Ibhar

 

Chosen, one of David's sons 1Ch 3:6 2Sa 5:15

 

Ibleam

 

People-waster, a city assigned to Manasseh Jos 17:11 from which the Israelites, however, could not expel the Canaanites Jud 1:27 It is also called Bileam 1Ch 6:70 It was probably the modern Jelamah, a village 2 1/2 miles north of Jenin.

 

Ibzan

 

Illustrious, the tenth judge of Israel Jud 12:8-10 He ruled seven years.

 

Ice

 

Frequently mentioned Job 6:16 38:29 Ps 147:17 etc.

 

See CRYSTAL

 

Ichabod

 

When the tidings of the disastrous defeat of the Israelites in the battle against the Philistines near to Mizpeh were carried to Shiloh, the wife of Phinehas "was near to be delivered. And when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed" 1Sa 4:19-22 In her great distress she regarded not "the women that stood by her, "but named the child that was born "Ichabod" i.e., no glory, saying, "The glory is departed from Isreal; "and with that word on her lips she expired.

 

Iconium

 

The capital of ancient Lycaonia. It was first visited by Paul and Barnabas from Antioch-in-Pisidia during the apostle's first missionary journey Ac 13:50,51 Here they were persecuted by the Jews, and being driven from the city, they fled to Lystra. They afterwards returned to Iconium, and encouraged the church which had been founded there Ac 14:21,22 It was probably again visited by Paul during his third missionary journey along with Silas Ac 18:23 It is the modern Konieh, at the foot of Mount Taurus, about 120 miles inland from the Mediterranean.

 

Idalah

 

Snares(?), a city near the west border of Zebulun Jos 19:15 It has been identified with the modern Jeida, in the valley of Kishon.

 

Iddo

 

1. Timely 1Ch 6:21 A Gershonite Levite.

2. Lovely. The son of Zechariah 1Ch 27:21 the ruler of Manasseh in David's time.

3. Timely. The father of Ahinadab, who was one of Solomon's purveyors 1Ki 4:14

4. Lovely. A prophet of Judah who wrote the history of Rehoboam and Abijah 2Ch 12:15 He has been identified with Oded 2Ch 15:1

5. Lovely. The father of Berachiah, and grandfather of the prophet Zechariah Zec 1:1,7 He returned from Babylon Ne 12:4

 

Idol

 

1. Heb. aven, "nothingness; ""vanity" Isa 66:3 41:29 De 32:21 1Ki 16:13 Ps 31:6 Jer 8:19 etc.

2. 'Elil, "a thing of naught" Ps 97:7 Isa 19:3 a word of contempt, used of the gods of Noph Eze 30:13

3. 'Emah, "terror, "in allusion to the hideous form of idols Jer 50:38

4. Miphletzeth, "a fright; ""horror" 1Ki 15:13 2Ch 15:16

5. Bosheth, "shame; ""shameful thing" Jer 11:13 Ho 9:10 as characterizing the obscenity of the worship of Baal.

6. Gillulim, also a word of contempt, "dung; ""refuse" Eze 16:36 20:8 De 29:17 marg.

7. Shikkuts, "filth; ""impurity" Eze 37:23 Na 3:6

8. Semel, "likeness; ""a carved image" De 4:16

9. Tselem, "a shadow" Da 3:1 1Sa 6:5 as distinguished from the "likeness, "or the exact counterpart.

10. Temunah, "similitude" De 4:12-19 Here Moses forbids the several forms of Gentile idolatry.

11. 'Atsab, "a figure; "from the root "to fashion, ""to labour; " denoting that idols are the result of man's labour Isa 48:5 Ps 139:24 "wicked way; "literally, as some translate, "way of an idol".

12. Tsir, "a form; ""shape" Isa 45:16

13. Matztzebah, a "statue" set up Jer 43:13 a memorial stone like that erected by Jacob Ge 28:18 31:45 35:14,20 by Joshua Jos 4:9 and by Samuel 1Sa 7:12 It is the name given to the statues of Baal 2Ki 3:2 10:27

14. Hammanim, "sun-images." Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians 2Ch 34:4,7 14:3,5 Isa 17:8

15. Maskith, "device" Le 26:1 Nu 33:52 In Le 26:1 the words "image of stone" (A.V.) denote "a stone or cippus with the image of an idol, as Baal, Astarte, etc." In Eze 8:12 "chambers of imagery" (maskith), are "chambers of which the walls are painted with the figures of idols; "Eze 8:10-11

16. Pesel, "a graven" or "carved image" Isa 44:10-20 It denotes also a figure cast in metal De 7:25 27:15 Isa 40:19 44:10

17. Massekah, "a molten image" De 9:12 Jud 17:3,4

18. Teraphim, pl., "images, "family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram's kindred Jos 24:14 Put by Michal in David's bed Jud 17:5 18:14,17,18,20 1Sa 19:13 "Nothing can be more instructive and significant than this multiplicity and variety of words designating the instruments and inventions of idolatry."

