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Adam – Ahuzam
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Adam
(red earth), the name given in Scripture to the first man. It apparently has reference to the ground from which he was formed, which is called in Hebrew Adamah . The idea of redness of color seems to be inherent in either word. The creation of man was the work of the sixth day--the last and crowning act of creation. Adam was created (not born) a perfect man in body and spirit, but as innocent and completely inexperienced as a child. The man Adam was placed in a garden which the Lord God had planted "eastward in Eden," for the purpose of dressing it and keeping it. [EDEN] Adam was permitted to eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden but one, which was called ("the tree of the knowledge of good and evil," because it was the test of Adam’s obedience. By it Adam could know good and evil int he divine way, through obedience; thus knowing good by experience in resisting temptation and forming a strong and holy character, while he knew evil only by observation and inference. Or he could "know good and evil," in Satan’s way, be experiencing the evil and knowing good only by contrast. -ED.) The prohibition to taste the fruit of this tree was enforced by the menace of death. There was also another tree which was called "the tree of life." While Adam was in the garden of Eden, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air were brought to him to be named. After this the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon him, and took one of his ribs from him, which he fashioned into a woman and brought her to the man. At this time they were both described as being naked without the consciousness of shame. By the subtlety of the serpent the woman who was given to be with Adam was beguiled into a violation of the one command which had been imposed upon them. She took of the fruit of the forbidden tree and gave it to her husband. The propriety of its name was immediately shown in the results which followed; self-consciousness was the first-fruits of sin their eyes were opened and they knew that they were naked. Though the curse of Adam’s rebellion of necessity fell upon him, yet the very prohibition to eat of the tree of life after his transgression was probably a manifestation of divine mercy, because the greatest malediction of all would have been to have the gift of indestructible life super-added to a state of wretchedness and sin. The divine mercy was also shown in the promise of a deliverer given at the very promise of a deliverer given at the very time the curse was imposed, () and opening a door of hope to Paradise, regained for him and his descendants. Adam is stated to have lived 930 years. His sons mentioned in Scripture are Cain, Abel and Seth; it is implied, however, that he had others.
Adamah
(red earth), one of the "fenced cities" of Naphtali, named between Chinnereth and Ramah. ()
Adamant
the translation of the Hebrew word Shamir in () and In () it is translated "diamond." In these three passages the word is the representative of some stone of excessive hardness, and is used metaphorically. It is very probable that by Shamir is intended emery , a variety of corundum , a mineral inferior, only to the diamond in hardness.
Adami
(my man, earth), a place on the border of Naphtali. ()
Adar
[MONTH]
Adar
(high), a place on the south boundary of Judah. ()
Adasa
(new), a place in Judea, about four miles from Beth-horon. 1Ma 7:40,45 [HADASHAH]
Adbeel
(offspring of God), a son of Ishmael, (; ) and probably the progenitor of an Arab tribe. (B.C. about 1850.)
Addan
(strong or stony), one of the places from which some of the captivity returned with Zerubbabel to Judea who could not show their pedigree as Israelites. () Called ADDON ()
Addar
(mighty one), son of Bela, () called ARD in ()
Adder
This word is used for any poisonous snake, and is applied in this general sense by the translators of the Authorized Version. The word adder occurs five times in the text of the Authorized Version (see below), and three times int he margin as synonymous with cockatrice , viz., (; ; ) It represents four Hebrew words:
1. Acshub is found only in () and may be represented by the Toxicoa of Egypt and North Africa.
2. Pethen. [ASP]
3. Tsepha , or Tsiphoni , occurs five times in the Hebrew Bible. In () it is it is translated adder, and in (; ; ; ) it is rendered cockatrice . From Jeremiah we learn that it was of a hostile nature, and from the parallelism of () it appears that the Tsiphoni was considered even more dreadful than the Pethen .
4. Shephipon occurs only in () where it is used to characterize the tribe of Dan. The habit of lurking int he sand and biting at the horse’s heels here alluded to suits the character of a well-known species of venomous snake, and helps to identify it with the celebrated horned viper, the asp of Cleopatra (Cerastes), which is found abundantly in the dry sandy deserts of Egypt, Syria and Arabia. The cerastes is extremely venomous. Bruce compelled a specimen to scratch eighteen pigeons upon the thigh as quickly as possible, and they all died in nearly the same interval of time.
Addi
(ornament). () Son of Cosam, and father of Melchi in our Lord’s genealogy; the third above Salathiel.
