Media – Mitylene

Media

Called by the Hebrews MADAI, and supposed to have been peopled by the descendants of Madai the son of Japheth, Ge 10:2; extended itself on the west and south of the Caspian Sea, from Armenia and Assyria on the north and west, to Farsistan or Persia proper on the south; and included the districts now called Shirvan, Adserbijan, Ghilan, Masanderan, and Irak Adjemi. It covered a territory larger than that of Spain, lying between 32 degrees and 40 degrees of north latitude, and was one of the most fertile and earliest cultivated among the kingdoms of Asia. It had two grand divisions, of which the northwestern was called Atropatene, or Lesser Media, and the southern Greater Media. The former corresponds to the modern Abserbijan, now, as formerly, a province of the Persian empire, on the west of the Caspian, surrounded by high mountains of the Tauritic range, except towards the east, where the river Kur, or Byrus, discharges its waters into the Caspian. The Greater Media corresponds principally to the modern Irak Adjemi, or Persian Irak. Ecbatana was the ancient capital.

Media is one of the most ancient independent kingdoms of which history makes mention. After several centuries of subjugation under Assyria, the Medes rebelled under Arbaces in the time of Sardanapalus, and again in the time of Sennacherib, about 700 B. C.. They became powerful, cultivated, and wealthy, Isa 13:17,18; 21:2-3, and continued an independent kingdom until under Cyrus, Media became united with Persia. In this way arose the Medro-Persian kingdom; and the "laws of the Medes and Persians" are always mentioned by the sacred writers together, Es 1:19, etc.; Da 6:8,12, etc. So also the "Chronicles" of the Medes and Persians are mentioned together, Es 10:2. Indeed, from this time inward, the manners, customs, religion, and civilization of the Medes and Persians seem ever to have become more and more amalgamated. And in general it would seem, as we may gather from the ancient Zend writings, that the Medes, Persians, and Bactraians were originally the same people, having in common one language, the Zend, and one religion, the worship of Ormuzd, the highest being, under the symbol of fire. They also worshipped the stars, particularly the planets; and still more, the sun and moon. The priests of this religion, the Magi, were a Median race, to whom were intrusted the cultivation of the sciences, and the performance of the sacred rites. Among these, and as is supposed before the time of Cyrus, appeared Zerdusht, or Zoroaster, as a reformer, or rather as the restorer of the ancient but degenerated religion of light, whose disciples have maintained themselves even to the present day in Persia and India, under the name of Guebres.

Media is first mentioned in the Bible as the part of Assyria to which the ten tribes were transported: at first, those beyond the Jordan, by Tiglath-pileser, 1Ch 5:26; and afterwards, about 721 B. C., the remainder of Israel, by Shalmaneser, 2Ki 17:6. The subsequent history of Media is involved in that of Persia. Both countries were subdued by Alexander of Macedon, 330 B. C.; and in the next century became tributary to the Parthians on their east, in connection with whom they are mentioned in Ac 2:9. See PERSIA.

Mediator

One who stands between two parties or persons as the organ of communication or the agent of reconciliation. So far as man is sensible of his own guilt and of the holiness and justice of God, he shrinks from any direct communication with a being he has so much reason to fear. Hence the disposition more or less prevalent in all ages and in all parts of the world, to interpose between the soul and its judge some person or thing most adapted to propitiate his favor as a priestly order, an upright and devout man, or the smoke of sacrifices and the sweet savor of incense, Job 9:33. The Israelites evinced this feeling at the Mount Sinai, De 5:23-31; and God was pleased to constitute Moses a mediator between himself and them, to receive and transmit the law on the one had, and their vows of obedience on the other. In this capacity he acted on various other occasions, Ex 32:30-32; Nu 14:1-45; Ps 106:23; and was thus an agent and a type of Christ, Ga 3:19. The Messiah has been in all ages the only true Mediator between God and man; and without Him, God is inaccessible and a consuming fire, Joh 14:6; Ac 4:12. As the Angel of the covenant, Christ was the channel of all communications between heaven and earth in Old Testament days; and as the Mediator of the new covenant, he does all that is needful to provide for a perfect reconciliation between God and man. He consults the honor of God by appearing as our Advocate with the blood of atonement; and through his sympathizing love and the agency of the Holy Spirit, he disposes and enables us to return to God. The believing penitent is "accepted in the Beloved" -his person, his praises, and his prayers; and through the same Mediator alone he receives pardon, grace, and eternal life. In this high office Christ stands alone, because he alone is both God and man, 1Ti 2:5. To join Mary and the saints to him in his mediatorship, as the antichristian church of Rome does, implies that he is unable to accomplish his own peculiar work, Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24.

