Smith's Bible Dictionary

(Frankie) #1

Balances
Reference to balances is found in (Leviticus 19:36) They were in common use, gold and silver
being paid out and received by weight. Reference is also made in (Micah 6:11; Hosea 12:7) to the
dishonest practice of buying by heavier and selling by lighter weights.
Baldness
Natural baldness seems to have been uncommon, since it exposed people to public derision.
(Leviticus 13:29; 2 Kings 2:23; Isaiah 3:24; 15:2; Jeremiah 47:5; Ezekiel 7:18) Artificial baldness
marked the conclusion of a Nazarite’s vow, (Numbers 6:9; Acts 18:18) and was a sign of mourning.
Balm
(from balsam, Heb. tzori, tezri) occurs in (Genesis 37:25; 43:11; Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11; 51:8;
Ezekiel 27:17) (It is an aromatic plant, or the resinous odoriferous sap or gum which exudes from
such plants.) It is impossible to identify it with any certainty. It is impossible to identify it with any
certainty. It may represent the gum of the Pistacia lentiscus, or more probably that of the
Balsamodendron opobalsamum, allied to the balm of Gilead, which abounded in Gilead east of the
Jordan. The trees resembled fig trees (or grape vines), but were lower, being but 12 to 15 feet high.
It is now called the BALM OF Gilead, or Meccabalsam, the tree or shrub being indigenous in the
mountains around Mecca. [Incense; Spice, Spices] Hasselquist says that the exudation from the
plant “is of a yellow color, and pellucid. It has a most fragrant smell, which is resinous, balsamic
and very agreeable. It is very tenacious or glutinous, sticking to the fingers, and may be drawn into
long threads.” It was supposed to have healing as well as aromatic qualities.
Bamah
(high place). Found only in (Ezekiel 20:29) applied to places of idolatrous worship.
Bamothbaal
(heights of Baal), a sanctuary of Baal in the country of Moab (Joshua 13:17) which is probably
mentioned in (Numbers 21:19) under the shorter form of Bamoth, or Bamoth-in-the-ravine (20),
and again in (Isaiah 15:2)
Band
The “band of Roman soldiers” referred to in (Matthew 27:27) and elsewhere was the tenth part
of a legion. It was called a “cohort,” and numbered 400 to 600 men. [See Army]
Bani
(built).
•A Gadite, one of David’s mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:36) (B.C. 1046.)
•A Levite of the line of Merari, and forefather to Ethan. (1 Chronicles 6:46)
•A man of Judah of the line of Pharez. (1 Chronicles 9:4)
•“Children of Bani” returned from captivity with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:10; 10:29,34; Nehemiah
10:14) 1 Esd. 5:12. [Binnui; MANI]
•An Israelite “of the sons of Bani.” (Ezra 10:38)
•A Levite. (Nehemiah 3:17)
•A Levite. (Nehemiah 8:7; 9:4,5; 10:13)
•Another Levite, of the sons of Asaph. (Nehemiah 11:22)
Banner
[See Ensign]
Banquets

Free download pdf