Abiasaph
Father of gathering; the gatherer, the youngest of the three sons of Korah the Levite, head of a family of Korhites ( Ex. 6:24 ); called Ebisaph ( 1 Chr. 6:37 ).
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Matthew George Easton
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition (1897) · 3,964 entries on site
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Abigail
Father (i.e., “leader”) of the dance, or “of joy.” (1.) The sister of David, and wife of Jether an Ishmaelite ( 1 Chr. 2:16 , 17 ). She was the mother of Amasa ( 2 Sam. 17:25 ). (2.) The wife of the churlish Nabal, who dwelt in the district of Carmel ( 1 Sam. 25:3 ). She showed great prudence and delicate management at a critical period of her husband’s life. She was “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.” After Nabal’s death she became the wife of David ( 1 Sam. 25:14-42 ), and was his companion in all his future fortunes ( 1 Sam. 27:3 ; 30:5 ; 2 Sam. 2:2 ). By her David had a son called Chileab ( 2 Sam. 3:3 ), elsewhere called Daniel ( 1 Chr. 3:1 ).
Abishai
Father of (i.e., “desirous of”) a gift, the eldest son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. He was the brother of Joab and Asahel ( 2 Sam. 2:18 ; 1 Chr. 2:16 ). Abishai was the only one who accompanied David when he went to the camp of Saul and took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster ( 1 Sam. 26:5-12 ). He had the command of one of the three divisions of David’s army at the battle with Absalom ( 2 Sam. 18:2 , 5 , 12 ). He slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David’s life ( 2 Sam. 21:15-17 ). He was the chief of the second rank of the three “mighties” ( 2 Sam. 23:18 , 19 ; 1 Chr. 11:20 , 21 ); and on one occasion withstood 300 men, and slew them with his own spear ( 2 Sam. 23:18 ). Abishai is the name of the Semitic chief who offers gifts to the lord of Beni-Hassan. See illustration facing page 10.
Abner
Father of light; i.e., “enlightening”, the son of Ner and uncle of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul’s army ( 1 Sam. 14:50 ; 17:55 ; 20:25 ). He first introduced David to the court of Saul after the victory over Goliath ( 1 Sam. 17:57 ). After the death of Saul, David was made king over Judah, and reigned in Hebron. Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to Judah; and Abner, at the head of Ephraim, fostered this hostility in the interest of the house of Saul, whose son Ish-bosheth he caused to be proclaimed king ( 2 Sam. 2:8 ). A state of war existed between these two kings. A battle fatal to Abner, who was the leader of Ish-boseth’s army, was fought with David’s army under Joab at Gibeon ( 2 Sam. 2:12 ). Abner, escaping from the field, was overtaken by Asahel, who was “light of foot as a wild roe,” the brother of Joab and Abishai, whom he thrust through with a back stroke of his spear ( 2 Sam. 2 : 18-32). Being rebuked by Ish-bosheth for the impropriety of taking to wife Rizpah, who had been a concubine of King Saul, he found an excuse for going over to the side of David, whom he now professed to regard as anointed by the Lord to reign over all Israel. David received him favourably, and promised that he would have command of the armies. At this time Joab was absent from Hebron, but on his return he found what had happened. Abner had just left the city; but Joab by a stratagem recalled him, and meeting him at the gate of the city on his return, thrust him through with his sword ( 2 Sam. 3:27 , 31 -39; 4:12. Comp. 1 Kings 2:5 , 32 ). David lamented in pathetic words the death of Abner, “Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?” ( 2 Sam. 3:33-38 .)
Ahinoam
Brother of pleasantness = pleasant. (1.) The daughter of Ahimaaz, and wife of Saul ( 1 Sam. 14:50 ). (2.) A Jezreelitess, the first wife of David ( 1 Sam. 25:43 ; 27:3 ). She was the mother of Amnon ( 2 Sam. 3:2 ). (See 1 Sam. 30:5 , 18 ; 2 Sam. 2:2 .)
