 
habitable. As  it  now  is,  no 
sooner  is  a  crust  of  ice  formed, 
than  the  water  beneath  is  pro- 
tected from  further  cold  ;  fishes 
are  safe,  water  abundant,  and 
the  moderate  warmth  of  spring 
26* 


unbinds  tue  stream.  Such  iW 
the  wonderful  works  of  Him, 
who,  in  infinite  wisdom,  and  by 
almighty  power,  created  tJic 
heavens  and  the  earth. 

In  the  East,  streams  of  water 
are  not  common,  except  in  Fil- 
estine,  and  some  few  other  pai  ta^ 
Gardens  and  fields  are  watered 
with  great  labor,  without  a  drop 
of  rain  for  months.  The  plan 
in  Burmah  for  doing  this,  is 
given  in  my  "  Travels  in  Asia." 
The  Egyptian  mode  is  shown 
below,  from  two  of  their  own 
pictures.     The  upper  figures  ar« 


dipping  up,  to  carry  to  housee. 

We  have  in  this  country  litlla 
idea  of  the  value  of  water  to 
those  who  dwell  under  an  ardent 
sun,  and  have  no  rain  for  six 
months  in  a  year.  It  was  often 
paid  for  in  ancient  days,  Numb 
20  :  17—19  :    Lam.  6:4'.    »».u/< 


W  A  Y 


306 


WEE 


«uch  C(  ntinues  to  be  the  custom 
to  this  day.  Great  expense  was 
ioeurred  in  constructing  reser- 
voixB  in  large  cities,  and  pools, 
wells,  &(i.,  &c.,  in  farming  dis- 
tricts. 

Waters,  when  disturbed,  sig- 
nifies troubles  and  afflictions. 
Pa.  69:  ].  But  flowing  in  all 
the  plenitude  and  beauty  of 
usefulness,  it  represents  the 
gifts  and  comforts  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Isa.  12:3;  35  :  6,  7. 
John  7  :  37,  38.  In  Scripture, 
'vater  is  used  for  all  sorts  of 
drink,  as  bread  is  for  all  kinds 
of  solid  food. 

Water-coiir.sefi  are  either  the 
beds  of  rivers,  wherein  they 
run,  or  the  streams  themselves. 
Isa.  44  :  4. 

Water-Sponts  are  falls  of 
water  from  the  clouds,  which 
are  whirled  round  by  tornadoes, 
80  as  to  form  a  column  ;  or 
which  are  forced  with  a  mighty 
noise  from  the  sea,  by  an  earth- 
quake at  the  bottom.  They  are 
more  frequent  on  the  coasts  of 
Palestine  and  Syria  than  any- 
where- else  in  the  Mediterra- 
nean Sea,  To  them  are  com- 
pared heavy, overwhelming,  and 
terrifying  visitations.  Ps.  43  : 
7. 

Way,  a  path  for  travellers. 
The  word  is  frequently  used  to 
■  signify  the  habits  of  a  person, 
or  the  method  of  doing  any- 
thing. Gen.  6:  12.  Jer.  10: 
2.  The  customary  dealings  of 
God  are  called  his  tvai/.  Ps.  25: 
10.  Isa.  55  :  8.  Christ  is  '"  the 
way,  the  truth,  and  the  life  ;" 


and  hii  salvation  is  the  "  rew 
and  living  way"  of  access  tc 
God.  Ileb.  10:20.  Jehovah  s 
precepts  are  the  "  way  of  truth," 

2  Pet.  2  :  2,  and  those  who  obey 
ehall  find  them  to  be  "  ways  of 
pleasantness  and  peace."  Prov. 

3  :  17. 

AVay-Marks.  The  road  in 
desert  parts  of  Egypt  and  other 
countries  is  often  marked  by 
heaps  of  stone,  or  brick  pillars. 
Jer.  31  :  21.  These  are  neces- 
sary where  moving  sands  oftea 
obliterate  the  track.  Jer.  6  : 
IG.     Isa.  3  :  12. 

Weasels  are  of  two  kinds, — 
the  house  and  the  field  weasel. 
They  are  subtle  and  strong, 
though    of   small    size.     The; 


prey  on  serpents,  moles,  rats, 
mice,  and  sometimes  on  poultry. 
Occurs  in  Lev.  11  :  29,  only. 

Weave,  The  art  of  weaving 
was  more  perfect  in  Egypt  an- 
ciently than  in  any  other  coun. 
try.  Herodotus  mentions  it  as 
a  peculiarity  that  in  that  e-aik 
try  it  was  done  by  men.  Tho 
cotton  and 
upon  some 
beautiful. 

Week,  a 

universally 
descendants 


linen  cloth  found 
mummies   is    very 

division  of  tima.. 
observed  by  th« 
of    Noah,    ^k'oh. 


WEI 


307 


WEL 


teing  lost   ly  the  Hebrews  dur-  , 
ing  their  h  ndage  in  Egypt,  was 
revive  1  and  enacted  by  Moses. 
Bcven  years  are  called  a  week. 
Uau.    9  :    24.     The    undisputed 
antiquity  of  the  use  of  weeks, ' 
is  11  strong  confirmation  of  the  , 
Old    Testament    history    of   the ' 
creation,    &c.     We    find    weeks 
observed  by  almost  all  nations, ' 
long  before  the  advent  of  Christ. 
That   they   should    divide    time 
into   days,  months,  years,  &c., 
is  easily  accounted  for  ;  because 
these  are  natural  divisions.    But" 
weeks  are  an  artificial  arra  nge-  I 
ment  of   time,  and  there  is  no  I 
more  reason  for  numbering  days 
by  sevnm^  than  by  tena  or  fifties. 
To  suppose  that  all  nations  fell 
upon  the  same  method  of  count- 
ing, by  chance,  is  absurd. 

The  Jews  often  used  the  ex- 
pression eight  days  to  mean  a 
week  ;  so  do  the  Germans  at 
this  day.  And  we  often  say 
fortnight  (or  fourteen  nights), 
when  we  mean  two  weeks.  This 
explains  John  20  :  2G,  where 
"  eight  days "  means  a  week. 
Bee  Feast. 

Weeping.  See  under  Mourn- 
ing. 

Weigh.  (1.)  To  examine  by 
Bcales.  Ezek.  4  :  16.  (2.)  To 
inspect  rigidly.  Prov.  IG  :  2. 
Isa.  26  :  7.  The  shekel  weighed 
ten  dwt.  Sixty  of  these  made 
a  maneh  weighing  two  lbs.  six  oz. 
Fifty  manehs  made  a  talent,  or 
3000  shekels,  weighing  125  lbs. 
Such  are  the  computations  of 
HoRNE  ;  but  on  this  subject 
there  is  great  uncertainty 


The  weight  of  the  Sanctuary 
was  probably  a  standard  of 
weight  kept  in  the  temple,  ami 
not  double  the  common  weight, 
as  some  liave  thought.  Neithei 
Josephus,  Philo,  Jerome,  nor 
any  other  accient  author,  spealc* 
of  a  distinction  between  the 
weights  of  the  temple  and  those 
of  common  use. 

A  cubic  foot  of  common 
water  weighs  1000  avoirdupois 
ounces  ;  a  cubic  foot  of  pure 
gold,  19,€37  ounces  ;  of  quick- 
silver, 14,000  ;  of  lead,  11,325  ; 
of  standard  silver,  10,535  ;  of 
copper,  9000  ;  of  steel,  7852  , 
of  iron,  7645  ;  of  block  tin, 
7321  ;  of  pure  spirits,  860.  A 
cubic  foot  of  common  air  weighs 
507  grains,  or  one  ounce  27 
grains.  God's  weighing  the 
mountains,  imports  his  exact 
knowledge  of,  and  power  over 
them.  Isa.  40  :  12.  He  weighs 
men,  or  their  spirits  and  paths, 
when  he  exactly  observes  and 
judges  them  that  he  may  punish 
or  reward.  Dan.  5  :  27.  Prov. 
16  :  2.  Isa.  26  :  7.  1  Sam.  '2  ; 
3. 

WelJS  are  of  great  consequence 
in  hot  countries  and  travellers 
generally  paid  for  using  the 
water  of  them.  Num.  20  :  17 
— 19.  They  frequently  have 
steps  round  the  insiio,  leading 
down  to  the  water.  But  the 
common  mode  of  drawing  water 
in  all  the  East  is  represented  in 
the  engraving  on  the  following 
page. 

The  opprersion  of  Israel  \i 
forcibly  exhibited  in  Lam.  >    *. 


"w  n  A 


J08 


WIIE 


irLere  the  prophet  says,  "  'V»'^e 
have  bouTjht  rmr  own  water  for 
aioDoy;"that  is,  have  to  pay 
our  foreign  rulers  for  using  the 
wells,  though  they  are  our  natu- 
ral inheritance. 

The  Hebrew  word  for  well  is 
beir.  Many  places  have  this 
prefix  to  their  name,  as  Beer- 
eheha,  &c.  This  and  many  other 
circumstai.ces  teach  us  what 
great  importance  is  attached,  in 
torrid  climates,  to  a  good  Avell 
of  water.  Abraham  and  Abim- 
elech  quarrelled  for  the  posses- 
sion  of   one.     The   digging   of 


one  being  in  that  day  a  great 
work,  is  connected  with  the  his- 
tory of  distinguished  men.  Gen. 
26  :  19.  2  Chron.  26  :  10.  We 
should  endeavor  to  conceive  the 
vehemence  of  thirst  in  hot  coun- 
tries where  water  is  scarce,  when 
we  read  such  passages  as  Amos 
8  :  11,  Ps.  42:  2. 

The  water  of  wells  was  called 
iving  water,  in  distinction  from 
water  preserved  in  tanks  and 
eiscerna. 

^ThalC)  a  well-known  animal, 
found  in  various  seas.  The  nar- 
rative of  Jonah  merely  says  he 
was  swallowed  by  a  great  fish  ; 
whether  it  was  the  whale  is  not 
•ertaiu,  though  the  Greek  word 


which  usually  signifies  whale  \i 
used  in  the  New  Testament 
Some  have  ticught  it  the  samj 
as  Leviuth'm.  But  of  the  latter 
it  is  said,  the  arrow  cann  I  make 
him  flee  ;  that  he  is  clothed  with 
impenetrable  scales.  The  whale 
has  no  such  covering,  and  is 
easily  harpooned.  Jt  has  been 
said  that  it  could  not  have  been 
a  whale  which  swallowed  Jonah, 
because  whales  are  not  found  m 
the  Mediterranean.  But  this  is 
a  mistake  ;  for  though  not  com- 
mon in  that  sea,  they  are  far 
from  being  unknown  there. 

