SI (1 Sam. iv. 3.) It was situated on a high mountain to the north of Bethel. SHINAR, the territory of Babylon. (Gen. x. 10. xi. 2. xiv. 1. Isa. xi. 11. Dan. i. 2. Zech. v. 11.) The boundaries of this country are defined in Gen. x. 10., and depend on the interpretation given to the names of cities mentioned in that verse. SHIPS, of the ancients, notice of, 188, 189. SHISHAK, a king of Egypt who was contemporary with Solomon and Rehoboam. He first gave an asylum to the malcontent Jeroboam (1 Kings xi. 40.); and afterwards, as soon as he saw that Rehoboam's power was weakened by the revolt of the ten tribes, he invaded Judæa and advanced against Jerusalem with an immense army, composed of Egyptians, Ethiopians, Lybians, and Sukkim or Troglodytes. But, satisfied with the submission of the Jewish monarch and with the spoils of his capital, including the treasures of the temple, he left him his throne, and drew off his forces. (1 Kings xiv. 25, 26. 2 Chron. xii. 2-9.) Shishak is the Sesonchis of profane historians, and the head of the Bubastite or twenty-second dynasty of the Egyptian kings. His name has been discovered on the recently explained Egyptian monuments (compare Vol. I. p. 88, 89.); and he is supposed to have been an Ethiopian, who, supported by the military caste, dethroned the Pharaoh who was Solomon's father-in-law. SHOES, or Sandals of the Hebrews, 157. SHUNEM, a city in the tribe of Issachar. (Josh. xix. 18. 2 Sam. xxviii. 4.) Here the prophet Elisha was hospitably entertained by a benevolent woman; whose son dying, he miraculously restored him to life. (2 Kings iv.) According to Eusebius, there was a place called Sulem (by a commutation of l and n) five Roman miles south of Mount Tabor. SHUR, Wilderness of, notice of, 33. MA 8vo.) has given a minute and very interesting account of the SICK, healing of, why deemed unlawful by the Jews, on the SIDON, or ZIDON, a celebrated city of Palestine, reputed to have been founded by Sidon the eldest son of Canaan, from whom, according to Josephus, it derives its name; but other authorities derive the name Sidon from the Hebrew or Syrian word (тsiDeн), which signifies fishing. If the primitive founder was a fisherman, the two accounts may be easily reconciled. Joshua (xi. 8.) calls it Sidon the Great, by way of eminence; whence some have taken occasion to say, that in his time there were two Sidons, a greater and a lesser: but no geographer has mentioned any other Sidon than Sidon the Great. Joshua assigned Sidon to the tribe of Asher (Josh. xix. 28.), but this tribe could never get possession of it. (Judg. i. 31.) It is situated on the Mediterranean, one day's journey from Paneas, or from the fountains of Jordan, in a fine level tract of land, the remarkably simple air of which suits with that touching portion of the Gospel, which records the interview of Jesus Christ on this very spot, the coasts of Tyre and Sidon,with the Syro-Phoenician woman. (Matt. xv. 21-28. Mark vii. 24-30.) Abulfeda places it sixty-six miles from Damascus. This city has been always famous for its great trade and navigation. Its inhabitants were the first remarkable merchants in the world, and were very early celebrated on account of their luxury; for, in the days of the judges of Israel, the inhabitants of Laish are said to have dwelt careless and secure after the manner of the Zidonians. (Judg. xviii. 7.) The men of Sidon being great shipwrights, were particularly eminent above all other nations, for hewing and polishing timber, there being none SHUSHAN, the capital of Susiana, a province of Elam or Persia, who were skilled how to hew timber like the Sidonians. (1 Kings which Daniel terms the palace (viii. 2.), because the Chaldæan v. 6.) This place is now called Seide or Suide: its port is monarchs had here a royal palace. After Cyrus, the kings of small, and nearly filled up with the accumulation of mud. (Irby's Persia were accustomed to pass the winter there, and the sum- and Mangles' Travels, p. 201.) The city, as it exists at present, mer at Ecbatana. The winter was very moderate at Shushan, rises immediately from the strand; and, when seen from a slight but the heat of the summer was so great, that the very lizards distance, presents a rather imposing appearance. The interior, and serpents, if surprised by it in the streets, are said to have however, is most wretched and gloomy. "About half-way bebeen burned up by the solar rays. This city stands on the river tween Saide (or Sidon) and Sour (or Tyre) are very extensive Ulai, or Choaspes. In this city, and on this river, Daniel had ruins of towns which once connected these two cities; but of the vision of the ram with two horns, and the goat with one these ruins there is now scarcely one stone left upon another. horn, &c. in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar (Dan. They consist chiefly of lines which show, rased even with the viii. 1-3, &c.), A. M. 3447, B. c. 557. In this city of Shushan, soil, the foundation of houses-many stones irregularly scattered the transactions took place which are related in the book of a few cisterns with half-defaced sculpture on them; and, at a Esther. Here Ahasuerus, or Darius the son of Hystaspes, gene- considerable distance from the path, there are at one spot several rally resided and reigned. (Esth. i. 1, 2. 