Taanach – Teman

Taanach

A Caanite royal city, Jos 12:21, in the territory of Issachar, but assigned to Manesseh, Jos 17:11; 21:25. There is still a small place called Taannuk on the south border of the plain of Esdraelon, four miles southeast of the site of Megiddo, which is usually named with Taanach, Judg 1:27; 5:19; 1Ki 4:12.

Taber

To beat the tabret, a small drum or tambourine. The word is used in Na 2:7 of women beating their breasts in sign of grief.

Taberah

Burning, so named on account of the fire which fell upon the Israelites for their murmings while encamped here, Nu 11:1-3; De 9:22.

Tabernacle

A tent, booth, pavilion, or temporary dwelling. For its general meaning and uses, see TENT. In the Scriptures it is employed more particularly of the tent made by Moses at the command of God, for the place of religious worship of the Hebrews, before the building of the temple. The directions of God, and the account of the execution of them, are contained in Ex 25:1-40, and the following chapters. This is usually called the tabernacle of the congregation, or tent of assembly, and sometimes the tabernacle of the testimony.

The tabernacle was of an oblong rectangular form, thirty cubits long, ten broad, and ten in height, Ex 26.15-30; 36.20-30; that is, about fifty-five feet long, eighteen broad, and eighteen high. The two sides and the western end were formed of boards of shittim wood, overlaid with thin plates of gold, and fixed in solid sockets or vases of silver. Above, they were secured by bars of the same wood overlaid with gold, passing through rings of gold which were fixed to the boards. On the east end, which was the entrance, there were no boards, but only five pillars of shittim wood, whose chapters and fillets were overlaid with gold and their hooks of gold, standing in five sockets of brass. The tabernacle thus erected was covered with four different kinds of curtains. The first and inner curtain was composed of fine linen, magnificently embroidered with figures of cherubim, in shades of blue, purple, and scarlet; this formed the beautiful ceiling. The next covering was made of fine goats’ hair; the third of rams’ skins or morocco dyed red; and the fourth and outward covering of a thicker leather. See BADGERS’ SKINS. We have already said that the east end of the tabernacle had no boards, but only five pillars of shittim wood; it was therefore closed with a richly embroidered curtain suspended from these pillars, Ex 27:16.

Such was the external appearance of the sacred tent, which was divided into two apartments by means of four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold, like the pillars before described, two cubits and a half distant from each other; only they stood in sockets of silver instead of brass, Ex 26:32; 36:36; and on these pillars was hung a veil, formed of the same materials as the one placed at the east end, Ex 26:31-33; 36:35; Heb 9:3. The interior of the tabernacle was thus divided, it is generally supposed, in the same proportions as the temple afterwards built according to its model; two-thirds of the whole length being allotted to the first room, or the Holy Place, and one-third to the second, or Most Holy Place. Thus the former would be twenty cubits long, ten wide, and ten high, and the latter ten cubits every way. It is observable, that neither the Holy nor the Most Holy place had any window. Hence the need of the candlestick in the one, for the service that was performed therin.

The tabernacle thus described stood in an open space or court of an oblong form, one hundred cubits in length, and fifty in breadth, situated due east and west, Ex 27:18. This court was surrounded with pillars of brass, filleted with silver, and placed at the distance of five cubits from each other, twenty on each side and ten on each end. Their sockets were of brass, and were fastened to the earth with pins of the same metal, Ex 38:10,17,20. Their height was probably five cubits, that being the length of the curtains that were suspended on them, Ex 28:18. These curtains, which formed an enclosure round the court, were of fine twined white linen yarn, Ex 27:9; 38:9,16, except that at the entrance on the east end, which was of blue and purple and scarlet and fine white twined linen, with cords to draw it either up or aside when the priests entered the court, Ex 27:16; 38:18. Within this area stood the altar of burntofferings, and the laver with its foot or base. This altar was placed in a line between the door of the court and the door of the tabernacle, but nearer the former, Ex 40:6,29; the laver stood the altar of burnt-offering and the door of the tabernacle, Ex 38:8. In this court all the Israelites presented their offerings, vows, and prayers.

But although the tabernacle was surrounded by the court, there is no reason to think that it stood in the center of it. It is more probable that the area at the east end was fifty cubits square; and indeed a less space than that could hardly suffice for the work that was to be done there, and for the persons who were immediately to attend the service. We now proceed to notice the furniture which the tabernacle contained.

