Beor

 

A torch.

1. The father of Bela, one of the kings of Edom Ge 36:32

2. The father of Balaam Nu 22:5 24:3,15 31:8 In 2Pe 2:15 he is called Bosor.

 

Bera

 

Gift, or son of evil, king of Sodom at the time of the invasion of the four kings under Chedorlaomer Ge 14:2,8,17,21

 

Berachah

 

Blessing.

1. A valley not far from Engedi, where Jehoshaphat overthrew the Moabites and Ammonites 2Ch 20:26 It has been identified with the valley of Bereikut. (R.V., "Beracah.")

2. One of the Benjamite warriors, Saul's brethren, who joined David when at Ziklag 1Ch 12:3

 

Berea

 

A city of Macedonia to which Paul with Silas and Timotheus went when persecuted at Thessalonica Ac 17:10,13 and from which also he was compelled to withdraw, when he fled to the sea-coast and thence sailed to Athens Ac 17:14,15. Sopater, one of Paul's companions belonged to this city, and his conversion probably took place at this time Ac 20:4 It is now called Verria.

 

Berechiah

 

Blessed by Jehovah.

1. Son of Shimea, and father of Asaph the musician 1Ch 6:39 15:17

2. One of the seven Ephraimite chieftains, son of Meshillemoth 2Ch 28:12

3. The fourth of the five sons of Zerubbabel, of the royal family of Judah 1Ch 3:20

4. The father of the prophet Zechariah Zec 1:1,7

 

Bered

 

Hail.

1. A town in the south of Palestine Ge 16:14 in the desert of Shur, near Lahai-roi.

2. A son of Shuthelah, and grandson of Ephraim 1Ch 7:20

 

Beriah

 

A gift, or in evil.

1. One of Asher's four sons, and father of Heber Ge 46:17

2. A son of Ephraim 1Ch 7:20-23 born after the slaughter of his brothers, and so called by his father "because it went evil with his house" at that time.

3. A Benjamite who with his brother Shema founded Ajalon and expelled the Gittites 1Ch 8:13

 

Bernice

 

Bearer of victory, the eldest daughter of Agrippa I., the Herod Agrippa of Ac 12:20 After the early death of her first husband she was married to her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis. After his death (A.D. 40 she lived in incestuous connection with her brother Agrippa II. Ac 25:13,23 26:30 They joined the Romans at the outbreak of the final war between them and the Jews, and lived afterwards at Rome.

 

Berodach-baladan

 

The king of Babylon who sent a friendly deputation to Hezekiah 2Ki 20:12 In Isa 39:1 he is called Merodach-baladan (q.v.).

 

Beryl

 

The rendering in the Authorized Version of the Hebrew word _tarshish_, a precious stone; probably so called as being brought from Tarshish. It was one of the stones on the breastplate of the high priest Ex 28:20 R.V. marg., "chalcedony; "Ex 39:13 The colour of the wheels in Ezekiel's vision was as the colour of a beryl stone Eze 1:16 10:9 R.V., "stone of Tarshish". It is mentioned in So 5:14 Da 10:6 Re 21:20. In Eze 28:13 the LXX. render the word by "chrysolite, "which the Jewish historian Josephus regards as its proper translation. This also is the rendering given in the Authorized Version in the margin.  That was a gold-coloured gem, the topaz of ancient authors.

 

Besom

 

The rendering of a Hebrew word meaning sweeper, occurs only in Isa 14:23 of the sweeping away, the utter ruin, of Babylon.

 

Besor

 

Cold, a ravine or brook in the extreme south-west of Judah, where 200 of David's men stayed behind because they were faint, while the other 400 pursued the Amalekites 1Sa 30:9,10,21 Probably the Wadyes Sheriah, south of Gaza.

 

Bestead

 

The rendering in Isa 8:21 where alone it occurs, of a Hebrew word meaning to oppress, or be in circumstances of hardship.

 

Betah

 

Confidence, a city belonging to Hadadezer, king of Zobah, which yielded much spoil of brass to David 2Sa 8:8 In 1Ch 18:8 it is called Tibhath.

 

Beth

 

Occurs frequently as the appellation for a house, or dwelling-place, in such compounds as the words immediately following:

 

Bethabara

 

House of the ford, a place on the east bank of the Jordan, where John was baptizing Joh 1:28 It may be identical with Bethbarah, the ancient ford of Jordan of which the men of Ephraim took possession Jud 7:24 The Revised Version reads "Bethany beyond Jordan." It was the great ford, and still bears the name of "the ford, "Makhadhet 'Abarah, "the ford of crossing over, "about 25 miles from Nazareth.

 

See BETHBARAH

 

Beth-anath

 

House of response, one of the fenced cities of Naphtali Jos 19:38 It is perhaps identical with the modern village 'Ainata, 6 miles west of Kedesh.

 

Beth-anoth

 

House of answers, a city in the mountainous district of Judah Jos 15:59 It has been identified with the modern Beit-'Anun, about 3 miles northeast of Hebron.

 

Bethany

 

House of dates.

1. The Revised Version in Joh 1:28 has this word instead of Bethabara, on the authority of the oldest manuscripts. It appears to have been the name of a place on the east of Jordan.

2. A village on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives Mr 11:1 about 2 miles east of Jerusalem, on the road to Jericho. It derived its name from the number of palm-trees which grew there.  It was the residence of Lazarus and his sisters. It is frequently mentioned in connection with memorable incidents in the life of our Lord Mt 21:17 26:6 Mr 11:11,12 14:3 Lu 24:50 Joh 11:1 12:1 It is now known by the name of el-Azariyeh, i.e., "place of Lazarus, "or simply Lazariyeh. Seen from a distance, the village has been described as "remarkably beautiful, the perfection of retirement and repose, of seclusion and lovely peace." Now a mean village, containing about twenty families.

 

Beth-arabah

 

House of the desert, one of the six cities of Judah, situated in the sunk valley of the Jordan and Dead Sea Jos 18:22. In Jos 15:61 it is said to have been "in the wilderness." It was afterwards included in the towns of Benjamin. It is called Arabah Jos 18:18

 

Beth-aram

 

House of the height; i.e., "mountain-house", one of the towns of Gad, 3 miles east of Jordan, opposite Jericho Jos 13:27 Probably the same as Beth-haran in Nu 32:36 It was called by king Herod, Julias, or Livias, after Livia, the wife of Augustus. It is now called Beit-haran.

 

Beth-arbel

 

House of God's court, a place alluded to by Ho 10:14 as the scene of some great military exploit, but not otherwise mentioned in Scripture. The Shalman here named was probably Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria 2Ki 17:3

 

Beth-aven

 

House of nothingness; i.e., "of idols", a place in the mountains of Benjamin, east of Bethel Jos 7:2 18:12 1Sa 13:5 In Ho 4:15 5:8 10:5 it stands for "Bethel" (q.v.), and it is so called because it was no longer the "house of God, "but "the house of idols, "referring to the calves there worshipped.

 

Beth-barah

 

House of crossing, a place south of the scene of Gideon's victory Jud 7:24 It was probably the chief ford of the Jordan in that district, and may have been that by which Jacob crossed when he returned from Mesopotamia, near the Jabbok Ge 32:22 and at which Jephthah slew the Ephraimites Jud 12:4 Nothing, however, is certainly known of it.

 

See BETHABARA

 

Beth-car

 

Sheep-house, a place to which the Israelites pursued the Philistines west from Mizpeh 1Sa 7:11

 

Beth-dagon

 

House of Dagon.

1. A city in the low country or plain of Judah, near Philistia Jos 15:41 the modern Beit Degan, about 5 miles from Lydda.

2. A city near the south-east border of Asher Jos 19:27 It was a Philistine colony. It is identical with the modern ruined village of Tell D'auk.

 

Beth-diblathaim

 

House of two cakes of figs, a city of Moab, upon which Jeremiah Jer 48:22 denounced destruction. It is called also Almon-diblathaim Nu 33:46 and Diblath Eze 6:14 (R.V., "Diblah.")

 

Bethel

 

House of God.

1. A place in Central Palestine, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem, at the head of the pass of Michmash and Ai. It was originally the royal Canaanite city of Luz Ge 28:19 The name Bethel was at first apparently given to the sanctuary in the neighbourhood of Luz, and was not given to the city itself till after its conquest by the tribe of Ephraim. When Abram entered Canaan he formed his second encampment between Bethel and Hai Ge 12:8 and on his return from Egypt he came back to it, and again "called upon the name of the Lord" Ge 13:4 Here Jacob, on his way from Beersheba to Haran, had a vision of the angels of God ascending and descending on the ladder whose top reached unto heaven Ge 28:10-19 and on his return he again visited this place, "where God talked with him" Ge 35:1-15 and there he "built an altar, and called the place El-beth-el" (q.v.). To this second occasion of God's speaking with Jacob at Bethel, Ho 12:4,5 makes reference. In troublous times the people went to Bethel to ask counsel of God Jud 20:18,31 21:2 Here the ark of the covenant was kept for a long time under the care of Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron Jud 20:26-28 Here also Samuel held in rotation his court of justice 1Sa 7:16 It was included in Israel after the kingdom was divided, and it became one of the seats of the worship of the golden calf 1Ki 12:28-33 13:1 Hence the prophet Hosea Ho 4:15 5:8 10:5,8 calls it in contempt Beth-aven, i.e., "house of idols." Bethel remained an abode of priests even after the kingdom of Israel was desolated by the king of Assyria 2Ki 17:28,29 At length all traces of the idolatries were extirpated by Josiah, king of Judah 2Ki 23:15-18 and the place was still in existence after the Captivity Ezr 2:28 Ne 7:32 It has been identified with the ruins of Beitin, a small village amid extensive ruins some 9 miles south of Shiloh.

