Loathing, the son of Ebed, in whom the Shechemites
"placed their confidence" when they became discontented with
Abimelech. He headed the revolution, and led out the men of Shechem against
Abimelech; but was defeated, and fled to his own home Jud 9:26-46 We hear no
more of him after this battle.
A shaking, a hill, on the north side of which Joshua was
buried Jos 24:30 Jud 2:9 in the territory of Ephraim.
See TIMNATH-SERAH
Gab Baitha, i.e., "the ridge of the house"
"the temple-mound, "on a part of which the fortress of Antonia was
built. This "temple-mound" was covered with a tesselated
"pavement" (Gr. lithostroton, i.e., "stone-paved"). A
judgement-seat (bema) was placed on this "pavement" outside the hall
of the "praetorium" (q.v.), the judgment-hall Joh 18:28 19:13
Champion of God, used as a proper name to designate the
angel who was sent to Daniel Da 8:16 to explain the vision of the ram and the
he-goat, and to communicate the prediction of the seventy weeks Da 9:21-27 He
announced also the birth of John the Baptist Lu 1:11 and of the Messiah Lu
1:26. He describes himself in the words, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the
presence of God" Lu 1:19
Fortune; luck.
1. Jacob's seventh son, by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and
the brother of Asher Ge 30:11-13 46:16,18 In the Authorized Version of Ge 30:11
the words, "A troop cometh: and she called, "etc., should rather be
rendered, "In fortune [R.V., 'Fortunate']:and she called, "etc., or
"Fortune cometh, "etc. The tribe of Gad during the march through the
wilderness had their place with Simeon and Reuben on the south side of the
tabernacle Nu 2:14 The tribes of Reuben and Gad continued all through their
history to follow the pastoral pursuits of the patriarchs Nu 32:1-5 The portion
allotted to the tribe of Gad was on the east of Jordan, and comprehended the
half of Gilead, a region of great beauty and fertility De 3:12 bounded on the
east by the Arabian desert, on the west by the Jordan Jos 13:27 and on the
north by the river Jabbok. It thus included the whole of the Jordan valley as
far north as to the Sea of Galilee, where it narrowed almost to a point. This
tribe was fierce and warlike; they were "strong men of might, men of war
for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, their faces the faces of
lions, and like roes upon the mountains for swiftness" 1Ch 12:8 1Ch
5:19-22 Barzillai 2Sa 17:27 and Elijah 1Ki 17:1 were of this tribe. It was
carried into captivity at the same time as the other tribes of the northern
kingdom by Tiglath-pileser 1Ch 5:26 and in the time of Jeremiah Jer 49:1 their
cities were inhabited by the Ammonites.
2. A prophet who joined David in the "hold,
"and at whose advice he quitted it for the forest of Hareth 1Ch 29:29 2Ch
29:25 1Sa 22:5 Many years after we find mention made of him in connection with
the punishment inflicted for numbering the people 2Sa 24:11-19 1Ch 21:9-19 He
wrote a book called the "Acts of David" 1Ch 29:29 and assisted in the
arrangements for the musical services of the "house of God" 2Ch 29:25
He bore the title of "the king's seer" 2Sa 24:11,13 1Ch 21:9
The capital of the Roman province of Peraea. It stood on
the summit of a mountain about 6 miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee. Mark
Mr 5:1 and Luke Lu 8:26-39 describe the miracle of the healing of the demoniac
(Matthew Mt 8:28-34 says two demoniacs) as having been wrought "in the country
of the Gadarenes, "thus describing the scene generally. The miracle could
not have been wrought at Gadara itself, for between the lake and this town
there is the deep, almost impassable ravine of the Hieromax (Jarmuk). It is
identified with the modern village of Um-Keis, which is surrounded by very
extensive ruins, all bearing testimony to the splendour of ancient Gadara.
"The most interesting remains of Gadara are its tombs, which dot the
cliffs for a considerable distance round the city, chiefly on the north-east
declivity; but many beautifully sculptured sarcophagi are scattered over the
surrounding heights. They are excavated in the limestone rock, and consist of
chambers of various dimensions, some more than 20 feet square, with recesses in
the sides for bodies. The present inhabitants of Um-Keis are all troglodytes,
'dwelling in tombs, 'like the poor maniacs of old, and occasionally they are
almost as dangerous to unprotected travellers."
The inhabitants of Gadara, in Revised Version
"Gerasenes" Mr 5:1 Lu 8:26,37 In Mt 8:28 they are called Gergesenes,
Revised Version "Gadarenes."
Fortunate, the representative of the tribe of Manasseh
among the twelve "spies" sent by Moses to spy the land Nu 13:11
Fortune (i.e., sent) of God, the representative of the
tribe of Zebulum among the twelve spies Nu 13:10
Lurking-place, one of the chief of the Nethinim, whose
descendants returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel Ezr 2:47
1. A Macedonian, Paul's fellow-traveller, and his host at
Corinth when he wrote his Epistle to the Romans Ro 16:23 He with his household
were baptized by Paul 1Co 1:14 During a heathen outbreak against Paul at
Ephesus the mob seized Gaius and Aristarchus because they could not find Paul,
and rushed with them into the theatre. Some have identified this Gaius with No.
2.
2. A man of Derbe who accompanied Paul into Asia on his
last journey to Jerusalem
3. A Christain of Asia Minor to whom John addressed his
third epistle 3Jo 1:1
Has been called the "Gallia" of the East, Roman
writers calling its inhabitants Galli. They were an intermixture of Gauls and
Greeks, and hence were called Gallo-Graeci, and the country Gallo-Graecia. The
Galatians were in their origin a part of that great Celtic migration which
invaded Macedonia about B.C. 280 They were invited by the king of Bithynia to
cross over into Asia Minor to assist him in his wars. There they ultimately
settled, and being strengthened by fresh accessions of the same clan from
Europe, they overran Bithynia, and supported themselves by plundering
neighbouring countries. They were great warriors, and hired themselves out as
mercenary soldiers, sometimes fighting on both sides in the great battles of
the times. They were at length brought under the power of Rome in B.C. 189 and
Galatia became a Roman province B.C. 25 This province of Galatia, within the
limits of which these Celtic tribes were confined, was the central region of
Asia Minor. During his second missionary journey Paul, accompanied by Silas and
Timothy Ac 16:6 visited the "region of Galatia, "where he was
detained by sickness Ga 4:13 and had thus the longer opportunity of preaching
to them the gospel. On his third journey he went over "all the country of
Galatia and Phrygia in order" Ac 18:23 Crescens was sent thither by Paul
toward the close of his life 2Ti 4:10
The genuineness of this epistle is not called in
question. Its Pauline origin is
universally acknowledged.
