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Baptism of Christ – Berodach-baladan
Page 9 of 76
Baptism of Christ
Christ had to be formally inaugurated into the public discharge of his offices. For this purpose he came to John, who was the representative of the law and the prophets, that by him he might be introduced into his offices, and thus be publicly recognized as the Messiah of whose coming the prophecies and types had for many ages borne witness.
John refused at first to confer his baptism on Christ, for he understood not what he had to do with the "baptism of repentance." But Christ said, "Suffer it to be so now,' NOW as suited to my state of humiliation, my state as a substitute in the room of sinners." His reception of baptism was not necessary on his own account. It was a voluntary act, the same as his act of becoming incarnate. Yet if the work he had engaged to accomplish was to be completed, then it became him to take on him the likeness of a sinner, and to fulfil all righteousness ().
The official duty of Christ and the sinless person of Christ are to be distinguished. It was in his official capacity that he submitted to baptism. In coming to John our Lord virtually said, "Though sinless, and without any personal taint, yet in my public or official capacity as the Sent of God, I stand in the room of many, and bring with me the sin of the world, for which I am the propitiation." Christ was not made under the law on his own account. It was as surety of his people, a position which he spontaneously assumed. The administration of the rite of baptism was also a symbol of the baptism of suffering before him in this official capacity (). In thus presenting himself he in effect dedicated or consecrated himself to the work of fulfilling all righteousness.
Bar
Used to denote the means by which a door is bolted (); a rock in the sea (); the shore of the sea (); strong fortifications and powerful impediments, etc. (; ); defences of a city (). A bar for a door was of iron (), brass (), or wood ().
Barabbas
I.e., son of Abba or of a father, a notorious robber whom Pilate proposed to condemn to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to release, in accordance with the Roman custom (; ; ). But the Jews were so bent on the death of Jesus that they demanded that Barabbas should be pardoned (; ). This Pilate did.
Barachel
Whom God has blessed, a Buzite, the father of Elihu, one of Job's friends (, ).
Barachias, Berechiah
4 (q.v.), whom Jehovah hath blessed, father of the prophet Zechariah (, ; ).
Barak
Lightning, the son of Abinoam (). At the summons of Deborah he made war against Jabin. She accompanied him into the battle, and gave the signal for the little army to make the attack; in which the host of Jabin was completely routed. The battle was fought () in the plain of Jezreel (q.v.). This deliverance of Israel is commemorated in Barak's faith is commended (). "The character of Barak, though pious, does not seem to have been heroic. Like Gideon, and in a sense Samson, he is an illustration of the words in , 'Out of weakness were made strong.'" (See [47]DEBORAH.)
Barbarian
A Greek word used in the New Testament () to denote one of another nation. In , the word more definitely designates those nations of the Roman empire that did not speak Greek. In , it simply refers to one speaking a different language. The inhabitants of Malta are so called (, , ). They were originally a Carthaginian colony. This word nowhere in Scripture bears the meaning it does in modern times.
Barber
Found only once, in , where reference is made to the Jewish custom of shaving the head as a sign of mourning. The Nazarites were untouched by the razor from their birth (). Comp. .
Barefoot
To go barefoot was a sign of great distress (, , ), or of some great calamity having fallen on a person ().
Bariah
Fugitive, one of Shemaiah's five sons. Their father is counted along with them in .
Bar-jesus
Son of Joshua, the patronymic of Elymas the sorcerer (), who met Paul and Barnabas at Paphos. Elymas is a word of Arabic origin meaning "wise."
Bar-jona
Son of Jonah, the patronymic of Peter (; ), because his father's name was Jonas. (See [48]PETER.)
Barkos
Painter, (; ). The father of some of the Nethinim.
Barley
A grain much cultivated in Egypt () and in Palestine (; ). It was usually the food of horses (). Barley bread was used by the poorer people (; ). Barley of the first crop was ready for the harvest by the time of the Passover, in the middle of April (; ). Mention is made of barley-meal (). Our Lord fed five thousand with "five barley loaves and two small fishes" ().
