A large and populous city on the Thermaic bay. It was the
capital of one of the four Roman districts of Macedonia, and was ruled by a
praetor. It was named after Thessalonica, the wife of Cassander, who built the
city. She was so called by her father, Philip, because he first heard of her
birth on the day of his gaining a victory over the Thessalians. On his second
missionary journey, Paul preached in the synagogue here, the chief synagogue of
the Jews in that part of Macedonia, and laid the foundations of a church Ac
17:1-4 1Th 1:9 The violence of the Jews drove him from the city, when he fled
to Berea Ac 17:5-10 The "rulers of the city" before whom the Jews
"drew Jason, "with whom Paul and Silas lodged, are in the original
called politarchai, an unusual word, which was found, however, inscribed on an
arch in Thessalonica. This discovery confirms the accuracy of the historian.
Paul visited the church here on a subsequent occasion Ac 20:1-3 This city long
retained its importance. It is the most important town of European Turkey,
under the name of Saloniki, with a mixed population of about 85,000
Thanksgiving, referred to by Gamaliel in his speech
before the council at Jerusalem Ac 5:36 He headed an insurrection against the
Roman authority. Beyond this nothing is known of him.
Hab 2:6 is correctly rendered in the Revised Version
"pledges." The Chaldean power is here represented as a rapacious
usurer, accumulating the wealth that belonged to others.
Lu 23:32,39-43 robbers, rather brigands, probably
followers of Barabbas. Our Lord's cross was placed between those of the
"malefactors, "to add to the ignominy of his position. According to
tradition, Demas or Dismas was the name of the penitent thief hanging on the
right, and Gestas of the impenitent on the left.
1. Heb. hoah 2Ki 14:9 Job 31:40 In Job 41:2 the Hebrew
word is rendered "thorn, "but in the Revised Version "hook."
It is also rendered "thorn" in 2Ch 33:11 Pr 26:9 So 2:2
"brambles" in Isa 34:13 It is supposed to be a variety of the wild
plum-tree, but by some it is regarded as the common thistle, of which there are
many varieties in Palestine.
2. Heb. dardar, meaning "a plant growing
luxuriantly" Ge 3:18 Ho 10:8 Gr. tribolos, "a triple point" Mt
7:16 Heb 6:8 "brier, "R.V. "thistle". This was probably the
star-thistle, called by botanists Centaurea calcitropa, or "caltrops,
"a weed common in corn-fields.
See THORNS
Twin, one of the twelve Mt 10:3 Mr 3:18 etc. He was also
called Didymus Joh 11:16 20:24 which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew
name. All we know regarding him is recorded in the fourth Gospel Joh 11:15,16
14:4,5 20:24,25,26-29 From the circumstance that in the lists of the apostles
he is always mentioned along with Matthew, who was the son of Alphaeus Mr 3:18
and that these two are always followed by James, who was also the son of
Alphaeus, it has been supposed that these three, Matthew, Thomas, and James,
were brothers.
1. Heb. hedek Pr 15:19 rendered "brier" in Mic
7:4 Some thorny plant, of the Solanum family, suitable for hedges. This is
probably the so-called "apple of Sodom, "which grows very abundantly
in the Jordan valley. "It is a shrubby plant, from 3 to 5 feet high, with
very branching stems, thickly clad with spines, like those of the English
brier, with leaves very large and woolly on the under side, and thorny on the
midriff."
2. Heb. kotz Ge 3:18 Ho 10:8 rendered _akantha_ by the
LXX. In the New Testament this word _akantha_ is also rendered
"thorns" Mt 7:16 13:7 Heb 6:8 The word seems to denote any thorny or
prickly plant Jer 12:13 It has been identified with the Ononis spinosa by some.
3. Heb. na'atzutz Isa 7:19 55:13 This word has been
interpreted as denoting the Zizyphus spina Christi, or the jujube-tree. It is
supposed by some that the crown of thorns placed in wanton cruelty by the Roman
soldiers on our Saviour's brow before his crucifixion was plaited of branches
of this tree. It overruns a great part of the Jordan valley. It is sometimes
called the lotus-tree. "The thorns are long and sharp and recurved, and
often create a festering wound." It often grows to a great size. See CROWN
OF THORNS
4. Heb. atad Ps 58:9 is rendered in the LXX. and Vulgate
by Rhamnus, or Lycium Europoeum, a thorny shrub, which is common all over
Palestine. From its resemblance to the box it is frequently called the
box-thorn.
2Co 12:7-10 Many interpretations have been given of this
passage.
1. Roman Catholic writers think that it denotes
suggestions to impiety.
2. Luther, Calvin, and other Reformers interpret the
expression as denoting temptation to unbelief.
3. Others suppose the expression refers to "a pain
in the ear or head, "epileptic fits, or, in general, to some severe
physical infirmity, which was a hindrance to the apostle in his work (comp.)
1Co 2:3 2Co 10:10 11:30 Ga 4:13,14 6:17 With a great amount of probability, it
has been alleged that his malady was defect of sight, consequent on the
dazzling light which shone around him at his conversion, acute opthalmia. This
would account for the statements in Ga 4:14 2Co 10:10 also Ac 23:5 and for his
generally making use of the help of an amanuensis (comp.) Ro 16:22 etc.
4. Another view which has been maintained is that this
"thorn" consisted in an infirmity of temper, to which he occasionally
gave way, and which interfered with his success (comp.) Ac 15:39 23:2-5 If we
consider the fact, "which the experience of God's saints in all ages has
conclusively established, of the difficulty of subduing an infirmity of temper,
as well as the pain, remorse, and humiliation such an infirmity is wont to
cause to those who groan under it, we may be inclined to believe that not the
least probable hypothesis concerning the 'thorn' or 'stake' in the flesh is
that the loving heart of the apostle bewailed as his sorest trial the
misfortune that, by impatience in word, he had often wounded those for whom he
would willingly have given his life" (Lias's Second Cor., Introd.).
Mic 5:2 another name for "families" or
"clans" Nu 1:16 10:4 Jos 22:14,21 Several "thousands" or
"families" made up a "tribe."
See AGRICULTURE
1. Heb. miphtan, probably a projecting beam at a higher
point than the threshold proper 1Sa 5:4,5 Eze 9:3 10:4,18 46:2 47:1 also
rendered "door" and "door-post."
