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. 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 was one of those who followed him and contributed to his main 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 xi. 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. ME and successor Astyages reigned thirty-five years, A. M. 3409- MEDICINE, state of, among the Jews, 194-197. MEGIDDO, a 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. MELCHISEDEK, king of Salem (which was afterwards called 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. MELCOM, an Ammonitish idol. See p. 137. MELITA, or MALTA, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, on which St. Paul and his companions were wrecked. (Ácts xxviii. 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. (I Chron. xix. 7-14.) According to Isa. xv. 2. it afterwards belonged to Moab. which had wintered there, on her voyage to Italy; and after MEMORIALS of events, account of, 79, 80. MENAHEM, the sixteenth king of Israel: he murdered the usurper Shallum, and in his turn usurped the throne. He was a wicked and cruel prince, who followed the impious example of Jeroboam I. He died after reigning about ten years. MENI, or the Moon; a Syrian idol, worshipped in Palestine during the time of the prophet Isaiah. See p. 137. MEPHIPOSHETH, 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. 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, B. 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; Euse-Tigris and Euphrates, extending from the Persian Gulf to Mount hius 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 y ars. 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, B. c. 626-595. His son MEROM, waters or lake of, notice of, 27. 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 were reunited in one channel. The plains of Shinar were in MI this country. It was often called Mesopotamia Syriæ, because it was inhabited by the Arameans, or Syrians; and sometimes Padan-aram (Gen. xxviii. 2.), or the plains of Aram: or Sedearum, 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. np, 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 enemies, 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 1 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 Seneh, 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. xiii. 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. MIZPEH, 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. l. 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 Xn. 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. ON and rased the city about B. c. 606. (For a copious description of ancient Nineveh, see Dr. Hales's Analysis of Chronology, vol. i. pp. 448-450.) Of this once celebrated city there are literally no remains. Four mounds, the largest running north and south, and the most southerly called after the prophet Jonah, whose tomb it is supposed to contain, exhibit all that can now be traced of the metropolis of Asia. (See a description of them in Mr. Buckingham's Travels in Mesopotamia, vol. ii. 49-51. 60.) NISROCH, a Babylonish idol, notice of, 139. No, No-ÁMON, or No-AMUN, the Thebes of ancient geographers, was the metropolis of Upper Egypt. It is mentioned in Jer. xlvi. 25. Ezek. xxx. 14-16. and Nahum iii. 8. In the Septuagint version of Ezekiel No is rendered on, the city of Jupiter; in Nahum No Amon is rendered Maps Appav. The latter appears to be an etymological explanation of the word after the Coptic. In that language NOH signifies a cord, or measuring line, hence a portion measured out; and No-Amon portio, bossessio Amonis, that is, the seat of the god Amon, or the place where he was principally worshipped. (Jablonskii Opuscula, tom. i. pp. 163-168. Gibbs's Hebr. Lex. p. 406.) РА cording to Berosus: and well accounts for his scriptural charac ter, that "he was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." (Acts vii. 22.) Heliopolis was the Greek translation of Bethshemesh, "the house or city of the Sun," as it was called by Jeremiah, "Beth-shemesh, in the land of Egypt" (xliii. 13.), to distinguish it from another Beth-shemesh, in the land of Canaan. It was called Beth Aven, "the house of vanity," or idolatry, by the Jews. (Ezek. xxx. 17.) ONESIMUS, a Phrygian by birth, and the slave of Philemon, from whom he fled; but being converted to Christianity through the preaching of St. Paul, he was the occasion of the apostle's writing the admirable Epistle to Philemon. (Col. iv. 9. Philem. 10.) ÓPHIR, a country whither Solomon sent a fleet, aided by the subjects of Hiram king of Tyre, and from which they brought back gold (1 Kings ix. 27, 28. 