MA lyte, of a sincere and pious character, and prompt in acknowledging and professing the truth. She was converted to the Christian faith in consequence of the preaching of Saint Paul. (Acts xvi. 14. 40.) Coquerel and others suppose that Lydia, in this place, is merely a patronymic appellation, that is, a Lydian woman; most probably from the circumstance of Thyatira being situated on the confines of Lydia, a province on the western coast of Asia Minor. LYSTRA, a city of Lycaonia, chiefly celebrated for the miraculous cure there wrought upon the lame man, which made the Lycaonians think the gods were come down to them in the likeness of men (Acts xiv. 10, 11.), and also for the circumcision of Timothy. (xvi. 1.) MAACAH OF MAACHAH. See ABEL-BETH-MAACHAH, pp. 401, 402. note. MA goodness; and could not fail to convince the apostles of the MALICE, crimes of, how punished, 64. MANAEN, the name of a person who was educated with Herod Agrippa I. (Acts xiii. 1.) Perhaps he was the son of that Manaem (Mavinus) mentioned by Josephus, who predicted the future greatness of Herod. (Ant. Jud. 1. xv. c. 10. § 5.) MANASSEN. 1. The eldest son of Joseph; who, being adopted by his grand father, inherited equally with the sons of Jacob. (Gen. xlviii.) For the limits of the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, see pp. 16, 17. MACCABEES, government of, 50. Origin of their name, 50. MACEDONIA, a province of Greece, formerly called mathia; and from the kings of Macedon, Macedonia. It was bounded on the north by the mountains of Hamus, on the south by Epirus and Achaia, on the east by the gean, on the west by the Ionian and Adriatic Seas; and it is celebrated in all histories for 2. MANASSEH, the fourteenth king of Judah, succeeded his being the third kingdom, which, under Alexander the Great, ob-father Hezekiah, at the early age of twelve years. In the early tained the empire of the world, and had under it 150 nations. part of his reign, most probably misled by the profligate counsels To this country, whose metropolis was then Thessalonica, Saint of those who detested the reformation introduced by the pious Paul was called by a vision (Acts xvi. 9.); and the churches, Hezekiah, Manasseh was a most wicked and idolatrous prince; by him planted in it, are celebrated for their great charity, and and for his various crimes was carried captive into Babylon, about ready contribution to the distressed Jews in Judæa (2 Cor. viii. the twenty-second year of his reign. But, upon his penitent ix.), when they themselves lay under the extremest poverty. confession of his sins, he was delivered out of captivity and reMACHERUS, a city and fortress east of the Jordan, between stored to his country (it has been conjectured after about a year's six and nine miles from that river, and not far from its mouth. absence), perhaps in consequence of some revolution in the AsHere John the Baptist was imprisoned, and subsequently put to syrian empire. The remainder of his life and reign was as exdeath by order of Herod Antipas. (Matt. ix. 2. xiv. 3-12.) This emplary as its commencement had been inauspicious and profliplace is not mentioned by name in the New Testament. gate. The worship of God was restored; the fortifications of Jerusalem were repaired and strengthened; and military officers were placed in all the fenced cities of Judah. (2 Chron. xxxiii) MAN-SLAUGHTER, punishment of, 63. MAN-STEALING, punishment of, 63. MACHPELAH, the name of the cave purchased by Abraham of Ephron the Hittite, for a burial place for his wife Sarah. (Gen. xxxiii. 8.) This cave has been covered by the Turks, "by a large and ancient mosque; and all around the soil is held inviolable. The cave is in the middle of the interior of the edifice; its dark and deep entrance only is visible, and it is rarely entered. The cave is said by the Turks to be deep and very spacious, cut out of the solid rock, and that the resting-places of the patriarchs still exist, and are plainly to be discerned." (Carne's Recollections of the East, pp. 158, 159.) ...... MANURES of the Jews, notice of, 176, 177. MAGDALA, a city and territory on the western side of the lake of Gennesaret, not far from Capernaum and Gamala; it is sup-vellers attest that there are several bitter fountains not far from posed to have contained within its precincts Dalmanutha; hence, while Matthew says (xv. 39), Christ came into the coasts of Magdala, St. Mark says more particularly (viii. 10.), that he came into the parts of Dalmanutha. MAGI, an appellation given among the Persians to priests, wise men, philosophers, and others who devoted themselves to the study of the moral and physical sciences, and who particularly cultivated astrology and medicine. They enjoyed the highest consideration. The wise men from the east, who came to worship the infant Messiah, were philosophers of this description; according to some, they came from Persia, or, in the opinion of others, from Arabia, as the precious gums which they offered were the productions of Arabia. MAGIC, prevalence of, 143. MAGISTRATES, persons of, sacred, 44. Crimes against them, how punished among the Jews, 62. Magistrates under the Jewish monarchy, 47. MAGOG. See Goc, p. 426. MAHANAIM, a city beyond the Jordan in the tribe of Gad, near the tribe of Manasseh; it was assigned to the Levites. (Josh. xiii. 26. 30. xxi. 38.) Here two hosts or camps of angels met Jacob (Gen. xxxii. 