1. Occasion of. The churches of Galatia were founded by
Paul himself Ac 16:6 Ga 1:8 4:13,19 They seem to have been composed mainly of
converts from heathenism Ga 4:8 but partly also of Jewish converts, who
probably, under the influence of Judaizing teachers, sought to incorporate the
rites of Judaism with Christianity, and by their active zeal had succeeded in
inducing the majority of the churches to adopt their views Ga 1:6 3:1. This
epistle was written for the purpose of counteracting this Judaizing tendency,
and of recalling the Galatians to the simplicity of the gospel, and at the same
time also of vindicating Paul's claim to be a divinely-commissioned apostle.
2. Time and place of writing. The epistle was probably
written very soon after Paul's second visit to Galatia Ac 18:23 The references
of the epistle appear to agree with this conclusion. The visit to Jerusalem,
mentioned in Ga 2:1-10 was identical with that of Ac 15:1-4 and it is spoken of
as a thing of the past, and consequently the epistle was written subsequently
to the council of Jerusalem. The similarity between this epistle and that to
the Romans has led to the conclusion that they were both written at the same
time, namely, in the winter of A.D. 57 during Paul's stay in Corinth Ac 20:2,3
This to the Galatians is written on the urgency of the occasion, tidings having
reached him of the state of matters; and that to the Romans in a more
deliberate and systematic way, in exposition of the same great doctrines of the
gospel.
3. Contents of. The great question discussed is, Was the
Jewish law binding on Christians? The
epistle is designed to prove against the Jews that men are justified by faith
without the works of the law of Moses. After an introductory address Ga 1:1-10
the apostle discusses the subjects which had occasioned the epistle.
a. He defends his apostolic authority Ga 1:11-19 2:1-14
b. Shows the evil influence of the Judaizers in
destroying the very essence of the gospel Ga 3:1-4:31
c. Exhorts the Galatian believers to stand fast in the
faith as it is in Jesus, and to abound in the fruits of the Spirit, and in a
right use of their Christian freedom Ga 5:1-6:10
d. Concludes with a summary of the topics discussed, and
with the benediction Ga 6:11-18. The Epistle to the Galatians and that to the
Romans taken together "form a complete proof that justification is not to
be obtained meritoriously either by works of morality or by rites and
ceremonies, though of divine appointment; but that it is a free gift,
proceeding entirely from the mercy of God, to those who receive it by faith in
Jesus our Lord." In the conclusion of the epistle Ga 6:11 Paul says,
"Ye see how large a letter I have written with mine own hand." It is
implied that this was different from his ordinary usage, which was simply to
write the concluding salutation with his own hand, indicating that the rest of
the epistle was written by another hand.
Regarding this conclusion, Lightfoot, in his Commentary on the epistle,
says: "At this point the apostle takes the pen from his amanuensis, and
the concluding paragraph is written with his own hand. From the time when letters began to be
forged in his name 2Th 2:2 3:17 it seems to have been his practice to close
with a few words in his own handwriting, as a precaution against such forgeries.
In the present case he writes a whole paragraph, summing up the main lessons of
the epistle in terse, eager, disjointed sentences. He writes it, too, in large,
bold characters (Gr. pelikois grammasin), that his hand-writing may reflect the
energy and determination of his soul."
See JUSTIFICATION
Heb. helbenah, Ex 30:34 one of the ingredients in the
holy incense. It is a gum, probably from the Galbanum officinale.
Heap of witness, the name of the pile of stones erected
by Jacob and Laban to mark the league of friendship into which they entered
with each other Ge 31:47,48 This was the name given to the "heap" by
Jacob. It is Hebrew, while the name Jegar-sahadutha, given to it by Laban, is
Aramaic (Chaldee or Syriac). Probably Nahor's family originally spoke Aramaic,
and Abraham and his descendants learned Hebrew, a kindred dialect, in the land of
Canaan.
An inhabitant or native of Galilee. This word was used as
a name of contempt as applied to our Lord's disciples Lu 22:59 Ac 2:7 All the
apostles, with the exception of Judas Iscariot Ac 1:11 were Galileans. Peter
was detected by his Galilean accent Mt 26:69 Mr 14:70 This was also one of the
names of reproach given to the early Christians. Julian the Apostate, as he is
called, not only used the epithet himself when referring to Christ and his
apostles, but he made it a law that no one should ever call the Christians by
any other name.
Solomon rewarded Hiram for certain services rendered him
by the gift of an upland plain among the mountains of Naphtali. Hiram was
dissatisfied with the gift, and called it "the land of Cabul" (q.v.).
The Jews called it Galil. It continued long to be occupied by the original
inhabitants, and hence came to be called "Galilee of the Gentiles" Mt
4:15 and also "Upper Galilee, "to distinguish it from the extensive
addition afterwards made to it toward the south, which was usually called
"Lower Galilee." In the time of our Lord, Galilee embraced more than
one-third of Western Palestine, extending "from Dan on the north, at the
base of Mount Hermon, to the ridges of Carmel and Gilboa on the south, and from
the Jordan valley on the east away across the splendid plains of Jezreel and
Acre to the shores of the Mediterranean on the west." Palestine was
divided into three provinces, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, which comprehended
the whole northern section of the country Ac 9:31 and was the largest of the
three. It was the scene of some of the most memorable events of Jewish history.
Galilee also was the home of our Lord during at least thirty years of his life.
The first three Gospels are chiefly taken up with our Lord's public ministry in
this province. "The entire province is encircled with a halo of holy
associations connected with the life, works, and teachings of Jesus of
Nazareth." "It is noteworthy that of his thirty-two beautiful
parables, no less than ninteen were spoken in Galilee. And it is no less
remarkable that of his entire thirty-three great miracles, twenty-five were
wrought in this province. His first miracle was wrought at the wedding in Cana
of Galilee, and his last, after his resurrection, on the shore of Galilee's
sea. In Galilee our Lord delivered the Sermon on The Mount, and the discourses
on 'The Bread of Life, 'on 'Purity, 'on 'Forgiveness, 'and on 'Humility.' In
Galilee he called his first disciples; and there occurred the sublime scene of
the Transfiguration" (Porter's Through Samaria). When the Sanhedrin were
about to proceed with some plan for the condemnation of our Lord Joh 7:45-52
Nicodemus interposed in his behalf. (Comp.) De 1:16,17 17:8 They replied,
"Art thou also of Galilee?. Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet." This
saying of theirs was "not historically true, for two prophets at least had
arisen from Galilee, Jonah of Gath-hepher, and the greatest of all the
prophets, Elijah of Thisbe, and perhaps also Nahum and Hosea. Their contempt
for Galilee made them lose sight of historical accuracy" (Alford, Com.).
The Galilean accent differed from that of Jerusalem in being broader and more
guttural Mr 14:70
Mt 4:18 15:29 is mentioned in the Bible under three other
names.
1. In the Old Testament it is called the "sea of
Chinnereth" Nu 34:11 Jos 12:3 13:27 as is supposed from its harp-like
shape.
