|
Return To
Dictionary
Shadow - used in
Col. 2:17; Heb. 8:5; 10:1 to denote the typical relation of the
Jewish to the Christian dispensation.
Shadrach -
Aku's command, the Chaldean name given to Hananiah, one of the
Hebrew youths whom Nebuchadnezzar carried captive to Babylon (Dan.
1:6, 7; 3:12-30). He and his two companions refused to bow down
before the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up on the plains of
Dura. Their conduct filled the king with the greatest fury, and he
commanded them to be cast into the burning fiery furnace. Here, amid
the fiery flames, they were miraculously preserved from harm. Over
them the fire had no power, "neither was a hair of their head
singed, neither had the smell of fire passed on them." Thus
Nebuchadnezzar learned the greatness of the God of Israel. (See
ABEDNEGO.)
Shalem - perfect, a
place (probably the village of Salim) some 2 miles east of Jacob's
well. There is an abundant supply of water, which may have been the
reason for Jacob's settling at this place (Gen. 33:18-20). The
Revised Version translates this word, and reads, "Jacob came in
peace to the city of Shechem," thus not regarding it as a proper
name at all.
Shalim, Land of -
land of foxes, a place apparently to the north-west of Jerusalem
(1 Sam. 9:4), perhaps in the neighbourhood of Shaalabbin in Dan
(Josh. 19:42).
Shalisha, Land of -
probably the district of Baal-shalisha (2 Kings 4:42), lying
about 12 miles north of Lydda (1 Sam. 9:4).
Shallecheth, The
gate of - i.e., "the gate of casting out," hence supposed to be
the refuse gate; one of the gates of the house of the Lord, "by the
causeway of the going up" i.e., the causeway rising up from the
Tyropoeon valley = valley of the cheesemakers (1 Chr. 26:16).
Shallum -
retribution. (1.) The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He
"conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and
slew him, and reigned in his stead" (2 Kings 15:10). He reigned only
"a month of days in Samaria" (15:13, marg.). Menahem rose up against
Shallum and put him to death (2 Kings 15:14, 15, 17), and became
king in his stead.
(2.) Keeper of the temple vestments in the
reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:14).
(3.) One of the posterity of Judah (1 Chr.
2:40, 41).
(4.) A descendant of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:25).
(5.) One of the line of the high priests (1
Chr. 6:13).
(6.) 1 Chr. 7:13.
(7.) A keeper of the gate in the reign of
David (1 Chr. 9:17).
(8.) A Levite porter (1 Chr. 9:19, 31; Jer.
35:4).
(9.) An Ephraimite chief (2 Chr. 28:12).
(10.) The uncle of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer.
32:7).
(11.) A son of king Josiah (1 Chr. 3:15; Jer.
22:11), who was elected to succeed his father on the throne,
although he was two years younger than his brother Eliakim. He
assumed the crown under the name of Jehoahaz (q.v.). He did not
imitate the example of his father (2 Kings 23:32), but was "a young
lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men" (Ezek.
19:3). His policy was anti-Egyptian therefore. Necho, at that time
at Riblah, sent an army against Jerusalem, which at once yielded,
and Jehoahaz was carried captive to the Egyptian camp, Eliakim being
appointed king in his stead. He remained a captive in Egypt till his
death, and was the first king of Judah that died in exile.
Shalman - an
Assyrian king (Hos. 10:14), identified with Shalmaneser II. (Sayce)
or IV. (Lenormant), the successor of Pul on the throne of Assyria
(B.C. 728). He made war against Hoshea, the king of Israel, whom he
subdued and compelled to pay an annual tribute. Hoshea, however,
soon after rebelled against his Assyrian conquerer. Shalmaneser
again marched against Samaria, which, after a siege of three years,
was taken (2 Kings 17:3-5; 18:9) by Sargon (q.v.). A revolution
meantime had broken out in Assyria, and Shalmaneser was deposed.
Sargon usurped the vacant throne. Schrader thinks that this is
probably the name of a king of Moab mentioned on an inscription of
Tiglath-pileser as Salamanu.
Shamgar - The
Philistines from the maritime plain had made incursions into the
Hebrew upland for the purposes of plunder, when one of this name,
the son of Anath, otherwise unknown, headed a rising for the purpose
of freeing the land from this oppression. He repelled the invasion,
slaying 600 men with an "ox goad" (q.v.). The goad was a formidable
sharpointed instrument, sometimes ten feet long. He was probably
contemporary for a time with Deborah and Barak (Judg. 3:31; 5:6).
Shamir - a
sharp thorn. (1.) One of the sons of Michah (1 Chr. 24:24).
(2.) A town among the mountains of Judah
(Josh. 15:48); probably Somerah, 2 1/2 miles north-west of Debir.
(3.) The residence of Tola, one of the
judges, on Mount Ephraim (Judg. 10:1, 2).
Shammah -
desert. (1.) One of the "dukes" of Edom (Gen. 36:13, 17).
