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ALMON-DIBLATHAIM to ALVAN

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ALMON-DIBLATHAIM

Camping place of Israelites Num 33:46-47

Probably identical with Beth-diblathairn Jer 48:22

And with Diblath Eze 6:14

ALMS

Not found in the Old Testament, but repeatedly in the New.

The Mosaic legislation (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 15:7) tended to promote a spirit of charity, and to prevent the occurrence of destitution among the people. Such passages as these, Ps. 41:1; 112:9; Prov. 14:31; Isa. 10:2; Amos 2:7; Jer. 5:28; Ezek. 22:29, would also naturally foster the same benevolent spirit.

In the time of our Lord begging was common (Mark 10:46; Acts 3:2). The Pharisees were very ostentatious in their almsgivings (Matt. 6:2). The spirit by which the Christian ought to be actuated in this duty is set forth in 1 John 3:17.

A regard to the state of the poor and needy is enjoined as a Christian duty (Luke 3:11; 6:30; Matt. 6:1; Acts 9:36; 10:2, 4), a duty which was not neglected by the early Christians (Luke 14:13; Acts 20:35; Gal. 2:10; Rom. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-4).

They cared not only for the poor among themselves, but contributed also to the necessities of those at a distance (Acts 11:29; 24:17; 2 Cor. 9:12). Our Lord and his attendants showed an example also in this (John 13:29).

In modern times the "poor-laws" have introduced an element which modifies considerably the form in which we may discharge this Christian duty.

Asking John 9:8; Acts 3:2

COMMANDMENTS AND PRACTICES CONCERNING Lev 25:35; Deut 14:28-29; Deut 15:7-11; Isa 58:6-7; Matt 5:42; Matt 6:1-4; Matt 19:21; Luke 11:41; Luke 12:33; Rom 12:8; 2 Cor 9:5-7; Gal 2:10; 1 Tim 6:18; Heb 13:16; 1 John 3:17 .

See BENEFICENCE

See GIVING

See LIBERALITY

See POOR

INSTANCES OF GIVING

Zaccheus Luke 19:8

Dorcas Acts 9:36

Cornelius Acts 10:2

The early Christians Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:34-37; Acts 6:1-3; Acts 11:29-30; Acts 4:17; Rom 15:25-28; 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8:1-4; 2 Cor 9:1; Heb 6:10

ALOES

(Heb. 'ahalim), a fragrant wood (Num. 24:6; Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; Cant. Prov 4:14), the Aquilaria agallochum of botanists, or, as some suppose, the costly gum or perfume extracted from the wood.

It is found in China, Siam, and Northern India, and grows to the height sometimes of 120 feet. This species is of great rarity even in India. There is another and more common species, called by Indians aghil, whence Europeans have given it the name of Lignum aquile, or eagle-wood. Aloewood was used by the Egyptians for embalming dead bodies. Nicodemus brought it (pounded aloe-wood) to embalm the body of Christ (John 19:39); but whether this was the same as that mentioned elsewhere is uncertain.

The bitter aloes of the apothecary is the dried juice of the leaves Aloe vulgarise.

Used as perfume Psa 45:8; Prov 7:17; Song 4:14

In embalming the dead John 19:39

Lign-aloes Num 2:1-6

ALMUG

(1 Kings 10:11, 12) = algum (2 Chr. 2:8; 9:10, 11), in the Hebrew occurring only in the plural almuggim (indicating that the wood was brought in planks), the name of a wood brought from Ophir to be used in the building of the temple, and for other purposes.

Some suppose it to have been the white sandal-wood of India, the Santalum album of botanists, a native of the mountainous parts of the Malabar coasts.

It is a fragrant wood, and is used in China for incense in idol-worship. Others, with some probability, think that it was the Indian red sandal-wood, the pterocarpus santalinus, a heavy, fine-grained wood, the Sanscrit name of which is valguka.

It is found on the Coromandel coast and in Ceylon.

ALPHAEUS

(1.) The father of James the Less, the apostle and writer of the epistle (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13), and the husband of Mary (John 19:25). The Hebrew form of this name is Cleopas, or Clopas (q.v.).

(2.) The father of Levi, or Matthew (Mark 2:14).

ALPHA

A title of Christ Rev 1:8, Rev 1:11; Rev 21:6; Rev 22:13

Compare Isa 41:4; Isa 44:6; Isa 48:12

ALPHEUS (ALPHAEUS)

1. Father of James Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18

2. Father of Levi Mark 2:14

ALTAR

(Heb. mizbe'ah, from a word meaning "to slay"), any structure of earth (Ex. 20:24) or unwrought stone (Ex 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 (Gen 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" (Ex 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. 9:1 all. 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).

