Ark of the Covenant — Augustus’ Band
Ark of the Covenant. The first piece of the tabernacle’s furniture, for which precise directions were delivered. Exodus 25. I. Description.—It appears to have been an oblong chest of shittim (acacia) wood, 2½ cubits long by 1½ broad and deep. Within and without gold was overlaid on the wood, and on the upper side or lid, which was edged round about with gold, the mercy-seat was placed. The ark was fitted with rings, one at each of the four corners, and through these were passed staves of the same wood similarly overlaid, by which it was carried by the Kohathites. Numbers 7:9; Numbers 10:21. The ends of the staves were visible without the veil in the holy place of the temple of Solomon. 1 Kings 8:8. The ark, when transported, was enveloped in the “veil” of the dismantled tabernacle, in the curtain of badgers’ skins, and in a blue cloth over all, and was therefore not seen. Numbers 4:5, Numbers 4:20.SBD Ark of the Covenant.2
Ark of the Covenant.SBD Ark of the Covenant.3
II. Purpose.—Its purpose was to contain inviolate the divine autograph of the two tables, that “covenant” from which it derived its title. It was also probably a reliquary for the pot of manna and the rod of Aaron.SBD Ark of the Covenant.4
III. History.—Before David’s time its abode was frequently shifted. It sojourned among several, probably Levitical, families, 1 Samuel 7:1; 2 Samuel 6:3, 2 Samuel 6:11; 1 Chronicles 13:13; 1 Chronicles 15:24, 1 Chronicles 15:25, in the border villages of eastern Judah, and did not take its place in the tabernacle, but dwelt in curtains, i.e., in a separate tent pitched for it in Jerusalem by David. Subsequently the temple, when completed, received, in the installation of the ark in its shrine, the signal of its inauguration by the effulgence of divine glory instantly manifested. It was probably taken captive or destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Esdras 10:22, so that there was no ark in the second temple.SBD Ark of the Covenant.5
Ark of Moses. A small boat or basket made of the papyrus, a reed which grows in the marshes of Egypt. It was covered with bitumen to make it water-tight.SBD Ark of Moses.2
Ar’kite, The, from Arka, one of the families of the Canaanites, Genesis 10:17; 1 Chronicles 1:15, and from the context evidently located in the north of Phœnicia. The site which now bears the name of ’Arka lies on the coast, 2 to 2½ hours from the shore, about 12 miles north of Tripoli and 5 south of the Nahr el-Kebir.SBD Arkite The.2
Armaged’don (the hill or city of Megiddo). Revelation 16:16. The scene of the struggle of good and evil is suggested by that battle-field, the plain of Esdraelon, which was famous for two great victories, of Barak over the Canaanites and of Gideon over the Midianites; and for two great disasters, the deaths of Saul and Josiah. Hence it signifies in Revelation a place of great slaughter, the scene of a terrible retribution upon the wicked. The Revised Version gives the name as Har-Magedon, i.e., the hill (as Ar is the city) of Megiddo.—Ed.)SBD Armageddon.2
Arme’nia (land of Aram) is nowhere mentioned under that name in the original Hebrew, though it occurs in the English version, 2 Kings 19:37, for Ararat. Description.—Armenia is that lofty plateau whence the rivers Euphrates, Tigris, Araxes, and Acampsis pour down their waters in different directions; the first two to the Persian Gulf, the last two respectively to the Caspian and Euxine seas. It may be termed the nucleus of the mountain system of western Asia. From the centre of the plateau rise two lofty chains of mountains, which run from east to west. Divisions.—Three districts are mentioned in the Bible. (1) ARARAT is mentioned as the place whither the sons of Sennacherib fled. Isaiah 37:38. It was the central district, surrounding the mountain of that name. (2) MINNI only occurs in Jeremiah 51:27. It is probably identical with the district Minyas, in the upper valley of the Murad-su branch of the Euphrates. (3) TOGARMAH is noticed in two passages of Ezekiel 27:14; Ezekiel 38:6, both of which are in favor of its identity with Armenia. Present condition.—The Armenians, numbering about two millions, are nominally Christians. About half of them live in Armenia. Their favorite pursuit is commerce. The country is divided, as to government, between Russia, Turkey, and Persia.—Ed.SBD Armenia.2
Armlet, an ornament universal in the East, especially among women; used by princes as one of the insignia of royalty, and by distinguished persons in general. The word is not used in the Authorized Version, as even in 2 Samuel 1:10 it is rendered by “the bracelet on his arm.”SBD Armlet.2
Armo’ni, son of Saul by Rizpah. 2 Samuel 21:8.SBD Armoni.2
Arms, Armor. The subject naturally divides itself into—SBD Arms.2
1. Offensive weapons: Arms. II. Defensive weapons: Armor.SBD Arms.3
Soldier in full Armor.SBD Arms.4
1. Offensive weapons.—SBD Arms.5
1. Apparently the earliest known and most widely used was the Chereb or Sword. Very little can be gathered as to its shape, size, material, or mode of use. Perhaps if anything is to be inferred it is that the Chereb is both a lighter and a shorter weapon than the modern sword. It was carried in a sheath, 1 Samuel 17:51; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1 Chronicles 21:27, slung by a girdle, 1 Samuel 25:13, and resting upon the thigh, Psalm 45:3; Judges 3:16, or upon the hips, 2 Samuel 20:8. 2. Next we have the Spear; and of this weapon we meet with at least three distinct kinds. a. The Chanı̂th, a “spear,” and that of the largest kind. It was the weapon of Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:7, 1 Samuel 17:45; 2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 20:5, and also of other giants, 2 Samuel 23:21; 1 Chronicles 11:23, and mighty warriors. 2 Samuel 2:23; 2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:11, 1 Chronicles 11:20. b. Apparently lighter than the preceding was the Cı̂dôn or “javelin.” When not in action, the Cı̂dôn was carried on the back of the warrior, 1 Samuel 17:6, Authorized Version “target.” c. Another kind of spear was the Rômach. In the historical books it occurs in Numbers 25:7, and 1 Kings 18:28, and frequently in the later books, as in 1 Chronicles 12:8 (“buckler”); 2 Chronicles 11:12. (It varied much in length, weight, and size.) d. The Shelach was probably a lighter missile or “dart.” See 2 Chronicles 23:10; 2 Chronicles 32:5 (“darts”); Nehemiah 4:17, Nehemiah 4:23 (see margin); Job 33:18; Job 36:12; Joel 2:8. e. Shebet, a rod or staff, is used once only to denote a weapon. 2 Samuel 18:14. 3. Of missile weapons of offence the chief was undoubtedly the Bow, Kesheth.SBD Arms.6
