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Smith’s Bible Dictionary

Aaron-Zuzims

by William Smith

A

Aaron

The son of Amram and Jochebed, and the older brother of Moses and

Miriam (<^042659 > Numbers 26:59; 33:39). He was a Levite, and is first

mentioned in <^020414 > Exodus 4:14, as one who could “speak well.” He was

appointed by Jehovah to be the Interpreter and “Mouth” (<^020416 > Exodus 4:16)

of his brother Moses, who was “slow of speech;” and accordingly he was

not only the organ of communication with the Israelites and with Pharaoh

(<^020430 > Exodus 4:30; 7:2), but also the actual instrument of working most of

the miracles of the Exodus. (See <^020719 > Exodus 7:19, etc.) Thus on the way to

Mount Sinai, during the battle with Amalek, Aaron is mentioned with Hut,

as staying up the weary hands of Moses, when they were lifted up for the

victory of Israel (not in prayer, as is sometimes explained, but) to bear the

rod of God. (See <^021709 > Exodus 17:9.) Through all this period he is mentioned

as dependent upon his brother, and deriving all his authority from him. The

contrast between them is even more strongly marked on the arrival at

Sinai. Moses at once acts as the mediator (<^480319 > Galatians 3:19) for the

people, to come near to God for them, and to speak his words to them.

Aaron only approaches with Nadab, and Abihu, and the seventy elders of

Israel, by special command, near enough to see God’s glory, but not so as

to enter his immediate presence. Left, then, on Moses’ departure, to guide

the people, Aaron is tried for a moment on his own responsibility, and he

fails from a weak inability to withstand the demand of the people for visible

“gods to go before them.” Possibly it seemed to him prudent to make an

image of Jehovah, in the well-known form of Egyptian idolatry (Apis or

Mnevis), rather than to risk the total alienation of the people to false gods;

and his weakness was rewarded by seeing a “feast to the Lord” (<^023205 > Exodus

32:5) degraded to the lowest form of pagan sensuality, and knowing, from

Moses’ words and deeds, that the covenant with the Lord was utterly

broken. He repented of his sin, and Moses gained forgiveness for him

(<^050920 > Deuteronomy 9:20). — Aaron was now consecrated by Moses to the

new office of the high priesthood. The order of God for the consecration is

found in Exodus 39, and the record of its execution in Leviticus 8. The

only occasion on which his individual character is seen is one of

presumption. The murmuring of Aaron and Miriam against Moses clearly

Abana ( “perennial” )

Amana. The main river of Damascus, now called Barada. It has several

channels, and irrigates the whole city and suburbs. Rises in Anti-Lebanon,

near Zebedany (and a tributary at Ain-Fijy), 23 miles northwest of

Damascus, and 2,300 feet higher. It empties into the lake and marsh of

Ateibeh, 15 miles East of the city. See <^120512 > 2 Kings 5:12.

Abarim ( “beyond” )

A mountain range east of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River. Nebo is its

highest peak, and Pisgah is the top of Nebo. Average height 2,000 to 4,

feet.

Abba

Father. The ancient Aramaic word. The peculiar term for the Father-God

used by Jesus.

Abda

1. Father of Adoniram (<^110406 > 1 Kings 4:6)

2. Son of Shammua (<^161117 > Nehemiah 11:17), called Obadiah in <^130916 > 1

Chronicles 9:16.

Abdeel

Father of Shelemiah (<^243626 > Jeremiah 36:26).

Abdi

1. Ancestor of Ethan the sinner (<^130644 > 1 Chronicles 6:44).

2. Father of Kish (<^142912 > 2 Chronicles 29:12).

3. One of the sons of Elam (<^151026 > Ezra 10:26).

Abdias

Obadiah the prophet, in 2 Esdras 1:39.

Abdiel ( “servant of God” ) ,

Abdallah in Arabic. Son of Guni (<^130515 > 1 Chronicles 5:15). The name is noted

for its use by Milton in his Paradise Lost, for an angel — “Among the

faithless, faithful only he.”

Abdon ( “servile” )

1. in <^090211 > 1 Samuel 2:11. A judge of Israel.

2. Son of Shishak.

3. Oldest son of Jehiel, son of Gibeon.

4. Son of Micah, also called Achbor. — He had forty sons and thirty

nephews.

