EASTON'S BIBLE DICTIONARY
Bible Dictionary
TaanachA sandy place, an ancient royal city of the Canaanites, on the south-western border of the plain of Esdraelon, 4 miles south of Megiddo. Its king was conquered by Joshua (12:21). It was assigned to the Levites of the fam…Taanath-shilohApproach to Shiloh, a place on the border of Ephraim (Josh. 16:6), probably the modern T’ana, a ruin 7 miles south-east of Shechem, on the ridge east of the Mukhnah plain.…TabbaothImpressions; rings, “the children of,” returned from the Captivity (Ezra 2:43).…TabbathFamous, a town in the tribe of Ephraim (Judg. 7:22), to the south of Bethshean, near the Jordan.…TabealGoodness of God, the father of one whom the kings of Syria and Samaria in vain attempted to place on the throne of Ahaz (Isa. 7:6).…TabeelA Persian governor of Samaria, who joined others in the attempt to prevent the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Ezra 4:7).…TaberahBurning, a place in the wilderness of Paran, where the “fire of the Lord” consumed the murmuring Israelites (Num. 11:3; Deut. 9:22). It was also called Kibroth-hattaavah (q.v.).…TaberingPlaying on a small drum or tabret. In Nahum 2:7, where alone it occurs, it means beating on the breast, as players beat on the tabret.…Tabernacle(1.) A house or dwelling-place (Job 5:24; 18:6, etc.). (2.) A portable shrine (comp. Acts 19:24) containing the image of Moloch (Amos 5:26; marg. and R.V., “Siccuth”). (3.) The human body (2 Cor. 5:1, 4); a tent, as oppo…Tabernacles, Feast ofThe third of the great annual festivals of the Jews (Lev. 23:33-43). It is also called the “feast of ingathering” (Ex. 23:16; Deut. 16:13). It was celebrated immediately after the harvest, in the month Tisri, and the cel…Tabitha(in Greek called Dorcas), gazelle, a disciple at Joppa. She was distinguished for her alms-deeds and good works. Peter, who was sent for from Lydda on the occasion of her death, prayed over the dead body, and said, “Tabi…Tables(Mark 7:4) means banqueting-couches or benches, on which the Jews reclined when at meals. This custom, along with the use of raised tables like ours, was introduced among the Jews after the Captivity. Before this they ha…TabletProbably a string of beads worn round the neck (Ex. 35:22; Num. 31:50). In Isa. 3:20 the Hebrew word means a perfume-box, as it is rendered in the Revised Version.…TaborA height. (1.) Now Jebel et-Tur, a cone-like prominent mountain, 11 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It is about 1,843 feet high. The view from the summit of it is said to be singularly extensive and grand. This is allu…Tabret(Heb. toph), a timbrel (q.v.) or tambourine, generally played by women (Gen. 31:27; 1 Sam. 10:5; 18:6). In Job 17:6 the word (Heb. topheth) “tabret” should be, as in the Revised Version, “an open abhorring” (marg., “one …TabrimonGood is Rimmon, the father of Benhadad, king of Syria (1 Kings 15:18).…TachesHooks or clasps by which the tabernacle curtains were connected (Ex. 26:6, 11, 33; 35:11).…Tachmonite=Hach’monite, a name given to Jashobeam (2 Sam. 23:8; comp. 1 Chr. 11:11).…Tackling(Isa. 33:23), the ropes attached to the mast of a ship. In Acts 27:19 this word means generally the furniture of the ship or the “gear” (27:17), all that could be removed from the ship.…TadmorPalm, a city built by Solomon “in the wilderness” (2 Chr. 8:4). In 1 Kings 9:18, where the word occurs in the Authorized Version, the Hebrew text and the Revised Version read “Tamar,” which is properly a city on the sout…Tahapanes=Tahpanhes=Tehaphnehes, (called “Daphne” by the Greeks, now Tell Defenneh), an ancient Egyptian city, on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, about 16 miles from Pelusium. The Jews from Jerusalem fled to this place after the …TahpenesThe wife of Pharaoh, who gave her sister in marriage to Hadad the Edomite (1 Kings 11:19, 20).