Cheese is mentioned only three times in the Bible, and on each occasion under a different name in the Hebrew. 1 Samuel 17:18; 2 Samuel 17:29; Job 10:10. It is difficult to decide how far these terms correspond with our notion of cheese, for they simply express various degrees of coagulation. Cheese is not at the present day common among the Bedouin Arabs, butter being decidedly preferred; but there is a substance closely corresponding to those mentioned in 1 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 17, consisting of coagulated buttermilk, which is dried until it becomes quite hard, and is then ground; the Arabs eat it mixed with butter. SBD Cheese.2
Che’lal (perfection), Ezra 10:30, one who had a strange wife. SBD Chelal.2
Chel’luh (completed), Ezra 10:35, another like the above. SBD Chelluh.2
Che’lub. SBD Chelub.2
1. A man among the descendants of Judah. SBD Chelub.3
2. Ezri the son of Chelub, one of David’s officers. 1 Chronicles 27:26. SBD Chelub.4
Chelu’bai (capable), the son of Hezron. Same as Caleb. 1 Chronicles 2:9, 1 Chronicles 2:18, 1 Chronicles 2:42. SBD Chelubai.2
Chem’arim, The (those who go about in black, i.e., ascetics). In the Hebrew applied to the priests of the worship of false gods. 2 Kings 23:5; Hosea 10:5, in margin; Zephaniah 1:4. SBD Chemarim The.2
Che’mosh (subduer), the national deity of the Moabites. Numbers 21:29; Jeremiah 48:7, Jeremiah 48:13, Jeremiah 48:46. In Judges 11:24 he also appears as the god of the Ammonites. Solomon introduced, and Josiah abolished, the worship of Chemosh at Jerusalem. 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:13. Also identified with Baal-peor, Baalzebub, Mars, and Saturn. SBD Chemosh.2
Chena’anah (merchant). SBD Chenaanah.2
1. Son of Bilhan, son of Jediael, son of Benjamin, head of a Benjamite house, 1 Chronicles 7:10, probably of the family of the Belaites. [BELA.] SBD Chenaanah.3
2. Father or ancestor of Zedekiah the false prophet. 1 Kings 22:11, 1 Kings 22:24; 2 Chronicles 18:10, 2 Chronicles 18:23. SBD Chenaanah.4
Chen’ani (a contraction of Chenaniah), one of the Levites who assisted at the solemn purification of the people under Ezra. Nehemiah 9:4. SBD Chenani.2
Chenani’ah (established by the Lord), chief of the Levites when David carried the ark to Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 15:22; 1 Chronicles 26:29. SBD Chenaniah.2
Che’phar-Haam’monai (hamlet of the Ammonites), a place mentioned among the towns of Benjamin. Joshua 18:24. SBD Chephar-Haammonai.2
Chephi’rah (the hamlet), one of the four cities of the Gibeonites, Joshua 9:17, named afterwards among the towns of Benjamin. Ezra 2:25; Nehemiah 7:29. SBD Chephirah.2
Che’ran (lyre), one of the sons of Dishon the Horite “duke.” Genesis 36:26; 1 Chronicles 1:41. SBD Cheran.2
Cher’ethim (axe-men), Ezekiel 25:16, same as Cherethites. SBD Cherethim.2
Cher’ethites (executioners) and Pel’ethites (couriers), the life-guards of King David. 2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 20:7, 2 Samuel 20:23; 1 Kings 1:38, 1 Kings 1:44; 1 Chronicles 18:17. It is plain that these royal guards were employed as executioners, 2 Kings 11:4, and as couriers, 1 Kings 14:27. But it has been conjectured that they may have been foreign mercenaries, and therefore probably Philistines, of which name Pelethites may be only another form. SBD Cherethites.2
Che’rith, The brook (cutting, ravine), the torrent-bed or wady in which Elijah hid himself during the early part of the three-years drought. 1 Kings 17:3, 1 Kings 17:5. The position of the Cherith has been much disputed. The argument from probability is in favor of the Cherith being on the east of Jordan, and the name may possibly be discovered there. SBD Cherith The brook.2
Cher’ub, apparently a place in Babylonia from which some persons of doubtful extraction returned to Judea with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61. SBD Cherub.2
Cherub, Cherubim. The symbolical figure so called was a composite creature-form which finds a parallel in the religious insignia of Assyria, Egypt, and Persia, e.g., the sphinx, the winged bulls and lions of Nineveh, etc. A cherub guarded paradise. Genesis 3:24. Figures of cherubim were placed on the mercy-seat of the ark. Exodus 25:18. A pair of colossal size overshadowed it in Solomon’s temple with the canopy of their contiguously extended wings. 