Abednego ( “servant of Nego” — that is, “Mercury, the god” )

The name given by the Chaldeans to Daniel’s companion Azariah

(<^270103 > Daniel 1:3).

Abel ( 1 ) ( “weakness, breath” )

In Hebrew HEBEL. The second son of Adam; killed by his brother, Cain

(Genesis 4).

Abel ( 2 ) ( “meadow” )

Several places so named.

1. or ; a strong city on

the slope of Mount Hermon, near the Jordan River, where Joab besieged

Sheba (<^102014 > 2 Samuel 20:14).

2. (“of the vineyards”). Near Rabbath, and even

now famous for its wines (<^071133 > Judges 11:33).

3. (“of dancing”). South of Bethshan near Jordan

River. The birthplace of Elisha (<^111916 > 1 Kings 19:16), and noted for Gibeon’s

victory over Midian (<^070722 > Judges 7:22).

4. (“of the Egypts”). Near Hebron, where Joseph,

his brethren, and the Egyptians mourned for Jacob (<^010111 > Genesis 1:11). Lost.

Abidan ( “father of the judge” )

Chief in Benjamin at the Exodus (<^040102 > Numbers 1:2).

Abiel

Abiel (“strong”)

1. The father of Kish, grandfather of Saul and Abner.

2. One of David’s 30 “mighty men.”

Abiezer ( “helper” )

1. The oldest son of Gilead (<^061702 > Joshua 17:2), formerly of the east of the

Jordan River, later of Ophrah, a lost place, which was near the south

border of Esdraelon. Gideon was of this family (<^070634 > Judges 6:34).

2. One of David’s “mighty men.”

, the family title.

Abigail ( “maker of joy” )

1. Nabal’s beautiful wife, who saved her husband from David’s anger —

Nabal having died ten days after, David made her his wife (<^092614 > 1 Samuel

2. A sister of David, mother of Amasa.

Abihail ( “mighty” )

1. Father of Zuriel, chief of the Merari (<^040335 > Numbers 3:35).

2. Abishur’s wife (<^130229 > 1 Chronicles 2:29).

3. Son of Hurt of Gad (<^130514 > 1 Chronicles 5:14).

4. Rehoboam’s wife (<^141118 > 2 Chronicles 11:18), a descendant of Eliab,

David’s older brother.

5. Father of Esther, and uncle of Mordecai (<^170215 > Esther 2:15).

Abihu ( “God is father” )

The second son of Aaron by Elizabeth. He was consecrated, with his father

and brothers, for the ministry. Abihu and his brother Nadab lost their lives

for an error in the altar service, while intoxicated (?)

Abijah ( “father God” )

1. A son of Samuel whose misconduct gave the Israelites the occasion to

demand a change of government to a monarchy. (<^090801 > 1 Samuel 8:1).

2. Son and successor of Rehoboam (B.C. 958). He followed the idolatries

of his father (<^111423 > 1 Kings 14:23).

Abila, Abilene ( “grassy meadow” )

On the East slope of Mount Hermon. Mentioned by Josephus (Antiquities

xiv. 13. 3). The name is derived from Abel, the first martyr (by tradition).

was the capital city of the district, under the Romans, and its

ruins are now seen on the banks of the Barada ravine, 12 miles northwest

of Damascus. The district is well watered by the Abana, and by many other

streams from Anti-Lebanon; is fertile and affords good pasture. When

Luke wrote (<^420301 > Luke 3:1) the tetrarachy was divided between Lysanias

and Philip. There is a coin bearing the name and title of Lysanias of

Abilene.

Abimael ( “father of Mael” )

Of Joktan (<^011028 > Genesis 10:28). A supposed trace of the name is in Mali, a

town in Arabia (the Minaeans).

Abimelech ( “father of the king” ) ,

the name of several Philistine kings, was probably a common title of these

kings, like that of Pharaoh among the Egyptians, and that of Caesar and

Augustus among the Romans. Hence, in the title of Psalm 34, the name of

Abimelech is given to the king, who is called Achish in <^092111 > 1 Samuel 21:11.