Barn
A storehouse (; ; ) for grain, which was usually under ground, although also sometimes above ground ().
Barnabas
Son of consolation, the surname of Joses, a Levite (). His name stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (13:1). Luke speaks of him as a "good man" (11:24). He was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He was a native of Cyprus, where he had a possession of land (, ), which he sold. His personal appearance is supposed to have been dignified and commanding (, ). When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion, Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles (9:27). They had probably been companions as students in the school of Gamaliel.
The prosperity of the church at Antioch led the apostles and brethren at Jerusalem to send Barnabas thither to superintend the movement. He found the work so extensive and weighty that he went to Tarsus in search of Saul to assist him. Saul returned with him to Antioch and laboured with him for a whole year (, ). The two were at the end of this period sent up to Jerusalem with the contributions the church at Antioch had made for the poorer brethren there (11:28-30). Shortly after they returned, bringing John Mark with them, they were appointed as missionaries to the heathen world, and in this capacity visited Cyprus and some of the principal cities of Asia Minor (). Returning from this first missionary journey to Antioch, they were again sent up to Jerusalem to consult with the church there regarding the relation of Gentiles to the church (: ). This matter having been settled, they returned again to Antioch, bringing the decree of the council as the rule by which Gentiles were to be admitted into the church.
When about to set forth on a second missionary journey, a dispute arose between Saul and Barnabas as to the propriety of taking John Mark with them again. The dispute ended by Saul and Barnabas taking separate routes. Saul took Silas as his companion, and journeyed through Syria and Cilicia; while Barnabas took his nephew John Mark, and visited Cyprus (). Barnabas is not again mentioned by Luke in the Acts.
Barrel
A vessel used for keeping flour (, , ). The same word (cad) so rendered is also translated "pitcher," a vessel for carrying water (; ).
Barren
For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews (; ; , ; ; ; ). Instances of barrenness are noticed (; ; ; , ; , ).
Barsabas
Son of Saba, the surname (1) of Joseph, also called Justus (), some identify him with Barnabas; (2) of Judas, who was a "prophet." Nothing more is known of him than what is mentioned in .
Bartholomew
Son of Tolmai, one of the twelve apostles (; ); generally supposed to have been the same as Nathanael. In the synoptic gospels Philip and Bartholomew are always mentioned together, while Nathanael is never mentioned; in the fourth gospel, on the other hand, Philip and Nathanael are similarly mentioned together, but nothing is said of Bartholomew. He was one of the disciples to whom our Lord appeared at the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection (). He was also a witness of the Ascension (, , ). He was an "Israelite indeed" ().
Bartimaeus
Son of Timaeus, one of the two blind beggars of Jericho (; ). His blindness was miraculously cured on the ground of his faith.
Baruch
Blessed. (1.) The secretary of the prophet Jeremiah (32:12; 36:4). He was of the tribe of Judah (51:59). To him Jeremiah dictated his prophecies regarding the invasion of the Babylonians and the Captivity. These he read to the people from a window in the temple in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah (Jer. 36). He afterwards read them before the counsellors of the king at a private interview; and then to the king himself, who, after hearing a part of the roll, cut it with a penknife, and threw it into the fire of his winter parlour, where he was sitting.
During the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, he was the keeper of the deed of purchase Jeremiah had made of the territory of Hanameel (). Being accused by his enemies of favouring the Chaldeans, he was cast, with Jeremiah, into prison, where he remained till the capture of Jerusalem (B.C. 586). He probably died in Babylon.
(2.) ; ; .
Barzillai
Of iron. (1.) A Meholathite, the father of Adriel ().
(2.) A Gileadite of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to David. He liberally provided for the king's followers (). David on his death-bed, remembering his kindness, commended Barzillai's children to the care of Solomon ().
(3.) A priest who married a daughter of the preceding ().
