Harod — Hepher
Ha’rod (fear), The well of, a spring by which Gideon and his great army encamped on the morning of the day which ended in the rout of the Midianites, Judges 7:1, and where the trial of the people by their mode of drinking apparently took place. The Ain Jalûd is very suitable to the circumstances, as being at present the largest spring in the neighborhood.SBD Harod.2
Ha’rodite, The, the designation of two of the thirty-seven warriors of David’s guard, Shammah and Elika, 2 Samuel 23:25, doubtless derived from a place named Harod.SBD Harodite The.2
Har’oeh, a name occurring in the genealogical lists of Judah. 1 Chronicles 2:52.SBD Haroeh.2
Ha’rorite (the same as Harodite), The, the title given to Shammoth, one of the warriors of David’s guard. 1 Chronicles 11:27.SBD Harorite.2
Har’osheth (workmanship) “of the Gentiles”—so called from the mixed races that inhabited it—a city in the north of the land of Canaan, supposed to have stood on the west coast of the lake Merom, from which the Jordan issues forth in one unbroken stream. It was the residence of Sisera, captain of Jabin king of Canaan, Judges 4:2, and it was the point to which the victorious Israelites under Barak pursued the discomfited host and chariots of the second potentate of that name. Judges 4:16.SBD Harosheth.2
Harp. The harp was the national instrument of the Hebrews, and was well known throughout Asia. Moses assigns its invention to Jubal during the antediluvian period. Genesis 4:21. Josephus records that the harp had ten strings, and that it was played on with the plectrum. Sometimes it was smaller, having only eight strings, and was usually played with the fingers.SBD Harp.2
Egyptian Harp.SBD Harp.3
Harrow. The word so rendered, 2 Samuel 12:31; 1 Chronicles 20:3, is probably a threshing-machine. The verb rendered “to harrow,” Job 39:10; Isaiah 28:24; Hosea 10:11, expresses apparently the breaking of the clods, and is so far analogous to our harrowing; but whether done by any such machine as we call a “harrow” is very doubtful.SBD Harrow.2
Har’sha (deaf). Bene-Harsha were among the families of Nethinim who came back from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:52; Nehemiah 7:54.SBD Harsha.2
Hart, the male stag. The word denotes some member of the deer tribe, either the fallow deer or the Barbary deer. The hart is reckoned among the clean animals, Deuteronomy 12:15; Deuteronomy 14:5; Deuteronomy 15:22, and seems from the passages quoted, as well as from 1 Kings 4:23, to have been commonly killed for food.SBD Hart.2
The Hart.SBD Hart.3
Ha’rum (lofty), father of Aharhel, in one of the most obscure genealogies of Judah. 1 Chronicles 4:8.SBD Harum.2
Haru’maph (slit-nosed), father or ancestor of Jedaiah. Nehemiah 3:10.SBD Harumaph.2
Haru’phite (native of Hariph), The, the designation of Shephatiah, one of the Korhites who repaired to David at Ziklag. 1 Chronicles 12:5. (b.c. 1064.)SBD Haruphite.2
Ha’ruz (zealous), a man of Jotbah, father of Meshullemeth queen of Manasseh. 2 Kings 21:19. (b.c. before 664.)SBD Haruz.2
Harvest. [AGRICULTURE.]SBD Harvest.2
Hasadi’ah (loved by Jehovah), one of a group of five persons among the descendants of the royal line of Judah, 1 Chronicles 3:20, apparently sons of Zerubbabel. (b.c. about 536.)SBD Hasadiah.2
Hasenu’ah (the hated), a Benjamite, of one of the chief families in the tribe. 1 Chronicles 9:7.SBD Hasenuah.2
Hashabi’ah (whom God regards).SBD Hashabiah.2
1. A Merarite Levite. 1 Chronicles 6:45.SBD Hashabiah.3
2. Another Merarite Levite. 1 Chronicles 9:14.SBD Hashabiah.4
3. The fourth of the six sons of Jeduthun, 1 Chronicles 25:3, who had charge of the twelfth course. ver. 1 Chronicles 25:19. (b.c. 1014.)SBD Hashabiah.5
4. One of the descendants of Hebron the son of Kohath. 1 Chronicles 26:30.SBD Hashabiah.6
5. The son of Kemuel, who was prince of the tribe of Levi in the time of David. 1 Chronicles 27:17. (b.c. 1014.)SBD Hashabiah.7
6. A Levite, one of the “chiefs” of his tribe, who officiated for King Josiah at his great passover feast. 2 Chronicles 35:9. (b.c. 623.)SBD Hashabiah.8
7. A Merarite Levite who accompanied Ezra from Babylon. Ezra 8:19.SBD Hashabiah.9
8. One of the chiefs of the priests who formed part of the same caravan. Ezra 8:24. (b.c. 536.)SBD Hashabiah.10
