Eagle(Heb.
nesher, i.e. a tearer with the beak). At least four distinct kinds of
eagles have been observed in Palestine, viz., the golden eagle, Aquila
chrysaetos, the spotted eagle, Aquila naevia, the imperial eagle,
Aquila heliaca, and the very common Circaetos gallicus . The Hebrew
nesher may stand for any of these different species, though perhaps
more particular reference to the golden and imperial eagles and the
griffon vulture may be intended. The passage in Micah, (Micah 1:16)
"enlarge thy baldness as the eagle," may refer to the griffon vulture,
Vultur fulvus, in which case the simile is peculiarly appropriate, for
the whole head and neck of this bird are destitute of true feathers.
The "eagles" of (Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37) may include the Vultur
fulvus and Neophron percnopterus ; though, as eagles frequently prey
upon dead bodies, there is no necessity to restrict the Greek word to
the Vulturidae . The figure of an eagle is now and has long been a
favorite military ensign. The Persians so employed it; a fact which
illustrates the passage in (Isaiah 46:11) The same bird was similarly
employed by the Assyrians and the Romans.
Earing(Genesis
45:6; Exodus 34:21) Derived from the Latin arare, to plough; hence it
means ploughing.
Earnest(2
Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14) The Hebrew word was used
generally for pledge, (Genesis 38:17) and in its cognate forms for
surety, (Proverbs 17:18) and hostage . (2 Kings 14:14) The Greek
derivative, however, acquired a more technical sense as signifying the
deposit paid by the purchaser on entering into an agreement for the
purchase of anything. In the New Testament the word is used to signify
the pledge or earnest of the superior blessings of the future life.
EarringsThe
material of which earrings were made was generally gold, (Exodus 32:2)
and their form circular. They were worn by women and by youth of both
sexes. These ornaments appear to have been regarded with superstitious
reverence as an amulet. On this account they were surrendered along
with the idols by Jacob's household. (Genesis 35:4) Chardin describes
earrings with talismanic figures and characters on them as still
existing in the East. Jewels were sometimes attached to the rings. The
size of the earrings still worn in eastern countries far exceeds what
is usual among ourselves; hence they formed a handsome present, (Job
42:11) or offering to the service of God. (Numbers 31:50)
EarthThe
term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of
which the earth's surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on
which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two
by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the
latter.
+Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as
being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7)
+Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole
world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3)
to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15)
and (5) to the ground on which a man stands. (Genesis 33:3) The two
former senses alone concern us, the fairest involving an inquiry into
the opinions of the Hebrews on cosmogony, the second on geography.
+cosmogony.-- (1) The Hebrew cosmogony is based upon the leading
principle that the universe exists, not independently of God, nor yet
co-existent with God, nor yet in opposition to him as a hostile
element, but dependently upon him, subsequently to him and in
subjection to him. (2) Creation was regarded as a progressive work--a
gradual development from the inferior to the superior orders of things.
+Geography.--There seems to be traces of the same ideas as prevailed
among the Greeks, that the world was a disk, (Isaiah 40:22) bordered by
the ocean, with Jerusalem as its centre, like Delphi as the navel, or,
according to another view, the highest point of the world. As to the
size of the earth, the Hebrews had but a very indefinite notion.
Earthenware[[456]Pottery]
EarthquakeEarthquakes,
more or less violent, are of frequent occurrence in Palestine. The most
remarkable occurred in the reign of Uzziah. (Zechariah 14:5) From
(Zechariah 14:4) we are led to infer that a great convulsion took place
at this time in the Mount of Olives, the mountain being split so as to
leave a valley between its summit. An earthquake occurred at the time
of our Saviour's crucifixion. (Matthew 27:51-54) Earthquakes are not
unfrequently accompanied by fissures of the earth's surface; instances
of this are recorded in connection with the destruction of Korah and
his company, (Numbers 16:32) and at the time of our Lord's death,
(Matthew 27:51) the former may be paralleled by a similar occurrence at
Oppido in Calabria A.D. 1783, where the earth opened to the extent of
five hundred and a depth of more than two hundred feet.
EastThe
Hebrew term kedem properly means that which is before or in front of a
person, and was applied to the east form the custom of turning in that
direction when describing the points of the compass, before, behind,
the right and the left representing respectively east, west, south and
north. (Job 23:8,9) The term as generally used refers to the lands
lying immediately eastward of Palestine, viz., Arabia, Mesopotamia and
Babylonia; on the other hand mizrach is used of the far east with a
less definite signification. (Isaiah 42:2,25; 43:5; 46:11)
Easter(Acts
12:4) In the earlier English versions Easter has been frequently used
as the translation of pascha (passover). In the Authorized Version
Passover was substituted in all passages but this; and in the new
Revision Passover is used here. [[457]Passover]
Ebal(stone,
bare mountain).
+One of the sons of Shobal the son of Seir. (Genesis 36:23; 1
Chronicles 1:40)
+Obal the son of Joktan. (1 Chronicles 1:22) comp. Genesis 10:28
Ebal,
Mounta
mount in the promised land, on which the Israelites were to "put" the
curse which should fall upon them if they disobeyed the commandments of
Jehovah. The blessing consequent on obedience was to be similarly
localized on Mount Gerizim. (11:26-29) Ebal and Gerizim are the mounts
which form the sides of the fertile valley in which lies Nablus, the
ancient Shechem-Ebal on the north and Gerizim on the south. (They are
nearly in the centre of the country of Samaria, about eight hundred
feet above Nablus in the valley; and they are so near that all the vast
body of the people could hear the words read from either mountain. The
experiment has repeatedly been tried in late years.--Ed.) The modern
name of Ebal is Sitti Salamiyah, from a Mohammedan female saint, whose
tomb is standing on the eastern part of the ridge, a little before the
highest point is reached.
Ebed(a
servant). (Many MSS. have [458]Eber.)
+Father of Gaal, who with his brethren assisted the men of Shechem in
their revolt against Abimelech. (Judges 9:26,28,30,31,35) (B.C. 1206).
+Son of Jonathan; one of the Bene-Adin who returned form Babylon with
Ezra. (Ezra 8:6)
Ebedmelech(a
king's servant), an Ethiopian eunuch in the service of King Zedekiah,
through whose interference Jeremiah was released from prison. (Jeremiah
38:7) ff.; Jere 39:15 ff. (B.C. 1589).
Ebenezer(stone
of help), a stone set up by Samuel after a signal defeat of the
Philistines, as a memorial of the "help" received on the occasion from
Jehovah. (1 Samuel 7:12) Its position is carefully defined as between
Mizpeh and Shen.
Eber(the
region beyond).
+Son of Salah, and great-grandson of Shem. (Genesis 10:24; 1 Chronicles
1:19) (B.C. 2277-1813.) [For confusion between Eber and Heber see
[459]Heber]
+Son of Elpaal and descendant of Sharahaim of the tribe of Benjamin. (1
Chronicles 8:12) (B.C. 1400).
+A priest in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua. (Nehemiah 12:20)
(B.C. 445.)
Ebiasaph(1
Chronicles 6:23,37) [See [460]Abiasaph]
Ebony(Ezekiel
27:15) one of the valuable commodities imported into Tyre by the men of
Dedan; a hard, heavy and durable wood, which admits of a fine polish or
gloss. The most usual color is black, but it also occurs red or green.
The black is the heart of a tree called Diospyros ebenum . It was
imported from India or Ceylon by Phoenician traders.
Ebronah(passage),
one of the halting-places of the Israelites in the desert, immediately
preceding Ezion-geber. (Numbers 33:34,35)
EcbatanaEzra
6:2 margin. In the apocryphal books Ecbatana is frequently mentioned.
Two cities named Ecbatana seem to have existed in ancient times, one
the capital of northern Media--the Media Atropatene of Strabo--the
other the metropolis of the larger and more important province known as
Media Magna. The site of the former appears to be marked by the very
curious ruins at Takht-i-Suleiman.
Ecclesiastes(the
preacher). The title of this book is in Hebrew Koheleth, signifying one
who speaks publicly in an assembly. Koheleth is the name by which
Solomon, probably the author, speaks of himself throughout the book.
The book is that which it professes to be,--the confession of a man of
wide experience looking back upon his past life and looking out upon
the disorders and calamities which surround him. The writer is a man
who has sinned in giving way to selfishness and sensuality, who has
paid the penalty of that sin in satiety and weariness of life, but who
has through all this been under the discipline of a divine education,
and has learned from it the lesson which God meant to teach him.
Ecclesiasticusone
of the books of the Apocrypha. This title is given in the Latin version
to the book which is called in the Septuagint THE WISDOM OF JESUS THE
SON OF SIRACH. The word designates the character of the writing, as
publicly used in the services of the Church.
Eclipse
Of The SunNo
historical notice of an eclipse occurs in the Bible, but there are
passages in the prophets which contain manifest allusion to this
phenomenon. (Joel 2:10,31; 3:15; Amos 8:9; Micah 3:6; Zechariah 14:6)
Some of these notices probably refer to eclipses that occurred about
the time of the respective compositions: thus the date of Amos
coincides with a total eclipse which occurred Feb. 9, B.C. 784, and was
visible at Jerusalem shortly after noon; that of Micah with the eclipse
of June 5, B.C. 716. A passing notice in (Jeremiah 15:9) coincides in
date with the eclipse of Sept. 30, B.C. 610, so well known from
Herodotus' account (i. 74, 103). The darkness that overspread the world
at the crucifixion cannot with reason be attributed to an eclipse, as
the moon was at the full at the time of the passover.
Ed(witness),
a word inserted in the Authorized Version of (Joshua 22:34) apparently
on the authority of a few MSS., and also of the Syriac and Arabic
versions, but not existing in the generally-received Hebrew text.
Edar,
Tower Of(accur.
[461]Eder, a flock), a place named only in (Genesis 35:21) According to
Jerome it was one thousand paces from Bethlehem.
Eden
+A Gershonite Levite, son of Joah, in the days of Hezekiah. (2
Chronicles 29:12) (B.C. 727.)
+Also a Levite, probably identical with the preceding. (2 Chronicles
31:15) (pleasure).
+The first residence of man, called in the Septuagint Paradise. The
latter is a word of Persian origin, and describes an extensive tract of
pleasure land, somewhat like an English park; and the use of it
suggests a wider view of man's first abode than a garden. The
description of Eden is found in (Genesis 2:8-14) In the eastern portion
of the region of Eden was the garden planted. The Hiddekel, one of its
rivers, is the modern Tigris; the Euphrates is the same as the modern
Euphrates. With regard to the Pison and Gihon a great variety of
opinion exists, but the best authorities are divided between (1) Eden
as in northeast Arabia, at the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris,
and their separation again, making the four rivers of the different
channels of these two, or (2), and most probably, Eden as situated in
Armenia, near the origin of the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, and in
which same region rise the Araxes (Pison of Genesis) and the Oxus
(Gihon).
+One of the marts which supplied the luxury of Tyre with
richly-embroidered stuffs. In (2 Kings 19:12) and Isai 37:12 "The sons
of Eden" are mentioned with Gozan, Haran and Rezeph as victims of the
Assyrian greed of conquest. Probability seems to point to the northwest
of Mesopotamia as the locality of Eden.
+BETH-EDEN, "house of pleasure:" probably the name of a country
residence of the kings of Damascus. (Amos 1:5)
Eder(a
flock).
+One of the towns of Judah, in the extreme south, and on the borders of
Edom. (Joshua 15:21) No trace of it has been discovered in modern times.
+A Levite of the family of Merari, in the time of David. (1 Chronicles
23:23; 24:30)
Edom,
Idumaea Or Idumea(red).
The name Edom was given to Esau, the first-born son of Isaac and twin
brother of Jacob, when he sold his birthright to the latter for a meal
of lentil pottage. The country which the Lord subsequently gave to Esau
was hence called "the country of Edom," (Genesis 32:3) and his
descendants were called Edomites. Edom was called Mount Seir and Idumea
also. Edom was wholly a mountainous country. It embraced the narrow
mountainous tract (about 100 miles long by 20 broad) extending along
the eastern side of the Arabah from the northern end of the Gulf of
Elath to near the southern end of the Dead Sea. The ancient capital of
Edom was Bozrah (Buseireh). Sela (Petra) appears to have been the
principal stronghold in the days of Amaziah (B.C. 838). (2 Kings 14:7)
Elath and Ezion-geber were the seaports. (2 Samuel 8:14; 1 Kings 9:26)
History.--Esau's bitter hatred to his brother Jacob for fraudulently
obtaining his blessing appears to have been inherited by his latest
posterity. The Edomites peremptorily refused to permit the Israelites
to pass through their land. (Numbers 20:18-21) For a period of 400
years we hear no more of the Edomites. They were then attacked and
defeated by Saul, (1 Samuel 14:47) and some forty years later by David.
(2 Samuel 8:13,14) In the reign of Jehoshaphat (B.c. 914) the Edomites
attempted to invade Israel, but failed. (2 Chronicles 20:22) They
joined Nebuchadnezzar when that king besieged Jerusalem. For their
cruelty at this time they were fearfully denounced by the later
prophets. (Isaiah 34:5-8; 63:1-4; Jeremiah 49:17) After this they
settled in southern Palestine, and for more than four centuries
continued to prosper. But during the warlike rule of the Maccabees they
were again completely subdued, and even forced to conform to Jewish
laws and rites, and submit to the government of Jewish prefects. The
Edomites were now incorporated with the Jewish nation. They were
idolaters. (2 Chronicles 25:14,15,20) Their habits were singular. The
Horites, their predecessors in Mount Seir, were, as their name implies,
troglodytes, or dwellers in caves; and the Edomites seem to have
adopted their dwellings as well as their country. Everywhere we meet
with caves and grottos hewn in the soft sandstone strata.
Edomites[[462]Edom,
Idumaea Or Idumea]
Edrei(stronghold).