In the Holy Place to which none but priests were admitted, Heb 9:6, were three objects worthy of notice: namely, the altar of incense, the table for the show-bread, and the candlestick for the showbread, and the candlestick for the lights, all of which have been described in their respective places. The altar of incense was placed in the middle of the sanctuary, before the veil, Ex 30:6-10; 40:26-27; and on it the incense was burnt morning and evening, Ex 30:7,8. On the north side of the altar of incense, that is, on the right hand of the priest as he entered, stood the table for the show-bread, Ex 26:35; 40:22,23; and on the south side of the Holy Place, the golden candlestick, Ex 25:31-39. In the Most Holy Place, into which only the high priest entered once a year, Heb 9:7, was the ark, covered by the mercy-seat and the cherubim.

The gold and silver employed in decorating the tabernacle are estimated at not less than a million of dollars. The remarkable and costly structure thus described was erected in the wilderness of Sinai, on the first day of the first month of the second year, after the Israelites left Egypt, Ex 40.17; and when erected was anointed, together with its furniture, with holy oil, Ex 40:9-11, and sanctified by blood, Ex 24:6-8; Heb 9:21. The altar of burnt offerings, especially, was sanctified by sacrifices during seven days, Ex 29:37; while rich donations were given by the princes of the tribes for the service of the sanctuary, Nu 7:1.

We should not omit to observe, that the tabernacle was so constructed as to be taken to pieces and put together again, as occasion required. This was indispensable; it being designed to accompany the Israelites during their travels in the wilderness. With it moved and rested the pillar of fire and of cloud. As often as Israel removed, the tabernacle was taken to pieces by the priests, closely covered, and borne in regular order by the Levites, Nu 4:1-49. Wherever they encamped, it was pitched in the midst of their tents, which were set up in a quadrangular form, under their respective standards, at a distance from the tabernacle of two thousand cubits; while Moses and Aaron, with the priests and Levites, occupied a place between them.

How long this tabernacle existed we do not know. During the conquest it remained at Gilgal, Jos 4:19; 10:43. After the conquest it was stationed for many years at Shiloh, Jos 18:1; 1Sa 1:3. In 2Sa 6:17, and 1Ch 15:1, it is said that David had prepared and pitched a tabernacle in Jerusalem for the ark, which before had long been at Kirjath-jearim, and then in the house of Obed-edom, 1Ch 13:6,14; 2Sa 6:11,12. In 1Ch 21:29, it is said that the tabernacle of Moses was still at Gibeon at that time; and it would therefore seem that the ark had long been separated from it. The tabernacle still remained at Gibeon in the time of Solomon, who sacrificed before it, 2Ch 1:3,13. This is the last mention made of it; for apparently the tabernacle brought with the ark into the temple, 2Ch 5:5, was the tent in which the ark had been kept on Zion, 2Ch 1:4; 5:2.

Feast of Tabernacles. This festival derives its name from the booths in which the people dwelt during its continuance, which were constructed of the branches and leaves of trees, on the roofs of their houses, in the courts, and also in the streets. Nehemiah describes the gathering of palm-branches, olive branches, myrtlebranches, etc., for this occasion, from the Mount of Olives. It was one of the three great festivals of the year, at which all the men of Israel were required to be present, De 16:16. It was celebrated during eight days, commencing on the fifteenth day of the month Tishri, that is, fifteen days after the new moon in October; and the first and last days were particularly distinguished, Le 23:34-43; Ne 8:14-18. This festival was instituted in memory of the forty years’ wanderings of the Israelites in the desert, Le 23:42,43, and also as a season of gratitude and thanksgiving for the gathering in of the harvest; whence it is also called the Feast of the Harvest, Ex 23:16; 34:22. The season was an occasion of rejoicing and feasting. The public sacrifices consisted of two rams and fourteen lambs on each of the first seven days, together with thirteen bullocks on the first day, twelve on the second, eleven on the third, ten on the fourth, nine on the fifth, eight on the sixth, and seven on the seventh; while on the eighth day one bullock, one ram, and seven lambs were offered, Nu 29:12-39. On every seventh year, the law of Moses was also read in public, in the presence of all the people, De 31:10-13; Ne 8:18.

To these ceremonies the later Jews added a libation of water mingled with wine, which was poured upon the morning sacrifice of each day. The priests, having filled a vessel of water from the fountain of Siloam, bore it through the water gate to the temple, and there, while the trumpets and horns were sounding, poured it upon the sacrifice arranged upon the altar. This was probably done as a memorial of the abundant supply of water which God afforded to the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert; and perhaps with reference to purification from sin, 1Sa 7:6. This was accompanied with the singing of Isa 12:1-6: "With joy shall ye draw water from the wells of salvation;" and may naturally have suggested our Savior’s announcement while attending this festival, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink," Joh 7:37,38. The first and eighth days of the festival were Sabbaths to the Lord, in which there was a holy convocation, and in which all labor was prohibited, Le 23:39; Nu 29:12,35; and as the eighth was the last festival day celebrated in the course of each year, it appears to have been esteemed as peculiarly important and sacred.