9. Ruler of half the circuit or environs of Keilah; he repaired a portion of the wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah. Nehemiah 3:17. (b.c. 446.)SBD Hashabiah.11
10. One of the Levites who sealed the covenant of reformation after the return from the captivity. Nehemiah 10:11; Nehemiah 12:24; comp. Nehemiah 12:26. (b.c. 446–410.)SBD Hashabiah.12
11. Another Levite, son of Bunni. Nehemiah 11:15.SBD Hashabiah.13
12. A Levite, son of Mattaniah. Nehemiah 11:22.SBD Hashabiah.14
13. A priest of the family of Nilkiah in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua. Nehemiah 12:21.SBD Hashabiah.15
Hashab’nah (whom Jehovah regards), one of the chief of the “people” who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:25. (b.c. 410.)SBD Hashabnah.2
Hashabni’ah (whom Jehovah regards).SBD Hashabniah.2
1. Father of Hattush. Nehemiah 3:10.SBD Hashabniah.3
2. A Levite who was among those who officiated at the great fast under Ezra and Nehemiah when the covenant was sealed. Nehemiah 9:5. (b.c. 410.)SBD Hashabniah.4
Hashbad’ana (considerate judge), one of the men (probably Levites) who stood on Ezra’s left hand while he read the law to the people in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 8:4. (b.c. 410.)SBD Hashbadana.2
Ha’shem (fat). The sons of Hashem the Gizonite are named amongst the members of David’s guard in 1 Chronicles 11:34. (b.c. before 1014.)SBD Hashem.2
Hashmo’nah (fatness), a station of the Israelites, mentioned Numbers 33:29 as next before Moseroth.SBD Hashmonah.2
Ha’shub (intelligent).SBD Hashub.2
1. A son of Pahath-moab, who assisted in the repair of the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3:11. (b.c. 446.)SBD Hashub.3
2. Another who assisted in the same work. Nehemiah 3:23.SBD Hashub.4
3. One of the heads of the people who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:23. (b.c. 410.)SBD Hashub.5
4. A Merarite Levite. Nehemiah 11:15.SBD Hashub.6
Hashu’bah (intelligent), the first of a group of five men, apparently the latter half of the family of Zerubbabel. 1 Chronicles 3:20.SBD Hashubah.2
Ha’shum (rich).SBD Hashum.2
1. Bene-Hashum, 223 in number, came back from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:19; Ezra 10:33; Nehemiah 7:22. (b.c. before 536.) The chief man of the family was among those who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:18. (b.c. 410.)SBD Hashum.3
2. One of the priests or Levites who stood on Ezra’s left hand while he read the law to the congregation. Nehemiah 8:4. (b.c. 410.)SBD Hashum.4
Hashu’pha (stripped), one of the families of Nethinim who returned from captivity in the first caravan. Nehemiah 7:46. Called Hasupha in Ezra 2:43. (b.c. 536.)SBD Hashupha.2
Has’rah (very poor), the form in which the name Harhas is given in 2 Chronicles 34:22; comp. 2 Kings 22:14.SBD Hasrah.2
Hassena’ah. The Bene-Hassenaah rebuilt the fish-gate in the repair of the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3:3. (b.c. 446.)SBD Hassenaah.2
Has’shub. [See HASHUB.]SBD Hasshub.2
Hasu’pha. [See HASHUPHA.]SBD Hasupha.2
Ha’tach (verily), one of the eunuchs in the court of Ahasuerus. Esther 4:5, Esther 4:6, Esther 4:9, Esther 4:10. (b.c. 474.)SBD Hatach.2
Ha’thath (fearful), one of the sons of Othniel the Kenazite. 1 Chronicles 4:13.SBD Hathath.2
Hat’ipha (captive). Bene-Hatipha (i.e., sons of Hatipha) were among the Nethinim who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:54; Nehemiah 7:56. (b.c. 536.)SBD Hatipha.2
Hat’ita (exploring). Bene-Hatita (i.e., sons of Hatita) were among the “porters” (i.e., the gate-keepers) who returned from the captivity with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:42; Nehemiah 7:45. (b.c. 536.)SBD Hatita.2
Hat’til (doubtful). Bene-Hattil were among the “children of Solomon’s slaves” who came back from captivity with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:57; Nehemiah 7:59. (b.c. 536.)SBD Hattil.2
Hat’tush (assembled).SBD Hattush.2
1. A descendant of the kings of Judah, apparently one of the sons of Sheenaniah, 1 Chronicles 3:22, in the fourth or fifth generation from Zerubbabel. A person of the same name accompanied Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra 8:2. In another statement Hattush is said to have returned with Zerubbabel. Nehemiah 12:2.SBD Hattush.3
2. Son of Hashabniah; one of those who assisted Nehemiah in the repair of the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3:10. (b.c. 446.)SBD Hattush.4