+One of the two capital cities of Bashan, in the territory of Manasseh
east of the Jordan. (Numbers 21:33; 1:4; 3:10; Joshua 12:4) In
Scripture it is only mentioned in connection with the victory gained by
the Israelites over the Amorites under Og their king, and the territory
thus acquired. The ruins of this ancient city, still bearing the name
Edr'a, stand on a rocky promontory which projects from the southwest
corner of the Lejah. The ruins are nearly three miles in circumference,
and have a strange, wild, look, rising up in dark, shattered masses
from the midst of a wilderness of black rocks.
+A town of northern Palestine, allotted to the tribe of Naphtali, and
situated near Kedesh. (Joshua 19:37) About two miles south of Kedesh is
a conical rocky hill called Tell Khuraibeh, the "tell of the ruin,"
which may be the site of Edrei.
EducationThere
is little trace among the Hebrews in earlier times of education in any
other subjects than the law. The wisdom therefore and instruction, of
which so much is said in the book of Proverbs, are to be understood
chiefly of moral and religious discipline, imparted, according to the
direction of the law, by the teaching and under the example of parents.
(But Solomon himself wrote treatises on several scientific subjects,
which must have been studied in those days.) In later times the
prophecies and comments on them, as well as on the earlier Scriptures,
together with other subjects, were studied. Parents were required to
teach their children some trade. (Girls also went to schools, and women
generally among the Jews were treated with greater equality to men than
in any other ancient nation.) Previous to the captivity, the chief
depositaries of learning were the schools or colleges, from which in
most cases proceeded that succession of public teachers who at various
times endeavored to reform the moral and religious conduct of both
rulers and people. Besides the prophetical schools instruction was
given by the priests in the temple and elsewhere. [See [463]Schools]
Eglah(a
heifer), one of David's wives during his reign in Hebron. (2 Samuel
3:5; 1 Chronicles 3:3) (B.C. 1055.)
Eglaim(two
ponds), a place named only in (Isaiah 15:8) probably the same as
EN-EGLAIM.
Eglon(calf-like).
+A king of the Moabites, (Judges 3:12) ff., who, aided by the Ammonites
and the Amelekites, crossed the Joran and took "the city of palm
trees." (B.C. 1359.) here, according to Josephus, he built himself a
palace, and continued for eighteen years to oppress the children of
Israel, who paid him tribute. He was slain by Ehud. [[464]Ehud]
+A town of Judah in the low country. (Joshua 15:39) The name survives
in the modern Ajlan, a shapeless mass of ruins, about 10 miles from
Eleutheropolis and 14 from Gaza, on the south of the great maritime
plain.
Egypt(land
of the Copts), a country occupying the northeast angle of Africa. Its
limits appear always to have been very nearly the same. It is bounded
on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the east by Palestine, Arabia
and the Red Sea, on the south by Nubia, and on the west by the Great
Desert. It is divided into upper Egypt--the valley of the Nile--and
lower Egypt, the plain of the Delta, from the Greek letter; it is
formed by the branching mouths of the Nile, and the Mediterranean Sea.
The portions made fertile by the Nile comprise about 9582 square
geographical miles, of which only about 5600 is under
cultivation.--Encyc. Brit. The Delta extends about 200 miles along the
Mediterranean, and Egypt is 520 miles long from north to south from the
sea to the First Cataract. [465]Names.--The common name of Egypt in the
Bible is "Mizraim." It is in the dual number, which indicates the two
natural divisions of the country into an upper and a lower region. The
Arabic name of Egypt--Mizr-- signifies "red mud." Egypt is also called
in the Bible "the land of Ham," (Psalms 105:23,27) comp. Psalms
78:51--a name most probably referring to Ham the son of Noah--and
"Rahab," the proud or insolent: these appear to be poetical
appellations. The common ancient Egyptian name of the country is
written in hieroglyphics Kem, which was perhaps pronounced Chem. This
name signifies, in the ancient language and in Coptic, "black," on
account of the blackness of its alluvial soil. We may reasonably
conjecture that Kem is the Egyptian equivalent of Ham. GENERAL
APPEARANCE, CLIMATE, ETC.--The general appearance of the country cannot
have greatly changed since the days of Moses. The whole country is
remarkable for its extreme fertility, which especially strikes the
beholder when the rich green of the fields is contrasted with the
utterly bare, yellow mountains or the sand-strewn rocky desert on
either side. The climate is equable and healthy. Rain is not very
unfrequent on the northern coast, but inland is very rare. Cultivation
nowhere depends upon it. The inundation of the Nile fertilizes and
sustains the country, and makes the river its chief blessing. The Nile
was on this account anciently worshipped. The rise begins in Egypt
about the summer solstice, and the inundation commences about two
months later. The greatest height is attained about or somewhat after
the autumnal equinox. The inundation lasts about three months. The
atmosphere, except on the seacoast, is remarkably dry and clear, which
accounts for the so perfect preservation of the monuments, with their
pictures and inscriptions. The heat is extreme during a large part of
the year. The winters are mild,--from 50
Egyptian,
Egyptiansthe
native or natives of Egypt.
Ehi(my
brother), head of one of the Benjamite houses according to the list in
(Genesis 46:21) He seems to be the same as Ahiram in the list in
(Numbers 26:38) In (1 Chronicles 8:1) he is called Aharah, and perhaps
also Ahoah in ver. 4, Ahiah, ver. 7, and Aher, (1 Chronicles 7:12)
Ehud(union).
+Ehud son of Bilhah, and great-grandson of Benjamin the patriarch. (1
Chronicles 7:10; 8:6)
+Ehud son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, (Judges 3:15) the second
judge of the Israelites. (B.C. about 1370.) In the Bible he is not
called a judge, but a deliverer (l.c.): so Othniel, (Judges 3:9) and
all the Judges. (Nehemiah 9:27) As a Benjamite he was specially chosen
to destroy Eglon, who had established himself in Jericho, which was
included in the boundaries of that tribe. He was very strong, and
left-handed. [[466]Eglon]
Eker(a
rooting up), a descendant of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:27)
Ekron(torn
up by the roots; emigration), one of the five towns belonging to the
lords of the Philistines, and the most northerly of the five. (Joshua
13:3) Like the other Philistine cities its situation was in the
lowlands. It fell to the lot of Judah. (Joshua 15:45,46; Judges 1:18)
Afterwards we find it mentioned among the cities of Dan. (Joshua 19:43)
Before the monarchy it was again in full possession of the Philistines.
(1 Samuel 5:10) Akir, the modern representative of Ekron, lies about
five miles southwest of Ramleh . In the Apocrypha it appears as
[467]Accaron. 1Macc 10:89 only.
Elada(whom
God has put on), a descendant of Ephraim through Shuthelah. (1
Chronicles 7:20)
Elah
+One of the dukes of Edom. (Genesis 36:41; 1 Chronicles 1:52)
+Shimei ben-Elah was Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin. (1
Kings 4:18) (B.C. 1013.)
+A son of Caleb the son of Jephuneh. (1 Chronicles 4:15) (B.C. 1450.)
+Son of Uzzi, a Benjamite, (1 Chronicles 9:8) s, and one of the chiefs
of the tribe at the settlement of the country. (B.C. 536.) (an oak,
strength).
+The son and successor of Baasha king of Israel. (1 Kings 16:8-10) His
reign laster for little more than a year; comp. ver. 8 with 10. (B.C.
928-7.) He was killed while drunk, by Zimri, in the house of his
steward Azra, who was probably a confederate in the plot.
+Father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel. (2 Kings 15:30; 17:1) (B.C.
729 or before.).
Elah,
The Valley Of(valley
of the terebinth), the valley in which David killed Goliath. (1 Samuel
17:2,19) It lay somewhere near Socoh of Judah and Azekah, and was
nearer Ekron than any other Philistine town. 1Sam. 17.
Elam(eternity).
+This seems to have been originally the name of a man, the son of Shem.
(Genesis 10:22; 1 Chronicles 1:17) Commonly, however, it is used as the
appellation of a country. (Genesis 14:1,9; Isaiah 11:11; 21:2) The Elam
of Scripture appears to be the province lying south of Assyria and east
of Persia proper, to which Herodotus gives the name of Cissia (iii. 91,
v. 49, etc.), and which is termed Susis or Susiana by the geographers.
Its capital was Susa. This country was originally people by descendants
of Shem. By the time of Abraham a very important power had been built
up in the same region. It is plain that at this early time the
predominant power in lower Mesopotamia was Elam, which for a while held
the place possessed earlier by Babylon, (Genesis 10:10) and later by
either Babylon or Assyria.
+A Korhite Levite in the time of King David. (1 Chronicles 26:3) (B.C.
1014.)
+A chief man of the tribe of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 8:24)
+"Children of Elam," to the number of 1254, returned with Zerubbabel
from Babylon. (Ezra 2:7; Nehemiah 7:12) 1Esd. 5:12. (B.C. 536 or
before.) Elam occurs amongst the names of the chief of the people who
signed the covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:14)
+In the same lists is a second Elam, whose sons, to the same number as
in the former case, returned with Zerubbabel, (Ezra 2:31; Nehemiah
7:34) and which for the sake of distinction is called "the other Elam."
+One of the priests who accompanied Nehemiah at the dedication of the
new wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 12:42)
ElamitesThis
word is found only in (Ezra 4:9) The Elamites were the original
inhabitants of the country called Elam; they were descendants of Shem,
and perhaps drew their name from an actual man Elam. (Genesis 10:22)
Elasah(whom
God made).
+A priest in the time of Ezra who had married a Gentile wife. (Ezra
10:22) (B.C. 458).
+Son of Shaphan, one of the two men who were sent on a mission by King
Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar at Babylon. (Jeremiah 29:3) (B.C. 594.)
Elath,
Eloth(a
grove), the name of a town of the land of Edom, commonly mentioned with
Ezion-geber, and situated at the head of the Arabian Gulf, which was
thence called the Elanitic Gulf. It first occurs in the account of the
wanderings, (2:8) and in later times must have come under the rule of
David. (2 Samuel 8:14) We find the place named again in connection with
Solomon's navy. (1 Kings 9:26) comp. 2Chr 8:17 In the Roman period it
became a frontier town of the south and the residence of a Christian
bishop. The Arabic name is Eyleh, and palm groves still exist there,
after which it was named.
Elbethel(the
God of Bethel), the name which Jacob is said to have bestowed on the
place at which God appeared to him when he was flying from Esau.
(Genesis 35:7)
Eldaah(Genesis
25:4; 1 Chronicles 1:3) the last in order of the sons of Midian.
Eldad(favored
of God) and Me'dad (love), two of the seventy elders to whom was
communicated the prophetic power of Moses. (Numbers 11:16,26) (B.C.
1490.) Although their names were upon the last which Moses had drawn
up, (Numbers 11:26) they did not repair with the rest of their brethren
to the tabernacle, but continued to prophesy in the camp. moses, being
requested by Joshua to forbid this, refused to do so, and expressed a
wish that the gift of prophecy might be diffused throughout the people.
ElderThe
term elder, or old man as the Hebrew literally imports, was one of
extensive use, as an official title, among the Hebrews and the
surrounding nations, because the heads of tribes and the leading people
who had acquired influence were naturally the older people of the
nation. It had reference to various offices. (Genesis 24:2; 50:7; 2
Samuel 12:17; Ezekiel 27:9) As betokening a political office, it
applied not only to the Hebrews, but also to the Egyptians, (Genesis
50:7) the Moabites and the Midianites. (Numbers 22:7) The earliest
notice of the elders acting in concert as a political body is at the
time of the Exodus. They were the representatives of the people, so
much so that elders and people are occasionally used as equivalent
terms; comp. (Joshua 24:1) with (Joshua 24:2,19,21) and (1 Samuel 8:4)
with (1 Samuel 8:7,10,19) Their authority was undefined, and extended
to all matters concerning the public weal. Their number and influence
may be inferred from (1 Samuel 30:26)ff. They retained their position
under all the political changes which the Jews underwent. The seventy
elders mentioned in Exodus and Numbers were a sort of governing body, a
parliament, and the origin of the tribunal of seventy elders called the
Sanhedrin or Council. In the New Testament Church the elders or
presbyters were the same as the bishops. It was an office derived from
the Jewish usage of elders or rulers of the synagogues. [[468]Bishop]
Elead(praised
by God), a descendant of Ephraim. (1 Chronicles 7:21)
Elealeh(the
ascending of God), a place on the east of Jordan, taken possession of
and rebuilt by the tribe of Reuben. (Numbers 32:3,37) By Isaiah and
Jeremiah it is mentioned as a Moabite town. (Isaiah 15:4; 16:9;
Jeremiah 48:34)
Eleasah(whom
God made).
+Son of Helez, one of the descendants of Judah, of the family of
Hezron. (1 Chronicles 2:39) (B.C. after 1046.)
+Son of Rapha or Rephaiah; a descendant of Saul through Jonathan and
Merib-baal or Mephibosheth. (1 Chronicles 8:37; 9:43) (B.C. before 588.)
Eleazar(help
of God).
+Third son of Aaron. After the death of Nadab and Abihu without
children, (Leviticus 10:6; Numbers 3:4) Eleazar was appointed chief
over the principal Levites. (Numbers 3:32) With his brother Ithamar he
ministered as a priest during their father's lifetime, and immediately
before his death was invested on Mount Hor with the sacred garments, as
the successor of Aaron in the office of high priest. (Numbers 20:28)
(B.C. 1452.) One of his first duties was in conjunction with Moses to
superintend the census of the people. (Numbers 26:3) After the conquest
of Canaan by Joshua he took part in the distribution of the land.
(Joshua 14:1) The time of his death is not mentioned in Scripture.
+The son of Abinadab, of the hill of Kirjath-jearim. (1 Samuel 7:1)
(B.C. 1134.)
+One of the three principal mighty men of David's army. (2 Samuel 23:9;
1 Chronicles 11:12) (B.C. 1046.)
+A Merarite Levite, son of Mahli and grandson of Merari. (1 Chronicles
23:21,22; 24:28)
+A priest who took part in the feast of dedication under Nehemiah.
(Nehemiah 12:42) (B.C. 446.)
