us. BABYLONIA of the country. This expedition he seems to have art which he had brought back from the West with counted of especial moment, for he mentions it in him. During the remaining time of the Persian his inscriptions. It is, indeed, the only military dominion in Babylonia the city of Babylon removement to which he alludes in all of the numer-mained the winter residence of the kings of ous inscriptions of his which have come down to Persia, who may have done something for the With this single exception, his texts boast preservation of its buildings devoted to luxury or only of buildings and restorations. Of these only to worship, but apparently suffered its walls and does he seem to be proud. It is quite in accord- defenses to sink gradually into ruin. Gradually ance with his own inscriptions that the Book of the population of the city shrunk into a smaller Daniel represents him as boasting of the great compass, and where once there had been streets city of Babylon which he had builded. (11) Evil-adorned with great buildings the land was turned merodach. Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded (561– into agricultural uses. At the end of the Persian 560 B. C.) by his son EVIL-MERODACH (q. v.), period the portion of Babylon actually occupied who was murdered by his brother-in-law Nergal- by the residences of its inhabitants covered a dissharezer, the chief seer of one of the temples.trict of only six hundred stadia in circumference, (12) Nergal-sharezer made himself king, built a presenting a doleful picture in comparison with new palace, and died, without any other mark of the glories of the days of Nebuchadnezzar and distinction, in 556 B. C., leaving the throne to his Nabonidus. This physical decay of the capital's infant son Labashi-Marduk (called by Ptolemy La-glories was only the outward expression of the inborasoarchad), who reigned but three months and ward dissolution. (17) Alexander. In 331 B. C. was murdered by Nabonidus, not a member of the Alexander the Great, with his Greek and Maceroyal family at all. (13) Nabonidus was a man donian followers, took the city without striking a of force and character, whose reign is one of the blow, as Cyrus had done before him. Even in its glories of the long history. As a builder of tem- sad decay the city struck its conquerors almost ples he was almost equal to Nebuchadnezzar, and dumb with astonishment at its size and magin one particular he overtops him. He was not nificence. Alexander determined to restore all merely a restorer of the works of previous kings. that was fallen and make Babylon his chief capiHe was genuinely interested in the great works of tal. The chief officials of the city were deposed, his predecessors. His inscriptions record how he and in their places Macedonians were set up. searched among the foundation stones of ancient Then began the work of restoration. The great temples for the tablets upon which the founder's buildings of Babylon had all been built of unburnt name was written. We owe to him very much of brick, with an outer covering of burnt brick. our knowledge of the early dynasties of Babylonia, Erections of this kind were subject to atmospheric for he was careful to leave chronological and his- influences, and especially to rapid decay when the torical statements concerning temples which he roofs were in bad repair. Suffered during the had restored. Upon this or some other hobby he Persian period to fall into bad condition, the great was so greatly bent that he actually neglected the temples were now almost ruins, and the task set country, and in the seventeenth year of his reign by Alexander was colossal. His men began the the land revolted against him for neglecting the work of restoration first with the great temple of country and its religion and leaving everything to Bel, with which was connected almost the whole his son Belshazzar (see BELSHAZZAR). (14) Cyrus. history of Babylonia, for in it kings had perforined Aided by this rebellion, Cyrus was able in 538 to the sacred ceremonies which made their title legal take the city of Babylon almost