2 Chron. viii. 17, 18.), and also almug trees and precious stones. (1 Kings x. 11.) Not fewer than fiften or sixteen countries have been assigned, by various commentators and critics, as the site of Ophir, but the most probable is that of M. Huet, bishop of Avranches, who is of opinion that it was on the eastern coast of Africa, by the Arabians termed NOAH, the son of Lamech, and the father of the post-diluvian Zanguebar; that the name of Ophir was more particularly given world, was born A. M. 1056. Being the only righteous man of to the small country of Sofala on the same coast; and that Solohis time, he was preserved together with his family in the ark mon's fleet went out from the Red Sea, and from the port of during the deluge. (For a refutation of skeptical objections to Ezion-geber entered the Mediterranean by a canal of communiwhich, see Vol. I. pp. 75, 76.) Noah lived 350 years after that cation; and doubling Cape Guardafui, coasted along Africa to catastrophe, dying at the age of 950 years, A. M. 2006. He left Sofala, where was found in abundance whatever was brought to three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, by whom the whole earth the Hebrew monarch by this voyage. The opinion of Huet is was overspread or peopled. (Gen. ix. 18, 19. x. 32.) The seven adopted by Mr. Bruce, who has confirmed it by various additional precepts of Noah, see p. 109. note 2. considerations. NOPH, or MEMPHIS, a very celebrated city, the same as Thebes and the capital of Egypt, until the Ptolemies removed the seat of government to Alexandria. By the modern Copts it is called MEN, MENOTO, and NOro: whence we may explain both the Hebrew forms (NOPH) and p (MEMPH), and also the Greek name Meup. Plutarch (de Isid. et Osirid. p. 639 ed. Stephani) interprets the name oppor ayav, from the Coptic meh, full, and nouphi, good; or rapov Oripidis, from the Coptic mhau, a grave, and onphi, every eras, a benefactor, as Osiris is called. (Jablonskii, Opusc. tom. i. pp. 137. 150. 179. tom. ii. p. 131. Gibbs's Hebr. Lex. p. 381.) The prophets often mention this city; and predict the calamities which it was to suffer from the kings of Chaldæa and Persia, &c. (See Isa. xix. 13. Jer. xliv. 1. Hos. ix. 6. Ezek. xxx. 13. 16.) Its ruins are very splendid. Jeremiah had foretold, ages before, that Noph should be waste and desolate, without an inhabitant" (xlvi. 19.), and not a family or cottage is said to remain. NOSE-JEWELS of the Jewish women, notice of, 158. OAKS, forest of, 36. OATHS of the Hebrews, how taken, 81, 82. OBADIAH, the fourth of the minor prophets: he probably was contemporary with Jeremiah. See pp. 281, 282. OBLATIONS, different kinds of, 119. Ordinary, ibid. Voluntary, ibid. Prescribed, 120, 121. OFFICERS (military) of the Jews, 85. And of the 92, 93. OFFICERS of the Palace, notice of, 47. Romans, OLIVES, Mount of, 19. Culture of Olives, 36. 179, 180. OLYMPIC GAMES, allusions to, in the New Testament, 191194. Qualifications and previous discipline of the candidates, 192. Foot-race, ibid. Rewards to the victors, ibid. Games in imitation of them instituted among the Jews, 190. OMRI, general of the army of Elah, king of Israel, who was assassinated by Zimri at the siege of Gibbethon, and was succeeded by Omri. (1 Kings xvi.) He was a wicked prince, whose crimes surpassed those of his predecessors: he died at Samaria, B. c. 914, and was succeeded on the throne by his son Ahab. ON. 1. A pleasant valley in Syria of Damascus, now called Un, and used proverbially for a pleasant vale. 2. ON, AUN, or HELIOPOLIS, a city of Egypt. The father-inlaw of Joseph was high-priest of On (Gen. xli. 45.); there rendered Heliopolis, by the Septuagint version, and noticed also by Herodotus; who says that "the Heliopolitans were reckoned the wisest of the Egyptians." This was the city of Moses, ac ORATORIES of the Jews described, 102, 103. OTHNIEL, the son of Kenaz of the tribe of Judah, and a relation of Caleb, who gave him his daughter Achsah in marriage, on his taking Debir, otherwise called Kiriath-sepher, from the Canaanites. (Josh. xv. 16-19.) After the Israelites had been oppressed for eight years by Chushan-rishathcum, king of Mesopotamia, Othniel was excited to levy an army against him. He overcame the Mesopotamians, and delivered his countrymen, who acknowledged him as regent or judge. During the forty years of his administration the Israelites remained faithful to their God and king, and consequently prospered. (Judg. iii. 8—11.) OVENS of the Jews, 154. PAINTING, art of, among the Jews, 183. Painting of the eyelids practised by the Jewish women, 158. PALACE, officers of, 47. PALESTINE, boundaries of, 14. 22. See HOLY LAND. PALMYRA. See TADMOR. PALSY, variety of diseases so termed, 197. PAMPHYLIA, a province of Asia Minor, having to the south the Pamphylian Sea, mentioned Acts xxvii. 5., Cilicia to the east, and Pisidia to the north (whence we find Saint Paul passing through Pisidia to Pamphylia, Acts xiv. 24.), and from Pamphylia to Pisidia (Acts xiii. 14.), and Lycia to the west. The cities mentioned in the Scriptures as belonging to it are Perga and Attalia. (Acts xiii. 13.) Here numerous Jews dwelt, and hence those of Pamphylia are mentioned among those who appeared at Jerusalem at the day of Pentecost. (Acts ii. 10.) PAPHOS, the metropolis of the island of Cyprus (Acts xiii. 4. 