Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
(literally a pebble). The custom of deciding doubtful questions by lot is one of great extent and
high antiquity. Among the Jews lots were used with the expectation that God would so control
them as to give a right direction to them. They were very often used by God’s appointment. “As
to the mode of casting lots, we have no certain information. Probably several modes were practiced.”
“Very commonly among the Latins little counters of wood were put into a jar with so narrow a
neck that only one could come out at a time. After the jar had been filled with water and the contents
shaken, the lots were determined by the order in which the bits of wood, representing the several
parties, came out with the water. in other cases they were put into a wide open jar, and the counters
were drawn out by the hand. Sometimes again they were cast in the manner of dice. The soldiers
who cast lots for Christ’s garments undoubtedly used these dice.”—Lyman Abbott.
(veil or covering), the son of Haran, and therefore the nephew of Abraham. (Genesis 11:27,31)
(B.C. before 1926-1898.) His sisters were Milcah the wife of Nahor, and Iscah, by some identified
with Sarah. haran died before the emigration of Terah and his family from Ur of the Chaldees, ver.
28, and Lot was therefore born there. He removed with the rest of his kindred to Charran, and again
subsequently with Abraham and Sarai to Canaan. ch. (Genesis 12:4,5) With them he took refuge
in Egypt from a famine,a nd with them returned, first to the “south,” ch. (Genesis 13:1) and then
to their original settlement between Bethel and Ai. vs. (Genesis 13:3,4) But the pastures of the hills
of Bethel, which had with ease contained the two strangers on their first arrival, were not able any
longer to bear them, so much had their possessions of sheep, goats and cattle increased. Accordingly
they separated, Lot choosing the fertile plain of the Jordan, and advancing as far as Sodom. (Genesis
13:10-14) The next occurrence in the life of Lot is his capture by the four kings of the east and his
rescue by Abram. ch. (Genesis 13:14) The last scene preserved to us in the history of Lot is too
well known to need repetition. He was still living in Sodom, (Genesis 19:1) ... from which he was
rescued by some angels on the day of its final overthrow. he fled first to Zoar, in which he found
a temporary refuge during the destruction of the other cities of the plain. Where this place was
situated is not known with certainty. [Zoar] The end of Lot’s wife is commonly treated as one of
the difficulties of the Bible; but it surely need not be so. It cannot be necessary to create the details
of the story where none are given. On these points the record is silent. The value and the significance
of the story to us are contained in the allusion of Christ. (Luke 17:32) Later ages have not been
satisfied so to leave the matter, but have insisted on identifying the “pillar” with some one of the
fleeting forms which the perishable rock of the south end of the Dead Sea is constantly assuming
in its process of decomposition and liquefaction. From the incestuous intercourse between Lot and
his two daughters sprang the nations of Moab and Ammon.
Lotan
(covering), the eldest son of Seir the Horite. (Genesis 36:20,22,29; 1 Chronicles 1:38,39)
Lots, Feats Of
[Purim]
Love Feasts
(Agape), (2 Peter 2:13; Jude 1:12) an entertainment in which the poorer members of the church
partook, furnished from the contributions of Christians resorting to the eucharistic celebration, but
whether before or after may be doubted. The true account of the matter is probably that given by
Chrysostom, who says that after the early community of goods had ceased the richer members
brought to the church contributions of food and drink, of which, after the conclusion of the services
and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, all partook together, by this means helping to promote
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William Smith