Bible Dictionary S 2
Serpent of Brass.
The serpent of brass that Moses made and raised on a pole when the Israelites were bitten of serpents (Num. 21: 9) may, in the light of John 3: 14, be regarded as symbolic of God's way out of death into life, as well as of the condemnation of sin in the death of Christ: cf. Rom. 8: 3. As the bite of the serpents typified the venom of sin, and was incurable by natural means, so in the death of the Lord Jesus we see not only the ground of forgiveness of sins, but the condemnation of the state with which sin was connected: then they who looked lived. In the history of Israel the brazen serpent came near the end of their wanderings, when their perverseness was fully manifest. In Christianity what is typified is the condemnation of sin in the flesh, as the ground of the communication of the Spirit as living water to the believer.
When the brazen serpent had become an object of worship, Hezekiah broke it in pieces, and called it Nehushtan, 'a piece of brass.' 2 Kings 18: 4.
Serug. [Serug']
Son of Reu, a son of Peleg. Gen. 11: 20-23; 1 Chr. 1: 26. He is called SARUCH, son of Ragau, in Luke 3: 35.
Servant.
1. The words ebed and δοῦλος (those most commonly used for 'servant') convey the idea of bondmen or slaves. Some were bought with money and some were taken in war: cf. also Ex. 22: 3. Such a servant, if circumcised, might among the Israelites eat of the Passover — as bought he belonged to the family; but a hired servant might not. Ex. 12: 44, 45: cf. Lev. 22: 11. (So Gentiles, though aliens, bought with the blood of Christ, have all the privilege of grace.) Children born of these would also be the property of the master. Ex. 21: 4. This form of servitude, though a result of sin, was recognised by the Mosaic law, and rules were given respecting it, and for the protection of the slaves.
In the N.T. Paul sent back Onesimus, a runaway slave, to his master, who was a Christian, and did not demand his liberation: but he beautifully puts before Philemon that he should possess Onesimus no longer as a slave, but as a brother beloved. The effects of sin were in the world, and God did not introduce Christianity in order to set the world right; but, while shedding light upon everything, and proclaiming grace to all, God's purpose was "to take out of the nations a people for his name." Christianity inculcated equal treatment of slaves, as we see in several of the epistles in which masters are addressed: 'men-stealers' are condemned. 1 Tim. 1: 10.
Christian bondservants are declared to be the Lord's 'freemen,' 1 Cor. 7: 22, and words of encouragement are addressed to them.
Paul, James, Peter, and Jude all call themselves 'bondmen of the Lord,' and Christians generally are thus designated. The Lord Himself said, "I am among you as he that serveth," Luke 22: 27; and now in heaven He serves His own as Intercessor and Advocate. He speaks also of a future day when He will gird Himself, make His servants sit down, and will come forth and serve them, thus being a minister to servants! Luke 12: 37.
2. παῖς, 'a child,' irrespective of age, and hence used for servant. Matt. 8: 6, 8, 13; Matt. 14: 2; Luke 7: 7; Luke 12: 45; Luke 15: 26; Acts 4: 25. The word is applied to Christ in Matt. 12: 18; Acts 3: 13, 26 (translated 'Son'); Acts 4: 27, 30 (translated 'child'); and to Israel and to David in Luke 1: 54, 69.
3. οἰκέτης, 'household servant.' Luke 16: 13; Acts 10: 7; Rom. 14: 4; 1 Peter 2: 18.
4. ὑπηρέτης, 'one under authority,' an official servant. Matt. 26: 58; Mark 14: 54, 65; John 18: 36. Also translated 'minister' and officer.'
5. θεράπων, 'retainer, servant.' Heb. 3: 5.
6. μισθωτός, μίσθιος, 'hired servant.' Mark 1: 20; Luke 15: 17, 19; cf. Matt. 20. The word is translated 'hireling' in John 10: 12, 13. See DEACON, and SLAVE.
Seth.
Son of Adam and Eve, born after the death of Abel, and father of Enos. His name signifies 'appointed': God thus continued the line of Abel, whom Cain slew, through the appointment of Seth. Hence, in Gen. 4: 25, 26 it is said in connection with Seth, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord." This is immediately followed by "This is the book of the generations of Adam," giving the lineage through Seth and his descendants, and making no mention of Cain and his descendants. From Seth the genealogy is traced to Noah, and the flood swept away all else. Gen. 5: 3-8; Luke 3: 38. He is called SHETH in 1 Chr. 1: 1.
Sethur. [Sethur']
Son of Michael, of the tribe of Asher. Num. 13: 13.
Settles.
Apparently ledges or borders round the future altar of burnt offering, as described by Ezekiel in Ezek. 43: 14, 17, 20; Ezek. 45: 19.
Seven.
See NUMBERS AS SYMBOLS.
Seven Churches.
There were seven assemblies in Asia, to which the vision of the Son of Man, inspecting the candlesticks, was to be communicated, and to each of which a separate address was given. These addresses dealt with the state those churches were in at that time. A perfect number was chosen out of the many assemblies then existing, showing that they were symbolical of the church generally, and prophetical of the history of the church to the end. The assemblies were at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, places comparatively near together in the west of Asia Minor. See REVELATION.
Seven Stars.
See PLEIADES.
Seventy Weeks of Daniel.
This period is taken from an important prophecy in Daniel 9: 25-27. The seventy weeks are divided into three parts, namely, seven, sixty-two, and one. We shall see in the sequel that 'weeks of years' are evidently intended. The first period of seven weeks refers to the building of the street and the wall, or moat, in troublous times, of which times an account is found in the book of Nehemiah. The second period of sixty-two weeks extends to the times of Messiah the Prince, after which He should be cut off and have nothing (margin) — nothing of His Messianic glory. To reconcile with this the dates of history, it must be noticed that these weeks do not date from the commandment to build the temple (which was in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, Ezra 1: 1), but from the commandment to restore and build the city of Jerusalem, which was given in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes. Neh. 2: 1.