2.), whence the name is derived. MALACHI, the last of the twelve minor prophets. For an account of him, and an analysis of his predictions, see pp. 288, 289. MALCHUS, a servant of Caiaphas the high-priest, whose name St. John has very naturally preserved, since he was acquainted with Caiaphas. Malchus was one of the company that was commanded to seize Christ in the garden of Gethsemane: Peter cut off his right ear, which was instantly restored and the wound healed by the omnipotent touch of Jesus, who thus conferred upon him a signal benefit at a most critical time. The miraculous healing of Malchus presents a union of justice, power, and | MARAH, a place in the desert of Arabia, so called from the bitterness of its waters. When the Israelites came out of Egypt, on their arrival in the wilderness of Etham, they found the water so bitter that neither themselves nor their cattle could drink it: on which account they gave the name of Marah or bitterness to this encampment. (Exod. xv. 23. Num. xxxiii. 8.) Most trathe Red Sea; and Dr. Shaw fixes these waters at Corondel, a place where there is still a small rill, which, unless it be diluted by dews and rain, still continues to be brackish. (Travels, vol. i. p. 104.) A later traveller, who visited this region a century after Dr. S., describing these waters, says, that "the Pool of Marah is of a circular form, about sixty feet round: it gushes forth from a rock at the foot of a barren mountain, and one or two palm trees spread their shade over it. This pool, the only one found for a great distance around, in spite of its clear and tempting appearance, is brackish and bitter to the taste, offering one of the greatest disappointments to the weary traveller, whose thirst indeed may be quenched, though the hope of a sweet and delicious draught is baffled." (Carne's Recollections of the East, p. 348.) MARESHA, a fenced city in the plain of the tribe of Judah. (Josh. xv. 44.) Jerome and Eusebius call it Morasthi. The prophet Micah was a native of this city, near which was fought the memorable battle between Zerah king of Cush or Ethiopia, and Asa king of Judah, who obtained a most signal victory. (2 Chron. xiv. 8-10.) MARK, or John-Mark, the author of the second Gospel, was the nephew of Barnabas, and also the companion of Paul and Barnabas in their journey through Greece (Acts xiii. 5. Col. iv. 11.), and afterwards of Barnabas alone. (Acts xv. 37. 39.) He afterwards accompanied Peter. (1 Pet. v. 13.) As he was the son of that Mary, at whose house in Jerusalem the apostles were accustomed to meet, it has been conjectured, with great probability, that he was particularly instructed in the doctrines of the Gospel by Peter, who therefore terms him his son. (1 Tim. v. 13. compared with 1 Tim. i. 2. and 2 Tim. i. 2.) For a further account of Mark and of his Gospel, see pp. 304–307. MARKETS, where held, 155. ME MARRIAGES of the Jews, ceremonies of, 160-162. How dissolved, 162, 163. MARTHA, the sister of that Lazarus who was raised from the dead by Jesus Christ. (Luke x. 38. 40, 41. John xi. 1, &c. vii. 2.) MARY, the name of several women mentioned in the New Testament; viz. 1. The Virgin-mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: she was of the tribe of Judah, and of the royal house of David, as also was her husband Joseph. After the crucifixion of Christ, who had commended her to the filial care of John, she found an asylum in the house of the beloved apostle; and when the disciples and apostles were met together in an upper room, she united with them in prayer. (John xix. 25. 27. Acts i. 15.) The time, place, and circumstances of her death are uncertain. 2. A woman of Magdala is supposed to be the same, out of whom Christ expelled seven demons. (Luke vii. 36, 37.) She was one of those who followed him and contributed to his main tenance. 3. One of the sisters of Lazarus. (Luke x. 39-42. John xi. 1, &c.) 4. The mother of James the Less and of Joses: she was sister to the mother of Jesus, and was the wife of Alpheus or Clopas. (Matt. xxvii. 56. 61. xxviii. 1. Mark xv. 40. 47. xvi. 1. John xix. 25.) 5. The mother of the evangelist Mark, at whose house the Christians in Jerusalem were wont to convene. (Acts xi. 12.) 6. Mary, an unknown disciple resident at Rome, to whom St. Paul sent his salutation, with this eulogy-she bestowed much labour on us (Rom. xvi. 6.), or, on You, according to the Alexandrian and other MSS., and the Syriac, Ethiopic, Coptic, and Arabic versions. It is, therefore, uncertain, whether the apostle here speaks of services actually rendered to himself, or to the believers at Rome. ME and successor Astyages reigned thirty-five years, A. M. 34093444, B. c. 595-560. No particulars of his reign, however are recorded by profane historians, excepting his repulsing an invasion of his territories made by the Babylonian under Evilmerodah, the son of Nebuchadnezzar. On the death of Astyages, the crown devolved on his son Cyaxares II., whom the Scriptures call Darius the Mede, A. M. 3444, B. c. 560. Media is now called Irak Adjami, and forms (as it also anciently did form) part of the kingdom of Persia. MEDICINE, state of, among the Jews, 194-197. MEGIDDO, a fortified town of the tribe of Manasseh in the territory of Issachar: it was formerly a royal city of the Canaanites. The Water of Megiddo (Judg. v. 19.) is conjectured by Prof. Gesenius to be the river Kishon. Compare Judg. v. 21. and iv. 13. MELCHISEDEK, king of Salem (which was afterwards called Jerusalem), a contemporary of Abraham, whom he met with refreshments on his return from the pursuit of Cherdoriaomer and his allies. (Gen. xiv.) After the manner of the patriarchal ages, he appears, as the head of his tribe or family, to have discharged the functions of priest, and to have offered sacrifices to the true God. By paying him tithes Abraham acknowledged him to be a priest of the Most High God. In Heb. vii. St. Paul exhibits the resemblance between Melchisedek as the type and Jesus Christ the antitype. MELCOM, an Ammonitish idol. See p. 137. MELITA, or MALTA, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, on which St. Paul and his companions were wrecked. (Acts xxviii. 