without the and their persons almost sacrosanct. It was in semblance of a struggle. Cyrus placed Gobryas Alexander's mind that the rebuilding of this temin charge of the city. Three months later Nabo- ple would add to his prestige in the city of Babynidus died. Cyrus made Babylonia a province in lon and center on his person the affection of those the Persian empire, and during his reign (538- who had been reared to love the old ways and to 529) there was peace, and there was also in the be devoted to the ancient shrines of worship. The reign of Cambyses (529-521 B. C.). (15) Darius. task was too great or the agents of the king were When Darius, son of Hystaspis, came to the throne not devoted to the work, for it made slow progress, Babylon revolted, but was in three years subdued. | and came to an end without a completion. Another In 513 there was another unsuccessful revolt. project of Alexander made somewhat better progWhen these rebellions had been quelled the an- ress. He designed a great port to be dug in the cient spirit of Babylon was at an end. During the city in order that ships proceeding up the Eureign of Darius the other wall of the city of Baby-phrates might have a suitable place for unloading. lon was leveled with the ground, and with this This work seems to have made better progress act may be said to begin the destruction of than the other, but was likewise never completed. Babylon as a central fortress and the end of All the works of restoration and of new construcBabylonia as a political entity in the world's his- tion came to a sudden end with the death of Alextory. (16) Xerxes in his reign. either before or ander in 323 B. C. (18) Concluding history. This after the ill-fated campaign against Greece, de- year struck the death knell not only of the city, stroyed some of the sacred objects connected but of the whole land of Babylonia. From the with old Babylonian worship. Idols of great an- slow but sure processes of decay there was to be no tiquity and of priceless historic value and interest effective move made by any later ruler. Time probably disappeared at this time. As a sort of would surely wipe away all traces of the wealth compensation for this act of vandalism Xerxes and power of the past, but to this there were now made the city of Babylon the capital of a satrapy, added the destructive wars of the Seleucid peand placed in it some of the treasures of Greek |riod, when one after another of rival claimants BABYLONISH GARMENT When at last possessed the country for a season. peace was restored the city of Babylon lost much, and the land of Babylonia gained nothing through the building of Seleucia (see BABYLON). In the reign of Antiochus I this policy was again somewhat changed, for he resumed the efforts of Alexander the Great to restore or rebuild the sacred shrines of the ancient Babylonians. Then came another dark period, for in the reign of Seleucus II the army of Ptolemy Euergetes passed through northern Babylonia, and even reached the city itself. How much the city suffered we do not know, but the wreck of the country was increased. In the following reigns there were several uprisings in Babylonia against the Greek rule, but these were without serious effects upon the country until the rebellion of Timarchos, governor of Babylon, who tried to make himself an independent ruler after the death of Antiochus V. Timarchos wrought ruin to city and land in his efforts to set up a new tyranny. Soon after Babylonia had failen into the hands of the Parthians, who took revenge upon the city for having made some sort of stand against them. In 126-5 B. C. the Parthian satrap Euemeros, or Himeros, applied the torch to a part of Babylon. The decay of the whole land was now rapid. The city was capital of a satrapy of the Parthian empire for a time, but the glory of that honor was slight. Livy says that the city in this time was Partho-GreekMacedonian in its character, but the people were leaving the city rapidly, and it was soon a heap of ruins (see BABYLON), and had become a parable and a subject of mockery among the sophists. Among