Transcription
Smith’s Bible DictionaryAaron-Zuzimsby William Smith
AAaronThe son of Amram and Jochebed, and the older brother of Moses andMiriam ( 042659 Numbers 26:59; 33:39). He was a Levite, and is firstmentioned in 020414 Exodus 4:14, as one who could “speak well.” He wasappointed by Jehovah to be the Interpreter and “Mouth” ( 020416 Exodus 4:16)of his brother Moses, who was “slow of speech;” and accordingly he wasnot only the organ of communication with the Israelites and with Pharaoh( 020430 Exodus 4:30; 7:2), but also the actual instrument of working most ofthe miracles of the Exodus. (See 020719 Exodus 7:19, etc.) Thus on the way toMount Sinai, during the battle with Amalek, Aaron is mentioned with Hut,as staying up the weary hands of Moses, when they were lifted up for thevictory of Israel (not in prayer, as is sometimes explained, but) to bear therod of God. (See 021709 Exodus 17:9.) Through all this period he is mentionedas dependent upon his brother, and deriving all his authority from him. Thecontrast between them is even more strongly marked on the arrival atSinai. Moses at once acts as the mediator ( 480319 Galatians 3:19) for thepeople, to come near to God for them, and to speak his words to them.Aaron only approaches with Nadab, and Abihu, and the seventy elders ofIsrael, by special command, near enough to see God’s glory, but not so asto enter his immediate presence. Left, then, on Moses’ departure, to guidethe people, Aaron is tried for a moment on his own responsibility, and hefails from a weak inability to withstand the demand of the people for visible“gods to go before them.” Possibly it seemed to him prudent to make animage of Jehovah, in the well-known form of Egyptian idolatry (Apis orMnevis), rather than to risk the total alienation of the people to false gods;and his weakness was rewarded by seeing a “feast to the Lord” ( 023205 Exodus32:5) degraded to the lowest form of pagan sensuality, and knowing, fromMoses’ words and deeds, that the covenant with the Lord was utterlybroken. He repented of his sin, and Moses gained forgiveness for him( 050920 Deuteronomy 9:20). — Aaron was now consecrated by Moses to thenew office of the high priesthood. The order of God for the consecration isfound in Exodus 39, and the record of its execution in Leviticus 8. Theonly occasion on which his individual character is seen is one ofpresumption. The murmuring of Aaron and Miriam against Moses clearly
2proceeded from their trust, the one in his priesthood, the other in herprophetic inspiration, as equal commissions from God ( 041202 Numbers 12:2).On all other occasions he is spoken of as acting with Moses in the guidanceof the people. Leaning as he seems to have done wholly on him, it is notstrange that he should have shared his sin at Meribah, and its punishment(Moses) ( 042010 Numbers 20:10-12). Aaron’s death seems to have followedvery speedily. It took place on Mount Hor, after the transference of hisrobes and office to Eleazer ( 042028 Numbers 20:28). This mount is still calledthe “Mountain of Aaron” (Hor). — The wife of Aaron was Elisheba( 020623 Exodus 6:23); and the two sons who survived him, Eleazar andIthamar. The high priesthood descended to the former, and to hisdescendants until the time of Eli, who, although of the house of Ithamar,received the high priesthood, and transmitted it to his children; with them itcontinued until the accession of Solomon, who took it from Abiathar, andrestored it to Zadok (of the house of Eleazar). See ABIATHAR AaronitesPriests, descendants of Aaron ( 131227 1 Chronicles 12:27). An importantfamily in David’s time.Ab (“father”)1. Absalom, “makes peace”; Abner, “causes light”. See ABBA , “father”,as used by Jesus ( 411436 Mark 14:36) and Paul ( 450815 Romans 8:15; 480406 Galatians4:6).2. The name of the fifth (sacred) month, as used after the captivity.Abaddon (“destruction”, or “the place of the dead”) See ASMODEUS in the Apocrypha; See APOLLYON , 660911 Revelation9:11; 182606 Job 26:6 (“destruction”).AbadiasObadiah, son of Jehiel (1 Esdras 8:35).Abagtha (“father” or “cause of fortune”)An officer of the presence before King Ahasuerus (Esdras 1:10).