(2.) One of the sons of Jesse (1 Sam. 16:9).
He is also called Shimeah (2 Sam. 13:3) and Shimma (1 Chr. 2:13).
(3.) One of David's three mighty men (2 Sam.
23:11, 12).
(4.) One of David's mighties (2 Sam. 23:25);
called also Shammoth (1 Chr. 11:27) and Shamhuth (27:8).
Shammua -
heard. (1.) One of the spies sent out by Moses to search the land
(Num. 13:4). He represented the tribe of Reuben.
(2.) One of David's sons (1 Chr. 14:4; 3:5, "Shimea;"
2 Sam. 5:14).
(3.) A Levite under Nehemiah (11:17).
Shaphan - a
coney, a scribe or secretary of king Josiah (2 Kings 22:3-7). He
consulted Huldah concerning the newly-discovered copy of the law
which was delivered to him by Hilkiah the priest (8-14). His
grandson Gedaliah was governor of Judea (25:22).
Shaphat -
judge. (1.) One of the spies. He represented the tribe of Simeon
(Num. 13:5).
(2.) The father of Elisha (1 Kings 19:16-19).
(3.) One of David's chief herdsmen (1 Chr.
27:29).
Shapher -
brightness, one of the stations where Israel encamped in the
wilderness (Num. 33:23, 24).
Sharaim - two
gates (Josh. 15:36), more correctly Shaaraim (1 Sam. 17:52),
probably Tell Zakariya and Kefr Zakariya, in the valley of Elah, 3
1/2 miles north-west of Socoh.
Sharezer -
(god) protect the king!, a son of Sennacherib, king of Assyria. He
and his brother Adrammelech murdered their father, and then fled
into the land of Armenia (2 Kings 19:37).
Sharon, Saron -
a plain, a level tract extending from the Mediterranean to the hill
country to the west of Jerusalem, about 30 miles long and from 8 to
15 miles broad, celebrated for its beauty and fertility (1 Chr.
27:29; Isa. 33:9; 35:2; 65:10). The "rose of Sharon" is celebrated
(Cant. 2:1). It is called Lasharon (the article la being here a part
of the word) in Josh. 12:18.
Shaveh-Kiriathaim -
plain of Kirja-thaim where Chedorlaomer defeated the Emims, the
original inhabitants (Gen. 14:5). Now Kureiyat, north of Dibon, in
the land of Moab.
Shaveh, Valley of -
valley of the plain the ancient name of the "king's dale"
(q.v.), or Kidron, on the north side of Jerusalem (Gen. 14:17).
Shavsha - ("Seraiah,"
2 Sam. 8:17; "Shisha," 1 Kings 4:3), one of David's secretaries (1
Chr. 18:16).
Shealtiel -
asked for of God, father of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:2, 8; Neh. 12:1).
Shearing-house -
(2 Kings 10:12, 14; marg., "house of shepherds binding sheep."
R.V., "the shearing-house of the shepherds;" marg., "house of
gathering"), some place between Samaria and Jezreel, where Jehu slew
"two and forty men" of the royal family of Judah. The Heb. word
Beth-eked so rendered is supposed by some to be a proper name.
Shear-Jashub -
a remnant shall escape or return (i.e., to God), a symbolical name
which the prophet Isaiah gave to his son (Isa. 7:3), perhaps his
eldest son.
Sheba - an
oath, seven. (1.) Heb. shebha, the son of Raamah (Gen. 10:7), whose
descendants settled with those of Dedan on the Persian Gulf.
(2.) Heb. id. A son of Joktan (Gen. 10:28),
probably the founder of the Sabeans.
(3.) Heb. id. A son of Jokshan, who was a son
of Abraham by Keturah (Gen. 25:3).
(4.) Heb. id. A kingdom in Arabia Felix.
Sheba, in fact, was Saba in Southern Arabia, the Sabaeans of
classical geography, who carried on the trade in spices with the
other peoples of the ancient world. They were Semites, speaking one
of the two main dialects of Himyaritic or South Arabic. Sheba had
become a monarchy before the days of Solomon. Its queen brought him
gold, spices, and precious stones (1 Kings 10:1-13). She is called
by our Lord the "queen of the south" (Matt. 12:42).
(5.) Heb. shebha', "seven" or "an oak." A
town of Simeon (Josh. 19:2).
(6.) Heb. id. A "son of Bichri," of the
family of Becher, the son of Benjamin, and thus of the stem from
which Saul was descended (2 Sam. 20:1-22). When David was returning
to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom, a strife arose between the
ten tribes and the tribe of Judah, because the latter took the lead
in bringing back the king. Sheba took advantage of this state of
things, and raised the standard of revolt, proclaiming, "We have no
part in David." With his followers he proceeded northward. David
seeing it necessary to check this revolt, ordered Abishai to take
the gibborim, "mighty men," and the body-guard and such troops as he
could gather, and pursue Sheba. Joab joined the expedition, and
having treacherously put Amasa to death, assumed the command of the
army. Sheba took refuge in Abel-Bethmaachah, a fortified town some
miles north of Lake Merom. While Joab was engaged in laying siege to
this city, Sheba's head was, at the instigation of a "wise woman"
who had held a parley with him from the city walls, thrown over the
wall to the besiegers, and thus the revolt came to an end.
