of the foliage, which is unsymmetrical, being about 90 feet.” (See
HEBRON; TEIL-TREE.)
- OATH a solemn appeal to God, permitted on fitting occasions
(Deuteronomy 6:13; Jeremiah 4:2), in various forms (Genesis 16:5; 2
Samuel 12:5; Ruth 1:17; Hos. 4:15; Romans 1:9), and taken in different
ways (Genesis 14:22; 24:2; 2 Chronicles 6:22). God is represented as
taking an oath (Hebrews 6:16-18), so also Christ (Matthew 26:64), and
Paul (Romans 9:1; Galatians 1:20; Phil. 1:8). The precept, “Swear not at
all,” refers probably to ordinary conversation between man and man
(Matthew 5:34,37). But if the words are taken as referring to oaths, then
their intention may have been to show “that the proper state of Christians
is to require no oaths; that when evil is expelled from among them every
yea and nay will be as decisive as an oath, every promise as binding as a
vow.” - OBADIAH servant of the Lord. (1.) An Israelite who was chief in the
household of King Ahab (1 Kings 18:3). Amid great spiritual degeneracy
he maintained his fidelity to God, and interposed to protect The Lord’s
prophets, an hundred of whom he hid at great personal risk in a cave (4,
13). Ahab seems to have held Obadiah in great honour, although he had no
sympathy with his piety (5, 6, 7). The last notice of him is his bringing
back tidings to Ahab that Elijah, whom he had so long sought for, was at
hand (9-16). “Go,” said Elijah to him, when he met him in the way, “go tell
thy Lord, Behold, Elijah is here.”
(2.) A chief of the tribe of Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:3).
(3.) A descendant of Saul (1 Chronicles 8:38).
(4.) A Levite, after the Captivity (1 Chronicles 9:16).
(5.) A Gadite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:9).
(6.) A prince of Zebulun in the time of David (1 Chronicles 27:19).
(7.) One of the princes sent by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the
law (2 Chronicles 17:7).
(8.) A Levite who superintended the repairs of the temple under Josiah (2
Chronicles 34:12).
(9.) One who accompanied Ezra on the return from Babylon (Ezra 8:9).