A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Raamah - (horse's mane), a son of Cush and father of the Cushite Sheba and Dedan. (Genesis 10:7) (B. C. After 2513.) The tribe of Raamah became afterward renowned as traders. (Ezekiel 27:22) They were settled on the Persian Gulf.
Raamiah - (thunder of Jehovah), one of the chiefs who returned with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah 7:7) In (Ezra 2:2) he is called Reelaiah. (B. C. 445.)
Raamses - (Exodus 1:11) [Rameses, Or Raamses]
Rabbath Of The Children Of Ammon - and Rabbath of the Ammonites, [See Rabbath]
Rabbathmoab - [Ar]
Rabbi - a title of respect signifying master, teacher, given by the Jews to their doctors and teachers, and often addressed to our Lord. (Matthew 23:7,8; 26:25,49; Mark 9:6; 11:21; 14:45; John 1:38,49; 3:2,26; 4:31; 6:25; 9:2; 11:8) Another form of the title was Rabboni. (John 20:16) The titles were used with different degrees of honor; the lowest being rab, master then rabbi, my master ; next rabban, our master ; and greatest of all, Rabboni, my great master.
Rabbith - (multitude) a town in the territory, perhaps on the boundary, of Issachar. (Joshua 18:20) only.
Rabboni - (John 30:18) [Rabbi]
Rabmag - (Jeremiah 39:3,13) a title borne by Nergal-sharezer, probably identical with the king called by the Greeks Neriglissar. [NERGAL-SHAREZER] (it probably means chief of the magi ; at all events it was "an office of great power and dignity at the Babylonian court, and probably gave its possessor special facilities for gaining the throne. ")
Rabsaris - (chief of the eunuchs).
Rabshakeh - (chief cupbearer), (2 Kings 19:1; Isaiah 36:1; Isaiah 37:1). . . One of the officers of the king of Assyria sent against Jerusalem in the reign of Hezekiah. [Hezekiah] (B. C. 713.) The English version takes Rabshakeh as the name of a person; but it is more probably the name of the office which he held at the court, that of chief cupbearer.
Raca - a term of reproach derived from the Chaldee reka, worthless. ("Raca denotes a certain looseness of life and manners, while 'fool,' in the same passage, means a downright wicked and reprobate person. ") (Matthew 5:22)
Race - [Games]
Rachab - Rahab the harlot. (Matthew 1:15)
Rachal - (trade), (1 Samuel 30:29) a town in the southern part of the tribe of Judah, one of the towns to which David sent presents out of the spoil of the Amalekites.
Rachel - (ewe, or sheep), the younger of the daughters of Laban, the wife of Jacob (B. C. 1753) and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. The incidents of her life may be found in Genesis29-33, 35. The story of Jacob and Rachel has always had a peculiar interest. The beauty of Rachel, Jacob's deep love and long servitude for her, their marriage, and Rachel's death on giving birth to Benjamin, with Jacob's grief at her loss, (Genesis 48:7) makes a touching tale. Yet from what is related to us concerning her character there does not seem much to claim any high degree of admiration and esteem. She appears to have shared all the duplicity and falsehood of her family. See, for instance, Rachel's stealing her father's images, and the ready dexterity and presence of mind with which she concealed her theft. (Genesis 31:1). . . "Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. (B. C. 1729.) And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day. " (Genesis 35:19,20) The site of Rachel's tomb, "on the way to Bethlehem," "a little way to come to Ephrath," "in the border of Benjamin," never been questioned. It Is about two miles south of Jerusalem and one mile north of Bethlehem.
Raddai - (trampling), one of David's brothers, fifth son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 2:14)
Ragau - one of the ancestors of our Lord, son of Peleg. (Luke 3:35) He is the same person with Reu, son of Peleg.
Rages - an important city in northeastern Media, where that country bordered its ruins, still known by the name of Rhey, lie about five miles southeast of Teheran.
Raguel, Or Reuel - (friend of God).
Rahab - a poetical name of Egypt, (Psalms 89:10; Isaiah 51:9) signifying "fierceness, insolence, pride. " Rahab, as a name of Egypt, occurs once only without reference to the exodus: this is in (Psalms 87:4) In (Isaiah 30:7) the name is alluded to.
Rahab, Or Rachab - (wide), a celebrated woman of Jericho who received the spies sent by Joshua to spy out the land, hid them in her house from the pursuit of her countrymen, was saved with all her family when the Israelites sacked the city, and became the wife of Salmon and the ancestress of the Messiah. (Joshua 2:1; Matthew 1:5) (B. C. 1450.) She was a "harlot", and probably combined the trade of lodging- keeper for wayfaring men. Her reception of the spies, the artifice by which she concealed them from the king: their escape, and the saving of Rahab and her family at the capture of the city in accordance with their promise, are fold in the narrative of (Joshua 2:1). . . As regards Rahab herself, she probably repented, and we learn from (Matthew 1:5) that she became the wife of Salmon the son of Naasson, and the mother of Boaz, Jesse's grandfather. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us that "by faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace," (Hebrews 11:31) and St. James fortifies his doctrine of justification by works by asking, "Was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?" (James 2:25)
Raham - (belly). In the genealogy of the descendants of Caleb the son of Hezron, (1 Chronicles 2:44) Raham is described as the son of Shema and father of Jorkoam.
