Ishbi-benob - my
seat at Nob, one of the Rephaim, whose spear was three hundred shekels in weight.
He was slain by Abishai (2 Sam. 21:16, 17). Ish-bosheth
- man of shame or humiliation, the youngest of Saul's four sons, and the only
one who survived him (2 Sam. 2-4). His name was originally Eshbaal (1 Chr. 8:33;
9:39). He was about forty years of age when his father and three brothers fell
at the battle of Gilboa. Through the influence of Abner, Saul's cousin, he was
acknowledged as successor to the throne of Saul, and ruled over all Israel, except
the tribe of Judah (over whom David was king), for two years, having Mahanaim,
on the east of Jordan, as his capital (2 Sam. 2:9). After a troubled and uncertain
reign he was murdered by his guard, who stabbed him while he was asleep on his
couch at mid-day (2 Sam. 4:5-7); and having cut off his head, presented it to
David, who sternly rebuked them for this cold-blooded murder, and ordered them
to be immediately executed (9-12).
Ishi - my husband,
a symbolical name used in Hos. 2:16 (See BAALI.)
Ishmael
- God hears. (1.) Abraham's eldest son, by Hagar the concubine (Gen. 16:15;
17:23). He was born at Mamre, when Abraham was eighty-six years of age, eleven
years after his arrival in Canaan (16:3; 21:5). At the age of thirteen he was
circumcised (17:25). He grew up a true child of the desert, wild and wayward.
On the occasion of the weaning of Isaac his rude and wayward spirit broke out
in expressions of insult and mockery (21:9, 10); and Sarah, discovering this,
said to Abraham, "Expel this slave and her son." Influenced by a divine admonition,
Abraham dismissed Hagar and her son with no more than a skin of water and some
bread. The narrative describing this act is one of the most beautiful and touching
incidents of patriarchal life (Gen. 21:14-16). (See HAGAR.)
Ishmael
settled in the land of Paran, a region lying between Canaan and the mountains
of Sinai; and "God was with him, and he became a great archer" (Gen. 21:9-21).
He became a great desert chief, but of his history little is recorded. He was
about ninety years of age when his father Abraham died, in connection with whose
burial he once more for a moment reappears. On this occasion the two brothers
met after being long separated. "Isaac with his hundreds of household slaves,
Ishmael with his troops of wild retainers and half-savage allies, in all the state
of a Bedouin prince, gathered before the cave of Machpelah, in the midst of the
men of Heth, to pay the last duties to the 'father of the faithful,' would make
a notable subject for an artist" (Gen. 25:9). Of the after events of his life
but little is known. He died at the age of one hundred and thirty-seven years,
but where and when are unknown (25:17). He had twelve sons, who became the founders
of so many Arab tribes or colonies, the Ishmaelites, who spread over the wide
desert spaces of Northern Arabia from the Red Sea to the Euphrates (Gen. 37:25,
27, 28; 39:1), "their hand against every man, and every man's hand against them."
(2.) The son of Nethaniah, "of the seed royal" (Jer. 40:8, 15). He plotted
against Gedaliah, and treacherously put him and others to death. He carried off
many captives, "and departed to go over to the Ammonites."
Ishmaiah
- heard by Jehovah. (1.) A Gibeonite who joined David at Ziklag, "a hero among
the thirty and over the thirty" (1 Chr. 12:4).
(2.) Son of Obadiah, and viceroy
of Zebulun under David and Solomon (1 Chr. 27:19).
Ishmeelites
- (Gen. 37:28; 39:1, A.V.) should be "Ishmaelites," as in the Revised Version.
Ishtob - man of Tob, one of the small Syrian kingdoms
which together constituted Aram (2 Sam. 10:6,8).
Island
- (Heb. 'i, "dry land," as opposed to water) occurs in its usual signification
(Isa. 42:4, 10, 12, 15, comp. Jer. 47:4), but more frequently simply denotes a
maritime region or sea-coast (Isa. 20:6, R.V.," coastland;" 23:2, 6; Jer. 2:10;
Ezek. 27:6, 7). (See CHITTIM.) The
shores of the Mediterranean are called the "islands of the sea" (Isa. 11:11),
or the "isles of the Gentiles" (Gen. 10:5), and sometimes simply "isles" (Ps.
72:10); Ezek. 26:15, 18; 27:3, 35; Dan. 11:18).
Israel
- the name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen.
32:28), because "as a prince he had power with God and prevailed." (See JACOB.) This
is the common name given to Jacob's descendants. The whole people of the twelve
tribes are called "Israelites," the "children of Israel" (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg.
8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the "house of Israel" (Ex. 16:31; 40:38).
This name Israel
is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3;
John 1:47; Rom. 9:6; 11:26).
After the death of Saul the ten tribes arrogated
to themselves this name, as if they were the whole nation (2 Sam. 2:9, 10, 17,
28; 3:10, 17; 19:40-43), and the kings of the ten tribes were called "kings of
Israel," while the kings of the two tribes were called "kings of Judah."
After
the Exile the name Israel was assumed as designating the entire nation.
Israel,
Kingdom of - (B.C. 975-B.C. 722). Soon after the death of Solomon, Ahijah's
prophecy (1 Kings 11:31-35) was fulfilled, and the kingdom was rent in twain.
Rehoboam, the son and successor of Solomon, was scarcely seated on his throne
when the old jealousies between Judah and the other tribes broke out anew, and
Jeroboam was sent for from Egypt by the malcontents (12:2,3). Rehoboam insolently
refused to lighten the burdensome taxation and services which his father had imposed
on his subjects (12:4), and the rebellion became complete. Ephraim and all Israel
raised the old cry, "Every man to his tents, O Israel" (2 Sam. 20:1). Rehoboam
fled to Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:1-18; 2 Chr. 10), and Jeroboam was proclaimed king
over all Israel at Shechem, Judah and Benjamin remaining faithful to Solomon's
son. War, with varying success, was carried on between the two kingdoms for about
sixty years, till Jehoshaphat entered into an alliance with the house of Ahab.