Altar
(Heb. mizbe’ah, from a word meaning “to slay”), any structure of earth ( Ex. 20:24 ) or unwrought stone (20:25) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places ( Gen. 22:9 ; Ezek. 6:3 ; 2 Kings 23:12 ; 16:4 ; 23:8 ; Acts 14:13 ). The word is used in Heb. 13:10 for the sacrifice offered upon it—the sacrifice Christ offered. Paul found among the many altars erected in Athens one bearing the inscription, “To the unknown God” ( Acts 17:23 ), or rather “to an [i.e., some] unknown God.” The reason for this inscription cannot now be accurately determined. It afforded the apostle the occasion of proclaiming the gospel to the “men of Athens.” The first altar we read of is that erected by Noah ( Gen. 8:20 ). Altars were erected by Abraham ( Gen. 12:7 ; 13:4 ; 22:9 ), by Isaac ( Gen. 26:25 ), by Jacob (33:20; 35:1, 3), and by Moses ( Ex. 17:15 , “Jehovah-nissi”). In the tabernacle, and afterwards in the temple, two altars were erected. (1.) The altar of burnt offering ( Ex. 30:28 ), called also the “brasen altar” ( Ex. 39:39 ) and “the table of the Lord” ( Mal. 1:7 ). This altar, as erected in the tabernacle, is described in Ex. 27:1-8 . It was a hollow square, 5 cubits in length and in breadth, and 3 cubits in height. It was made of shittim wood, and was overlaid with plates of brass. Its corners were ornamented with “horns” ( Ex. 29:12 ; Lev. 4:18 ). In Ex. 27:3 the various utensils appertaining to the altar are enumerated. They were made of brass. (Comp. 1 Sam. 2:13 , 14 ; Lev. 16:12 ; Num. 16:6 , 7 .) In Solomon’s temple the altar was of larger dimensions ( 2 Chr. 4:1 . Comp. 1 Kings 8:22 , 64 ; 9:25), and was made wholly of brass, covering a structure of stone or earth. This altar was renewed by Asa ( 2 Chr. 15:8 ). It was removed by Ahaz ( 2 Kings 16:14 ), and “cleansed” by Hezekiah, in the latter part of whose reign it was rebuilt. It was finally broken up and carried away by the Babylonians ( Jer. 52:17 ). After the return from captivity it was re-erected ( Ezra 3:3 , 6 ) on the same place where it had formerly stood. (Comp. 1 Macc. 4:47 .) When Antiochus Epiphanes pillaged Jerusalem the altar of burnt offering was taken away. Again the altar was erected by Herod, and remained in its place till the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans (70 A.D.). The fire on the altar was not permitted to go out ( Lev. 6:9 ). In the Mosque of Omar, immediately underneath the great dome, which occupies the site of the old temple, there is a rough projection of the natural rock, of about 60 feet in its extreme length, and 50 in its greatest breadth, and in its highest part about 4 feet above the general pavement. This rock seems to have been left intact when Solomon’s temple was built. It was in all probability the site of the altar of burnt offering. Underneath this rock is a cave, which may probably have been the granary of Araunah’s threshing-floor ( 1 Chr. 21:22 ). (2.) The altar of incense ( Ex. 30:1-10 ), called also “the golden altar” (39:38; Num. 4:11 ), stood in the holy place “before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony.” On this altar sweet spices were continually burned with fire taken from the brazen altar. The morning and the evening services were commenced by the high priest offering incense on this altar. The burning of the incense was a type of prayer ( Ps. 141:2 ; Rev. 5:8 ; 8:3 , 4 ). This altar was a small movable table, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold ( Ex. 37:25 , 26 ). It was 1 cubit in length and breadth, and 2 cubits in height. In Solomon’s temple the altar was similar in size, but was made of cedar-wood ( 1 Kings 6:20 ; 7:48 ) overlaid with gold. In Ezek. 41:22 it is called “the altar of wood.” (Comp. Ex. 30:1-6 .) In the temple built after the Exile the altar was restored. Antiochus Epiphanes took it away, but it was afterwards restored by Judas Maccabaeus ( 1 Macc. 1:23 ; 4:49 ). Among the trophies carried away by Titus on the destruction of Jerusalem the altar of incense is not found, nor is any mention made of it in Heb. 9 . It was at this altar Zacharias ministered when an angel appeared to him ( Luke 1:11 ). It is the only altar which appears in the heavenly temple ( Isa. 6:6 ; Rev. 8:3 , 4 ).
Amasa
Burden. (1.) The son of Abigail, a sister of king David ( 1 Chr. 2:17 ; 2 Sam. 17:25 ). He was appointed by David to command the army in room of his cousin Joab ( 2 Sam. 19:13 ), who afterwards treacherously put him to death as a dangerous rival ( 2 Sam. 20:4-12 ). (2.) A son of Hadlai, and chief of Ephraim ( 2 Chr. 28:12 ) in the reign of Ahaz.
Amasai
Burdensome. (1.) A Levite, son of Elkanah, of the ancestry of Samuel ( 1 Chr. 6:25 , 35 ). (2.) The leader of a body of men who joined David in the “stronghold,” probably of Adullam ( 1 Chr. 12:18 ). (3.) One of the priests appointed to precede the ark with blowing of trumpets on its removal from the house of Obed-edom ( 1 Chr. 15:24 ). (4.) The father of a Levite, one of the two Kohathites who took a prominent part at the instance of Hezekiah in the cleansing of the temple ( 2 Chr. 29:12 ).