6.), and the residence of the pro-consul. It was memorable for the impure worship paid to Venus, the tutelar deity of the island. Here Saint Paul struck blind Elymas the sorcerer, and converted Sergius the pro-consul. The Jews dwelt here in great numbers. (ver. 6.) Twenty-five or thirty miserable huts are all that remain of this once most distinguished city of Cyprus. See CYPRUS. PARADISE, a word of Persian original, signifying a park, garden, or inclosure, full of all the valuable productions of the earth. The word passed into the Hebrew form 27 (ParDes), which occurs in Sol. Song iv. 13. Neh. ii. 8. Eccles. ii. 5.; and in those passages it is rendered Пapades in the Septuagint version, and denotes a garden of trees of various kinds, a pleasure park, a delightful grove. In the New Testament paradise is applied to the state of faithful souls between death and the resurrection; where, like Adam in Eden, they are admitted to immediate com munion with God in Christ, or to a participation of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Luke xxiii. 43. Rev. ii. 7.) Of this blessed state St. Paul had a foretaste. ΜΙ this country. It was often called Mesopotamia Syriæ, because it was inhabited by the Arameans, or Syrians; and sometimes Padan-aram (Gen. xxviii. 2.), or the plains of Aram: or Sedearum, 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. p, 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 enemies, 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 1 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 Seneh, 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. xiii. 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, mis taking 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. l. 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 X. 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. ON and rased the city about B. c. 606. (For a copious description of ancient Nineveh, see Dr. Hales's Analysis of Chronology, vol. i. pp. 448-450.) Of this once celebrated city there are literally no remains. Four mounds, the largest running north and south, and the most southerly called after the prophet Jonah, whose tomb it is supposed to contain, exhibit all that can now be traced of the metropolis of Asia. (See a description of them in Mr. Buckingham's Travels in Mesopotamia, vol. ii. 49-51. 60.) NISROCH, a Babylonish idol, notice of, 139. No, No-ÁMON, or No-AMUN, the Thebes of ancient geographers, was the metropolis of Upper Egypt. It is mentioned in Jer. xlvi. 25. Ezek. xxx. 14-16. and Nahum iii. 8. In the Septuagint version of Ezekiel No is rendered As, the city of Jupiter; in Nahum No Amon is rendered Maps Appar. The latter appears to be an etymological explanation of the word after the Coptic. In that language NOH signifies a cord, or measuring line, hence a portion measured out; and No-Amon portio, bossessio Amonis, that is, the seat of the god Amon, or the place where he was principally worshipped. (Jablonskii Opuscula, tom. i. pp. 163-168. Gibbs's Hebr. Lex. p. 406.) PA cording to Berosus: and well accounts for his scriptural charac ter, that "he was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." (Acts vii. 22.) Heliopolis was the Greek translation of Bethshemesh, "the house or city of the Sun," as it was called by Jeremiah, "Beth-shemesh, in the land of Egypt" (xliii. 13.), to distinguish it from another Beth-shemesh, in the land of Canaan. It was called Beth Aven, "the house of vanity," or idolatry, by the Jews. (Ezek. xxx. 17.) ONESIMUS, a Phrygian by birth, and the slave of Philemon, from whom he fled; but being converted to Christianity through the preaching of St. Paul, he was the occasion of the apostle's writing the admirable Epistle to Philemon. (Col. iv. 9. Philem. 10.) OPHIR, a country whither Solomon sent a fleet, aided by the subjects of Hiram king of Tyre, and from which they brought back gold (1 Kings ix. 27, 28. 2 Chron. viii. 17, 18.), and also almug trees and precious stones. (1 Kings x. 11.) Not fewer than fiften or sixteen countries have been assigned, by various commentators and critics, as the site of Ophir, but the most probable is that of M. Huet, bishop of Avranches, who is of opinion that it was on the eastern coast of Africa, by the Arabians termed NOAH, the son of Lamech, and the father of the post-diluvian Zanguebar; that the name of Ophir was more particularly given world, was born A. M. 1056. Being the only righteous man of to the small country of Sofala on the same coast; and that Solohis time, he was preserved together with his family in the ark mon's fleet went out from the Red Sea, and from the port of during the deluge. (For a refutation of skeptical objections to Ezion-geber entered the Mediterranean by a canal of communiwhich, see Vol. I. pp. 75, 76.) Noah lived 350 years after that cation; and doubling Cape Guardafui, coasted along Africa to catastrophe, dying at the age of 950 years, A. M. 2006. He left Sofala, where was found in abundance whatever was brought to three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, by