BAJITH to BALANCES
Contents
BAJITH
house, probably a city of Moab, which had a celebrated idol-temple (Isa. 15:2).
It has also been regarded as denoting simply the temple of the idol of Moab as opposed to the "high place."
A place of idolatrous worship in Moab Isa 15:2
BAKBAKKAR
A Levite 1Ch 9:15
BAKBUK
An ancestor of the Nethinim Ezr 2:51; Ne 7:53
BAKBUKIAH
A Levite Ne 11:17; 12:9, 25
BAKER
The duty of preparing bread was usually, in ancient times, committed to the females or the slaves of the family (Gen. 18:6; Lev. 26:26; 1 Sam. 8:13); but at a later period we find a class of public bakers mentioned (Hos. 7:4, 6; Jer. 37:21).
The bread was generally in the form of long or round cakes (Ex. 29:23; 1 Sam. 2:36), of a thinness that rendered them easily broken (Isa. 58:7; Matt. 14:19; 26:26; Acts 20:11).
Common ovens were generally used; at other times a jar was half-filled with hot pebbles, and the dough was spread over them. Hence we read of "cakes baken on the coals" (1 Kings 19:6), and "baken in the oven" (Lev. 2:4). (See BREAD.)
General scriptures concerning 1Sa 8:13; Jer 37:21; Ho 7:4, 6
Pharaoh's chief baker Ge 40:1
Bake-meats - baked provisions (Gen. 40:17), literally "works of the baker," such as biscuits and cakes.
See BREAD
BALAAM
lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites (Num. 31:8; comp. Num 31:16).
He resided at Pethor (Deut. 23:4), in Mesopotamia (Num. 23:7). It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam "from Aram, out of the mountains of the east," to curse them; but by the remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfil Balak's wish, however desirous he was to do so.
The apostle Peter refers (2 Pet. 2:15, 16) to this as an historical event. In Micah 6:5 reference also is made to the relations between Balaam and Balak. Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he suggested a mode by which the divine displeasure might be caused to descend upon them (Num. 25:1 all). In a battle between Israel and the Midianites (q.v.) Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak (Num. 31:8).
The "doctrine of Balaam" is spoken of in Rev. 2:14, in allusion to the fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam that Balak learned the way by which the Israelites might be led into sin.
See NICOLAITANES
Balaam was constrained to utter prophecies regarding the future of Israel of wonderful magnificence and beauty of expression (Num. 24:5-9, 17).
(Son of Beor)
From Mesopotamia Deut 23:4
A soothsayer Jos 13:22 A prophet Nu 24:2-9; 2Pe 2:15, 16
Balak sends for, to curse Israel Nu 22:5-7; Jos 24:9; Ne 13:2; Mic 6:5 Anger of, rebuked by his ass Nu 22:22-35; 2Pe 2:16
Counsel of, an occasion of Israel's corruption with the Midianites Nu 31:16; Re 2:14, 15 Covetousness of 2Pe 2:15; Jude 1:11
Death of Nu 31:8; Jos 13:22
BALAC
See BALAK
BALAH
a city in the tribe of Simeon (Josh. 19:3), elsewhere called Bilhah (1 Chr. 4:29) and Baalah (Josh. 15:29).
A city of the territory of the tribe of Simeon Jos 19:3
Called BILHAH 1Ch 4:29
BALAK
King of Moab Nu 22:4; Jos 24:9; Jud 11:25; Mic 6:5 Tries to bribe Balaam to curse Israel Nu 22:5-7, 15-17
-See BALAAM
BALANCE
occurs in Lev. 19:36 and Isa. 46:6, as the rendering of the Hebrew kanch', which properly means "a reed" or "a cane," then a rod or beam of a balance.
This same word is translated "measuring reed" in Ezek. 40:3,5; 42:16-18.
There is another Hebrew word, mozena'yim, i.e., "two poisers", also so rendered (Dan. 5:27).
The balances as represented on the most ancient Egyptian monuments resemble those now in use.
A "pair of balances" is a symbol of justice and fair dealing (Job 31:6; Ps. 62:9; Prov. 11:1).
The expression denotes great want and scarcity in Rev. 6:5.
Used for weighing Job 31:6; Isa 40:12, 15; Eze 5:1
Money weighed with Isa 46:6; Jer 32:10
Must be just Le 19:36; Pr 16:11
False balance used Ho 12:7; Am 8:5; Mic 6:11
An abomination Pr 11:1; 20:23