(5.) In Hebrews 6:8 the Greek word (tribolos) so rendered means
“three-pronged,” and denotes the land caltrop, a low throny shrub
resembling in its spikes the military “crow-foot.” Comp. Matthew 7:16,
“thistle.”
- BRIGANDINE (Jeremiah 46:4; 51:3), an obsolete English word denoting a
scale coat of armour, or habergeon, worn by light-armed “brigands.” The
Revised Version has “coat of mail.” - BRIMSTONE an inflammable mineral substance found in quantities on
the shores of the Dead Sea. The cities of the plain were destroyed by a rain
of fire and brimstone (Genesis 19:24, 25). In Isaiah 34:9 allusion is made to
the destruction of these cities. This word figuratively denotes destruction
or punishment (Job 18:15; Isaiah 30:33; 34:9; Psalm 11:6; Ezekiel 38:22).
It is used to express the idea of excruciating torment in Revelation 14:10;
19:20; 20:10. - BROOK a torrent. (1.) Applied to small streams, as the Arnon, Jabbok,
etc. Isaiah (15:7) speaks of the “book of the willows,” probably the
Wady-el-Asha. (2.) It is also applied to winter torrents (Job 6:15;
Numbers 34:5; Joshua 15:4, 47), and to the torrent-bed or wady as well as
to the torrent itself (Numbers 13:23; 1 Kings 17:3). (3.) In Isaiah 19:7 the
river Nile is meant, as rendered in the Revised Version. - BROTHER (1.) In the natural and common sense (Matthew 1:2; Luke
3:1, 19).
(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Genesis 13:8; 14:16; Matthew 12:46; John
7:3; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19).
(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matthew 5:47; Acts 3:22; Hebrews
7:5).
(4.) A disciple or follower (Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 2:11, 12).
(5.) One of the same faith (Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; 11:29; 1 Corinthians
5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as
brethren.
(6.) A colleague in office (Ezra 3:2; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1).
(7.) A fellow-man (Genesis 9:5; 19:7; Matthew 5:22, 23, 24; 7:5; Hebrews
2:17).