5, &c.) He rebuilt, low columns either mutilated or considerably sunk in the earth. enlarged, and adorned it. Nehemiah was also at Shushan, when These relics show, what it needed indeed no such evidence to he obtained from king Artaxerxes permission to return into prove, that in peaceable and flourishing times, on this road beJudæa, and to repair the walls of Jerusalem. (Neh. i. 1.) Ben- tween two such considerable cities as Tyre and Sidon, there jamin of Tudela, and Abulfaragius, place the tomb of Daniel at must have been many smaller towns for business, pleasure, and Chuzestan, which is the ancient city of Shushan, and a tomb is agriculture, delightfully situated by the seaside; but peaceful sestill shown to travellers, as the tomb of the prophet. Dr. Light-curity has long been a blessing unknown to these regions; and foot says, that the outward gate of the eastern wall of the temple was called the gate of Shushan; and that upon this gate was carved the figure (more probably the arms or insignia) of Shushan, in acknowledgment of the decree there granted by Darius son of Hystaspes, which permitted the rebuilding of the temple. The site of this once noble metropolis of the ancient sovereigns of Persia is now a mere wilderness; no human being residing there excepting one poor dervise, who keeps watch over the supposed tomb of the prophet Daniel. See an account of the ruins and the present state of Shushan, in Sir R. K. Porter's Travels in Georgia, Persia, &c. vol. ii. pp. 411-418. SICARII, or assassins mentioned in the New Testament, notice of, 148. SICHEM, SYCHAR or SHECHEM, a city of Samaria, about forty miles distant from Jerusalem, which became the metropolis of the Samaritans after the destruction of Samaria by Hyrcanus. In the vicinity of this place is Jacob's well (John iv. 6), memorable for our Saviour's conversation with the Samaritan woman. It stands in a delightful situation, and is at present called Napolose. The remains of the sect of the Samaritans, now reduced to about forty persons, chiefly reside here. Contiguous to this place lies a valley, which opens into a plain watered by a fruitful stream, that rises near the town. This is universally allowed to be the parcel of a field mentioned by Saint John (iv. 5.) which Jacob bought at the hand of the children of Hamor. (Gen. xxxiii. 19.) Dr. Clarke (Travels, vol. iv. pp. 260-280. we may apply to them the language of Judges v. 7.—The villages ceased; they ceased in Israel." (Jowett's Christ. Researches in Syria, pp. 129, 130. SIEGES, how conducted, 89. SIHON, a king of the Amorites, who refused a passage through his territories to the Hebrews; and, coming to attack them, was himself slain. (Num. xxi. 21.) SIHOR, River, 26. SILAS OF SILVANUS (the former name being a contraction of the latter), an eminent Christian teacher, who was Saint Paul's companion in his journeys through Asia Minor and Greece. SILOAM, Fountain or Pool of, 21. 28. Just over against this pool, near the bottom of the valley, through which its waters flow with an almost imperceptible current, and on the slope of a lofty mountain on the opposite side, is a village called Siloa: it has a miserable aspect, many of the habitations being no better than excavations from the rock, and the rest very meanly built houses and dilapidated stone huts; though it once could boast the palace of Pharaoh's daughter and Solomon's queen. The population is said not to exceed two hundred persons. (Jowett's Researches in Syria, p. 262. Three Weeks in Palestine, p. 45.) SIMEON, the son of Jacob and Leah: he was the head of one of the twelve tribes; for the limits of whose allotment, see p. 17. SIMON OF SIMEON, the name of several persons mentioned i SO the New Testament; of whom the following are the most remarkable : 1. SIMON, surnamed Peter, who was also called Simon BarJona. See PETER, p. 442. 2. SIMON, surnamed the Canaanite (perhaps because he was a native of Cana in Galilee), and also Zelotes or the Zealous, probably because he had been of the ZEALOTS. (See p. 148. for a notice of their principles.) He is supposed to have been the brother of James the Less and Jude: the particulars of his life are unknown. 3. SIMON, surnamed the Cyrenean, from Cyrene in Libya (where many Jews were settled), who was compelled to assist in bearing the cross of Jesus. (Matt. xxvii. 32.) Why he was so compelled, see p. 70. supra. 4. SIMON, surnamed Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer. See BAR-JESUS, p. 413. col. 2. SIMOOм Wind, pestilential effects of, 40. (Acts viii. 9. 13.) 1. A strong city in Egypt (Ezek. xxx. 15, 16.), according to Jerome, Pelusium: it was situated on the eastern boundary of Egypt, and was defended by the swamps which lay around it. 2. Desert of Sin, a part of Arabia Deserta, towards Egypt, between Elim and Mount Sinai. (Exod. xvi. 1. xvii. 1. Num. xxxiii. 12.) SIN-OFFERING, notice of, 118. Account of, 65. 1. DESERT OF SINAI, 34. 