Shebaniah -
whom Jehovah hides, or has made grow up. (1.) A Levite appointed to
blow the trumpet before the ark of God (1 Chr. 15:24).
(2.) Another Levite (Neh. 9:4, 5).
(3.) A priest (Neh. 10:12).
(4.) A Levite (Neh. 10:4).
Shebarim -
breaks; ruins, a place near Ai (Josh. 7:5; R.V. marg., "the
quarries").
Shebna - tender
youth, "treasurer" over the house in the reign of Hezekiah, i.e.,
comptroller or governor of the palace. On account of his pride he
was ejected from his office, and Eliakim was promoted to it (Isa.
22:15-25). He appears to have been the leader of the party who
favoured an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. It is conjectured
that "Shebna the scribe," who was one of those whom the king sent to
confer with the Assyrian ambassador (2 Kings 18:18, 26, 37; 19:2;
Isa. 36:3, 11, 22; 37:2), was a different person.
Shebuel -
captive of God. (1.) One of the descendants of Gershom, who had
charge of the temple treasures in the time of David (1 Chr. 23:16;
26:24).
(2.) One of the sons of Heman; one of those
whose duty it was to "lift up the horn" in the temple service (1 Chr.
25:4, 5); called also Shubael (ver. 20).
Shecaniah - one
intimate with Jehovah. (1.) A priest to whom the tenth lot came
forth when David divided the priests (1 Chr. 24:11).
(2.) One of the priests who were set "to give
to their brethren by courses" of the daily portion (2 Chr. 31:15).
Shechani'ah, id. (1.) A priest whose sons are
mentioned in 1 Chr. 3:21, 22.
(2.) Ezra 8:5.
(3.) Ezra 10:2-4.
(4.) The father of Shemaiah, who repaired the
wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:29).
(5.) The father-in-law of Tobiah (Neh. 6:18).
(6.) A priest who returned from the Captivity
with Zerubbabel (Neh. 12:3; marg., or Shebaniah).
Shechem -
shoulder. (1.) The son of Hamor the Hivite (Gen. 33:19; 34).
(2.) A descendant of Manasseh (Num. 26:31;
Josh. 17:2).
(3.) A city in Samaria (Gen. 33:18), called
also Sichem (12:6), Sychem (Acts 7:16). It stood in the narrow
sheltered valley between Ebal on the north and Gerizim on the south,
these mountains at their base being only some 500 yards apart. Here
Abraham pitched his tent and built his first altar in the Promised
Land, and received the first divine promise (Gen. 12:6, 7). Here
also Jacob "bought a parcel of a field at the hands of the children
of Hamor" after his return from Mesopotamia, and settled with his
household, which he purged from idolatry by burying the teraphim of
his followers under an oak tree, which was afterwards called "the
oak of the sorcerer" (Gen. 33:19; 35:4; Judg. 9:37). (See
MEONENIM.) Here too, after a while, he dug a well, which bears
his name to this day (John 4:5, 39-42). To Shechem Joshua gathered
all Israel "before God," and delivered to them his second parting
address (Josh. 24:1-15). He "made a covenant with the people that
day" at the very place where, on first entering the land, they had
responded to the law from Ebal and Gerizim (Josh. 24:25), the terms
of which were recorded "in the book of the law of God", i.e., in the
roll of the law of Moses; and in memory of this solemn transaction a
great stone was set up "under an oak" (comp. Gen. 28:18; 31:44-48;
Ex. 24:4; Josh. 4:3, 8, 9), possibly the old "oak of Moreh," as a
silent witness of the transaction to all coming time.
Shechem became one of the cities of refuge,
the central city of refuge for Western Palestine (Josh. 20:7), and
here the bones of Joseph were buried (24:32). Rehoboam was appointed
king in Shechem (1 Kings 12:1, 19), but Jeroboam afterwards took up
his residence here. This city is mentioned in connection with our
Lord's conversation with the woman of Samaria (John 4:5); and thus,
remaining as it does to the present day, it is one of the oldest
cities of the world. It is the modern Nablus, a contraction for
Neapolis, the name given to it by Vespasian. It lies about a mile
and a half up the valley on its southern slope, and on the north of
Gerizim, which rises about 1,100 feet above it, and is about 34
miles north of Jerusalem. It contains about 10,000 inhabitants, of
whom about 160 are Samaritans and 100 Jews, the rest being
Christians and Mohammedans.
The site of Shechem is said to be of
unrivalled beauty. Stanley says it is "the most beautiful, perhaps
the only very beautiful, spot in Central Palestine."
Gaza, near Shechem, only mentioned 1 Chr.
7:28, has entirely disappeared. It was destroyed at the time of the
Conquest, and its place was taken by Shechem. (See
SYCHAR.)