2. 'Asuppim, pl. Ne 12:25 rendered correctly
"storehouses" in the Revised Version. In 1Ch 26:15,17 the Authorized
Version retains the word as a proper name, while in the Revised Version it is
translated "storehouses."
(Heb. kiss'e), a royal chair or seat of dignity De 17:18
2Sa 7:13 Ps 45:6 an elevated seat with a canopy and hangings, which cover it.
It denotes the seat of the high priest in 1Sa 1:9 4:13 and of a provincial
governor in Ne 3:7 Ps 122:5 The throne of Solomon is described at length in 1Ki
10:18-20
Perfection (LXX., "truth; "Vulg.,
"veritas"), Ex 28:30 De 33:8 Jud 1:1 20:18 1Sa 14:3,18 23:9 2Sa 21:1
What the "Urim and Thummim" were cannot be determined with any
certainty. All we certainly know is that they were a certain divinely-given
means by which God imparted, through the high priest, direction and counsel to
Israel when these were needed. The method by which this was done can be only a
matter of mere conjecture. They were apparently material objects, quite
distinct from the breastplate, but something added to it after all the stones
had been set in it, something in addition to the breastplate and its jewels.
They may have been, as some suppose, two small images, like the teraphim
(comp.) Jud 17:5 18:14,17,20 Ho 3:4 which were kept in the bag of the
breastplate, by which, in some unknown way, the high priest could give forth
his divinely imparted decision when consulted. They were probably lost at the
destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. They were never seen after the
return from captivity.
Often referred to in Scripture Job 40:9 Ps 77:18 104:7
James and John were called by our Lord "sons of thunder" Mr 3:17 In
Job 39:19 instead of "thunder, "as in the Authorized Version, the
Revised Version translates (ra'amah) by "quivering main" (marg.,
"shaking"). Thunder accompanied the giving of the law at Sinai Ex
19:16 It was regarded as the voice of God Job 37:2 Ps 18:13 81:7 comp. Joh
12:29 In answer to Samuel's prayer 1Sa 12:17,18 God sent thunder, and "all
the people greatly feared, "for at such a season (the wheat-harvest)
thunder and rain were almost unknown in Palestine.
A city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Mysia.
Its modern name is Ak-hissar, i.e., "white castle." Here was one of
the seven churches Re 1:11 2:18-28 Lydia, the seller of purple, or rather of
cloth dyed with this colour, was from this city Ac 16:14 It was and still is
famous for its dyeing. Among the ruins, inscriptions have been found relating
to the guild of dyers in that city in ancient times.
Wood mentioned only in Re 18:12 among the articles which
would cease to be purchased when Babylon fell. It was called citrus, citron
wood, by the Romans. It was the Callitris quadrivalvis of botanists, of the
cone-bearing order of trees, and of the cypress tribe of this order. The name
of this wood is derived from the Greek word _thuein_, "to sacrifice,
"and it was so called because it was burnt in sacrifices, on account of
its fragrance. The wood of this tree was reckoned very valuable, and was used
for making articles of furniture by the Greeks and Romans. Like the cedars of
Lebanon, it is disappearing from the forests of Palestine.
A city, the modern Tubarich, on the western shore of the
Sea of Tiberias. It is said to have been founded by Herod Antipas (A.D. 16) on the
site of the ruins of an older city called Rakkath, and to have been thus named
by him after the Emperor Tiberius. It is mentioned only three times in the
history of our Lord Joh 6:1,23 Joh 21:1 In 1837 about one-half of the
inhabitants perished by an earthquake. The population of the city is now about
six thousand, nearly the one-half being Jews. "We do not read that our
Lord ever entered this city. The reason of this is probably to be found in the
fact that it was practically a heathen city, though standing upon Jewish soil.
Herod, its founder, had brought together the arts of Greece, the idolatry of
Rome, and the gross lewdness of Asia. There were in it a theatre for the
performance of comedies, a forum, a stadium, a palace roofed with gold in
imitation of those in Italy, statues of the Roman gods, and busts of the
deified emperors. He who was not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel might well hold himself aloof from such scenes as these" (Manning's
Those Holy Fields). After the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70) Tiberias became one
of the chief residences of the Jews in Palestine. It was for more than three
hundred years their metropolis. From about A.D. 150 the Sanhedrin settled here,
and established rabbinical schools, which rose to great celebrity. Here the
Jerusalem (or Palestinian) Talmud was compiled about the beginning of the fifth
century. To this same rabbinical school also we are indebted for the Masora, a
"body of traditions which transmitted the readings of the Hebrew text of
the Old Testament, and preserved, by means of the vowel-system, the
pronunciation of the Hebrew." In its original form, and in all
manuscripts, the Hebrew is written without vowels; hence, when it ceased to be
a spoken language, the importance of knowing what vowels to insert between the
consonants. This is supplied by the Masora, and hence these vowels are called
the "Masoretic vowel-points."
Called also the Sea of Galilee (q.v.) and of Gennesaret.
In the Old Testament it is called the Sea of Chinnereth or Chinneroth. John Joh
21:1 is the only evangelist who so designates this lake. His doing so
incidentally confirms the opinion that he wrote after the other evangelists,
and at a period subsequent to the taking of Jerusalem (A.D. 70) Tiberias had by
this time become an important city, having been spared by the Romans, and made
the capital of the province when Jerusalem was destroyed. It thus naturally
gave its name to the lake.
i.e., as known in Roman history, Tiberius Claudius Nero,
only mentioned in Lu 3:1 He was the stepson of Augustus, whom he succeeded on
the throne, A.D. 14 He was noted for his vicious and infamous life. In the
fifteenth year of his reign John the Baptist entered on his public ministry,
and under him also our Lord taught and suffered. He died A.D. 37 He is
frequently referred to simply as "Caesar" Mt 22:17,21 Mr 12:14,16,17
Lu 20:22,24,25 23:2 Joh 19:12,15
Building of Jehovah, the son of Ginath, a man of some
position, whom a considerable number of the people chose as monarch. For the
period of four years he contended for the throne with Omri 1Ki 16:21,22 who at
length gained the mastery, and became sole monarch of Israel.
(in the LXX. called "Thorgal"), styled the
"king of nations" Ge 14:1-9 Mentioned as Tudkhula on Arioch's
brick _Goyyim_, translated
"nations, "is the country called Gutium, east of Tigris and north of
Elam.