Hau’ran (caverns), a province of Palestine twice mentioned by Ezekiel. Ezekiel 47:16, Ezekiel 47:18. There can be little doubt that it is identical with the well-known Greek province of Auranitis and the modern Haurân, east of the Sea of Galilee, on the borders of the desert, in the tetrarchy of Philip.SBD Hauran.2
Hav’ilah (circle).SBD Havilah.2
1. A son of Cush. Genesis 10:7.SBD Havilah.3
2. A son of Joktan. Genesis 10:29.SBD Havilah.4
Hav’ilah. Genesis 2:11.SBD Havilah.2
1. A part of Eden through which flowed the river Pison (Araxes). It was probably the Grecian Colchis, in the northeast corner of Asia Minor, near the Caspian Sea.SBD Havilah.3
2. A district in Arabia Felix, Genesis 10:7, named from the second son of Cush; probably the district of Kuâlan, in the northwestern part of Yemen.SBD Havilah.4
Havoth-ja’ir (villages of Jair), certain villages on the east of Jordan, in Gilead or Bashan, which were taken by Jair the son of Manasseh, and called after his name. Numbers 32:41; Deuteronomy 3:14. In the records of Manasseh in Joshua 13:30 and 1 Chronicles 2:23, the Havoth-jair are reckoned with other districts as making up sixty “cities.” Comp. 1 Kings 4:13. There is apparently some confusion in these different statements as to what the sixty cities really consisted of. No less doubtful is the number of the Havoth-jair. In 1 Chronicles 2:22 they are specified as twenty-three, but in Judges 10:4 as thirty.SBD Havoth-jair.2
Hawk. Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15; Job 39:26. The hawk includes various species of the FalconidŜ. With respect to the passage in Job (l.c.) which appears to allude to the migratory habits of hawks, it is curious to observe that of the ten or twelve lesser raptors (hawk tribe) of Palestine, nearly all are summer migrants. The kestrel remains all the year, but the others are all migrants from the south.SBD Hawk.2
Kestrel or Hawk.SBD Hawk.3
Hay (Heb. châtsı̂r), the rendering of the Authorized Version in Proverbs 27:25 and Isaiah 15:6 of the Hebrew term, which occurs frequently in the Old Testament, and denotes “grass” of any kind. It is quite probable that the modern Orientals do not make hay in our sense of the term; but is certain that the ancients did mow their grass, and probably made use of the dry material. See Psalm 37:2. We may remark that there is an express Hebrew term for “dry grass” or “hay,” viz., chashash, which, in the only two places where the word occurs, Isaiah 5:24; Isaiah 33:11, is rendered “chaff” in the Authorized Version.SBD Hay.2
Haz’a-el (whom God sees), a king of Damascus who reigned from about b.c. 886 to b.c. 840. He appears to have been previously a person in a high position at the court of Ben-hadad, and was sent by his master to Elisha to inquire if he would recover from the malady under which he was suffering. Elisha’s answer led to the murder of Ben-hadad by his ambitious servant, who forthwith mounted the throne. 2 Kings 8:7-15. He was soon engaged in war with the kings of Judah and Israel, for the possession of the city of Ramoth-gilead. Ibid., 2 Kings 8:28. Towards the close of the reign of Jehu, Hazael led the Syrians against the Israelites (about b.c. 860), whom he “smote in all their coasts,” 2 Kings 10:32, thus accomplishing the prophecy of Elisha. Ibid., 2 Kings 8:12. At the close of his life, having taken Gath, ibid., 2 Kings 12:17; comp. Amos 6:2, he proceeded to attack Jerusalem, 2 Chronicles 24:24, and was about to assault the city when Joash bribed him to retire. 2 Kings 12:18. Hazael appears to have died about the year b.c. 840, 2 Kings 13:24, having reigned forty-six years.SBD Haza-el.2
Haza’iah (whom Jehovah sees), a man of Judah of the family of the Shilonites, or descendants of Shelah. Nehemiah 11:5.SBD Hazaiah.2
Ha’zar-ad’ar, etc. [HAZER.]SBD Hazar-adar.2
Hazarma’veth (court of death), the third in order of the sons of Joktan. Genesis 10:26. The name is preserved in the Arabic Hadramɛwt and Hadrumɛwt, the appellation of a province and an ancient people of southern Arabia. Its capital is Satham, a very ancient city, and its chief ports are Mirbát, Zafári, and Kisheem, from whence a great trade was carried on in ancient times with India and Africa.SBD Hazarmaveth.2
Hazel. The Hebrew term lûz occurs only in Genesis 30:37. Authorities are divided between the hazel and the almond tree as representing the lûz. The latter is most probably correct.SBD Hazel.2