The date commonly given for this is B.C. 445; but Usher gave 455, and Hengstenberg and others contend that this is the true date. Hengstenberg shows in his "Christiology" how the mistake arose. Vitringa rectified the date, and Krüger, by an independent enquiry, also proved that the old date was wrong. Some hieroglyphic inscriptions in Egypt have shown that Artaxerxes was associated with his father in the twelfth year of the reign of Xerxes, and this information confirms the date given by Usher and others.
We start then from … … … … B.C. 455.
7 weeks are … … … … 49 years
62 weeks are … … … … 434 "
483
Deduct … … … … 455
28
Add 1 year to adjust the
eras B.C. and A.D. 1
29 A.D.
The year A.D. 29 is the date now commonly given for the crucifixion. It is generally agreed that the Lord lived on the earth thirty-three and a half years, but if He was born B.C. 4, and was crucified A.D. 33 (as given in the A.V.), He must have lived here 37 or 38 years; hence there must be a discrepancy somewhere. Early christian writers appealed confidently to a document called "The Acts of Pilate," which, though now considered spurious as far as Pilate is concerned, must have been an early writing, and this points to the date A.D. 29 for the crucifixion. Clement and Origen place the destruction of Jerusalem as forty-two years after the crucifixion. The destruction was in A.D. 70, which confirms the date of the latter as not later than 29. The definite time may be Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, about a week before the last passover, agreeing with "Thy King cometh unto thee" in Zech. 9: 9.
It is judged however by some that the sixty-nine weeks reach only up to Messiah the Prince as entering on His ministry; after which (indefinitely) He was cut off: and therefore the sixty-nine weeks should end at least three years earlier. This is probably the true view, though it may be impossible now to precisely adjust dates.
This leaves the last week of the seventy. The rest of the prophecy in Dan. 9: 26 agrees with the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, and foretells a determined period of desolation till war against it will end. Then Dan. 9: 27 takes up the outward circumstances of the last week, which is future, though probably one half of it has been, for faith, fulfilled in the ministry of Christ. The prophecy is concerning Israel; the present period (during which the church is being formed) comes in parenthetically, and occupies no part of the seventy weeks. The last week, in agreement with the above, will occupy a period of seven years.
Dan. 9: 26, 27 speak of 'the prince that shall come,' who shall confirm a covenant with the many for one week. He will no doubt be the head of the resuscitated Roman Empire: this is confirmed by Rev. 17: 9-12, in speaking of a kingdom that 'was, and is not,' and shall come. This head makes a covenant with Israel for seven years, but breaks it in the middle of the week; causes the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and dire desolation by the Assyrian closes the scene. See ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION. The most momentous events will take place during the latter half of the week, as detailed in the Revelation. This will be a period of three and a half years, and if this interpretation is correct, we might expect to find such a period definitely mentioned. And so it is: the period of three and a half years is pointed out no fewer than seven times, as follows:
Dan. 7: 25; "time, times, and dividing of times " (that the word 'times' refers to 'years' cf. Dan. 11: 13 margin).
Dan. 12: 7; Rev. 12: 14; "time, times, and half a time."
Rev. 11: 2; Rev. 13: 5; "42 months."
Rev. 11: 3; Rev. 12: 6; "1,260 days."
Thus the half week is given in years, 3½; in months, 42; and in days, 1,260.
As already stated, the church does not appear in the above: it has nothing to do with times and seasons — they belong to Israel and to the earth. The church is heavenly, and its hope is the coming of the Lord according to His promise to present it to Himself, and this He may do at any moment. He said, "Surely I come quickly:" to which the response of the church is, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Seeing however that the Lord Jesus is referred to in the Seventy Weeks, not only in His being 'cut off' but also in His coming again to subdue His enemies, to bless His ancient people Israel, and to establish His kingdom on earth, it becomes His saints to study such a prophecy as this, and to be assured that nothing can happen to hinder or set aside the purposes of God: all is being ordered, and is hastening on to the time when the Lord Jesus will be acknowledged on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Shaalabbin, [Shaalab'bin] Shaalbim. [Shaal'bim]
City in Dan. Joshua 19: 42; Judges 1: 35; 1 Kings 4: 9. Identified with Selbit, 31 52' N, 34 59' E.
Shaalbonite. [Shaalbo'nite]
Designation of Eliahba as belonging to the city of Shaalbim. 2 Sam. 23: 32; 1 Chr. 11: 33.
Shaaph. [Sha'aph]
1. Son of Jahdai. 1 Chr. 2: 47.
2. Son of Caleb and father or founder of Madmannah. 1 Chr. 2: 49.
Shaaraim. [Shaara'im]
1. City in the lowlands of Judah. 1 Sam. 17: 52. Called SHARAIM in Joshua 15: 36. Identified by some with es Saireh, 31 44' N, 35 1' E.
2. City in Simeon. 1 Chr. 4: 31. Not identified.
Shaashgaz. [Shaash'gaz]
Chamberlain or eunuch of Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Esther 2: 14.
Shabbethai. [Shabbetha'i]
One or more Levites who returned from exile and assisted Ezra. Ezra 10: 15; Neh. 8: 7: Neh. 11: 16.
Shachia. [Shach'ia]
Son of Shaharaim, a Benjamite. 1 Chr. 8: 10. In the pointed Hebrew the name is 'Shabiah,' but several Hebrew MSS have CH instead of B.
Shaddai.
See GOD.
Shadrach. [Shad'rach]
Name given to HANANIAH in Babylon, one of the three faithful ones who refused to worship the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar, and were cast into the fiery furnace, and there miraculously preserved. Dan. 1: 7; Dan. 2: 49; Dan. 3: 12-30.
Shage.
A Hararite, father of Jonathan. 1 Chr. 11: 34.