2. Mount Bethel was a hilly district near Bethel Jos 16:1 1Sa 13:2

3. A town in the south of Judah Jos 8:17 12:16

 

Bethelite

 

A designation of Hiel (q.v.), who rebuilt Jericho and experienced the curse pronounced long before 1Ki 16:34

 

Bether

 

Dissection or separation, certain mountains mentioned in So 2:17 probably near Lebanon.

 

Bethesda

 

House of mercy, a reservoir (Gr. kolumbethra, "a swimming bath") with five porches, close to the sheep-gate or market Ne 3:1 Joh 5:2 Eusebius the historian (A.D. 330 calls it "the sheep-pool." It is also called "Bethsaida" and "Beth-zatha" Joh 5:2 R.V. marg. Under these "porches" or colonnades were usually a large number of infirm people waiting for the "troubling of the water." It is usually identified with the modern so-called Fountain of the Virgin, in the valley of the Kidron, and not far from the Pool of Siloam (q.v.); and also with the Birket Israel, a pool near the mouth of the valley which runs into the Kidron south of "St. Stephen's Gate." Others again identify it with the twin pools called the "Souterrains, "under the convent of the Sisters of Zion, situated in what must have been the rock-hewn ditch between Bezetha and the fortress of Antonia. But quite recently Schick has discovered a large tank, as sketched here, situated about 100 feet north-west of St. Anne's Church, which is, as he contends, very probably the Pool of Bethesda. No certainty as to its identification, however, has as yet been arrived at.

 

See FOUNTAIN See GIHON

 

Beth-gamul

 

Camel-house, a city in the "plain country" of Moab denounced by the prophet Jer 48:23 probably the modern Um-el-Jemal, near Bozrah, one of the deserted cities of the Hauran.

 

Beth-gilgal

 

House of Gilgal, a place from which the inhabitants gathered for the purpose of celebrating the rebuilding of the walls on the return exile Ne 12:29

 

See GILGAL

 

Beth-haccerem

 

House of a vineyard, a place in the tribe of Judah Ne 3:14 where the Benjamites were to set up a beacon when they heard the trumpet against the invading army of the Babylonians Jer 6:1 It is probable that this place is the modern 'Ain Karim, or "well of the vineyards, " near which there is a ridge on which are cairns which may have served as beacons of old, one of which is 40 feet high and 130 in diameter.

 

Beth-horon

 

House of the hollow, or of the cavern, the name of two towns or villages 2Ch 8:5 1Ch 7:24 in the territory of Ephraim, on the way from Jerusalem to Joppa. They are distinguished as Beth-horon "the upper" and Beth-horon "the nether." They are about 2 miles apart, the former being about 10 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Between the two places was the ascent and descent of Beth-horon, leading from Gibeon down to the western plain Jos 10:10,11 18:13,14 down which the five kings of the Amorites were driven by Joshua in that great battle, the most important in which the Hebrews had been as yet engaged, being their first conflict with their enemies in the open field. Jehovah interposed in behalf of Israel by a terrific hailstorm, which caused more deaths among the Canaanites than did the swords of the Israelites. Beth-horon is mentioned as having been taken by Shishak, B.C. 945 in the list of his conquests, and the pass was the scene of a victory of Judas Maccabeus. (Comp.) Ex 9:19,25 Job 38:22,23 Ps 18:12-14 Isa 30:30 The modern name of these places is Beit-ur, distinguished by el-Foka, "the upper, "and el-Tahta, "the nether." The lower was at the foot of the pass, and the upper, 500 feet higher, at the top, west of Gibeon.

 

See GIBEON

 

Beth-jeshimoth

 

House of wastes, or deserts, a town near Abel-shittim, east of Jordan, in the desert of Moab, where the Israelites encamped not long before crossing the Jordan Nu 33:49 A.V., "Bethjesimoth". It was within the territory of Sihon, king of the Amorites Jos 12:3

 

Beth-le-Aphrah

 

(R.V.) Mic 1:10 house of dust. The Authorized Version reads "in the house of Aphrah." This is probably the name of a town in the Shephelah, or "low country, "between Joppa and Gaza.

 

Bethlehem

 

House of bread.

1. A city in the "hill country" of Judah. It was originally called Ephrath Ge 35:16,19 48:7 Ru 4:11 It was also called Beth-lehem Ephratah Mic 5:2 Beth-lehem-judah 1Sa 17:12 and "the city of David" Lu 2:4 It is first noticed in Scripture as the place where Rachel died and was buried "by the wayside, "directly to the north of the city Ge 48:7 The valley to the east was the scene of the story of Ruth the Moabitess. There are the fields in which she gleaned, and the path by which she and Naomi returned to the town. Here was David's birth-place, and here also, in after years, he was anointed as king by Samuel 1Sa 16:4-13 and it was from the well of Bethlehem that three of his heroes brought water for him at the risk of their lives when he was in the cave of Adullam 2Sa 23:13-17 But it was distinguished above every other city as the birth-place of "Him whose goings forth have been of old" Mt 2:6 comp. Mic 5:2 Afterwards Herod, "when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, "sent and slew "all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under" Mt 2:16,18 Jer 31:15 Bethlehem bears the modern name of Beit-Lahm, i.e., "house of flesh." It is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem, standing at an elevation of about 2,550 feet above the sea, thus 100 feet higher than Jerusalem. There is a church still existing, built by Constantine the Great (A.D. 330) called the "Church of the Nativity, "over a grotto or cave called the "holy crypt, "and said to be the "stable" in which Jesus was born. This is perhaps the oldest existing Christian church in the world. Close to it is another grotto, where Jerome the Latin father is said to have spent thirty years of his life in translating the Scriptures into Latin. See VERSION 26768

2. A city of Zebulun, mentioned only in Jos 19:15 Now Beit-Lahm, a ruined village about 6 miles west-north-west of Nazareth.

 

Beth-peor

 

House of Peor; i.e., "temple of Baal-peor", a place in Moab, on the east of Jordan, opposite Jericho. It was in the tribe of Reuben Jos 13:20 De 3:29 4:46 In the "ravine" or valley over against Beth-peor Moses was probably buried De 34:6

 

Beth-phage

 

House of the unripe fig, a village on the Mount of Olives, on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho Mt 21:1 Mr 11:1 Lu 19:29 and very close to Bethany. It was the limit of a Sabbath-day's journey from Jerusalem, i.e., 2,000 cubits. It has been identified with the modern Kefr-et-Tur.

 

Bethsaida

 

House of fish.

1. A town in Galilee, on the west side of the sea of Tiberias, in the "land of Gennesaret." It was the native place of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and was frequently resorted to by Jesus Mr 6:45 Joh 1:44 12:21 It is supposed to have been at the modern 'Ain Tabighah, a bay to the north of Gennesaret.

2. A city near which Christ fed 5,000 Lu 9:10 comp. Joh 6:17 Mt 14:15-21 and where the blind man had his sight restored Mr 8:22 on the east side of the lake, two miles up the Jordan. It stood within the region of Gaulonitis, and was enlarged by Philip the tetrarch, who called it "Julias, "after the emperor's daughter.  Or, as some have supposed, there may have been but one Bethsaida built on both sides of the lake, near where the Jordan enters it. Now the ruins et-Tel.

 

Beth-shean

 

House of security or rest, a city which belonged to Manasseh 1Ch 7:29 on the west of Jordan. The bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened to its walls. In Solomon's time it gave its name to a district 1Ki 4:12 The name is found in an abridged form, Bethshan, in 1Sa 31:10,12 2Sa 21:12 It is on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, about 5 miles from the Jordan, and 14 from the south end of the Lake of Gennesaret. After the Captivity it was called Scythopolis, i.e., "the city of the Scythians, "who about B.C. 640 came down from the steppes of Southern Russia and settled in different places in Syria. It is now called Beisan.

 

Beth-shemesh

 

House of the sun.

1. A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan Jos 21:16 1Sa 6:15 on the north border of Judah Jos 15:10 It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, in which the latter was made prisoner 2Ki 14:11,13 It was afterwards taken by the Philistines 2Ch 28:18 It is the modern ruined Arabic village 'Ain-shems, on the north-west slopes of the mountains of Judah, 14 miles west of Jerusalem.

