Smith's Bible Dictionary

Addi — Ajah

Addi

Ad’di (ornament). Luke 3:28. Son of Cosam, and father of Melchi in our Lord’s genealogy; the third above Salathiel.

Ader

A’der (flock), a Benjamite, son of Beriah, chief of the inhabitants of Aijalon. 1 Chronicles 8:15. The name is more correctly Eder.

Adida

Ad’ida, a fortified town near Jerusalem, probably the HADID of Ezra 2:33, and referred to in 1 Maccabees 12:38.

1. A prince of the tribe of Simeon, descended from the prosperous family of Shimei. 1 Chronicles 4:36. 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. 1 Chronicles 9:12.

3. Ancestor of Azmaveth, David’s treasurer. 1 Chronicles 27:25. (b.c. 1050.)

Adin

A’din (dainty, delicate), ancestor of a family who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel, to the number of 454, Ezra 2:15, or 655 according to the parallel list in Nehemiah 7:20. (b.c. 536.) They joined with Nehemiah in a covenant to separate themselves from the heathen. Nehemiah 10:16. (b.c. 410.)

Adina

Ad’ina (slender), one of David’s captains beyond the Jordan, and a chief of the Reubenites. 1 Chronicles 11:42.

Adino

Adi’no, or Ad’ino, The Eznite. 2 Samuel 23:8. See JASHOBEAM.

Adithaim

Aditha’im (double ornament), a town belonging to Judah, lying in the low country, and named, between Sharaim and hag-Gederah, in Joshua 15:36 only.

Adlai

Adla’i, or Ad’la-i (justice of Jehovah), ancestor of Shaphat, the overseer of David’s herds that fed in the broad valleys. 1 Chronicles 27:29. (b.c. before 1050.)

Admah

Ad’mah (earthy, fortress), one of the “cities of the plain,” always coupled with Zeboim. Genesis 10:19; Genesis 14:2, Genesis 14:8; Deuteronomy 29:23; Hosea 11:8.

Admatha

Ad’matha (given by the highest), one of the seven princes of Persia. Esther 1:14.

Adna

Ad’na (rest, pleasure).

1. One of the family of Pahath-moab, who returned with Ezra and married a foreign wife. Ezra 10:30. (b.c. 459.)

2. A priest, descendant of Harim in the days of Joiakim, the son of Jeshua. Nehemiah 12:15. (b.c. 500.)

Adnah

Ad’nah (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. 1 Chronicles 12:20. (b.c. 1054.)

2. The captain of over 300,000 men of Judah who were in Jehoshaphat’s army. 2 Chronicles 17:14. (b.c. 908.)

Adoni-Bezek

Adon’i-Be’zek (lord of Bezek), king of Bezek, a city of the Canaanites. [BEZEK.] This chieftain was vanquished by the tribe of Judah, Judges 1:3-7, 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

Adoni’jah (my Lord is Jehovah).

1. The fourth son of David by Haggith, born at Hebron while his father was king of Judah. 2 Samuel 3:4. (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. 1 Kings 1:4; and these, together with all the princes except Solomon, were entertained by Adonijah at a 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, 1 Kings 1:33, 1 Kings 1:34, 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.” 1 Kings 1:52. 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. 1 Kings 1:3. 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. 1 Kings 2:25.

2. A Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 17:8.

3. The same as Adonikam. Nehemiah 10:16. [ADONIKAM.]

Adonikam

Adoni’kam, or Adon’ikam. The sons of Adonikam, 666 in number, were among those who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:13; Nehemiah 7:18; 1 Esdras 5:14. (b.c. 506–410.) The name is given as ADONIJAH in Nehemiah 10:16.

Adoniram

Adoni’ram (lord of heights), 1 Kings 4:6. By an unusual contraction ADORAM, 2 Samuel 20:24 and 1 Kings 12:18; also HADORAM, 2 Chronicles 10:18, chief receiver of the tribute during the reigns of David, 2 Samuel 20:24, Solomon, 1 Kings 4:6, and Rehoboam. 1 Kings 12:18. 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

Adonize’dek (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. Joshua 10:1-27. (b.c. 1450.)