Bashan
Light soil, first mentioned in , where it is said that Chedorlaomer and his confederates "smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth," where Og the king of Bashan had his residence. At the time of Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, Og came out against them, but was utterly routed (; ). This country extended from Gilead in the south to Hermon in the north, and from the Jordan on the west to Salcah on the east. Along with the half of Gilead it was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh (). Golan, one of its cities, became a "city of refuge" (). Argob, in Bashan, was one of Solomon's commissariat districts (). The cities of Bashan were taken by Hazael (), but were soon after reconquered by Jehoash (), who overcame the Syrians in three battles, according to the word of Elisha (19). From this time Bashan almost disappears from history, although we read of the wild cattle of its rich pastures (; ), the oaks of its forests (; ; ), and the beauty of its extensive plains (; ). Soon after the conquest, the name "Gilead" was given to the whole country beyond Jordan. After the Exile, Bashan was divided into four districts, (1.) Gaulonitis, or Jaulan, the most western; (2.) Auranitis, the Hauran (); (3.) Argob or Trachonitis, now the Lejah; and (4.) Batanaea, now Ard-el-Bathanyeh, on the east of the Lejah, with many deserted towns almost as perfect as when they were inhabited. (See [49]HAURAN.)
Bashan-havoth-jair
The Bashan of the villages of Jair, the general name given to Argob by Jair, the son of Manasseh (), containing sixty cities with walls and brazen gates (; ). (See [50]ARGOB.)
Bashan, Hill of
(), probably another name for Hermon, which lies to the north of Bashan.
Bashemath
Sweet-smelling. (1.) The daughter of Ishmael, the last of Esau's three wives (, , ), from whose son Reuel four tribes of the Edomites sprung. She is also called Mahalath (). It is noticeable that Esau's three wives receive different names in the genealogical table of the Edomites (Gen. 36) from those given to them in the history (; ).
(2.) A daughter of Solomon, and wife of Ahimaaz, one of his officers ().
Basilisk
(in R.V., ; ; ; ), the "king serpent," as the name imports; a fabulous serpent said to be three spans long, with a spot on its head like a crown. Probably the yellow snake is intended. (See [51]COCKATRICE.)
Basin
Or Bason. (1.) A trough or laver (Heb. aggan') for washing (); rendered also "goblet" () and "cups" ().
(2.) A covered dish or urn (Heb. k'for) among the vessels of the temple (; ; ).
(3.) A vase (Heb. mizrak) from which to sprinkle anything. A metallic vessel; sometimes rendered "bowl" (; ). The vessels of the tabernacle were of brass (), while those of the temple were of gold ().
(4.) A utensil (Heb. saph) for holding the blood of the victims (); also a basin for domestic purposes ().
The various vessels spoken of by the names "basin, bowl, charger, cup, and dish," cannot now be accurately distinguished.
The basin in which our Lord washed the disciples' feet () must have been larger and deeper than the hand-basin.
Basket
There are five different Hebrew words so rendered in the Authorized Version: (1.) A basket (Heb. sal, a twig or osier) for holding bread (; , ; , , ; , , ). Sometimes baskets were made of twigs peeled; their manufacture was a recognized trade among the Hebrews.
(2.) That used (Heb. salsilloth') in gathering grapes ().
(3.) That in which the first fruits of the harvest were presented, Heb. tene, (, ). It was also used for household purposes. In form it tapered downwards like that called corbis by the Romans.
(4.) A basket (Heb. kelub) having a lid, resembling a bird-cage. It was made of leaves or rushes. The name is also applied to fruit-baskets (, ).
(5.) A basket (Heb. dud) for carrying figs (), also clay to the brick-yard (R.V., ), and bulky articles (). This word is also rendered in the Authorized Version "kettle" (), "caldron" (), "seething-pot" ().
In the New Testament mention is made of the basket (Gr. kophinos, small "wicker-basket") for the "fragments" in the miracle recorded , and in that recorded (Gr. spuris, large "rope-basket"); also of the basket in which Paul escaped (, Gr. spuris; , Gr. sargane, "basket of plaited cords").
Bastard
In the Old Testament the rendering of the Hebrew word mamzer', which means "polluted." In , it occurs in the ordinary sense of illegitimate offspring. In , the word is used in the sense of foreigner. From the history of Jephthah we learn that there were bastard offspring among the Jews (). In , the word (Gr. nothoi) is used in its ordinary sense, and denotes those who do not share the privileges of God's children.