2. A city between Dothan and the Jordan, near the southern border of Issachar Jos 19:22, 7 1/2 miles south of Beth-shean. It is the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh.

3. One of the fenced cities of Naphtali Jos 19:38 between Mount Tabor and the Jordan. Now Khurbet Shema, 3 miles west of Safed. But perhaps the same as No. 2

4. An idol sanctuary in Egypt Jer 43:13 called by the Greeks Heliopolis, and by the Egyptians On (q.v.), Ge 41:45

 

Beth-tappuah

 

House of apples, a town of Judah, now Tuffuh, 5 miles west of Hebron Jos 15:53

 

Bethuel

 

Man of God, or virgin of God, or house of God.

1. The son of Nahor by Milcah; nephew of Abraham, and father of Rebekah Ge 22:22,23 24:15,24,47 He appears in person only once Ge 24:50

2. A southern city of Judah 1Ch 4:30 called also Bethul Jos 19:4 and Bethel Jos 12:16 1Sa 30:27

 

Bethzur

 

House of rock, a town in the mountains of Judah Jos 15:58 about 4 miles to the north of Hebron. It was built by Rehoboam for the defence of his kingdom 2Ch 11:7 It stood near the modern ed-Dirweh. Its ruins are still seen on a hill which bears the name of Beit-Sur, and which commands the road from Beer-sheba and Hebron to Jerusalem from the south.

 

Betroth

 

To promise "by one's truth." Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed De 28:30 Jud 14:2,8 Mt 1:18-21 The term is figuratively employed of the spiritual connection between God and his people Ho 2:19,20

 

See ESPOUSE

 

Beulah

 

Married, is used in Isa 62:4 metaphorically as the name of Judea: "Thy land shall be married, "i.e., favoured and blessed of the Lord.

 

Bewray

 

To reveal or disclose; an old English word equivalent to "betray" Pr 27:16 29:24 R.V., "uttereth; "Isa 16:3 Mt 26:73

 

Beyond

 

When used with reference to Jordan, signifies in the writings of Moses the west side of the river, as he wrote on the east bank Ge 50:10,11 De 1:1,5 3:8,20 4:46 but in the writings of Joshua, after he had crossed the river, it means the east side Jos 5:1 12:7 22:7

 

Bezaleel

 

In the shadow of God; i.e., "under his protection", the artificer who executed the work of art in connection with the tabernacle in the wilderness Ex 31:2 35:30 He was engaged principally in works of metal, wood, and stone; while Aholiab, who was associated with him and subordinate to him, had the charge of the textile fabrics Ex 36:1,2 38:22 He was of the tribe of Judah, the son of Uri, and grandson of Hur Ex 31:2 Mention is made in Ezr 10:30 of another of the same name.

 

Bezek

 

Lightning.

1. The residence of Adoni-bezek, in the lot of Judah Jud 1:5 It was in the mountains, not far from Jerusalem. Probably the modern Bezkah, 6 miles south-east of Lydda.

2. The place where Saul numbered the forces of Israel and Judah 1Sa 11:8 somewhere in the centre of the country, near the Jordan valley. Probably the modern Ibzik, 13 miles north-east of Shechem.

 

Bezer

 

Ore of gold or silver.

1. A city of the Reubenites; one of the three cities of refuge on the east of Jordan De 4:43 Jos 20:8 It has been identified with the modern ruined village of Burazin, some 12 miles north of Heshbon; also with Kasur-el-Besheir, 2 miles south-west of Dibon.

2. A descendant of Asher 1Ch 7:37

 

Bible

 

Bible, the English form of the Greek name _Biblia_, meaning "books, " the name which in the fifth century began to be given to the entire collection of sacred books, the "Library of Divine Revelation." The name Bible was adopted by Wickliffe, and came gradually into use in our English language. The Bible consists of sixty-six different books, composed by many different writers, in three different languages, under different circumstances; writers of almost every social rank, statesmen and peasants, kings, herdsmen, fishermen, priests, tax-gatherers, tentmakers; educated and uneducated, Jews and Gentiles; most of them unknown to each other, and writing at various periods during the space of about 1600 years: and yet, after all, it is only one book dealing with only one subject in its numberless aspects and relations, the subject of man's redemption. It is divided into the Old Testament, containing thirty-nine books, and the New Testament, containing twenty-seven books. The names given to the Old in the writings of the New are:

1. "the scriptures" Mt 21:42

2. "scripture" 2Pe 1:20

3. "the holy scriptures" Ro 1:2

4. "the law" Joh 12:34

5. "the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms" Lu 24:44

6. "the law and the prophets" Mt 5:17

7. "the old covenant" 2Co 3:14 R.V. There is a break of 400 years between the Old Testament and the New. See APOCRYPHA

 

The Old Testament is divided into three parts:

1. The Law (Torah), consisting of the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses.

2. The Prophets, consisting of:

a. the former, namely, Joshua, Judges, the Books of Samuel, and the Books of Kings;

b. the latter, namely, the greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets.

3. The Hagiographa, or holy writings, including the rest of the books. These were ranked in three divisions:

a. The Psalms, Proverbs, and Job, distinguished by the Hebrew name, a word formed of the initial letters of these books, _emeth_, meaning truth.

b. Canticles, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, called the five rolls, as being written for the synagogue use on five separate rolls.

c. Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1 and 2 Chronicles. Between the Old and the New Testament no addition was made to the revelation God had already given. The period of New Testament revelation, extending over a century, began with the appearance of John the Baptist.

 

The New Testament consists of

1. The historical books, viz., the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles.

2. The Epistles.

3. The book of prophecy, the Revelation. The division of the Bible into chapters and verses is altogether of human invention, designed to facilitate reference to it. The ancient Jews divided the Old Testament into certain sections for use in the synagogue service, and then at a later period, in the ninth century A.D., into verses. Our modern system of chapters for all the books of the Bible was introduced by Cardinal Hugo about the middle of the thirteenth century (he died 1263) The system of verses for the New Testament was introduced by Stephens in 1551 and generally adopted, although neither Tyndale's nor Coverdale's English translation of the Bible has verses. The division is not always wisely made, yet it is very useful.

 

See VERSION

 

Bier

 

The frame on which dead bodies were conveyed to the grave Lu 7:14

 

Bigtha

 

Garden, or gift of fortune, one of the seven eunuchs or chamberlains who had charge of the harem of Ahasuerus Es 1:10

 

Bigthan

 

One of the eunuchs who "kept the door" in the court of Ahasuerus. With Teresh he conspired against the king's life. Mordecai detected the conspiracy, and the culprits were hanged Es 2:21-23 6:1-3

 

Bildad

 

Son of contention, one of Job's friends. He is called "the Shuhite, " probably as belonging to Shuah, a district in Arabia, in which Shuah, the sixth son of Abraham by Keturah, settled Ge 25:2 He took part in each of the three controversies into which Job's friends entered with him Job 8:1 18:1 25:1 and delivered three speeches, very severe and stern in their tone, although less violent than those of Zophar, but more so than those of Eliphaz.

 

Bilgah

 

Cheerful.

1. The head of the fifteenth sacerdotal course for the temple service 1Ch 24:14

2. A priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel Ne 12:5,18

 

Bilhah

 

Faltering; bashful, Rachel's handmaid, whom she gave to Jacob Ge 29:29 She was the mother of Dan and Naphtali Ge 30:3-8 Reuben was cursed by his father for committing adultry with her Ge 35:22 49:4 He was deprived of the birth-right, which was given to the sons of Joseph.

 

Bilshan

 

Son of the tongue; i.e., "eloquent", a man of some note who returned from the Captivity with Zerubbabel Ezr 2:2 Ne 7:7

 

Bird

 

Birds are divided in the Mosaic law into two classes,

1. The clean Le 1:14-17 5:7-10 14:4-7 which were offered in sacrifice

2. The unclean Le 11:13-20 They are mentioned also as an article of food De 14:11 The art of snaring wild birds is referred to Ps 124:7 Pr 1:17 7:23 Jer 5:27 Singing birds are mentioned in Ps 104:12 Ec 12:4 Their timidity is alluded to Ho 11:11 The reference in Ps 84:3 to the swallow and the sparrow may be only a comparison equivalent to, "What her house is to the sparrow, and her nest to the swallow, that thine altars are to my soul."

 

Birsha

 

Son of wickedness, a king of Gomorrah whom Abraham succoured in the invasion of Chedorlaomer Ge 14:2

 

Birth

 

As soon as a child was born it was washed, and rubbed with salt Eze 16:4 and then swathed with bandages Job 38:9 Lu 2:7,12 A Hebrew mother remained forty days in seclusion after the birth of a son, and after the birth of a daughter double that number of days. At the close of that period she entered into the tabernacle or temple and offered up a sacrifice of purification Le 12:1-8 Lu 2:22 A son was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, being thereby consecrated to God Ge 17:10-12 comp. Ro 4:11 Seasons of misfortune are likened to the pains of a woman in travail, and seasons of prosperity to the joy that succeeds child-birth Isa 13:8 Jer 4:31 Joh 16:21,22 The natural birth is referred to as the emblem of the new birth Joh 3:3-8 Ga 6:15 Ti 3:5 etc.