1. A Philistine, king of Gerar (Genesis 20—21), who, exercising the right

claimed by Eastern princes, of collecting all the beautiful women of their

dominions into the harem (<^011215 > Genesis 12:15; <^170203 > Esther 2:3), sent for and

2. The oldest son of Hiel, who died because his father undertook to rebuild

Jericho (1 Kings 16; Joshua 6).

Abisei

Son of Phinehas (2 Esdras 1:2).

Abishag ( “cause of error” )

The beautiful Shunemite wife of David in his old age.

Abishai ( “gift-maker” )

Son of David’s sister Zeruiah, brother of Joab, and one of David’s chief

and best officers.

Abishalom ( “peaceful” )

Father of Maachah, wife of Rehoboam and mother of Abijah (<^111502 > 1 Kings

15:2). Same as .

Abishua ( “of happiness” )

1. Son of Bela (<^130804 > 1 Chronicles 8:4).

2. Son of Phinehas, father of Bukki (<^130604 > 1 Chronicles 6:4). High priest after

Phinehas and before Eli. Iosepos, in Josephus (Antiquities viii. 1. 3).

Abishur ( “upright” )

The son of Shammai (<^130228 > 1 Chronicles 2:28).

Abisum

Son of Phinehas (1 Esdras 8:2).

Abital ( “protection” )

A wife of David (<^100304 > 2 Samuel 3:4).

Abitub ( “goodness” )

Son of Shaharaim by Hushim (<^130802 > 1 Chronicles 8:2).

Abiud

Grandson of Zerubbabel by Shelomith (<^400113 > Matthew 1:13).

Abner ( “light-maker” )

Cousin of Saul and commander-in-chief of his army. After Saul’s death he

made Ishbosheth Saul’s son, king, but betrayed him to David, and was

killed by the friends of Asahel, in blood revenge (<^042501 > Numbers 25:19).

David mourned his untimely loss, following his coffin.

Abomination

Anything or custom detested or disliked for religious reasons. The

Egyptians would not eat with any foreign people, or eat anything touched

by them; and the Hebrews adopted a similar rule. The <See ABOMINATION

OF DESOLATION> (<^402415 > Matthew 24:15; <^270927 > Daniel 9:27), is a reference to

an idol worship (of images) on or near the sacred altar on Moriah. See

.

Abraham ( “father of a multitude” )

First named (“of elevation”)

His name was changed, and he received from God the of

the blessing to all nations in his posterity, when he was 99 years old. Son of

, born in , “of the Chaldees,” B.C. 1996; had two

older brothers, and , and a half-sister, <See

SARAH> , (Iscah), who was his wife and the mother of . The

spiritual element in the life of Abraham is the chief topic in the Bible

narrative, very few incidents of his natural life being recorded. He was 60

when his father’s family left Ur and went to Haran (where Terah died, aged

215), and 75 when the promise was first made, when, as directed, he

entered Canaan, and fixed his camp under a sacred oak near Shechem,

where he built an altar and worshiped God, receiving a promise of the

inheritance of the land by his descendants.

Abraham is the first recorded worshiper of the one true God. The promise

made to him was two-fold — temporal and spiritual: that his descendants

should be many and prosperous, and that by him all the families of the earth

should be blessed. The promise has been fulfilled in both ways: his

promised to Sarai. Abram’s name was changed to Abraham and his wife’s

name was changed to Sarah, and the covenant of circumcision was

renewed to all the family and servants.

A few days after he entertained “three men,” who appeared at his tent door

in the dress and manner of the natives. This is one of the most beautiful

instances on record of ancient customs. The patriarch and his wife, with

their own hands, prepared refreshments, and stood by while their guests

ate. Travelers in Syria meet with such attentions now among Abraham’s

descendants. When the promise of a son to Sarah was renewed, and the

destruction of the cities of the plain announced, Abraham discovered that

he “had entertained angels unawares.” He begged to save his nephew Lot

and his family, and the next morning, when offering the daily sacrifice, as

he saw the ascending smoke from the plain he probably felt sure of Lot’s

safety.

During the next few months he practiced the same deception on the

Abimelech of Gerar that he had 23 years before on the Pharoah of Egypt.

The king was warned of his danger in a dream, and dismissed Sarah with

presents.

