BROTHER to BULL

BROTHER

(1.) In the natural and common sense (Matt. 1:2; Luke 3:1, 19).

(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Gen. 13:8; 14:16; Matt. 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Gal. 1:19).

(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matt. 5:47; Acts 3:22; Heb. 7:5).

(4.) A disciple or follower (Matt. 25:40; Heb. 2:11, 12).

(5.) One of the same faith (Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; 11:29; 1 Cor. 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.

(6.) A colleague in office (Ezra 3:2; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1).

(7.) A fellow-man (Gen. 9:5; 19:7; Matt. 5:22, 23, 24; 7:5; Heb. 2:17).

(8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2 Sam. 1:26; Acts 6:3; 1 Thess. 5:1).

Brethren of Jesus (Matt. 1:25; 12:46, 50: Mark 3:31, 32; Gal. 1:19; 1 Cor. 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary.

Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.

Signifies .a relative, Ge 14:16; 29:12 .a neighbor Deut 23:7; Jud 21:6; Neh 5:7 .any Israelite Jer 34:9; Ob 1:10

.mankind Ge 9:5; Mt 18:35; 1Jo 3:15 .a companion 2Sa 1:26; 1Ki 13:30; 20:33

Love of Pr 17:17; 18:24; So 8:1

Unfaithful Pr 27:10

Reuben's love for Joseph Ge 37:21, 22

Joseph's, for his brethren Ge 43:30-34; 45:1-5; 50:19-25

A fraternal epithet, especially among Christians.

Instituted by Christ Mt 12:50; 25:40; Heb 2:11, 12

Used by disciples Ac 9:17; 21:20; Ro 16:23; 1Co 7:12; 2Co 2:13 by Peter 1Pe 1:22

Used among the Israelites Le 19:17; Deut 22:1-4

Brother's widow. .Law concerning Levirate marriage of Deut 25:5-10; Mt 22:24; Mr 12:19; Lk 20:28

BROTHERLY KINDNESS

See BROTHER

See CHARITABLENESS

See FELLOWSHIP

See FRATERNITY

See FRIENDSHIP

See LOVE

BUCKET

a vessel to draw water with (Isa. 40:15); used figuratively, probably, of a numerous issue (Num. 24:7).

General scriptures concerning Nu 24:7; Isa 40:15

BUCKLER

(1.) A portable shield (2 Sam. 22:31; 1 Chr. 5:18).

(2.) A shield surrounding the person; the targe or round form; used once figuratively (Ps. 91:4).

(3.) A large shield protecting the whole body (Ps. 35:2; Ezek. 23:24; 26:8).

(4.) A lance or spear; improperly rendered "buckler" in the Authorized Version (1 Chr. 12:8), but correctly in the Revised Version "spear."

The leather of shields required oiling (2 Sam. 1:21; Isa. 21:5), so as to prevent its being injured by moisture. Copper (= "brass") shields were also in use (1 Sam. 17:6; 1 Kings 14:27). Those spoken of in 1 Kings 10:16, etc.; 14:26, were probably of massive metal.

The shields David had taken from his enemies were suspended in the temple as mementoes (2 Kings 11:10).

(See ARMOUR SHIELD)

See SHIELD

BUILDER

(Of the tabernacle)

See BEZALEL

See MASTER WORKMAN

FIGURATIVE Ps 118:22; Mt 21:42; Ac 4:11; 1Pe 2:7; Heb 11:10 .

See CARPENTRY

BUILDING

among the Jews was suited to the climate and conditions of the country. They probably adopted the kind of architecture for their dwellings which they found already existing when they entered Canaan (Deut. 6:10; Num. 13:19). Phoenician artists (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kings 5:6, 18) assisted at the erection of the royal palace and the temple at Jerusalem. Foreigners also assisted at the restoration of the temple after the Exile (Ezra 3:7).

In Gen. 11:3, 9, we have the first recorded instance of the erection of buildings. The cities of the plain of Shinar were founded by the descendants of Shem (10:11, 12, 22).

The Israelites were by occupation shepherds and dwellers in tents (Gen. 47:3); but from the time of their entering Canaan they became dwellers in towns, and in houses built of the native limestone of Palestine. Much building was carried on in Solomon's time. Besides the buildings he completed at Jerusalem, he also built Baalath and Tadmor (1 Kings 9:15, 24). Many of the kings of Israel and Judah were engaged in erecting various buildings.

Herod and his sons and successors restored the temple, and built fortifications and other structures of great magnificence in Jerusalem (Luke 21:5).

The instruments used in building are mentioned as the plumb-line (Amos 7:7), the measuring-reed (Ezek. 40:3), and the saw (1 Kings 7:9).

Believers are "God's building" (1 Cor. 3:9); and heaven is called "a building of God" (2 Cor. 5:1). Christ is the only foundation of his church (1 Cor. 3:10-12), of which he also is the builder (Matt. 16:18).

FIGURATIVE 2Co 5:1

BUKKI

1. Son of Abishua 1Ch 6:5, 51; Ezr 7:4 2. A prince of Dan Nu 34:22

BUKKIAH

A Levite 1Ch 25:4, 13

BUL

rainy, the eighth ecclesiastical month of the year (1 Kings 6:38), and the second month of the civil year; later called Marchesvan (q.v.).

(See MONTH)

(The eighth month (November) The temple completed in 1Ki 6:38

Jeroboam institutes an idolatrous feast in, to correspond with the Feast of Tabernacles 1Ki 12:32, 33; 1Ch 27:11

BULL

Wild, caught in nets Isa 51:20

Blood of, in sacrifice Heb 9:13; 10:4

See BULLOCK

See OFFERINGS