1 Kings 6:27. Those on the ark were to be placed with wings stretched forth, one at each end of the mercy-seat, and to be made “of the mercy-seat.” Their wings were to be stretched upwards, and their faces “towards each other and towards the mercy-seat.” It is remarkable that with such precise directions as to their position, attitude, and material, nothing, save that they were winged, is said concerning their shape. On the whole it seems likely that the word “cherub” meant not only the composite creature-form, of which the man, lion, ox, and eagle were the elements, but, further, some peculiar and mystical form. (Some suppose that the cherubim represented God’s providence among men, the four faces expressing the characters of that providence: its wisdom and intelligence (man), its strength (ox), its kingly authority (lion), its swiftness, far-sighted (eagle). Others, combining all the other references with the description of the living creatures in Revelation, make the cherubim to represent God’s redeemed people. The qualities of the four faces are those which belong to God’s people. Their facing four ways, towards all quarters of the globe, represents their duty of extending the truth. The wings show swiftness of obedience; and only the redeemed can sing the song put in their mouths in Revelation 5:8-14.—Ed.) SBD Cherub Cherubim.2
Ches’alon (hopes), a place named as one of the landmarks on the west part of the north boundary of Judah, Joshua 15:10, probably Kesla, about six miles to the northeast of Ainshems, on the western mountains of Judah. SBD Chesalon.2
Che’sed (increase), fourth son of Nahor. Genesis 22:22. SBD Chesed.2
Che’sil (idolatrous), a town in the extreme south of Palestine, Joshua 15:30, 15 miles southwest of Beersheba. In Joshua 19:4 the name is Bethul. SBD Chesil.2
Chest. By this word are translated in the Authorized Version two distinct Hebrew terms: SBD Chest.2
1. Arôn; this is invariably used for the ark of the covenant, and, with two exceptions, for that only. The two exceptions alluded to are (a) the “coffin” in which the bones of Joseph were carried from Egypt, Genesis 50:26, and (b) the “chest” in which Jehoiada the priest collected the alms for the repairs of the temple. 2 Kings 12:9, 2 Kings 12:10; 2 Chronicles 24:8-11. 2. Genàzı̂m, “chests.” Ezekiel 27:24 only. SBD Chest.3
Chestnut tree (Heb. ˒armôn. Genesis 30:37; Ezekiel 31:8). Probably the “palm tree” (Platanus occidentalis). SBD Chestnut tree.2
Chesul’loth (the loins), one of the towns of Issachar. Joshua 19:18. From its position in the lists it appears to be between Jezreel and Shunem (Salam). SBD Chesulloth.2
Che’zib (lying), a name which occurs but once, Genesis 38:5; probably the same as Achzib. SBD Chezib.2
Chi’don (a javelin), the name which in 1 Chronicles 13:9 is given to the threshing-floor at which the accident to the ark took place. In the parallel account in 2 Samuel 6 the name is given as Nachon. SBD Chidon.2
Children. The blessing of offspring, but especially of the male sex, is highly valued among all eastern nations, while the absence is regarded as one of the severest punishments. Genesis 16:2; Deuteronomy 7:14; 1 Samuel 1:6; 2 Samuel 6:23; 2 Kings 4:14; Isaiah 47:9; Jeremiah 20:15; Psalm 127:3, Psalm 127:5. As soon as the child was born it was washed in a bath, rubbed with salt and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Ezekiel 16:4; Job 38:9; Luke 2:7. On the 8th day the rite of circumcision, in the case of a boy, was performed and a name given. At the end of a certain time (forty days if a son and twice as long if a daughter) the mother offered sacrifice for her cleansing. Leviticus 12:1-8; Luke 2:22. The period of nursing appears to have been sometimes prolonged to three years. Isaiah 49:15; 2 Maccabees 7:27. The time of weaning was an occasion of rejoicing. Genesis 21:8. Both boys and girls in their early years were under the care of the women. Proverbs 31:1. Afterwards the boys were taken by the father under his charge. Daughters usually remained in the women’s apartments till marriage. Leviticus 21:9; Numbers 12:14; 1 Samuel 9:11. The authority of parents, especially of the father, over children was very great, as was also the reverence enjoined by the law to be paid to parents. The inheritance was divided equally between all the sons except the eldest, who received a double portion. Genesis 25:31; Genesis 49:3; Deuteronomy 21:17; Judges 11:2, Judges 11:7; 1 Chronicles 5:1, 1 Chronicles 5:2. Daughters had by right no portion in the inheritance; but if a man had no son, his inheritance passed to his daughters, who were forbidden to marry out of the father’s tribe. Numbers 27:1, Numbers 27:8; Numbers 36:2, Numbers 36:8. SBD Children.2
Chil’eab (like his father), a son of David by Abigail. [ABIGAIL.] SBD Chileab.2
Chil’ion (pining, sickly), the son of Naomi and husband of Ruth. Ruth 1:2-5; Ruth 4:9. (b.c. 1250.) SBD Chilion.2