 

Idolatry

 

Image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object. Paul describes the origin of idolatry in Ro 1:21-25 men forsook God, and sank into ignorance and moral corruption Ro 1:28 The forms of idolatry are,

1. Fetishism, or the worship of trees, rivers, hills, stones, etc.

2. Nature worship, the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, as the supposed powers of nature.

3. Hero worship, the worship of deceased ancestors, or of heroes.

 

In Scripture, idolatry is regarded as of heathen origin, and as being imported among the Hebrews through contact with heathen nations. The first allusion to idolatry is in the account of Rachel stealing her father's teraphim Ge 31:19 which were the relics of the worship of other gods by Laban's progenitors "on the other side of the river in old time" Jos 24:2 During their long residence in Egypt the Hebrews fell into idolatry, and it was long before they were delivered from it Jos 24:14 Eze 20:7 Many a token of God's displeasure fell upon them because of this sin. The idolatry learned in Egypt was probably rooted out from among the people during the forty years' wanderings; but when the Jews entered Palestine, they came into contact with the monuments and associations of the idolatry of the old Canaanitish races, and showed a constant tendency to depart from the living God and follow the idolatrous practices of those heathen nations. It was their great national sin, which was only effectually rebuked by the Babylonian exile. That exile finally purified the Jews of all idolatrous tendencies. The first and second commandments are directed against idolatry of every form.  Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the rigorous code. The individual offender was devoted to destruction Ex 22:20 His nearest relatives were not only bound to denounce him and deliver him up to punishment De 13:2-10 but their hands were to strike the first blow when, on the evidence of two witnesses at least, he was stoned De 17:2-7 To attempt to seduce others to false worship was a crime of equal enormity De 13:6-10  An idolatrous nation shared the same fate.  No facts are more strongly declared in the Old Testament than that the extermination of the Canaanites was the punishment of their idolatry Ex 34:15,16 De 7:1 De 12:29-31 20:17 and that the calamities of the Israelites were due to the same cause Jer 2:17 "A city guilty of idolatry was looked upon as a cancer in the state; it was considered to be in rebellion, and treated according to the laws of war. Its inhabitants and all their cattle were put to death." Jehovah was the theocratic King of Israel, the civil Head of the commonwealth, and therefore to an Israelite idolatry was a state offence 1Sa 15:23 high treason.  On taking possession of the land, the Jews were commanded to destroy all traces of every kind of the existing idolatry of the Canaanites Ex 23:24,32 Ex 34:13 De 7:5,25 De 12:1-3 In the New Testament the term idolatry is used to designate covetousness Mt 6:24 Lu 16:13 Col 3:5 Eph 5:5

 

Idumaea

 

The Greek form of Edom Isa 34:5,6 Eze 35:15 36:5 but in R.V. "Edom".

 

See EDOM

 

Igal

 

Avengers.

1. Nu 13:7 one of the spies of the tribe of Issachar.

2. Son of Nathan of Zobah, and one of David's warriors 2Sa 23:36

3. 1Ch 3:22

 

Iim

 

Ruins.

1. A city in the south of Judah Jos 15:29

2. One of the stations of the Israelites in the wilderness Nu 33:45

 

Ije-abarim

 

Ruins of Abarim, the forty-seventh station of the Israelites in the wilderness, "in the border of Moab" Nu 33:44

 

Ijon

 

A ruin, a city of Naphtali, captured by Ben-hadad of Syria at the instance of Asa 1Ki 15:20 and afterwards by Tiglath-pileser of Assyria 2Ki 15:29 in the reign of Pekah; now el-Khiam.

 

Ilai

 

An Ahohite, one of David's chief warriors 1Ch 11:29 called also Zalmon 2Sa 23:28

 

Illyricum

 

A country to the north-west of Macedonia, on the eastern shores of the Adriatic, now almost wholly comprehended in Dalmatia, a name formerly given to the southern part of Illyricum 2Ti 4:10 It was traversed by Paul in his third missionary journey Ro 15:19 It was the farthest district he had reached in preaching the gospel of Christ. This reference to Illyricum is in harmony with Ac 20:2 inasmuch as the apostle's journey over the parts of Macedonia would bring him to the borders of Illyricum.

 

Imagery

 

Only in the phrase "chambers of his imagery" Eze 8:12

 

See CHAMBER

 

Imla

 

Replenisher, the father of Micaiah the prophet 2Ch 18:7,8

 

Immanuel

 

God with us. In the Old Testament it occurs only in Isa 7:14 8:8 Most Christian interpreters have regarded these words as directly and exclusively a prophecy of our Saviour, an interpretation borne out by the words of the evangelist Matthew Mt 1:23

 

Immer

 

Talkative.