Wheat,  a  grain  raised  in  mQst 
parts  of  the  earth,  of  which  is 
made  the  most  esteemed  bread. 
Being  called  corn  in  England, 
where  the  Bible  was  translated, 
it  is  often  so  called  in  Scripture. 
Matt.  12  :  1.  The  ordinary 
kinds  of  wheat  are  well  known. 
The  annexed  picture  shows  the 


species  common  in  Egypt, and  is 
such  as  appeared  to  Pharaoh  in 
his  dream,  who  saw  "  seve  i  ears 
of  corn  come  up  upon  one  stalk, 
rank  and  good."  Gen.  41  :  5. 
i  The  wisdom  of  God  is  stnkinglj 


W  Hi 


309 


^\  1 L. 


•boTRTi  in  the  stalk  of  Egyptian 
wheat.  If  it  were  hollow  and 
weak  like  ours,  which  has  only 
to  support  one  ear,  it  would 
break  with  the  weight.  But  it 
is  solidly  filled  with  a  sort  of 
pith,  and  thus  rendered  suf- 
liciently  firm.  The  Holy  Land 
produced  wheat  and  barley  so 
abundantly,  that  sixty  or  a  hun- 
dred fold  sometimes  rewarded 
t\^e  husbandman.  Gen.  26  :  42. 
Matt.  13  :  8.  It  was  exported 
to  neighboring  countries  in  great 
quantities.  1  Kings  5  :  11.  Acts 
12  :  20. 

It  appears,  from  Ruth  2  :  14, 
2  Sam.  17  :  28,  29,  and  other 
places,  that  parched  wheat  con- 
stituted a  part  of  the  common 
food  of  the  Jew?,  as  it  still  does 
of  Arabs,  Indians,  and  other 
tribes  who  have  not  adopted 
modern  refinements.  To  make 
it  into  meal,  with  such  ma- 
chinery as  they  then  had,  was 
laborious.     See  Grixd. 

WhirlwiDd.  The  word  com- 
monly translated  whirlwind, 
means  more  properly  a  storm. 
2  Kings  2  :  1.  Job  38  :  1.  It  is 
frequently  used  emphatically  to 
denote  the  rapidity  and  sudden- 
ness of  God's  judgments.  Jer. 
23  :  19  ;  and  25  :  32.  Prov.  10  : 
25 

To  reap  the  whirlwind,  IIos.  8 : 
7,  is  to  receive  the  terrible  re- 
sults of  our  own  folly. 

White  Stone.  The  important 
passage,  Rev.  2  :  17,  alludes  to 
a  custom  of  noting  and  perpetu- 
ating friendship,  among  Greeks 
<tnd  Romans,  by  dividing  a  peb- 


ble, and  aftei  each  had  ins<.ribe^ 
his  name  on  the  flat  surface, 
they  were  exchanged.  The  pro- 
duction of  either  half  was  suf- 
ficient to  insure  friendly  aid, 
even  from  descendants.  Voting 
was  done  by  casting  a  white 
stone  for  approval,  and  a  black 
one  for  rejection. 

Whetj  to  make  sharp.  God 
whets  his  sword,  when  he  pre- 
pares things  in  his  providence 
for  the  execution  of  his  judg 
ments.  Deut.  34  :  41.  Ps.  7  . 
12. 

Widow.  Widowhood,  as  well 
as  celibacy,  was  a  reproach 
among  the  Jews,  except  when  it 
was  persisted  in,  avowedly  out 
of  regard  to  the  deceased  part- 
ner, or  other  good  reasons.  The 
widows  spoken  of  in  1  Tim.  5, 
seem  to  be  persons  who  acted  aa 
deaconesses,  or  were  supported 
by  the  church.  When  Paul 
says,  1  Tim.  5  :  16,  "If  any 
man  or  woman  that  believeth, 
have  widows,  let  them  relieve 
them,  and  let  not  the  church  be 
charged,"  it  means  that  chris- 
tians of  both  sexes  are  bound, 
if  possible,  to  take  care  of  wid- 
owed grandmothers,  mothers, 
sisters,  daughters,  &c.  The 
passage  shows  also  that  the  hav- 
ing of  all  things  common  ha-i 
already  passed  away. 

Wilderness,  (l.)  A  tract  of 
land  not  cultivated  like  the 
generality  of  the  country,  but 
not  wholly  barren  or  desert. 
Joel  1  :  20.  Such  commonly 
derived  their  name  from  the 
chief  city  adjacent,  as  DMah., 


WlL 


310 


WTL 


Eni^edi,  J-udea,  Ac.  The  i.;re- 
tunner  of  our  Lord  resided  in 
ihe  wilderness  of  Judea,  till  he 
sommenced  his  public  ministry. 
Ishmael  settled  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  Paran  ;  and  David  took 
refuge  from  the  persecutions  of 
Saul,  in  the  same  ;  in  which  the 
numerous  flocks  of  Nabal,  the 
Carmelite,  were  pastured.  Such 
places,  therefore,  were  not  des- 
erts ;  but  thinly  peopled,  or 
less  fertile  districts.  There  was 
scarcely  a  Jewish  town  without 
a  desert,  or  common,  as  we  would 
Bay,  attached  to  it. 

(2.)  Placesutterly  waste,  such 
as  the  wilderness  where  our  Lord 
was  tempted  of  the  devil.  A 
more  dismal  and  solitary  place 
can  scarcely  be  found  in  the 
earth.  About  one  hour's  jour- 
ney from  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tains which  environ  this  wilder- 
ness, rises  the  lofty  Quarantaida, 
which  tradition  afifirms  to  be  the 
mountain  into  which  the  devil 
carried  our  Saviour.  It  is,  as 
the  evangelist  styles  it,  "  an 
exceeding  high  mountain,"  and 
in  its  ascent  both  diflicult  and 
dangerous.  It  has  now  a  small 
chapel  at  the  top,  and  another 
half  way  up,  built  on  a  promi- 
nent part  of  the  rock  Near 
the  latter  are  several  caves  and 
holes,  occupied  formerly  by  her- 
mits, and  even  in  present  times 
by  religious  devotees,  who  re- 
pair thither  to  keep  lent,  in 
inaitation  of  our  Lord's  fasting 
In  the  wilderness  forty  days. 

The  land  of  Canaan  was  en- 1 


vironcd  with  wildernesses.  "\V« 
read  of  those  of  Egypt,  Etham^ 
Shur,  Sin,  Sinai,  Taunmr,  Ac. 
The  forty  years*  wandering  of 
the  Hebrews  was  in  a  wilder- 
ness indeed,  and  by  no  means 
the  common  thoroughfare  of 
travellers  between  Egypt  and 
Canaan.  The  reason  why  Israel 
was  turned  into  it  we  read 
Numb.  14.  The  ocly  vegetable 
productions  which  meet  the  ey^ 
of  the  traveller  in  that  fright- 
ful solitude,  are  occasional 
coarse  sickly  grass,  a  plant  of 
senna,  or  saline  or  bitter  herb, 
or  acacia  bush,  which  is  gen- 
erally a  shelter  to  innumerable 
snails.  Moses  calls  it  "  great 
and  ter/ible,"  "  a  desert  land," 
"  the  waste  howling  wilder- 
ness." Jeremiah,  with  surpris- 
ing force  and  brevity,  has  ex- 
hibited those  circumstances  of 
terror,  which  the  modern  travel- 
ler details  with  so  much  pathos 
and  minuteness.  "  The  Lord 
that  brought  us  up  out  of  the 
land  of  Egypt,  through  a  land 
of  deserts  and  of  pits,  through  a 
land  of  drought,  and  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  through  a  land 
which  no  man  passed  through, 
and  where  no  man  dwelt." 

(3.)  The  word  is  metaphori- 
cally used  to  signify  things  bar. 
ren  or  unattractive.  Hence  God 
asks  the  Hebrews  if  he  had  been 
a  wilderness  to  them.  Jer.  2  : 
31.  The  Gentile  world  was 
called  such.  Isa.  35  :  1 — 6,  and 
43  :  19.  The  people  cf  ^od  are 
represente  1  as  in  a  wilder ne«» 


V,'  I N 


311 


WIN 


irhila  in  thie  world,  but  favored 
with  the  presence  of  Chri.'t. 
Bong  8  :  5. 

Wilti-liOQey.     See  Honey. 

Win,  that  faculty  of  the  mind 
whereby  a  man  freely  chooses 
or  refuse?.  Scripturally,  to  will 
anything  is  of  nature,  but  to 
will  what  is  good  is  of  grace.  Ps. 
110:3.  John  8:  36.  Phil.  2  : 
13.  The  will  of  God  may  be 
known  by  reading  his  word,  ob- 
serving his  providences,  and 
praying  for  his  Spirit  to  en- 
lighten, instruct,  and  guide  the 
soul. 

Willow.  The  tree  so  called 
in  Scripture  is  that  which  still 
retains  the  name,  and  is  well 
known.     Isa.  15  :  7. 

Will-worship,  something  in 
the  service  of  God  beyond  divine 
requirement.  All  uneommanded 
mortiflcations  and  austerities; 
invocation  of  saints;  burning 
candles  in  churches,  itc,  are  of 
this  nature,  and  of  course  dis- 
pleasing to  God.     Col.  2  :  23. 

Wimple,  a  hood,  Isa.  3  :  22. 
The  word  occurs  aic-o  Ruth  3  : 
15,  and  is  there  translated  Vail, 
which  see. 

Wind,  A  flow  of  air  from  one 
place  to  another.  There  are 
trade  win :1s,  ^hich  blow  con- 
stantly from  east  to  west,  and 
monsoons,  which  blow  three  or 
six  months  at  once  from  one 
l^oint,  and  as  long  from  the  op- 
posite. 

The  Samiel,  or  Simoom,  is  the 
most  terrible  wind  of  Eastern 
•cuptriea.    Coming  over  the  vast 


descrtt  /t  Drings  inteme  and 
sulfucating  heat  and  diyne83» 
with  billows  of  sand  and  dust, 
carrying  with  it  fiery  streaks, 
like  threads  of  silk :  whoever 
copiously  breathes  it  dies.  It 
rarely  lasts  more  than  seven  tr 
eight  minutes.  If  travellers  lay 
their  faces  to  the  earth  till  it 
pass,  they  escape.  Camels  and 
other  animals  do  this  by  in- 
stinct. It  is,  of  course,  most 
dangerous  when  it  comes  un- 
perceived  in  the  night.  Whole 
caravans  are  said  to  have  per- 
ished in  it.  KuppEL,  a  German 
traveller,  in  1818,  found  that, 
during  this  wind,  the  dust  made 
it  impossible  to  recognize  even 
a  camel  at  fifty  paces.  He  also 
found  it  so  charged  with  elec 
tricity,  as  to  keep  up  a  crackling 
noise,  and  create  a  pain  like 
the  pricking  of  needles. 