the ruins of Babylon and in sundry other parts of the country Jews were now settled, and later colonies of Christians settled here and there. When the Mohammedan deluge of conquering hosts came from Arabia there were few to oppose their savage onslaught, and the whole land was soon in their hands. In their care the land has returned almost to a wilderness, beneath whose soil lie buried memorials of the glorious period when Babylonia led the world in civilization.R. W. R. BABYLOʻNISH GARMENT (Heb. ad-deh'-reth shin-awr', cloak of Shinar or Babylon), an ample robe with figures of men and animals either embroidered or interwoven in the fashion for which the Babylonians were noted. It came to mean a valuable piece of clothing in general (Josh. 7:21). BA'CA (Heb. 3, baw-kaw', weeping.) The R. V. has it "valley of weeping" (Psa. 84:6). In the same version the margin has "balsam trees," rendered "mulberry trees in 2 Sam. 5:23, 24; 1 Chron. 14:14, 15. David represents the faithful as weeping such tears of joy on the way to Jerusalem as cause the very dry and barren valley to become like a place of springs. BAHURIM BACKSLIDING (Heb. O, soog, to go back, Prov. 14:14;, saw-rar', to be refractory, Hos. 4:16; mesh-oo-baw', turning away, apostasy, Jer. 3:6, etc.; 8:5; 31:22; 49:4; Hos. 4:16, etc.; in Heb. 10:39, the Gr. úñоσтé22w is properly rendered "draw back"). In experience we find that backsliding may be partial or complete. In the latter case recovery is pronounced impossible. It is apostasy (q. v.). It may have its beginnings in "looking back" (Luke 9:62) and its progress in love waxing cold (Matt. 24:12). Hence our Lord's promise to those who "endure to the end" (Matt. 24:13), and the assurance that "we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end" (Heb. 3:14). BADGER. See ANIMAL KINGDOM. BAG is the rendering in the A. V. for several words in the original: 1. Khaw-reet' (Heb. 7, pocket), mentioned in 2 Kings 5:23 as the "bags" in which Naaman placed the talents for Gehazi. Gesenius thinks that they were called pockets from their long, conelike shape. In Isaiah (3:22) the word is rendered "crisping pins," but means really the reticules carried by Hebrew ladies. 2. Keece (Heb. ), a bag for carrying weights (Deut. 25:13; Prov. 16:11; Mic. 6:11), and also used as a purse (Prov. 1:14; Isa. 46:6). It 3. Kel-ee' (Heb. ??), rendered "bag" in 1 Sam. 17:40, 49, is a word of general meaning. is the "sack" in which Jacob's sons carried grain (Gen. 42:25), but in 1 Sam. 9:7; 21:5, it denotes a bag or wallet for carrying food (A.. vessel "). The "shepherd's bag "(1 Sam. 17:40) worn by David was probably (see Zech. 11:15, 16) used to carry the lambs which were unable to walk, and also materials for healing such as were sick and binding up those with broken limbs (comp. Ezek. 34:4, 16). 4. Tser-ore' (Heb. 7), properly a "bundle" used in carrying money on a long journey (Prov. (Gen. 42:35; 1 Sam. 25:29), appears to have been 7:20; Hag. 1:6). 5. In the New Testament two words are used: (a) yλwoσókoμov (gloce-sok'-om-on), the "bag' which Judas carried, probably a small box or chest (John 12:6; 13:29); (b) the Baλávrov (balan'-tee-on) or wallet (Luke 10:4; 22:35, 36, purse; 12:33, bag). All of these appear to have been receptacles for money. BAHA'RUMITE (Heb. 27, bakh-ar-oomee), a native of BAHURIM (q. v.); an epithet applied to Azmaveth, one of David's warriors (1 Chron. 11:33). Called Barhumite in 2 Sam. 23:31. BAHU'RIM (Heb. 2, bakh-oo-reem', young men), a town of Judah on the road from Jerusalem to the Jordan, E. of Olivet (2 Sam. 3: 16). David had trouble here with Shimei, and was hidden by the spies (2 Sam. 16:5; 17:18). Azmaveth is the only other native of this place except Shimei mentioned in Scripture (2 Sam. 23: BAIL 31; 1 Chron. 11:33). It is identified as 'Almît, three and a half miles N. E. of Jerusalem. BAIL. See SURETY. BA'JITH (Heb. 2, bah'-yith, house), supposed to be a city in Moab, where there may have been a celebrated idol temple; by others it is rendered temple house (Isa. 15:2). BAKBAK'KAR (Heb. 23, bak-bak-kar', searcher), one of the Levites inhabiting the villages of the Netophathites, after the return from Babylon (1 Chron. 