Adoption

Adoption, an expression used by St. Paul in reference to the present and prospective privileges of Christians. Romans 8:15, Romans 8:23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5. 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. Galatians 4:4, Galatians 4:5; Romans 8:14-17. He is received into God’s family from the world, and becomes a child and heir of God.

Ador

A’dor, or Ado’ra. [ADORAIM.]

Adoraim

Adora’im (double mound), a fortified city built by Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 11:9, in Judah. Adoraim is probably the same place with Adora, 1 Maccabees 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

Ado’ram. [ADONIRAM; HADORAM.]

Adoration

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, Genesis 17:3; Psalm 95:6; it was the formal mode of receiving visitors, Genesis 18:2, of doing obeisance to one of superior station, 2 Samuel 14:4, and of showing respect to equals. 1 Kings 2:19. It was accompanied by such acts as a kiss, Exodus 18:7, laying hold of the knees or feet of the person to whom the adoration was paid, Matthew 28:9, and kissing the ground on which he stood. Psalm 72:9; Micah 7:17. Similar adoration was paid to idols, 1 Kings 19:18; sometimes, however, the act consisted simply in kissing the hand to the object of reverence, Job 31:27, and in kissing the statue itself. Hosea 13:2.

Adrammelech

Adram’melech (splendor of the king).

1. The name of an idol introduced into Samaria by the colonists from Sepharvaim. 2 Kings 17:31. 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.

Adrammelech.

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. 2 Kings 19:37; 2 Chronicles 32:21; Isaiah 37:38.

Adramyttium

Adramyt’tium, named from Adramys, brother of Crœsus king of Lydia, a seaport in the province of Asia [ASIA], situated on a bay of the Ægean Sea, about 70 miles north of Smyrna, in the district anciently called Æolis, and also Mysia. See Acts 16:7. [MITLENE.] Acts 27:2. The modern Adramyti is a poor village.

Adria

A’dria, more properly A’drias, the Adriatic Sea. Acts 27:27. 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.]

Adri-el

A’dri-el (flock of God), son of Barzillai, to whom Saul gave his daughter Merab, although he had previously promised her to David. 1 Samuel 18:19. (b.c. about 1062.) His five sons were amongst the seven descendants of Saul whom David surrendered to the Gibeonites. 2 Samuel 21:8.

Adullam

Adul’lam (justice of the people), Apocr. Odollam, a city of Judah in the lowland of the Shefelah, Joshua 15:35; the seat of a Canaanite king, Joshua 12:15, and evidently a place of great antiquity. Genesis 38:1, Genesis 38:12, Genesis 38:20. Fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 11:7, it was one of the towns reoccupied by the Jews after their return from Babylon, Nehemiah 11:30, and still a city in the time of the Maccabees. 2 Maccabees 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. 1 Samuel 22:1; 2 Samuel 23:13; 1 Chronicles 11:15.

Adultery

Adultery. Exodus 20:14. 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. Deuteronomy 22:22-24. A bondwoman so offending was to be scourged, and the man was to make a trespass offering. Leviticus 19:20-22. 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, Numbers 5:11-29, 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

Adum’mim (the going up to), a rising ground or pass “over against Gilgal,” and “on the south side of the ‘torrent,’” Joshua 15:7; Joshua 18:17, 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. Luke 10:30-36.

Advocate

Advocate, or Paraclete, one that pleads the cause of another. 1 John 2:1. Used by Christ, John 14:16; John 15:26; John 16:7, 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, 1 John 2:1.

Ægypt

Ægypt (AEgypt) — EGYPT

Æneas

Æneas (AEneas) — (laudble), a paralytic at Lydda healed by St. Peter. (Acts 9:33 Acts 9:34)

Ænon

Ænon (AEnon) — (springs) a place "near to Salim," at which John baptized. (John 3:23) It was evidently west of the Jordan, comp. (John 3:22) with John 3:26 and with John 1:28 and abounded in water. It is given in the Omomasticon as eight miles south of Scythopolis "near Salem and the Jordan."

Æra

Æra (AEra) — CHRONOLOGY

Æthiopi-a

Æthiopi-a (AEthiopi-a) — ETHIOPIA

Affinity

Affinity. [MARRIAGE.]

