Baal





Lord.

 1. The name appropriated to the principal male god of the

    Phoenicians. It is found in several places in the plural BAALIM

    Jud 2:11 10:10 1Ki 18:18 Jer 2:23 Hos 2:17 - Baal is identified

    with Molech Jer 19:5 - It was known to the Israelites as

    Baal-peor Num 25:3 Deu 4:3 - was worshipped till the time of Samuel

    1Sa 7:4 - and was afterwards the religion of the ten tribes in

    the time of Ahab 1Ki 16:31-33 18:19,22 - It prevailed also for a

    time in the kingdom of Judah 2Ki 8:27 - comp. 2Ki 11:18 16:3.

    2Ch 28:2 - till finally put an end to by the severe discipline of

    the Captivity Zep 1:4-6 - The priests of Baal were in great

    numbers 1Ki 18:19 - and of various classes 2Ki 10:19 - Their

    mode of offering sacrifices is described in 1Ki 18:25-29 - The

    sun-god, under the general title of Baal, or "lord," was the

    chief object of worship of the Canaanites. Each locality had its

    special Baal, and the various local Baals were summed up under

    the name of Baalim, or "lords." Each Baal had a wife, who was a

    colourless reflection of himself.

 2. A Benjamite, son of Jehiel, the progenitor of the Gibeonites

    1Ch 8:30 9:36.

 3. The name of a place inhabited by the Simeonites, the same

    probably as Baal-ath-beer 1Ch 4:33 Jos 19:8.





Baalah





Mistress; city.

 1. A city in the south of Judah Jos 15:29 - elsewhere called Balah

    Jos 19:3 - and Bilhah 1Ch 4:29 - Now Khurbet Zebalah.

 2. A city on the northern border of the tribe of Judah Jos 15:10.

    called also Kirjath-jearim, q.v. Jos 15:9 1Ch 13:6 - now

    Kuriet-el-Enab, or as some think, 'Erma.

 3. A mountain on the north-western boundary of Judah and Dan

    Jos 15:11.





Baalath





A town of the tribe of Dan Jos 19:44 - It was fortified by Solomon

1Ki 9:18 2Ch 8:6 - Some have identified it with Bel'ain, in Wady Deir

Balut.





Baalath-beer





Baalah of the well, Jos 19:8 - probably the same as Baal, mentioned in

1Ch 4:33 - a city of Simeon.





Baalbec





Called by the Greeks Heliopolis i.e., "the city of the sun", because

of its famous Temple of the Sun, has by some been supposed to be

Solomon's "house of the forest of Lebanon" 1Ki 7:2 10:17 2Ch 9:16 - by

others it is identified with Baal-gad (q.v.). It was a city of

Coele-Syria, on the lowest declivity of Anti-Libanus, about 42 miles

north-west of Damascus. It was one of the most splendid of Syrian

cities, existing from a remote antiquity. After sustaining several

sieges under the Moslems and others, it was finally destroyed by an

earthquake in 1759. Its ruins are of great extent.





Baal-berith





Covenant lord, the name of the god worshipped in Shechem after the

death of Gideon Jud 8:33 9:4 - In Jud 9:46 - he is called simply "the

god Berith." The name denotes the god of the covenant into which the

Israelites entered with the Canaanites, contrary to the command of

Jehovah Exo 34:12 - when they began to fall away to the worship of

idols.





Baale of Judah





Lords of Judah, a city in the tribe of Judah from which David brought

the ark into Jerusalem 2Sa 6:2 - Elsewhere 1Ch 13:6 - called

Kirjath-jearim.



 See BAALAH 00383.





Baal-gad





Lord of fortune, or troop of Baal, a Canaanite city in the valley of

Lebanon at the foot of Hermon, hence called Baal-hermon Jud 3:3.

1Ch 5:23 - near the source of the Jordan Jos 13:5 11:17 12:7 - It was

the most northern point to which Joshua's conquests extended. It

probably derived its name from the worship of Baal. Its modern

representative is Banias. Some have supposed it to be the same as

Baalbec.



 See BAALBEC 00386.





Baal-hamon





Place of a multitude, a place where Solomon had an extensive vineyard

Son 8:11 - It has been supposed to be identical with Baal-gad, and also

with Hammon in the tribe of Asher Jos 19:28 - Others identify it with

Belamon, in Central Palestine, near Dothaim.





Baal-hanan





Lord of grace.

 1. A king of Edom, son of Achbor Gen 36:38-39 1Ch 1:49,50.

 2. An overseer of "the olive trees and sycomore trees in the low

    plains" (the Shephelah) under David 1Ch 27:28.





Baal-hazor





Having a courtyard, or Baal's village, the place on the borders of

Ephraim and Benjamin where Absalom held the feast of sheep-shearing

when Amnon was assassinated 2Sa 13:23 - Probably it is the same with

Hazor Neh 11:33 - now Tell' Asur, 5 miles north-east of Bethel.





Baal-hermon





Lord of Hermon.

 1. A city near Mount Hermon inhabited by the Ephraimites 1Ch 5:23.

    Probably identical with Baal-gad Jos 11:17.

 2. A mountain east of Lebanon Jud 3:3 - Probably it may be the same

    as Mount Hermon, or one of its three peaks.





Baali





My lord, a title the prophet Hos 2:16 - reproaches the Jewish church for

applying to Jehovah, instead of the more endearing title Ishi,

meaning "my husband."





Baalim





Plural of Baal; images of the god Baal Jud 2:11 1Sa 7:4.





Baalis





King of the Ammonites at the time of the Babylonian captivity

Jer 40:14 - He hired Ishmael to slay Gedaliah who had been appointed

governor over the cities of Judah.





Baal-meon





Lord of dwelling, a town of Reuben Num 32:38 - called also Beth-meon

Jer 48:23 - and Beth-baal-meon Jos 13:17 - It is supposed to have been

the birth-place of Elisha. It is identified with the modern M'ain,

about 3 miles south-east of Heshbon.





Baal-peor





Lord of the opening, a god of the Moabites Num 25:3 31:16 Jos 22:17.

worshipped by obscene rites. So called from Mount Peor, where this

worship was celebrated, the Baal of Peor. The Israelites fell into

the worship of this idol Num 25:3,5,18 Deu 4:3 Psa 106:28 Hos 9:10.





Baal-perazim





Baal having rents, bursts, or destructions, the scene of a victory

gained by David over the Philistines 2Sa 5:20 1Ch 14:11 - Called Mount

Perazim Isa 28:21 - It was near the valley of Rephaim, west of

Jerusalem. Identified with the modern Jebel Aly.





Baal-shalisha





Lord of Shalisha, a place from which a man came with provisions for

Elisha, apparently not far from Gilgal 2Ki 4:42 - It has been

identified with Sirisia, 13 miles north of Lydda.





Baal-tamar





Lord of palm trees, a place in the tribe of Benjamin near Gibeah of

Saul Jud 20:33 - It was one of the sanctuaries or groves of Baal.

Probably the palm tree of Deborah Jud 4:5 - is alluded to in the name.





Baal-zebub





Fly-lord, the god of the Philistines at Ekron 2Ki 1:2-3,16 - This name

was given to the god because he was supposed to be able to avert the

plague of flies which in that region was to be feared. He was

consulted by Ahaziah as to his recovery.





Baal-zephon





Baal of the north, an Egyptian town on the shores of the Gulf of Suez

Exo 14:2 Num 33:7 - over against which the children of Israel encamped

before they crossed the Red Sea. It is probably to be identified with

the modern Jebel Deraj or Kulalah, on the western shore of the Gulf

of Suez. Baal-zapuna of the Egyptians was a place of worship.





Baana





Son of affliction.

 1. One of Solomon's purveyors 1Ki 4:12.

 2. Son of Hushai, another of Solomon's purveyors 1Ki 4:16.

 3. Father of Zadok Neh 3:4.





Baanah





Son of affliction.

 1. One of the two sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, a captain in

    Saul's army. He and his brother Rechab assassinated Ishbosheth

    2Sa 4:2 - and were on this account slain by David, and their

    mutilated bodies suspended over the pool at Hebron 2Sa 4:5-6,12.

 2. The father of Heled, who was one of David's thirty heroes

    2Sa 23:29 1Ch 11:30.





Baasha





Bravery, the third king of the separate kingdom of Israel, and founder

of its second dynasty 1Ki 15:1 - 1Ki 16:1 - 2Ch 16:1-6 - He

was the son of Ahijah of the tribe of Issachar. The city of Tirzah he

made the capital of his kingdom, and there he was buried, after an

eventful reign of twenty-four years 1Ki 15:33 - On account of his

idolatries his family was exterminated, according to the word of the

prophet Jehu 1Ki 16:3-4,10-13.





Babe





Used of children generally Mat 11:25 21:16 Luk 10:21 Ro 2:20 - It is used

also of those who are weak in Christian faith and knowledge 1Co 3:1.

Heb 5:13 1Pe 2:2 - In Isa 3:4 - the word "babes" refers to a succession

of weak and wicked princes who reigned over Judah from the death of

Josiah downward to the destruction of Jerusalem.





Babel, Tower of





The name given to the tower which the primitive fathers of our race

built in the land of Shinar after the Deluge Gen 11:1-9 - Their object

in building this tower was probably that it might be seen as a

rallying-point in the extensive plain of Shinar, to which they had

emigrated from the uplands of Armenia, and so prevent their being

scattered abroad. But God interposed and defeated their design by

condounding their language, and hence the name Babel, meaning

"confusion." In the Babylonian tablets there is an account of this

event, and also of the creation and the deluge.

 See CHALDEA 00758.

The Temple of Belus, which is supposed to occupy its site, is

described by the Greek historian Herodotus as a temple of great extent

and magnificence, erected by the Babylonians for their god Belus. The

treasures Nebuchadnezzar brought from Jerusalem were laid up in this

temple 2Ch 36:7 - The Birs Nimrud, at ancient Borsippa, about 7

miles south-west of Hillah, the modern town which occupies a part of

the site of ancient Babylon, and 6 miles from the Euphrates, is

an immense mass of broken and fire-blasted fragments, of about 2,300

feet in circumference, rising suddenly to the height of 235 feet above

the desert-plain, and is with probability regarded as the ruins of the

tower of Babel. This is "one of the most imposing ruins in the

country." Others think it to be the ruins of the Temple of Belus.





Babylon





The Greek form of BABEL; Semitic form Babilu, meaning "The Gate of

God." In the Assyrian tablets it means "The city of the dispersion of

the tribes." The monumental list of its kings reaches back to B.C.

2300 and includes Khammurabi, or Amraphel (q.v.), the contemporary

of Abraham. It stood on the Euphrates, about 200 miles above its

junction with the Tigris, which flowed through its midst and divided

it into two almost equal parts. The Elamites invaded Chaldea (i.e.,

Lower Mesopotamia, or Shinar, and Upper Mesopotamia, or Accad, now

combined into one) and held it in subjection. At length Khammu-rabi

delivered it from the foreign yoke, and founded the new empire of

Chaldea (q.v.), making Babylon the capital of the united kingdom.

This city gradually grew in extent and grandeur, but in process of

time it became subject to Assyria. On the fall of Nineveh (B.C. 606)

it threw off the Assyrian yoke, and became the capital of the growing

Babylonian empire. Under Nebuchadnezzar it became one of the most

splendid cities of the ancient world. After passing through various

vicissitudes the city was occupied by Cyrus, "king of Elam," B.C.

538) who issued a decree permitting the Jews to return to their own

land Ezr 1:1 - It then ceased to be the capital of an empire. It

was again and again visited by hostile armies, till its inhabitants

were all driven from their homes, and the city became a complete

desolation, its very site being forgotten from among men. On the west

bank of the Euphrates, about 50 miles south of Bagdad, there is

found a series of artificial mounds of vast extent. These are the

ruins of this once famous proud city. These ruins are principally

 1. the great mound called Babil by the Arabs. This was probably the

    noted Temple of Belus, which was a pyramid about 480 feet high.

 2. The Kasr (i.e., "the palace"). This was the great palace of

    Nebuchadnezzar. It is almost a square, each side of which is

    about 700 feet long. The little town of Hillah, near the site of

    Babylon, is built almost wholly of bricks taken from this single

    mound.

 3. A lofty mound, on the summit of which stands a modern tomb

    called Amran ibn-Ali. This is probably the most ancient portion

    of the remains of the city, and represents the ruins of the

    famous hanging-gardens, or perhaps of some royal palace. The

    utter desolation of the city once called "The glory of kingdoms"

    Isa 13:19 - was foretold by the prophets Isa 13:4-22 Jer 25:12.

