Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Nuts
are mentioned among the good things of the things which the sons of Israel were to take as a
present to Joseph in Egypt. (Genesis 43:11) There can scarcely be a doubt that the Hebrew word,
here denotes the fruit of the pistachio tree (Pistacia vera), for Syria and Palestine have been long
famous. In (Song of Solomon 6:11) a different Hebrew word is translated “nuts.” In all probability
it here refers to the walnut tree . According to Josephus the walnut tree was formerly common and
grew most luxuriantly around the Lake of Gennesareth.
Nym Phas
(bridegroom), a wealthy and zealous Christian in Laodicea. (Colossians 4:15) (A.D. 60.)
Oak
(Heb. strong). There is much difficulty in determining the exact meanings of the several varieties
of the term mentioned above. Sometimes, evidently, the terebinth or elm is intended and at others
the oak. There are a number of varieties of oak in Palestine. (Dr. Robinson contends that the oak
is generally intended, and that it is a very common tree in the East. Oaks grow to a large size, reach
an old age and are every way worthy the venerable associations connected with the tree.—ED.)
Two oaks, Quercus pseudo-coccifera and Q. aegilops, are well worthy of the name of mighty trees;
though it is equally true that over a greater part of the country the oaks of Palestine are at present
merely bushes.
Oath
The principle on which an oath is held to be binding is incidentally laid down in (Hebrews 6:16)
viz. as an ultimate appeal to divine authority to ratify an assertion. On the same principle, that oath
has always been held most binding which appealed to the highest authority, as regards both
individuals and communities. As a consequence of this principle, appeals to God’s name on the
one hand, and to heathen deities on the other, are treated in scripture as tests of allegiance. (Exodus
23:13; 34:6; 29:12) etc. So also the sovereign’s name is sometimes used as a form of obligation.
(Genesis 42:15; 2 Samuel 11:11; 14:19) Other forms of oath, serious or frivolous, are mentioned,
some of which are condemned by our Lord. (Matthew 6:33; 23:16-22) and see (James 5:12) (There
is, however, a world-wide difference between a solemn appeal to God and profane swearing.) The
forms of adjuration mentioned in Scripture are—
•Lifting up the hand. Witnesses laid their hands on the head of the accused. (Genesis 14:22; Leviticus
24:14; 17:7; Isaiah 3:7)
•Putting the hand under the thigh of the person to whom the Promise was made. (Genesis 24:2;
47:29)
•Oaths were sometimes taken before the altar, or, as some understand the passage, if the persons
were not in Jerusalem, in a position looking toward the temple. (1 Kings 8:31; 2 Chronicles 6:22)
•Dividing a victim and passing between or distributing the pieces. (Genesis 15:10,17; Jeremiah
34:18) As the sanctity of oaths was carefully inculcated by the law, so the crime of perjury was
strongly condemned; and to a false witness the same punishment was assigned which was due for
the crime to which he testified. (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12)
Obadiah
(servant of the Lord),
509
William Smith