1. The head of the sixteenth priestly order 1Ch 24:14

2. Jer 20:1

3. Ezr 2:37 Ne 7:40

4. Ezr 2:59 Ne 7:61

5. The father of Zadok Ne 3:29

 

Immortality

 

Perpetuity of existence. The doctrine of immortality is taught in the Old Testament. It is plainly implied in the writings of Moses Ge 5:22,24 25:8 37:35 47:9 49:29 Heb 11:13-16 Ex 3:6 Mt 22:23 It is more clearly and fully taught in the later books Isa 14:9 Ps 17:15 49:15 73:24 It was thus a doctrine obviously well known to the Jews. With the full revelation of the gospel this doctrine was "brought to light" 2Ti 1:10 1Co 15:1ff. 2Co 5:1-6 1Th 4:13-18

 

Imputation

 

Is used to designate any action or word or thing as reckoned to a person. Thus in doctrinal language

1. the sin of Adam is imputed to all his descendants, i.e., it is reckoned as theirs, and they are dealt with therefore as guilty; See FALL OF MAN 24304

2. the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them that believe in him, or so attributed to them as to be considered their own; and

3. our sins are imputed to Christ, i.e., he assumed our "law-place, "undertook to answer the demands of justice for our sins. In all these cases the nature of imputation is the same Ro 5:12-19 comp. Phm 1:18,19

 

Incarnation

 

That act of grace whereby Christ took our human nature into union with his Divine Person, became man. Christ is both God and man. Human attributes and actions are predicated of him, and he of whom they are predicated is God. A Divine Person was united to a human nature Ac 20:28 Ro 8:32 1Co 2:8 Heb 2:11-14 1Ti 3:16 Ga 4:4 etc. The union is hypostatical, i.e., is personal; the two natures are not mixed or confounded, and it is perpetual.

 

Incense

 

A fragrant composition prepared by the "art of the apothecary." It consisted of four ingredients "beaten small" Ex 30:34-36 That which was not thus prepared was called "strange incense" Ex 30:9 It was offered along with every meat-offering; and besides was daily offered on the golden altar in the holy place, and on the great day of atonement was burnt by the high priest in the holy of holies Ex 30:7,8 It was the symbol of prayer Ps 141:1,2 Re 5:8 8:3,4

 

India

 

Occurs only in Es 1:1 8:9 where the extent of the dominion of the Persian king is described. The country so designated here is not the peninsula of Hindustan, but the country surrounding the Indus, the Punjab. The people and the products of India were well known to the Jews, who seem to have carried on an active trade with that country Eze 27:15,24

 

Inkhorn

 

The Hebrew word so rendered means simply a round vessel or cup for containing ink, which was generally worn by writers in the girdle Eze 9:2,3,11 The word "inkhorn" was used by the translators, because in former times in this country horns were used for containing ink.

 

Inn

 

In the modern sense, unknown in the East. The khans or caravanserais, which correspond to the European inn, are not alluded to in the Old Testament. The "inn" mentioned in Ex 4:24 was just the halting-place of the caravan. In later times khans were erected for the accommodation of travellers. In Lu 2:7 the word there so rendered denotes a place for loosing the beasts of their burdens. It is rendered "guest-chamber" in Mr 14:14 Lu 22:11 In Lu 10:34 the word so rendered is different. That inn had an "inn-keeper, "who attended to the wants of travellers.

 

Inspiration

 

That extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (R.V., "Every scripture inspired of God"), 2Ti 3:16 This is true of all the "sacred writings, "not in the sense of their being works of genius or of supernatural insight, but as "theopneustic, "i.e., "breathed into by God" in such a sense that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended them to express as a revelation of his mind and will. The testimony of the sacred writers themselves abundantly demonstrates this truth; and if they are infallible as teachers of doctrine, then the doctrine of plenary inspiration must be accepted. There are no errors in the Bible as it came from God, none have been proved to exist. Difficulties and phenomena we cannot explain are not errors. All these books of the Old and New Testaments are inspired. We do not say that they contain, but that they are, the Word of God. The gift of inspiration rendered the writers the organs of God, for the infallible communication of his mind and will, in the very manner and words in which it was originally given. As to the nature of inspiration we have no information. This only we know, it rendered the writtings infallible. They were all equally inspired, and are all equally infallible. The inspiration of the sacred writtings did not change the character of the writers. They retained all their individual peculiarities as thinkers or writers.