Egyptian Archer. The Arrows were carried in a quiver. Genesis 27:3; Isaiah 22:6; Isaiah 49:2; Psalm 127:5. From an allusion in Job 6:4 they would seem to have been sometimes poisoned; and Psalm 120:4 may point to a practice of using arrows with some burning material attached to them. 4. The Sling is first mentioned in Judges 20:16. This simple weapon, with which David killed the giant Philistine, was the natural attendant of a shepherd. Later in the monarchy, slingers formed part of the regular army. 2 Kings 3:25. 5. The Battle-axe, Jeremiah 51:20, a powerful weapon, of whose exact form we have no knowledge.SBD Arms.7
Egyptian Battle-axes.SBD Arms.8
II. Armor.—SBD Arms.9
1. The Breastplate, enumerated in the description of the arms of Goliath, a “coat of mail,” literally a “breastplate of scales.” 1 Samuel 17:5. This word has furnished one of the names of Mount Hermon. See Deuteronomy 3:9. 2. The Habergeon is mentioned but twice—in reference to the gown of the high priest. Exodus 28:32; Exodus 39:23. It was probably a quilted shirt or doublet. 3. The Helmet is referred to in 1 Samuel 17:5; 2 Chronicles 26:14; Ezekiel 27:10. 4. Greaves or defences for the feet, made of brass, are named in 1 Samuel 17:6 only. 5. Two kinds of Shield are distinguishable. a. The large shield, encompassing, Psalm 5:12, the whole person. When not in actual conflict it was carried before the warrior. 1 Samuel 17:7, 1 Samuel 17:41. b. Of smaller dimensions was the buckler or target, probably for use in hand-to-hand fight. 1 Kings 10:16; 2 Chronicles 9:15, 2 Chronicles 9:16.SBD Arms.10
Assyrian Helmets.SBD Arms.11
Army. I. Jewish Army.—Every man above 20 years of age was a soldier, Numbers 1:3: each tribe formed a regiment, with its own banner and its own leader, Numbers 2:2; Numbers 10:14: their positions in the camp or on the march were accurately fixed, Numbers 2: the whole army started and stopped at a given signal, Numbers 10:5, Numbers 10:6: thus they came up out of Egypt ready for the fight. Exodus 13:18. On the approach of an enemy a conscription was made from the general body, under the direction of a muster-master, Deuteronomy 20:5; 2 Kings 25:19, by whom also the officers were appointed. Deuteronomy 20:9. The army was then divided into thousands and hundreds under their respective captains, Numbers 31:14, and still further into families. Numbers 2:34; 2 Chronicles 25:5; 2 Chronicles 26:12. With the kings arose the custom of maintaining a body-guard, which formed the nucleus of a standing army, and David’s band of 600, 1 Samuel 23:13; 1 Samuel 25:13, he retained after he became king, and added the Cherethites and Pelethites. 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 20:7. David further organized a national militia, divided into twelve regiments under their respective officers, each of which was called out for one month in the year. 1 Chronicles 27. It does not appear that the system established by David was maintained by the kings of Judah; but in Israel the proximity of the hostile kingdom of Syria necessitated the maintenance of a standing army. The maintenance and equipment of the soldiers at the public expense dates from the establishment of a standing army. It is doubtful whether the soldier ever received pay even under the kings.SBD Army.2
Roman Captain or Centurion.SBD Army.3
II. Roman Army—The Roman army was divided into legions, the number of which varied considerably (from 3000 to 6000), each under six tribuni (“chief captains,” Acts 21:31), who commanded by turns. The legion was subdivided into ten cohorts (“band,” Acts 10:1), the cohort into three maniples, and the maniple into two centuries, containing originally 100 men, as the name implies, but subsequently from 50 to 100 men, according to the strength of the legion. There were thus 60 centuries in a legion, each under the command of a centurion. Acts 10:1, Acts 10:22; Matthew 8:5; Matthew 27:54. In addition to the legionary cohorts, independent cohorts of volunteers served under the Roman standards. One of these cohorts was named the Italian, Acts 10:1, as consisting of volunteers from Italy. The headquarters of the Roman forces in Judea were at Cæsarea.SBD Army.4
Ar’nan. In the received Hebrew text “the sons of Arnan” are mentioned in the genealogy of Zerubbabel. 1 Chronicles 3:21.SBD Arnan.2
Ar’ni. (Used in the Revised Version for Aram in Luke 3:33, and is probably another name or form of the name of Aram. [ARAM, 4.])SBD Arni.2
Ar’non (roaring), the river or torrent which formed the boundary between Moab and the Amorites, on the north of Moab, Numbers 21:13, Numbers 21:14, Numbers 21:24, Numbers 21:26; Judges 11:22, and afterwards between Moab and Israel (Reuben). Deuteronomy 2:24, Deuteronomy 2:36; Deuteronomy 3:8, Deuteronomy 3:12, Deuteronomy 3:16; Deuteronomy 4:48; Joshua 12:1, Joshua 12:2; Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:16; Judges 11:13, Judges 11:26. There can be no doubt that the Wady el-Mojeb of the present day is the Arnon. Its principal source is near Katrane, on the Haj route.SBD Arnon.2
A’rod (a wild ass), a son of Gad, Numbers 26:17, called ARODI in Genesis 46:16.SBD Arod.2
Ar’odi. [AROD.]SBD Arodi.2
Ar’odites. [AROD.]SBD Arodites.2
Ar’oer (ruins).SBD Aroer.2
1. A city on the torrent Arnon, the southern point of the territory of Sihon king of the Amorites, and afterwards of the tribe of Reuben, Deuteronomy 2:36; Deuteronomy 3:12; Deuteronomy 4:48; Joshua 12:2; Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:16; Judges 11:26; 2 Kings 10:33; 1 Chronicles 5:8, but later again in possession of Moab. Jeremiah 48:19. It is the modern Arâ˒ir, upon the very edge of the precipitous north bank of the Wady Mojeb.SBD Aroer.3
2. Aroer, “that is ‘facing’ Rabbah” (Rabbah of Ammon), a town built by and belonging to Gad. Numbers 32:34; Joshua 13:25; 2 Samuel 24:5. This is probably the place mentioned in Judges 11:33, which was shown in Jerome’s time.SBD Aroer.4
3. Aroer, in Isaiah 17:2, if a place at all, must be still farther north than either of the two already named.SBD Aroer.5
4. A town in Judah, named only in 1 Samuel 30:28, perhaps Wady Ar˒ârah, on the road from Petra to Gaza.SBD Aroer.6
Aro’erite. Hothan the Aroerite was the father of two of David’s captains. 1 Chronicles 11:44.SBD Aroerite.2
Ar’pad, or Ar’phad (strong city), Isaiah 36:19; Isaiah 37:13, a city or district in Syria, apparently dependent on Damascus. Jeremiah 49:23. No trace of its existence has yet been discovered. 2 Kings 18:34; 2 Kings 19:13; Isaiah 10:9.SBD Arpad.2
Arphax’ad (stronghold of the Chaldees).SBD Arphaxad.2
1. The son of Shem and ancestor of Eber. Genesis 10:22, Genesis 10:24; Genesis 11:10.SBD Arphaxad.3
2. Arphaxad, a king “who reigned over the Medes in Ecbatana,” Judith 1:1-4; perhaps the same as Phraortes, who fell in a battle with the Assyrians, 633 b.c.SBD Arphaxad.4
Arrows. [ARMS.]SBD Arrows.2
Artaxerx’es (the great warrior).SBD Artaxerxes.2
1. The first Artaxerxes is mentioned in Ezra 4:7, and appears identical with Smerdis, the Magian impostor and pretended brother of Cambyses, who usurped the throne b.c. 522, and reigned eight months.SBD Artaxerxes.3
2. In Nehemiah 2:1 we have another Artaxerxes. We may safely identify him with Artaxerxes Macrocheir or Longimanus, the son of Xerxes, who reigned b.c. 464–425.SBD Artaxerxes.4
Ar’temas (gift of Artemis), a companion of St. Paul. Titus 3:12. According to tradition he was bishop of Lystra.SBD Artemas.2
Ar’uboth (windows), the third of Solomon’s commissariat districts. 1 Kings 4:10. It included Sochoh, and was therefore probably a name for the rich corn-growing lowland country.SBD Aruboth.2
Aru’mah (height), a place apparently in the neighborhood of Shechem, at which Abimelech resided. Judges 9:41.SBD Arumah.2
Ar’vad (wandering). Ezekiel 27:8, Ezekiel 27:11. The island of Ruad, which lies off Tortosa (Tartus), two or three miles from the Phœnician coast. In agreement with this is the mention of “the Arvadite,” in Genesis 10:18 and 1 Chronicles 1:16, as a son of Canaan, with Zidon, Hamath, and other northern localities.SBD Arvad.2
Ar’vadite. [ARVAD.]SBD Arvadite.2
Ar’za, prefect of the palace at Tirzah to Elah king of Israel, who was assassinated at a banquet in his house by Zimri. 1 Kings 16:9.SBD Arza.2
A’sa (physician, or cure).SBD Asa.2
1. Son of Abijah and third king of Judah (b.c. 956–916.) (His long reign of 41 years was peaceful in its earlier portion, and he undertook the reformation of all abuses, especially of idolatry. He burnt the symbol of his grandmother Maachah’s religion and deposed her from the dignity of “king’s mother,”) and renewed the great altar which the idolatrous priests apparently had desecrated. 2 Chronicles 15:8. Besides this he fortified cities on his frontiers, and raised an army, amounting, according to 2 Chronicles 14:8, to 580,000 men, a number probably exaggerated by an error of the copyist. During Asa’s reign, Zerah, at the head of an enormous host, 2 Chronicles 14:9, attacked Mareshah. There he was utterly defeated, and driven back with immense loss to Gerar. The peace which followed this victory was broken by the attempt of Baasha of Israel to fortify Ramah. To stop this Asa purchased the help of Ben-hadad I, king of Damascus, by a large payment of treasure, forced Baasha to abandon his purpose, and destroyed the works which he had begun at Ramah. In his old age Asa suffered from gout. He died, greatly loved and honored, in the 41st year of his reign.SBD Asa.3
2. Ancestor of Berechiah, a Levite who resided in one of the villages of the Netophathites after the return from Babylon. 1 Chronicles 9:16.SBD Asa.4
As’ahel (made by God).SBD Asahel.2
1. Nephew of David, being the youngest son of his sister Zeruiah. He was celebrated for his swiftness of foot. When fighting under his brother Joab at Gibeon, he pursued Abner, who was obliged to kill him in self-defence. 2 Samuel 2:18-20. [ABNER.] (b.c. 1050.)SBD Asahel.3
2. One of the Levites in the reign of Jehoshaphat, who went throughout the cities of Judah to instruct the people in the knowledge of the law. 2 Chronicles 17:8. (b.c. 910.)SBD Asahel.4
3. A Levite in the reign of Hezekiah, who had charge of the tithes and dedicated things in the temple. 2 Chronicles 31:13. (b.c. 927.)SBD Asahel.5
4. A priest, father of Jonathan, in the time of Ezra. Ezra 10:15. He is called AZAEL in 1 Esdras 9:14. (b.c. before 459.)SBD Asahel.6
Asahi’ah (the Lord hath made), a servant of King Josiah, sent by him to seek information of Jehovah respecting the book of the law which Hilkiah found in the temple, 2 Kings 22:12, 2 Kings 22:14; also called ASAIAH. 2 Chronicles 34:20. (b.c. 641.)SBD Asahiah.2
Asai’ah (the Lord hath made).SBD Asaiah.2
1. A prince of one of the families of the Simeonites in the reign of Hezekiah. 1 Chronicles 4:36. (b.c. 910.)SBD Asaiah.3
2. A Levite in the reign of David, chief of the family of Merari. 1 Chronicles 6:30. With 120 of his brethren he took part in bringing the ark from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David. 1 Chronicles 15:6, 1 Chronicles 15:11.SBD Asaiah.4
3. The first-born of “the Shilonite,” from Shiloni, 1 Chronicles 9:5, who with his family dwelt in Jerusalem after the return from Babylon. (b.c. 536.) In Nehemiah 11:5 he is called MAASEIAH.SBD Asaiah.5
4. 2 Chronicles 34:20. [ASAHIAH.]SBD Asaiah.6
A’saph (collector of the people).SBD Asaph.2
1. A Levite, son of Berechiah, one of the leaders of David’s choir. 1 Chronicles 6:39. Psalm 50 and Psalm 73-83 are attributed to him; and he was in after times celebrated as a seer as well as a musical composer. 2 Chronicles 29:30; Nehemiah 12:46. (b.c. 1050.)SBD Asaph.3
2. The father or ancestor of Joah, the chronicler to the kingdom of Judah in the reign of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:18, 2 Kings 18:37; Isaiah 36:3, Isaiah 36:22; probably the same as the preceding.SBD Asaph.4
3. The keeper of the royal forest or “paradise” of Artaxerxes, Nehemiah 2:8; a Jew, in high office at the court of Persia. (b.c. 536.)SBD Asaph.5
4. Ancestor of Mattaniah, the conductor of the temple-choir after the return from Babylon. 1 Chronicles 9:15; Nehemiah 11:17. Most probably the same as 1 and 2.SBD Asaph.6
A’saph, Sons of. (A school of poets and musical composers founded by Asaph.)SBD Asaph Sons of.2
Asar’e-el (whom God hath bound (by an oath)), a son of Jehaleleel, in the genealogies of Judah. 1 Chronicles 4:16.SBD Asare-el.2
Asare’lah (upright toward God), one of the sons of Asaph, a musician, 1 Chronicles 25:2; called JESHARELAH in ver. 1 Chronicles 25:14.SBD Asarelah.2
As’calon. [ASHKELON.]SBD Ascalon.2
As’enath (worshipper of Neith), daughter of Potipherah, priest, or possibly prince, of On [POTIPHERAH], wife of Joseph, Genesis 41:45, and mother of Manasseh and Ephraim. Genesis 41:50; Genesis 46:20. (b.c. 1715.)SBD Asenath.2