Isaac was born B.C. 1896, and Ishmael (with his mother) was dismissed at

the time Isaac was weaned (at 3 years), because Ishmael mocked at the

child (probably offered pretended worship to the child of the promise).

Isaac was 25 when he was laid on the altar, and saved from burning by the

angel’s voice, Abraham’s faith having proved true. His mother died at

Hebron 12 years after, at the age of 127, and was buried in Machpelah,

which Abraham bought of the sons of Heth. This legal conveyance of land

is the oldest on record.

Abraham sent Eliezer to renew family ties with his family in Haran, and get

a wife for Isaac, when that beautiful and touching incident of “Rebekah at

the Well” occurred. This brilliant picture includes all the requisites of a

perfect marriage — the sanction of parents, favor of God, domestic habits

of the wife, her beauty, modest consent, kindness, and her successful hold

on her husband’s love even while living in the same tent with her mother-

in-law.

Abraham’s descendants occupy the land from Egypt to the Euphrates,

besides those that are “scattered and peeled” all over the world.

He died aged 175, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah by his sons

Isaac and Ishmael. To this day he is called the “friend of God,” and is

reverenced alike, as the Father of the Faithful by Jew, Muslim, and

Christian.

Abraham’s Bosom

Meaning a place of peace, repose and happiness. <See LORD’S SUPPER>.

Abronah ( “passage” )

A station in the desert near Ezion-geber.

Abronas

A torrent near Cilicia, perhaps , the ancient Adonis.

Arbonai in <^070202 > Judges 2:24.

Absalom ( “peacemaker” )

The third son of David, the only son of his mother, Maachah, daughter of

Talmai, king of Geshur, born at Hebron. He is described as a very

handsome man, having a very heavy head of hair. Absalom killed his half-

brother, Amnon, for an outrage on his sister Tamar, and fled for security to

his grandfather, king Talmai, where he stayed 3 years. Joab, by the help of

a talented woman of Tekoah, induced David to pardon Absalom and recall

him, but kept him two years longer out of his presence. By the death of

Amnon, and it may be of Chilead also, Absalom was the oldest son of the

king living, and he was ambitious for the throne, plotted for the place of

power, “stole the hearts of the people” flatteries and promises, and

proclaimed himself king at Hebron. His father, David, was obliged to fly to

Mahanaim, and Absalom took possession of Jerusalem. The crafty Hushai,

whom David sent to advise and assist Ahithophel in counseling Absalom,

gained time for the true king, and the forces of Absalom were defeated in

the wood of Ephraim, and Absalom himself, having entangled his hair in a

tree, was killed by Joab, David’s general, and buried under a heap of loose

stones as a mark of contempt. David waited in the gate of Mahanaim for

the news of the battle, and mourned bitterly when he knew that his son was

dead.

Aceldama ( “field of blood” )

Bought for the 30 pieces of silver that Judas received for betraying Jesus

and returned. Potter’s Field. On the steep south slope of Hinnom, opposite

the Siloam pool. A few old olive trees grow near an old ruin called the

house of Ananus. The hill side is full of rock-hewn tombs. Shiploads of

earth have been carried away from this spot as holy earth, and the Campo

Santo (holy field) at Pisa is filled with it.

Achaia

A province of Rome in Greece. Gallio was proconsul when Paul was there

(<^441812 > Acts 18:12).

Achan ( “troubler” )

Stoned at Jericho for stealing public property (Joshua 7).

Achar ( “trouble” )

A variation of Achan.

Achbor ( “mouse” )

1. The father of Baal-hanan, king of Edom (<^013638 > Genesis 36:38).

2. Son of Michaiah, in Josiah’s time (<^122212 > 2 Kings 22:12).

Achiachurus

Keeper of the seal of Esarhaddon, king of Nineveh (Tobit 1:21). Nephew

to Tobit, son of his brother Anael. Supposed to be the Hebrew for

Mordecai.

Achias.

Son of Phinees, high priest (2 Esdras 1:2). ?

Achim

Son of Sadoc, father of Eliud. In Hebrew (<^014610 > Genesis

46:10; <^400114 > Matthew 1:14).

Achior ( “fighter” )

A general in the army of Holofernes (Judges 5), afterward, a convert to

Judaism (Judges 14).

