(Leviticus 13:23) is merely marked by the notion of an effect resembling that of fire, like our
“carbuncle.” The diseases rendered “scab” and “scurvy” in (Leviticus 21:20; 22:22; 28:27) may
be almost any skin disease. Some of these may be said to approach the type of leprosy. The “botch
(shechin) of Egypt,” (28:27) is so vague a term as to yield a most uncertain sense. In (28:35) is
mentioned a disease attacking the “knees and legs,” consisting in a “sore botch which cannot be
healed,” but extended, in the sequel of the verse, from the “sole of the foot to the top of the head.”
The Elephantiasis gracorum is what now passes under the name of “leprosy;” the lepers, e.g., of
the: huts near the Zion gate of modern Jerusalem are elephantissiacs. [Leper, Leprosy] The disease
of King Antiochus, 2 Macc. 9:5-10, etc., was that of a boil breeding worms. The case of the widow’s
son restored by Elisha, (2 Kings 4:19) was probably one of sunstroke. The palsy meets us in the
New Testament only, and in features too familiar to need special remark. palsy, gangrene and cancer
were common in all the countries familiar to the scriptural writers, and neither differs from the
modern disease of the same name. Mention is also made of the bites and stings of poisonous reptiles.
(Numbers 21:6) Among surgical instruments or pieces of apparatus the following only are alluded
to in Scripture: A cutting instrument, supposed a “sharp stone,” (Exodus 4:25) the “knife” of (Joshua
5:2) The “awl” of (Exodus 21:6) was probably a surgical instrument. The “roller to bind” of (Ezekiel
30:21) was for a broken limb, and is still used. A scraper, for which the “potsherd” of Job was a
substitute. (Job 2:8; Exodus 30:23-25) is a prescription in form. An occasional trace occurs of some
chemical knowledge, e.g. the calcination of the gold by Moses, (Exodus 32:20) the effect of “vinegar
upon natron,” (Proverbs 25:20); comp. Jere 2:22 The mention of “the apothecary,” (Exodus 30:35;
Ecclesiastes 10:1) and of the merchant in “powders,” (Song of Solomon 3:6) shows that a distinct
and important branch of trade was set up in these wares, in which, as at a modern druggist’s, articles
of luxury, etc., are combined with the remedies of sickness. Among the most favorite of external
remedies has always been the bath. There were special occasions on which the bath was ceremonially
enjoined. The Pharisees and Essenes aimed at scrupulous strictness in all such rules. (Matthew
15:2; Mark 7:5; Luke 11:38) River-bathing was common but houses soon began to include a
bathroom. (Leviticus 15:13; 2 Samuel 11:2; 2 Kings 5:10)
Megiddo
(place of crowns) was in a very marked position on the southern rim of the plain of Esdraelon,
on the frontier line of the territories of the tribes of Issachar and Manasseh, 6 miles from Mount
Carmel and 11 from Nazareth. It commanded one of those passes from the north into the hill country
which were of such critical importance on various occasions in the history of Judea. Judith 4:7.
The first mention occurs in (Joshua 12:21) where Megiddo appears as the city of one of the kings
whom Joshua defeated on the west of the Jordan. The song of Deborah brings the place vividly
before us, as the scene of the great conflict between Sisera and Barak. When Pharaoh-necho came
from Egypt against the king of Assyria, Josiah joined the latter, and was slain at Megiddo. (2 Kings
23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22-24) Megiddo is the modern el-Lejjun, which is undoubtedly the Legio
of Eusebius and Jerome. There is a copious stream flowing down the gorge, and turning some mills
before joining the Kishon. Here are probably the “waters of Megiddo” of (Judges 5:19)
Mehetabel
(favored of God), the daughter of Matred, and wife of Hadad king of Edom. (Genesis 36:39)
Mehetableel
(favored of God), another and less correct form of Mehetabel. The ancestor of Shemaiah the
prophet who was hired against Nehemiah by Tobiah and Sanballat. (Nehemiah 6:10)
frankie
(Frankie)
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