Entreaty, a levitical town in the tribe of Asher 1Ch 6:74
called Mishal Jos 21:30
An artificer in stone. The Tyrians seem to have been
specially skilled in architecture 1Ki 5:17,18 2Sa 5:11 This art the Hebrews no
doubt learned in Egypt Ex 1:11,14 where ruins of temples and palaces fill the
traveller with wonder at the present day.
Vineyard of noble vines, a place in Idumea, the native
place of Samlah, one of the Edomitish kings Ge 36:36 1Ch 1:47
A lifting up, gift, one of the sons of Ishmael, the
founder of an Arabian tribe Ge 25:14 a nomad tribe inhabiting the Arabian
desert toward Babylonia.
Trial, temptation, a name given to the place where the
Israelites, by their murmuring for want of water, provoked Jehovah to anger
against them. It is also called Meribah Ex 17:7 De 6:16 Ps 95:8,9 Heb 3:8
Gift.
1. A priest of Baal, slain before his altar during the
reformation under Jehoiada 2Ki 11:18
2. The son of Eleazar, and father of Jacob, who was the
father of Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary Mt 1:15
3. The father of Shephatiah Jer 38:1
A gift, a station of the Israelites Nu 21:18,19 between
the desert and the borders of Moab, in the Wady Waleh.
Gift of Jehovah.
1. A Levite, son of Heman, the chief of the ninth class
of temple singers 1Ch 25:4,16
2. A Levite who assisted in purifying the temple at the
reformation under Hezekiah 2Ch 29:13
3. The original name of Zedekiah (q.v.), the last of the
kings of Judah 2Ki 24:17 He was the third son of Josiah, who fell at Megiddo.
He succeeded his nephew Jehoiakin.
Ibid.
1. The son of Amos, in the genealogy of our Lord Lu 3:25
2. The son of Semei, in the same genealogy Lu 3:26
Gift, one of our Lord's ancestry Mt 1:15
Gift of God.
1. The son of Levi, and father of Heli Lu 3:24
2. Son of another Levi Lu 3:29
Gift of God, a common Jewish name after the Exile. He was
the son of Alphaeus, and was a publican or tax-gatherer at Capernaum. On one
occasion Jesus, coming up from the side of the lake, passed the custom-house
where Matthew was seated, and said to him, "Follow me." Matthew arose
and followed him, and became his disciple Mt 9:9 Formerly the name by which he
was known was Levi Mr 2:14 Lu 5:27 he now changed it, possibly in grateful
memory of his call, to Matthew. The same day on which Jesus called him he made
a "great feast" Lu 5:29 a farewell feast, to which he invited Jesus
and his disciples, and probably also many of old associates. He was afterwards
selected as one of the twelve Lu 6:15 His name does not occur again in the
Gospel history except in the lists of the apostles. The last notice of him is
in Ac 1:13 The time and manner of his death are unknown.
1. The author of this book was beyond a doubt the Matthew,
an apostle of our Lord, whose name it bears. He wrote the Gospel of Christ
according to his own plans and aims, and from his own point of view, as did
also the other "evangelists."
2. As to the time of its composition, there is little in
the Gospel itself to indicate. It was evidently written before the destruction
of Jerusalem Mt 24:1ff. and some time after the events it records. The
probability is that it was written between the years A.D. 60 and 65
3. The cast of thought and the forms of expression
employed by the writer show that this Gospel was written for Jewish Christians
of Palestine. His great object is to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was the
promised Messiah, and that in him the ancient prophecies had their fulfilment.
The Gospel is full of allusions to those passages of the Old Testament in which
Christ is predicted and foreshadowed. The one aim prevading the whole book is
to show that Jesus is he "of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did
write." This Gospel contains no fewer than sixty-five references to the
Old Testament, forty-three of these being direct verbal citations, thus greatly
outnumbering those found in the other Gospels.
The main feature of this Gospel may be expressed in the motto, "I
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
4. As to the language in which this Gospel was written
there is much controversy. Many hold, in accordance with old tradition, that it
was originally written in Hebrew (i.e., the Aramaic or Syro-Chaldee dialect,
then the vernacular of the inhabitants of Palestine), and afterwards translated
into Greek, either by Matthew himself or by some person unknown. This theory,
though earnestly maintained by able critics, we cannot see any ground for
adopting. From the first this Gospel in Greek was received as of authority in
the Church. There is nothing in it to show that it is a translation. Though
Matthew wrote mainly for the Jews, yet they were everywhere familiar with the
Greek language. The same reasons which would have suggested the necessity of a
translation into Greek would have led the evangelist to write in Greek at
first. It is confessed that this Gospel has never been found in any other form
than that in which we now possess it.
5. The leading characteristic of this Gospel is that it
sets forth the kingly glory of Christ, and shows him to be the true heir to
David's throne. It is the Gospel of the kingdom. Matthew uses the expression "kingdom of heaven"
(thirty-two times), while Luke uses the expression "kingdom of God"
(thirty-three times). Some Latinized
forms occur in this Gospel, as kodrantes Mt 5:26 for the Latin quadrans, and
phragello Mt 27:26 for the Latin flagello.
It must be remembered that Matthew was a tax-gatherer for the Roman
government, and hence in contact with those using the Latin language.
6. As to the relation of the Gospels to each other, we
must maintain that each writer of the synoptics (the first three) wrote
independently of the other two, Matthew being probably first in point of time.
"Out of a total of 1071 verses, Matthew has
387 in common with Mark and Luke, 130 with Mark, 184 with
Luke 387 being peculiar to itself."
See MARK See LUKE See GOSPELS
7. The book is fitly divided into these four parts:
a. Containing the genealogy, the birth, and the infancy
of Jesus Mt 1:1-2:23
b. The discourses and actions of John the Baptist
preparatory to Christ's public ministry Mt 3:1-4:11
c. The discourses and actions of Christ in Galilee Mt
4:12-20:16
d. The sufferings, death and resurrection of our Lord Mt
20:17-28
Gift of God. Ac 1:23
Gift of Jehovah.
1. One of the sons of Jeduthun 1Ch 25:3,21
2. The eldest son of Shallum, of the family of Korah 1Ch
9:31
3. One who stood by Ezra while reading the law Ne 8:4
4. The son of Amos, and father of Joseph, in the
genealogy of our Lord Lu 3:25
1. Heb. ma'eder, an instrument for dressing or pruning a
vineyard Isa 7:25 a weeding-hoe.
2. Heb. mahareshah 1Sa 13:20 perhaps the ploughshare or
coulter.
3. Heb. herebh, marg. of text 2Ch 34:6 Authorized
Version, "with their mattocks, "marg. "mauls." The Revised
Version renders "in their ruins, "marg. "with their axes."