(not mentioned in Scripture) was the most famous of the
monarchs of the first Assyrian empire (about B.C. 1110) After his death, for
two hundred years the empire fell into decay. The history of David and Solomon
falls within this period. He was succeeded by his son, Shalmaneser II.
Or Tilgath-Pil-neser, the Assyrian throne-name of Pul
(q.v.). He appears in the Assyrian records as gaining, in the fifth year of his
reign (about B.C. 741) a victory over Azariah Uzziah in 2Ch 26:1 king of Judah,
whose achievements are described in 2Ch 26:6-15 He is first mentioned in
Scripture, however, as gaining a victory over Pekah, king of Israel, and Rezin
of Damascus, who were confederates. He put Rezin to death, and punished Pekah
by taking a considerable portion of his kingdom, and carrying off (B.C. 734) a
vast number of its inhabitants into captivity 2Ki 15:29 16:5-9 1Ch 5:6,26 the
Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh whom he settled in
Gozan. In the Assyrian annals it is further related that, before he returned
from Syria, he held a court at Damascus, and received submission and tribute
from the neighbouring kings, among whom were Pekah of Samaria and
"Yahu-khazi [i.e., Ahaz], king of Judah" (comp.) 2Ki 16:10-16 He was
the founder of what is called "the second Assyrian empire, "an empire
meant to embrace the whole world, the centre of which should be Nineveh. He
died B.C. 728 and was succeeded by a general of his army, Ulula, who assumed
the name Shalmaneser IV.
Defiled, the father of blind Bartimaeus Mr 10:46
(Heb. toph), a small drum or tambourine; a tabret (q.v.).
The antiquity of this musical instrument appears from the scriptural allusions
to it Ge 31:27 Ex 15:20 Jud 11:34 etc.
See MUSIC
A portion.
1. A town of Judah Jos 15:10 The Philistines took
possession of it in the days of Ahaz 2Ch 28:18 It was about 20 miles west of
Jerusalem. It has been identified with Timnatha of Dan Jos 19:43 and also with
Timnath Jud 14:1,5
2. A city in the mountains of Judah Jos 15:57 =Tibna near
Jeba'.
3. A "duke" or sheik of Edom Ge 36:40
1. Ge 38:12,14 Heb. Timnathah, which is appropriately
rendered in the Revised Version, Timnah, a town in Judah.
2. The town where Samson sojourned, probably identical
with "Timnah" No. 1 Jud 14:1-18
Portion of the sun, where Joshua was buried Jud 2:9 It was
"in the mount of Ephraim, in the north side of the hill Gaash, "10
miles south-west of Shechem. The same as Timnath-serah.
Remaining portion, the city of Joshua in the hill country
of Ephraim, the same as Timnath-heres Jos 19:50 24:30 "Of all sites I have
seen, "says Lieut. Col. Conder, "none is so striking as that of
Joshua's home, surrounded as it is with deep valleys and wild, rugged
hills." Opposite the town is a hill, on the northern side of which there
are many excavated sepulchres. Among these is the supposed tomb of Joshua,
which is said to be "the most striking monument in the country." It
is a "square chamber with five excavations in three of its sides, the
central one forming a passage leading into a second chamber beyond. A great
number of lamp-niches cover the walls of the porch, upwards of two hundred,
arranged in vertical rows. A single cavity with a niche for a lamp has been
thought to be the resting-place of the warrior-chief of Israel." The
modern Kefr Haris, 10 miles south-west of Shechem.
A man of Timnah. Samson's father-in-law is so styled Jud
15:6
Honouring, one of the seven deacons at Jerusalem Ac 6:5
Nothing further is known of him.
The Greek form of the name of Timothy Ac 16:1 etc.; the
R.V. always "Timothy").
See TIMOTHY
Honouring God, a young disciple who was Paul's companion
in many of his journeyings. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are
mentioned as eminent for their piety 2Ti 1:5 We know nothing of his father but
that he was a Greek Ac 16:1 He is first brought into notice at the time of
Paul's second visit to Lystra Ac 16:2 where he probably resided, and where it
seems he was converted during Paul's first visit to that place 1Ti 1:2 2Ti 3:11
The apostle having formed a high opinion of his "own son in the faith,
"arranged that he should become his companion Ac 16:3 and took and
circumcised him, so that he might conciliate the Jews. He was designated to the
office of an evangelist 1Ti 4:14 and went with Paul in his journey through
Phrygia, Galatia, and Mysia; also to Troas and Philippi and Berea Ac 17:14
Thence he followed Paul to Athens, and was sent by him with Silas on a mission
to Thessalonica Ac 17:15 1Th 3:2 We next find him at Corinth 1Th 1:1 2Th 1:1
with Paul. He passes now out of sight for a few years, and is again noticed as
with the apostle at Ephesus Ac 19:22 whence he is sent on a mission into
Macedonia. He accompanied Paul afterwards into Asia Ac 20:4 where he was with
him for some time. When the apostle was a prisoner at Rome, Timothy joined him
Php 1:1 where it appears he also suffered imprisonment Heb 13:23 During the
apostle's second imprisonment he wrote to Timothy, asking him to rejoin him as
soon as possible, and to bring with him certain things which he had left at
Troas, his cloak and parchments 2Ti 4:13 According to tradition, after the
apostle's death he settled in Ephesus as his sphere of labour, and there found
a martyr's grave.
Paul in this epistle speaks of himself as having left
Ephesus for Macedonia 1Ti 1:3 and hence not Laodicea, as mentioned in the
subscription; but probably Philippi, or some other city in that region, was the
place where this epistle was written. During the interval between his first and
second imprisonments he probably visited the scenes of his former labours in
Greece and Asia, and then found his way into Macedonia, whence he wrote this
letter to Timothy, whom he had left behind in Ephesus. It was probably written
about A.D. 66 or 67 The epistle consists mainly,
1. of counsels to Timothy regarding the worship and
organization of the Church, and the responsibilities resting on its several
members; and
2. of exhortation to faithfulness in maintaining the
truth amid surrounding errors.
Was probably written a year or so after the first, and
from Rome, where Paul was for a second time a prisoner, and was sent to Timothy
by the hands of Tychicus. In it he entreats Timothy to come to him before
winter, and to bring Mark with him. 2Ti 4:11 He was anticipating that "the
time of his departure was at hand" 2Ti 4:6 and he exhorts his "son
Timothy" to all diligence and steadfastness, and to patience under
persecution 2Ti 1:6-15 and to a faithful discharge of all the duties of his
office 2Ti 4:1-5 with all the solemnity of one who was about to appear before
the Judge of quick and dead.