Extent of the kingdom. In the time of Solomon the area of Palestine, excluding
the Phoenician territories on the shore of the Mediterranean, did not much exceed
13,000 square miles. The kingdom of Israel comprehended about 9,375 square miles.
Shechem was the first capital of this kingdom (1 Kings 12:25), afterwards Tirza
(14:17). Samaria was subsequently chosen as the capital (16:24), and continued
to be so till the destruction of the kingdom by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:5).
During the siege of Samaria (which lasted for three years) by the Assyrians, Shalmaneser
died and was succeeded by Sargon, who himself thus records the capture of that
city: "Samaria I looked at, I captured; 27,280 men who dwelt in it I carried away"
(2 Kings 17:6) into Assyria. Thus after a duration of two hundred and fifty-three
years the kingdom of the ten tribes came to an end. They were scattered throughout
the East. (See CAPTIVITY.)
"Judah held its ground against Assyria for yet one hundred and twenty-three
years, and became the rallying-point of the dispersed of every tribe, and eventually
gave its name to the whole race. Those of the people who in the last struggle
escaped into the territories of Judah or other neighbouring countries naturally
looked to Judah as the head and home of their race. And when Judah itself was
carried off to Babylon, many of the exiled Israelites joined them from Assyria,
and swelled that immense population which made Babylonia a second Palestine."
After the deportation of the ten tribes, the deserted land was colonized by
various eastern tribes, whom the king of Assyria sent thither (Ezra 4:2, 10; 2
Kings 17:24-29). (See KINGS.)
In
contrast with the kingdom of Judah is that of Israel. (1.) "There was no fixed
capital and no religious centre. (2.) The army was often insubordinate. (3.) The
succession was constantly interrupted, so that out of nineteen kings there were
no less than nine dynasties, each ushered in by a revolution. (4.) The authorized
priests left the kingdom in a body, and the priesthood established by Jeroboam
had no divine sanction and no promise; it was corrupt at its very source." (Maclean's
O. T. Hist.)
Issachar - hired (Gen. 30:18). "God
hath given me," said Leah, "my hire (Heb. sekhari)...and she called his name Issachar."
He was Jacob's ninth son, and was born in Padan-aram (comp. 28:2). He had four
sons at the going down into Egypt (46:13; Num. 26:23, 25).
Issachar, Tribe
of, during the journey through the wilderness, along with Judah and Zebulun (Num.
2:5), marched on the east of the tabernacle. This tribe contained 54,400 fighting
men when the census was taken at Sinai. After the entrance into the Promised Land,
this tribe was one of the six which stood on Gerizim during the ceremony of the
blessing and cursing (Deut. 27:12). The allotment of Issachar is described in
Josh. 19:17-23. It included the plain of Esdraelon (=Jezreel), which was and still
is the richest portion of Palestine (Deut. 33:18, 19; 1 Chr. 12:40).
The prophetic
blessing pronounced by Jacob on Issachar corresponds with that of Moses (Gen.
49:14, 15; comp. Deut. 33:18, 19).
Italian band - the
name of the Roman cohort to which Cornelius belonged (Acts 10:1), so called probably
because it consisted of men recruited in Italy.
Italy
- Acts 18:2; 27:1, 6; Heb. 13:24), like most geographical names, was differently
used at different periods of history. As the power of Rome advanced, nations were
successively conquered and added to it till it came to designate the whole country
to the south of the Alps. There was constant intercourse between Palestine and
Italy in the time of the Romans.
Ithamar - palm
isle, the fourth and youngest son of Aaron (1 Chr. 6:3). He was consecrated to
the priesthood along with his brothers (Ex. 6:23); and after the death of Nadab
and Abihu, he and Eleazar alone discharged the functions of that office (Lev.
10:6, 12; Num. 3:4). He and his family occupied the position of common priest
till the high priesthood passed into his family in the person of Eli (1 Kings
2:27), the reasons for which are not recorded. (See ZADOK.)
Ithrite
- two of David's warriors so designated (2 Sam. 23:38; 1 Chr. 11:40).
Ittai
- near; timely; or, with the Lord. (1.) A Benjamite, one of David's thirty
heroes (2 Sam. 23:29).
(2.) A native of Gath, a Philistine, who had apparently
the command of the six hundred heroes who formed David's band during his wanderings
(2 Sam. 15:19-22; comp. 1 Sam. 23:13; 27:2; 30:9, 10). He is afterwards with David
at Mahanaim, holding in the army equal rank with Joab and Abishai (2 Sam. 18:2,
5, 12). He then passes from view.
Ituraea - a district
in the north-east of Palestine, forming, along with the adjacent territory of
Trachonitis, the tetrarchy of Philip (Luke 3:1). The present Jedur comprehends
the chief part of Ituraea. It is bounded on the east by Trachonitis, on the south
by Gaulanitis, on the west by Hermon, and on the north by the plain of Damascus.
Ivah - overturning, a city of the Assyrians, whence
colonists were brought to Samaria (2 Kings 18:34; 19:13). It lay on the Euphrates,
between Sepharvaim and Henah, and is supposed by some to have been the Ahava of
Ezra (8:15).
Ivory - (Heb. pl. shenhabbim, the
"tusks of elephants") was early used in decorations by the Egyptians, and a great
trade in it was carried on by the Assyrians (Ezek. 27:6; Rev. 18:12). It was used
by the Phoenicians to ornament the box-wood rowing-benches of their galleys, and
Hiram's skilled workmen made Solomon's throne of ivory (1 Kings 10:18). It was
brought by the caravans of Dedan (Isa. 21:13), and from the East Indies by the
navy of Tarshish (1 Kings 10:22). Many specimens of ancient Egyptian and Assyrian
ivory-work have been preserved. The word habbim is derived from the Sanscrit
ibhas, meaning "elephant," preceded by the Hebrew article (ha); and hence
it is argued that Ophir, from which it and the other articles mentioned in 1 Kings
10:22 were brought, was in India.
