- BOTCH the name given in Deuteronomy 28:27, 35 to one of the
Egyptian plagues (Exodus 9:9). The word so translated is usually rendered
“boil” (q.v.). - BOTTLE a vessel made of skins for holding wine (Joshua 9:4. 13; 1
Samuel 16:20; Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37, 38), or milk (Judges
4:19), or water (Genesis 21:14, 15, 19), or strong drink (Habakkuk 2:15).
Earthenware vessels were also similarly used (Jeremiah 19:1-10; 1 Kings
14:3; Isaiah 30:14). In Job 32:19 (comp. Matthew 9:17; Luke 5:37, 38;
Mark 2:22) the reference is to a wine-skin ready to burst through the
fermentation of the wine. “Bottles of wine” in the Authorized Version of
Hos. 7:5 is properly rendered in the Revised Version by “the heat of
wine,” i.e., the fever of wine, its intoxicating strength.
The clouds are figuratively called the “bottles of heaven” (Job 38:37). A
bottle blackened or shrivelled by smoke is referred to in Psalm 119:83 as
an image to which the psalmist likens himself.
- BOW The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase
(Genesis 21:20; 27:3; 48:22). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the
use of the bow (1 Chronicles 8:40; 12:2; 2 Chronicles 14:8; 17:17); so also
were the Elamites (Isaiah 22:6) and the Lydians (Jeremiah 46:9). The
Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread (1
Chronicles 5:18; 8:40), and hence it is concluded that the foot was
employed in bending the bow. Bows of steel (correctly “copper”) are
mentioned (2 Samuel 22:35; Psalm 18:34).
The arrows were carried in a quiver (Genesis 27:3; Isaiah 22:6; 49:2; Psalm
127:5). They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material
attached to them (Psalm 120:4).
The bow is a symbol of victory (Psalm 7:12). It denotes also falsehood,
deceit (Psalm 64:3, 4; Hos. 7:16; Jeremiah 9:3).
“The use of the bow” in 2 Samuel 1:18 (A.V.) ought to be “the song of the
bow,” as in the Revised Version.
- BOWELS (Phil. 1:8; 2:1; Colossians 3:12), compassionate feelings; R.V.,
“tender mercies.” - BOWING a mode of showing respect. Abraham “bowed himself to the
people of the land” (Genesis 23:7); so Jacob to Esau (Genesis 33:3); and