Heb. bedil Nu 31:22 Eze 22:18,20 a metal well known in
ancient times. It is the general opinion that the Phoenicians of Tyre and Sidon
obtained their supplies of tin from the British Isles. In Eze 27:12 it is said
to have been brought from Tarshish, which was probably a commercial emporium
supplied with commodities from other places. In Isa 1:25 the word so rendered
is generally understood of lead, the alloy with which the silver had become
mixed. Isa 1:22 The fire of the Babylonish Captivity would be the means of
purging out the idolatrous alloy that had corrupted the people.
Isa 3:18 anklets of silver or gold, etc., such as are
still used by women in Syria and the East.
Passing over; ford, one of the boundaries of Solomon's
dominions 1Ki 4:24 probably "Thapsacus, a great and wealthy town on the
western bank of the Euphrates, "about 100 miles north-east of Tadmor. All
the land traffic between the east and the west passed through it. Menahem
undertook an expedition against this city, and "smote Tiphsah and all that
were therein" 2Ki 15:16 This expedition implied a march of some 300 miles
from Tirzah if by way of Tadmor, and about 400 if by way of Aleppo; and its
success showed the strength of the Israelite kingdom, for it was practically a
defiance to Assyria. Conder, however, identifies this place with Khurbet
Tafsah, some 6 miles west of Shechem.
The youngest of the sons of Japheth Ge 10:2 1Ch 1:5
"To tire" the head is to adorn it 2Ki 9:30 As a
noun the word is derived from "tiara, "and is the rendering of the
Heb. p'er, a "turban" or an ornament for the head Eze 24:17 R.V.,
"headtire; " Eze 24:23 In Isa 3:18 the word _saharonim_ is rendered
"round tires like the moon, "and in Jud 8:21,26 "ornaments,
"but in both cases "crescents" in the Revised Version.
The last king of Egypt of the Ethiopian (the fifteenth)
dynasty. He was the brother-in-law of So (q.v.). He probably ascended the
throne about B.C. 692 having been previously king of Ethiopia 2Ki 19:9 Isa 37:9
which with Egypt now formed one nation. He was a great warrior, and but little
is known of him. The Assyrian armies under Esarhaddon, and again under
Assur-bani-pal, invaded Egypt and defeated Tirhakah, who afterwards retired
into Ethiopia, where he died, after reigning twenty-six years.
A word probably of Persian origin, meaning "severity,
"denoting a high civil dignity. The Persian governor of Judea is so called
Ezr 2:63 Ne 7:65,70 Nehemiah is called by this name in Ne 8:9 10:1 and the
"governor" (pehah) in Ne 5:18 Probably, therefore,
tirshatha=pehah=the modern pasha.
Pleasantness.
1. An old royal city of the Canaanites, which was
destroyed by Joshua Jos 12:24 Jeroboam chose it for his residence, and he removed
to it from Shechem, which at first he made the capital of his kingdom. It
remained the chief residence of the kings of Israel till Omri took Samaria 1Ki
14:17 15:21 16:6,8 etc. Here Zimri perished amid the flames of the palace to
which in his despair he had set fire 1Ki 16:18 and here Menahem smote Shallum
2Ki 15:14,16 Solomon refers to its beauty So 6:4 It has been identified with
the modern mud hamlet Teiasir, 11 miles north of Shechem. Others, however,
would identify it with Telluza, a village about 6 miles east of Samaria.
2. The youngest of Zelophehad's five daughters Nu 26:33
Jos 17:3
Elijah the prophet was thus named 1Ki 17:1 21:17,28 etc.
In 1Ki 17:1 the word rendered "inhabitants" is in the original the
same as that rendered "Tishbite, "hence that verse may be read as in
the LXX., "Elijah the Tishbite of Tishbi in Gilead." Some interpret
this word as meaning "stranger, "and read the verse, "Elijah the
stranger from among the strangers in Gilead." This designation is probably
given to the prophet as denoting that his birthplace was Tishbi, a place in
Upper Galilee (mentioned in the apocryphal book of Tobit), from which for some
reason he migrated into Gilead. Josephus, the Jewish historian (Ant. 8:13, 2)
however, supposes that Tishbi was some place in the land of Gilead. It has been
identified by some with el-Ishtib, a some place 22 miles due south of the Sea
of Galilee, among the mountains of Gilead.
The first month of the civil year, and the seventh of the
ecclesiastical year. 1Ki 8:2 Called in the Assyrian inscriptions Tasaritu, i.e.
"beginning."
See ETHANIM
A tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set
apart for special purposes. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as
a duty before the time of Moses. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek Ge 14:20
Heb 7:6 and Jacob vowed unto the Lord and said, "Of all that thou shalt
give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." The first Mosaic law on
this subject is recorded in Le 27:30-32 Subsequent legislation regulated the
destination of the tithes Nu 18:21-24,26-28 De 12:5,6,11,17 14:22,23 The paying
of the tithes was an important part of the Jewish religious worship. In the
days of Hezekiah one of the first results of the reformation of religion was
the eagerness with which the people brought in their tithes 2Ch 31:5,6 The
neglect of this duty was sternly rebuked by the prophets Am 4:4 Mal 3:8-10 It
cannot be affirmed that the Old Testament law of tithes is binding on the
Christian Church, nevertheless the principle of this law remains, and is
incorporated in the gospel 1Co 9:13,14 and if, as is the case, the motive that
ought to prompt to liberality in the cause of religion and of the service of
God be greater now than in Old Testament times, then Christians outght to go
beyond the ancient Hebrew in consecrating both themselves and their substance
to God. Every Jew was required by the Levitical law to pay three tithes of his
property
1. one tithe for the Levites;
2. one for the use of the temple and the great feasts;
and
3. one for the poor of the land.
A point, Mt 5:18 Lu 16:17 the minute point or stroke
added to some letters of the Hebrew alphabet to distinguish them from others
which they resemble; hence, the very least point.