 

See BIBLE See WORD OF GOD

 

Intercession of Christ

 

Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts,

1. the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and

2. making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people Lu 23:34 Joh 17:20 Heb 5:7 but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us Heb 9:12,24 His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlasting covenant 1Jo 2:1 Joh 17:24 Heb 7:25 He can be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities, "and is both a merciful and a faithful high priest Heb 2:17,18 4:15,16 This intercession is an essential part of his mediatorial work. Through him we have "access" to the Father Joh 14:6 Eph 2:18 3:12 "The communion of his people with the Father will ever be sustained through him as mediatorial Priest" Ps 110:4 Re 7:17

 

Intercession of the Spirit

 

Ro 8:26,27 Joh 14:26 "Christ is a royal Priest Zec 6:13 From the same throne, as King, he dispenses his Spirit to all the objects of his care, while as Priest he intercedes for them. The Spirit acts for him, taking only of his things. They both act with one consent, Christ as principal, the Spirit as his agent.  Christ intercedes for us, without us, as our advocate in heaven, according to the provisions of the everlasting covenant. The Holy Spirit works upon our minds and hearts, enlightening and quickening, and thus determining our desires 'according to the will of God, 'as our advocate within us. The work of the one is complementary to that of the other, and together they form a complete whole.", Hodge's Outlines of Theology.

 

Iphedeiah

 

Set free by Jehovah, a chief of the tribe of Benjamin 1Ch 8:25

 

Ira

 

Citizen; wakeful.

1. A Tekoite, one of David's thirty warriors 2Sa 23:26

2. An Ithrite, also one of David's heroes 2Sa 23:38

3. A Jairite and priest, a royal chaplain 2Sa 20:26 or confidential adviser (comp.) 2Sa 8:18 1Ch 18:17

 

Irad

 

Runner; wild ass, one of the antediluvian patriarchs, the father of Mehujael Ge 4:18 and grandson of Cain.

 

Iram

 

Citizen, chief of an Edomite tribe in Mount Seir Ge 36:43

 

Irha-heres

 

According to some MSS., meaning "city of destruction." Other MSS. read _'Irhahares_; rendered "city of the sun", Isa 19:18 where alone the word occurs. This name may probably refer to Heliopolis. The prophecy here points to a time when the Jews would so increase in number there as that the city would fall under their influence. This might be in the time of the Ptolemies.

 

See ON

 

Iron

 

1. Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron Ge 4:22

2. The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus.

3. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple 1Ch 22:3: 29:7

4. The merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre Eze 27:19

5. Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron De 27:5 19:5 Jos 17:16,18 1Sa 17:7 2Sa 12:31 2Ki 6:5,6 1Ch 22:3 Isa 10:34

6. Figuratively, a yoke of iron De 28:48 denotes hard service;

7. A rod of iron Ps 2:9 a stern government

8. A pillar of iron Jer 1:18 a strong support

9. A furnace of iron De 4:20 severe labour

10. A bar of iron Job 40:18 strength

11. Fetters of iron Ps 107:10 affliction

12. Giving silver for iron Isa 60:17 prosperity.

 

Irrigation

 

As streams were few in Palestine, water was generally stored up in winter in reservoirs, and distributed through gardens in numerous rills, which could easily be turned or diverted by the foot De 11:10 For purposes of irrigation, water was raised from streams or pools by water-wheels, or by a shaduf, commonly used on the banks of the Nile to the present day.

 

Isaac

 

Laughter.

1. Israel, or the kingdom of the ten tribes Am 7:9,16

2. The only son of Abraham by Sarah. He was the longest lived of the three patriarchs Ge 21:1-3 He was circumcised when eight days old Ge 21:4-7; and when he was probably two years old a great feast was held in connection with his being weaned. The next memorable event in his life is that connected with the command of God given to Abraham to offer him up as a sacrifice on a mountain in the land of Moriah Ge 22:1ff. See ABRAHAM 23054 When he was forty years of age Rebekah was chosen for his wife Ge 24:1ff. After the death and burial of his father he took up his residence at Beer-lahai-roi Ge 25:7-11 where his two sons, Esau and Jacob, were born Ge 25:21-26 the former of whom seems to have been his favourite son Ge 25:27,28. In consequence of a famine Ge 26:1 Isaac went to Gerar, where he practised deception as to his relation to Rebekah, imitating the conduct of his father in Egypt Ge 12:12-20 and in Gerar Ge 20:2 The Philistine king rebuked him for his prevarication.  After sojourning for some time in the land of the Philistines, he returned to Beersheba, where God gave him fresh assurance of covenant blessing, and where Abimelech entered into a covenant of peace with him. The next chief event in his life was the blessing of his sons Ge 27:1 He died at Mamre, "being old and full of days" Ge 35:27-29 one hundred and eighty years old, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah. In the New Testament reference is made to his having been "offered up" by his father Heb 11:17 Jas 2:21 and to his blessing his sons Heb 11:20 As the child of promise, he is contrasted with Ishmael Ro 9:7,10 Ga 4:28 Heb 11:18 Isaac is "at once a counterpart of his father in simple devoutness and purity of life, and a contrast in his passive weakness of character, which in part, at least, may have sprung from his relations to his mother and wife. After the expulsion of Ishmael and Hagar, Isaac had no competitor, and grew up in the shade of Sarah's tent, moulded into feminine softness by habitual submission to her strong, loving will." His life was so quiet and uneventful that it was spent "within the circle of a few miles; so guileless that he let Jacob overreach him rather than disbelieve his assurance; so tender that his mother's death was the poignant sorrow of years; so patient and gentle that peace with his neighbours was dearer than even such a coveted possession as a well of living water dug by his own men; so grandly obedient that he put his life at his father's disposal; so firm in his reliance on God that his greatest concern through life was to honour the divine promise given to his race.", Geikie's Hours, etc.