Hazelelpo’ni (shade coming upon me), the sister of the sons of Etam in the genealogies of Judah. 1 Chronicles 4:3.SBD Hazelelponi.2
Ha’zer, topographically, seems generally employed for the villages or people. As a proper name it appears in the Authorized Version—SBD Hazer.2
1. In the plural, Hazerim and Hazeroth, for which see below. 2. In the slightly different form of Hazor. 3. In composition with other words:SBD Hazer.3
1. Hazar-addar (village of Addar), a place named as one of the landmarks on the southern boundary of the land promised to Israel. Numbers 34:4; Adar, Joshua 15:3.SBD Hazer.4
2. Hazar-enan (village of fountains), the place at which the northern boundary of the land promised to the children of Israel was to terminate. Numbers 34:9, Numbers 34:10; comp. Ezekiel 47:17; Ezekiel 48:1.SBD Hazer.5
3. Hazar-gaddah (village of fortune), one of the towns in the southern district of Judah, Joshua 15:27, named between Moladah and Heshmon.SBD Hazer.6
4. Hazar-shual (village of jackals), a town in the southern district of Judah, lying between Hazar-gaddah and Beersheba. Joshua 15:28; Joshua 19:3; 1 Chronicles 4:28.SBD Hazer.7
5. Hazar-susah (village of horses), one of the “cities” allotted to Simeon in the extreme south of the territory of Judah. Joshua 19:5.SBD Hazer.8
Haze’rim (villages). The Avim, or more accurately the Avvim, are said to have lived “in the villages (Authorized Version ‘Hazerim’) as far as Gaza,” Deuteronomy 2:23, before their expulsion by the Caphtorim.SBD Hazerim.2
Haze’roth (villages), Numbers 11:35; Numbers 12:16; Numbers 33:17; Deuteronomy 1:1, a station of the Israelites in the desert, and perhaps recognizable in the Arabic Ain Hudhera, forty miles northeast of Sinai.SBD Hazeroth.2
Haz’ezon-ta’mar and Haz’azon-ta’mar (pruning of palm trees), the ancient name of Engedi. Genesis 14:7. The name occurs in the records of the reign of Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 20:2.SBD Hazezon-tamar.2
Ha’zi-el (vision of God), a Levite in the time of David, of the family of Shimei or Shimi, the younger branch of the Gershonites. 1 Chronicles 23:9. (b.c. 1014.)SBD Hazi-el.2
Ha’zo (vision), a son of Nahor, by Mileah his wife. Genesis 22:22. (b.c. about 1900.)SBD Hazo.2
Ha’zor (castle).SBD Hazor.2
1. A fortified city, which on the occupation of the country was allotted to Naphtali. Joshua 19:36. Its position was apparently between Ramah and Kedesh, ibid., Joshua 12:19, on the high ground overlooking the Lake of Merom. There is no reason for supposing it a different place from that of which Jabin was king. Joshua 11:1; Judges 4:2, Judges 4:17; 1 Samuel 12:9. It was the principal city of the whole of north Palestine. Joshua 11:10. It was fortified by Solomon, 1 Kings 9:15, and its inhabitants were carried captive by Tiglath-pileser. 2 Kings 15:29. The most probable site of Hazor is Tell Khuraibeh.SBD Hazor.3
2. One of the “cities” of Judah in the extreme south, named next in order to Kedesh. Joshua 15:23.SBD Hazor.4
3. Hazor-Hadattah = “new Hazor,” another of the southern towns of Judah. Joshua 15:25.SBD Hazor.5
4. A place in which the Benjamites resided after their return from the captivity. Nehemiah 11:33.SBD Hazor.6
Head-dress. The Hebrews do not appear to have regarded a covering for the head as an essential article of dress. Hats were unknown. The earliest notice we have of such a thing is in connection with the sacerdotal vestments. Exodus 28:40. The tsânı̂ph (something like a turban) is noticed as being worn by nobles, Job 29:14, ladies, Isaiah 3:23, and kings, Isaiah 62:3; while the peêr was an article of holiday dress, Isaiah 61:3, Authorized Version “beauty”; Ezekiel 24:17, Ezekiel 24:23, and was worn at weddings. Isaiah 61:10. The ordinary head-dress of the Bedouin consists of the keffieh, a square handkerchief, generally of red and yellow cotton or cotton and silk, folded so that three of the corners hang down over the back and shoulders, leaving the face exposed, and bound round the head by a cord. It is not improbable that a similar covering was used by the Hebrews on certain occasions. The Assyrian head-dress is described in Ezekiel 23:15 under the terms “exceeding in dyed attire.” The word rendered “hats” in Daniel 3:21 properly applies to a cloak.SBD Head-dress.2