Tabitha

See DORCAS.

Table

See BREAD, and EATING.

Tabor

An isolated mountain of Galilee, on the northeastern side of the plain of Esdraelon, an arm of which extends beyond the mountain in the same direction. It is of limestone formation, conical in form, and well-wooded, especially on the north side, with fine oaks and other trees and odoriferous plants. It rises 1,350 feet above the plain at its base, which is 400 feet above the Mediterranean, and by a winding path on the north-west side one may ride to its summit in an hour. There is a small oblong plain on the summit, surrounded by a larger but less regular tract, perhaps a mile inn circumference. The prospect from Mount Tabor is extensive and beautiful. Dr. Robinson and many others speak of it as one of the finest in Paletine; and Lord Nugent declared it the most splendid he could recollect having ever seen from any natural height. See Jer 46:18. Its general features are the same as those of the view from the heights of Nazareth, five miles to the west. See NAZARETH. Glimpses of the Mediterranean appear over the high grounds, which intervene. In the plain at the southern base of the mountain are the sources of the brook Kishon, and the villages Endor and Nain, famous in Bible history. Besides the fertile expanse of Esdraelon, and mounts Carmel, Gilboa, etc., on its borders, the view embraces a portion of the sea of Galilee in the northeast; and towards the north the mountains of Galilee, with the town of Safed crowning the highest of them all, recalling the proverb which it is said to have first suggested, "A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." Still farther to the north and east, the snowcrowned head of Hermon overlooks the fifty miles which intervene, Ps 80:12.

On the summit of Tabor a fortified town anciently stood, probably of the same name, 1Ch 6:77. This was in existence, and was garrisoned by the Romans in the time of Christ, which conflicts with the tradition that makes Tabor the scene of the transfiguration. Ruins of ancient walls enclose the area of the summit; and at various points there are remains of fortifications and dwellings, some of which are of the age of the crusaders, and others of more ancient date. Tabor lay on the borders of Issachar and Zebulun, Jos 19:12,22. The host of Barak encamped upon it, before the battle with Sisera, Judg 4:6,12,14. At a later day it appears to have been desecrated by idolatry, Ho 5:1.

Tabret

Ge 31:27; Isa 5:12, a sort of small drum or tambourine, played as an accompaniment to singing. See TIMBREL.

Taches

Golden and brazen clasps, uniting the separate curtain of the tabernacle, Ex 26:6,11.

Tadmor Or Tamar

A palm-tree, 1Ki 9:18, a city founded by Solomon in the desert of Syria, on the borders of Arabia Dessert, towards the Euphrates, 2Ch 8:4. It was remote from human habitations, on an oasis in the midst of a dreary wilderness; and it is probable that Solomon built it to facilitate his commerce with the East, as it afforded a supply of water, a thing of the utmost importance in an Arabian desert. It was about one hundred and twenty miles northeast of Damascus, more than half the distance to the Euphrates. The original name was preserved till the time of Alexander, who extended his conquests to this city, which then exchanged its name Tadmor for that of Palmyra, both signifying that it was a "city of palms." It submitted to the Romans about the year 130, and continued in alliance with them during a period of one hundred and fifty years. In the third century the famous queen Zenobia reigned here over all the adjacent provinces, till conquered and carried captive to Rome by Aurelian. When the Saracens triumphed in the East, they acquired possession of this city, and restored its ancient name. It is still called Thadmor. Of the time of its ruin there is no authentic record; but it is thought, with some probability, that its destruction occurred during the period in which it was occupied by the Saracens.

Of its appearance in modern times Messrs. Wood and Dawkins, who visited it in 1751, thus speak: "It is scarcely possible to imagine anything more striking than this view. So great a number of Corinthian pillars, mixed with so little wall or solid building, afforded a most romantic variety of prospect." Volney observes, "In the space covered by these ruins, we sometimes find a palace, of which nothing remains but the court and walls; sometimes a temple, whose peristyle is half thrown down; and now a portico, a gallery, a triumphal arch. If from this striking scene we cast our eyes upon the ground, another almost as varied presents itself. On which side soever we look, the earth is strowed with vast stones half buried, with broken entablatures, mutilated friezes, disfigured reliefs, effaced sculptures, violated tombs, and altars defiled by the dust." Most of the edifices the ruins of which are above described, date from the first three centuries of the Christian era; while shapeless mounds of rubbish, covered with soil and herbage, contain the only memorials of the Tadmor of Solomon. The city was situated under and east of a ridge of barren hills, and its other sides were separated only by a wall from the open desert. It was originally about ten miles in circumference; but such have been the destructions effected by time, that the boundaries are with difficulty traced and determined.