2. MOUNT SINAI, a mountain in Arabia Petræa, where the law was given. It had two summits; the one lower, called Ho reb, or the Mount of God (Exod. iii. 1.), when he appeared to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush. (See HOREB, p. 428., col. 1.) This Horeb is therefore called Sinai by Saint Stephen. (Acts vii. 30.) Mount Sinai is an enormous mass of granite rocks, with a Greek convent at the bottom, called the Convent of St. Catharine. It is the highest of a chain of mountains called by the Arabians Djebbel Moosa (or the mountains of Moses), and which requires a journey of several days to go entirely round it. This chain is partly composed of sand-stone: it contains several fertile valleys, in which are gardens producing grapes, pears, dates, and other excellent fruits. These are taken to Cairo, where they are sold at a high price; but the general aspect of the peninsula of Mount Sinai is that of a frightful sterility. (MalteBrun's System of Geography, vol. ii. p. 200.) SINIM, a land very distant from Palestine. From the context of Isa. xlix. 12. it appears to have been situated towards the south or east. Some expositors have supposed it to be Pelusium or Syene; but these are only cities, and not sufficiently remote. It were better (says Gesenius) to understand it of an eastern country, perhaps China; of the name of which the Hebrews may have heard, as well as of Scythia and India. SION OF SIRION, a name of Mount HERMON, 30. SIVAN or SIUVAN, the third month of the ecclesiastical year of the Jews; and the ninth of their civil year. For a notice of the festivals, &c. in this month, see p. 76. SLAVES, how acquired, 165. Their condition and treatment among the Hebrews, 165, 166; and heathens, 166, 167. Explanation of customs relating to them, mentioned in the New Testament, 167. Different kinds of, 167, 168. SLAYING with the sword, a Jewish punishment, 67. SLINGS of the Hebrews, notice of, 88. SMYRNA, a city of Asia Minor, was situated between forty and forty-five miles to the north of Ephesus, of which city it was originally a colony. It is now celebrated chiefly for the number, wealth, and commerce of the inhabitants. Of its population, which is estimated at about 75.000 inhabitants, 45,000 are Turks; 15,000 Greeks; 8000 Armenians; 8000 Jews; and less than 1000 Europeans. (Hartley's Visit, p. 289.) The angel of the church of Smyrna, addressed in the second apocalyptic epistle, is supposed to have been Polycarp, the disciple of Saint John, by whom he was appointed bishop of Smyrna. As he afterwards suffered much, being burnt alive at Smyrna, A. n. 166, the exhortation in Rev. ii. 10. would be peculiarly calculated to support and encourage him. So, an Egyptian king, contemporary with Hoshea, with whom he formed an alliance. (2 Kings xvii. 4.) He appears, however, to have been too weak to succour Hoshea against the Assyrians, one of whose kings, named Sargon, obtained signal advantages over him. (Isa. xx. 1.) According to Jablonski, So means a chief prince or prince of the dwelling. For a long time the Pharaoh, who is named So, in the Scriptures, was taken for the ST Sabacho of profane history, the head of the twenty-fifth or Ethiopian dynasty, who invaded Egypt, caused its monarch Boccharis to be thrown into the flames, and usurped the throne. More recent and correct researches have shown that So is the Sevechus of profane history. (Coquerel, Biog. Sacr. tom. iv. p. 223.) SODOM, the chief of the Pentapolitan cities, or five cities of the plain, gave the name to the whole land. It was burnt, with three other cities, by fire from heaven, for the unnatural lusts of their inhabitants, the truth of which is attested by numerous heathen writers. See pp. 27, 28. supra. SOLDIERS (Jewish) levies of, how made, 84. Mosaic statutes concerning them, 84, 85. How commanded, 85, 86. Their encampments, 86, 87. Their pay and training, 87. Arms of, 87, 88. SOLDIERS (Roman), allusions to the officers, armour, and dis cipline of, 92-94. Their treatment of Jesus Christ, 70. They watched at the execution of criminals, 72. SOLOMON, the son of David and Bathsheba, and the third king of Israel, renowned for his wisdom and riches, and for the mag nificent temple which he caused to be erected at Jerusalem. The commencement of his reign was characterized by piety and justice; but afterwards he abandoned himself, through the influence of his heathen wives, to gross and shameful idolatry. Temple of, 98. Extent of his dominions, 17. His commerce, 187, 188. He died B. c. 975, after a reign of forty years. For analyses of the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles, which were composed by him, see pp. 245-253. SOLOMON'S PORCH, notice of, 99. SONS, education of, 164. Parental authority over them, Ibid. SOSTHENES, a chief ruler of a synagogue at Corinth. (Acts xviii. 