    Jer 50:2-3 Dan 2:31-38 - The Babylon mentioned in 1Pe 5:13 - was

    not Rome, as some have thought, but the literal city of Babylon,

    which was inhabited by many Jews at the time Peter wrote. In

    Rev 14:8 16:19 17:5 18:2 - "Babylon" is supposed to mean

    Rome, not considered as pagan, but as the prolongation of the

    ancient power in the papal form. Rome, pagan and papal, is

    regarded as one power. "The literal Babylon was the beginner and

    supporter of tyranny and idolatry. This city and its whole

    empire were taken by the Persians under Cyrus; the Persians were

    subdued by the Macedonians, and the Macedonians by the Romans;

    so that Rome succeeded to the power of old Babylon. And it was

    her method to adopt the worship of the false deities she had

    conquered; so that by her own act she became the heiress and

    successor of all the Babylonian idolatry, and of all that was

    introduced into it by the immediate successors of Babylon, and

    consequently of all the idolatry of the earth." Rome, or

    "mystical Babylon," is "that great city which reigneth over the

    kings of the earth" Rev 17:18.





Babylonish Garment





A robe of rich colours fabricated at Babylon, and hence of great value

Jos 7:21.





Babylon, Kingdom of





Called "the land of the Chaldeans" Jer 24:5 Eze 12:13 - was an

extensive province in Central Asia along the valley of the Tigris from

the Persian Gulf northward for some 300 miles. It was famed for its

fertility and its riches. Its capital was the city of Babylon, a great

commercial centre Eze 17:4 Isa 43:14 - Babylonia was divided into

the two districts of Accad in the north, and Summer (probably the

Shinar of the Old Testament) in the south. Among its chief cities may

be mentioned Ur (now Mugheir or Mugayyar), on the western bank of the

Euphrates; Uruk, or Erech Gen 10:10 - (now Warka), between Ur and

Babylon; Larsa (now Senkereh), the Ellasar of Gen 14:1 - a little to

the east of Erech; Nipur (now Niffer), south-east of Babylon;

Sepharvaim 2Ki 17:24 - "the two Sipparas" (now Abu-Habba),

considerably to the north of Babylon; and Eridu, "the good city" (now

Abu-Shahrein), which lay originally on the shore of the Persian Gulf,

but is now, owing to the silting up of the sand, about 100 miles

distant from it. Another city was Kulunu, or Calneh Gen 10:10 - The

salt-marshes at the mouths of the Euphrates and Tigris were called

Marratu, "the bitter" or "salt", the Merathaim of Jer 50:21 - They

were the original home of the Kalda, or Chaldeans. The most famous of

the early kings of Babylonia were Sargon of Accad (B.C.3800) and his

son, Naram-Sin, who conquered a large part of Western Asia,

establishing their power in Palestine, and even carrying their arms to

the Sinaitic peninsula. A great Babylonian library was founded in the

reign of Sargon. Babylonia was subsequently again broken up into more

than one state, and at one time fell under the domination of Elam. This

was put an end to by Khammu-rabi (Amraphel), who drove the Elamites out

of the country, and overcame Arioch, the son of an Elamite prince. From

this time forward Babylonia was a united monarchy. About B.C. 1750 it

was conquered by the Kassi, or Kosseans, from the mountains of Elam,

and a Kassite dynasty ruled over it for 576 years and 9 months. In the

time of Khammu-rabi, Syria and Palestine were subject to Babylonia and

its Elamite suzerain; and after the overthrow of the Elamite supremacy,

the Babylonian kings continued to exercise their influence and power in

what was called "the land of the Amorites." In the epoch of the Kassite

dynasty, however, Canaan passed into the hands of Egypt. In B.C. 729

Babylonia was conquered by the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III.; but

on the death of Shalmaneser IV. it was seized by the Kalda or

"Chaldean" prince Merodach-baladan 2Ki 20:12-19 - who held it till

B.C. 709 when he was driven out by Sargon. Under Sennacherib, Babylonia

revolted from Assyria several times, with the help of the Elamites, and

after one of these revolts Babylon was destroyed by Sennacherib, B.C.

689 It was rebuilt by Esarhaddon, who made it his residence during part

of the year, and it was to Babylon that Manasseh was brought a prisoner

2Ch 33:11 - After the death of Esarhaddon, Saul-sumyukin, the

viceroy of Babylonia, revolted against his brother the Assyrian king,

and the revolt was suppressed with difficulty. When Nineveh was

destroyed, B.C. 606 Nabopolassar, the viceroy of Babylonia, who seems

to have been of Chaldean descent, made himself independent. His son

Nebuchadrezzar (Nabu-kudur-uzur), after defeating the Egyptians at

Carchemish, succeeded him as king, B.C. 604 and founded the Babylonian

empire.  He strongly fortified Babylon, and adorned it with palaces and

other buildings. His son, Evil-merodach, who succeeded him in B.C. 561

was murdered after a reign of two years. The last monarch of the

Babylonian empire was Nabonidus (Nabu-nahid), B.C. 555 whose eldest

son, Belshazzar (Bilu-sar-uzur), is mentioned in several inscriptions.

Babylon was captured by Cyrus, B.C. 538 and though it revolted more

than once in later years, it never succeeded in maintaining its

independence.





Baca, Valley of





Psa 84:6 - R.V., "valley of weeping," marg., "or balsam trees"),

probably a valley in some part of Palestine, or generally some one of

the valleys through which pilgrims had to pass on their way to the

sanctuary of Jehovah on Zion; or it may be figuratively "a valley of

weeping."





Backbite





In Psa 15:3 - the rendering of a word which means to run about

tattling, calumniating; in Pro 25:23 - secret talebearing or

slandering; in Rom 1:30 2Co 12:20 - evil-speaking, maliciously

defaming the absent.





Backslide





To draw back or apostatize in matters of religion Act 21:21 2Th 2:3.

1Ti 4:1 - This may be either partial Pro 14:14 - or complete

Heb 6:4-6 10:38-39 - The apostasy may be both doctrinal and moral.





Badger





This word is found in Exo 25:5 26:14 35:7,23 36:19 39:34 Num 4:6 - etc.

The tabernacle was covered with badgers' skins; the shoes of women

were also made of them Eze 16:10 - Our translators seem to have been

misled by the similarity in sound of the Hebrew - tachash - and the

Latin - taxus -, "a badger." The revisers have correctly substituted

"seal skins." The Arabs of the Sinaitic peninsula apply the name

- tucash - to the seals and dugongs which are common in the Red Sea,

and the skins of which are largely used as leather and for sandals.

Though the badger is common in Palestine, and might occur in the

wilderness, its small hide would have been useless as a tent

covering. The dugong, very plentiful in the shallow waters on the

shores of the Red Sea, is a marine animal from 12 to 30 feet

long, something between a whale and a seal, never leaving the water,

but very easily caught. It grazes on seaweed, and is known by

naturalists as Halicore tabernaculi.





Bag





1. A pocket of a cone-like shape in which Naaman bound two pieces

   of silver for Gehazi 2Ki 5:23 - The same Hebrew word occurs

   elsewhere only in Isa 3:22 - where it is rendered

   "crisping-pins," but denotes the reticules (or as R.V.,

   "satchels") carried by Hebrew women.

2. Another word (kees) so rendered means a bag for carrying

   weights Deu 25:13 Pr 16:11 Mic 6:11 - It also denotes a purse

   Pro 1:14 - and a cup Pro 23:31.

3. Another word rendered "bag" in 1Sa 17:40 - is rendered

   "sack" in Gen 42:25 - and in 1Sa 9:7 21:5 - "vessel," or

   wallet for carrying food.

4. The word rendered in the Authorized Version "bags," in which

   the priests bound up the money contributed for the restoration

   of the temple 2Ki 12:10 - is also rendered "bundle"

   Gen 42:35 1Sa 25:29 - It denotes bags used by travellers for

   carrying money during a journey Pro 7:20 Hag 1:6.

5. The "bag" of Judas was a small box Joh 12:6 13:29.





Bahurim





Young men, a place east of Jerusalem 2Sa 3:16 19:16 - on the road to

the Jordan valley. Here Shimei resided, who poured forth vile abuse

against David, and flung dust and stones at him and his party when

they were making their way down the eastern slopes of Olivet toward

Jordan 2Sa 16:5 - and here Jonathan and Ahimaaz hid themselves

2Sa 17:18 - With the exception of Shimei, Azmaveth, one of David's

heroes, is the only other native of the place who is mentioned

2Sa 23:31 1Ch 11:33.





Bajith





House, probably a city of Moab, which had a celebrated idol-temple

Isa 15:2 - It has also been regarded as denoting simply the temple of

the idol of Moab as opposed to the "high place."





Bake





The duty of preparing bread was usually, in ancient times, committed

to the females or the slaves of the family Gen 18:6 Lev 26:26 1Sa 8:13.

but at a later period we find a class of public bakers mentioned

Hos 7:4,6 Jer 37:21 - The bread was generally in the form of long

or round cakes Exo 29:23 1Sa 2:36 - of a thinness that rendered

them easily broken Isa 58:7 Mat 14:19 26:26 Act 20:11 - Common ovens

were generally used; at other times a jar was half-filled with hot

pebbles, and the dough was spread over them. Hence we read of "cakes

baken on the coals" 1Ki 19:6 - and "baken in the oven" Lev 2:4.



 See BREAD 00644.





Bake-meats





Baked provisions Gen 40:17 - literally "works of the baker," such as

biscuits and cakes.





Balaam





Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others,

the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites Num 31:8.

comp. Num 31:16 - He resided at Pethor Deu 23:4 - in Mesopotamia

Num 23:7 - It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had

some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that

it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he

cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of

Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam "from

Aram, out of the mountains of the east," to curse them; but by the

remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfil

Balak's wish, however desirous he was to do so. The apostle Peter

refers 2Pe 2:15-16 - to this as an historical event. In Mic 6:5.

reference also is made to the relations between Balaam and Balak.

Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he suggested a mode by

which the divine displeasure might be caused to descend upon them

Num 25:1 - In a battle between Israel and the Midianites (q.v.)

Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak Num 31:8.

The  "doctrine of Balaam" is spoken of in Rev 2:14 - in allusion to the

fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam that Balak learned the

way by which the Israelites might be led into sin.

 See NICOLAITANES 02725.

Balaam was constrained to utter prophecies regarding the future of

Israel of wonderful magnificence and beauty of expression

Num 24:5-9,17.





Baladan





He has given a son, the father of the Babylonian king 2Ki 20:12.

Isa 39:1 - Merodach-baladan (q.v.).





Balah





A city in the tribe of Simeon Jos 19:3 - elsewhere called Bilhah

1Ch 4:29 - and Baalah Jos 15:29.





Balak





Empty; spoiler, a son of Zippor, and king of the Moabites Num 22:2,4.

From fear of the Israelites, who were encamped near the confines of

his territory, he applied to Balaam (q.v.) to curse them; but in vain

Jos 24:9.





Balance





Occurs in Lev 19:36 Isa 46:6 - as the rendering of the Hebrew

- kanch' -, which properly means "a reed" or "a cane," then a rod or

beam of a balance. This same word is translated "measuring reed" in

Eze 40:3,5 42:16-18 - There is another Hebrew word, - mozena'yim -,

i.e., "two poisers", also so rendered Dan 5:27 - The balances as

represented on the most ancient Egyptian monuments resemble those now

in use. A "pair of balances" is a symbol of justice and fair dealing

Job 31:6 Psa 62:9 Pr 11:1 - The expression denotes great want and

scarcity in Rev 6:5.





Baldness





From natural causes was uncommon 2Ki 2:23 Isa 3:24 - It was included

apparently under "scab" and "scurf," which disqualified for the

priesthood Lev 21:20 - The Egyptians were rarely subject to it. This

probably arose from their custom of constantly shaving the head, only

allowing the hair to grow as a sign of mourning. With the Jews

artificial baldness was a sign of mourning Isa 22:12 Jer 7:29 16:6.

it also marked the conclusion of a Nazarite's vow Act 18:18 21:24.

Num 6:9 - It is often alluded to Mic 1:16 Amo 8:10 Jer 47:5 - The

Jews were forbidden to follow the customs of surrounding nations in

making themselves bald Deu 14:1.





Balm





Contracted from Bal'sam, a general name for many oily or resinous

substances which flow or trickle from certain trees or plants when an

incision is made through the bark.

 1. This word occurs in the Authorized Version Gen 37:25 43:11.

    Jer 8:22 46:11 51:8 Eze 27:17 - as the rendering of the

    Hebrew word - tsori - or - tseri -, which denotes the gum of a tree

    growing in Gilead (q.v.), which is very precious. It was

    celebrated for its medicinal qualities, and was circulated as

    an article of merchandise by Arab and Phoenician merchants. The

    shrub so named was highly valued, and was almost peculiar to

    Palestine. In the time of Josephus it was cultivated in the

    neighbourhood of Jericho and the Dead Sea. There is an Arab

    tradition that the tree yielding this balm was brought by the

    queen of Sheba as a present to Solomon, and that he planted it

    in his gardens at Jericho.