Shechinah - a
Chaldee word meaning resting-place, not found in Scripture, but used
by the later Jews to designate the visible symbol of God's presence
in the tabernacle, and afterwards in Solomon's temple. When the Lord
led Israel out of Egypt, he went before them "in a pillar of a
cloud." This was the symbol of his presence with his people. For
references made to it during the wilderness wanderings, see Ex.
14:20; 40:34-38; Lev. 9:23, 24; Num. 14:10; 16:19, 42.
It is probable that after the entrance into
Canaan this glory-cloud settled in the tabernacle upon the ark of
the covenant in the most holy place. We have, however, no special
reference to it till the consecration of the temple by Solomon, when
it filled the whole house with its glory, so that the priests could
not stand to minister (1 Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chr. 5:13, 14; 7:1-3).
Probably it remained in the first temple in the holy of holies as
the symbol of Jehovah's presence so long as that temple stood. It
afterwards disappeared. (See
CLOUD.)
Sheep - are of
different varieties. Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were
of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia
and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with
surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the
herds of the people of Israel. They are frequently mentioned in
Scripture. The care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as
illustrating God's care over his people (Ps. 23:1, 2; 74:1; 77:20;
Isa. 40:11; 53:6; John 10:1-5, 7-16).
"The sheep of Palestine are longer in the
head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest
part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and
ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs., but sometimes extending to 30
lbs. The tails are indeed huge masses of fat" (Geikie's Holy Land,
etc.). The tail was no doubt the "rump" so frequently referred to in
the Levitical sacrifices (Ex. 29:22; Lev. 3:9; 7:3; 9:19).
Sheep-shearing was generally an occasion of great festivity (Gen.
31:19; 38:12, 13; 1 Sam. 25:4-8, 36; 2 Sam. 13:23-28).
Sheep-fold - a
strong fenced enclosure for the protection of the sheep gathered
within it (Num. 32:24; 1 Chr. 17:7; Ps. 50:9; 78:70). In John 10:16
the Authorized Version renders by "fold" two distinct Greek words,
aule and poimne, the latter of which properly means a "flock," and
is so rendered in the Revised Version. (See also Matt. 26:31; Luke
2:8; 1 Cor. 9:7.) (See
FOLD.)
Sheep-gate - one of
the gates of Jerusalem mentioned by Nehemiah (3:1, 32; 12:39). It
was in the eastern wall of the city.
Sheep-market -
occurs only in John 5:2 (marg., also R.V., "sheep-gate"). The word
so rendered is an adjective, and it is uncertain whether the noun to
be supplied should be "gate" or, following the Vulgate Version,
"pool."
Shekel -
weight, the common standard both of weight and value among the
Hebrews. It is estimated at 220 English grains, or a little more
than half an ounce avoirdupois. The "shekel of the sanctuary" (Ex.
30:13; Num. 3:47) was equal to twenty gerahs (Ezek. 45:12). There
were shekels of gold (1 Chr. 21:25), of silver (1 Sam. 9:8), of
brass (17:5), and of iron (7). When it became a coined piece of
money, the shekel of gold was equivalent to about 2 pound of our
money. Six gold shekels, according to the later Jewish system, were
equal in value to fifty silver ones.
The temple contribution, with which the
public sacrifices were bought (Ex. 30:13; 2 Chr. 24:6), consisted of
one common shekel, or a sanctuary half-shekel, equal to two Attic
drachmas. The coin, a stater (q.v.), which Peter found in the fish's
mouth paid this contribution for both him and Christ (Matt. 17:24,
27). A zuza, or quarter of a shekel, was given by Saul to Samuel (1
Sam. 9:8).
Shelah -
petition. (1.) Judah's third son (Gen. 38:2, 5, 11, 14).
(2.) A son of Arphaxad (1 Chr. 1:18).
Shelemiah -
whom Jehovah repays. (1.) Ezra 10:39.
(2.) The father of Hananiah (Neh. 3:30).
(3.) A priest in the time of Nehemiah
(13:13).
(4.) Father of one of those who accused
Jeremiah to Zedekiah (Jer. 37:3; 38:1).
(5.) Father of a captain of the ward (Jer.
37:13).
(6.) Jer. 36:14.
Shem - a name;
renown, the first mentioned of the sons of Noah (Gen. 5:32; 6:10).
He was probably the eldest of Noah's sons. The words "brother of
Japheth the elder" in Gen. 10:21 are more correctly rendered "the
elder brother of Japheth," as in the Revised Version. Shem's name is
generally mentioned first in the list of Noah's sons. He and his
wife were saved in the ark (7:13). Noah foretold his preeminence
over Canaan (9:23-27). He died at the age of six hundred years,
having been for many years contemporary with Abraham, according to
the usual chronology. The Israelitish nation sprang from him (Gen.
11:10-26; 1 Chr. 1:24-27).
Shema - rumour.
(1.) A Reubenite (1 Chr. 5:8).
