Spoil (represented by many Heb. and several Gr, words in our version). See Akhothinion ; Bootv. The modern Arab nomads, or Bedawin, live in great part on the plunder of caravans or single travellers, and do not regard the trade of robbers as dishonorable (Arvieux, Descr. iii, 220 sq.; Niebidir, Bed. p. 382 sc].; INIayeux, Les Bedonins, on Arabes dn Jiesert [Par. 1816]. xii, 3), This was the case with their ancestors the Ishmaelites, as well as the neighboring Chaldees (Gen. xvi, 12 ; Job i, 17), The same is related of Israelitish hordes in the times of the Judges (Judg. ix, 25 ; xi, 3 ; comp. 1 Chron. vii, 21), and many invasions by the Philistines, Amal- ekites, etc., were but attacks from bands of robbers (comp, 1 Sam. xxiii, 1 ; xxvii, 8 scp; ,Iudg. ii, 14, 16), such as are still freipient in the villages of Palestine. In the or- ganized .lewish state open phnidering was rare (yet see Hos. vi, 9; Micah ii, 8), and the figures of speecli refer- ring to it (Prov. xxiii, 28) may be referred chiefly to neighboring countries. But after the Captivity, espe- cially mider the oppressive rule of the Komans, and in conse(pu'nce of almost unceasing wars of which Nearer Asia was the scene, the bands of lobbers, aided by the midtitude of hiding-places which the cavernous nature of the country afforded (see .Iose])hus, .1 «/. xiv, 15, 5 ; He- liod. .Elh. i, 28 sip), gained the upper-hand in Palestine and in Trachonitison its north-cast border (Josephus, A lit. xv,10,l; xvi, 9, 1), so that Herod (z'iiV/. xiv, 9, 2; 15,5; War, i, IC), 4) and the procurators were compelled to send ndlitary force against them from time to time (.1 nt. XX, 6. 1 ), unless they preferred to tolerate them for tribute (ibid, xx, 11,1). Sometimes these officers even increased the nimiber of the robbers by accei)ling bribes to release prisoners (ibid, xx, 9, 5) or dismissing them for other reasons (ibid, xx, 9, 3), The wilderness between •lernsalem and .Jericho through which the highway led, nud which, in great pari, is a deep valley traversed by clclls anil shut in with walls of cavernous sandstone
SPOKE
961
SPONSORS
(Berggren, Reis. iii, 100 sq.), was especially infested (Luke X, 30 sq. ; Jerome, in Jer. iii, 2; comij. Kubinsoii, BibL Res. ii, 509). During the investment of Jerusalem by the Romans the robbers played a prominent part in the doomed city. See Theudas.
Some would find a reference to sea-robbery or piracy in Job xxiv, 18 (Kiister, Eiidut. d, heil. Hchr. p. 208 sq.), but without ground. — Winer. See Kob.
Spoke is an incorrect rendering in the A. V. at 1 Kings vii, 33 for "iliTl, chishshur {gathered; Sept. Trpay- fiareia; Vulg. canthus), which rather denotes the hub, or nave, where the spokes unite, while pTiin, chishshuk (^fastened; Sept. blends with the preceding; Vulg. me- dinlus), rendered "felloe" in the same verse, really des- ignates the spokes themselves. See Whekl.
Spondanus (or De Sponde), Henry, a French prelate, was born at Mauleon, .Ian. (5, 15G8, and was ed- ucated at the College of the Reformers in Orthez. He studied civil and canon law, and afterwards went to Tours, whither the Parliament of Paris was transferred. Here his learning and eloquence brought him to the notice of Henry IV, then prince of Beam, by whom he was made master of requests at Navarre. Reading the controversial works of Bellarmine and Perron, he was led to embrace the popish religion at Paris in 1595. He went to Rome in 1000, and in 1606 took priest's orders and returned to Paris, but some time after went again to Rome and entered the service of the pope. In 1626 he was recalled to France and became bishop of Pa- miers. When Pamiers was taken by the Protestants, Sponde escaped, but returned when the town was re- taken by Conde. He quitted Pamiers in 1642 and went to Toulouse, where he died. May 16, 1643. He pub- lished, Les Cimetikres Sacres (Bordeaux, 1596, 12mo): — Annales Ecclesiastici Baronii in Epitomen Redacti (Par. 1612, fol.) : — Annales Sacri, a Mundi Creatione usque ad ejusdein Redemptinnem (ibid. 1637, fol.), and Other lesser works. See Chalmers, Biog. Diet. s. v.; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s. v.
Spoiide, in Grecian mythology, was one of the Hor;\?.
Sponge (anuyyoq) is mentioned only in the New Test, in those passages which relate the inciiient of "a sponge filled with vinegar and put on a reed" (Matt, xxvii, 48 ; Mark xv, 36), or " on hyssop" (John xix, 29), being offered to our Lord on the cross. The commercial value of the sponge was known from very early times; and although there appears to be no notice of it in the Old Test., yet it is probable that it was used by the an- cient Hebrews, who could readily have obtained it good from the Mediterranean. Aristotle mentions several kinds, and carefully notices those which were useful for economic purposes {Hist. Anim. v, 14). His specula- tions on the nature of the sponge are very interesting. — Smith. Sponge was used in Homer's day for wash- ing the person, and for cleansing tables after meals, and Martial records the latter use among the Romans. Ac- cording to Pliny it was used by painters, jjrobably to wash out lights, correct errors, etc.