The  preceding  account  will 
beautifully  illustrate  the  follow- 
ing passages  of  Scripture  : — Job 
15  :  2,  and  27  :  21,  and  38  :  24 
Jer.  4  :  11.  Ezck.  17:  10,  and 
19  :  12.  Hos.  12  :  1,  and  13  : 
15.  Jonah  4  :  8.  Hab.  1  :  9. 
Ps.  103  :  15,  16. 

A  whirlwind  is  a  strong  blast, 
which  winds  about  in  a  circular 
manner.  Multitudes  of  such 
blasts  come  from  the  deserts  of 
Arabia;  and  oi.t  of  one  of  them 
the  Lord  spake  to  Job.  Isa.  21: 
1.  Job  37:  9,  and  38:1.  Whirl- 
winds  sometimes  sweep  ^dv»wt 
trees,  houses,  and  everything  in 
their  way.     Prov.  10  :  25. 

Violent  winds  are  computed 
to  fly  at  the  rate  of  4000  fee^  to 


«'IN 


312 


WIN 


ft  minute!     They  are  of  great  j 
importance   in    preserving    the 
purity  of  the  atmosphere.     The 
©I)erati(ins  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
on  the  heart,  hy  which  a.  spiritual 
change  is  wrought  in  the  soul, 
are  compared  to  the  blowing  of 
the  wind,  the  effect  being  evi-  | 
dent,  but  the  manner  incompre-  | 
hensibie.     John  3:8,  j 

Wine,  a  liquor  made  from 
grapes,  much  in  the  manner 
that  cider  is  made  from  apples. 
No  less  than  thirteen  different 
Hebrew  and  xjireck  words  are 
translated,  in  our  Bible,  by  the 
word  wine.  These  each  refer  to 
some  particular  kind  or  con- 
dition of  wine,  not  now  easily 
ascertained. 

There  is  no  evidence  that  wine 
was  known  before  the  deluge, 
Noah  was  probably  the  first 
who  preserved  the  juice  of  the 
grape,  till  by  fermentation  it 
became  proper  wine.  Before 
him,  men  only  ate  grapes  like 
other  fruit,  or  drank  the  juice 
as  just  pressed  from  the  fruit. 
This  mode  of  drinking  was  com- 
mon in  the  days  of  Joseph. 
Gen.  11  :  2.  Noah,  ignorant  of 
its  strength,  fell  into  intoxica- 
tion.    Gen.  9  ,  20,  21. 

The  Jews,  after  settling  in 
Canaan,  used  wine  of  various 
sorts;  of  which  the  red  seems 
to  have  been  most  esteemed. 
Prov.  23  :  31.  Isa.  27  :  2.  Rev. 
14  :  20,  The  "  mixt  wine," 
Pror.  23  :  30,  rendered  in  Isaiah 
G5  :  11,  "drink-offering,"  may 
mean  wine  rendered  more  potent 
by  the   addit'.sn  of  myrrh  and 


other  drugSj  or  of  def nit  urn,  lljal 
is,  wine  inspissated  by  boiling 
it  down.  Homer  speaks  of  He  ler 
giving  such  wine  to  her  guest,? 
when  oppressed  with  grief,  to 
raise  their  spirits.  Thus  the 
drunkard  is  properly  described 
as  one  that  seeketh  mixtd  wine^ 
Pi-ov.  23  :  30  ;  and  "  mingles 
strong  drink."  Such  wine  waa 
given  to  malefactors  before  their 
execution,  as  an  act  of  mercy; 
and  was  offered  to  Christ  on  the 
cross,  but  refused,  as  he  desired 
no  stupefaction.  It  was  drank 
in  the  idolatrous  worship  of 
certain  gods,  as  Bacchus  and 
Venus.  This  explains  Amos  2  : 
8,  "  They  drank  the  wine  of  the 
condemned  in  the  house  of  their 
god." 

The  process  of  distilling  ar- 
dent spirits  from  wine  and  other 
liquors  was  invented  by  the 
Saracens,^  several  centuries  after 
the  death  of  Christ. 

Wine-press,  a  vat  or  ciatern. 


sometimes  above  ground,  gum* 


WIN 


'6in 


WIS 


limed  sunk  into  tlie  earth.  It 
flras  divided  into  two  parts,  one 
being  deeper  than  the  other. 
Into  the  shallow  compartment 
the  grapes  were  thrown,  while 
.•eve  "il  men  ti  ud  them  with 
their  feet,  and  tie  juice  ran  into 
the  lower  part.  This  explains 
that  hne  passage,  Isa.  G3  :  1 — 5. 
See  also  Rev.  14  :  18.  Jer.  25  : 
30.  That  the  mode  of  making 
wine  is  not  materially  altered, 
is  seen  by  the  engraving,  which 
accurately  represents  the  man- 
ner now  practised  in  France 
and  Germany. 

Wionow,  to  clean  grain  by 
exposing  it  to  the  wind.  This 
was  done  by  tossing  it  up  into 
the  air  in  a  moderate  wind. 

Winter,  t^~i  season  of  cold, 
barrenness,  and  storms.  In  the 
torrid  zone,  which  is  about  3270 
r'liilcs  broad,  instead  of  winter, 
they  have  a  rainy  season^  and 
vegetation  thrives  best  during 
this  period.  At  the  poles,  nearly 
the  whole  year  is  winter,  and 
awfully  severe.  (Jen.  8  :  22. 
t^pring  and  autumn  are  scarcely 
known.  Vegetation  starts  sud- 
denly at  the  return  of  the  sun, 
and  soon  comes  to  perfection. 
In  Sweden,  nine  months  are  a 
severe  winter.  In  Canaan,  great 
men  had  their  warm  houses  for 
the  winter  season,  as  well  as 
cooler  ones  for  the  summer.  Jer. 
36  :  22.  Amos  3  :  15.  The 
winter  there  is  wet  and  cold, 
especially  between  the  12th  of 
Dec.  and  2i)th  of  Jan.  Matt. 
24  :  20.  When  the  disciples 
were  tulJ,  Matt.  24  :  20,  to  pray 
27 


that  their  flight  from  the  pre 
dieted  ruin  of  Jerusalem  should 
not  be  in  the  winter,  it  was  not 
only  on  account  of  the  cold,  but 
the  swollen  state  of  the  streams 
to  be  forded,  especially  in  the. 
hilly  districts. 

Seasons  of  temptation,  perse- 
cution,  and  distress,  are  likened 
to  a  winter.  "  Summer  and 
winter "  may  signify  all  the 
year  long,  or  perpetually.  Zech. 
14  :  8.  To  winter  in  a  place,  ia 
to  live  in  it  during  the  winter. 
Isa.  18  :  6.     Acts  27  :  12. 

Wisdom,  the  power  of  judging 
rightly  according  to  circum- 
stances. This  is  "  worldly  wis- 
dom." But  spiritual  wisdom, 
"  which  is  from  above,"  Jam. 
3  :  17,  begins  in  the  fear  of 
God,  and  produces  true  piety 
in  all  our  deportment.  It  ia 
known  by  several  properties. 
It  is  purr,  making  men  careful 
to  avoid  defilement  by  sin.  It 
is  peaceable  under  all  the  trying 
circumstances  of  life.  It  is 
gentle  toward  the  infirmities  of 
others,  interpreting  all  things 
for  the  best,  and  receding  even 
from  right  for  the  sake  of  peace. 
It  is  easy  to  be  entreated,  making 
men  yield  to  good  counsel  and 
sound  reason.  It  is  full  oj  mercy. 
making  us  pity  the  afflicted,  and 
ready  to  forgive  those  that  have 
oSended  us.  It  is  full  of  good 
fruits,  of  beneficence,  liberality, 
and  all  other  offices  of  humanity 
which  proceed  from  mercy.  It 
is  without  partiality,  not  courting 
and  favoring  the  rich  and  in- 
fluential    merely    because    thfj 


W  I T 


SU 


WIT 


are  so,  bjt  regardir  g  and  loving 
men  aicording  to  their  piety. 
It  is  also  without  hypocrisy,  not 
counterfeiting  goodness,  nor  con- 
demning others,  and  yet  being 
guilty  of  the  sam'e  things  our- 
selves. 

It  is  put  for  the  Scriptures 
generally,  Luke  11  :  49  ;  for  the 
doctrine  of  the  gospel,  1  Cor.  2: 
6,  7  ,  and  for  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  eternal  and  essential 
wisdom  of  God.  Prov.  3  :  19. 

Wise  men,  or  Magi.  The 
Magian  religion  existed  an- 
ciently in  Persia.  It  was  so 
revived  and  extended  by  Zoro- 
aster that  he  has  been  regarded 
as  the  founder  of  the  sect.  They 
had  temples,  in  which  were  kept 
perpetual  fires.  The  priests  of 
the  Magi  being  the  only  learned 
mathematicians  and  philoso- 
phers of  the  age  in  which  they 
lived,  the  term  Magian  became 
synonymous  with  learned  man. 
The  wise  men,  or  Magi,  who 
visited  our  Saviour  at  his  birth, 
were  probably  Persian  doctors, 
or  perhaps  princes,  as  the  phi- 
losophers were  frequently  of  the 
royal  race.     Matt.  2:1. 

Wist,  a  common  word  in  the 
Bible,  but  not  now  used,  though 
other  words,  derived  from  the 
same  root,  are.  It  comes  from 
wis,  to  think.  Whence  I  wist,  I 
did  not  think  ;  wistful,  full  of 
thought  ;  wistfuliy,  earnestly  ; 
which  Shakspeare  writes  wistly. 

Wit,  an  obsolete  word  for 
knoj ;  from  which  comes  wot, 
♦or  kneir  Ex.  32  :  1.  Acts  3  : 
17.     "  We  do  you  'o  wit,"  2  Cor. 


8:1,  means,  we  inform  you.  1\ 
is  now  used  only  in  the  infinitjp^a 
mode,  to  wit,  meaning  namely, 
or  that  is  to  say. 

Witch  is  a  woman,  and  wizard 
is  a  man,  that  has,  or  is  sup- 
posed to  have,  dealings  with 
Satan.  In  Europe,  witchcraft 
was  universally  believed  in  till 
the  sixteenth  century,  and  is 
still  in  most  parts  of  the  earth. 
Of  late,  in  Europe  and  America, 
some  have  denied  its  existence 
altogether.  That  such  persona 
have  been  found  among  men,  la 
abundantly  plain  from  Scrip- 
ture. Lev.  lu  :  31.  Deut>  18  : 
10,  11.  2  Chron.  33  :  6.  Gal. 
5  :  20.  By  the  Jewish  law  they 
were  to  be  put  to  death.  Ex. 
22  :  18.  Lev.  20  :  27.  It  ia 
plain  that  great  caution  is  neces- 
sary in  the  detection  and  pun- 
ishment of  those  who  may  be 
guilty  of  this  crime. 