The Hebrew text is probably corrupt.
An old name for a mallet, the rendering of the Hebrew
mephits Pr 25:18 properly a war-club.
Prognostications, found only Job 38:32 probably meaning
"the twelve signs" (of the zodiac), as in the margin (comp.) 2Ki 23:5
1. Heb. ha'ahu Ge 41:2,18 probably an Egyptain word
transferred to the Hebrew; some kind of reed or water-plant. In the Revised
Version it is rendered "reed-grass", i.e., the sedge or rank grass by
the river side.
2. Heb. ma'areh Jud 20:33 pl., "meadows of
Gibeah" (R.V., after the LXX., "Maareh-geba"). Some have adopted
the rendering "after Gibeah had been left open." The Vulgate
translates the word "from the west."
An hundred, a tower in Jersalem on the east wall Ne 3:1
in the time of Nehemiah.
Are at the present day "eaten from a round table
little higher than a stool, guests sitting cross-legged on mats or small
carpets in a circle, and dipping their fingers into one large dish heaped with
a mixture of boiled rice and other grain and meat. But in the time of our Lord,
and perhaps even from the days of Amos Am 6:4,7 the foreign custom had been
largely introduced of having broad couches, forming three sides of a small
square, the guests reclining at ease on their elbows during meals, with their
faces to the space within, up and down which servants passed offering various
dishes, or in the absence of servants, helping themselves from dishes laid on a
table set between the couches." Geikie's Life of Christ. (Comp.) Lu
7:36-50
See ABRAHAM'S BOSOM See BANQUET See FEAST
A cave, a place in the northern boundary of Palestine Jos
13:4 This may be the cave of Jezzin in Lebanon, 10 miles east of Sidon, on the
Damascus road; or probably, as others think, Mogheirizeh, north-east of Sidon.
Several words are so rendered in the Authorized Version.
1. Those which are indefinite.
a. Hok, Isa 5:14 elsewhere "statute."
b. Mad, Job 11:9 Jer 13:25 elsewhere "garment."
c. Middah, the word most frequently thus translated, Ex
26:2,8 etc.
d. Mesurah, Le 19:35 1Ch 23:29
e. Mishpat, Jer 30:11 elsewhere "judgment."
f. Mithkoneth and token, Eze 45:11
g. In New Testament metron, the usual Greek word thus
rendered Mt 7:2 23:32 Mr 4:24
2. Those which are definite.
a. 'Eyphah, De 25:14,15 usually "ephah."
b. Ammah, Jer 51:13 usually "cubit."
c. Kor, 1Ki 4:22 elsewhere "cor; "Greek koros,
Lu 16:7
d. Seah, Ge 18:6 1Sa 25:18 a seah; Greek saton, Mt 13:33
Lu 13:21
e. Shalish, "a great measure, "Isa 40:12
literally a third, i.e., of an ephah.
f. In New Testament batos, Lu 16:6 the Hebrew "bath;
" and choinix, Re 6:6 the choenix, equal in dry commodities to one-eighth
of a modius.
(Heb. minhah), originally a gift of any kind. This Hebrew
word came latterly to denote an "unbloody" sacrifice, as opposed to a
"bloody" sacrifice. A "drink-offering" generally accompanied
it. The law regarding it is given in Le 2:1 Le 6:14-23 It was a recognition of
the sovereignty of God and of his bounty in giving all earthly blessings 1Ch
29:10-14 De 26:5-11 It was an offering which took for granted and was based on
the offering for sin. It followed the sacrifice of blood. It was presented
every day with the burnt-offering Ex 29:40,41 and consisted of flour or of
cakes prepared in a special way with oil and frankincense.
Construction, building of Jehovah, one of David's
bodyguard 2Sa 23:27 comp. 2Sa 21:18 called Sibbechai and Sibbecai 1Ch 11:29
27:11
Love, one of the elders nominated to assist Moses in the
government of the people. He and Eldad "prophesied in the camp" Nu
11:24-29
Contention, the third son of Abraham by Keturah Ge 25:2
(Heb. Madai), a Median or inhabitant of Media Da 11:1 In
Ge 10:2 the Hebrew word occurs in the list of the sons of Japheth. But probably
this is an ethnic and not a personal name, and denotes simply the Medes as
descended from Japheth.
Waters of quiet, an ancient Moabite town Nu 21:30 It was assigned
to the tribe of Reuben Jos 13:16 Here was fought the great battle in which Joab
defeated the Ammonites and their allies 1Ch 19:7-15 comp. 2Sa 10:6-14 In the
time of Isaiah Isa 15:2 the Moabites regained possession of it from the
Ammonites.
See HANUN The ruins of this important city, now Madeba or
Madiyabah, are seen about 8 miles south-west of Heshbon, and 14 east of the
Dead Sea. Among these are the ruins of what must have been a large temple, and
of three cisterns of considerable extent, which are now dry. These cisterns may
have originated the name Medeba, "waters of quiet."
See OMRI
Heb. Madai, which is rendered in the Authorized Version
1. "Madai, "Ge 10:2
2. "Medes, "2Ki 17:6 18:11
3. "Media, "Es 1:3 10:2 Isa 21:2 Da 8:20
4. "Mede, "only in Da 11:1 We first hear of
this people in the Assyrian cuneiform records, under the name of Amada, about
B.C. 840 They appear to have been a branch of the Aryans, who came from the
east bank of the Indus, and were probably the predominant race for a while in
the Mesopotamian valley. They consisted for three or four centuries of a number
of tribes, each ruled by its own chief, who at length were brought under the
Assyrian yoke 2Ki 17:6 From this subjection they achieved deliverance, and
formed themselves into an empire under Cyaxares (B.C. 633) This monarch entered
into an alliance with the king of Babylon, and invaded Assyria, capturing and
destroying the city of Nineveh (B.C. 625) thus putting an end to the Assyrian
monarchy Na 1:8 2:5,6 3:13,14 Media now rose to a place of great power, vastly
extending its boundaries. But it did not long exist as an independent
kingdom. It rose with Cyaxares, its
first king, and it passed away with him; for during the reign of his son and
successor Astyages, the Persians waged war against the Medes and conquered
them, the two nations being united under one monarch, Cyrus the Persian
(B.C. 558 The "cities of the
Medes" are first mentioned in connection with the deportation of the
Israelites on the destruction of Samaria 2Ki 17:6 18:11 Soon afterwards Isaiah
Isa 13:17 21:2 speaks of the part taken by the Medes in the destruction of
Babylon (comp.) Jer 51:11,28 Daniel gives an account of the reign of Darius the
Mede, who was made viceroy by Cyrus Da 6:1-28 The decree of Cyrus, Ezra informs
us Ezr 6:2-5 was found in "the palace that is in the province of the
Medes, " Achmetha or Ecbatana of the Greeks, which is the only Median city
mentioned in Scripture.