Izhar - oil,
one of the sons of Kohath, and grandson of Levi (Ex. 6:18, 21; Num. 16:1).
Izrahite
- the designation of one of David's officers (1 Chr. 27:8).
Jaakan
- he twists, one of the sons of Ezer, the son of Seir the Horite (1 Chr. 1:42).
Jaakobah - heel-catcher, a form of the name Jacob,
one of the descendants of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:36).
Jaala
- a wild she-goat, one of the Nethinim, whose descendants returned from the
Captivity (Neh. 7:58).
Jaalam - concealer, the
second of Esau's three sons by Aholibamah (Gen. 36:5, 14).
Jaanai
- mourner, one of the chief Gadites (1 Chr. 5:12).
Jaare-oregim
- forests of the weavers, a Bethlehemite (2 Sam. 21:19), and the father of
Elhanan, who slew Goliath. In 1 Chr. 20:5 called JAIR.
Jaasau
- fabricator, an Israelite who renounced his Gentile wife after the Return
(Ezra 10:37).
Jaasiel - made by God, one of David's
body-guard, the son of Abner (1 Chr. 27:21), called Jasiel in 1 Chr. 11:47.
Jaaz-aniah
- heard by Jehovah. (1.) The son of Jeremiah, and one of the chief Rechabites
(Jer. 35:3).
(2.) The son of Shaphan (Ezek. 8:11).
(3.) The son of Azur,
one of the twenty-five men seen by Ezekiel (11:1) at the east gate of the temple.
(4.) A Maachathite (2 Kings 25:23; Jer. 40:8; 42:1). He is also called Azariah
(Jer. 43:2).
Jaazer - he (God) helps, a city of
the Amorites on the east of Jordan, and assigned, with neighbouring places in
Gilead, to Gad (Num. 32:1, 35; Josh. 13:25). It was allotted to the Merarite Levites
(21:39). In David's time it was occupied by the Hebronites, i.e., the descendants
of Kohath (1 Chr. 26:31). It is mentioned in the "burdens" proclaimed over Moab
(Isa. 16:8, 9; Jer. 48:32). Its site is marked by the modern ruin called Sar or
Seir, about 10 miles west of Amman, and 12 from Heshbon. "The vineyards that once
covered the hill-sides are gone; and the wild Bedawin from the eastern desert
make cultivation of any kind impossible."
Jaaziah -
comforted by Jehovah, a descendant of Merari the Levite (1 Chr. 24:26,27).
Jaaziel - comforted by God, a Levitical musician
(1 Chr. 15:18).
Jabal - a stream, a descendant
of Cain, and brother of Jubal; "the father of such as dwell in tents and have
cattle" (Gen. 4:20). This description indicates that he led a wandering life.
Jabbok - a pouring out, or a wrestling, one of
the streams on the east of Jordan, into which it falls about midway between the
Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, or about 45 miles below the Sea of Galilee. It
rises on the eastern side of the mountains of Gilead, and runs a course of about
65 miles in a wild and deep ravine. It was the boundary between the territory
of the Ammonites and that of Og, king of Bashan (Josh. 12:1-5; Num. 21:24); also
between the tribe of Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh (21:24; Deut. 3:16).
In its course westward across the plains it passes more than once underground.
"The scenery along its banks is probably the most picturesque in Palestine; and
the ruins of town and village and fortress which stud the surrounding mountain-side
render the country as interesting as it is beautiful." This river is now called
the Zerka, or blue river.
Jabesh - dry. (1.) For
Jabesh-Gilead (1 Sam. 11:3,9,10).
(2.) The father of Shallum (2 Kings 15:10,
13, 14), who usurped the throne of Israel on the death of Zachariah.
Jabesh-Gilead
- a town on the east of Jordan, on the top of one of the green hills of Gilead,
within the limits of the half tribe of Manasseh, and in full view of Beth-shan.
It is first mentioned in connection with the vengeance taken on its inhabitants
because they had refused to come up to Mizpeh to take part with Israel against
the tribe of Benjamin (Judg. 21:8-14). After the battles at Gibeah, that tribe
was almost extinguished, only six hundred men remaining. An expedition went against
Jabesh-Gilead, the whole of whose inhabitants were put to the sword, except four
hundred maidens, whom they brought as prisoners and sent to "proclaim peace" to
the Benjamites who had fled to the crag Rimmon. These captives were given to them
as wives, that the tribe might be saved from extinction (Judg. 21).
This city
was afterwards taken by Nahash, king of the Ammonites, but was delivered by Saul,
the newly-elected king of Israel. In gratitude for this deliverance, forty years
after this, the men of Jabesh-Gilead took down the bodies of Saul and of his three
sons from the walls of Beth-shan, and after burning them, buried the bones under
a tree near the city (1 Sam. 31:11-13). David thanked them for this act of piety
(2 Sam. 2:4-6), and afterwards transferred the remains to the royal sepulchre
(21:14). It is identified with the ruins of ed-Deir, about 6 miles south of Pella,
on the north of the Wady Yabis.
Jabez - affiction.
(1.) A descendant of Judah, of whom it is recorded that "God granted him that
which he requested" (1 Chr. 4:9, 10).
(2.) A place inhabited by several families
of the scribes (1 Chr. 2:55).
Jabin - discerner;
the wise. (1.) A king of Hazor, at the time of the entrance of Israel into Canaan
(Josh. 11:1-14), whose overthrow and that of the northern chief with whom he had
entered into a confederacy against Joshua was the crowning act in the conquest
of the land (11:21-23; comp. 14:6-15). This great battle, fought at Lake Merom,
was the last of Joshua's battles of which we have any record. Here for the first
time the Israelites encountered the iron chariots and horses of the Canaanites.