1.) Mr. Bryant, Dr. Hales, and some other eminent critics and commentators, have endeavoured to show that this island was in the Adriatic Sea, on the coast of Illyricum,—the same which is now called Meleda. That MALTA is the island intended by St. Luke will be evident from the following con MATTHEW, also called LEVI, the son of Alpheus, was a col-siderations:-The apostle left the island in a ship of Alexandria, lector of the imposts when our Saviour called him to follow him and be an apostle. He wrote the first Gospel; for an account of which, see pp. 295-304. MATTHIAS, one of the disciples who was chosen by lot to fill up the vacancy occasioned by the death of the traitorous apostle Judas Iscariot. (Acts i. 23. 26.) Of his subsequent labours and history, nothing certain is known. MEASURES of the Jews and other nations mentioned in the Bible, tables of, 394. MEAT-OFFERINGS, notice of, 119. MEDEBA, a city in the tribe of Reuben, situated in a plain of the same name. (Num. xxi. 30. Josh. xiii. 9. 16.) According to Eusebius, it was not far from Heshbon. Here Joab gained a memorable victory over the Ammonites and Syrians. (I Chron. xix. 7-14.) According to Isa. xv. 2. it afterwards belonged to Moab. MEDIA (Acts ii. 9.) was a vast region of Asia, having on the north the Caspian Sea, on the west Armenia and Assyria, on the south Persia, on the east Hyrcania and Parthia. It had its name from Madai the son of Japhet, mentioned in Gen. x. 2. In the Babylonian captivity, the Jews were carried captive into Assyria, and placed in the cities of the Medes. (2 Kings xvii. 6. and xviii. 11.) Hence we find many of them and their proselytes at Jerusalem, when the Holy Ghost fell on the apostles. The Medes or Medians were subject to the Assyrian monarchs until the reign of Sardanapalus. Arbaces conspired against him, compelled him to burn himself in Nineveh, and restored the Medes to liberty, A. M. 3257, B. c. 747. He is considered as the founder of the Median monarchy, to which Justin assigns a duration of three hundred and fifty years, but Herodotus only one hundred and twenty years. (Justin. Hist. lib. i. c. 6. ed. Bipont. Herod. lib. i. cc. 95-107. ed. Oxon. 1809.) The last-mentioned historian has recorded the names of only four Median sovereigns, viz. Dejoces, Phraortes, Cyaxares, and Astyages. Diodorus Siculus (lib. ii. c. 32. edit. Bipont.) enumerates ten kings; Eusebius and Syncellus, eight. Herodotus, however, acknowledges that the Medes had enjoyed their liberty for some time before they elected Dejoces to be their king, A. M. 3294, B. c. 710. He caused the city of Ecbatana to be built, and is said to have reigned fifty-three y ars. Phraortes his successor subjugated the Persians to the Median empire, and reigned twenty-two years, A. M. 3347-3369, B. c. 657-635. Phraortes was succeeded by Cyaxares, who took Nineveh, and considerably enlarged the Median empire, A. M. 3369-3409, B. c. 626-595. His son which had wintered there, on her voyage to İtaly; and after touching at Syracuse and Rhegium, landed at Puteoli, thus sailing in a direct course. The other Melita would be far out of the usual track from Alexandria to Italy; and, in sailing from it to Rhegium, Syracuse also would be out of the direct course. The fact, that the vessel was tossed all night before the shipwreck in the Adriatic Sea, does not militate against the proba bility of its afterwards being driven upon Malta; because the name ADRIA (see page 403.) was applied to the whole Ionian Sea, which lay between Sicily and Greece. (Robinson's Lexicon, voce Mah.) MEMORIALS of events, account of, 79, 80. MENAHEM, the sixteenth king of Israel: he murdered the usurper Shallum, and in his turn usurped the throne. He was a wicked and cruel prince, who followed the impious example of Jeroboam I. He died after reigning about ten years. MENI, or the Moon; a Syrian idol, worshipped in Palestine during the time of the prophet Isaiah. See p. 137. MEPHIEOSHETH, a son of Jonathan, whom David took under his protection, when he was peaceably seated on his throne. MERCURY, in heathen mythology, the son of Jupiter and Maia. He was the fabled patron of eloquence (on which account the people of Lystra supposed Paul to be Mercury in disguise, Acts xiv. 12.), the god of travellers, shepherds, &c. &c., and the conductor of the souls of the dead into the infernal regions. MERIBAH, the name of a spring in the desert of Sin, where the Israelites contended against God. (Num. xx. 13. 