Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Appius, Market Of
Revised Version for Appii Forum. (Acts 28:16)
Apple Tree, Apple
(Heb. tappuach). Mention of the apple tree occurs in the Authorized Version in (Song of Solomon
2:3; 8:5) and Joel 1:12 The fruit of this tree is alluded to in (Proverbs 25:11) and Song 2:5; 7:8 It
is a difficult matter to say what is the specific tree denoted by the Hebrew word tappuach . (“The
apple proper is rare in Syria, and its fruit inferior.”) Most modern writers maintain that it is either
the quince or the citron; (others speak of the apricot, which is abundant and deliciously perfumed.)
The quince had some plausible arguments in its favor. Its fragrance was held in high esteem by the
ancients. The quince was sacred to Venus. On the other hand Dr Royle says,“The rich color, fragrant
odor and handsome appearance of the citron, whether in flower or in fruit, are particularly suited
to the passages of scripture mentioned above.” But neither the quince nor the citron nor the apple
appears fully to answer to all the scriptural allusions. The orange would answer all the demands of
the scriptural passages, and orange trees are found in Palestine; but there does not appear sufficient
evidence that this tree was known in the earlier times to the inhabitants of Palestine. The question
of identification therefore, must still be left an open one.
Aquila
(an eagle), a Jew whom St. Paul found at Corinth on his arrival from Athens. (Acts 18:2) (A.D,
52,) He was a native of Pontus, but had fled with his wife Priscilla, from Rome, in consequence of
an order of Claudius commanding all Jews to leave the city. He became acquainted with St. Paul,
and they abode together, and wrought at their common trade of making the Cilician tent or hair-cloth.
On the departure of the apostle from Corinth, a year and eight months after, Priscilla and Aquila
accompanied him to Ephesus. There they remained and there they taught Apollos. At what time
they became Christians is uncertain.
Ar
(a city), or Ar of Moab, one of the chief places of Moab. (Numbers 21:28; Isaiah 15:1) In later
times the place known as Areopolis and Rabbath-Moab. The site still called Rabba . It lies about
halfway between Kerak and the Wady Mojeb, 10 or 11 miles from each, the Roman road passing
through it.
Ara
(lion), one of the sons of Jether, the head of a family of Asherites. (1 Chronicles 7:88)
Arab
(ambush) a city of Judah in the mountainous district, probably in the neighborhood of Hebron;
mentioned only in (Joshua 15:62)
Arabah
(burnt up). Although this word appears in the Authorized Version in its original shape only in
(Joshua 18:18) yet in the Hebrew text it is of frequent occurrence. It indicates more particularly
the deep-sunken valley or trench which forms the most striking among the many striking natural
features of Palestine, and which extends with great uniformity of formation from the slopes of
Hermon to the Elanitic Gulf (Gulf of Akabah) of the Red Sea; the most remarkable depression
known to exist on the surface of the globe. Through the northern portion of this extraordinary fissure
the Jordan rushes through the lakes of Huleh and Gennesaret down its tortuous course to the deep
chasm of the Dead Sea. This portion, about 150 miles in length, is known amongst the Arabs by
the name of el-Ghor . The southern boundary of the (Ghor is the wall of cliffs which crosses the
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William Smith