+One of the sons of Parosh, an Israelite (i.e. a layman) who had
married a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:25)
+Son of Phinehas, a Levite. (Ezra 8:33)
+The son of Eliud, in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:15)
Eleloheisrael(God,
the God of Israel), the name bestowed by Jacob on the altar which he
erected facing the city of Shechem. (Genesis 33:19,20)
Eleph(the
ox), one of the towns allotted to Benjamin, and named next to
Jerusalem. (Joshua 18:28)
Elhanan(the
grace of God).
+A distinguished warrior in the time of King David, who performed a
memorable exploit against the Philistines. (2 Samuel 21:19; 1
Chronicles 20:5) (B.C. about 1020.)
+One of "the thirty" of David's guard, and named first on the list. (2
Samuel 23:24; 1 Chronicles 11:26)
Eli(ascension),
a descendant of Aaron through Ithamar, the youngest of his two
surviving sons. (Leviticus 10:1,2,12) comp. 1Kin 2:27 with 2Sam 8:17;
1Chr 24:3 (B.C. 1214-1116.) he was the first of the line of Ithamar who
held the office of high priest. The office remained in his family till
Abiathar was thrust out by Solomon, (1 Kings 1:7; 2:26,27) when it
passed back again to the family of Eleazar int he person of Zadok. (1
Kings 2:35) Its return to the elder branch was one part of the
punishment which had been denounced against Eli during his lifetime,
for his culpable negligence. (1 Samuel 2:22-25) when his sons profaned
the priesthood; comp. (1 Samuel 2:27-36) with 1Kin 2:27 Notwithstanding
this one great blemish, the character of Eli is marked by eminent
piety, as shown by his meek submission to the divine judgment, (1
Samuel 3:18) and his supreme regard for the ark of God. (1 Samuel 4:18)
In addition to the office of high priest he held that of judge. He died
at the advanced age of 98 years, (1 Samuel 4:18) In addition to the
office of high priest he held that of judge. He died at the advanced
age of 98 years, (1 Samuel 4:18) overcome by the disastrous
intelligence that the ark of God had been taken in battle by the
Philistines, who had also slain his sons Hophni and Phinehas.
Eli,
Eli, Lama SabachthaniThe
Hebrew form, as Eloi, Eloi, etc., is the Syro-Chaldaic (the common
language in use by the Jews in the time of Christ) of the first words
of the twenty-second Psalm; they mean "My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me?"
Eliab(God
is my father).
+Son of Helon and leader of the tribe of Zebulun at the time of the
census in the wilderness of Sinai. (Numbers 1:9; 2:7; 7:24,29; 10:16)
(B.C. 1490.)
+A Reubenite, father of Dathan and Abiram. (Numbers 16:1,12; 26:8,9;
11:6)
+One of David's brothers, the eldest of the family. (1 Samuel 16:6;
17:13,28; 1 Chronicles 2:13) (B.C. 1063.)
+A Levite in the time of David, who was both a "porter" and a musician
on the "psaltery." (1 Chronicles 15:18,20; 16:5)
+One of the warlike Gadite leaders who came over to David when he was
in the wilderness taking refuge from Saul. (1 Chronicles 12:9) (B.C.
1061.)
+An ancestor of Samuel the prophet; a Kohathite Levite, son of Nahath.
(1 Chronicles 6:27) (B.C. 1250).
+Son of Nathanael, one of the fore-fathers of Judith, and therefore
belonging to the tribe of Simeon. Judith 8:1.
Eliada(known
by God).
+One of David's sons; according to the lists, the youngest but one of
the family born to him after his establishment in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel
5:16; 1 Chronicles 3:8) (B.C. after 1033.)
+A mighty man of war, a Benjamite, who led 200,000 of his tribe to the
army of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 17:17) (B.C. 945.)
Eliadahfather
of Rezon, the captain of a marauding band that annoyed Solomon. (1
Kings 11:23)
Eliah(my
God is Jehovah).
+A Benjamite, a chief man of the tribe. (1 Chronicles 8:27)
+One of the Bene-Elam, an Israelite (i.e. a layman) who had married a
foreign wife. (Ezra 10:26)
Eliahba(whom
God hides), on of the thirty of David's guard. (2 Samuel 23:32; 1
Chronicles 11:33) (B.C. 1046.)
Eliakim(raised
up by God.).
+Son of Hilkiah, master of Hezekiah's household ("over the house," as)
(Isaiah 36:3) (2 Kings 18:18,26,37) (B.C. 713.) Eliakim was a good man,
as appears by the title emphatically applied to him by God, "my servant
Eliakim," (Isaiah 22:20) and also in the discharge of the duties of his
high station, in which he acted as a "father to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah." (Isaiah 22:21)
+The original name of Jehoiakim king of Judah. (2 Kings 23:34; 2
Chronicles 36:4)
+A priest in the days of Nehemiah, who assisted at the dedication of
the new wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 12:41) (B.C. 446.)
+Eldest son of Abiud or Judah; brother of Joseph, and father of Azor.
(Matthew 1:13)
+son of Melea, and father of Jonan. (Luke 3:30,31)
Eliam(God's
people.).
+Father of Bath-sheba, the wife of David. (11:3)
+One of David's "thirty" warriors. (2 Samuel 23:34)
Eliasthe
Greek form of Elijah.
Eliasaph
+Head of the tribe of Dan at the time of the census in the wilderness
of Sinai. (Numbers 1:14; 2:14; 7:42,47; 10:20) (B.C. 1490.)
+A levite, and "chief of the Gershonites" at the same time. (Numbers
3:24)
Eliashib(whom
God restores).
+A priest in the time of King David eleventh in the order of the
"governors" of the sanctuary. (1 Chronicles 24:12)
+One of the latest descendants of the royal family of Judah. (1
Chronicles 3:24)
+High priest at Jerusalem at the time of the rebuilding of the walls
under Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 3:1,20,21) (B.C. 446.)
+A singer in the time of Ezra who had married a foreign wife. (Ezra
10:24)
+A son of Zattu, (Ezra 10:27) and
+A son of Bani, (Ezra 10:36) both of whom had transgressed in the same
manner. (B.C. 458.)
Eliathah(to
whom God comes), a musician in the temple in the time of King David. (1
Chronicles 25:4,27)
Elidad(whom
God loves), the man chosen to represent the tribe of Benjamin in the
division of the land of Canaan. (Numbers 34:21) (B.C. 1452.)
Eliel(to
whom God is strength).
+One of the heads of the tribe of Manasseh on the east of Jordan. (1
Chronicles 5:24)
+A forefather of Samuel the prophet. (1 Chronicles 6:34)
+A chief man in the tribe of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 8:20)
+Also a Benjamite chief. (1 Chronicles 8:22)
+One of the heroes of David's guard. (1 Chronicles 11:46)
+Another of the same guard. (1 Chronicles 11:47)
+One of the Gadite heroes who came across Jordan to David when he was
in the wilderness of Judah hiding from Saul. (1 Chronicles 12:11)
+A Kohathite Levite at the time of transportation of the ark from the
house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 15:9,11) (B.C. 1043.)
+A Levite in the time of Hezekiah; one of the overseers of the
offerings made in the temple. (2 Chronicles 31:13) (B.C. 726.)
Elienai(my
eyes are toward God) a descendant of Benjamin, and a chief man in the
tribe. (1 Chronicles 8:20)
Eliezar(God
is his help).
+Abraham's chief servant, called by him "Eliezer of Damascus." (Genesis
15:2) (B.C. 1857.)
+Second son of Moses and Zipporah (B.c. 1523), to whom his father gave
this name because "the God of my father was mine help, and delivered me
from the sword of Pharaoh." (Exodus 18:4; 1 Chronicles 23:15,17; 26:25)
+One of the sons of Becher, the son of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:8)
+A priest in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 15:24)
+Son of Zichri, ruler of the Reubenites in the reign of David. (1
Chronicles 27:16)
+Son of Dodavah, of Mareshah in Judah, (2 Chronicles 20:37) a prophet,
who rebuked Jehoshaphat for joining himself with Ahaziah king of
Israel. (B.C. 895.)
+A chief Israelite whom Ezra sent with others from Ahava to Cesiphia,
to induce some Levites and Nethinim to accompany him to Jerusalem.
(Ezra 8:16) (B.C. 459.) 8,9,10. A priest, a Levite and an Israelite of
the sons of Harim, who had married foreign wives. (Ezra 10:18,23,31)
+Son of Jorim, in the genealogy of Christ. (Luke 3:29)
Elihoenai(my
eyes are toward Jehovah), son of Zerahiah, who with 200 men returned
from the captivity with Ezra. (Ezra 8:4) (B.C. 459.)
Elihoreph(God
is his reward), one of Solomon's scribes. (1 Kings 4:3)
Elihu(whose
God is he (Jehovah)).
+One of the interlocutors in the book of Job. [[469]Job, [470]Job, Book
Of] He is described as the "son of Baerachel the Buzite."
+A forefather of Samuel the prophet. (1 Samuel 1:1)
+In (1 Chronicles 27:18) Elihu "of the brethren of David" is mentioned
as the chief of the tribe of Judah.
+One of the captains of the thousands of Manasseh, (1 Chronicles 12:20)
who followed David to Ziklag after he had left the Philistine army on
the eve of the battle of Gilboa.
+A Korhite Levite in the time of David. (1 Chronicles 26:7)
Elijah(my
God is Jehovah) has been well entitled "the grandest and the most
romantic character that Israel ever produced." "Elijah the Tishbite,...
of the inhabitants of Gilead" is literally all that is given us to know
of his parentage and locality. Of his appearance as he "stood before"
Ahab (B.C. 910) with the suddenness of motion to this day
characteristic of the Bedouins from his native hills, we can perhaps
realize something from the touches, few but strong, of the narrative.
His chief characteristic was his hair, long and thick, and hanging down
his back. His ordinary clothing consisted of a girdle of skin round his
loins, which he tightened when about to move quickly. (1 Kings 18:46)
But in addition to this he occasionally wore the "mantle" or cape of
sheepskin which has supplied us with one of our most familiar figures
of speech. His introduction, in what we may call the first act of his
life, is the most startling description. He suddenly appears before
Ahab, prophesies a three-years drought in Israel, and proclaims the
vengeance of Jehovah for the apostasy of the king. Obliged to flee from
the vengeance of king, or more probably of the queen (comp. (1 Kings
19:2) he was directed to the brook Cherith. There in the hollow of the
torrent bed he remained, supported in the miraculous manner with which
we are all familiar, till the failing of the brook obliged him to
forsake it. His next refuge was at Zarephath. Here in the house of the
widow woman Elijah performed the miracles of prolonging the oil and the
meal, and restored the son of the widow to life after his apparent
death. 1Kin 17. In this or some other retreat an interval of more than
two years must have elapsed. The drought continued, and at last the
full horrors of famine, caused by the failure of the crops, descended
on Samaria. Again Elijah suddenly appears before Ahab. There are few
more sublime stories in history than the account of the succeeding
events--with the servant of Jehovah and his single attendant on the one
hand, and the 850 prophets of Baal on the other; the altars, the
descending fire of Jehovah consuming both sacrifice and altar; the
rising storm, and the ride across the plain to Jezreel. 1Kin 18.
Jezebel vows vengeance, and again Elijah takes refuge in flight into
the wilderness, where he is again miraculously fed, and goes forward,
in the strength of that food, a journey of forty days to the mount of
God, even to Horeb, where he takes refuge in a cave, and witnesses a
remarkable vision of Jehovah. (1 Kings 19:9-18) He receives the divine
communication, and sets forth in search of Elisha, whom he finds
ploughing in the field, and anoints him prophet in his place. ch. 19.
For a time little is heard of Elijah, and Ahab and Jezebel probably
believed they had seen the last of him. But after the murder of Naboth,
Elijah, who had received an intimation from Jehovah of what was taking
place, again suddenly appears before the king, and then follow Elijah's
fearful denunciation of Ahab and Jezebel, which may possibly be
recovered by putting together the words recalled by Jehu, (2 Kings
9:26,36,37) and those given in (1 Kings 21:19-25) A space of three or
four years now elapses (comp. (1 Kings 22:1,51; 2 Kings 1:17) before we
again catch a glimpse of Elijah. Ahaziah is on his death-bed, (1 Kings
22:51; 2 Kings 1:1,2) and sends to an oracle or shrine of Baal to
ascertain the issue of his illness; but Elijah suddenly appears on the
path of the messengers, without preface or inquiry utters his message
of death, and as rapidly disappears. The wrathful king sends two bands
of soldiers to seize Elijah, and they are consumed with fire; but
finally the prophet goes down and delivers to Ahaziah's face the
message of death. No long after Elijah sent a message to Jehoram
denouncing his evil doings, and predicting his death. (2 Chronicles
21:12-15) It was at Gilgal--probably on the western edge of the hills
of Ephraim-- that the prophet received the divine intimation that his
departure was at hand. He was at the time with Elisha, who seems now to
have become his constant companion, and who would not consent to leave
him. "And it came to pass as they still went on and talked, that,
behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and parted them both
asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." (B.C. 896.)
Fifty men of the sons of the prophets ascended the abrupt heights
behind the town, and witnessed the scene. How deep was the impression
which he made on the mind of the nation may be judged of from the fixed
belief which many centuries after prevailed that Elijah would again
appear for the relief and restoration of his country, as Malachi
prophesied. (Malachi 4:5) He spoke, but left no written words, save the
letter to Jehoram king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 21:12-15)
Elika(rejected
of God), a Harodite, one of David's guard. (2 Samuel 23:25)
Elim(strong
trees), (Exodus 15:27; Numbers 33:9) the second station where the
Israelites encamped after crossing the Red Sea. It is distinguished as
having had "twelve wells (rather 'fountains') of waster, and
three-score and ten palm trees." It is generally identified by the best
authorities with Wady Garundel, about halfway down the shore of the
Gulf of Suez. A few palm trees still remain, and the water is excellent.
Elimelech(my
God is king), a man of the tribe of Judah and of the family of the
Hezronites, who dwelt in Bethlehem-Ephratah in the days of the Judges.