One who intervenes between two persons who are at
variance, with a view to reconcile them. This word is not found in the Old Testament;
but the idea it expresses is found in Job 9:33 in the word "daysman"
(q.v.), marg., "umpire." This word is used in the New Testament to
denote simply an internuncius, an ambassador, one who acts as a medium of
communication between two contracting parties. In this sense Moses is called a
mediator in Ga 3:19 Christ is the one and only mediator between God and man 1Ti
2:5 Heb 8:6 9:15 12:24 He makes reconciliation between God and man by his
all-perfect atoning sacrifice. Such a mediator must be at once divine and
human, divine, that his obedience and his sufferings might possess infinite
worth, and that he might possess infinite wisdom and knowlege and power to
direct all things in the kingdoms of providence and grace which are committed
to his hands Mt 28:18 Joh 5:22,25,26,27 and human, that in his work he might
represent man, and be capable of rendering obedience to the law and satisfying
the claims of justice Heb 2:17,18 4:15,16 and that in his glorified humanity he
might be the head of a glorified Church Ro 8:29 This office involves the three
functions of prophet, priest, and king, all of which are discharged by Christ
both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation. These functions are so
inherent in the one office that the quality appertaining to each gives
character to every mediatorial act. They are never separated in the exercise of
the office of mediator.
A calm temper of mind, not easily provoked Jas 3:13
1. Peculiar promises are made to the meek Mt 5:5 Isa 66:2
2. The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined Col 3:12
1Ti 6:11 Zep 2:3
3. Is exemplified
a. in Christ Mt 11:29
b. Abraham Ge 13:1 Ge 16:5,6
c. Moses Nu 12:3
d. David 2Sa 16:10,12
e. Paul 1Co 9:19
Place of troops, originally one of the royal cities of
the Canaanites Jos 12:21 belonged to the tribe of Manasseh Jud 1:27 but does
not seem to have been fully occupied by the Israelites till the time of Solomon
1Ki 4:12 9:15 The valley or plain of Megiddo was part of the plain of
Esdraelon, the great battle-field of Palestine. It was here Barak gained a
notable victory over Jabin, the king of Hazor, whose general, Sisera, led on the
hostile army. Barak rallied the warriors of the northern tribes, and under the
encouragement of Deborah (q.v.), the prophetess, attacked the Canaanites in the
great plain. The army of Sisera was thrown into complete confusion, and was
engulfed in the waters of the Kishon, which had risen and overflowed its banks
Jud 4:5 Many years after this (B.C. 610) Pharaohnecho II., on his march against
the king of Assyria, passed through the plains of Philistia and Sharon; and
King Josiah, attempting to bar his progress in the plain of Megiddo, was
defeated by the Egyptians. He was wounded in battle, and died as they bore him
away in his chariot towards Jerusalem 2Ki 23:29 2Ch 35:22-24 and all Israel
mourned for him. So general and bitter was this mourning that it became a
proverb, to which Zechariah Zec 12:11,12 alludes. Megiddo has been identified
with the modern el-Lejjun, at the head of the Kishon, under the north-eastern
brow of Carmel, on the south-western edge of the plain of Esdraelon, and 9
miles west of Jezreel. Others identify it with Mujedd'a, 4 miles south-west of
Bethshean, but the question of its site is still undetermined.
Whose benefactor is God, the father of Delaiah, and
grandfather of Shemaiah, who joined Sanballat against Nehemiah Ne 6:10
Wife of Hadad, one of the kings of Edom Ge 36:39
Smitten by God, the son of Irad, and father of Methusael
Ge 4:18
Faithful, one of the eunchs whom Ahasuerus (Xerxes)
commanded to bring in Vashti Es 1:10
Habitations, 2Ch 26:7 R.V. "Meunim, "Vulg.
Ammonitae), a people against whom Uzziah waged a successful war. This word is
in Hebrew the plural of Ma'on, and thus denotes the Maonites who inhabited the
country on the eastern side of the Wady el-Arabah. They are again mentioned in
1Ch 4:41 (R.V.), in the reign of King Hezekiah, as a Hamite people, settled in
the eastern end of the valley of Gedor, in the wilderness south of Palestine.
In this passage the Authorized Version has "habitation, "erroneously
following the translation of Luther. They are mentioned in the list of those
from whom the Nethinim were made up Ezr 2:50 Ne 7:52
Waters of yellowness, or clear waters, a river in the
tribe of Dan Jos 19:46 It has been identified with the river 'Aujeh, which
rises at Antipatris.
A base or foundation, a town in the south of Judah Ne
11:28 near Ziklag.
My king.
1. The son of Addi, and father of Neri Lu 3:28
2. Lu 3:24
King of righteousness, the king of Salem (q.v.). All we
know of him is recorded in Ge 14:18-20 He is subsequently mentioned only once
in the Old Testament, in Ps 110:4 The typical significance of his history is
set forth in detail in the Epistle to the Hebrews, He 7:1-28 The apostle there
points out the superiority of his priesthood to that of Aaron in these several
respects,
1. Even Abraham paid him tithes;
2. he blessed Abraham;
3. he is the type of a Priest who lives for ever;
4. Levi, yet unborn, paid him tithes in the person of
Abraham;
5. the permanence of his priesthood in Christ implied the
abrogation of the Levitical system;
6. he was made priest not without an oath; and
7. his priesthood can neither be transmitted nor
interrupted by death: "this man, because he continueth ever, hath an
unchangeable priesthood." The question as to who this mysterious personage
was has given rise to a great deal of modern speculation. It is an old
tradition among the Jews that he was Shem, the son of Noah, who may have
survived to this time. Melchizedek was
a Canaanitish prince, a worshipper of the true God, and in his peculiar history
and character an instructive type of our Lord, the great High Priest Heb 5:6,7
6:20 One of the Amarna tablets is from Ebed-Tob, king of Jerusalem, the
successor of Melchizedek, in which he claims the very attributes and dignity
given to Melchizedek in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Fulness, the son of Menan and father of Eliakim, in the
genealogy of our Lord Lu 3:31
King, the second of Micah's four sons 1Ch 8:35 and thus
grandson of Mephibosheth.
Ac 28:1 an island in the Mediterranean, the modern Malta.
Here the ship in which Paul was being conveyed a prisoner to Rome was wrecked.