Bastinado
Beating, a mode of punishment common in the East. It is referred to by "the rod of correction" (), "scourging" (), "chastising" (). The number of blows could not exceed forty (, ).
Bat
The Hebrew word (atalleph') so rendered (; ) implies "flying in the dark." The bat is reckoned among the birds in the list of unclean animals. To cast idols to the "moles and to the bats" means to carry them into dark caverns or desolate places to which these animals resort (), i.e., to consign them to desolation or ruin.
Bath
A Hebrew liquid measure, the tenth part of an homer (, ; , ). It contained 8 gallons 3 quarts of our measure. "Ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath" () denotes great unproductiveness.
Bath-rabbim
Daughter of many, the name of one of the gates of the city of Heshbon, near which were pools ().
Baths
The use of the bath was very frequent among the Hebrews (; , ect.). The high priest at his inauguration (), and on the day of atonement, was required to bathe himself (16:4, 24). The "pools" mentioned in , , , , , were public bathing-places.
Bath-sheba
Daughter of the oath, or of seven, called also Bath-shu'a (), was the daughter of Eliam () or Ammiel (), and wife of Uriah the Hittite. David committed adultery with her (, ; ). The child born in adultery died (). After her husband was slain (11:15) she was married to David (11:27), and became the mother of Solomon (12:24; ; ). She took a prominent part in securing the succession of Solomon to the throne (, ).
Battering-ram
(; ), a military engine, consisting of a long beam of wood hung upon a frame, for making breaches in walls. The end of it which was brought against the wall was shaped like a ram's head.
Battle-axe
A mallet or heavy war-club. Applied metaphorically () to Cyrus, God's instrument in destroying Babylon.
Battle-bow
The war-bow used in fighting (; ). "Thy bow was made quite naked" () means that it was made ready for use. By David's order () the young men were taught the use, or rather the song of the bow. (See [52]ARMOUR, [53]BOW.)
Battlement
A parapet wall or balustrade surrounding the flat roofs of the houses, required to be built by a special law (). In , it denotes the parapet of a city wall.
Bay
Denotes the estuary of the Dead Sea at the mouth of the Jordan (; ), also the southern extremity of the same sea (15:2). The same Hebrew word is rendered "tongue" in , where it is used with reference to the forked mouths of the Nile.
Bay in , denotes the colour of horses, but the original Hebrew means strong, and is here used rather to describe the horses as fleet or spirited.
Bay tree
Named only in , Authorized Version. The Hebrew word so rendered is ereh, which simply means "native born", i.e., a tree not transplanted, but growing on its native soil, and therefore luxuriantly. If the psalmist intended by this word to denote any particular tree, it may have been the evergreen bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), which is a native of Palestine. Instead of "like a green bay tree" in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version has, "like a green tree in its native soil."
Bdellium
Occurs only in , where it designates a product of the land of Havilah; and in , where the manna is likened to it in colour. It was probably an aromatic gum like balsam which exuded from a particular tree (Borassus flabelliformis) still found in Arabia, Media, and India. It bears a resemblance in colour to myrrh. Others think the word denotes "pearls," or some precious stone.
Beacon
A pole (Heb. to'ren) used as a standard or ensign set on the tops of mountains as a call to the people to assemble themselves for some great national purpose (). In and , the same word is rendered "mast." (See [54]Banner.)
Bealiah
Whose Lord is Jehovah, a Benjamite, one of David's thirty heroes of the sling and bow ().
Bealoth
Citizens, a town in the extreme south of Judah (); probably the same as Baalath-beer (19:8). In , the Authorized Version has "in Aloth," the Revised Version "Bealoth."
Beam
Occurs in the Authorized Version as the rendering of various Hebrew words. In , it means a weaver's frame or principal beam; in , a crossbeam or girder; , , a cross-piece or rafter of a house; , an architectural ornament as a projecting step or moulding; , a thick plank. In the New Testament the word occurs only in , , , and , , where it means (Gr. dokos) a large piece of wood used for building purposes, as contrasted with "mote" (Gr. karphos), a small piece or mere splinter. "Mote" and "beam" became proverbial for little and great faults.