Hearth. One way of baking much practiced in the East is to place the dough on an iron plate, either laid on or supported on legs above the vessel sunk in the ground, which forms the oven. The cakes baked “on the hearth,” Genesis 18:6, were probably baked in the existing Bedouin manner, on hot stones covered with ashes. The “hearth” of King Jehoiakim’s winter palace, Jeremiah 36:23, was possibly a pan or brazier of charcoal. From this we see that the significance of the Hebrew words translated hearth is not the same as with us.SBD Hearth.2
Heath, Jeremiah 17:6, was some species of juniper, probably the savin, a dwarf, stunted juniper which grows in the most sterile parts of the desert.SBD Heath.2
Hea’then. [GENTILES.]SBD Heathen.2
Heaven. There are four Hebrew words thus rendered in the Old Testament which we may briefly notice.SBD Heaven.2
1. Râkı̂˒a, Authorized Version, firmament. [FIRMAMENT.] 2. Shâmayim. This is the word used in the expression “the heaven and the earth,” or “the upper and lower regions.” Genesis 1:1. 3. Mârôm, used for heaven in Psalm 18:16; Isaiah 24:18; Jeremiah 25:30. Properly speaking it means a mountain, as in Psalm 102: Psalm 102:19; Ezekiel 17:23. 4. Shechâkı̂m, “expanses,” with reference to the extent of heaven. Deuteronomy 33:26; Job 35:5. St. Paul’s expression “third heaven,” 2 Corinthians 12:2, has led to much conjecture. Grotius said that the Jews divided the heaven into three parts, viz.,SBD Heaven.3
1. The air or atmosphere, where clouds gather; 2. The firmament, in which the sun, moon, and stars are fixed; 3. The upper heaven, the abode of God and his angels, the invisible realm of holiness and happiness, the home of the children of God.SBD Heaven.4
He’ber (alliance).SBD Heber.2
1. Grandson of the patriarch Asher, Genesis 46:17; Numbers 26:45; 1 Chronicles 7:31, from whom came the Heberites. Numbers 26:45.SBD Heber.3
2. The patriarch Eber. Luke 3:35. [EBER.]SBD Heber.4
3. The father of Socho; a Judite. 1 Chronicles 4:18.SBD Heber.5
4. A Benjamite. 1 Chronicles 8:17.SBD Heber.6
5. A Benjamite. 1 Chronicles 8:22.SBD Heber.7
6. A Gadite. 1 Chronicles 5:13.SBD Heber.8
7. The husband of Jael, who slew Sisera by driving a nail into his temple. Judges 4:21, Judges 4:22.SBD Heber.9
He’brew. This word first occurs as given to Abram by the Canaanites, Genesis 14:13, because he had crossed the Euphrates. The name is also derived from ˒êber, “beyond, on the other side,” Abraham and his posterity being called Hebrews in order to express a distinction between the races east and west of the Euphrates. It may also be derived from Heber, one of the ancestors of Abraham. Genesis 10:24. The term Israelite was used by the Jews of themselves among themselves; the term Hebrew was the name by which they were known to foreigners. The latter was accepted by the Jews in their external relations; and after the general substitution of the word Jew, it still found a place in that marked and special feature of national contradistinction, the language.SBD Hebrew.2
He’brew language. The books of the Old Testament are written almost entirely in the Hebrew language. It is a branch of the Shemitic language, one of the three great divisions into which all languages have been reduced. It is one of the earliest of known languages, and some suppose that it was the original language of man.SBD Hebrew language.2
He’brews, Epistle to the.SBD Hebrews Epistle to the.2
1. The author.—There has been a wide difference of opinion respecting the authorship of this epistle. The weight of evidence favors Paul as its author, though some think St. Luke, others Barnabas, and others still Apollos, may have written it. The thoughts are evidently St. Paul’s, and he was doubtless the real author, whoever wrote it under him. 2. To whom written.—The epistle was probably addressed to the Jews in Jerusalem and Palestine. The argument of the epistle is such as could be used with most effect to a church consisting exclusively of Jews by birth, personally familiar with and attached to the temple service. 3. Date.—It was evidently written before the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70, probably about a.d. 62–64. 4. Place.—It was probably written in Italy, while Paul was a prisoner at Rome. 5. Contents.