The bay in which it was wrecked now bears the name of "St. Paul's
Bay", "a certain creek with a shore." It is about 2 miles deep
and 1 broad, and the whole physical condition of the scene answers the
description of the shipwreck given in Ac 28:1ff. It was originally colonized by
Phoenicians ("barbarians, ")Ac 28:2 It came into the possession of
the Greeks (B.C. 736) from whom it was taken by the Carthaginians (B.C. 528) In
B.C. 242 it was conquered by the Romans, and was governed by a Roman propraetor
at the time of the shipwreck Ac 28:7 Since 1800, when the French garrison
surrendered to the English force, it has been a British dependency. The island is about 17 miles long and 9
wide, and about 60 in circumference. After a stay of three months on this
island, during which the "barbarians" showed them no little kindness,
Julius procured for himself and his company a passage in another Alexandrian
corn-ship which had wintered in the island, in which they proceeded on their
voyage to Rome Ac 28:13,14
Only in Nu 11:5 the translation of the Hebrew abattihim,
the LXX. and Vulgate pepones, Arabic britikh. Of this plant there are various
kinds, the Egyptian melon, the Cucumus chate, which has been called "the
queen of cucumbers; "the water melon, the Cucurbita citrullus; and the
common or flesh melon, the Cucumus melo. "A traveller in the East who
recollects the intense gratitude which a gift of a slice of melon inspired
while journeying over the hot and dry plains, will readily comprehend the
regret with which the Hebrews in the Arabian desert looked back upon the melons
of Egypt" (Kitto).
Probably a Persian word meaning master of wine, i.e.,
chief butler; the title of an officer at the Babylonian court Da 1:11,16 who
had charge of the diet of the Hebrew youths.
Only in Ho 9:6 Hebrew Moph. In Isa 19:13 Jer 2:16
46:14,19 Eze 30:13,16 it is mentioned under the name Noph. It was the capital
of Lower, i.e., of Northern Egypt. From certain remains found half buried in the
sand, the site of this ancient city has been discovered near the modern village
of Minyet Rahinch, or Mitraheny, about 16 miles above the ancient head of the
Delta, and 9 miles south of Cairo, on the west bank of the Nile. It is said to
have been founded by Menes, the first king of Egypt, and to have been in
circumference about 19 miles. "There are few remains above ground,
"says Manning (The Land of the Pharaohs), "of the splendour of
ancient Memphis. The city has utterly disappeared. If any traces yet exist,
they are buried beneath the vast mounds of crumbling bricks and broken pottery
which meet the eye in every direction. Near the village of Mitraheny is a
colossal statue of Rameses the Great. It is apparently one of the two described
by Herodotus and Diodorus as standing in front of the temple of Ptah. They were
originally 50 feet in height. The one which remains, though mutilated, measures
48 feet. It is finely carved in limestone, which takes a high polish, and is
evidently a portrait. It lies in a pit, which, during the inundation, is filled
with water. As we gaze on this fallen and battered statue of the mighty
conqueror who was probably contemporaneous with Moses, it is impossible not to
remember the words of the prophet Isaiah, Isa 19:13 44:16-19 and Jeremiah, Jer
46:19
Dignified, one of the royal counsellors at the court of
Ahasuerus, by whose suggestion Vashti was divorced Es 1:14,16,21
Conforting, the son of Gadi, and successor of Shallum,
king of Israel, whom he slew. After a reign of about ten years (B.C. 771) he
died, leaving the throne to his son Pekahiah. His reign was one of cruelty and
oppression 2Ki 15:14-22 During his reign, Pul (q.v.), king of Assyria, came
with a powerful force against Israel, but was induced to retire by a gift from
Menahem of 1,000 talents of silver.
Da 5:25,26 numbered, one of the words of the mysterious
inscription written "upon the plaister of the wall" in Belshazzar's
palace at Babylon. The writing was explained by Daniel.
See BELSHAZZAR
Isa 65:11 marg. (A.V., "that number; "R.V.,
"destiny"), probably an idol which the captive Israelites worshipped
after the example of the Babylonians. It may have been a symbol of destiny.
LXX., tuche.
Jud 9:37 A.V., "the plain of Meonenim; "R.V.,
"the oak of Meonenim") means properly "soothsayers" or
"sorcerers, ""wizards" De 18:10,14 2Ki 21:6 Mic 5:12 This
may be the oak at Shechem under which Abram pitched his tent
See SHECHEM the "enchanter's oak, "so called,
perhaps, from Jacob's hiding the "strange gods" under it Ge 35:4
Splendour, a Levitical city Jos 21:37 of the tribe of
Reuben Jos 13:18
Exterminator of shame; i.e., of idols.
1. The name of Saul's son by the concubine Rizpah (q.v.),
the daughter of Aiah. He and his brother Armoni were with five others
"hanged on a hill before the Lord" by the Gibeonites, and their
bodies exposed in the sun for five months 2Sa 21:8-10
2. The son of Jonathan, and grandson of Saul 2Sa 4:4 He
was but five years old when his father and grandfather fell on Mount Gilboa.
The child's nurse hearing of this calamity, fled with him from Gibeah, the
royal residence, and stumbling in her haste, the child was thrown to the ground
and maimed in both his feet, and ever after was unable to walk 2Sa 19:26 He was
carried to the land of Gilead, where he found a refuge in the house of Machir,
the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar, by whom he was brought up. Some years after
this, when David had subdued all the adversaries of Israel, he began to think
of the family of Jonathan, and discovered that Mephibosheth was residing in the
house of Machir. Thither he sent royal messengers, and brought him and his
infant son to Jerusalem, where he ever afterwards resided 2Sa 9:1ff. When David
was a fugitive, according to the story of Ziba 2Sa 16:1-4 Mephibosheth proved
unfaithful to him, and was consequently deprived of half of his estates; but
according to his own story, however 2Sa 19:24-30 he had remained loyal to his
friend. After this incident he is only mentioned as having been protected by
David against the vengeance the Gibeonites were permitted to execute on the
house of Saul 2Sa 21:7 He is also called Merib-baal 1Ch 8:34 9:40
See ZIBA
Increase, the eldest of Saul's two daughters 1Sa 14:49
She was betrothed to David after his victory over Goliath, but does not seem to
have entered heartily into this arrangement 1Sa 18:2,17,19 She was at length,
however, married to Adriel of Abel-Meholah, a town in the Jordan valley, about
10 miles south of Bethshean, with whom the house of Saul maintained alliance.
She had five sons, who were all put to death by the Gibeonites on the hill of
Gibeah 2Sa 21:8
Resistance, a chief priest, a contemporary of the high
priest Joiakim Ne 12:12
Rebellions.
