In this more accurate form the translators of the Authorized Version have given in two passages—
(1 Kings 10:22; 22:48)—the name elsewhere presented as Tarshish.•
•A Benjamite, one of the family of Bilhan the house of Jediael. (1 Chronicles 7:10) only.
Theatre
For the explanation of the biblical allusions, two or three points only require notice. The Greek
term, like the corresponding English term, denotes the place where dramatic performances are
exhibited, and also the scene itself or spectacle which is witnessed there. It occurs in the first or
local sense in (Acts 19:29) The other sense of the term “theatre” occurs in (1 Corinthians 4:9)
Thebes
(Authorized Version No, the multitude of No. populous No), a chief cite of ancient Egypt, long
the capital of the upper country, and the seat of the Diospolitan dynasties, that ruled over all Egypt
at the era of its highest splendor. It was situated on both sides of the Nile, 400 or 500 miles from
its mouth. The sacred name of Thebes was P-amen “the abode of Amon,” which the Greeks
reproduced in their Diospolis, especially with the addition the Great. No-amon is the name of
Thebes in the Hebrew Scriptures. (Jeremiah 46:25; Nahum 3:8) Ezekiel uses No simply to designate
the Egyptian seat of Amon. (Ezekiel 30:14,16) [No-Amon] its origin and early allusions to it.—The
origin of the city is lost in antiquity. Niebuhr is of opinion that Thebes was much older than Memphis,
and that, “after the centre of Egyptian life was transferred to lower Egypt, Memphis acquired its
greatness through the ruin of Thebes.” But both cities date from our earliest authentic knowledge
of Egyptian history. The first allusion to Thebes in classical literature is the familiar passage of the
Iliad (ix. 381-385): “Egyptian Thebes, were are vast treasures laid up in the houses; where are a
hundred gates, and from each two hundred men to forth with horses and chariots.” In the first
century before Christ, Diodorus visited Thebes, and he devotes several sections of his general work
to its history and appearance. Though he saw the city when it had sunk to quite secondary importance,
he confirms the tradition of its early grandeur—its circuit of 140 stadia, the size of its public edifices,
the magnificence of its temples, the number of its monuments, the dimensions of its private houses,
some of them four or five stories high—all giving it an air of grandeur and beauty surpassing not
only all other cities of Egypt, but of the world. Monuments.—The monuments of Thebes are the
most reliable witnesses for the ancient splendor of the city. These are found in almost equal
proportions upon both sides of the river. The plan of the city, as indicated by the principal
monuments, was nearly quadrangular, measuring two miles from north to south and four from east
to west. Its four great landmarks were, Karnak and Luxor upon the eastern or Arabian side, and
Qoornah and Medeenet Haboo upon the western or Libyan side. There are indications that each of
these temples may have been connected with those facing it upon two sides by grand dromoi, lined
with sphinxes and other colossal figures. Upon the western bank there was almost a continuous
line of temples and public edifices for a distance of two miles,from Qoonah to Medeenet Haboo;
and Wilkinson conjectures that from a point near the latter, perhaps in the line of the colossi, the
“Royal street” ran down to the river, which was crossed by a ferry terminating at Luxor, on the
eastern side. Behind this long range of temples and palaces are the Libyan hills, which for a distance
of five miles are excavated to the depth of several hundred feet for sepulchral chambers. Some of
these, in the number and variety of their chambers, the finish of their sculptures, and the beauty
and freshness of their frescoes, are among the most remarkable monuments of Egyptian grandeur
and skill. The eastern side of the river is distinguished by the remains of Lurer and Karnak, the
latter being of itself a city of temples. The approach to Karnak from the south is marked by a series