—With respect to the scope of the epistle, it should be recollected that while the numerous Christian churches scattered throughout Judea, Acts 9:31; Galatians 1:22, were continually exposed to persecution from the Jews, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, there was in Jerusalem one additional weapon in the hands of the predominant oppressors of the Christians. The magnificent national temple might be shut against the Hebrew Christian; and even if this affliction were not often laid upon him, yet there was a secret burden which he bore within him, the knowledge that the end of all the beauty and awfulness of Zion was rapidly approaching. The writer of this epistle meets the Hebrew Christians on their own ground, showing that the new faith gave them Christ the Son of God, more prevailing than the high priest as an intercessor; that his Sabbath awaited them, his covenant, his atonement, his city heavenly not made with hands. Having him, believe in him with all your heart, with a faith in the unseen future strong as that of the saints of old, patient under present and prepared for coming woe, full of energy and hope and holiness and love. Such was the teaching of the Epistle to the Hebrews.SBD Hebrews Epistle to the.3
He’bron (alliance).SBD Hebron.2
1. The third son of Kohath, who was the second son of Levi. Exodus 6:18; Numbers 3:19; 1 Chronicles 6:2, 1 Chronicles 6:18; 1 Chronicles 23:12. He was the founder of a family of Hebronites, Numbers 3:27; Numbers 26:58; 1 Chronicles 26:23, 1 Chronicles 26:30, 1 Chronicles 26:31, or Bene-Hebron. 1 Chronicles 15:9; 1 Chronicles 23:19.SBD Hebron.3
2. A city of Judah, Joshua 15:54, situated among the mountains, Joshua 20:7, Joshua 20:20 Roman miles south of Jerusalem, and the same distance north of Beersheba. Hebron is one of the most ancient cities in the world still existing; and in this respect it is the rival of Damascus. It was a well-known town when Abraham entered Canaan, 3800 years ago. Genesis 13:18. Its original name was Kirjath-arba, Judges 1:10, “the city of Arba”; so called from Arba the father of Anak. Joshua 15:13, Joshua 15:14; Joshua 21:13. Sarah died at Hebron; and Abraham then bought from Ephron the Hittite the field and cave of Machpelah, to serve as a family tomb. Genesis 23:2-20. The cave is still there; and the massive walls of the Haram or mosque, within which it lies, form the most remarkable object in the whole city. Abraham is called by Mohammedans el-Khulı̂l, “the Friend,” i.e., of God, and this is the modern name of Hebron. Hebron now contains about 5000 inhabitants, of whom some fifty families are Jews. It is picturesquely situated in a narrow valley, surrounded by rocky hills. The valley runs from north to south; and the main quarter of the town, surmounted by the lofty walls of the venerable Haram, lies partly on the eastern slope. Genesis 37:14; comp. Genesis 23:19. About a mile from the town, up the valley, is one of the largest oak trees in Palestine. This, say some, is the very tree beneath which Abraham pitched his tent, and it still bears the name of the patriarch.SBD Hebron.4
3. One of the towns in the territory of Asher, Joshua 19:28; probably Ebdon or Abdom.SBD Hebron.5
Hebron.SBD Hebron.6
Mosque at Hebron covering the Cave of Machpelah.SBD Hebron.7
He’bronites, The. A family of Kohathite Levites, descendants of Hebron the son of Kohath. Numbers 3:27; Numbers 26:58; 1 Chronicles 26:23.SBD Hebronites The.2
Hedge. The Hebrew words thus rendered denote simply that which surrounds or encloses, whether it be a stone wall, geder, Proverbs 24:31; Ezekiel 42:10, or a fence of other materials. The stone walls which surround the sheepfolds of modern Palestine are frequently crowned with sharp thorns.SBD Hedge.2
Hega’i (eunuch), one of the eunuchs of the court of Ahasuerus. Esther 2:8, Esther 2:15. (b.c. 474.)SBD Hegai.2
He’ge, another form of the preceding. Esther 2:3.SBD Hege.2
Heifer. 1 Samuel 6:7-12; Job 21:10; Isaiah 7:21. The heifer or young cow was not commonly used for ploughing, but only for treading out the corn. Hosea 10:11; but see Judges 14:18, when it ran about without any headstall, Deuteronomy 25:4; hence the expression an “unbroken heifer,” Hosea 4:16; Authorized Version “backsliding,” to which Israel is compared.SBD Heifer.2
