International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Isshijah — Izziah
Isshijah
Isshijah - is-shi'-ja (yishshiyah, "Yah lends"; the King James Version Ishijah): A man of the household of Harim, named among those who, at Ezra's command, were induced to put away their "strange wives" (Ezra 10:31). Also called "Aseas" (1 Esdras 9:32).
Issue
Issue - ish'-u:
(1) (moledheth, tse'etsa'im; sperma, "seed"): Offspring, descendants (Genesis 48:6; Isaiah 22:24; Matthew 22:25 the King James Version).
(2) (zirmah; yatsa' (verb); rhusis): A gushing of fluid (semen, Ezekiel 23:20; water, Ezekiel 47:8; blood, Luke 8:43). See next article.
Issue (of Blood)
Issue (of Blood) - (zobh, zubh; rhusis, haimorrhoos): When used as a description of a bodily affection the word signifies: (1) A discharge, the consequence of uncleanness and sin (Leviticus 15:2 ff; Numbers 5:2). As such it was one of the judgments which were to afflict the family of Joab (2 Samuel 3:29); (2) a hemorrhage, either natural (Leviticus 12:7, where the word used is maqor, literally, a "fountain"), or the consequence of disease (Matthew 9:20; Mark 5:25; Luke 8:43).
Issues
Issues - ish'-uz (tots'-oth, literally, "outgoings"): (1) Ways of escape (Psalms 68:20 the King James Version); (2) free moral choices (Proverbs 4:23).
Istalcurus
Istalcurus - is-tal-ku'-rus (Istalkouros): 1 Esdras 8:40, corresponding to Zabbud in Ezra 8:14. In Swete's text the name is Istakalkos.
Isuah
Isuah - is'-u-a.
See ISHVAH.
Isui
Isui - is'-u-i.
See ISHVI.
Isvah
Isvah - is'-va.
See ISHVAH.
Itala, Version
Itala, Version - it'-a-la.
See LATIN VERSION,THE OLD ; VULGATE.
Italian Band
Italian Band - i-tal'-yan.
See BAND.
Italy
Italy - it'-a-li (Italia): At first confined as a name to the extreme southern part of the Italian peninsula in the region now called Calabria, whence its application was gradually extended. In Greek usage of the 5th century BC, the name was applied to the coasts as far as Metapontum and Posidonia, being synonymous with Oenotria. The Oenotrians are represented as having assumed the name of Italians (Itali) from a legendary ruler Italus (Dionysius, i.12,35; Vergil, Aen. i.533). The extension of Roman authority seems to have given this name an ever-widening application, since it was used to designate their allies generally. As early as the time of Polybius the name Italy was sometimes employed as an appellation for all the country between the two seas (Tyrrhenian and Adriatic) and from the foot of the Alps to the Sicilian Straits (Polyb. i.6; ii.14; iii.39,54), although Cisalpine Gaul was not placed on a footing of complete equality with the peninsula as regards administration until shortly after the death of Julius Caesar. From the time of Augustus the term was used in practically its modern sense (Nissen, Italische Landeskunde, I, 57-87).
The name Italy occurs 3 times in the New Testament: Acts 18:2, Aquila "lately come from Italy," because of the expulsion of the Jews from Rome under Claudius; Acts 27:1, the decision that Paul be sent to Italy; Hebrews 13:24, salutation from those "of Italy." The adjective form is found in the appellation, "Italian band" (cobors Italica, Acts 10:1).
The history of ancient Italy, in so far as it falls within the scope of the present work, is treated under ROME (which see).
George H. Allen
Itch
Itch - (charec; psora): Only in Deuteronomy 28:27, where it probably refers to the parasitic skin disease of that name which is very common in Palestine. It is due to a small mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, which makes burrows in the skin and sometimes causes extensive crusts or scabs, attended with a severe itching. It is very easily communicated from person to person by contact, and can be cured only by destruction of the parasite. This disease disqualified its victims for the priesthood (Leviticus 21:20).
Ithai
Ithai - ith'-a-i.
See ITTAI.