Megiddo

A town of Manesseh, thought within the bounds of Issachar. It had been a royal city of the Canaanites, and they long retained a foothold in it, Jos 12:21; 17:11; Judg 1:27. It lay in the southwest border of the plain of Esdraelon, near the Kishon, which is probably intended by "the waters of Megiddo," mentioned in the song of Deborah and Barak as the scene of their victory, Judg 5:19,21. In the reign of Solomon, Megiddo was fortified, 1Ki 9:15. Here king Ahaziah died, and King Josiah was defeated, slain, and sorely lamented, 2Ki 9:27; 23:29; Zec 12:11. Robinson identifies it with a village now called Lejun, the Legio of the Romans.

Melchizedek

King of righteousness, king of Salem, and also priest of the most high God, in which capacity he blessed Abraham, and received tithes at his hand, Ge 14:18-20. Scripture tells us nothing of his father or mother, of his genealogy, his birth, or his death; he stands alone, without predecessor or successor, a royal priest by the appointment of God; and thus he was a type of Jesus Christ, who is "a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek," and not after the order of Aaron, whose origin, consecration, life, and death, are known, Ps 110:4; Heb 7:1-28. See GENEALOGY.

It has been a matter of great inquiry among commentators, who Melchizedek really was. He has been variously supposed to be the Holy Spirit, the Son of God, an angel, Enoch and Shem. But the safest and most probable opinion is that which considers Melchizedek as a righteous and peaceful king, a worshiper and priest of the most high God, in the land of Caanan; a friend of Abraham, and of a rank elevated above him. This opinion, indeed, lies upon the very face of the sacred record in Ge 14:1-24; Heb 7:1-28, and it is the only one that can be defeated on any tolerable grounds of interpretation. See SALEM.

Melita

The name Melita was anciently applied to two islands; one in the Adriatic Sea, on the coast of Illyricum, now called Meleda; the other in the Mediterranean, between Sicily and Africa, now called Malta. That the latter is the one on which Paul suffered shipwreck is evident both from the direction of the wind which blew him thither, (See EUROCLYDON,) and from the fact that he left the island in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered there on her voyage to Italy, and after touching at Syracuse and Rhegium, landed at Puteoli, thus sailing on a direct course. The other Melita would be far out of the usual track from Alexandria to Italy; and in sailing from it to Rhegium, Syracuse also would be out of the direct course. The fact that the vessel was tossed all night before the shipwreck in the Adriatic Sea, does not militate against this view, because the name Adria was applied to the whole Ionian Sea, which lay between Sicily and Greece. See ADRIA. Ac 27:27; 28:1.

Malta is a rocky island, sixty-two miles south of Sicily, seventeen miles long and nine broad, and containing nearly one hundred square miles, and 100,000 inhabitants. At an early period it was seized by the Phoenicians; these were dispossessed by the Greeks of Sicily; they by the Carthaginians; and they in turn, 242 B. C., by the Romans, who held it in the time of Paul. After numerous changes, it fell at length into the hands of the English, who since 1814 have held undisputed possession of it. The name of "St Paul’s bay" is now borne by a small inlet on the north side of the island, opening towards the east, which answers well to the description in Ac 27:1-44. Here Paul was protected by the hand of God, amid perils on shore as well as in the sea. He remained here three months, and wrought many miracles.

Melons

Are common in the East, but do not differ particularly form ours. Watermelons grow luxuriantly in Palestine, even in dry and sandy soil. They are a delicious fruit in a hot climate, and were among the articles of food for which the Hebrews pined in the desert, Nu 11:5.

Melzar

The name or the official title of a butler or steward at the court of Nebuchadnezzar, Da 1:11-16.

Memphis

Ho 9:6. See NOPH.

Menahem

The sixteenth king of Israel, previously general of the army of Zachariah. He was at Tirzah when he heard of his master’s murder; and immediately marching against Shallum, who had shut himself up in Samaria, he captured and slew him, and them ascended the throne. He reigned in Samaria ten years, 771-760 B. C., and was a tyrannical and cruel idolater. Pul, king of Assyria, having invaded Israel during the reign of Menahem, obliged him to pay a tribute of a thousand talents, which Menahem raised by a tax on all his rich subjects of fifty shekels a head. He seems to have died a natural death; but his son and successor Pekahiah reigned only two years, and was the last of the dynasty, 2Ki 15:13-22. The name of Menahem is found on the Assyrian tablets recently discovered.

Mene

He is numbered; TEKEL, he is weighed; UPHARSIN, and they are dividing; Chaldee words supernaturally traced on the wall at Balshazzar’s impious feast, and significant of his impending doom, Da 5:1-31. The astrologers could not read them, perhaps because they were written in antique Hebrew characters; still less could they explain, even if they had dared to do it, what was so portentous. Daniel, however, received skill to understand and courage to declare their awful meaning; and the same night witnessed their fulfillment. Over how many proud heads often found in scenes of ungodliness and reveling, the hand that has recorded their past history is even now preparing to record their doom

Mephibosheth

A son of Jonathan, also called Merib-baal, 1Ch 8:34. See ESHBAAL. Mephibosbeth was very young when his father was killed in the battle of Gilboa, 2Sa 4:4, and his nurse was in such consternation at the news, that she let the child fall; and from this accident he was lame all his life. When David found himself in peaceable possession of the kingdom, he sought for all that remained of the house of Saul, that he might show them kindness, in consideration of the friendship between him and Jonathan. He gave Mephibosheth the estate of his grandfather Saul. Of a part of this, however, he was afterwards deprived by the treachery of his steward Zeba, and the hasty injustice, as it appears, of David towards and unfortunate but noble and loyal prince, 2Sa 9:1-13; 16:1-4; 19:24-30. David subsequently took care to exempt him from the number of the descendants of Saul given up to the vengeance of the Gibeonites, 2Sa 21:1-14, though another Mephibosheth, a son of Saul was slain, 2Sa 21:8.

