Smith's Bible Dictionary

(Frankie) #1

providence, natural and supernatural, to the body and to the soul. In one word, they are Christ’s
ministers of grace now, and they shall be of judgment hereafter. (Matthew 13:39,41,49; 16:27;
24:31) etc. That there are degrees of the angelic nature, both fallen and unfallen, and special titles
and agencies belonging to each, is clearly declared by St. Paul, (Ephesians 1:21; Romans 8:38) but
what their general nature is it is useless to speculate.
Aniam
(sighing of the people), a Manassite, son of Shemidah (1 Chronicles 7:19)
Anim
(fountains), a city in the mountains of Judah, named with Eshtemoh and Goshen. (Joshua 15:50)
Anise
This word occurs only in (Matthew 23:23) It is by no means a matter of certainty whether the
anise (Pimpinella anisum, Lin.) or the dill (Anethum graveolens) is here intended though the
probability is more in favor of the latter plant. “Anise is an annual plant growing to the height of
one foot, carries a white flower, and blooms from June till August. The seeds are imported and
used in large quantities on account of their aromatic and carminative properties. It grows wild in
Egypt, in Syria, Palestine and all parts of the Levant. Among the ancients anise seems to have been
a common pot-herb in every garden. Although it is less used in medicine by the moderns than by
the ancients, it still retains its former reputation as an excellent stomachic, particularly for delicate
women and young children. The Romans chewed it in order to keep up an agreeable moisture in
the mouth and to sweeten the breath, while some Orientals still do the same.” Dill, a somewhat
similar plant, is an annual, bearing small aromatic seeds, used also for cookery and medicine.
Anklet
This word does not occur in the Authorized Version; but anklets are referred to in (Isaiah
3:16,18,20) They were fastened to the ankle band of each leg; were as common as bracelets and
armlets and made of much the same material. The pleasant jingling and tinkling which they made
as they knocked against each other was no doubt one of the reasons why they were admired, They
are still worn in the East.
Anna
(grace), a “prophetess” in Jerusalem at the time of our Lord’s Presentation in the temple. (Luke
2:36) She was of the tribe of Asher.
Annas
(humble), the son of one Seth was appointed high priest A.D. 7 by Quirinus, the imperial
governor of Syria, but was obliged by Valerius Gratus, procurator of Judea, to give way to Ismael,
son of Phabi, at the beginning of the reign of Tiberius, A.D. 14. About A.D. 25 Joseph Caiaphas,
son-in-law of An-nas, became high priest, (John 18:13) but in Luke 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas are
both called high priests. Our Lord’s first hearing, (John 18:13) was before Annas, who then sent
him bound to Caiaphas. Some maintain that the two, Annas and Caiaphas, were together at the
head of the Jewish people,—Caiaphas as actual high priest, Annas as resident of the Sanhedrin-
(Acts 4:6) Others again suppose that Annas held the office of sagin, or substitute of the high priest;
others still that Annas held the title and was really the ruling power. He lived to old age, having
had five sons high priests.
Anointing
in Holy Scripture, is either, I. Material—with oil—or II. Spiritual—with the Holy Ghost. I.
MATERIAL.—

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