Rahel - the original form in our Authorized Version of the now familiar Rachel. (Jeremiah 31:15)
Rain - In the Bible "early rain" signifies the rain of the autumn, (11:14) and "latter rain" the rain of spring. (Proverbs 16:1,5) For six months in the year, from May to October, no rain falls, the whole land becomes dry, parched and brown. The autumnal rains are eagerly looked for, to prepare the earth for the reception of the seed. These, the early rains, commence about the latter end of October continuing through November and December. January and February are the coldest months, and snow falls, sometimes to the depth of a foot or more, at Jerusalem, but it does not lie long; it is very seldom seen along the coast and in the low plains. Rain continues to fall more or less during the month of March it is very rare in April. Robinson observes that there are not, at the present day, "any particular periods of rain or succession of showers which might be regarded as distinct rainy seasons. The whole period from October to March now constitutes only one continued season of rain, without any regularly-intervening term of prolonged fine weather. Unless therefore, there has been some change in the climate, the early and the latter rains, for which the husbandman waited with longing, seem rather to hare implied the first showers of autumn--which revived the parched and thirsty soil and prepared it for the seed--and the later showers of spring, which continued to refresh and forward both the ripening crops and the vernal products of the fields. " (James 5:7; Proverbs 16:15)
Rainbow - the token of the covenant which God made with Noah when he came forth from the ark that the waters should no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. The right interpretation of (Genesis 9:13) seems to be that God took the rainbow, which had hitherto been but a beautiful object shining in the heavens when the sun's rays fell on falling rain, and consecrated it as the sign of his love and the witness of his promise. Ecclus. 43:11. The rainbow is a symbol of God's faithfulness and mercy. In the "rainbow around the throne," (Revelation 4:3) is seen the symbol of hope and the bright emblem of mercy and love, all the more true as a symbol because it is reflected from the storm itself.
Raisins - [Vine]
Rakem - (flower garden), a descendant of Machir the son of Manasseh. (1 Chronicles 7:16) (B. C. Before 1451.)
Rakkath - (shore), a fortified city in the tribe of Naphtali. (Joshua 19:35) It was on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, not far from the warm baths of Tiberias.
Rakkon - (the temple) (of the head), a well-watered place in the inheritance of Dan, not fur from Joppa. (Joshua 19:46)
| I. | (high, exalted). |
| II. | [See BATTERING- RAM] |
Rama - (Matthew 2:15) referring to (Jeremiah 31:15) It is the Greek form of Ramah.
Ramah - (a hill). This is the name of several places in the holy land.
Ramath - Of The South one of the towns at the extreme south limit of Simeon. (Joshua 19:8) It is in all probability the same place as south Ramoth. (1 Samuel 30:27)
Ramathaimzophim - (the two heights of the watchers). [Ramah, 2]
Ramathite, The Shimei - the Ramathite, i. E. A native of Ramah, had charge of the royal vineyards of King David. (1 Chronicles 27:27) (B. C. 1050.)
Ramathlehi - (hill of the jawbone, or hill of Lehi), the name bestowed by Samson on the scene of his slaughter of the thousand Philistines with the jaw bone, (Judges 15:17) a place by the rock Elam, in western Judah of the Philistines.
Ramathmizpeh - (high place of the watch-tower). [RAMOTH-GILEAD]
Rameses, Or Raamses - (child of the sun), a city and district of lower Egypt. (Genesis 47:11; Exodus 12:37; Numbers 33:3,5) This land of Rameses either corresponds to the land of Goshen or was a district of it, more probably the former. The city was one of the two store-cities built for the Pharaoh who first oppressed the children of Israel. (Exodus 1:11) (It was probably the capital of Goshen and situated in the valley of the Pelusiac mouth of the Nile. Mcclintock and Strong say that its location is indicated by the present Tell Ramsis, a quadrangular mound near Belbeis. Dr. Brugsch thinks that it was at Zoan-Tanis, the modern San, on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, and that it was built or enlarged by Rameses II and made his capital. ED.)
Ramiah - one who had taken "a strange wife. " (Ezra 10:25)
Ramothgilead - (heights of Gilead), one of the great fastnesses on the east of jordan, and the key to an important district. (1 Kings 4:13) It was the city of refuge for the tribe of Gad, (4:43; Joshua 20:8; 21:38) and the residence of one of Solomon's commissariat officers. (1 Kings 4:13) During the invasion related in (1 Kings 15:20) or some subsequent incursion, this important place had seized by Ben- hadad I. , king of Syria. The incidents of Ahab's expedition are well known. [Ahab] Later it was taken by Israel, and held in spite of all the efforts of Hazael who was now on the throne of Damascus, to regain it. (2 Kings 9:14) Henceforward Ramoth-gilead disappears from our view. Eusebius and Jerome specify the position of Ramoth as 15 miles from Philadelphia (Amman). It may correspond to the site bearing the name of Jel'ad, exactly identical with the ancient Hebrew Gilead, which is four or five miles north of es-Salt, 25 miles east of the Jordan and 13 miles south of the brook Jabbok.
Rams Horns - [Cornet; Jubilee, The Year Of]
Raphael - (the divine healer). According to Jewish tradition, Raphael was one of the four angels which stood round the throne of God--Michael, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael.
Raphon - a city of Gilead, 1 Macc. 15:37 perhaps identical with Raphana, which is mentioned by Pliny as one of the cities of the Decapolis.
Raphu - the father of Palti, the Benjamite spy. (Numbers 13:9) (B. C. Before 1490.)
