Smith's Bible Dictionary

(Frankie) #1

Among the smaller vessels for the tabernacle or temple service, many must have been required
to receive from the sacrificial victims the blood to be sprinkled for purification. The “basin” from
which our Lord washed the disciples’ feet was probably deeper and larger than the hand-basin for
sprinkling.
Basket
The Hebrew terms used in the description of this article are as follows: (1) Sal, so called from
the twigs of which it was originally made, specially used for holding bread. (Genesis 40:16) ff.
(Exodus 29:3,23; Leviticus 8:2,26,31; Numbers 6:15,17,19) (2) Salsilloth, a word of kindred origin,
applied to the basket used in gathering grapes. (Jeremiah 6:9) (3) Tene, in which the first-fruits of
the harvest were presented. (26:2,4) (4) Celub, so called from its similarity to a bird-cage. (5) Dud,
used for carrying fruit, (Jeremiah 24:1,2) as well as on a larger scale for carrying clay to the
brick-yard, (Psalms 81:6) (pots, Authorized Version), or for holding bulky articles. (2 Kings 10:7)
In the New Testament baskets are described under three different terms.
Basmath
(fragrant, pleasing), a daughter of Solomon, married to Ahimaaz, one of his commissariat
officers. (1 Kings 4:15) (B.C. after 1014.)
Bastard
Among those who were excluded from entering the congregation, even to the tenth generation,
was the bastard. (23:2) The term is not, however, applied to any illegitimate offspring, born out of
wedlock, but is restricted by the rabbins to the issue of any connection within the degrees prohibited
by the law.
Bat
(Leviticus 11:19; 14:18) Many travellers have noticed the immense numbers of bats that are
found in caverns in the East, and Mr. Layard said that on the occasion of a visit to a cavern these
noisome beasts compelled him to retreat.
Bath
[Measures]
Bath, Bathing
This was a prescribed part of the Jewish ritual of purification in cases of accident, or of leprous
or ordinary uncleanness, (Leviticus 15; 16:28; 22:6; Numbers 19:7; 19; 2 Samuel 11:2,4; 2 Kings
5:10) as also after mourning, which always implied defilement. (Ruth 3:3; 2 Samuel 12:20) The
eastern climate made bathing essential alike to health and pleasure, to which luxury added the use
of perfumes. (Esther 2:12) Judith 10:3; Susan 17. The “pools,” such as that of Siloam and Hezekiah,
(2 Kings 20:20; Nehemiah 3:15,16; Isaiah 22:11; John 9:7) often sheltered by porticos, (John 5:2)
are the first indications we have of public bathing accommodation.
Bathrabbim
(daughter of many), The gate of, One of the gates of the ancient city of heshbon. (Song of
Solomon 7:4,5)
Bathsheba, Or Bathsheba
(daughter of the oath), (2 Samuel 11:3) etc., also called Bath-shua in (1 Chronicles 3:5) the
daughter of Eliam, (2 Samuel 11:3) or Ammiel, (1 Chronicles 3:5) the son of Ahithophel, (2 Samuel
23:34) and wife of Uriah the Hittite. (B.C. 1035.) The child which was the fruit of her adulterous
intercourse with David died; but after marriage she became the mother of four sons, Solomon,
(Matthew 1:6) Shimea, Shobab and Nathan. When Adonijah attempted to set aside the succession

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