Shaharaim. [Shahara'im]
A Benjamite who begat children in the land of Moab. 1 Chr. 8: 8.
Shahazimah. [Shahaz'imah]
City of Issachar. Joshua 19: 22. Not identified.
Shalem. [Sha'lem]
This is judged to be not a proper name, but that the passage should read, Jacob came 'safely' to the city of Shechem. Gen. 33: 18. The R.V. has 'came in peace.'
Shalim [Sha'lim] and Shalisha. [Shal'isha]
Two unknown districts through which Saul passed in quest of his father's asses. 1 Sam. 9: 4.
Shallecheth. [Shallecheth']
A gate 'by the causeway of the going up.' 1 Chr. 26: 16. The 'going up' doubtless alluded to a pathway that ascended from the lower part of the city to some entrance of the temple: cf. 1 Kings 10: 5. Such a causeway can still be traced, but it is hidden, under the houses built in the valley.
Shallum. [Shal'lum]
1. Son of Jabesh: he slew Zachariah king of Israel, and reigned in his stead; but after one month he was killed by Menahem, who succeeded him on the throne. 2 Kings 15: 10-15.
2. Husband of Huldah the prophetess. 2 Kings 22: 14; 2 Chr. 34: 22.
3. Son of Sisamai, a descendant of Judah. 1 Chr. 2: 40, 41.
4. Son of Josiah king of Judah: he succeeded his father, but after a reign of three months he was deposed by Pharaoh-necho, and taken to Egypt, where he died. 1 Chr. 3: 15; Jer. 22: 11, 12. He is called JEHOAHAZ in 2 Kings 23: 30-34; 2 Chr. 36: 1-4. The margin of 1 Chr. 3: 15 identifies Johanan with Jehoahaz, but Jer. 22: 11, 12 shows it was Shallum who reigned under the name of Jehoahaz. He was evidently not the youngest son, though last on the list.
5. Son of Shaul, a son of Simeon. 1 Chr. 4: 25.
6. Son of Zadok the priest. 1 Chr. 6: 12, 13; Ezra 7: 2. Probably the same as MESHULLAM in Neh. 11: 11.
7. Son of Naphtali. 1 Chr. 7: 13. Called SHILLEM in Gen. 46: 24; Num. 26: 49.
8. A Levite gate-keeper of the tabernacle whose descendants returned from exile. 1 Chr. 9: 17; Ezra 2: 42; Neh. 7: 45.
9. Son of Kore: a keeper of the gates of the tabernacle. 1 Chr. 9: 19, 31.
10. Father of Jehizkiah, one of the 'heads' of Ephraim. 2 Chr. 28: 12.
11, 12. Two who had married strange wives. Ezra 10: 24, 42.
13. Son of Halohesh: he repaired the wall of Jerusalem, apparently assisted by his daughters. Neh. 3: 12.
14. Father of Hanameel and uncle of Jeremiah. Jer. 32: 7.
15. Father of Maaseiah. Jer. 35: 4.
Shallun. [Shal'lun]
Son of Col-hozeh: he helped to build the wall of Jerusalem. Neh. 3: 15.
Shalmai. [Shalma'i]
Ancestor of some Nethinim who returned from exile. Ezra 2: 46; Neh. 7: 48.
Shalman. [Shal'man]
One who laid waste Beth-arbel. Hosea 10: 14. Probably tile same person as SHALMANESER.
Shalmaneser. [Shalmane'ser]
King of Assyria, successor to Tiglath-pileser, B.C. 727. He is sometimes called Shalmaneser 3, and sometimes 4. He made Hoshea, king of Israel, tributary; but Hoshea revolted, relying on So, king of Egypt. In the ninth year of Hoshea's reign, B.C. 722, Samaria was taken and the inhabitants were carried away captive. 2 Kings 17: 3; 2 Kings 18: 9. It may be noticed that Shalmaneser's name is mentioned only in these two passages, afterwards the term 'the king of Assyria' is employed; and in 2 Kings 18: 10 it is said, "at the end of three years they took it." This leaves room for SARGON, the next king of Assyria, to have finished the siege, and to have carried away the captives. He succeeded to the Assyrian throne in the year B.C. 722, and on his monuments he claims to have taken Samaria in his first year.
Shama. [Sha'ma]
Son of Hothan and one of David's mighty men. 1 Chr. 11: 44.
Shamariah. [Shamari'ah]
Son of Rehoboam king of Judah. 2 Chr. 11: 19.
Shambles.
Literally 'stalls on which meat was exposed for sale.' 1 Cor. 10: 25.
Shamed. [Sha'med]
Son of Elpaal, a Benjamite. 1 Chr. 8: 12.
Shamer. [Sha'mer]
1. Son of Mahli the grandson of Merari. 1 Chr. 6: 46.
2. Son of Heber of the tribe of Asher. 1 Chr. 7: 34. Called SHOMER in 1 Chr. 7: 32.
Shamgar. [Sham'gar]
Son of Anath and a judge in Israel: he slew six hundred men with an ox-goad, and delivered Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. Judges 3: 31; Judges 5: 6.
Shamhuth. [Sham'huth]
An Izrahite, one of David's captains. 1 Chr. 27: 8.
Shamir. [Sha'mir]
1. Son of Michah, a Levite. 1 Chr. 24: 24.
2. City in the mountains of Judah. Joshua 15: 48. Identified by some with ruins at Somerah, 31 25' N, 34 56' E.
3. City in Mount Ephraim, the residence of Tola, one of the judges. Judges 10: 1, 2. Not identified.
Shamma. [Sham'ma]
Son of Zophah, of the tribe of Asher. 1 Chr. 7: 37.
Shammah. [Sham'mah]
1. Son of Reuel, a son of Esau. Gen. 36: 13, 17; 1 Chr. 1: 37.
2. Son of Jesse and brother of David. 1 Sam. 16: 9; 1 Sam. 17: 13. Called SHIMEAH in 2 Sam. 13: 3; and SHIMMA in 1 Chr. 2: 13.