whom the whole earth the Hebrew monarch by this voyage. The opinion of Huet is was overspread or peopled. (Gen. ix. 18, 19. x. 32.) The seven adopted by Mr. Bruce, who has confirmed it by various additional precepts of Noah, see p. 109. note 2. considerations. NOPH, or MEMPHIS, a very celebrated city, the same as Thebes and the capital of Egypt, until the Ptolemies removed the seat of government to Alexandria. By the modern Copts it is called MEN, MENOT, and Noro: whence we may explain both the Hebrew forms (NOPH) and (MEMPH), and also the Greek name Meup. Plutarch (de Isid. et Osirid. p. 639 ed. Stephani) interprets the name oppor ayav, from the Coptic meh, full, and nouphi, good; or Toy Oripidis, from the Coptic mhau, a grave, and onphi, everyers, a benefactor, as Osiris is called. (Jablonskii, Opusc. tom. i. pp. 137. 150. 179. tom. ii. p. 131. Gibbs's Hebr. Lex. p. 381.) The prophets often mention this city; and predict the calamities which it was to suffer from the kings of Chaldæa and Persia, &c. (See Isa. xix. 13. Jer. xliv. 1. Hos. ix. 6. Ezek. xxx. 13. 16.) Its ruins are very splendid. Jeremiah had foretold, ages before, that Noph should "be waste and desolate, without an inhabitant" (xlvi. 19.), and not a family or cottage is said to remain. NOSE-JEWELS of the Jewish women, notice of, 158. OFFICERS of the Palace, notice of, 47. Romans, OLIVES, Mount of, 19. Culture of Olives, 36. 179, 180. OLYMPIC GAMES, allusions to, in the New Testament, 191194. Qualifications and previous discipline of the candidates, 192. Foot-race, ibid. Rewards to the victors, ibid. Games in imitation of them instituted among the Jews, 190. OMRI, general of the army of Elah, king of Israel, who was assassinated by Zimri at the siege of Gibbethon, and was succeeded by Omri. (1 Kings xvi.) He was a wicked prince, whose crimes surpassed those of his predecessors: he died at Samaria, B. c. 914, and was succeeded on the throne by his son Ahab. ON. 1. A pleasant valley in Syria of Damascus, now called Un, and used proverbially for a pleasant vale. 2. ON, AUN, or HELIOPOLIS, a city of Egypt. The father-inlaw of Joseph was high-priest of On (Gen. xli. 45.); there rendered Heliopolis, by the Septuagint version, and noticed also by Herodotus; who says that "the Heliopolitans were reckoned the wisest of the Egyptians." This was the city of Moses, ac ORATORIES of the Jews described, 102, 103. OTHNIEL, the son of Kenaz of the tribe of Judah, and a relation of Caleb, who gave him his daughter Achsah in marriage, on his taking Debir, otherwise called Kiriath-sepher, from the Canaanites. (Josh. xv. 16-19.) After the Israelites had been oppressed for eight years by Chushan-rishathcum, king of Mesopotamia, Othniel was excited to levy an army against him. He overcame the Mesopotamians, and delivered his countrymen, who acknowledged him as regent or judge. During the forty years of his administration the Israelites remained faithful to their God and king, and consequently prospered. (Judg. iii. 8-11.) OVENS of the Jews, 154. PAINTING, art of, among the Jews, 183. Painting of the eyelids practised by the Jewish women, 158. PALACE, officers of, 47. PALESTINE, boundaries of, 14. 22. See HOLY LAND. PALMYRA. See TADMOR. PALSY, variety of diseases so termed, 197. PAMPHYLIA, a province of Asia Minor, having to the south the Pamphylian Sea, mentioned Acts xxvii. 5., Cilicia to the east, and Pisidia to the north (whence we find Saint Paul passing through Pisidia to Pamphylia, Acts xiv. 24.), and from Pamphylia to Pisidia (Acts xiii. 14.), and Lycia to the west. The cities mentioned in the Scriptures as belonging to it are Perga and Attalia. (Acts xiii. 13.) Here numerous Jews dwelt, and hence those of Pamphylia are mentioned among those who appeared at Jerusalem at the day of Pentecost. (Acts ii. 10.) PAPHOS, the metropolis of the island of Cyprus (Acts xiii. 4. 6.), and the residence of the pro-consul. It was memorable for the impure worship paid to Venus, the tutelar deity of the island. Here Saint Paul struck blind Elymas the sorcerer, and converted Sergius the pro-consul. The Jews dwelt here in great numbers. (ver. 6.) Twenty-five or thirty miserable huts are all that remain of this orce most distinguished city of Cyprus. See CYPRUS. PARADISE, a word of Persian original, signifying a park, garden, or inclosure, full of all the valuable productions of the earth. The word passed into the Hebrew form 2 (PARDES), which occurs in Sol. Song iv. 13. Neh. ii. 8. Eccles. ii. 5.; and in those passages it is rendered Пapadags in the Septuagint version, and denotes a garden of trees of various kinds, a pleasure park, a delightful grove. In the New Testament paradise is applied to the state of faithful souls between death and the resurrection; where, like Adam in Eden, they are admitted to immediate com munion with God in Christ, or to a participation of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Luke xxiii. 43. Rev. ii. 7.) Of this blessed state St. Paul had a foretaste. |