Honourable, was with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, and
accompanied them to the council at Jerusalem Ga 2:1-3 Ac 15:2 although his name
nowhere occurs in the Acts of the Apostles. He appears to have been a Gentile,
and to have been chiefly engaged in ministering to Gentiles; for Paul sternly
refused to have him circumcised, inasmuch as in his case the cause of gospel
liberty was at stake. We find him, at a later period, with Paul and Timothy at
Ephesus, whence he was sent by Paul to Corinth for the purpose of getting the
contributions of the church there in behalf of the poor saints at Jerusalem
sent forward 2Co 8:6 12:18 He rejoined the apostle when he was in Macedonia,
and cheered him with the tidings he brought from Corinth 2Co 7:6-15 After this
his name is not mentioned till after Paul's first imprisonment, when we find
him engaged in the organization of the church in Crete, where the apostle had
left him for this purpose Ti 1:5 The last notice of him is in 2Ti 4:10 where we
find him with Paul at Rome during his second imprisonment. From Rome he was
sent into Dalmatia, no doubt on some important missionary errand. We have no
record of his death. He is not mentioned in the Acts.
Was probably written about the same time as the first
epistle to Timothy, with which it has many affinities. "Both letters were addressed
to persons left by the writer to preside in their respective churches during
his absence. Both letters are principally occupied in describing the
qualifications to be sought for in those whom they should appoint to offices in
the church; and the ingredients of this description are in both letters nearly
the same. Timothy and Titus are
likewise cautioned against the same prevailing corruptions, and in particular
against the same misdirection of their cares and studies. This affinity obtains
not only in the subject of the letters, which from the similarity of situation
in the persons to whom they were addressed might be expected to be somewhat
alike, but extends in a great variety of instances to the phrases and
expressions. The writer accosts his two friends with the same salutation, and
passes on to the business of his letter by the same transition (comp.) 1Ti
1:2,3 with Ti 1:4,5 1Ti 1:4 Ti 1:13,14 3:9 1Ti 4:12 Ti 2:7,15 Paley's Horae
Paulinae. The date of its composition may be concluded from the circumstance
that it was written after Paul's visit to Crete Ti 1:5 That visit could not be
the one referred to in Ac 27:7 when Paul was on his voyage to Rome as a
prisoner, and where he continued a prisoner for two years. We may warrantably
suppose that after his release Paul sailed from Rome into Asia and took Crete
by the way, and that there he left Titus "to set in order the things that
were wanting." Thence he went to Ephesus, where he left Timothy, and from
Ephesus to Macedonia, where he wrote First Timothy, and thence to Nicopolis in
Epirus, from which place he wrote to Titus, about A.D. 66 or 67 In the
subscription to the epistle it is said to have been written from
"Nicopolis of Macedonia, "but no such place is known. The
subscriptions to the epistles are of no authority, as they are not authentic.
Good is Jehovah, my Lord, a Levite sent out by
Jehoshaphat to instruct the people of Judah in the law 2Ch 17:8
Pleasing to Jehovah, the "servant, "the
"Ammonite, "who joined with those who opposed the rebuilding of
Jerusalem after the Exile Ne 2:10 He was a man of great influence, which he
exerted in opposition to the Jews, and "sent letters" to Nehemiah
"to put him in fear" Ne 6:17-19 "Eliashib the priest"
prepared for him during Nehemiah's absence "a chamber in the courts of the
house of God, " which on his return grieved Nehemiah sore, and therefore
he "cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber"
Ne 13:7,8
Id., a Levite sent out through Judah by Jehoshaphat to
teach the people 2Ch 17:8
A district on the east of Jodan, about 13 miles
south-east of the Sea of Galilee, to which Jephthah fled from his brethren Jud
11:3,5 It was on the northern boundary of Perea, between Syria and the land of
Ammon 2Sa 10:6,8 Its modern name is Taiyibeh.
Measured, a town of Simeon 1Ch 4:32
1. A son of Gomer, and grandson of Japheth Ge 10:3
2. A nation which traded in horses and mules at the fairs
of Tyre Eze 27:14 38:6 probably an Armenian or a Scythian race; descendants of
No. 1
One of Samuel's ancestors 1Sa 1:1
A king of Hamath, who sent "Joram his son unto King
David to salute him, "when he "heard that David had smitten all the host
of Hadadezer" 2Sa 8:9,10 Called Tou 1Ch 18:9,10
A scarlet worm.
1. Eldest son of Issachar Ge 46:13
2. A judge of the tribe of Issachar who
"judged" Israel twenty-three years Jud 10:1,2 when he died, and was
buried in Shamir. He was succeeded by Jair.
Productive, a town of Simeon, in the south of Judah 1Ch
4:29
Descendants of Tola Nu 26:23 1Ch 7:1,2
One of the branches of the king of Persia's revenues Ezr
4:13 7:24 probably a tax levied from those who used the bridges and fords and
highways.
Were generally excavated in the solid rock, or were
natural caves. Mention is made of such tombs in Jud 8:32 2Sa 2:32 2Ki 9:28
23:30 They were sometimes made in gardens 2Ki 21:26 23:16 Mt 27:60 They are
found in great numbers in and around Jerusalem and all over the land. They were
sometimes whitewashed Mt 23:27,29 The body of Jesus was laid in Joseph's new
rock-hewn tomb, in a garden near to Calvary. All evidence is in favour of the
opinion that this tomb was somewhere near the Damascus gate, and outside the
city, and cannot be identified with the so-called "holy sepulchre."
The mouth of such rocky tombs was usually closed by a large stone (Heb. golal),
which could only be removed by the united efforts of several men Mt 28:2 comp.
Joh 11:39
See GOLGOTHA See SEPULCHRE
At Babel, the cause of the early separation of mankind
and their division into nations. The descendants of Noah built a tower to
prevent their dispersion; but God "confounded their language" Ge
11:1-8 and they were scattered over the whole earth. Till this time "the whole earth was of one language and of
one speech."
See SHINAR
Granted on the day of Pentecost Ac 2:4 in fulfilment of a
promise Christ had made to his disciples Mr 16:17 What this gift actually was
has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an
outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying
his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all
nations. But the words of Luke Ac 2:9 clearly show that the various peoples in
Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in
their own special language with which they were naturally acquainted (comp.)
Joe 2:28,29 Among the gifts of the Spirit the apostle enumerates in 1Co 12:10
through 1Co 14:30 "divers kinds of tongues" and the
"interpretation of tongues." This "gift" was a different
manifestation of the Spirit from that on Pentecost, although it resembled it in
many particulars. Tongues were to be "a sign to them that believe
not."