A’ser. Luke 2:36; Revelation 7:6. [ASHER.]SBD Aser.2
Ash (Heb. ôren), only in Isaiah 44:14. As the true ash is not a native of Palestine, some understand this to be a species of pine tree. Perhaps the larch (Laryx europƟa) may be intended.SBD Ash.2
A’shan (smoke), a city in the low country of Judah. Joshua 15:42. In Joshua 19:7 and 1 Chronicles 4:32 it is mentioned again as belonging to Simeon. It has not yet been identified.SBD Ashan.2
Ash’bea (I adjure), a proper name, but whether of a person or place is uncertain. 1 Chronicles 4:21.SBD Ashbea.2
Ash’bel (reproof of God), second son of Benjamin and ancestor of the Ashbelites. Genesis 46:21; Numbers 26:38; 1 Chronicles 8:1.SBD Ashbel.2
Ash’chenaz. 1 Chronicles 1:6; Jeremiah 51:27. [ASHKENAZ.]SBD Ashchenaz.2
Ash’dod, or Azo’tus (a stronghold), Acts 8:40; one of the five confederate cities of the Philistines, situated about 30 miles from the southern frontier of Palestine, three from the Mediterranean Sea, and nearly midway between Gaza and Joppa. It was assigned to the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:47, but was never subdued by the Israelites. Its chief importance arose from its position on the high road from Palestine to Egypt. It is now an insignificant village, with no memorials of its ancient importance, but is still called Esdud.SBD Ashdod.2
Ashdod.SBD Ashdod.3
Ash’dodites, the inhabitants of Ashdod, Nehemiah 4:7; called Ashdothites in Joshua 13:3.SBD Ashdodites.2
Ash’doth-pis’gah, Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 12:3; Joshua 13:20; and in Deuteronomy 4:49, Authorized Version, translated springs of Pisgah, i.e., a valley or fountain near Mount Pisgah.SBD Ashdoth-pisgah.2
Ash’er, Apocrypha and New Testament, A’ser (blessed), the eighth son of Jacob, by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, Genesis 30:13. (b.c. 1753.) The general position of his tribe was on the seashore from Carmel northward, with Manasseh on the south, Zebulun and Issachar on the southeast, and Naphtali on the northeast. Joshua 19:24-31; Joshua 17:10, Joshua 17:11 and Judges 1:31, Judges 1:32. They possessed the maritime portion of the rich plain of Esdraelon, probably for a distance of 8 or 10 miles from the shore. This territory contained some of the richest soil in all Palestine.SBD Asher.2
Ash’er, a place which formed one boundary of the tribe of Manasseh on the south. Joshua 17:7. Mr. Porter suggests that Teyâsı̂r may be the Asher of Manasseh.SBD Asher.2
Ash’erah (straight), the name of a Phœnician goddess, or rather of the idol itself (Authorized Version “grove”). Asherah is closely connected with ASHTORETH and her worship, Judges 3:7, comp. Judges 2:3; Judges 6:25; 1 Kings 18:19; Ashtoreth being, perhaps, the proper name of the goddess, whilst Asherah is the name of her image or symbol, which was of wood. See Judges 6:25-30; 2 Kings 23:14.SBD Asherah.2
Ash’erites, descendants of Asher, and members of his tribe. Judges 1:32.SBD Asherites.2
Ashes. The ashes on the altar of burnt offering were gathered into a cavity in its surface. The ashes of a red heifer burnt entire, according to regulations prescribed in Numbers 19, had the ceremonial efficacy of purifying the unclean, Hebrews 9:13, but of polluting the clean. [SACRIFICE.] Ashes about the person, especially on the head, were used as a sign of sorrow. [MOURNING.]SBD Ashes.2
Ash’ima, a god of the Hamathite colonists in Samaria. 2 Kings 17:30. It has been regarded as identical with the Pan of the Greeks.SBD Ashima.2
Ash’kelon, As’kelon, Apocrypha As’calon (migration), one of the five cities of the Philistines, Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17; a seaport on the Mediterranean, 10 miles north of Gaza. Samson went down from Timnath to Ashkelon. Judges 14:19. In the post-biblical times Ashkelon rose to considerable importance. Near the town were the temple and sacred lake of Derceto, the Syrian Venus. The soil around was remarkable for its fertility. Ashkelon played a memorable part in the struggles of the Crusades.SBD Ashkelon.2
Ash’kenaz (spreading fire), one of the three sons of Gomer, son of Japhet. Genesis 10:3. We may probably recognize the tribe of Ashkenaz on the northern shore of Asia Minor in the name of Lake Ascanius, and in Europe in the name Scand-ia, Scand-inavia. Knobel considers that Ashkenaz is to be identified with the German race.SBD Ashkenaz.2
Ash’nah, the name of two cities, both in the lowlands of Judah: (1) named between Zoreah and Zanoah, and therefore probably northwest of Jerusalem, Joshua 15:33; and (2) between Jiptah and Nezib, and therefore to the southwest of Jerusalem. Joshua 15:43. Each, according to Robinson’s map (1857), would be about 16 miles from Jerusalem.SBD Ashnah.2
Ash’penaz (horse-nose), the master of the eunuchs of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 1:3.SBD Ashpenaz.2
Ash’riel, properly As’riel (vow of God). 1 Chronicles 7:14.SBD Ashriel.2
Ash’taroth, and once As’taroth (a star), a city on the east of Jordan, in Bashan, in the kingdom of Og, doubtless so called from being a seat of the worship of the goddess of the same name. Deuteronomy 1:4; Joshua 9:10; Joshua 12:4; Joshua 13:12.SBD Ashtaroth.2
Ashte-rathite, a native or inhabitant of Ashtaroth, 1 Chronicles 11:44, beyond Jordan.SBD Ashte-rathite.2
Ash’teroth Karna’im (Ashteroth of the two horns or peaks), a place of very great antiquity, the abode of the Rephaim. Genesis 14:5. The name reappears but once, as Carnaim or Carnion, 1 Maccabees 5:26, 1 Maccabees 5:43, 1 Maccabees 5:44; 2 Maccabees 12:21, 2 Maccabees 12:26, in “the land of Galaad.” It is probably the modern Es-Sanamein, on the Haj route, about 25 miles south of Damascus.SBD Ashteroth Karnaim.2
Ash’toreth (a star), the principal female divinity of the Phœnicians, called Ishtar by the Assyrians and Astarte by the Greeks and Romans. She was by some ancient writers identified with the moon. But on the other hand the Assyrian Ishtar was not the moon-goddess, but the planet Venus; and Astarte was by many identified with the goddess Venus (or Aphrodite), as well as with the plant of that name. It is certain that the worship of Astarte became identified with that of Venus, and that this worship was connected with the most impure rites is apparent from the close connection of this goddess with ASHERAH. 1 Kings 11:5, 1 Kings 11:33; 2 Kings 23:13.SBD Ashtoreth.2
Figure of Ashtoreth.SBD Ashtoreth.3
Ash’ur (black), the posthumous son of Hezron by his wife Abiah. 1 Chronicles 2:24; 1 Chronicles 4:5. He became “father” or founder of the town of Tekoa. (b.c. 1658.)SBD Ashur.2
