cornfields of Spain and Portugal and the south of Europe generally. There
is also a species of dill cultivated in Eastern countries known by the name
of shubit. It was this species of garden plant of which the Pharisees were
in the habit of paying tithes. The Talmud requires that the seeds, leaves,
and stem of dill shall pay tithes. It is an umbelliferous plant, very like the
caraway, its leaves, which are aromatic, being used in soups and pickles.
The proper anise is the Pimpinella anisum.
- ANNA grace, an aged widow, the daughter of Phanuel. She was a
“prophetess,” like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah (2 Chronicles 34:22).
After seven years of married life her husband died, and during her long
widowhood she daily attended the temple services. When she was
eighty-four years old, she entered the temple at the moment when the aged
Simeon uttered his memorable words of praise and thanks to God that he
had fulfilled his ancient promise in sending his Son into the world (Luke
2:36, 37). - ANNAS was high priest A.D. 7-14. In A.D. 25 Caiaphas, who had
married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13), was raised to that office, and
probably Annas was now made president of the Sanhedrim, or deputy or
coadjutor of the high priest, and thus was also called high priest along with
Caiaphas (Luke 3:2). By the Mosaic law the high-priesthood was held for
life (Numbers 3:10); and although Annas had been deposed by the Roman
procurator, the Jews may still have regarded him as legally the high priest.
Our Lord was first brought before Annas, and after a brief questioning of
him (John 18:19-23) was sent to Caiaphas, when some members of the
Sanhedrim had met, and the first trial of Jesus took place (Matthew
26:57-68). This examination of our Lord before Annas is recorded only by
John. Annas was president of the Sanhedrim before which Peter and John
were brought (Acts 4:6). - ANOINT The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common
among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of
consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest
(Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Exodus 30:26).
The high priest and the king are thus called “the anointed” (Leviticus 4:3,
5, 16; 6:20; Psalm 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning
him (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1
Kings 19:16; 1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalm 105:15). The expression, “anoint