(2.) A Benjamite (1 Chr. 8:13).
(3.) One who stood by Ezra when he read the
law (Neh. 8:4).
(4.) A town in the south of Judah (Josh.
15:26); the same as Sheba (ver. 5).
Shemaah -
rumour, a Benjamite whose sons "came to David to Ziklag" (1 Chr.
12:3).
Return
To Dictionary
Shemaiah - whom
Jehovah heard. (1.) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings
12:22-24).
(2.) Neh. 3:29.
(3.) A Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:37).
(4.) A priest (Neh. 12:42).
(5.) A Levite (1 Chr. 9:16).
(6.) 1 Chr. 9:14; Neh. 11:15.
(7.) A Levite in the time of David, who with
200 of his brethren took part in the bringing up of the ark from
Obed-edom to Hebron (1 Chr. 15:8).
(8.) A Levite (1 Chr. 24:6).
(9.) The eldest son of Obed-edom (1 Chr.
26:4-8).
(10.) A Levite (2 Chr. 29:14).
(11.) A false prophet who hindered the
rebuilding of Jerusalem (Neh. 6:10).
(12.) A prince of Judah who assisted at the
dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 12:34-36).
(13.) A false prophet who opposed Jeremiah (Jer.
29:24-32).
(14.) One of the Levites whom Jehoshaphat
appointed to teach the law (2 Chr. 17:8).
(15.) A Levite appointed to "distribute the
oblations of the Lord" (2 Chr. 31:15).
(16.) A Levite (2 Chr. 35:9).
(17.) The father of Urijah the prophet (Jer.
26:20).
(18.) The father of a prince in the reign of
Jehoiakim (Jer. 36:12).
Shemariah -
whom Jehovah guards. (1.) One who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr.
12:5).
(2.) Ezra 10:32, 41.
Shemeber -
soaring on high, the king of Zeboiim, who joined with the other
kings in casting off the yoke of Chedorlaomer. After having been
reconquered by him, he was rescued by Abraham (Gen. 14:2).
Sheminith -
eight; octave, a musical term, supposed to denote the lowest note
sung by men's voices (1 Chr. 15:21; Ps. 6; 12, title).
Shemiramoth -
most high name. (1.) A Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr.
17:8).
(2.) A Levite in David's time (1 Chr. 15:18,
20).
Shemuel - heard
of God. (1.) The son of Ammihud. He represented Simeon in the
division of the land (Num. 34:20).
(2.) Used for "Samuel" (1 Chr. 6:33, R.V.).
(3.) A prince of the tribe of Issachar (1 Chr.
7:2).
Shen - a tooth,
probably some conspicuous tooth-shaped rock or crag (1 Sam. 7:12), a
place between which and Mizpeh Samuel set up his "Ebenezer." In the
Hebrew the word has the article prefixed, "the Shen." The site is
unknown.
Shenir - =Senir,
(Deut. 3:9; Cant. 4:8), the name given to Mount Hermon (q.v.) by the
Sidonians.
Sheol - (Heb.,
"the all-demanding world" = Gr. Hades, "the unknown region"), the
invisible world of departed souls. (See
HELL.)
Shepham - a
treeless place, Num. 34:10, 11: "The coast shall go down from
Shepham to Riblah."
Shephatiah -
judged of the Lord. (1.) A son of David by Abital (2 Sam. 3:4).
(2.) A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag
(1 Chr. 12:5).
(3.) A Simeonite prince in David's time (1
Chr. 27:16).
(4.) One of Jehoshaphat's sons (2 Chr. 21:2).
(5.) Ezra 2:4.
(6.) Ezra 2:57; Neh. 7:59.
(7.) One of the princes who urged the putting
of Jeremiah to death (Jer. 38:1-4).
Shepherd - a
word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the
word "pastor" is used instead (Jer. 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16).
This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers
to their subjects and of God to his people (Ps. 23:1; 80:1; Isa.
40:11; 44:28; Jer. 25:34, 35; Nahum 3:18; John 10:11, 14; Heb.
13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4).
The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed
country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led
forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot
where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking
care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded
his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till
he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be
supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has
to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the
wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock
home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the
door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours
always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the
dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of
the prowling thief (see 1 Sam. 17:34).", Deane's David.
Sherebiah -
flame of the Lord, a priest whose name is prominent in connection
with the work carried on by Ezra and Nehemiah at Jerusalem (Ezra
8:17, 18, 24-30; Neh. 8:7; 9:4, 5; 10:12).
Sheresh - root,
a descendant of Manasseh (1 Chr. 7:16).
Sherezer - one
of the messengers whom the children of the Captivity sent to
Jerusalem "to pray for them before the Lord" (Zech. 7:2).
Sheriffs -
(Dan. 3:2), Babylonian officers.
Sheshach - (Jer.