 2. There is another Hebrew word, - basam - or - bosem -, from which our

    word "balsam," as well as the corresponding Greek balsamon, is

    derived. It is rendered "spice" Son 5:1,13 6:2 - margin of Revised

    Version, "balsam;" Exo 35:28 1Ki 10:10 - and denotes fragrance in

    general. - Basam - also denotes the true balsam-plant, a native of

    South Arabia  (Cant. l.c.).





Bamah





A height, a name used simply to denote a high place where the Jews

worshipped idols Eze 20:29 - The plural is translated "high places" in

Num 22:41 Eze 36:2.





Bamoth





Heights, the forty-seventh station of the Israelites Num 21:19-20 - in

the territory of the Moabites.





Bamoth-baal





Heights of Baal, a place on the river Arnon, or in the plains through

which it flows, east of Jordan Jos 13:17 - comp. Num 21:28 - It has been

supposed to be the same place as Bamoth.





Bands





 1. of love Hos 11:4.

 2. of Christ Psa 2:3.

 3. uniting together Christ's body the church Col 2:19 3:14 Eph 4:3.

 4. the emblem of the captivity of Israel Eze 34:27 Isa 28:22 52:2.

 5. of brotherhood Eze 37:15-28.

 6. no bands to the wicked in their death Psa 73:4 Job 21:7 Psa 10:6.

    Also denotes chains Luk 8:29 - companies of soldiers Act 21:31 - a

    shepherd's staff, indicating the union between Judah and Israel

    Zec 11:7.





Bani





Built.

 1. 1Ch 6:46.

 2. One of David's thirty-seven warriors, a Gadite 2Sa 23:36.

 3. Ezr 2:10 10:29,34,38.

 4. A Levite who was prominent in the reforms on the return from

    Babylon Neh 8:7 9:4-5 - His son Rehum took part in rebuilding the

    wall of Jerusalem Neh 3:17.





Banner





 1. The flag borne by each separate tribe, of a smaller form.

    Probably it bore on it the name of the tribe to which it

    belonged, or some distinguishing device Num 2:2,34.

 2. A lofty signal-flag, not carried about, but stationary. It was

    usually erected on a mountain or other lofty place. As soon as

    it was seen the war-trumpets were blown Psa 60:4 Isa 5:26 11:12.

    Isa 13:2 18:3 30:17 Jer 4:6 21:1 Eze 27:7.

 3. A "sign of fire" Jer 6:1 - was sometimes used as a signal. The

    banners and ensigns of the Roman army had idolatrous images upon

    them, and hence they are called the "abomination of desolation"

    (q.v.). The principal Roman standard, however, was an eagle. See

    Mat 24:28 Luk 17:37 - where the Jewish nation is compared to a dead

    body, which the eagles gather together to devour. God's setting

    up or giving a banner Psa 20:5 60:4 So 2:4 - imports his presence

    and protection and aid extended to his people.

 See ENSEIGN 01216.





Banquet





A feast provided for the entertainment of a company of guests

Est 5:1 - 1Pe 4:3 - such as was provided for our Lord by his

friends in Bethany Mat 26:6 Mar 14:3 - comp.Joh 12:2 - These meals were

in the days of Christ usually called "suppers," after the custom of

the Romans, and were partaken of toward the close of the day. It was

usual to send a second invitation Mat 22:3 Luk 14:17 - to those who had

been already invited. When the whole company was assembled, the

master of the house shut the door with his own hands Luk 13:25.

Mat 25:10 - The guests were first refreshed with water and fragrant oil

Luk 7:38 Mar 7:4 - A less frequent custom was that of supplying each guest

with a robe to be worn during the feast Ecc 9:8 Rev 3:4-5 Mat 22:11 - At

private banquets the master of the house presided; but on public

occasions a "governor of the feast" was chosen Joh 2:8 - The guests

were placed in order according to seniority Gen 43:33 - or according to

the rank they held Pro 25:6-7 Mat 23:6 Luk 14:7 - As spoons and knives

and forks are a modern invention, and were altogether unknown in the

East, the hands alone were necessarily used, and were dipped in the

dish, which was common to two of the guests Joh 13:26 - In the days of

our Lord the guests reclined at table; but the ancient Israelites sat

around low tables, cross-legged, like the modern Orientals. Guests

were specially honoured when extra portions were set before them

Gen 43:34 - and when their cup was filled with wine till it ran over

Psa 23:5 - The hands of the guests were usually cleaned by being

rubbed on bread, the crumbs of which fell to the ground, and were the

portion for dogs Mat 15:27 Luk 16:21 - At the time of the three

annual festivals at Jerusalem family banquets were common. To these

the "widow, and the fatherless, and the stranger" were welcome

Deu 16:11 - Sacrifices also included a banquet Exo 34:15 Jud 16:23.

Birthday banquets are mentioned Gen 40:20 Mat 14:6 - They were

sometimes protracted, and attended with revelry and excess Gen 21:8.

Gen 29:22 1Sa 25:2,36 2Sa 13:23 - Portions were sometimes sent from the

table to poorer friends Neh 8:10 Es 9:19,22.



 See MEALS 02451.

 See ENTERTAIN 01217.





Baptism, Christian





An ordinance immediately instituted by Christ Mat 28:19-20 - and

designed to be observed in the church, like that of the Supper, "till

he come." The words "baptize" and "baptism" are simply Greek words

transferred into English. This was necessarily done by the translators

of the Scriptures, for no literal translation could properly express

all that is implied in them.



  1.This term, which designates a NT rite, is confined to the vocabulary

    of the NT. It does not occur in the LXX, neither is the verb with

    which it is connected ever used of an initiatory ceremony. This verb

    is a derivative from one which means to dip Joh 13:26 Rev 19:13|,

    but itself has a wider meaning .. to wash whether the whole or part

    of the body by immersion or pouring of water Mar 7:4 Luk 11:38 - The

    substantive is used:

     a. of Jewish ceremonial washings Mar 7:4 He 9:10.

     b. in a metaphorical sense Mar 10:38 Luk 12:50 - cf. plunged in

        calamaty

     c. most commonly in the technical sense of a religious ceremony of

        initiation.

  2. The earliest use of the word baptism to describe a religious and not

     merely ceremonial observance is in connection to the baptism of John

     and the title which is given him is probably an indication of the

     novelty of his procedure Mat 3:1 Mar 8:28. He preached the

     baptism for the repentance of sins Mar 1:4 - i.e. the result of

     his preaching was to induce men to seek baptism as an outward sign

     and a pledge to inward repentance on their part, and of their

     forgiveness on the part of God.

  3. Jesus himself accepted baptism at the hands of John Mar 1:9.

      See Baptism of Christ 00438.

  4. Baptism was given as part of the great commission Mat 28:19.

     Act 2:37-38.

  5. In the Epistles, Christian baptism is analysed into its various

     elements.

      a. In baptism the believer was to realize most vividly the total

         breach with his old life involved in his new attitude to God

         through Christ, a breach comparable only with that affected by

         death Rom 6:2-7 Col 2:12. He was to realize that also that

         the consequences of this fellowship with Christ were not only

         death to sin, but a new life in righteousness as real as that

         which followed the resurection

      b. Baptism confered incorporation in the one body of Christ

         1Co 12:13 - and was thus adapted to serve as a symbol of the

         true unity of Christians Eph 4:5.  The body with which the

         believer is thus incorporated is conceived of sometimes as the

         corporate community of Christians.





Baptism for the dead





Only mentioned in 1Co 15:29 - This expression as used by the

apostle may be equivalent to saying, "He who goes through a baptism

of blood in order to join a glorified church which has no existence

[i.e., if the dead rise not] is a fool." Some also regard the

statement here as an allusion to the strange practice which began, it

is said, to prevail at Corinth, in which a person was baptized in the

stead of others who had died before being baptized, to whom it was

hoped some of the benefits of that rite would be extended. This they

think may have been one of the erroneous customs which Paul went to

Corinth to "set in order."





Baptism, John's





Was not Christian baptism, nor was that which was practised by the

disciples previous to our Lord's crucifixion. Till then the New

Testament economy did not exist. John's baptism bound its subjects to

repentance, and not to the faith of Christ. It was not administered

in the name of the Trinity, and those whom John baptized were

rebaptized by Paul Act 18:24-19:7.





Baptism Of Christ





Christ had to be formally inaugurated into the public discharge of

his offices. For this purpose he came to John, who was the

representative of the law and the prophets, that by him he might be

introduced into his offices, and thus be publicly recognized as the

Messiah of whose coming the prophecies and types had for many ages

borne witness. John refused at first to confer his baptism on Christ,

for he understood not what he had to do with the "baptism of

repentance." But Christ said, it to be so now,' NOW as suited to my

state of humiliation, my state as a substitute in the room of

sinners." His reception of baptism was not necessary on his own

account. It was a voluntary act, the same as his act of becoming

incarnate. Yet if the work he had engaged to accomplish was to be

completed, then it became him to take on him the likeness of a

sinner, and to fulfil all righteousness Mat 3:15 - The official

duty of Christ and the sinless person of Christ are to be

distinguished. It was in his official capacity that he submitted to

baptism. In coming to John our Lord virtually said, "Though sinless,

and without any personal taint, yet in my public or official capacity

as the Sent of God, I stand in the room of many, and bring with me

the sin of the world, for which I am the propitiation." Christ was

not made under the law on his own account. It was as surety of his

people, a position which he spontaneously assumed. The administration

of the rite of baptism was also a symbol of the baptism of suffering

before him in this official capacity Luk 12:50 - In thus presenting

himself he in effect dedicated or consecrated himself to the work of

fulfilling all righteousness.





Bar





Used to denote the means by which a door is bolted Neh 3:3 - a rock in

the sea Jon 2:6 - the shore of the sea Job 38:10 - strong

fortifications and powerful impediments, etc. Isa 45:2 Amo 1:5.

defences of a city 1Ki 4:13 - A bar for a door was of iron

Isa 45:2 - brass Psa 107:16 - or wood Nah 3:13.





Barabbas





I.e., son of Abba or of a father, a notorious robber whom Pilate

proposed to condemn to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to

release, in accordance with the Roman custom Joh 18:40 Mar 15:7.

Luk 23:19 - But the Jews were so bent on the death of Jesus that they

demanded that Barabbas should be pardoned Mat 27:16-26 Act 3:14 - This

Pilate did.





Barachel





Whom God has blessed, a Buzite, the father of Elihu, one of Job's

friends Job 32:2,6.





Barachias, Berechiah





(q.v.), whom Jehovah hath blessed, father of the prophet Zechariah

Zec 1:1,7 Mat 23:35.





Barak





Lightning, the son of Abinoam Jud 4:6 - At the summons of Deborah he

made war against Jabin. She accompanied him into the battle, and gave

the signal for the little army to make the attack; in which the host

of Jabin was completely routed. The battle was fought Jud 4:16 - in

the plain of Jezreel (q.v.). This deliverance of Israel is

commemorated in Jud 5:1 - Barak's faith is commended Heb 11:32.

"The character of Barak, though pious, does not seem to have been

heroic. Like Gideon, and in a sense Samson, he is an illustration of

the words in Heb 11:34 'Out - of weakness were made strong.'"



 See DEBORAH 00996.





Barbarian





A Greek word used in the New Testament Rom 1:14 - to denote one of

another nation. In Col 3:11 - the word more definitely designates

those nations of the Roman empire that did not speak Greek. In

1Co 14:11 - it simply refers to one speaking a different language. The

inhabitants of Malta are so called Act 28:1-2,4 - They were originally

a Carthaginian colony. This word nowhere in Scripture bears the

meaning it does in modern times.





Barber





Found only once, in Eze 5:1 - where reference is made to the Jewish

custom of shaving the head as a sign of mourning. The Nazarites were

untouched by the razor from their birth Num 6:5 - Comp. Jud 16:19.





Barefoot





To go barefoot was a sign of great distress Isa 20:2-4 - or of some

great calamity having fallen on a person 2Sa 15:30.





Bariah





Fugitive, one of Shemaiah's five sons. Their father is counted along

with them in 1Ch 3:22.





Bar-jesus





Son of Joshua, the patronymic of Elymas the sorcerer Act 13:6 - who met

Paul and Barnabas at Paphos. Elymas is a word of Arabic origin

meaning "wise."





Bar-jona





Son of Jonah, the patronymic of Peter Mat 16:17 Joh 1:42 - because his

father's name was Jonas.



 See PETER 02911.





Barkos





Painter, Ezr 2:53 Neh 7:55 - The father of some of the Nethinim.





Barley





A grain much cultivated in Egypt Exo 9:31 - and in Palestine Lev 27:16.

