Devil – Dust

Devil

A fallen angel; and particularly the chief of them, the devil, or Satan. He is the great principle of evil in the world; and it is his grand object to counteract the good that God desires to do. He exerts himself, especially with his angels, to draw away the souls of men from embracing salvation through Jesus Christ.

His name signifies the calumniator, or false accuser; as the Hebrew Satan means the adversary. But the Scriptures give him various other appellations descriptive of his character. He is called, "The prince of this world," Joh 12:31; "The prince of the power of the air," Eph 2:2; "The god of this world," 2Co 4:4; "The dragon, that old serpent, the devil," Re 20:2; "That wicked one," 1Jo 5:18; "A roaring lion," 1Pe 5:8; "A murderer," "a liar," Joh 8:44; "Beelzebub," Mt 12:24; "Belial," 2Co 6:15; "The accuser of the brethren," Re 12:10. He is everywhere shown to be full of malignity, cruelty, and deceit, hating God and man. He is ceaselessly active in his efforts to destroy souls, and uses innumerable devices and wiles to adapt his temptations to the varying characters and conditions of men, enticing wicked men, and even good men at times, as well as his own angels, to aid in his work. Almost the whole world has been under his sway. But he is a doomed foe. Christ shall bruise the serpent’s head; shall dispossess him for the world, as he has done from individuals, and at length confine him for ever in the place prepared for him and his angels, Mt 25:41.

The word "devils" occurs frequently in the gospels; but it is the translation of a different Greek word from that used to denote the devil, and might be rendered "demons." The Bible applies the other word only to Satan-"the devil", and his angels, who are like their leader in nature and in actions. There are many examples in the New Testament of persons possessed by demons. These are often called demoniacs. Some have argued that these were afflicted by natural diseases, such as epilepsy, insanity, etc., and were not possessed by evil spirits. But our Savior speaks to and commands the demons who actuated the possessed, which demons answered and obeyed, and gave proofs of their presence by tormenting those whom they were obliged to quit. Christ alleges, as proof of his mission, that the demons are cast out; he promises his apostles the same power that he himself exercised against those wicked spirits. Campbell says, "When I find mention made of the number of demons in particular possessions, their actions so particularly distinguished from the actions of the man possessed, conversations held by the former in regard to the disposal of them after their expulsion, and accounts given how they were actually disposed of-when I find desires and passions ascribed particularly to them, and similitudes taken from the conduct which they usually observe, it is impossible for me to deny their existence."

Dew

The dews in Palestine and some other oriental countries are very copious, and serve very greatly to sustain and promote vegetation in seasons when little or no rain falls. Maundrell tells us that the tents of his company, when pitched on Tabor and Hermon, "were as wet with dew as if it had rained on them all night," Judg 6:38; Song 5:2. Dew was especially heavy near the mountains, and just before and after the rainy season. It was prized as a precious boon of Providence, Ge 27:28; De 33:28; 1Ki 17:1; Job 29:19; Hag 1:10; Zec 8:12. The dew furnishes the sacred penmen with many beautiful allusions, De 32:2; 2Sa 17:12; Ps 110:3; Pr 19:12; Ho 14:5; Mic 5:7.

Dial

An instrument much used before the invention of clocks, to tell the time of day by the progress of the sun’s shadow. The dial of Ahaz, 2Ki 20:11; Isa 38:1-9, seems to have been peculiar either in structure or size, and was perhaps borrowed from Babylon or Damascus, 2Ki 16:10. The causing the shadow upon it to go back ten degrees, to assure king Hezekiah of his recovery from sickness, was probably effected not by arresting and turning backwards the revolution of the earth, but by a miraculous refraction of the sun’s rays, observed only in Judea, though the fame of it reached Babylon, 2Ch 32:31.

Diamond

The hardest and most brilliant of gems, very rare and costly. The largest diamonds known in the world, procured from India and Brazil, are guarded among the royal treasures of England, Russia, etc., and valued at immense sums. Common diamonds are used not only for ornaments, but for cutting and graving hard substances, Jer 17:1. The Hebrew word here used is called "adamant" in Eze 3:9; Zec 7:12. See ADAMANT. These is another Hebrew word also translated "diamond," Ex 28:18; 39:11; Eze 28:13, and thought by some to mean the topaz. The diamond is carbon in its purest and crystalline form.