Raven - (black). The Hebrew oreb is applied to the several species of the crow family, a number of which are found in Palestine. The raven belongs to the order Insessores, family Corvidae. (It resembles the crow, but is larger weighing three pounds; its black color is more iridescent, and it is gifted with greater sagacity. "There is something weird and shrewd in the expression of the raven's countenance, a union of cunning and malignity which may have contributed to give it among widely-revered nations a reputation for preternatural knowledge. " One writer says that the smell of death is so grateful to them that when in passing over sheep a tainted smell is perceptible, they cry and croak vehemently. It may be that in passing over a human habitation, if a sickly or cadaverous smell arises, they should make it known by their cries, and so has arisen the idea that the croaking of a raven is the premonition of death. ED.) A raven was sent out by Noah from the ark. (Genesis 8:7) This bird was not allowed as food by the Mosaic law. (Leviticus 11:15) Elijah was cared for by ravens. (1 Kings 17:4,6) They are expressly mentioned as instances of God's protecting love and goodness. (Job 38:41; Luke 12:24) The raven's carnivorous habits, and especially his readiness to attack the eye, are alluded to in (Proverbs 30:17) To the fact of the raven being a common bird in Palestine, and to its habit of flying restlessly about in constant search for food to satisfy its voracious appetite, may perhaps be traced the reason for its being selected by our Lord and the inspired writers as the especial object of God's providing care.
Razor - Besides other usages, the practice of shaving the head after the completion of a vow must have created among the Jews a necessity for the special trade of a barber. (Leviticus 14:8; Numbers 6:9,18; 8:7; Judges 13:5; Isaiah 7:20; Ezekiel 5:1; Acts 18:18) The instruments of his work were probably, as in modern times, the razor, the basin, the mirror, and perhaps also the scissors. See (2 Samuel 14:26) Like the Levites, the Egyptian priests were accustomed to shave their whole bodies.
Reaia - a Reubenite, son of Micah, and apparently prince of his tribe. (1 Chronicles 5:5) The name is identical with Reai'ah.
Reba - (four), one of the five kings of the Midianites slain by the children of Israel when Balaam fell. (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21) (B. C. 1450.)
Rebecca - (Romans 9:10) only. [Rebekah]
Rebekah - (ensnarer), daughter of Bethuel, (Genesis 22:23) and sister of Laban, married to Isaac. She is first presented to us in (Genesis 24:1). . . Where the beautiful story of her marriage is related. (B. C. 1857.) For nineteen years she was childless: then Esau and Jacob were born, the younger being the mother's companion and favorite. (Genesis 25:19-28) Rebekah suggested the deceit that was practiced by Jacob on his blind father. She directed and aided him in carrying it out, foresaw the probable consequence of Esau's anger, and prevented it by moving Isaac to send Jacob away to Padan-aram, (Genesis 27:1). . . To her own kindred. (Genesis 29:12) Rebekah's beauty became at one time a source of danger to her husband. (Genesis 26:7) It has been conjectured that she died during Jacob's sojourn in Padan-aram.
Rechabites - [Rechab]
Rechah - (uttermost part), probably a place in Judah--a village, Rashiah, three miles south of Jerusalem.
Recorder - an officer of high rank in the Jewish state, exercising the functions, not simply of an annalist, but of chancellor or president of the privy council. In David's court the recorder appeal's among the high officers of his household. (2 Samuel 8:16; 20:24; 1 Chronicles 18:15) In Solomon's he is coupled with the three secretaries. (1 Kings 4:3) comp. 2Kin 18:18,37; 2Chr 34:8
Reed - Under this name may be noticed the following Hebrew words:
Reelaiah - (bearer of Jehovah), one who went up with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:2) In (Nehemiah 7:7) he is called Raamiah. (B. C. 445.)
Refiner - The refiner's art was essential to the working of the precious metals. It consisted in the separation of the dress from the pure ore, which was effected by reducing the metal to a fluid state by the application of heat, and by the aid of solvents, such as alkali, (Isaiah 1:25) or lead, Jere 6:29 Which, amalgamating with the dress, permitted the extraction of the unadulterated metal. The instruments required by the refiner were a crucible of furnace and a bellows or blow-pipe. The workman sat at his work, (Malachi 3:3) he was thus better enabled to watch the process, and let the metal run off at the proper moment.
Refuges, Cities Of - [CITIES OF REFUGE]
Regem - (friend) a son of Jahdai. (1 Chronicles 2:47)
Regemmelech - (friend of the king). The names of Sherezer and Regem-melech occur in an obscure passage of Zechariah. (Zechariah 7:2) They were sent on behalf of some of the captivity to make inquiries at the temple concerning fasting (B. C. 617.)
Rehabiah - (enlarged by Jehovah), the only son of Eliezer the son of Moses. (1 Chronicles 23:17; 24:21; 26:25) (B. C. About 1455.)
Rehoboam - (enlarger of the people), son of Solomon by the Ammonite princess Naamah, (1 Kings 14:21,31) and his successor. (1 Kings 11:43) Rehoboam selected Shechem as the place of his coronation (B. C. 975), probably as an act of concession to the Ephraimites. The people demanded a remission of the severe burdens imposed by Solomon, and Rehoboam, rejecting the advice of his father's counsellors, followed that of his young courtiers, and returned an insulting answer, which led to an open rebellion among the tribes, and he was compelled to fly to Jerusalem, Judah and Benjamin alone remaining true to him. Jeroboam was made king of the northern tribes. [Jeroboam] An expedition to reconquer Israel was forbidden by the prophet Shemaiah, (1 Kings 12:21) still during Rehoboam's lifetime peaceful relations between Israel and Judah were never restored. (2 Chronicles 12:15; 1 Kings 14:30) In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign the country was invaded by a host of Egyptians and other African nations under Shishak. Jerusalem itself was taken and Rehoboam had to purchase an ignominious peace by delivering up the treasures with which Solomon had adorned the temple and palace. The rest of Rehoboam's life was unmarked by any events of importance. He died B. C. 958, after a reign of 17 years, having ascended the throne B. C. 975, at the age of 41. (1 Kings 14:21; 2 Chronicles 12:13) He had 18 wives, 60 concubines, 28 sons and 60 daughters.
