Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Kiana) #1

was spared at Lot’s intercession (Genesis 19:20,23). It is first mentioned
in Genesis 14:2,8.


(2.) The eldest son of Benjamin (Numbers 26:38; “Belah,” Genesis 46:21).


(3.) The son of Beor, and a king of Edom (Genesis 36:32, 33; 1 Chronicles
1:43).


(4.) A son of Azaz (1 Chronicles 5:8).



  • BELIAL worthlessness, frequently used in the Old Testament as a proper
    name. It is first used in Deuteronomy 13:13. In the New Testament it is
    found only in 2 Corinthians 6:15, where it is used as a name of Satan, the
    personification of all that is evil. It is translated “wicked” in Deuteronomy
    15:9; Psalm 41:8 (R.V. marg.); 101:3; Proverbs 6:12, etc. The expression
    “son” or “man of Belial” means simply a worthless, lawless person
    (Judges 19:22; 20:13; 1 Samuel 1:16; 2:12).

  • BELL The bells first mentioned in Scripture are the small golden bells
    attached to the hem of the high priest’s ephod (Exodus 28:33, 34, 35). The
    “bells of the horses” mentioned by Zechariah (14:20) were attached to the
    bridles or belts round the necks of horses trained for war, so as to
    accustom them to noise and tumult.

  • BELLOWS occurs only in Jeremiah 6:29, in relation to the casting of
    metal. Probably they consisted of leather bags similar to those common in
    Egypt.

  • BELLY the seat of the carnal affections (Titus 1:12; Phil. 3:19; Romans
    16:18). The word is used symbolically for the heart (Proverbs 18:8; 20:27;
    22:18, marg.). The “belly of hell” signifies the grave or underworld (Jonah
    2:2).

  • BELSHAZZAR Bel protect the king!, the last of the kings of Babylon
    (Daniel 5:1). He was the son of Nabonidus by Nitocris, who was the
    daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and the widow of Nergal-sharezer. When still
    young he made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and when heated
    with wine sent for the sacred vessels his “father” (Daniel 5:2), or
    grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from the temple in
    Jerusalem, and he and his princes drank out of them. In the midst of their
    mad revelry a hand was seen by the king tracing on the wall the
    announcement of God’s judgment, which that night fell upon him. At the

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