1. Father of Amariah, a high priest of the line of
Eleazar 1Ch 6:6,7,52
2. Ne 12:15 a priest who went to Jerusalem with
Zerubbabel. He is called Meremoth in Ne 12:3
Sad; bitter, the youngest son of Levi, born before the
descent of Jacob into Egypt, and one of the seventy who accompanied him thither
Ge 46:11 Ex 6:16 He became the head of one of the great divisions of the
Levites Ex 6:19
See MERARITES
The descendants of Merari Nu 26:57 They with the
Gershonites and the Kohathites had charge of the tabernacle, which they had to
carry from place to place Nu 3:20,33-37 4:29-33 In the distribution of the oxen
and waggons offered by the princes Nu 7:1ff. Moses gave twice as many to the
Merarites (four waggons and eight oxen) as he gave to the Gershonites, because
the latter had to carry only the lighter furniture of the tabernacle, such as
the curtains, hangings, etc., while the former had to carry the heavier
portion, as the boards, bars, sockets, pillars, etc., and consequently needed a
greater supply of oxen and waggons. This is a coincidence illustrative of the
truth of the narrative. Their place in marching and in the camp was on the
north of the tabernacle. The Merarites afterwards took part with the other
Levitical families in the various functions of their office 1Ch 23:6,21-23 2Ch
29:12,13 Twelve cities with their suburbs were assigned to them Jos 21:7,34-40
Double rebellion, probably a symbolical name given to
Babylon Jer 50:21 denoting rebellion exceeding that of other nations.
The Hebrew word so rendered is from a root meaning
"to travel about, " "to migrate, "and hence "a
traveller." In the East, in ancient times, merchants travelled about with
their merchandise from place to place Ge 37:25 Job 6:18 and carried on their
trade mainly by bartering Ge 37:28 39:1 After the Hebrews became settled in
Palestine they began to engage in commercial pursuits, which gradually expanded
Ge 49:13 De 33:18 Jud 5:17 till in the time of Solomon they are found in the
chief marts of the world 1Ki 9:26 10:11,26,28 22:48 2Ch 1:16 9:10,21 After
Solomon's time their trade with foreign nations began to decline. After the
Exile it again expanded into wider foreign relations, because now the Jews were
scattered in many lands.
The Hermes (i.e., "the speaker") of the Greeks
Ac 14:12 a heathen God represented as the constant attendant of Jupiter, and
the god of eloquence. The inhabitants of Lystra took Paul for this god because
he was the "chief speaker."
Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By
the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards
the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness Ge
19:19 Ex 20:6 34:6,7 Ps 85:10 86:15,16 In Christ mercy and truth meet together.
Mercy is also a Christian grace Mt 5:7 18:33-35
(Heb. kapporeth, a "covering; "LXX. and N.T.,
hilasterion; Vulg., propitiatorium), the covering or lid of the ark of the
covenant (q.v.). It was of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, or perhaps rather a
plate of solid gold, 2 1/2 cubits long and 1 1/2 broad Ex 25:17 Ex 30:6 31:7 It
is compared to the throne of grace Heb 9:5 Eph 2:6 The holy of holies is called
the "place of the mercy-seat" 1Ch 28:11 Le 16:2 It has been conjectured
that the censer (thumiaterion, meaning "anything having regard to or
employed in the burning of incense") mentioned in Heb 9:4 was the
"mercy-seat, "at which the incense was burned by the high priest on
the great day of atonement, and upon or toward which the blood of the goat was
sprinkled Le 16:11-16 comp. Nu 7:89 Ex 25:22
Rebellion, one of the sons of Ezra, of the tribe of Judah
1Ch 4:17
Exaltations, heights, a priest who returned from Babylon
with Zerubbabel Ne 12:3 to whom were sent the sacred vessels Ezr 8:33 belonging
to the temple. He took part in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem Ne 3:4
Quarrel or strife.
1. One of the names given by Moses to the fountain in the
desert of Sin, near Rephidim, which issued from the rock in Horeb, which he
smote by the divine command, "because of the chiding of the children of
Israel" Ex 17:1-7 It was also called Massah (q.v.). It was probably in
Wady Feiran, near Mount Serbal.
2. Another fountain having a similar origin in the desert
of Zin, near to Kadesh Nu 27:14 The two places are mentioned together in De
33:8 Some think the one place is called by the two names Ps 81:7 In smiting the
rock at this place Moses showed the same impatience as the people Nu 20:10-12
This took place near the close of the wanderings in the desert Nu 20:1-24 De
32:51
Contender with Baal, 1Ch 8:34 9:40 elsewhere called
Mephibosheth 2Sa 4:4 the son of Jonathan.
Death; slaughter, the name of a Babylonian god, probably
the planet Mars Jer 50:2 or it may be another name of Bel, the guardian
divinity of Babylon. This name frequently occurs as a surname to the kings of
Assyria and Babylon.
Merodach has given a son, Isa 39:1 "the hereditary
chief of the Chaldeans, a small tribe at that time settled in the marshes at
the mouth of the Euphrates, but in consequence of his conquest of Babylon
afterwards, they became the dominant caste in Babylonia itself." One
bearing this name sent ambassadors to Hezekiah (B.C. 721) He is also called
Berodach-baladan 2Ki 20:12 Isa 39:1
See HEZEKIAH
Height, a lake in Northern Palestine through which the
Jordan flows. It was the scene of the third and last great victory gained by
Joshua over the Canaanites Jos 11:5-7 It is not again mentioned in Scripture.
Its modern name is Bakrat el-Huleh. "The Ard el-Huleh, the centre of which
the lake occupies, is a nearly level plain of 16 miles in length from north to
south, and its breadth from east to west is from 7 to 8 miles. On the west it
is walled in by the steep and lofty range of the hills of Kedesh-Naphtali; on
the east it is bounded by the lower and more gradually ascending slopes of
Bashan; on the north it is shut in by a line of hills hummocky and irregular in
shape and of no great height, and stretching across from the mountains of
Naphtali to the roots of Mount Hermon, which towers up at the north-eastern
angle of the plain to a height of 10,000 feet. At its southern extremity the
plain is similarly traversed by elevated and broken ground, through which, by
deep and narrow clefts, the Jordan, after passing through Lake Huleh, makes its
rapid descent to the Sea of Galilee." The lake is triangular in form,
about 4 1/2 miles in length by 3 1/2 at its greatest breadth. Its surface is 7 feet
above that of the Mediterranean. It is surrounded by a morass, which is thickly
covered with canes and papyrus reeds, which are impenetrable. Macgregor with
his canoe, the Rob Roy, was the first that ever, in modern times, sailed on its
waters.