(2.) Another king of Hazor, called "the king of Canaan," who overpowered the
Israelites of the north one hundred and sixty years after Joshua's death, and
for twenty years held them in painful subjection. The whole population were paralyzed
with fear, and gave way to hopeless despondency (Judg. 5:6-11), till Deborah and
Barak aroused the national spirit, and gathering together ten thousand men, gained
a great and decisive victory over Jabin in the plain of Esdraelon (Judg. 4:10-16;
comp. Ps. 83:9). This was the first great victory Israel had gained since the
days of Joshua. They never needed to fight another battle with the Canaanites
(Judg. 5:31).
Jabneel - built by God. (1.) A town
in the north boundary of Judah (Josh. 15:11), called afterwards by the Greeks
Jamnia, the modern Yebna, 11 miles south of Jaffa. After the fall of Jerusalem
(A.D. 70), it became one of the most populous cities of Judea, and the seat of
a celebrated school.
(2.) A town on the border of Naphtali (Josh. 19:33). Its
later name was Kefr Yemmah, "the village by the sea," on the south shore of Lake
Merom.
Jabneh - building, (2 Chr. 26:6), identical
with Jabneel (Josh. 15:11).
Jachan - mourner, one
of the chief Gadite "brothers" in Bashan (1 Chr. 5:13).
Jachin
- firm. (1.) The fourth son of Simeon (Gen. 46:10), called also Jarib (1 Chr.
4:24).
(2.) The head of one of the courses (the twenty-first) of priests (1
Chr. 24:17).
(3.) One of the priests who returned from the Exile (1 Chr. 9:10).
Jachin and Boaz - the names of two brazen columns
set up in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 7:15-22). Each was eighteen cubits high and
twelve in circumference (Jer. 52:21, 23; 1 Kings 7:17-21). They had doubtless
a symbolical import.
Jacinth - properly a flower
of a reddish blue or deep purple (hyacinth), and hence a precious stone of that
colour (Rev. 21:20). It has been supposed to designate the same stone as the ligure
(Heb. leshem) mentioned in Ex. 28:19 as the first stone of the third row in the
high priest's breast-plate. In Rev. 9:17 the word is simply descriptive of colour.
Jacob - one who follows on another's heels; supplanter,
(Gen. 25:26; 27:36; Hos. 12:2-4), the second born of the twin sons of Isaac by
Rebekah. He was born probably at Lahai-roi, when his father was fifty-nine and
Abraham one hundred and fifty-nine years old. Like his father, he was of a quiet
and gentle disposition, and when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while
his brother Esau became an enterprising hunter. His dealing with Esau, however,
showed much mean selfishness and cunning (Gen. 25:29-34).
When Isaac was about
160 years of age, Jacob and his mother conspired to deceive the aged patriarch
(Gen. 27), with the view of procuring the transfer of the birthright to himself.
The birthright secured to him who possessed it (1) superior rank in his family
(Gen. 49:3); (2) a double portion of the paternal inheritance (Deut. 21:17); (3)
the priestly office in the family (Num. 8:17-19); and (4) the promise of the Seed
in which all nations of the earth were to be blessed (Gen. 22:18).
Soon after
his acquisition of his father's blessing (Gen. 27), Jacob became conscious of
his guilt; and afraid of the anger of Esau, at the suggestion of Rebekah Isaac
sent him away to Haran, 400 miles or more, to find a wife among his cousins, the
family of Laban, the Syrian (28). There he met with Rachel (29). Laban would not
consent to give him his daughter in marriage till he had served seven years; but
to Jacob these years "seemed but a few days, for the love he had to her." But
when the seven years were expired, Laban craftily deceived Jacob, and gave him
his daughter Leah. Other seven years of service had to be completed probably before
he obtained the beloved Rachel. But "life-long sorrow, disgrace, and trials, in
the retributive providence of God, followed as a consequence of this double union."
At the close of the fourteen years of service, Jacob desired to return to his
parents, but at the entreaty of Laban he tarried yet six years with him, tending
his flocks (31:41). He then set out with his family and property "to go to Isaac
his father in the land of Canaan" (Gen. 31). Laban was angry when he heard that
Jacob had set out on his journey, and pursued after him, overtaking him in seven
days. The meeting was of a painful kind. After much recrimination and reproach
directed against Jacob, Laban is at length pacified, and taking an affectionate
farewell of his daughters, returns to his home in Padanaram. And now all connection
of the Israelites with Mesopotamia is at an end.
Soon after parting with Laban
he is met by a company of angels, as if to greet him on his return and welcome
him back to the Land of Promise (32:1, 2). He called the name of the place Mahanaim,
i.e., "the double camp," probably his own camp and that of the angels. The vision
of angels was the counterpart of that he had formerly seen at Bethel, when, twenty
years before, the weary, solitary traveller, on his way to Padan-aram, saw the
angels of God ascending and descending on the ladder whose top reached to heaven
(28:12).
He now hears with dismay of the approach of his brother Esau with
a band of 400 men to meet him. In great agony of mind he prepares for the worst.
He feels that he must now depend only on God, and he betakes himself to him in
earnest prayer, and sends on before him a munificent present to Esau, "a present
to my lord Esau from thy servant Jacob." Jacob's family were then transported
across the Jabbok; but he himself remained behind, spending the night in communion
with God. While thus engaged, there appeared one in the form of a man who wrestled
with him. In this mysterious contest Jacob prevailed, and as a memorial of it
his name was changed to Israel (wrestler with God); and the place where this occured
he called Peniel, "for", said he, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is
preserved" (32:25-31).