(B.C. 1312.) In consequence of a great death in the land he went with
his wife, Naomi, and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to dwell in
Moab, where he and his sons died without posterity. (Ruth 1:2,3) etc.
Elioenai(my
eyes are toward the Lord).
+Elsest son of Neariah, the son of Shemaiah. (1 Chronicles 3:23,24)
+Head of a family of the Simeonites. (1 Chronicles 4:36) (B.C. after
1451.)
+Head of one of the families of the sons of Becher, the son of
Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:8)
+A Korhite Levite, and one of the doorkeepers of the "house of
Jehovah." (1 Chronicles 26:3)
+A priest in the days of Ezra, one of those who had married foreign
wives. (Ezra 10:22) (B.C. 446.) Possibly the same as
+An Israelite of the sons of Zattu, who had also married a foreign
wife. (Ezra 10:27) (B.C. 458.)
Eliphal(whom
God judges), son of Ur, one of David's guard. (1 Chronicles 11:35)
[[471]Eliphelet, 3]
Eliphalet(the
god of deliverance), the last of the thirteen sons born to David after
his establishment in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 5:16; 1 Chronicles 14:7)
[[472]Eliphelet, 2]
Eliphaz(God
is his strength).
+The son of Esau and Adah, and the father of Teman. (Genesis 36:4; 1
Chronicles 1:35,36)
+The chief of the "three friends" of Job. He is called "the Temanite;"
hence it is naturally inferred that he was a descendant of Teman. On
him falls the main burden of the argument, that God's retribution in
this world is perfect and certain, and that consequently suffering must
be a proof of previous sin. Job 4,5,15,22. The great truth brought out
by him is the unapproachable majesty and purity of God. (Job 4:12-21;
15:12-16) [[473]Job, [474]Job, Book Of]
Elipheleh(whom
God makes distinguished), a Merarite Levite, one of the gate-keepers
appointed by David to play on the harp "on the Sheminith" on the
occasion of bringing up the ark to the city of David. (1 Chronicles
15:18,21)
Eliphelet(the
God of deliverance).
+The name of a son of David, one of the children born to him after his
establishment in Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 3:6) (B.C. after 1044.)
+Another son of David, belonging also to the Jerusalem family, and
apparently the last of his sons. (1 Chronicles 3:8)
+One of the thirty warriors of David's guard. (2 Samuel 23:34)
+Son of Eshek, a descendant of King Saul through Jonathan. (1
Chronicles 8:39) (B.C. before 536.)
+One of the leaders of the Bene-Adonikam who returned from Babylon with
Ezra. (Ezra 8:13) (B.C. 459.)
+A man of the Bene-Hushum in the time of Ezra who had married a foreign
wife. (Ezra 10:33) (B.C. 458).
Elisabeth(the
oath of God), the wife of Zacharias and mother of John the Baptist. She
was herself of the priestly family, and a relation, (Luke 1:36) of the
mother of our Lord.
Eliseusthe
Greek form of the name Elisha.
Elisha(God
his salvation), son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah; the attendant and
disciple of Elijan, and subsequently his successor as prophet of the
kingdom of Israel. The earliest mention of his name is in the command
to Elijah in the cave at Horeb. (1 Kings 19:16,17) (B.C. about 900.)
Elijah sets forth to obey the command, and comes upon his successor
engaged in ploughing. He crosses to him and throws over his shoulders
the rough mantle--a token at once of investiture with the prophet's
office and of adoption as a son. Elisha delayed merely to give the
farewell kiss to his father and mother and preside at a parting feast
with his people, and then followed the great prophet on his northward
road. We hear nothing more of Elisha for eight years, until the
translation of his master, when he reappears, to become the most
prominent figure in the history of his country during the rest of his
long life. In almost every respect Elisha presents the most complete
contrast to Elijah. Elijah was a true Bedouin child of the desert. If
he enters a city it is only to deliver his message of fire and be gone.
Elisha, on the other hand, is a civilized man, an inhabitant of cities.
His dress was the ordinary garment of an Israelite, the beged, probably
similar in form to the long abbeyeh of the modern Syrians. (2 Kings
2:12) His hair was worn trimmed behind, in contrast to the disordered
locks of Elijah, and he used a walking-staff, (2 Kings 4:29) of the
kind ordinarily carried by grave or aged citizens. (Zechariah 8:4)
After the departure of his master, Elisha returned to dwell at Jericho,
(2 Kings 2:18) where he miraculously purified the springs. We next meet
with Elisha at Bethel, in the heart of the country, on his way from
Jericho to Mount Carmel. (2 Kings 2:23) The mocking children, Elisha's
curse and the catastrophe which followed are familiar to all. Later he
extricates Jehoram king of Israel, and the kings of Judah and Edom,
from their difficulty in the campaign against Moab arising from want of
water. (2 Kings 3:4-27) Then he multiplies the widow's oil. (2 Kings
4:5) The next occurrence is at Shunem, where he is hospitably
entertained by a woman of substance, whose son dies, and is brought to
life again by Elisha. (2 Kings 4:8-37) Then at Gilgal he purifies the
deadly pottage, (2 Kings 4:38-41) and multiplies the loaves. (2 Kings
4:42-44) The simple records of these domestic incidents amongst the
sons of the prophets are now interrupted by an occurrence of a more
important character. (2 Kings 5:1-27) The chief captain of the army of
Syria, Naaman, is attacked with leprosy, and is sent by an Israelite
maid to the prophet Elisha, who directs him to dip seven times in the
Jordan, which he does and is healed, (2 Kings 5:1-14) while Naaman's
servant, Gehazi, he strikes with leprosy for his unfaithfulness. ch. (2
Kings 5:20-27) Again the scene changes. It is probably at Jericho that
Elisha causes the iron axe to swim. (2 Kings 6:1-7) A band of Syrian
marauders are sent to seize him, but are struck blind, and he misleads
them to Samaria, where they find themselves int he presence of the
Israelite king and his troops. (2 Kings 6:8-23) During the famine in
Samaria, (2 Kings 6:24-33) he prophesied incredible plenty, ch. (2
Kings 7:1-2) which was soon fulfilled. ch. (2 Kings 7:3-20) We next
find the prophet at Damascus. Benhadad the king is sick, and sends to
Elisha by Hazael to know the result. Elisha prophesies the king's
death, and announces to Hazael that he is to succeed to the throne. (2
Kings 8:7,15) Finally this prophet of God, after having filled the
position for sixty years, is found on his death-bed in his own house.
(2 Kings 13:14-19) The power of the prophet, however, does not
terminate with his death. Even in the tomb he restores the dead to
life. ch. (2 Kings 13:21)
Elishah(God
is salvation), the eldest son of Javan. (Genesis 10:4) The residence of
his descendants is described in (Ezekiel 27:7) as the isles of Elishah,
whence the Phoenicians obtained their purple and blue dyes. Some
connect the race of Elishah with the AEolians, others with Elishah, and
in a more extended sense Peloponnesus, or even Hellas.
Elishama(whom
God hears).
+The "prince" or "captain" of the tribe of Ephraim in the wilderness of
Sinai. (Numbers 1:10; 2:18; 7:48; 10:22) (B.C. 1491.) From (1
Chronicles 7:26) we find that he was grandfather to the great Joshua.
+A son of King David. (1 Samuel 5:16; 1 Chronicles 3:8; 14:7)
+Another son of David, (1 Chronicles 3:6) who in the other lists is
called [475]Elishua. (B.C. after 1044.)
+A descendant of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:41)
+The father of Nethaniah and grandfather of Ishmael. (2 Kings 25:25;
Jeremiah 41:1)
+Scribe of King Jehoiakim. (Jeremiah 36:12,20,21) (B.C. 605.)
+A priest in the time of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 17:8) (B.C. 912).
Elishaphat(whom
God judges), son of Zichri; one of the captains of hundreds in the time
of Jehoiada. (2 Chronicles 23:1) (B.C. 877.)
Elisheba(God
is her oath), the wife of Aaron. (Exodus 6:23) She was the daughter of
Amminadab, and sister of Nahshon the captain of the host of Judah.
(Numbers 2:3) (B.C. 1491.)
Elishua(God
is my salvation), one of David's sons, born after his settlement in
Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 5:15; 1 Chronicles 14:5) (B.C. 1044.)
Eliud(God
his praise), son of Achim in the genealogy of Christ. (Matthew 1:15)
Elizaphan(whom
God protects).
+A Levite, son of Uzziel, chief of the house of the Kohathites at the
time of the census in the wilderness of Sinai. (Numbers 3:30) (B.C.
1491.)
+Prince of the tribe of Zebulun. (Numbers 34:25)
Elizurprince
of the tribe and over the host of Reuben. (Numbers 1:5; 2:10; 7:30,35;
10:18)
Elkanah,
Or Elkonah(God-provided).
+Son, or rather grandson, see (1 Chronicles 6:22,23) (1Chr 6:7,8) of
Korah, according to (Exodus 6:24)
+A descendant of the above in the line of Ahimoth, otherwise Mahath,
(1Chr 6;26,35; Hebr 11:20
+Another Kohathite Levite, father of Samuel the illustrious judge and
prophet. (1 Chronicles 6:27,34) (B.C. about 1190.) All that is known of
him is contained in the above notices and in (1 Samuel
1:1,4,8,19,21,23) and 1Sam 2:11,20
+A Levite. (1 Chronicles 9:16)
+A Korhite who joined David while he was at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:6)
(B.C. 1054.)
+An officer in the household of Ahaz king of Judah, who was slain by
Zichri the Ephraimite when Pekah invaded Judah. (2 Chronicles 28:7)
(B.C. 739.)
Elkosh(God
my bow), the birthplace of the prophet Nahum, hence called "the
Elkoshite." (Nahum 1:1) This place is located at the modern Alkush, a
village on the east bank of the Tigris, about two miles north of Mosul.
Some think a small village in Galilee is intended.
Ellasar(oak),
the city of Arioch, (Genesis 14:1) seems to be the Hebrew
representative of the old Chaldean town called in the native dialect
Larsa or Larancha . Larsa was a town of lower Babylonia or Chaldea,
situated nearly halfway between Ur (Mugheir) and Erech (Warka), on the
left bank of the Euphrates. It is now Senkereh.
Elm(Hosea
4:13) [See [476]Oak]
ElmadamIn
the Revised Version, (Luke 3:28) Same as [477]Elmodam.
Elmodam(measure),
son of Er, in the genealogy of Joseph. (Luke 3:28)
Elnaam(God
his delight), the father of Jeribai and Joshaviah, two of David's
guard, according to (1 Chronicles 11:46)
Elnathan,
Or Elnathan(God
hath given).
+The maternal grandfather of Jehoiachin, (2 Kings 24:8) the same with
Elnathan the son of Achbor. (Jeremiah 26:22; 36:12,25)
+The name of three persons, apparently Levites, in the time of Ezra.
(Ezra 8:16)
Elon(an
oak).
+A Hittite, whose daughter was one of Esau's wives. (Genesis 26:34;
36:2) (B.C. 1797.)
+The second of the three sons attributed to Zebulun, (Genesis 46:14;
Numbers 26:26) and the founder of the family of the Elonites. (B.C.
1695.)
+Elon the Zebulonite, who judged Israel for ten years, and was buried
in Aijalon in Zebulun. (Judges 12:11,12) (B.C. 1174-1164).
+On of the towns in the border of the tribe of Dan. (Joshua 19:43)
Elonbethhanan(oak
of the house of grace) is named with two Danite towns as forming one of
Solomon's commissariat districts. (1 Kings 4:9)
Elonites,
The(Numbers
26:26) [[478]Elon, 2]
Eloth(1
Kings 9:26) [[479]Elath, Eloth]
Elpaal(God
his wages), a Benjamite, son of Hushim and brother of Abitub. (1
Chronicles 8:11) He was the founder of numerous family.
Elpalet(God
his deliverance), one of David's sons born in Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles
14:5)
Elparan(God
his deliverance), literally "the terebinth of Paran." (Genesis 14:6)
[[480]Paran, Elparan]
Eltekeh(God
its fear), one of the cities in the border of Dan, (Joshua 19:44) which
with its suburbs was allotted to the Kohathite Levites. (Joshua 21:23)
Elteknon(God
its foundation), one of the towns of the tribe of Judah in the
mountains. (Joshua 15:59) It has not yet been identified.
Eltolad(God's
kindred), one of the cities in the south of Judah, (Joshua 15:30)
allotted to Simeon, (Joshua 19:4) and in possession of that tribe until
the time of David. (1 Chronicles 4:29)
Elul(vine;
gleaning). (Nehemiah 6:15) 1Macc 14:27. [[481]Month]
Eluzai(God
is my praise), one of the warriors of Benjamin who joined David at
Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:5) (B.C. 1054.)
Elymas(a
wise man), the Arabic name of the Jewish magus or sorcerer Bar-jesus.
(Acts 13:6) ff. (A.D. 44.)
Elzabad(whom
God hath given).
+One of the Gadite heroes who came across the Jordan to David. (1
Chronicles 12:12)
+A Korhite Levite. (1 Chronicles 26:7)
Elzaphan(whom
God protects), second son of Uzziel, who was the son of Kohath son of
Levi. (Exodus 6:22)
Embalmingthe
process by which dead bodies are preserved from putrefaction and decay.
It was most general among the Egyptians, and it is in connection with
this people that the two instances which we meet with in the Old
Testament are mentioned. (Genesis 50:2,26) The embalmers first removed
part of the brain through the nostrils, by means of a crooked iron, and
destroyed the rest by injecting caustic drugs. An incision was then
made along the flank with a sharp Ethiopian stone, and the whole of the
intestines removed. The cavity was rinsed out with palm wine, and
afterwards scoured with pounded perfumes. It was then filled with pure
myrrh pounded, cassia and other aromatics, except frankincense. This
done, the body was sewn up and steeped in natron (salf-petre) for
seventy days. When the seventy days were accomplished, the embalmers
washed the corpse and swathed it in bandages of linen, cut in strips
and smeared with gum. They then gave it up to the relatives of the
deceased, who provided for it a wooden case, made in the shape of a
man, in which the dead was placed,a nd deposited in an erect position
against the wall of the sepulchral chamber. Sometimes no incision was
made in the body, nor were the intestines removed, but cedar-oil was
injected into the stomach by the rectum. At others the oil was
prevented from escaping until the end of the steeping process, when it
was withdrawn, and carried off with it the stomach and intestines in a
state of solution, while the flesh was consumed by the natron, and
nothing was left but the skin and bones. The body in this state was
returned to the relatives of the deceased. The third mode, which was
adopted by the poorer classes, and cost but little, consisted in
rinsing out the intestines with syrmaea, an infusion of senna and
cassia, and steeping the body for several days in natron. It does not
appear that embalming was practiced by the Hebrews. The cost of
embalming was sometimes nearly, varying from this amount down to or .