Ash’urites, The. Only in 2 Samuel 2:9. By some of the old interpreters the name is taken as meaning the Geshurites; but if we follow the Targum of Jonathan, “the Asherites” will denote the inhabitants of the whole of the country west of the Jordan above Jezreel.SBD Ashurites The.2
Ash’vath, one of the sons of Japhlet, of the tribe of Asher. 1 Chronicles 7:33.SBD Ashvath.2
A’sia (orient). The passages in the New Testament where this word occurs are the following: Acts 2:9; Acts 6:9; Acts 16:6; Acts 19:10, Acts 19:22, Acts 19:26, Acts 19:27; Acts 20:4, Acts 20:16, Acts 20:18; Acts 21:27; Acts 27:2; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 1:1; Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11. In all these it may be confidently stated that the word is used for a Roman province which embraced the western part of the peninsula of Asia Minor, and of which Ephesus was the capital.SBD Asia.2
Asiarchæ (Asiarchae) — (chief of Asia) (Authorized Version; (Acts 19:31) ), officers chosen annually by the cities of that part of the province of Asia of which Ephesus was, under Roman government, the metropolis. They had charge of the public games and religious theatrical spectacles, the expenses of which they bore.SBD Asiarchæ.2
A’siel (created by God).SBD Asiel.2
1. A Simeonite whose descendant Jehu lived in the reign of Hezekiah. 1 Chronicles 4:35.SBD Asiel.3
2. One of the five swift writers whom Esdras was commanded to take to write the law and the history of the world. 2 Esdras 14:24.SBD Asiel.4
As’nah (thorn-bush). The children of Asnah were among the Nethinim who returned with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:50.SBD Asnah.2
Asnap’per (swift), mentioned in Ezra 4:10 as the person who settled the Cuthæans in the cities of Samaria. He was probably a general of Esarhaddon. (b.c. 712.)SBD Asnapper.2
Asp (Heb. pethen), translated adder in Psalm 58:4; Psalm 91:13. Probably the Egyptian cobra, a small and very poisonous serpent, a dweller in the holes of walls, Isaiah 11:8, and a snake upon which the serpent-charmers practiced their art.SBD Asp.2
Aspal’athus, the name of some sweet perfume mentioned in Sirach 24:15. The Lignum rhodianum is by some supposed to be the substance indicated by the aspalathus; the plant which yields it is the Convolvulus scoparius of Linnæus.SBD Aspalathus.2
As’patha, third son of Haman. Esther 9:7.SBD Aspatha.2
As’phar, the pool in the “wilderness of Thecoe.” 1 Maccabees 9:33. Is it possible that the name is a corruption of lacus Asphaltites?SBD Asphar.2
As’riel, the son of Gilead and greatgrandson of Manasseh. Numbers 26:31; Joshua 17:2. He was the founder of the family of the Asrielites. (b.c. 1444.)SBD Asriel.2
Ass. Five Hebrew names of the genus Asinus occur in the Old Testament.SBD Ass.2
1. Chamôr denotes the male domestic ass. 2. Athôn, the common domestic she-ass. 3. Aı̂r, the name of a wild ass, which occurs Genesis 32:15; Genesis 49:11. 4. Pere, a species of wild ass mentioned Genesis 12:16. 5. Arôd occurs only in Job 39:5; but in what respect it differs from the Pere is uncertain. The ass in eastern countries is a very different animal from what he is in western Europe. The most noble and honorable amongst the Jews were wont to be mounted on asses. (“With us the ass is a symbol of stubbornness and stupidity, while in the East it is especially remarkable for its patience, gentleness, intelligence, meek submission, and great power of endurance.”—L. Abbott. The color is usually a reddish brown, but there are white asses, which are much prized. The ass was the animal of peace, as the horse was the animal of war; hence the appropriateness of Christ in his triumphal entry riding on an ass. The wild ass is a beautiful animal.—Ed.) Mr. Layard remarks that in fleetness the wild ass (Asinus hemippus equals the gazelle, and to overtake it is a feat which only one or two of the most celebrated mares have been known to accomplish.SBD Ass.3
Eastern Ass.SBD Ass.4
As’shur, second son of Shem, Genesis 10:22; also the Hebrew form for Assyria. [ASSYRIA.]SBD Asshur.2
Asshu’rim (steps), a tribe descended from Dedan, the grandson of Abraham. Genesis 25:3. Knobel considers them the same with the Asshur of Ezekiel 27:23, and connected with southern Arabia.SBD Asshurim.2
As’sir (captive).SBD Assir.2
1. Son of Korah. Exodus 6:24; 1 Chronicles 6:22.SBD Assir.3
2. Son of Ebiasaph, and a forefather of Samuel. 1 Chronicles 6:23, 1 Chronicles 6:37.SBD Assir.4
3. Son of Jeconiah, 1 Chronicles 3:17, unless “Jeconiah the captive” be the true rendering.SBD Assir.5
As’sos, or As’sus (approaching), a seaport of the Roman province of Asia, in the district anciently called Mysia, on the northern shore of the Gulf of Adramyttium, and about seven miles from Lesbos. Acts 20:13, Acts 20:14.SBD Assos.2
As’sur. Ezra 4:2; Psalm 83:8. [ASSHUR; ASSYRIA.]SBD Assur.2
Assyr’ia, As’shur, was a great and powerful country lying on the Tigris, Genesis 2:14, the capital of which was Nineveh. Genesis 10:11, etc. It derived its name apparently from Asshur, the son of Shem, Genesis 10:22, who in later times was worshipped by the Assyrians as their chief god.SBD Assyria Asshur.2
1. Extent.—The boundaries of Assyria differed greatly at different periods. Probably in the earliest times it was confined to a small tract of low country lying chiefly on the left bank of the Tigris. Gradually its limits were extended, until it came to be regarded as comprising the whole region between the Armenian mountains (lat. 37º30’) upon the north, and upon the south the country about Baghdad (lat. 33º30’). Eastward its boundary was the high range of Zagros, or mountains of Kurdistán; westward it was, according to the views of some, bounded by the Mesopotamian desert, while according to others it reached the Euphrates.SBD Assyria Asshur.3
2. General character of the country.—On the north and east the high mountain-chains of Armenia and Kurdistán are succeeded by low ranges of limestone hills of a somewhat arid aspect. To these ridges there succeeds at first an undulating zone of country, well watered and fairly productive, which extends in length for 250 miles, and is interrupted only by a single limestone range. Above and below this barrier is an immense level tract, now for the most part a wilderness, which bears marks of having been in early times well cultivated and thickly peopled throughout.SBD Assyria Asshur.4