Merab

The eldest daughter of king Saul, was promised to David in marriage, in reward for his victory over Goliath; but was given to Adriel, son of Barzillai the Meholathite, 1Sa 14:49; 18:17,19. Merab had five sons by him, who were delivered to the Gibeonites, and hanged before the Lord, 2Sa 21:8,9. The text intimates that the five men delivered to the Gibeonites were sons of Michal; but see ADRIEL.

Merari

The youngest of Levi’s three sons, born in Canaan, and head of a family of the Levites, Ge 46:11; Ex 6:16; Nu 3:17; 1Ch 6:1. In the journey through the wilderness they were charged with the framework of the tabernacle, to carry from one place of encampment to another, and there set it up, Nu 4:29-33; 7:8. Twelve cities were assigned to them beyond Jordan, Jos 21:7,34-40.

Merchant

Ge 23:16. The commodities of different countries were usually exchanged by traders of various kinds, in caravans or "traveling companies," Isa 21:13, which had their regular season and routes for passing from one great mart to another, Ge 37:25,28. These merchants prospered by wandering, as ours do by remaining stationary.

The apostle James reminds them to lay their plans in view of the uncertainty of life, and their need of divine guidance, Jas 4:13. Some of the maritime nations, as Egypt, and still more the Phoenicians, carried on a large traffic by sea, Isa 23:2; Eze 27:28.

Mercury

A fabulous god of the ancient heathen, the messenger of the celestials, and the deity that presided over learning, eloquence, and traffic. The Greeks named him Hermes, interpreter, because they considered him as the interpreter of the will of the gods. Probably it was for this reason that he people of Lystra, having heard Paul preach, and having seen him heal a lame man, would have offered sacrifice to him as to their god Mercury; and to Barnabas as Jupiter, because of his venerable aspect, Ac 14:11-12.

Mercy

The divine goodness exercised towards the wretched and the guilty, in harmony with truth and justice, Ps 85:10. The plan by which God is enabled to show saving mercy to men, for Christ’s sake, is the most consummate work of infinite wisdom and love. The soul that has truly experienced the mercy of God will be merciful like him, Lu 6:36, compassionate to the wretched, Ps 41:1,2, and forgiving towards all, Mt 5:7; 18:33.

Mercy-Seat

1Ch 28:11, the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, which see. The Hebrew word means a cover, but contains an allusion to the covering or forgiving of sins, Ps 32:1. In the New Testament it is designated by a Greek word meaning "the propitiatory," or "expiatory," Heb 9:4,5. It was approached only by the high priest, and not without the blood of atonement, to show that the divine mercy can be granted only through the blood of Christ, Ro 3:25.

Meribah

Strife,

1. A station of the Israelites between the Red Sea and Mount Sinai, where they murmured against the Lord, and a fountain gushed from the rock for their use, Ex 17:1-7. It was also named Massah, temptation, when they tempted God there, De 33:8; Heb 3:8.

2. A similar miraculous fountain in the desert of Zin, near Kadesh, which see, Nu 20:13,14. This was the scene of the transgression of Moses and Aaron, for which they were precluded from crossing the Jordan. It is called "the waters of Meribah," De 33:8; Ps 81:7; 106:32, and also Meribah-kadesh, Nu 27:14; De 32:51; Eze 47:19.

Merodach

An idol of the Babylonians, representing probably the planet Mars, Jer 50:2. The names of Babylonish kings were also sometimes compounded with this name, as Evil-Merodach and Merodach-Baladan, Isa 39:1, who is also called Berodach-Baladan in 2Ki 20:12.

Merom

The "waters of Merom," Jos 11:5, or lake of Semechon, is the most northern of the three lakes supplied by the river Jordan. It is situated in the southern part of a valley formed by the two branches of Mount Hermon. The lake is now called after the valley, the lake of Huleh. The lake proper is four or five miles long, and perhaps four broad, tapering towards the south. It is very shallow, and a large part of it is covered with aquatic plants. Thousand of waterfowl sport on its surface, and its water abound in fish. On the north lies the plain of the Huleh, which is a dead level for a distance of six miles or more. Near the upper end of this, the three streams which form the Jordan unite. On the west side of the Jordan above the lake, a marsh extends up north as far as the junction of these streams, or even farther; while on the eastern side the land is tilled almost down to the lake. It is a splendid plain, and extremely fertile. All kinds of grain grow on it, with very little labor; and it still merits the praise accorded to it by the Danite spies; "We have seen the land; and behold, it is very good, .... a place where there is no want of anything that is in the earth," Judg 18:9,10. Its rich soil is formed by deposit, and it seems to be partially submerged in the spring. Thus the lake and valley El-Huleh form an immense reservoir, and unite with the snows of Hermon to maintain the summer supplies of the Jordan. Near this lake Joshua defeated the kings of Northern Canaan, Jos 11:1-8.