Addon
(lord). [ADDAN]
Ader
(flock), a Benjamites, son of Beriah, chief of the inhabitants of Aijalon. () The name is more correctly Eder.
Adida
a fortified town near Jerusalem, probably the HADID of () and referred to in 1Ma 12:38
Adiel
(ornament of God).
1. A prince of the tribe of Simeon, descended from the prosperous family of Shimei. () He took part in the murderous raid made by his tribe upon the peaceable Hamite shepherds of the valley of Gedor in the reign of Hezekiah. (B.C. about 711.)
2. A priest, ancestor of Maasiai. ()
3. Ancestor of Azmaveth, David’s treasurer. () (B.C. 1050.)
Adin
(dainty, delicate), ancestor of a family who returned form Babylon with Zerubbabel, to the number of 454, () or 655 according to the parallel list in () (B.C. 536.) They joined with Nehemiah in a covenant to separate themselves from the heathen. () (B.C. 410.)
Adina
(slender), one of David’s captains beyond the Jordan, and a chief of the Reubenites. ()
Adino, Or Adino, The Eznite
() See JASHOBEAM.
Adithaim
(double ornament), a town belonging to Judah, lying in the low country, and named, between Sharaim and hag-Gederah, in () only.
Adlai Or Adlai
(justice of Jehovah), Ancestor of Shaphat, the overseer of David’s herds that fed in the broad valleys. () (B.C. before 1050.)
Admah
(earthy, fortress), one of the "cities of the plain," always coupled with Zeboim. (; ,; ; )
Admatha
(given by the highest), one of the seven princes of Persia. ()
Adna
(rest, pleasure).
1. One of the family of Pahath-moab, who returned with Ezra and married a foreign wife. () (B.C. 459.)
2. A priest, descendant of Harim in the days of Joiakim, the son of Jeshua. () (B.C. 500.)
Adnah
(pleasure).
1. A Manassite who deserted from Saul and joined the fortunes of David on his road to Ziklag from the camp of the Philistines. He was captain of a thousand of his tribe, and fought at David’s side in the pursuit of the Amalekites. () (B.C. 1054.)
2. The captain of over 300,000 men of Judah who were in Jehoshaphat’s army. () (B.C. 908.)
Adonibezek
(lord of Bezek), king of Bezek, a city of the Canaanites. [BEZEK] This chieftain was vanquished by the tribe of Judah, () who cut off his thumbs and great toes, and brought him prisoner to Jerusalem, where he died. He confessed that he had inflicted the same cruelty upon 70 petty kings whom he had conquered. (B.C. 1425).
Adonijah
(my Lord is Jehovah).
1. The fourth son of David by Haggith, born at Hebron while his father was king of Judah. () (B.C. about 1050.) After the death of his three brothers, Amnon, Chileab and Absalom, he became eldest son; and when his father’s strength was visibly declining, put forward his pretensions to the crown. Adonijah’s cause was espoused by Abiathar and by Joab the famous commander of David’s army. [JOAB] His name and influence secured a large number of followers among the captains of the royal army belonging to the tribe of Judah, comp. () and these, together with all the princes except Solomon, were entertained by Adonijah at the great sacrificial feast held "by the stone Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel." [EN-ROGEL] Apprised of these proceedings, David immediately caused Solomon to be proclaimed king, (,) at Gihon. [GIHON] This decisive measure struck terror into the opposite party, and Adonijah fled to the sanctuary, but was pardoned by Solomon on condition that he should "show himself a worthy man." () The death of David quickly followed on these events; and Adonijah begged Bath-sheba to procure Solomon’s consent to his marriage with Abishag, who had been the wife of David in his old age. () This was regarded as equivalent to a fresh attempt on the throne [ABSALOM; ABNER]; and therefore Solomon ordered him to be put to death by Benaiah. ()
2. A Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat. ()
3. The same as Adonikam. () [ADONIKAM, OR ADONIKAM]
Adonikam, Or Adonikam
The sons of Adonikam, 666 in number, were among those who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. (; ); 1Esd 5:14 (B.C. 506-410.) The name is given as ADONIJAH in ()
Adoniram
(lord of heights), () by an unusual contraction ADORAM, () and Also HADORAM, () chief receiver of the tribute during the reigns of David, () Solomon, () and Rehoboam. () This last monarch sent him to collect the tribute from the rebellious Israelites, by whom he was stoned to death, (B.C. 1014-973.)