Argob
Stony heap, an “island,” as it has been called, of rock about 30 miles by 20, rising 20 or 30 feet above the table-land of Bashan; a region of crags and chasms wild and rugged in the extreme. On this “island” stood sixty walled cities, ruled over by Og. It is called Trachonitis (“the rugged region”) in the New Testament ( Luke 3:1 ). These cities were conquered by the Israelites ( Deut. 3:4 ; 1 Kings 4:13 ). It is now called the Lejah. Here “sixty walled cities are still traceable in a space of 308 square miles. The architecture is ponderous and massive. Solid walls 4 feet thick, and stones on one another without cement; the roofs enormous slabs of basaltic rock, like iron; the doors and gates are of stone 18 inches thick, secured by ponderous bars. The land bears still the appearance of having been called the ‘land of giants’ under the giant Og.” “I have more than once entered a deserted city in the evening, taken possession of a comfortable house, and spent the night in peace. Many of the houses in the ancient cities of Bashan are perfect, as if only finished yesterday. The walls are sound, the roofs unbroken, and even the window-shutters in their places. These ancient cities of Bashan probably contain the very oldest specimens of domestic architecture in the world” (Porter’s Giant Cities). (See BASHAN .)
Arioch
Lion-like, venerable. (1.) A king of Ellasar who was confederate with Chedorlamer ( Gen. 14:1 , 9 ). The tablets recently discovered by Mr. Pinches (see CHALDEA ) show the true reading is Eri-Aku of Larsa. This Elamite name meant “servant of the moon-god.” It was afterwards changed into Rimsin, “Have mercy, O moon-god.” (2.) Dan. 2:14 .
Asa
Physician, son of Abijah and grandson of Rehoboam, was the third king of Judah. He was zealous in maintaining the true worship of God, and in rooting all idolatry, with its accompanying immoralities, out of the land ( 1 Kings 15:8-14 ). The Lord gave him and his land rest and prosperity. It is recorded of him, however, that in his old age, when afflicted, he “sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians” (comp. Jer. 17:5 ). He died in the forty-first year of his reign, greatly honoured by his people ( 2 Chr. 16:1-13 ), and was succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat.
Asahel
Made by God, the youngest son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. He was celebrated for his swiftness of foot. When fighting against Ish-bosheth at Gibeon, in the army of his brother Joab, he was put to death by Abner, whom he pursued from the field of battle ( 2 Sam. 2:18 , 19 ). He is mentioned among David’s thirty mighty men ( 2 Sam. 23:24 ; 1 Chr. 11:26 ). Others of the same name are mentioned ( 2 Chr. 17:8 ; 31:13 ; Ezra 10:15 ).
Asaph
Convener, or collector. (1.) A Levite; one of the leaders of David’s choir ( 1 Chr. 6:39 ). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a “seer” ( 2 Chr. 29:30 ). The “sons of Asaph,” mentioned in 1 Chr. 25:1 , 2 Chr. 20:14, and Ezra 2:41 , were his descendants, or more probably a class of poets or singers who recognized him as their master. (2.) The “recorder” in the time of Hezekiah ( 2 Kings 18:18 , 37 ). (3.) The “keeper of the king’s forest,” to whom Nehemiah requested from Artaxerxes a “letter” that he might give him timber for the temple at Jerusalem ( Neh. 2:8 ).
Azariah
Whom Jehovah helps. (1.) Son of Ethan, of the tribe of Judah ( 1 Chr. 2:8 ). (2.) Son of Ahimaaz, who succeeded his grandfather Zadok as high priest ( 1 Chr. 6:9 ; 1 Kings 4:2 ) in the days of Solomon. He officiated at the consecration of the temple ( 1 Chr. 6:10 ). (3.) The son of Johanan, high priest in the reign of Abijah and Asa ( 2 Chr. 6:10 , 11 ). (4.) High priest in the reign of Uzziah, king of Judah ( 2 Kings 14:21 ; 2 Chr. 26:17-20 ). He was contemporary with the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Joel. (5.) High priest in the days of Hezekiah ( 2 Chr. 31:10-13 ). Of the house of Zadok. (6.) Several other priests and Levites of this name are mentioned ( 1 Chr. 6:36 ; Ezra 7:1 ; 1 Chr. 9:11 ; Neh. 3:23 , etc.). (7.) The original name of Abed-nego ( Dan. 1:6 , 7 , 11 , 16 ). He was of the royal family of Judah, and with his other two companions remarkable for his personal beauty and his intelligence as well as piety. (8.) The son of Oded, a remarkable prophet in the days of Asa ( 2 Chr. 15:1 ). He stirred up the king and the people to a great national reformation.