24.) See REPAIDIM. MERODACH, the name of an idol of the Babylonians. Lowth and other commentators (on Jer. i. 2.) suppose him to have been an ancient monarch of Babylon, whom his subjects deified and worshipped. See BALADAN, p. 413. MEROM, waters or lake of, notice of, 27. MESOPOTAMIA, a region of country, situated between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, extending from the Persian Gulf to Mount Taurus. The Hebrews call it Aram Naharaim, or Aram of the two rivers, because it was first peopled by Aram, father of the Syrians, and is situated between two rivers. This country is celebrated in Scripture as the first dwelling of men after the deluge; and because it gave birth to Phaleg, Heber, Terah, Abraham, Nahor, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, and to the sons of Jacob. Babylon was in the ancient Mesopotamia, till by vast labour and industry the two rivers Tigris and Euphrates were reunited in one channel. The plains of Shinar were in aram, MI this country. It was often called Mesopotamia Syriæ, because it was inhabited by the Aramæans, or Syrians; and sometimes Padan-arum (Gen. xxviii. 2.), or the plains of Aram: or Sedethe fields of Aram; to distinguish them from the barren and uncultivated mountains of the same country. Balaam, son of Beor, was of Mesopotamia. (Deut. xxiii. 4.) Chushanrishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, subdued the Hebrews. (Judg. iii. 8.) Some Jews or proselytes from Mesopotamia were at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. (Acts ii. 9.) For an interesting description of the modern state of this country, see Mr. Buckingham's Travels in Mesopotamia. London, 1827, 2 vols. 8vo. MESSIAH, (Heb. np, that is, anointed,) the same as CHRIST in Greek, the name given to Jesus our Saviour, by way of excellence; he being anointed by his Father, to execute for us the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, for all which offices persons were anointed with oil, as being symbolical of the graces of the Holy Spirit, which qualified them for their respective duties. Jesus, indeed, was not anointed with material oil, such as was used under the law, but with the Holy Ghost and with power. (Acts x. 38.) For a view of the predictions respecting the Messiah, see Vol. I. pp. 126-129. 453-458. As a Prophet, whose office was to teach and reprove, Jesus has perfectly instructed us in the will of God, and has shown himself to be the teacher of the most sublime religion ever promulgated to mankind: and he wrought numerous illustrious miracles in proof of his divine mission. As a Priest, (whose office it was to offer sacrifices for the expiation of the sins of the people, to bless them, and pray for them,) Jesus, who was both priest and victim, offered himself a sacrifice to God, in order to expiate our sins; for in him we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. (Eph. i. 3.) He has blessed us, in turning every one of us from our sins: and he ever liveth to intercede for us with God as our Mediator: for, if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (Rom. viii. 34. 1 Tim. ii. 5. 1 John ii. 1.) As a King,-not like the earthly sovereign whom the Jews expected to deliver them from the yoke of the Romans, which they detested, and who (they believed) would make them the most powerful people upon earth,-Jesus reigns over souls illuminated by the light of his doctrine, and over hearts called to holiness. To his people, whom he hath purchased to himself out of all the nations of the world, he gives for their government laws which are calculated to make them permanently happy both here and hereafter; he defends them against their spiritual enemies, and he will judge them at the last day. His mediatorial kingdom commenced after his resurrection, when he entered into his glory (Luke xxiv. 26.): but it will not be eternal. The authority which he exercises as Mediator and Judge, is only a temporary dispensation referring to the actual state of the church, and which will cease when he shall have fulfilled his office, that is, after the last judgment. This Saint Paul teaches in a very striking and precise manner, which deserves the greatest attention. See 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25. 28. METEMPSYCHOSIS, doctrine of, believed by the Pharisees, 144. MICAH, the sixth of the minor prophets, was contemporary with Isaiah, Joel, Hosea, and Amos. See an analysis of his predictions in pp. 270, 271. MICHMASH, a town in the tribe of Ephraim, about nine miles from Jerusalem, to the east of Beth-Aven. Contiguous to this place was a ledge of sharp rocks, two of which, named Bozez and Seneh, faced Michmash and Gibeah; the one north, the other south. One of these was ascended by Jonathan and his armour-bearer, who routed the garrison of the Philistines that defended the pass of Michmash. (1 Sam. xiii. 5. 23. xiv. 4-13.) In the vicinity of this place were caves, thickets, rocks, and pits, in which the Israelites concealed themselves from their enemies. (1 Sam. xiii. 6.) Rocks and pits answer to the present appearance of the place to which tradition has given the name of Michmash; but no thickets or bushes are to be seen. A succession of low and barren hills leads up to the higher one of Michmash, which commands a fine and extensive view. There are also several caves on the spot. (Carne's Letters, pp. 330, 331,) At present, this place is distinguished by the name of Beer, signifying a well; most probably from its containing a very delicious spring of water. (Rae Wilson's Travels, vol. i. p. 364. Third edition.) MIDIAN, the land into which Moses fled from the Egyptians. (Acts vii. 29.) Here Jethro lived (Exod. xviii. 