Rehoboth - (wide places, i. E. Streets).
Rei - (friendly), a person mentioned (in (1 Kings 1:8) only) as having remained firm to David's cause when Adonijah rebelled. (B. C. 1015.)
Reins - (i. E. Kidneys). In the ancient system of physiology the kidneys were believed to be the seat of desire and longing, which accounts for their often being coupled with the heart. (Psalms 7:9; 26:2; Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10), etc.
| I. | One of the towns of the allotment of Benjamin. (Joshua 18:27) Its existing site is unknown. |
| II. | (variegation). |
Remaliah - (protected by Jehovah). The father of Pekah, captain of Pekahiah; king of Israel, who slew his master and usurped his throne. (2 Kings 15:25-37; 16:1,5; 2 Chronicles 28:6; Isaiah 7:1-9; 8:6) (B. C. 756.)
Remeth - (height), one of the towns of Issachar. (Joshua 19:21) It is probably though not certainly, a distinct place from the RAMOTH of (1 Chronicles 6:73)
Remmon - (pomegranate), a town in the allotment of Simeon, (Joshua 10:7) elsewhere accurately given in the Authorized Version as Rimmon.
Remmonmethoar - a place which formed one of the landmarks of Zebulun. (Joshua 19:13) only. Methoar does not really form a part of the name, but should be translated (as in the margin of the Authorized Version) "Remmon which reaches to Neah. " Dr. Robinson and Mr. Van Deuteronomy Velde place Rummaneh on the south border of the plain of Buttauf, three miles north-northeast of Seffurieh.
Remphan - (Acts 7:43) and Chi'un, (Amos 5:26) have been supposed to be names of an idol worshipped secretly by the Israelites in the wilderness, difficulty has been occasioned by this corresponding occurrence of two names so wholly different in sound. The most reasonable opinion seems to be that Chiun was a Hebrew or Semitic name, and Remphan an Egyptian equivalent substituted by the LXX. This idol corresponded probably to Saturn or Molech. The mention of Chiun or Remphan as worshipped in the desert shows that this idolatry was, in part at least that of foreigners, and no doubt of those settled in lower Egypt.
Rephael - (healed of God), son of Shemaiah, the first-born of Obed-edom. (1 Chronicles 26:7) (B. C. About 1015.)
Rephah - a son of Ephraim, and ancestor of Joshua. (1 Chronicles 7:26)
Rephaiah - (healed of Jehovah).
Rephaim - [Giants]
Rephaim, The Valley Of - (1 Samuel 5:18,22; 23:13; 1 Chronicles 11:15; 14:9; Isaiah 17:5) also in (Joshua 15:8) and Josh 18:16 It is translated in the Authorized Version "the valley of the giants," a spot which was the scene of some of David's most remarkable adventures. He twice encountered and defeated the Philistines there. (2 Samuel 5:17-25; 23:13) etc. Since the latter part of the sixteenth century the name has been attached to the upland plain which stretches south of Jerusalem and is crossed by the road to Bethlehem--the el Buk'ah of the modern Arabs. (This valley begins near the valley of Hinnom, southwest of Jerusalem extending toward Bethlehem. It is about a mile long, with hills on either side. This agrees with Josephus and is the generally-accepted location of this valley. ED.) Tobler, however, in his last investigations conclusively adopts the Wady Der Jasin, on the northwest of Jerusalem. The valley appears to derive its name from the ancient nation of the Rephaim. [Giants]
Rephan - the reading, in the Revised Version, for Remphan, (Acts 7:43)
Rephidim - (Exodus 17:1,8; 19:2) The name means rests or stays, i. E. Resting places. The place lies in the march of the Israelites from Egypt to Sinai. Its site is not certain, but it is perhaps Wady Feiran, a rather broad valley about 25 miles from Jebel Musa (Mount Sinai). Others place it in Wady es Sheikh, an eastern continuation of Feiran, and about 12 miles from Sinai. Here the Israelites fought their first battle and gained their first victory after leaving Egypt, the Amalekites having attacked them; here also the people murmured from thirst, and Moses brought water for them out of the rock. From this murmuring the place was called "Massah" and "Meribah. "
Resen - (bridle), (Genesis 10:12) one of the cities built by Asshur, "between Nineveh and Calah. " Assyrian remains of some considerable extent are found near the modern village of Selamiyeh, and it is perhaps the most probable conjecture that these represent Resen.
Resheph - (flame), a son of Ephraim. (1 Chronicles 7:25)
Reu - (friend), son of Peleg, in the line of Abraham's ancestors. (Genesis 11:18,19,20,21; 1 Chronicles 1:25) (B. C. About 2213.)