Meroz

An unknown place in Galilee, cursed in the song of Deborah and Barak for not joining with them against the foes of Israel, Judg 5:23. Probably their vicinity to the scene of conflict, or the opportunity they had of rendering some special assistance, rendered their refusal peculiarly guilty.

Mesha

1. A place on the eastern frontier of the territory of Joktan, Ge 10:30, supposed to have been in the region of Bassora, at the northwest end of the Persian Gulf.

2. A king of Moab, who paid an enormous tribute to Ahab king of Israel, but revolted at his death, 2Ki 1:1; 3:4-27. Joram the son of Ahab, with the aid of Judah and Edom, made war upon him, and besieged him in his capital. Unable to force his way through the besieging host, King Mesha sought the aid of his gods by sacrificing his own son on the city wall; and the besiegers, horrorstruck at this atrocious act, withdrew in terror, lest some curse should fall on them.

Meshach

See ABED-NEGO.

Meshech Or Mesech

Ps 120:5, the sixth son of Japheth, Ge 10:2, located near Tubal at the northeast corner of Asia Minor, in Iberia, and supposed by many to have been the father of the Muscovites. Meshech traded with Tyre in "the persons of men, and in vessels of brass," Eze 27:13; 32:26; 38:2.

Mesopotamia

Between the rivers, the Greek name of the country between the Euphrates and the Tigris, called in Arabic, Al Jezira, the island. See ARAM 2, and PADAN-ARAM. In its fullest sense, Mesopotamia extended from the Persian Gulf to mount Taurus; but the name usually denotes only the tract above Babylonia, now called Dearbekr and celebrated for its exuberant fertility; while the part below, now Irak-Arabi, is sterile and without water. Mesopotamia was including the territories of the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman empires successively, and belongs now to that of the Turks.

This region is associated with the earliest history of the human race both before and after the flood. Eden was not far off; Ararat was near to it on the north, and the land of Shinar on the south. The traveler here reaches what is truly "the Old World," and is surrounded by objects compared with which the antiquities of Greece and Rome are modern novelties. This was the home of the patriarchs who proceeded Abraham-Terah, Heber, Peleg, etc. Here Abraham and Sarah were born, and the wives of Isaac, and Jacob, and most of the sons of Jacob, the heads of the twelve tribes. Mesopotamia is also mentioned in Scripture as the abode of the first oppressor of Israel in the time of the judges, Judg 3:8-10; in the history of the wars of David, 2Sa 10:16; and as furnishing a delegation of Jews, and perhaps proselytes, to attend the Passover at Jerusalem, Ac 2:9.

Messiah Or Messias

Anointed, a title given principally, or by way of eminence, to that sovereign Deliverer promised to the Jews. They were accustomed to anoint their kings, high priests, and sometimes prophets, when they were set apart to their office; and hence the phrase, "to anoint" for an employment, sometimes signifies merely a particular designation or choice for such an employment. Cyrus, who founded the empire of the Persians, and who set the Jews at liberty, is called, Isa 45:1, "the anointed of the Lord;" and in Eze 28:14, the epithet "anointed" is given to the king of Tyre.

But, as we have already observed, MESSIAH is the designation given by the Hebrews, eminently, to that Savior and Deliverer whom they expected, and who was promised to them by all the prophets. As the holy unction was given to kings, priests, and prophets, by describing the promised Savior of the world under the name of Christ, Anointed, or Messiah, it was sufficiently evidenced that the qualities of king, prophet, and highpriest would eminently center in him, and that he should exercise them not only over the Jews but over all mankind, and particularly over those who should receive him as their Savior. See CHRIST.

That Jesus Christ was the true MESSIAH of the Old Testament, the "Shiloh" of Jacob, the "Redeemer" of Job, the "Angel of the Covenant," is abundantly clear. The time of his appearance was predicted in Ge 49:10; Da 9:20,25; Hag 2:7; Mal 3:1. At the time when the Savior actually came, and then only, could these predictions meet: then the seventy weeks of years were ended; and soon after, the scepter was torn forever from the hands of Judah, the only tribe that could then claim the headship of the Jews; and the temple in which the Messiah was to appear was annihilated. Then also the genealogical lists were extant, which proved the descent of Christ from the line predicted. Numerous and clear detached predictions respecting the birth, character, life, sufferings, and death of Christ, his resurrection, ascension, and kingdom, were all in him perfectly fulfilled, Joh 1:41; 4:25.

