Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Kiana) #1

  • WATCHINGS (2 Corinthians 6:5), lit. “sleeplessnesses,” the result of
    “manual labour, teaching, travelling, meditating, praying, cares, and the
    like” (Meyer’s Com.).

  • WATER OF JEALOUSY a phrase employed (not, however, in Scripture)
    to denote the water used in the solemn ordeal prescribed by the law of
    Moses (Numbers 5:11-31) in cases of “jealousy.”

  • WATER OF PURIFICATION used in cases of ceremonial cleansings at
    the consecration of the Levites (Numbers 8:7). It signified, figuratively,
    that purifying of the heart which must characterize the servants of God.

  • WATER OF SEPARATION used along with the ashes of a red heifer for
    the ceremonial cleansing of persons defiled by contact with a dead body
    (Numbers 19).

  • WATERSPOUTS (Psalm 42:7; marg. R.V., “cataracts”). If we regard this
    psalm as descriptive of David’s feelings when banished from Jerusalem by
    the revolt of Absalom, this word may denote “waterfalls,” inasmuch as
    Mahanaim, where he abode, was near the Jabbok, and the region abounded
    with rapids and falls.

  • WAVE OFFERINGS parts of peace-offerings were so called, because
    they were waved by the priests (Exodus 29:24, 26, 27; Leviticus 7:20-34;
    8:27; 9:21; 10:14, 15, etc.), in token of a solemn special presentation to
    God. They then became the property of the priests. The first-fruits, a
    sheaf of barley, offered at the feast of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:17-20), and
    wheat-bread, the first-fruits of the second harvest, offered at the Passover
    (10-14), were wave-offerings.

  • WAX Made by melting the combs of bees. Mentioned (Psalm 22:14;
    68:2; 97:5; Micah 1:4) in illustration.

  • WEAN Among the Hebrews children (whom it was customary for the
    mothers to nurse, Exodus 2:7-9; 1 Samuel 1:23; Cant. 8:1) were not
    generally weaned till they were three or four years old.

  • WEASEL (Hebrews holedh), enumerated among unclean animals
    (Leviticus 11:29). Some think that this Hebrew word rather denotes the
    mole (Spalax typhlus) common in Palestine. There is no sufficient reason,
    however, to depart from the usual translation. The weasel tribe are
    common also in Palestine.

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