 

Isaiah

 

(Heb. Yesh'yahu, i.e., "the salvation of Jehovah").

1. The son of Amoz Isa 1:1 2:1 who was apparently a man of humble rank. His wife was called "the prophetess" Isa 8:3 either because she was endowed with the prophetic gift, like Deborah Jud 4:4 and Huldah 2Ki 22:14-20 or simply because she was the wife of "the prophet" Isa 38:1 He had two sons, who bore symbolical names. He exercised the functions of his office during the reigns of Uzziah (or Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah Isa 1:1 Uzziah reigned fifty-two years (B.C. 810-759) and Isaiah must have begun his career a few years before Uzziah's death, probably B.C. 762 He lived till the fourteenth year of Hezekiah, and in all likelihood outlived that monarch (who died B.C. 698) and may have been contemporary for some years with Manasseh. Thus Isaiah may have prophesied for the long period of at least sixty-four years. His first call to the prophetical office is not recorded. A second call came to him "in the year that King Uzziah died" Isa 6:1 He exercised his ministry in a spirit of uncompromising firmness and boldness in regard to all that bore on the interests of religion. He conceals nothing and keeps nothing back from fear of man. He was also noted for his spirituality and for his deep-toned reverence toward "the holy One of Israel." In early youth Isaiah must have been moved by the invasion of Israel by the Assyrian monarch Pul (q.v.), 2Ki 15:19 and again, twenty years later, when he had already entered on his office, by the invasion of Tiglath-pileser and his career of conquest.  Ahaz, king of Judah, at this crisis refused to co-operate with the kings of Israel and Syria in opposition to the Assyrians, and was on that account attacked and defeated by Rezin of Damascus and Pekah of Samaria 2Ki 16:5 2Ch 28:5,6 Ahaz, thus humbled, sided with Assyria, and sought the aid of Tiglath-pileser against Israel and Syria. The consequence was that Rezin and Pekah were conquered and many of the people carried captive to Assyria 2Ki 15:29 16:9 1Ch 5:26 Soon after this Shalmaneser determined wholly to subdue the kingdom of Israel. Samaria was taken and destroyed (B.C. 722) So long as Ahaz reigned, the kingdom of Judah was unmolested by the Assyrian power; but on his accession to the throne, Hezekiah (B.C. 726) who "rebelled against the king of Assyria" 2Ki 18:7 in which he was encouraged by Isaiah, who exhorted the people to place all their dependence on Jehovah Isa 10:24 37:6 entered into an alliance with the king of Egypt Isa 30:2-4 This led the king of Assyria to threaten the king of Judah, and at length to invade the land. Sennacherib (B.C. 701) led a powerful army into Palestine. Hezekiah was reduced to despair, and submitted to the Assyrians 2Ki 18:14-16 But after a brief interval war broke out again, and again Sennacherib (q.v.) led an army into Palestine, one detachment of which threatened Jerusalem Isa 36:2-22 37:8 Isaiah on that occasion encouraged Hezekiah to resist the Assyrians Isa 37:1-7 whereupon Sennacherib sent a threatening letter to Hezekiah, which he "spread before the Lord" Isa 37:14 The judgement of God now fell on the Assyrian host. "Like Xerxes in Greece, Sennacherib never recovered from the shock of the disaster in Judah. He made no more expeditions against either Southern Palestine or Egypt." The remaining years of Hezekiah's reign were peaceful 2Ch 32:23,27-29 Isaiah probably lived to its close, and possibly into the reign of Manasseh, but the time and manner of his death are unknown.  There is a tradition that he suffered martyrdom in the heathen reaction in the time of Manasseh (q.v.).

2. One of the heads of the singers in the time of David 1Ch 25:3,15 "Jeshaiah".

3. A Levite 1Ch 26:25

4. Ezr 8:7

5. Ne 11:7

 

Isaiah, the Book of

 

Consists of prophecies delivered Isa 1:1

1. In the reign of Uzziah (1-5)

2. Of Jotham (6)

3. Ahaz (7:1-14:28)

4. the first half of Hezekiah's reign (14:28-35)

5. the second half of Hezekiah's reign (36-66). Thus, counting from the fourth year before Uzziah's death (B.C.  762) to the last year of Hezekiah (B.C. 698) Isaiah's ministry extended over a period of sixty-four years. He may, however, have survived Hezekiah, and may have perished in the way indicated above. The book, as a whole, has been divided into three main parts:

1. The first thirty-five chapters, almost wholly prophetic, Israel's enemy Assyria, present the Messiah as a mighty Ruler and King.