Diana

Or ARTEMIS, a celebrated goddess of the Romans and Greeks, and one of their twelve superior deities. In the heavens she was Luna, (the moon,) on earth Diana, in the unseen world Hectate. She was invoked by women in childbirth under the name of Lucina. She was usually represented with a crescent on her head, a bow in her hand, and dressed in a hunting-habit, because she was said to preside over forests and hunting. Diana was said to be the daughter of Jupiter by Latona, and twin sister of Apollo. As Hectate, she was regarded as sanguinary and pitiless; as goddess of hunting and the forests, she was chaste, but haughty and vindictive; as associated with the moon, she was capricious and wanton. The Diana of Ephesus was like the Syrian goddess Ashtoreth, and appears to have been worshipped with impure rites and magical mysteries, Ac 19:19. Her image, fabled to have fallen down from Jupiter in heaven, seems to have been a block of wood tapering to the foot, with a female bust above covered with many breasts, the head crowned with turrets, and each hand resting on a staff. It was of great antiquity, and highly venerated.

The temple of this goddess was the pride and glory of Ephesus. It was 425 feet long, and 220 broad, and had 127 columns of white marble, each 60 feet high. Its treasures were of immense value. It was 220 years in building, and was one of the seven wonders of the world. In the year when Alexander the Great was born, B. C. 356, it was burned down by one Herostratus, in order to immortalize his name, but was afterwards rebuilt with even greater splendor. The "silver shrines for Diana," made by Demetrius and others, were probably small models of the same for domestic use, and for sale to travellers and visitors. Ancient coins of Ephesus represent the shrine and statue of Diana, with a Greek inscription, meaning "of the Ephesians," Ac 19:28,34,35.

Dibon

DIMON, Isa 15:9, and DI-BON-GAD, Nu 33:45,46, a town of Gad, Nu 32:34, but afterwards of Reuben, Jos 13:17. It lay in a plain just north of the Arnon, and was the first encampment of the Israelites upon crossing that river. Later we find it in the hands of the Moabites, Isa 15:2; Jer 48:22. Traces of it remain at a place now called Diban.

Diklah

A tribe descended from Joktan, Ge 10:27, and dwelling in Southern Arabia, or perhaps near the head of the Persian gulf.

Dinah

Daughter of Jacob by Leah, Ge 30:21, his only daughter named in Scripture. While the family were sojourning near Shalem, she heedlessly associated with the Canaanitish maidens, and fell a victim to the seductive arts of Shechem, a young prince of the land; but was perfidiously and savagely avenged by Simeon and Levi, her full brothers, to the great grief of Jacob their father, Ge 34:1-31; 49:5,7. She seems to have gone with the family to Egypt, Ge 46:15.

Dionysius

A member of the court of the Areopagus at Athens, converted under the preaching of Paul, Ac 17:34. Tradition says that he was eminent for learning, that he was ordained by Paul at Athens, and after many labors and trials, suffered martyrdom by fire. The works ascribed to him are spurious, being the product of some unknown writer in the fourth or fifth century.

Diotrephes

An influential member, perhaps minister, of some early church, censured by John for his jealous ambition, and his violent rejection of the best Christians, 3Jo 1:9,10.

Discerning Of Spirits

1Co 12:10, a miraculous gift of the Holy Ghost to certain of the early church, empowering them to judge of the real character of those who professed to love Christ, and to be inspired to teach in his name, 1Jo 4:1; 2Jo 1:7. Compare Ac 5:1-10; 13:6-12.

Disciple

A scholar, Mt 10:24. In the New Testament it is applied principally to the followers of Christ; sometimes to those of John the Baptist, Mt 22:16. It is used in a special manner to point out the twelve, Mt 10:1; 11:1; 20:17. A disciple of Christ may now be defined as one who believes his doctrine, rests upon his sacrifice, imbibes his spirit, imitates his example, and lives to do his work.

Discover

Mic 1:6, to uncover, or lay bare.

Diseases

Were introduced into the world by sin, and have been greatly increased by the prevalence of corrupt, indolent, and luxurious habits. Besides the natural causes of diseases, evil spirits were charged with producing them among the Hebrews, Job 2:7; Mr 9:17; Lu 13:16; 2Co 12:7. The pious Jews recognized the hand of God in sending them, Ps 39:9-11; 90:3-12; and in many cases special diseases were sent in punishment of particular sins, as Abimelech, Gehazi, Jehoram, Uzziah, Miriam, Herod, the Philistines, etc., and those who partook of the Lord’s supper unworthily, 1Co 11:30. Christ manifested his divine goodness and power by healing every form of disease; and in these cases, as in that of king Asa, 2Ch 16:12, it is shown that all the skill of physicians is in vain without God’s blessing. The prevalent diseases in Bible lands were malignant fevers, cutaneous diseases, palsy, dysentery, and ophthalmia. Almost every form of bodily disease has a counterpart in the maladies of the soul.