Agabus

Ag’abus (a locust), a Christian prophet in the apostolic age, mentioned in Acts 11:28 and Acts 21:10. He predicted, Acts 11:28, 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 Acts 21:10 we learn that Agabus and Paul met at Cæsarea some time after this.)

Agag

A’gag (flame), possibly the title of the kings of Amalek, like Pharaoh of Egypt. One king of this name is mentioned in Numbers 24:7, and another in 1 Samuel 15:8, 1 Samuel 15:9, 1 Samuel 15:20, 1 Samuel 15:32. The latter was the king of the Amalekites, whom Saul spared contrary to Jehovah’s well-known will. Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 25:17. 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 Esther 3:1, Esther 3:10; Esther 8:3, Esther 8:5. The Jews consider him a descendant of Agag the Amalekite.

Agagite

A’gagite. [AGAG.]

Agar

A’gar. [HAGAR.]

Agate

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 Exodus 28:19; Exodus 39:12; Isaiah 54:12; Ezekiel 27:16. 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

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 depositories of knowledge, Job 15:10; the young were ordered to rise up in their presence, Leviticus 19:32; they allowed them to give their opinion first, Job 32:4; they were taught to regard gray hairs as a “crown of glory,” Proverbs 16:31; Proverbs 20:29. The attainment of old age was regarded as a special blessing. Job 5:26. In public affairs age formed under Moses the main qualification of those who acted as the representatives of the people in all matters of difficulty and deliberation. [ELDERS.]

Agee

Ag’ee, or A’gee (fugitive), a Hararite, father of Shammah, one of David’s three mightiest heroes. 2 Samuel 23:11. (b.c. 1050.)

Agriculture

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,” Leviticus 25:23, 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, Deuteronomy 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. Leviticus 25:8-16, Leviticus 25:23-35.

Rain.—Water was abundant in Palestine from natural sources. Deuteronomy 8:7; Deuteronomy 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,” Deuteronomy 11:14; Jeremiah 5:24; Hosea 6:3; Zechariah 10:1; James 5:7, 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 in the book of Job 31:40; Job 15:33; Job 24:6; Job 29:19; Job 39:10. Two kinds of cumin (the black variety called “fitches,” Isaiah 28:27), and such podded plants as beans and lentiles, 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. Isaiah 7:25. New ground and fallows, Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12, were cleared of stones and of thorns, Isaiah 5:2, early in the year, sowing or gathering from “among thorns” being a proverb for slovenly husbandry. Job 5:5; Proverbs 24:30, Proverbs 24:31. Sowing also took place without previous ploughing, the seed being scattered broadcast and ploughed in afterwards. The soil was then brushed over with a light harrow, often of thorn bushes. In high-irrigated spots the seed was trampled in by cattle. Isaiah 32:20. Seventy days before the passover was the time prescribed for sowing. The oxen were urged on by a goad like a spear. Judges 3:31. 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. Genesis 26:12; Matthew 13:8. Sowing a field with divers seed was forbidden. Deuteronomy 22:9.

Threshing Instrument (side view and upper view).

Reaping and Threshing.—The wheat, etc., was reaped by the sickle or pulled up by the roots. It was bound in sheaves. The sheaves or heaps were carted, Amos 2:13, to the floor—a circular spot of hard ground, probably, as now, from 50 to 80 or 100 feet in diameter. Genesis 1:10, Genesis 1:11; 2 Samuel 24:16, 2 Samuel 24:18. On these the oxen, etc., forbidden to be muzzled, Deuteronomy 25:4, trampled out the grain. At a later time the Jews used a threshing sledge called morag, Isaiah 41:15; 2 Samuel 24:22; 1 Chronicles 21:23, 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. Isaiah 28:27. The use of animal manure was frequent. Psalm 83:10; 2 Kings 9:37; Jeremiah 8:2, etc.

Threshing Floor (Eastern).