17.) Concerning the interpretation of which passage the learned differ greatly. Some suppose him to have been at this time an enemy to the apostle Paul, and his accuser, though subsequently a convert to the Christian faith; and that he was beaten by the unbelieving Greeks, in consequence of the opinion given by the judge, and because he had troubled the proconsul with so impertinent an affair. Others are of opinion, that, at this time, he favoured Christianity, and suffered on that account, the Greeks beating him at the instigation of the unbelieving Jews. However this may have been, Sosthenes afterwards joined with Saint Paul in sending the first Epistle to the Corinthians. (Biscoe on the Acts, vol. i. p. 417.) SOWING of corn, Jewish mode of, 177. SPAIN, an extensive region of Europe, which anciently com prehended the country forming the modern kingdoms of Spain and Portugal. In the time of St. Paul it was subject to the Romans. (Rom. xv. 24. 28.) SPEARS of the Hebrews, notice of, 88. SPOIL, how distributed by the Jews, 91, 92. STEPHANUS, one of the principal Christians at Corinth, whom St. Paul baptized with all his family. This was the first family in Achaia that embraced the Gospel: its members zealously devoted themselves to the service of the Christians, and their affectionate hospitality is recommended by the apostle, as an example to the Corinthians. (1 Cor. i. 16. xvi. 15, 16.) STEPHEN, the first martyr for the faith of Christ: he was one of the seven primitive, deacons of the Christian church. After having wrought many miracles, and ably defended the doctrines of Christ, he was put to death by the Jews. (Acts vi. vii.) On the stoning of Stephen, see p. 53. note 4. ŚтоCKS, punishment of, 65. STOICS, a sect of philosophers who derived their name from the Erox or portico where their founder Zeno delivered his lectures. Their philosophy required an absolute control over all the passions, and taught that man alone, even in his present state of existence, might attain to perfection and felicity. They encouraged suicide, and disbelieved in a future state of rewards and punishments,-a doctrine which they deemed unnecessary as an incitement to virtue. STONE, white, import of, 56. STONES, Consecrated, notice of, 138. Hieroglyphic stones prohibited to the Israelites, Ibid. STONING to death, a Jewish punishment, 67, 68. ZO 3. The son of Berechiah, and the last but one of the mino prophets. For an analysis of his predictions, see pp. 287, 288 4. A priest of the class of Abia, the father of John the Baptist. (Luke i.) ZEDEKIAH, the name of the last king of Judah, to whom it was given by Nebuchadnezzar instead of his former name of Mattaniah. He revolted against the king of Babylon, who besieged and captured Jerusalem, caused the children of Zedekiah to be slain before his face, put out his eyes, and commanded him to be sent to Babylon. (2 Kings xxiv. 17. Jer. xxxii. 4. lii. 4-11.) ZEMARITE (Gen. x. 18.), the name of a Syrian people, who, according to Calmet and others, dwelt in Simyra, a city of Phoenicia. ZEPHANIAH, the son of Cushi, the ninth of the minor prophets, who lived in the time of Josiah king of Judah. For an analysis of his predictions, see p. 272. ZERAH, king of Egypt, and contemporary with Asa king of Judah, is in Scripture termed an Ethiopian or Cushite; an ap WELLS, in Palestine, account of, 28. The stopping of them pellation which perhaps marks the origin of the dynasty to which up an act of hostility, ibid. WHEAT, abundance of, in Palestine, 35. WIDOWS, portion of, 164. WILDERNESS, in Palestine, account of, 33, 34. WINTER, in Palestine, account of, 23, 24. WORSHIP of the Temple and in the Synagogue, 104-106. Allusions to the idolatrous worship of the heathens explained, 140-142. WOUNDS, treatment of, 195. he belonged. He invaded Judæa at the head of an immense army, which was met by Asa in the valley of Mareshah, in the tribe of Judah, and totally discomfited. Interpreters have long been perplexed to ascertain where the dominions of Zerah were situated; some supposing him to be a king of Cushite Arabia (though there is no evidence that that country then had powerful sovereigns), while others have imagined that he was king of Abyssinia or African Ethiopia, but without being able to explain how he could have traversed Egypt, in order to penetrate into Judæa. All these difficulties are now removed. The name of this king exists on ancient monuments; and the Zerah of Scripture is the Osorchon or Osoroth of the Egyptian lists and legends, the second king of the twenty-second dynasty, the son and successor of Shishak, who was contemporary with WRITING of the Jews, and materials used for this purpose, Rehoboam. 181-183. XYLOPHORIA, or, feast of wood-offering, 128. YEARS (Jewish), civil and ecclesiastical, account of, 74. Calendar of the Jewish year, 75, 76. Years of plants and beasts, 74. Sabbatical year, 128. Year of jubilee, 128, 129. ZABULON, OF ZEBULON, the tenth son of Jacob, born of Leah, who gave his name to one of the twelve tribes of Israel; for the limits allotted to which, see p. 17. ZACCHEUS, a chief collector or receiver-general of the customs or taxes; who entertained Jesus Christ at his house, and became his disciple. (Luke xix. 1-8.) ZAPHNATH-PAANEAH, the name given by Pharaoh to Joseph (Gen. xli. 45.), which in the margin of our larger Bibles is rendered, a revealer of secrets, or the man to whom secrets are revealed; this is the interpretation given in the Chaldee paraphrase, the Syriac and Arabic versions, and by