Adonizedek
(lord of justice), the Amorite king of Jerusalem who organized a league with four other Amorite princes against Joshua. The confederate kings having laid siege to Gibeon, Joshua marched to the relief of his new allies and put the besiegers to flight. The five kings took refuge in a cave at Makkedah, whence they were taken and slain, their bodies hung on trees, and then buried in the place of their concealment. () (B.C. 1450.)
Adoption
an expression used by St. Paul in reference to the present and prospective privileges of Christians. (,; ; ) He probably alludes to the Roman custom by which a person not having children of his own might adopt as his son one born of other parents. The relationship was to all intents and purposes the same as existed between a natural father and son. The term is used figuratively to show the close relationship to God of the Christian. (,; ) He is received into God’s family from the world, and becomes a child and heir of God.
Ador, Or Adora
[ADORAIM]
Adoraim
(double mound), a fortified city built by Rehoboam, () in Judah. Adoraim is probably the same place with Adora, 1Ma 13:20 Unless that be Dor, on the seacoast below Carmel. Robinson identifies it with Dura , a "large village" on a rising ground west of Hebron.
Adoram
[ADONIRAM; HADORAM]
Adoration
The acts and postures by which the Hebrews expressed adoration bear a great similarity to those still in use among Oriental nations. To rise up and suddenly prostrate the body was the most simple method; but, generally speaking, the prostration was conducted in a more formal manner, the person falling upon the knee and then gradually inclining the body until the forehead touched the ground. Such prostration was usual in the worship of Jehovah, (; ) it was the formal mode of receiving visitors, () of doing obeisance to one of superior station, () and of showing respect to equals. () It was accompanied by such acts as a kiss, () laying hold of the knees or feet of the person to whom the adoration was paid, () and kissing the ground on which he stood. (; ) Similar adoration was paid to idols, () sometimes, however, the act consisted simply in kissing the hand to the object of reverence, () and in kissing the statue itself. ()
Adrammelech
(splendor of the king).
1. The name of an idol introduced into Samaria by the colonists from Sepharvaim. () He was worshipped with rites resembling those of Molech, children being burnt in his honor. Adrammelech was probably the male power of the sun, and ANAMMELECH, who is mentioned with Adrammelech as a companion god, the female power of the sun.
2. Son of the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who, with his brother Sharezer, murdered their father in the temple of Nisroch at Nineveh, after the failure of the Assyrian attack on Jerusalem. The parricides escaped into Armenia. (; ; )
Adramyttium
named form Adramys , brother of Croesus king of Lydia, a seaport in the province of Asia [ASIA], situated on a bay of the Aegean Sea, about 70 miles north of Smyrna, in the district anciently called Aeolis, and also Mysia. See () [MITYLENE] () The modern Adramyti is a poor village.
Adria
more properly A’drias, the Adriatic Sea. () The word seems to have been derived from the town of Adria, near the Po. In Paul’s time it included the whole sea between Greece and Italy, reaching south from Crete to Sicily. [MELITA]
Adriel
(flock of God), son of Barzillai, to whom Saul gave his daughter Merab, although he had previously promised her to David. () (B.C. about 1062.) His five sons were amongst the seven descendants of Saul whom David surrendered to the Gibeonites. ()
Adullam
(justice of the people), Apocr. ODOLLAM, a city of Judah int he lowland of the Shefelah, () the seat of a Canaanite king, () and evidently a place of great antiquity. (,,) Fortified by Rehoboam, () it was one of the towns reoccupied by the Jews after their return from Babylon, () and still a city in the time of the Macabees. 2Ma 12:38 Adullam was probably near Deir Dubban , five or six miles north of Eleutheropolis. The limestone cliffs of the whole of that locality are pierced with extensive excavations, some one of which is doubtless the "cave of Adullam," the refuge of David. (; ; )
Adultery
() The parties to this crime, according to Jewish law, were a married woman and a man who was not her husband. The Mosaic penalty was that both the guilty parties should be stoned, and it applied as well to the betrothed as to the married woman, provided she were free. (22:22-24) A bondwoman so offending was to be scourged, and the man was to make a trespass offering. () At a later time, and when owing, to Gentile example, the marriage tie became a looser bond of union, public feeling in regard to adultery changed, and the penalty of death was seldom or never inflicted. The famous trial by the waters of jealousy, () was probably an ancient custom, which Moses found deeply seated --(But this ordeal was wholly in favor of the innocent, and exactly opposite to most ordeals. For the water which the accused drank was perfectly harmless, and only by a miracle could it produce a bad effect; while in most ordeals the accused must suffer what naturally produces death, and be proved innocent only by a miracle. Symbolically adultery is used to express unfaithfulness to covenant vows to God, who is represented as the husband of his people.)