Winnowing.—The shovel and fan, Isaiah 30:24, indicate the process of winnowing—a conspicuous part of ancient husbandry. Psalm 35:5; Job 21:18; Isaiah 17:13. Evening was the favorite time, Ruth 3:2, when there was mostly a breeze. The fan, Matthew 3:12, 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. Amos 9:9. Fields and floors were not commonly enclosed; vineyards mostly were, with a tower and other buildings. Numbers 22:24; Psalm 80:13; Isaiah 5:5; Matthew 21:33; comp. Judges 6:11. The gardens also and orchards were enclosed, frequently by banks of mud from ditches.

With regard to occupany, a tenant might pay a fixed money rent, Song of Solomon 8:11, or a stipulated share of the fruits. 2 Samuel 9:10; Matthew 21:34. A passerby might eat any quantity of corn or grapes, but not reap or carry off fruit. Deuteronomy 23:24, Deuteronomy 23:25; Matthew 12:1. 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. Leviticus 19:9, Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 24:19.

Agrippa

Agrip’pa. [HEROD.]

Agur

A’gur (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 Proverbs 30.

Ahab

A’hab (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 a temple to be built to Baal in Samaria itself, and an oracular grove to be consecrated to Astarte. See 1 Kings 18:19. 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, Leviticus 25:23, a false accusation of blasphemy was brought against him, and he was murdered, and Ahab took possession of the coveted fields. 2 Kings 9:26. 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. 1 Kings 21.

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. 1 Kings 20:1-21. 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, 1 Kings 20:22-34, 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, 1 Kings 21:19, which was more literally accomplished in the case of his son. 2 Kings 9:26.

2. A lying prophet, who deceived the captive Israelites in Babylon, and was burnt to death by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah 29:21.

Aharah

Ahar’ah (after the brother), third son of Benjamin. 1 Chronicles 8:1. [AHER; AHIRAM.]

Aharhel

Ahar’hel (behind the breastwork), a name occurring in an obscure fragment of the genealogies of Judah. 1 Chronicles 4:8.

Ahasa-i

Ahas’a-i (whom Jehovah holds), a priest, ancestor of Maasiai, Nehemiah 11:13; called JAHZERAH in 1 Chronicles 9:12.

Ahasba-i

Ahas’ba-i (blooming), father of Eliphelet, one of David’s thirty-seven captains. 2 Samuel 23:34. In the corrupt list in 1 Chronicles 11:35, Eliphelet appears as “Eliphal the son of Ur.” (b.c. about 1050.)

Ahashverosh

Ahashve’rosh. Another (the Hebrew) form of AHASUERUS. Ezra 4:6, in margin.

Ahasuerus

Ahasue’rus (lion-king), the name of one Median and two Persian kings mentioned in the Old Testament.

1. In Daniel 9:1 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 Ezra 4:6, 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, Esther 1:1 (b.c. 485), and this conclusion is fortified by the resemblance of character and by certain chronological indications, the accounts of his life and character agreeing with the book of Esther. In the third year of Ahasuerus was held a great feast and assembly in Shushan the palace, Esther 1:3, 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 induced the king to put Haman to death, and to give the Jews the right of self-defence.

Ahava

Aha’va (water), a place, Ezra 8:15, or a river, Ezra 8:21, 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

A’haz (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. Isaiah 7, Isaiah 8, Isaiah 9. 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. 2 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 28. Ahaz, having forfeited God’s favor by his wickedness, sought deliverance from these numerous troubles by appealing to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, who freed 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, Isaiah 8:19, and other idolatrous practices. 2 Kings 23:12. 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. 2 Chronicles 28:27.

2. Son of Micah. 1 Chronicles 8:35, 1 Chronicles 8:36; 1 Chronicles 9:42.

Ahaziah

Ahazi’ah (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. Isaiah 16:1. 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. 1 Kings 22:49-53; 2 Kings 1; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37.

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 called AZARIAH, 2 Chronicles 22:6, probably by a copyist’s error, and JEHOAHAZ. 2 Chronicles 21:17. He was 22 years old at his accession. 2 Kings 8:26 (his age 42, in 2 Chronicles 22:2, is 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

Ah’ban (brother of the wise; discreet), son of Abishur by his wife Abihail. 1 Chronicles 2:29. He was of the tribe of Judah.

