LE KNEADING-TROUGHS of the Israelites, 154. KOHATH, the son of Levi. (Gen. xlvi. 11.) He was the head of the Kohathites, who were appointed to carry the ark and sacred vessels of the tabernacle, during the marches of the Israelites. (Num. iv. 1—15.) KORAH, the son of Izhar, and grandson of Levi, who conspired against Moses. (Exod. vi. 21. Num. xvi.) From him were descended the sons of Korah, a Levitical family of singers, whom David appointed to guard the doors of the temple. (1 Chron. ix. 19.) Eleven psalms are inscribed "for the sons of Korah;" on the probable import of which title, see p. 239. KORBAN, nature of, 119. LABAN, the son of Bethuel, grandson of Nahor, brother to Rebekah, and father of Rachel and Leah. (Gen. xxviii.) Also the name of a place beyond the Jordan, in the plains of Moab; it is otherwise unknown. (Deut. i. 1.) LEVI. LY 1. The third son of Jacob and Leah. (Gen. xxix. 34.) He is known only as having participated in the revenge of Simeon against the Shechemites, for the violation of Dinah (xxxiv. 25.), and for having given his name to the tribe that was set apart for the priesthood and worship of God. For the functions, &c. of the LEVITES, see pp. 111, 112. 2. One of the twelve apostles, also called MATTHEW. See p. 436. infra. - LEVIES, Military, how raised, 84. LIBERTINES, account of, 103. 109. I. 80. LIBYA, among the Greeks, was used as another name for Africa, as it imports a part of it. It was divided into Libya Interior and Exterior: but the Libya mentioned by Saint Luke (Acts ii. 10.) is that by Ptolemy called Libya Cyrenaica: and by Pliny Pentapolitana Regio, from its five chief cities, viz. Berenice, Arsince, Ptolemais, Apollonia, and Cyrene. It is noted in the Old Testament for its chariots and horses used in fight. (2 Chron. xvi. 8.) But it is mentioned by Saint Luke, on account of the Jews, who, living in such vast numbers in Alexan| dria that 50,000 of them were slain at one time, may well be thought to have had some colonies and proselytes in this neighbouring country. LAKES in the Holy Land, account of, 26-28. LAMB, Paschal, ceremonies of offering, &c. See pp. 123–126. LAMENTATIONS for the dead, account of, 199, 200. LAND-SURVEYING, not unknown to the Jews, 187. LAODICEA, a city of Asia Minor, about forty-two miles to the south of Ephesus, and in the vicinity of Colossæ and Hierapolis. Its earlier name was Diospolis or Cæsarea, but after being enlarged by Antiochus II. it was called Laodicea in honour of his wife Laodice. This city was often damaged by earthquakes, and restored either by the opulence of its inhabitants, or by the munificence of the Roman emperors. From the researches of modern travellers it appears to have been seated on a volcanic hill, of moderate height, but of considerable extent. Its ruins attest that it was large, opulent, and splendid; and there are still to be seen the remains of an amphitheatre, an aqueduct, and many other buildings. In the primitive times of Christianity, as appears from Saint Paul's Epistle to the Colossians, in which the Laodiceans are frequently mentioned, this place possessed a flourishing church. But the doom of Laodicea seems to have been more severe and terrible than that of the other six apocalyptic churches and its present condition is in striking conformity with the rebukes and threatenings of God. Not a single Christian resides at Laodicea! It is even more solitary than Ephesus: the latter has a prospect of a rolling sea, or a whitening sail, to enliven its decay; the former sits in widowed loneliness. Its temples are desolate; the stately edifices of ancient Laodicea are now peopled with wolves and jackals. The prayers of the mosque are the only prayers heard near the still splendid ruins of the city, on which the prophetic denunciation seems to have been fully executed, in its utter rejection as a church. "Its crime was pride; its punishment desolation. The threatening is accomplished: it now stands rejected of God and deserted by men; its glory a ruin; its name a reproach." (Hartley's Visit to the Apocalyptic Churches, in 1826. Mission. Register, July, 1827, p. 296. Arundell's Visit to the Seven Churches, pp. 84-probably the Ethiopians or Abyssinians. 90. Emerson's Letters from the Ægean, vol. i. pp. 180. 219.) LASEA, a maritime city of Crete (Acts xxvii. 8.), which is not mentioned by any of the ancient geographers. Its exact site cannot now be ascertained. LIFE-GUARDS of the kings of Israel, 47. LINUS, a disciple whose salutation Saint Paul addresses to Timothy. (2 Tim. iv. 21.) He is commonly supposed to have been the first bishop of Rome. LITERATURE of the Jews, 184—187. LIVER, divination by the inspection of, 143. Locusts, natural history of, and of their devastations, 39. Were eaten by the inhabitants of Palestine, ibid. Lois, a Christian matron, and the grandmother of Timothy, of whose faith the apostle speaks with great commendation. (2 Tim. i. 5.) LORD'S PRAYER, collected out of Jewish Euchologies, 132. LORD'S SUPPER, points of resemblance between, and the Passover, 123-126. It is a perpetual memorial of the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ, I. 61. : LAW and the Prophets, tables of the sections of, as read in the Jewish synagogues, 105. The Mosaic law perverted by the Pharisees, 144, 145. LAWS, how promulgated, 47, 48. 