Ithamar
Ithamar - ith'-a-mar ('ithamar, "land" or "island of palms": Gesenius; or "father of Tamar," 'i, being perhaps for 'abhi: Cook in Encyclopedia Biblica--though both derivations are uncertain): The 4th son of Aaron (Exodus 6:23; 28:1; 1 Chronicles 6:3), Eleazar being the 3rd son, Nadab and Abihu the 1st and 2nd sons. While Nadab and Abihu were prematurely cut off for offering strange fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 3:4; 26:61), and Eleazar was appointed chief of the tribe of Levi (Exodus 6:23, 25) and ultimately succeeded Aaron (Exodus 28:1), Ithamar was made the treasurer of the offerings for the Tabernacle (Exodus 38:21), and superintendent of the Gershonites and Merarites in the service of the Tabernacle (Numbers 4:28, 33). In the time of Eli the high-priesthood had come to be in his family, but how, and whether before Eli's day or first in Eli's person, is not told and need not be conjectured. W. R. Smith in Encyclopedia Biblica (art. "Eli"), on the strength of 1 Samuel 2:27-28, holds that the priesthood was originally in Eli's line; but the words "the house of thy father" do not necessarily mean only the house of Ithamar, but may, and most probably do, refer to Aaron and his descendants, of whom Ithamar was one. Nor does the cutting off of Eli's family from the priesthood and the setting in their place of "a faithful priest," who should do everything according to Yahweh's will and walk before Yahweh's anointed forever, find its complete fulfillment in the deposition of Abiathar or Ahimelech, his son, and the installation of Zadok in the time of Solomon (1 Kings 2:35; 1 Chronicles 29:22; see ZADOK). A descendant of Ithamar, Daniel by name, is mentioned among the exiles who returned from Babylon (Ezra 8:2).
T. Whitelaw
Ithiel
Ithiel - ith'-i-el ('ithi'el, "God is"):
(1) A son of Jeshaiah of the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned among the inhabitants of Jerusalem in Nehemiah's day (Nehemiah 11:7).
(2) The name is perhaps also found in the oracle of Agur (Proverbs 30:1).
See ITHIEL AND UCAL.
Ithiel and Ucal
Ithiel and Ucal - ('ithi'el we'ukhal): Names of the two men to whom Agur the son of Jakeh spoke his words (Proverbs 30:1). The purport of introducing these persons is strange and obscure; the margin proposes therefore, by the use of a different pointing, to read the verse, "The man said, I have wearied myself, O God, I have wearied myself, O God, and am consumed," thus doing away with the proper names; a reading which corresponds not inaptly with the tone of the succeeding verses.
See AGUR; PROVERBS,THE BOOK OF ,II , 6.
John Franklin Genung
Ithlah
Ithlah - ith'-la (yithlah; the King James Version Jetblah): An unidentified town in the territory of Dan, named with Aijalon and Elon (Joshua 19:42).
Ithmah
Ithmah - ith'-ma (yithmah, "purity"): A citizen of the country of the Moabites, David's deadly enemies, yet mentioned as one of the king's heroes (1 Chronicles 11:46).
Ithnan
Ithnan - ith'-nan (yithnan): A town in the South of Judah mentioned along with Hazor and Ziph (Joshua 15:23), apparently the "Ethnan" of Jerome (Onom 118 13). Not identified.
Ithra
Ithra - ith'-ra (yithra', "abundance"): The father of Amasa, commanding general in the rebel army of Absalom. It seems that his mother was Abigail, a sister or half-sister of King David (1 Chronicles 2:17). She is called the sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother (2 Samuel 17:25). In this same passage Ithra is called an "Israelite," but in 1 Chronicles 2:17; 1 Kings 2:5, 32, we read: "Jether the Ishmaelite."
Ithran
Ithran - ith'-ran (yithran, "excellent"):
(1) A descendant of Seir the Horite, son of Dishon (Genesis 36:26; 1 Chronicles 1:41).
(2) One of the sons of Zophah of the tribe of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:37).
Ithream
Ithream - ith'-re-am (yithre`am, "residue of the people"): The 6th son born to David at Hebron. His mother's name was Eglah (2 Samuel 3:5; 1 Chronicles 3:3).
Ithrite
Ithrite - ith'-rit (yithri, "excellence," "preeminence"): A family in Israel, whose home was Kiriath-jearim (1 Chronicles 2:53). Among the 37 heroes of David, two are mentioned who belonged to this family, Ira and Gareb (2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40).
Ittah-kazin
Ittah-kazin - it-a-ka'-zin (`ittah qatsin): Joshua 19:13 the King James Version for Eth-kazin. Ittah is correctly Eth with He locale, meaning "toward Eth."