…Tahtim-hodshiThe land of the newly inhabited, (2 Sam. 24:6). It is conjectured that, instead of this word, the reading should be, “the Hittites of Kadesh,” the Hittite capital, on the Orontes. It was apparently some region east of th…Tale(1.) Heb. tokhen, “a task,” as weighed and measured out = tally, i.e., the number told off; the full number (Ex. 5:18; see 1 Sam. 18:27; 1 Chr. 9:28). In Ezek. 45:11 rendered “measure.” (2.) Heb. hegeh, “a thought;” “med…TalentOf silver contained 3,000 shekels (Ex. 38:25, 26), and was equal to 94 3/7 lbs. avoirdupois. The Greek talent, however, as in the LXX., was only 82 1/4 lbs. It was in the form of a circular mass, as the Hebrew name kikka…Talitha cumi(Mark 5:41), a Syriac or Aramaic expression, meaning, “Little maid, arise.” Peter, who was present when the miracle was wrought, recalled the actual words used by our Lord, and told them to Mark.…TalmaiAbounding in furrows. (1.) One of the Anakim of Hebron, who were slain by the men of Judah under Caleb (Num. 13:22; Josh. 15:14; Judg. 1:10). (2.) A king of Geshur, to whom Absalom fled after he had put Amnon to death (2…TalmonOppressed. (1.) A Levite porter (1 Chr. 9:17; Neh. 11:19). (2.) One whose descendants returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:42; Neh. 7:45); probably the same as (1).…TamarPalm. (1.) A place mentioned by Ezekiel (47:19; 48:28), on the southeastern border of Palestine. Some suppose this was “Tadmor” (q.v.). (2.) The daughter-in-law of Judah, to whose eldest son, Er, she was married (Gen. 38…TamariskHeb. ‘eshel (Gen. 21:33; 1 Sam. 22:6; 31:13, in the R.V.; but in A.V., “grove,” “tree”); Arab. asal. Seven species of this tree are found in Palestine. It is a “very graceful tree, with long feathery branches and tufts c…TammuzA corruption of Dumuzi, the Accadian sun-god (the Adonis of the Greeks), the husband of the goddess Ishtar. In the Chaldean calendar there was a month set apart in honour of this god, the month of June to July, the begin…TanhumethConsolation, a Netophathite; one of the captains who supported Gedaliah (2 Kings 25:23; Jer. 40:8).…Tanis(Ezek. 30:14, marg.). See ZOAN.…TappuahApple-region. (1.) A town in the valley or lowland of Judah; formerly a royal city of the Canaanites (Josh. 12:17; 15:34). It is now called Tuffuh, about 12 miles west of Jerusalem. (2.) A town on the border of Ephraim (…TarahStopping; station, an encampment of the Hebrews in the wilderness (Num. 33:27, 28).…TaresThe bearded darnel, mentioned only in Matt. 13:25-30. It is the Lolium temulentum, a species of rye-grass, the seeds of which are a strong soporific poison. It bears the closest resemblance to wheat till the ear appears,…Target(1 Sam. 17:6, A.V., after the LXX. and Vulg.), a kind of small shield. The margin has “gorget,” a piece of armour for the throat. The Revised Version more correctly renders the Hebrew word (kidon) by “javelin.” The same …TarshishA Sanscrit or Aryan word, meaning “the sea coast.” (1.) One of the “sons” of Javan (Gen. 10:4; 1 Chr. 1:7). (2.) The name of a place which first comes into notice in the days of Solomon. The question as to the locality o…TarsusThe chief city of Cilicia. It was distinguished for its wealth and for its schools of learning, in which it rivalled, nay, excelled even Athens and Alexandria, and hence was spoken of as “no mean city.” It was the native…TartakPrince of darkness, one of the gods of the Arvites, who colonized part of Samaria after the deportation of Israel by Shalmaneser (2 Kings 17:31).…TartanAn Assyrian word, meaning “the commander-in-chief.” (1.) One of Sennacherib’s messengers to Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:17). (2.) One of Sargon’s generals (Isa. 20:1).…TatnaiGift, a Persian governor (Heb. pehah, i.e., “satrap;” modern “pasha”) “on this side the river”, i.e., of the whole tract on the west of the Euphrates. This Hebrew title pehah is given to governors of provinces generally.…Taverns, The threeA place on the great “Appian Way,” about 11 miles from Rome, designed for the reception of travellers, as the name indicates. Here Paul, on his way to Rome, was met by a band of Roman Christians (Acts 28:15). The “Tres T…TaxesFirst mentioned in the command (Ex. 30:11-16) that every Jew from twenty years and upward should pay an annual tax of “half a shekel for an offering to the Lord.” This enactment was faithfully observed for many generatio…Taxing(Luke 2:2; R.V., “enrolment”), “when Cyrenius was governor of Syria,” is simply a census of the people, or an enrolment of them with a view to their taxation. The decree for the enrolment was the occasion of Joseph and M…Tebeth(Esther 2:16), a word probably of Persian origin, denoting the cold time of the year; used by the later Jews as denoting the tenth month of the year. Assyrian tebituv, “rain.”