Wages
The earliest mention of wages is of a recompense, not in money, but in kind, to Jacob from
Laban. (Genesis 29:15,20; 30:28; 31:7,8,41) In Egypt money payments by way of wages were in
use, but the terms cannot now be ascertained. (Exodus 2:9) The only mention of the rate of wages
in Scripture is found in the parable of the householder and the vineyard, (Matthew 20:2) where the
laborer’s wages was set at one denarius per day, probably 15 to 17 cents, a sum which may be fairly
taken as equivalent to the denarius, and to the usual pay of a soldier (ten asses per diem) in the later
days of the Roman republic. Tac. Ann. i. 17; Polyb. vi. 39. In earlier times it is probable that the
rate was lower; but it is likely that laborers, and also soldiers, were supplied with provisions. The
law was very strict in requiring daily payment of wages. (Leviticus 19:13; 24:14,15) The employer
who refused to give his-laborers sufficient victuals is censured (Job 22:11) and the iniquity of
withholding wages is denounced. (Jeremiah 22:13; Malachi 3:5; James 6:4)
Wagon
The Oriental wagon, or arabah, is a vehicle composed of two or three planks fixed on two solid
circular blocks of wood from two to five feet in diameter, which serve as wheels. For the conveyance
of passengers, mattresses or clothes are laid in the bottom and the vehicle is drawn by buffaloes or
oxen. [Cart and Chariot]
Walls
Only a few points need be noticed.
•The practice common in Palestine of carrying foundations down to the solid rock, as in the case
of the temple, with structures intended to be permanent. (Luke 6:48)
•A feature of some parts of Solomon’s buildings, as described by Josephus, corresponds remarkably
to the method adopted at Nineveh of incrusting or veneering a wall of brick or stone with slabs of
a more costly material, as marble or alabaster.
•Another use of walls in Palestine is to support mountain roads Or terraces formed on the sides of
hills for purposes of cultivation.
•The “path of the vineyards,” (Numbers 22:24) is a pathway through vineyards, with walls on each
side.
Wandering In The Wilderness
[Wilderness Of The Wandering OF THE WANDERING]
War
The most important topic in connection with war is the formation of the army which is destined
to carry it on. [Army] In (1 Kings 9:22) at a period (Solomon’s reign) when the organization of the
army was complete, we have apparently a list of the various gradations of rank in the service, as
follows:
•“Men of war” = privates ;
•“servants,” the lowest rank of officers—lieutenants ;
•“princes” = captains ;
•“captains,” perhaps = staff officers ;
•“rulers of the chariots and his horsemen” = cavalry officers. Formal proclamations of war were
not interchanged between the belligerents. Before entering the enemy’s district spies were seat to
ascertain the character of the country and the preparations of its inhabitants for resistance. (Numbers
13:17; Joshua 2:1; Judges 7:10; 1 Samuel 26:4) The combat assumed the form of a number of
hand-to-hand contests; hence the high value attached to fleetness of foot and strength of arm. ( 2
frankie
(Frankie)
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