3Abana (“perennial”)Amana. The main river of Damascus, now called Barada. It has severalchannels, and irrigates the whole city and suburbs. Rises in Anti-Lebanon,near Zebedany (and a tributary at Ain-Fijy), 23 miles northwest ofDamascus, and 2,300 feet higher. It empties into the lake and marsh ofAteibeh, 15 miles East of the city. See 120512 2 Kings 5:12.Abarim (“beyond”)A mountain range east of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River. Nebo is itshighest peak, and Pisgah is the top of Nebo. Average height 2,000 to 4,000feet.AbbaFather. The ancient Aramaic word. The peculiar term for the Father-Godused by Jesus.Abda1. Father of Adoniram ( 110406 1 Kings 4:6)2. Son of Shammua ( 161117 Nehemiah 11:17), called Obadiah in 130916 1Chronicles 9:16.AbdeelFather of Shelemiah ( 243626 Jeremiah 36:26).Abdi1. Ancestor of Ethan the sinner ( 130644 1 Chronicles 6:44).2. Father of Kish ( 142912 2 Chronicles 29:12).3. One of the sons of Elam ( 151026 Ezra 10:26).AbdiasObadiah the prophet, in 2 Esdras 1:39.
4Abdiel (“servant of God”),Abdallah in Arabic. Son of Guni ( 130515 1 Chronicles 5:15). The name is notedfor its use by Milton in his Paradise Lost, for an angel — “Among thefaithless, faithful only he.”Abdon (“servile”)1. See BEDAN in 090211 1 Samuel 2:11. A judge of Israel.2. Son of Shishak.3. Oldest son of Jehiel, son of Gibeon.4. Son of Micah, also called Achbor. — He had forty sons and thirtynephews.Abednego (“servant of Nego” — that is, “Mercury, the god”)The name given by the Chaldeans to Daniel’s companion Azariah( 270103 Daniel 1:3).Abel (1) (“weakness, breath”)In Hebrew HEBEL. The second son of Adam; killed by his brother, Cain(Genesis 4).Abel (2) (“meadow”)Several places so named.1. See ABEL-BETH-MAACHAH or See ABEL-MAIM ; a strong city onthe slope of Mount Hermon, near the Jordan River, where Joab besiegedSheba ( 102014 2 Samuel 20:14).2. See ABEL-KERAMIM (“of the vineyards”). Near Rabbath, and evennow famous for its wines ( 071133 Judges 11:33).3. See ABEL-MEHOLAH (“of dancing”). South of Bethshan near JordanRiver. The birthplace of Elisha ( 111916 1 Kings 19:16), and noted for Gibeon’svictory over Midian ( 070722 Judges 7:22).4. See ABEL-MIZRAIM (“of the Egypts”). Near Hebron, where Joseph,his brethren, and the Egyptians mourned for Jacob ( 010111 Genesis 1:11). Lost.
55. See ABEL-SHITTIM (“of the acacias”). In Moab, near the head of theDead Sea. The last camping ground of the Exodus ( 043349 Numbers 33:49).Acacia trees are now found wherever there is water in that region.AbezA town in Issachar ( 061920 Joshua 19:20). Now Tubas, near Shunem.Abi (“father”)Abijah. Mother of King Hezekiah ( 121802 2 Kings 18:2).Abiah (“Jehovah his father”)1. Son of Becher ( 130708 1 Chronicles 7:8).2. Wife of Hezron ( 130224 1 Chronicles 2:24).3. Son of Samuel, and a judge in Beersheba ( 090802 1 Samuel 8:2).4. Mother of Hezekiah. Abi.5. Son of Rehoboam ( 130310 1 Chronicles 3:10).6. Descendant of Eleazar. See See ABIJAH .Abiasaph (“the gatherer”)Head of a family of Kohathites ( 020624 Exodus 6:24). Noted persons of thisfamily were Samuel the prophet, and Elkanah his father, and Heman thesinger. The family lived in Mount Ephraim (1 Samuel 1).Abiathar (“abundance”)The only son of Ahimelech the priest, who escaped Saul’s massacre at Nod(1 Samuel 12), and who joined David in his flight, and was afterward priestwith Zadok in David’s reign. “Solomon thrust out Abiathar from beingpriest unto the Lord,” fulfilling the doom of Eli’s house.Abidah (“wise”)A grandson of Abraham by Keturah ( 012504 Genesis 25:4; 130133 1 Chronicles1:33).