V/itchcraft  excludes  from  the 
kingdom  of  God.  Gal.  5  :  20. 
It  is  a  great  sin  to  place  any 
confidence  in  persons  who  pro- 
fess these  powers  ;  or  to  honor 
or  aid  them  by  seeking  them  to 
interpret  dreams,  tell  fortunes, 
discover  stolen  goods,  <fec.  Those 
who  thus  consult  them  art"  ab- 
horred of  God.  Lev.  20  :  6. 
Nah.  3  :  4.     Mic.  5:12. 

It  is  a  deep  disgrace  to  our 
country  that  professed  astrolo- 
gers and  fortune-tellers  are 
found  in  our  great  cities,  pat- 
ronized by  many,  and  unmolested 
by  law.  To  know  what  is  future 
is  the  prerogative  of  God  only. 

Withes,  twisted  bo-ighs,  bark 


W  OL 


•,ld 


W  0  41 


wiHcw,  «Sic.,  such  as  those  by 
which  fagots  are  bound  together. 
Jud.  ]G:  7,  8. 

Witness,  one  who  gives  evi- 
dence. The  Holy  Spirit  "beareth 
witness "  to  our  adoption,  by 
producing  in  us  the  graces  of 
Christianity.  Rom.  8.  Christ 
is  called  the  "  faithful  witness," 
R&T.  1  :  5,  because  he  faithfully 
declared  the  things  of  God,  and 
sealed  his  testimony  with  his 
blood.  The  prophets  and  pious 
}^crsons  of  the  Old  Testament, 
are  a  "  cloud  of  witnesses  "  to 
the  faithfulness  and  mercy  of 
God.  The  apostles  are  competent 
witnesses  of  the  things  they  af- 
firm in  the  New  Testament,  be- 
cause they  saw  and  heard  the 
things  of  which  they  speak. 
They  are  credible  witnesses,  be- 
cause they  had  no  interest  to 
deceive,  and  suffered  great  hard- 
ships, and  even  death,  for  the 
«ake  of  their  testimony. 

Woe  is  a  word  of  mourning. 
Ezek.  30  :  2.  Ps.  120  :  5.  A 
*Doe  is  a  heavy  calamity.  Rev. 
8  :  13.  Matt.  23  :  13.  Woful, 
full  of  distress  and  sorrow.  Jer. 
17  :  16. 

The  word  is  often  used  in  the 
Bible  in  a  sense  far  removed 
from  denunciation,  a  ad  mean- 
ing only  a  lamentation  over  the 
sufferings  of  ourselves  or  others ; 
as,  "Woe  is  me,"  Ps.  120  :  5. 
Matt.  24  :  19,  &g. 

Wolfj  an  animal  of  the  dog 
kind,  cx'afJy,  greedy,  ravenous, 
fierce,  and  of  a  quick  smell. 
*Volves    abide    in    forests,    and 


live  on  smaller  animals  Malt. 
7  :  15.  They  can  bear  hung"*! 
long,  but  are  then  exceedingly 
fierce,  and  will  attack  eitlier 
man  or  boast.  Ilence,  in  the 
evening,  when  they  come  hungry 
out  of  their  holes,  they  ar« 
dangerousi  Jer.  5  :  6.  The 
species  most  common  in  Syria, 
Africa,  &c.,  is  the  hyasna. 

The  name  is  applied  to  tyr- 
annical rulers,  Zeph.  3:3;   tc 
false  prophets.  Matt.  7  :  15  ;  tc 
mercenary    pastors.    Acts    20 
29,  &Q. 

Woman*  Before  the  fall  the 
woman  seems  to  have  been  more 
on  a  level  with  the  man  than 
since  the  curse,  in  which  she 
seems  to  have  been  the  greater 
sharer.  In  most  parts  of  the 
world  women  are  treated  harsh- 
ly. So  much  is  this  the  case  in 
some  countries,  that  mothers 
often  murder  their  female  in- 
fants, that  they  may  not  ex- 
perience such  hardships  as  them- 
selves  endure.  The  practice  of 
polygamy,  which  has  always 
prevailed  among  Eastern  idola- 
ters, must  always  produce  for 
woman  every  sort  of  contumely 
and  suffering  ;  and  the  more,  a* 
it  is  accompanied  by  capric'oua 
divorces,  turning  a  helpless 
mother  adrift  with  her  offspring. 
"  All  Egypt  is  full  of  divorced 
women,"  says  Dr.  Smith,  in 
1852  ;  and  the  same  mav  be 
said  of  other  countries.  This 
result  is  not  surprising,  when 
we  remember  that  in  those  coun< 
tries  there  is  no  acquaintance 
before    marriage^    not   e  rcn   i  c 


W  O  R 


816 


WUR 


njuch  as  a  si^ht  of  the  woman's 
lace  !     See  Vail. 

In  the  christian  chur;h  women 
are  raised  to  .•»n  equality  with 
men  in  their  religious  privileges, 
but  are  not  permitted  to  govern 
)r  teach.  Gal.  3  :  28.  1  Cor. 
14  :  34. 

Fiules  fur  female  behaviour 
and  dress  are  laid  down.  Tit.  2, 

I  Pet.  3,  &c.  ;  and  their  duties 
towards  their  husbands,  in  1  Cor. 
7.     Eph.  5. 

Word,  an  intelligible  sound. 
Any  discourse  is  so  called.  Gen. 
37  :  14.  Deut.  4  :  2.  The  term 
is  applied  to  the  sacred  Scrip- 
tures.   Luke  11 :  28.   Jam.  1:  22. 

It  is  also  a  name  of  Christ. 
John   1.     Ileb.   4  :  12—14,  and 

II  :  3  Why  he  is  so  called  we 
are  not  expressly  told  ;  perhaps 
because  he  is  the  intelligible 
indication  of  the  Father's  will 
and  character,  as  words  are  of 
our  thoughts,  Heb.  1  :  2,  3  ;  and 
because  he  spake  creation  into 
being  ;  commuuicated  with  the 
patriarchs  and  prophets  ;  de- 
clared the  gospel  when  on  earth; 
now  intercedes  in  heaven  ;  and 
will  give  sentence  at  the  last 
day.  The  true  deity  and  per- 
sonality of  the  "  Word  "  are 
shown,  (1.)  By  the  names  given 
to  him.  Matt.  1  :  23,  1  Tim.  3  : 
IG,  Rom.  9  :  5,  and  many  other 
places.  (2.)  By  ascribing  to 
him  Divine  attributes,  as  eternity ^ 
John  8  :  38,  Rev.  1:8;  immuta- 
bility, Ileb.  13  :  8,  &c.  ;  omiiis- 
eience,  John  20  :  17,  Matt.  12  : 
25,  &c.  ;  omnipresence.  Matt.  28 : 
iO  ;    ^mnip  ''ace,  Re\    1  :  8,  Ac. 


(3.)  By  affirming  of  him  Divim 
works  :  —  decreeing,  JohL  13  : 
18  ;  creating,  John  1:3,  Eph 
3:9;  gover^wig,  .John  5  :  17 
Col.  1  :  17,  Heb.  1:3;  and 
many  other  such  acts.  (4.)  By 
authorizing  Divine  honors  to  be 
given  him.  John3:lG.  Matt. 
28  :  19. 

Work,  anything  done.  Crea- 
tion  is  the  work  of  God.  Gen, 
2  :  2.  The  "  works  "  of  God's 
providence  a-re  his  preservation 
and  government  of  the  world. 
John  5  :  17.  The  "  work  "  of 
redemption  is  attributed  to  the 
three  persons  of  the  Trinity  ; 
the  beginning  is  from  the  Father, 
the  dispensation  is  through  the 
Son,  and  the  application  by  the 
Spirit.    John  6:  29.    1  Pet.  1 :  2. 

By  good  works  are  understood 
all  manner  of  duties,  as  well 
thoughts  as  words  and  actions, 
towards  God  or  man,  which  are 
commanded  in  the  law  of  God, 
and  proceed  from  a  pure  heart 
and  fiiith  unfeigned,  and  are  re- 
ferred to  God's  glory.  Eph.  2  : 
10.  Goo^t  works  are  the  way 
to  the  kingdom,  not  the  cause 
of  entering  thither.  They  are 
imperfect,  Ecc.  7  :  20  ;  and  of 
course  are  not  meritorious,  Luke 
17  :  10.  They  are,  however,  the 
only  evidence  of  our  title  to 
heaven.  James  2:  18 — 20.  They 
show  our  gratitude  to  God,  Ps, 
llG  :  12,  13  ;  are  honorary  to 
our  profession.  Tit.  2  :  10  ;  and 
profitable  to  men.  Tit.  3  :  8. 

World.  (1.)  The  earth  and 
all  the  animals  and  vegotablet 
on  its  surface  ;  mankind  geier 


WOK 


811 


WRI 


ally.  (2.)  The  universe  and  all 
created  beings.  John  1  :  10. 
(3.)  The  wicked,  who  relish  and 
love  nothing  but  worldly  things, 
and  pursue  only  worldly  designs. 
John  15:  13.  (4.)  The  Gentiles, 
Rom.  11  :  12.  (5.)  The  pleas- 
ures, riches,  and  honors  of  the 
world.  1  Cor.  7  :  31.  Man's 
tongue  is  a  "  world  of  iniquity ; " 
its  words  contain  inconceivable 
wickedness.  Jam.  3  :  6.  Worldly 
is  what  is  of  a  carnal  and  earthly 
nature.     Tit.  2:12.    Heb.  9  :  1. 

Wormwood,  an  herb  of  a  very 
bitter  taste.  In  the  Septuagint, 
the  original  word  is  variously 
rendered,  and  generally  by 
terras  expressive  of  its  figur- 
ative seise  ;  that  is,  for  what  is 
offensive ,  odious,  or  deleterious  ; 
as  iJol.ttry,  profaneness,  apos- 
tasy, Ar..  Deut.  29  :  18.  Heb. 
12  :  15.  Celsius  considers  it  to 
be  the  abninthum  savtonicum  Ju- 
daicu/n,  which  Rauwolf  de- 
scribes as  abounding  round 
about  Bethlehem.  Prov.  5  :  4. 
Lam.  3  :  15. 