After this anxious night, Jacob went on his way, halting,
mysteriously weakened by the conflict, but strong in the assurance of the divine
favour. Esau came forth and met him; but his spirit of revenge was appeased, and
the brothers met as friends, and during the remainder of their lives they maintained
friendly relations. After a brief sojourn at Succoth, Jacob moved forward and
pitched his tent near Shechem (q.v.), 33:18; but at length, under divine directions,
he moved to Bethel, where he made an altar unto God (35:6,7), and where God appeared
to him and renewed the Abrahamic covenant. While journeying from Bethel to Ephrath
(the Canaanitish name of Bethlehem), Rachel died in giving birth to her second
son Benjamin (35:16-20), fifteen or sixteen years after the birth of Joseph. He
then reached the old family residence at Mamre, to wait on the dying bed of his
father Isaac. The complete reconciliation between Esau and Jacob was shown by
their uniting in the burial of the patriarch (35:27-29).
Jacob was soon after
this deeply grieved by the loss of his beloved son Joseph through the jealousy
of his brothers (37:33). Then follows the story of the famine, and the successive
goings down into Egypt to buy corn (42), which led to the discovery of the long-lost
Joseph, and the patriarch's going down with all his household, numbering about
seventy souls (Ex. 1:5; Deut. 10:22; Acts 7:14), to sojourn in the land of Goshen.
Here Jacob, "after being strangely tossed about on a very rough ocean, found at
last a tranquil harbour, where all the best affections of his nature were gently
exercised and largely unfolded" (Gen. 48). At length the end of his checkered
course draws nigh, and he summons his sons to his bedside that he may bless them.
Among his last words he repeats the story of Rachel's death, although forty years
had passed away since that event took place, as tenderly as if it had happened
only yesterday; and when "he had made an end of charging his sons, he gathered
up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost" (49:33). His body was embalmed
and carried with great pomp into the land of Canaan, and buried beside his wife
Leah in the cave of Machpelah, according to his dying charge. There, probably,
his embalmed body remains to this day (50:1-13). (See HEBRON.)
The
history of Jacob is referred to by the prophets Hosea (12:3, 4, 12) and Malachi
(1:2). In Micah 1:5 the name is a poetic synonym for Israel, the kingdom of the
ten tribes. There are, besides the mention of his name along with those of the
other patriarchs, distinct references to events of his life in Paul's epistles
(Rom. 9:11-13; Heb. 12:16; 11:21). See references to his vision at Bethel and
his possession of land at Shechem in John 1:51; 4:5, 12; also to the famine which
was the occasion of his going down into Egypt in Acts 7:12 (See LUZ ¯T0002335;
BETHEL.)
Jacob's
Well - (John 4:5, 6). This is one of the few sites in Palestine about which
there is no dispute. It was dug by Jacob, and hence its name, in the "parcel of
ground" which he purchased from the sons of Hamor (Gen. 33:19). It still exists,
but although after copious rains it contains a little water, it is now usually
quite dry. It is at the entrance to the valley between Ebal and Gerizim, about
2 miles south-east of Shechem. It is about 9 feet in diameter and about 75 feet
in depth, though in ancient times it was no doubt much deeper, probably twice
as deep. The digging of such a well must have been a very laborious and costly
undertaking.
"Unfortunately, the well of Jacob has not escaped that misplaced
religious veneration which cannot be satisfied with leaving the object of it as
it is, but must build over it a shrine to protect and make it sacred. A series
of buildings of various styles, and of different ages, have cumbered the ground,
choked up the well, and disfigured the natural beauty and simplicity of the spot.
At present the rubbish in the well has been cleared out; but there is still a
domed structure over it, and you gaze down the shaft cut in the living rock and
see at a depth of 70 feet the surface of the water glimmering with a pale blue
light in the darkness, while you notice how the limestone blocks that form its
curb have been worn smooth, or else furrowed by the ropes of centuries" (Hugh
Macmillan).
At the entrance of the enclosure round the well is planted in the
ground one of the wooden poles that hold the telegraph wires between Jerusalem
and Haifa.
Jaddua - known. (1.) One of the chiefs
who subscribed the covenant (Neh. 10:21).
(2.) The last high priest mentioned
in the Old Testament (Neh. 12:11, 22), sons of Jonathan.
Jadon
- judge, a Meronothite who assisted in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Neh.
3:7).
Jael - mountain-goat, the wife of Heber the
Kenite (Judg. 4:17-22). When the Canaanites were defeated by Barak, Sisera, the
captain of Jabin's army, fled and sought refuge with the friendly tribe of Heber,
beneath the oaks of Zaanaim. As he drew near, Jael invited him to enter her tent.
He did so, and as he lay wearied on the floor he fell into a deep sleep. She then
took in her left hand one of the great wooden pins ("nail") which fastened down
the cords of the tent, and in her right hand the mallet, or "hammer," used for
driving it into the ground, and stealthily approaching her sleeping guest, with
one well-directed blow drove the nail through his temples into the earth (Judg.
5:27). She then led Barak, who was in pursuit, into her tent, and boastfully showed
him what she had done. (See SISERA ¯T0003452; DEBORAH.)
Jagur
- place of sojourn, a city on the southern border of Judah (Josh. 15:21).
Jah - a contraction for Jehovah (Ps. 68:4).
Jahath
- union. (1.) A son of Shimei, and grandson of Gershom (1 Chr. 23:10).
(2.)
One of the sons of Shelomoth, of the family of Kohath (1 Chr. 24:22).
(3.)
A Levite of the family of Merari, one of the overseers of the repairs of the temple
under Josiah (2 Chr. 34:12).
Jahaz - trodden down
(called also Jahaza, Josh. 13:18; Jahazah, 21:36; Jahzah, 1 Chr. 6:78), a town
where Sihon was defeated, in the borders of Moab and in the land of the Ammonites
beyond Jordan, and north of the river Arnon (Num. 21:23; Deut. 2:32). It was situated
in the tribe of Reuben, and was assigned to the Merarite Levites (Josh. 13:18;
21:36). Here was fought the decisive battle in which Sihon (q.v.) was completely
routed, and his territory (the modern Belka) came into the possession of Israel.