Ittai
Ittai - it'-a-i, it'-i ('ittay, 'ithay):
(1) A Gittite or native of Gath, one of David's chief captains and most faithful friends during the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:11-22; 2, 4, 12). The narrative reveals David's chivalrous and unselfish spirit in time of trouble, as well as the most self-sacrificing loyalty on the part of Ittai. He seems to have but recently left his native city and joined David's army through personal attachment to the king. David rapidly promoted him. Hearing of Absalom's rebellion and approach to Jerusalem, he flees with David. The latter remonstrates, urges him to go back and join Absalom, as he is a foreigner and in exile. His interests are in the capital and with the king; there is no reason why he should be a fugitive and perhaps suffer the loss of everything; it would be better for him, with his band of men, to put himself and them at the service of Absalom, the new king. "Mercy and truth be with thee," says David in his magnanimity. Ittai, with a double oath, absolutely refuses to go back, but will stand by David until the last. Remonstrance being useless, the monarch orders him across the river, doubtless glad that he had such a doughty warrior and faithful friend by his side. On mustering his hosts to meet Absalom, David makes Ittai a chief captain with the intrepid Joab and Abishai. He doubtless did his part in the battle, and as nothing more is said of him it is possible that he fell in the fight.
(2) A Benjamite, one of David's 30 mighty men (2 Samuel 23:29; 1 Chronicles 11:31, "Ithai").
J. J. Reeve
Ituraea
Ituraea - it-u-re'-a (Itouraia):
1. The Word an Adjective: The term occurs only once in Scripture, in the definition of Philip's territory: tes Itouraias kai Trachonitidos choras, which the King James Version renders: "of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis," and Revised Version: "the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis" (Luke 3:1). Sir W.M. Ramsay has given reasons for the belief that this word was certainly never used as a noun by any writer before the time of Eusebius (Expos, 1894, IX, 51 ff, 143 ff, 288 ff). It must be taken as an adjective indicating the country occupied by the Itureans.
2. The Itureans: The descent of the Itureans must probably be traced to Jetur, son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:15), whose progeny were clearly numbered among the Arabian nomads. According to Eupolemus (circa 150 BC), quoted by Eusebius (Praep. Evang. IX, 30), they were associated with the Nabateans, Moabites and Ammonites against whom David warred on the East of the Jordan. They are often mentioned by Latin writers; their skill in archery seems greatly to have impressed the Romans. They were skillful archers (Caesar, Bell. Afr. 20); a lawless (Strabo, xvi.2,10) and predatory people (Cicero, Philipp. ii.112). In the Latin inscriptions Iturean soldiers have Syrian names (HJP, I, ii, 326). They would therefore be the most northerly of the confederates opposed to David (supra), and their country may naturally be sought in the neighborhood of Mt. Hermon.
3. Indications of Their Territory: There is nothing to show when they moved from the desert to this district. Aristobulus made war against the Itureans, compelled many of them to be circumcised, and added a great part of their territory to Judea, 140 BC (Ant., XIII, xi, 3). Dio Cassius calls Lysanias "king of the Itureans" (xlix.32), and from him Zenodorus leased land which included Ulatha and Paneas, 25 BC. The capital of Lysanias was Chalcis, and he ruled over the land from Damascus to the sea. Josephus speaks of Soemus as a tetrarch in Lebanon (Vita, 11); while Tacitus calls him governor of the Itureans (Ann. xii.23). The country of Zenodorus, lying between Trachonitis and Galilee, and including Paneas and Ulatha, Augustus bestowed on Herod, 20 BC (Ant., XV, x, 3). In defining the tetrarchy of Philip, Josephus names Batanea, Trachonitis and Auranitis, but says nothing of the Itureans (Ant., XVII, xi, 4; BJ, II, vi, 3). Paneas and Ulatha were doubtless included, and this may have been Iturean territory (HJP, I, ii, 333). It seems probable, therefore, that the Itureans dwelt mainly in the mountains, and in the broad valley of Coele-Syria; but they may also have occupied the district to the Southeast of Hermon, the modern Jedur. It is not possible to define more closely the Iturean country; indeed it is not clear whether Luke intended to indicate two separate parts of the dominion of Philip, or used names which to some extent overlapped.
It has been suggested that the name Jedur may be derived from the Hebrew yeTur, and so be equivalent to Ituraea. But the derivation is impossible.