9:15), B. C. about 536. BAK'BUK (Heb. PP, bak-book', a bottle), the head of one of the families of the Nethinim that returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:51; Neh. 7:53), B. C. about 536. BAKBUKI'AH (Heb. Re, bak-bookyaw', emptying, i. e., wasting of Jehovah), a Levite, "second among his brethren," who dwelt at Jerusalem on the return from Babylon (Neh. 11:17). | He was also employed on the watches, and was a porter of the gates (Neh. 12:9, 25), B. C. about 536. BAKE. See BREAD. מַאֲכָל מַעֲשֶׂה אָפָה .BAKEMEATS (Heb mah-ak-awl' mah-as-eh' aw-faw', food the work of the baker), baked provisions (Gen. 40:17). See GLOSSARY. BAKING. See BREAD. BAʼLAAM (Heb. 2, bil-awm', foreigner), the son of Beor, and living at Pethor, which is said, in Deut. 23:4, to have been a city of Mesopotamia. Although doubtless belonging to the Midianites (Num. 31:8), he possessed some knowledge of the true God, and acknowledged that his superior powers as poet and prophet were derived from God, and were his gift. His fame was very great, and he became self-conceited and covetous. The Israelites having encamped in the plain of Moab (B. C. 1170), Balak, the king of Moab, entered into a league with the Midianites against them, and sent messengers to Baalam with the rewards of divination in their hands" (Num. 22:5, sq.). Balaam seems to have had some misgivings as to the lawfulness of their request, for he invited them to remain over night, that he might know how God would regard it. These misgivings were confirmed by the express prohibition of God upon his journey. Balaam informed the messengers of God's answer, and they returned to Balak. A still more honorable embassy was sent to Balaam, with promises of reward and great honor. He replied that he could not be tempted by reward, but would speak what God should reveal. He requested them to tarry for the night, that he might know what the Lord would say unto him more. His importunity secured to him permission to accompany Balak's messengers with the divine injunction to speak as God should dictate. Balaam in the morning proceeded with the princes of Moab. But "God's anger was kindled against him, and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him." Though Balaam saw not the angel, the ass which he rode was aware of his presence. At first it turned into the field; again, in its terror, it pressed against the wall, squeezing Balaam's foot; upon the third appear BALANCES ance of the angel, there being no way of escape, it fell down. This greatly enraged Balaam, who smote her with a stick, whereupon the ass questioned Balaam as to the cause of the beating. He who accused him of perverseness. Balaam offered soon became aware of the presence of the angel, to return; the angel, however, told him to go on, but to speak only as God should tell him. Meeting Balak, he announced to him his purpose of saying only what the Lord should reveal. According to his directions seven altars were prepared, upon each of which Balak and Balaam offered a bullock and a ram. Thrice Balaam essayed to speak against Israel, but his utterances were overruled by God, so that, instead of cursings, there were blessings and magnificent prophecies, reaching forward until they told of "a star" rising "out of Jacob (Num. 24:17). Balaam advised the expedient of seducing the Israelites to commit fornication (Num. 31:16). The effect of this is recorded in ch. 25. A battle was afterward fought with the Midianites, in which Balaam sided with them, and was slain (Num. 31:8), B. C. 1170. "The high places to which Balaam was brought were three, each sacred to a Moabite deity, the Jordan valley. each commanding a more or less extensive view of The first is BAMOTH-BAAL (q. v.), . . the Field of Zophim . . . another name for the Nebo ridge. . . . The third station of Balaam was the Cliff of Peor, that looked toward Jeshimon,' and whence apparently the whole host of Israel was visible in the plains of Abel-shittim" (Harper, The Bible and Mod. Dis., p. 134). BA'LAC, another form of BALAK (Rev. 2:14). BALʼADAN (Heb. 77, bal-ad-awn', he has given a son). 