Kimchi. It has, however, been ascertained to be the Coptic or Egyptian word Joph-te-peneh, which, according to Louis Picques and Jablonski, signifies salus mundi, the salvation of the world, referring most probably to the preservation of Egypt from famine by the wise counsels of Joseph; and which in the Septuagint version is rendered by Fox and Ferbeμm. This interpretation of Picques and Jablonski is approved by M. Quatremère. (Jablonski, Opuscula, ed. a Te Water, tom. i. pp. 207-216. Quatremère, Recherches sur la Langue et Littérature de l'Egypte, p. 74.) ZAREPHATH. See SAREFTA, p. 449. ZEALOTS, a Jewish sect, notice of, 148. ZEBEDEE, the husband of Salome, and father of the apostles James and John. ZEBOIM, a city in the vale of Siddim, which was sunk, together with Sodom and Gomorrah, in the Dead Sea. ZEBULON. See ZABULON. ZECHARIAH. 1. The son of the high-priest JEHOIADA (or Barachias), who was stoned to death by order of Joash king of Judah, for his fidelity in opposing the idolatry of the Jews. (2 Chron. xxiv. 20, 21.) 2. The fourteenth king of Israel, who succeeded his father Jeroboam II. He imitated the idolatries and iniquities of his predecessors; and, after a short reign of six months, he was assassinated by SHALLUM. (2 Kings xiv. 29. xv. 8-10.) ZERUBBABEL or ZOROBABEL, the son of Salathiel, of the royal house of David, was appointed chief of those Jews who, by the permission of Cyrus, came from Babylon, at the commencement of that prince's reign. He laid the foundation of the temple, and restored the Mosaic worship. It is not known when this great man and pious ruler died. ZIDON. See SIDON, p. 450. supra. ZIF, the eighth month of the civil year of the Jews, and the second of their ecclesiastical year. For a notice of the festivals, &c. in this month, see p. 267. ZIKLAG, a city which Achish, king of Gath, gave to David while he took shelter in the land of the Philistines, and which afterwards remained as a domain to the kings of Judah. (1 Sam xxvii. 6.) It was taken and plundered by the Amalekites during David's absence: it was situated in the extreme parts of the tribe of Judah, southward. ZIMRI, the fifth king of Israel, commander of one half of the cavalry of Elath, assassinated his master, usurped his throne, and destroyed all the branches of the royal family. His reign lasted only a week: in consequence of his having neglected to secure the army, they chose Omri king of Israel, who besieged him in Tirzah; and Zimri, finding his capital taken, set the royal palace on fire, and perished in the flames. (1 Kings xvi. 9-20) ZIN, a desert in the south of Palestine towards Idumæa. (Num. xiii. 21. xx. 1. xxxiv. 3, 4. Josh. xv. 1. 3.) ZION, the more elevated southernmost mountain, and upper part of the city of Jerusalem. In the poetical and prophetical books it is often used for Jerusalem itself. ZIPH, a city of Judah (Josh. xv. 24.), near Hebron, eastward. Its modern name is Sephoury. It was a place of rendezvous for armies during the crusades; and at a short distance from it is a celebrated fountain. (Rae Wilson's Travels, vol. ii. p. 40.) ZIPH, wilderness of, 34. ZOAN, an ancient city in Lower Egypt; according to the Septuagint and Targums, it is Tanis on the eastern mouth of the Nile. (Num. xiii. 22. Isa. xix. 11. 13. xxx. 4. Ezek. xxx. 14.) ZOAR, a city on the southern extremity of the Dead Sea. (Gen. xiii. 10. xix. 22. 30. Isa. xv. 5. Jer. xlviii. 34.) Its more ancient name was Bela. ZOBAн, a city in Mesopotamia, otherwise called Nesibin, Nisibis, Antiochia, Mygdonia. (1 Sam. xiv. 47. 2 Sam. viii. 3. xxiii. 36.) Its territory is denominated Aram of Zobah: it was the residence of a king who, in the time of David, carried on considerable wars with Israel. ST SO the New Testament; of whom the following are the most remarkable : 1. SIMON, surnamed Peter, who was also called Simon BarJona. See PETER, p. 442. 2. SIMON, surnamed the Canaanite (perhaps because he was a native of Cana in Galilee), and also Zelotes or the Zealous, probably because he had been of the ZEALOTS. (See p. 148. for a notice of their principles.) He is supposed to have been the brother of James the Less and Jude: the particulars of his life are unknown. 3. SIMON, surnamed the Cyrenean, from Cyrene in Libya (where many Jews were settled), who was compelled to assist in bearing the cross of Jesus. (Matt. xxvii. 32.) Why he was so compelled, see p. 70. supra. (Acts viii. 9. 13.) 4. SIMON, surnamed Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer. See BAR-JESUS, p. 413. col. 2. SIMOOм Wind, pestilential effects of, 40. 1. A strong city in Egypt (Ezek. xxx. 15, 16.), according to Jerome, Pelusium: it was situated on the eastern boundary of Egypt, and was defended by the swamps which lay around it. 2. Desert of Sin, a part of Arabia Deserta, towards Egypt, between Elim and Mount Sinai. (Exod. xvi. 1. xvii. 1. Num. xxxiii. 12.) SIN-OFFERING, notice of, 118. Account of, 65. 1. DESERT OF SINAI, 34. 