Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
pounded perfumes. It was then filled with pure myrrh pounded, cassia and other aromatics, except
frankincense. This done, the body was sewn up and steeped in natron (salf-petre) for seventy days.
When the seventy days were accomplished, the embalmers washed the corpse and swathed it in
bandages of linen, cut in strips and smeared with gum. They then gave it up to the relatives of the
deceased, who provided for it a wooden case, made in the shape of a man, in which the dead was
placed,a nd deposited in an erect position against the wall of the sepulchral chamber. Sometimes
no incision was made in the body, nor were the intestines removed, but cedar-oil was injected into
the stomach by the rectum. At others the oil was prevented from escaping until the end of the
steeping process, when it was withdrawn, and carried off with it the stomach and intestines in a
state of solution, while the flesh was consumed by the natron, and nothing was left but the skin and
bones. The body in this state was returned to the relatives of the deceased. The third mode, which
was adopted by the poorer classes, and cost but little, consisted in rinsing out the intestines with
syrmaea, an infusion of senna and cassia, and steeping the body for several days in natron. It does
not appear that embalming was practiced by the Hebrews. The cost of embalming was sometimes
nearly, varying from this amount down to or .
Embroiderer
Various explanations have been offered as to the distinction between “needle-work” and “cunning
work.” Probably neither term expresses just what is to-day understood by embroidery, though the
latter may come nearest to it. The art of embroidery by the loom was extensively practiced among
the nations of antiquity. In addition to the Egyptians, the Babylonians were celebrated for it.
Emerald
a precious stone of a rich green color, upon which its value chiefly depends. This gem was the
first in the second row on the breastplate of the high priest. (Exodus 28:18; 39:11) It was imported
to Tyre from Syria, (Ezekiel 27:16) was used as a seal or signet, Ecclus. 32:6, as an ornament of
clothing and bedding, (Ezekiel 28:13; Judges 10:21) and is spoken of as one of the foundations of
Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:19) Tob. 13:16. The rainbow around the throne is compared to emerald
in (Revelation 4:3)
Emerods
(28:27; 1 Samuel 5:6,9,12; 6:4,5,11) Probably hemorrhiodal tumors, or bleeding piles, are
intended. These are very common in Syria at present, Oriental habits of want of exercise and
improper food, producing derangement of the liver, constipation, etc., being such as to cause them.
Emims
(terrors), a tribe or family of gigantic stature which originally inhabited the region along the
eastern side of the Dead Sea. They were related to the Anakim.
Emmanuel
(Matthew 1:23) [Immanuel]
Emmaus, Or Emmaus
(warm baths), the village to which the two disciples were going when our Lord appeared to
them on the way, on the day of his resurrection. (Luke 24:13) Luke makes its distance from Jerusalem
sixty stadia (Authorized Version “threescore furlongs”), or about 7 1/2 miles; and Josephus mentions
“a village called Emmaus” at the same distance. The site of Emmaus remains yet to be identified.
Emmor
(an ass), the father of Sychem. (Acts 7:16) [Hamor]
En
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William Smith