Dispensation

The charge of proclaiming the gospel of Christ, 1Co 9:17; Eph 3:2. Also the scheme or plan of God’s dealings with men. In the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations, God has commenced, enlarged, and perfected his revelation of himself and his grace to this world, Eph 1:10; Col 1:25. The whole development of his great plan has been gradual, and adapted at every stage to the existing state of the human family.

Divination

The Eastern people were fond of divination, magic, and the pretended art of interpreting dreams and acquiring a knowledge of futurity. When Moses published the law, this disposition had long been common in Egypt and the neighboring countries; and to correct the Israelites inclination to consult diviners, wizards, fortune-tellers, and interpreters of dreams, it was forbidden them under very severe penalties, and the true spirit of prophecy was promised to them as infinitely superior, Ex 22:18; Le 19:26,31; 20:27. Those were to be stoned who pretended to have a familiar spirit, or the spirit of divination, De 18:9-12; and the prophecies are full of invectives against the Israelite who consulted such, as well as against false prophets, who seduced the people, Isa 8:19; 47:11- 14 Eze 13:6-9. A fresh impulse to these superstitions was gained from intercourse with the Chaldeans, during the reign of the later kings of Judah and the captivities in Babylon, 2Ki 21:6; 2Ch 33:6. See MAGIC, SORCERERS.

Divination was of several kinds: by water, fire, earth, air; by the fight of birds, and their singing; by lots, dreams, arrows, clouds, entrails of sacrifices, pretended communication with spirits, etc., Eze 21:21.

Divorce

Was tolerated by Moses for sufficient reasons, De 24:1-4; but our Lord has limited it to the single case of adultery, Mt 5:31,32.

Doctor Of The Law

May perhaps be distinguished from SCRIBE, as rather teaching orally, than giving written opinions, Lu 2:46. It implies one learned in the divine law. Doctors of the law were mostly of the sect of the Pharisees, but are distinguished from that sect in Lu 5:17, where it appears that the novelty of our Savior’s teaching drew together a great company both of Pharisees and doctors of the law.

Dodanim

Or RODANM, 1Ch 1:7, a people descended from Japhet through Javan, Ge 10:4. They are associated, by the above passage, and by dim etymological inferences, with the island of Rhodes or some location on the north coast of the Mediterranean.

Doeg

An Edomite, overseer of Saul’s flocks. At Nob he witnessed the relief kindly furnished to David when fleeing from Saul, by Ahimelech the high priest, and carried a malicious and distorted report of it to his master. The king gladly seized the opportunity to wreak his passion on a helpless victim; and when the Jews around him refused to slay the priests of God, infamously used the willing services of this alien and heathen. Doeg not only slew Ahimelech and eighty-four other priests, but put the town in which they dwelt to the sword, 1Sa 21:15. David forebodes his wretched fate, Ps 52:1-9; 120:1-7; 140:1-13.

Dogs

Were held in great contempt by the Jews, but were worshipped, as well as cats, by the Egyptians. Among the Jews, to compare a person to a dog was the most degrading expression possible, 1Sa 17:43; 24:14; 2Sa 9:8. The state of dogs among the Jews was the same that now prevails in the East, where, having no owners, they run about the streets in troops, and are fed by charity or caprice, or live on such offal as they can pick up. As they are often on the point of starvation, they devour corpses, and in the night even attack living men, Ps 59:6,14,15; 1Ki 14:11. In various places in Scripture the epithet "dogs" is given to certain classes of men, as expressing their insolent rapacity, Mt 7:6; Ps 22:16; Php 3:2, and their beastly vices, De 23:18; 2Pe 2:22; Re 22:15.

Dor

A royal city of the Canaanites, on the Mediterranean between Caesarea and mount Carmel; after the conquest it was assigned to Manasseh, Jos 11:2; 12:23; 17:11; 1Ki 4:11; 1Ch 7:29. There is now a small port there, with about 500 inhabitants.

Dorcas

In Greek, the same as TABITHA in Syriac, that is, gazalle, the name of a pious and charitable woman at Joppa, whom Peter raised from the dead, Ac 9:36-42.