Chil’mad (enclosure), a place or country mentioned in conjunction with Sheba and Asshur. Ezekiel 27:23. SBD Chilmad.2
Chim’ham (longing), a follower, and probably a son, of Barzillai the Gileadite, who returned from beyond Jordan with David. 2 Samuel 19:37, 2 Samuel 19:38, 2 Samuel 19:40. (b.c. 1023.) David appears to have bestowed on him a possession at Bethlehem, on which, in later times, an inn or khan was standing. Jeremiah 41:17. SBD Chimham.2
Chim’han. [CHIMHAM.] SBD Chimhan.2
Chin’nereth (circuit), accurately Cinnareth, a fortified city in the tribe of Naphtali, Joshua 19:35 only, of which no trace is found in later writers, and no remains by travellers. SBD Chinnereth.2
Chin’nereth, Sea of. Numbers 34:11; Joshua 13:27, the inland sea, which is most familiarly known to us as the “Lake of Gennesareth” or “Sea of Galilee.” SBD Chinnereth Sea of.2
Chin’neroth. [CHINNERETH.] SBD Chinneroth.2
Chi’os (snowy), an island of the Ægean Sea, 12 miles from Smyrna. It is separated from the mainland by a strait of only 5 miles. Its length is about 32 miles, and in breadth it varies from 8 to 18. Paul passed it on his return voyage from Troas to Cæsarea. Acts 20:15. It is now called Scio. SBD Chios.2
Chis’leu. [MONTH.] SBD Chisleu.2
Chis’lon (confidence), father of Elidad, the prince of the tribe of Benjamin, chosen to assist in the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes. Numbers 34:21. (b.c. 1450.) SBD Chislon.2
Chis’loth-ta’bor (loins of Tabor), a place to the border of which reached the border of Zebulun. Joshua 19:12. It may be the village Iksâl, which is now standing about 2½ miles to the west of Mount Tabor. SBD Chisloth-tabor.2
Chit’tim, Kit’tim (bruisers), a family or race descended from Javan. Genesis 10:4; 1 Chronicles 1:7. Authorized Version Kittim. Chittim is frequently noticed in Scripture. Numbers 24:24; Isaiah 23:1, Isaiah 23:12; Jeremiah 2:10; Ezekiel 27:6; Daniel 11:30. In the above passages, the “isles of Chittim,” the “ships of Chittim,” the “coasts of Chittim,” are supposed to refer to the island of Cyprus. Josephus considered Cyprus the original seat of the Chittim. The name Chittim, which in the first instance had applied to Phœnicians only, passed over to the islands which they had occupied, and thence to the people who succeeded the Phœnicians in the occupation of them. SBD Chittim Kittim.2
Chi’un (a statue, perhaps of Saturn), an idol made by the Israelites in the wilderness. [REMPHAN.] SBD Chiun.2
Chlo’e (green herb), a woman mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:11. SBD Chloe.2
Chora’shan. 1 Samuel 30:30. It may, perhaps, be identified with Ashan of Simeon. SBD Chorashan.2
Chora’zin, one of the cities in which our Lord’s mighty works were done, but named only in his denunciation. Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13. St. Jerome describes it as on the shore of the lake, two miles from Capernaum, but its modern site is uncertain. SBD Chorazin.2
Ruins of Kerazeh (Chorazin). SBD Chorazin.3
Choze’ba. 1 Chronicles 4:22. Perhaps the same as Achzib. SBD Chozeba.2
Christ. [JESUS.] SBD Christ.2
Chris’tian. The disciples, we are told, Acts 11:26, were first called Christians at Antioch on the Orontes, somewhere about a.d. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, brethren, Acts 15:1, Acts 15:23; 1 Corinthians 7:12; disciples, Acts 9:26; Acts 11:29; believers, Acts 5:14; saints, Romans 8:27; Romans 15:25. The name “Christian,” which, in the only other cases where it appears in the New Testament, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16, is used contemptuously, could not have been applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by the Gentile world. There is no reason to suppose that the name “Christian” of itself was intended as a term of scurrility or abuse, though it would naturally be used with contempt. SBD Christian.2
Chron’icles, First and Second Books of, the name originally given to the record made by the appointed historiographers in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. In the LXX these books are called Paralipomena (i.e., things omitted), which is understood as meaning that they are supplementary to the books of Kings. The constant tradition of the Jews is that these books were for the most part compiled by Ezra. One of the greatest difficulties connected with the captivity and return must have been the maintenance of that genealogical distribution of the lands which yet was a vital point of the Jewish economy. To supply this want and that each tribe might secure the inheritance of its fathers on its return was one object of the