Deu 8:8 - It was usually the food of horses 1Ki 4:28 - Barley bread was

used by the poorer people Jud 7:13 2Ki 4:42 - Barley of the first crop

was ready for the harvest by the time of the Passover, in the middle

of April Rut 1:22 2Sa 21:9 - Mention is made of barley-meal Num 5:15.

Our Lord fed five thousand with "five barley loaves and two small

fishes" Joh 6:9.





Barn





A storehouse Deu 28:8 Job 39:12 Hag 2:19 - for grain, which was usually

under ground, although also sometimes above ground Luk 12:18.





Barnabas





Son of consolation, the surname of Joses, a Levite Act 4:36 - His name

stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at

Antioch Act 13:1 - Luke speaks of him as a "good man" Act 11:24 - He was

born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He was a native of

Cyprus, where he had a possession of land Act 4:36-37 - which he sold.

His personal appearance is supposed to have been dignified and

commanding Act 14:11-12 - When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his

conversion, Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles

Act 9:27 - They had probably been companions as students in the

school of Gamaliel. The prosperity of the church at Antioch led the

apostles and brethren at Jerusalem to send Barnabas thither to

superintend the movement. He found the work so extensive and weighty

that he went to Tarsus in search of Saul to assist him. Saul returned

with him to Antioch and laboured with him for a whole year

Act 11:25-26 - The two were at the end of this period sent up to

Jerusalem with the contributions the church at Antioch had made for

the poorer brethren there Act 11:28-30 - Shortly after they returned,

bringing John Mark with them, they were appointed as missionaries to

the heathen world, and in this capacity visited Cyprus and some of

the principal cities of Asia Minor Act 13:14 - Returning from this

first missionary journey to Antioch, they were again sent up to

Jerusalem to consult with the church there regarding the relation of

Gentiles to the church Act 15:2 Gal 2:1 - This matter having been

settled, they returned again to Antioch, bringing the decree of the

council as the rule by which Gentiles were to be admitted into the

church. When about to set forth on a second missionary journey, a

dispute arose between Saul and Barnabas as to the propriety of taking

John Mark with them again. The dispute ended by Saul and Barnabas

taking separate routes. Saul took Silas as his companion, and

journeyed through Syria and Cilicia; while Barnabas took his nephew

John Mark, and visited Cyprus Act 15:36-41 - Barnabas is not again

mentioned by Luke in the Acts.





Barrel





A vessel used for keeping flour 1Ki 17:12,14,16 - The same word (cad)

so rendered is also translated "pitcher," a vessel for carrying water

Gen 24:14 Jud 7:16.





Barren





For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the

Jews Gen 16:2 30:1-23 1Sa 1:6,27 Isa 47:9 49:21 Luk 1:25 - Instances of

barrenness are noticed Gen 11:30 25:21 29:31 Jud 13:2-3 Luk 1:7,36.





Barsabas





Son of Saba, the surname

 1. of Joseph, also called Justus Act 1:23 - some identify him with

    Barnabas;

 2. of Judas, who was a "prophet." Nothing more is known of him than

    what is mentioned in Act 15:32.





Bartholomew





Son of Tolmai, one of the twelve apostles Mat 10:3 Act 1:13 - generally

supposed to have been the same as Nathanael. In the synoptic gospels

Philip and Bartholomew are always mentioned together, while Nathanael

is never mentioned; in the fourth gospel, on the other hand, Philip

and Nathanael are similarly mentioned together, but nothing is said

of Bartholomew. He was one of the disciples to whom our Lord appeared

at the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection Joh 21:2 - He was also a

witness of the Ascension Act 1:4,12-13 - He was an "Israelite indeed"

Joh 1:47.





Bartimaeus





Son of Timaeus, one of the two blind beggars of Jericho Mar 10:46.

Mat 20:30 - His blindness was miraculously cured on the ground of his

faith.





Baruch





Blessed.

 1. The secretary of the prophet Jeremiah Jer 32:12 36:4 - He was of

    the tribe of Judah Jer 51:59 - To him Jeremiah dictated his

    prophecies regarding the invasion of the Babylonians and the

    Captivity. These he read to the people from a window in the

    temple in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of

    Judah Jer 36:1 - He afterwards read them before the

    counsellors of the king at a private interview; and then to the

    king himself, who, after hearing a part of the roll, cut it with

    a penknife, and threw it into the fire of his winter parlour,

    where he was sitting. During the siege of Jerusalem by

    Nebuchadnezzar, he was the keeper of the deed of purchase

    Jeremiah had made of the territory of Hanameel Jer 32:12 - Being

    accused by his enemies of favouring the Chaldeans, he was cast,

    with Jeremiah, into prison, where he remained till the capture

    of Jerusalem (B.C. 586) He probably died in Babylon.

 2. Neh 3:20 10:6 11:5.





Barzillai





Of iron.

 1. A Meholathite, the father of Adriel 2Sa 21:8.

 2. A Gileadite of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to

    David. He liberally provided for the king's followers 2Sa 17:27.

    David on his death-bed, remembering his kindness, commended

    Barzillai's children to the care of Solomon 1Ki 2:7.

 3. A priest who married a daughter of the preceding Ezr 2:61.





Bashan





Light soil, first mentioned in Gen 14:5 - where it is said that

Chedorlaomer and his confederates "smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth,"

where Og the king of Bashan had his residence. At the time of

Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, Og came out against them,

but was utterly routed Num 21:33-35 Deu 3:1-7 - This country extended

from Gilead in the south to Hermon in the north, and from the Jordan

on the west to Salcah on the east. Along with the half of Gilead it

was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh Jos 13:29-31 - Golan, one of

its cities, became a "city of refuge" Jos 21:27 - Argob, in Bashan,

was one of Solomon's commissariat districts 1Ki 4:13 - The cities of

Bashan were taken by Hazael 2Ki 10:33 - but were soon after

reconquered by Jehoash 2Ki 13:25 - who overcame the Syrians in three

battles, according to the word of Elisha 2Ki 13:19. From this time

Bashan almost disappears from history, although we read of the wild

cattle of its rich pastures Eze 39:18 Psa 22:12 - the oaks of its

forests Isa 2:13 Eze 27:6 Zec 11:2 - and the beauty of its

extensive plains Amo 4:1 Jer 50:19 - Soon after the conquest, the

name "Gilead" was given to the whole country beyond Jordan. After the

Exile, Bashan was divided into four districts,

 1. Gaulonitis, or Jaulan, the most western;

 2. Auranitis, the Hauran Eze 47:16.

 3. Argob or Trachonitis, now the Lejah; and

 4. Batanaea, now Ard-el-Bathanyeh, on the east of the Lejah, with

    many deserted towns almost as perfect as when they were

    inhabited.



 See EDREI 01130.

 See HAURAN 01675.





Bashan-havoth-jair





The Bashan of the villages of Jair, the general name given to Argob by

Jair, the son of Manasseh Deu 3:14 - containing sixty cities with walls

and brazen gates Jos 13:30 1Ki 4:13.



 See ARGOB 00302.





Bashan, Hill of





Psa 68:15 - probably another name for Hermon, which lies to the north

of Bashan.





Bashemath





Sweet-smelling.

 1. The daughter of Ishmael, the last of Esau's three wives

    Gen 36:3-4,13 - from whose son Reuel four tribes of the Edomites

    sprung. She is also called Mahalath Gen 28:9 - It is noticeable

    that Esau's three wives receive different names in the

    genealogical table of the Edomites Gen 36:1 - from those given

    to them in the history Gen 26:34 28:9.

 2. A daughter of Solomon, and wife of Ahimaaz, one of his officers

    1Ki 4:15.





Basilisk





(in R.V.,) Isa 11:8 14:29 59:5 Jer 8:17 - the "king serpent," as the

name imports; a fabulous serpent said to be three spans long, with a

spot on its head like a crown. Probably the yellow snake is intended.



 See COCKATRICE 00854.

 See ADDER 00085.





Basin





Or Bason.

 1. A trough or laver (Heb. aggan') for washing Exo 24:6 - rendered

    also "goblet" Son 7:2 - and "cups" Isa 22:24.

 2. A covered dish or urn (Heb. k'for) among the vessels of the

    temple 1Ch 28:17 Ezr 1:10 8:27.

 3. A vase (Heb. mizrak) from which to sprinkle anything. A metallic

    vessel; sometimes rendered "bowl" Amo 6:6 Zec 9:15 - The vessels

    of the tabernacle were of brass Exo 27:3 - while those of the

    temple were of gold 2Ch 4:8.

 4. A utensil (Heb. saph) for holding the blood of the victims

    Exo 12:22 - also a basin for domestic purposes 2Sa 17:28 - The

    various vessels spoken of by the names "basin, bowl, charger,

    cup, and dish," cannot now be accurately distinguished. The basin

    in which our Lord washed the disciples' feet Joh 13:5 - must

    have been larger and deeper than the hand-basin.





Basket





There are five different Hebrew words so rendered in the Authorized

Version:

 1. A basket (Heb. sal, a twig or osier) for holding bread Gen 40:16.

    Exo 29:3,23 Lev 8:2,26,31 Num 6:15,17,19 - Sometimes baskets were

    made of twigs peeled; their manufacture was a recognized trade

    among the Hebrews.

 2. That used (Heb. salsilloth') in gathering grapes Jer 6:9.

 3. That in which the first fruits of the harvest were presented,

    Heb. tene, Deu 26:2,4 - It was also used for household purposes.

    In form it tapered downwards like that called - corbis - by the

    Romans.

 4. A basket (Heb. kelub) having a lid, resembling a bird-cage. It

    was made of leaves or rushes. The name is also applied to

    fruit-baskets Amo 8:1-2.

 5. A basket (Heb. dud) for carrying figs Jer 24:2 - also clay to the

    brick-yard (R.V.,) Psa 81:6 - and bulky articles 2Ki 10:7 - This

    word is also rendered in the Authorized Version "kettle"

    1Sa 2:14 - "caldron" 2Ch 35:13 - "seething-pot" Job 41:20.

    In the New Testament mention is made of the basket (Gr.

    kophinos, small "wicker-basket") for the "fragments" in the

    miracle recorded Mar 6:43 - and in that recorded Mat 15:37.

    (Gr. spuris, large "rope-basket"); also of the basket in which

    Paul escaped Act 9:25 - Gr. spuris; 2Co 11:33 - Gr. sargane,

    "basket of plaited cords".





Bastard





In the Old Testament the rendering of the Hebrew word - mamzer' -, which

means "polluted." In Deu 23:2 - it occurs in the ordinary sense of

illegitimate offspring. In Zec 9:6 - the word is used in the sense of

foreigner. From the history of Jephthah we learn that there were

bastard offspring among the Jews Jud 11:1-7 - In Heb 12:8 - the word

(Gr. nothoi) is used in its ordinary sense, and denotes those who do

not share the privileges of God's children.





Bastinado





Beating, a mode of punishment common in the East. It is referred to by

"the rod of correction" Pro 22:15 - "scourging" Lev 19:20 - "chastising"

Deu 22:18 - The number of blows could not exceed forty Deu 25:2-3.





Bat





The Hebrew word (atalleph') so rendered Lev 11:19 Deu 14:18 - implies

"flying in the dark." The bat is reckoned among the birds in the list

of unclean animals. To cast idols to the "moles and to the bats"

means to carry them into dark caverns or desolate places to which

these animals resort Isa 2:20 - i.e., to consign them to desolation or

ruin.





Bath





A Hebrew liquid measure, the tenth part of an homer 1Ki 7:26,38.

Eze 45:10,14 - It contained 8 gallons 3 quarts of our measure. "Ten

acres of vineyard shall yield one bath" Isa 5:10 - denotes great

unproductiveness.





Bath-rabbim





Daughter of many, the name of one of the gates of the city of Heshbon,

near which were pools Son 7:4.





Baths





The use of the bath was very frequent among the Hebrews Lev 14:8.

Num 19:19 - etc. The high priest at his inauguration Lev 8:6 - and

on the day of atonement, was required to bathe himself Lev 16:4,24.

The "pools" mentioned in Neh 3:15-16, 2Ki 20:20, Isa 22:11, Joh 9:7.

were public bathing-places.





Bath-sheba





Daughter of the oath, or of seven, called also Bath-shu'a 1Ch 3:5 - was

the daughter of Eliam 2Sa 11:3 - or Ammiel 1Ch 3:5 - and wife of Uriah

the Hittite. David committed adultery with her 2Sa 11:4-5 Psa 51:1.

The child born in adultery died 2Sa 12:15-19 - After her husband was

slain 2Sa 11:15 - she was married to David 2Sa 11:27 - and became the

mother of Solomon 2Sa 12:24 1Ki 1:11 2:13 - She took a prominent part

in securing the succession of Solomon to the throne 1Ki 1:11, 16-21.





Battering-ram





Eze 4:2 21:22 - a military engine, consisting of a long beam of wood

hung upon a frame, for making breaches in walls. The end of it which

was brought against the wall was shaped like a ram's head.