Metheg-Ammah

2Sa 8:1; 1Ch 18:1. See GATH.

Methuselah

Son of Enoch, and father of Lamech. He lived 969 years, a longer life than any other on record, and died within the year before the deluge, Ge 5:21,22.

Micah

1. The Morasthite, or of Maresheth, a village near Eleutheropolis, in the west of Judah; the seventh in order of the lesser prophets. He prophesied under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, for about fifty years, if with some we reckon from near the beginning of the reign of Jotham, to the last year of Hezekiah B. C. 750-698. He was nearly contemporary with Isaiah, and has some expressions in common with him. Compare Isa 2:2 with Mic 4:1, and Isa 41:15 with Mic 4:13. His bold fidelity served as a shield to the prophet Jeremiah a century afterwards, Jer 26:18,19; Mic 3:12. He wrote in an elevated and vehement style, with frequent transitions. His prophecy relates to the sins and judgments of Israel and Judah, the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem, the return of the Jews from captivity, and the punishment of their enemies. He proclaims the coming of the Messiah, "whose going forth have been from of old, from everlasting," as the foundation of all hope for the glorious and blessed future he describes; and specifies Bethlehem in Judah as the place where He should be born of woman, Mic 5:2,3. The prediction was thus understood by the Jews, Mt 2:6; Joh 7:41,42.

2. An Ephraimite in the time of the Judges, soon after Joshua, who stole eleven hundred shekels of silver from his mother, but restored them, and with her consent employed them in establishing a private sanctuary, with an image to be used in the worship of Jehovah, and with a Levite for his priest. Providence frowned on his idolatrous service, and a troop of Danites robbed him of his priest and of all implements of worship, Judg 17:13.

Micaiah

1. A faithful and fearless prophet, consulted by King Ahab at the demand of Jehoshaphat as to the issue of their proposed campaign against the Syrians. He was imprisoned to abide the event, which coincided with his predictions and probably secured his release, 1Ki 22:8-38. Ahab’s conduct in this matter displays the amazing folly of sins against light.

2. A prince of Judah, who seconded the efforts of Jehoshaphat to instruct and reform the people of Judah, 2Ki 17:7-9.

Michael

See ARCHANGEL.

Michaiah

A young prince at the court of Jehoiakim, who communicated to the king’s counselors the solemn warnings of Jeremiah, Jer 36:11- 13.

Michal

The younger of Saul’s two daughters, in love with David, and whom Saul reluctantly gave to him in marriage, 1Sa 14:49; 18:20-29. She saved her husband’s life from assassins sent by her father, by a stratagem that gave him time to escape, 1Sa 19:14-15. Her father then gave her in marriage to Phalti, 1Sa 25:44, from whom David some years after recovered her, 2Sa 3:12-21.

When David brought the ark of God to Jerusalem, she conceived and expressed great disgust at his pious joy, and the affections of the king remained alienated from her till her death, 2Sa 6:16-23. Her hatred of unfashionable zeal in religion was stronger than her love of her husband and her God. She left no children.

Michmash

A town of Benjamin, nine miles north by east of Jerusalem, Ne 7:31; 11:31. It was a strong position and lay on the north side of a deep valley; for which reasons perhaps Sennacherib, on his way to Jerusalem, left his heavy equipage there, Isa 10:28,29. In this deep valley, a little west of the town, are two steep hills or rocks, supposed to be the ones referred to in the account of Jonathan’s achievement at "the passage of Michmash," 1Sa 13:23; 14:4. Dr. Robinson found here a village called Mukhmas, which appeared to be the remnant of a town of some size and importance.

Michtam

Prefixed to Ps 16:11, and meaning golden, profound, or as some think, a writing or song, as in Isa 38:9.

Midian

The fourth son of Abraham and Keturah, Ge 25:2.

Midianites

Descendants of Midian, a nomade race in Arabia, numerous, and rich in flocks, herds, and camels, Isa 60:6. The original and appropriate district of the Midianites seems to have been on the east side of the Elantic branch of the Red Sea, where the Arabian geographers place the city Midian, Ac 7:29. But they appear to have spread themselves northward, probably along the desert east of Mount Seir, to the vicinity of the Moabites; and on the other side, also, they covered a territory extending to the neighborhood of Mount Sinai. See Ex 3:1; 18:1; Nu 22:25,31; Judg 6:1-8:35. In Ge 25:2,4, compared with Ge 25:12-18, they are distinguished from the descendants of Ishmael, though elsewhere we find the two people intimately associated, so that they are called now by one name and now by the other. See Ge 37:25, compared with Ge 37:36. Their capital city was called Midian, and its remains were to be seen in the time of Jerome and Eusebius. It was situated on the Arnon, south of the city Ar, or Areopolis.