25:26), supposed to be equivalent to Babel (Babylon), according to a
secret (cabalistic) mode of writing among the Jews of unknown
antiquity, which consisted in substituting the last letter of the
Hebrew alphabet for the first, the last but one for the second, and
so on. Thus the letters sh, sh, ch become b, b, l, i.e., Babel. This
is supposed to be confirmed by a reference to Jer. 51:41, where
Sheshach and Babylon are in parallel clauses. There seems to be no
reason to doubt that Babylon is here intended by this name. (See
Streane's Jeremiah, l.c.)
Sheshai -
whitish, one of the sons of Anak (Num. 13:22). When the Israelites
obtained possession of the country the sons of Anak were expelled
and slain (Josh. 15:14; Judg. 1:10).
Sheshbazzar - O
sun-god, defend the lord! (Ezra 1:8, 11), probably another name for
Zerubbabel (q.v.), Ezra 2:2; Hag. 1:12, 14; Zech. 4:6, 10.
Sheth - tumult.
(1.) "The children of Sheth" (Num. 24:17); R.V., "the sons of
tumult," which is probably the correct rendering, as there is no
evidence that this is a proper name here.
(2.) The antediluvian patriarch (1 Chr. 1:1).
Shethar - a
star, a prince at the court of Ahasuerus (Esther 1:14).
Shethar-boznai -
star of splendour, a Persian officer who vainly attempted to
hinder the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 5:3, 6; 6:6, 13).
Sheva - Heb.
Shebher. (1.) The son of Caleb (1 Chr. 2:49).
(2.) Heb. Sheva', one of David's scribes (2
Sam. 20:25).
Shewbread - Ex.
25:30 (R.V. marg., "presence bread"); 1 Chr. 9:32 (marg., "bread of
ordering"); Num. 4:7: called "hallowed bread" (R.V., "holy bread")
in 1 Sam. 21:1-6.
This bread consisted of twelve loaves made of
the finest flour. They were flat and thin, and were placed in two
rows of six each on a table in the holy place before the Lord. They
were renewed every Sabbath (Lev. 24:5-9), and those that were
removed to give place to the new ones were to be eaten by the
priests only in the holy place (see 1 Sam. 21:3-6; comp. Matt. 12:3,
4).
The number of the loaves represented the
twelve tribes of Israel, and also the entire spiritual Israel, "the
true Israel;" and the placing of them on the table symbolized the
entire consecration of Israel to the Lord, and their acceptance of
God as their God. The table for the bread was made of acacia wood, 3
feet long, 18 inches broad, and 2 feet 3 inches high. It was plated
with pure gold. Two staves, plated with gold, passed through golden
rings, were used for carrying it.
Shibboleth -
river, or an ear of corn. The tribes living on the east of Jordan,
separated from their brethren on the west by the deep ravines and
the rapid river, gradually came to adopt peculiar customs, and from
mixing largely with the Moabites, Ishmaelites, and Ammonites to
pronounce certain letters in such a manner as to distinguish them
from the other tribes. Thus when the Ephraimites from the west
invaded Gilead, and were defeated by the Gileadites under the
leadership of Jephthah, and tried to escape by the "passages of the
Jordan," the Gileadites seized the fords and would allow none to
pass who could not pronounce "shibboleth" with a strong aspirate.
This the fugitives were unable to do. They said "sibboleth," as the
word was pronounced by the tribes on the west, and thus they were
detected (Judg. 12:1-6). Forty-two thousand were thus detected, and
"Without reprieve, adjudged to death, For
want of well-pronouncing shibboleth."
Shibmah -
fragrance, a town of Reuben, east of Jordan (Num. 32:38).
Shield - used
in defensive warfare, varying at different times and under different
circumstances in size, form, and material (1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 1:21;
1 Kings 10:17; 1 Chr. 12:8, 24, 34; Isa. 22:6; Ezek. 39:9; Nahum
2:3).
Used figuratively of God and of earthly
princes as the defenders of their people (Gen. 15:1; Deut. 33:29;
Ps. 33:20; 84:11). Faith is compared to a shield (Eph. 6:16).
Shields were usually "anointed" (Isa. 21:5),
in order to preserve them, and at the same time make the missiles of
the enemy glide off them more easily.
Shiggaion -
from the verb shagah, "to reel about through drink," occurs in the
title of Ps. 7. The plural form, shigionoth, is found in Hab. 3:1.
The word denotes a lyrical poem composed under strong mental
emotion; a song of impassioned imagination accompanied with suitable
music; a dithyrambic ode.
Shihon -
overturning, a town of Issachar (Josh. 19:19).
Shihor - dark,
(1 Chr. 13:5), the southwestern boundary of Canaan, the Wady el-'Arish.
(See SIHOR ¯T0003428;
NILE.)
Shihor-Libnath -
black-white, a stream on the borders of Asher, probably the modern
Nahr Zerka, i.e., the "crocodile brook," or "blue river", which
rises in the Carmel range and enters the Mediterranean a little to
the north of Caesarea (Josh. 19:26). Crocodiles are still found in
the Zerka. Thomson suspects "that long ages ago some Egyptians,
accustomed to worship this ugly creature, settled here (viz., at
Caesarea), and brought their gods with them. Once here they would
not easily be exterminated" (The Land and the Book).