2. The "lake of Gennesareth" once by Luke Lu
5:1 from the flat district lying on its west coast.
3. John Joh 6:1 21:1 calls it the "sea of
Tiberias" (q.v.). The modern Arabs retain this name, Bahr Tabariyeh. This
lake is 12 1/2 miles long, and from 4 to 7 1/2 broad. Its surface is 682 feet
below the level of the Mediterranean. Its depth is from 80 to 160 feet. The
Jordan enters it 10 1/2 miles below the southern extremity of the Huleh Lake,
or about 26 1/2 miles from its source. In this distance of 26 1/2 miles there
is a fall in the river of 1,682 feet, or of more than 60 feet to the mile. It
is 27 miles east of the Mediterranean, and about 60 miles north-east of Jerusalem.
It is of an oval shape, and abounds in fish. Its present appearance is thus
described: "The utter loneliness and absolute stillness of the scene are
exceedingly impressive. It seems as if all nature had gone to rest, languishing
under the scorching heat. How different it was in the days of our Lord! Then all was life and bustle along the
shores; the cities and villages that thickly studded them resounded with the
hum of a busy population; while from hill-side and corn-field came the cheerful
cry of shepherd and ploughman. The lake, too, was dotted with dark
fishing-boats and spangled with white sails.
Now a mournful, solitary silence reigns over sea and shore. The cities
are in ruins!" This sea is chiefly of interest as associated with the
public ministry of our Lord. Capernaum, "his own city" Mt 9:1 stood
on its shores. From among the fishermen who plied their calling on its waters
he chose Peter and his brother Andrew, and James and John, to be disciples, and
sent them forth to be "fishers of men" Mt 4:18,22 Mr 1:16-20 Lu
5:1-11 He stilled its tempest, saying to the storm that swept over it,
"Peace, be still" Mt 8:23-27 Mr 7:31-35 and here also he showed
himself after his resurrection to his disciples Joh 21:1ff. "The Sea of
Galilee is indeed the cradle of the gospel.
The subterranean fires of nature prepared a lake basin, through which a
river afterwards ran, keeping its waters always fresh. In this basin a vast
quantity of shell-fish swarmed, and multiplied to such an extent that they
formed the food of an extraordinary profusion of fish. The great variety and
abundance of the fish in the lake attracted to its shores a larger and more
varied population than existed elsewhere in Palestine, whereby this secluded
district was brought into contact with all parts of the world. And this large
and varied population, with access to all nations and countries, attracted the
Lord Jesus, and induced him to make this spot the centre of his public
ministry."
1. Heb. mererah, meaning "bitterness" Job 16:13
i.e., the bile secreted in the liver. This word is also used of the poison of
asps Job 20:14 and of the vitals, the seat of life Job 20:25
2. Heb. rosh. In De 32:33 Job 20:16 it denotes the poison
of serpents. In Ho 10:4 the Hebrew word is rendered "hemlock." The
original probably denotes some bitter, poisonous plant, most probably the
poppy, which grows up quickly, and is therefore coupled with wormwood De 29:18
Jer 9:15 La 3:19 Comp. Jer 8:14 Jer 23:15 "water of gall, "Gesenius,
"poppy juice; "others, "water of hemlock, ""bitter
water."
3. Gr. chole Mt 27:34 the LXX. translation of the Hebrew
_rosh_ in Ps 69:21 which foretells our Lord's sufferings. The drink offered to
our Lord was vinegar (made of light wine rendered acid, the common drink of
Roman soldiers) "mingled with gall, " or, according to Mark Mr 15:23
"mingled with myrrh; "both expressions meaning the same thing,
namely, that the vinegar was made bitter by the infusion of wormwood or some
other bitter substance, usually given, according to a merciful custom, as an
anodyne to those who were crucified, to render them insensible to pain. Our
Lord, knowing this, refuses to drink it. He would take nothing to cloud his
faculties or blunt the pain of dying. He chooses to suffer every element of woe
in the bitter cup of agony given him by the Father Joh 18:11
1. Heb. 'attik Eze 41:15,16 a terrace; a projection; ledge.
2. Heb. rahit So 1:17 translated "rafters,
"marg. "galleries; " probably panel-work or fretted ceiling.
Heaps, 1Sa 25:44 Isa 10:30 The native place of Phalti, to
whom Michal was given by Saul. It was probably in Benjamin, to the north of
Jerusalem.
The elder brother of Seneca the philosopher, who was
tutor and for some time minister of the emperor Nero. He was
"deputy", i.e., proconsul, as in Revised Version, of Achaia, under
the emperor Claudius, when Paul visited Corinth Ac 18:12 The word used here by
Luke in describing the rank of Gallio shows his accuracy. Achaia was a
senatorial province under Claudius, and the governor of such a province was
called a "proconsul." He is spoken of by his contemporaries as
"sweet Gallio, "and is described as a most popular and affectionate
man. When the Jews brought Paul before his tribunal on the charge of persuading
"men to worship God contrary to the law" Ac 18:13 he refused to
listen to them, and "drave them from the judgment seat" Ac 18:16
Heb. 'ets, meaning "a tree" Es 6:4 a post or
gibbet. In Ge 40:19 De 21:22 the word is rendered "tree."
Reward of God.
1. A chief of the tribe of Manasseh at the census at
Sinai Nu 1:10 2:20 7:54,59
2. The son of rabbi Simeon, and grandson of the famous
rabbi Hillel. He was a Pharisse, and therefore the opponent of the party of the
Sadducees. He was noted for his learning, and was president of the Sanhedrim
during the regins of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, and died, it is said,
about eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem. When the apostles
were brought before the council, charged with preaching the resurrection of
Jesus, as a zealous Pharisee Gamaliel councelled moderation and calmness. By a
reference to well-known events, he advised them to "refrain from these
men." If their work or counsel was of man, it would come to nothing; but
if it was of God, they could not destroy it, and therefore ought to be on their
guard lest they should be "found fighting against God" Ac 5:34-40
Paul was one of his disciples Ac 22:3
1. Of children Zec 8:5 Mt 11:16 The Jewish youth were
also apparently instructed in the use of the bow and the sling Jud 20:16 1Ch
12:2
2. Public games, such as were common among the Greeks and
Romans, were foreign to the Jewish institutions and customs. Reference,
however, is made to such games in two passages Ps 19:5 Ec 9:11
3. Among the Greeks and Romans games entered largely into
their social life.
a. Reference in the New Testament is made to gladiatorial
shows and fights with wild beasts 1Co 15:32 These were common among the Romans,
and sometimes on a large scale.
b. Allusion is frequently made to the Grecian gymnastic
contests Ga 2:2 5:7 Php 2:16 3:14 1Ti 6:12 2Ti 2:5 Heb 12:1,4,12 These were
very numerous. The Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian games were esteemed
as of great national importance, and the victors at any of these games of
wrestling, racing, etc., were esteemed as the noblest and the happiest of
mortals.