The Midianites were idolaters, and often led Israel astray to worship their gods. They also not infrequently rendered the Hebrews tributary, and oppressed them. See Nu 22:1-41; 25:1-18; 31:1-54. Often when the Israelites had sown, and their harvest was nearly ready to be gathered in, the Midianites and Amalekites, children of the eastern desert, came down like locusts in countless swarms, with their cattle and tents and camels, to devour and carry off the fruits of the ground, and not only rob but destroy their owners. And often did the Jews, lacking the strength or the faith or the leadership necessary for effectual resistance, seek refuge in mountain-dens and caverns till the invaders retired. Gideon was their deliverer in one such period of oppression, Judg 6:7. The modern Ishmaelites still follow the ancient practice, and their violent incursions, robberies, and murders might be described in the same terms that were used with reference to their fathers by the historians of old.

Midnight

See HOUR.

Migdol

A tower, a frontier town in Northern Egypt towards the Red Sea, Jer 44:1; 46:14; Eze 29:10; 30:6. The Hebrews, on leaving Egypt, encamped between it and the sea, Ex 14:2; Nu 33:7.

Migron

A town in the vicinity of Ai and Gibeah, north of Michmash, now lost, 1Sa 14:2; Isa 10:28.

Milcom

See MOLOCH.

Mile

The word mile, in Mt 5:41, is spoken of the Roman milliare, or mile, which contained eight stadia, 1,000 paces, that is, about 1,614 yards, while the English mile contains 1,760 yards.

Miletus

An ancient city, formerly the metropolis of all Ionia, situated on the western coast of Asia Minor, on the confines of Caria, just south of the mouth of the river Meander. It was the parent of many colonies, and was celebrated for a temple and oracle of Apollo Didymaeus, an as the birthplace of Thales, Anaximander, Democritus, and other famous men.

The apostle Paul, on his voyage from Macedonia toward Jerusalem, spent a day or two here, and held an affecting interview with the Christian elders of Ephesus, who at his summons came nearly thirty miles from the north to meet him, Ac 20:15-38. He also revisited Miletus after his first imprisonment at Rome, 2Ti 4:20. There were Christians and bishops there from the fifth to the eighth century; but the city has long been in ruins, and its exact site can hardly be determined, so much is the coast altered around the mouth of the Meander.

Milk

Is often alluded to in the Bible, as a symbol of pure, simple, and wholesome truth, Heb 5:12,13; 1Pe 2:2; and in connection with honey, to denote fertility and plenty, Ge 49:12; Nu 16:13; Jos 5:6. The Jews and their neighbors used not only the milk of cows, but also that of camels, sheep, and goats, Ge 32:15; De 32:14; Pr 27:27. See BUTTER and CHEESE.

Mill

See CORN.

Millet

A kind of grain of which there are several species cultivated in Italy, Syria, Egypt, and India. It is used partly green as fodder, and partly in the ripe grain for bread, etc. Eze 4:9, received an order from the Lord to make himself bread with a mixture of wheat, barley, beans, lentiles, and millet. "Durra," says Niebuhr, "is a kind of millet, made into bread with camel’s milk, oil, butter, etc, and is almost the only food eaten by the common people of Arabia Felix. I found it so disagreeable, that I would willingly have preferred plain barley bread." This illustrates the appointment of it to the prophet Ezekiel as a part of his hard fare.

Millo

1. Probably a bastion of the citadel of Zion, at Jerusalem, mentioned in the history of David and Solomon, 2Sa 5:9; 2Ki 12:20; 1Ch 11:8; 2Ch 32:5.

2. The name of a family or of a fortress at Shechem; in the latter case, the "house of Millo" would mean the garrison of that fortress, Judg 9:6.

Minister

One who attends or waits on another, Mt 20:28; so Elisha was the minister of Elijah, 1Ki 19:21; 2Ki 3:11. These persons did not feel themselves degraded by their stations, and in due time they succeeded to the office of their masters. In like manner, John Mark was minister to Paul and Barnabas, Ac 13:5. Angels are ministers of God and of his people, Ps 103:21; Heb 1:14. The term is applied to one who performs any function, or administers any office or agency: as to magistrates, Ro 15:16; 1Co 4:1; 5:5; and to teachers of error, 2Co 11:15. Christ came to minister, not to be ministered unto; and is called in another sense a minister "of the circumcision," Ro 15:8, and of the heavenly sanctuary, Heb 8:2.

Minni

A kingdom summoned to a war against Babylon, with Ararat and Ashchenaz, Jer 51:27; supposed to denote Armenia, or a portion of it.

Minnith

A town of the Ammonites in the time of Jephthah, Judg 11:33, four miles northeast of Heshbon. It furnished fine wheat for the market of Tyre, Eze 27:17.

Mint

A garden herb, sufficiently known. The Pharisees, desiring to distinguish themselves by a most scrupulous and literal observation of the law, gave tithes of mint, anise, and cummin, Mt 23:23. Our Savior does not censure this exactness, but complains, that while they were so precise in these lesser matters, they neglected the essential commandments of the law-making their punctiliousness about easy and external duties an excuse for disregarding their obligations to love God supremely, to be regenerated in heart, and just and beneficent in life.