Battle-axe





A mallet or heavy war-club. Applied metaphorically Jer 51:20 - to

Cyrus, God's instrument in destroying Babylon.





Battle-bow





The war-bow used in fighting Zec 9:10 10:4 - "Thy bow was made quite

naked" Hab 3:9 - means that it was made ready for use. By David's

order 2Sa 1:18 - the young men were taught the use, or rather the song

of the bow.



 See ARMOUR 00315.

 See BOW 00631.





Battlement





A parapet wall or balustrade surrounding the flat roofs of the houses,

required to be built by a special law Deu 22:8 - In Jer 5:10 - it

denotes the parapet of a city wall.





Bay





Denotes the estuary of the Dead Sea at the mouth of the Jordan

Jos 15:5 18:19 - also the southern extremity of the same sea

Jos 15:2 - The same Hebrew word is rendered "tongue" in Isa 11:15.

where it is used with reference to the forked mouths of the Nile. Bay

in Zec 6:3,7 - denotes the colour of horses, but the original Hebrew

means strong, and is here used rather to describe the horses as fleet

or spirited.





Bay Tree





named only in Psa 37:35 - Authorized Version. The Hebrew word so

rendered is - ereh -, which simply means "native born", i.e., a tree

not transplanted, but growing on its native soil, and therefore

luxuriantly. If the psalmist intended by this word to denote any

particular tree, it may have been the evergreen bay laurel (Laurus

nobilis), which is a native of Palestine. Instead of "like a green

bay tree" in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version has, "like a

green tree in its native soil."





Bdellium





Occurs only in Gen 2:12 - where it designates a product of the land of

Havilah; and in Num 11:7 - where the manna is likened to it in colour.

It was probably an aromatic gum like balsam which exuded from a

particular tree (Borassus flabelliformis) still found in Arabia,

Media, and India. It bears a resemblance in colour to myrrh. Others

think the word denotes "pearls," or some precious stone.





Beacon





A pole (Heb. to'ren) used as a standard or ensign set on the tops of

mountains as a call to the people to assemble themselves for some

great national purpose Isa 30:17 - In Isa 33:23 Eze 27:5 - the

same word is rendered "mast."



 See BANNER 00433.





Bealiah





Whose Lord is Jehovah, a Benjamite, one of David's thirty heroes of

the sling and bow 1Ch 12:5.





Bealoth





Citizens, a town in the extreme south of Judah Jos 15:24 - probably the

same as Baalath-beer Jos 19:8 - In 1Ki 4:16 - the Authorized Version

has "in Aloth," the Revised Version "Bealoth."





Beam





Occurs in the Authorized Version as the rendering of various Hebrew

words.

 1. 1Sa 17:7 - it means a weaver's frame or principal beam;

 2. Hab 2:11 - a crossbeam or girder;

 3. 2Ki 6:2,5 - a cross-piece or rafter of a house;

 4. 1Ki 7:6 - an architectural ornament as a projecting step or

    moulding;

 5. Eze 41:25 - a thick plank.

In the New Testament the word occurs only in Mat 7:3-5 Luk 6:41-42.

where it means (Gr. dokos) a large piece of wood used for building

purposes, as contrasted with "mote" (Gr. karphos), a small piece or

mere splinter. "Mote" and "beam" became proverbial for little and

great faults.





Beans





Mentioned in 2Sa 17:28 - as having been brought to David when flying

from Absalom. They formed a constituent in the bread Ezekiel Eze 4:9.

was commanded to make, as they were in general much used as an

article of diet. They are extensively cultivated in Egypt and Arabia

and Syria.





Bear





A native of the mountain regions of Western Asia, frequently mentioned

in Scripture. David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear

1Sa 17:34-37 - Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children

who mocked the prophet Elisha 2Ki 2:24 - Their habits are referred to

in Isa 59:11 Pr 28:15 La 3:10 - The fury of the female bear when

robbed of her young is spoken of 2Sa 17:8 Pr 17:12 Hos 13:8 - In

Daniel's vision of the four great monarchies, the Medo-Persian empire

is represented by a bear Dan 7:5.





Beard





The mode of wearing it was definitely prescribed to the Jews

Lev 19:27 21:5 - Hence the import of Ezekiel's Eze 5:1-4 - description

of the "razor" i.e., the agents of an angry providence being used

against the guilty nation of the Jews. It was a part of a Jew's daily

toilet to anoint his beard with oil and perfume Psa 133:2 - Beards

were trimmed with the most fastidious care 2Sa 19:24 - and their

neglet was an indication of deep sorrow Isa 15:2 Jer 41:5 - The

custom was to shave or pluck off the hair as a sign of mourning

Isa 50:6 Jer 48:37 Ezr 9:3 - The beards of David's ambassadors

were cut off by Hanun 2Sa 10:4 - as a mark of indignity. On the

other hand, the Egyptians carefully shaved the hair off their faces,

and they compelled their slaves to do so also Gen 41:14.





Beast





This word is used of flocks or herds of grazing animals Exo 22:5.

Num 20:4,8,11 Psa 78:48 - of beasts of burden Gen 45:17 - of eatable

beasts Pro 9:2 - and of swift beasts or dromedaries Isa 60:6 - In

the New Testament it is used of a domestic animal as property

Rev 18:13 - as used for food 1Co 15:39 - for service Luk 10:34.

Act 23:24 - and for sacrifice Act 7:42 - When used in contradistinction

to man Psa 36:6 - it denotes a brute creature generally, and when

in contradistinction to creeping things Lev 11:2-7 27:26 - a four-

footed animal. The Mosaic law required that beasts of labour should

have rest on the Sabbath Exo 20:10 23:12 - and in the Sabbatical

year all cattle were allowed to roam about freely, and eat whatever

grew in the fields Exo 23:11 Lev 25:7 - Animals of different kinds were

to be always kept separate Lev 19:19 Deu 22:10 - Oxen when used in

threshing were not to be prevented from eating what was within their

reach Deu 25:4 1Co 9:9 - This word is used figuratively of an infuriated

multitude 1Co 15:32 Act 19:29 - comp. Psa 22:12,16 Ec 3:18 Isa 11:6-8.

and of wicked men 2Pe 2:12 - The four beasts of Daniel Dan 7:3,17,23.

represent four kingdoms or kings.





Beaten Gold





In Num 8:4 - means "turned" or rounded work in gold. The Greek

Version, however, renders the word "solid gold;" the Revised Version,

"beaten work of gold." In 1Ki 10:16-17 - it probably means "mixed"

gold, as the word ought to be rendered, i.e., not pure gold. Others

render the word in these places "thin plates of gold."





Beaten Oil





Exo 27:20 29:40 - obtained by pounding olives in a mortar, not by

crushing them in a mill. It was reckoned the best.



 See OLIVE 02778.





Beautiful Gate





The name of one of the gates of the temple Act 3:2 - It is supposed

to have been the door which led from the court of the Gentiles to the

court of the women. It was of massive structure, and covered with

plates of Corinthian brass.





Becher





First-born; a youth, the second son of Benjamin Gen 46:21 - who came

down to Egypt with Jacob. It is probable that he married an

Ephraimitish heiress, and that his descendants were consequently

reckoned among the tribe of Ephraim Num 26:35 1Ch 7:20-21 - They are

not reckoned among the descendants of Benjamin Num 26:38.





Bed





(Heb. mittah), for rest at night Exo 8:3 1Sa 19:13,15,16 - etc; during

sickness Gen 47:31 48:2 49:33 - etc.; as a sofa for rest

1Sa 28:23 Amo 3:12 - Another Hebrew word (er'es) so rendered denotes

a canopied bed, or a bed with curtains Deu 3:11 Psa 132:3 - for

sickness Psa 6:6 41:3 - In the New Testament it denotes sometimes a

litter with a coverlet Mat 9:2,6 Luk 5:18 Act 5:15 - The Jewish

bedstead was frequently merely the divan or platform along the sides

of the house, sometimes a very slight portable frame, sometimes only

a mat or one or more quilts.  The only material for bed-clothes is

mentioned in 1Sa 19:13 - Sleeping in the open air was not

uncommon, the sleeper wrapping himself in his outer garment

Exo 22:26-27 Deu 24:12-13.





Bedan





One of the judges of Israel 1Sa 12:11 - It is uncertain who he was.

Some suppose that Barak is meant, others Samson, but most probably

this is a contracted form of Abdon Jud 12:13.





Bed-chamber





An apartment in Eastern houses, furnished with a slightly elevated

platform at the upper end and sometimes along the sides, on which

were laid mattresses. This was the general arrangement of the public

sleeping-room for the males of the family and for guests, but there

were usually besides distinct bed-chambers of a more private

character 2Ki 4:10 Ex 8:3 2Ki 6:12 - In 2Ki 11:2 - this word denotes,

as in the margin of the Revised Version, a store-room in which

mattresses were kept.





Bedstead





Used in Deu 3:11 - but elsewhere rendered "couch," "bed." In 2Ki 1:4.

Psa 132:3 Amo 3:12 - the divan is meant by this word.





Bee





First mentioned in Deu 1:44 - Swarms of bees, and the danger of their

attacks, are mentioned in Psa 118:12 - Samson found a "swarm of bees"

in the carcass of a lion he had slain Jud 14:8 - Wild bees are

described as laying up honey in woods and in clefts of rocks

Deu 32:13 Psa 81:16 - In Isa 7:18 - the "fly" and the "bee" are

personifications of the Egyptians and Assyrians, the inveterate

enemies of Israel.





Beelzebub





(Gr. form Beel'zebul), the name given to Satan, and found only in the

New Testament Mat 10:25 12:24,27 Mar 3:22 - It is probably the same as

Baalzebub (q.v.), the god of Ekron, meaning "the lord of flies," or,

as others think, "the lord of dung," or "the dung-god."



  See FLY 01362.





Beer





Well.

 1. A place where a well was dug by the direction of Moses, at the

    forty-fourth station of the Hebrews in their wanderings

    Num 21:16-18 - in the wilderness of Moab.

     See WELL 03803.

 2. A town in the tribe of Judah to which Jotham fled for fear of

    Abimelech Jud 9:21 - Some have identified this place with

    Beeroth.





Beer-elim





Well of heroes, probably the name given to Beer, the place where the

chiefs of Israel dug a well Num 21:16 Isa 15:8.





Beeri





Illustrious, or the well-man.

 1. The father of Judith, one of the wives of Esau Gen 26:34 - the

    same as Adah Gen 36:2.

 2. The father of the prophet Hos 1:1.





Beer-lahai-roi





I.e., "the well of him that liveth and seeth me," or, as some render

it, "the well of the vision of life", the well where the Lord met

with Hagar Gen 16:7-14 - Isaac dwelt beside this well Gen 24:62 25:11.

It has been identified with 'Ain Muweileh, or Moilahhi, south-west of

Beersheba, and about 12 miles W. from Kadesh-barnea.





Beeroth





Wells, one of the four cities of the Hivites which entered by fraud

into a league with Joshua. It belonged to Benjamin Jos 18:25 - It has

by some been identified with el-Bireh on the way to Nablus, 10 miles

north of Jerusalem.





Beeroth of the Children of





Jaakan Deu 10:6 - The same as Bene-jaakan Num 33:31.





Beersheba





Well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so

named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact Gen 21:31.

On re-opening it, Isaac gave it the same name Gen 26:31-33 - It was a

favourite place of abode of both of these patriarchs Gen 21:33-34.

Gen 22:1,19 26:33 28:10 - It is mentioned among the "cities" given to

the tribe of Simeon Jos 19:2 1Ch 4:28 - From Dan to Beersheba, a

distance of about 144 miles Jud 20:1 1Ch 21:2 2Sa 24:2 - became the

usual way of designating the whole Promised Land, and passed into a

proverb.  After the return from the Captivity the phrase is narrowed

into "from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom" Neh 11:30 - The

kingdom of the ten tribes extended from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim

2Ch 19:4 - The name is not found in the New Testament. It is still

called by the Arabs Bir es-Seba, i.e., "well of the seven", where

there are to the present day two principal wells and five smaller

ones. It is nearly midway between the southern end of the Dead Sea

and the Mediterranean.





Beetle





(Heb. hargol, meaning "leaper"). Mention of it is made only in

Lev 11:22 - where it is obvious the word cannot mean properly the

beetle.  It denotes some winged creeper with at least four feet,

"which has legs above its feet, to leap withal." The description

plainly points to the locust (q.v.). This has been an article of food

from the earliest times in the East to the present day. The word is

rendered "cricket" in the Revised Version.





Beeves





(an old English plural of the word beef), a name applicable to all

ruminating animals except camels, and especially to the Bovidce, or

horned cattle Lev 22:19,21 Num 31:28,30,33,38,44.





