Smith's Bible Dictionary

almost identical in language and subject with the Epistle of Jude. The overthrow of all opponents
of Christian truth is predicted in connection with prophecies touching the second advent of Christ,
the destruction of the world by fire, and the promise of new heavens and a new earth wherein
dwelleth righteousness. ch. 3. This epistle of Peter presents questions of difficulty. Doubts as to its
genuineness were entertained by the early Church; in the time of Eusebius it was reckoned among
the disputed books, and was not formally admitted into the canon until the year 393, at the Council
of Hippo. These difficulties, however, are insufficient to justify more than hesitation in admitting
its,genuineness. A majority of names may be quoted in support of the genuineness and authenticity
of this epistle. (It is very uncertain as to the time when it was written. It was written near the close
of Peter’s life—perhaps about A.D. 68—from Rome or somewhere on the journey thither from the
East—Alford .)
Pethahiah
(freed by Jehovah).
•A priest, over the nineteenth course in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 24:16) (B.C. 1020.)
•A Levite in the time of Ezra, who had married a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:23) He is probably the
same who is mentioned in (Nehemiah 9:5) (B.C. 458.)
•The son of Meshezabeel, and descendant of Zerah. (Nehemiah 11:24) (B.C. 446.)
Pethor
(soothsayer), a town of Mesopotamia, where Balaam resided, and situated “upon the river,”
possibly the Euphrates. (Numbers 22:5; 23:4) Its position is wholly unknown.
Pethuel
(vision of God), the father of the prophet Joel. (Joel 1:1) (B.C. before 800.)
Peulthai
(my wages) properly Peullethai, the eighth son of Obed-edom. (1 Chronicles 26:5) (B.C. 1020.)
Phalec
(division). Peleg the son of Eber. (Luke 3:35)
Phallu
(distinguished), Pallu the son of Reuben is so called in the Authorized Version of (Genesis
46:9) (B.C. about 1706.)
Phalti
(my deliverance), the son of Laish of Gallim, to whom Saul gave Michal in marriage after his
mad jealousy had driven David forth as an outlaw. (1 Samuel 25:4-1) In (2 Samuel 3:15) he is
called Phaltiel. With the exception of this brief mention of his name, and the touching little episode
in (2 Samuel 3:16) nothing more is heard of Phalti. (B.C. 1061.)
Phaltiel
The same as Phalti. (2 Samuel 5:15)
Phanuel
(face of God), the father of Anna, the prophetess of the tribe of Aser. (Luke 2:36) (B.C. about
80.)
Pharaoh
the common title of the native kings of Egypt in the Bible, corresponding to P-ra or Ph-ra “the
sun,” of the hieroglyphics. Brugsch, Ebers and other modern Egyptologists define it to mean ’the
great house,” which would correspond to our “the Sublime Porte.” As several kings are mentioned
only by the title “Pharaoh” in the Bible, it is important to endeavor to discriminate them: