ancient Egyptian name of the country is written in hieroglyphics Kem, which was perhaps
pronounced Chem. This name signifies, in the ancient language and in Coptic, “black,” on account
of the blackness of its alluvial soil. We may reasonably conjecture that Kem is the Egyptian
equivalent of Ham. GENERAL APPEARANCE, CLIMATE, ETC.—The general appearance of
the country cannot have greatly changed since the days of Moses. The whole country is remarkable
for its extreme fertility, which especially strikes the beholder when the rich green of the fields is
contrasted with the utterly bare, yellow mountains or the sand-strewn rocky desert on either side.
The climate is equable and healthy. Rain is not very unfrequent on the northern coast, but inland
is very rare. Cultivation nowhere depends upon it. The inundation of the Nile fertilizes and sustains
the country, and makes the river its chief blessing. The Nile was on this account anciently
worshipped. The rise begins in Egypt about the summer solstice, and the inundation commences
about two months later. The greatest height is attained about or somewhat after the autumnal
equinox. The inundation lasts about three months. The atmosphere, except on the seacoast, is
remarkably dry and clear, which accounts for the so perfect preservation of the monuments, with
their pictures and inscriptions. The heat is extreme during a large part of the year. The winters are
mild,—from 50
Egyptian, Egyptians
the native or natives of Egypt.
Ehi
(my brother), head of one of the Benjamite houses according to the list in (Genesis 46:21) He
seems to be the same as Ahiram in the list in (Numbers 26:38) In (1 Chronicles 8:1) he is called
Aharah, and perhaps also Ahoah in ver. 4, Ahiah, ver. 7, and Aher, (1 Chronicles 7:12)
Ehud
(union).
•Ehud son of Bilhah, and great-grandson of Benjamin the patriarch. (1 Chronicles 7:10; 8:6)
•Ehud son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, (Judges 3:15) the second judge of the Israelites. (B.C.
about 1370.) In the Bible he is not called a judge, but a deliverer (l.c.): so Othniel, (Judges 3:9)
and all the Judges. (Nehemiah 9:27) As a Benjamite he was specially chosen to destroy Eglon,
who had established himself in Jericho, which was included in the boundaries of that tribe. He
was very strong, and left-handed. [Eglon]
Eker
(a rooting up), a descendant of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:27)
Ekron
(torn up by the roots; emigration), one of the five towns belonging to the lords of the Philistines,
and the most northerly of the five. (Joshua 13:3) Like the other Philistine cities its situation was in
the lowlands. It fell to the lot of Judah. (Joshua 15:45,46; Judges 1:18) Afterwards we find it
mentioned among the cities of Dan. (Joshua 19:43) Before the monarchy it was again in full
possession of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 5:10) Akir, the modern representative of Ekron, lies about
five miles southwest of Ramleh. In the Apocrypha it appears as Accaron. 1Macc 10:89 only.
Elada
(whom God has put on), a descendant of Ephraim through Shuthelah. (1 Chronicles 7:20)
Elah
- One of the dukes of Edom. (Genesis 36:41; 1 Chronicles 1:52)
•Shimei ben-Elah was Solomon’s commissariat officer in Benjamin. (1 Kings 4:18) (B.C. 1013.)