Aher

A’her (following), ancestor of Hushim, a Benjamite. The name occurs in the genealogy of Benjamin. 1 Chronicles 7:12. It is not improbable that Aher and Ahiram, Numbers 26:38, are the same.

Ahi

A’hi (a brother).

1. A Gadite, chief of a family who lived in Gilead in Bashan, 1 Chronicles 5:15, in the days of Jotham king of Judah. (b.c. 758.)

2. A descendant of Shamer, of the tribe of Asher. 1 Chronicles 7:34.

Ahiah

Ahi’ah, or Ahi’jah (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. 1 Samuel 14:3, 1 Samuel 14:18. Ahiah is probably the same person as Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. (b.c. 980.)

2. One of Solomon’s princes. 1 Kings 4:3.

3. A prophet if Shiloh, 1 Kings 14:2, hence called the Shilonite, 1 Kings 11:29, of whom we have two remarkable prophecies extant, the one in 1 Kings 11:30-39, addressed to Jeroboam, announcing the rending of the ten tribes from Solomon; the other in 1 Kings 14:6-16, 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. 1 Kings 14:2, 1 Kings 14:3. (b.c. about 956.)

4. Father of Baasha king of Israel. 1 Kings 15:27, 1 Kings 15:33.

5. Son of Jerahmeel. 1 Chronicles 2:25.

6. Son of Bela. 1 Chronicles 8:7.

7. One of David’s mighty men. 1 Chronicles 11:36.

8. A Levite in David’s reign. 1 Chronicles 26:20.

9. One of the “heads of the people” who joined in the covenant with Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:26.

Ahiam

Ahi’am, son of Sharar the Hararite (or of Sacar, 1 Chronicles 11:35), one of David’s thirty mighty men. 2 Samuel 23:33. (b.c. 1050.)

Ahian

Ahi’an, a Manassite of the family of Shemidah. 1 Chronicles 7:19.

Ahi-ezer

Ahi-e’zer (brother of help).

1. Son of Ammishaddai, hereditary chieftain of the tribe of Dan. Numbers 1:12; Numbers 2:25; Numbers 7:66. (b.c. 1490.)

2. The Benjamite chief of a body of archers in the time of David. 1 Chronicles 12:3. (b.c. 1050.)

Ahihud

Ahi’hud (brother of renown).

1. The son of Shelomi and prince of the tribe of Asher. Numbers 34:27.

2. Chieftain of the tribe of Benjamin. 1 Chronicles 8:7.

Ahijah

Ahi’jah. [AHIAH.]

Ahikam

Ahi’kam (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 Hilkiah to consult Huldah. 2 Kings 22:12-14. In the reign of Jehoiakim he successfully used his influence to protect the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 26:24. He was the father of Gedaliah. [GEDALIAH.] (b.c. 641.)

Ahilud

Ahi’lud (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. 2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 4:3; 1 Chronicles 18:15. (b.c. before 1015.)

2. The father of Baana, one of Solomon’s twelve commissariat officers. 1 Kings 4:12. It is uncertain whether he is the same with the foregoing.

Ahima-az

Ahim’a-az (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. 2 Samuel 15:24-37; 2 Samuel 17:15-22. Shortly afterwards he was the first to bring to the king the good news of Absalom’s defeat. 2 Samuel 18:19-33. (b.c. 972–956.)

2. Saul’s wife’s father. 1 Samuel 14:50. (b.c. before 1093.)

3. Solomon’s son-in-law. 1 Kings 4:15. (b.c. after 1014.)

Ahiman

Ahi’man (brother of the right hand).

1. One of the three giant Anakim who inhabited Mount Hebron, Numbers 13:22, Numbers 13:23, seen by Caleb and the spies. (b.c. 1490.) The whole race was cut off by Joshua, Joshua 11:21, and the three brothers were slain by the tribe of Judah. Judges 1:10.

2. A Levite porter. 1 Chronicles 9:17.

Ahimelech

Ahim’elech (brother of the king).

1. Son of Ahitub, 1 Samuel 22:11, 1 Samuel 22:12, and high priest at 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. 1 Samuel 26:6.

Ahimoth

Ahi’moth (brother of death), a Levite apparently in the time of David. 1 Chronicles 6:25. In v. 1 Chronicles 6:35, for Ahimoth we find MAHATH, as in Luke 3:26.