Worship,  to  bow  down  with 
reverence.  It  means,  (1.)  Civil 
reverence,  given  to  persons  of 
authority  or  worth.  Matt.  9  : 
18  ;  18  :26.  Luke  14  :  10.  (2.) 
Outward  homage,  given  as  an 
acknowledgment  of  Deity.  Matt. 
4  :  10.  Dan.  3  :  5,  12,  14.  (3.) 
iLward  trust,  love,  and  fear  of 
God,  because  of  his  infinite  ex- 
cellence and  glory..  John  4  : 
•^4.     Phil.  3  :  3. 

The  Hebrews  usually  prayed 
In  a  standing  posture  in  public, 
but  knelt  in  private.  They  still 
27* 


stand  to  pray  in  synagogues 
This  posture  was  adopted  by 
'.he  first  christiar«i,  and  is  uni 
versal  among  the  Oriental 
cliurches.  The  practice  of  sitting 
in  public  prayer  is  of  very  re 
cent  origin,  and  is  much  to  be 
deplored. 

Wot,  the  past  tense  of  wit^  an 
obsolete  word,  meaning  to  know , 
to  be  aware  ;  a  word  not  now 
in  common  use.  Xumb.  22  :  6. 
See  Wit. 

Wrath.  (1.)  Violent  dis- 
pleasure.  When  it  is  attributed 
to  God,  it  does  not  mean  that 
be  is  capable  of  violent  passion, 
but  is  used  figuratively.  To 
"  give  place  to  wrath  "  means, 
we  must  not  provoke  the  wicked 
to  extremities,  but  go  away,  as 
from  a  furious  beast.  Our  days 
are  "  passed  in  God's  wrath," 
when  we  spend  them  under 
tokens  of  his  displeasure.  (2.) 
Punishment,  or  the  effects  of 
anger.  Rom.  13:4.  Matt.  3  : 
7.  1  Thess.  1  :  10.  We  are  by 
nature  "  children  of  wrath  ;  ' 
that  is,  persons  fitted  for  de 
struetion.  Eph.  2:3.  Rom, 
9  :  22. 

Writings  was  taught  jicn  by 
the  inspiration  of  God,  Ex.  17  . 
14;  24:  4  ;  the  same  as  language 
was  given  them.  The  alphabet? 
of  all  languages  have  a  remark- 
able  similarity  to  the  Hebrew. 
At  first,  writing  seems  to  have 
been  very  rudely  done,  Ir? 
letters  beir^  cut  or  scratched 
on  stone,  Ex.  24  :  12  ;  or  on 
plastered  stones,  Deut.  27  :  2  ; 
or  on  clay,  which  was  then  baked 


TEA 


318 


YEA 


i'ke  b  Ick  ,  or  on  p  ates  of  lead. 
Afterward  tablets  <  f  wood  were 
used,  ou  which  the  letters  were 
traced.  Then  these  were  im- 
proved by  covering  them  with 
thin  wax,  and  writing  with  a 
sharp  stick.  To  obliterate  the 
writing,  they  were  held  to  the 
fire  ;  hence  trod  is  said  to  blot 
out  our  sins  "  as  a  cloud." 
These  were  further  improved  by 
being  made  thin  and  delicate, 
eo  as  to  occupy  little  space,  and 
be  portable  ;  and  writing  with 
a  species  of  ink,  Av^ithout  using 
wax. 

Specimens  of  such  writing, 
done  by  modern  Burmans,  Hin- 
dus, Chinese,  <fec.,  are  found  in 
the  collection  at  the  Baptist 
Missionary  Rooms,  in  Boston, 
which  were   brought  home   by 


the  author.     The   annexed   en- 
graving shows  the  kind  of  book 


common   in   Burmah   and  Bla 
,dustan. 

The  loAver  figure  holds  cue  of 
these  bti.oks  in  the  hand,  con« 
sitting  of  thirty  or  forty  thin 
leaves  in  the  shape  of  a  paral- 
lelogram. The  upper  shows  the 
manner  in  which  they  were 
wrapped  up  for  preservation 
from  dust,  &c.  From  this  an 
illustration  of  Ps.  40  :  7  haa 
been  given  by  Taylor.  —  "In 
the  volume  of  the  book  it  ia 
written  of  me,"  —  which  the 
LXX.  render  in  the  head  of  the 
book.  Chrysostom  describes  this 
to  be  the  envehpe  on  which  was 
written,  "  About  the  coming  of 
Messiah,"  which  Harmer  say3 
amounts  to  this,  that  the  sum 
and  substance  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment is,  "Messiah  cometh  ;'* 
so  that  these  words  might  be 
ticketed  or  inscribed  on  the 
wrapper,  just  as  we  now  letter 
a  book  on  the  back  of  the 
binding.  * 

The  sharp  instrument  for 
writing  was  called  a  s/^/^;  henc« 
we  call  a  man's  manner  of  writ- 
ing his  style.  Afterward,  bark, 
<tc.,  became  used.  See  Book, 
and  Paper. 


Year,  a  space  of  twelve 
months.  The  Jews  had  both  a 
civil  and  a  sacred  jqsl,t  ;  in  the 
tirsi  they  regulated  their  na- 
tioua.'  it>Qr«}ins,  aud,in  the  other. 


their  rel.'gious  aifairs  and  fe«»vi- 
vals.  The  civil  year  commenced 
in  the  month  Tisri,  that  is,  at 
the  autumn  il  equinox  ;  and 
their  sacred  year  in  the  mon*<l> 


Y  £A 


519 


YE  A 


Sisan,  or  ancient  A/hb,  Ex.  12  : 
2,  which  coriesponJs  either  to 
March  or  April,  according  to 
-.iie  panoover  moon.  The  sacred 
year  was  instituted  as  a  new 
era  to  commemorate  the  deliver- 
ance of  Israel  from  the  yoke  of 
the  Egyptians.  Ex.  12  :  2.  It 
might  be  considered  as  a  pres- 
age of  the  gospel  day,  becau!?e 
it  began  in  the  very  month  in 
which  Christ  was  crucified,  and 
thus  put  an  end  to  the  ancient 
dispensation.     John  19  :  30. 

Every  third  yeai  they  added 
a  month,  to  make  up  *or  the 
days  lost  in  consequence  of 
measuring  the  months  by  revo- 
lutions of  the  moon,  which  made 
the  year  consist  of  354  days. 
This  intercalary  month  they 
called  Vp-adar,  or  second  Adar. 
See  Month. 

Ignorance  of  chronology,  and 
pride  of  antiquity,  made  the 
Egyptians,  Chaldeans,  Chinese, 
Indians,  and  others,  date  back 
the  rise  of  their  own  nation  to 
the  distance  of  a  ridiculous 
•lumber  of  j'cars.  It  is  now 
conceded  that  the  creation  oc- 
curred at  or  about  4004  years 
before  the  birth  of  our  Saviour. 

The  practice  of  numbering 
the  years  from  the  birth  of 
Christ  was  not  adopted  for  sev- 
eral centuries  after  that  event. 
DifiFerent  countries  had  different 
eras  for  commencing  ;  such  as 
the  foundatioH  of  a  metropolis, 
or  the  reign  of  a  king.  The 
last  method  was  used  in  Eng- 
land till  the  time  of  Cromwell, 
irhen    the    christi^.n    era    was 


adoptea.  b.«o  Doi.uni,  gdntr- 
ally  written  A.n.,  means,  year 
(,f  our  Lord.  AriJLO  Mundi,  or 
A.  M.j  marks  the  date  from  crea- 
tion. 

There  is  much  confusion  in 
all  chronology,  frcm  the  incor- 
rect modes  of  computing  tho 
year  practised  by  early  nations. 
The  use  of  lunar  months,  of 
2\)\  days  each,  made  the  j'ear 
too  short.  Many  plans  were 
adopted  to,  regulate  the  j^ear, 
but  none  came  near  making  the 
lunar  and  solar  year  correspond, 
till  Julius  Caesar,  by  the  help 
of  his  astronomers,  brought  it 
to  a  considerable  degree  of  ac- 
curacy. He  abolished  tho  lunar 
month,  and  established  a  so'.r.r 
year  of  3G5  days,  6  hours,  di- 
vided into  12  artificial  months, 
consisting  alternately  of  30  and 
31  days.  The  odd  6  hours  \a  4 
years  made  a  whole  day,  \.  Lieh 
was  added  by  counting  the  24th 
day  of  February  twice.  The 
year  on  which  this  '"/as  done 
was  called  lenp  year. 

The  new  reckoning  however, 
was  not  perfectly  exact,  for  the 
true  year  consists  of  only  365 
days,  5  hours,  and  49  minutes* 
so  that  the  Julian  year  was 
eleven  minutes  too  long.  This 
surplus  in  130  years  amounted 
to  a  whole  day,  and  in  16(M» 
years  had  created  an  error  of 
ten  days.  In  the  year  1582, 
Pope  Gregory  XIII.,  at  the  in- 
stance of  Lilio,  the  Eoiran  as- 
tronomer, proposed  to  Ptriko 
out  this  excess  of  ten  days,  and 
to    omit    three    leap   years    iv 


YES 


320 


YOK 


p»erj  four  ecntur'es.  This  was 
tor  a  while  called  New  Style, 
{ind  was  gradually  adopted  both 
by  Catholic  and  Protestant 
states.  It  was  not  introduced 
into  England  till  the  middle  of 
the  last  century  [1752],  at  which 
time  the  difiference  amounted  to 
elaien  days.  Russia  has  not  yet 
acceded  to  this  reform,  and  the 
difference  now  amounts  to  twelve 
days.  So  that  the  12th  day  of 
the  month  with  us  is  the  first 
day  of  that  month  with  her. 
Our  present  calendar  is  very 
nearly  though  not  quite  correct. 
The  surplus,  as  now  left,  would 
amount  only  to  seven  hours  in 
1000  years. 

In  prophetic  style  a  year  sig- 
mfies  300  years,  and  a  month  iJO 
years,  a  day  being  put  for  a 
year  ;  and  so  three  years  and  a" 
half,  and  "  times,  time,  and  half 
a  time,"  or  42  months,  or  12C0 
days,  denote  the  12C0  years' 
duration  of  Antichrist.  Rev. 
11  :  2,  3;    12:  6,  14. 

As  parts  of  days  were  counted 
as  whole  ones,  &o  were  parts  of 
\cars,  which  helps  to  confuse 
the  chronology  of  some  parts 
of  the  Old  Testament.  Though 
a  king  or  judge  came  to  the 
throne  near  the  close  of  the 
jear,  yet  when  the  new  year 
b^an  he  was  said  to  be  in  the 
second  year  of  his  government, 
thoagh  in  fact  he  had  rfeigned 
but  a  few  months. 

