The word nechosheth is improperly translated by “brass.” In most places of the Old Testament
the correct translation would be copper, although it may sometimes possibly mean bronze a
compound of copper and tin. Indeed a simple metal was obviously intended, as we see from (8:9;
33:25; Job 28) Copper was known at a very early period. (Genesis 4:22)
Brazen Serpent
[Serpent]
Bread
The preparation of bread as an article of food dates from a very early period. (Genesis 18:6)
The corn or grain employed was of various sorts. The best bread was made of wheat, but “barley”
and spelt were also used. (John 6:9,13; Isaiah 28:25) The process of making bread was as follows:
the flour was first mixed with water or milk; it was then kneaded with the hands (in Egypt with the
feet also) in a small wooden bowl or “kneading-trough” until it became dough. (Exodus 12:34,39;
2 Samuel 13:3; Jeremiah 7:18) When the kneading was completed, leaven was generally added
[Leaven]; but when the time for preparation was short, it was omitted, and unleavened cakes, hastily
baked, were eaten as is still the prevalent custom among the Bedouins. ((Genesis 18:6; 19:3; Exodus
12:39; Judges 6:19; 1 Samuel 28:24) The leavened mass was allowed to stand for some time,
(Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21) the dough was then divided into round cakes, (Exodus 29:23; Judges
7:13; 8:5; 1 Samuel 10:3; Proverbs 6:26) not unlike flat stones in shape and appearance, (Matthew
7:9) comp. Matt 4:8 About a span in diameter and a finger’s breadth in thickness. In the towns
where professional bakers resided, there were no doubt fixed ovens, in shape and size resembling
those in use among ourselves; but more usually each household poured a portable oven, consisting
of a stone or metal jar, about three feet high which was heated inwardly with wood, (1 Kings 17:12;
Isaiah 44:15; Jeremiah 7:18) or dried grass and flower-stalks. (Matthew 6:30)
Breastplate
[Arms, Armor]
Brethren Of Jesus
[James The Less]
Brick
(Genesis 11:3) The brick in use among the Jews were much larger than with us, being usually
from 12 to 13 inches square and 3 1/2 inches thick; they thus possess more of the character of tiles.
(Ezekiel 4:1) The Israelites, in common with other captives, were employed by the Egyptian
monarchs in making bricks and in building. (Exodus 1:14; 5:7) Egyptian bricks were not generally
dried in kilns, but in the sun. That brick-kilns were known is evident from (2 Samuel 12:31; Jeremiah
43:9) When made of the Nile mud they required straw to prevent cracking. [See Straw]
Bride, Bridegroom
[Marriage]
Brigandine
(Jeremiah 46:4) elsewhere “habergeon,” or “coat of mail.”
Brimstone
Brimstone, or sulphur, is found in considerable quantities on the shores of the Dead Sea. (Genesis
19:24) It is a well-known simple mineral substance, crystalline, easily melted, very inflammable,
and when burning emits a peculiar suffocating odor. It is found in great abundance near volcanoes.
The soil around Sodom and Gomorrah abounded in sulphur and bitumen.
Brother
frankie
(Frankie)
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