6Abidan (“father of the judge”)Chief in Benjamin at the Exodus ( 040102 Numbers 1:2).AbielAbiel (“strong”)1. The father of Kish, grandfather of Saul and Abner.2. One of David’s 30 “mighty men.”Abiezer (“helper”)1. The oldest son of Gilead ( 061702 Joshua 17:2), formerly of the east of theJordan River, later of Ophrah, a lost place, which was near the southborder of Esdraelon. Gideon was of this family ( 070634 Judges 6:34).2. One of David’s “mighty men.” See ABIEZRITES , the family title.Abigail (“maker of joy”)1. Nabal’s beautiful wife, who saved her husband from David’s anger —Nabal having died ten days after, David made her his wife ( 092614 1 Samuel26:14).2. A sister of David, mother of Amasa.Abihail (“mighty”)1. Father of Zuriel, chief of the Merari ( 040335 Numbers 3:35).2. Abishur’s wife ( 130229 1 Chronicles 2:29).3. Son of Hurt of Gad ( 130514 1 Chronicles 5:14).4. Rehoboam’s wife ( 141118 2 Chronicles 11:18), a descendant of Eliab,David’s older brother.5. Father of Esther, and uncle of Mordecai ( 170215 Esther 2:15).
7Abihu (“God is father”)The second son of Aaron by Elizabeth. He was consecrated, with his fatherand brothers, for the ministry. Abihu and his brother Nadab lost their livesfor an error in the altar service, while intoxicated (?)Abijah (“father God”)1. A son of Samuel whose misconduct gave the Israelites the occasion todemand a change of government to a monarchy. ( 090801 1 Samuel 8:1).2. Son and successor of Rehoboam (B.C. 958). He followed the idolatriesof his father ( 111423 1 Kings 14:23).Abila, Abilene (“grassy meadow”)On the East slope of Mount Hermon. Mentioned by Josephus (Antiquitiesxiv. 13. 3). The name is derived from Abel, the first martyr (by tradition). See ABILA was the capital city of the district, under the Romans, and itsruins are now seen on the banks of the Barada ravine, 12 miles northwestof Damascus. The district is well watered by the Abana, and by many otherstreams from Anti-Lebanon; is fertile and affords good pasture. WhenLuke wrote ( 420301 Luke 3:1) the tetrarachy was divided between Lysaniasand Philip. There is a coin bearing the name and title of Lysanias ofAbilene.Abimael (“father of Mael”)Of Joktan ( 011028 Genesis 10:28). A supposed trace of the name is in Mali, atown in Arabia (the Minaeans).Abimelech (“father of the king”),the name of several Philistine kings, was probably a common title of thesekings, like that of Pharaoh among the Egyptians, and that of Caesar andAugustus among the Romans. Hence, in the title of Psalm 34, the name ofAbimelech is given to the king, who is called Achish in 092111 1 Samuel 21:11.1. A Philistine, king of Gerar (Genesis 20—21), who, exercising the rightclaimed by Eastern princes, of collecting all the beautiful women of theirdominions into the harem ( 011215 Genesis 12:15; 170203 Esther 2:3), sent for and