Beg





That the poor existed among the Hebrews we have abundant evidence

Exo 23:11 Deu 15:11 - but there is no mention of beggars properly so

called in the Old Testament. The poor were provided for by the law of

Moses Lev 19:10 Deu 12:12 14:29 - It is predicted of the seed of the

wicked that they shall be beggars Psa 37:25 109:10 - In the New

Testament we find not seldom mention made of beggars Mar 10:46.

Luk 16:20-21 Act 3:2 - yet there is no mention of such a class as

vagrant beggars, so numerous in the East. "Beggarly," in Gal 4:9.

means worthless.





Behead





A method of taking away life practised among the Egyptians

Gen 40:17-19 - There are instances of this mode of punishment also among

the Hebrews 2Sa 4:8 20:21-22 2Ki 10:6-8 - It is also mentioned in the

New Testament Mat 14:8-12 Act 12:2.





Behemoth





Job 40:15-24 - Some have supposed this to be an Egyptian word meaning a

"water-ox." The Revised Version has here in the margin "hippopotamus,"

which is probably the correct rendering of the word. The word occurs

frequently in Scripture, but, except here, always as a common name,

and translated "beast" or "cattle."





Bekah





Both the name and its explanation, "a half shekel," are given in

Exo 38:26 - The word properly means a "division," a "part." (R.V.,

"beka.")





Bel





The Aramaic form of Baal, the national god of the Babylonians

Isa 46:1 Jer 50:2 51:44 - It signifies "lord."



 See BAAL 00382.





Bela





A thing swallowed.

 1. A city on the shore of the Dead Sea, not far from Sodom, called

    also Zoar. It was the only one of the five cities that was

    spared at Lot's intercession Gen 19:20,23 - It is first mentioned

    in Gen 14:2,8.

 2. The eldest son of Benjamin Num 26:38 - "Belah," Gen 46:21.

 3. The son of Beor, and a king of Edom Gen 36:32-33 1Ch 1:43.

 4. A son of Azaz 1Ch 5:8.





Belial





Worthlessness, frequently used in the Old Testament as a proper name.

It is first used in Deu 13:13 - In the New Testament it is found only

in 2Co 6:15 - where it is used as a name of Satan, the personification

of all that is evil. It is translated "wicked" in Deu 15:9 Psa 41:8.

(R.V. marg.); Psa 101:3 Pr 6:12 - etc. The expression "son" or "man of

Belial" means simply a worthless, lawless person Jud 19:22 20:13.

1Sa 1:16 2:12.





Bell





The bells first mentioned in Scripture are the small golden bells

attached to the hem of the high priest's ephod Exo 28:33,34,35 - The

"bells of the horses" mentioned by Zechariah Zec 14:20 - were attached

to the bridles or belts round the necks of horses trained for war, so

as to accustom them to noise and tumult.





Bellows





Occurs only in Jer 6:29 - in relation to the casting of metal. Probably

they consisted of leather bags similar to those common in Egypt.





Belly





The seat of the carnal affections Tit 1:12 Php 3:19 Ro 16:18 - The word

is used symbolically for the heart Pro 18:8 20:27 22:18 - marg. The

"belly of hell" signifies the grave or underworld Jon 2:2.





Belshazzar





Bel protect the king!, the last of the kings of Babylon Dan 5:1 - He was

the son of Nabonidus by Nitocris, who was the daughter of

Nebuchadnezzar and the widow of Nergal-sharezer. When still young he

made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and when heated with

wine sent for the sacred vessels his "father" Dan 5:2 - or grandfather,

Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from the temple in Jerusalem, and he

and his princes drank out of them. In the midst of their mad revelry

a hand was seen by the king tracing on the wall the announcement of

God's judgment, which that night fell upon him. At the instance of

the queen (i.e., his mother) Daniel was brought in, and he

interpreted the writing. That night the kingdom of the Chaldeans came

to an end, and the king was slain Dan 5:30.

 See NERGAL-SHAREZER 02709.

The absence of the name of Belshazzar on the monuments was long

regarded as an argument against the genuineness of the Book of

Daniel. In 1854 Sir Henry Rawlinson found an inscription of Nabonidus

which referred to his eldest son. Quite recently, however, the side

of a ravine undermined by heavy rains fell at Hillah, a suburb of

Babylon. A number of huge, coarse earthenware vases were laid bare.

These were filled with tablets, the receipts and contracts of a firm

of Babylonian bankers, which showed that Belshazzar had a household,

with secretaries and stewards. One was dated in the third year of the

king Marduk-sar-uzur. As Marduk-sar-uzar was another name for Baal,

this Marduk-sar-uzur was found to be the Belshazzar of Scripture. In

one of these contract tablets, dated in the July after the defeat of

the army of Nabonidus, we find him paying tithes for his sister to

the temple of the sun-god at Sippara.





Belteshazzar





Beltis protect the king!, the Chaldee name given to Daniel by

Nebuchadnezzar Dan 1:7.





Benaiah





Built up by Jehovah.

 1. The son of Jehoiada, chief priest 1Ch 27:5 - He was set by David

    over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites 2Sa 8:18.

    1Ki 1:32 1Ch 18:17 - His exploits are enumerated in

    2Sa 23:20,21-22 1Ch 11:22 - He remained faithful to Solomon

    1Ki 1:8,10,26 - by whom he was raised to the rank of

    commander-in-chief 1Ki 2:25,29,30,34,35 4:4.

 2. 2Sa 23:30 1Ch 11:31.

 3. A musical Levite 1Ch 15:18,20.

 4. A priest 1Ch 15:24 16:6.

 5. The son of Jeiel 2Ch 20:14.





Ben-ammi





Son of my kindred; i.e., "born of incest", the son of Lot by his

youngest daughter Gen 19:38.





Bench





Deck of a Tyrian ship, described by Ezekiel Eze 27:6 - as overlaid with

box-wood.





Bene-jaakan





Children of Jaakan Num 33:31-32 - the same as Beeroth.





Ben-hadad





The standing title of the Syrian kings, meaning "the son of Hadad."

 See HADADEZER 01569.

 1. The king of Syria whom Asa, king of Judah, employed to invade

    Israel 1Ki 15:18.

 2. Son of the preceding, also king of Syria. He was long engaged in

    war against Israel. He was murdered probably by Hazael, by whom

    he was succeeded 2Ki 8:7-15 - after a reign of some thirty years.

 3. King of Damascus, and successor of his father Hazael on the

    throne of Syria 2Ki 13:3-4 - His misfortunes in war are noticed

    by Amo 1:4.





Benjamin





Son of my right hand.

 1. The younger son of Jacob by Rachel Gen 35:18 - His birth took

    place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a

    short distance from the latter place. His mother died in giving

    him birth, and with her last breath named him Ben-oni, son of my

    pain, a name which was changed by his father into Benjamin. His

    posterity are called Benjamites Gen 49:27 Deu 33:12 Jos 18:21 - The

    tribe of Benjamin at the Exodus was the smallest but one

    Num 1:36-37 Psa 68:27 - During the march its place was along with

    Manasseh and Ephraim on the west of the tabernacle. At the

    entrance into Canaan it counted 45,600 warriors. It has been

    inferred by some from the words of Jacob Gen 49:27 - that the

    figure of a wolf was on the tribal standard. This tribe is

    mentioned in Rom 11:1 Php 3:5 - The inheritance of this tribe lay

    immediately to the south of that of Ephraim, and was about 26

    miles in length and 12 in breadth. Its eastern boundary was

    the Jordan. Dan intervened between it and the Philistines. Its

    chief towns are named in Jos 18:21-28 - The history of the tribe

    contains a sad record of a desolating civil war in which they

    were engaged with the other eleven tribes. By it they were

    almost exterminated Jud 20:20-21 21:10.

     See GIBEAH 01476.

    The first king of the Jews was Saul, a Benjamite. A close

    alliance was formed between this tribe and that of Judah in the

    time of David 2Sa 19:16-17 - which continued after his death

    1Ki 11:13 12:20 - After the Exile these two tribes formed

    the great body of the Jewish nation Ezr 1:5 10:9 - The tribe

    of Benjamin was famous for its archers 1Sa 20:20,36 2Sa 1:22.

    1Ch 8:40 12:2 - and slingers Jud 20:6 - The gate of Benjamin, on

    the north side of Jerusalem Jer 37:13 38:7 Zec 14:10 - was

    so called because it led in the direction of the territory of

    the tribe of Benjamin. It is called by Jeremiah Jer 20:2.

    "the high gate of Benjamin;" also "the gate of the children

    of the people" Jer 17:19 - (Comp.) 2Ki 14:13.





Beor





A torch.

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

 2. The father of Balaam Num 22:5 24:3,15 31:8 - In 2Pe 2:15 - he is

    called Bosor.





Bera





Gift, or son of evil, king of Sodom at the time of the invasion of the

four kings under Chedorlaomer Gen 14:2,8,17,21.





Berachah





Blessing.

 1. A valley not far from Engedi, where Jehoshaphat overthrew the

    Moabites and Ammonites 2Ch 20:26 - It has been identified with

    the valley of Bereikut. (R.V., "Beracah.")

 2. One of the Benjamite warriors, Saul's brethren, who joined David

    when at Ziklag 1Ch 12:3.





Berea





A city of Macedonia to which Paul with Silas and Timotheus went when

persecuted at Thessalonica Act 17:10,13 - and from which also he was

compelled to withdraw, when he fled to the sea-coast and thence

sailed to Athens Act 17:14,15. Sopater, one of Paul's companions

belonged to this city, and his conversion probably took place at this

time Act 20:4 - It is now called Verria.





Berechiah





Blessed by Jehovah.

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

 2. One of the seven Ephraimite chieftains, son of Meshillemoth

    2Ch 28:12.

 3. The fourth of the five sons of Zerubbabel, of the royal family

    of Judah 1Ch 3:20.

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





Bered





Hail.

 1. A town in the south of Palestine Gen 16:14 - in the desert of

    Shur, near Lahai-roi.

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





Beriah





A gift, or in evil.

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

 2. A son of Ephraim 1Ch 7:20-23 - born after the slaughter of his

    brothers, and so called by his father "because it went evil with

    his house" at that time.

 3. A Benjamite who with his brother Shema founded Ajalon and

    expelled the Gittites 1Ch 8:13.





Bernice





Bearer of victory, the eldest daughter of Agrippa I., the Herod

Agrippa of Act 12:20 - After the early death of her first husband she

was married to her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis. After his death

(A.D. 40 she lived in incestuous connection with her brother

Agrippa II. Act 25:13,23 26:30 - They joined the Romans at the outbreak

of the final war between them and the Jews, and lived afterwards at

Rome.





Berodach-baladan





The king of Babylon who sent a friendly deputation to Hezekiah

2Ki 20:12 - In Isa 39:1 - he is called Merodach-baladan (q.v.).





Beryl





The rendering in the Authorized Version of the Hebrew word - tarshish -,

a precious stone; probably so called as being brought from Tarshish.

It was one of the stones on the breastplate of the high priest

Exo 28:20 - R.V. marg., "chalcedony;" Exo 39:13 - The colour of

the wheels in Ezekiel's vision was as the colour of a beryl stone

Eze 1:16 10:9 - R.V., "stone of Tarshish". It is mentioned in

Son 5:14 Dan 10:6 Rev 21:20. In Eze 28:13 - the LXX. render the word

by "chrysolite," which the Jewish historian Josephus regards as its

proper translation. This also is the rendering given in the

Authorized Version in the margin.  That was a gold-coloured gem, the

topaz of ancient authors.





Besom





The rendering of a Hebrew word meaning sweeper, occurs only in

Isa 14:23 - of the sweeping away, the utter ruin, of Babylon.





Besor





Cold, a ravine or brook in the extreme south-west of Judah, where

200 of David's men stayed behind because they were faint, while the

other 400 pursued the Amalekites 1Sa 30:9-10,21 - Probably the

Wadyes Sheriah, south of Gaza.





Bestead





The rendering in Isa 8:21 - where alone it occurs, of a Hebrew word

meaning to oppress, or be in circumstances of hardship.





Betah





Confidence, a city belonging to Hadadezer, king of Zobah, which

yielded much spoil of brass to David 2Sa 8:8 - In 1Ch 18:8 - it is

called Tibhath.





Beth





Occurs frequently as the appellation for a house, or dwelling-place,

in such compounds as the words immediately following:





Bethabara





House of the ford, a place on the east bank of the Jordan, where John

was baptizing Joh 1:28 - It may be identical with Bethbarah, the

ancient ford of Jordan of which the men of Ephraim took possession

Jud 7:24 - The Revised Version reads "Bethany beyond Jordan." It was

the great ford, and still bears the name of "the ford," Makhadhet

'Abarah, "the ford of crossing over," about 25 miles from

Nazareth.



 See BETHBARAH 00550.





Beth-anath





House of response, one of the fenced cities of Naphtali Jos 19:38 - It

is perhaps identical with the modern village 'Ainata, 6 miles west of

Kedesh.