Built by Noah Gen 8:2

Built by Abraham Gen 12:7-8; Gen 13:18; Gen 22:9

Built by Isaac Gen 26:25

Built by Jacob Gen 33:20; Gen 35:1-7

Built by Moses Exo 17:15; Exo 24:4

Built by Balaam Num 23:1, Num 23:14, Num 23:29

Built by Joshua Deut 27:4-7; Josh 8:30-32

Built by the Reubenites and Gadites Josh 22:10, Josh 22:34

Built by Gideon Judges 6:26, 27

Built by Samuel 1 Sam 7:17

Built by Saul 1 Sam 14:35

Built by David 2 Sam 24:18-19

Built by Elijah 1 Kings 18:31-32

Mosaic commandments prescribing the construction of Exo 20:24-26; Deut 27:5-7; Josh 8:30-31

See Eze 43:13

Used in idolatrous worship Judges 6:25; 1 Kings 12:32; 1 Kings 16:32; 1 Kings 18:26; 2 Kings 16:10; 2 Kings 23:12, 2 Kings 23:15; Isa 27:9; Isa 65:3; Hosea 8:11; Acts 17:23

OF BURNT OFFERINGS

Called BRAZEN ALTAR Exo 39:39; 1 Kings 8:64

Called ALTAR OF GOD Psa 43:4

Called ALTAR OF THE LORD Mal 2:13

IN THE TABERNACLE

Pattern of Exo 27:1-8

Constructed by Bezaleel Exo 38:1-7 with Exo 37:1

Location of Exo 40:6, Exo 40:29; Eze 8:16; Matt 23:35

Furniture of Exo 27:3-7; Exo 38:3-7; 1 Sam 2:13-14

Horns of Exo 27:2 .Uses of the horns Psa 118:27

How sanctified Exo 29:36-37, Exo 29:44; Exo 30:26-28; Exo 40:10; Lev 8:10-11; Num 7:1 all

See Eze 43:18-27

See BLOOD

Sanctified everything that touched it Exo 29:37; Exo 30:29; Matt 23:18-19 A place of refuge Exo 21:14; 1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 2:28

IN SOLOMON'S TEMPLE

Description of 2Ch 4:1

Renewed by Asa 2Ch 15:8

Removed by Ahaz, and one of idolatrous fashion substituted 2 Kings 16:14-17

Cleansed by Hezekiah 2 Chr 29:18-24

Repaired by Manasseh 2 Chr 33:16

Furniture of, taken to Babylon 2 Kings 25:14 .

IN SECOND TEMPLE Ezr 3:1-6


EZEKIEL'S VISION OF Eze 43:13-27

See TABERNACLE

See TEMPLE

OF INCENSE

Called the GOLDEN ALTAR

Exo 39:38; Num 4:11

ALTAR OF SWEET INCENSE Lev 4:7

ALTAR BEFORE THE LORD

Lev 16:18 Pattern of Exo 30:1-5

Constructed Exo 37:25-28

Location of Exo 30:6; Exo 40:5, Exo 40:26

A cover made for, of the censers of Korah Num 16:36-40 Uses of Exo 30:7-10, Exo 30:26-27; Exo 40:27; Lev 4:7, Lev 4:18;

Lev 8:15; Lev 9:9; Lev 16:12, Lev 16:18

How prepared for carrying Num 4:4-15 Carried by Kohathites Num 3:27-31

In Solomon's temple 1 Kings 6:19-20; 1 Kings 7:48; 1 Chr 28:18

Seen in John's vision Rev 8:3; Rev 9:13

AL-TASCHITH

destroy not, the title of Ps. 57:1 all, Ps 58:1 all, Ps 59:1 all, Ps 75:1 all. It was probably the name of some song to the melody of which these psalms were to be chanted.

See MUSIC

ALUSH

one of the places, the last before Rephidim, at which the Hebrews rested on their way to Sinai (Num. 33:13, 14). It was probably situated on the shore of the Red Sea.

Camping place of the Israelites Num 33:13

ALVAH

Duke of Edom Gen 36:40

Called ALIAH 1 Chr 1:51

ALVAN

Son of Shobal Gen 36:23

Called ALIAN 1 Chr 1:40