our room. It is that by which reconciliation is effected. Sin is thus said to
be “covered” by vicarious satisfaction.
The cover or lid of the ark is termed in the LXX. hilasterion, that which
covered or shut out the claims and demands of the law against the sins of
God’s people, whereby he became “propitious” to them.
The idea of vicarious expiation runs through the whole Old Testament
system of sacrifices. (See PROPITIATION.)
- EYE (Hebrews ‘ain, meaning “flowing”), applied (1) to a fountain,
frequently; (2) to colour (Numbers 11:7; R.V., “appearance,” marg. “eye”);
(3) the face (Exodus 10:5, 15; Numbers 22:5, 11), in Numbers 14:14, “face
to face” (R.V. marg., “eye to eye”). “Between the eyes”, i.e., the forehead
(Exodus 13:9, 16).
The expression (Proverbs 23:31), “when it giveth his colour in the cup,” is
literally, “when it giveth out [or showeth] its eye.” The beads or bubbles
of wine are thus spoken of. “To set the eyes” on any one is to view him
with favour (Genesis 44:21; Job 24:23; Jeremiah 39:12). This word is used
figuratively in the expressions an “evil eye” (Matthew 20:15), a “bountiful
eye” (Proverbs 22:9), “haughty eyes” (6:17 marg.), “wanton eyes” (Isaiah
3:16), “eyes full of adultery” (2 Peter 2:14), “the lust of the eyes” (1 John
2:16). Christians are warned against “eye-service” (Ephesians 6:6;
Colossians 3:22). Men were sometimes punished by having their eyes put
out (1 Samuel 11:2; Samson, Judges 16:21; Zedekiah, 2 Kings 25:7).
The custom of painting the eyes is alluded to in 2 Kings 9:30, R.V.;
Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 23:40, a custom which still prevails extensively
among Eastern women.
- EZEKIAS Grecized form of Hezekiah (Matthew 1:9, 10).
- EZEKIEL God will strengthen. (1.) 1 Chronicles 24:16, “Jehezekel.”
(2.) One of the great prophets, the son of Buzi the priest (Ezekiel 1:3). He
was one of the Jewish exiles who settled at Tel-Abib, on the banks of the
Chebar, “in the land of the Chaldeans.” He was probably carried away
captive with Jehoiachin (1:2; 2 Kings 24:14-16) about B.C. 597. His
prophetic call came to him “in the fifth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity”
(B.C. 594). He had a house in the place of his exile, where he lost his wife,
in the ninth year of his exile, by some sudden and unforeseen stroke
(Ezekiel 8:1; 24:18). He held a prominent place among the exiles, and was