2. Four chapters are historical (36-39) relating to the times of Hezekiah.

3. Prophetical (40-66)

 

Israel's enemy Babylon, describing the Messiah as a suffering victim, meek and lowly. The genuineness of the section (Isa 40-66) has been keenly opposed by able critics. They assert that it must be the production of a deutero-Isaiah, who lived toward the close of the Babylonian captivity. This theory was originated by Koppe, a German writer at the close of the last century. There are other portions of the book also (e.g., ch.  13-24) and certain verses in ch. 14 and 21 which they attribute to some other prophet than Isaiah. Thus they say that some five or seven, or even more, unknown prophets had a hand in the production of this book. The considerations which have led to such a result are various:

1. They cannot, as some say, conceive it possible that Isaiah, living in B.C. 700 could foretell the appearance and the exploits of a prince called Cyrus, who would set the Jews free from captivity one hundred and seventy years after.

2. It is alleged that the prophet takes the time of the Captivity as his standpoint, and speaks of it as then present; and

3. that there is such a difference between the style and language of the closing section (40-66) and those of the preceding chapters as to necessitate a different authorship, and lead to the conclusion that there were at least two Isaiahs. But even granting the fact of a great diversity of style and language, this will not necessitate the conclusion attempted to be drawn from it. The diversity of subjects treated of and the peculiarities of the prophet's position at the time the prophecies were uttered will sufficiently account for this. The arguments in favour of the unity of the book are quite conclusive. When the LXX. version was made (about B.C. 250) the entire contents of the book were ascribed to Isaiah, the son of Amoz. It is not called in question, moreover, that in the time of our Lord the book existed in the form in which we now have it. Many prophecies in the disputed portions are quoted in the New Testament as the words of Isaiah Mt 3:3 Lu 3:4-6 4:16-41 Joh 12:38 Ac 8:28 Ro 10:16-21 Universal and persistent tradition has ascribed the whole book to one author. Besides this, the internal evidence, the similarity in the language and style, in the thoughts and images and rhetorical ornaments, all points to the same conclusion; and its local colouring and allusions show that it is obviously of Palestinian origin. The theory therefore of a double authorship of the book, much less of a manifold authorship, cannot be maintained. The book, with all the diversity of its contents, is one, and is, we believe, the production of the great prophet whose name it bears.

 

Iscah

 

Spy, the daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Lot Ge 11:29,31

 

Iscariot

 

See JUDAS

 

Ishbak

 

Leaving, one of Abraham's sons by Keturah Ge 25:2

 

Ishbi-benob

 

My seat at Nob, one of the Rephaim, whose spear was three hundred shekels in weight. He was slain by Abishai 2Sa 21:16,17

 

Ish-bosheth

 

Man of shame or humiliation, the youngest of Saul's four sons, and the only one who survived him 2Sa 2:1-4:12 His name was originally Eshbaal 1Ch 8:33 9:39 He was about forty years of age when his father and three brothers fell at the battle of Gilboa. Through the influence of Abner, Saul's cousin, he was acknowledged as successor to the throne of Saul, and ruled over all Israel, except the tribe of Judah (over whom David was king), for two years, having Mahanaim, on the east of Jordan, as his capital 2Sa 2:9 After a troubled and uncertain reign he was murdered by his guard, who stabbed him while he was asleep on his couch at mid-day 2Sa 4:5-7 and having cut off his head, presented it to David, who sternly rebuked them for this cold-blooded murder, and ordered them to be immediately executed 2Sa 4:9-12

 

Ishi

 

My husband, a symbolical name used in Ho 2:16

 

See BAALI

 

Ishmael

 

God hears.

1. Abraham's eldest son, by Hagar the concubine Ge 16:15 17:23 He was born at Mamre, when Abraham was eighty-six years of age, eleven years after his arrival in Canaan Ge 16:3 21:5 At the age of thirteen he was circumcised Ge 17:25 He grew up a true child of the desert, wild and wayward. On the occasion of the weaning of Isaac his rude and wayward spirit broke out in expressions of insult and mockery Ge 21:9,10 and Sarah, discovering this, said to Abraham, "Expel this slave and her son." Influenced by a divine admonition, Abraham dismissed Hagar and her son with no more than a skin of water and some bread. The narrative describing this act is one of the most beautiful and touching incidents of patriarchal life Ge 21:14-16 See HAGAR 24583 Ishmael settled in the land of Paran, a region lying between Canaan and the mountains of Sinai; and "God was with him, and he became a great archer" Ge 21:9-21 He became a great desert chief, but of his history little is recorded. He was about ninety years of age when his father Abraham died, in connection with whose burial he once more for a moment reappears. On this occasion the two brothers met after being long separated. "Isaac with his hundreds of household slaves, Ishmael with his troops of wild retainers and half-savage allies, in all the state of a Bedouin prince, gathered before the cave of Machpelah, in the midst of the men of Heth, to pay the last duties to the 'father of the faithful, 'would make a notable subject for an artist" Ge 25:9 Of the after events of his life but little is known. He died at the age of one hundred and thirty-seven years, but where and when are unknown Ge 25:17 He had twelve sons, who became the founders of so many Arab tribes or colonies, the Ishmaelites, who spread over the wide desert spaces of Northern Arabia from the Red Sea to the Euphrates Ge 37:25,27,28 39:1 "their hand against every man, and every man's hand against them."