…Teil tree(an old name for the lime-tree, the tilia), Isa. 6:13, the terebinth, or turpentine-tree, the Pistacia terebinthus of botanists. The Hebrew word here used (elah) is rendered oak (q.v.) in Gen. 35:4; Judg. 6:11, 19; Isa. …TekelWeighed (Dan. 5:27).…Tekoa, TekoahPitching of tents; fastening down, a town of Judah, about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, and visible from the city. From this place Joab procured a “wise woman,” who pretended to be in great affliction, and skilfully made …Tel-abibHill of corn, a place on the river Chebar, the residence of Ezekiel (Ezek. 3:15). The site is unknown.…Tel-hareshaHill of the wood, a place in Babylon from which some captive Jews returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:59; Neh. 7:61).…Tel-melahHill of salt, a place in Babylon from which the Jews returned (id.).…TelaimYoung lambs, a place at which Saul gathered his army to fight against Amalek (1 Sam. 15:4); probably the same as Telem (2).…TelassarOr Thelasar, (Isa. 37:12; 2 Kings 19:12), a province in the south-east of Assyria, probably in Babylonia. Some have identified it with Tel Afer, a place in Mesopotamia, some 30 miles from Sinjar.…TelemOppression. (1.) A porter of the temple in the time of Ezra (10:24). (2.) A town in the southern border of Judah (Josh. 15:24); probably the same as Telaim.…TemaSouth; desert, one of the sons of Ishmael, and father of a tribe so called (Gen. 25:15; 1 Chr. 1:30; Job 6:19; Isa. 21:14; Jer. 25:23) which settled at a place to which he gave his name, some 250 miles south-east of Edom…TemanId. (1.) A grandson of Esau, one of the “dukes of Edom” (Gen. 36:11, 15, 42). (2.) A place in Southern Idumea, the land of “the sons of the east,” frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. It was noted for the wisdom of…TemaniteA man of Teman, the designation of Eliphaz, one of Job’s three friends (Job 2:11; 22:1).…TemeniOne of the sons of Ashur, the father of Tekoa (1 Chr. 4:6).…TempleFirst used of the tabernacle, which is called “the temple of the Lord” (1 Sam. 1:9). In the New Testament the word is used figuratively of Christ’s human body (John 2:19, 21). Believers are called “the temple of God” (1 …Temple, Herod’sThe temple erected by the exiles on their return from Babylon had stood for about five hundred years, when Herod the Great became king of Judea. The building had suffered considerably from natural decay as well as from t…Temple, Solomon’sBefore his death David had “with all his might” provided materials in great abundance for the building of the temple on the summit of Mount Moriah (1 Chr. 22:14; 29:4; 2 Chr. 3:1), on the east of the city, on the spot wh…Temple, the SecondAfter the return from captivity, under Zerubbabel (q.v.) and the high priest Jeshua, arrangements were almost immediately made to reorganize the long-desolated kingdom. The body of pilgrims, forming a band of 42,360, inc…Temptation(1.) Trial; a being put to the test. Thus God “tempted [Gen. 22: 1; R.V., ‘did prove’] Abraham;” and afflictions are said to tempt, i.e., to try, men (James 1:2, 12; comp. Deut. 8:2), putting their faith and patience to …Tent(1.) Heb. ‘ohel (Gen. 9:21, 27). This word is used also of a dwelling or habitation (1 Kings 8:66; Isa. 16:5; Jer. 4:20), and of the temple (Ezek. 41:1). When used of the tabernacle, as in 1 Kings 1:39, it denotes the co…Tenth dealI.e., the tenth part of an ephah (as in the R.V.), equal to an omer or six pints. The recovered leper, to complete his purification, was required to bring a trespass, a sin, and a burnt offering, and to present a meal of…TerahThe wanderer; loiterer, for some unknown reason emigrated with his family from his native mountains in the north to the plains of Mesopotamia. He had three sons, Haran, Nahor, and Abraham, and one daughter, Sarah. He set…TeraphimGivers of prosperity, idols in human shape, large or small, analogous to the images of ancestors which were revered by the Romans. In order to deceive the guards sent by Saul to seize David, Michal his wife prepared one …Terebinth(R.V. marg. of Deut. 11:30, etc.), the Pistacia terebinthus of botanists; a tree very common in the south and east of Palestine. (See OAK.)