2. MOUNT SINAI, a mountain in Arabia Petræa, where the law was given. It had two summits; the one lower, called Ho. reb, or the Mount of God (Exod. iii. 1.), when he appeared to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush. (See HOREB, p. 428., col. 1.) This Horeb is therefore called Sinai by Saint Stephen. (Acts vii. 30.) Mount Sinai is an enormous mass of granite rocks, with a Greek convent at the bottom, called the Convent of St. Catharine. It is the highest of a chain of mountains called by the Arabians Djebbel Moosa (or the mountains of Moses), and which requires a journey of several days to go entirely round it. This chain is partly composed of sand-stone: it contains several fertile valleys, in which are gardens producing grapes, pears, dates, and other excellent fruits. These are taken to Cairo, where they are sold at a high price; but the general aspect of the peninsula of Mount Sinai is that of a frightful sterility. (MalteBrun's System of Geography, vol. ii. p. 200.) SINIM, a land very distant from Palestine. From the context of Isa. xlix. 12. it appears to have been situated towards the south or east. Some expositors have supposed it to be Pelusium or Syene; but these are only cities, and not sufficiently remote. It were better (says Gesenius) to understand it of an eastern country, perhaps China; of the name of which the Hebrews may have heard, as well as of Scythia and India. SION OF SIRION, a name of Mount HERMON, 30. SIVAN OF SIUVAN, the third month of the ecclesiastical year of the Jews; and the ninth of their civil year. For a notice of the festivals, &c. in this month, see p. 76. SLAVES, how acquired, 165. Their condition and treatment among the Hebrews, 165, 166; and heathens, 166, 167. Explanation of customs relating to them, mentioned in the New Testament, 167. Different kinds of, 167, 168. SLAYING with the sword, a Jewish punishment, 67. SLINGS of the Hebrews, notice of, 88. SMYRNA, a city of Asia Minor, was situated between forty and forty-five miles to the north of Ephesus, of which city it was originally a colony. It is now celebrated chiefly for the number, wealth, and commerce of the inhabitants. Of its population, which is estimated at about 75.000 inhabitants, 45,000 are Turks; 15,000 Greeks; 8000 Armenians; 8000 Jews; and less than 1000 Europeans. (Hartley's Visit, p. 289.) The angel of the church of Smyrna, addressed in the second apocalyptic epistle, is supposed to have been Polycarp, the disciple of Saint John, by whom he was appointed bishop of Smyrna. As he afterwards suffered much, being burnt alive at Smyrna, a. n. 166, the exhortation in Rev. ii. 10. would be peculiarly calculated to support and encourage him. So, an Egyptian king, contemporary with Hoshea, with whom he formed an alliance. (2 Kings xvii. 4.) He appears, however, to have been too weak to succour Hoshea against the Assyrians, one of whose kings, named Sargon, obtained signal advantages over him. (Isa. xx. 1.) According to Jablonski, So means a chief prince or prince of the dwelling. For a long time the Pharaoh, who is named So, in the Scriptures, was taken for the Sabacho of profane history, the head of the twenty-fifth or Ethiopian dynasty, who invaded Egypt, caused its monarch Boccharis to be thrown into the flames, and usurped the throne. More recent and correct researches have shown that So is the Sevechus of profane history. (Coquerel, Biog. Sacr. tom. iv. p. 223.) SODOM, the chief of the Pentapolitan cities, or five cities of the plain, gave the name to the whole land. It was burnt, with three other cities, by fire from heaven, for the unnatural lusts of their inhabitants, the truth of which is attested by numerous heathen writers. See pp. 27, 28. supra. SOLDIERS (Jewish) levies of, how made, 84. Mosaic statutes concerning them, 84, 85. How commanded, 85, 86. Their encampments, 86, 87. Their pay and training, 87. Arms of, 87, 88. SOLDIERS (Roman), allusions to the officers, armour, and dis cipline of, 92-94. Their treatment of Jesus Christ, 70. They watched at the execution of criminals, 72. SOLOMON, the son of David and Bathsheba, and the third king of Israel, renowned for his wisdom and riches, and for the mag nificent temple which he caused to be erected at Jerusalem. The commencement of his reign was characterized by piety and justice; but afterwards he abandoned himself, through the influ ence of his heathen wives, to gross and shameful idolatry. Temple of, 98. Extent of his dominions, 17. His commerce, 187, 188. He died B. c. 975, after a reign of forty years. For analyses of the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles, which were composed by him, see pp. 245-253. SOLOMON'S PORCH, notice of, 99. SoNs, education of, 164. Parental authority over them, Ibid. SOSTHENES, a chief ruler of a synagogue at Corinth. (Acts xviii. 17.) Concerning the interpretation of which passage the learned differ greatly. Some suppose him to have been at this time an enemy to the apostle Paul, and his accuser, though subsequently a convert to the Christian faith; and that he was beaten by the unbelieving Greeks, in consequence of the opinion given by the judge, and because he had troubled the proconsul with so impertinent an affair. Others are of opinion, that, at this time, he favoured Christianity, and suffered on that account, the Greeks beating him at the instigation of the unbelieving Jews. However this may have been, Sosthenes afterwards joined with Saint Paul in sending the first Epistle to the Corinthians. (Biscoe on the Acts, vol. i. p. 417.) SOWING of corn, Jewish mode of, 177. SPAIN, an extensive region of Europe, which anciently com. prehended the country forming the modern kingdoms of Spain and Portugal. In the time of St. Paul it was subject to the Romans. (Rom. xv. 24. 