1.), and the people were descended from Madian the son of Abraham by Ke MO turah (Gen. xxv. 2.), whence we have reason to believe they still retained the worship of the true God. It was in Arabia Petræa. MIDIANITES, Commerce of, 187. Account of this people, 15. MIGDOL, a frontier town of Lower Egypt, towards the Red Sea, between which and that sea the Israelites encamped. (Exod. xiv. 1.) It is there rendered by the Septuagint Magdolus; and there also Herodotus represents Nekus, or Pharaoh-Necho, as gaining a great victory over the Jews, when Josiah was killed, mistaking Magdolus for Megiddo. Jeremiah represents it as belonging to Egypt Proper (xlvi. 14.), and in the neighbourhood of Tahpanes, or Daphne. MILETUS, a sea-port of Asia Minor, and a city of Ionia, where Saint Paul delivered to the elders of the church of Ephesus that affecting discourse which is recorded in Acts xx. 17-35. In this city were born Thales, one of the seven wise men, Anaximander his disciple, Timotheus the celebrated musician, and Anaximenes the philosopher. There was another Miletus in Crete, where St. Paul left Trophimus sick. (2 Tim. iv. 20.) MILITARY DISCIPLINE of the Jews, 83-91. And of the Romans, 93, 94. Military Sports, 190. A military order established by David, 92. MILLS, oriental, notice of, 154. MIRAGE, effects of, 34, 35. and notes. MIRRORS of the Jews, notice of, 158. and note. MITYLENE was a large and beautiful city of the island of Lesbos, where Pittacus, one of the wise men, Alcæus the poet, Diophanes the orator, and Theophanes the historian, were born. The whole island was also called by that name; as also Pentapolis, from the five cities in it, viz. Issa or Antissa, Pyrrha, Eressos, Arisba, Mitylene. If it had that name in St. Luke's time, we may understand either the island or the city, when he says (Acts xx. 14.), We came to Mitylene. MIZAR, a small hill not far from Zoar, once a place of resort for David; and where it appears from Psal. xlii. 6. that he experienced some peculiar manifestations of the divine goodness. MIZPEH, a high place affording an extensive prospect. (Isa. xxi. Several places in Palestine bore this name, most probably from being situated on elevated grounds or hills; of which the following were the principal : 8.) 1. MIZPEн, a city in the tribe of Judah, to the south of Jerusalem (whence it was distant about eighteen or twenty miles): and to the north of Hebron. (Josh. xv. 33.) 2. MIZPEн, a place in Gilead beyond the Jordan. (Judg. x. 17. xi. 34.) In Judg. xi. 29. it is called Mizpeh of Gilead, to distinguish it from other towns or places of the same name. 3. MIZPEH, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, where assemblies of the Israelites were often convened: here Samuel dwelt, and here Saul was anointed king. (Judg. xxi. 1. 1 Sam. vii. 5—7. x. 1. 17.) King Asa strengthened it for a frontier fortification against the kingdom of Israel (1 Kings xv. 22. 2 Chron. xvi. 6.): and afterwards the governor Gadaliah had his residence here. (Jer. xl. 6. compared with Neh. iii. 7. 19.) 4. MIZPEH, a valley in the region of Mount Libanus, which was inhabited by the Hivites. (Josh. xi. 3. 8.) MIZRAIM (Gen. x. 6.), a son of Ham, whose descendants are supposed to have peopled Egypt, which country derived its Hebrew name from him. Josephus makes the name to be of Coptic origin (Antiq. 1. i. c. 6. § 2.): but Gesenius observes that nothing resembling it is found in the present remains of the Coptic language, in which this country bears the name of Xus. MOABITES, a people descended from Moab, the incestuous offspring of Lot. Their habitation was beyond Jordan and the Dead Sea, on both sides of the river Arnon. Their capital city was situated on that river, and was called Ar, or Rabbath-Moab, that is, the capital of Moab, or Kirheres, that is, a city with brick walls. This country was originally possessed by a race of giants, called Emim. (Deut. ii. 11, 12.) The Moabites conquered them, and afterwards the Amorites took a part from the Moabites. Moses conquered that part which belonged to the Amorites and gave it to the tribe of Reuben. The Moabites were spared by Moses, for God had restricted him (Deut. ii. 9.): but there always was a great antipathy between the Moabites and Israelites, which occasioned many wars between them. Balaam seduced the Hebrews to idolatry and uncleanness, by means of the daughters of Moab (Num. xxv. 1, 2.): and Balak, king of this people, endeavoured to prevail on Balaam to curse Israel. God ordained that the Moabites should not enter into the congregation of his people, even to the tenth generation (Deut. xxiii. 3.), because they had the inhumanity to refuse the Israelites a pas. MO sage through their country, and would not supply them with bread and water in their necessity. ence. Eglon, king of the Moabites, was one of the first that oppressed Israel, after the death of Joshua. Ehud killed Eglon, and Israel expelled the Moabites. (Judg. iii. 12, &c.) A. m. 2679, B. c. 1325. Hanun, king of the Ammonites, having insulted David's ambassadors, David made war against him, and subdued Moab and Ammon; under which subjection they continued, till the separation of the ten tribes. The Ammonites and Moabites continued in subjection to the kings of Israel to the death of Ahab. Very shortly after the death of Ahab, the Moabites began to revolt. (2 Kings iii. 4, 5.) Mesha, king of Moab, refused the tribute of a hundred thousand lambs, and as many rams, which till then had been customarily paid, either yearly or at the