Reuben - (behold a son), Jacob's firstborn Child, (Genesis 29:32) the son of Leah. (B. C. 1753.) The notices of the patriarch Reuben give, on the whole a favorable view of his disposition. To him and him alone the preservation of Joseph's life appears to have been due and afterward he becomes responsible for his safety. (Genesis 37:18-30; 42:37) Of the repulsive crime which mars his history, and which turned the blessing of his dying father into a curse--his adulterous connection with Bilhah-- we know from the Scriptures only the fact. (Genesis 35:22) He was of an ardent, impetuous, unbalanced but not ungenerous nature; not crafty and cruel, as were Simeon and Levi, but rather, to use the metaphor of the dying patriarch, boiling up like a vessel of water over a rapid wood fire, and as quickly subsiding when the fuel was withdrawn. At the time of the migration into Egypt, Reuben's sons were four. (Genesis 46:9; 1 Chronicles 5:3) The census at Mount Sinai, (Numbers 1:20,21; 2:11) shows that at the exodus the men of the tribe above twenty years of age and fit for active warlike service numbered 46,600. The Reubenites maintained the ancient calling of their forefathers. Their cattle accompanied them in their flight from Egypt. (Exodus 12:38) Territory of the tribe. The portion of the promised land selected by Reuben had the special name of "the Mishor," with reference possibly to its evenness. Under its modern name of the Belka it is still esteemed beyond all others by the Arab sheep-masters. It was a fine pasture-land east of the Jordan, lying between the river Arnon on the south and Gilead on the north. Though the Israelites all aided the Reubenites in conquering the land, and they in return helped their brothers to secure their own possessions, still there was always afterward a bar, a difference in feeling and habits, between the eastern and western tribes. The pile of stones which they erected on the west bank of the Jordan to mark their boundary was erected in accordance with the unalterable habits of Bedouin tribes both before and since. This act was completely misunderstood and was construed into an attempt to set up a rival altar to that of the sacred tent. No Judge, no prophet, no hero of the tribe of Reuben is handed down to us. The Reubenites disliked war clinging to their fields and pastures even when their brethren were in great distress. Being remote from the seat of the national government and of the national religion, it is not to be wondered at that the Reubenites relinquished the faith of Jehovah. The last historical notice which we possess of them, while it records this fact, records also as its natural consequence that they and the Gadites and the half-tribe Manasseh were carried off by Pul and Tiglath-pileser. (1 Chronicles 5:26)
Reuel - (friend of God) One of the sons of Esau, by his wife Bashemath, sister of Ishmael. (Genesis 36:4,10,13,17; 1 Chronicles 1:36,37) (B. C. About 1790.)
Reumah - (elevated), the concubine of Nahor, Abraham's brother. (Genesis 22:4) (B. C. About 1870.)
Revelation Of St. John - the last book of the New Testament. It is often called the Apocalypse, which is its title in Greek, signifying "Revelation,"
| I. | Canonical authority and authorship. The inquiry as to the canonical authority of the Revelation resolves itself into a question of authorship. Was St. John the apostle and evangelist the writer of the Revelation? |
| A. | The evidence adduced in support of his being the author consists of |
| 1. | The assertions of the author and |
| 2. | Historical tradition. |
| B. | The author's description of himself in the 1st and 22d chapters is certainly equivalent to an assertion that he is the apostle. He names himself simply John, without prefix or addition. Is also described as a servant of Christ, one who had borne testimony as an eye-witness of the word of God and of the testimony of Christ. He is in Patmos for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. He is also a fellow sufferer with those whom he addresses, and the authorized channel of the most direct and important communication that was ever made to the Seven Churches of Asia, of which churches John the apostle was at that time the spiritual governor and teacher. Lastly, the writer was a fellow servant of angels and a brother of prophets. All these marks are found united in the apostle John, and in him alone of all historical persons. |
| C. | A long series of writers testify to St. John's authorship: Justin Martyr (cir. 150 A. D.), Eusebius, Irenaeus (A. D. 195), Clement of Alexandria (about 200), Tertullian (207), Origen (233). All the foregoing writers, testifying that the book came from an apostle, believed that it was a part of Holy Scripture. The book was admitted into the list of the Third Council of Carthage, A. D. 397. |
| II. | Time and place of writing. The date of the Revelation is given by the great majority of critics as A. D. 95-97. Irenaeus says: "It (i. E. The Revelation) was seen no very long time ago, but almost in our own generation, at the close of Domitian's reign. Eusebius also records that, in the persecution under Domitian, John the apostle and evangelist was banished to the Island Patmos for his testimony of the divine word. There is no mention in any writer of the first three centuries of any other time or place, and the style in which the messages to the Seven Churches are delivered rather suggests the notion that the book was written in Patmos. |
| III. | Interpretation. Modern interpreters are generally placed in three great divisions: |
| A. | The Historical or Continuous exposition, in whose opinion the Revelation is a progressive history of the fortunes of the Church from the first century to the end of time. |
| B. | The Praeterist expositors, who are of opinion that the Revelation has been almost or altogether fulfilled in the time which has passed since it was written; that it refers principally to the triumph of Christianity over Judaism and Paganism, signalized in the downfall of Jerusalem and of Rome. |
| C. | The Futurist expositors, whose views show a strong reaction against some extravagances of the two preceding schools. They believe that the whole book, excepting perhaps the first three chapters, refers principally, if not exclusively, to events which are yet-to come. Dr. Arnold in his sermons "On the Interpretation of Prophecy" suggests that we should bear in mind that predictions have a lower historical sense as well as a higher spiritual sense; that there may be one or more than one typical, imperfect, historical fulfillment of the prophecy, in each of which the higher spiritual fulfillment is shadowed forth more or less distinctly. |
Rezeph - (a hot stone), one of the places which Sennacherib mentions, in his taunting message to Hezekiah, as having been destroyed by his predecessor. (2 Kings 19:12; Isaiah 37:12)
Rezia - (delight), an Asherite, of the sons of Ulla. (1 Chronicles 7:39) (B. C. 1444.)
Rezon - (prince), son of Eliadah, a Syrian, who when David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah, put himself at the head of a band of freebooters and set up a petty kingdom at Damascus. (1 Kings 11:23) He harassed the kingdom of Solomon during his whole reign. (B. C. 1043- 975.)