3. Son of Agee a Hararite and one of David's mighty men. 2 Sam. 23: 11.
4, 5. Two of David's mighty men, one a Harodite and the other a Hararite. 2 Sam. 23: 25, 33.
Shammai. [Shamma'i]
1. Son of Onam, a descendant of Judah. 1 Chr. 2: 28, 32.
2. Son of Rekem, and father or founder of Maon. 1 Chr. 2: 44, 45.
3. Brother of Miriam, in an obscure genealogy of Judah. 1 Chr. 4: 17.
Shammoth. [Sham'moth]
A Harorite, one of David's mighty men. 1 Chr. 11: 27. Perhaps the same as SHAMMAH the Harodite in 2 Sam. 23: 25.
Shammua, [Shammu'a] Shammuah. [Shammu'ah]
1. Son of Zaccur, a Reubenite. Num. 13: 4.
2. Son of David. 2 Sam. 5: 14; 1 Chr. 14: 4. Called SHIMEA in 1 Chr. 3: 5.
3. Son of Galal, a Levite. Neh. 11: 17. Called SHEMAIAH in 1 Chr. 9: 16.
4. Priest, 'of Bilgah,' who returned from exile. Neh. 12: 18.
Shamsherai. [Shamshera'i]
Son of Jeroham, a Benjamite. 1 Chr. 8: 26.
Shapham. [Sha'pham]
A chief of the tribe of Gad. 1 Chr. 5: 12.
Shaphan. [Sha'phan]
Son of Azaliah and perhaps father of Ahikam, Gemariah, Elasah, and Jaazaniah: he was scribe or secretary to king Josiah. He presented to the king the book of the law that had been found in the temple. 2 Kings 22: 3-14; 2 Kings 25: 22; 2 Chr. 34: 8-20; Jer. 26: 24; Jer. 29: 3; Jer. 36: 10-12; Jer. 39: 14; Jer. 40: 5-11; Jer. 41: 2; Jer. 43: 6; Ezek. 8: 11.
Shaphat. [Sha'phat]
1. Son of Hori, a Simeonite. Num. 13: 5.
2. Father of Elisha the prophet. 1 Kings 19: 16, 19; 2 Kings 3: 11; 2 Kings 6: 31.
3. Son of Shemaiah, a descendant of David. 1 Chr. 3: 22.
4. A chief of the tribe of Gad. 1 Chr. 5: 12.
5. Son of Adlai and one of David's chief herdsmen. 1 Chr. 27: 29.
Shapher, Mount.
An encampment of the Israelites. Num. 33: 23, 24.
Sharai. [Sha'rai]
One who had married a strange wife. Ezra 10: 40.
Sharaim. [Shara'im]
See SHAARAIM.
Sharar. [Sha'rar]
See SACAR.
Sharezer. [Share'zer]
Son of Sennacherib and one of his murderers. 2 Kings 19: 37; Isa. 37: 38.
Sharon. [Sha'ron]
1. A very fertile plain, near the Mediterranean, extending from near Joppa northward to Mount Carmel. Its excellency is spoken of, and the bride in Cant. 2: 1 calls herself a 'rose of Sharon.' It formed part of the lots of Ephraim and of Manasseh. 1 Chr. 27: 29; Isa. 33: 9; Isa. 35: 2; Isa. 65: 10. It is called SARON in Acts 9: 35.
2. Plain or city on the east of the Jordan. 1 Chr. 5: 16. Not identified.
Sharonite. [Sha'ronite]
Designation of Shitrai, David's chief herdsman in Sharon. 1 Chr. 27: 29.
Sharuhen. [Sharu'hen]
City of Simeon. Joshua 19: 6. Identified by some with Tell esh Sheriah, 31 24' N, 34 42' E.
Shashai. [Sha'shai]
One who had married a strange wife. Ezra 10: 40.
Shashak. [Sha'shak]
Son of Beriah, a Benjamite. 1 Chr. 8: 14, 25.
Shaul. [Sha'ul]
1. Son of Simeon by a Canaanitish woman. Gen. 46: 10, Ex. 6: 15; Num. 26: 13; 1 Chr. 4: 24.
2. An ancient king of Edom. 1 Chr. 1: 48, 49. Called SAUL in Gen. 36: 37, 38.
3. Son of Uzziah, a Kohathite. 1 Chr. 6: 24.
Shaulites.
Descendants of Shaul, son of Simeon. Num. 26: 13.
Shaveh. [Sha'veh]
A valley 'which is the king's dale.' Gen. 14: 17. Supposed to be somewhere near Jerusalem.
Shaveh Kiriathaim. [Sha'veh Kiriatha'im]
A place where the Emims dwelt who were smitten by Chedorlaomer. Gen. 14: 5. Perhaps a plain in connection with Kiriathaim, as in the margin.
Shavsha. [Shav'sha]
David's scribe or secretary. 1 Chr. 18: 16. Apparently called SERAIAH in 2 Sam. 8: 17; SHISHA in 1 Kings 4: 3; and SHEVA in 2 Sam. 20: 25.
Sheal. [Sheal']
One who had married a strange wife. Ezra 10: 29.
Shealtiel. [Sheal'tiel]
See SALATHIEL.
Sheariah. [Sheari'ah]
Son of Azel, a Benjamite. 1 Chr. 8: 38; 1 Chr. 9: 44.
Shearing-house.
Place where Jehu slew forty-two of the royal family of Judah. 2 Kings 10: 12, 14. Some translate "shepherds' meeting-place."
Shearjashub. [Shear'-ja'shub]
Symbolical name given to the elder son of the prophet Isaiah, signifying 'a remnant shall return.' Isa. 7: 3.