Ahinadab

Ahin’adab (brother the noble, i.e., a noble brother), son of Iddo, one of Solomon’s twelve commissaries who supplied provisions for the royal household. 1 Kings 4:14. (b.c. 1014–975.)

Ahino-am

Ahin’o-am (brother of grace, i.e., gracious).

1. The daughter of Ahimaaz and wife of Saul. 1 Samuel 14:50. (b.c. about 1090.)

2. A native of Jezreel who was married to David during his wandering life. 1 Samuel 25:43. (b.c. 1060.) She lived with him and his other wife Abigail at the court of Achish, 1 Samuel 27:3; was taken prisoner with her by the Amallekites when they plundered Ziklag, 1 Samuel 30:5, but was rescued by David. 1 Samuel 30:18.

Ahio

Ahi’o (brotherly).

1. Son of Abinadab, who accompanied the ark when it was brought out of his father’s house. 2 Samuel 6:3, 2 Samuel 6:4; 1 Chronicles 13:7. (b.c. 1043.)

2. A Benjamite, one of the sons of Beriah. 1 Chronicles 8:14.

3. A Benjamite, son of Jehiel. 1 Chronicles 8:31; 1 Chronicles 9:37.

Ahira

Ahi’ra (brother of evil, i.e., unlucky), chief of the tribe of Naphtali. Numbers 1:15; Numbers 2:29; Numbers 7:78, Numbers 7:83; Numbers 10:27.

Ahiram

Ahi’ram (brother of height, lofty), one of the sons of Benjamin, and ancestor of the Ahiramites. Numbers 26:38. In Genesis 46:21 the name appears as “Ehi and Rosh.” It is uncertain whether Ahiram is the same as AHER, 1 Chronicles 7:12, or AHARAH, 1 Chronicles 8:1.

Ahisamach

Ahis’amach (brother of help), a Danite, father of Aholiab, one of the architects of the tabernacle. Exodus 31:6; Exodus 35:34; Exodus 38:23. (b.c. 1490.)

Ahishahar

Ahish’ahar (brother of the dawn), one of the sons of Bilhan, the grandson of Benjamin. 1 Chronicles 7:10.

Ahishar

Ahi’shar, the controller of Solomon’s household. 1 Kings 4:6.

Ahithophel

Ahith’ophel (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. 2 Samuel 16:23. (b.c. 1055–1023.) He was the grandfather of Bath-sheba. Comp. 2 Samuel 11:3 with 2 Samuel 23:34. Ahithophel joined the conspiracy of Absalom against David, and persuaded him to take possession of the royal harem, 2 Samuel 16:21, 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.” 2 Samuel 17:1-23.

Ahitub

Ahi’tub (brother of goodness).

1. The son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli, and therefore of the family of Ithamar. 1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Samuel 22:9, 1 Samuel 22:11. (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, 1 Chronicles 6:7, 1 Chronicles 6:8; 2 Samuel 8:17, of the house of Eleazar. (b.c. before 1045.)

Ahlab

Ah’lab (fertile), a city of Asher from which the Canaanites were not driven out. Judges 1:31.

Ahlai

Ahla’i, or Ah’la-i (ornamental), daughter of Sheshan, whom, having no issue, he gave in marriage to his Egyptian slave Jarha. 1 Chronicles 2:31, 1 Chronicles 2:35. From her were descended Zabad, one of David’s mighty men, 1 Chronicles 11:41, and Azariah, one of the captains of hundreds in the reign of Joash. 2 Chronicles 23:1.

Ahoah

Aho’ah (brotherly), son of Bela, the son of Benjamin. 1 Chronicles 8:4. In 1 Chronicles 8:7 he is called Ahiah. The patronymic, Ahohite, is found in 2 Samuel 23:9, 2 Samuel 23:28; 1 Chronicles 11:12, 1 Chronicles 11:29; 1 Chronicles 27:4.

Ahohite

Aho’hite. [AHOAH.]

Aholah

Aho’lah and Aho’libah (my tabernacle), two symbolical names, are described as harlots, the former representing Samaria and the latter Judah. Ezekiel 23.