Heir. The Hebrew institutions relative to inheritance were of a very simple character. Under the patriarchal system the property was divided among the sons of the legitimate wives, Genesis 21:10; Genesis 24:36; Genesis 25:5, a larger portion being assigned to one, generally the eldest, on whom devolved the duty of maintaining the females of the family. The sons of concubines were portioned off with presents. Genesis 25:6. At a later period the exclusion of the sons of concubines was rigidly enforced. Judges 11:1-3. Daughters had no share in the patrimony, Genesis 21:14, but received a marriage portion. The Mosaic law regulated the succession to real property thus: it was to be divided among the sons, the eldest receiving a double portion, Deuteronomy 21:17, the others equal shares; if there were no sons, it went to the daughters, Numbers 27:8, on the condition that they did not marry out of their own tribe, Numbers 36:6-8.; otherwise the patrimony was forfeited. If there were no daughters, it went to the brother of the deceased; if no brother, to the paternal uncle; and, failing these, to the next of kin. Numbers 27:9-11.SBD Heir.2
He’lah (rust), one of the two wives of Ashur, father of Tekoa. 1 Chronicles 4:5.SBD Helah.2
He’lam (stronghold), a place east of the Jordan, but west of the Euphrates, at which the Syrians were collected by Hadarezer, and where David met and defeated them. 2 Samuel 10:16, 2 Samuel 10:17.SBD Helam.2
Hel’bah (fertile), a town of Asher, probably on the plain of Phœnicia, not far from Sidon. Judges 1:31.SBD Helbah.2
Hel’bon (fertile), a place mentioned only in Ezekiel 27:18. Geographers have hitherto represented Helbon as identical with the city of Aleppo, called Haleb by the Arabs; but there are strong reasons against this, and the ancient city must be identified with a village within a few miles of Damascus, still bearing the ancient name Helbon, and still celebrated as producing the finest grapes in the country.SBD Helbon.2
Hel’da-i (worldly).SBD Helda-i.2
1. The twelfth captain of the monthly courses for the temple service. 1 Chronicles 27:15. (b.c. 1014.)SBD Helda-i.3
2. An Israelite who seems to have returned from the captivity. Zechariah 6:10. (b.c. 520.)SBD Helda-i.4
He’leb (milk), or He’led (transient), son of Baanah the Netophathite, one of the Heroes of King David’s guard. 2 Samuel 23:29; 1 Chronicles 11:30.SBD Heleb.2
He’lek (portion), one of the descendants of Manasseh, and second son of Gilead, Numbers 26:30, and founder of the Helekites. (b.c. 1445.)SBD Helek.2
He’lem (strength).SBD Helem.2
1. A descendant of Asher. 1 Chronicles 7:35.SBD Helem.3
2. A man mentioned only in Zechariah 6:14. Apparently the same as Heldai.SBD Helem.4
He’leph (exchange), the place from which the boundary of the tribe of Naphtali started. Joshua 19:33.SBD Heleph.2
He’lez (strength).SBD Helez.2
1. One of “the thirty” of David’s guard, 2 Samuel 23:26; 1 Chronicles 11:27; an Ephraimite, and captain of the seventh monthly course. 1 Chronicles 27:10. (b.c. 1016.)SBD Helez.3
2. A man of Judah, son of Azariah. 1 Chronicles 2:39.SBD Helez.4
He’li (ascending), the father of Joseph the husband of the Virgin Mary, Luke 3:23; perhaps the grandfather of Mary herself. [See GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST.]SBD Heli.2
Heliop’olis. [See ON.]SBD Heliopolis.2
Hel’kath (portion), the town named as the starting-point for the boundary of the tribe of Asher, Joshua 19:25, and allotted with its “suburbs” to the Gershonite Levites. ch. Joshua 21:31. Perhaps Yerka, seven miles from Acre.SBD Helkath.2
Hel’kath-haz’zurim (field of rock), a smooth piece of ground, apparently close to the pool of Gibeon, where the combat took place between the two parties of Joab’s men and Abner’s men which ended in the death of the whole of the combatants, and brought on a general battle. 2 Samuel 2:16.SBD Helkath-hazzurim.2