Tahapanes

Jer 2:16, or Tahpanhes, Jer 43:7,9, or Tegaphnehes, Eze 30:18, the name of an Egyptian city, for which the Seventy put Taphne, and the Greek historians Daphne. This city lay in the vicinity of Pelusium, towards the southwest, on the western bank of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, and is therefore called by Herodotus the Pelusiac Daphne. To this city Johanan and many of the Jews retired, after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, taking with them the prophet Jeremiah, Jer 43:7-9; 44:1. That Tahapanes was a large and important city, is apparent from the threats uttered against it by Eze 30:18. According to some, Hanes, in Isa 30:4, is an abbreviated name of the same city.

Tale

Sometimes means a number, verified by counting, Ex 5:8,18; 1Ch 9:28.

Talent

This was a weight used among the Jews, Greeks, and Romans, but varying exceedingly in different countries and in different parts of the same country. The Jewish talent is usually estimated at about 125 pounds troy weight, though others estimate it a little less then 114 pounds troy. The common Attic talent was equal, on the usual estimate, to about 56 lbs. 11 oz. troy. In the New Testament, a talent is a denomination of money, which was anciently reckoned by weight. The value of the talent, therefore, varied in different countries, in proportion to the different weights of the talent. The Jewish talent appear, from Ex 38:25,26, to have been equal to 3,000 shekels; and as the shekel is estimated at about fifty cents, the value of the talent would be about 1,5000 dollars. The Attic talent is usually reckoned at about 225 pounds sterling, or 1,000 dollars, though others make it only about 860 dollars. The talent spoken of in the New Testament is probably the Jewish, and is used only of an indefinitely large sum, Mt 18:24; 25:14-30.

Talmai

King of Geshur, on the borders of Palestine and Syria. David married Maacha his daughter, the mother of Tamar and Absalom. The latter avenged the wrongs of his sister Tamar by the murder of Amnon, and then took refuge at the court of his grandfather, where he remained three years, 2Sa 3:3,13,14.

Tamar

A palm-tree,

1. A Canaanitish woman, mother of Pharez and Zarah, Ge 38:1-30.

2. A daughter of David. See TALMAI.

3. A daughter of Absalom, 2Sa 14:27.

Tammuz

A Syrian idol, mentioned in Eze 8:14, where the women are represented as weeping for it. It is generally supposed that Tammuz was the same deity as the Phoenician Adonis, and perhaps the Egyptian Osiris. The fabled death and restoration of Adonis, supposed to symbolize the departure and return of the sun, were celebrated at the summer solstice first with lamentation, and then with rejoicing and obscene revels.

Tapestry

Cloth for hangings and bed-covers, covered with ornamental needlework, Pr 7:16.

Tappuah

1. Now Teffuh, a town among the hills northwest of Hebron, Jos 1:17; 15:53.

2. Another city of Judah, southwest of Hebron, Jos 15:34.

3. A town on the line of Ephraim and Manesseh, Jos 15:34.

4. A descendant of Caleb, 1Ch 2:43.

Tares

A noxious plant of the grass family, supposed to mean the darnel, the "infelix lolium" of Virgil, now called Siwan or Zowan by the Arabs. It grows among the wheat everywhere in Palestine, and bears a great resemblance to it while growing, so much so that before they head out the two plants can hardly be distinguished. The grains are found two or three together in a dozen small husks scattered on a rather long head. The Arabs do not separate the darnel from the wheat, unless by means of a fan or sieve after threshing, Mt 13:25- 30. If left to mingle with the bread, it occasions dizziness, and often acts as an emetic.

Target

1Sa 17:6, a small round shield. The same word in 1Sa 17:45 is translated a shield, and elsewhere a javelin. See ARMOR.

Tarshish

1. The second son of Javan, Ge 10:4.

2. Tartessus, an ancient city between two mouths of the Guadalquiver, in the south of Spain. It was a Phoenician colony, and was the most celebrated emporium in the west to which the Hebrews and Phoenicians traded. That Tarshish was situated in the west is evident from Ge 10:4, where it is joined with Elisha, Kittim, and Dodanim. See also Ps 72:10. According to Eze 38:13, it was an important place of trade; according to Jer 10:9, it exported silver, and according to Eze 27:12,25, silver, iron, tin, and lead to the Tyrian markets. They embarked for this place from Joppa, Jon 1:3-4. In Isa 23:1,6,10, it is evidently represented as an important Phoenician colony. It is named among other distant states, in Isa 66:19. All these notices agree with Tartessus.