1. The brother of Martha and Mary, whom Jesus loved, and miraculously raised him from the dead. For an examination of the circumstances of this miracle, see Vol. I. pp. 105, 106. 2. The name of a person introduced by Jesus into a very instructive narrative or parable, to represent the poor and distressed in this world. (Luke xvi. 19-25.) LEAH, the daughter of Laban, and the wife of Jacob, on whom her father imposed her in lieu of Rachel. (Gen. xxix.) LEBANON (Mount), account of, 29, 30. LOT, the son of Haran and nephew of Abraham; after sepa rating from whom, on account of the increase of their cattle, he chose the city of Sodom for his abode. On its destruction Lot and his two daughters escaped with their lives; but his wife, looking back, perished. (Gen. xix. Luke xvii. 28.) The Moabites and Ammonites descended from Lot. Lors, when used judicially, 122. Notice of the Feast of Lots, 320, 321. LUBIM, the Libyans. (2 Chron. xii. 3. xvi. 8. Nah. iii. 9.) LUCIUS, a Cyrenian, one of the prophets or teachers of the Christian church at Antioch. (Acts iii. 1. Rom. xvi. 21.) By some he has been erroneously confounded with the evangelist LUKE. LUD, the fourth son of Shem, whose descendants peopled the province of LYDIA. (Gen. x. 22.) LUDIM, a people of Africa, frequently mentioned in Scripture; LUKE (Acuxas, contracted from the Latin Lucanus), was a Gentile proselyte who had embraced Christianity. He was the friend and companion of St. Paul in most of his journeys, and wrote the Gospel that bears his name, and the Acts of the Apos tles; for analyses of which, see pp. 307–313.318–321. LYCANTHROPY, the malady of Nebuchadnezzar, 196, 197. LYCAONIA (Acts xiv. 6.), a province in Asia Minor, accounted the southern part of Cappadocia, having Isauria on the west, Armenia Minor on the east, and Cilicia on the south. Its chief cities are all mentioned in this chapter, viz. Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. They spake (ver. 11.) in the Lycaonian tongue, which is generally understood to have been a corrupt Greek, intermingled with many Syriac words: but Jablonski supposes it to have been derived from the Assyrian tongue. Why they were disposed to worship Paul and Barnabas, 140. Paul's address to them illustrated, 326. LYDDA, which in later times was called Diospolis, and is now known by the name of Loudd, was a large village, and, according to Josephus, little inferior to a city for its size. This place LEBBEUS, a proper name of the apostle JUDE, who was also is celebrated in the Acts of the Apostles for the miraculous cure called Thaddeus. (Matt. x. 3.) LEGAL PROCEEDINGS of the Jews, account of, 55-57. LEPROSY (Disease of). Symptoms and treatment of, 195, 196 of Eneas by the apostle Peter (Acts ix. 32. 34.): it was situated at no great distance from Joppa (ix. 38.), on the way from the latter place to Jerusalem. The soil of the surrounding country is said to be very rich. LYDIA, a woman of Thyatira, who traded in purple cloths, for which that place was celebrated. She was a Jewish prose 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. | MA goodness; and could not fail to convince the apostles of the truth of our Lord's declaration, that no man could take his life from him, and that he could lay it down and resume it again. (John x. 17.) It has indeed been asked, how such a miracle made so little impression upon the company which Judas conducted. The reply is easy. The whole transaction took place in an instant. Peter struck Malchus with a sword. Jesus stood still, with one hand stopped the apostle, and with the other LYSTRA, a city of Lycaonia, chiefly celebrated for the miracu-healed the servant; while those who were present, in the middle lous 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. MACCABEES, government of, 50. Origin of their name, 50. MACEDONIA, a province of Greece, formerly called Æmathia; 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 Ægean, on the west by the Ionian and Adriatic Seas; and it is celebrated in all histories for being the third kingdom, which, under Alexander the Great, obtained the empire of the world, and had under it 150 nations. To this country, whose metropolis was then Thessalonica, Saint Paul was called by a vision (Acts xvi. 9.); and the churches, by him planted in it, are celebrated for their great charity, and ready contribution to the distressed Jews in Judæa (2 Cor. viii. ix.), when they themselves lay under the extremest poverty. MACHERUS, a city and fortress east of the Jordan, between six and nine miles from that river, and not far from its mouth. Here John the Baptist was imprisoned, and subsequently put to death by order of Herod Antipas. (Matt. ix. 2. xiv. 3-12.) This place is not mentioned by name in the New Testament. 