Shilhim -
aqueducts, a town in the south of Judah (Josh. 15:32); called also
Sharuhen and Shaaraim (19:6).
Shiloah, The waters
of - =Siloah, (Neh. 3:15) and Siloam (q.v.)
Shiloh -
generally understood as denoting the Messiah, "the peaceful one," as
the word signifies (Gen. 49:10). The Vulgate Version translates the
word, "he who is to be sent," in allusion to the Messiah; the
Revised Version, margin, "till he come to Shiloh;" and the LXX.,
"until that which is his shall come to Shiloh." It is most simple
and natural to render the expression, as in the Authorized Version,
"till Shiloh come," interpreting it as a proper name (comp. Isa.
9:6).
Shiloh, a place of rest, a city of Ephraim,
"on the north side of Bethel," from which it is distant 10 miles (Judg.
21:19); the modern Seilun (the Arabic for Shiloh), a "mass of
shapeless ruins." Here the tabernacle was set up after the Conquest
(Josh. 18:1-10), where it remained during all the period of the
judges till the ark fell into the hands of the Philistines. "No spot
in Central Palestine could be more secluded than this early
sanctuary, nothing more featureless than the landscape around; so
featureless, indeed, the landscape and so secluded the spot that
from the time of St. Jerome till its re-discovery by Dr. Robinson in
1838 the very site was forgotten and unknown." It is referred to by
Jeremiah (7:12, 14; 26:4-9) five hundred years after its
destruction.
Shilonite -
Ahijah the prophet, whose home was in Shiloh, is so designated (1
Kings 11:29; 15:29). The plural form occurs (1 Chr. 9:5), denoting
the descendants of Shelah, Judah's youngest son.
Shimea - the
hearing prayer. (1.) One of David's sons by Bathsheba (1 Chr. 3:5);
called also Shammua (14:4).
(2.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chr.
6:30).
(3.) Another Levite of the family of Gershon
(1 Chr. 6:39).
(4.) One of David's brothers (1 Sam. 16:9,
marg.).
Shimeah - (1.)
One of David's brothers (2 Sam. 13:3); same as Shimea (4).
(2.) A Benjamite, a descendant of Gibeon (1
Chr. 8:32); called also Shimeam (9:38).
Shimei -
famous. (1.) A son of Gershon, and grandson of Levi (Num. 3:18; 1
Chr. 6:17, 29); called Shimi in Ex. 6:17.
(2.) A Benjamite of the house of Saul, who
stoned and cursed David when he reached Bahurim in his flight from
Jerusalem on the occasion of the rebellion of Absalom (2 Sam.
16:5-13). After the defeat of Absalom he "came cringing to the king,
humbly suing for pardon, bringing with him a thousand of his
Benjamite tribesmen, and representing that he was heartily sorry for
his crime, and had hurried the first of all the house of Israel to
offer homage to the king" (19:16-23). David forgave him; but on his
death-bed he gave Solomon special instructions regarding Shimei, of
whose fidelity he seems to have been in doubt (1 Kings 2:8,9). He
was put to death at the command of Solomon, because he had violated
his word by leaving Jerusalem and going to Gath to recover two of
his servants who had escaped (36-46).
(3.) One of David's mighty men who refused to
acknowledge Adonijah as David's successor (1 Kings 1:8). He is
probably the same person who is called elsewhere (4:18) "the son of
Elah."
(4.) A son of Pedaiah, the brother of
Zerubbabel (1 Chr. 3:19).
(5.) A Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:26, 27).
(6.) A Reubenite (1 Chr. 5:4).
(7.) A Levite of the family of Gershon (1 Chr.
6:42).
(8.) A Ramathite who was "over the vineyards"
of David (1 Chr. 27:27).
(9.) One of the sons of Heman, who assisted
in the purification of the temple (2 Chr. 29:14).
(10.) A Levite (2 Chr. 31:12, 13).
(11.) Another Levite (Ezra 10:23). "The
family of Shimei" (Zech. 12:13; R.V., "the family of the Shimeites")
were the descendants of Shimei (1).
Shimeon -
hearkening. Ezra 10:31.
Shimhi -
famous, a Benjamite (1 Chr. 8:21).
Shimrath -
guardian, a Benjamite, one of Shimhi's sons (id.).
Shimri -
watchman. (1.) A Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:37).
(2.) The father of one of the "valiant men"
of David's armies (1 Chr. 11:45).
(3.) Assisted at the purification of the
temple in the time of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29:13).
Shimrom -
watchman, the fourth son of Issachar (Gen. 46:13; 1 Chr. 7:1; R.V.,
correctly, "Shimron").
Shimron -
watch-post, an ancient city of the Canaanites; with its villages,
allotted to Zebulun (Josh. 19:15); now probably Semunieh, on the
northern edge of the plain of Esdraelon, 5 miles west of Nazareth.