Adummim
(the going up to), a rising ground or pass over against Gilgal," and "on the south side of the ’torrent’" (; ) which is the position still occupied by the road leading up from Jericho and the Jordan valley to Jerusalem, on the south face of the gorge of the Wady Kelt. ()
Advocate
or Paraclete , one that pleads the cause of another. () Used by Christ, (; ; ) to describe the office and work of the Holy Spirit, and translated Comforter , i.e. (see margin of Revised Version) Advocate, Helper, Intercessor. This use of the word is derived from the fact that the Jews, being largely ignorant of the Roman law and the Roman language, had to employ Roman advocates in their trials before Roman courts. Applied to Christ, ()
Aegypt
[EGYPT]
Aeneas
(laudble), a paralytic at Lydda healed by St. Peter. (,)
Aenon
(springs) a place "near to Salim," at which John baptized. () It was evidently west of the Jordan, comp. () with and with And abounded in water. It is given in the Omomasticon as eight miles south of Scythopolis "near Salem and the Jordan."
Aera
[CHRONOLOGY]
Aethiopia
[ETHIOPIA]
Affinity
[MARRIAGE]
Agabus
(a locust), a Christian prophet in the apostolic age, mentioned in () and He predicted, () that a famine would take place in the reign of Claudius. Josephus mentions a famine which prevailed in Judea in the reign of Claudius, and swept away many of the inhabitants. (In () we learn that Agabus and Paul met at Caesarea some time after this.)
Agag
(flame), possibly the title of the kings of Amalek, like Pharaoh of Egypt. One king of this name is mentioned in () and another in ,,,32 The latter was the king of the Amalekites, whom Saul spared contrary to Jehovah’s well-known will. (; ) For this act of disobedience Samuel was commissioned to declare to Saul his rejection, and he himself sent for Agag and cut him in pieces. (B.C. about 1070.) [SAMUEL]. Haman is called the AGAGITE in (,; ,) The Jews consider him a descendant of Agag the Amalekite.
Agagite
[AGAG]
Agar
[HAGAR]
Agate
a beautifully-veined semi-transparent precious stone, a variety of quartz. Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or bands or blended in clouds. It is mentioned four times in the text of the Authorized Version, viz., in (; ; ; ) In the two former passages; where it is represented by the Hebrew word shebo it is spoken of as forming the second stone in the third row of the high priest’s breastplate; in each of the two latter places the original word is cadced , by which, no doubt, is intended a different stone. [RUBY] Our English agate derives its name from the Achates, on the banks of which it was first found.
Age, Old
The aged occupied a prominent place in the social and political system of the Jews. In private life they were looked up to as the depositaries of knowledge, () the young were ordered to rise up in their presence, () they allowed them to give their opinion first, () they were taught to regard gray hair as a "crown of glory," (; ) The attainment of old age was regarded as a special blessing. () In pubic main qualification of those who acted as the representatives of the people in all matter of difficulty and deliberation. [ELDERS]
Agee, Or Agee
(fugitive), a Hararite, father of Shammah, one of David’s three mightiest heroes. () (B.C. 1050.)