Eze 27:11 brave warriors; R.V. marg., "valorous men;
"others interpret this word as meaning "short-swordsmen, "or
"daring ones", the name of a class of men who were defenders of the
towers of Tyre.
Weaned the leader of one of the priestly courses 1Ch
24:17
A rent or opening in a wall Eze 13:5 comp. Am 4:3 The
false prophets did not stand in the gap Eze 22:30 i.e., they did nothing to
stop the outbreak of wickedness.
Mentioned in Scripture,
1. Of Eden Ge 2:8,9
2. Ahab's garden of herbs 1Ki 21:2
3. The royal garden 2Ki 21:18
4. The royal garden at Susa Es 1:5
5. The garden of Joseph of Arimathea Joh 19:41
6. Of Gethsemane Joh 18:1
7. The "king's garden" mentioned 2Ki 25:4 Ne
3:15 was near the Pool of Siloam. Gardens were surrounded by hedges of thorns
Isa 5:5 or by walls of stone Pr 24:31 "Watch-towers" or
"lodges" were also built in them Isa 1:8 Mr 12:1 in which their
keepers sat. On account of their retirement they were frequently used as places
for secret prayer and communion with God Ge 24:63 Mt 26:30-36 Joh 1:48 18:1,2
The dead were sometimes buried in gardens Ge 23:19,20 2Ki 21:18,26 1Sa 25:1 Mr
15:46 Joh 19:41
See PARADISE
Scabby; itch.
1. One of David's warriors 2Sa 23:38 an Ithrite.
2. A hill near Jerusalem Jer 31:39 probably the hill of
lepers, and consequently a place outside the boundary of the city.
Ac 14:13 In heathen sacrifices the victims were adorned
with fillets and garlands made of wool, with leaves and flowers interwoven. The
altar and the priests and attendants were also in like manner adorned.
(Heb. shum, from its strong odour), mentioned only once
Nu 11:5 The garlic common in Eastern countries is the Allium sativum or Allium
Ascalonicum, so called from its having been brought into Europe from Ascalon by
the Crusaders. It is now known by the name of "shallot" or
"eschalot."
1. Heb. 'otsar, a treasure; a store of goods laid up, and
hence also the place where they are deposited Joe 1:17 2Ch 32:27 rendered
"treasury".
2. Heb. mezev, a cell, storeroom Ps 144:13 Gr. apotheke,
a place for storing anything, a granary Mt 3:12 Lu 3:17
1. Overlay with stones 2Ch 3:6
2. Adorn Re 21:19
3. Deck with garlands Mt 23:29
4. Furnish Mt 12:44
5. In Job 26:13 (Heb. shiphrah, meaning
"brightness"), "By his spirit the heavens are brightness"
i.e., are bright, splendid, beautiful.
1. Heb. matstsab, a station; a place where one stands 1Sa
14:12 a military or fortified post 1Sa 13:23 14:1,4,6 etc.
2. Heb. netsib, a prefect, superintendent; hence a
military post 1Sa 10:5 13:3,4 2Sa 8:6 This word has also been explained to
denote a pillar set up to mark the Philistine conquest, or an officer appointed
to collect taxes; but the idea of a military post seems to be the correct one.
3. Heb. matstsebah, properly a monumental column;
improperly rendered pl. "garrisons" in Eze 26:11 correctly in Revised
Version "pillars, "marg. "obelisks, "probably an idolatrous
image.
1. Of cities, as of Jerusalem Jer 37:13 Ne 1:3 2:3 3:3 of
Sodom Ge 19:1 of Gaza Jud 16:3
2. Of royal palaces Ne 2:8
3. Of the temple of Solomon 1Ki 6:34,35 2Ki 18:16
4. Of the holy place 1Ki 6:31,32 Eze 41:23,24
5. Of the outer courts of the temple, the beautiful gate
Ac 3:2
6. Tombs Mt 27:60
7. Prisons Ac 12:10 16:27
8. Caverns 1Ki 19:13
9. Camps Ex 32:26,27 Heb 13:12 The materials of which
gates were made were,
a. Iron and brass Ps 107:16 Isa 45:2 Ac 12:10
b. Stones and pearls Isa 54:12 Re 21:21
c. Wood Jud 16:3 probably. At the gates of cities courts
of justice were frequently held, and hence "judges of the gate" are
spoken of De 16:18 17:8 21:19 25:6,7 etc.
At the gates prophets also frequently delivered their messages Pr 1:21
8:3 Isa 29:21 Jer 17:19,20 26:10 Criminals were punished without the gates 1Ki
21:13 Ac 7:59 By the "gates of righteousness" we are probably to
understand those of the temple Ps 118:19 "The gates of hell" (R.V.,
"gates of Hades") Mt 16:18 are generally interpreted as meaning the
power of Satan, but probably they may mean the power of death, denoting that
the Church of Christ shall never die.
A wine-vat, one of the five royal cities of the Philistines
Jos 13:3 on which the ark brought calamity 1Sa 5:8,9 6:17 It was famous also as
being the birthplace or residence of Goliath 1Sa 17:4 David fled from Saul to
Achish, king of Gath 1Sa 21:10 27:2-4 Ps 56:1 and his connection with it will
account for the words in 2Sa 1:20 It was afterwards conquered by David 2Sa 8:1
It occupied a strong position on the borders of Judah and Philistia 1Sa 21:10
1Ch 18:1 Its site has been identified with the hill called Tell esSafieh, the
Alba Specula of the Middle Ages, which rises 695 feet above the plain on its
east edge. It is noticed on monuments about B.C. 1500
See METHEGAMMAH
Wine-press of the well, a town of Lower Galilee, about 5
miles from Nazareth; the birthplace of Jonah 2Ki 14:25 the same as
Gittah-hepher Jos 19:13 It has been identified with the modern el-Meshed, a
village on the top of a rocky hill. Here the supposed tomb of Jonah, Neby
Yunas, is still pointed out.
Press of the pomegranate.
1. A Levitical city in the tribe of Dan Jos 19:45 21:24
1Ch 6:69
2. Another city of the same name in Manasseh, west of the
Jordan Jos 21:25 called also Bileam 1Ch 6:70
A name derived from "Golan" (q.v.), one of the
cities of refuge in the territory of Manasseh Jos 20:8 21:27 De 4:43 This was
one of the provinces ruled by Herod Antipas. It lay to the east of the Lake of
Galilee, and included among its towns Bethsaida-Julias Mr 8:22 and Seleucia.
Called also Azzah, which is its Hebrew name De 2:23 1Ki
4:24 Jer 25:20 strong, a city on the Mediterranean shore, remarkable for its
early importance as the chief centre of a great commercial traffic with Egypt.