See JORDAN
A name given to Jehdeiah, the herdsman of the royal asses
in the time of David and Solomon 1Ch 27:30 probably as one being a native of
some unknown town called Meronoth.
A plain in the north of Palestine, the inhabitants of
which were severely condemned because they came not to help Barak against
Sisera Jud 5:23 comp. Jud 21:8-10 1Sa 11:7 It has been identified with
Marassus, on a knoll to the north of Wady Jalud, but nothing certainly is known
of it. Like Chorazin, it is only mentioned in Scripture in connection with the
curse pronounced upon it.
Middle district, Vulgate, Messa.
1. A plain in that part of the boundaries of Arabia
inhabited by the descendants of Joktan Ge 10:30
2. Heb. meysh'a, "deliverance, "the eldest son
of Caleb 1Ch 2:42 and brother of Jerahmeel.
3. Heb. id, a king of Moab, the son of Chemosh-Gad, a man
of great wealth in flocks and herds 2Ki 3:4 After the death of Ahab at
Ramoth-Gilead, Mesha shook off the yoke of Israel; but on the ascension of
Jehoram to the throne of Israel, that king sought the help of Jehoshaphat in an
attempt to reduce the Moabites again to their former condition. The united
armies of the two kings came unexpectedly on the army of the Moabites, and
gained over them an easy victory. The whole land was devastated by the
conquering armies, and Mesha sought refuge in his last stronghold,
Kir-harasheth (q.v.). Reduced to despair, he ascended the wall of the city, and
there, in the sight of the allied armies, offered his first-born son a
sacrifice to Chemosh, the fire-god of the Moabites. This fearful spectacle
filled the beholders with horror, and they retired from before the besieged
city, and recrossed the Jordan laden with spoil 2Ki 3:25-27 The exploits of
Mesha are recorded in the Phoenician inscription on a block of black basalt found
at Dibon, in Moab, usually called the "Moabite stone" (q.v.).
The title given to Mishael, one of the three Hebrew
youths who were under training at the Babylonian court for the rank of Magi Da
1:7 Da 2:49 3:12-30 This was probably the name of some Chaldean god.
Drawing out, The sixth son of Japheth Ge 10:2 The founder
of a tribe 1Ch 1:5 Eze 27:13 38:2,3 They were in all probability the Moschi, a
people inhabiting the Moschian Mountains, between the Black and the Caspian
Seas. In Ps 120:5 the name occurs as simply a synonym for foreigners or
barbarians. "During the ascendency
of the Babylonians and Persians in Western Asia, the Moschi were subdued; but
it seems probable that a large number of them crossed the Caucasus range and
spread over the northern steppes, mingling with the Scythians. There they
became known as Muscovs, and gave that name to the Russian nation and its
ancient capital by which they are still generally known throughout the
East"
Friendship of Jehovah, a Levite of the family of the
Korhites, called also Shelemiah 1Ch 9:21 26:1,2,9,14 He was a temple
gate-keeper in the time of David.
Requitals.
1. The father of Berechiah 2Ch 28:12
2. A priest, the son of Immer Ne 11:13
Befriended.
1. One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of
Jotham 1Ch 5:13
2. Grandfather of Shaphan, "the scribe, "in the
reign of Josiah 2Ki 22:3
3. A priest, father of Hilkiah 1Ch 9:11 Ne 11:11 in the
reign of Ammon; called Shallum in 1Ch 6:12
4. A Levite of the family of Kohath 2Ch 34:12 in the
reign of Josiah.
5. 1Ch 8:17
6. 1Ch 3:19
7. Ne 12:13
8. A chief priest Ne 12:16
9. One of the leading Levites in the time of Ezra Ezr
8:16
10. A priest 1Ch 9:12
11. One of the principal Israelites who supported Ezra
when expounding the law to the people Ne 8:4
Friend, the wife of Manasseh, and the mother of Amon 2Ki
21:19 Kings of Judah.
The country between the two rivers (Heb. Aram-naharaim;
i.e., "Syria of the two rivers"), the name given by the Greeks and
Romans to the region between the Euphrates and the Tigris Ge 24:10 De 23:4 Jud
3:8,10 In the Old Testament it is mentioned also under the name
"Padan-aram; "i.e., the plain of Aram, or Syria Ge 25:20 The northern
portion of this fertile plateau was the original home of the ancestors of the
Hebrews Ge 11:1ff. Ac 7:2 From this region Isaac obtained his wife Rebecca Ge
24:10,15 and here also Jacob sojourned Ge 28:2-7 and obtained his wives, and
here most of his sons were born Ge 35:26 46:15 The petty, independent tribes of
this region, each under its own prince, were warlike, and used chariots in
battle. They maintained their
independence till after the time of David, when they fell under the dominion of
Assyria, and were absorbed into the empire 2Ki 19:13
A portion of food given to a guest Ge 43:34 2Sa 11:8
(Heb. mal'ak, Gr. angelos), an angel, a messenger who
runs on foot, the bearer of despatches Job 1:14 1Sa 11:7 2Ch 36:22 swift of
foot 2Ki 9:18
(Heb. mashiah), in all the thirty-nine instances of its
occurring in the Old Testament, is rendered by the LXX. "Christos."
It means anointed. Thus priests Ex 28:41 40:15 Nu 3:3 prophets 1Ki 19:16 and
kings 1Sa 9:16 16:3 2Sa 12:7 were anointed with oil, and so consecrated to their
respective offices. The great Messiah is anointed "above his fellows"
Ps 45:7 i.e., he embraces in himself all the three offices. The Greek form
"Messias" is only twice used in the New Testament, in Joh 1:41 4:25
(R.V., "Messiah"), and in the Old Testament the word Messiah, as the
rendering of the Hebrew, occurs only twice Da 9:25,26 R.V., "the anointed
one". The first great promise Ge 3:15 contains in it the germ of all the
prophecies recorded in the Old Testament regarding the coming of the Messiah and
the great work he was to accomplish on earth. The prophecies became more
definite and fuller as the ages rolled on; the light shone more and more unto
the perfect day. Different periods of prophetic revelation have been pointed
out,
1. the patriarchal;
2. the Mosaic;
3. the period of David;
4. the period of prophetism, i.e., of those prophets
whose works form a part of the Old Testament canon.
The expectations of the Jews were thus kept alive from
generation to generation, till the "fulness of the times, "when Messiah
came, "made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under
the law." In him all these ancient prophecies have their fulfilment. Jesus
of Nazareth is the Messiah, the great Deliverer who was to come. (Comp.) Mt
26:54 Mr 9:12 Lu 18:31 22:37 Joh 5:39 Ac 2:1ff. Ac 16:31 26:22,23
Bridle of the mother, a figurative name for a chief city,
as in 2Sa 8:1 "David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines"
(R.V., "took the bridle of the mother-city"); i.e., subdued their
capital or strongest city, viz., Gath 1Ch 18:1
Champion of El; man of God, a descendant of Cain Ge 4:18
so called, perhaps, to denote that even among the descendants of Cain God had
not left himself without a witness.