author of these books. Another difficulty initimately connected with the former was the maintenance of the temple services at Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, and after him Ezra and Nehemiah, labored most earnestly to restore the worship of God among the people, and to reinfuse something of national life and spirit into their hearts. Nothing could more effectually aid these designs than setting before the people a compendious history of the kingdom of David, its prosperity under God; the sins that led to its overthrow; the captivity and return. These considerations explain the plan and scope of that historical work which consists of the two books of Chronicles. The first book contains the sacred history by genealogies from the Creation to David, including an account of David’s reign. In the second book he continues the story, giving the history of the kings of Judah, without those of Israel, down to the return from the captivity. As regards the materials used by Ezra, they are not difficult to discover. The genealogies are obviously transcribed from some register, in which were preserved the genealogies of the tribes and families drawn up at different times; while the history is mainly drawn from the same documents as those used in the books of Kings. [KINGS, BOOKS OF.] SBD Chronicles First and Second Books of.2
Chronology. By this time we understand the technical and historical chronology of the Jews and their ancestors from the earliest time to the close of the New Testament Canon. SBD Chronology.2
1. Technical Chronology.—The technical part of Hebrew chronology presents great difficulties. SBD Chronology.3
2. Historical Chronology.—The historical part of Hebrew chronology is not less difficult than the technical. The information in the Bible is indeed direct rather than inferential, although there is very important evidence of the latter kind, but the present state of the numbers makes absolute certainty in many cases impossible. Three principal systems of biblical chronology have been founded, which may be termed the Long System, the Short, and the Rabbinical. There is a fourth, which, although an offshoot in part of the last, can scarcely be termed biblical, inasmuch as it depends for the most part upon theories, not only independent of but repugnant to the Bible: this last is at present peculiar to Baron Bunsen. The principal advocates of the Long chronology are Jackson, Hales, and Des-Vignoles. Of the Short chronology Ussher may be considered as the most able advocate. The Rabbinical chronology accepts the biblical numbers, but makes the most arbitrary corrections. For the date of the Exodus it has been virtually accepted by Bunsen, Lepsius, and Lord A. Hervey. The numbers given by the LXX for the antediluvian patriarchs would place the creation of Adam 2262 years before the end of the flood, or b.c. cir. 5361 or 5421. SBD Chronology.4
| Hales | Jackson | Ussher | Petavius | Bunsen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| b.c. | b.c. | b.c. | b.c. | b.c. | |
| Creation | 5411 | 5426 | 4004 | 3983 | (Adam) cir. 20,000 |
| Flood | 3155 | 3170 | 2348 | 2327 | (Noah) cir. 10,000 |
| Abram leaves Haran | 2078 | 2023 | 1921 | 1961 | |
| Exodus | 1648 | 1593 | 1491 | 1531 | 1320 |
| Founding of Solomon’s Temple | 1027 | 1014 | 1012 | 1012 | 1004 |
| Destruction of Solomon’s Temple | 586 | 586 | 588 | 589 | 586 |
Chrysolite, one of the precious stones in the foundation of the heavenly Jerusalem. Revelation 21:20. It has been already stated [BERYL] that the chrysolite of the ancients is identical with the modern Oriental topaz, the tarshish of the Hebrew Bible. SBD Chrysolite.2
Chrysoprase occurs only in Revelation 21:20. The true chrysoprase is sometimes found in antique Egyptian jewelry set alternately with bits of lapis-lazuli. It is probable, therefore, that this is the stone named as the tenth in the walls of the heavenly Jerusalem. SBD Chrysoprase.2
Chrysoprasus, Latin form of Chrysoprase. SBD Chrysoprasus.2
Chub, the name of a people in alliance with Egypt in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, Ezekiel 30:5, and probably of northern Africa. SBD Chub.2
Chun, 1 Chronicles 18:8, called Berothai in 2 Samuel 8:8. SBD Chun.2
Church. SBD Church.2