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.) of the night and by the pale light of torches, scarcely had time to perceive what was passing. 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 (Mavics) mentioned by Josephus, who predicted the future greatness of Herod. (Ant. Jud. l. xv. c. 10. § 5.) MANASSEH. 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. 2. MANASSEH, the fourteenth king of Judah, succeeded his father Hezekiah, at the early age of twelve years. In the early part of his reign, most probably misled by the profligate counsels of those who detested the reformation introduced by the pious Hezekiah, Manasseh was a most wicked and idolatrous prince; and for his various crimes was carried captive into Babylon, about the twenty-second year of his reign. But, upon his penitent confession of his sins, he was delivered out of captivity and restored to his country (it has been conjectured after about a year's absence), perhaps in consequence of some revolution in the Assyrian empire. The remainder of his life and reign was as exemplary as its commencement had been inauspicious and proffigate. 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. MANURES of the Jews, notice of, 176, 177. 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 MAGDALA, a city and territory on the western side of the lake this encampment. (Exod. xv. 23. Num. xxxiii. 8.) Most_traof 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. the 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 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 particu-a rock at the foot of a barren mountain, and one or two palm larly 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 Goo, 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 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. ME and successor Astyages reigned thirty-five years, A. M. 3409- MEDICINE, state of, among the Jews, 194-197. MEGIDDO, & 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. 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 MELCHISEDEK, king of Salem (which was afterwards called was one of those who followed him and contributed to his main-Jerusalem), a contemporary of Abraham, whom he met with refreshments on his return from the pursuit of Cherdorlaomer 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. 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 xí. 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. MELCOM, an Ammonitish idol. See p. 137. MELITA, OF MALTA, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, on which St. Paul and his companions were wrecked. (Acts xxvii. 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 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. (1 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, в. 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 years. 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, n. c. 626–595. which had wintered there, on her voyage to Italy; and after MEMORIALS of events, account of, 79, 80. MENAHEM, the sixteenth king of Isracl: he murdered the MENI, or the Moon; a Syrian idol, worshipped in Palestine during the time of the prophet Isaiah. See p. 137. MEPHIBOSHETH, 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 REPHIDIM. 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. MEROм, 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 His son were reunited in one channel. The plains of Shinar were in ΜΙ this country. It was often called Mesopotamia Syriæ, because it was inhabited by the Aramæans, or Syrians; and sometimes Padan-aram (Gen. xxviii. 2.), or the plains of Aram: or Sedearam, the 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. Two, 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 enemics, 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 I 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 Sench, 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. xii. 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 Daphnæ. 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. 8.) Several places in Palestine bore this name, most probably from being situated on elevated grounds or hills; of which the following were the principal: : 1. MIZPEH, 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. I. 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 Xnμ. 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. Eglen, 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, в. 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 in. 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 Asmonean 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. 1. 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 Myric 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 NEBAIOтH, 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 I. 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, OF 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. 1. 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 |