…TereshSevere, a eunuch or chamberlain in the palace of Ahasuerus, who conspired with another to murder him. The plot was detected by Mordecai, and the conspirators were put to death (Esther 2:21; 6:2).…TertiusThe third, a Roman Christian whom Paul employed as his amanuensis in writing his epistle to the Romans (16:22).…TertullusA modification of “Tertius;” a Roman advocate, whom the Jews employed to state their case against Paul in the presence of Felix (Acts 24:1-9). The charges he adduced against the apostle were, “First, that he created dist…TestamentOccurs twelve times in the New Testament (Heb. 9:15, etc.) as the rendering of the Gr. diatheke, which is twenty times rendered “covenant” in the Authorized Version, and always so in the Revised Version. The Vulgate tran…Testimony(1.) Witness or evidence (2 Thess. 1:10). (2.) The Scriptures, as the revelation of God’s will (2 Kings 11:12; Ps. 19:7; 119:88; Isa. 8:16, 20). (3.) The altar raised by the Gadites and Reubenites (Josh. 22:10).…Testimony, Tabernacle ofThe tabernacle, the great glory of which was that it contained “the testimony”, i.e., the “two tables” (Ex. 38:21). The ark in which these tables were deposited was called the “ark of the testimony” (40:3), and also simp…TetrarchStrictly the ruler over the fourth part of a province; but the word denotes a ruler of a province generally (Matt. 14:1; Luke 3:1, 19; 9:7; Acts 13:1). Herod and Phasael, the sons of Antipater, were the first tetrarchs i…ThaddaeusBreast, the name of one of the apostles (Mark 3:18), called “Lebbaeus” in Matt. 10:3, and in Luke 6:16, “Judas the brother of James;” while John (14:22), probably referring to the same person, speaks of “Judas, not Iscar…ThahashA badger, a son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother (Gen. 22:24).…Tharshish(1 Kings 10:22; 22:48). See TARSHISH.…TheatreOnly mentioned in Acts 19:29, 31. The ruins of this theatre at Ephesus still exist, and they show that it was a magnificent structure, capable of accommodating some 56,700 persons. It was the largest structure of the kin…ThebezBrightness, a place some 11 miles north-east of Shechem, on the road to Scythopolis, the modern Tabas. Abimelech led his army against this place, because of its participation in the conspiracy of the men of Shechem; but …TheftPunished by restitution, the proportions of which are noted in 2 Sam. 12:6. If the thief could not pay the fine, he was to be sold to a Hebrew master till he could pay (Ex. 22:1-4). A night-thief might be smitten till he…TheocracyA word first used by Josephus to denote that the Jews were under the direct government of God himself. The nation was in all things subject to the will of their invisible King. All the people were the servants of Jehovah…TheophilusLover of God, a Christian, probably a Roman, to whom Luke dedicated both his Gospel (Luke 1:3) and the Acts of the Apostles (1:1). Nothing beyond this is known of him. From the fact that Luke applies to him the title “mo…Thessalonians, Epistles to theThe first epistle to the Thessalonians was the first of all Paul’s epistles. It was in all probability written from Corinth, where he abode a “long time” (Acts 18:11, 18), early in the period of his residence there, abou…ThessalonicaA large and populous city on the Thermaic bay. It was the capital of one of the four Roman districts of Macedonia, and was ruled by a praetor. It was named after Thessalonica, the wife of Cassander, who built the city. S…TheudasThanksgiving, referred to by Gamaliel in his speech before the council at Jerusalem (Acts 5:36). He headed an insurrection against the Roman authority. Beyond this nothing is known of him.