Shimron-meron -
the same, probably, as Shimron (Josh. 12:20).
Shimshai - the
shining one, or sunny, the secretary of Rehum the chancellor, who
took part in opposing the rebuilding of the temple after the
Captivity (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17-23).
Shinab -
cooling, the king of Adamah, in the valley of Siddim, who with his
confederates was conquered by Chedorlaomer (Gen. 14:2).
Shinar, The Land of
- LXX. and Vulgate "Senaar;" in the inscriptions, "Shumir;"
probably identical with Babylonia or Southern Mesopotamia, extending
almost to the Persian Gulf. Here the tower of Babel was built (Gen.
11:1-6), and the city of Babylon. The name occurs later in Jewish
history (Isa. 11:11; Zech. 5:11). Shinar was apparently first
peopled by Turanian tribes, who tilled the land and made bricks and
built cities. Then tribes of Semites invaded the land and settled in
it, and became its rulers. This was followed in course of time by an
Elamite invasion; from which the land was finally delivered by
Khammurabi, the son of Amarpel ("Amraphel, king of Shinar," Gen.
14:1), who became the founder of the new empire of Chaldea. (See
AMRAPHEL.)
Shiphmite -
probably the designation of Zabdi, who has charge of David's
vineyards (1 Chr. 27:27).
Shiphrah -
beauty, one of the Egyptian midwives (Ex. 1:15).
Shiphtan -
judicial, an Ephraimite prince at the time of the division of Canaan
(Num. 34:24).
Ships - early
used in foreign commerce by the Phoenicians (Gen. 49:13). Moses
(Deut. 28:68) and Job (9:26) make reference to them, and Balaam
speaks of the "ships of Chittim" (Num. 24:24). Solomon constructed a
navy at Ezion-geber by the assistance of Hiram's sailors (1 Kings
9:26-28; 2 Chr. 8:18). Afterwards, Jehoshaphat sought to provide
himself with a navy at the same port, but his ships appear to have
been wrecked before they set sail (1 Kings 22:48, 49; 2 Chr.
20:35-37).
In our Lord's time fishermen's boats on the
Sea of Galilee were called "ships." Much may be learned regarding
the construction of ancient merchant ships and navigation from the
record in Acts 27, 28.
Shishak I - =Sheshonk
I., king of Egypt. His reign was one of great national success, and
a record of his wars and conquests adorns the portico of what are
called the "Bubastite kings" at Karnak, the ancient Thebes. Among
these conquests is a record of that of Judea. In the fifth year of
Rehoboam's reign Shishak came up against the kingdom of Judah with a
powerful army. He took the fenced cities and came to Jerusalem. He
pillaged the treasures of the temple and of the royal palace, and
carried away the shields of gold which Solomon had made (1 Kings
11:40; 14:25; 2 Chr. 12:2). (See REHOBOAM.) This expedition of
the Egyptian king was undertaken at the instigation of Jeroboam for
the purpose of humbling Judah. Hostilities between the two kingdoms
still continued; but during Rehoboam's reign there was not again the
intervention of a third party.
Shittah-tree - (Isa.
41:19; R.V., "acacia tree"). Shittah wood was employed in making the
various parts of the tabernacle in the wilderness, and must
therefore have been indigenous in the desert in which the Israelites
wandered. It was the acacia or mimosa (Acacia Nilotica and A. seyal).
"The wild acacia (Mimosa Nilotica), under the name of sunt,
everywhere represents the seneh, or senna, of the burning bush. A
slightly different form of the tree, equally common under the name
of seyal, is the ancient 'shittah,' or, as more usually
expressed in the plural form, the 'shittim,' of which the tabernacle
was made." Stanley's Sinai, etc. (Ex. 25:10, 13, 23, 28).
Shittim -
acacias, also called "Abel-shittim" (Num. 33:49), a plain or valley
in the land of Moab where the Israelites were encamped after their
two victories over Sihon and Og, at the close of their desert
wanderings, and from which Joshua sent forth two spies (q.v.)
"secretly" to "view" the land and Jericho (Josh. 2:1).
Shoa - opulent,
the mountain district lying to the north-east of Babylonia,
anciently the land of the Guti, or Kuti, the modern Kurdistan. The
plain lying between these mountains and the Tigris was called su-Edina,
i.e., "the border of the plain." This name was sometimes shortened
into Suti and Su, and has been regarded as = Shoa (Ezek. 23:23).
Some think it denotes a place in Babylon. (See PEKOD.)
Shobab - apostate.
(1.) One of David's sons by Bathseheba (2 Sam. 5:14).
(2.) One of the sons of Caleb (1 Chr. 2:18),
the son of Hezron.
Shobach -
poured out, the "captain of the host of Hadarezer" when he mustered
his vassals and tributaries from beyond "the river Euphrates" (2
Sam. 10:15-18); called also Shophach (1 Chr. 19:16).
Return
To Dictionary
|