beginning of every reign, which of these two is not clearly expressed in Scripture. The reign of Ahaziah was too short to make war with them; but Jehoram, son of Ahab, and brother to Ahaziah, having ascended the throne, thought of reducing them to obediHe invited Jehoshaphat, king of Judah; who, with the king of Edom, then his vassal, entered Moab, where they were in danger of perishing with thirst, but were miraculously relieved. | (2 Kings iii. 16., &c.) It is not easy to perceive what were the circumstances of the Moabites from this time; but Isaiah, at the beginning of the reign of king Hezekiah, threatens them with a calamity, which was to happen three years after his prediction, and which probably referred to the war that Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, made with the ten tribes, and the other people beyond Jordan. Amos (i. 13, &c.) also foretold great miseries to them, which, probably, they suffered under Uzziah and Jotham, kings of Judah; or under Shalmaneser (2 Chron. xxvi. 7, 8. xxvii. 5.) : or, lastly, during the war of Nebuchadnezzar, five years after the destruction of Jerusalem: we believe this prince carried them captive beyond the Euphrates, as the prophets had threatened, (Jer. ix. 26. xii. 14, 15. xxv. 11, 12. xlviii. 74. xlix. 3. 6.), and that Cyrus sent them home again, as he did the rest of the captives. After their return from captivity, they multiplied and fortified themselves as the Jews did, and other neighbouring people; still in subjection to the kings of Persia, afterwards conquered by Alexander the Great, and in obedience to the kings of Syria and Egypt successively, and finally to the Romans. There is a probability, also, that in the later times of the Jewish republic, they obeyed the Asmonæan kings and afterwards Herod the Great. (Calmet, Hist. des Peuples Voisins des Juifs, &c. Art. IV. | Dissert. tom. ii. pp. 410-413.) For an account (by recent travellers) of the fulfilment of the predictions concerning Moab, see Keith's Evidence of the truth of the Christian Religion from Prophecy, pp. 158-172. MOLOCH OF MOLECH, an idol of the Ammonites, worshipped by the Israelites. See p. 137. MONARCHS. See KINGS. | NA tion of the name Moses, viz. drawn out, because the ark in which his mother had deposited him was drawn out of the river Nile: but his education among the Egyptians, Gesenius observes, would lead us to regard it as of Egyptian origin; and so it is interpreted by Josephus. (Ant. Jud. l. ii. c. 9. § 6.) MOUNTAINS of the Holy Land, 29-31. In the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem, 19. MOURNING for the dead, duration of, and how expressed, 199, 200. 202. Rending of garments, a sign of mourning, 159. MULES, notice of, 175. MURDER, laws concerning, 63. MUSIC and MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS of the Jews, 183, 184. MYRA was one of the six great cities of Lycia, situated near the sea; whence St. Luke says (Acts xxvii. 5.), that, sailing over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia they came to Myria in Lycia. It still preserves its ancient name; and there are many remains of its former greatness. MYSIA (Acts xvi. 7, 8.), a country of Asia, was bounded on the north by Bithynia, on the east by Phrygia Minor, on the west by Trous, on the south by the river Hermus; there, perhaps, St. Paul attempted not to stay, because, as Cicero notes, in his oration for Flaccus (cc. 51, 52.) they were a people despicable and base to a proverb. NAAMAN, general of the forces of Ben-hadad king of Syria. Being afflicted by a leprosy, he was healed by washing seven times in the river Jordan, according to the command of the prophet Elisha. (2 Kings v.) NABATHEANS. See NEBAIOTH, p. 439. NADAB. 1. the son of Aaron and the brother of Abihu: who, offering incense with strange or common fire, instead of that which had miraculously been kindled upon the altar of burnt-offering, was consumed together with his brother. (Lev. x. 12.) 2. The son of Jeroboam king of Israel, a wicked prince, who followed the evil example of his father. After reigning two years, he was assassinated by Baasha. (2 Kings xv. 25-27.) NAHASH, a king of the Ammonites, who laid siege to JabeshGilead, shortly after the election of Saul to be king of Israel. He refused to the besieged any terms of accommodation, but on the ignominious condition of every one losing his right eye, thereby for ever incapacitating him from using the bow. This barbarous capitulation was rejected; the besieged obtained a truce of seven days, on condition of surrendering if they did not receive succour: but Saul arrived, and Nahash, after seeing his army totally discomfited, made a shameful retreat. (1 Sam. xi.) Subsequently Nahash rendered some services to David, most probably by giving him an asylum: we may easily conceive, that the enemy of Saul would be the friend of David. (2 Sam. x. 2 MONEY (Jewish and Roman), mentioned in the Scriptures, 1 Chron. xix. 2.) tables of, 394. Antiquity of money, 189. MONEY-CHANGERS, notice of, 78. MONTENEGRINS, funeral rites of, 200, note. MONTHS of the Hebrews, see pp. 73-76. Intercalary months, P. 74. MOSES, the son of Amram and Jochebed, and great-grandson of Levi, was born in Egypt, A. M. 2433. Providentially delivered from the general destruction of all the Hebrew male children, commanded by Pharaoh, and adopted by the daughter of the Egyptian king, Moses was instructed in all the literature and sciences of Egypt. In