Beans
Mentioned in as having been brought to David when flying from Absalom. They formed a constituent in the bread Ezekiel (4:9) was commanded to make, as they were in general much used as an article of diet. They are extensively cultivated in Egypt and Arabia and Syria.
Bear
A native of the mountain regions of Western Asia, frequently mentioned in Scripture. David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear (). Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children who mocked the prophet Elisha (). Their habits are referred to in ; ; . The fury of the female bear when robbed of her young is spoken of (; ; ). In Daniel's vision of the four great monarchies, the Medo-Persian empire is represented by a bear (7:5).
Beard
The mode of wearing it was definitely prescribed to the Jews (; ). Hence the import of Ezekiel's (5:1-4) description of the "razor" i.e., the agents of an angry providence being used against the guilty nation of the Jews. It was a part of a Jew's daily toilet to anoint his beard with oil and perfume (). Beards were trimmed with the most fastidious care (), and their neglet was an indication of deep sorrow (; ). The custom was to shave or pluck off the hair as a sign of mourning (; ; ). The beards of David's ambassadors were cut off by hanun () as a mark of indignity.
On the other hand, the Egyptians carefully shaved the hair off their faces, and they compelled their slaves to do so also ().
Beast
This word is used of flocks or herds of grazing animals (; , , ; ); of beasts of burden (); of eatable beasts (); and of swift beasts or dromedaries (). In the New Testament it is used of a domestic animal as property (); as used for food (), for service (; ), and for sacrifice ().
When used in contradistinction to man (), it denotes a brute creature generally, and when in contradistinction to creeping things (; ), a four-footed animal.
The Mosaic law required that beasts of labour should have rest on the Sabbath (; ), and in the Sabbatical year all cattle were allowed to roam about freely, and eat whatever grew in the fields (; ). No animal could be castrated (). Animals of different kinds were to be always kept separate (; ). Oxen when used in threshing were not to be prevented from eating what was within their reach (; ).
This word is used figuratively of an infuriated multitude (; ; comp. , ; ; ), and of wicked men (). The four beasts of , , represent four kingdoms or kings.
Beaten gold
In , means "turned" or rounded work in gold. The Greek Version, however, renders the word "solid gold;" the Revised Version, "beaten work of gold." In , , it probably means "mixed" gold, as the word ought to be rendered, i.e., not pure gold. Others render the word in these places "thin plates of gold."
Beaten oil
(; ), obtained by pounding olives in a mortar, not by crushing them in a mill. It was reckoned the best. (See [55]OLIVE.)
Beautiful gate
The name of one of the gates of the temple (). It is supposed to have been the door which led from the court of the Gentiles to the court of the women. It was of massive structure, and covered with plates of Corinthian brass.
Becher
First-born; a youth, the second son of Benjamin (), who came down to Egypt with Jacob. It is probable that he married an Ephraimitish heiress, and that his descendants were consequently reckoned among the tribe of Ephraim (; , ). They are not reckoned among the descendants of Benjamin ().
Bed
(Heb. mittah), for rest at night (; , , , etc.); during sickness (; ; , etc.); as a sofa for rest (; ). Another Hebrew word (er'es) so rendered denotes a canopied bed, or a bed with curtains (; ), for sickness (; ).
In the New Testament it denotes sometimes a litter with a coverlet (, ; ; ).
The Jewish bedstead was frequently merely the divan or platform along the sides of the house, sometimes a very slight portable frame, sometimes only a mat or one or more quilts. The only material for bed-clothes is mentioned in . Sleeping in the open air was not uncommon, the sleeper wrapping himself in his outer garment (, ; , ).
Bedan
One of the judges of Israel (). It is uncertain who he was. Some suppose that Barak is meant, others Samson, but most probably this is a contracted form of Abdon ().
Bed-chamber
An apartment in Eastern houses, furnished with a slightly elevated platform at the upper end and sometimes along the sides, on which were laid mattresses. This was the general arrangement of the public sleeping-room for the males of the family and for guests, but there were usually besides distinct bed-chambers of a more private character (; ; ). In this word denotes, as in the margin of the Revised Version, a store-room in which mattresses were kept.