1. One of the particulars regarding which retaliatory
punishment was to be inflicted Ex 21:24 Le 24:20 De 19:21
2. "Gnashing of teeth" =rage, despair Mt 8:12
Ac 7:54
3. "cleanness of teeth" =famine Am 4:6
4. "children's teeth set on edge" =children
suffering for the sins of their fathers Eze 18:2
Heb. pitdah Eze 28:13 Re 21:20 a golden yellow or
"green" stone brought from Cush or Ethiopia Job 28:19 It was the
second stone in the first row in the breastplate of the high priest, and had
the name of Simeon inscribed on it Ex 28:17 It is probably the chrysolite of
the moderns.
Lime, a place in the wilderness of Sinai De 1:1 now
identified with Tafyleh or Tufileh, on the west side of the Edomitish
mountains.
=Topheth, from Heb. toph "a drum, "because the
cries of children here sacrificed by the priests of Moloch were drowned by the noise
of such an instrument; or from taph or toph, meaning "to burn, "and
hence a place of burning, the name of a particular part in the valley of
Hinnom. "Fire being the most destructive of all elements, is chosen by the
sacred writers to symbolize the agency by which God punishes or destroys the
wicked. We are not to assume from prophetical figures that material fire is the
precise agent to be used. It was not the agency employed in the destruction of
Sennacherib, mentioned in Isa 30:33ff. Tophet properly begins where the Vale of
Hinnom bends round to the east, having the cliffs of Zion on the north, and the
Hill of Evil Counsel on the south. It terminates at Beer 'Ayub, where it joins
the Valley of Jehoshaphat. The cliffs on the southern side especially abound in
ancient tombs. Here the dead carcasses of beasts and every offal and
abomination were cast, and left to be either devoured by that worm that never
died or consumed by that fire that was never quenched." Thus Tophet came
to represent the place of punishment.
See HINNOM
On the night of his betrayal, when our Lord was in the
garden of Gethsemane, Judas, "having received a band of men and officers
from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches
and weapons" Joh 18:1-3 Although it was the time of full moon, yet in the
valley of the Kidron "there fell great, deep shadows from the declivity of
the mountain and projecting rocks; there were there caverns and grottos, into
which a fugitive might retreat; finally, there were probably a garden-house and
tower, into whose gloom it might be necessary for a searcher to throw light
around." Lange's Commentary. Na 2:3 "torches, "Revised Version,
"steel, " probably should be "scythes" for war-chariots.)
Gr. basanos Mt 4:24 the "touch-stone" of
justice; hence inquisition by torture, and then any disease which racks and
tortures the limbs.
(Heb. tsabh). Ranked among the unclean animals Le 11:29
Land tortoises are common in Syria. The LXX. renders the word by "land
crocodile." The word, however, more probably denotes a lizard, called by
the modern Arabs _dhabb_.
Jud 16:9
See FLAX
Ne 3:11 12:38 a tower at the north-western angle of the
second wall of Jerusalem. It was probably so named from its contiguity to the
"bakers' street" Jer 37:21
1. Of Babel Ge 11:4
2. Edar Ge 35:21
3. Penuel Jud 8:9,17
4. Shechem Jud 9:46
5. David So 4:4
6. Lebanon So 7:4
7. Syene Eze 29:10
8. Hananeel Zec 14:10
9. Siloam Lu 13:4
There were several towers in Jerusalem 2Ch 26:9 Ps 48:12
They were erected for various purposes, as watch-towers in vineyard Isa 5:2 Mt
21:33 and towers for defence.
A rugged region, corresponds to the Heb. Argob (q.v.),
the Greek name of a region on the east of Jordan Lu 3:1 one of the five Roman
provinces into which that district was divided. It was in the tetrarchy of
Philip, and is now called the Lejah.
Any kind of teaching, written or spoken, handed down from
generation to generation.
1. In Mr 7:3,9,13 Col 2:8 this word refers to the
arbitrary interpretations of the Jews.
2. In 2Th 2:15 3:6 it is used in a good sense.
3. Peter 1Pe 1:18 uses this word with reference to the
degenerate Judaism of the "strangers scattered" whom he addresses
(comp.) Ac 15:10 Mt 15:2-6 Ga 1:14
(Gr. ekstasis, from which the word "ecstasy" is
derived) denotes the state of one who is "out of himself." Such were
the trances of Peter and Paul, Ac 10:10 11:5 22:17 ecstasies, "a
preternatural, absorbed state of mind preparing for the reception of the
vision", (comp.) 2Co 12:1-4 In Mr 5:42 Lu 5:26 the Greek word is rendered "astonishment,
""amazement" (comp.) Mr 16:8 Ac 3:10
Of Our Lord on a "high mountain apart, "is
described by each of the three evangelists Mt 17:1-8 Mr 9:2-8 Lu 9:28-36 The
fullest account is given by Luke, who, no doubt, was informed by Peter, who was
present on the occasion. What these evangelists record was an absolute
historical reality, and not a mere vision. The concurrence between them in all
the circumstances of the incident is exact. John seems to allude to it also Joh
1:14 Forty years after the event Peter distinctly makes mention of it 2Pe
1:16-18 In describing the sanctification of believers, Paul also seems to
allude to this majestic and glorious appearance of our Lord on the "holy
mount" Ro 12:2 2Co 3:18 The place of the transfiguration was probably
Mount Hermon (q.v.), and not Mount Tabor, as is commonly supposed.
1. Store cities which the Israelites built for the
Egyptians Ex 1:11 See PITHOM
2. Towns in which the treasures of the kings of Judah
were kept were so designated 1Ch 27:25
The houses or magazines built for the safe keeping of
treasure and valuable articles of any kind Ezr 5:17 7:20 Ne 10:38 Da 1:2
Mt 27:6 Mr 12:41 Joh 8:20 It does not appear that there
was a separate building so called. The name was given to the thirteen brazen
chests, called "trumpets, "from the form of the opening into which
the offerings of the temple worshippers were put. These stood in the outer
"court of the women." "Nine chests were for the appointed
money-tribute and for the sacrifice-tribute, i.e., money-gifts instead of the
sacrifices; four chests for freewill-offerings for wood, incense, temple
decoration, and burnt-offerings" (Lightfoot's Hor. Heb.).