 

Birth-day

 

The observance of birth-days was common in early times Job 1:4,13,18 They were specially celebrated in the land of Egypt Ge 40:20 There is no recorded instance in Scripture of the celebration of birth-days among the Jews. On the occasion of Herod's birth-day John the Baptist was beheaded Mt 14:6

 

Birthright

 

1. This word denotes the special privileges and advantages belonging to the first-born son among the Jews. He became the priest of the family. Thus Reuben was the first-born of the patriarchs, and so the priesthood of the tribes belonged to him. That honour was, however, transferred by God from Reuben to Levi Nu 3:12,13 8:18

2. The first-born son had allotted to him also a double portion of the paternal inheritance De 21:15-17 Reuben was, because of his undutiful conduct, deprived of his birth-right Ge 49:4 1Ch 5:1 Esau transferred his birth-right to Jacob Ge 25:33

3. The first-born inherited the judicial authority of his father, whatever it might be 2Ch 21:3 By divine appointment, however, David excluded Adonijah in favour of Solomon.

4. The Jews attached a sacred importance to the rank of "first-born" and "first-begotten" as applied to the Messiah Ro 8:29 Col 1:18 Heb 1:4-6 As first-born he has an inheritance superior to his brethren, and is the alone true priest.

 

See FIRST BORN

 

Bishop

 

An overseer. In apostolic times, it is quite manifest that there was no difference as to order between bishops and elders or presbyters Ac 20:17-28 1Pe 5:1,2 Php 1:1 1Ti 3:1ff. The term bishop is never once used to denote a different office from that of elder or presbyter. These different names are simply titles of the same office, "bishop" designating the function, namely, that of oversight, and "presbyter" the dignity appertaining to the office. Christ is figuratively called "the bishop [episcopos] of souls" 1Pe 2:25

 

Bit

 

The curb put into the mouths of horses to restrain them. The Hebrew word (metheg) so rendered in Ps 32:9 is elsewhere translated "bridle" 2Ki 19:28 Pr 26:3 Isa 37:29 Bits were generally made of bronze or iron, but sometimes also of gold or silver. In Jas 3:3 the Authorized Version translates the Greek word by "bits, "but the Revised Version by "bridles."

 

Bith-ron

 

The broken or divided place, a district in the Arabah or Jordan valley, on the east of the river 2Sa 2:29 It was probably the designation of the region in general, which is broken and intersected by ravines.

 

Bithynia

 

A province in Asia Minor, to the south of the Euxine and Propontis. Christian congregations were here formed at an early time 1Pe 1:1 Paul was prevented by the Spirit from entering this province Ac 16:7 It is noted in church history as the province ruled over by Pliny as Roman proconsul, who was perplexed as to the course he should take with the numerous Christians brought before his tribunal on account of their profession of Christianity and their conduct, and wrote to Trajan, the emperor, for instructions (A.D. 107)

 

Bitter

 

Bitterness is symbolical of affliction, misery, and servitude Ex 1:14 Ru 1:20 Jer 9:15 The Chaldeans are called the "bitter and hasty nation" Hab 1:6 The "gall of bitterness" expresses a state of great wickedness Ac 8:23 A "root of bitterness" is a wicked person or a dangerous sin Heb 12:15 The Passover was to be eaten with "bitter herbs" Ex 12:8 Nu 9:11 The kind of herbs so designated is not known. Probably they were any bitter herbs obtainable at the place and time when the Passover was celebrated. They represented the severity of the servitude under which the people groaned; and have been regarded also as typical of the sufferings of Christ.

 

Bittern

 

Is found three times in connection with the desolations to come upon Babylon, Idumea, and Nineveh Isa 14:23 34:11 Zep 2:14 This bird belongs to the class of cranes. Its scientific name is Botaurus stellaris. It is a solitary bird, frequenting marshy ground. The Hebrew word (kippod) thus rendered in the Authorized Version is rendered "porcupine" in the Revised Version. But in the passages noted the kippod is associated with birds, with pools of water, and with solitude and desolation. This favours the idea that not the "porcupine" but the "bittern" is really intended by the word.

 

Bitumen

 

Ge 11:3 R.V., margin, rendered in the A.V. "slime"), a mineral pitch. With this the ark was pitched Ge 6:14 Ex 2:3

 

See SLIME

 

Black

 

Properly the absence of all colour. In Pr 7:9 the Hebrew word means, as in the margin of the Revised Version, "the pupil of the eye." It is translated "apple" of the eye in De 32:10 Ps 17:8 Pr 7:2 It is a different word which is rendered "black" in Le 13:31,37 So 1:5 5:11 Zec 6:2,6 It is uncertain what the "black marble" of Es 1:6 was which formed a part of the mosaic pavement.

 

Blade

 

Applied to:

1. The glittering point of a spear Job 39:23

2. Or sword Na 3:3

3. The blade of a dagger Jud 3:22

4. The "shoulder blade" Job 31:22

5. The "blade" of cereals Mt 13:26

 

Blains

 

Occurs only in connection with the sixth plague of Egypt Ex 9:9,10 In De 28:27,35 it is called "the botch of Egypt." It seems to have been the fearful disease of black leprosy, a kind of elephantiasis, producing burning ulcers.

 

Blasphemy

 

In the sense of speaking evil of God this word is found in Ps 74:18 Isa 52:5 Ro 2:24 Re 13:1,6 16:9,11,21 It denotes also any kind of calumny, or evil-speaking, or abuse 1Ki 21:10 Ac 13:45 18:6 Our Lord was accused of blasphemy when he claimed to be the Son of God Mt 26:65 comp. Mt 9:3 Mr 2:7 They who deny his Messiahship blaspheme Jesus Lu 22:65 Joh 10:36 Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost Mt 12:31,32 Mr 3:28,29 Lu 12:10 is regarded by some as a continued and obstinate rejection of the gospel, and hence is an unpardonable sin, simply because as long as a sinner remains in unbelief he voluntarily excludes himself from pardon. Others regard the expression as designating the sin of attributing to the power of Satan those miracles which Christ performed, or generally those works which are the result of the Spirit's agency.

 

Blastus

 

Chamberlain to king Herod Agrippa I. Ac 12:20 Such persons generally had great influence with their masters.

 

Blemish

 

Imperfection or bodily deformity excluding men from the priesthood, and rendering animals unfit to be offered in sacrifice Le 21:17-23 Lev 22:19-25 The Christian church, as justified in Christ, is "without blemish" Eph 5:27 Christ offered himself a sacrifice "without blemish, "acceptable to God 1Pe 1:19

 

Bless

 

1. God blesses his people when he bestows on them some gift temporal or spiritual Ge 1:22 24:35 Job 42:12 Ps 45:2 104:24,35

2. We bless God when we thank him for his mercies Ps 103:1,2 145:1,2

3. A man blesses himself when he invokes God's blessing Isa 65:16 or rejoices in God's goodness to him De 29:19 Ps 49:18

4. One blesses another when he expresses good wishes or offers prayer to God for his welfare Ge 24:60 31:55 1Sa 2:20 Sometimes blessings were uttered under divine inspiration, as in the case of Noah, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses Ge 9:26,27 27:28,29,40 Ge 48:15-20 49:1-28 De 33:1ff. The priests were divinely authorized to bless the people De 10:8 Nu 6:22-27 We have many examples of apostolic benediction 2Co 13:14 Eph 6:23,24 2Th 3:16,18 Heb 13:20,21 1Pe 5:10,11

5. Among the Jews in their thank-offerings the master of the feast took a cup of wine in his hand, and after having blessed God for it and for other mercies then enjoyed, handed it to his guests, who all partook of it. Ps 116:13 refers to this custom. It is also alluded to in 1Co 10:16 where the apostle speaks of the "cup of blessing."