1. The derivation of the word is generally said to be from the Greek kuriakon (κυριακ́ον), “belonging to the Lord.” But the derivation has been too hastily assumed. It is probably connected with kirk, the Latin circus, circulus, the Greek kuklos (κ́υκλος), because the congregations were gathered in circles. 2. Ecclesia (̓εκκλησ́ια), the Greek word for church, originally meant an assembly called out by the magistrate, or by legitimate authority. It was in this last sense that the word was adopted and applied by the writers of the New Testament to the Christian congregation. In the one Gospel of St. Matthew the church is spoken of no less than thirty-six times as “the kingdom.” Other descriptions or titles are hardly found in the evangelists. It is Christ’s household, Matthew 10:25; the salt and light of the world, Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:15; Christ’s flock, Matthew 26:31; John 10:1; its members are the branches growing on Christ the Vine, John 15; but the general description of it, not metaphorical but direct, is that it is a kingdom. Matthew 16:19. From the Gospel then we learn that Christ was about to establish his heavenly kingdom on earth, which was to be the substitute for the Jewish Church and kingdom, now doomed to destruction. Matthew 21:43. SBD Church.3
The day of Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian Church. Before they had been individual followers of Jesus; now they became his mystical body, animated by his spirit. On the evening of the day of Pentecost, the 3140 members of which the Church consisted were—(1) Apostles; (2) previous Disciples; (3) Converts. In Acts 2:41 we have indirectly exhibited the essential conditions of church communion. They are (1) Baptism, baptism implying on the part of the recipient repentance and faith; (2) Apostolic Doctrine; (3) Fellowship with the Apostles; (4) the Lord’s Supper; (5) Public Worship. The real Church consists of all who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ as his disciples, and are one in love, in character, in hope, in Christ as the head of all, though as the body of Christ it consists of many parts. SBD Church.4
Chu’shan-rishatha’im (chief of two governments), the king of Mesopotamia who oppressed Israel during eight years in the generation immediately following Joshua. Judges 3:8. (b.c. after 1420.) His yoke was broken from the neck of the people of Israel by Othniel, Caleb’s nephew. Judges 3:10. SBD Chushan-rishathaim.2
Chu’za, properly Chu’zas (the seer), the house-steward of Herod Antipas. Luke 8:3. SBD Chuza.2
Cic’car. [JORDAN.] SBD Ciccar.2
Cilic’ia (the land of Celix), a maritime province in the southeast of Asia Minor, bordering on Pamphylia in the north, and Syria in the east. Acts 6:9. Cilicia was from its geographical position the high road between Syria and the west; it was also the native country of St. Paul, hence it was visited by him, firstly, soon after his conversion, Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:21, and again in his second apostolical journey. Acts 15:41. SBD Cilicia.2
Cinnamon, a well-known aromatic substance, the rind of the Laurus cinnamomum, called Korunda-gauhah in Ceylon. It is mentioned in Exodus 30:23 as one of the component parts of the holy anointing oil. In Revelation 18:13 it is enumerated among the merchandise of the great Babylon. SBD Cinnamon.2
Cin’neroth. 1 Kings 15:20. This was possibly the small enclosed district north of Tiberias, and by the side of the lake, afterwards known as “the plain of Gennesareth.” SBD Cinneroth.2
Circumcision was peculiarly, though not exclusively, a Jewish rite. It was enjoined upon Abraham, the father of the nation, by God, at the institution and as the token of the covenant, which assured to him and his descendants the promise of the Messiah. Genesis 17. It was thus made a necessary condition of Jewish nationality. Every male child was to be circumcised when eight days old. Leviticus 12:3, on pain of death. The biblical notice of the rite describes it as distinctively Jewish; so that in the New Testament “the circumcision” and “the uncircumcision” are frequently used as synonyms for the Jews and the Gentiles. The rite has been found to prevail extensively in both ancient and modern times. Though Mohammed did not enjoin circumcision in the Koran, he was circumcised himself, according to the custom of his country; and circumcision is now as common among the Mohammedans as among the Jews. The process of restoring a circumcised person to his natural condition by a surgical operation was sometimes undergone. Some of the Jews in the time of Antiochus Eiphanes, wishing to assimilate themselves to the heathen around them, “made themselves uncircumcised.” Against having recourse to this practice, from an excessive anti-Judaistic tendency, St. Paul cautions the Corinthians. 1 Chronicles 7:18. SBD Circumcision.2
Cis, the father of Saul, Acts 13:21, usually called Kish. SBD Cis.2