the eightieth year of his age, he was appointed the leader and legislator of the Hebrews, whom he delivered from their bondage. An account of his jurisdiction, as the viceroy of Jehovah, is given in pp. 41, 42. After conducting the Hebrews through their wanderings in the desert during 40 years, he died on the confines of the land of Canaan, aged 120 years, "when his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." For an analysis of the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses, see pp. 203-212. In Exod. ii. 10. there is given a Hebrew deriva NAHUM, a native of Elkosh, the seventh of the minor prophets, is known only by his prophetic denunciations against the Assyrian empire, and particularly Nineveh; for an account of which, see p. 271. NAIN, a small city or town of Galilee, not far from Capernaum, at the gates of which Jesus Christ raised to life a widow's only son (Luke vii. 11-15.); for an examination of which miracle, see Vol. I. pp. 101, 102. 105. Nain derived its name from its pleasant situation: it is now a decayed village, containing between one and two hundred inhabitants. From its situation on the declivity of a mountain "the scene of that miracle must have been rendered more striking as the funeral procession passed slowly out of the gate down the steep, on the bold breast of which the remains of the place now stand." (Carne's Recollections of the East, p. 55.) NAKED, the Jewish notion of being, explained, 156. NAMES, various, of the Holy Land, 13, 14.; of Jerusalem. 18, 19. When given to the Jewish children, 111. NAPHTALI, or NEPHTHALIM, the name of the sixth son of Jacob, born of Bilhah. For the limits of the canton allotted to this tribe, see p. 17. NARCISSUS, a freedman and favourite of the emperor Claudius, who possessed great influence at court. (Sueton. in Claud. c. 28. Tacit. Annal. l. xii. c. 57.) In his family or among his clients were some Christians whom St. Paul salutes in Rom. xvi. 11. It does not appear that Narcissus embraced the Christian faith, though the Greeks have made him bishop of Athens and a martyr, and have even placed him in the number of the 70 disciples. NATHAN, an illustrious prophet in the reign of David, whom NE De convinced and reproved by a beautiful and pathetic parable of the heinousness of his guilt in the affair of Bathsheba and Uriah. (2 Sam. xii.) He is supposed to have been the preceptor af Solomon, at whose court his sons held distinguished offices, and of whose reign, as well as that of David, Nathan wrote memoirs which have long since perished. (1 Kings iv.5. 1 Chron. xxix. 29. 2 Chron. ix. 29.) In the book of Zechariah (xii. 12.) the house of Nathan represents the descendants or family of the prophets. NATHANAEL, OF NATHANIEL, one of the disciples of Christ, who is supposed to be the same person as the apostle BARTHOLOMEW. (John i. 46-50. xxi. 2.) } NAZAREITE, vow of. See p. 130. NAZARITES, account of. S NAZARETH, a small city of Lower Galilee, celebrated as having been the place where our Saviour was educated, where he preached, and whence he was called a Nazarene. In the time of Christ it did not possess the best of characters. (John i. 46.) Nazareth, which is at present called Nassara, stands on the side of a barren rocky eminence, or hill, facing the south-east, which is environed by mountains. It was from this hill which overlooks the town, the inhabitants would have precipitated him headlong. (Luke iv. 29.) When visited by Dr. Clarke, in 1801, he found it much reduced. The town was in the most wretched state of indigence and misery; the soil around might bid defiance to agriculture; and to the prospect of starvation were added the horrors of the plague! In 1827, the population amounted to about 2000 persons, principally Christians. Here are numerous reputed holy places to which pilgrims are conducted. The vignette in p. 401. represents the grotto at Nazareth, which is said to have been the house of Joseph and Mary. (Carne's Letters, pp. 251, 252. Madden's Travels, vol. ii. p. 294.) The Rev. Mr. Jowett has given a very interesting description of the site of Nazareth, together with some observations, to account for the bad character which it bore in the time of Jesus Christ. (See his Christian Researches in Syria, &c. pp. 165-169.) NEAPOLIS. See SHECHEM. 1. A mountain beyond the river Jordan, where Moses died. (Deut. xxxii. 49.) It is now completely barren. 2. A city belonging to the tribe of Reuben. (Num. xxxii. 38.) It being in the vicinity of the country of Moab, the Moabites became masters of it; and it was in their possession in the time of Jeremiah. (xlviii. 1.) The site of this ancient city can no longer be traced. Nebo is spoiled. (Jer. xlviii. 1.) 