1. The father of Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon in the time of Hezekiah, king of Judah (2 Kings 20:12; Isa. 39:1), B. C. before 713. 2. A shortened form of Merodach-baladan (Isa. 39:1), or Berodach-baladan (2 Kings 20:12). BAʼLAH (Heb., baw-law', to decay), a city in Simeon (Josh. 19:3), probably the same with Bilhah (1 Chron. 4:29), or Baalah (Josh. 15:29). BAʼLAK (Heb. P, baw-lawk', empty, emptier), the son of Zippor, and king of the Moabites (Num. 22:2, 4). He was so terrified at the approach of the victorious army of the Israelites, who, in their passage through the desert, had encamped near the confines of his territory, that he applied to Balaam to curse them, B. C. about 1170. His designs being frustrated in this direction, he acted upon Balaam's suggestion, and (Num. 25:1; Rev. 2:14). seduced the Israelites to commit fornication BALANCES (Heb. 2, mo-zeh-nay'-eem, i. e., two scales). That these were known to the early Hebrews and in common use is evident from the frequent reference to them in the Old Testament (Lev. 19:36; Job 6:2; 31:6; Hos. 12:7, etc.). The probability is that the Hebrews used the common balances of Egypt. They were not essentially different from the balances now in use. Sometimes they were suspended by a ring, and in other cases BALD LOCUST the cross beam turned upon a pin at the summit of an upright pole, each end of the arm terminating in a hook, to which the precious metal to be weighed was attached in small bags. Figurative. In a figurative sense the balance is employed in Scripture as an emblem of justice Egyptian Balances. and fair dealing (Job 31:6; Psa. 62:9; Prov. 11:1). Balances used in connection with the sale of bread or fruit by weight is the symbol of scarcity (Rev. 6:5; see also Lev. 26:26; Ezek. 4:16, 17). BANISH supposed to refer to some particular spot. Keil (Com., in loc.) says that the word "is to be taken collectively, and that the use of the singular is to be explained from the antithesis to the one divinely appointed Holy Place in the temple, and not from any allusion to one particular bamah of peculiar distinction." BA'MOTH (Heb. 2, baw-moth', heights), the forty-seventh station of the Israelites (Num. 21:19, 20) in the country of the Moabites, and probably the same as BAMOTH-BAAL (q. v.). BAʼMOTH-BAʼAL (Heb. bani, bawmoth' bah'-al, heights of Baal), a place E. of Jordan, and lying upon the river Arnon (Josh. 13:17). In the R. V. at Num. 21:28, called "the high places of Arnon." "Bamoth-baal falls into place as the ridge S. of the stream of Wady Jideid, now called the Crucified One,' which presents a group of more than one hundred rude stone monuments" (Harper, The Bible and Mod. Dis., p. 122). See BALAAM. BAND, the representative of several Hebrew and Greek words, especially of σñɛipa, spi'-rah, a cohort. See ARMY. BA'NI (Heb. 77, baw-nee', built). 1. A Gadite, one of David's mighty men (2 Sam. 23:36), B. C. about 1000. fore 1300. 3. A descendant of Pharez and father of Imri, one of whose descendants returned from Babylon (1 Chron. 9:4), B. C. long before 536. 4. One whose "children" (descendants or retainers), to the number of six hundred and fortytwo, returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:10). He is elsewhere (Neh. 7:15) called Binnui. He is probably the one mentioned (Neh. 10:14) as having sealed the covenant. 5. The name of Bani is given (Ezra 10:29, 34, 38) three times as one who, either himself or his descendants, had taken strange wives after the captivity. BALD LOCUST. See ANIMAL KINGDOM. BALDNESS (Heb. from P, kaw-ray'-akh, bald, i. e., on the top or back of the head; 2. A Levite, son of Shamer and father of Amzi, Пs, ghib-bay-akh, bald on the forehead). Bald-a descendant of Merari (1 Chron. 