Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Kiana) #1

  • BAR used to denote the means by which a door is bolted (Nehemiah 3:3);
    a rock in the sea (Jonah 2:6); the shore of the sea (Job 38:10); strong
    fortifications and powerful impediments, etc. (Isaiah 45:2; Amos 1:5);
    defences of a city (1 Kings 4:13). A bar for a door was of iron (Isaiah
    45:2), brass (Psalm 107:16), or wood (Nah. 3:13).

  • BARABBAS i.e., son of Abba or of a father, a notorious robber whom
    Pilate proposed to condemn to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to
    release, in accordance with the Roman custom (John 18:40; Mark 15:7;
    Luke 23:19). But the Jews were so bent on the death of Jesus that they
    demanded that Barabbas should be pardoned (Matthew 27:16-26; Acts
    3:14). This Pilate did.

  • BARACHEL whom God has blessed, a Buzite, the father of Elihu, one of
    Job’s friends (Job 32:2, 6).

  • BARACHIAS, BERECHIAH 4 (q.v.), whom Jehovah hath blessed,
    father of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 1:1,7; Matthew 23:35).

  • BARAK lightning, the son of Abinoam (Judges 4:6). At the summons of
    Deborah he made war against Jabin. She accompanied him into the battle,
    and gave the signal for the little army to make the attack; in which the host
    of Jabin was completely routed. The battle was fought (Judges 4:16) in the
    plain of Jezreel (q.v.). This deliverance of Israel is commemorated in
    Judges 5. Barak’s faith is commended (Hebrews 11:32). “The character of
    Barak, though pious, does not seem to have been heroic. Like Gideon, and
    in a sense Samson, he is an illustration of the words in Hebrews 11:34,
    ‘Out of weakness were made strong.’” (See DEBORAH.)

  • BARBARIAN a Greek word used in the New Testament (Romans 1:14)
    to denote one of another nation. In Colossians 3:11, the word more
    definitely designates those nations of the Roman empire that did not speak
    Greek. In 1 Corinthians 14:11, it simply refers to one speaking a different
    language. The inhabitants of Malta are so called (Acts 28:1,2, 4). They
    were originally a Carthaginian colony. This word nowhere in Scripture
    bears the meaning it does in modern times.

  • BARBER Found only once, in Ezekiel 5:1, where reference is made to the
    Jewish custom of shaving the head as a sign of mourning. The Nazarites
    were untouched by the razor from their birth (Numbers 6:5). Comp.
    Judges 16:19.

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