8took Sarah. A similar account is given of Abraham’s conduct on thisoccasion, to that of his behavior toward Pharaoh. See ABRAHAH .2. Another king of Gerar in the time of Isac, of whom a similar narrative isrecorded in relation to Rebekah ( 012601 Genesis 26:1, etc.).3. Son of the judge Gideon by his Shechemite concubine ( 070831 Judges 8:31).After his father’s death he murdered all his brethren, 70 in number, with theexception of Jotham, the youngest, who concealed himself; and he thenpersuaded the Shechemites to elect him king. Shechem now became anindependent state, and threw off the yoke of the conquering Israelites.When Jotham heard that Abimelech was made king, he addressed to theShechemites his fable of the trees choosing a king ( 070901 Judges 9:1). AfterAbimelech had reigned three years, the citizens of Shechem rebelled. Hewas absent at the time, but he returned and quelled the insurrection.Shortly after he stormed and took Thebez, but was struck on the head by awoman with the fragment of a millstone (cf. 101121 2 Samuel 11:21); and lesthe should be said to have died by a woman, he bade his armor-bearer slayhim. Thus, God avenged the murder of his brethren and fulfilled the curseof Jotham.Abinadab (“princely”)1. A Levite of Kirjathaim, in whose house the ark “rested” for 20 years( 090701 1 Samuel 7:1).2. Second son of Jesse ( 091608 1 Samuel 16:8).3. Son of Saul, killed on Mount Gilboa ( 093102 1 Samuel 31:2).4. Father of one of Solomon’s cabinet officers ( 110411 1 Kings 4:11).AbinerThe Hebrew form of Abner.Abinoam (“gracious”)Barak’s father ( 070406 Judges 4:6).Abiram (“high”)1. A Reubenite and a conspirator. See See KORAH .
92. The oldest son of Hiel, who died because his father undertook to rebuildJericho (1 Kings 16; Joshua 6).AbiseiSon of Phinehas (2 Esdras 1:2).Abishag (“cause of error”)The beautiful Shunemite wife of David in his old age.Abishai (“gift-maker”)Son of David’s sister Zeruiah, brother of Joab, and one of David’s chiefand best officers.Abishalom (“peaceful”)Father of Maachah, wife of Rehoboam and mother of Abijah ( 111502 1 Kings15:2). Same as See ABSALOM .Abishua (“of happiness”)1. Son of Bela ( 130804 1 Chronicles 8:4).2. Son of Phinehas, father of Bukki ( 130604 1 Chronicles 6:4). High priest afterPhinehas and before Eli. Iosepos, in Josephus (Antiquities viii. 1. 3).Abishur (“upright”)The son of Shammai ( 130228 1 Chronicles 2:28).AbisumSon of Phinehas (1 Esdras 8:2).Abital (“protection”)A wife of David ( 100304 2 Samuel 3:4).Abitub (“goodness”)Son of Shaharaim by Hushim ( 130802 1 Chronicles 8:2).
10AbiudGrandson of Zerubbabel by Shelomith ( 400113 Matthew 1:13).Abner (“light-maker”)Cousin of Saul and commander-in-chief of his army. After Saul’s death hemade Ishbosheth Saul’s son, king, but betrayed him to David, and waskilled by the friends of Asahel, in blood revenge ( 042501 Numbers 25:19).David mourned his untimely loss, following his coffin.AbominationAnything or custom detested or disliked for religious reasons. TheEgyptians would not eat with any foreign people, or eat anything touchedby them; and the Hebrews adopted a similar rule. The See ABOMINATIONOF DESOLATION ( 402415 Matthew 24:15; 270927 Daniel 9:27), is a reference toan idol worship (of images) on or near the sacred altar on Moriah. See See ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES .Abraham (“father of a
Smith’s Bible Dictionary Aaron-Zuzims by William Smith. A Aaron The son of Amram and Jochebed, and the older brother of Moses and Miriam ( 042659 Numbers 26:59; 33:39). He was a Levite, and is first mentioned in 020414 Exodus 4:14, as one who could “speak well.” He was appointed by Jehovah to be the Interpreter and “Mouth” ( 020416 Exodus 4:16) of his brother Moses, who was .