W. Ewing
Ivah
Ivah - i'-va.
See IVVAH.
Ivory
Ivory - i'-vo-ri ((1) shen, "tooth" (translated "ivory," 1 Kings 10:18; 22:39; 2 Chronicles 9:17; Psalms 45:8; Song of Solomon 5:14; 7:4; Ezekiel 27:6, 15; Amos 3:15; 6:4); (2) shenhabbim; Septuagint odontes elephdntinoi, "elephants' teeth" (1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21); (3) elephantinos, "of ivory" (Revelation 18:12)): Shen occurs often, meaning "tooth" of man or beast. In the passages cited it is translated in English Versions of the Bible "ivory" (of "crag," 1 Samuel 14:4-5; "cliff," Job 39:28 twice; "flesh-hook of three teeth," 1 Samuel 2:13). Shenhabbim is thought to be a contracted form of shen ha-'ibbim, i.e. ha, the article, and 'ibbim, plural of 'ibbah or 'ibba'; compare Egyptian ab, ebu, "elephant," and compare Latin ebur, "ivory" (see Liddell and Scott, under the word elephas). On the other hand, it may be a question whether -bim is not a singular form connected with the Arabic fil, "elephant." If the word for "elephant" is not contained in shenhabbim, it occurs nowhere in the Hebrew Bible.
Ivory was probably obtained, as now, mainly from the African elephant. It was rare and expensive. It is mentioned in connection with the magnificence of Solomon (1 Kings 10:18, 22), being brought by the ships of Tarshish (2 Chronicles 9:17, 21). An "ivory house" of Ahab is mentioned in 1 Kings 22:39. It is mentioned among the luxuries of Israel in the denunciations of Amos (1 Kings 3:15; 6:4). It occurs in the figurative language of Psalms 45:8; Song of Solomon 5:14; 7:4. It is used for ornamentation of the ships of the Tyrians (Ezekiel 27:6), who obtain it with ebony through the men of Dedan (Ezekiel 27:15). It is among the merchandise of Babylon (Revelation 18:12).
We do not learn of the use of elephants in war until a few centuries before the Christian era. In 1 Maccabees 8:6, there is a reference to the defeat of Antiochus the Great, "having an hundred and twenty elephants," by Scipio Africanus in 190 BC. 1 Maccabees 1:17 speaks of the invasion of Egypt by Antiochus Epiphanes with an army in which there were elephants. 1 Maccabees 6:28-47 has a detailed account of a battle between Antiochus Eupator and Judas Maccabeus at Bethsura (Beth-zur). There were 32 elephants. Upon the "beasts" theria) there were "strong towers of wood"; "There were also upon every one two and thirty strong men, that fought upon them, beside the Indian that ruled him."
In Job 40:15, the King James Version margin has for "behemoth," "the elephant, as some think."
Alfred Ely Day
Ivory, Tower of
Ivory, Tower of - (mighdal hashen): In Song of Solomon 7:4 the neck of the Shulammite is compared in whiteness and stateliness to a (or the) tower of ivory. The definite article may suggest that the comparison is with some actual tower in or near Jerusalem; but more probably the language is simply a figure.
Ivvah
Ivvah - iv'-a (`iwwah; Aba (= Ava), Aua, 2 Kings 18:34, Oudou, 2 Kings 19:13, apparently due to a misreading): The name is wanting in the Massoretic Text and Septuagint of Isaiah 36:19.
Ivvah was a city apparently conquered by the Assyrians, and is mentioned by them, in the verses quoted, with Hamath and Arpad, Sepharvaim and Hena. It has been assimilated with the Avva of 2 Kings 17:24 as one of the places whence Sargon brought captives to Samaria, and identified with Hit on the Euphrates, between Anah and Ramadieh, but this seems improbable, as is also the suggestion that it is Emma, the modern `Imm, between Antioch and Aleppo. Hommel (Expository Times, April, 1898, 330) upholds the view that Hena and Ivvah, or, as he prefers to read, Avvah, are not places at all, but the names of the two chief gods of Hamath, Arpad and Sepharvaim. This would be consistent with 2 Kings 18:34; but 2 Kings 19:13: "Where is the king .... of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?" and 2 Kings 17:31, where the gods of Sepharvaim are stated to be Adrammelech and Anammelech, raise serious difficulties. In all probability, the identification of Ivvah depends upon the correct localization of the twofold Sepharvaim, of which Hena and Ivvah may have been the names. The identification of Sepharvaim with the Babylonian Sip(p)ar is now practically abandoned.