Beth-anoth





House of answers, a city in the mountainous district of Judah

Jos 15:59 - It has been identified with the modern Beit-'Anun, about

3 miles northeast of Hebron.





Bethany





House of dates.

 1. The Revised Version in Joh 1:28 - has this word instead of

    Bethabara, on the authority of the oldest manuscripts. It

    appears to have been the name of a place on the east of Jordan.

 2. A village on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives

    Mar 11:1 - about 2 miles east of Jerusalem, on the road to

    Jericho. It derived its name from the number of palm-trees

    which grew there.  It was the residence of Lazarus and his

    sisters. It is frequently mentioned in connection with

    memorable incidents in the life of our Lord Mat 21:17 26:6.

    Mar 11:11-12 14:3 Luk 24:50 Joh 11:1 12:1 - It is now known by the

    name of el-Azariyeh, i.e., "place of Lazarus," or simply

    Lazariyeh. Seen from a distance, the village has been described

    as "remarkably beautiful, the perfection of retirement and

    repose, of seclusion and lovely peace." Now a mean village,

    containing about twenty families.





Beth-arabah





House of the desert, one of the six cities of Judah, situated in the

sunk valley of the Jordan and Dead Sea Jos 18:22. In Jos 15:61.

it is said to have been "in the wilderness." It was afterwards

included in the towns of Benjamin. It is called Arabah Jos 18:18.





Beth-aram





House of the height; i.e., "mountain-house", one of the towns of Gad,

3 miles east of Jordan, opposite Jericho Jos 13:27 - Probably the

same as Beth-haran in Num 32:36 - It was called by king Herod, Julias,

or Livias, after Livia, the wife of Augustus. It is now called

Beit-haran.





Beth-arbel





House of God's court, a place alluded to by Hos 10:14 - as the scene of

some great military exploit, but not otherwise mentioned in Scripture.

The Shalman here named was probably Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria

2Ki 17:3.





Beth-aven





House of nothingness; i.e., "of idols", a place in the mountains of

Benjamin, east of Bethel Jos 7:2 18:12 1Sa 13:5 - In Hos 4:15 5:8 10:5.

it stands for "Bethel" (q.v.), and it is so called because it was no

longer the "house of God," but "the house of idols," referring to the

calves there worshipped.





Beth-barah





House of crossing, a place south of the scene of Gideon's victory

Jud 7:24 - It was probably the chief ford of the Jordan in that

district, and may have been that by which Jacob crossed when he

returned from Mesopotamia, near the Jabbok Gen 32:22 - and at which

Jephthah slew the Ephraimites Jud 12:4 - Nothing, however, is

certainly known of it.



 See BETHABARA 00542.





Beth-car





Sheep-house, a place to which the Israelites pursued the Philistines

west from Mizpeh 1Sa 7:11.





Beth-dagon





House of Dagon.

 1. A city in the low country or plain of Judah, near Philistia

    Jos 15:41 - the modern Beit Degan, about 5 miles from Lydda.

 2. A city near the south-east border of Asher Jos 19:27 - It was a

    Philistine colony. It is identical with the modern ruined

    village of Tell D'auk.





Beth-diblathaim





House of two cakes of figs, a city of Moab, upon which Jeremiah

Jer 48:22 - denounced destruction. It is called also Almon-diblathaim

Num 33:46 - and Diblath Eze 6:14 - (R.V., "Diblah.")





Bethel





House of God.

 1. A place in Central Palestine, about 10 miles north of

    Jerusalem, at the head of the pass of Michmash and Ai. It was

    originally the royal Canaanite city of Luz Gen 28:19 - The name

    Bethel was at first apparently given to the sanctuary in the

    neighbourhood of Luz, and was not given to the city itself till

    after its conquest by the tribe of Ephraim. When Abram entered

    Canaan he formed his second encampment between Bethel and Hai

    Gen 12:8 - and on his return from Egypt he came back to it, and

    again "called upon the name of the Lord" Gen 13:4 - Here Jacob, on

    his way from Beersheba to Haran, had a vision of the angels of

    God ascending and descending on the ladder whose top reached

    unto heaven Gen 28:10-19 - and on his return he again visited this

    place, "where God talked with him" Gen 35:1-15 - and there he

    "built an altar, and called the place El-beth-el" (q.v.). To

    this second occasion of God's speaking with Jacob at Bethel,

    Hos 12:4-5 - makes reference. In troublous times the people went

    to Bethel to ask counsel of God Jud 20:18,31 21:2 - Here the ark

    of the covenant was kept for a long time under the care of

    Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron Jud 20:26-28 - Here also Samuel

    held in rotation his court of justice 1Sa 7:16 - It was included

    in Israel after the kingdom was divided, and it became one of

    the seats of the worship of the golden calf 1Ki 12:28-33 13:1.

    Hence the prophet Hosea Hos 4:15 5:8 10:5,8 - calls it in contempt

    Beth-aven, i.e., "house of idols." Bethel remained an abode of

    priests even after the kingdom of Israel was desolated by the

    king of Assyria 2Ki 17:28-29 - At length all traces of the

    idolatries were extirpated by Josiah, king of Judah

    2Ki 23:15-18 - and the place was still in existence after the

    Captivity Ezr 2:28 Neh 7:32 - It has been identified with the

    ruins of Beitin, a small village amid extensive ruins some 9

    miles south of Shiloh.

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

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





Bethelite





A designation of Hiel (q.v.), who rebuilt Jericho and experienced the

curse pronounced long before 1Ki 16:34.





Bether





Dissection or separation, certain mountains mentioned in Son 2:17.

probably near Lebanon.





Bethesda





House of mercy, a reservoir (Gr. kolumbethra, "a swimming bath") with

five porches, close to the sheep-gate or market Neh 3:1 Joh 5:2.

Eusebius the historian (A.D. 330 calls it "the sheep-pool." It is

also called "Bethsaida" and "Beth-zatha" Joh 5:2 - R.V. marg. Under

these "porches" or colonnades were usually a large number of infirm

people waiting for the "troubling of the water." It is usually

identified with the modern so-called Fountain of the Virgin, in the

valley of the Kidron, and not far from the Pool of Siloam (q.v.); and

also with the Birket Israel, a pool near the mouth of the valley

which runs into the Kidron south of "St. Stephen's Gate." Others

again identify it with the twin pools called the "Souterrains," under

the convent of the Sisters of Zion, situated in what must have been

the rock-hewn ditch between Bezetha and the fortress of Antonia. But

quite recently Schick has discovered a large tank, as sketched here,

situated about 100 feet north-west of St. Anne's Church, which is,

as he contends, very probably the Pool of Bethesda. No certainty as

to its identification, however, has as yet been arrived at.



 See FOUNTAIN 01378.

 See GIHON 01485.





Beth-gamul





Camel-house, a city in the "plain country" of Moab denounced by the

prophet Jer 48:23 - probably the modern Um-el-Jemal, near Bozrah, one

of the deserted cities of the Hauran.





Beth-gilgal





House of Gilgal, a place from which the inhabitants gathered for the

purpose of celebrating the rebuilding of the walls on the return

exile Neh 12:29.



 See GILGAL 01489.





Beth-haccerem





House of a vineyard, a place in the tribe of Judah Neh 3:14 - where the

Benjamites were to set up a beacon when they heard the trumpet

against the invading army of the Babylonians Jer 6:1 - It is probable

that this place is the modern 'Ain Karim, or "well of the vineyards,"

near which there is a ridge on which are cairns which may have served

as beacons of old, one of which is 40 feet high and 130 in diameter.





Beth-horon





House of the hollow, or of the cavern, the name of two towns or

villages 2Ch 8:5 1Ch 7:24 - in the territory of Ephraim, on the way

from Jerusalem to Joppa. They are distinguished as Beth-horon "the

upper" and Beth-horon "the nether." They are about 2 miles apart,

the former being about 10 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Between

the two places was the ascent and descent of Beth-horon, leading from

Gibeon down to the western plain Jos 10:10-11 18:13-14 - down which

the five kings of the Amorites were driven by Joshua in that great

battle, the most important in which the Hebrews had been as yet

engaged, being their first conflict with their enemies in the open

field. Jehovah interposed in behalf of Israel by a terrific

hailstorm, which caused more deaths among the Canaanites than did the

swords of the Israelites. Beth-horon is mentioned as having been

taken by Shishak, B.C. 945 in the list of his conquests, and the

pass was the scene of a victory of Judas Maccabeus. (Comp.)

Exo 9:19,25 Job 38:22-23 Psa 18:12-14 Isa 30:30 - The modern name of

these places is Beit-ur, distinguished by el-Foka, "the upper," and

el-Tahta, "the nether." The lower was at the foot of the pass, and

the upper, 500 feet higher, at the top, west of Gibeon.



 See GIBEON 01480.





Beth-jeshimoth





House of wastes, or deserts, a town near Abel-shittim, east of Jordan,

in the desert of Moab, where the Israelites encamped not long before

crossing the Jordan Num 33:49 - A.V., "Bethjesimoth". It was within the

territory of Sihon, king of the Amorites Jos 12:3.





Beth-le-Aphrah





(R.V.) Mic 1:10 - house of dust. The Authorized Version reads "in the

house of Aphrah." This is probably the name of a town in the

Shephelah, or "low country," between Joppa and Gaza.





Bethlehem





House of bread.

 1. A city in the "hill country" of Judah. It was originally called

    Ephrath Gen 35:16,19 48:7 Ru 4:11 - It was also called Beth-lehem

    Ephratah Mic 5:2 - Beth-lehem-judah 1Sa 17:12 - and "the city of

    David" Luk 2:4 - It is first noticed in Scripture as the place

    where Rachel died and was buried "by the wayside," directly to

    the north of the city Gen 48:7 - The valley to the east was the

    scene of the story of Ruth the Moabitess. There are the fields

    in which she gleaned, and the path by which she and Naomi

    returned to the town. Here was David's birth-place, and here

    also, in after years, he was anointed as king by Samuel

    1Sa 16:4-13 - and it was from the well of Bethlehem that three

    of his heroes brought water for him at the risk of their lives

    when he was in the cave of Adullam 2Sa 23:13-17 - But it

    was distinguished above every other city as the birth-place of

    "Him whose goings forth have been of old" Mat 2:6 - comp.

    Mic 5:2 - Afterwards Herod, "when he saw that he was mocked

    of the wise men," sent and slew "all the children that were in

    Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old

    and under" Mat 2:16,18 Jer 31:15 - Bethlehem bears the

    modern name of Beit-Lahm, i.e., "house of flesh." It is about

    5 miles south of Jerusalem, standing at an elevation of about

    2,550 feet above the sea, thus 100 feet higher than Jerusalem.

    There is a church still existing, built by Constantine the

    Great (A.D. 330) called the "Church of the Nativity," over a

    grotto or cave called the "holy crypt," and said to be the

    "stable" in which Jesus was born. This is perhaps the oldest

    existing Christian church in the world. Close to it is another

    grotto, where Jerome the Latin father is said to have spent

    thirty years of his life in translating the Scriptures into

    Latin.

      See VERSION 03768.

 2. A city of Zebulun, mentioned only in Jos 19:15 - Now Beit-Lahm,

    a ruined village about 6 miles west-north-west of Nazareth.





Beth-peor





House of Peor; i.e., "temple of Baal-peor", a place in Moab, on the

east of Jordan, opposite Jericho. It was in the tribe of Reuben

Jos 13:20 Deu 3:29 4:46 - In the "ravine" or valley over against

Beth-peor Moses was probably buried Deu 34:6.





Beth-phage





House of the unripe fig, a village on the Mount of Olives, on the road

from Jerusalem to Jericho Mat 21:1 Mar 11:1 Luk 19:29 - and very close to

Bethany. It was the limit of a Sabbath-day's journey from Jerusalem,

i.e., 2,000 cubits. It has been identified with the modern

Kefr-et-Tur.





Bethsaida





House of fish.

 1. A town in Galilee, on the west side of the sea of Tiberias, in

    the "land of Gennesaret." It was the native place of Peter,

    Andrew, and Philip, and was frequently resorted to by Jesus

    Mar 6:45 Joh 1:44 12:21 - It is supposed to have been at the

    modern 'Ain Tabighah, a bay to the north of Gennesaret.

 2. A city near which Christ fed 5,000 Luk 9:10 - comp.

    Joh 6:17 Mat 14:15-21 - and where the blind man had his sight

    restored Mar 8:22 - on the east side of the lake, two miles up

    the Jordan. It stood within the region of Gaulonitis, and was

    enlarged by Philip the tetrarch, who called it "Julias," after

    the emperor's daughter.  Or, as some have supposed, there may

    have been but one Bethsaida built on both sides of the lake,

    near where the Jordan enters it. Now the ruins et-Tel.