EmbroidererVarious
explanations have been offered as to the distinction between
"needle-work" and "cunning work." Probably neither term expresses just
what is to-day understood by embroidery, though the latter may come
nearest to it. The art of embroidery by the loom was extensively
practiced among the nations of antiquity. In addition to the Egyptians,
the Babylonians were celebrated for it.
Emeralda
precious stone of a rich green color, upon which its value chiefly
depends. This gem was the first in the second row on the breastplate of
the high priest. (Exodus 28:18; 39:11) It was imported to Tyre from
Syria, (Ezekiel 27:16) was used as a seal or signet, Ecclus. 32:6, as
an ornament of clothing and bedding, (Ezekiel 28:13; Judges 10:21) and
is spoken of as one of the foundations of Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:19)
Tob. 13:16. The rainbow around the throne is compared to emerald in
(Revelation 4:3)
Emerods(28:27;
1 Samuel 5:6,9,12; 6:4,5,11) Probably hemorrhiodal tumors, or bleeding
piles, are intended. These are very common in Syria at present,
Oriental habits of want of exercise and improper food, producing
derangement of the liver, constipation, etc., being such as to cause
them.
Emims(terrors),
a tribe or family of gigantic stature which originally inhabited the
region along the eastern side of the Dead Sea. They were related to the
Anakim.
Emmanuel(Matthew
1:23) [[482]Immanuel]
Emmaus,
Or Emmaus(warm
baths), the village to which the two disciples were going when our Lord
appeared to them on the way, on the day of his resurrection. (Luke
24:13) Luke makes its distance from Jerusalem sixty stadia (Authorized
Version "threescore furlongs"), or about 7 1/2 miles; and Josephus
mentions "a village called Emmaus" at the same distance. The site of
Emmaus remains yet to be identified.
Emmor(an
ass), the father of Sychem. (Acts 7:16) [[483]Hamor]
Enat
the beginning of many Hebrew words, signifies a spring or fountain.
Enam(double
spring), one of the cities of Judah int he Shefelah or lowland. (Joshua
15:34)
Enan(having
eyes.). Ahira ben-Enan was "prince" of the tribe of Naphtali at the
time of the numbering of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. (Numbers
1:15) (B.C. 1491.)
Encampmentprimarily
denoted the resting-place of an army or company of travellers at night,
(Genesis 32:21; Exodus 16:13) and was hence applied to the army or
caravan when on its march. (Genesis 32:7,8; Exodus 14:19; Joshua 10:5;
11:4) The description of the camp of the Israelites, on their march
from Egypt, Numb 2,3, supplies the greatest amount of information on
the subject. The tabernacle, corresponding to the chieftains tent of an
ordinary encampment, was placed in the centre, and around and facing
it, (Numbers 2:1) arranged in four grand divisions, corresponding to
the four points of the compass, lay the host of Israel, according to
their standards. (Numbers 1:52; 2:2) In the centre, round the
tabernacle, and with no standard but the cloudy or fiery pillar which
rested over it, were the tents of the priests and Levites. The former,
with Moses and Aaron at their head, were encamped on the eastern side.
The order of encampment was preserved on the march. (Numbers 2:17)
EnchantmentsThe
words so translated have several signification: the practice of secret
arts, (Exodus 7:11,22; 8:7); "muttered spells," (2 Kings 9:22; Micah
5:12) the charming of serpents, (Ecclesiastes 10:11) the enchantments
sought by Balaam, (Numbers 24:1) the use of magic, (Isaiah 47:9,12) Any
resort to these methods of imposture was strictly forbidden in
Scripture, (Leviticus 19:26; Isaiah 47:9) etc.; but to eradicate the
tendency is almost impossible, (2 Kings 17:17) and we find it still
flourishing at the Christian era. (Acts 13:6,8)
Endor(fountain
of Dor), a place in the territory of Issachar, and yet possessed by
Manasseh. (Joshua 17:11) Endor was the scene of the great victory over
Sisera and Jabin. It was here that the witch dwelt whom Saul consulted.
(1 Samuel 28:7) it was known to Eusebius, who describes it was a large
village four miles south of Tabor. Here to the north of Jebel Duhy the
name still lingers. The distance from the slopes of Gilboa to Endor is
seven or eight miles, over difficult ground.
Eneglaim(fountain
of the two calves), a place named only by Ezekiel, (Ezekiel 47:10)
apparently as on the Dead Sea; but whether near to or far from Engedi,
on the east or the west side of the sea, it is impossible to ascertain.
Engannim(fountain
of the garden).
+A city in the low country of Judah, named between Zanoah and Tappuah.
(Joshua 15:34)
+A city on the border of Issachar. (Joshua 19:21) allotted with its
"suburbs" to the Gershonite Levites, (Joshua 21:29) probably Jenin, the
first village encountered on the ascent from the great plain of
Esdraelon into the hills of the central country.
Engedi
Or Engedi(fount
of the kid), a town in the wilderness of Judah, (Joshua 15:62) on the
western shore of the Dead Sea. (Ezekiel 47:10) Its original name was
Hazezon-tamar, on account of the palm groves which surrounded it. (2
Chronicles 20:2) Its site is about the middle of the western shore of
the lake, at the fountain of Ain Jidy, from which the place gets its
name. It was immediately after an assault upon the "Amorites that dwelt
in Hazezon-tamar," that the five Mesopotamian kings were attacked by
the rulers of the plain of Sodom. (Genesis 14:7) comp. 2Chr 20:2 Saul
was told that David was in the "wilderness of Engedi;" and he took
"three thousand men, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks
of the wild goats. " (1 Samuel 24:1-4) The vineyards of Engedi were
celebrated by Solomon. (Song of Solomon 1:14)
Enginea
term applied exclusively to military affairs in the Bible. The engines
to which the term is applied in (2 Chronicles 26:15) were designed to
propel various missiles from the walls of the besieged town. One, with
which the Hebrews were acquainted, was the battering ram, described in
(Ezekiel 26:9) and still more precisely in (Ezekiel 4:2; 21:22)
EngraverHis
chief business was cutting names or devices on rings and seals; the
only notices of engraving are in connection with the high priest's
dress--the two onyx stones, the twelve jewels and the mitre-plate
having inscriptions on them. (Exodus 28:11,21,36)
Enhaddah(swift
fountain), one of the cities on the border of Issachar named next to
Engannim. (Joshua 19:21)
Enhakkore(fount
of the caller), the spring which burst out in answer to the cry of
Samson after his exploit with the jawbone. (Judges 15:19)
Enhazor(fount
of Hazor), one of the fenced cities in the inheritance of Naphtali,
distinct from Hazor. (Joshua 19:37) It has not yet been identified.
Enmishpat(fount
of judgment). (Genesis 14:7) [[484]Kadesh, Kadeshbarnea]
Enoch(dedicated).
+The eldest son of Cain, (Genesis 4:17) who called after his name the
city which he built. (Genesis 4:18) (B.C. 3870.)
+The son of Jared and father of Methuselah. (Genesis 5:21) ff.; Luke
3:37 (B.C. 3378-3013.) In the Epistle of Jude (Jude 1:14) he described
as "the seventh from Adam;" and the number is probably noticed as
conveying the idea of divine completion and rest, while Enoch was
himself a type of perfected humanity. After the birth of Methuselah it
is said, (Genesis 5:22-24) that Enoch "walked with God three hundred
years... and he was not; for God took him." The phrase "walked with
God" is elsewhere only used of Noah, (Genesis 6:9) cf. Genesis17:1
etc., and is to be explained of a prophetic life spent in immediate
converse with the spiritual world. Like Elijah, he was translated
without seeing death. In the Epistle to the Hebrews the spring and
issue of Enoch's life are clearly marked. Both the Latin and Greek
fathers commonly coupled Enoch and Elijah as historic witnesses of the
possibility of a resurrection of the body and of a true human existence
in glory. (Revelation 11:3)
Enoch,
The Book OfThe
first trance of the existence of this work is found in the Epistle of
(Jude 1:14,15) An apocryphal book called Enoch was known at a very
early date, but was lost sight of until 1773, when Bruce brought with
him on his return from Egypt three MSS. containing the complete
Ethiopic translation. In its present shape the book consists of a
series of revelations supposed to have been given to Enoch and Noah,
which extend to the most varied aspects of nature and life. And are
designed to offer a comprehensive vindication of the action of
Providence. Notwithstanding the quotation in Jude, and the wide
circulation of the book itself, the apocalypse of Enoch was uniformly
and distinctly separated from the canonical Scriptures. Its authorship
and date are unknown.
Enon(springs),
a place "near to Salim," at which John baptized. (John 3:23) It was
evidently west of the Jordan, comp. (John 3:22) with John 3:26 and with
John 1:28 And abounded in water. This is indicated by the name, which
is merely a Greek version of a Chaldee word signifying "springs." AEnon
is given in the Onomasticon as eight miles south of Scythopolis, "near
Salem and the Jordan."
Enos(mortal
man), the son of Seth, (Genesis 4:26; 5:6,7,9,10,11; Luke 3:38)
properly [485]Enosh, as in (1 Chronicles 1:1)
EnoshSame
as [486]Enos. (1 Chronicles 1:1)
Enrimmon(fount
of the pomegranate), one of the places which the men of Judah
reinhabited after their return from the captivity. (Nehemiah 11:29)
Perhaps the same as "Ain and Rimmon," (Joshua 15:32) and "Ain, Remmon,"
(Joshua 19:7) and see (1 Chronicles 4:32)
Enrogel(fount
of the fuller), a spring which formed one of the landmarks on the
boundary line between Judah, (Joshua 15:7) and Benjamin. (Joshua 18:16)
It may be identified with the present "Fountain of the Virgin," 'Ain
Umm ed-Daraj, the perennial source from which the pool of Siloam is
supplied.
Enshemesh(fountain
of the sun), a spring which formed one of the landmarks on the north
boundary of Judah, (Joshua 15:7) and the south boundary of Benjamin,
(Joshua 18:17) perhaps Ain Haud or Ain-Chot--the "well of
apostles"--about a mile below Bethany.
Ensign(nes
; in the Authorized Version generally "ensign," sometimes "standard;"
degel, "standard," with the exception of (Song of Solomon 2:4)
"banner;" oth, "ensign"). This distinction between these three Hebrew
terms is sufficiently marked by their respective uses. Nes is a signal,
and not a military standard. It is an occasional signal, which was
exhibited on the top of a pole from a bare mountain-top, (Isaiah 13:2;
18:3) degel a military standard for a large division of an army; and
oth the same for a small one. Neither of them, however, expresses the
idea which "standard" conveys to our minds, viz. a flag. The standards
in use among the Hebrews probably resembled those of the Egyptians and
Assyrians--a figure or device of some kind elevated on a pole; usually
a sacred emblem, such as an animal, a boat, or the king's name.
Entappuah(Joshua
17:7) [See TAPPUAH]
Epah(gloomy),
the first, in order,of the sons of Midian, (Genesis 25:4; 1 Chronicles
1:33) afterwards mentioned by (Isaiah 60:6)
Epaphras(lovely),
a fellow laborer with the apostle Paul, mentioned (Colossians 1:7) as
having taught the Colossian church the grace of God in truth, and
designated a faithful minister of Christ on their behalf. He was at
that time with St. Paul at Rome. (A.D. 57.) For Paul's estimate of him
see (Colossians 1:7,8; 4:12)
Epaphroditus(lovely),
the full name of which Epaphras is a contraction. (Philemon 2:25; 4:18)
Epenetus(praiseworthy),
a Christian at Rome, greeted by St. Paul in (Romans 16:5) and
designated as his beloved and the first-fruit of Asia unto Christ.
(praiseworthy), a Christian at Rome, greeted by St. Paul in (Romans
16:5) and designated as his beloved and the first-fruit of Asia unto
Christ.
Ephah[[487]Weights
And Measures AND [488]Measures]
+Concubine of Caleb, in the line of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:46)
+Son of Jahdai; also in the line of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:47)
Ephai(gloomy),
a Netophathite, whose sons were among the "captains of the forces" left
in Judah after the deportation to Babylon. (Jeremiah 40:8; 41:3) comp.
Jere 40:13 (B.C. 588.)
Epher
+A son of Ezra, among the descendants of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:17)
+One of the heads of the families of Manasseh on the east of Jordan. (1
Chronicles 5:24) (a calf), the second, in order, of the sons of Midian.
(Genesis 25:4; 1 Chronicles 1:33) (B.C. 1820).
Ephesdammim(cessation
of blood-shed), a place between Socoh and Arekah, at which the
Philistines were encamped before the affray in which Goliath was
killed. (1 Samuel 17:1) Under the shorter form of PAS-DAMMIM it occurs
once again in a similar connection. (1 Chronicles 11:13)
Ephesians,
The Epistle To Thewas
written by the apostle St. Paul during his first captivity at Rome,
(Acts 28:16) apparently immediately after he had written the Epistle to
the Colossians [[489]Colossians, The Epistle To The, EPISTLE TO], and
during that period (perhaps the early part of A.D. 62) when his
imprisonment had not assumed the severer character which seems to have
marked its close. This epistle was addressed to the Christian church at
Ephesus. [[490]Ephesus] Its contents may be divided into two portions,
the first mainly doctrinal, ch. 1-3, the second hortatory and practical
.