It is one of the oldest cities of the world Ge 10:19 Jos 15:47 Its earliest
inhabitants were the Avims, who were conquered and displaced by the Caphtorims
De 2:23 Jos 13:2,3 a Philistine tribe.
In the division of the land it fell to the lot of Judah Jos 15:47 Jud
1:18 It was the southernmost of the five great Philistine cities which gave
each a golden emerod as a trespass-offering unto the Lord 1Sa 6:17 Its gates
were carried away by Samson Jud 16:1-3 Here he was afterwards a prisoner, and
"did grind in the prison house." Here he also pulled down the temple
of Dagon, and slew "all the lords of the Philistines, "himself also
perishing in the ruin Jud 16:21-30 The prophets denounce the judgments of God
against it Jer 25:20 47:5 Am 1:6,7 Zep 2:4 It is referred to in Ac 8:26 Philip
is here told to take the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (about 6 miles south-west
of Jerusalem), "which is desert", i.e., the "desert road,
"probably by Hebron, through the desert hills of Southern Judea.
See SAMSON It is noticed on monuments as early as B.C.
1600 Its small port is now called el-Mineh.
The hill, 2Sa 5:25 1Ch 14:16 ["Gibeon"]; 2Ki
23:8 Ne 11:31 a Levitical city of Benjamin 1Ki 15:22 1Sa 13:16 14:5 wrongly
"Gibeah" in the A.V.), on the north border of Judah near Gibeah Isa
10:29 Jos 18:24,28 "From Geba to Beersheba" expressed the whole
extent of the kingdom of Judah, just as "from Dan to Beersheba"
described the whole length of Palestine 2Ki 23:8 It has been identified with
Gaba Jos 18:24 Ezr 2:26 Ne 7:30 now Jeb'a, about 5 1/2 miles north of
Jerusalem.
A line (or natural boundary, as a mountain range).
1. A tract in the land of Edom south of the Dead Sea Ps
83:7 now called Djebal.
2. A Phoenician city, not far from the sea coast, to the
north of Beyrout Eze 27:9 called by the Greeks Byblos. Now Jibeil. Mentioned in
the Amarna tablets. An important Phoenician text, referring to the temple of
Baalath, on a monument of Yehu-melek, its king (probably B.C. 600) has been
discovered.
1Ki 5:18 R.V., in A.V. incorrectly rendered, after the
Targum, "stone-squarers, "but marg. "Giblites"), the
inhabitants of Gebal.
A valiant man, 1Ki 4:19 one of Solomon's purveyors,
having jurisdiction over a part of Gilead, comprising all the kingdom of Sihon
and part of the kingdom of Og De 2:1ff. De 31:1ff.
Cisterns, (rendered "pits, ")Jer 14:3
"locusts, "Isa 33:4 a small place north of Jerusalem, whose
inhabitants fled at the approach of the Assyrian army Isa 10:31 It is probably
the modern el-Isawiyeh.
Made great by Jehovah.
1. the son of Jeduthum 1Ch 25:3,9
2. The grandfather of the prophet Zephaniah, and the
father of Cushi Zep 1:1
3. One of the Jewish nobles who conspired against
Jeremiah Jer 38:1
4. The son of Ahikam, and grandson of Shaphan, secretary
of king Josiah Jer 26:24 After the destruction of Jerusalem See ZEDEKIAH
Nebuchadnezzar left him to govern the country as tributary to him 2Ki 25:22 Jer
40:5 52:16 Ishmael, however, at the head of a party of the royal family,
"Jewish irreconcilables", rose against him, and slew him and
"all the Jews that were with him" Jer 41:2,3 at Mizpah about three
months after the destruction of Jerusalem. He and his band also plundered the
town of Mizpah, and carried off many captives. He was, however, overtaken by
Johanan and routed. He fled with such of his followers as escaped to the
Ammonites Jer 41:15 The little remnant of the Jews now fled to Egypt.
A walled place, Jos 12:13 perhaps the same as Gederah or
Gedor Jos 15:58
The fortress; a fortified place, a town in the plain
(shephelah) of Judah Jos 15:36 This is a very common Canaanite and Phoenician
name. It is the feminine form of Geder Jos 12:13 the plural form is Gederoth
Jos 15:41 This place has by some been identified with Jedireh, a ruin 9 miles
from Lydda, toward Eleutheropolis, and 4 miles north of Sur'ah (Zorah), in the
valley of Elah.
An epithet applied to Josabad, one of David's warriors at
Ziklag 1Ch 12:4 a native of Gederah.
A wall.
1. A city in the mountains or hill country of Judah Jos
15:58 identified with Jedar, between Jerusalem and Hebron.
2. 1Ch 4:39 the Gederah of Jos 15:36 or the well-known
Gerar, as the LXX. read, where the patriarchs of old had sojourned and fed
their flocks Ge 20:1,14,15 26:1,6,14
3. A town apparently in Benjamin 1Ch 12:7 the same
probably as Geder Jos 12:13
Valley of vision, Elisha's trusted servant 2Ki 4:31 5:25
8:4,5 He appears in connection with the history of the Shunammite 2Ki 4:14,31
and of Naaman the Syrian. On this latter occasion he was guilty of duplicity
and dishonesty of conduct, causing Elisha to denounce his crime with righteous
sternness, and pass on him the terrible doom that the leprosy of Naaman would
cleave to him and his for ever 2Ki 5:20-27 He afterwards appeared before king
Joram, to whom he recounted the great deeds of his master 2Ki 8:1-6
(originally Ge bene Hinnom; i.e., "the valley of the
sons of Hinnom"), a deep, narrow glen to the south of Jerusalem, where the
idolatrous Jews offered their children in sacrifice to Molech 2Ch 28:3 33:6 Jer
7:31 19:2-6 This valley afterwards became the common receptacle for all the
refuse of the city. Here the dead bodies of animals and of criminals, and all kinds
of filth, were cast and consumed by fire kept always burning. It thus in
process of time became the image of the place of everlasting destruction. In
this sense it is used by our Lord in Mt 5:22,29,30 10:28 18:9 23:15,33 Mr
9:43,45,47 Lu 12:5 In these passages, and also in Jas 3:6 the word is uniformly
rendered "hell, "the Revised Version placing "Gehenna" in
the margin.
See HELL See HINNOM
Circles; regions, a place in the border of Benjamin Jos
18:17 called Gilgal in Jos 15:7
Jehovah has made perfect.
1. The son of Shaphan, and one of the Levites of the
temple in the time of Jehoiakim Jer 36:10 2Ki 22:12 Baruch read aloud to the
people from Gemariah's chamber, and again in the hearing of Gemariah and other
scribes, the prophecies of Jeremiah Jer 36:11-20 which filled him with terror.