See SEPHARVAIM.
T. G. Pinches
Ivy
Ivy - i'-vi (kissos): The only mention of the word in all the sacred writings is in 2 Maccabees 6:7 in connection with the oppression of the Jews by Antiochus Epiphanes: "On the day of the king's birth every month they were brought by bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices; and when the feast of Bacchus (Dionysus) was kept, the Jews were compelled to go in procession to Dionysus, carrying ivy," this plant (Hedera helix) being sacred to the Greek god of wine and of the culture of the vine (compare Eur. Bacchae, passim). It was of ivy or of pine that the "corruptible crown" of the famous Isthmian games was made (1 Corinthians 9:25).
J. Hutchison
Iyar
Iyar - e-yar'.
See IYYAR.
Iye-abarim
Iye-abarim - i-ye-ab'-a-rim (`iye ha-`abharim, "the heaps of the Abarim"; the King James Version Ije-abarim; in Numbers 21:11 the Septuagint reads Codex Vaticanus, Chalglei): A place in the journeyings of Israel named after Oboth, said to be "in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising" (Numbers 21:11), "in the border of Moab" (Numbers 33:44). The indications of position here given are not sufficient to guide to any identification, and, so far, nothing has been discovered in the district to help us. Called simply "Iyim" (the King James Version "Iim") in Numbers 33:45.
Iyim
Iyim - i'-yim (iyim, "heaps"--the form of which, `iye, is the construct):
(1) A short form of the name Iye-abarim (Numbers 33:45).
(2) A town in the territory of Judah (Joshua 15:29; English Versions of the Bible wrongly "Iim"). It lay in the extreme South, "toward the border of Edom." It is not identified.
Iyyar
Iyyar - e-yar' (iyar; Iar): The 2nd month of the Jewish year, corresponding to May. It is not mentioned in the Bible.
See CALENDAR.
Izehar
Izehar - iz'-e-har, i'-ze-har (Numbers 3:19 the King James Version).
See IZHAR.
Izhar
Izhar - iz'-har (yitshar, "the shining one"):
(1) The father of Korah (Numbers 16:1), descended from a Kohathite Levite of this name, whose descendants formed a family, in the tribe of Levi (Exodus 6:18, 21; Numbers 3:19, 27; 1 Chronicles 6:18, 38).
(2) A descendant of Judah, whose mother's name was Helah. the American Revised Version margin gives the name Zohar (1 Chronicles 4:7).
Izharites
Izharites - iz'-har-its (yitshari): The descendants of Izhar, son of Kohath, and grandson of Levi (Numbers 3:19, 27). In David's reign some of these were "over the treasures of the house of Yahweh" (1 Chronicles 26:23), others "were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges" (ibid., 1 Chronicles 26:29).
Izliah; Jezliah
Izliah; Jezliah - iz-li'-a (yizli'ah, "Yah delivers"; the King James Version): A son of Elpaal, of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:18).
Izrahiah
Izrahiah - iz-ra-hi'-a (yizrachyah, "Yah appears, or shines"):
(1) A descendant of Issachar, grandson of Tola, only son of Uzzi (1 Chronicles 7:3).
(2) The leader of the singing at the purification of the people, on the occasion of Nehemiah's reformation; here rendered "Jezrahiah" (Nehemiah 12:42).
Izrahite
Izrahite - iz'-ra-hit (yizrach, "rising, shining"): Shamhuth, the captain of the 5th monthly course (1 Chronicles 27:8), is called an "Izrahite." The name may be derived from the town or family of Izrah, but more likely is a corruption of the word "Zerahite," descendant of Zerah of Judah.
Izri
Izri - iz'-ri (yitsri, "creator," "former"): A man of the "sons of Jeduthun," leader of the fourth band of musicians, who served in the sanctuary (1 Chronicles 25:11). Identical with Zeri (1 Chronicles 25:3).
Izziah
Izziah - iz-i'-a (yizziyah, "Yah unites"; the King James Version Jeziah): One of the faithful Jews who put away their foreign wives. He belonged to the family of Parosh (Ezra 10:25; 1 Esdras 9:26, "Ieddias").