Dothan

Or DOTHAIN, the place where Josephus was sold to the Ishmaelites, Ge 37:17, and where the Syrians were smitten with blindness at Elisha’s word, 2Ki 6:13. It was on the caravan-route from Syria to Egypt, about eleven miles north of Samaria.

Doves

Were clean according to the Mosaic ritual, and were offered in sacrifice, especially by the poor, Ge 15:9; Le 5:7; 12:6-8; Lu 2:24. Several kinds of doves or pigeons frequented the Holy Land; and the immense flocks of them sometimes witnessed illustrate a passage in Isa 60:8. They are symbols of simplicity, innocence, and fidelity, Ho 7:11; Mt 10:16. The dove was the chosen harbinger of God’s returning favor after the flood, Ge 8:1-22, and was honored as an emblem of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:16. See TURTLEDOVE.

Doves’ Dung

It is said, 2Ki 6:25, that during the siege of Samaria, "the fourth part of a cab," little more than half a pint, "of doves’ dung was sold for five pieces of silver," about two and a half dollars. As doves’ dung is not a nourishment for man, even in the most extreme famine, the general opinion is, that it was a kind of chick-pea, lentil, or tare, which has very much the appearance of doves’ dung. Great quantities of these are sold in Cairo to the pilgrims going to Mecca; and at Damascus there are many shops where nothing else is done but preparing chickpeas. These, parched in a copper pan, and dried, are of great service to those who take long journeys.

Dowry

In eastern countries the bridegroom was required to pay the father of his betrothed a stipulated portion, in money or other valuables, portion, in money or other valuables, proportioned to the rank and station of the family to which she belonged; this was the dowry. Jacob purchased his wives by his services to their father, Ge 29:18-27; 34:12; Ex 22:16,17; 1Sa 18:25; Ho 3:2.

Dragon

Answers, in the English Bible, the Hebrew word signifying a sea-monster, huge serpent, etc. Thus in De 32:33; Jer 51:34; Re 12:1-17, it evidently implies a huge serpent; in Isa 27:1; 51:9; Eze 29:3, it may mean the crocodile, or any large sea-monster; while in Job 30:29; La 4:3; Mic 1:8, it seems to refer to some wild animal of the desert, most probably the jackal. The animal known to modern naturalists under the name of dragon, is a harmless species of lizard, found in Asia and Africa.

Dragon-Well

Ne 2:13; probably the fountain of Gihon, on the west side of Jerusalem.

Dram

Ezr 2:69, a gold coin of Persia, worth about five dollars.

Draught

A cesspool or receptacle for filth, 2Ki 10:27; Mt 15:17. Also, all the fishes taken at one drawing of a net, Lu 5:9.

Dream

The orientals, and in particular the Jews, greatly regarded dreams, and applied for their interpretation to those who undertook to explain them. We see the antiquity of this custom in the history of Pharaoh’s butler and baker, Ge 40:1-23; and Pharaoh himself and Nebuchadnezzar are also instances. God expressly forbade his people to observe dreams, and to consult explainers of them. He condemned to death all who pretended to have prophetic dreams, even though what they foretold came to pass, if they had any tendency to promote idolatry, De 13:1-3. But they were not forbidden, when they thought they had a significant dream, to address the prophets of the Lord, or the high priest in his ephod, to have it explained. The Lord frequently made known his will in dreams, and enabled persons to explain them, Ge 20:3-7; 28:12-15; 1Sa 28:6; Da 2:1-49; Joe 2:28; Mt 1:20; Ac 27:22. Supernatural dreams are distinguished from visions, in that the former occurred during sleep, and the latter when the person was awake. God spoke to Abimelech in a dream, but to Abraham by vision. In both cases he left on the mind an assurance of the certainty of whatever he revealed. Both are now superseded by the Bible, our sure and sufficient guide through earth to heaven.

Dregs

See LEES.

Dresses

See GARMENTS.

Drink-Offering

A small quantity of wine, part of which was to be poured on the sacrifice or meat offering, and the residue given to the priests, Ex 29:40; Le 23:18; Nu 15:5,7. It may have been appointed as an acknowledgment that all the blessings of the earth are from God, Ge 35:14.

Dromedary

See CAMEL.