Beth-shean





House of security or rest, a city which belonged to Manasseh 1Ch 7:29.

on the west of Jordan. The bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened

to its walls. In Solomon's time it gave its name to a district

1Ki 4:12 - The name is found in an abridged form, Bethshan, in

1Sa 31:10,12 2Sa 21:12 - It is on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus,

about 5 miles from the Jordan, and 14 from the south end of the Lake

of Gennesaret. After the Captivity it was called Scythopolis, i.e.,

"the city of the Scythians," who about B.C. 640 came down from the

steppes of Southern Russia and settled in different places in Syria.

It is now called Beisan.





Beth-shemesh





House of the sun.

 1. A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan Jos 21:16 1Sa 6:15 - on

    the north border of Judah Jos 15:10 - It was the scene of an

    encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of

    Judah, in which the latter was made prisoner 2Ki 14:11,13 - It

    was afterwards taken by the Philistines 2Ch 28:18 - It is the

    modern ruined Arabic village 'Ain-shems, on the north-west

    slopes of the mountains of Judah, 14 miles west of Jerusalem.

 2. A city between Dothan and the Jordan, near the southern border

    of Issachar Jos 19:22|, 7 1/2 miles south of Beth-shean. It is

    the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh.

 3. One of the fenced cities of Naphtali Jos 19:38 - between Mount

    Tabor and the Jordan. Now Khurbet Shema, 3 miles west of Safed.

    But perhaps the same as No. 2

 4. An idol sanctuary in Egypt Jer 43:13 - called by the Greeks

    Heliopolis, and by the Egyptians On (q.v.), Gen 41:45.





Beth-tappuah





House of apples, a town of Judah, now Tuffuh, 5 miles west of

Hebron Jos 15:53.





Bethuel





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

 1. The son of Nahor by Milcah; nephew of Abraham, and father of

    Rebekah Gen 22:22-23 24:15,24,47 - He appears in person only once

    Gen 24:50.

 2. A southern city of Judah 1Ch 4:30 - called also Bethul Jos 19:4.

    and Bethel Jos 12:16 1Sa 30:27.





Bethzur





House of rock, a town in the mountains of Judah Jos 15:58 - about 4

miles to the north of Hebron. It was built by Rehoboam for the

defence of his kingdom 2Ch 11:7 - It stood near the modern ed-Dirweh.

Its ruins are still seen on a hill which bears the name of Beit-Sur,

and which commands the road from Beer-sheba and Hebron to Jerusalem

from the south.





Betroth





To promise "by one's truth." Men and women were betrothed when they

were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more

before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as

the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed Deu 28:30.

Jud 14:2,8 Mat 1:18-21 - The term is figuratively employed of the

spiritual connection between God and his people Hos 2:19,20.



 See ESPOUSE 01252.





Beulah





Married, is used in Isa 62:4 - metaphorically as the name of Judea:

"Thy land shall be married," i.e., favoured and blessed of the Lord.





Bewray





To reveal or disclose; an old English word equivalent to "betray"

Pro 27:16 29:24 - R.V., "uttereth;" Isa 16:3 Mat 26:73.





Beyond





When used with reference to Jordan, signifies in the writings of Moses

the west side of the river, as he wrote on the east bank Gen 50:10,11.

Deu 1:1,5 3:8,20 4:46 - but in the writings of Joshua, after he had

crossed the river, it means the east side Jos 5:1 12:7 22:7.





Bezaleel





In the shadow of God; i.e., "under his protection", the artificer who

executed the work of art in connection with the tabernacle in the

wilderness Exo 31:2 35:30 - He was engaged principally in works of

metal, wood, and stone; while Aholiab, who was associated with him

and subordinate to him, had the charge of the textile fabrics

Exo 36:1-2 38:22 - He was of the tribe of Judah, the son of Uri, and

grandson of Hur Exo 31:2 - Mention is made in Ezr 10:30 - of another of

the same name.





Bezek





Lightning.

 1. The residence of Adoni-bezek, in the lot of Judah Jud 1:5 - It

    was in the mountains, not far from Jerusalem. Probably the

    modern Bezkah, 6 miles south-east of Lydda.

 2. The place where Saul numbered the forces of Israel and Judah

    1Sa 11:8 - somewhere in the centre of the country, near the

    Jordan valley. Probably the modern Ibzik, 13 miles north-east

    of Shechem.





Bezer





Ore of gold or silver.

 1. A city of the Reubenites; one of the three cities of refuge on

    the east of Jordan Deu 4:43 Jos 20:8 - It has been identified with

    the modern ruined village of Burazin, some 12 miles north of

    Heshbon; also with Kasur-el-Besheir, 2 miles south-west of

    Dibon.

 2. A descendant of Asher 1Ch 7:37.





Bible





Bible, the English form of the Greek name - Biblia -, meaning "books,"

the name which in the fifth century began to be given to the entire

collection of sacred books, the "Library of Divine Revelation." The

name Bible was adopted by Wickliffe, and came gradually into use in

our English language. The Bible consists of sixty-six different

books, composed by many different writers, in three different

languages, under different circumstances; writers of almost every

social rank, statesmen and peasants, kings, herdsmen, fishermen,

priests, tax-gatherers, tentmakers; educated and uneducated, Jews and

Gentiles; most of them unknown to each other, and writing at various

periods during the space of about 1600 years: and yet, after all, it

is only one book dealing with only one subject in its numberless

aspects and relations, the subject of man's redemption. It is divided

into the Old Testament, containing thirty-nine books, and the New

Testament, containing twenty-seven books. The names given to the Old

in the writings of the New are:

 1. "the scriptures" Mat 21:42.

 2. "scripture" 2Pe 1:20.

 3. "the holy scriptures" Rom 1:2.

 4. "the law" Joh 12:34.

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

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

 7. "the old covenant" 2Co 3:14 - R.V.

There is a break of 400 years between the Old Testament and the New.

 See APOCRYPHA 00263.

The Old Testament is divided into three parts:

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

    Moses.

 2. The Prophets, consisting of:

     a. the former, namely, Joshua, Judges, the Books of Samuel,

        and the Books of Kings;

     b. the latter, namely, the greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah,

        and Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets.

 3. The Hagiographa, or holy writings, including the rest of the

    books. These were ranked in three divisions:

     a. The Psalms, Proverbs, and Job, distinguished by the Hebrew

        name, a word formed of the initial letters of these books,

        - emeth -, meaning truth.

     b. Canticles, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther,

        called the five rolls, as being written for the synagogue

        use on five separate rolls.

     c. Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1 and 2 Chronicles.

Between the Old and the New Testament no addition was made to the

revelation God had already given. The period of New Testament

revelation, extending over a century, began with the appearance of

John the Baptist.

The New Testament consists of

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

     Apostles.

 2. The Epistles.

 3. The book of prophecy, the Revelation.

The division of the Bible into chapters and verses is altogether of

human invention, designed to facilitate reference to it. The ancient

Jews divided the Old Testament into certain sections for use in the

synagogue service, and then at a later period, in the ninth century

A.D., into verses. Our modern system of chapters for all the books

of the Bible was introduced by Cardinal Hugo about the middle of the

thirteenth century (he died 1263) The system of verses for the New

Testament was introduced by Stephens in 1551 and generally adopted,

although neither Tyndale's nor Coverdale's English translation of

the Bible has verses. The division is not always wisely made, yet it

is very useful.



 See VERSION 03768.





Bier





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





Bigtha





Garden, or gift of fortune, one of the seven eunuchs or chamberlains

who had charge of the harem of Ahasuerus Est 1:10.





Bigthan





One of the eunuchs who "kept the door" in the court of Ahasuerus. With

Teresh he conspired against the king's life. Mordecai detected the

conspiracy, and the culprits were hanged Est 2:21-23 6:1-3.





Bildad





Son of contention, one of Job's friends. He is called "the Shuhite,"

probably as belonging to Shuah, a district in Arabia, in which Shuah,

the sixth son of Abraham by Keturah, settled Gen 25:2 - He took part in

each of the three controversies into which Job's friends entered with

him Job 8:1 18:1 25:1 - and delivered three speeches, very severe and

stern in their tone, although less violent than those of Zophar, but

more so than those of Eliphaz.





Bilgah





Cheerful.

 1. The head of the fifteenth sacerdotal course for the temple

    service 1Ch 24:14.

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





Bilhah





Faltering; bashful, Rachel's handmaid, whom she gave to Jacob

Gen 29:29 - She was the mother of Dan and Naphtali Gen 30:3-8 - Reuben

was cursed by his father for committing adultry with her

Gen 35:22 49:4 - He was deprived of the birth-right, which was given to

the sons of Joseph.





Bilshan





Son of the tongue; i.e., "eloquent", a man of some note who returned

from the Captivity with Zerubbabel Ezr 2:2 Neh 7:7.





Bird





Birds are divided in the Mosaic law into two classes,

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

    sacrifice

 2. The unclean Lev 11:13-20 - They are mentioned also as an article

    of food Deu 14:11 - The art of snaring wild birds is referred to

    Psa 124:7 Pr 1:17 7:23 Jer 5:27 - Singing birds are mentioned in

    Psa 104:12 Ec 12:4 - Their timidity is alluded to Hos 11:11 - The

    reference in Psa 84:3 - to the swallow and the sparrow may be only

    a comparison equivalent to, "What her house is to the sparrow,

    and her nest to the swallow, that thine altars are to my soul."





Birsha





Son of wickedness, a king of Gomorrah whom Abraham succoured in the

invasion of Chedorlaomer Gen 14:2.





Birth





As soon as a child was born it was washed, and rubbed with salt

Eze 16:4 - and then swathed with bandages Job 38:9 Luk 2:7,12 - A

Hebrew mother remained forty days in seclusion after the birth of a

son, and after the birth of a daughter double that number of days.

At the close of that period she entered into the tabernacle or temple

and offered up a sacrifice of purification Lev 12:1-8 Luk 2:22 - A

son was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, being thereby

consecrated to God Gen 17:10-12 - comp. Rom 4:11 - Seasons of

misfortune are likened to the pains of a woman in travail, and

seasons of prosperity to the joy that succeeds child-birth Isa 13:8.

Jer 4:31 Joh 16:21-22 - The natural birth is referred to as the

emblem of the new birth Joh 3:3-8 Gal 6:15 Ti 3:5 - etc.





Birth-day





The observance of birth-days was common in early times Job 1:4,13,18.

They were specially celebrated in the land of Egypt Gen 40:20 - There

is no recorded instance in Scripture of the celebration of birth-days

among the Jews. On the occasion of Herod's birth-day John the Baptist

was beheaded Mat 14:6.





Birthright





 1. This word denotes the special privileges and advantages belonging

    to the first-born son among the Jews. He became the priest of

    the family. Thus Reuben was the first-born of the patriarchs,

    and so the priesthood of the tribes belonged to him. That honour

    was, however, transferred by God from Reuben to Levi

    Num 3:12-13 8:18.

 2. The first-born son had allotted to him also a double portion of

    the paternal inheritance Deu 21:15-17 - Reuben was, because of his

    undutiful conduct, deprived of his birth-right Gen 49:4 1Ch 5:1.

    Esau transferred his birth-right to Jacob Gen 25:33.

 3. The first-born inherited the judicial authority of his father,

    whatever it might be 2Ch 21:3 - By divine appointment, however,

    David excluded Adonijah in favour of Solomon.

 4. The Jews attached a sacred importance to the rank of

    "first-born" and "first-begotten" as applied to the Messiah

    Rom 8:29 Col 1:18 Heb 1:4-6 - As first-born he has an inheritance

    superior to his brethren, and is the alone true priest.



 See FIRST BORN 01339.





Bishop





An overseer. In apostolic times, it is quite manifest that there was

no difference as to order between bishops and elders or presbyters

Act 20:17-28 1Pe 5:1-2 Php 1:1 1Ti 3:1 - The term bishop is never

once used to denote a different office from that of elder or

presbyter. These different names are simply titles of the same

office, "bishop" designating the function, namely, that of oversight,

and "presbyter" the dignity appertaining to the office. Christ is

figuratively called "the bishop [episcopos] of souls" 1Pe 2:25.





Bit





The curb put into the mouths of horses to restrain them. The Hebrew

word (metheg) so rendered in Psa 32:9 - is elsewhere translated

"bridle" 2Ki 19:28 Pr 26:3 Isa 37:29 - Bits were generally made of

bronze or iron, but sometimes also of gold or silver. In Jas 3:3 - the

Authorized Version translates the Greek word by "bits," but the

Revised Version by "bridles."





Bith-ron





The broken or divided place, a district in the Arabah or Jordan

valley, on the east of the river 2Sa 2:29 - It was probably the

designation of the region in general, which is broken and intersected

by ravines.





Bithynia





A province in Asia Minor, to the south of the Euxine and Propontis.

Christian