Miracle

Also called a sign, wonder, or mighty work, Ac 2:32; a work so superseding in its higher forms the established laws of nature as to evince the special interposition of God. A miracle is to be distinguished from wonders wrought by designing men through artful deceptions, occult sciences, or laws of nature unknown except to adepts. The miracles wrought by Christ, for example, were such as God only could perform; were wrought in public, before numerous witnesses, both friends and foes; were open to the most perfect scrutiny; had an end in view worthy of divine sanction; were attested by witnesses whose character and conduct establish their claim to our belief; and are further confirmed by institutions still existing, intended to commemorate them, and dating from the period of the miracles. Christ appealed to his mighty works as undeniable proofs of his divinity and Messiahship, Mt 9:6; 11:4,5,23,24; Joh 10:24-27; 20:29,31. The deceptions of the magicians in Egypt, and of false prophets in ancient and in modern times, De 13:1; Mt 24:24; 2Th 2:9; Re 13:13,14, would not bear the above tests. By granting to any man the power to work a miracle, God gave the highest attestation to the truth he should teach and the message he should bring, 1Ki 18:38,39; this is God’s own seal, not to be affixed to false hoods; and though the lying wonders of Satan and his agents were so plausible as to "deceive if possible the very elect," no one who truly sought to know and do the will of God could be deluded by them.

The chief object of miracles having been to authenticate the revelation God has made of his will, these mighty words ceased when the Scripture canon was completed and settled, and Christianity was fairly established. Since the close of the first century from the ascension of Christ, few or no undoubted miracles have been wrought; and whether a sufficient occasion for new miracles will ever arise is known only to God.

The following list comprises most of the miracles on record in the Bible, not including the supernatural visions and revelations of himself which God vouch-safed to his ancient servants, nor those numerous wonders of his providence which manifest his hand almost as indisputable as miracles themselves. See also PROPHECY. Old Testament Miracles

The creation of all things, Ge 1:1-31.

The deluge, comprising many miracles, Ge 6:1-22.

The destruction of Sodom, etc., Ge 19:1-38.

The healing of Abimelech, Ge 20:17,18.

The burning bush, Ex 3:2-4.

Moses’ rod made a serpent, and restored, Ex 4:3-4; 7:10.

Moses’ hand made leprous, and healed, Ex 4.6-7.

Water turned into blood, Ex 4:9,30.

The Nile turned to blood, Ex 7:20.

Frogs brought and removed, Ex 8:6,13.

Lice brought, Ex 8:17.

Flies brought, and removed, Ex 8:21-31.

Murrain of beasts, Ex 9:3-6.

Boils and blains brought, Ex 9:10,11.

Hail brought, and removed, Ex 9:23,33.

Locusts brought, and removed, Ex 10:13,19.

Darkness brought, Ex 10:22.

First-born destroyed, Ex 10:29.

The Red Sea divided, Ex 14:21-22.

Egyptians overwhelmed, Ex 14:26-28.

Waters of Marah sweetened, Ex 15:27.

Quails and manna sent, Ex 16:1-36.

Water from the rock, in Horeb, Ex 17:6.

Amalek vanquished, Ex 17:11-13.

Pillar of cloud and fire, Nu 9:15-23.

Leprosy of Miriam, Nu 12:10.

Destruction of Korah, etc., Nu 16:28-35,46-50.

Aaron’s rod budding, Nu 17:8.

Water from the rock, in Kadesh, Nu 20:11.

Healing by the brazen serpent, Nu 21:8,9.

Balaam’s ass speaks, Nu 22:28.

Plague in the desert, Nu 25:1,9.

Water of Jordan divided, Jos 3:10-17.

Jordan restored to its course, Jos 4:18.

Jericho taken, Jos 6:6-20.

Achan discovered, Jos 7:14-21.

Sun and moon stand still, Jos 10:12-14.

Gideon’s fleece wet, Judg 6:36-40.

Midianites destroyed, Judg 7:16-22.

Exploits of Samson, Judg 14:1-16:31.

House of Dagon destroyed, Judg 16:30.

Dagon falls before the ark, etc., 1Sa 5:1-12.

Return of the ark, 1Sa 6:12.

Thunder and rain in harvest, 1Sa 12:18.

Jeroboam’s hand withered, etc., 1Ki 13:4,6.

The altar rent, 1Ki 13:5.

Drought caused, 1Ki 17:6.

Elijah fed by ravens, 1Ki 17:6.

Meal and oil supplied, 1Ki 17:14-16.

Child restored to life, 1Ki 17:22-23.

Sacrifice consumed by fire, 1Ki 18:36,38.

Rain brought, 1Ki 18:41-45.

Men destroyed by fire, 2Ki 1:10-12.

Waters of Jordan divided, 2Ki 2:14.

Oil supplied, 2Ki 4:1-7.

Child restored to life, 2Ki 4:32-35.

Naaman healed, 2Ki 5:10,14.

Gehazi’s leprosy, 2Ki 5:27.

Iron caused to swim, 2Ki 6:6.