Sheba. [Sheba']
1. Son of Raamah, a son of Cush. Gen. 10: 7; 1 Chr. 1: 9. His descendants are generally held to have settled on the shores of the Persian Gulf.
2. Son of Joktan, a descendant of Shem. Gen. 10: 28; 1 Chr. 1: 22. His descendants have been traced to Southern Arabia, or Arabia Felix. The metropolis of the district was at or near the modern Mareb, about 15 45' N, 45 35' E.
3. Son of Jokshan, a son of Abraham and Keturah. Gen. 25: 3; 1 Chr. 1: 32. Some judge his descendants to have settled 'far north'; others place them 'somewhere in Arabia.' (The name 'Sheba' occurs also in Job 6: 19; Ps. 72: 10, 15; Isa. 60: 6; Jer. 6: 20; Ezek. 27: 22, 23; Ezek. 38: 13; but it is uncertain to which of the above three races each passage refers.)
4. The country from whence the queen came who visited Solomon. She brought gold, precious stones, and a great store of spices. The Lord spoke of her as 'the queen of the south.' 1 Kings 10: 1-13; 2 Chr. 9: 1, 3, 9, 12; Matt. 12: 42; Luke 11: 31. The 'south' well agrees with the locality of the descendants of Sheba, the son of Joktan.
Sheba. [She'ba]
1. Son of Bichri, a Benjamite: he revolted against David after Absalom. David said, "Sheba, the son of Bichri, shall do us more harm than did Absalom," but he was pursued by Joab, and was beheaded at Abel. 2 Sam. 20: 1-22.
2. A chief of the Gadites. 1 Chr. 5: 13.
3. City in Simeon. Joshua 19: 2. Identified with Tell es Seba, 31 15' N, 34 50' E.
Shebah. [She'bah]
A well, dug by the servants of Isaac, and named Shebah, signifying 'an oath.' Gen. 26: 33. See BEER-SHEBA.
Shebam. [Shebam']
See SIBMAH.
Shebaniah. [Shebani'ah]
1. Priest who aided in bringing up the ark to Jerusalem. 1 Chr. 15: 24.
2. Levite who assisted Ezra and sealed the covenant. Neh. 9: 4, 5; Neh. 10: 10.
3. Priest who sealed the covenant. Neh. 10: 4; Neh. 12: 14.
4. Levite who sealed the covenant. Neh. 10: 12.
Shebarim. [Sheba'rim]
Place to which the men of Ai chased the Israelites. Joshua 7: 5.
Sheber. [Sheb'er]
Son of Caleb and Maachah. 1 Chr. 2: 48.
Shebna. [Sheb'na]
Treasurer to Hezekiah. He was denounced by God through the prophet Isaiah; apparently he afterwards became scribe or secretary. 2 Kings 18: 18, 26, 37; 2 Kings 19: 2; Isa. 22: 15; Isa. 36: 3, 11, 22; Isa. 37: 2.
Shebuel. [Shebu'el]
1. Son of Gershom and 'ruler of the treasures' of the house of God. 1 Chr. 23: 16; 1 Chr. 26: 24.
2. Son of Heman: appointed to the service of song. 1 Chr. 25: 4. Called SHUBAEL in 1 Chr. 25: 20.
Shecaniah. [Shecani'ah]
1. Head of the tenth priestly course. 1 Chr. 24: 11.
2. Priest in the time of Hezekiah. 2 Chr. 31: 15.
Shechaniah. [Shechani'ah]
1. Descendant of David through Jeconiah. 1 Chr. 3: 21, 22.
2, 3. Two ancestors of some who returned from exile. Ezra 8: 3, 5.
4. Son of Jehiel: he confessed that the people had taken strange wives. Ezra 10: 2.
5. Father of Shemaiah, who helped to repair the wall of Jerusalem. Neh. 3: 29.
6. Son of Arah and father-in-law to Tobiah. Neh. 6: 18.
7. Priest who returned from exile. Neh. 12: 3.
Shechem. [Shech'em]
1. The first city of Canaan visited by Abram, Gen. 12: 6, where it is called SICHEM. When Jacob returned to Palestine, Hamor the Hivite was its king. It was attacked and plundered by Simeon and Levi. The bones of Joseph were buried there. At the distribution of the land it fell to the lot of Ephraim, and became a Levitical city and a city of refuge. It was there that Joshua delivered his last address to the people. Under the Judges the city was taken by Abimelech, when about a thousand men and women took refuge in the tower, which was destroyed by fire. The tribes assembled there to crown Rehoboam, and, on the division of the kingdom, it became the headquarters of Jeroboam. Gen. 33: 18; Gen. 37: 12-14; Joshua 20: 7; Joshua 21: 21; Joshua 24: 1, 25, 32; Judges 9: 1-57; 1 Kings 12: 1, 25; 2 Chr. 10: 1; Ps. 60: 6; Ps. 108: 7; Jer. 41: 5.
Shechem was called Neapolis by the Romans, of which its present name, Nablus, is supposed to be a corruption. It lies 32 13' N, 35 16' E. Its vicinity is luxurious in fruit and flowers. It is still partially inhabited by Samaritans, who have a synagogue there, and yearly keep the Passover.
It is called SYCHEM in Acts 7: 16, where it says that Abraham bought a sepulchre there. This is thought to clash with Gen. 33: 19, which speaks of Jacob buying it. But nothing is said in the latter passage about a sepulchre: Jacob bought a piece of ground to spread his tent in. Bengel says of this alleged discrepancy in Stephen's address, that "the brevity which was best suited to the ardour of the Spirit gave Stephen just occasion, in the case of a fact so well known, to compress these details in the way he has done."*
* For further details concerning Stephen's address see "Bible Handbook, New Testament," pages 144-6.
