Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Kiana) #1

  • BAY TREE named only in Psalm 37:35, Authorized Version. The Hebrew
    word so rendered is ereh, which simply means “native born”, i.e., a tree
    not transplanted, but growing on its native soil, and therefore luxuriantly.
    If the psalmist intended by this word to denote any particular tree, it may
    have been the evergreen bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), which is a native of
    Palestine. Instead of “like a green bay tree” in the Authorized Version, the
    Revised Version has, “like a green tree in its native soil.”

  • BDELLIUM occurs only in Genesis 2:12, where it designates a product of
    the land of Havilah; and in Numbers 11:7, where the manna is likened to it
    in colour. It was probably an aromatic gum like balsam which exuded from
    a particular tree (Borassus flabelliformis) still found in Arabia, Media, and
    India. It bears a resemblance in colour to myrrh. Others think the word
    denotes “pearls,” or some precious stone.

  • BEACON a pole (Hebrews to’ren) used as a standard or ensign set on the
    tops of mountains as a call to the people to assemble themselves for some
    great national purpose (Isaiah 30:17). In Isaiah 33:23 and Ezekiel 27:5, the
    same word is rendered “mast.” (See Banner.)

  • BEALIAH whose Lord is Jehovah, a Benjamite, one of David’s thirty
    heroes of the sling and bow (1 Chronicles 12:5).

  • BEALOTH citizens, a town in the extreme south of Judah (Joshua 15:24);
    probably the same as Baalath-beer (19:8). In 1 Kings 4:16, the Authorized
    Version has “in Aloth,” the Revised Version “Bealoth.”

  • BEAM occurs in the Authorized Version as the rendering of various
    Hebrew words. In 1 Samuel 17:7, it means a weaver’s frame or principal
    beam; in Habakkuk 2:11, a crossbeam or girder; 2 Kings 6:2, 5, a
    cross-piece or rafter of a house; 1 Kings 7:6, an architectural ornament as a
    projecting step or moulding; Ezekiel 41:25, a thick plank. In the New
    Testament the word occurs only in Matthew 7:3, 4, 5, and Luke 6:41, 42,
    where it means (Gr. dokos) a large piece of wood used for building
    purposes, as contrasted with “mote” (Gr. karphos), a small piece or mere
    splinter. “Mote” and “beam” became proverbial for little and great faults.

  • BEANS mentioned in 2 Samuel 17:28 as having been brought to David
    when flying from Absalom. They formed a constituent in the bread Ezekiel
    (4:9) was commanded to make, as they were in general much used as an

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