in the battle of Gob (2 Samuel 21:18; R.V., “Sibbechai”). Called also
Mebunnai (23:27).
- SIBMAH coolness; fragrance, a town in Reuben, in the territory of Moab,
on the east of Jordan (Joshua 13:19); called also Shebam and Shibmah
(Numbers 32:3, 38). It was famous for its vines (Isaiah 16:9; Jeremiah
48:32). It has been identified with the ruin of Sumieh, where there are
rock-cut wine-presses. This fact explains the words of the prophets
referred to above. It was about 5 miles east of Heshbon. - SICHEM =She’chem, (q.v.), Genesis 12:6.
- SICKLE of the Egyptians resembled that in modern use. The ears of corn
were cut with it near the top of the straw. There was also a sickle used for
warlike purposes, more correctly, however, called a pruning-hook
(Deuteronomy 16:9; Jeremiah 50:16, marg., “scythe;” Joel 3:13; Mark
4:29). - SIDDIM, VALE OF valley of the broad plains, “which is the salt sea”
(Genesis 14:3, 8, 10), between Engedi and the cities of the plain, at the
south end of the Dead Sea. It was “full of slime-pits” (R.V., “bitumen
pits”). Here Chedorlaomer and the confederate kings overthrew the kings
of Sodom and the cities of the plain. God afterwards, on account of their
wickedness, “overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the
inhabitants of the cities;” and the smoke of their destruction “went up as
the smoke of a furnace” (19:24-28), and was visible from Mamre, where
Abraham dwelt.
Some, however, contend that the “cities of the plain” were somewhere at
the north of the Dead Sea. (See SODOM.)
- SIDON fishing; fishery, Genesis 10:15, 19 (A.V. marg., Tzidon; R.V.,
Zidon); Matthew 11:21, 22; Luke 6:17. (See ZIDON.) - SIGNET a seal used to attest documents (Daniel 6:8-10, 12). In 6:17, this
word properly denotes a ring. The impression of a signet ring on fine clay
has recently been discovered among the ruins at Nineveh. It bears the name
and title of an Egyptian king. Two actual signet rings of ancient Egyptian
monarchs (Cheops and Horus) have also been discovered.
When digging a shaft close to the south wall of the temple area, the
engineers of the Palestine Exploration Fund, at a depth of 12 feet below