3. Original peopling.—Scripture informs us that Assyria was peopled from Babylon, Genesis 10:11, and both classical tradition and the monuments of the country agree in this representation.SBD Assyria Asshur.5
4. Date of the foundation of the kingdom.—As a country, Assyria was evidently known to Moses. Genesis 2:14; Genesis 25:18; Numbers 24:22, Numbers 24:24. The foundation of the Assyrian empire was probably not very greatly anterior to b.c. 1228.SBD Assyria Asshur.6
5. History.—The Mesopotamian researches have rendered it apparent that the original seat of government was not at Nineveh, but at Kileh-Sherghat, on the right bank of the Tigris. The most remarkable monarch of the earlier kings was called Tiglath-pileser. He appears to have been king towards the close of the twelfth century, and thus to have been contemporary with Samuel. Afterwards followed Pul, who invaded Israel in the reign of Menahem, 2 Kings 15:29, about b.c. 770, and Shalmaneser, who besieged Samaria three years, and destroyed the kingdom of Israel b.c. 721, himself or by his successor Sargon, who usurped the throne at that time. Under Sargon the empire was as great as at any former era, and Nineveh became a most beautiful city. Sargon’s son Sennacherib became the most famous of the Assyrian kings. He began to reign 704 b.c. He invaded the kingdom of Judea in the reign of Hezekiah. He was followed by Esarhaddon, and he by a noted warrior and builder, Sardanapalus. In Scripture it is remarkable that we hear nothing of Assyria after the reign of Esarhaddon, and profane history is equally silent until the attacks began which brought about her downfall. The fall of Assyria, long previously prophesied by Isaiah, Isaiah 10:5-19, was effected by the growing strength and boldness of the Medes, about 625 b.c. The prophecies of Nahum and Zephaniah (Nahum 2:13-15) against Assyria were probably delivered shortly before the catastrophe.SBD Assyria Asshur.7
6. General character of the empire.—The Assyrian monarchs bore sway over a number of petty kings through the entire extent of their dominions. These native princes were feudatories of the great monarch, of whom they held their crown by the double tenure of homage and tribute. It is not quite certain how far Assyria required a religious conformity from the subject people. Her religion was a gross and complex polytheism comprising the worship of thirteen principal and numerous minor divinities, at the head of all of whom stood the chief god, Asshur, who seems to be the deified patriarch of the nation. Genesis 10:22.SBD Assyria Asshur.8
7. Civilization of the Assyrians.—The civilization of the Assyrians was derived originally from the Babylonians. They were a Shemitic race, originally resident in Babylonia (which at that time was Cushite), and thus acquainted with the Babylonian inventions and discoveries, who ascended the valley of the Tigris and established in the tract immediately below the Armenian mountains a separate and distinct nationality. Still, as their civilization developed it became in many respects peculiar. Their art is of home growth. But they were still in the most important points barbarians. Their government was rude and inartificial, their religion coarse and sensual, and their conduct of war cruel.SBD Assyria Asshur.9
8. Modern discoveries in Assyria.—(Much interest has been excited in reference to Assyria by the discoveries lately made there, which confirm and illustrate the Bible. The most important of them is the finding of the stone tablets or books which formed the great library at Nineveh, founded by Shalmaneser b.c. 860, but embodying tablets written 2000 years b.c. This library was more than doubled by Sardanapalus. These tablets were broken into fragments, but many of them have been put together and deciphered by the late Mr. George Smith, of the British Museum. All these discoveries of things hidden for ages, but now comes to light, confirm the Bible.—Ed.)SBD Assyria Asshur.10
As’taroth. Deuteronomy 1:4. [ASHTAROTH.]SBD Astaroth.2
Astar’te. [ASHTORETH.]SBD Astarte.2
Asup’pim, and House of, 1 Chronicles 26:15, 1 Chronicles 26:17, literally house of the gatherings. Some understand it as the proper name of chambers on the south of the temple; others of certain store-rooms, or of the council chambers in the outer court of the temple in which the elders held their deliberations.SBD Asuppim.2
Asyn’critus (incomparable), a Christian at Rome, saluted by St. Paul. Romans 16:14.SBD Asyncritus.2
A’tad (thorn), The threshing floor of, called also Abel-mizraim, Genesis 50:10, Genesis 50:11, afterwards called Beth-hogla, and known to have lain between the Jordan and Jericho, therefore on the west side of Jordan.SBD Atad.2
At’arah (a crown), a wife of Jerahmeel, and mother of Onam. 1 Chronicles 2:26.SBD Atarah.2
At’aroth (crowns).SBD Ataroth.2
1. One of the towns in the “land of Jazer and land of Gilead,” Numbers 32:3, east of the Jordan, taken and built by the tribe of Gad. Numbers 32:34.SBD Ataroth.3
2. A place on the (south?) boundary of Ephraim and Manasseh. Joshua 16:2, Joshua 16:7. It is impossible to say whether Ataroth is or is not the same place asSBD Ataroth.4
3. Ataroth-adar, or -addar, on the west border of Benjamin, “near the ‘mountain’ that is on the south side of the nether Beth-horon.” Joshua 16:5; Joshua 18:13. Perhaps the modern Atâra, six miles northeast of Bethel.SBD Ataroth.5
4. “Ataroth, the house of Joab,” a place(?) occurring in the list of the descendants of Judah. 1 Chronicles 2:54.SBD Ataroth.6
A’ter (shut up).SBD Ater.2
1. The children of Ater were among the porters or gatekeepers of the temple who returned with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:42; Nehemiah 7:45.SBD Ater.3
2. The children of Ater of Hezekiah to the number of 98 returned with Zerubbabel, Ezra 2:16; Nehemiah 7:21, and were among the heads of the people who signed the covenant with Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:17.SBD Ater.4
A’thach (lodging place). 1 Samuel 30:30. As the name does not occur elsewhere, it has been suggested that it is an error of the transcriber for Ether, a town in the low country of Judah. Joshua 15:42.SBD Athach.2
Athai’ah (whom Jehovah made), a descendant of Pharez, the son of Judah, who dwelt at Jerusalem after the return from Babylon, Nehemiah 11:4; called UTHAI in 1 Chronicles 9:4.SBD Athaiah.2