 

Blind

 

Blind beggars are frequently mentioned Mt 9:27 12:22 20:30 Joh 5:3 The blind are to be treated with compassion Le 19:14 De 27:18 Blindness was sometimes a punishment for disobedience 1Sa 11:2 Jer 39:7 sometimes the effect of old age Ge 27:1 1Ki 14:4 1Sa 4:15 Conquerors sometimes blinded their captives 2Ki 25:7 1Sa 11:2 Blindness denotes ignorance as to spiritual things Isa 6:10 42:18,19 Mt 15:14 Eph 4:18 The opening of the eyes of the blind is peculiar to the Messiah Isa 29:18 Elymas was smitten with blindness at Paul's word Ac 13:11

 

Blood

 

1. As food, prohibited in Ge 9:4 where the use of animal food is first allowed. Comp. De 12:23 Le 3:17 7:26 17:10-14 The injunction to abstain from blood is renewed in the decree of the council of Jerusalem Ac 15:29 It has been held by some, and we think correctly, that this law of prohibition was only ceremonial and temporary; while others regard it as still binding on all. Blood was eaten by the Israelites after the battle of Gilboa 1Sa 14:32-34

2. The blood of sacrifices was caught by the priest in a basin, and then sprinkled seven times on the altar; that of the passover on the doorposts and lintels of the houses Ex 12:1ff. Le 4:5-7 16:14-19 At the giving of the law Ex 24:8 the blood of the sacrifices was sprinkled on the people as well as on the altar, and thus the people were consecrated to God, or entered into covenant with him, hence the blood of the covenant Mt 26:28 Heb 9:19,20 10:29 13:20

3. Human blood. The murderer was to be punished Ge 9:5 The blood of the murdered "crieth for vengeance" Ge 4:10 The "avenger of blood" was the nearest relative of the murdered, and he was required to avenge his death Nu 35:24,27 No satisfaction could be made for the guilt of murder Nu 35:31

4. Blood used metaphorically to denote race Ac 17:26 and as a symbol of slaughter Isa 34:3 To "wash the feet in blood" means to gain a great victory Ps 58:10 Wine, from its red colour, is called "the blood of the grape" Ge 49:11 Blood and water issued from our Saviour's side when it was pierced by the Roman soldier Joh 19:34 This has led pathologists to the conclusion that the proper cause of Christ's death was rupture of the heart. (Comp.) Ps 69:20

 

Bloody Sweat

 

The sign and token of our Lord's great agony Lu 22:44

 

Blot

 

A stain or reproach Job 31:7 Pr 9:7 To blot out sin is to forgive it Ps 51:1,9 Isa 44:22 Ac 3:19 Christ's blotting out the handwriting of ordinances was his fulfilling the law in our behalf Col 2:14

 

Blue

 

Generally associated with purple Ex 25:4 26:1,31,36 etc. It is supposed to have been obtained from a shellfish of the Mediterranean, the Helix ianthina of Linnaeus. The robe of the high priest's ephod was to be all of this colour Ex 28:31 also the loops of the curtains Ex 26:4 and the ribbon of the breastplate Ex 28:28 Blue cloths were also made for various sacred purposes Nu 4:6,7,9,11,12

 

See COLOUR

 

Boanerges

 

Sons of thunder, a surname given by our Lord to James and John Mr 3:17 on account of their fervid and impetuous temper Lu 9:54

 

Boar

 

Occurs only in Ps 80:13 The same Hebrew word is elsewhere rendered "swine" Le 11:7 De 14:8 Pr 11:22 Isa 65:4 66:3,17 The Hebrews abhorred swine's flesh, and accordingly none of these animals were reared, except in the district beyond the Sea of Galilee. In the psalm quoted above the powers that destroyed the Jewish nation are compared to wild boars and wild beasts of the field.

 

Boaz

 

Alacrity.

1. The husband of Ruth, a wealthy Bethlehemite. By the "levirate law" the duty devolved on him of marrying Ruth the Moabitess Ru 4:1-13 He was a kinsman of Mahlon, her first husband.

2. The name given (for what reason is unknown) to one of the two (the other was called Jachin) brazen pillars which Solomon erected in the court of the temple 1Ki 7:21 2Ch 3:17 These pillars were broken up and carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar.

 

Bochim

 

Weepers, a place where the angel of the Lord reproved the Israelites for entering into a league with the people of the land. This caused them bitterly to weep, and hence the name of the place Jud 2:1,5 It lay probably at the head of one of the valleys between Gilgal and Shiloh.

 

Boil

 

(rendered "botch" in) De 28:27,35 an aggravated ulcer, as in the case of Hezekiah 2Ki 20:7 Isa 38:21 or of the Egyptians Ex 9:9,10,11 De 28:27,35 It designates the disease of Job 2:7 which was probably the black leprosy.

 

Bolled

 

Ex 9:31 meaning "swollen or podded for seed, "was adopted in the Authorized Version from the version of Coverdale (1535). The Revised Version has in the margin "was in bloom, "which is the more probable rendering of the Hebrew word. It is the fact that in Egypt when barley is in ear (about February) flax is blossoming.

 

Bolster

 

The Hebrew word _kebir_, rendered "pillow" in 1Sa 19:13,16 but in Revised Version marg. "quilt" or "network, "probably means some counterpane or veil intended to protect the head of the sleeper. A different Hebrew word (meraashoth')is used for "bolster" 1Sa 26:7,11,16 It is rightly rendered in Revised Version "at his head." In Ge 28:11,18 the Authorized Version renders it "for his pillows, "and the Revised Version "under his head." In Eze 13:18,20 another Hebrew word (kesathoth) is used, properly denoting "cushions" or "pillows, "as so rendered both in the Authorized and the Revised Version.

 

Bond

 

An obligation of any kind Nu 30:2,4,12 The word means also oppression or affliction Ps 116:16 Php 1:7 Christian love is the "bond of perfectness" Col 3:14 and the influences of the Spirit are the "bond of peace" Eph 4:3

 

Bondage

 

Of Israel in Egypt Ex 2:23,25 5:1ff. which is called the "house of bondage" Ex 13:3 20:2 This word is used also with reference to the captivity in Babylon Isa 14:3 and the oppression of the Persian king Ezr 9:8,9

 

Bonnet

 

(Heb. peer), Ex 39:28 (R.V., "head-tires"); Eze 44:18 (R.V., "tires"), denotes properly a turban worn by priests, and in Isa 3:20 (R.V., "head-tires") a head-dress or tiara worn by females. The Hebrew word so rendered literally means an ornament, as in Isa 61:10 (R.V., "garland"), and in Eze 24:17,23 "tire" (R.V., "head-tire"). It consisted of a piece of cloth twisted about the head. In Ex 28:40 29:9 it is the translation of a different Hebrew word (migba'ah), which denotes the turban (R.V., "head-tire") of the common priest as distinguished from the mitre of the high priest.

 

See MITRE

 

Book

 

This word has a comprehensive meaning in Scripture. In the Old Testament it is the rendering of the Hebrew word _sepher_, which properly means a "writing, "and then a "volume" Ex 17:14 De 28:58 De 29:20 Job 19:23 or "roll of a book" Jer 36:2,4 Books were originally written on skins, on linen or cotton cloth, and on Egyptian papyrus, whence our word "paper." The leaves of the book were generally written in columns, designated by a Hebrew word properly meaning "doors" and "valves" Jer 36:23 R.V., marg. "columns". Among the Hebrews books were generally rolled up like our maps, or if very long they were rolled from both ends, forming two rolls Lu 4:17-20 Thus they were arranged when the writing was on flexible materials; but if the writing was on tablets of wood or brass or lead, then the several tablets were bound together by rings through which a rod was passed.  A sealed book is one whose contents are secret Isa 29:11 Re 5:1-3 To "eat" a book Jer 15:16 Eze 2:8-10 3:1-3 Re 10:9 is to study its contents carefully. The book of judgment Da 7:10 refers to the method of human courts of justice as illustrating the proceedings which will take place at the day of God's final judgment. The book of the wars of the Lord Nu 21:14 the book of Jasher Jos 10:13 and the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah and Israel 2Ch 25:26 were probably ancient documents known to the Hebrews, but not forming a part of the canon. The book of life Ps 69:28 suggests the idea that as the redeemed form a community or citizenship Php 3:20 4:3 a catalogue of the citizens' names is preserved Lu 10:20 Re 20:15 Their names are registered in heaven Lu 10:20 Re 3:5 The book of the covenant Ex 24:7 containing Ex 20:22-Ex 23:33 is the first book actually mentioned as a part of the written word. It contains a series of laws, civil, social, and religious, given to Moses at Sinai immediately after the delivery of the decalogue. These were written in this "book."

 

Booth

 

A hut made of the branches of a tree. In such tabernacles Jacob sojourned for a season at a place named from this circumstance Succoth Ge 33:17 Booths were erected also at the feast of Tabernacles (q.v.), Le 23:42,43 which commemorated the abode of the Israelites in the wilderness.

 

Booty

 

Captives or cattle or objects of value taken in war. In Canaan all that breathed were to be destroyed De 20:16 The "pictures and images" of the Canaanites were to be destroyed also Nu 33:52 The law of booty as to its division is laid down in Nu 31:26-47 David afterwards introduced a regulation that the baggage-guard should share the booty equally with the soldiers engaged in battle. He also devoted of the spoils of war for the temple 1Sa 30:24-26 2Sa 8:11 1Ch 26:27

 

Borrow

 

The Israelites "borrowed" from the Egyptians Ex 12:35 R.V., "asked", in accordance with a divine command Ex 3:22 11:2 But the word (sha'al) so rendered here means simply and always to "request" or "demand." The Hebrew had another word which is properly translated "borrow" in De 28:12 Ps 37:21 It was well known that the parting was final. The Egyptians were so anxious to get the Israelites away out of their land that "they let them have what they asked" Ex 12:36 R.V., or literally "made them to ask, "urged them to take whatever they desired and depart.

