BAY TREE to BEASTS
Contents
BAY
denotes the estuary of the Dead Sea at the mouth of the Jordan (Josh. 15:5; 18:19), also the southern extremity of the same sea (15:2).
The same Hebrew word is rendered "tongue" in Isa. 11:15, where it is used with reference to the forked mouths of the Nile.
Bay in Zech. 6:3, 7 denotes the colour of horses, but the original Hebrew means strong, and is here used rather to describe the horses as fleet or spirited.
BAY TREE
named only in Ps. 37:35, Authorized Version. The Hebrew word so rendered is ereh, which simply means "native born", i.e., a tree not transplanted, but growing on its native soil, and therefore luxuriantly.
If the psalmist intended by this word to denote any particular tree, it may have been the evergreen bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), which is a native of Palestine. Instead of "like a green bay tree" in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version has, "like a green tree in its native soil."
General scriptures concerning Ps 37:35
BAZLITH
Also called BAZLUTH, one of the Nethinim Ezr 2:52; Ne 7:54
BDELLIUM
occurs only in Gen. 2:12, where it designates a product of the land of Havilah; and in Num. 11:7, where the manna is likened to it in colour.
It was probably an aromatic gum like balsam which exuded from a particular tree (Borassus flabelliformis) still found in Arabia, Media, and India. It bears a resemblance in colour to myrrh. Others think the word denotes "pearls," or some precious stone.
General scriptures concerning Ge 2:12; Nu 11:7
BEACON
a pole (Heb. to'ren) used as a standard or ensign set on the tops of mountains as a call to the people to assemble themselves for some great national purpose (Isa. 30:17).
In Isa. 33:23 and Ezek. 27:5, the same word is rendered "mast."
(See BANNER
General scriptures concerning Isa 30:17; Jer 6:1
BEALIAH
whose Lord is Jehovah, a Benjamite, one of David's thirty heroes of the sling and bow (1 Chr. 12:5).
An Ishmaelite who joined David at Ziklag 1Ch 12:5
BEALOTH
citizens, a town in the extreme south of Judah (Josh. 15:24); probably the same as Baalath-beer (19:8). In 1 Kings 4:16, the Authorized Version has "in Aloth," the Revised Version "Bealoth."
BEAM
occurs in the Authorized Version as the rendering of various Hebrew words.
In 1 Sam. 17:7, it means a weaver's frame or principal beam; in Hab. 2:11, a crossbeam or girder; 2 Kings 6:2, 5, a cross-piece or rafter of a house; 1 Kings 7:6, an architectural ornament as a projecting step or moulding; Ezek. 41:25, a thick plank.
In the New Testament the word occurs only in Matt. 7:3, 4, 5, and Luke 6:41, 42, where it means (Gr. dokos) a large piece of wood used for building purposes, as contrasted with "mote" (Gr. karphos), a small piece or mere splinter. "Mote" and "beam" became proverbial for little and great faults.
Weaver's 1Sa 17:7; 2Sa 21:19
BEAN
mentioned in 2 Sam. 17:28 as having been brought to David when flying from Absalom.
They formed a constituent in the bread Ezekiel (Eze 4:9) was commanded to make, as they were in general much used as an article of diet. They are extensively cultivated in Egypt and Arabia and Syria.
General scriptures concerning 2Sa 17:28; Eze 4:9
BEAR
a native of the mountain regions of Western Asia, frequently mentioned in Scripture.
David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear (1 Sam. 17:34-37).
Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children who mocked the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:24).
Their habits are referred to in Isa. 59:11; Prov. 28:15; Lam. 3:10.
The fury of the female bear when robbed of her young is spoken of (2 Sam. 17:8; Prov. 17:12; Hos. 13:8).
In Daniel's vision of the four great monarchies, the Medo-Persian empire is represented by a bear (Dan 7:5).
Ferocity of 2Sa 17:8; Pr 17:12; 28:15; Isa 11:7; 59:11; La 3:10; Ho 3:3
Two destroy the young men of Beth-el who mocked Elisha 2Ki 2:24
BEARD
The mode of wearing it was definitely prescribed to the Jews (Lev. 19:27; 21:5). Hence the import of Ezekiel 5:1-4) description of the "razor" i.e., the agents of an angry providence being used against the guilty nation of the Jews.
It was a part of a Jew's daily toilet to anoint his beard with oil and perfume (Ps. 133:2). Beards were trimmed with the most fastidious care (2 Sam. 19:24), and their neglet was an indication of deep sorrow (Isa. 15:2; Jer. 41:5).
The custom was to shave or pluck off the hair as a sign of mourning (Isa. 50:6; Jer. 48:37; Ezra 9:3). The beards of David's ambassadors were cut off by hanun (2 Sam. 10:4) as a mark of indignity.
On the other hand, the Egyptians carefully shaved the hair off their faces, and they compelled their slaves to do so also (Gen. 41:14).
Worn long by Aaron Ps 133:2
Samson Jud 16:17
David 1Sa 21:13; Eze 5:1
Shaven by Egyptians Ge 41:14
Untrimmed in mourning 2Sa 19:24
Plucked Ezr 9:3
Cut Isa 7:20; 15:2; Jer 11:5; 48:37
Lepers required to shave Le 13:29-33; 14:9
Idolatrous practice of marring, forbidden Le 19:27; 21:5
Beards of David's ambassadors half shaven by the king of the Amorites 2Sa 10:4
BEASTS
This word is used of flocks or herds of grazing animals (Ex. 22:5; Num. 20:4, 8, 11; Ps. 78:48); of beasts of burden (Gen. 45:17); of eatable beasts (Prov. 9:2); and of swift beasts or dromedaries (Isa. 60:6).
In the New Testament it is used of a domestic animal as property (Rev. 18:13); as used for food (1 Cor. 15:39), for service (Luke 10:34; Acts 23:24), and for sacrifice (Acts 7:42).
When used in contradistinction to man (Ps. 36:6), it denotes a brute creature generally, and when in contradistinction to creeping things (Lev. 11:2-7; 27:26), a four-footed animal.
The Mosaic law required that beasts of labour should have rest on the Sabbath (Ex. 20:10; 23:12), and in the Sabbatical year all cattle were allowed to roam about freely, and eat whatever grew in the fields (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:7).
No animal could be castrated (Lev. 22:24). Animals of different kinds were to be always kept separate (Lev. 19:19; Deut. 22:10). Oxen when used in threshing were not to be prevented from eating what was within their reach (Deut. 25:4; 1 Cor.9:9).
This word is used figuratively of an infuriated multitude (1 Cor. 15:32; Acts 19:29; comp. Ps. 22:12, 16; Eccl. 3:18; Isa. 11:6-8), and of wicked men (2 Pet. 2:12). The four beasts of Daniel 7:3, 17, 23 represent four kingdoms or kings.
See ANIMALS