Ephesus(permitted),
the capital of the Roman province of Asia, and an illustrious city in
the district of Ionia, nearly opposite the island of Samos.
Buildings.--Conspicuous at the head of the harbor of Ephesus was the
great temple of Diana or Artemis, the tutelary divinity of the city.
This building was raised on immense substructions, in consequence of
the swampy nature of the ground. The earlier temple, which had been
begun before the Persian war, was burnt down in the night when
Alexander the Great was born; and another structure, raise by the
enthusiastic co-operation of all the inhabitants of "Asia," had taken
its place. The magnificence of this sanctuary was a proverb throughout
the civilized world. In consequence of this devotion the city of
Ephesus was called neo'koros, (Acts 19:35) or "warden" of Diana.
Another consequence of the celebrity of Diana's worship at Ephesus was
that a large manufactory grew up there of portable shrines, which
strangers purchased, and devotees carried with them on journeys or set
up in the houses. The theatre, into which the mob who had seized on
Paul, (Acts 19:29) rushed, was capable of holding 25,000 or 30,000
persons, and was the largest ever built by the Greeks. The stadium or
circus, 685 feet long by 200 wide, where the Ephesians held their
shows, is probably referred to by Paul as the place where he "fought
with beasts at Ephesus." (1 Corinthians 15:32) Connection with
Christianity--The Jews were established at Ephesus in considerable
numbers. (Acts 2:9; 6:9) It is here and here only that we find
disciples of John the Baptist explicitly mentioned after the ascension
of Christ. (Acts 18:25; 19:3) The first seeds of Christian truth were
possibly sown here immediately after the great Pentecost. (Acts 2:1)
... St. Paul remained in the place more than two years, (Acts 19:8,10;
20:31) during which he wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians. At a
later period Timothy was set over the disciples, as we learn from the
two epistles addressed to him. Among St. Paul's other companions, two,
Trophimus and Tychicus, were natives of Asia, (Acts 20:4) and the
latter was probably, (2 Timothy 4:12) the former certainly, (Acts
21:29) a native of Ephesus. Present condition--The whole place is now
utterly desolate, with the exception of the small Turkish village at
Ayasaluk . The ruins are of vast extent.
Ephlal(judgment),
a descendant of Judah, of the family of Hezron and of Jerahmeel. (1
Chronicles 2:37)
Ephod(a
sacred vestment originally appropriate to the high priest. (Exodus
28:4) (image), father of Hanniel of the tribe of Manesseh. (Numbers
34:23)
Ephraima
city "in the district near the wilderness" to which our Lord retired
with his disciples when threatened with violence by the priests. (John
11:54) In "Baal-hazor which is by Ephraim" was Absalom's sheepfarm, at
which took place the murder of Amnon, one of the earliest precursors of
the great revolt. (2 Samuel 13:23) There is no clue to its situation.
that portion of Canaan named after Joseph's second son. (Genesis
41:50-52) The boundaries of the portion of Ephraim are given in (Joshua
16:1-10) The south boundary was coincident for part of its length with
the north boundary of Benjamin. It extended from the Jordan on the
east, at the reach opposite Jericho, to the Mediterranean on the west,
probably about Joppa. On the north of Ephraim and Manasseh were the
tribes of Asher, Zebulun and Issachar. The territory thus allotted to
the "house of Joseph" may be roughly estimated at 55 miles from east to
west by 70 from north to south. It was one at once of great richness
and great security. Its fertile plains and well-watered valleys could
only be reached by a laborious ascent through steep and narrow ravines,
all but impassable for an army. Under Joshua the tribe must have taken
a high position in the nation, to judge from the tone which the
Ephraimites assumed on occasions shortly subsequent to the conquest.
After the revolt of Jeroboam the history of Ephraim is the history of
the kingdom of Israel, since not only did the tribe become a kingdom,
but the kingdom embraced little besides the tribe. (double
fruitfulness), the second son of Joseph by his wife Asenath. (B.C.
1715-1708.) The first indication we have of that ascendancy over his
elder brother Manasseh which at a later period the tribe of Ephraim so
unmistakably possessed is in the blessing of the children by Jacob.
(Genesis 48:1) ...
Ephraim,
Gate Ofone
of the gates of the city of Jerusalem, (2 Kings 14:13; 2 Chronicles
25:23; Nehemiah 8:16; 12:39) probably at or near the position of the
present "Damascus gate."
Ephraim,
Mountis
a district which seems to extend as far south as Ramah and Bethel, (1
Samuel 1:1; 7:17; 2 Chronicles 13:4,19) compared with 2Chr 15:8 Places
but a few miles north of Jerusalem, and within the limits of Benjamin.
Ephraim,
The Wood Ofa
wood, or rather a forest, on the east of Jordan, in which the fatal
battle was fought between the armies of David and of Absalom. (2 Samuel
18:6)
EphraimiteOf
the tribe of Ephraim; elsewhere called "Ephrathite." (Judges 12:5)
Ephrain(hamlet),
a city of Israel which Judah captured from Jeroboam. (2 Chronicles
13:19) It has been conjectured that this Ephrain or Ephron is identical
with the Ephraim by which Absalom's sheep-farm of Baal-hazor was
situated; with the city called Ephraim near the wilderness in which our
Lord lived for some time; and with Ophrah, a city of Benjamin,
apparently not far from Bethel. But nothing more than conjecture can be
arrived at on these points.
Ephratah,
Or Ephrath(fruitful).
+Second wife of Caleb the son of Hezron, mother of Hur and grandmother
of Caleb the spy, according to (1 Chronicles 2:19,50) and probably 1Chr
2:24 and 1Chr 4:4 (B.C. 1695.)
+The ancient name of Bethlehem-judah. (Genesis 35:16,19; 48:7)
Ephrathite
+An inhabitant of Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:2)
+An Ephraimite. (1 Samuel 1:1; 1 Kings 11:26)
Ephron(fawn-like),
the son of Zochar, a Hittite, from whom Abraham bought the field and
cave of Machpelah. (Genesis 23:8-17; 25:9; 49:29,30; 50:13) (B.C. 1860.)
Ephron,
MountThe
"cities of Mount Ephron" formed one of the landmarks on the northern
boundary of the tribe of Judah. (Joshua 15:9)
Epicureans,
Thederived
their name from Epicurus (342-271 B.C.), a philosopher of Attic
descent, whose "Garden" at Athens rivalled in popularity the "Porch"
and the "Academy." The doctrines of Epicurus found wide acceptance in
Asia Minor and Alexandria. (95-50 B.C.) The object of Epicurus was to
find in philosophy a practical guide to happiness. True pleasure and
not absolute truth was the end at which he aimed; experience and not
reason the test on which he relied. It is obvious that a system thus
formed would degenerate by a natural descent into mere materialism; and
in this form Epicurism was the popular philosophy at the beginning of
the Christian era. When St. Paul addressed "Epicureans and Soics,"
(Acts 17:18) at Athens, the philosophy of life was practically reduced
to the teaching of these two antagonistic schools. Epistles, letters;
personal correspondence by writing. The twenty-one epistles of the New
Testament took the place of tracts among us. In their outward form they
are such as might be expected from men who were brought into contact
with Greek and Roman customs, themselves belonging to a different race,
and so reproducing the imported style with only partial accuracy. They
begin (the Epistle to the Hebrews and 1John excepted) with the names of
the writer and of those to whom the epistle is addressed. Then follows
the formula of salutation. Then the letter itself commences in the
first person, the singular and plural being used indiscriminately. When
the substance of the letter has been completed, come the individual
messages. The conclusion in this case was probably modified by the fact
that the letters were dictated to an amanuensis. When he had done his
work, the apostle took up the pen or reed, and added in his own large
characters, (Galatians 6:11) the authenticating autograph. In one
instance, (Romans 16:22) the amanuensis in his own name adds his
salutation. An allusion in (2 Corinthians 3:1) brings before us another
class of letters which must have been in frequent use in the early ages
of the Christian Church, by which travellers or teachers were commended
by one church to the good offices of others.
Er(watchful).
+First-born of Judah. Er "was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the
Lord slew him." (Genesis 38:3-7; Numbers 26:19)
+Descendant of Shelah the son of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:21)
+Son of Jose and father of Elmodam. (Luke 3:28)
Eran(watchful),
the eldest son of Ephraim. (Numbers 26:36)
Eranites,
The(Numbers
26:36)
Erastus(beloved).
+One of the attendants of St. Paul at Ephesus, who with Timothy was
sent forward into Macedonia. (Acts 19:22) (A.D. 51.) He is probably the
same with Erastus who is again mentioned in the salutations to Timothy.
(2 Timothy 4:20)
+Erastus the chamberlain, or rather the public treasurer, of Corinth,
who was one of the early converts to Christianity. (Romans 16:23)
According to the traditions of the Greek Church, he was first treasurer
to the church at Jerusalem, and afterwards bishop of Paneas.
Erech(length),
one of the cities of Nimrod's kingdom in the land of Shinar, (Genesis
10:10) doubtless the same as Orchoe, 82 miles south and 43 east of
Babylon, the modern designations of the site--Warka, Irka and
Irak--bearing a considerable affinity to the original name.
Eri(watchful),
son of Gad, (Genesis 46:16) and ancestor of the Erites. (Numbers 26:16)
Esaiasthe
Greek form of Isaiah. [[491]Isaiah]
Esarhaddon(victor),
one of the greatest of the kings of Assyria, was the son of
Sennacherib, (2 Kings 19:37) and the grandson of Sargon, who succeeded
Shalmaneser. He appears by his monuments to have been one of the most
powerful, if not the most powerful, of all the Assyrian monarchs. He is
the only one of them whom we find to have actually reigned at Babylon,
where he built himself a palace, bricks from which have been recently
recovered bearing his name. His Babylonian reign lasted thirteen years,
from B.C. 680 to B.C. 667; and it was doubtless within this space of
time that Manasseh king of Judah, having been seized by his captains at
Jerusalem on a charge of rebellion, was brought before him at Babylon,
(2 Chronicles 33:11) and detained for a time as prisoner there. As a
builder of great works Esar-haddon is particularly distinguished.
Besides his palace at Babylon, he built at least three others in
different parts of his dominions, either for himself or his sons, and
thirty temples.
Esau(hairy),
the eldest son of Isaac, and twin-brother of Jacob. The singular
appearance of the child at his birth originated the name. (Genesis
25:25) Esau's robust frame and "rough" aspect were the types of a wild
and daring nature. He was a thorough Bedouin, a "son of the desert." He
was much loved by his father, and was of course his heir, but was
induced to sell his birthright to Jacob. Mention of his unhappy
marriages may be found in (Genesis 26:34) The next episode in the life
of Esau is the loss of his father's covenant blessing, which Jacob
secured through the craft of his mother, and the anger of Esau, who
vows vengeance. (Genesis 27:1) ... Later he marries a daughter of
Ishmael, (Genesis 28:8,9) and soon after establishes himself in Mount
Seir, where he was living when Jacob returned from Padan-aram rich and
powerful, and the two brothers were reconciled. (Genesis 33:4) Twenty
years thereafter they united in burying Isaac's body in the cave of
Machpelah. Of Esau's subsequent history nothing is known; for that of
his descendants see [492]Edom, Idumaea Or Idumea.
EsdraelonThis
name is merely the Greek form of the Hebrew word Jezreel. "The great
plain of Esdraelon" extends across central Palestine from the
Mediterranean to the Jordan, separating the mountain ranges of Carmel
and Samaria from those of Galilee. The western section of it is
properly the plain of Accho or 'Akka . The main body of the plain is a
triangle. Its base on the east extends from Jenin (the ancient
Engannim) to the foot of the hills below Nazareth, and is about 15
miles long; the north side, formed by the hills of Galilee, is about 12
miles long; and the south side, formed by the Samaria range, is about
18 miles. The apex on the west is a narrow pass opening into the plain
of 'Akka . From the base of this triangular plain three branches
stretch out eastward, like fingers from a hand, divided by two bleak,
gray ridges--one bearing the familiar name of Mount Gilboa, the other
called by Franks Little Hermon, but by natives Jebel ed-Duhy . The
central branch is the richest as well as the most celebrated. This is
the "valley of Jezreel" proper--the battle-field on which Gideon
triumphed, and Saul and Jonathan were overthrown. (Judges 7:1) seq. ;
(1 Samuel 29:1) ... and 1Sam 31:1 ... Two things are worthy of special
notice in the plain of Esdraelon:
+Its wonderful richness;
+Its present desolation. If we except the eastern branches, there is
not a single inhabited village on its whole surface, and not more than
one-sixth of its soil is cultivated. It is the home of the wild
wandering Bedouin.
Esdras(Greek
form of Ezra), The First Book of, the first in order of the apocryphal
books in the English Bible. The first chapter is a transcript of the
last two chapters of 2 Chron., for the most part verbatim, and only in
one or two parts slightly abridged and paraphrased. Chapters 3,4, and 5
to the end of ver. 6, are the original portions of the book, and the
rest is a transcript more or less exact of the book of Ezra, with the
chapters transposed and quite otherwise arranged, and a portion of
Nehemiah. Hence a twofold design in the compiler is discernible--one to
introduce and give scriptural sanction to the legend about Zerubbabel;
the other to explain the great obscurities of the book of Ezra, in
which, however, he has signally failed. Its author is unknown, and it
was probably written in Egypt. It has no historical value. the form of
the name of Ezra the scribe in 1 and 2 Esdras.
Esdras,
The Second Book OfThis
exists in a Latin translation, the Greek being lost. Chapters 3-14
consist of a series of angelic revelations and visions in which Ezra is
instructed in some of the great mysteries of the moral world, and
assured of the final triumph of the righteous. The date of the book is
uncertain. Like the first book, it was probably written in Egypt.
Esek(contention),
a well which the herdsmen of Isaac dug in the valley of Gerar. (Genesis
26:20)
Eshbaal(Baal's
man), (1 Chronicles 8:33; 9:39) the same as Ish-bosheth.