Agriculture
This was little cared for by the patriarchs. The pastoral life, however, was the means of keeping the sacred race, whilst yet a family, distinct from mixture and locally unattached, especially whilst in Egypt. When grown into a nation it supplied a similar check on the foreign intercourse, and became the basis of the Mosaic commonwealth. "The land is mine," () was a dictum which made agriculture likewise the basis of the theocratic relation. Thus every family felt its own life with intense keenness, and had its divine tenure which it was to guard from alienation. The prohibition of culture in the sabbatical year formed a kind of rent reserved by the divine Owner. Landmarks were deemed sacred, (19:14) and the inalienability of the heritage was insured by its reversion to the owner in the year of jubilee; so that only so many years of occupancy could be sold. (; 23-35) Rain. --Water was abundant in Palestine from natural sources. (8:7; 11:8-12) Rain was commonly expected soon after the autumnal equinox. The period denoted by the common scriptural expressions of the "early" and the "latter rain," (11:14; ; ; ; ) generally reaching from November to April, constituted the "rainy season," and the remainder of the year the "dry season." Crops. --The cereal crops of constant mention are wheat and barley, and more rarely rye and millet(?). Of the two former, together with the vine, olive and fig, the use of irrigation, the plough and the harrow, mention is made ln the book of (; ; ; ; ) Two kinds of cumin (the black variety called fitches), () and such podded plants as beans and lentils may be named among the staple produce. Ploughing and Sowing. --The plough was probably very light, one yoke of oxen usually sufficing to draw it. Mountains and steep places were hoed. () New ground and fallows, (; ) were cleared of stones and of thorns, () early in the year, sowing or gathering from "among thorns" being a proverb for slovenly husbandry. (; ,) Sowing also took place without previous ploughing, the seed being scattered broad cast and ploughed in afterwards. The soil was then brushed over with a light harrow, often of thorn bushes. In highly-irrigated spots the seed was trampled by cattle. () Seventy days before the passover was the time prescribed for sowing. The oxen were urged on by a goad like a spear. () The proportion of harvest gathered to seed sown was often vast; a hundred fold is mentioned, but in such a way as to signify that it was a limit rarely attained. (; ) Sowing a field with divers seed was forbidden. (22:9) Reaping and Threshing. --The wheat etc., was reaped by the sickle or pulled by the roots. It was bound in sheaves. The sheaves or heaps were carted, () to the floor--a circular spot of hard ground, probably, as now, from 50 to 80 or 100 feet in diameter. (,; ,) On these the oxen, etc., forbidden to be muzzled, (25:4) trampled out the grain. At a later time the Jews used a threshing sledge called morag , (; ; ) probably resembling the noreg , still employed in Egypt --a stage with three rollers ridged with iron, which, aided by the driver’s weight crushed out, often injuring, the grain, as well as cut or tore the straw, which thus became fit for fodder. Lighter grains were beaten out with a stick. () The use of animal manure was frequent. (; ; ) etc. Winnowing. --The shovel and fan, () indicate the process of winnowing--a conspicuous part of ancient husbandry. (; ; ) Evening was the favorite time, () when there was mostly a breeze. The fan, () was perhaps a broad shovel which threw the grain up against the wind. The last process was the shaking in a sieve to separate dirt and refuse. () Fields and floors were not commonly enclosed; vineyard mostly were, with a tower and other buildings. (; ; ; ) comp. The gardens also and orchards were enclosed, frequently by banks of mud from ditches. With regard to occupancy, a tenant might pay a fixed money rent, (Solomon 8:11) or a stipulated share of the fruits. (; ) A passer by might eat any quantity of corn or grapes, but not reap or carry off fruit. (23:24,25; ) The rights of the corner to be left, and of gleaning [CORNER; GLEANING], formed the poor man’s claim on the soil for support. For his benefit, too, a sheaf forgotten in carrying to the floor was to be left; so also with regard to the vineyard’ and the olive grove. (,; )
Agrippa
[HEROD]
Agur
(a gatherer, i.e. together of wise men), The son of Jakeh, an unknown Hebrew sage who uttered or collected the sayings of wisdom recorded in
Ahab
(uncle).
1. Son of Omri, seventh king of Israel, reigned B.C. 919-896. He married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of Tyre; and in obedience to her wishes, caused temple to be built to Baal in Samaria itself; and an oracular grove to be consecrated to Astarte. See () One of Ahab’s chief tastes was for splendid architecture which he showed by building an ivory house and several cities. Desiring to add to his pleasure-grounds at Jezreel the vineyard of his neighbor Naboth, he proposed to buy it or give land in exchange for it; and when this was refused by Naboth in accordance with the Levitical law, () a false accusation of blasphemy was brought against him, and he was murdered, and Ahab took possession of the coveted fields. () Thereupon Elijah declared that the entire extirpation of Ahab’s house was the penalty appointed for his long course of wickedness. [ELIJAH] The execution, however, of the sentence was delayed in consequence of Ahab’s deep repentance. () ... Ahab undertook three campaigns against Ben-hadad II. king of Damascus, two defensive and one offensive. In the first Ben-hadad laid siege to Samaria, but was repulsed with great loss. () Next year Ben-hadad again invaded Israel by way of Aphek, on the east of Jordan; yet Ahab’s victory was so complete that Ben-hadad himself fell into his hands, but was released contrary to God’s will, () on condition of restoring the cities of Israel, and admitting Hebrew commissioners into Damascus. After this great success Ahab enjoyed peace for three years, when he attacked Ramoth in Gilead, on the east of Jordan, in conjunction with Jehoshaphat king of Judah, which town he claimed as belonging to Israel. Being told by the prophet Micaiah that he would fall, he disguised himself, but was slain by "a certain man who drew a bow at a venture." When buried in Samaria, the dogs licked up his blood as a servant was washing his chariot; a partial fulfillment of Elijah’s prediction, () which was more literally accomplished in the case of his son. ()
2. A lying prophet, who deceived the captive Israelites in Babylon, and was burnt to death by Nebuchadnezzar. ()
Aharah
(after the brother), third son of Benjamin. () [AHER; AHIRAM]
Aharhel
(behind the breastwork), a name occurring in an obscure fragment of the genealogies of Judah. ()
Ahasai
(whom Jehovah holds), a priest, ancestor of Maasiai, () called JAHZERAH in ()
Ahasbai
(blooming), father of Eli-phelet, one of David’s thirty-seven captains. () In the corrupt list in () Eliphelet appears as "Eliphal the son of Ur." (B.C. about 1050.)
