Smith's Bible Dictionary

(Frankie) #1

•Genazim, “chests.” (Ezekiel 27:24) only.
Chestnut Tree
(Heb. ’armon .) (Genesis 30:37; Ezekiel 31:8) Probably the “palm tree” (Platanus orientalis) is
intended. This tree thrives best in low and rather moist situations in the north of Palestine, and
resembles our sycamore or buttonwood (Platanus occidentalis).
Chesulloth
(the loins), one of the towns of Issachar. (Joshua 19:18) From its position int he lists it appears
to be between Jezreel and Shunem (Salam).
Chezib
(lying), a name which occurs but once, (Genesis 38:5) probably the same as Achzib.
Chidon
(a javelin), the name which in (1 Chronicles 13:9) is given to the threshing-floor at which the
accident to the ark took place. In the parallel account in 2Sam 6 the name is given as NACHON.
Children
The blessing of offspring, but especially of the male sex, is highly valued among all eastern
nations, while a the absence is regarded as one of the severest punishments. (Genesis 16:2; 7:14;
1 Samuel 1:6; 2 Samuel 6:23; 2 Kings 4:14; Isaiah 47:9; Jeremiah 20:15; Psalms 127:3,5) As soon
as the child was born it was washed in a bath, rubbed with salt and wrapped in swaddling clothes.
(Ezekiel 16:4; Job 38:9; Luke 2:7) On the 8th day the rite of circumcision, in the case of a boy, was
performed and a name given. At the end of a certain time (forty days if a son and twice as long if
a daughter) the mother offered sacrifice for her cleansing. (Leviticus 12:1-8; Luke 2:22) The period
of nursing appears to have been sometimes prolonged to three years. (Isaiah 49:15) 2 Macc. 7:27.
The time of weaning was an occasion of rejoicing. (Genesis 21:8) Both boys and girls in their early
years were under the care of the women. (Proverbs 31:1) Afterwards the boys were taken by the
father under his charge. Daughters usually remained in the women’s apartments till marriage.
(Leviticus 21:9; Numbers 12:14; 1 Samuel 9:11) The authority of parents, especially of the father,
over children was very great, as was also the reverence enjoined by the law to be paid to parents.
The inheritance was divided equally between all the sons except the eldest, who received a double
portion. (Genesis 25:31; 49:3; 21:17; Judges 11:2,7; 1 Chronicles 5:1,2) Daughters had by right no
portion in the inheritance; but if a man had no son, his inheritance passed to his daughters, who
were forbidden to marry out of the father’s tribe. (Numbers 27:1,8; 36:2,8)
Chileab
(like his father), a son of David by Abigail. [Abigail]
Chillon
(pining, sickly), the son of Naomi and husband of Ruth. (Ruth 1:2-5; 4:9) (B.C. 1250.)
Chilmad
(enclosure), a place or country mentioned in conjunction with Sheba and Asshur. (Ezekiel
27:23)
Chimham
(longing), a follower and probably a son, of Barzillai the Gileadite, who returned from beyond
Jordan with David. (2 Samuel 19:37,38,40) (B C 1023.) David appears to have bestowed on him
a possession at Bethlehem, on which, in later times, an inn or khan was standing. (Jeremiah 41:17)
Chimhan
[Chimham]

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