Cistern, a receptacle for water, either conducted from an external spring or proceeding from rain-fall. The dryness of the summer months and the scarcity of springs in Judea made cisterns a necessity, and they are frequent throughout the whole of Syria and Palestine. On the long-forgotten way from Jericho to Bethel, “broken cisterns” of high antiquity are found at regular intervals. Jerusalem depends mainly for water upon its cisterns, of which almost every private house possesses one or more, excavated in the rock on which the city is built. The cisterns have usually a round opening at the top, sometimes built up with stonework above and furnished with a curb and a wheel for the bucket. Ecclesiastes 12:6. Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons and places of confinement. Joseph was cast into a “pit,” Genesis 37:22, as was Jeremiah. Jeremiah 38:6. SBD Cistern.2
Cities. The earliest notice in Scripture of city-building is of Enoch by Cain, in the land of his exile. Genesis 4:17. After the confusion of tongues the descendants of Nimrod founded Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar, and Asshur, a branch from the same stock, built Nineveh, Rehoboth-by-the-river, Calah, and Resen, the last being “a great city.” The earliest description of a city, properly so called, is that of Sodom. Genesis 19:1-22. Even before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt, Genesis 12:14, Genesis 12:15; Numbers 13:22, and the Israelites, during their sojourn there, were employed in building or fortifying the “treasure cities” of Pithom and Raamses. Exodus 1:11. SBD Cities.2
Fenced cities, fortified with high walls, Deuteronomy 3:5, were occupied and perhaps partly rebuilt after the conquest, by the settled inhabitants of Syria on both sides of the Jordan. SBD Cities.3
Cities of refuge, six Levitical cities specially chosen for refuge to the involuntary homicide until released from banishment by the death of the high priest. Numbers 35:6, Numbers 35:13, Numbers 35:15; Joshua 20:2, Joshua 20:7, Joshua 20:9. There were three on each side of Jordan. SBD Cities of refuge.2
1. Kedesh, in Naphtali. 1 Chronicles 6:76. 2. Shechem, in Mount Ephraim. Joshua 21:21; 1 Chronicles 6:67; 2 Chronicles 10:1. 3. Hebron, in Judah. Joshua 21:13; 2 Samuel 5:5; 1 Chronicles 6:55; 1 Chronicles 29:27; 2 Chronicles 11:10. 4. On the east side of Jordan—Bezer, in the tribe of Reuben, in the plains of Moab. Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8; Joshua 21:36; 1 Maccabees 5:26. 5. Ramoth-gilead, in the tribe of Gad. Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 21:38; 1 Kings 22:3. 6. Golan, in Bashan, in the half-tribe of Manasseh. Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 21:27; 1 Chronicles 6:71. SBD Cities of refuge.3
Cit’ims. 1 Maccabees 8:5. [CHITTIM.] SBD Citims.2
Citizenship. The use of this term in Scripture has exclusive reference to the usages of the Roman empire. The privilege of Roman citizenship was originally acquired in various ways, as by purchase, Acts 22:28, by military services, by favor or by manumission. The right once obtained descended to a man’s children. Acts 22:28. Among the privileges attached to citizenship we may note that a man could not be bound or imprisoned without a formal trial, Acts 22:29, still less be scourged. Acts 16:37; Cic. in Verr. v. 63, 66. Another privilege attaching to citizenship was the appeal from a provincial tribunal to the emperor at Rome. Acts 25:11. SBD Citizenship.2
Citron. [APPLE TREE.] SBD Citron.2
Clau’da (lame), Acts 27:16, a small island nearly due west of Cape Matala on the south coast of Crete, and nearly due south of Phœnice; now Gozzo. SBD Clauda.2
Clau’dia (lame), a Christian woman mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21, as saluting Timotheus. SBD Claudia.2
Clau’dius (lame), fourth Roman emperor, reigned from 41 to 54 a.d. He was nominated to the supreme power mainly through the influence of Herod Agrippa the First. In the reign of Claudius there were several famines, arising from unfavorable harvests, and one such occurred in Palestine and Syria. Acts 11:28-30. Claudius was induced by a tumult of the Jews in Rome to expel them from the city. cf. Acts 18:2. The date of this event is uncertain. After a weak and foolish reign he was poisoned by his fourth wife, Agrippina, the mother of Nero, October 13, a.d. 54. SBD Claudius.2
Coin of Claudius. SBD Claudius.3
Clau’dius Lys’ias. [LYSIAS.] SBD Claudius Lysias.2