2. Son of Hamor the chief of the city of Shechem — from whom the city appears to have derived its name — killed with his father and household by Simeon and Levi because he had dishonoured their sister Dinah. Gen. 33: 19; Gen. 34: 2-26; Joshua 24: 32; Judges 9: 28.
3. Descendant of Gilead, a grandson of Manasseh. Num. 26: 31; Joshua 17: 2.
4. Son of Shemidah, a descendant of Manasseh. 1 Chr. 7: 19: cf. Joshua 17: 2.
Shechemites. [Shech'emites]
Descendants of Shechem, a descendant of Gilead. Num. 26: 31.
Shechinah, [Shechi'nah] Shekinah. [Sheki'nah]
A name not found in scripture, but used by the Rabbis and others for the visible symbol of the presence of God, as was seen at the dedication of the temple built by Solomon, and at the Transfiguration. See CLOUD.
Shedeur. [Shede'ur]
Father of Elizur, a chief of the Reubenites. Num. 1: 5; Num. 2: 10; Num. 7: 30, 35; Num. 10: 18.
Sheep.
Sheep were bred in great numbers in Palestine, and formed a large part of the property of the Israelites. The species common there was the broad tailed sheep with horns (Ovis laticaudatus and Ovis aries). In Palestine they follow the shepherd and know his voice, and will not follow a stranger. Sheep and lambs were constantly offered in sacrifice. The morning and evening lamb and the passover lambs were all types of the sacred One who was called "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world."
Symbolically sheep are figurative of mankind, as being prone to wander: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." Isa. 53: 6; Luke 15: 4-7. The Lord said, "My sheep shall never perish." The Good Shepherd calls His own sheep by name, and when brought into His own company they have perfect security, liberty, and sustenance. John 10: 9. The Lord led His sheep out of the Jewish fold: these were united with His 'other sheep' (Gentile believers), that they all should become 'one flock' with one Shepherd. John 10: 3, 16. In the future judgement of the nations, those saved are called 'sheep,' in distinction from the lost, who are called 'goats.' Matt. 25: 31-46.
Sheep-cote.
The same as 'sheepfold,' in which the sheep were sheltered at night. 1 Sam. 24: 3; 2 Sam. 7: 8; 1 Chr. 17: 7.
Sheep Market.
This occurs only in John 5: 2, and the word 'market' has been added. It was probably at the sheep gate (as in the margin) mentioned in the O.T, but which cannot now be identified.
Shehariah. [Shehari'ah]
Son of Jeroham, a Benjamite. 1 Chr. 8: 26.
Shekel.
See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Shelah. [She'lah]
1. Youngest son of Judah by the daughter of Shuah, a Canaanite. Gen. 38: 5-26; Gen. 46: 12; Num. 26: 20; 1 Chr. 2: 3; 1 Chr. 4: 21.
2. Son of Arphaxad. 1 Chr. 1: 18, 24. See SALA.
Shelanites.
Descendants of Shelah, son of Judah. Num. 26: 20. Apparently called Shilonites in 1 Chr. 9: 5.
Shelemiah. [Shelemi'ah]
1. Levite gatekeeper in the time of David. 1 Chr. 26: 14. Called MESHELEMIAH in 1 Chr. 26: 1, and perhaps SHALLUM in 1 Chr. 9: 17.
2, 3. Two who had married strange wives. Ezra 10: 39, 41.
4. Father of Hananiah who helped to repair the wall of Jerusalem. Neh. 3: 30.
5. Priest who was made a treasurer on the return from exile. Neh. 13: 13.
6. Son of Cushi. Jer. 36: 14.
7. Son of Abdeel: he was ordered by Jehoiakim to arrest Baruch and Jeremiah. Jer. 36: 26.
8. Father of Jehucal, or Jucal. Jer. 37: 3; Jer. 38: 1.
9. Son of Hananiah. Jer. 37: 13.
Sheleph. [She'leph]
Son of Joktan, of the family of Shem. Gen. 10: 26; 1 Chr. 1: 20. His descendants have been traced to Southern Arabia, where the tribe of Shelif or Shulaf has been found.
Shelesh. [She'lesh]
Son of Helem, a descendant of Asher. 1 Chr. 7: 35.
Shelomi. [Shelo'mi]
Father of Ahihud, a prince of Asher. Num. 34: 27.
Shelomith. [Shelo'mith]
1. Daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. Lev. 24: 11. Her son blasphemed the name of Jehovah and was stoned to death.
2. Daughter of Zerubbabel. 1 Chr. 3: 19.
3. Son of Shimei, a Gershonite. 1 Chr. 23: 9.
4. Son of Izhar, a Kohathite. 1 Chr. 23: 18. Called SHELOMOTH an Izharite in 1 Chr. 24: 22.
5. Son of Zichri, a Levite: he had the care of the treasures and dedicated things in the time of David. 1 Chr. 26: 25, 26, 28.
6. Son or daughter of Rehoboam. 2 Chr. 11: 20.
7. Ancestor of some who returned from exile. Ezra 8: 10.
Shelomoth. [Shelo'moth]
See SHELOMITH No. 4.
Shelumiel. [Shelumi'el]
Son of Zurishaddai and a prince of the Simeonites. Num. 1. 6; Num. 2: 12; Num. 7: 36, 41; Num. 10: 19.
Shem.
Eldest son of Noah and one of the three heads of mankind after the flood. Shem is specially blessed: "Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem." Gen. 9: 26, 27. This was verified by Jehovah being the God of the descendants of Shem through Abraham; the sons of Japheth (Gentiles) came into the tents for blessing.
The portions of the earth occupied by the descendants of Shem intersect as it were the portions of Ham and Japheth, and stretch from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. Shem had five sons:
ELAM — originally settled in the province of Persia, of which Susa was the capital.
ASSHUR — strictly Assyria, but in an extended sense may have included Babylonia and the land of the Chaldees.
ARPHAXAD — recognised by Josephus and others as the father of the Chaldees. The name is supposed to have been preserved in the province Arrapachitis in northern Assyria.