Man of the dart, the son of Enoch, and grandfather of
Noah. He was the oldest man of whom we have any record, dying at the age of
nine hundred and sixty-nine years, in the year of the Flood Ge 5:21-27 1Ch 1:3
Water of gold, the father of Matred Ge 36:39 1Ch 1:50 and
grandfather of Mehetabel, wife of Hadar, the last king of Edom.
=Mijamin, from the right hand.
1. The head of one of the divisions of the priests
(Mijamin) 1Ch 24:9
2. A chief priest who returned from Babylon with
Zerubbabel Ne 12:5 called Mijamin Ne 10:7 and Miniamin Ne 12:17
Choice, a Hagarene, one of David's warriors 1Ch 11:38
called also Bani the Gadite 2Sa 23:36
Fragrance.
1. One of Ishmael's twelve sons, and head of an Arab
tribe Ge 25:13
2. A son of Simeon 1Ch 4:25
Fortress, one of the Edomitish "dukes"
descended from Esau Ge 36:42 1Ch 1:53
A shortened form of Micaiah, who is like Jehovah?
1. A man of Mount Ephraim, whose history so far is
introduced in Jud 17:1ff. apparently for the purpose of leading to an account
of the settlement of the tribe of Dan in Northern Palestine, and for the purpose
also of illustrating the lawlessness of the times in which he lived Jud 18:1ff.
Jud 19:1-29 21:25
2. The son of Merib-baal (Mephibosheth), 1Ch 8:34,35
3. The first in rank of the priests of the family of
Kohathites 1Ch 23:20
4. A descendant of Joel the Reubenite 1Ch 5:5
5. "The Morasthite, "so called to distinguish
him from Micaiah, the son of Imlah 1Ki 22:8 He was a prophet of Judah, a
contemporary of Isaiah Mic 1:1 a native of Moresheth of Gath Mic 1:14,15 Very
little is known of the circumstances of his life (comp.) Jer 26:18,19
The sixth in order of the so-called minor prophets. The
superscription to this book states that the prophet exercised his office in the
reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. If we reckon from the beginning of
Jotham's reign to the end of Hezekiah's (B.C. 759) then he ministered for about
fifty-nine years; but if we reckon from the death of Jotham to the accession of
Hezekiah (B.C. 743) his ministry lasted only sixteen years. It has been noticed
as remarkable that this book commences with the last words of another prophet,
"Micaiah the son of Imlah" 1Ki 22:28 "Hearken, O people, every
one of you." The book consists of three sections, each commencing with a
rebuke, "Hear ye, " etc., and closing with a promise,
1. ch. 1- 2
2. ch. 3-5 especially addressed to the princes and heads
of the people;
3. ch. 6 in which Jehovah is represented as holding a
controversy with his people: the whole concluding with a song of triumph at the
great deliverance which the Lord will achieve for his people. The closing verse
is quoted in the song of Zacharias Lu 1:72,73 The prediction regarding the
place "where Christ should be born, "one of the most remarkable
Messianic prophecies Mic 5:2 is quoted in Mt 2:6 There are the following
references to this book in the New Testament:
a. Mic 5:2 with Mt 2:6 Joh 7:42
b. Mic 7:6 with Mt 10:21,35,36
c. Mic 7:20 with Lu 1:72,73
Who is like Jehovah?, the son of Imlah, a faithful
prophet of Samaria 1Ki 22:8-28 Three years after the great battle with
Ben-hadad 1Ki 20:29-34 Ahab proposed to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, that they should
go up against Ramoth-Gilead to do battle again with Ben-hadad. Jehoshaphat agreed, but suggested that
inquiry should be first made "at the word of Jehovah." Ahab's
prophets approved of the expedition; but Jehoshaphat, still dissatisfied, asked
if there was no other prophet besides the four hundred that had appeared, and
was informed of this Micaiah. He was sent for from prison, where he had been
confined, probably on account of some prediction disagreeable to Ahab; and he
condemned the expedition, and prophesied that it would end, as it did, in
disaster. We hear nothing further of this prophet. Some have supposed that he
was the unnamed prophet referred to in 1Ki 20:35-42
1. 2Sa 9:12 See MICAH No 2
2. The son of Zabdi, a Levite of the family of Asaph Ne
11:17,22
Who is like God?
1. The title given to one of the chief angels Da 10:13,21
12:1 He had special charge of Israel as a nation. He disputed with Satan Jude
1:9 about the body of Moses. He is also represented as warning against
"that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole
world" Re 12:7-9
2. The father of Sethur, the spy selected to represent
Asher Nu 13:13
3. 1Ch 7:3 a chief of the tribe of Issachar.
4. 1Ch 8:16 a Benjamite.
5. A chief Gadite in Bashan 1Ch 5:13
6. A Manassite, "a captain of thousands" who
joined David at Ziklag 1Ch 12:20
7. A Gershonite Levite 1Ch 6:40
8. The father of Omri 1Ch 27:18
9. One of the sons of king Jehoshaphat 2Ch 21:2,4 He was
murdered by his brother Jehoram.
1. The queen-mother of King Abijah 2Ch 13:2 See MAACAH
2. One of those sent out by Jehoshaphat to instruct the
people in the law 2Ch 17:7
3. 2Ki 22:12
4. The son of Gemariah. He reported to the king's
officers Jeremiah's prediction, which he had heard Baruch read Jer 36:11,13 from
his father Gemariah's chamber in the temple.
5. A Levite Ne 12:35
6. A priest Ne 12:41
Rivulet, or who as God?, the younger of Saul's two
daughters by his wife Ahinoam 1Sa 14:49,50 "Attracted by the graces of his
person and the gallantry of his conduct, she fell in love with David and became
his wife" 1Sa 18:20-28 She showed her affection for him by promoting his
escape to Naioth when Saul sought his life 1Sa 19:12-17 Comp. Ps 59:1ff.