Stood also in the midst of the garden of Eden Ge 2:9 3:22
Some writers have advanced the opinion that this tree had some secret virtue,
which was fitted to preserve life. Probably the lesson conveyed was that life
was to be sought by man, not in himself or in his own power, but from without,
from Him who is emphatically the Life Joh 1:4 14:6 Wisdom is compared to the
tree of life Pr 3:18 The "tree of life" spoken of in the Book of
Revelation Re 2:7 22:2,14 is an emblem of the joys of the celestial paradise.
Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
stood in the midst of the garden of Eden, beside the tree
of life Ge 2:9-3:24 Adam and Eve were forbidden to take of the fruit which grew
upon it. But they disobeyed the divine injunction, and so sin and death by sin
entered our world and became the heritage of Adam's posterity.
See ADAM
(Heb. 'asham, "debt"), the law concerning,
given in Le 5:14-6:7 also in Nu 5:5-8 The idea of sin as a "debt"
pervades this legislation. The _asham_, which was always a ram, was offered in
cases where sins were more private.
See OFFERING
A collection of families descending from one ancestor.
The "twelve tribes" of the Hebrews were the twelve collections of families
which sprang from the sons of Jacob. In Mt 24:30 the word has a wider
significance. The tribes of Israel are referred to as types of the spiritual
family of God Re 7:1-10
See ISRAEL, KINGDOM OF See JUDAH, KINGDOM OF
Trouble or affiction of any kind De 4:30 Mt 13:21 2Co 7:4
In Ro 2:9 "tribulation and anguish" are the penal sufferings that
shall overtake the wicked. In Mt 24:21,29 the word denotes the calamities that were
to attend the destruction of Jerusalem.
A tax imposed by a king on his subjects 2Sa 20:24 1Ki 4:6
Ro 13:6 In Mt 17:24-27 the word denotes the temple rate (the "didrachma,
" the "half-shekel, "as rendered by the R.V.) which was required
to be paid for the support of the temple by every Jew above twenty years of age
Ex 30:12 2Ki 12:4 2Ch 24:6,9 It was not a civil but a religious tax. In Mt 22:17 Mr 12:14 Lu 20:22 the word may be
interpreted as denoting the capitation tax which the Romans imposed on the
Jewish people. It may, however, be legitimately regarded as denoting any tax
whatever imposed by a foreign power on the people of Israel. The "tribute
money" shown to our Lord Mt 22:19 was the denarius, bearing Caesar's
superscription. It was the tax paid by every Jew to the Romans.
See PENNY
A word not found in Scripture, but used to express the
doctrine of the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct Persons. This word
is derived from the Gr. trias, first used by Theophilus (A.D. 168) or from the
Lat. trinitas, first used by Tertullian (A.D. 220) to express this doctrine.
The propositions involved in the doctrine are these:
1. That God is one, and that there is but one God De 6:4
1Ki 8:60 Isa 44:6 Mr 12:29,32 Joh 10:30
2. That the Father is a distinct divine Person
(hypostasis, subsistentia, persona, suppositum intellectuale), distinct from
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
3. That Jesus Christ was truly God, and yet was a Person
distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit.
4. That the Holy Spirit is also a distinct divine Person.
A city on the coast of Mysia, in the north-west of Asia
Minor, named after ancient Troy, which was at some little distance from it
(about 4 miles) to the north. Here Paul, on his second missionary journey, saw
the vision of a "man of Macedonia, "who appeared to him, saying,
"Come over, and help us" Ac 16:8-11 He visited this place also on
other occasions, and on one of these visits he left his cloak and some books
there 2Co 2:12 2Ti 4:13 The ruins of Troas extend over many miles, the site
being now mostly covered with a forest of oak trees. The modern name of the
ruins is Eski Stamboul i.e., Old Constantinople.
A town on the western coast of Asia Minor, where Paul
"tarried" when on his way from Assos to Miletus, on his third
missionary journey Ac 20:15
A foster-child, an Ephesian who accompanied Paul during a
part of his third missionary journey Ac 20:4 21:29 He was with Paul in
Jerusalem, and the Jews, supposing that the apostle had brought him with him
into the temple, raised a tumult which resulted in Paul's imprisonment.
See TEMPLE, HEROD'S In writing to Timothy, the apostle
says, "Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick" 2Ti 4:20 This must
refer to some event not noticed in the Acts.
Were of a great variety of forms, and were made of divers
materials. Some were made of silver Nu 10:2 and were used only by the priests
in announcing the approach of festivals and in giving signals of war. Some were
also made of rams' horns Jos 6:8 They were blown at special festivals, and to
herald the arrival of special seasons Le 23:24 25:9 1Ch 15:24 2Ch 29:27 Ps 81:3
98:6 "Trumpets" are among the symbols used in the Book of Revelation
Re 1:10 8:2
See HORN
Was celebrated at the beginning of the month Tisri, the
first month of the civil year. It received its name from the circumstances that
the trumpets usually blown at the commencement of each month were on that
occasion blown with unusual solemnity Le 23:23-25 Nu 10:10 Nu 29:1-6 It was one
of the seven days of holy convocation. The special design of this feast, which
is described in these verses, is not known.
Used in various senses in Scripture.
1. In Pr 12:17,19 it denotes that which is opposed to
falsehood.
2. In Isa 59:14,15 Jer 7:28 it means fidelity or
truthfulness.
3. The doctrine of Christ is called "the truth of
the gospel" Ga 2:5 "the truth" 2Ti 3:7 4:4
4. Our Lord says of himself, "I am the way, and the
truth" Joh 14:6
Two female Christians, active workers, whom Paul salutes
in his epistle to the Romans Ro 16:12
1. The fifth son of Japheth Ge 10:2
2. A nation, probably descended from the son of Japheth.
It is mentioned by Isaiah Isa 66:19 along with Javan, and by Ezekiel Eze 27:13
along with Meshech, among the traders with Tyre, also among the confederates of
Gog Eze 38:2,3 39:1 and with Meshech among the nations which were to be
destroyed Eze 32:26 This nation was probably the Tiberini of the Greek
historian Herodotus, a people of the Asiatic highland west of the Upper
Euphrates, the southern range of the Caucasus, on the east of the Black Sea.
The son of Lamech and Zillah, "an instructor of
every artificer in brass and iron" Ge 4:22 R.V., "the forger of every
cutting instrument of brass and iron").