Clay. As the sediment of water remaining in pits or in streets, the word is used frequently in the Old Testament. Psalm 18:42; Isaiah 57:20; Jeremiah 38:6, and in the New Testament, John 9:6, a mixture of sand or dust with spittle. It is also found in the sense of potter’s clay. Isaiah 41:25. The great seat of the pottery of the present day in Palestine is Gaza, where are made the vessels in dark-blue clay so frequently met with. Another use of clay was for sealing. Job 38:14. Our Lord’s tomb may have been thus sealed, Matthew 27:66, as also the earthen vessel containing the evidences of Jeremiah’s purchase. Jeremiah 32:14. The seal used for public documents was rolled on the moist clay, and the tablet was then placed in the fire and baked. SBD Clay.2
Clem’ent (mild, merciful), Philippians 4:3, a fellow laborer of St. Paul when he was at Philippi. (a.d. 57.) It was generally believed in the ancient Church that this Clement was identical with the bishop of Rome who afterwards became so celebrated. SBD Clement.2
Cle’opas (of a renowned father), one of the two disciples who were going to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection. Luke 24:18. Some think the same as Cleophas in John 19:25. but they are probably two different persons. Cleopas is a Greek name, contracted from Cleopater, while Cleophas, or Clopas as in the Revised Version, is an Aramaic name, the same as Alphæus. SBD Cleopas.2
cle’ophas, Revised Version Clo’pas, the husband of Mary the sister of the Virgin Mary. John 19:25. He was probably dead before Jesus’ ministry began, for his wife and children constantly appear with Joseph’s family in the time of our Lord’s ministry.—Englishman’s Cyc. [CLEOPAS; AlphÆus.] SBD cleophas.2
Clothing. [DRESS.] SBD Clothing.2
Cloud. The shelter given, and refreshment of rain promised, by clouds given them their peculiar prominence in Oriental imagery. when a cloud appears rain is ordinarily apprehended, and thus the “cloud without rain” becomes a proverb for the man of promise without performance. Proverbs 16:15; Isaiah 18:4; Isaiah 25:5; Jude 12; comp. Proverbs 25:14. The cloud is a figure of transitoriness, Job 30:15; Hosea 6:4, and of whatever intercepts divine favor or human supplication. Lamentations 2:1; Lamentations 3:44. A bright cloud at times visited and rested on the mercyseat. Exodus 29:42, Exodus 29:43; 1 Kings 8:10, 1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chronicles 5:14; Ezekiel 43:4, and was by later writers named Shechinah. SBD Cloud.2
Cloud, Pillar of. The pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night that God caused to pass before the camp of the children of Israel when in the wilderness. The cloud, which became a pillar when the host moved, seems to have rested at other times on the tabernacle, whence God is said to have “come down in the pillar.” Numbers 12:5; so Exodus 33:9, Exodus 33:10. It preceded the host, apparently resting on the ark which led the way. Exodus 13:21; Exodus 40:36, etc.; Numbers 9:15-23; Numbers 10:34. SBD Cloud Pillar of.2
Clouted, patched. Joshua 9:5. SBD Clouted.2
Cni’dus (nidus), a city of great consequence, situated at the extreme southwest of the peninsula of Asia Minor, on a promontory now called Cape Crio, which projects between the islands of Cos and Rhodes. See Acts 21:1. It is now in ruins. SBD Cnidus.2
Coal. The first and most frequent use of the word rendered coal is a live ember, burning fuel. Proverbs 26:21. In 2 Samuel 22:9, 2 Samuel 22:13, “coals of fire” are put metaphorically for the lightnings proceeding from God. Psalm 18:8, Psalm 18:12, Psalm 18:13; Psalm 140:10. In Proverbs 26:21, fuel not yet lighted is clearly signified. The fuel meant in the above passage is probably charcoal, and not coal in our sense of the word. SBD Coal.2
Coast, border, with no more reference to lands bordering on the sea than to any other bordering lands. SBD Coast.2
Coat. [DRESS.] SBD Coat.2
Cock. Matthew 26:34; Mark 13:35; Mark 14:30, etc. The domestic cock and hen were early known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, and as no mention is made in the Old Testament of these birds, and no figures of them occur on the Egyptian monuments, they probably came into Judea with the Romans, who, as is well known, prized these birds both as articles of food and for cock-fighting. SBD Cock.2
Cockatrice. [ADDER.] SBD Cockatrice.2
Cockle probably signifies bad weeds or fruit. Job 31:40. SBD Cockle.2
Cœle-Syria (Coele-Syria) — (hollow Syria), the remarkable valley or hollow which intervenes between Libanus and Anti-Libanus, stretching a distance of nearly a hundred miles. The only mention of the region as a separate tract of country which the Jewish Scriptures contain is probably that in (Amos 1:5) where "the inhabitants of the plain of Aven" are threatened in conjunction with those of Damascus. The word is given in the Authorized Version as CELO-SYRIA. SBD Cœle-Syria.2