…Thick clay(Hab. 2:6) is correctly rendered in the Revised Version “pledges.” The Chaldean power is here represented as a rapacious usurer, accumulating the wealth that belonged to others.…Thieves, The two(Luke 23:32, 39-43), robbers, rather brigands, probably followers of Barabbas. Our Lord’s cross was placed between those of the “malefactors,” to add to the ignominy of his position. According to tradition, Demas or Dism…Thistle(1.) Heb. hoah (2 Kings 14:9; Job 31:40). In Job 41:2 the Hebrew word is rendered “thorn,” but in the Revised Version “hook.” It is also rendered “thorn” in 2 Chr. 33:11; Prov. 26:9; Cant. 2:2; “brambles” in Isa. 34:13. …ThomasTwin, one of the twelve (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18, etc.). He was also called Didymus (John 11:16; 20:24), which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name. All we know regarding him is recorded in the fourth Gospel (John 11…Thorn(1.) Heb. hedek (Prov. 15:19), rendered “brier” in Micah 7:4. Some thorny plant, of the Solanum family, suitable for hedges. This is probably the so-called “apple of Sodom,” which grows very abundantly in the Jordan vall…Thorn in the flesh(2 Cor. 12:7-10). Many interpretations have been given of this passage. (1.) Roman Catholic writers think that it denotes suggestions to impiety. (2.) Luther, Calvin, and other Reformers interpret the expression as denot…Thousands(Micah 5:2), another name for “families” or “clans” (see Num. 1:16; 10:4; Josh. 22:14, 21). Several “thousands” or “families” made up a “tribe.”…ThreshingSee AGRICULTURE.…Threshold(1.) Heb. miphtan, probably a projecting beam at a higher point than the threshold proper (1 Sam. 5:4, 5; Ezek. 9:3; 10:4, 18; 46:2; 47:1); also rendered “door” and “door-post.” (2.) ‘Asuppim, pl. (Neh. 12:25), rendered …Throne(Heb. kiss’e), a royal chair or seat of dignity (Deut. 17:18; 2 Sam. 7:13; Ps. 45:6); an elevated seat with a canopy and hangings, which cover it. It denotes the seat of the high priest in 1 Sam. 1:9; 4:13, and of a prov…ThummimPerfection (LXX., “truth;” Vulg., “veritas”), Ex. 28:30; Deut. 33:8; Judg. 1:1; 20:18; 1 Sam. 14:3, 18; 23:9; 2 Sam. 21:1. What the “Urim and Thummim” were cannot be determined with any certainty. All we certainly know i…ThunderOften referred to in Scripture (Job 40:9; Ps. 77:18; 104:7). James and John were called by our Lord “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). In Job 39:19, instead of “thunder,” as in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version tra…ThyatiraA city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Mysia. Its modern name is Ak-hissar, i.e., “white castle.” Here was one of the seven churches (Rev. 1:11; 2:18-28). Lydia, the seller of purple, or rather of cloth dyed w…Thyine woodMentioned only in Rev. 18:12 among the articles which would cease to be purchased when Babylon fell. It was called citrus, citron wood, by the Romans. It was the Callitris quadrivalvis of botanists, of the cone-bearing o…TiberiasA city, the modern Tubarich, on the western shore of the Sea of Tiberias. It is said to have been founded by Herod Antipas (A.D. 16), on the site of the ruins of an older city called Rakkath, and to have been thus named …Tiberias, Sea ofCalled also the Sea of Galilee (q.v.) and of Gennesaret. In the Old Testament it is called the Sea of Chinnereth or Chinneroth. John (21:1) is the only evangelist who so designates this lake. His doing so incidentally co…Tiberius CaesarI.e., as known in Roman history, Tiberius Claudius Nero, only mentioned in Luke 3:1. He was the stepson of Augustus, whom he succeeded on the throne, A.D. 14. He was noted for his vicious and infamous life. In the fiftee…TibniBuilding of Jehovah, the son of Ginath, a man of some position, whom a considerable number of the people chose as monarch. For the period of four years he contended for the throne with Omri (1 Kings 16:21, 22), who at le…Tidal(in the LXX. called “Thorgal”), styled the “king of nations” (Gen. 14:1-9). Mentioned as Tudkhula on Arioch’s brick (see facing page 139). Goyyim, translated “nations,” is the country called Gutium, east of Tigris and no…Tiglath-Pileser I.