Yesterday  is  a  term  used  to 
denote  past  time,  as  to-morrow 
U  to  denote  time  future     Where 


our  translation  Las  "  foreve/,** 
the  original  word  in  several 
places  is  to-morrow.  What  is 
rendered,  Ex.  21  :  29,  "  time 
past,"  is,  in  the  Hebrew,  yester- 
day.    Heb.  13  :  8.     Job  8  :  9. 

Yoke,  a  frame  of  wood  for 
the  neck  of  oxen,  by  which  they 
draw  ;  a  mark  of  servitude, 
bondage,  or  slavery. 

The  service  of  God  Is,  to  flesh 
and  blood,  a  yoke,  because  it 
restrains  our  natural  inclina- 
tions ;  yet  it  is  easy  in  com 
parison  with  the  service  of  sin, 
the  covenant  of  works,  or  the 
ceremonial  law.  Matt.  11  :  2d, 
30.  Gal.  5:1.  It  is  easy  to 
them  that  love  God,  and  are 
born  of  the  Spirit,  because  the 
law  is  written  in  their  hearts  ; 
they  are  endued  with  faith,  and 
strengthened  by  Christ.  Ps.  37 
In  the  ordinance  of  the  red 
heifer  that  was  to  be  slain  for 
the  water  of  separation.  Numb. 
19  :  2,  9,  it  was  expressly  re- 
quired that  she  should  be  "  with- 
out spot  or  blemish,  and  never 
have  worn  a  yoke."  As  all  the 
ancient  institutions  were  de 
signed  to  convey  religious  in- 
struction, we  learn  from  this 
victim  that  our  Jirst  service*  are 
due  to  God  ;  and,  typically,  the 
perfection  of  our  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour Jesus  Christ,  whose  blood 
eleanseth  from  all  sin.  Ileb.  9- 
13,  14.  1  John  1  :  7.  With 
respect  to  the  creature  never 
having  worn  a  yoke,  the  hea- 
then were  particularly  scrupu- 
lous en  this  point.   Hence  Homei 


ZAC 


321 


ZAll 


represeuts   Diomedes  as   prom- 
ising to  Pallas 

"  A  yearly  heUer, 

Unconscious  of  the  galling  j-oke." 

The  term  yoke  is  used  in  re- 
lation to  marriage,  and  it  is  ex-  j 


pressly  forbidden  that  the  i>ef  pla 
of  God  should  marry  those  ^  -ho 
do  not  profess  to  serve  him.  2 
Cor.  G  :  14.  1  Cor.  7  :  39.  See 
Malcou  on  Markiagb. 


Z. 


Zacche'ns,  a  rich  publican. 
Whether  he  was  a  .Jew  or  not  is 
uncertain.  Publicans  paid  gov- 
ernment a  certain  sum  for  the 
taxes  of  a  specified  district,  and 
iien  collected  them  on  their  own 
■ccount  and  risk  This  is  called 
_  txming  a  revenue. 

Zachariah,  or  Zechariah. 
There  were  several  persons  of 
thisname.  (1.)  Aking  of  Israel, 
who  reigned  but  six  months.  2 
Xings  15.  (2.)  A  chief  priest, 
jaartyred  by  king  Joash.  2  Chr 
24.  He  is  probably  the  person 
jnentioned  by  our  Saviour,  Matt. 
23  :  35.  (3.)  One  of  the  minor 
prophets,  who  returned  from 
Babylon  with  Zerubbabel,  A.M. 
3484,  and  began  to  prophesy 
about  two  months  after  Haggai^ 
$r  about  520  before  Christ.  He 
ind  Haggai  zealously  encour- 
»ged  the  .Jews  to  rebuild  the 
^emple  and  city,  the  work  on 
which  had  been  suspended  for 
several  years.  (4.)  One  of  the 
common  priests,  father  of  John 
Baptist.     Luke  1. 

The  Book  of  Zechariah  was 
written  when  the  prophet  was  a 
young  man  The  allusions  to 
the  Mey  i*h  die  more  frequent 


than  in  any  other  of  the  minoi 
prophets.  Some  of  the  predic- 
tions are  yet  unfulfilled.  He 
died  at  a  great  age,  having  lived 
to  see  the  ruined  house  of  God 
restored. 

Za'dok,  the  son  of  Ah  i  tub, 
appointed  high  priest  by  Saul. 
By  this  event  that  high  office 
was  returned  to  the  family  of 
Eleazar,  after  it  had  continued 
nearly  120  years  in  the  house 
of  Eli,  and  the  family  of  Ith- 
amar. 

Zamznin'mims,  a  gigantic  race 
of  men  residing  near  Moab 
Deut.  2  :  20. 

Zared,  a  brook  beyond  Jor- 
dan, falling  into  the  Dead  Sea. 
It  is  probably  the  stream  whictt 
Burckhardt  calls  Wady  Beni 
Hammad.     Deut.  2  ;  13,  14. 

Zar'ephatti,  or  Sarepta 
where  Elijah  dwelt  some  time 
with  a  widow,  was  a  seaport  of 
Phoenicia,  midway  between  Tyre 
and  Sidon.  1  Kings  17  :  9,  10. 
Luke  4  :  26.  About  A.  n.  400 
it  was  still  of  some  nott  I'op 
present  name  is  Sarfend. 

Zar'etan,  ZARrAXAH,  cr  Ze 
red'athah,  a  place  near  to  whicQ 
the  waters  stood   in   heaps,  M 


ZEB 


322 


ZED 


J  oshaa  passed  below.   The  large  | 
aaolten    vessels   of    the    temple  | 
were  cast  in  the  adjacent  plain. 
Josh.  3  :   16.     1  Kings  4  :   12. 
2  Chr  4  :  17. 

Z^al,  a  fervent  passion  or 
earnest  desire  for  anything,  but 
especially  in  the  cause  of  re- 
ligion. 2  Kings  10  :  16.  Tit. 
2  .  14.  Paul  speaks  of  some 
.Jews  having  a  "  zeal  of  God, 
but  not  according  to  knowl- 
edge," Rom.  10  :  2  ;  that  is, 
they  had  an  earnest  desire  to 
maintain  the  honor  of  the  ritual 
to  which  chey  were  accustomed, 
but  knew  not  that  righteousness 
whereby  a  person  is  justified 
before  God.  It  is  of  unspeak- 
able importance  that  our  zeal 
be  enlightened  and  pure.  When 
it  is  cherished  in  connection 
with  ignorance,  bigotry,  or  prej- 
udice, it  leads  on  to  fury,  per- 
secution, and  every  evil  work. 
John  16  •  2.  Acts  9:1,2.  God's 
zeal  is  his  high  and  holy  regard 
to  his  own  honor,  and  to  the 
welfare  of  his  people.  2  Kings 
19  :  31. 

Zebolm.  (1.)  One  of  the 
•lities  of  the  plain  destroyed  with 
Sodom.  Gen.  14.  (2.)  A  valley 
near  Jericho.  1  Sam.  12  :  18. 
(3.)  A  city  of  the  Benjamites. 
Neh.  11  :  34. 

Zebalnn,  or  Zabulon,  the 
sixth  sou  of  Jacob  by  Leah, 
born  about  A.  m.  2256,  from 
■whom  sprang  one  of  the  tribes 
of  Israel.  When  this  tribe  came 
out  of  Egypt,  their  fighting  men 
amounted  to  57,400  men,  com- 
iianled    by   Tiliab,   the    son  of 


Elon.  They  increased  3100  in 
the  wilderness.  They  Lad  their 
inheritance  between  the  Sea  of 
Galilee  and  the  Mediterranean, 
and  enriched  themselves  by  fish- 
eries, commerce,  and  the  manu- 
facture of  glass.  They  were 
very  honest  in  their  dealings, 
and,  notwithstanding  the  dis- 
tance, were  punctual  attendants 
on  the  worship  of  God  at  Jeru 
salem.  Gen.  49  :  13.  Their 
country  was  signally  blessed 
with  the  early  instructions  and 
miracles  of  our  Saviour  Isi 
9  ;  1,2.  Matt.  4  :  13,15.  There 
was  a  city  of  this  name  in  the 
tribe  of  Asher.  Josh.  19  :  27. 
Jud.  12:12. 

Zedekiali,  the  son  of  Josiah. 
When  Nebuchadnezzar  carried 
Jehoiachin,  king  of  Judah, 
prisoner  to  Babylon,  he  made 
Mattaniah  king  in  his  stead, 
after  he  had  caused  him  to  swear 
to  be  his  tributary,  and  changed 
his  name  to  Zedekiah.  He  be- 
gan to  reign  when  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and 
reigned  eleven.  His  career  was 
marked  by  crime.  2  Kings  24  : 
18—20.  2  Chr.  34  :  11—13. 
He  revolted,  but  was  iubdued 
and  carried  prisoner  to  Neb- 
uchadnezzar, who  CAused  hia 
children  to  be  murdered  before 
his  face,  and  then  his  eyes  to 
be  plucked  out ;  after  which  he 
loaded  hi  a  with  chains  and  seuk 
him  to  Babylon,  wheie  he  died, 
Jer.  21,  27. 

In  the  fifth  year  of  Zedekiah, 
Ezekiel  began  to  prophesy,  Ez 
1:1,  &c.  ;    «nd,   in  the    sam' 


Z  E  M 


823 


ZIP 


fear,  died  Cyaxares,  king  of 
Media,  ai,J  Psammis,  king  of 
Egypt. 

In  the  seventh  year  of  his 
reign,  Ezekiel  foretold  the  de- 
struction of  Jerusalem,  and  the 
blindness  and  imprisonment. 
See  Ezek.  12,  et  seq.  Jeremiah, 
also,  had  faithfully  warned  him 
ir.  his  face. 

Zelo'tcs,  or  Zealots,  a  sect 
often  mentioned  in  Jewish  his- 
tory. Lamv  is  of  opinion  that 
the  juist  men  sent  to  entangle 
Christ  in  his  conversation  were 
of  this  class.  Luke  20:  20.  Gill 
says  that  they  were  a  set  of 
men  who  (in  imitation  of  Phine- 
nas,  who  slew  Zimri  and  Cozbi 
\i\  the  act  of  uncleanness)  would 
immediately  kill  any  person 
whom  they  found  committing 
adultery,  idolatry,  blasphemy,  or 
theft.  He  quotes  various  Jewish 
authors,  who  regarded  their  con- 
duct as  highly  laudable.  Their 
conduct,  however,  cannot  be 
justified.  The  name  was  prob- 
ably ^iven  to  Simon  from  the 
circumstance  of  his  having  been 
•ne  of  these  persons.  He  is 
called  also  Canaanite,  probably 
for  the  same  reason  ;  the  word 
Kanuy  in  Hebrew,  having  the 
came  meaning  as  Zelotes.  Luke 
6  :  15.     Acts  1  :  13. 