Aholi-ab

Aho’li-ab, a Danite of great skill as a weaver and embroiderer, whom Moses appointed with Bezaleel to erect the tabernacle. Exodus 35:30-35. (b.c. 1490.)

Aholibamah

Aholiba’mah, or Aholib’amah (my tabernacle is exalted), one of the three wives of Esau. (b.c. 1797.) She was the daughter of Anah. Genesis 36:2, Genesis 36:25. In the earlier narrative, Genesis 26:34 Aholibamah is called Judith, which may have been her original name.

Ahumai

Ahuma’i (brother of water, i.e., cowardly), son of Jabath, a descendant of Judah, and head of one of the families of the Zorathites. 1 Chronicles 4:2.

Ahuzam

Ahu’zam (possession), properly Ahuzzam, son of Ashur, the father or founder of Tekoa, by his wife Naarah. 1 Chronicles 4:6.

Ahuzzath

Ahuz’zath (possessions), one of the friends of the Philistine king Abimelech, who accompanied him at his interview with Isaac. Genesis 26:26. (b.c. about 1877.)

Ai

A’i (heap of ruins).

1. A city lying east of Bethel and “beside Bethaven.” Joshua 7:2; Joshua 8:9. It was the second city taken by Israel after the passage of the Jordan, and was “utterly destroyed.” Joshua 7:3-5; Joshua 8; Joshua 9:3; Joshua 10:1, Joshua 10:2; Joshua 12:9.

2. A city of the Ammonites, apparently attached to Heshbon. Jeremiah 49:3.

A-iah

A-i’ah (clamor).

1. Son of Zibeon, a descendant of Seir and ancestor of one of the wives of Esau, 1 Chronicles 1:40, called in Genesis 36:24 Ajah. He probably died before his father, as the succession fell to his brother Anah.

2. Father of Rizpah, the concubine of Saul. 2 Samuel 3:7; 2 Samuel 21:8, 2 Samuel 21:10, 2 Samuel 21:11. (b.c. before 1040.)

A-iath

A-i’ath (feminine of Ai), a place named by Isaiah, Isaiah 10:28, in connection with Migron and Michmash, probably the same as Ai.

A-ija

A-i’ja, like Aiath probably a variation of the name Ai, mentioned with Michmash and Bethel. Nehemiah 11:31.

Aijalon

Aij’alon, or Aj’alon (place of gazelles).

1. A city of the Kohathites. Joshua 21:24; 1 Chronicles 6:69. It was a Levitical city and a city of refuge. It was originally allotted to the tribe of Dan, Joshua 19:42; Authorized Version, Ajalon, which tribe, however, was unable to dispossess the Amorites of the place. Judges 1:35. Aijalon was one of the towns fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 11:10, and the last we hear of it is as being in the hands of the Philistines. 2 Chronicles 28:18. Being on the very frontier of the two kingdoms, we can understand how Aijalon should be spoken of sometimes, 1 Chronicles 6:69, comp. with 1 Chronicles 6:66, as in Ephraim, and sometimes, 2 Chronicles 11:10; 1 Samuel 14:31, as in Judah and Benjamin. It is represented by the modern Yalo, a little to the north of the Jaffa road, about 14 miles out of Jerusalem.

2. A broad and beautiful valley near the city of Aijalon over which Joshua commanded the moon to stand still during the pursuit after the battle of Gibeon. Joshua 10:12.

3. A place in Zebulon, mentioned as the burial-place of Elon, one of the Judges. Judges 12:12.

Aijeleth Shahar

Aij’eleth Sha’har (the hind of the morning dawn), found once only in the Bible, in the title of Psalm 22. It probably describes to the musician the melody to which the psalm was to be played.

Ain

A’in (spring, well).

1. One of the landmarks on the eastern boundary of Palestine. Numbers 34:11. It is probably ’Ain el-’Azy, the main source of the Orontes.

2. One of the southernmost cities of Judah, Joshua 15:32; afterwards allotted to Simeon, Joshua 19:7; 1 Chronicles 4:32, and given to the priests. Joshua 21:16.

Ajah

A’jah = A-i’ah,

1. Genesis 36:24.