 

See LOAN

 

Bosom

 

In the East objects are carried in the bosom which Europeans carry in the pocket. To have in one's bosom indicates kindness, secrecy, or intimacy Ge 16:5 2Sa 12:8 Christ is said to have been in "the bosom of the Father, "i.e., he had the most perfect knowledge of the Father, had the closest intimacy with him Joh 1:18. John Joh 13:23 was "leaning on Jesus' bosom" at the last supper. Our Lord carries his lambs in his bosom, i.e., has a tender, watchful care over them Isa 40:11

 

Bosor

 

The Chaldee or Aramaic form of the name Beor, the father of Balaam 2Pe 2:15

 

Bosses

 

The projecting parts of a shield Job 15:26 The Hebrew word thus rendered means anything convex or arched, and hence the back, as of animals.

 

Botch

 

The name given in De 28:27,35 to one of the Egyptian plagues Ex 9:9 The word so translated is usually rendered "boil" (q.v.).

 

Bottle

 

A vessel made of skins for holding wine Jos 9:4,13 1Sa 16:20 Mt 9:17 Mr 2:22 Lu 5:37,38 or milk Jud 4:19 or water Ge 21:14,15,19 or strong drink Hab 2:15 Earthenware vessels were also similarly used Jer 19:1-10 1Ki 14:3 Isa 30:14. In Job 32:19 (comp.) Mt 9:17 Lu 5:37,38 Mr 2:22 the reference is to a wine-skin ready to burst through the fermentation of the wine. "Bottles of wine" in the Authorized Version of Ho 7:5 is properly rendered in the Revised Version by "the heat of wine, "i.e., the fever of wine, its intoxicating strength. The clouds are figuratively called the "bottles of heaven" Job 38:37 A bottle blackened or shrivelled by smoke is referred to in Ps 119:83 as an image to which the psalmist likens himself.

 

Bow

 

The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase Ge 21:20 27:3 48:22 The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow 1Ch 8:40 12:2 2Ch 14:8 17:17 so also were the Elamites Isa 22:6 and the Lydians Jer 46:9 The Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread 1Ch 5:18 8:40 and hence it is concluded that the foot was employed in bending the bow. Bows of steel (correctly "copper") are mentioned 2Sa 22:35 Ps 18:34 The arrows were carried in a quiver Ge 27:3 Isa 22:6 49:2 Ps 127:5 They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material attached to them Ps 120:4 The bow is a symbol of victory Ps 7:12 It denotes also falsehood, deceit Ps 64:3,4 Ho 7:16 Jer 9:3 "The use of the bow" in 2Sa 1:18 (A.V.) ought to be "the song of the bow, "as in the Revised Version.

 

See ARCHER

 

Bowels

 

Php 1:8 2:1 Col 3:12 compassionate feelings; R.V., "tender mercies."

 

Bowing

 

A mode of showing respect. Abraham "bowed himself to the people of the land" Ge 23:7 so Jacob to Esau Ge 33:3 and the brethren of Joseph before him as the governor of the land Ge 43:28 Bowing is also frequently mentioned as an act of adoration to idols Jos 23:7 2Ki 5:18 Jud 2:19 Isa 44:15 and to God Jos 5:14 Ps 22:29 72:9 Mic 6:6 Ps 95:6 Eph 3:14

 

Bowl

 

The sockets of the lamps of the golden candlestick of the tabernacle are called bowls Ex 25:31,33,34 37:17,19,20 the same word so rendered being elsewhere rendered "cup" Ge 44:2,12,16 and wine "pot" Jer 35:5 The reservoir for oil, from which pipes led to each lamp in Zechariah's vision of the candlestick, is called also by this name Zec 4:2,3 so also are the vessels used for libations Ex 25:29 37:16

 

Box

 

For holding oil or perfumery Mr 14:3 It was of the form of a flask or bottle. The Hebrew word (pak) used for it is more appropriately rendered "vial" in 1Sa 10:1 and should also be so rendered in 2Ki 9:1 where alone else it occurs.

 

See ALABASTER

 

Box-tree

 

(Heb. teashshur), mentioned in Isa 60:13 41:19 was, according to some, a species of cedar growing in Lebanon. The words of Eze 27:6 literally translated are, "Thy benches they have made of ivory, the daughter of the ashur tree, "i.e., inlaid with ashur wood. The ashur is the box-tree, and accordingly the Revised Version rightly reads "inlaid in box wood." This is the Buxus sempervirens of botanists. It is remarkable for the beauty of its evergreen foliage and for the utility of its hard and durable wood.

 

Bozrah

 

Enclosure; fortress.

1. The city of Jobab, one of the early Edomite kings Ge 36:33 This place is mentioned by the prophets in later times Isa 34:6 Jer 49:13 Am 1:12 Mic 2:12 Its modern representative is el-Busseireh. It lies in the mountain district of Petra, 20 miles to the south-east of the Dead Sea.

2. A Moabite city in the "plain country" Jer 48:24 i.e., on the high level down on the east of the Dead Sea. It is probably the modern Buzrah.

 

Bracelet

 

1. Anklets Nu 31:50 2Sa 1:10 and with reference to men.

2. The rendering of a Hebrew word meaning fasteners, found in Ge 24:22,30,47

3. In Isa 3:19 the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning chains, i.e., twisted or chain-like bracelets.

4. In Ex 35:22 it designates properly a clasp for fastening the dress of females. Some interpret it as a nose-ring.

5. In Ge 38:18,25 the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning "thread, " and may denote the ornamental cord with which the signet was suspended from the neck of the wearer. Bracelets were worn by men as well as by women So 5:14 R.V. They were of many various forms. The weight of those presented by Eliezer to Rebekah was ten shekels Ge 24:22

 

Bramble

 

1. Hebrew _atad_, Jud 9:14 rendered "thorn, "Ps 58:9 The LXX. and Vulgate render by rhamnus, a thorny shrub common in Palestine, resembling the hawthorn.

2. Hebrew _hoah_, Isa 34:13 (R.V. "thistles"); "thickets" in 1Sa 13:6 "thistles" in 2Ki 14:9 2Ch 25:18 Job 31:40 "thorns" in 2Ch 33:11 So 2:2 Ho 9:6 The word may be regarded as denoting the common thistle, of which there are many species which encumber the corn-fields of Palestine.

 

See THORNS

 

Branch

 

A symbol of kings descended from royal ancestors Eze 17:3,10 Da 11:7 of prosperity Job 8:16 of the Messiah, a branch out of the root of the stem of Jesse Isa 11:1 the "beautiful branch" Isa 4:2 a "righteous branch" Jer 23:5 "the Branch" Zec 3:8 6:12 Disciples are branches of the true vine Joh 15:5,6 "The branch of the terrible ones" Isa 25:5 is rightly translated in the Revised Version "the song of the terrible ones, "i.e., the song of victory shall be brought low by the destruction of Babylon and the return of the Jews from captivity. The "abominable branch" is a tree on which a malefactor has been hanged Isa 14:19 The "highest branch" in Eze 17:3 represents Jehoiakim the king.

 

Brass

 

Which is an alloy of copper and zinc, was not known till the thirteenth century. What is designated by this word in Scripture is properly copper De 8:9 It was used for fetters Jud 16:21 2Ki 25:7 for pieces of armour 1Sa 17:5,6 for musical instruments 1Ch 15:19 1Co 13:1 and for money Mt 10:9 It is a symbol of insensibility and obstinacy in sin Isa 48:4 Jer 6:28 Eze 22:18 and of strength Ps 107:16 Mic 4:13 The Macedonian empire is described as a kingdom of brass Da 2:39 The "mountains of brass" Zechariah Zec 6:1 speaks of have been supposed to represent the immutable decrees of God. The serpent of brass was made by Moses at the command of God Nu 21:4-9 and elevated on a pole, so that it might be seen by all the people when wounded by the bite of the serpents that were sent to them as a punishment for their murmurings against God and against Moses. It was afterwards carried by the Jews into Canaan, and preserved by them till the time of Hezekiah, who caused it to be at length destroyed because it began to be viewed by the people with superstitious reverence 2Ki 18:4 The brazen serpent is alluded to by our Lord in Joh 3:14,15

 

See COPPER See NEHUSHTAN See SERPENT

 

Bravery

 

Isa 3:18 an old English word meaning comeliness or beauty.

 

Breach

 

An opening in a wall 1Ki 11:27 2Ki 12:5 the fracture of a limb Le 24:20 and hence the expression, "Heal, etc." Ps 60:2 Jud 5:17 a bay or harbour; R.V., "by his creeks."