Rhegium - (breach), an Italian town situated on the Bruttian coast, just at the southern entrance of the Straits of Messina. The name occurs in the account of St. Paul's voyage from Syracuse to Puteoli, after the shipwreck at Malta. (Acts 28:13) By a curious coincidence, the figures on its coin are the very "twin brothers" which gave the name to St. Paul's ship. It was originally a Greek colony; it was miserably destroyed by Dionysius of Syracuse. From Augustus it received advantages which combined with its geographical position in making it important throughout the duration of the Roman empire. The modern Reggio is a town of 10,000 inhabitants. Its distance across the straits from Messina is only about six miles.
Rhesa - (head), son of Zorobabel in the genealogy of Christ. (Luke 3:27) It is conjectured that Rhesa is no person, but merely a title.
Rhoda - (rose), the name of a maid who announced Peter's arrival at the door of Mary's house after his miraculous release from prison. (Acts 12:13) (A. D. 44.)
Rhodes - (rosy), a celebrated island in the Mediterranean Sea. (It is triangular in form, 60 miles long from north to south, and about 18 wide. It is noted now, as in ancient times, for its delightful climate and the fertility of its soil. The city of Rhodes, its capital, was famous for its huge brazen statue of Apollo called the Colossus of Rhodes. It stood at the entrance of the harbor, and was so large that ships in full sail could pass between its legs. ED.) Rhodes is immediately opposite the high Carian and Lycian headlands at the southwest extremity of the peninsula of Asia Minor. Its position had much to do with its history. Its real eminence began about 400 B. C. With the founding of the city of Rhodes, at the northeast extremity of the island, which still continues to be the capital. After Alexander's death it entered on a glorious period, its material prosperity being largely developed, and its institutions deserving and obtaining general esteem. We have notice of the Jewish residents in Rhodes in 1 Macc. 15:23. The Romans, after the defeat of Antiochus, assigned, during some time, to Rhodes certain districts on the mainland. Its Byzantine, history is again eminent. Under Constantine If was the metropolis of the "Province of the Islands," It was the last place where the Christians of the East held out against the advancing Seracens; and subsequently it was once more famous as the home and fortress of the Knights of St. John. (It is now reduced to abject poverty. There are two cities--Rhodes the capital and Lindus--and forty or fifty villages. The population, according to Turner is 20,000, of whom 6000 are Turks and the rest Greeks, together with a few Jews.)
Ribai, Or Ribai - (pleader with Jehovah), the father of Ittai the Benjamite, of Gibeah. (2 Samuel 23:29; 1 Chronicles 11:31) (B. C. Before 1020.)
Riblah - (fertility), One of the landmarks on the eastern boundary of the land of Israel, as specified by Moses. (Numbers 34:11) It seems hardly possible, without entirely disarranging the specification or the boundary, that the Riblah in question can be the same with the following.
Riddle - It is known that all ancient nations, and especially Orientals, were fond of riddles. The riddles which the queen of Sheba came to ask of Solomon, (1 Kings 10:1; 2 Chronicles 9:1) were rather "hard questions" referring to profound inquiries. Solomon is said, however, to have been very fond of riddles. Riddles were generally proposed in verse, like the celebrated riddle of Samson. (Judges 14:14-19)
| I. | A deity worshipped by the Syrians of Damascus, where there was a temple or house of Rimmon. (2 Kings 5:18) Rimmon is perhaps the abbreviated form of Hadad-rimmon, Hadad being the sun-god of the Syrians. Combining this with the pomegranate which was his symbol, Hadad-rimmon would then he the sun-god of the late summer, who ripens the pomegranate and other fruits. |
| II. | (pomegranate) the name of several towns. |
Ring - The ring was regarded as an indispensable article of a Hebrew's attire, inasmuch as it contained his signet. It was hence the symbol of authority. (Genesis 41:42; Esther 3:10) Rings were worn not only by men, but by women. (Isaiah 3:21) We may conclude from (Exodus 28:11) that the rings contained a stone engraven with a device or with the owner's name. The custom appears also to have prevailed among the Jews of the apostolic age. (James 2:2)
Rinnah - (a shout), one of the descendants of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:20) (B. C. 1300.)
Riphath - (spoken), the second son of Gomer. (Genesis 10:3) The name may be identified with the Rhipaean mountains, i. E. The Carpathian range in the northeast of Dacia.
Rithmah - (heath), a march-station in the wilderness, (Numbers 33:18,19) Probably northeast of Hazeroth.
Riusah - (a ruin), a march-station in the wilderness. (Numbers 33:21,22)
River - In the sense in which we employ the word viz. For a perennial stream of considerable size, a river is a much rarer object in the East than in the West. With the exception of the Jordan and the Litany, the streams of the holy land are either entirely dried up in the summer months converted into hot lanes of glaring stones, or else reduced to very small streamlets, deeply sunk in a narrow bed, and concealed from view by a dense growth of shrubs. The perennial river is called nahar by the Hebrews. With the definite article, "the river," it signifies invariably the Euphrates. (Genesis 31:21; Exodus 23:31; Numbers 24:6; 2 Samuel 10:16) etc. It is never applied to the fleeting fugitive torrents of Palestine. The term for these is nachal, for which our translators have used promiscuously, and sometimes almost alternately, "valley" "brook" and "river. " No one of these words expresses the thing intended; but the term "brook" is peculiarly unhappy. Many of the wadys of Palestine are deep, abrupt chasms or rents in the solid rock of-the hills, and have a savage, gloomy aspect, far removed from that of an English brook. Unfortunately our language does not contain any single word which has both the meanings of the Hebrew nachal and its Arabic equivalent wady which can be used at once for a dry valley and for the stream which occasionally flows through it.