2. The son of Nethaniah, "of the seed royal" Jer 40:8,15 He plotted against Gedaliah, and treacherously put him and others to death. He carried off many captives, "and departed to go over to the Ammonites."

 

Ishmaiah

 

Heard by Jehovah.

1. A Gibeonite who joined David at Ziklag, "a hero among the thirty and over the thirty" 1Ch 12:4

2. Son of Obadiah, and viceroy of Zebulun under David and Solomon 1Ch 27:19

 

Ishmeelites

 

Ge 37:28 39:1 (A.V.) should be "Ishmaelites, "as in the Revised Version.

 

Ishtob

 

Man of Tob, one of the small Syrian kingdoms which together constituted Aram 2Sa 10:6,8

 

Island

 

(Heb. 'i, "dry land, "as opposed to water) occurs in its usual signification Isa 42:4,10,12,15 comp. Jer 47:4 but more frequently simply denotes a maritime region or sea-coast Isa 20:6 R.V., "coastland; "Isa 23:2,6 Jer 2:10 Eze 27:6,7 The shores of the Mediterranean are called the "islands of the sea" Isa 11:11 or the "isles of the Gentiles" Ge 10:5 and sometimes simply "isles" Ps 72:10 Eze 26:15,18 27:3,35 Da 11:18

 

See CHITTIM

 

Israel

 

The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel Ge 32:28 because "as a prince he had power with God and prevailed."

See JACOB This is the common name given to Jacob's descendants.  The whole people of the twelve tribes are called "Israelites, "the "children of Israel" Jos 3:17 7:25 Jud 8:27 Jer 3:21 and the "house of Israel" Ex 16:31 40:38 This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel Ps 73:1 Isa 45:17 49:3 Joh 1:47 Ro 9:6 11:26 After the death of Saul the ten tribes arrogated to themselves this name, as if they were the whole nation 2Sa 2:9,10,17,28 3:10,17 2Sa 19:40-43 and the kings of the ten tribes were called "kings of Israel, "while the kings of the two tribes were called "kings of Judah." After the Exile the name Israel was assumed as designating the entire nation.

 

Israel, Kingdom of

 

(B.C. 975-B.C. 722) Soon after the death of Solomon, Ahijah's prophecy 1Ki 11:31-35 was fulfilled, and the kingdom was rent in twain. Rehoboam, the son and successor of Solomon, was scarcely seated on his throne when the old jealousies between Judah and the other tribes broke out anew, and Jeroboam was sent for from Egypt by the malcontents 1Ki 12:2,3 Rehoboam insolently refused to lighten the burdensome taxation and services which his father had imposed on his subjects 1Ki 12:4 and the rebellion became complete.  Ephraim and all Israel raised the old cry, "Every man to his tents, O Israel" 2Sa 20:1 Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem 1Ki 12:1-18 2Ch 10:1ff. and Jeroboam was proclaimed king over all Israel at Shechem, Judah and Benjamin remaining faithful to Solomon's son. War, with varying success, was carried on between the two kingdoms for about sixty years, till Jehoshaphat entered into an alliance with the house of Ahab.  Extent of the kingdom. In the time of Solomon the area of Palestine, excluding the Phoenician territories on the shore of the Mediterranean, did not much exceed 13,000 square miles. The kingdom of Israel comprehended about 9,375 square miles. Shechem was the first capital of this kingdom 1Ki 12:25 afterwards Tirza 1Ki 14:17 Samaria was subsequently chosen as the capital 1Ki 16:24 and continued to be so till the destruction of the kingdom by the Assyrians 2Ki 17:5 During the siege of Samaria (which lasted for three years) by the Assyrians, Shalmaneser died and was succeeded by Sargon, who himself thus records the capture of that city: "Samaria I looked at, I captured; 27,280 men who dwelt in it I carried away" 2Ki 17:6 into Assyria. Thus after a duration of two hundred and fifty-three years the kingdom of the ten tribes came to an end.  They were scattered throughout the East.