Ahashverosh
Another (the Hebrew) form of AHASUERIUS. () in margin.
Ahasuerus
(lion-king), the name of one Median and two Persian kings mentioned in the Old Testament.
1. In () Ahasuerus is said to be the father of Darius the Mede. [DARIUS] This first Ahasuerus is Cyaxares, the conqueror of Nineveh. (Began to reign B.C. 634.)
2. The Ahasuerus king of Persia, referred to in () must be Cambyses, thought to be Cyrus’ successor, and perhaps his son. (B.C. 529.)
3. The third is the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther. This Ahasuerus is probably Xerxes of history, () (B.C. 485), and this conclusion is fortified by the resemblance of character and by certain chronological indications, the account of his life and character agreeing with the book of Esther In the third year of Ahaseuerus was held a great feast and assembly in Shushan the palace, () following a council held to consider the invasion of Greece. He divorced his queen Vashti for refusing to appear in public at this banquet, and married, four years afterwards, the Jewess Esther, cousin and ward of Mordecai. Five years after this, Haman, one of his counsellors, having been slighted by Mordecai, prevailed upon the king to order the destruction of all the Jews in the empire. But before the day appointed for the massacre, Esther and Mordecai influenced the king to put Haman to death and to give the Jews the right of self-Defence.
Ahava
(water), a place, () or a river, On the banks of which Ezra collected the second expedition which returned with him from Babylon to Jerusalem. Perhaps it is the modern Hit, on the Euphrates due east of Damascus.
Ahaz
(possessor), eleventh king of Judah, son of Jotham, reigned 741-726, about sixteen years. At the time of his accession, Rezin king of Damascus and Pekah king of Israel had recently formed a league against Judah, and they proceeded to lay siege to Jerusalem. Upon this Isaiah hastened to give advice and encouragement to Ahaz, and the allies failed in their attack on Jerusalem. ,. But, the allies inflicted a most severe injury on Judah by the capture of Elath, a flourishing port on the Red Sea, while the Philistines invaded the west and south. 2Kin 16; Ahaz, having forfeited God’s favor by his wickedness, sought deliverance from these numerous troubles by appealing to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, who forced him from his most formidable enemies. But Ahaz had to purchase this help at a costly price; he became tributary to Tiglath-pileser. He was weak, a gross idolater, and sought safety in heathen ceremonies, making his son pass through the fire to Molech, consulting wizards and necromancers. () and other idolatrous practices. () His only service of permanent value was the introduction of the sun-dial. He died at the age of 36, but was refused a burial with the kings his ancestors. ()
1. Son of Micah. (,; )
Ahaziah
(sustained by the Lord).
