•The well-known city, so familiar as the most northern landmark of Palestine, in the common
expression “from Dan even to beersheba.” The name of the place was originally Laish or Leshem.
(Joshua 19:47) After the establishment of the Danites at Dan it became the acknowledged extremity
of the country. It is now Tell el-Kadi, a mound, three miles from Banias, from the foot of which
gushes out one of the largest fountains in the world, the main source of the Jordan.
Dance
a musical instrument of percussion, supposed to have been used by the Hebrews at an early
period of their history.
The dance is spoken of in Holy Scripture universally as symbolical of some rejoicing, and is
often coupled for the sake of contrast with mourning, as in (Ecclesiastes 3:4) comp. Psal 30:11;
Matt 11:17 In the earlier period it is found combined with some song or refrain, (Exodus 15:20;
32:18,19; 1 Samuel 21:11) and with the tambourine (Authorized Version “timbrel”), more especially
in those impulsive outbursts of popular feeling which cannot find sufficient vent in voice or in
gesture singly. Dancing formed a part of the religious ceremonies of the Egyptians, and was also
common in private entertainments. For the most part dancing was carried on by the women, the
two sexes seldom and not customarily intermingling. The one who happened to be near of kin to
the champion of the hour led the dance. In the earlier period of the Judges the dances of the virgins
of Shiloh. (Judges 21:19-23) were certainly part of a religious festivity. Dancing also had its place
among merely festive amusements, apart from any religious character. (Jeremiah 31:4,13; Mark
6:22)
Daniel
(judgment of God).
•The second son of David, by Abigail the Carmelitess. (1 Chronicles 3:1) In (2 Samuel 3:3) he is
called Chileab. (B.C. about 1051.)
•The fourth of ’the greater prophets.” Nothing is known of his parentage or family. He appears,
however, to have been of royal or noble descent, (Daniel 1:3) and to have possessed considerable
personal endowments. (Daniel 1:4) He was taken to Babylon in “the third year of Jehoiakim”
(B.C. 604), and trained for the king’s service. He was divinely supported in his resolve to abstain
from the “king’s meat” for fear of defilement. (Daniel 1:8-16) At the close of his three years
discipline, (Daniel 1:5,18) Daniel had an opportunity of exercising his peculiar gift, (Daniel 1:17)
of interpreting dreams, on the occasion of Nebuchadnezzar’s decree against the Magi. (Daniel
2:14) ff. In consequence of his success he was made “ruler of the whole province of Babylon.”
(Daniel 2:48) He afterwards interpreted the second dream of Nebuchadnezzar, (Daniel 4:8-27)
and the handwriting on the wall which disturbed the feast of Belshazzar. (Daniel 5:10-28) At the
accession of Darius he was made first of the “three presidents” of the empire, (Daniel 6:2) and
was delivered from the lion’s den, into which he had been cast for his faithfulness to the rites of
his faith. (Daniel 6:10-23) cf. Bel and Dr. 29-42. At the accession of Cyrus he still retained his
prosperity, (Daniel 6:28) cf. Dani 1:21 Though he does not appear to have remained at Babylon,
cf. (Daniel 1:21) and in “the third year of Cyrus” (B.C. 534) he saw his last recorded vision, on
the banks of the Tigris. (Daniel 10:1,4) In the prophecies of Ezekiel mention is made of Daniel
as a pattern of righteousness, (Ezekiel 14:14,20) and wisdom. (Ezekiel 28:3) The narrative in
(Daniel 1:11) implies that Daniel was conspicuously distinguished for purity and knowledge at a
very early age.
•A descendant of Ithamar, who returned with Ezra. (Ezra 8:2)
frankie
(Frankie)
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