Eshban(wise
man), a Horite; one of the four sons of Dishon. (Genesis 36:26; 1
Chronicles 1:41)
Eshcol(cluster
of grapes), brother of Mamre the Amorite and of Aner, and one of
Abraham's companions in his pursuit of the four kings who had carried
off Lot. (Genesis 14:13,24) (B.C. 1912.).
Eshcol,
The Valleyor
The brook of, a wady in the neighborhood of Hebron (Mamre), explored by
the spies who were sent by Moses from Kadesh-barnea. (Numbers 13:23,24;
1:24) The name is still attached to a spring of fine water called 'Ain
Eshkali, in a valley about two miles north of Hebron.
Eshean(slope),
one of the cities of Judah. (Joshua 15:52)
Eshek(oppression),
one of the late descendants of Saul. (1 Chronicles 8:39)
Eshkalonites,
The(Joshua
13:3) [[493]Ashkelon, Askelon]
Eshtaol(a
pass), a town in the low country--the Shefelah--of Judah, after wards
allotted to Dan. (Joshua 15:33; 19:41) Here Samson spent his boyhood,
and hither after his last exploit his body was brought. (Judges 13:25;
16:31; 18:2,8,11,12)
Eshtaulites,
Thewith
the Zareathites, were among the families of Kirjath-jearim. (1
Chronicles 2:53)
Eshtemoaand
in shorter form Eshtemoh (obedience), a town of Judah in the mountains,
(Joshua 15:50) allotted to the priest. (Joshua 21:14; 1 Chronicles
6:57) It was one of the places frequented by David and his followers
during the long period of their wanderings. (1 Samuel 30:28) comp. 1Sam
30:31 Its site is at Semu'a, a village seven miles south of Hebron.
Eshton(effeminate),
a name which occurs in the genealogies of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:11,12)
Eslison
of Nagge or Naggai, in the genealogy of Christ. (Luke 3:25)
Esril1
Esd. 9:34. [[494]Azareel, Or Azareel, or [495]Sharai]
Esrom(enclosed).
(Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33) [[496]Hesron, Hezron, [497]Hezron]
Essenesa
Jewish sect, who, according to the description of Josephus, combined
the ascetic virtues of the Pythagoreans and Stoics with a spiritual
knowledge of the divine law. It seems probable that the name signifies
seer, or the silent, the mysterious. As a sect the Essenes were
distinguished by an aspiration after ideal purity rather than by any
special code of doctrines. There were isolated communities of Essenes,
which were regulated by strict rules, analogous to those of the
monastic institutions of a later date. All things were held in common,
without distinction of property; and special provision was made for the
relief of the poor. Self-denial, temperance and labor--especially
agriculture-- were the marks of the outward life of the Essenes; purity
and divine communion the objects of their aspiration. Slavery, war and
commmerce were alike forbidden. Their best-known settlements were on
the northwest shore of the Dead Sea.
Esther(a
star), the Persian name of [498]Hadassah (myrtle), daughter of Abihail,
the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. Esther was a beautiful
Jewish maiden. She was an orphan, and had been brought up by her cousin
Mordecai, who had an office in the household of Ahasuerus king of
Persia--supposed to be the Xerxes of history-- and dwelt at "Shushan
the palace." When Vashti was dismissed from being queen, the king chose
Esther to the place on account of her beauty, not knowing her race or
parentage; and on the representation of Haman the Agagite that the Jews
scattered through his empire were pernicious race, he gave him full
power and authority to kill them all. The means taken by Esther to
avert this great calamity from her people and her kindred are fully
related in the book of Esther. The Jews still commemorate this
deliverance in the yearly festival Purim, on the 14th and 15th of Adar
(February, March). History is wholly silent about both Vashti and
Esther.
Esther,
Book Ofone
of the latest of the canonical books of Scripture, having been written
late in the reign of Xerxes, or early in that of his son Artaxerxes
Longimanus (B.C. 444, 434). The author is not known. The book of Esther
is placed among the hagiographa by the Jews, and in that first portion
of them which they call "the five rolls." It is written on a single
roll, sin a dramatic style, and is read through by the Jews in their
synagogues at the feast of Purim, when it is said that the names of
Haman's sons are read rapidly all in one breath, to signify that they
were all hanged at the same time; while at every mention of Haman the
audience stamp and shout and hiss, and the children spring rattles. It
has often been remarked as a peculiarity of this book that the name of
God does not once occur in it. Schaff gives as the reason for this that
it was to permit the reading of the book at the hilarious and noisy
festival of Purim, without irreverence. The style of writing is
remarkably chaste and simple. It does not in the least savor of
romance. The Hebrew is very like that of Ezra and parts of the
Chronicles; generally pure, but mixed with some words of Persian origin
and some of the Chaldaic affinity. In short it is just what one would
expect to find in a work of the age to which the book of Esther
professes to belong.
Etam(lair
of wild beasts).
+A village of the tribe of Simeon, specified only in the list in (1
Chronicles 4:32) comp. Josh 19:7
+A place in Judah, fortified and garrisoned by Rehoboam. (2 Chronicles
11:6) Here, according to the statements of Josephus and the Talmudists,
were the sources of the water from which Solomon's gardens and the
pleasure-grounds were fed, and Bethlehem and the temple supplied.
Etam,
The Rocka
cliff or lofty rock, into a cleft or chasm of which Samson retired
after his slaughter of the Philistines. (Judges 15:8,11) This natural
stronghold was in the tribe of Judah; and near it, probably at its
foot, were Lehi and Ramath-lehi and Enhakkore. (Judges 15:9,14,17,19)
The name Etam was held by a city in the neighborhood of Bethlehem, (2
Chronicles 11:6) which is known to have been situated in the extremely
uneven and broken country round the modern Urtas.
Etham(bounded
by the sea), one of the early resting-places of the Israelites when
they quitted Egypt; described as "in the edge of the wilderness."
(Exodus 13:20; Numbers 33:6,7) Etham may be placed where the cultivable
land ceases, near the Seba Biar or Seven Wells, about three miles from
the western side of the ancient head of the gulf.
Ethan(enduring).
+Ethan the Ezrahite, one of the four sons of Mahol, whose wisdom was
excelled by Solomon. (1 Kings 4:31; 1 Chronicles 2:6) His name is in
the title of (Psalms 89:1)
+Son of Kishi or Kushaiah; a Merarite Levite, head of that family in
the time of King David, (1 Chronicles 6:44) and spoken of as a
"singer." With Heman and Asaph, the heads of the other two families of
Levites, Ethan was appointed to sound with cymbals. (1 Chronicles
15:17,19)
+A Gershonite Levite, one of the ancestors of Asaph the singer. (1
Chronicles 6:42) Hebr 27. (B.C. 1420.)
Ethanim[[499]Month]
Ethbaal(with
Baal), king of Sidon and father of Jezebel. (1 Kings 16:31) Josephus
represents him as a king of the Tyrians as well as of the Sidonians. We
may thus identify him with Eithobalus, who, after having assassinated
Pheles, usurped the throne of Tyre for thirty-two years. The date of
Ethbaal's reign may be given as about B.C. 940-908.
Ether(abundance),
one of the cities of Judah in the low country, the Shefelah, (Joshua
15:42) allotted to Simeon. (Joshua 19:7)
Ethiopia(burnt
faces). The country which the Greeks and Romans described as
"AEthiopia" and the Hebrews as "Cush" lay to the south of Egypt, and
embraced, in its most extended sense, the modern Nubia, Sennaar,
Kordofan and northern Abyssinia, and in its more definite sense the
kingdom of Meroe. (Ezekiel 29:10) The Hebrews do not appear to have had
much practical acquaintance with Ethiopia itself, though the Ethiopians
were well known to them through their intercourse with Egypt. The
inhabitants of Ethiopia were a Hamitic race. (Genesis 10:6) They were
divided into various tribes, of which the Sabeans were the most
powerful. The history of Ethiopia is closely interwoven with that of
Egypt. The two countries were not unfrequently united under the rule of
the same sovereign. Shortly before our Saviour's birth a native dynasty
of females, holding the official title of Candace (Plin. vi. 35), held
sway in Ethiopia, and even resisted the advance of the Roman arms. One
of these is the queen noticed in (Acts 8:27)
Ethiopianproperly
"Cushite," (Jeremiah 13:23) used of Zerah, (2 Chronicles 14:9) (8), and
Ebed-melech. (Jeremiah 38:7,10,12; 39:16)
Ethiopian
Eunuch, Thea
Jewish proselyte, (Acts 8:26) etc., who was treasurer of Candace queen
of Ethiopia, but who was converted to Christianity on a visit to
Jerusalem, through philip the evangelist. Nothing is known of him after
his return to Ethiopia.
Ethiopian
WomanThe
wife of Moses is to described in (Numbers 12:1) She is elsewhere said
to have been the daughter of a Midianite, and in consequence of this
some have supposed that the allusion is to another wife whom Moses
married after the death of Zipporah.
Ethnan(hire),
one of the sons of Helah the wife of Ashur. (1 Chronicles 4:7)
Ethni(munificent),
a Gershonite Levite. (1 Chronicles 6:41)
Eubulus(prudent),
a Christian at Rome mentioned by St. Paul. (2 Timothy 4:21) (A.D. 64.)
Eunice(good
victory), mother of Timotheus. (2 Timothy 1:5) (A.D. before 47.)
Eunuch"The
English form of the Greek word which means bed-keeper . In the strict
and proper sense they were the persons who had charge of the
bed-chambers in palaces and larger houses. But as the jealous and
dissolute temperament of the East required this charge to be in the
hands of persons who had been deprived of their virility, the word
eunuch came naturally to denote persons in that condition. But as some
of these rose to be confidential advisers of their royal master or
mistresses, the word was occasionally employed to denote persons in
such a position, without indicating anything of their proper manhood."
-Abbott.
Euodia[See
[500]Euodias]
Euodias(fragrant),
a Christian woman at Philippi. (Philemon 4:2) (A.D. 57.) The name is
correctly [501]Euodia, as given in the Revised Version.
Euphratesis
probably a word of Aryan origin, signifying "the good and abounding
river. " It is most frequently denoted in the Bible by the term "the
river." The Euphrates is the largest, the longest and by far the most
important of the rivers of western Asia. It rises from two chief
sources in the Armenian mountains, and flows into the Persian Gulf. The
entire course is 1780 miles, and of this distance more than two-thirds
(1200 miles) is navigable for boats. The width of the river is greatest
at the distance of 700 or 800 miles from its mouth--that is to say,
from it junction with the Khabour to the village of Werai . It there
averages 400 yards. The annual inundation of the Euphrates is caused by
the melting of the snows in the Armenian highlands. It occurs in the
month of May. The great hydraulic works ascribed to Nebuchadnezzar had
for their chief object to control the inundation. The Euphrates is
first mentioned in Scripture as one of the four rivers of Eden.
(Genesis 2:14) We next hear of it in the covenant made with Abraham.
(Genesis 15:18) During the reigns of David and Solomon it formed the
boundary of the promised land to the northeast. (11:24; Joshua 1:4)
Prophetical reference to the Euphrates is found in (Jeremiah 13:4-7;
46:2-10; 51:63; Revelation 9:14; 16:12) "The Euphrates is linked with
the most important events in ancient history. On its banks stood the
city of Babylon; the army of Necho was defeated on its banks by
Nebuchadnezzar; Cyrus the Younger and Crassus perished after crossing
it; Alexander crossed it, and Trajan and Severus descended
it."--Appleton's Cyc.
Eurcquilathe
word used in the Revised Version instead of euroclydon in (Acts 27:14)
It is compounded of two words meaning east and north, and means a
northeast gale.
Euroclydon(a
violent agitation), a tempestuous wind or hurricane, cyclone, on the
Mediterranean, and very dangerous; now called a "levanter." This wind
seized the ship in which St. Paul was ultimately wrecked on the coast
of Malta. It came down from the island and therefore must have blown
more or less from the northward. (Acts 27:14)
Eutychus(fortunate),
a youth at Troas, (Acts 20:9) who sitting in a window, and having
fallen asleep while St. Paul was discoursing, fell from the third
story, and being taken up dead, was miraculously restored to life by
the apostle.
Evangelist(publisher
of glad tidings). In the New Testament the "evangelists" appear on the
one hand after the "apostles" and "prophets;" on the other before the
"pastors" and "teachers." They probably stood between the two. (Acts
21:8; Ephesians 4:11) The work of the evangelist is the proclamation of
the glad tidings to those who have not known them, rather than the
instruction and pastoral care of those who have believed and been
baptized. It follows also that the name denotes a work rather than an
order . Its use is nearly like our word missionary. The evangelist
might or might not be a bishop-elder or a deacon. The apostles, so far
as they evangelized, (Acts 8:25; 14:7; 1 Corinthians 1:17) might claim
the title, though there were many evangelists who were not apostles. If
the gospel were a written book, and the office of the evangelists was
to read or distribute it, then the writers of such books were
pre-eminently THE evangelists. In later liturgical language the word
was applied to the reader of the gospel for the day.
Eve(life),
the name given in Scripture to the first woman. The account of Eve's
creation is found at (Genesis 2:21,22) Perhaps that which we are
chiefly intended to learn from the narrative is the foundation upon
which the union between man and wife is built, viz., identity of nature
and oneness of origin. Through the subtlety of the serpent Eve was
beguiled into a violation of the one commandment which had been imposed
upon her and Adam. The Scripture account of Eve closes with the birth
of Seth.
Evi(desire),
one of the five kings or princes of Midian slain by the Israelites.
(Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21)
Evilmerodach(the
fool of Merodach), (2 Kings 25:27) the son and successor of
Nebuchadnezzar. He reigned but a short time, having ascended the throne
on the death of Nebuchadnezzar in B.C. 561, and being himself succeeded
by Neriglissar in B.C. 559. He was murdered by Neriglissar.
Excommunication(expulsion
from communion).