Drought

Was an evil to which Palestine was naturally subject, as no rain fell from May to September. During these months of summer, the ground became parched and cleft, the streams and springs became dry, and vegetation was kept from extinction by the dews at night and by artificial irrigation. If rain did not come in its season and abundantly, the distress was general and dreadful. A drought therefore is threatened as one of God’s sorest judgments, Job 24:19; Jer 50:38; Joe 1:10-20; Hag 1:11; and there are many allusions to its horrors in Scripture, De 28:23; Ps 32:4; 102:4.

Drunkenness

Is referred to in the Bible both in single instances and as a habit. Its folly is often illustrated, Ps 107:27; Isa 19:14; 24:20; 28:7,8, its guilt denounced, Isa 5:22, its ill results traced, 1Sa 25:36; 1Ki 16:9; 20:16, and its doom shown, 1Co 6:9,10. It is produced by wine, Ge 9:21; 21:33; Jer 23:9; Eph 5:18, as well as by "strong drink," 1Sa 1:13-15; Isa 5:11. Hence the use of these was forbidden to the priests at the altar, Le 10:9; and all are cautioned to avoid them, Pr 20:1; 23:20. To tempt others to drunkenness is a sin accursed of God, 2Sa 11:13; Hab 2:15,16. Its prevalence in a community is inseparable from the habitual use of any inebriating liquor. Hence the efforts made by the wise and good to secure abstinence from all intoxicating drinks, 1Co 8:13. See WINE.

Drusilla

The youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I, and sister of the younger Agrippa and Bernice, celebrated for her beauty and infamous for her licentiousness. She was first espoused to Epiphanes, son of Antiochus king of Comagena, on condition of his embracing the Jewish religion; but as he afterwards refused to be circumcised, Drusilla was given in marriage by her brother to Azizus king of Emessa. When Felix came as governor of Judea, he persuaded her to abandon her husband and her religion, and become his wife. Paul bore testimony before them to the truth of the Christian religion, Ac 24:24. She and her son afterwards perished in an eruption of Vesuvius.

Duke

In Ge 36:15-43, is a long list of "dukes" of Edom; but the word duke, from the Latin dux, merely signifies a leader, and not an order of nobility; and the word chief or sheikh would have been preferable in our translation, 1Ch 1:51.

Dulcimer

Da 3:5,10, an instrument of music, which the rabbins describe as a sort of bagpipe, composed of two pipes connected with a leathern sack, and of a harsh, screaming sound. The modern dulcimer is an instrument of a triangular form, strung with about fifty wires, and struck with an iron key while lying on the table before the performer. See MUSIC.

Dumah

A tribe and country of the Ishmaelites in Arabia, Ge 25:14; 1Ch 1:30; Isa 21:11. This is doubtless the same which is still called by the Arabs "Duma the stony" and "the Syrian Duma," situated on the confines of the Arabian and Syrian desert, with a fortress.

Dung

Among the Israelites, the dung of animals was used only for manure, but, when dried, for fuel. In districts where wood is scarce, the inhabitants are very careful in collecting the dung of camels and asses; it is mixed with chopped straw, and dried. It is not unusual to see a whole village with portions of this material adhering to the walls of the cottages to dry; and towards the end of autumn it is piled in conical heaps or stacks on the roof. It is employed in heating ovens, and for other similar purposes, Eze 4:12-16. The use of dung for manure is intimated in Isa 25:10.

Dura

The plain in Babylon where Nebuchadnezzar set up his golden image. Da 3:1.

Dust

Jos 7:6. Dust or ashes put upon the head was a sign of mourning; sitting in the dust, a sign of affliction, La 3:29; Isa 47:1. "Dust" is also put for the grave, Ge 3:19; Job 7:21. It signifies a multitude, Ge 13:16, and a low and mean condition, 1Sa 2:8. We have two remarkable instances of casting dust recorded in Scripture, and they seem to illustrate a practice common in Asia: those who demanded justice against a criminal were accustomed to throw dust upon him, signifying that he deserved to be cast into the grave. Shimei cast dust upon David when he fled from Jerusalem, 2Sa 16:13. The Jews treated the apostle Paul in a similar manner in the same city: "They cried out, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live.’ And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle," Ac 22:22-24. To shake off the dust of the feet against another was expressive of entire renunciation, Mt 10:14; Mr 6:11; Ac 13:51. The threatening of God, recorded in De 28:24, "The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed," means that instead of fertilizing rains, clouds of fine dust, raised from the parched ground and driven by fierce and burning winds, shall fill the air. Of such a rain of dust, famine and disease would be the natural attendants. See WIND.