- SPARROW Mentioned among the offerings made by the very poor. Two
sparrows were sold for a farthing (Matthew 10:29), and five for two
farthings (Luke 12:6). The Hebrew word thus rendered is tsippor, which
properly denotes the whole family of small birds which feed on grain
(Leviticus 14:4; Psalm 84:3; 102:7). The Greek word of the New
Testament is strouthion (Matthew 10:29-31), which is thus correctly
rendered. - SPICERY Hebrews nechoth, identified with the Arabic naka’at, the gum
tragacanth, obtained from the astralagus, of which there are about twenty
species found in Palestine. The tragacanth of commerce is obtained from
the A. tragacantha. “The gum exudes plentifully under the heat of the sun
on the leaves, thorns, and exteremity of the twigs.” - SPICES aromatic substances, of which several are named in Exodus 30.
They were used in the sacred anointing oil (Exodus 25:6; 35:8; 1
Chronicles 9:29), and in embalming the dead (2 Chronicles 16:14; Luke
23:56; 24:1; John 19:39, 40). Spices were stored by Hezekiah in his
treasure-house (2 Kings 20:13; Isaiah 39:2). - SPIDER The trust of the hypocrite is compared to the spider’s web or
house (Job 8:14). It is said of the wicked by Isaiah that they “weave the
spider’s web” (59:5), i.e., their works and designs are, like the spider’s
web, vain and useless. The Hebrew word here used is ’akkabish, “a swift
weaver.”
In Proverbs 30:28 a different Hebrew word (semamith) is used. It is
rendered in the Vulgate by stellio, and in the Revised Version by “lizard.”
It may, however, represent the spider, of which there are, it is said, about
seven hundred species in Palestine.
- SPIES When the Israelites reached Kadesh for the first time, and were
encamped there, Moses selected twelve spies from among the chiefs of the
divisions of the tribes, and sent them forth to spy the land of Canaan
(Numbers 13), and to bring back to him a report of its actual condition.
They at once proceeded on their important errand, and went through the
land as far north as the district round Lake Merom. After about six weeks’
absence they returned. Their report was very discouraging, and the people
were greatly alarmed, and in a rebellious spirit proposed to elect a new
leader and return to Egypt. Only two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua,
showed themselves on this occasion stout-hearted and faithful. All their