Rizpah - concubine to King Saul, and mother of his two sons Armoni and Mephibosheth. (B. C. 1080.) The tragic story of the love and endurance with which she watched over the bodies of her two sons, who were killed by the Gibeonites, (2 Samuel 21:8-11) has made Rizpah one of the most familiar objects in the whole Bible.
Road - This word occurs but once in the Authorized Version of the Bible, viz. In (1 Samuel 37:10) where it is used in the sense of "raid" or "inroad. " Where a travelled road is meant "path" or "way" is used, since the eastern roads are more like our paths.
Robbery - Robbery has ever been one of the principal employments of the nomad tribes of the East. From the time of Ishmael to the present day the Bedouin has been a "wild man," and a robber by trade. (Genesis 16:12) The Mosaic law on the subject of theft is contained in (Exodus 2:2) There seems no reason to suppose that the law underwent any alteration in Solomon's time. Man-stealing was punishable with death. (Exodus 21:16; 24:7) Invasion of right in land was strictly forbidden. (27:17; Isaiah 5:8; Micah 2:2)
Roe, Roebuck - The Hebrew words thus translated denote some species of antelope, probably the Gazella arabica of Syria and Arabia. The gazelle was allowed as food, (12:15,22) etc. ; it is mentioned as very fleet of foot, (2 Samuel 2:18; 1 Chronicles 12:8) it was hunted, (Isaiah 13:14; Proverbs 6:5) it was celebrated for its loveliness. (Song of Solomon 2:9,17; 8:14)
Rogelim - (fullers) the residence of Barzillai the Gileadite, (2 Samuel 17:27; 19:31) in the highlands east of the Jordan.
Rohgah - (clamor), an Asherite, of the sons of Shamer. (1 Chronicles 7:34) (B. C. About 1490.)
Roll - A book in ancient times consisted of a single long strip of paper or parchment, which was usually kept rolled upon a stick, and was unrolled when a person wished to read it. The roll was usually written on one side only, and hence the particular notice of one that was "written within and without. " (Ezekiel 2:10) The writing was arranged in columns.
Romamtiezer - one of the fourteen sons of Heman. (1 Chronicles 25:4,31) (B. C. About 1014.)
Roman Empire - The first historic mention of Rome in the Bible is in 1 Macc. 1:10, about the year 161 B. C. In the year 65 B. C. , when Syria was made a Roman province by Pompey, the Jews were still governed by one of the Asmonaean princes. The next year Pompey himself marched an army into Judea and took Jerusalem. From this time the Jews were practically under the government of Rome. Finally, Antipater's son Herod the Great was made king by Antony's interest, B. C. 40, and confirmed in the kingdom by Augustus, B. C. 30. The Jews, however, were all this time tributaries of Rome, and their princes in reality were Roman procurators, On the banishment of Archelaus, A. D. 6, Judea became a mere appendage of the province of Syria, and was governed by a Roman procurator, who resided at Caesarea. Such were the relations of the Jewish people to the Roman government at the time when the New Testament history begins.
| I. | Extent of the empire. Cicero's description of the Greek states and colonies as a "fringe on the skirts of barbarism" has been well applied to the Roman dominions before the conquests of Pompey and Caesar. The Roman empire was still confined to a narrow strip encircling the Mediterranean Sea. Pompey added Asia Minor and Syria. Caesar added Gaul. The generals of Augustus overran the northwest Portion of Spain and the country between the Alps and the Danube. The boundaries of the empire were now the Atlantic on the west, the Euphrates on the east, the deserts of Africa, the cataracts of the Nile and the Arabian deserts on the south, the British Channel, the Rhine, the Danube and the Black Sea on the north. The only subsequent conquests of importance were those of Britain by Claudius and of Dacia by Trajan. The only independent powers of importance were the Parthians on the east and the Germans on the north. The population of the empire in the time of Augustus has been calculated at 85,000,000. |
| II. | The provinces. The usual fate of a country conquered by Rome was to be come a subject province, governed directly from Rome by officers sent out for that purpose. Sometimes, however, petty sovereigns were left in possession of a nominal independence on the borders or within the natural limits of the province. Augustus divided the provinces into two classes: |
| A. | Imperial; |
| B. | Senatorial; retaining in his own hands, for obvious reasons, those provinces where the presence of a large military force was necessary, and committing the peaceful and unarmed provinces to the senate. The New Testament writers invariably designate the governors of senatorial provinces by the correct title anthupatoi, proconsuls. (Acts 13:7; 18:12; 19:38) For the governor of an imperial province, properly styled "legatus Caesaris," the word hegemon (governor) is used in the New Testament. The provinces were heavily taxed for the benefit of Rome and her citizens. They are said to have been better governed under the empire than under the commonwealth, and those of the emperor better than those of the senate. |
| III. | The condition of the Roman empire at the time when Christianity appeared has often been dwelt upon as affording obvious illustrations of St. Paul's expression that the "fullness of time had come. " (Galatians 4:4) The general peace within the limits of the empire the formation of military roads, the suppression of piracy, the march of the legions, the voyages of the corn fleets, the general in crease of traffic, the spread of the Latin language in the West as Greek had already spread in the East, the external unity of the empire, offered facilities hitherto unknown for the spread of a world-wide religion. The tendency, too, of despotism like that of the Roman empire to reduce all its subjects to a dead level was a powerful instrument in breaking down the pride of privileged races and national religious, and familiarizing men with the truth that "God had made of one blood all nations on the face of the earth. " (Acts 17:24,26) Put still more striking than this outward preparation for the diffusion of the gospel was the appearance of a deep and wide-spread corruption, which seemed to defy any human remedy. |
Rome - the famous capital of the ancient world, is situated on the Tiber at a distance of about 15 miles from its mouth. The "seven hills," (Revelation 17:9) which formed the nucleus of the ancient city stand on the left bank. On the opposite side of the river rises the far higher side of the Janiculum. Here from very early times was a fortress with a suburb beneath it extending to the river. Modern Rome lies to the north of the ancient city, covering with its principal portion the plain to the north of the seven hills, once known as the Campus Martius, and on the opposite bank extending over the low ground beneath the Vatican to the north of the ancient Janiculum. Rome is not mentioned in the Bible except in the books of Maccabees and in three books of the New Testament, viz. , the Acts, the Epistle to the Romans and the Second Epistle to Timothy.