This town is mentioned in the denunciations of the prophets against Moab (Isa.
15:4; Jer. 48:34).
Jahaziel - beheld by God. (1.)
The third son of Hebron (1 Chr. 23:19).
(2.) A Benjamite chief who joined David
at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:4).
(3.) A priest who accompanied the removal of the ark
to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 16:6).
(4.) The son of Zechariah, a Levite of the family
of Asaph (2 Chr. 20:14-17). He encouraged Jehoshaphat against the Moabites and
Ammonites.
Jahdai - grasper, a descendant of Caleb,
of the family of Hezron (1 Chr. 2:47).
Jahzeel - allotted
by God, the first of the sons of Naphtali (Gen. 46:24).
Jahzerah
- returner, the son of Meshullam, and father of Adiel (1 Chr. 9:12).
Jailer
- (of Philippi), Acts 16:23. The conversion of the Roman jailer, a man belonging
to a class "insensible as a rule and hardened by habit, and also disposed to despise
the Jews, who were the bearers of the message of the gospel," is one of those
cases which illustrate its universality and power.
Jair
- enlightener. (1.) The son of Segub. He was brought up with his mother in
Gilead, where he had possessions (1 Chr. 2:22). He distinguished himself in an
expedition against Bashan, and settled in the part of Argob on the borders of
Gilead. The small towns taken by him there are called Havoth-jair, i.e., "Jair's
villages" (Num. 32:41; Deut. 3:14; Josh. 13:30).
(2.) The eighth judge of Israel,
which he ruled for twenty-two years. His opulence is described in Judg. 10:3-5.
He had thirty sons, each riding on "ass colts." They had possession of thirty
of the sixty cities (1 Kings 4:13; 1 Chr. 2:23) which formed the ancient Havoth-jair.
(3.) A Benjamite, the father of Mordecai, Esther's uncle (Esther 2:5).
(4.)
The father of Elhanan, who slew Lahmi, the brother of Goliath (1 Chr. 20:5).
Jairus
- a ruler of the synagogue at Capernaum, whose only daughter Jesus restored
to life (Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41). Entering into the chamber of death, accompanied
by Peter and James and John and the father and mother of the maiden, he went forward
to the bed whereon the corpse lay, and said, Talitha cumi, i.e., "Maid, arise,"
and immediately the spirit of the maiden came to her again, and she arose straightway;
and "at once to strengthen that life which had come back to her, and to prove
that she was indeed no ghost, but had returned to the realities of a mortal existence,
he commanded to give her something to eat" (Mark 5:43).
Jakeh
- pious, the father of Agur (Prov. 30:1). Nothing is known of him.
Jakim
- establisher. (1.) Chief of the twelfth priestly order (1 Chr. 24:12).
(2.)
A Benjamite (1 Chr. 8:19).
(3.) Margin in Matt. 1:11 means Jehoiakim.
Jalon
- lodger, the last of the four sons of Ezra, of the tribe of Judah (1 Chr.
4:17).
Jambres - one of those who opposed Moses
in Egypt (2 Tim. 3:8). (See JANNES.)
James
- (1.) The son of Zebedee and Salome; an elder brother of John the apostle.
He was one of the twelve. He was by trade a fisherman, in partnership with Peter
(Matt. 20:20; 27:56). With John and Peter he was present at the transfiguration
(Matt. 17:1; Mark 9:2), at the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37-43), and
in the garden with our Lord (14:33). Because, probably, of their boldness and
energy, he and John were called Boanerges, i.e., "sons of thunder." He was the
first martyr among the apostles, having been beheaded by King Herod Agrippa (Acts
12:1, 2), A.D. 44. (Comp. Matt. 4:21; 20:20-23).
(2.) The son of Alphaeus,
or Cleopas, "the brother" or near kinsman or cousin of our Lord (Gal. 1:18, 19),
called James "the Less," or "the Little," probably because he was of low stature.
He is mentioned along with the other apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15).
He had a separate interview with our Lord after his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7),
and is mentioned as one of the apostles of the circumcision (Acts 1:13). He appears
to have occupied the position of head of the Church at Jerusalem, where he presided
at the council held to consider the case of the Gentiles (Acts 12:17; 15:13-29:
21:18-24). This James was the author of the epistle which bears his name.
James,
Epistle of - (1.) Author of, was James the Less, the Lord's brother, one of
the twelve apostles. He was one of the three pillars of the Church (Gal. 2:9).
(2.) It was addressed to the Jews of the dispersion, "the twelve tribes scattered
abroad."
(3.) The place and time of the writing of the epistle were Jerusalem,
where James was residing, and, from internal evidence, the period between Paul's
two imprisonments at Rome, probably about A.D. 62.
(4.) The object of the writer
was to enforce the practical duties of the Christian life. "The Jewish vices against
which he warns them are, formalism, which made the service of God consist in washings
and outward ceremonies, whereas he reminds them (1:27) that it consists rather
in active love and purity; fanaticism, which, under the cloak of religious zeal,
was tearing Jerusalem in pieces (1:20); fatalism, which threw its sins on God
(1:13); meanness, which crouched before the rich (2:2); falsehood, which had made
words and oaths play-things (3:2-12); partisanship (3:14); evil speaking (4:11);
boasting (4:16); oppression (5:4). The great lesson which he teaches them as Christians
is patience, patience in trial (1:2), patience in good works (1:22-25), patience
under provocation (3:17), patience under oppression (5:7), patience under persecution
(5:10); and the ground of their patience is that the coming of the Lord draweth
nigh, which is to right all wrong (5:8)."