Its peculiar peaceful and gentle habit its often referred
to in Scripture. A pair was offered in sacrifice by Mary at her purification Lu
2:24 The pigeon and the turtle-dove were the only birds permitted to be offered
in sacrifice Le 1:14 5:7 14:22 15:14,29 etc. The Latin name of this bird,
_turtur_, is derived from its note, and is a repetition of the Hebrew name
_tor_. Three species are found in Palestine,
1. the turtle-dove (Turtur auritus),
2. the collared turtle (T. risorius), and
3. the palm turtle (T. Senegalensis).
But it is to the first of these species which the various
passages of Scripture refer. It is a migratory bird Jer 8:7 So 2:11,12
"Search the glades and valleys, even by sultry Jordan, at the end of
March, and not a turtle-dove is to be seen. Return in the second week of April,
and clouds of doves are feeding on the clovers of the plain. They overspread the whole face of the
land." "Immediately on its arrival it pours forth from every garden,
grove, and wooded hill its melancholy yet soothing ditty unceasingly from early
dawn till sunset. It is from its plaintive and continuous note, doubtless, that
David, pouring forth his heart's sorrow to God, compares himself to a
turtle-dove" Ps 74:19
Chance, an Asiatic Christian, a "faithful minister
in the Lord" Eph 6:21,22 who, with Trophimus, accompanied Paul on a part
of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem Ac 20:4 He is alluded to also in Col
4:7 Ti 3:12 2Ti 4:12 as having been with Paul at Rome, whence he sent him to
Ephesus, probably for the purpose of building up and encouraging the church
there.
Occurs only once in Scripture R.V. 1Co 10:11 A.V. marg.
The Greek word _tupos_ is rendered
1. "print" Joh 20:25
2. "figure" Ac 7:43 Ro 5:14
3. "fashion" Ac 7:44
4. "manner" Ac 23:25
5. "form" Ro 6:17
6. "example" or "ensample" 1Co
10:6,11 Php 3:17 1Th 1:7 2Th 3:9 1Ti 4:12 It properly means a "model"
or "pattern" or "mould" into which clay or wax was pressed,
that it might take the figure or exact shape of the mould. The word "type" is generally used
to denote a resemblance between something present and something future, which
is called the "antitype."
Prince, a Greek rhetorician, in whose "school"
at Ephesus Paul disputed daily for the space of two years with those who came
to him Ac 19:9 Some have supposed that he was a Jew, and that his
"school" was a private synagogue.
A rock, now es-Sur; an ancient Phoenician city, about 23
miles, in a direct line, north of Acre, and 20 south of Sidon. Sidon was the
oldest Phoenician city, but Tyre had a longer and more illustrious history. The
commerce of the whole world was gathered into the warehouses of Tyre.
"Tyrian merchants were the first who ventured to navigate the
Mediterranean waters; and they founded their colonies on the coasts and
neighbouring islands of the AEgean Sea, in Greece, on the northern coast of
Africa, at Carthage and other places, in Sicily and Corsica, in Spain at
Tartessus, and even beyond the pillars of Hercules at Gadeira (Cadiz)"
(Driver's Isaiah). In the time of David a friendly alliance was entered into
between the Hebrews and the Tyrians, who were long ruled over by their native
kings 2Sa 5:11 1Ki 5:1 2Ch 2:3 Tyre consisted of two distinct parts, a rocky
fortress on the mainland, called "Old Tyre, "and the city, built on a
small, rocky island about half-a-mile distant from the shore. It was a place of
great strength. It was besieged by Shalmaneser, who was assisted by the
Phoenicians of the mainland, for five years, and by Nebuchadnezzar (B.C. 586)
for thirteen years, apparently without success. It afterwards fell under the
power of Alexander the Great, after a siege of seven months, but continued to
maintain much of its commercial importance till the Christian era. It is
referred to in Mt 11:21 Ac 12:20 In A.D. 1291 it was taken by the Saracens, and
has remained a desolate ruin ever since. "The purple dye of Tyre had a
worldwide celebrity on account of the durability of its beautiful tints, and
its manufacture proved a source of abundant wealth to the inhabitants of that
city." Both Tyre and Sidon "were crowded with glass-shops, dyeing and
weaving establishments; and among their cunning workmen not the least important
class were those who were celebrated for the engraving of precious
stones." 2Ch 2:7,14 The wickedness and idolatry of this city are frequently
denounced by the prophets, and its final destruction predicted Isa 23:1 Jer
25:22 Eze 26:1-2 28:1-19 Am 1:9,10 Zec 9:2-4 Here a church was founded soon
after the death of Stephen, and Paul, on his return from his third missionary
journey spent a week in intercourse with the disciples there Ac 21:4 Here the
scene at Miletus was repeated on his leaving them. They all, with their wives
and children, accompanied him to the sea-shore. The sea-voyage of the apostle
terminated at Ptolemais, about 38 miles from Tyre. Thence he proceeded to
Caesarea Ac 21:5-8 "It is noticed on monuments as early as B.C. 1500 and
claiming, according to Herodotus, to have been founded about B.C. 2700 It had
two ports still existing, and was of commercial importance in all ages, with
colonies at Carthage (about B.C. 850 and all over the Mediterranean. It was
often attacked by Egypt and Assyria, and taken by Alexander the Great after a
terrible siege in B.C. 332 It is now a town of 3,000 inhabitants, with ancient
tombs and a ruined cathedral. A short Phoenician text of the fourth century
B.C. is the only monument yet recovered."
See PHENICIA
(i.e., "Valley of the Cheesemongers"), the name
given by Josephus the historian to the valley or rugged ravine which in ancient
times separated Mount Moriah from Mount Zion. This valley, now filled up with a
vast accumulation of rubbish, and almost a plain, was spanned by bridges, the
most noted of which was Zion Bridge, which was probably the ordinary means of
communication between the royal palace on Zion and the temple. A fragment of
the arch (q.v.) of this bridge (called "Robinson's Arch"), where it
projects from the sanctuary wall, was discovered by Robinson in 1839 This arch
was destroyed by the Romans when Jerusalem was taken. The western wall of the
temple area rose up from the bottom of this valley to the height of 84 feet,
where it was on a level with the area, and above this, and as a continuance of
it, the wall of Solomon's cloister rose to the height of about 50 feet,
"so that this section of the wall would originally present to view a
stupendous mass of masonry scarcely to be surpassed by any mural masonry in the
world."