He joined with others in entreating the king not to destroy the roll of the
prophecies which Baruch had read Jer 36:21-25
2. The son of Hilkiah, who accompanied Shaphan with the
tribute-money from Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar, and was the bearer at the same
time of a letter from Jeremiah to the Jewish captives at Babylon Jer 29:3,4
1. Ge 2:4 "These are the generations, "means
the "history."
2. Ge 5:1 "The book of the generations, "means
a family register, or history of Adam.
3. Ge 37:2 "The generations of Jacob" =the
history of Jacob and his descendants.
4. Ge 7:1 "In this generation" =in this age.
5. Ps 49:19 "The generation of his fathers"
=the dwelling of his fathers, i.e., the grave.
6. Ps 73:15 "The generation of thy children"
=the contemporary race.
7. Isa 53:8 "Who shall declare his generation?"
=His manner of life who shall declare? or rather His race, posterity, shall be
so numerous that no one shall be able to declare it.
8. In Mt 1:17 the word means a succession or series of
persons from the same stock.
9. Mt 3:7 "Generation of vipers" =brood of
vipers.
10. Mt 24:34 "This generation" =the persons
then living contemporary with Christ.
11. 1Pe 2:9 "A chosen generation" =a chosen
people.
12. The Hebrews seem to have reckoned time by the
generation. a.In the time of Abraham a generation was an hundred years, thus:
Ge 15:16 "In the fourth generation" =in four hundred years (comp. Ge
15:13 Ex 12:40)
b. In De 1:35 2:14 a generation is a period of
thirty-eight years.
The five books of Moses were collectively called the
Pentateuch, a word of Greek origin meaning "the five-fold book." The
Jews called them the Torah, i.e., "the law." It is probable that the
division of the Torah into five books proceeded from the Greek translators of
the Old Testament. The names by which these several books are generally known
are Greek. The first book of the Pentateuch (q.v.) is called by the Jews
Bereshith, i.e., "in the beginning", because this is the first word
of the book. It is generally known among Christians by the name of Genesis,
i.e., "creation" or "generation, "being the name given to
it in the LXX. as designating its character, because it gives an account of the
origin of all things. It contains, according to the usual computation, the
history of about two thousand three hundred and sixty-nine years. Genesis is
divided into two principal parts. The first part
1. Chapter 1-22 gives a general history of mankind down
to the time of the Dispersion. The second part presents the early history of
Israel down to the death and burial of Joseph
2. Chapter 12-50 There are five principal persons brought
in succession under our notice in this book, and around these persons the
history of the successive periods is grouped, viz.,
Adam Ge 1:1-5:32 Noah Ge 6:1-10:32 Abraham Ge 11:1-25:18
Isaac Ge 25:19-35:29 Jacob Ge 36:1-50:26
In this book we have several prophecies concerning Christ
Ge 3:15 Ge 12:3 18:18 22:18 26:4 28:14 49:10 The author of this book was
Moses. Under divine guidance he may
indeed have been led to make use of materials already existing in primeval
documents, or even of traditions in a trustworthy form that had come down to his
time, purifying them from all that was unworthy; but the hand of Moses is
clearly seen throughout in its composition.
A garden of riches.
1. A town of Naphtali, called Chinnereth Jos 19:35
sometimes in the plural form Chinneroth Jos 11:2 In later times the name was
gradually changed to Genezar and Gennesaret Lu 5:1 This city stood on the
western shore of the lake to which it gave its name. No trace of it remains.
The plain of Gennesaret has been called, from its fertility and beauty,
"the Paradise of Galilee." It is now called el-Ghuweir.
2. The Lake of Gennesaret, the Grecized form of
CHINNERETH (q.v.).
See GALILEE, SEA OF
(Heb., usually in plural, goyim), meaning in general all
nations except the Jews. In course of time, as the Jews began more and more to
pride themselves on their peculiar privileges, it acquired unpleasant associations,
and was used as a term of contempt. In the New Testament the Greek word
Hellenes, meaning literally Greek (as in) Ac 16:1,3 18:17 Ro 1:14 generally
denotes any non-Jewish nation.
Theft, the son of Hadad, of the Edomitish royal family.
He was brought up in Pharaoh's household. His mother was a sister of Tahpenes,
the king of Egypt's wife, mentioned in 1Ki 11:20
Grain.
1. The son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin 1Ch 8:3,5,7
2. The father of Ehud the judge Jud 3:15
3. The father of Shimei, who so grossly abused David 2Sa
16:5 19:16,18
A bean, probably of the carob tree, the smallest weight,
and also the smallest piece of money, among the Hebrews, equal to the twentieth
part of a shekel Ex 30:13 Le 27:25 Nu 3:47 This word came into use in the same
way as our word "grain, "from a grain of wheat.
A region; lodging-place, a very ancient town and district
in the south border of Palestine, which was ruled over by a king named
Abimelech Ge 10:19 20:1,2 Abraham sojourned here, and perhaps Isaac was born in
this place. Both of these patriarchs were guilty of the sin of here denying
their wives, and both of them entered into a treaty with the king before they
departed to Beersheba Ge 21:23-34 26:1ff. It seems to have been a rich pastoral
country 2Ch 14:12-15 Isaac here reaped an hundred-fold, and was blessed of God
Ge 26:12 The "valley of Gerar" Ge 26:17 was probably the modern Wady
el-Jerdr.
=Gerasa, identified with the modern Khersa, "over
against Galilee, " close to the lake. This was probably the scene of the
miracle, Mr 5:1-20 etc. "From the base of the great plateau of Bashan,
2,000 feet or more overhead, the ground slopes down steeply, in places
precipitously, to the shore. And at the foot of the declivity a bold spur runs
out to the water's edge. By it the frantic swine would rush on headlong into
the lake and perish." Porter's Through Samaria.
See GADARA
A mountain of Samaria, about 3,000 feet above the
Mediterranean. It was on the left of the valley containing the ancient town of Shechem
(q.v.), on the way to Jerusalem. It stood over against Mount Ebal, the summits
of these mountains being distant from each other about 2 miles De 27:1ff. Jos
8:30-35 On the slopes of this mountain the tribes descended from the handmaids
of Leah and Rachel, together with the tribe of Reuben, were gathered together,
and gave the responses to the blessing pronounced as the reward of obedience,
when Joshua in the valley below read the whole law in the hearing of all the
people; as those gathered on Ebal responded with a loud Amen to the rehearsal
of the curses pronounced on the disobedient. It was probably at this time that
the coffin containing the embalmed body of Joseph was laid in the "parcel
of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor" Ge 33:19 50:25 Josephus
relates (Ant. 11:8, 2) that Sanballat built a temple for the Samaritans on this
mountain, and instituted a priesthood, as rivals to those of the Jews at
Jerusalem. This temple was destroyed after it had stood two hundred years. It
was afterwards rebuilt by Herod the Great. There is a Samaritan tradition that
it was the scene of the incident recorded in Ge 22:1ff. There are many ruins on
this mountain, some of which are evidently of Christian buildings. To this
mountain the woman of Sychar referred in Joh 4:20 For centuries Gerizim was the
centre of political outbreaks. The Samaritans (q.v.), a small but united body,
still linger here, and keep up their ancient ceremonial worship.