3. A city in the tribe of Judah (Ezra ii. 29. x. 43.), which, in Neh. vii. 33., is, by way of distinction, called the other Nebo. 4. A Babylonish idol (Isa. xlvi. 1.), which Calmet supposes to be the same as Bel or Baal, see p. 139. NEBUCHADNEZZAR, king of Babylon, who destroyed Jerusalem, and carried the Jews into captivity. (See p. 412. col. 2.) Like other Assyrian and Babylonian names, this word is best explained from the Persian. According to Gesenius, after Lorsbach, it is the same as Nebu-godan-sar, that is, Nebo the chief of the gods. Concerning the nature of Nebuchadnezzar's malady, see pp. 196, 197. NECHO. See PHARAOH-NECHO. NEDER, or Common Vow, account of, 130. NEHEMIAH the son of Hachaliah, was born at Babylon during the captivity, but his family and tribe are not known. Raised to the distinguished office of cupbearer to Artaxerxes Longimanus, whose favour he enjoyed, Nehemiah forgot not his desolated country. Having obtained a royal commission, he went to Jerusalem for a limited time, to repair its walls and gates, and to regulate many abuses which had crept into the administration of public affairs. He subsequently returned to Babylon; whence, by permission of Artaxerxes, he proceeded a second time to Jerusalem, where he died B. c. 420; having governed the Jews about 30 years. For an account of the book which bears his name, see p. 226. NERGAL, an idol of the Cuthites (2 Kings xvii. 30.), which some suppose to be the planet Mars; and others, to be the sun. NETHINIMS, office of, 112. NEW MOON, feast of, 122. NI NIBHAZ, an idol of the Avites (2 Kings xvii. 31.), which, some Hebrew interpreters think, had the shape of a dog; but other expositors suppose it to have been the sun. The former opinion is the most probable, as vestiges of the ancient worship of an idol in the form of a dog have been discovered in Syria in modern times. (Ikenii, Dissert. pp. 149. et seq. 1749. 4to.) NICANOR, one of the seven primitive deacons chosen by the church at Jerusalem and ordained by the apostles. (Acts vi. 5.) NICODEMUS, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish sanhedrin, who came by night to Jesus, probably as a serious though timid inquirer. (John iii. 1. 4. 9.) He afterwards took the part of Jesus before the sanhedrin (vii. 50.); and at last joined with Joseph of Arimathea to give his body an honourable burial. (xix. 39.) NICHOLAS, a proselyte of Antioch, who was chosen one of the seven deacons of the primitive church. (Acts vi. 5.) Many persons have supposed him to be the head of the the divine nature of Christ descended upon him at his baptism, NICOLAITANS, a sect mentioned in Rev. ii. 6. 15., who held that and redescended at his crucifixion, and who abandoned themhas also been supposed to be the founder of this sect. selves to gross impurity and profligacy of life. Another Nicholas A better opinion, however, seems to be, that the appellation here is not a proper name, but symbolical; and that it refers to the same persons who are mentioned in Rev. ii. 14. as holding the doctrine of Balaam: since the Greek name No corresponds to the VIXXO, to conquer, Hebrew pa, which is formed from yǝ, that is and y, that is as, the people. The allusion according to Mr. Robinson, to whom we are indebted for this article, is to false and seducing teachers like Balaam, and perhaps refers more particularly to such as opposed the decree of the apostles. The Nicolaitans are conjectured to have been alluded to in 2 Pet. ii. and in Jude 7-19. NICOPOLIS, a city of Epirus, upon the Ambracian Gulf mentioned by St. Paul in Tit. iii. 12. Others, however, suppose it to be Nicopolis of Thrace, on the confines of Macedonia, near the river Nessus. NIGHT, Jewish and Roman divisions of, 73. NILE, a celebrated river of Egypt, which formed one of the boundaries of the Holy Land. See p. 14. In Gen. xli. 1. Exod. i. 22. ii. 5. iv. 9. vii. 18. and viii. 3. 9. 11., it is termed the River without any addition. On the turning of the waters of the Nile into blood, see p. 206. NIMROD, the son of Cush, and founder of the kingdom of BABYLON. (Gen. x. 8. 10.) In consequence of the protection which he afforded to the people against wild beasts, he may by their own consent have become their leader and chief; or, turning his weapons of hunting against men, he may have compelled them to submit to his dominion. His name (which signifies a rebel) seems to favour the latter supposition. (Jahn's Hebr. Commonwealth, vol. i. p. 5.) In Mic. v. 6. Babylon is called the Land of Nimrod. 66 NINEVEH, the capital of the Assyrian empire, could boast of the remotest antiquity. It was founded by Nimrod, or (as the text of Gen. x. 11. may be rendered) by Ashur the son of Shem: by the Greeks and Romans it was called Ninus. According to some writers it stood on the eastern bank of the Tigris above Babylon, while others represent it as being erected on the western bank: it may very probably have occupied both. This city was very splendid, and of great extent; according to Diodorus Siculus it was 480 stadia or 48 English miles (others estimate it 60 miles) in circumference: in the time of Jonah it was "an exceeding great city of three days' journey," containing more than six-score thousand persons that could not discern between their right hand and their left." (Jon. iii. 3. iv. 11.) Its destruction within forty days, which that prophet had denounced, was averted by the general repentance and humiliation of the inhabitants (iii. 4—10.), and was suspended for nearly two hundred years, until " their iniquity came to the full ;" and then the prophecy (see Vol. I. pp. 125, 126.) was literally accomplished, in the third year of the siege of the city, by the combined Medes and Babylonians; the king, Sardanapalus, being encouraged to hold out in consequence of an ancient prophecy that Nineveh should never be taken by assault till the river became its enemy; when a mighty inundation of the river, swollen by continual rains, came up against a part of the city, and threw down twenty stadia of the wall in length; upon which the king, conceiving that the oracle was accomplished, burnt himself, his concubines, eunuchs, and treasures; and the enemy, entering by the breach, sacked |