1. Son of Ahab and Jezebel eighth king of Israel, reigned B.C. 896-895. After the battle of Ramoth in Gilead, in which Ahab perished [AHAB], the vassal king of Moab refused his yearly tribute; comp. () Before Ahaziah could take measures for enforcing his claim, he was seriously injured by a fall through a lattice in his palace at Samaria. Being an idolater, he sent to inquire of the oracle of Baalzebub in the Philistine city of Ekron whether he should recover his health. But Elijah, who now for the last time exercised the prophetic office, rebuked him for this impiety, and announced to him his approaching death. The only other recorded transaction of his reign, his endeavor to join the king of Judah in trading to Ophir, is related under JEHOSHAPHAT. (; ; )
2. Fifth king of Judah, son of Jehoram and Athaliah (daughter of Ahab), and therefore nephew of the preceding Ahaziah, reigned one year, B.C. 884. He is Galled AZARIAH, () probably by a copyist’s error, and JEHOAHAZ. () He was 22 years old at his accession. () (his age 42, in () Isa a copyist’s error). Ahaziah was an idolater, and he allied himself with his uncle Jehoram king of Israel against Hazael, the new king of Syria. the two kings were, however defeated at Ramoth, where Jehoram was severely wounded. The revolution carried out in Israel by Jehu under the guidance of Elisha broke out while Ahaziah was visiting his uncle at Jezreel. As Jehu approached the town, Jehoram and Ahaziah went out to meet him; the former was shot through the heart by Jehu, and Ahaziah was pursued and mortally wounded. He died when he reached Megiddo.
Ahban
(brother of the wise, discreet), son of Abishur by his wife Abihail. () He was of the tribe of Judah.
Aher
(following), ancestor of Hushim a Benjamite. The name occurs in the genealogy of Benjamin. () It is not improbable that Aher and Ahiram, () are the same.
Ahi
(a brother).
1. A Gadite, chief of a family who lived in Gilead in Bashan, () in the days of Jotham and of Judah. (B.C. 758.)
2. A descendant of Shamer, of the tribe of Asher. ()
Ahiah, Or Ahijah
(friend of Jehovah).
1. Son of Ahitub, grandson of Phinehas and great-grandson of Eli, succeeded his father as high priest in the reign of Saul. (,) Ahiah is probably the same person as Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. (B.C. 980.)
2. One of Solomon’s princes. ()
3. A prophet of Shiloh, () hence called the Shilonite, () of whom we have two remarkable prophecies extant, the one in () addressed to Jeroboam, announcing the rending of the ten tribes from Solomon; the other in () in which he foretold the death of Abijah, the king’s son, who was sick, and the destruction of Jeroboam’s house on account of the images which he had set up. (,) (B.C. about 956.)
4. Father of Baasha king of Israel. (,)
5. Son of Jerahmeel. ()
6. Son of Bela. ()
7. One of David’s mighty men. ()
8. A Levite in David’s reign. ()
9. One of the "heads of the people" who joined in the covenant with Nehemiah. ()
Ahiam
son of Sharar the Hararite (or of Sacar,) () one of David’s thirty mighty men. () (B.C. 1050.)
Ahian
a Manassite of the family of Shemidah. ()
Ahiezer
(brother of help).
1. Son of Ammishaddai, hereditary chieftain of the tribe of Dan. (; ; ) (B.C. 1490).
2. The Benjamite chief of a body of archers in the time of David. () (B.C. 1050.)
Ahihud
(brother of renown).
1. The son of Shelomi and prince of the tribe of Asher. ()
2. Chieftain of the tribe of Benjamin. ()
Ahijah
[AHIAH, OR AHIJAH]
Ahikam
(a brother who raises up), son of Shaphan the scribe, an influential officer at the court of Josiah, was one of the delegates sent by Hilkaih to consult Huldah. () In the reign of Jehoiakim he successfully used his influence to protect the prophet Jeremiah. () He was the father of Gedaliah. [GEDALIAH] (B.C. 641).
Ahilud
(a brother of one born, i.e. before him).
1. Father of Jehoshaphat, the recorder or chronicler of the kingdom in the reigns of David and Solomon. (; ; ; ) (B.C. before 1015.)
2. The father of Baana, one of Solomon’s twelve commissariat officers. () It is uncertain whether he is the same with the foregoing.
Ahimaaz
(brother of anger).
1. Son of Zadok the high priest in David’s reign, and celebrated for his swiftness of foot. During Absalom’s rebellion he carried to David the important intelligence that Ahithophel had counselled an immediate attack upon David and his followers. (; ) Shortly afterwards he was the first to bring to the king the good news of Absalom’s defeat. () (B.C. 972-956.)
2. Saul’s wife’s father. () (B.C. before 1093.)
3. Solomon’s son-in-law. () (B.C. after 1014.)
Ahiman
(brother of the right hand).
1. One of the three giant Anakim who inhabited Mount Hebron, (,) seen by Caleb and the spies. (B.C. 1490.) The whole race was cut off by Joshua, () and the three brothers were slain by the tribe of Judah. ()
2. A Levite porter. ()
Ahimelech
(brother of the king).
