the sanctuary in the wilderness (Exodus 26:19; 27:17; Numbers 7:13, 19;
10:2). There is no record of its having been found in Syria or Palestine. It
was brought in large quantities by foreign merchants from abroad, from
Spain and India and other countries probably.
- SILVERLING (Isaiah 7:23). Literally the words are “at a thousand of
silver”, i.e., “pieces of silver,” or shekels. - SIMEON hearing. (1.) The second son of Jacob by Leah (Genesis 29:33).
He was associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor
and the Shechemites (34:25, 26). He was detained by Joseph in Egypt as a
hostage (42:24). His father, when dying, pronounced a malediction against
him (49:5-7). The words in the Authorized Version (49:6), “they digged
down a wall,” ought to be, as correctly rendered in the Revised Version,
“they houghed an ox.”
(2.) An aged saint who visited the temple when Jesus was being presented
before the Lord, and uttered lofty words of thankgiving and of prophecy
(Luke 2:29-35).
(3.) One of the ancestors of Joseph (Luke 3:30).
(4.) Surnamed Niger, i.e., “black,” perhaps from his dark complexion, a
teacher of some distinction in the church of Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). It has
been supposed that this was the Simon of Cyrene who bore Christ’s cross.
Note the number of nationalities represented in the church at Antioch.
(5.) James (Acts 15:14) thus designates the apostle Peter (q.v.).
- SIMEON, THE TRIBE OF was “divided and scattered” according to the
prediction in Genesis 49:5-7. They gradually dwindled in number, and
sank into a position of insignificance among the other tribes. They
decreased in the wilderness by about two-thirds (comp. Numbers 1:23;
26:14). Moses pronounces no blessing on this tribe. It is passed by in
silence (Deuteronomy 33).
This tribe received as their portion a part of the territory already allotted
to Judah (Joshua 19:1-9). It lay in the south-west of the land, with Judah
on the east and Dan on the north; but whether it was a compact territory
or not cannot be determined. The subsequent notices of this tribe are but
few (1 Chronicles 4:24-43). Like Reuben on the east of Jordan, this tribe
had little influence on the history of Israel.