(Hirudo medicinalis), besides other species of leeches, are common in the
waters of Syria.
- HORSEMAN Hebrews ba’al parash, “master of a horse.” The
“horsemen” mentioned Exodus 14:9 were “mounted men”, i.e., men who
rode in chariots. The army of Pharaoh consisted of a chariot and infantry
force. We find that at a later period, however, the Egyptians had cavalry (2
Chronicles 12:3). (See HORSE.) - HOSAH refuge. (1.) A place on the border of the tribe of Asher (Joshua
19:29), a little to the south of Zidon.
(2.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chronicles 16:38).
- HOSANNA Save now! or Save, we beseech, (Matthew 21:9). This was a
customary form of acclamation at the feast of Tabernacles. (Comp. Psalm
118:25.) - HOSE (Daniel 3:21), a tunic or undergarment.
- HOSEA salvation, the son of Beeri, and author of the book of prophecies
bearing his name. He belonged to the kingdom of Israel. “His Israelitish
origin is attested by the peculiar, rough, Aramaizing diction, pointing to
the northern part of Palestine; by the intimate acquaintance he evinces
with the localities of Ephraim (5:1; 6:8, 9; 12:12; 14:6, etc.); by passages
like 1:2, where the kingdom is styled ‘the land’, and 7:5, where the
Israelitish king is designated as ‘our’ king.” The period of his ministry
(extending to some sixty years) is indicated in the superscription (Hos.
1:1, 2). He is the only prophet of Israel who has left any written
prophecy. - HOSEA, PROPHECIES OF This book stands first in order among the
“Minor Prophets.” “The probable cause of the location of Hosea may be
the thoroughly national character of his oracles, their length, their earnest
tone, and vivid representations.” This was the longest of the prophetic
books written before the Captivity. Hosea prophesied in a dark and
melancholy period of Israel’s history, the period of Israel’s decline and
fall. Their sins had brought upon them great national disasters. “Their
homicides and fornication, their perjury and theft, their idolatry and
impiety, are censured and satirized with a faithful severity.” He was a
contemporary of Isaiah. The book may be divided into two parts, the first
containing chapters 1-3, and symbolically representing the idolatry of