Athali’ah (afflicted of the Lord), laughter of Ahab and Jezebel, married Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and introduced into that kingdom the worship of Baal. (b.c. 891.) After the great revolution by which Jehu seated himself on the throne of Samaria, she killed all the members of the royal family of Judah who had escaped his sword. 2 Kings 11:1. From the slaughter one infant, named Joash, the youngest son of Ahaziah, was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada, 2 Chronicles 23:11, the high priest. 2 Chronicles 24:6. The child was brought up under Jehoiada’s care, and concealed in the temple for six years, during which period Athaliah reigned over Judah. At length Jehoiada thought it time to produce the lawful king to the people, trusting to their zeal for the worship of God and their loyalty to the house of David. His plan was successful, and Athaliah was put to death.SBD Athaliah.2
Athe’nians, natives of Athens. Acts 17:21.SBD Athenians.2
Ath’ens (city of Athene), the capital of Attica, and the chief seat of Grecian learning and civilization during the golden period of the history of Greece.SBD Athens.2
Description.—Athens is situated about three miles from the seacoast, in the central plain of Attica. In this plain rise several eminences. Of these the most prominent is a lofty insulated mountain, with a conical peaked summit, now called the Hill of St. George, and which bore in ancient times the name of Lycabettus. This mountain, which was not included within the ancient walls, lies to the northeast of Athens, and forms the most striking feature in the environs of the city. It is to Athens what Vesuvius is to Naples, or Arthur’s Seat to Edinburgh. Southwest of Lycabettus there are four hills of moderate height, all of which formed part of the city. Of these the nearest to Lycabettus, and at the distance of a mile from the latter, was the Acropolis, or citadel of Athens, a square craggy rock rising abruptly about 150 feet, with a flat summit of about 1000 feet long from east to west, by 500 feet broad from north to south. Immediately west of the Acropolis is a second hill of irregular form, the Areopagus (Mars’ Hill). To the southwest there rises a third hill, the Pnyx, on which the assemblies of the citzens were held. South of the city was seen the Saronic Gulf, with the harbors of Athens.SBD Athens.3
Athens.SBD Athens.4
History.—Athens is said to have derived its name from the prominence given to the worship of the goddess Athena (Minerva) by its king, Erechtheus. The inhabitants were previously called Cecropidæ, from Cecrops, who, according to tradition, was the original founder of the city. This at first occupied only the hill or rock which afterwards became the Acropolis; but gradually the buildings spread over the ground at the southern foot of this hill. It was not till the time of Pisistratus and his sons (b.c. 560–514) that the city began to assume any degree of splendor. The most remarkable building of these despots was the gigantic temple of the Olympian Zeus or Jupiter. Under Themistocles the Acropolis began to form the centre of the city, round which the new walls described an irregular circle of about 60 stadia or 7½ miles in circumference. Themistocles transferred the naval station of the Athenians to the peninsula of Piræus, which is distant about 4½ miles from Athens, and contains three natural harbors. It was not till the administration of Pericles that the walls were built which connected Athens with her ports.SBD Athens.5
Buildings.—Under the administration of Pericles, Athens was adorned with numerous public buildings, which existed in all their glory when St. Paul visited the city. The Acropolis was the centre of the architectural splendor of Athens. It was covered with the temples of gods and heroes; and thus its platform presented not only a sanctuary, but a museum containing the finest productions of the architect and the sculptor, in which the whiteness of the marble was relieved by brilliant colors, and rendered still more dazzling by the transparent clearness of the Athenian atmosphere. The chief building was the Parthenon (i.e., House of the Virgin), the most perfect production of Grecian architecture. It derived its name from its being the temple of Athena Parthenos, or Athena the Virgin, the invincible goddess of war. It stood on the highest part of the Acropolis, near its centre. It was entirely of Pentelic marble, on a rustic basement of ordinary limestone, and its architecture, which was of the Doric order, was of the purest kind. It was adorned with the most exquisite sculptures, executed by various artists under the direction of Phidias. But the chief wonder of the Parthenon was the colossal statue of the virgin goddess executed by Phidias himself. The Acropolis was adorned with another colossal figure of Athena, in bronze, also the work of Phidias. It stood in the open air, nearly opposite the Propylæa. With its pedestal it must have been about 70 feet high, and consequently towered above the roof of the Parthenon, so that the point of its spear and the crest of its helmet were visible off the promontory of Sunium to ships approaching Athens. The Areopagus, or Hill of Ares (Mars), is described elsewhere. [MARS’ HILL.] The Pnyx, or place for holding the public assemblies of the Athenians, stood on the side of a low rocky hill, at the distance of about a quarter of a mile from the Areopagus. Between the Pnyx on the west, the Areopagus on the north and the Acropolis on the east, and closely adjoining the base of these hills, stood the Agora or “Market,” where St. Paul disputed daily. Through it ran the road to the gymnasium and gardens of the Academy, which were situated about a mile from the walls. The Academy was the place where Plato and his disciples taught. East of the city, and outside the walls, was the Lyceum, a gymnasium dedicated to Apollo Lyceus, and celebrated as the place in which Aristotle taught.SBD Athens.6
Temple of Victory at Athens.SBD Athens.7
Character.—The remark of the sacred historian respecting the inquisitive character of the Athenians, Acts 17:21, is attested by the unanimous voice of antiquity. Their natural liveliness was partly owing to the purity and clearness of the atmosphere of Attica, which also allowed them to pass much of their time in the open air. The Athenian carefulness in religion is confirmed by the ancient writers. Of the Christian church, founded by St. Paul at Athens, according to ecclesiastical tradition, Dionysius the Areopagite was the first bishop. [DIONYSIUS.]SBD Athens.8