"Justification by works," which James
contends for, is justification before man, the justification of our profession
of faith by a consistent life. Paul contends for the doctrine of "justification
by faith;" but that is justification before God, a being regarded and accepted
as just by virtue of the righteousness of Christ, which is received by faith.
Jannes - one of the Egyptians who "withstood Moses"
(2 Tim. 3:8).
Janoah - or Jano'hah, rest. (1.)
A town on the north-eastern border of Ephraim, in the Jordan valley (Josh. 16:6,
7). Identified with the modern Yanun, 8 miles south-east of Nablus.
(2.) A
town of Northern Palestine, within the boundaries of Naphtali. It was taken by
the king of Assyria (2 Kings 15:29).
Janum - slumber,
a town in the mountains of Judah (Josh. 15:53).
Japheth
- wide spreading: "God shall enlarge Japheth" (Heb. Yaphat Elohim le-Yephet,
Gen. 9:27. Some, however, derive the name from yaphah, "to be beautiful;"
hence white), one of the sons of Noah, mentioned last in order (Gen. 5:32; 6:10;
7:13), perhaps first by birth (10:21; comp. 9:24). He and his wife were two of
the eight saved in the ark (1 Pet. 3:20). He was the progenitor of many tribes
inhabiting the east of Europe and the north of Asia (Gen. 10:2-5). An act of filial
piety (9:20-27) was the occasion of Noah's prophecy of the extension of his posterity.
After the Flood the earth was re-peopled by the descendants of Noah, "the sons
of Japheth" (Gen. 10:2), "the sons of Ham" (6), and "the sons of Shem" (22). It
is important to notice that modern ethnological science, reasoning from a careful
analysis of facts, has arrived at the conclusion that there is a three-fold division
of the human family, corresponding in a remarkable way with the great ethnological
chapter of the book of Genesis (10). The three great races thus distinguished
are called the Semitic, Aryan, and Turanian (Allophylian). "Setting aside the
cases where the ethnic names employed are of doubtful application, it cannot reasonably
be questioned that the author [of Gen. 10] has in his account of the sons of Japheth
classed together the Cymry or Celts (Gomer), the Medes (Madai), and the Ionians
or Greeks (Javan), thereby anticipating what has become known in modern times
as the 'Indo-European Theory,' or the essential unity of the Aryan (Asiatic) race
with the principal races of Europe, indicated by the Celts and the Ionians. Nor
can it be doubted that he has thrown together under the one head of 'children
of Shem' the Assyrians (Asshur), the Syrians (Aram), the Hebrews (Eber), and the
Joktanian Arabs (Joktan), four of the principal races which modern ethnology recognizes
under the heading of 'Semitic.' Again, under the heading of 'sons of Ham,' the
author has arranged 'Cush', i.e., the Ethiopians; 'Mizraim,' the people of Egypt;
'Sheba and Dedan,' or certain of the Southern Arabs; and 'Nimrod,' or the ancient
people of Babylon, four races between which the latest linguistic researches have
established a close affinity" (Rawlinson's Hist. Illustrations).
Japhia
- splendid. (1.) The king of Lachish, who joined in the confederacy against
Joshua (Josh. 10:3), and was defeated and slain. In one of the Amarna tablets
he speaks of himself as king of Gezer. Called also Horam (Josh. 10:33).
(2.)
One of the sons of David (2 Sam. 5:15), born in Jerusalem.
(3.) A town in the
southern boundary of Zebulum (Josh. 19:12); now Yafa, 2 miles south-west of Nazareth.
Japho - beauty, a sea-port in Dan (Josh. 19:46);
called Joppa (q.v.) in 2 Chr. 2:16; Ezra 3:7; Jonah 1:3; and in New Testament.
Jared - descent. (1.) The fourth antediluvian patriarch
in descent from Seth (Gen. 5:15-20; Luke 3:37), the father of Enoch; called Jered
in 1 Chr. 1:2.
(2.) A son of Ezra probably (1 Chr. 4:18).
Jarib
- an adversary. (1.) A son of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:24).
(2.) One of the chiefs
sent by Ezra to bring up the priests to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:16).
(3.) Ezra 10:18.
Jarmuth - height. (1.) A town in the plain of Judah
(Josh. 15:35), originally the residence of one of the Canaanitish kings (10:3,
5, 23). It has been identified with the modern Yarmuk, a village about 7 miles
north-east of Beit-Jibrin.
(2.) A Levitical city of the tribe of Issachar (Josh.
21:29), supposed by some to be the Ramah of Samuel (1 Sam. 19:22).
Jashen
- sleeping, called also Hashem (1 Chr. 11:34); a person, several of whose
sons were in David's body-guard (2 Sam. 23:32).
Jasher
- upright. "The Book of Jasher," rendered in the LXX. "the Book of the Upright
One," by the Vulgate "the Book of Just Ones," was probably a kind of national
sacred song-book, a collection of songs in praise of the heroes of Israel, a "book
of golden deeds," a national anthology. We have only two specimens from the book,
(1) the words of Joshua which he spake to the Lord at the crisis of the battle
of Beth-horon (Josh. 10:12, 13); and (2) "the Song of the Bow," that beautiful
and touching mournful elegy which David composed on the occasion of the death
of Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:18-27).
Jashobeam -
dweller among the people; or to whom the people turn, the Hachmonite (1 Chr.
11:11), one of David's chief heroes who joined him at Ziklag (12:6). He was the
first of the three who broke through the host of the Philistines to fetch water
to David from the well of Bethlehem (2 Sam. 23:13-17). He is also called Adino
the Eznite (8).
Jashub - returner. (1.) The third
of Issachar's four sons (1 Chr. 7:1); called also Job (Gen. 46:13).
(2.) Ezra
10:29.
