Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Beans
(2 Samuel 17:28; Ezekiel 4:9) Beans are cultivated in Palestine, which produces many of the
leguminous order of plants, such, as lentils, kidney-beans, vetches, etc.
Bear
(1 Samuel 17:34; 2 Samuel 17:8) The Syrian bear, Ursus syriacus, which is without doubt the
animal mentioned in the Bible, is still found on the higher mountains of Palestine. During the
summer months these bears keep to the snowy parts of Lebanon, but descend in winter to the villages
and Gardens. It is probable also that at this period in former days they extended their visits to other
parts of Palestine.
Bearbel
(house of God’s court), named only in (Hosea 10:14) as the scene of a sack and massacre by
Shalman.
Beard
Western Asiatics have always cherished the beard as the badge of the dignity of manhood, and
attached to it the importance of a feature. The Egyptians, on the contrary for the most part shaved
the hair of the face and head, though we find some instances to the contrary. The beard is the object
of an oath, and that on which blessing or shame is spoken of as resting. The custom was and is to
shave or pluck it and the hair out in mourning, (Ezra 9:3; Isaiah 15:2; 50:6; Jeremiah 41:5; 48:37)
Bar. 6:31; to neglect it in seasons of permanent affliction, (2 Samuel 19:24) and to regard any insult
to it as the last outrage which enmity can inflict. (2 Samuel 10:4) The beard was the object of
salutation. (2 Samuel 20:9) The dressing, trimming, anointing, etc., of the beard was performed
with much ceremony by persons of wealth and rank (Psalms 133:2) The removal of the beard was
a part of the ceremonial treatment proper to a leper. (Leviticus 14:9)
Bebai
(fatherly).
•“Sons of Bebai,” 623 (Nehe 628) in number, returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel, (Ezra 2:11;
Nehemiah 7:16) (B.C. 536), and at a later period twenty-eight more under Zechariah, son of Bebai,
returned with Ezra. (Ezra 8:11) Four of this family had taken foreign wives. (Ezra 10:28) The
name occurs also among those who sealed the covenant. (Nehemiah 10:15)
•Father of Zechariah, who was the leader of the twenty-eight men of his tribe mentioned above.
Becher
(young or firstborn)
•The second son of Benjamin, according to the list in both (Genesis 46:21) and 1Chr 7:6 But omitted
in (1 Chronicles 8:1) (B.C. about 1690.)
•Son of Ephraim, (Numbers 26:35) called Bered in (1 Chronicles 7:20) Same as the preceding.
Bechorath
(first-born), son of Aphiah or Abiah, and grandson of Becher according to (1 Samuel 9:1; 1
Chronicles 7:8) (B.C. before 1093.)
Bed
The Jewish bed consisted of the mattress, a mere mat, or one or more quilts; the covering, a
finer quilt, or sometimes the outer garment worn by day, (1 Samuel 19:13) which the law provided
should not be kept in pledge after sunset, that the poor man might not lack his needful covering,
(24:13) the pillow, (1 Samuel 19:13) probably formed of sheep’s fleece or goat’s skin with a stuffing
of cotton, etc.; the bedstead, a divan or bench along the side or end of the room, sufficing at a
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William Smith