Coffer (argaz), a movable box hanging from the side of a cart. 1 Samuel 6:8, 1 Samuel 6:11, 1 Samuel 6:15. The word is found nowhere else. SBD Coffer.2
Coffin. [BURIAL.] SBD Coffin.2
Col-ho’zeh (all-seeing), a man of the tribe of Judah in the time of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 3:15; Nehemiah 11:5. (b.c. 536.) SBD Col-hozeh.2
Collar. For the proper sense of this term, as it occurs in Judges 8:26, see EARRINGS. SBD Collar.2
College, The. In 2 Kings 22:14, it is probable that the word translated “college” represents here not an institution of learning, but that part of Jerusalem known as the “lower city” or suburb, built on the hill Akra, including the Bezetha or new city. SBD College The.2
Colony, a designation of Philippi, in Acts 16:12. After the battle of Actium, Augustus assigned to his veterans those parts of Italy which had espoused the cause of Antony, and transported many of the expelled inhabitants to Philippi, Dyrrhachium and other cities. In this way Philippi was made a Roman colony with the “Jus Italicum.” At first the colonists were all Roman citizens, and entitled to vote at Rome. SBD Colony.2
Colors. The terms relative to color, occurring in the Bible, may be arranged in two classes, the first including those applied to the description of natural objects, the second those artificial mixtures which were employed in dyeing or painting. The purple and the blue were derived from a small shellfish found in the Mediterranean, and were very costly, and hence they were the royal colors. Red, both scarlet and crimson, was derived from an insect resembling the cochineal. The natural colors noticed in the Bible are white, black, red, yellow, and green. The only fundamental color of which the Hebrews appear to have had a clear conception was red; and even this is not very often noticed. SBD Colors.2
Colos’se, more properly Colos’sæ, was a city of Phrygia in Asia Minor, in the upper part of the basin of the Mæander, on the Lycus. Hierapolis and Laodicea were in its immediate neighborhood. Colossians 1:2; Colossians 4:13, Colossians 4:15, Colossians 4:16; see Revelation 1:11; Revelation 3:14. St. Paul is supposed by some to have visited Colosse and founded or confirmed the Colossian church on his third missionary journey. Acts 18:23; Acts 19:1. SBD Colosse.2
Colosse. SBD Colosse.3
Colos’sians, The Epistle to the, was written by the apostle St. Paul during his first captivity at Rome. Acts 28:16. (a.d. 62) The epistle was addressed to the Christians of the city of Colosse, and was delivered to them by Tychicus, whom the apostle had sent both to them, Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8, and to the church of Ephesus, Ephesians 6:21, to inquire into their state and to administer exhortation and comfort. The main object of the epistle is to warn the Colossians against a spirit of semi-Judaistic and semi-Oriental philosophy which was corrupting the simplicity of their belief, and was noticeably tending to obscure the eternal glory and dignity of Christ. The similarity between this epistle and that to the Ephesians is striking. The latter was probably written at a later date. SBD Colossians The Epistle to the.2
Comforter. John 14:16. The name given by Christ to the Holy Spirit. The original word is Paraclete, and means first Advocate, a defender, helper, strengthener, as well as comforter. SBD Comforter.2
Commerce. From the time that men began to live in cities, trade, in some shape, must have been carried on to supply the town-dwellers with necessaries from foreign as well as native sources, for we find that Abraham was rich, not only in cattle, but in silver, gold, and gold and silver plate and ornaments. Genesis 13:2; Genesis 24:22, Genesis 24:53. Among trading nations mentioned in Scripture, Egypt holds in very early times a prominent position. The internal trade of the Jews, as well as the external, was much promoted by the festivals, which brought large numbers of persons to Jerusalem. 1 Kings 8:63. The places of public market were chiefly the open spaces near the gates, to which goods were brought for sale by those who came from the outside. Nehemiah 13:15, Nehemiah 13:16; Zephaniah 1:10. The traders in later times were allowed to intrude into the temple, in the outer courts of which victims were publicly sold for the sacrifice. Zechariah 14:21; Matthew 21:12; John 2:14. SBD Commerce.2
Conani’ah (made by Jehovah), one of the chiefs of the Levites in the time of Josiah. 2 Chronicles 35:9. (b.c. 628.) SBD Conaniah.2