28.) SPEARS of the Hebrews, notice of, 88. SPOIL, how distributed by the Jews, 91, 92. STEPHANUS, one of the principal Christians at Corinth, whom St. Paul baptized with all his family. This was the first family in Achaia that embraced the Gospel: its members zealously devoted themselves to the service of the Christians, and their affectionate hospitality is recommended by the apostle, as an example to the Corinthians. (1 Cor. i. 16. xvi. 15, 16.) STEPHEN, the first martyr for the faith of Christ: he was one of the seven primitive, deacons of the Christian church. After having wrought many miracles, and ably defended the doctrines of Christ, he was put to death by the Jews. (Acts vi. vii.) On the stoning of Stephen, see p. 53. note 4. STOCKS, punishment of, 65. STOICS, a sect of philosophers who derived their name from the Erox or portico where their founder Zeno delivered his lectures. Their philosophy required an absolute control over all the passions, and taught that man alone, even in his present state of existence, might attain to perfection and felicity. They encouraged suicide, and disbelieved in a future state of rewards and punishments,-a doctrine which they deemed unnecessary as an incitement to virtue. STONE, white, import of, 56. STONES, Consecrated, notice of, 138. Hieroglyphic stones prohibited to the Israelites, Ibid. STONING to death, a Jewish punishment, 67, 68. SUCCOTH. SY 1. A city in the tribe of Gad. (Josh. xiii. 27. Judg. viii. 5. 1 Kings vii. 46.) Hither "Jacob journeyed, and built him a house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth," that is, booths. (Gen. xxxiii. 17.) TA 6. SYRIA OF TOE, or of Ishtob, or of the land of Tob, or of the Tubieni, as they are called in the Maccabees, was in the neighbourhood of Libanus, the northern extremity of Palestine. (Judg. xi. 3. 5. 1 Macc. v. 13. 2 Macc. xii. 17.) When Jephthah was banished by his brethren from Gilead, he withdrew into the land of Tob. 7. SYRIA OF EMATH, or Hamath, that of which the city Hamath, on the Orontes, was the capital. 2. The first encampment of the Israélites in their march out of Egypt. (Num. xxxiii. 5. Exod. xii. 37. xiii. 20.) Dr. Shaw is of opinion that no fixed situation can be assigned for this place (it signifying only a place of tents), being probably nothing more 8. SYRIA, without any other appellation, stands for the KINGthan some considerable Dou-war (or encampment) of the Ish-DOM OF SYRIA, of which Antioch became the capital after the maelites or Arabs, such as may be still met with, at the distance reign of the Seleucida. of fifteen or twenty miles from Cairo, on the road towards the Red Sea. The rendezvous of the caravan which conducted Dr. S. to Suez was at one of these Dou-wars; at the same time he saw another about six miles off, in the very same direction which the Israelites may be supposed to have taken in their marches from Goshen to the Red Sea. (Travels, vol. ii. p. 93.) SUCCOTH-BENOTH (or booths of the daughters), an object of idolatrous worship among the Babylonians. According to the most common opinion they were small tents or booths, in which the Babylonish maidens exposed themselves to prostitution, in honour of a Babylonish goddess called Mylitta. Herodotus (Hist. 1. i. c. 199.) gives a particular account of these abominable practices; which, there is reason to conclude from 1 Kings xvii. 30., the Babylonians introduced into Judæa. SUKKIMS, an African people mentioned in 2 Chron. xiii. 3. in conjunction with Libyans and Ethiopians. In the Septuagint and Vulgate versions, they are termed Troglodytes, probably from their dwelling in caves. Such a people dwelt near the Red Sea. SUMMER of Palestine, notice of, 24. SUPERIORS, reverence to, how shown, 169. SURVEYING of land, known to the Jews, 187. 9. CELO-SYRIA, or Cale-Syria, or the Lower Syria, occurs in several places of the Maccabees. (1 Macc. x. 69. 2 Macc. iii. 5. 8. iv. 4. viii. 8.) The word Cole-Syria, in the Greek, signifies Syria Cava, or Syria the Hollow, or deep. It may be considered, says Strabo, either in a proper and restrained sense, as comprehending only the tract of land between Libanus and Antilibanus: or in a larger signification, and then it will comprehend all the country in obedience to the kings of Syria, from Seleucia or Arabia and Egypt. Syria at first was governed by its own kings, each of whom reigned in his own city and territories. David subdued them about A. M. 2960, B. c. 1044 (2 Sam. viii. 6.), on occasion of his war against the Ammonites, to whom the Syrians gave assistance. (2 Sam. x. 6. 8. 13. 18, 19.) They continued in subjection till after the reign of Solomon, when they shook off the yoke, and could not be reduced again till the time of Jeroboam II. king of Israel, A. M. 3179, B. c. 820. Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah, king of Israel, having declared war against Ahab, king of Judah, this prince found himself under the necessity of calling to his assistance Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, who put Rezin to death, took Damascus, and transported the Syrians out of their SUSANCHITES, the inhabitants of Susa or SHUSHAN. (Ezra iv. 9.) country beyond the Euphrates. From that time Syria continued SYCHAR. See SICHEм, p. 450. STENE, a city on the southern frontiers of Egypt, bordering on Ethiopia. (Ezek. xxix. 10. xxx. 6.) SYNAGOGUES, origin and form of, 103, 104. Officers of, 104. Account of the synagogue worship, 104-106. Its ecclesiastical power, 106. Nineteen Jewish prayers read in the synagogue, 106, 107. SYRACUSE, a large and celebrated city on the eastern coast of Sicily, furnished with a capacious and excellent harbour. Saint Paul abode here three days on his first journey to Rome. (Acts xxviii. 12.) SYRIA, properly so called, was a country of Asia, comprehended between the Euphrates on the east, the Mediterranean on the west, Cilicia on the north, Phoenicia, Judæa, and Arabia Deserta, on the south. It was divided into various provinces or cantons, which derived their names from their situation, with respect to particular rivers or cities. Thus, 1. SYRIA of the two rivers, or MESOPOTAMIA of SYRIA, or ARAM NAHARAIM (Hebrew), was comprehended between the two rivers Tigris and Euphrates. 2. SYRIA OF DAMASCUS, that of which Damascus was the capital, extended eastward along Mount Libanus. Its limits varied according as the princes that reigned at Damascus were more or less powerful. 3. SYRIA OF ZOBAH, or Soba, or Sobal, as it is called by the Septuagint, was probably Cole-Syria, or Syria the hollow. Its capital was Zobah, a city unknown, unless it be Hoba or Hobal, north of Damascus. (Gen. xiv. 15.) 4. SYRIA OF MAACHAR, or of Bethmaacah, was also towards Libanus. (2 Sam. x. 6. 8. 2 Kings xv. 29.) It extended beyond Jordan, and was given to Manasseh. (Deut. iii. 14.) 5. SYRIA OF ROнов or REHов, was that part of Syria of which Rehob was the capital. But Rohob was near the northern frontier of the land of promise (Num. xiii. 21.), on the way or pass that leads to Emath or Hamath. It was given to the tribe of Asher, and is contiguous to Aphek, which was in Libanus. (Josh. xix. 28. 30. and xxi. 31.) Laish, otherwise called Dan, situate at the fountains of Jordan, was in the country of Rohob. (Judg. i. 31.) Hadadazer, king of Syria of Zobah, was son of Rehob or Rohob, or perhaps a native of the city of this name. (2 Sam. viii. 3. 12.) The Ammonites called to their assistance, against David, the Syrians of Rehob, of Zoba, of Maachah, and of Ishtob. (2 Sam. x 6. 8.) in subjection to the kings of Assyria. Afterwards it came under the dominion of the Chaldeans; then under that of the Persians; lastly, it was reduced by Alexander the Great, and was subject to all the revolutions that happened to the great empires of the East. SYRIAN IDOLS, notice of, 137, 138. SYRO-PHOENICIA is Phoenicia properly so called, of which Sidon, or Zidon, was the capital; which having by right of conquest been united to the kingdom of Syria, added its old name Phoenicia to that of Syria. The Canaanitish woman is called a Syrophoenician (Mark vii. 26.), because she was of Phoenicia, which was then considered as making part of Syria. St. Matthew calls her a Canaanitish women (Matt. xv. 22. 24.), because this country was really peopled by the Canaanites, Sidon being the eldest son of Canaan. (Gen. x. 15.) The Syro-Phoenicians were so called to distinguish them from the Phoenicians of Africa, who were called Liby-Phoenicians. Both were of the same Canaanitish stock or original. TABERAH (or burning), an encampment of the Israelites in the wilderness. (Num. xi. 3. Deut. ix. 22.) It derives its name from the circumstance that fire went forth from the tabernacle, and burnt a considerable part of their camp, as a punishment for their murmurings. TABERNACLES, feast of, how celebrated, 126, 127. A proof of the credibility of the Old Testament, I. 66. TABERNACLES, various, in use among the Israelites, 96. Form and construction of the tabernacle of Moses, 96, 97. Its migrations, 97. TABITHA, the Aramaan name of a female Christian, otherwise called Dorcas, whom St. Peter miraculously restored to life. (Acts ix. 36. 40.) TABLE, ancient mode of reclining at, explained, 154. TACTICS, military, of the Jews, 89, 90. TADMOR, a city of Syria, erected by king Solomon. It was situated in the wilderness of Syria, on the borders of Arabia Deserta, whence it is called Tadmor in the Wilderness, in 1 Kings ix. 18. Josephus places it at two days' journey from the Upper Syria, one day's journey from the Euphrates, and six days' journey from Babylon. He says that there is no water in the wilderness but in this place. (Ant. Jud. lib. viii. c. 6. § 1.) If we may form any conjecture of this city by the ruins of it, which later travellers have described, it must have been one of the first and most magnificent in the East; and it is somewhat |