Achish

King at Gath (Psalm 34. Abimelech). David fled twice to him from Saul.

(<^092703 > 1 Samuel 27:3-12, etc.)

Achitob

high priest (1 Esdras 8:2).

Achor ( “valley of trouble” )

Near Jericho, in Wady Kelt. Where Achan was stoned.

Achsa

Daughter of Caleb (<^130249 > 1 Chronicles 2:49).

Achsah ( “anklet” )

Daughter of Caleb, given to his nephew, Othniel, in reward for leading the

attack on Debir. The “upper and lower springs” that were given to her as a

dowry, with the south land (Negeb), are located 6 miles Southwest of

Hebron.

Achshaph ( “incantation” )

Royal city of Canaan (Joshua 11). on the bay of Acre.

Achzib

1. Judah in the Shefela.

2. In Asher, from which the Canaanites were not driven out. Ecdippa. Now

Es Zib, 7 miles North of Acre. After the return from captivity this was the

most northern limit of Israel.

5. Of the descendants of Bani (Jedeus in Esdras 9:30; <^151029 > Ezra 10:29).

6. Son of another Bani — both 5 and 6 took foreign wives.

7. Of the line of Pharez.

8. Ancestor of Maaseiah (<^142301 > 2 Chronicles 23:1).

Adalia

Son of Haman (<^170908 > Esther 9:8)

Adam ( 1 ) ( “the man”; or “reddish tint” )

The special work of the sixth day of the creation, the crown of the whole

fabric, was man, made in the divine image, he alone of all animals having a

spiritual life. Adam was made male and female, and the two were placed in

the garden Eden ( ), where proper food abounded. Some

believe that a pair of each race were made, black, brown, red, yellow,

white, and many others, because there are such great differences in

complexion and figure among mankind.

The original state of man was one of activity and enjoyment. God assumed

form and speech, and instructed His children how to dress and keep the

garden, and exercised their faculties in naming the animals that He had

made; and taught them something of the qualities and relations of

vegetables, earths, the heavens, and external objects to which they were

related.

The forming of the woman from a rib of Adam has been declared a poetic

myth; but the lesson is just as surely taught, whether it is a fact or a fable,

that woman stands in an especially close relation to man. The “tree of the

knowledge of good and evil,” and the “tree of life,” were tests of

obedience, and as such might have been of any kind. The serpent is

described as if it had been a special agent — perhaps one of those spirits

that are believed to be superior to man, invisible to his eyes, good and bad,

powerful, and always contending for his soul (<^470211 > 2 Corinthians 2:11).

Woman was sentenced to endure the pains of child-bearing, and the

humiliating dependence on a husband; and man to labor, with or without

reward, and both to be subject to death (spiritual?). The sentence of the

serpent is hard to interpret. The serpent is not literally, but

rather blessed in having an extra means of protection in the dread of all

other animals; he does not suffer by crawling on his belly because he is

especially made to go in that way; and he does not eat dust. The

denunciation of the serpent was symbolical, and is by some said to be the

first gospel promise. “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and

between thy seed and her seed; he will attack thee on the head, and thou

wilt attack him at the heel.” The serpent was the spirit of lying and cruelty,

as opposed to God, holy, good and wise.

It is probable that the first garments were made of the skins of animals,

offered in sacrifice.

Cain was born the year after the expulsion; Abel, a few years later, and

Seth at least 130 years after Cain. Other sons and daughters were born to

them of whose history nothing is recorded.

Adam’s death at the age of 930 is stated, but that of Eve is not given.

Adam ( 2 ) ( “red earth” )

A city on the Jordan River near Zarthan (<^060316 > Joshua 3:16).

Adamah

Northwest of the Sea of Galilee (<^061936 > Joshua 19:36). Lost.

Adami

.

Adar

Its name after the captivity of the sixth month. The holy days in it were:

seventh, a fast for the death of Moses; ninth, a fast for the memory of the

School of Hillel; thirteenth, Fast of Esther, and for the death of Nicanor;

fourteenth and fifteenth, the fast of Purlin (<^170921 > Esther 9:21).

Adasa

Ephraim near Beth-heron (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 10. 5; 1 Macc.