See TERAPHIM After this she did not see David for many
years. Meanwhile she was given in marriage to another man, Phalti or Phaltiel
of Gallim 1Sa 25:44 but David afterwards formally reclaimed her as his lawful
wife 2Sa 3:13-16 The relation between her and David soon after this was
altered. They became alienated from each other. This happened on that memorable
day when the ark was brought up in great triumph from its temporary
resting-place to the Holy City. In David's conduct on that occasion she saw
nothing but a needless humiliation of the royal dignity 1Ch 15:29 She remained
childless, and thus the races of David and Saul were not mixed. In 2Sa 21:8 her
name again occurs, but the name Merab should probably be here substituted for
Michal (comp.) 1Sa 18:19
Something hidden, a town of Benjamin Ezr 2:27 east of
Bethel and south of Migron, on the road to Jerusalem Isa 10:28 It lay on the
line of march of an invading army from the north, on the north side of the
steep and precipitous Wady es-Suweinit ("valley of the little
thorn-tree" or "the acacia"), and now bears the name of Mukhmas.
This wady is called "the passage of Michmash" 1Sa 13:23 Immediately
facing Mukhmas, on the opposite side of the ravine, is the modern
representative of Geba, and behind this again are Ramah and Gibeah. This was
the scene of a great battle fought between the army of Saul and the
Philistines, who were utterly routed and pursued for some 16 miles towards
Philistia as far as the valley of Aijalon. "The freedom of Benjamin
secured at Michmash led through long years of conflict to the freedom of all
its kindred tribes." The power of Benjamin and its king now steadily
increased. A new spirit and a new hope were now at work in Israel.
See SAUL
Hiding-place, a town in the northern border of Ephraim
and Manasseh, and not far west of Jordan Jos 16:6 17:7
Prize of Jehovah, a Benjamite, the father of Uzzi 1Ch 9:8
Writing; i.e., a poem or song found in the titles of Ps
16:1 56:1 Some translate the word "golden", i.e., precious. It is
rendered in the LXX. by a word meaning "tablet inscription" or a
"stelograph." The root of the word means to stamp or grave, and hence
it is regarded as denoting a composition so precious as to be worthy to be
engraven on a durable tablet for preservation; or, as others render, "a
psalm precious as stamped gold, "from the word _kethem_, "fine or
stamped gold."
Measures, one of the six cities "in the wilderness,
"on the west of the Dead Sea, mentioned along with En-gedi Jos 15:61
Strife, the fourth son of Abraham by Keturah, the father
of the Midianites Ge 25:2 1Ch 1:32
An Arabian tribe descended from Midian. They inhabited
principally the desert north of the peninsula of Arabia. The peninsula of Sinai
was the pasture-ground for their flocks. They were virtually the rulers of
Arabia, being the dominant tribe. Like all Arabians, they were a nomad people.
They early engaged in commercial pursuits. It was to one of their caravans that
Joseph was sold Ge 37:28,36 The next notice of them is in connection with
Moses' flight from Egypt Ex 2:15-21 Here in Midian Moses became the servant and
afterwards the son-in-law of Reuel or Jethro, the priest. After the Exodus, the
Midianites were friendly to the Israelites so long as they traversed only their
outlying pasture-ground on the west of the Arabah; but when, having passed the
southern end of Edom, they entered into the land of Midian proper, they joined
with Balak, the king of Moab, in a conspiracy against them Nu 22:4-7 Balaam,
who had been sent for to curse Israel, having utterly failed to do so, was
dismissed by the king of Moab; nevertheless he still tarried among the
Midianites, and induced them to enter into correspondence with the Israelites,
so as to bring them into association with them in the licentious orgies
connected with the worship of Baal-Peor. This crafty counsel prevailed. The
Israelites took part in the heathen festival, and so brought upon themselves a
curse indeed. Their apostasy brought upon them a severe punishment. A plague
broke out amongst them, and more than twenty-four thousand of the people
perished Nu 25:9 But the Midianites were not to be left unpunished. A terrible
vengeance was denounced against them. A thousand warriors from each tribe,
under the leadership of Phinehas, went forth against them. The Midianites were
utterly routed. Their cities were consumed by fire, five of their kings were
put to death, and the whole nation was destroyed Jos 13:21,22 Balaam also
perished by the sword, receiving the "wages of his unrighteousness"
Nu 31:8 2Pe 2:15 The whole of the country on the east of Jordan, now conquered
by the Israelites
See SIHON See OG
was divided between the two tribes of Reuben and Gad and
the half tribe of Manasseh. Some two hundred and fifty years after this the
Midianites had regained their ancient power, and in confederation with the
Amalekites and the "children of the east" they made war against their
old enemies the Israelites, whom for seven years they oppressed and held in
subjection. They were at length assailed by Gideon in that ever-memorable
battle in the great plain of Esdraelon, and utterly destroyed Jud 6:1-7:25
Frequent allusions are afterwards made to this great victory Ps 83:10,12 Isa
9:4 10:6 They now wholly pass away from the page of history both sacred and
profane.
The two midwives mentioned in Ex 1:15 were probably the
superintendents of the whole class.
Tower of the flock, a place 2 miles south of Jerusalem,
near the Bethlehem road Ge 35:21
See EDAR
Tower of God, a fortified city of Naphtali Jos 19:38
supposed by some to be identical with Magdala (q.v.).
Tower of fortune, a town in the plains of Judah, probably
the modern el-Mejdel, a little to the north-east of Ascalon Jos 15:37
Tower.
1. A strongly-fortified place 12 miles from Pelusium, in
the north of Egypt Jer 44:1 46:14 This word is rendered "tower" in
Eze 29:10 but the margin correctly retains the name Migdol, "from Migdol
to Syene; "i.e., from Migdol in the north to Syene in the south, in other
words, the whole of Egypt.
2. A place mentioned in the passage of the Red Sea Ex 14:2
Nu 33:7,8 It is probably to be identified with Bir Suweis, about 2 miles from
Suez.
Precipice or landslip, a place between Aiath and Michmash
Isa 10:28 The town of the same name mentioned in 1Sa 14:2 was to the south of
this.
Staves.
1. An officer under Dodai, in the time of David and
Solomon 1Ch 27:4
2. A Benjamite 1Ch 8:32 9:37,38
Eloquent, a Levitical musician Ne 12:36 who took part in
the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.
(the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning "to be
yellow, "yellowness), the result of cutting east winds blighting and thus
rendering the grain unproductive De 28:22 1Ki 8:37 2Ch 6:28
(from Lat. mille, "a thousand; "Mt 5:41 a Roman
measure of 1,000 paces of 5 feet each. Thus the Roman mile has 1618 yards,
being 142 yards shorter than the English mile.
(Miletum,)2Ti 4:20 a seaport town and the ancient capital
of Ionia, about 36 miles south of Ephesus. On his voyage from Greece to Syria,
Paul touched at this port, and delivered that noble and pathetic address to the
elders ("presbyters, "Ac 4:28 of Ephesus recorded in Ac 20:15-35 The
site of Miletus is now some 10 miles from the coast.
See EPHESIANS, EPISTLE TO