Zemaralm,  a  city  of  Ben- 
jamin, not  far  from  Bethel,  near 
which  was  fought  a  bloody  battle 
in  the  days  of  Jeroboam  I.  Josh. 
18:22.     2Chr.  13:3— 18 

Zem'arites,  descendants  of 
Canaan,  by  Zemar,  his  tenth 
«on.     Gen.  10  :  J 8. 


jLcpliaDiah  avcd  at  the  n.ra% 
time  as  Jeremiah. 

The  Book  of  Zephaaian  re- 
proves the  wickedeess  of  the 
times  ;  predicts  God's  chastise* 
ment  by  the  invasions  of  the 
Chaldeans  ;  declares  glorious 
things  for  the  church  ;  and  de- 
nounces ruin  upon  the  Philis- 
tines, Moabites,  Ammonites, 
Ethiopians,  and  Ninevites,  all 
of  them  at  that  time  flourishing 
nations. 

The  book  is  not  expressly 
quoted  in  the  New  Testament, 
but  there  are  expresbions  evi- 
dently formed  from  his  predic- 
tions ;  for  an  instance,  compare 
Zeph.  3  :  9,  with  Rom.  15  :  6. 

Ze'radt     See  Zared. 

Ze^rah)  who  came  against  Asa 
with  an  immense  army,  was  king 
of  Gush.     2  Chr.  14  :  9. 

Zerab'babel  was  the  .Jewish 
name  of  Sheshbazzar,  who  built 
the  second  temple  by  authority 
of  Cyrus.  Ezra  5  :  16.  Zech. 
4:9.  He  took  with  him  to  Ju« 
dea  a  colony  of  50,000  persona 
and  restored  the  temple  worship 
It  is  obvious  that  he  was  a  very 
eminent  man,  and  chief  of  the 
Jews  in  his  day,  of  the  royal 
house  of  David.  1  Chr.  3.  He 
led  the  first  colony  of  Jews  that 
returned  from  captivity  undoi 
the  permission  of  Cy/us.  In  his 
day  lived  Haggaiand  Zeohariah 
the  prophets.  Hag.  1  and  2 
Zech.  4. 

Zif,  or  Jair,  the  second  month 
of  the  Je\^ish  sacred  year,  and 
eighth  of  the  civil    answering 


ZIO 


824 


ZUZ 


to  our  April.  Such  as,  by  reason 
)f  journeys,  uncleanness,  &c., 
were  debarred  from  keeping  the 
passover  at  the  regular  time, 
were  permitted  to  observe  it  on 
the  14th  of  this  month. 

Zion,  or  Sign.  (1.)  Part  of 
the  range  of  mountains  in  the 
north  of  Canaan,  called  ATiti- 
Libanus.  Deut.  4  :  48.  (2.) 
Part  of  the  site  of  Jerusalem  ; 
but  which  of  the  several  hills 
on  which  it  stood  was  so  called 
is  not  now  absolutely  certain, 
the  whole  city  having  early 
taken  that  name,  and  the  temple 
itself  especially.  Ps.  65  :  1  ; 
84 ;  T.  That  which  is  now  called 
Mount  Zion,  by  the  inhabitants 
of  Jerusalem,  lies  south  of  the 
city,  and  outside  of  the  present 
walls.  Part  of  it  is  occupied  as 
a  burial-place  for  christians,  and 
part  by  a  convent  of  Armenians ; 
but  the  principal  portion  is 
arable  land,  laid  out  in  fields. 
See  the  prophecy,  Mic.  3  :  12. 
Jer.  26  :  18. 

The  worshippers  at  the  temple, 
If  not  the  whole  inhabitants  of 


Jerusalem,  are  called  Zion  Pa 
97  :  8.  It  is  thought  that  the 
temple  stood  on  Mount  Moriuh, 
where  Abraham  offered  his  son. 
1  Kings  8:1.  Ps.  48  :  2.  The 
Church  is  called  Zion.  Ps.  102. 
13.  Isa.  2  :  3.  Heb.  12  :  22 
The  name  is  applied  to  heaven 
Rev.  14  :  1.     See  Jerusalem. 

Zo'ail)  an  extremely  ancient 
and  very  distinguished  city  of 
Egypt.  Numb.  13  :  22.  Ps.  78: 
12.  It  is  called  in  Greek  writers 
Tunis.  There  is  a  paltry  village 
there  now,  standing  near  the 
splendid  ruins,  called  -Son. 

Zu'ar,  one  of  the  five  cities 
threatened  to  be  destroyed  by 
fire  from  heaven,  but  preserved 
at  the  intercession  of  Lot.  I 
seems  to  have  been  formerly 
called  Bela.  Robinson,  the  lat« 
American  traveller,  locates  it 
on  the  east  of  the  Dead  Sea, 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Wady 
Kerak.  There  are  still  some 
ruins  here  which  indicate  formei 
elegance. 

Za'zia.    See  ZAMzinr'Miaft. 


TABLE. 


825 


c  o   -t»» 

f  ^llillilill 


INTBODUCrORY   NOTE 


HARMONY    OF    THE    GOSPELS 


The  arrangement  of  the  Four  Gospels,  side  by  side,  so  as  to  form  a  cod 
ttnued  narrative,  and  exhibit  the  account  of  each  Evangelist  in  chronological 
order,  has  always  been  regarded  as  a  very  useful  help  to  the  study  of  the  New 
f  estament.  Many  Christian  scholars  have  performed  this  woric,  more  or  lest 
perfectly,  from  Tatias,  A.  D.  110,  down  to  Gehrisger,  in  1842.  The  basil 
of  the  very  complete  one  here  given  is  taken  from  an  anonymous  English  puln 
fication,  and  adapted  to  this  work  by  the  author. 

The  ministry  of  our  Lord,  as  thus  understood,  comprised  four  Passoren, 
or  a  perioa  of  a  little  more  than  three  years. 

The  use  of  ouch  an  arrangement  is,  to  make  the  Evangelists  their  owr 
interpreter,  and  to  show  how  wonderfully  they  sustain  one  another,  not  only 
In  impel  tant  but  in  minute  particulars  •,  and  also  to  furnish  a  connected 
account  of  all  the  recorded  acts  and  sayings  of  our  Lord. 

When  this  harmony  is  resorted  to  for  the  explanation  of  any  passage,  let 
the  quotations  from  each  Evangelist  be  read  in  succession.  And  when  the 
object  is  to  trace  the  Saviour's  biography  and  teachings,  in  a  connected 
narrative,  let  only  one  quotation  in  each  line  be  read  ;  and  ptxceed  thu«  fron 
befinoing  to  eoii. 


U  A  11  M  0  N  Y     OF     THE     GOSPELS. 


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Of   WEIGHTS,  MEASUIES,  AND    MONET,  S£<K 
TIONED    IN    THE    BIBLE. 


Great  uncertainty  rests  on  some  of  these  calculations.  The  works  of  Ar 
buthnot,  Parkhurst,  Cumberland,  Home,  Brown,  &c.,  have  been  carefullj 
compared,  but  it  seems  impossible  to  arrive  at  any  certainty. 

1.  Jewish  Weig?as,  Reduced  to  Troy  Weight. 

Ib«.  oi.   pen.  srr. 

The  gerah,  one  twentieth  of  a  shekel 0    0  0  13 

Bekah,  half  a  shekel 00  5  9 

The  shekel 0    0  IC  0 

The  maneh,  60  shekels 2    6  0  0 

The  talent,  50  manehs,  or  3000  shekels 125    0  0  0 


2.   Measures  of  Length,  reduced  to  English  Measure. 

ft.  in. 

A  digit* 0  0.9 

4  =  A  palm 0  3.6 

12=    3=  A  span 0  10.9 

24=    6=    2  =  A  cubit 1  9.8 

96=  24=    8=  2=  A  fathom 7  3.6 

144=36=  12=  6  =  1.5  =  Ezekiel's  reed .   .    .  10  11.3 


3.   Road  A^easures. 

miles,  pace*  feet. 

A  cubit 0  0  18 

400  =  A  stadium  or  furlong 0  145  it 

2000  =     5  =  A  sabbath  day's  journey 0  729  3. 

4000=    10=   2=An  Eastern  mile 1  403  1. 

12000=   30=   6=  3  =  Aparasang 4  153  3. 

98000  =  240  =  48  =  24  =8  =  A  day's  journey 33  172  4. 

•  Ta  umlerataiiil  the  four  following  tiiblcf,  read  them  thus;  "A  di^it  ii  n  ne  tentm 
sf  kn  inch  ;  4  dibits  eiiual  I  pnim,  or  three  'nche«  and  lis  tenths  i  ISdigui.  ar  3  raimk 
•a3*i  '  «van,  or  ten  inches  anU  nine  tr  abs. '*  «a. 


TABLES.  3i5 

4.   Measures  of  Capacity  for  Liquids 

gal.  piritt 

4caph «    0.« 

1.3  =A  log  ... 0    0.» 

6.3=     4  =  A  cab 0    3^ 

16     =    12  =     3  =  A  hin 12. 

32     =    24  =     6  =    2  =  A  seah 2    4. 

96     =    72  =    18  =    6  =    3  =  A  bath  or  ephah 7     4. 

960     =  720  =-- 180  =  50  =  20  -=  10  =  A  kor,  choros,  gomer,  w 

homer 75    (• 


5.   Measures  of  Capacity  for  Things  dry. 

pks.  ?al     Ml 

A  grachal 0  0  01 

20  =  A  cab 0  0  2.8 

36  =      1.8  =  An  omer  or  gomer 0  0  5.1 

120  =     6     =     3.3  =  A  seah 1  0  1. 

360  =   18     =10     =   3  =  A  ephah 3  0  3 

1800  =90     =50     =15=5=A  letech 16  0  0 

3600  =  180     =100     =  30  =  10  =  2  =  A  homer  or  kor  .    .    .  32  0  1 


6.  Jewish  Money  reduced  to  American  Currency. 

$        eta 

1  gerah  (the  smallest  money) 2) 

10  gerahs    =  A  bekah 25 

2  bekahs    =  A  shekel 60 

80  shekels  =  A  maneh  or  mina 30.00 

£0  manehs  =  A  talent 1,500.00 

A  talent  of  gold  was  equal  to 24,309.00 


7     Roman  Money ^  mention  td  in  the  Nrw  Testament  ^  reauced  to 
American  Currency , 

A  mite  {yJonaoior) 00| 

A  farthing,  about 0(H 

A  penny,  or  denanus  (^/rjiapiO') 131 

4  poaad,  or  nina  .33  8b<>kela) 18.7ft 


6m 


TBE  YEARS   IN   WHICH  THE   CHIEF  BENEVOLENT  SOCIETTEt 
WERE   INSTITUTED 


A.  1 
Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  England,   ....  16t. 

Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge, 1701 

Danish  Mission  College, 1715 

Tnited  Brethren, 1732 

Sunday  Schools  commenced  by  Raikks  and  Fox, 1782 

Sunday  School  Society,  Eng.,  first  in  the  world,  by  William  Fox,  .   .   .  1785 

Methodist  Missionary  Society,  England, 1791. 