In some of these passages, however, Tarshish may be used as a general expression, applicable to all the distant shores of Europe; and thus the custom may have arisen of designating as "ships of Tarshish" any large merchant ships bound on long voyages in any direction. The English term Indiaman is very similarly used. Whether the ships fitted out by Solomon at Ezion-geber on the Red sea, sailed around Africa to Tarshish in Spain, or gave the name of Tarshish to some place in India of Ethiopia, as the discovers of America gave it the eastern names India and Indians, cannot now be determined, 1Ki 10:22; 22:48,49; 2Ch 9:21; 20:26; Isa 23:1,14; 60:9.

Tarsus

The name of a celebrated city, the metropolis of Cilicia, in the southeastern part of Asia Minor; situated six miles from the Mediterranean, on the banks of the river Cydnus, which flowed through and divided it into two parts. Tarsus was distinguished for the culture of Greek literature and philosophy, so that at one time, in its schools and in the number of its learned men, it was the rival of Athens and Alexandria. In reward for its exertions and sacrifices during the civil wars of Rome, Tarsus was made a free city of Augustus. It was the privilege of such cities that they were governed by their own laws and magistrates, and were not subjected to tribute, to the jurisdiction of a Roman governor, nor to the power of a Roman garrison, although they acknowledged the supremacy of the Roman people, and were bound to aid them against their enemies.

That the freedom of Tarsus, however, was not equivalent to being a Roman citizen, appears from this, that the tribune, although he knew Paul to be a citizen of Tarsus, Ac 21:39, yet ordered him to be scourged, Ac 22:24, but desisted from his purpose when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen, Ac 22:27. It is therefore probable that the ancestors of Paul had obtained the privilege of Roman citizenship in some other way, Ac 9:30; 11:25; 22:3. It is now called Tarsous; and though much decayed and full of ruins, is estimated to contain a population in summer of 7,000, and in winter of 30,000, chiefly Turks. During the excessive heat of summer, a large part of the people repair to the high lands of the interior.

Tartak

An idol, introduced by the Avites into Samaria, 2Ki 17:31.

Tartan

An Assyrian general, sent to Jerusalem with Rabshakeh, by Sennacherib, 2Ki 18:17; and perhaps the same who captured Ashdod in the reign of Sargon, Isa 20:1.

Tatnai

A governor of Samaria under Darius, whose administration was characterized by great justice and moderation towards the Jews, Ezr 5:1-6:22, B. C. 519.

Taverns, Three

A village thirty-three miles south of Rome, mentioned by Cicero, and still called Tre Tavern. See APPI FORUM.

Tears

Small urns or Lachrymatorises, of thin glass or simple pottery, and containing the tears of mourners at funerals, used to be placed in the sepulchres of the dead at Rome and in Palestine, where they are found in great numbers on opening ancient tombs. This custom is illustrative of Ps 56:8, which shows that God is ever mindful of the sorrows of his people. In Re 7:17 he is represented as tenderly wiping all tears from their eyes, or removing for ever all their grief.

Tebeth

Es 2:16, the tenth month of the Hebrew sacred year, commencing with the new moon in January.

Tehaphnehes

See TAHAPANEE.

Teil-Tree

The lime or linden. See OAK.

Tekoa

Jer 6:1, a city of Judah, now in ruins, situated on an extended height, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. Here originated the wise woman who was Joab’s agent, 2Sa 14:2, and Amos the prophet, Am 1:1. It was inhabited by Christians in the time of the crusades.

The wilderness of Tekoa, mentioned in 2Ch 20:20, inclines toward the Dead Sea.

Telabib

A place on the river Chebar in Mesopotamia, where a colony of captive Jews was located, Eze 3:15. A town called Thallaba is still found in that region.

Tema

An Ishmaelite tribe and district, in the north of Arabia Deserta towards Damascus, Ge 25:15. It is associated with Dedan, Isa 21:14; Jer 25:23, and was famous for its caravans, Job 6:19. The region is still called Tema by the Arabs.

Teman

South, a city and region in Eastern Idumaea, settled by Teman the grandson of Esau, Ge 36:11,15,42; Am 1:12; Hab 3:3. The men of Teman, Ge 36:34, like others of the Edomites, had the reputation of great wisdom, Jer 49:7,20; Ob 1:21. Compare the sayings of Eliphaz the Temanite in the book of Job.