Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
long and black. The Syrian wolf is of lighter color than the wolf of Europe it is the dread of the
shepherds of Palestine.—ED.) Wolves were doubtless far more common in biblical times than they
are now, though they are occasionally seen by modern travellers. The following are the scriptural
allusions to the wolf: Its ferocity is mentioned in (Genesis 49:27; Ezekiel 22:27); Habb 1:8; Matt
7:15 Its nocturnal habits, in (Jeremiah 5:6; Zephaniah 3:3); Habb 1:8 Its attacking sheep and lambs,
(Matthew 10:16; Luke 10:3; John 10:12) Isaiah (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25) foretells the peaceful reign of
the Messiah under the metaphor of a wolf dwelling with a lamb: cruel persecutors are compared
with wolves. (Matthew 10:16; Acts 20:29)
Women
The position of women in the Hebrew commonwealth contrasts favorably with that which in
the present day is assigned to them generally in eastern countries. The most salient point of contrast
in the usages of ancient as compared with modern Oriental society was the large amount of liberty
enjoyed by women. Instead of being immured in a harem, or appearing in public with the face
covered. The wives and maidens of ancient times mingled freely and openly with the other sex in
the duties and amenities of ordinary life. Rebekah travelled on a camel with her face unveiled until
she came into the presence of her affianced. (Genesis 24:64,65) Jacob saluted Rachel with a kiss
in the presence of the shepherds. (Genesis 29:11) Women played no inconsiderable part in public
celebrations (Exodus 15:20,21; Judges 11:34) The odes of Deborah, Judg 5, and of Hannah, (1
Samuel 2:1) etc., exhibit a degree of intellectual cultivation which is in itself a proof of the position
of the sex in that period. Women also occasionally held public office, particularly that of prophetess
or inspired teacher. (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; Nehemiah 6:14; Luke 2:36) The
management of household affairs devolved mainly on the women. The value of a virtuous and
active housewife forms a frequent topic in the book of Proverbs. ch. (Proverbs 11:16; 12:4; 14:1;
31:10) etc. Her influence was of course proportionably great.
Wood
[Forest]
Wool
was an article of the highest value among the Jews, as the staple material for the manufacture
of clothing. (Leviticus 13:47; 22:11; Job 31:20; Proverbs 31:13; Ezekiel 34:3; Hosea 2:5) The
importance of wool is incidentally shown by the notice that Mesha’s tribute was paid in a certain
number of rams “with the wool.” (2 Kings 3:1) The wool of Damascus was highly prized in the
mart of Tyre. (Ezekiel 27:18)
Worm
the representative in the Authorized Version of several Hebrew words. Sas, which occurs in
(Isaiah 51:18) probably denotes some particular species of moth, whose larva is injurious to wool.
Rimmah, (Exodus 16:20) points evidently to various kinds of maggots and the larvae of insects
which feed on putrefying animal matter, rather than to earthworms. Toleah is applied in (28:39) to
some kinds of larvae destructive to the vines. In (Job 19:26; 21:26; 24:20) there is an allusion to
worms (insect larvae) feeding on the dead bodies of the buried. There is the same allusion in (Isaiah
66:24) which words are applied by our Lord, (Mark 9:44,46,48) metaphorically to the torments of
the guilty in the world of departed spirits. The valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, where the filth of
the city was cast, was alive with worms. The death of Herod Agrippa I, was caused by worms.
(Acts 12:23)
Wormwood
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William Smith