Bedstead
Used in , but elsewhere rendered "couch," "bed." In ; ; ; , the divan is meant by this word.
Bee
First mentioned in . Swarms of bees, and the danger of their attacks, are mentioned in . Samson found a "swarm of bees" in the carcass of a lion he had slain (). Wild bees are described as laying up honey in woods and in clefts of rocks (; ). In the "fly" and the "bee" are personifications of the Egyptians and Assyrians, the inveterate enemies of Israel.
Beelzebub
(Gr. form Beel'zebul), the name given to Satan, and found only in the New Testament (; , ; ). It is probably the same as Baalzebub (q.v.), the god of Ekron, meaning "the lord of flies," or, as others think, "the lord of dung," or "the dung-god."
Beer
Well. (1.) A place where a well was dug by the direction of Moses, at the forty-fourth station of the Hebrews in their wanderings () in the wilderness of Moab. (See [56]WELL.)
(2.) A town in the tribe of Judah to which Jotham fled for fear of Abimelech (). Some have identified this place with Beeroth.
Beer-elim
Well of heroes, probably the name given to Beer, the place where the chiefs of Israel dug a well (; ).
Beeri
Illustrious, or the well-man. (1.) The father of Judith, one of the wives of Esau (), the same as Adah (). (2.) The father of the prophet Hosea (1:1).
Beer-lahai-roi
I.e., "the well of him that liveth and seeth me," or, as some render it, "the well of the vision of life", the well where the Lord met with Hagar (). Isaac dwelt beside this well (24:62; 25:11). It has been identified with Ain Muweileh, or Moilahhi, south-west of Beersheba, and about 12 miles W. from Kadesh-barnea.
Beeroth
Wells, one of the four cities of the Hivites which entered by fraud into a league with Joshua. It belonged to Benjamin (). It has by some been identified with el-Bireh on the way to Nablus, 10 miles north of Jerusalem.
Beeroth of the children of Jaakan
(). The same as Bene-jaakan ().
Beersheba
Well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact (). On re-opening it, Isaac gave it the same name (). It was a favourite place of abode of both of these patriarchs (21:33-22:1, 19; 26:33; 28:10). It is mentioned among the "cities" given to the tribe of Simeon (; ). From Dan to Beersheba, a distance of about 144 miles (; ; ), became the usual way of designating the whole Promised Land, and passed into a proverb. After the return from the Captivity the phrase is narrowed into "from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom" (). The kingdom of the ten tribes extended from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim (). The name is not found in the New Testament. It is still called by the Arabs Bir es-Seba, i.e., "well of the seven", where there are to the present day two principal wells and five smaller ones. It is nearly midway between the southern end of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean.
Beetle
(Heb. hargol, meaning "leaper"). Mention of it is made only in , where it is obvious the word cannot mean properly the beetle. It denotes some winged creeper with at least four feet, "which has legs above its feet, to leap withal." The description plainly points to the locust (q.v.). This has been an article of food from the earliest times in the East to the present day. The word is rendered "cricket" in the Revised Version.
Beeves
(an old English plural of the word beef), a name applicable to all ruminating animals except camels, and especially to the Bovidce, or horned cattle (, ; , , , , ).
Beg
That the poor existed among the Hebrews we have abundant evidence (; ), but there is no mention of beggars properly so called in the Old Testament. The poor were provided for by the law of Moses (; ; ). It is predicted of the seed of the wicked that they shall be beggars (; ).
In the New Testament we find not seldom mention made of beggars (; , ; ), yet there is no mention of such a class as vagrant beggars, so numerous in the East. "Beggarly," in , means worthless.
Behead
A method of taking away life practised among the Egyptians (). There are instances of this mode of punishment also among the Hebrews (; , ; ). It is also mentioned in the New Testament (; ).