First  Sunday  School  in  the  United  States,  Philadelphia, 1791. 

Baptist  Missionary  Society,  England, 1792 

London  Missionary  Society, 1795 

Scotch  Missionary  Society, 1796. 

liondon  Religious  Tract  Society, 1799 

Church  Missionary  Society  in  England, 1800 

Sunday  Schools  commenced  in  New  York, 1803 

British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 1804 

Philadelphia  Bible  Society, 1808- 

London  Jews'  Society, .   .  1809 

American  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Foreign  Missions, 1810. 

Baptist  Education  Society  of  the  Middle  States, 1812. 

American  Tract  Society,  Boston, 1813 

Church  Tract  Society,  England, 1813. 

Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  United  States, 1814. 

Northern  Baptist  Education  Society, 181< 

American  Education  Society, 1815. 

American  Bible  Society, .  1816. 

American  Colonization  Society, 1817. 

United  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  United  States, 1817 

Philadelpliia  Sunday  and  Adult  School  Union, 1817. 

Dom.  and  For.  Miss.  Soc.  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  United  States,  1820. 

American  Methodist  Missionary  Society, 1820. 

American  Sunday  School  Union,  [instead  of  the  Philadelphia  Sunday 

and  Adult  Scho->l  Union], 1824 

Baptist  General  Tract  Society, 1824 

American  Tract  Society,  New  York, 1825 

Prison  Discipline  Society, W25 

American  Hone  Missionary  Society, 1826. 

American  Society  for  Promotion  of  Temperance 1326 

Proteuiant  Episcopal  Education  Society, ...  182<». 

American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society, 1832 

American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 1837. 

Baptist  Publication  Society  [instead  of  the  General  Tract  Society],    .   .  1839. 

Ameri'jan  Indian  Mission, 1843 

Southern  Baptist  Convention, 1845 

A.mr;rican  and  Foreign  Bible  Union, 1849 


RECOMMENDATIONS. 


The  publishers  of  the  original  woik  of  Dr.  MalcDm'a,  —  which  is  the  lask 
Sf  the  present  improved  edition  — received  numerous  commendations  from 
M9ociations,  conventions,  clergymen,  and  teachers  in  various  sections  of  the 
rountry,  showing  the  estimation  in  which  the  work  was  hf  Id  tven  previous  to 
Its  present  revision,  enlariiement,  new  and  {greatly  increased  number  of  illus- 
trations, beautiful  type,  etc.,  etc.,  as  now  issued.  The  following  extracts  are 
given  as  a  specimen  of  a  vast  number  of  commendatory  notices  received. 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  Vermont  State  Convention. 
"  Tour  committee  earnestly  recommend  Malcom's  Bible  Dictionary,  a  new 
work,  the  worth  of  which  every  lover  of  the  Bible  will  feel,  and  the  low  prica 
of  which  places  it  within  the  reach  of  the  poorest." 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  Massachusetts  State  Convention. 

"Malcom's  Bible  Dictionary  is  a  valuable  and  interesting  book,  almost  in- 
dispensable to  Sabbath  School  Teachers,  the  members  of  Bible  Classes,  and  to 
families  generally." 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  Boston  Association. 

"Believing  that  the  advantages  of  Sabbath  School  and  Bible  Clasd  in 
struction  depend  greatly  on  the  intelligence  of  their  teachers,  and  that  the 
extended  circulation  of  Malcom's  Bible  Dictionary  would  conduce  to  theii 
better  qualification, 

"  Resolved,  That  this  work  be  recommended  to  the  patronage  of  the  frienda 
of  early  religious  instruction." 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  Salvm  Association. 

''  Feeling  a  lively  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  Sabbath  Schools  and  Bibla 
Classes,  believing  that  their  success  greatly  depends  on  the  intelligence  of 
their  teachers, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  general  use  of  Malcom's  Bible  Dictionary  be  recom 
mended  to  the  friends  of  early  religious  instruction." 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  Charleston,  S.  C,  Association. 

^^  Resolved,  That,  as  the  Providence  of  God  seems  to  designate  Sunday 
Schools  as  one  great  and  interesting  means  of  promoting  the  interests  of  piety, 
the  Association  would  renew  their  advice  and  solicitation  to  the  churches  in 
their  flavor.  As  an  important  help  to  furnish  the  minds  both  of  teachers  and 
scholars  for  this  interesting  exercise,  we  recommend  Malcom's  Bible  Dic- 
tionary." 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  Hartford  Association. 

"  Resolved,  That,  Malcom's  Bible  Dictionary  be  recommended  to  the  pat 
ronage  of  the  friends  of  early  instruction." 

From  the  Boaton  Recorder. 

'■  This  work  has  been  much  needed  for  Sabbath  Schools,  especially  teach 
ers,  members  of  Bible  Classes,  and  for  those  parents  who  wish  to  educate 
their  children  ui  that  knowledge  of  the  Bible.  It  is  with  feelings  of  no  ordi 
nary  pleasure  that  we  notice  this  publication.  It  is  a  neat  volume,  orna 
mented  with  wood  cuts.  The  definitions  are  brief,  yet  comp*  *hensive  ;  simple 
yet  displaying  much  research  and  ingenuity." 

From  the  CJiristian  Watchman. 

**  Large  tohos  would  not  sufficiently  elucidate  the  subjects  which  are 
DrpQgbt  to  view  in  the  Bible.  We  see  then  the  difficulty  which  the  author 
•net  iMve  felt  in  comyre«&i'v  ail  the  iafurriation  which  he  has  so  ju'liciousiy 


RECOMMENDATIONS. 

col.  lensod  If  any  should  inquire,  Why  have  we  not  more,  the  themes  beit% 
so  numerous  ?  let  such  an  one  look  again,  and,  perhaps,  in  his  surprise,  he 
will  exclaim,  How  is  it,  'hat,  in  a  book  so  completely  portable,  we  have  bc 
much  '  To  have  made  a  larger  book,  as  could  have  been  done  with  fai 
less  labor  than  this  cost,  might  have  placed  it  beyond  the  reach  of  many,  tf 
whom  it  will  now  be  useful.  All  who  know  the  allusions  to  ancient  custom! 
and  Jewish  usages  in  Eastern  countries,  with  which  the  Bible  abounds,  vi'di 
discover  something  of  the  worth  of  this  volume." 

From  the  Illinois  Western  Pioneer. 

"  We  have  no  hesitation  in  aflarming  that,  according  to  its  size,  it  is  tbi 
best  production  of  the  kind,  and,  upon  a  careful  examination,  will  be  found 
superior  to  several  others  in  circulation.  We  recommend  this  book  to  all  ou 
preachers,  liut  especially  to  every  Sabbath  School  teacher.  One  copy  at  leas 
ought  to  form  a  part' of  every  Sabbath  School  library  in  our  country." 
From  the  Columbian  Star. 

'-'  We  know  not  where  the  same  amount  of  useful  knowledge  can  be  found 
^  a  similar  compass,  and  with  similar  attractions.  It  is  the  very  kind  of  in 
formation  with  which  the  minds  of  the  young  should  be  early  impressed, 
and  that,  too,  which  will  stimulate  a  reasonable  curiosity  in  making  further 
advances  in  the  knowledge  of  Scripture  truth.  We  trust  that  the  demand  for 
the  work  will  be  in  some  degree  proportionate  to  its  claims  on  public  attention." 
From  the  Christian  Secretary,  Hartford. 

"  A  work  of  this  kind  has  been  much  needed,  and  will  be  highly  acceptable 
tc  Sabbath  School  teachers,  the  larger  classes  in  those  schools,  and  to  those 
who  are  engaged  in  Bible  Classes,  either  in  giving  or  receiving  instruction. 
The  importance  of  conveying  correct  information  on  all  parts  of  the  lesson 
which  is  the  subject  matter  of  attention,  and  the  difl&culty  of  doing  this  with- 
out the  employment  of  more  time  in  preparition  than  is  convenient  to  most 
teachers  of  Sunday  Schools,  is  a  fact  to  whi  h  we  believe  every  teacher  will 
assent.  We  think  that  this  book  need  only  to  be  known,  to  command  aa 
extensive  circulation." 

From  the  Zion^s  Advocate,  Portland. 

"This  Dictionaiy  will  be  found  a  cheap  convenient,  and  instructive  man- 
ual for  teachers  in  Sabbath  Schools,  members  of  Bible  Classes,  &^  for  all 
heads  of  families." 

From  the  American  Manufacturer. 

"  The  child,  in  reading  the  Bible,  meets  with  many  words,  and  allusions  to 
ancient  customs,  which  it  is  impossible  for  him  to  understand.  By  referring 
♦x)  this  book,  he  finds  all  necessary  explanations,  and  gains  a  far  greater 
knowledge  of  the  Bible,  and  consequent  love  for  it,  than  he  possibly  could  do 
by  reading  six  times  the  amount  of  matter  with  these  diflBculties  unexplained. 
It  is  particularly  useful  to  youth,  and  will  be  found  a  valuable  acquisition  to 
adults  " 

From  the  Religious  Herald^  Richmond. 

"  A  work  of  th's  kind  wa*  rot  extant  until  this  appeared  ;  and  with  what 
•uccess  the  author  has  'aboreu,  may  be  judged  from  the  ample  patronage 
which  his  labors  have  m:,t. 

"  We  should  like  to  see  it  in  general  use  in  Virginia.  Sabbath  scholars  and 
Leachers,  parents  and  youth,  would  find  it  .-v  useful  volume.  It  has  been 
compiled  and  revised  with  much  labor  and  can 

"  Brother  Malcom  has  rendered  an  important  bemce  to  the  cause  of  men 
tal  and  religious  improvement  in  our  land,  in  the  preparation  of  this  manual, 
and  our  brethren  and  friends,  generally,  will  find  it  greatly  to  their  advantage 
to  iwssess  it." 

From  the  Cincinnati  American. 

"  We  have  examined  this  work,  and  think  it  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the 
literature  of  the  country.  It  contains  a  variety  of  plates,  designed  to  ilhis- 
trate  the  principal  objects  and  scenes  spoken  of  in  the  Bible  The  definitions 
»K  (fiven  in  the  most  clear  and  concise  manner." 


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