Hell. In the Old Testament this is the word generally and unfortunately used by our translators to render the Hebrew Sheol. It really means the place of the dead, the unseen world, without deciding whether it be the place of misery or of happiness. It is clear that in many passages of the Old Testament Sheol can only mean “the grave,” and is so rendered in the Authorized Version; see, for example, Genesis 37:35; Genesis 42:38; 1 Samuel 2:6; Job 14:13. In other passages, however, it seems to involve a notion of punishment, and is therefore rendered in the Authorized Version by the word “hell.” But in many cases this translation misleads the reader. In the New Testament “hell” is the translation of two words, Hades and Gehenna. The word Hades, like Sheol, sometimes means merely “the grave,” Acts 2:31; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Revelation 20:13, or in general “the unseen world.” It is in this sense that the creeds say of our Lord, “He went down into hell,” meaning the state of the dead in general, without any restriction of happiness or misery. Elsewhere in the New Testament Hades is used of a place of torment, Matthew 11:23; Luke 16:23; 2 Peter 2:4, etc.; consequently it has been the prevalent, almost the universal, notion that Hades is an intermediate state between death and resurrection, divided into two parts, one the abode of the blest and the other of the lost. It is used eleven times in the New Testament, and only once translated “grave.” 1 Corinthians 15:55. The word most frequently used (occurring twelve times) in the New Testament for the place of future punishment is Gehenna or Gehenna of fire. This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their destruction. [See HINNOM.]SBD Hell.2
Hel’lenist (Grecian), the term applied in the New Testament to Greek-speaking or “Grecian” Jews. The Hellenists as a body included not only the proselytes of Greek (or foreign) parentage, but also those Jews who, by settling in foreign countries, had adopted the prevalent form of the current Greek civilization, and with it the use of the common Greek dialect. Acts 6:1; Acts 9:29.SBD Hellenist.2
Helmet. [ARMS.]SBD Helmet.2
He’lon (strong), father of Eliab, of the tribe of Zebulun. Numbers 1:9; Numbers 2:7; Numbers 7:24, Numbers 7:29; Numbers 10:16. (b.c. 1491.)SBD Helon.2
Hem of garment. The importance which the later Jews, especially the Pharisees, Matthew 23:5, attached to the hem or fringe of their garments was founded upon the regulation in Numbers 15:38, Numbers 15:39, which gave a symbolical meaning to it. [See DRESS.]SBD Hem of garment.2
He’mam (exterminating). Hori and Hemam were sons of Lotan, the eldest son of Seir. Genesis 36:22.SBD Hemam.2
He’man (faithful).SBD Heman.2
1. Son of Zerah. 1 Chronicles 2:6; 1 Kings 4:31.SBD Heman.3
2. Son of Joel and grandson of Samuel the prophet, a Kohathite. He is called “the singer,” rather the musician, 1 Chronicles 6:33, and was the first of the three Levites to whom was committed the vocal and instrumental music of the temple service in the reign of David. 1 Chronicles 15:16-22. The Psalm 88th Psalm is ascribed to him. (b.c. 1014.)SBD Heman.4
He’math (heat), a person or place named in the genealogical lists of Judah, as the origin of the Kenites, and the “father” of the house of Rechab. 1 Chronicles 2:55. (b.c. 1445.)SBD Hemath.2
Hem’dan (pleasant), the eldest son of Dishon, son of Anah the Horite. Genesis 36:26. [AMRAM, 2.] (b.c. about 1500.)SBD Hemdan.2
Hemlock, the common ground or dwarf hemlock, a bitter, poisonous plant. The Hebrew rôsh is rendered “hemlock” in two passages, Hosea 10:4; Amos 6:12, but elsewhere “gall.” [GALL.] (It is possible that the plant is rather the poppy than an hemlock.—Cook.)SBD Hemlock.2
Hen (rest), probably a son of Zephaniah, and apparently the same who is called Josiah in Zechariah 6:10.SBD Hen.2
Hen. The hen is nowhere noticed in the Bible except in Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34. That a bird so common in Palestine should receive such slight notice is certainly singular.SBD Hen.2
He’na (troubling), a city the Assyrian kings had reduced shortly before the time of Sennacherib. 2 Kings 19:13; Isaiah 37:13. At no great distance from Sippara (now Mosaib) is an ancient town called Ana or Anah, which may be the same as Hena. It is 20 miles from Babylon, on the Euphrates.SBD Hena.2
Hen’adad (grace of Hadad), the head of a family of the Levites who took a prominent part in the rebuilding of the temple. Ezra 3:9.SBD Henadad.2
He’noch.SBD Henoch.2
1. Enoch, 2. 1 Chronicles 1:3.SBD Henoch.3
2. Hanoch,SBD Henoch.4
1. 1 Chronicles 1:33.SBD Henoch.5
He’pher (a well).SBD Hepher.2
1. The youngest of the sons of Gilead, Numbers 26:32, and head of the family of the Hepherites. (b.c. before 1450.)SBD Hepher.3
2. Son of Ashur, the “father of Tekoa.” 1 Chronicles 4:6. (b.c. about 1445.)SBD Hepher.4
3. The Mecherathite, one of the heroes of David’s guard. 1 Chronicles 11:36. (b.c. 1046.)SBD Hepher.5