Behemoth
(). Some have supposed this to be an Egyptian word meaning a "water-ox." The Revised Version has here in the margin "hippopotamus," which is probably the correct rendering of the word. The word occurs frequently in Scripture, but, except here, always as a common name, and translated "beast" or "cattle."
Bekah
Both the name and its explanation, "a half shekel," are given in . The word properly means a "division," a "part." (R.V., "beka.")
Bel
The Aramaic form of Baal, the national god of the Babylonians (; ; ). It signifies "lord." (See [57]BAAL.)
Bela
A thing swallowed. (1.) A city on the shore of the Dead Sea, not far from Sodom, called also Zoar. It was the only one of the five cities that was spared at Lot's intercession (, ). It is first mentioned in , .
(2.) The eldest son of Benjamin (; "Belah," ).
(3.) The son of Beor, and a king of Edom (, ; ).
(4.) A son of Azaz ().
Belial
Worthlessness, frequently used in the Old Testament as a proper name. It is first used in . In the New Testament it is found only in , where it is used as a name of Satan, the personification of all that is evil. It is translated "wicked" in ; (R.V. marg.); 101:3; , etc. The expression "son" or "man of Belial" means simply a worthless, lawless person (; ; ; ).
Bell
The bells first mentioned in Scripture are the small golden bells attached to the hem of the high priest's ephod (, , ). The "bells of the horses" mentioned by Zechariah (14:20) were attached to the bridles or belts round the necks of horses trained for war, so as to accustom them to noise and tumult.
Bellows
Occurs only in , in relation to the casting of metal. Probably they consisted of leather bags similar to those common in Egypt.
Belly
The seat of the carnal affections (; ; ). The word is used symbolically for the heart (; ; , marg.). The "belly of hell" signifies the grave or underworld ().
Belshazzar
Bel protect the king!, the last of the kings of Babylon (). He was the son of Nabonidus by Nitocris, who was the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and the widow of Nergal-sharezer. When still young he made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and when heated with wine sent for the sacred vessels his "father" (), or grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from the temple in Jerusalem, and he and his princes drank out of them. In the midst of their mad revelry a hand was seen by the king tracing on the wall the announcement of God's judgment, which that night fell upon him. At the instance of the queen (i.e., his mother) Daniel was brought in, and he interpreted the writing. That night the kingdom of the Chaldeans came to an end, and the king was slain (). (See [58]NERGAL-SHAREZER.)
The absence of the name of Belshazzar on the monuments was long regarded as an argument against the genuineness of the Book of Daniel. In 1854 Sir Henry Rawlinson found an inscription of Nabonidus which referred to his eldest son. Quite recently, however, the side of a ravine undermined by heavy rains fell at Hillah, a suburb of Babylon. A number of huge, coarse earthenware vases were laid bare. These were filled with tablets, the receipts and contracts of a firm of Babylonian bankers, which showed that Belshazzar had a household, with secretaries and stewards. One was dated in the third year of the king Marduk-sar-uzur. As Marduk-sar-uzar was another name for Baal, this Marduk-sar-uzur was found to be the Belshazzar of Scripture. In one of these contract tablets, dated in the July after the defeat of the army of Nabonidus, we find him paying tithes for his sister to the temple of the sun-god at Sippara.
Belteshazzar
Beltis protect the king!, the Chaldee name given to Daniel by Nebuchadnezzar ().
Benaiah
Built up by Jehovah. (1.) The son of Jehoiada, chief priest (). He was set by David over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites (; ; ). His exploits are enumerated in , , ; . He remained faithful to Solomon (, , ), by whom he was raised to the rank of commander-in-chief (, , , , ; ).
(2.) ; .
(3.) A musical Levite (, ).
(4.) A priest (; ).
(5.) The son of Jeiel ().
Ben-ammi
Son of my kindred; i.e., "born of incest", the son of Lot by his youngest daughter ().
Bench
Deck of a Tyrian ship, described by Ezekiel (27:6) as overlaid with box-wood.
Bene-jaakan
Children of Jaakan (, ), the same as Beeroth.
Ben-hadad
The standing title of the Syrian kings, meaning "the son of Hadad." (See [59]HADADEZER.)