Syrians smitten blind, etc., 2Ki 19:35.

Hezekiah healed, 2Ki 20:7.

Shadow put back, 2Ki 20:11.

Pestilence in Israel, 1Ch 21:14.

Jonah preserved by a fish, Jon 1:17; 2:10.

New Testament Miracles.

The star in the east, Mt 2:3.

The Spirit like a dove, Mt 3:16.

Christ’s fast and temptations, Mt 4:1-11.

Many miracles of Christ, Mt 4:23-24; 8:16; 14:14,36; 15:30; Mr 1:34; Lu 6:17-19.

Lepers cleansed, Mt 8:3-4; Lu 17:14.

Centurion’s servant healed, Mt 8:5-13.

Peter’s wife’s mother healed, Mt 8:14.

Tempests stilled, Mt 8:23-26; 14:32.

Devils cast out, Mt 8:28-32; 9:32-33; 15:22-28; 17:14-18.

Paralytics healed, Mt 9:2-6; Mr 2:3-12.

Issue of blood healed, Mt 9:20-22.

Jairus’ daughter raised to life, Mt 9:18,25.

Sight given to the blind, Mt 9:27-30; 20:34; Mr 8:22-25; Joh 9:17.

The dumb restored, Mt 9:32-33; 12:22; Mr 7:33-35.

Miracles by the disciples, Mt 10:1-8.

Multitudes fed, Mt 14:15-21; 15:35-38.

Christ walking on the sea, Mt 14:25-27.

Peter walking on the sea, Mt 14:29.

Christ’s transfiguration, etc., Mt 17:1-8.

Tribute from a fish’s mouth, Mt 17:27.

The fig tree withered, Mt 21:19.

Miracles at the crucifixion, Mt 27:51-53.

Miracles at the resurrection, Mt 28:1-7; Lu 24:6.

Draught of fishes, Lu 5:4-6; Joh 21:6.

Widow’s son raised to life, Lu 7:14,15.

Miracles before John’s messengers, Lu 7:21-22.

Miracles by the seventy, Lu 10:9,17.

Woman healed of infirmity, Lu 13:11-13.

Dropsy cured, Lu 14:2-4.

Malchus’ ear restored, Lu 22:50-51.

Water turned to wine, Joh 2:6-10.

Nobleman’s son healed, Joh 4:46-53.

Impotent man healed, Joh 5:5-9.

Sudden crossing of the sea, Joh 6:21.

Lazarus raised from the dead, Joh 11:43-44.

Christ’s coming to his disciples, Joh 20:19,26.

Wonders at the Pentecost, Ac 2:1-11.

Miracles by the apostles, Ac 2:43; 5:12.

Lame man cured, Ac 3:7.

Death of Ananias and Sapphira, Ac 5:5,10.

Many sick healed, Ac 5:15-16.

Apostles delivered from prison, Ac 5:19.

Miracles by Stephen, Ac 6:8.

Miracles by Philip, Ac 8:6,7,13.

Eneas made whole, Ac 9:34.

Dorcas restored to life, Ac 9:40.

Peter delivered from prison, Ac 12:6-10.

Elymas struck blind, Ac 13:11.

Miracles by Paul and Barnabas, Ac 14:3.

Lame man cured, Ac 14:10.

Unclean spirit cast out, Ac 16:18.

Paul and Silas delivered, Ac 16:25-26.

Special miracles, Ac 19:11-12.

Eutchus restored to life, Ac 20:10-12.

Viper’s bite made harmless, Ac 28:5.

Father of Publius, etc., healed, Ac 28:8,9.

Miriam

The sister of Moses and Aaron, probably the one who watched over Moses in the ark of bulrushes, Ex 2:4,5 Nu 26 59 Mic 6 4. As a prophetess, she led the women of Israel in their song of worship and thanksgiving to God on the drowning of the Egyptians, Ex 15:20,21. Her jealous murmurs against Moses and his Cushite wife were punished by a temporary leprosy, Nu 12:1-16; De 24:9; but she was forgiven and restored, and near the close of the wandering of Israel, died at Kadwshbarnea, Nu 20:1.

Mirror

See LOOKING GLASS.

Mishael Or Meshach

A fellow-captive with Daniel in Babylon. See ABEDNEGO.

Mite

A small piece of money, two of which made a kodrantes, or the fourth part of the Roman as. The as was equal to three and one-tenth farthings sterling, or about one and one-half cents. The mite, therefore, would be equal to about two mills, Lu 12:59; 21:2.

Miter

The sacred turban or bonnet of the Jewish high priest, made of a piece of fine linen many yards long, wound about the head, and having in front, secured with blue lace, a plate of pure gold on which was inscribed, "HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD," Ex 28:4,36-38; 39:28-31.

Mitylene

The ancient capital of the island of Lesbos; a seaport on the east side of the island, towards Asia Minor. Paul touched there on his way from Greece to Jerusalem, Ac 20:14. The island is now called Mitelino; and the ruins of the city still exist near Castro.