Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
(pupil of Jehovah).
•Originally “captain of the host” to Elah, was afterward himself king of Israel, and founder of the
third dynasty. (B.C. 926.) Omri was engaged in the siege of Gibbethon situated in the tribe of
Dan, which had been occupied by the Philistines. As soon as the army heard of Elah’s death they
proclaimed Omri king. Thereupon he broke up the siege of Gibbethon and attacked Tirzah, where
Zimri was holding his court as king of Israel. The city was taken, and Zimri perished in the flames
of the palace, after a reign of seven days. Omri, however, was not allowed to establish his dynasty
without a struggle against Tibni, whom “half the people,” (1 Kings 16:21) desired to raise to the
throne. The civil war lasted four years. Comp. (1 Kings 16:15) with 1Kin 16:23 After the defeat
sad death of Tibni, Omri reigned for six years in Tirzah. At Samaria Omri reigned for six years
more. He seems to have been a vigorous and unscrupulous ruler, anxious to strengthen his dynasty
by intercourse and alliances with foreign states.
•One of the sons of Becher the son of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:8)
•A descendant of Pharez the son of Judah, (1 Chronicles 9:4)
•Son of Michael, and chief of the tribe of Issachar in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 27:18) (B.C.
1030.)
On
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13)
On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac
branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis.
The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now
only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the
pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second
king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and
Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph,
to whom we read Pharaoh gave “to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On.” (Genesis
41:45) comp. ver, Genesis41:60 and Genesis46:20 (On is to be remembered not only as the home
of Joseph, but as the traditional place to which his far-off namesake took Mary and the babe Jesus
in the flight to Egypt. The two famous obelisks, long called “Cleopatra’s Needles,” one of which
now stands in London and the other in Central Park in New York city, once stood before this city,
and were seen by the children of Israel before the exodus, having been quarried at Syene on the
Nile, erected at On (Heliopolis) by Thothmes III., B.C. 1500, and inscriptions added by Rameses
II. (Sesostris) two hundred years later. They were taken to Alexandria by Augustus Caesar A.D.
23, from which they were removed to their present places.—ED.)
the son of Peleth and one of the chiefs of the tribe of Reuben, who took part with Korah, Dathan
and Abiram in their revolt against Moses. (Numbers 16:1) (B.C. 1491.) His name does not again
appear in the narrative of the conspiracy, nor is he alluded to when reference is made to the final
catastrophe.
Onam
(strong).
•One of the sons of Shobal the son of Seir. (Genesis 36:23; 1 Chronicles 1:40) (B.C. 1964.)
•The son of Jerahmeel by his wife Atarah. (1 Chronicles 2:26,28)
Onan
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William Smith