Expulsion.
1. The eldest son of Levi 1Ch 6:16,17,20,43,62,71 15:7
=GERSHON (q.v.).
2. The elder of the two sons of Moses born to him in
Midian Ex 2:22 18:3 On his way to Egypt with his family, in obedience to the
command of the Lord, Moses was attacked by a sudden and dangerous illness Ex
4:24-26 which Zipporah his wife believed to have been sent because he had
neglected to circumcise his son. She accordingly took a "sharp stone"
and circumcised her son Gershom, saying, "Surely a bloody husband art thou
to me", i.e., by the blood of her child she had, as it were, purchased her
husband, had won him back again.
3. A descendant of Phinehas who returned with Ezra from
Babylon Ezr 8:2
4. The son of Manasseh Jud 18:30 in R.V. "of
Moses."
=Ger'shom expulsion, the eldest of Levi's three sons Ge
46:11 Ex 6:16 In the wilderness the sons of Gershon had charge of the fabrics
of the tabernacle when it was moved from place to place, the curtains, veils,
tent-hangings Nu 3:21-26 Thirteen Levitical cities fell to the lot of the
Gershonites Jos 21:27-33
Or Gashmu, firmness, probably chief of the Arabs south of
Palestine, one of the enemies of the Jews after the return from Babylon Ne 2:19
6:1,2 He united with Sanballat and Tobiah in opposing the rebuilding of the
wall of Jerusalem.
Bridge, the name of a district or principality of Syria
near Gilead, between Mount Hermon and the Lake of Tiberias 2Sa 15:8 1Ch 2:23
The Geshurites probably inhabited the rocky fastness of Argob, the modern
Lejah, in the north-east corner of Bashan. In the time of David it was ruled by
Talmai, whose daughter he married, and who was the mother of Absalom, who fled
to Geshur after the murder of Amnon 2Sa 13:37
1. The inhabitants of Geshur. They maintained friendly
relations with the Israelites on the east of Jordan Jos 12:5 13:11,13
2. Another aboriginal people of Palestine who inhabited
the south-west border of the land. Geshuri in Jos 13:2 should be "the Geshurite,
"not the Geshurites mentioned in Jos 13:11-13 but the tribe mentioned in
1Sa 27:8
Oil-press, the name of an olive-yard at the foot of the Mount
of Olives, to which Jesus was wont to retire Lu 22:39 with his disciples, and
which is specially memorable as being the scene of his agony Mr 14:32 Joh 18:1
Lu 22:44 The plot of ground pointed out as Gethsemane is now surrounded by a
wall, and is laid out as a modern European flower-garden. It contains eight
venerable olive-trees, the age of which cannot, however, be determined. The
exact site of Gethsemane is still in question. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the
Book) says: "When I first came to Jerusalem, and for many years afterward,
this plot of ground was open to all whenever they chose to come and meditate
beneath its very old olivetrees. The Latins, however, have within the last few
years succeeded in gaining sole possession, and have built a high wall around
it. The Greeks have invented another site a little to the north of it. My own
impression is that both are wrong. The position is too near the city, and so
close to what must have always been the great thoroughfare eastward, that our
Lord would scarcely have selected it for retirement on that dangerous and
dismal night. I am inclined to place the garden in the secluded vale several
hundred yards to the north-east of the present Gethsemane."
A precipice, an ancient royal Canaanitish city Jos 10:33
12:12 It was allotted with its suburbs to the Kohathite Levites Jos 21:21 1Ch
6:67 It stood between the lower Beth-horon and the sea Jos 16:3 1Ki 9:17 It was
the last point to which David pursued the Philistines 2Sa 5:25 1Ch 14:16 after
the battle of Baal-perazim. The Canaanites retained possession of it till the
time of Solomon, when the king of Egypt took it and gave it to Solomon as a
part of the dowry of the Egyptian princess whom he married 1Ki 9:15-17 It is
identified with Tell el-Jezer, about 10 miles south-west of Beth-horon. It is
mentioned in the Amarna tablets.
An old Saxon word equivalent to soul or spirit. It is the
translation of the Hebrew _nephesh_ and the Greek _pneuma_, both meaning
"breath, ""life, ""spirit, "the "living
principle" Job 11:20 Jer 15:9 Mt 27:50 Joh 19:30 The expression "to
give up the ghost" means to die La 1:19 Ge 25:17 35:29 49:33 Job 3:11
See HOLY GHOST
1. Heb. nephilim, meaning "violent" or
"causing to fall" Ge 6:4 These were the violent tyrants of those
days, those who fell upon others. The word may also be derived from a root
signifying "wonder, "and hence "monsters" or
"prodigies." In Nu 13:33 this name is given to a Canaanitish tribe, a
race of large stature, "the sons of Anak." The Revised Version, in these
passages, simply transliterates the original, and reads "Nephilim."
2. Heb. rephaim, a race of giants De 3:11 who lived on
the east of Jordan, from whom Og was descended. They were probably the original
inhabitants of the land before the immigration of the Canaanites. They were
conquered by Chedorlaomer Ge 14:5 and their territories were promised as a
possession to Abraham Ge 15:20 The Anakim, Zuzim, and Emim were branches of
this stock. In Job 26:5 (R.V.,
"they that are deceased; "marg., "the shades, "the
"Rephaim") and Isa 14:9 this Hebrew word is rendered (A.V.)
"dead." It means here "the shades, "the departed spirits in
Sheol. In 2Sa 21:16,18,20,22 "the giant" is (A.V.) the rendering of
the singular form _ha raphah_, which may possibly be the name of the father of
the four giants referred to here, or of the founder of the Rephaim. The Vulgate
here reads "Arapha, "whence Milton (in Samson Agonistes) has borrowed
the name "Harapha." (See also) 1Ch 20:5,6,8 De 2:11,20 3:13 Jos 15:8
etc., where the word is similarly rendered "giant." It is rendered
"dead" in (A.V.) Ps 88:10 Pr 2:18 9:18 21:16 in all these places the
Revised Version marg. has "the
shades." (See also) Isa 26:14
3. Heb. 'Anakim De 2:10,11,21 Jos 11:21,22 14:12,15
called "sons of Anak, "Nu 13:33 "children of Anak, "Nu
13:22 Jos 15:14 a nomad race of giants descended from Arba Jos 14:15 the father
of Anak, that dwelt in the south of Palestine near Hebron Ge 23:2 Jos 15:13
They were a Cushite tribe of the same race as the Philistines and the Egyptian
shepherd kings. David on several occasions encountered them 2Sa 21:15-22 From
this race sprung Goliath 1Sa 17:4
4. Heb. 'emin, a warlike tribe of the ancient Canaanites.
They were "great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims" Ge 14:5 De
2:10,11
5. Heb. Zamzummim (q.v.), De 2:20 so called by the
Amorites.