+Jewish excommunication.--The Jewish system of excommunication was
threefold. The twenty-four offences for which it was inflicted are
various, and range in heinousness from the offence of keeping a fierce
dog to that of taking God's name in vain. The offender was first cited
to appear in court; and if he refused to appear or to make amends, his
sentence was pronounced. The term of this punishment was thirty days;
and it was extended to a second and to a third thirty days when
necessary. If at the end of that time the offended was still
contumacious, he was subjected to the second excommunication. Severer
penalties were now attached. The sentence was delivered by a court of
ten, and was accompanied by a solemn malediction. The third
excommunication was an entire cutting off from the congregation. The
punishment of excommunication is not appointed by the law of Moses; it
is founded on the natural right of self-protection which all societies
enjoy. In the New Testament, Jewish excommunication is brought
prominently before us in the case of the man that was born blind. (John
9:1) ... In (Luke 6:22) it has been thought that our Lord referred
specifically to the three forms of Jewish excommunication: "Blessed are
ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their
company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for
the Son of man's sake."
+Christian excommunication.--Excommunication, as exercised by the
Christian Church, was instituted by our Lord, (Matthew 18:15,18) and it
was practiced and commanded by St. Paul (1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Timothy
1:20; Titus 3:10) Int he epistles we find St. Paul frequently claiming
the right to exercise discipline over his converts; comp. (2
Corinthians 1:23; 13:10) We find, (1) that it is a spiritual penalty,
involving no temporal punishment, except accidentally; (2) that it
consists in separation from the communion of the Church; (3) that its
object is the good of the sufferer, (1 Corinthians 5:5) and the
protection of the sound members of the Church, (2 Timothy 3:17) (4)
that its subjects are those who are guilty of heresy, (1 Timothy 1:20)
or gross immorality, (1 Corinthians 5:1) (5) that it is inflicted by
the authority of the Church at large, (Matthew 18:18) wielded by the
highest ecclesiastical officer, (1 Corinthians 5:3; Titus 3:10) (6)
that this officer's sentence is promulgated by the congregation to
which the offender belongs, (1 Corinthians 5:4) in defence to his
superior judgment and command, (2 Corinthians 2:9) and in spite of any
opposition on the part of a minority, (2 Corinthians 2:6) (7) that the
exclusion may be of indefinite duration, or for a period; (8) that its
duration may be abridged at the discretion and by the indulgence of the
person who has imposed the penalty, (2 Corinthians 2:8) (9) that
penitence is the condition on which restoration to communion is
granted, (2 Corinthians 2:8) (10) that the sentence is to be publicly
reversed as it was publicly promulgated. (2 Corinthians 2:10)
ExecutionerThe
post of executioner was one of high dignity. Potiphar was "captain of
the executioners." (Genesis 37:36) see margin. That the "captain of the
guard" himself occasionally performed the duty of an executioner
appears from (1 Kings 2:25,34)
Exodus(that
is, going out [of Egypt]), the second book of the law or Pentateuch.
Its author was Moses. It was written probably during the forty-years
wanderings int he wilderness, between B.C. 1491 and 1451. It may be
divided into two principal parts:
+Historical, chs. (Exodus 1:1-18; 27:1) ... and
+Legislative, chs. (Exodus 19:40; 38:1)
+The first part contains an account of the following particulars: the
great increase of Jacob's posterity in the land of Egypt, and their
oppression under a new dynasty, which occupied the throne after the
death of Joseph; the birth, education, flight and return of Moses; the
ineffectual attempts to prevail upon Pharaoh to let the Israelites go;
the successive signs and wonders, ending in the death of the
first-born, by means of which the deliverance of Israel from the land
of bondage is at length accomplished, and the institution of the
Passover; finally the departure out of Egypt and the arrival of the
Israelites at Mount Sinai.
+This part gives a sketch of the early history of Israel as a nation;
and the history has three clearly-marked stages. First we see a nation
enslaved; next a nation redeemed; lastly a nation set apart, and
through the blending of its religious and political life consecrated to
the service of God.
Exodus,
Theof
the Israelites from Egypt. the common chronology places the date of
this event at B.C. 1491, deriving it in this way:--In (1 Kings 6:1) it
is stated that the building of the temple, in the forth year of
Solomon, was in the 480th year after the exodus. The fourth year of
Solomon was bout B.C. 1012. Add the 480 years (leaving off one years
because neither the fourth nor the 480th was a full year), and we have
B.C. 1491 as the date of the exodus. This is probably very nearly
correct; but many Egyptologists place it at 215 years later,--about
B.C. 1300. Which date is right depends chiefly on the interpretation of
the Scripture period of 430 years, as denoting the duration of the
bondage of the Israelites. The period of bondage given in (Genesis
15:13,14; Exodus 12:40,41) and Gala 3:17 As 430 years has been
interpreted to cover different periods. The common chronology makes it
extend from the call of Abraham to the exodus, one-half of it, or 215
years, being spend in Egypt. Others make it to cover only the period of
bondage spend in Egypt. St. Paul says in (Galatians 3:17) that from the
covenant with (or call of) Abraham the giving of the law (less than a
year after the exodus) was 430 years. But in (Genesis 15:13,14) it is
said that they should be strangers in a strange land,a nd be afflicted
400 years, and nearly the same is said in (Exodus 12:40) But, in very
truth, the children of Israel were strangers in a strange land from the
time that Abraham left his home for the promised land, and during that
whole period of 430 years to the exodus they were nowhere rulers in the
land. So in (Exodus 12:40) it is said that the sojourning of the
children of Israel who dwelt in Egypt was 430 years. But it does not
say that the sojourning was all in Egypt, but this people who lived in
Egypt had been sojourners for 430 years. (a) This is the simplest way
of making the various statements harmonize. (b) The chief difficulty is
the great increase of the children of Israel from 70 to 2,000,000 in so
short a period as 215 years, while it is very easy in 430 years. But
under the circumstances it is perfectly possible in the shorter period.
See on ver. 7 (C) If we make the 430 years to include only the bondage
in Egypt, we must place the whole chronology of Abraham and the
immigration of Jacob into Egypt some 200 years earlier, or else the
exodus 200 years later, or B.C. 1300. in either case special difficulty
is brought into the reckoning. (d) Therefore, on the whole, it is well
to retain the common chronology, though the later dates may yet prove
to be correct. The history of the exodus itself commences with the
close of that of the ten plagues. [[502]Plagues, The Ten, THE [503]Ten
Commandments] In the night in which, at midnight, the firstborn were
slain, (Exodus 12:29) Pharaoh urged the departure of the Israelites.
vs. (Exodus 12:31,32) They at once set forth from Rameses, vs. (Exodus
12:37,39) apparently during the night v. (Exodus 12:42) but towards
morning on the 15th day of the first month. (Numbers 33:3) They made
three journeys, and encamped by the Red Sea. Here Pharaoh overtook
them, and the great miracle occurred by which they were saved, while
the pursuer and his army were destroyed. [[504]Red Sea SEA,
[505]Passage OF]
Exorcistone
who pretends to expel evil spirits by conjuration, prayers and
ceremonies. Exorcism was frequently practiced among the Jews. (Matthew
12:27; Acts 19:13) David, by playing skillfully on a harp, procured the
temporary departure of the evil spirit which troubled Saul. (1 Samuel
16:23) The power of casting out devils was bestowed by Christ while on
earth upon the apostles, (Matthew 10:8) and the seventy disciples (Luke
10:17-19) and was, according to his promise, (Mark 16:17) exercised by
believers after his ascension. (Acts 16:18)
Expiation[[506]Sacrifice]
Eye(The
practice of painting the eyelids to make the eyes look large, lustrous
and languishing is often alluded to in the Old Testament, and still
extensively prevails among the women of the East, and especially among
the Mohammedans. Jezebel, in (2 Kings 9:30) is said to have prepared
for her meeting with Jehu by painting her face, or, as it reads in the
margin, "put her eyes in paint." See also (Ezekiel 23:40) A small probe
of wood, ivory or silver is wet with rose-water and dipped in an
impalpable black powder, and is then drawn between the lids of the eye
nearly closed, and leaves a narrow black border, which is though a
great ornament.--ED.)
Ezbai(shining),
father of Naarai, who was one of David's thirty mighty men. (1
Chronicles 11:37) (B.C. 1046.)
Ezbon(working).
+Son of Gad, and founder of one of the Gadite families. (Genesis 46:16;
Numbers 26:16)
+Son of Bela, the son of Benjamin according to (1 Chronicles 7:7)
Ezekias(Matthew
1:9,10) [[507]Hezekiah]
Ezekiel(the
strength of God), one of the four greater prophets, was the son of a
priest named Buzi, and was taken captive in the captivity of
Jehoiachin, eleven years before the destruction of Jerusalem. He was a
member of a community of Jewish exiles who settled on the banks of the
Chebar, a "river' or stream of Babylonia. He began prophesying B.C.
595, and continued until B.C. 573, a period of more than twenty-two
years. We learn from an incidental allusion, (Ezekiel 24:18) that he
was married, and had a house, (Ezekiel 8:1) in his place of exile, and
lost his wife by a sudden and unforeseen stroke. He lived in the
highest consideration among his companions in exile, and their elders
consulted him on all occasions. He is said to have been buried on the
banks of the Euphrates. The tomb, said to have been built by
Jehoiachin, is shown, a few days journey from Bagdad. Ezekiel was
distinguished by his stern and inflexible energy of will and character
and his devoted adherence to the rites and ceremonies of his national
religion. The depth of his matter and the marvellous nature of his
visions make him occasionally obscure. Prophecy of Ezekiel .--The book
is divided into two great parts, of which the destruction of Jerusalem
is the turning-point. Chapters 1-24 contain predictions delivered
before that event, and chs. 25-48 after it, as we see from ch. (Ezekiel
26:2) Again, chs. 1-32 are mainly occupied with correction,
denunciation and reproof, while the remainder deal chiefly in
consolation and promise. A parenthetical section in the middle of the
book, chs. 25-32, contains a group of prophecies against seven foreign
nations, the septenary arrangement being apparently intentional. There
are no direct quotations from Ezekiel in the New Testament, but in the
Apocalypse there are many parallels and obvious allusions to the later
chapters 40-48.
Ezel(departure),
The stone, a well-known stone in the neighborhood of Saul's residence,
the scene of the parting of David and Jonathan. (1 Samuel 20:19)
Ezem(bone),
one of the towns of Simeon. (1 Chronicles 4:29)
Ezer(treasure).
+A son of Ephraim, who was slain by the aboriginal inhabitants of Gath
while engaged in a foray on their cattle. (1 Chronicles 7:21) (B.C.
before 1491.)
+A priest who assisted in the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem
under Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 12:42) (B.C. 446.)
+Father of Hushah of the sons of Hur. (1 Chronicles 4:4)
+One of the Gadite chiefs who fought with David. (1 Chronicles 12:8,9)
(B.C. 1054.)
+One who aided in repairing the wall at Jerusalem; a Levite. (Nehemiah
3:19)
Eziongaber,
Or Eziongeber(giant's
backbone), (Numbers 33:35; 2:8; 1 Kings 9:26; 22:48; 2 Chronicles 8:17)
the last station named for the encampment of the Israelites before they
came to the wilderness of Zin. It probably stood at Ain el-Ghudyan,
about ten miles up what is now the dry bed of the Arabah, but which was
probably then the northern end of the gulf.
Eznite,
TheAccording
to the statement of (2 Samuel 23:8) Adino the Eznite was another name
for Jashobeam, a Tachmonite. (1 Chronicles 11:11) (Probably the words
are a corruption for the Hebrew "he lifted up his spear."--Fausset.)
Ezra(help),
called [508]Esdras in the Apocrypha, the famous scribe and priest. He
was a learned and pious priest residing at Babylon in the time of
Artaxerxes Longimanus. The origin of his influence with the king does
not appear, but in the seventh year of his reign he obtained leave to
go to Jerusalem, and to take with him a company of Israelites. (B.C.
457.) The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem took just four months; and
the company brought with them a large freewill offering of gold and
silver, and silver vessels. It appears that Ezra's great design was to
effect a religious reformation among the Palestine Jews. His first step
was to enforce separation upon all who had married foreign wives. (Ezra
10:1) ... This was effected in little more than six months after his
arrival at Jerusalem. With the detailed account of this important
transaction Ezra's autobiography ends abruptly, and we hear nothing
more of him till, thirteen years afterwards, in the twentieth of
Artaxerxes, we find him again at Jerusalem with Nehemiah. It seems
probable that after effecting the above reformations he returned to the
king of Persia. The functions he executed under Nehemiah's government
were purely of a priestly and ecclesiastical character. The date of his
death is uncertain. There was a Jewish tradition that he was buried in
Persia. The principal works ascribed to him by the Jews are--
+The instruction of the great synagogue;
+The settling the canon of Scripture, and restoring, correcting and
editing the whole sacred volume;
+The introduction of the Chaldee character instead of the old Hebrew or
Samaritan;
+The authorship of the books of Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and, some
add, Esther; and, many of the Jews say, also of the books of Ezekiel,
Daniel, and the twelve prophets;
+The establishment of synagogues.
Ezra,
Book Ofis
a continuation of the books of Chronicles. The period covered by the
book is eighty years, from the first of Cyrus, B.C. 536, to the
beginning of the eighth of Artaxerxes, B.C. 456. It consist of the
contemporary historical journals kept from time to time, containing,
chs. 1-12, and account of the return of the captives under Zerubbabel,
and the rebuilding of the temple in the reign of Cyrus and Cambyses.
Most of the book is written in Hebrew, but from chs. 4:8 to 6:19 it is
written in Chaldee. The last four chapters, beginning with ch. 7,
continue the history after a gap of fifty-eight years--from the sixth
of Darius to the seventh of Artaxerxes-- narrating his visit to
Jerusalem, and giving an account of the reforms there accomplished,
referred to under [509]Ezra. Much of the book was written by Ezra
himself, though the first chapter was probably written by Daniel; and
other hands are evident.
Ezrahite,
The(son
of Zerah), a title attached to two persons--Ethan, (1 Kings 4:31;
Psalms 89:1) title, and Heman, Psal 88:1 title.
Ezri(help
of Jehovah), son of Chelub, superintendent of King David's
farm-laborers. (1 Chronicles 27:26) (B.C. 1014.).