(1.) The king of Syria whom Asa, king of Judah, employed to invade Israel ().
(2.) Son of the preceding, also king of Syria. He was long engaged in war against Israel. He was murdered probably by Hazael, by whom he was succeeded (), after a reign of some thirty years.
(3.) King of Damascus, and successor of his father Hazael on the throne of Syria (, ). His misfortunes in war are noticed by Amos (1:4).
Benjamin
Son of my right hand. (1.) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel (). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place. His mother died in giving him birth, and with her last breath named him Ben-oni, son of my pain, a name which was changed by his father into Benjamin. His posterity are called Benjamites (; ; ).
The tribe of Benjamin at the Exodus was the smallest but one (, ; ). During the march its place was along with Manasseh and Ephraim on the west of the tabernacle. At the entrance into Canaan it counted 45,600 warriors. It has been inferred by some from the words of Jacob () that the figure of a wolf was on the tribal standard. This tribe is mentioned in ; .
The inheritance of this tribe lay immediately to the south of that of Ephraim, and was about 26 miles in length and 12 in breadth. Its eastern boundary was the Jordan. Dan intervened between it and the Philistines. Its chief towns are named in .
The history of the tribe contains a sad record of a desolating civil war in which they were engaged with the other eleven tribes. By it they were almost exterminated (, ; ). (See [60]GIBEAH.)
The first king of the Jews was Saul, a Benjamite. A close alliance was formed between this tribe and that of Judah in the time of David (, ), which continued after his death (; ). After the Exile these two tribes formed the great body of the Jewish nation (; ).
The tribe of Benjamin was famous for its archers (, ; ; ; ) and slingers ().
The gate of Benjamin, on the north side of Jerusalem (; ; ), was so called because it led in the direction of the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. It is called by Jeremiah (20:2) "the high gate of Benjamin;" also "the gate of the children of the people" (17:19). (Comp. .)
Beor
A torch. (1.) The father of Bela, one of the kings of Edom ().
(2.) The father of Balaam (; , ; ). In he is called Bosor.
Bera
Gift, or son of evil, king of Sodom at the time of the invasion of the four kings under Chedorlaomer (, , , ).
Berachah
Blessing. (1.) A valley not far from Engedi, where Jehoshaphat overthrew the Moabites and Ammonites (). It has been identified with the valley of Bereikut. (R.V., "Beracah.")
(2.) One of the Benjamite warriors, Saul's brethren, who joined David when at Ziklag ().
Berea
A city of Macedonia to which Paul with Silas and Timotheus went when persecuted at Thessalonica (, ), and from which also he was compelled to withdraw, when he fled to the sea-coast and thence sailed to Athens (14, 15). Sopater, one of Paul's companions belonged to this city, and his conversion probably took place at this time (). It is now called Verria.
Berechiah
Blessed by Jehovah. (1.) Son of Shimea, and father of Asaph the musician (; ).
(2.) One of the seven Ephraimite chieftains, son of Meshillemoth ().
(3.) The fourth of the five sons of Zerubbabel, of the royal family of Judah ().
(4.) The father of the prophet Zechariah (1:1, 7).
Bered
Hail. (1.) A town in the south of Palestine (), in the desert of Shur, near Lahai-roi.
(2.) A son of Shuthelah, and grandson of Ephraim ().
Beriah
A gift, or in evil. (1.) One of Asher's four sons, and father of Heber ().
(2.) A son of Ephraim (), born after the slaughter of his brothers, and so called by his father "because it went evil with his house" at that time.
(3.) A Benjamite who with his brother Shema founded Ajalon and expelled the Gittites ().
Bernice
Bearer of victory, the eldest daughter of Agrippa I., the Herod Agrippa of . After the early death of her first husband she was married to her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis. After his death (A.D. 40) she lived in incestuous connection with her brother Agrippa II. (, ; ). They joined the Romans at the outbreak of the final war between them and the Jews, and lived afterwards at Rome.
Berodach-baladan
The king of Babylon who sent a friendly deputation to Hezekiah (). In he is called Merodach-baladan (q.v.).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897). Public domain. Text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.