(not mentioned in Scripture) was the most famous of the monarchs of the first Assyrian empire (about B.C. 1110). After his death, for two hundred years the empire fell into decay. The history of David and Solomon falls w…Tiglath-Pileser III.Or Tilgath-Pil-neser, the Assyrian throne-name of Pul (q.v.). He appears in the Assyrian records as gaining, in the fifth year of his reign (about B.C. 741), a victory over Azariah (= Uzziah in 2 Chr. 26:1), king of Juda…TimaeusDefiled, the father of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46).…Timbrel(Heb. toph), a small drum or tambourine; a tabret (q.v.). The antiquity of this musical instrument appears from the scriptural allusions to it (Gen. 31:27; Ex. 15:20; Judg. 11:34, etc.) (See MUSIC.)…TimnahA portion. (1.) A town of Judah (Josh. 15:10). The Philistines took possession of it in the days of Ahaz (2 Chr. 28:18). It was about 20 miles west of Jerusalem. It has been identified with Timnatha of Dan (Josh. 19:43),…TimnathGen. 38:12, 14. (1.) Heb. Timnathah, which is appropriately rendered in the Revised Version, Timnah, a town in Judah. (2.) The town where Samson sojourned, probably identical with “Timnah” (1) (Judg. 14:1-18).…Timnath-heresPortion of the sun, where Joshua was buried (Judg. 2:9). It was “in the mount of Ephraim, in the north side of the hill Gaash,” 10 miles south-west of Shechem. The same as the following.…Timnath-serahRemaining portion, the city of Joshua in the hill country of Ephraim, the same as Timnath-heres (Josh. 19:50; 24:30). “Of all sites I have seen,” says Lieut. Col. Conder, “none is so striking as that of Joshua’s home, su…TimniteA man of Timnah. Samson’s father-in-law is so styled (Judg. 15:6).…TimonHonouring, one of the seven deacons at Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). Nothing further is known of him.…TimotheusThe Greek form of the name of Timothy (Acts 16:1, etc.; the R.V. always “Timothy”).…TimothyHonouring God, a young disciple who was Paul’s companion in many of his journeyings. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are mentioned as eminent for their piety (2 Tim. 1:5). We know nothing of his father but…Timothy, First Epistle toPaul in this epistle speaks of himself as having left Ephesus for Macedonia (1:3), and hence not Laodicea, as mentioned in the subscription; but probably Philippi, or some other city in that region, was the place where t…Timothy, Second Epistle toWas probably written a year or so after the first, and from Rome, where Paul was for a second time a prisoner, and was sent to Timothy by the hands of Tychicus. In it he entreats Timothy to come to him before winter, and…TinHeb. bedil (Num. 31:22; Ezek. 22:18, 20), a metal well known in ancient times. It is the general opinion that the Phoenicians of Tyre and Sidon obtained their supplies of tin from the British Isles. In Ezek. 27:12 it is …Tinkling ornaments(Isa. 3:18), anklets of silver or gold, etc., such as are still used by women in Syria and the East.…TiphsahPassing over; ford, one of the boundaries of Solomon’s dominions (1 Kings 4:24), probably “Thapsacus, a great and wealthy town on the western bank of the Euphrates,” about 100 miles north-east of Tadmor. All the land tra…TirasThe youngest of the sons of Japheth (Gen. 10:2; 1 Chr. 1:5).…Tires“To tire” the head is to adorn it (2 Kings 9:30). As a noun the word is derived from “tiara,” and is the rendering of the Heb. p’er, a “turban” or an ornament for the head (Ezek. 24:17; R.V., “headtire;” 24:23). In Isa. …TirhakahThe last king of Egypt of the Ethiopian (the fifteenth) dynasty. He was the brother-in-law of So (q.v.). He probably ascended the throne about B.C. 692, having been previously king of Ethiopia (2 Kings 19:9; Isa. 37:9), …TirshathaA word probably of Persian origin, meaning “severity,” denoting a high civil dignity. The Persian governor of Judea is so called (Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65, 70). Nehemiah is called by this name in Neh. 8:9; 10:1, and the “gov…TirzaPleasantness. (1.) An old royal city of the Canaanites, which was destroyed by Joshua (Josh. 12:24). Jeroboam chose it for his residence, and he removed to it from Shechem, which at first he made the capital of his kingd…TishbiteElijah the prophet was thus named (1 Kings 17:1; 21:17, 28, etc.). In 1 Kings 17:1 the word rendered “inhabitants” is in the original the same as that rendered “Tishbite,” hence that verse may be read as in the LXX., “El…TisriThe first month of the civil year, and the seventh of the ecclesiastical year. See ETHANIM (1 Kings 8:2). Called in the Assyrian inscriptions Tasaritu, i.e. “beginning.”