Roof - [House]
Room - The references to "room" in (Matthew 23:6; Mark 12:39; Luke 14:7,8; 20:46) signify the highest place on the highest couch round the dinner or supper table--the "uppermost seat", as it is more accurately rendered in (Luke 11:43)
Rose - occurs twice only, viz. In (Song of Solomon 2:1; Isaiah 35:1) There is much difference of opinion as to what particular flower is here denoted; but it appears to us most probable that the narcissus is intended. Chateaubriand mentions the narcissus as growing in the Plain of Sharon. Roses are greatly prized in the East, more especially for the sake of the rose-water, which is much request. Dr. Hooker observed seven species of wild roses in Syria.
| I. | (Ezekiel 38:2,3; 39:1) probably a proper name, referring to the first of the three great Scythian tribes of which Magog was the head. |
| II. | (head). In the genealogy of (Genesis 46:21) Rosh is reckoned among the sons of Benjamin. |
Rosin - Properly "naphtha," as it is both in the LXX. And the Vulgate, as well as in the Peshito-Syriac. Pliny mentions naphtha as a product of Babylonia, similar in appearance to liquid bitumen, and having a remarkable affinity to fire.
Rubies - Concerning the meaning of the Hebrew words translated "rubies" there is much difference of opinion. (Job 28:18) see also Prov 3:15; 8:11; 31:10 Some suppose "coral" to be in tended; others "pearl," supposing that the original word signifies merely "bright in color," or "color of a reddish tinge. " (The real ruby is a red sapphire, next in value to the diamond. The finest rubies are brought chiefly from Ceylon and Burmah.)
Rue - occurs only in (Luke 11:42) The rue here spoken of is doubtless the common Ruta graveolens a shrubby plant about two feet high, of strong medicinal virtues. It is a native of the Mediterranean coasts, and has been found by Hasselquist on Mount Tabor. The Talmud enumerates rue amongst kitchen herbs, and regards it as free of tithe as being a plant not cultivated in gardens. In our Lord's time however rue was doubtless a garden plant, and therefore tithable.
Rufus - (red) is mentioned in (Mark 15:21) as a son of Simon the Cyrenian. (Luke 23:26) (A. D. 29.) Again, in (Romans 16:13) the apostle Paul salutes a Rufus whom he designates as "elect in the Lord. " This Rufus was probably identical with the one to whom Mark refers.
Ruhamah, Or Ruhamah - (having obtained mercy). (Hosea 2:1) The name if name it be, is symbolical, and is addressed to the DAUGHTERS of the people, to denote that they were still the objects of love and tender compassion.
Rumah - (high), mentioned once only-- (2 Kings 23:36) It has been conjectured to be the same place as Arumah. (Judges 9:41) which was apparently near Shechem. It is more probable that it is identical with Dumah. (Joshua 15:52)
Ruth - (a female friend) a Moabitish woman, the wife, first of Mahlon, second of Boaz, the ancestress of David and Christ,and one of the four women who are named by St. Matthew in the genealogy of Christ. A severe famine in the land of Judah induced Elimelech, a native of Bethlehem--ephratah, to emigrate into the land of Moab, with his wife Naomi, and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. This was probably about the time of Gideon, B. C. 1250. At the end of ten years Naomi now left a widow and childless, having heard that there was plenty again in Judah, resolved to return to Bethlehem, and her daughter-in-law Ruth returned with her. They arrived at Bethlehem just at the beginning of barley harvest, and Ruth, going out to glean, chanced to go into the field of wheat, a wealthy man and a near kinsman of her father-in-law, Elimelech. Upon learning who the stranger was, Boaz treated her with the utmost kindness and respect, and sent her home laden with corn which she had gleaned. Encouraged by this incident, Naomi instructed Ruth to claim at the hand of Boaz that he should perform the part of her husband's near kinsman, by purchasing the inheritance of Elimelech and taking her to be his wife. With all due solemnity, Boaz took Ruth to be his wife, amidst the blessings and congratulations of their neighbors. Their son, Obed, was 'the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.
Ruth, Book Of - contains the history of Ruth, as narrated in the preceding article. The main object of the writer is evidently to give an account of David's ancestors; and the book was avowedly composed long after the time of the heroine. See (Ruth 1:1; 4:7,17) Its date and author are quite uncertain. Tradition is in favor of Samuel. It is probable that the books of Judges, Ruth, Samuel and Kings originally formed but one work. The book of Ruth clearly forms part of the books of Samuel, supplying as it does the essential point of David's genealogy and early family history, and is no less clearly connected with the book of Judges by its opening verse and the epoch to which the whole book relates.
Rye - (Heb. Cussemeth) occurs in (Exodus 9:32; Isaiah 28:25) in the latter the margin reads "spelt. " In (Ezekiel 4:9) the text has "fitches" and the margin "rie. " It is probable that by cussemeth "spelt" is intended. Spelt (Triticum spelta) is grown in some parts of the south of Germany; it differs but slightly from our common wheat (T. Vulgare).