See CAPTIVITY See EXILE

"Judah held its ground against Assyria for yet one hundred and twenty-three years, and became the rallying-point of the dispersed of every tribe, and eventually gave its name to the whole race. Those of the people who in the last struggle escaped into the territories of Judah or other neighbouring countries naturally looked to Judah as the head and home of their race. And when Judah itself was carried off to Babylon, many of the exiled Israelites joined them from Assyria, and swelled that immense population which made Babylonia a second Palestine." After the deportation of the ten tribes, the deserted land was colonized by various eastern tribes, whom the king of Assyria sent thither Ezr 4:2,10 2Ki 17:24-29

See KINGS 25190 In contrast with the kingdom of Judah is that of Israel.

1. "There was no fixed capital and no religious centre.

2. The army was often insubordinate.

3. The succession was constantly interrupted, so that out of nineteen kings there were no less than nine dynasties, each ushered in by a revolution.

4. The authorized priests left the kingdom in a body, and the priesthood established by Jeroboam had no divine sanction and no promise; it was corrupt at its very source." (Maclean's O. T. Hist.)

 

Issachar

 

Hired Ge 30:18 "God hath given me, "said Leah, "my hire (Heb. sekhari) and she called his name Issachar." He was Jacob's ninth son, and was born in Padan-aram comp. Ge 28:2 He had four sons at the going down into Egypt Ge 46:13 Nu 26:23,25 Issachar, Tribe of, during the journey through the wilderness, along with Judah and Zebulun Nu 2:5 marched on the east of the tabernacle. This tribe contained 54,400 fighting men when the census was taken at Sinai. After the entrance into the Promised Land, this tribe was one of the six which stood on Gerizim during the ceremony of the blessing and cursing De 27:12 The allotment of Issachar is described in Jos 19:17-23 It included the plain of Esdraelon(=Jezreel), which was and still is the richest portion of Palestine De 33:18,19 1Ch 12:40 The prophetic blessing pronounced by Jacob on Issachar corresponds with that of Moses Ge 49:14,15 comp. De 33:18,19

 

Italian Band the

 

Name of the Roman cohort to which Cornelius belonged Ac 10:1 so called probably because it consisted of men recruited in Italy.

 

Italy

 

Ac 18:2 27:1,6 Heb 13:24 like most geographical names, was differently used at different periods of history. As the power of Rome advanced, nations were successively conquered and added to it till it came to designate the whole country to the south of the Alps. There was constant intercourse between Palestine and Italy in the time of the Romans.

 

Ithamar

 

Palm isle, the fourth and youngest son of Aaron 1Ch 6:3 He was consecrated to the priesthood along with his brothers Ex 6:23 and after the death of Nadab and Abihu, he and Eleazar alone discharged the functions of that office Le 10:6,12 Nu 3:4 He and his family occupied the position of common priest till the high priesthood passed into his family in the person of Eli 1Ki 2:27 the reasons for which are not recorded.

 

See ZADOK

 

Ithrite

 

Two of David's warriors so designated 2Sa 23:38 1Ch 11:40

 

Ittai

 

Near; timely; or, with the Lord.

1. A Benjamite, one of David's thirty heroes 2Sa 23:29

2. A native of Gath, a Philistine, who had apparently the command of the six hundred heroes who formed David's band during his wanderings 2Sa 15:19-22 comp. 1Sa 23:13 27:2 30:9,10 He is afterwards with David at Mahanaim, holding in the army equal rank with Joab and Abishai 2Sa 18:2,5,12 He then passes from view.

 

Ituraea

 

A district in the north-east of Palestine, forming, along with the adjacent territory of Trachonitis, the tetrarchy of Philip Lu 3:1 The present Jedur comprehends the chief part of Ituraea. It is bounded on the east by Trachonitis, on the south by Gaulanitis, on the west by Hermon, and on the north by the plain of Damascus.

 

Ivah

 

Overturning, a city of the Assyrians, whence colonists were brought to Samaria 2Ki 18:34 19:13 It lay on the Euphrates, between Sepharvaim and Henah, and is supposed by some to have been the Ahava of Ezra Ezr 8:15

 

Ivory

 

(Heb. pl. shenhabbim, the "tusks of elephants") was early used in decorations by the Egyptians, and a great trade in it was carried on by the Assyrians Eze 27:6 Re 18:12 It was used by the Phoenicians to ornament the box-wood rowing-benches of their galleys, and Hiram's skilled workmen made Solomon's throne of ivory 1Ki 10:18 It was brought by the caravans of Dedan Isa 21:13 and from the East Indies by the navy of Tarshish 1Ki 10:22 Many specimens of ancient Egyptian and Assyrian ivory-work have been preserved. The word _habbim_ is derived from the Sanscrit _ibhas_, meaning "elephant, "preceded by the Hebrew article (ha); and hence it is argued that Ophir, from which it and the other articles mentioned in 1Ki 10:22 were brought, was in India.

 

Izhar

 

Oil, one of the sons of Kohath, and grandson of Levi Ex 6:18,21 Nu 16:1

 

Izrahite

 

The designation of one of David's officers 1Ch 27:8