 

Bread

 

Among the Jews was generally made of wheat Ex 29:2 Jud 6:19 though also sometimes of other grains Ge 14:18 Jud 7:13 Parched grain was sometimes used for food without any other preparation Ru 2:14 Bread was prepared by kneading in wooden bowls or "kneading troughs" Ge 18:6 Ex 12:34 Jer 7:18 The dough was mixed with leaven and made into thin cakes, round or oval, and then baked. The bread eaten at the Passover was always unleavened Ex 12:15-20 De 16:3 In the towns there were public ovens, which were much made use of for baking bread; there were also bakers by trade Ho 7:4 Jer 37:21 Their ovens were not unlike those of modern times. But sometimes the bread was baked by being placed on the ground that had been heated by a fire, and by covering it with the embers 1Ki 19:6 This was probably the mode in which Sarah prepared bread on the occasion referred to in Ge 18:6 In Le 2:1ff. there is an account of the different kinds of bread and cakes used by the Jews.

See BAKE The shew-bread (q.v.) consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread prepared and presented hot on the golden table every Sabbath. They were square or oblong, and represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The old loaves were removed every Sabbath, and were to be eaten only by the priests in the court of the sanctuary Ex 25:30 Le 24:8 1Sa 21:1-6 Mt 12:4 The word bread is used figuratively in such expressions as "bread of sorrows" Ps 127:2 "bread of tears" Ps 80:5 i.e., sorrow and tears are like one's daily bread, they form so great a part in life. The bread of "wickedness" Pr 4:17 and "of deceit" Pr 20:17 denote in like manner that wickedness and deceit are a part of the daily life.

 

Breastplate

 

1. That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast. This word is used figuratively in Eph 6:14 Isa 59:17 See ARMOUR

2. An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first mentioned in Ex 25:7 It was made of embroidered cloth, set with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes Ex 28:15-29 Ex 39:8-21 It was in size about ten inches square. The two upper corners were fastened to the ephod by blue ribbons. It was not to be "loosed from the ephod" Ex 28:28 The lower corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it reminded the priest of his representative character, it was called the memorial Ex 28:29 It was also called the breastplate of judgment Ex 28:15

 

See PRIEST

 

Breeches

 

Ex 28:42 rather linen drawers, reaching from the waist to a little above the knee, worn by the priests Eze 44:17,18

 

Bribe

 

None to be taken; "for the gift maketh open eyes blind, and perverteth the cause of the righteous" Ex 23:8 literally rendered.

 

Bricks

 

The making of, formed the chief labour of the Israelites in Egypt Ex 1:13,14 Those found among the ruins of Babylon and Nineveh are about a foot square and four inches thick. They were usually dried in the sun, though also sometimes in kilns 2Sa 12:31 Jer 43:9 Na 3:14 The bricks used in the tower of Babel were burnt bricks, cemented in the building by bitumen Ge 11:3

 

See NEBUCHADNEZZAR

 

Bride

 

Frequently used in the ordinary sense Isa 49:18 61:10 etc. The relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the figure of that between a bridegroom and bride Joh 3:29 The church is called "the bride" Re 21:9 22:17 Compare parable of the Ten Virgins Mt 25:1-13

 

Bridle

 

Three Hebrew words are thus rendered in the Authorized Version.

1. Heb. _mahsom'_signifies a muzzle or halter or bridle, by which the rider governs his horse Ps 39:1

2. _Me'theg_, rendered also "bit" in Ps 32:9 which is its proper meaning. Found in 2Ki 19:28 where the restraints of God's providence are metaphorically styled his "bridle" and "hook." God's placing a "bridle in the jaws of the people" Isa 30:28 Isa 37:29 signifies his preventing the Assyrians from carrying out their purpose against Jerusalem.

3. Another word, _re'sen_, was employed to represent a halter or bridle-rein, as used Ps 32:9 Isa 30:28 In Job 30:11 the restraints of law and humanity are called a bridle.

 

Brier

 

This word occurs frequently, and is the translation of several different terms.

1. Mic 7:4 it denotes a species of thorn shrub used for hedges. In Pr 15:19 the word is rendered "thorn" (Heb. _hedek_, "stinging"), supposed by some to be what is called the "apple of Sodom" (q.v.).

2. Eze 28:24 _sallon'_,properly a "prickle, "such as is found on the shoots of the palm tree.

3. Isa 55:13 probably simply a thorny bush. Some, following the Vulgate Version, regard it as the "nettle."

4. Isa 5:6 7:23-25 etc., frequently used to denote thorny shrubs in general. In Isa 10:17 27:4 it means troublesome men.

5. In Heb 6:8 the Greek word (tribolos) so rendered means "three-pronged, "and denotes the land caltrop, a low throny shrub resembling in its spikes the military "crow-foot." Comp. Mt 7:16 "thistle."

 

Brigandine

 

Jer 46:4 51:3 an obsolete English word denoting a scale coat of armour, or habergeon, worn by light-armed "brigands." The Revised Version has "coat of mail."

 

Brimstone

 

An inflammable mineral substance found in quantities on the shores of the Dead Sea. The cities of the plain were destroyed by a rain of fire and brimstone Ge 19:24,25 In Isa 34:9 allusion is made to the destruction of these cities. This word figuratively denotes destruction or punishment Job 18:15 Isa 30:33 34:9 Ps 11:6 Eze 38:22 It is used to express the idea of excruciating torment in Re 14:10 19:20 20:10

 

Brook

 

A torrent.

1. Applied to small streams, as the Arnon, Jabbok, etc. Isaiah Isa 15:7 speaks of the "book of the willows, "probably the Wady-el-Asha.

2. It is also applied to winter torrents Job 6:15 Nu 34:5 Jos 15:4,47 and to the torrent-bed or wady as well as to the torrent itself Nu 13:23 1Ki 17:3

3. In Isa 19:7 the river Nile is meant, as rendered in the Revised Version.

 

Brother

 

1. In the natural and common sense Mt 1:2 Lu 3:1,19

2. A near relation, a cousin Ge 13:8 14:16 Mt 12:46 Joh 7:3 Ac 1:14 Ga 1:19

3. Simply a fellow-countryman Mt 5:47 Ac 3:22 Heb 7:5

4. A disciple or follower Mt 25:40 Heb 2:11,12

5. One of the same faith Am 1:9 Ac 9:30 11:29 1Co 5:11 whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.

6. A colleague in office Ezr 3:2 1Co 1:1 2Co 1:1

7. A fellow-man Ge 9:5 19:7 Mt 5:22,23,24 7:5 Heb 2:17

8. One beloved or closely united with another in affection 2Sa 1:26 Ac 6:3 1Th 5:1 Brethren of Jesus Mt 12:46,50 Mr 3:31,32 Ga 1:19 1Co 9:5 etc., were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.

 

Bruit

 

A rumour or report Jer 10:22 R.V. "rumour; "Na 3:19

 

Bucket

 

A vessel to draw water with Isa 40:15 used figuratively, probably, of a numerous issue Nu 24:7

 

Buckler

 

1. A portable shield 2Sa 22:31 1Ch 5:18

2. A shield surrounding the person; the targe or round form; used once figuratively Ps 91:4

3. A large shield protecting the whole body Ps 35:2 Eze 23:24 26:8

4. A lance or spear; improperly rendered "buckler" in the Authorized Version 1Ch 12:8 but correctly in the Revised Version "spear." The leather of shields required oiling 2Sa 1:21 Isa 21:5 so as to prevent its being injured by moisture. Copper ("brass") shields were also in use 1Sa 17:6 1Ki 14:27 Those spoken of in 1Ki 10:16 14:26 were probably of massive metal. The shields David had taken from his enemies were suspended in the temple as mementoes 2Ki 11:10

 

See ARMOUR See SHIELD

 

Building

 

Among the Jews was suited to the climate and conditions of the country. They probably adopted the kind of architecture for their dwellings which they found already existing when they entered Canaan De 6:10 Nu 13:19 Phoenician artists 2Sa 5:11 1Ki 5:6,18 assisted at the erection of the royal palace and the temple at Jerusalem. Foreigners also assisted at the restoration of the temple after the Exile Ezr 3:7 In Ge 11:3,9 we have the first recorded instance of the erection of buildings. The cities of the plain of Shinar were founded by the descendants of Shem Ge 10:11,12,22 The Israelites were by occupation shepherds and dwellers in tents Ge 47:3 but from the time of their entering Canaan they became dwellers in towns, and in houses built of the native limestone of Palestine. Much building was carried on in Solomon's time. Besides the buildings he completed at Jerusalem, he also built Baalath and Tadmor 1Ki 9:15,24 Many of the kings of Israel and Judah were engaged in erecting various buildings. Herod and his sons and successors restored the temple, and built fortifications and other structures of great magnificence in Jerusalem Lu 21:5 The instruments used in building are mentioned as the plumb-line Am 7:7 the measuring-reed Eze 40:3 and the saw 1Ki 7:9 Believers are "God's building" 1Co 3:9 and heaven is called "a building of God" 2Co 5:1 Christ is the only foundation of his church 1Co 3:10-12 of which he also is the builder Mt 16:18

 

Bul

 

Rainy, the eighth ecclesiastical month of the year 1Ki 6:38 and the second month of the civil year; later called Marchesvan (q.v.).