LUD — said by Josephus to have been the father of the Lydians of Asia Minor (these are distinct from the Lud and Ludim in Africa).
ARAM — the name of Syria, but more especially, referring to the high land of Lebanon. Gen. 5: 32; Gen. 9: 18-27; Gen. 10: 21-31; Gen. 11: 10, 11; 1 Chr. 17: 24. In Luke 3: 36 the same name is called SEM.
Shema. [Shem'a]
1. City in Judah. Joshua 15: 26. Not identified.
2. Son of Hebron, a descendant of Caleb. 1 Chr. 2: 43, 44.
3. Son of Joel, a Reubenite. 1 Chr. 5: 8. Apparently the same as SHEMAIAH in 1 Chr. 5: 4.
4. Son of Elpaal and one of the 'heads' of the Benjamites. 1 Chr. 8: 13. Perhaps the same as SHIMHI in 1 Chr. 8: 21.
5. One who stood by Ezra when the law was read. Neh. 8: 4.
Shemaah. [Shem'aah]
A Benjamite, father of Ahiezer and Joash who joined David at Ziklag. 1 Chr. 12: 3.
Shemaiah. [Shemai'ah]
1. Prophet who stayed Rehoboam from warring against Israel. He was also sent by God to tell Rehoboam and the princes of Judah that because of their sins God had left them in the hands of Shishak, king of Egypt, who had come to attack them; but on their repentance they were told he should not destroy them. Shishak seized their treasures, and they became tributary to Egypt. Shemaiah wrote a 'book' concerning genealogies. 1 Kings 12: 22-24; 2 Chr. 11: 2-4; 2 Chr. 12: 5-15.
2. Son of Shechaniah, a descendant of David. 1 Chr. 3: 22; Neh. 3: 29.
3. A Simeonite, father of Shimri. 1 Chr. 4: 37.
4. Son of Joel, a Reubenite. 1 Chr. 5: 4.
5. Son of Hasshub, a Levite. 1 Chr. 9: 14; Neh. 11: 15.
6. Son of Galal, a Levite. 1 Chr. 9: 16, Called SHAMMUA in Neh. 6: 17.
7. Son of Elizaphan, a Levite. 1 Chr. 15: 8, 11.
8. Son of Nethaneel, a Levite. 1 Chr. 24: 6.
9. Son of Obed-edom, a Korhite. 1 Chr. 26: 4-7.
10. Levite whom Jehoshaphat sent to teach the people. 2 Chr. 17: 8.
11. Descendant of Jeduthun, a Levite. 2 Chr. 29: 14.
12. Levite set over the freewill offerings of God. 2 Chr. 31: 15.
13. Levite in the days of Josiah. 2 Chr. 35: 9.
14. Son of Adonikam. Ezra 8: 13.
15. One whom Ezra sent for Levites. Ezra 8: 16.
16. Priest who had married a strange wife. Ezra 10: 21.
17. One who had married a strange wife. Ezra 10: 31.
18. Son of Delaiah: he sought to entrap Nehemiah. Neh. 6: 10.
19. Priest who sealed the covenant, Neh. 10: 8; his family went up with Zerubbabel. Neh. 12: 6, 18.
20. One with Ezra at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. Neh. 12: 34.
21. Son of Mattaniah, a priest. Neh. 12: 35.
22. Apparently a Levite who took part in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. Neh. 12: 36.
23. Priest who assisted on the same occasion. Neh. 12: 42.
24. Father of Urijah, a prophet. Jer. 26: 20.
25. The Nehelamite, a false prophet, condemned by Jehovah through Jeremiah. Jer. 29: 24-32.
26. Father of Delaiah. Jer. 36: 12.
Shemariah. [Shemari'ah]
1. A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag. 1 Chr. 12: 5.
2, 3. Two who had married strange wives. Ezra 10: 32, 41.
Shemeber. [Sheme'ber]
King of Zeboiim and an ally of the king of Sodom, Gen. 14: 2.
Shemer. [Shem'er]
Owner of the hill bought by Omri, on which he built Samaria. 1 Kings 16: 24.
Shemida, [Shemi'da] Shemidah, [Shemi'dah] Shemidaites. [Shemi'daites]
Son of Gilead, and his descendants. Num. 26: 32; Joshua 17: 2; 1 Chr. 7: 19.
Sheminith. [Shemi'nith]
A Hebrew word in the headings of Ps. 6 and Ps. 12, and in 1 Chr. 15: 21. It will be seen that in the margin these passages read 'on the eighth,' with which the LXX agrees. It was probably an instrument of eight strings (from shemoneh, 'eight'). Gesenius says it means 'octave'; hence the lowest notes of the scale, and sung by men.
Shemiramoth. [Shemi'ramoth]
1. Levite appointed as musician and doorkeeper when David brought up the ark. 1 Chr. 15: 18, 20; 1 Chr. 16: 5.
2. Levite, sent by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people. 2 Chr. 17: 8.
Shemuel. [Shem'uel]
1. Son of Ammihud, a Simeonite. Num. 34: 20.
2. The name of SAMUEL the prophet as given in 1 Chr. 6: 33.
3. Son of Tola and a chief of Issachar. 1 Chr. 7: 2.
Shen.
Place near to which Samuel erected a stone and called it EBENEZER. 1 Sam. 7: 12.
Shenazar. [Shen'azar]
Descendant of Jeconiah. 1 Chr. 3: 18.
Shenir. [Shenir']
See HERMON.
Sheol.
See HELL.
Shepham. [Shepham']
Eastern boundary of Palestine. Num. 34: 10, 11. Not identified.
Shephathiah. [Shephathi'ah]
Son of Reuel, a Benjamite. 1 Chr. 9: 8. The Hebrew is Shephatiah.