…TitheA tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set apart for special purposes. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as a duty before the time of Moses. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:20; Heb.…TittleA point, (Matt. 5:18; Luke 16:17), the minute point or stroke added to some letters of the Hebrew alphabet to distinguish them from others which they resemble; hence, the very least point.…TitusHonourable, was with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, and accompanied them to the council at Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1-3; Acts 15:2), although his name nowhere occurs in the Acts of the Apostles. He appears to have been a Gentile…Titus, Epistle toWas probably written about the same time as the first epistle to Timothy, with which it has many affinities. “Both letters were addressed to persons left by the writer to preside in their respective churches during his a…Tob, The land ofA district on the east of Jodan, about 13 miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee, to which Jephthah fled from his brethren (Judg. 11:3, 5). It was on the northern boundary of Perea, between Syria and the land of Ammon (2…Tob-adonijahGood is Jehovah, my Lord, a Levite sent out by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people of Judah in the law (2 Chr. 17:8).…TobiahPleasing to Jehovah, the “servant,” the “Ammonite,” who joined with those who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Exile (Neh. 2:10). He was a man of great influence, which he exerted in opposition to the Jews, …TobijahId., a Levite sent out through Judah by Jehoshaphat to teach the people (2 Chr. 17:8).…TochenMeasured, a town of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:32).…Togarmah(1.) A son of Gomer, and grandson of Japheth (Gen. 10:3). (2.) A nation which traded in horses and mules at the fairs of Tyre (Ezek. 27:14; 38:6); probably an Armenian or a Scythian race; descendants of (1).…TohuOne of Samuel’s ancestors (1 Sam. 1:1).…ToiA king of Hamath, who sent “Joram his son unto King David to salute him,” when he “heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer” (2 Sam. 8:9, 10). Called Tou (1 Chr. 18:9, 10).…TolaA scarlet worm. (1.) Eldest son of Issachar (Gen. 46:13). (2.) A judge of the tribe of Issachar who “judged” Israel twenty-three years (Judg. 10:1, 2), when he died, and was buried in Shamir. He was succeeded by Jair.…ToladProductive, a town of Simeon, in the south of Judah (1 Chr. 4:29).…TolaitesDescendants of Tola (Num. 26:23; 1 Chr. 7:1, 2).…TollOne of the branches of the king of Persia’s revenues (Ezra 4:13; 7:24), probably a tax levied from those who used the bridges and fords and highways.…TombsOf the Hebrews were generally excavated in the solid rock, or were natural caves. Mention is made of such tombs in Judg. 8:32; 2 Sam. 2:32; 2 Kings 9:28; 23:30. They were sometimes made in gardens (2 Kings 21:26; 23:16; …Tongues, Confusion ofAt Babel, the cause of the early separation of mankind and their division into nations. The descendants of Noah built a tower to prevent their dispersion; but God “confounded their language” (Gen. 11:1-8), and they were …Tongues, Gift ofGranted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely…ToothOne of the particulars regarding which retaliatory punishment was to be inflicted (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21). “Gnashing of teeth” =rage, despair (Matt. 8:12; Acts 7:54); “cleanness of teeth” =famine (Amos 4:6);…