 

See MONTH

 

Bullock

 

1. The translation of a word which is a generic name for horned cattle Isa 65:25 It is also rendered "cow" Eze 4:15 "ox" Ge 12:16

2. The translation of a word always meaning an animal of the ox kind, without distinction of age or sex Ho 12:11 It is rendered "cow" Nu 18:17 and "ox" Le 17:3

3. Another word is rendered in the same way Jer 31:18 It is also translated "calf" Le 9:3 Mic 6:6 It is the same word used of the "molten calf" Ex 32:4,8 and "the golden calf" 1Ki 12:28

4. In Jud 6:25 Isa 34:7 the Hebrew word is different. It is the customary word for bulls offered in sacrifice. In Ho 14:2 the Authorized Version has "calves, "the Revised Version "bullocks."

 

Bulrush

 

1. In Isa 58:5 the rendering of a word which denotes "belonging to a marsh, "from the nature of the soil in which it grows Isa 18:2 It was sometimes platted into ropes Job 41:2 A.V., "hook, "R.V., "rope, "lit. "cord of rushes").

2. In Ex 2:3 Isa 18:2 (R.V., "papyrus") this word is the translation of the Hebrew _gome_, which designates the plant as absorbing moisture. In Isa 35:7 Job 8:11 it is rendered "rush." This was the Egyptian papyrus (papyrus Nilotica). It was anciently very abundant in Egypt. The Egyptians made garments and shoes and various utensils of it. It was used for the construction of the ark of Moses Ex 2:3,5 The root portions of the stem were used for food. The inside bark was cut into strips, which were sewed together and dried in the sun, forming the papyrus used for writing. It is no longer found in Egypt, but grows luxuriantly in Palestine, in the marshes of the Huleh, and in the swamps at the north end of the Lake of Gennesaret.

 

See CANE See RUSH

 

Bulwarks

 

Mural towers, bastions, were introduced by king Uzziah 2Ch 26:15 Zep 1:16 Ps 48:13 Isa 26:1 There are five Hebrew words so rendered in the Authorized Version, but the same word is also variously rendered.

 

Bunch

 

1. A bundle of twigs Ex 12:22

2. Bunch or cake of raisins 2Sa 16:1

3. The "bunch of a camel" Isa 30:6

 

Burden

 

1. A load of any kind Ex 23:5

2. A severe task Ex 2:11

3. A difficult duty, requiring effort Ex 18:22

4. A prophecy of a calamitous or disastrous nature. Isa 13:1 17:1 Hab 1:1 etc.

 

Burial

 

The first burial we have an account of is that of Sarah Ge 23:1ff. The first commercial transaction recorded is that of the purchase of a burial-place, for which Abraham weighed to Ephron "four hundred shekels of silver current money with the merchants." Thus the patriarch became the owner of a part of the land of Canaan, the only part he ever possessed. When he himself died, "his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, "beside Sarah his wife Ge 25:9 Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, was buried under Allon-bachuth, "the oak of weeping" Ge 35:8 near to Bethel. Rachel died, and was buried near Ephrath; "and Jacob set a pillar upon her grave" Ge 35:16-20. Isaac was buried at Hebron, where he had died Ge 35:27-29. Jacob, when charging his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah, said, "There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah" Ge 49:31 In compliance with the oath which he made him swear unto him Ge 47:29-31 Joseph, assisted by his brethren, buried Jacob in the cave of Machpelah Ge 50:2,13 At the Exodus, Moses "took the bones of Joseph with him, "and they were buried in the "parcel of ground" which Jacob had bought of the sons of Hamor Jos 24:32 which became Joseph's inheritance Ge 48:22 1Ch 5:1 Joh 4:5 Two burials are mentioned as having taken place in the wilderness. That of Miriam Nu 20:1 and that of Moses, "in the land of Moab" De 34:5,6,8 There is no account of the actual burial of Aaron, which probably, however, took place on the summit of Mount Hor Nu 20:28,29 Joshua was buried "in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah" Jos 24:30 In Job we find a reference to burying-places, which were probably the Pyramids Job 3:14,15 The Hebrew word for "waste places" here resembles in sound the Egyptian word for "pyramids." Samuel, like Moses, was honoured with a national burial 1Sa 25:1. Joab 1Ki 2:34 "was buried in his own house in the wilderness." In connection with the burial of Saul and his three sons we meet for the first time with the practice of burning the dead 1Sa 31:11-13 The same practice is again referred to by Am 6:10 Absalom was buried "in the wood" where he was slain 2Sa 18:17,18 The raising of the heap of stones over his grave was intended to mark abhorrence of the person buried (comp.) Jos 7:26 8:29. There was no fixed royal burying-place for the Hebrew kings. We find several royal burials taking place, however, "in the city of David" 1Ki 2:10 1Ki 11:43 14:31 15:8 22:50 2Ki 14:19,20 15:38 2Ch 21:19,20 24:25 etc. Hezekiah was buried in the mount of the sepulchres of the sons of David; "and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death" 2Ch 32:33 Little is said regarding the burial of the kings of Israel. Some of them were buried in Samaria, the capital of their kingdom 2Ki 10:35 13:9 14:16 Our Lord was buried in a new tomb, hewn out of the rock, which Joseph of Arimathea had prepared for himself Mt 27:57-60 Mr 15:46 Joh 19:41,42 The grave of Lazarus was "a cave, and a stone lay on it" Joh 11:38 Graves were frequently either natural caverns or artificial excavations formed in the sides of rocks Ge 23:9 Mt 27:60 and coffins were seldom used, unless when the body was brought from a distance.

 

Burnt Offering

 

Hebrew _olah_; i.e., "ascending, "the whole being consumed by fire, and regarded as ascending to God while being consumed. Part of every offering was burnt in the sacred fire, but this was wholly burnt, a "whole burnt offering." It was the most frequent form of sacrifice, and apparently the only one mentioned in the book of Genesis. Such were the sacrifices offered by Abel Ge 4:3,4 here called _minhah_; i.e., "a gift"), Noah Ge 8:20 Abraham Ge 22:2,7,8,13 and by the Hebrews in Egypt Ex 10:25 The law of Moses afterwards prescribed the occasions and the manner in which burnt sacrifices were to be offered. There were "the continual burnt offering" Ex 29:38-42 Le 6:9-13 "the burnt offering of every sabbath, "which was double the daily one Nu 28:9,10 "the burnt offering of every month" Nu 28:11-15 the offerings at the Passover Nu 28:19-23 at Pentecost Le 23:16 the feast of Trumpets Le 23:23-25 and on the day of Atonement Le 16:1ff. On other occasions special sacrifices were offered, as at the consecration of Aaron Ex 29:1ff. and the dedication of the temple 1Ki 8:5,62-64 Free-will burnt offerings were also permitted Le 1:13 and were offered at the accession of Solomon to the throne 1Ch 29:21 and at the reformation brought about by Hezekiah 2Ch 29:31-35 These offerings signified the complete dedication of the offerers unto God.  This is referred to in Ro 12:1

 

See ALTAR See SACRIFICE

 

Bush

 

In which Jehovah appeared to Moses in the wilderness Ex 3:2 Ac 7:30 It is difficult to say what particular kind of plant or bush is here meant. Probably it was the mimosa or acacia. The words "in the bush" in Mr 12:26 Lu 20:37 mean "in the passage or paragraph on the bush; " i.e., in Ex 3:1ff.

 

Butler

 

Properly a servant in charge of the wine Ge 40:1-13 41:9 The Hebrew word, _mashkeh_, thus translated is rendered also (plural) "cup-bearers" 1Ki 10:5 2Ch 9:4. Nehemiah Ne 1:11 was cup-bearer to king Artaxerxes. It was a position of great responsibility and honour in royal households.

 

Butter

 

(Heb. hemah), curdled milk Ge 18:8 Jud 5:25 2Sa 17:29 or butter in the form of the skim of hot milk or cream, called by the Arabs kaimak, a semi-fluid Job 20:17 29:6 De 32:14 The words of Pr 30:33 have been rendered by some "the pressure [not churning] of milk bringeth forth cheese."

 

Buz

 

Contempt.

1. The second son of Nahor and Milcah, and brother of Huz Ge 22:21 Elihu was one of his descendants Job 32:2

2. One of the chiefs of the tribe of Gad 1Ch 5:14

3. A district in Arabia Petrea Jer 25:23

 

Buzi

 

The father of the prophet Ezekiel Eze 1:3

 

By

 

In the expression "by myself" (A.V.,)1Co 4:4 means, as rendered in the Revised Version, "against myself."

 

By and By

 

Immediately Mt 13:21 R.V., "straightway; "Lu 21:9

 

By-ways

 

Only in Jud 5:6 Ps 125:5 literally "winding or twisted roads." The margin has "crooked ways."

 

By-word

 

Hebrew _millah_ Job 30:9 a word or speech, and hence object of talk; Hebrew _mashal_ Ps 44:14 a proverb or parable. When it denotes a sharp word of derision, as in De 28:37 1Ki 9:7 2Ch 7:20 the Hebrew _sheninah_ is used. In Jer 24:9 it is rendered "taunt."