Present condition.—(The population of Athens in 1871 was 48,000. Its university has 52 professors and 1200 students. Educational institutions are very numerous. A railway connects the Piræus or port with the city, and its terminus stands in the midst of what was once the Agora.—Ed.)SBD Athens.9
Ath’la-i (whom Jehovah afflicts), one of the sons of Bebai, who put away his foreign wife at the exhortation of Ezra. Ezra 10:28.SBD Athla-i.2
Atonement, The day of. I. The great day of national humiliation, and the only one commanded in the Mosaic law. [FASTS.] The mode of its observance is described in Leviticus 16, and the conduct of the people is emphatically enjoined in Leviticus 23:26-32.SBD Atonement The day of.2
II. Time.—It was kept on the tenth day of Tisri, that is, from the evening of the ninth to the evening of the tenth of that month, five days before the feast of tabernacles. Tisri corresponds to our September-October, so that the 10th of Tisri would be about the first of October. [FESTIVALS.]SBD Atonement The day of.3
III. How observed.—It was kept by the people as a high solemn sabbath. On this occasion only the high priest was permitted to enter into the holy of holies. Having bathed his person and dressed himself entirely in the holy white linen garments, he brought forward a young bullock for a sin offering, purchased at his own cost, on account of himself and his family, and two young goats for a sin offering, with a ram for a burnt offering, which were paid for out of the public treasury, on account of the people. He then presented the two goats before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle and cast lots upon them. On one lot “Fot Jehovah” was inscribed, and on the other “For Azazel.” A phrase of unusual difficulty. The best modern scholars agree that it designates the personal being to whom the goat was sent, probably Satan. This goat was called the scapegoat. After various sacrifices and ceremonies the goat upon which the lot “For Jehovah” had fallen was slain and the high priest sprinkled its blood before the mercy-seat in the same manner as he had done that of the bullock. Going out from the holy of holies he purified the holy place, sprinkling some of the blood of both the victims on the altar of incense. At this time no one besides the high priest was suffered to be present in the holy place. The purification of the holy of holies and of the holy place being thus completed, the high priest laid his hands upon the head of the goat on which the lot “For Azazel” had fallen, and confessed over it all the sins of the people. The goat was then led, by a man chosen for the purpose, into the wilderness, into “a land not inhabited,” and was there let loose. The high priest after this returned into the holy place, bathed himself again, put on his usual garments of office, and offered the two rams as burnt offerings, one for himself and one for the people.SBD Atonement The day of.4
IV. Significance.—In considering the meaning of the particular rites of the day, three points appear to be of a very distinctive character.SBD Atonement The day of.5
1. The white garments of the high priest. 2. His entrance into the holy of holies. 3. The scapegoat. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Hebrews 9:7-25, teaches us to apply the first two particulars. The high priest himself, with his person cleansed and dressed in white garments, was the best outward type which a living man could present in his own person of that pure and holy One who was to purify his people and to cleanse them from their sins. But respecting the meaning of the scapegoat we have no such light to guide us, and the subject is one of great doubt and difficulty. It has been generally considered that it was dismissed to signify the carrying away of the sins of the people, as it were, out of the sight of Jehovah. If we keep in view that the two goats are spoken of as parts of one and the same sin offering, we shall not have much difficulty in seeing that they form together but one symbolical expression; the slain goat setting forth the act of sacrifice, in giving up its own life for others “to Jehovah”; and the goat which carried off its load of sin “for complete removal” signifying the cleansing influence of faith in that sacrifice.SBD Atonement The day of.6
At’roth (crowns), a city of Gad. Numbers 32:35.SBD Atroth.2
At’ta-i (opportune).SBD Atta-i.2
1. Grandson of Sheshan the Jerahmeelite through his daughter Ahlai, whom he gave in marriage to Jarha, his Egyptian slave. 1 Chronicles 2:35, 1 Chronicles 2:36. His grandson Zabad was one of David’s mighty men. 1 Chronicles 11:41.SBD Atta-i.3
2. One of the lion-faced warriors of Gad, captains of the host, who forded the Jordan at the time of its overflow, and joined David in the wilderness. 1 Chronicles 12:11. (b.c. 1060.)SBD Atta-i.4
3. Second son of King Rehoboam by Maachah the daughter of Absalom. 2 Chronicles 11:20. (b.c. 975.)SBD Atta-i.5
Attali’a (from Attalus), a coast-town of Pamphylia, mentioned Acts 14:25. It was built by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamos, and named after the monarch. All its remains are characteristic of the date of its foundation. Leake fixes Attalia at Adalia, on the south coast of Asia Minor, north of the Duden Su, the ancient Catarrhactes.SBD Attalia.2
Augus’tus (venerable) Cæ’sar, the first Roman emperor. He was born a.u.c. 691, b.c. 63. His father was Caius Octavius; his mother Atia, daughter of Julia the sister of C. Julius Cæsar. He was principally educated by his great-uncle Julius Cæsar, and was made his heir. After his murder, the young Octavius, then Caius Julius Cæsar Octavianus, was taken into the triumvirate with Antony and Lepidus, and, after the removal of the latter, divided the empire with Antony. The struggle for the supreme power was terminated in favor of Octavianus by the battle of Actium, b.c. 31. On this victory he was saluted imperator by the senate, who conferred on him the title Augustus, b.c. 27. The first link binding him to New Testament history is his treatment of Herod after the battle of Actium. That prince, who had espoused Antony’s side, found himself pardoned, taken into favor and confirmed, nay even increased, in his power. After Herod’s death, in a.d. 4, Augustus divided his dominions, almost exactly according to his dying directions, among his sons. Augustus died in Nola in Campania, Aug. 19, a.u.c. 767, a.d. 14, in his 76th year; but long before his death he had associated Tiberius with him in the empire.SBD Augustus.2
Augus’tus’ Band. Acts 27:1. [ARMY.]SBD Augustus’ Band.2