1. Son of Ahitub, (,) and high priest of Nob in the days of Saul. He gave David the shew bread to eat, and the sword of Goliath; and for so doing was put to death, with his whole house, by Saul’s order. Abiathar alone escaped. [ABIATHAR] (B.C. 1085-1060.)
2. A Hittite. ()
Ahimoth
(brother of death), a Levite apparently in the time of David. () In v. () for Ahimoth we find MAHATH, as in ()
Ahinadab
(brother the noble , i.e. a noble brother), Son of Iddo, one of Solomon’s twelve commissaries who supplied provisions for the royal household. () (B.C. 1014-975.)
Ahinoam
(brother of grace , i.e. gracious).
1. The daughter of Ahimaaz and wife of Saul. () (B.C. about 1090.)
2. A native of Jezreel who was married to David during his wandering life. () (B.C. 1060.) She lived with him and his other wife Abigail at the court of Achish, () was taken prisoner with her by the Amalekites when they plundered Ziklag, () but was rescued by David. ()
Ahio
(brotherly).
1. Son of Abinadab, who accompanied the ark when it was brought out of his father’s house. (,; ) (B.C.1043.)
2. A Benjamite, one of the sons of Beriah. ()
3. A Benjamite, Son of Jehiel. (; )
Ahira
(brother of evil , i.e. unlucky), Chief of the tribe of Naphtali. (; ; ,; )
Ahiram
(brother of height, lofty), one of the sons of Benjamin, and ancestor of the AHIRAMITES () In () the name appears as "Ehi and Rosh." It is uncertain whether Ahiram is the same as AHER, () or AHARAH, ()
Ahisamach
(brother of help), a Danite, father of Aholiab one of the architects of the tabernacle. (; ; ) (B.C. 1490)
Ahishahar
(brother of the dawn), one of the sons of Bilhan, the grandson of Benjamin. ()
Ahishar
the controller of Solomon’s household. ()
Ahithophel
(brother of foolishness), a native of Giloh, was a privy councillor of David, whose wisdom was highly esteemed, though his name had an exactly opposite signification. () (B.C. 1055-1023.) He was the grandfather of Bathsheba. Comp. () with Ahithophel joined the conspiracy of Absalom against David, and persuaded him to take possession of the royal harem, () and recommended an immediate pursuit of David. His advice was wise; but Hushai advised otherwise. When Ahithophel saw that Hushai’s advice prevailed, he despaired of success, and returning to his own home "put his household in order and hanged himself." ()
Ahitub
(brother of goodness).
1. The son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli, and therefore of the family of Ithamar. (; ,) (B.C. 1125.) He was succeeded by his son Ahijah (AHIMELECH). (B.C. 1085.)
2. Son of Amariah, and father of Zadok the high priest, (,; ) of the house of Eleazar. (B.C. before 1045.)
Ahlab
(fertile), a city of Asher from which the Canaanites were not driven out. ()
Ahlai, Or Ahlai
(ornamental) daughter of Sheshan, whom, having no issue, he gave in marriage to his Egyptian slave Jarha. (,) From her were descended Zabad, one of David’s mighty men, () and Aza-riah, one of the captains of hundreds in the reign of Joash. ()
Ahoah
(brothely), son of Bela the son of Benjamin. () In () he is called AHIAH, OR AHIJAH. The patronymic, AHOHITE, is found in (,; ,; )
Ahohite
[AHOAH]
Aholah And Aholibah
(my tabernacle) two symbolical names, are described as harlots, the former representing Samaria and the latter Judah.
Aholiab
a Danite of great skill as a weaver and embroiderer, whom Moses appointed with Bezaleel to erect the tabernacle. () (B.C. 1490.)
Aholibamah Or Abolibamah
(my tabernacle is exulted), One of the three wives of Esau. (B.C. 1797.) She was the daughter of Anah. (,) In the earlier narrative, () Aholi-bamah is called Judith, which may have been her original name.
Ahumai
(brother of water , i.e. cowardly), Son of Jabath, a descendant of Judah, and head of one of the families of the Zorathites. ()
Ahuzam
(possession), properly Ahuzzam son of Ashur, the father or founder of Tekoa, by his wife Naarah. ()
William Smith, A Dictionary of the Bible (1884 edition). Public domain. Text from the CrossWire Bible Society.