Jason - he that will cure, the host of Paul
and Silas in Thessalonica. The Jews assaulted his house in order to seize Paul,
but failing to find him, they dragged Jason before the ruler of the city (Acts
17:5-9). He was apparently one of the kinsmen of Paul (Rom. 16:21), and accompanied
him from Thessalonica to Corinth.
Jasper - (Heb.
yashpheh, "glittering"), a gem of various colours, one of the twelve inserted
in the high priest's breast-plate (Ex. 28:20). It is named in the building of
the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:18, 19). It was "most precious," "clear as crystal"
(21:11). It was emblematic of the glory of God (4:3).
Jattir
- pre-eminent, a city in the mountains of Judah (Josh. 15:48; 21:14).
Javan
- (1.) The fourth "son" of Japheth (Gen. 10:2), whose descendants settled
in Greece, i.e., Ionia, which bears the name of Javan in Hebrew. Alexander the
Great is called the "king of Javan" (rendered "Grecia," Dan. 8:21; 10:20; comp.
11:2; Zech. 9:13). This word was universally used by the nations of the East as
the generic name of the Greek race.
(2.) A town or district of Arabia Felix,
from which the Syrians obtained iron, cassia, and calamus (Ezek. 27:19).
Javelin
- (1.) Heb. hanith, a lance, from its flexibility (1 Sam. 18:10, 11; 19:9,
10; 20:33).
(2.) Heb. romah, a lance for heavy-armed troops, so called from
its piercing (Num. 25:7). (See ARMS.)
Jaw-bone
- of an ass afforded Samson a weapon for the great slaughter of the Philistines
(Judg. 15.15), in which he slew a thousand men. In verse 19 the Authorized Version
reads, "God clave a hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout."
This is a mis-translation of the words. The rendering should be as in the Revised
Version, "God clave the hollow place that is in Lehi," etc., Lehi (q.v.) being
the name of the hill where this conflict was waged, possibly so called because
it was in shape like a jaw-bone.
Jealousy - suspicion
of a wife's purity, one of the strongest passions (Num. 5:14; Prov. 6:34; Cant.
8:6); also an intense interest for another's honour or prosperity (Ps. 79:5; 1
Cor. 10:22; Zech. 1:14).
Jealousy, Image of - an
idolatrous object, seen in vision by Ezekiel (Ezek. 8:3, 5), which stood in the
priests' or inner court of the temple. Probably identical with the statue of Astarte
(2 Kings 21:7).
Jealousy offering - the name of
the offering the husband was to bring when he charged his wife with adultery (Num.
5:11-15).
Jealousy, Waters of - water which the
suspected wife was required to drink, so that the result might prove her guilt
or innocence (Num. 5:12-17, 27). We have no record of this form of trial having
been actually resorted to.
Jearim - forests, a
mountain on the border of Judah (Josh. 15:10).
Jebus
- trodden hard, or fastness, or "the waterless hill", the name of the Canaanitish
city which stood on Mount Zion (Josh. 15:8; 18:16, 28). It is identified with
Jerusalem (q.v.) in Judg. 19:10, and with the castle or city of David (1 Chr.
11:4,5). It was a place of great natural strength, and its capture was one of
David's most brilliant achievements (2 Sam. 5:8).
Jebusites
- the name of the original inhabitants of Jebus, mentioned frequently among
the seven nations doomed to destruction (Gen. 10:16; 15:21; Ex. 3:8, 17; 13:5,
etc.). At the time of the arrival of the Israelites in Palestine they were ruled
by Adonizedek (Josh. 10:1, 23). They were defeated by Joshua, and their king was
slain; but they were not entirely driven out of Jebus till the time of David,
who made it the capital of his kingdom instead of Hebron. The site on which the
temple was afterwards built belonged to Araunah, a Jebusite, from whom it was
purchased by David, who refused to accept it as a free gift (2 Sam. 24:16-25;
1 Chr. 21:24, 25).
Jecoliah - able through Jehovah,
the wife of King Amaziah, and mother of King Uzziah (2 Chr. 26:3).
Jedaiah
- (1.) Invoker of Jehovah. The son of Shimri, a chief Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:37).
(2.) One of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem after the return from
Babylon (Neh. 3:10).
(3.) Knowing Jehovah. The chief of one of the courses
of the priests (1 Chr. 24:7).
(4.) A priest in Jerusalem after the Exile (1
Chr. 9:10).
Jediael - known by God. (1.) One of
the sons of Benjamin, whose descendants numbered 17,200 warriors (1 Chr. 7:6,
10, 11).
(2.) A Shimrite, one of David's bodyguard (1 Chr. 11:45). Probably
same as in 12:20.
(3.) A Korhite of the family of Ebiasaph, and one of the
gate-keepers to the temple (1 Chr. 26:2).
Jedidiah
- beloved by Jehovah, the name which, by the mouth of Nathan, the Lord gave
to Solomon at his birth as a token of the divine favour (2 Sam. 12:25).
Jeduthun
- lauder; praising, a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three
masters of music appointed by David (1 Chr. 16:41, 42; 25:1-6). He is called in
2 Chr. 35:15 "the king's seer." His descendants are mentioned as singers and players
on instruments (Neh. 11:17). He was probably the same as Ethan (1 Chr. 15:17,
19). In the superscriptions to Ps. 39, 62, and 77, the words "upon Jeduthun" probably
denote a musical instrument; or they may denote the style or tune invented or
introduced by Jeduthun, or that the psalm was to be sung by his choir.
Jegar-sahadutha
- pile of testimony, the Aramaic or Syriac name which Laban gave to the pile
of stones erected as a memorial of the covenant between him and Jacob (Gen. 31:47),
who, however, called it in Hebrew by an equivalent name, Galeed (q.v.).
Jehaleleel
- praiser of God. (1.) A descendant of Judah (1 Chr. 4:16). (2.) A Levite
of the family of Merari (2 Chr. 29:12).