6. Heb. gibbor Job 16:14 a mighty one, i.e., a champion
or hero. In its plural form (gibborim) it is rendered "mighty men"
2Sa 23:8-39 1Ki 1:8 1Ch 11:9-47 29:24 The band of six hundred whom David
gathered around him when he was a fugitive were so designated. They were
divided into three divisions of two hundred each, and thirty divisions of
twenty each. The captians of the thirty divisions were called "the thirty,
"the captains of the two hundred "the three, "and the captain
over the whole was called "chief among the captains" 2Sa 23:8 The
sons born of the marriages mentioned in Ge 6:4 are also called by this Hebrew
name.
A height, a city of the Philistines in the territory of
Dan, given to the Kohathites Jos 19:44 21:23 Nadab the king of Israel, while
besieging it, was slain under its walls by Baasha, one of his own officers 1Ki
15:27 It was in the possession of the Philistines after the secession of the
ten tribes 2Ch 11:13,14
A hill or hill-town, "of Benjamin" 1Sa 13:15
better known as "Gibeah of Saul" 1Sa 11:4 Isa 10:29 It was here that
the terrible outrage was committed on the Levite's concubine which led to the
almost utter extirpation of the tribe of Benjamin Jud 19:1-20:1ff. only six
hundred men surviving after a succession of disastrous battles. This was the
birthplace of Saul, and continued to be his residence after he became king 1Sa
10:26 11:4 15:34 It was reckoned among the ancient sanctuaries of Palestine 1Sa
10:26 15:34 23:19 26:1 2Sa 21:6-10 and hence it is called "Gibeah of
God" 1Sa 10:5 R.V. marg. It has
been identified with the modern Tell el-Ful (i.e., "hill of the bean"),
about 3 miles north of Jerusalem.
Jos 5:3 marg., hill of the foreskins, a place at Gilgal
where those who had been born in the wilderness were circumcised. All the
others, i.e., those who were under twenty years old at the time of the sentence
at Kadesh, had already been circumcised.
Jos 15:57 a city in the mountains of Judah, the modern
Jeba, on a hill in the Wady Musurr, about 7 1/2 miles west-south-west of
Bethlehem.
Jos 15:57 R.V. marg., a city on Mount Ephraim which had
been given to Phinehas Jos 24:33 "hill, "A.V.; R.V. marg. and Heb.,
"Gibeah."). Here Eleazar the son of Aaron was buried. It has been
identified with the modern Khurbet Jibia, 5 miles north of Guphna towards
Shechem.
Hill-city, "one of the royal cities, greater than
Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty" Jos 10:2 Its inhabitants were
Hivites Jos 11:19 It lay within the territory of Benjamin, and became a
priest-city Jos 18:25 21:17 Here the tabernacle was set up after the
destruction of Nob, and here it remained many years till the temple was built
by Solomon. It is represented by the modern el-Jib, to the south-west of Ai,
and about 5 1/2 miles north-north-west of Jerusalem. A deputation of the Gibeonites,
with their allies from three other cities Jos 9:1ff. Jos 17:1ff. visited the
camp at Gilgal, and by false representations induced Joshua to enter into a
league with them, although the Israelites had been specially warned against any
league with the inhabitants of Canaan Ex 23:32 34:12 Nu 33:55 De 7:2 The
deception practised on Joshua was detected three days later; but the oath
rashly sworn "by Jehovah God of Israel" was kept, and the lives of
the Gibeonites were spared. They were, however, made "bondmen" to the
sanctuary Jos 9:23 The most remarkable incident connected with this city was
the victory Joshua gained over the kings of Palestine Jos 10:16-27 The battle
here fought has been regarded as "one of the most important in the history
of the world." The kings of southern Canaan entered into a confederacy
against Gibeon (because it had entered into a league with Joshua) under the
leadership of Adoni-zedec, king of Jerusalem, and marched upon Gibeon with the
view of taking possession of it. The Gibeonites entreated Joshua to come to
their aid with the utmost speed. His army came suddenly upon that of the
Amorite kings as it lay encamped before the city. It was completely routed, and
only broken remnants of their great host found refuge in the fenced cities. The
five confederate kings who led the army were taken prisoners, and put to death
at Makkedah (q.v.). This eventful battle of Beth-horon sealed the fate of all
the cities of Southern Palestine. Among the Amarna tablets is a letter from
Adoni-zedec (q.v.) to the king of Egypt, written probably at Makkedah after the
defeat, showing that the kings contemplated flight into Egypt. This place is
again brought into notice as the scene of a battle between the army of
Ish-bosheth under Abner and that of David led by Joab. At the suggestion of
Abner, to spare the effusion of blood twelve men on either side were chosen to
decide the battle. The issue was unexpected; for each of the men slew his
fellow, and thus they all perished. The two armies then engaged in battle, in
which Abner and his host were routed and put to flight 2Sa 2:12-17 This battle
led to a virtual truce between Judah and Israel, Judah, under David, increasing
in power; and Israel, under Ish-bosheth, continually losing ground. Soon after
the death of Absalom and David's restoration to his throne his kingdom was
visited by a grievous famine, which was found to be a punishment for Saul's
violation 2Sa 21:2,5 of the covenant with the Gibeonites Jos 9:3-27 The
Gibeonites demanded blood for the wrong that had been done to them, and
accordingly David gave up to them the two sons of Rizpah (q.v.) and the five
sons of Michal, and these the Gibeonites took and hanged or crucified "in
the hill before the Lord" 2Sa 21:9 and there the bodies hung for six months
2Sa 21:10 and all the while Rizpah watched over the blackening corpses and
"suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the
beasts of the field by night." David afterwards removed the bones of Saul
and Jonathan at Jabeshgilead 2Sa 21:12,13 Here, "at the great stone,
"Amasa was put to death by Joab 2Sa 20:5-10 To the altar of burnt-offering
which was at Gibeon, Joab 1Ki 2:28-34 who had taken the side of Adonijah, fled
for sanctuary in the beginning of Solomon's reign, and was there also slain by
the hand of Benaiah. Soon after he came to the throne, Solomon paid a visit of
state to Gibeon, there to offer sacrifices 1Ki 3:4 2Ch 1:3 On this occasion the
Lord appeared to him in a memorable dream, recorded in 1Ki 3:5-15 2Ch 1:7-12
When the temple was built "all the men of Israel assembled
themselves" to king Solomon, and brought up from Gibeon the tabernacle and
"all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle" to Jerusalem,
where they remained till they were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar 2Ki 24:13