Shephatiah. [Shephati'ah]
1. Fifth son of David by Abital. 2 Sam. 3: 4; 1 Chr. 3: 3.
2. The Haruphite who joined David at Ziklag. 1 Chr. 12: 5.
3. Son of Maachah and a chief of the Simeonites. 1 Chr. 27: 16.
4. Son of King Jehoshaphat. 2 Chr. 21: 2.
5. Ancestor of some who returned from exile. Ezra 2: 4; Ezra 8: 8; Neh. 7: 9.
6. Another ancestor of some who returned from exile. Ezra 2: 57; Neh. 7: 59.
7. Son of Mahalaleel. Neh. 11: 4.
8. Son of Mattan: one of the princes who urged the king to put Jeremiah to death. Jer. 38: 1.
Shepherd.
A person's wealth in the East frequently consisted of flocks, the shepherd therefore held an important and honourable position. David was a keeper of sheep. Joseph instructed his brethren to tell Pharaoh that they were shepherds, and they asked permission to dwell in Goshen, for every shepherd was an abomination to the Egyptians. This is supposed to have been caused by some 'shepherd-kings' having usurped authority over Egypt. The difficulties and hardships of a shepherd's life in the East may be gathered from what Jacob passed through during the time he was with Laban. Gen. 31: 39, 40.
The sheep following the shepherd is a sight often witnessed in the East, and that each sheep has a name and knows the shepherd's voice, has been tested and proved again and again. All this is beautifully typical of the relation of Jehovah to Israel and of Christ to the church. The sheep of Christ know the good Shepherd's voice, and find salvation, liberty, and pasture in following the One who leads. The good Shepherd gives them eternal life, having given His life for the sheep. Christ is called the great Shepherd, for the work which He accomplished could have been done only by One who was Himself God, though become man to work out redemption.
In the church there are those who by reason of gift are called pastors, to feed and shepherd the sheep; but Christ is the chief Shepherd, who is over all, whose own the sheep are, and who has given His word that they shall never perish. Ps. 23; Zech. 13: 7; John 10: 2-16; Heb. 13: 20; 1 Peter 5: 4; etc.
Shephi, Shepho.
Son of Shobal, a son of Seir. Gen. 36: 23; 1 Chr. 1: 40.
Shephuphan. [Shephu'phan]
Son or descendant of Benjamin. 1 Chr. 8: 5. Supposed to be the same as SHUPHAM in Num. 26: 39; and MUPPIM in Gen. 46: 21.
Sherah. [She'rah]
Apparently the daughter of Ephraim: she built Beth-horon the nether and the upper, and Uzzen-sherah. 1 Chr. 7: 24.
Sherd.
A fragment of earthenware, the same as 'potsherd.' Isa. 30: 14; Ezek. 23: 34.
Sherebiah. [Sherebi'ah]
A Levite who with his sons and brethren returned from exile: he assisted Ezra, sealed the covenant, and was a chief of the choir. Ezra 8: 18; Neh. 8: 7; Neh. 9: 4, 5; Neh. 10: 12; Neh. 12: 8, 24. In Ezra 8: 24 apparently the same is called a priest.
Sheresh. [Sher'esh]
Son of Machir, a son of Manasseh. 1 Chr. 7: 16.
Sherezer. [Shere'zer]
One of the messengers sent to the house of God in the fourth year of king Darius, to pray and to enquire concerning the continuation of fasting in the fifth month (probably in commemoration of the destruction of the temple, etc., 2 Kings 25: 8-10). God's answer was that they had not fasted to Him. Zech. 7: 2-5. The name is really Persian and is identical with that of Sharezer, son of Sennacherib in 2 Kings 19: 37; Isa. 37: 38.
Sheriffs.
The word is tiphtaye: Fürst translates it 'judges,' and Gesenius 'those learned in the law': the word occurs only in Dan. 3: 2, 3.
Sheshach. [She'shach]
Mystical name applied to Babylon. Jer. 25: 26; Jer. 51: 41; cf. Jer. 51: 1. The meaning of the word is not known. According to Jerome the name Babylon, from Babel, was made up of the letters B B L (the 2nd and the 12th letters of the Hebrew alphabet) these were changed into SH SH CH (the 2nd and the 12th letters reckoning from the end of the same alphabet), a mode well known to later Jews. It has been supposed that the Jews made this alteration in the name in order that they might speak of the judgements coming upon Babylon without giving offence to those who had carried them away captive.
Sheshai. [She'shai]
One of the Anakim chiefs driven from Hebron by Caleb and slain by the Israelites. Num. 13: 22; Joshua 15: 14; Judges 1: 10.
Sheshan. [She'shan]
A chief of Judah, whose family was sustained in the tribe by his daughter's marriage to his Egyptian servant. 1 Chr. 2: 31, 34, 35.
Sheshbazzar. [Sheshbaz'zar]
Apparently the Chaldean or Persian name given to ZERUBBABEL, Ezra 1: 8, 11; Ezra 5: 14, 16.
Sheth.
Son of Adam. 1 Chr. 1: 1. See SETH. The word occurs also in Num. 24: 17, where, instead of 'children of Sheth,' it is better to read 'sons of tumult;' that is, 'tumultuous war will be destroyed:' cf. Jer. 48: 45.
Shethar. [Shethar']
One of the seven princes of Persia and Media. Esther 1: 14.
Shetharboznai. [Shethar'-bozna'i]
An official of the king of Persia who, instead of hindering the Jews, was ordered by Darius to help them in the building of the temple. Ezra 5: 3, 6; Ezra 6: 6, 13.
Sheva. [Sheva']
1. Scribe or secretary to David. 2 Sam. 20: 25; cf. SHAVSHA.
2. Son of Caleb the son of Hezron, and father or founder of Machbenah and Gibea. 1 Chr. 2: 49.
Shewbread, Showbread
See BREAD.
Shibboleth. [Shib'boleth]