them, and the consequence was that Solomon put him to death (1 Kings
2:39-46).
- ACHMETHA (Ezra 6:2), called Ecbatana by classical writers, the capital
of northern Media. Here was the palace which was the residence of the old
Median monarchs, and of Cyrus and Cambyses. In the time of Ezra, the
Persian kings resided usually at Susa of Babylon. But Cyrus held his court
at Achmetha; and Ezra, writing a century after, correctly mentions the
place where the decree of Cyrus was found. - ACHOR trouble, a valley near Jericho, so called in consequence of the
trouble which the sin of Achan caused Israel (Joshua 7:24,26). The
expression “valley of Achor” probably became proverbial for that which
caused trouble, and when Isaiah (Isaiah 65:10) refers to it he uses it in this
sense: “The valley of Achor, a place for herds to lie down in;” i.e., that
which had been a source of calamity would become a source of blessing.
Hosea also (Hos. 2:15) uses the expression in the same sense: “The valley
of Achor for a door of hope;” i.e., trouble would be turned into joy,
despair into hope. This valley has been identified with the Wady Kelt. - ACHSAH anklet, Caleb’s only daughter (1 Chronicles 2:49). She was
offered in marriage to the man who would lead an attack on the city of
Debir, or Kirjath-sepher. This was done by Othniel (q.v.), who
accordingly obtained her as his wife (Joshua 15:16-19; Judges 1:9-15). - ACHSHAPH fascination, a royal city of the Canaanites, in the north of
Palestine (Joshua 11:1; 12:20; 19:25). It was in the eastern boundary of the
tribe of Asher, and is identified with the modern ruined village of Kesaf or
Yasif, N.E. of Accho. - ACHZIB falsehood. (1.) A town in the Shephelah, or plain country of
Judah (Joshua 15:44); probably the same as Chezib of Genesis 38:5 = Ain
Kezbeh.
(2.) A Phoenician city (the Gr. Ecdippa), always retained in their
possession though assigned to the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:29; Judges
1:31). It is identified with the modern es-Zib, on the Mediterranean, about
8 miles north of Accho.
- ACRE is the translation of a word (tse’med), which properly means a
yoke, and denotes a space of ground that may be ploughed by a yoke of