6:46), B. C. beness is mentioned in Scripture as a defect, interfering with personal beauty; and the more naturally so, as the hair was frequently allowed to grow with peculiar luxuriance as an ornament. Natural baldness appears to have been uncommon, and is alluded to as a mark of squalor and misery (Isa. 3:24; 15:2; Jer. 47:5). The address to Elisha, "Go up, thou baldhead" (2 Kings 2:23), may mean that his scoffers referred to his age only. Baldness was expressly distinguished from leprosy, but had certain points of contact with it (Lev. 13:40-44). Artificial baldness was a mark of mourning (Jer. 16:6; Ezek. 7:18; Amos 8:10), and was forbidden to the Israelites on the ground of their being a holy people (Deut. 14:1, 2); it was a punishment inflicted upon captives (Deut. 21:12). The priests were forbidden to make baldness on their heads, as well as to shave off the corners of their beards (Lev. 21:5; Ezek. 44:20). The Jewish interpretation of this injunction excluded a bald priest from ministering at the altar, although baldness is not mentioned as a disqualification (Lev. 21. 17-20). Baldness, by shaving, marked the conclusion of a Nazarite's vow (Num. 6:9, 18). BALL (Heb. 77, dure, Isa. 22:18; rendered "round about," 29:3; and "burn" in Ezek. 24:5, In the last reference it probably means "heap," as in the margin). The ball was used anciently in many sports, and was similarly constructed to those now in use. BALM. See VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 6. A Levite, whose son, Rehum, repaired a portion of the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:17). Apparently the same Bani was among those who were conspicuous in all the reforms on the return from Babylon (Neh. 8:7; 9:4, 5; 10:13). He had another son named Uzzi, who was appointed overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem; his own father's name was Hashabiah (Neh. 11:22). BANISH (Heb. 7, naw-dakh', to push off, 2 Sam. 14:13, 14), BANISHMENT (Heb. 1772, mad-doo-akh, cause of banishment, Lam. 2:14; Chald., shar-shaw', rooting out, Ezra 7:26). Banishment was not a punishment prescribed by the Mosaic law; but was adopted, together with the forfeiture of property, by the Jews after the captivity. It also existed among the Romans, together with another form of exile, called disportatio, which was a punishment of great severity. The person banished forfeited his estate, and was | transported to some island named by the emperor, there to be kept in perpetual confinement (see Smith's Dict. of Class, Antiq., s. v. "Banish BA'MAH (Heb. 2, baw-maw', height), a high place where idols were worshiped. The word appears in its Hebrew form only in Ezek. 20:29, while in the first part of the verse it is translated “high place." By some the name is ment"). Thus the apostle John was banished to who were then conducted into the receiving room. the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9). BANK. 1. (Heb., so-lel-aw). The name of the mound raised against a beleaguered city (2 Sam. 20:15; 2 Kings 19:32; Isa. 37:33); else where rendered "mount," in the same sense. 2. The table or stand (Gr. Tрánea, trap'-ed-zah) of a money changer, at which he sits exchanging money (Matt. 21:12; Mark 11:15; John 2:15). In Luke 19:23 the word is rendered "bank" in the modern sense of the term. BANNER is the rendering of the Hebrew words, deh'-gel, conspicuous, and, nace, from its loftiness. They are also translated ensign and standard (q. v.). Reclining at a Banquet. BANQUET (generally Heb.mish-teh', drinking). 1. Occasions. Besides being a part of the religious observance of the great festivals, banquets or feasts were given on great family occasions, as a birthday (Gen. 40:20; Matt. 14:6), the weaning of a son and heir (Gen. 21:8), a marriage (Gen. 29:22; Judg. 14:10; Esth. 2:18; Matt. 22:2-4), the separation and reunion of friends (Gen. 31:27, 54), a burial (2 Sam. 3:35; Jer. 16:7; Hos. 9:4), a sheep-shearing (1 Sam. 25:2, 8, 36; 2 Sam. 13: 23-29). 2. Time. The usual time for holding the banquet was toward evening, corresponding to the dinners of modern times. To begin early was a mark of excess (Isa. 5:11; Eccles. 10:16). These festivals were often continued for seven days, especially wedding banquets (Judg. 14:12); but if the bride were a widow, three days formed the limit. 3. Invitations, etc. Invitations were sent out through servants (Prov. 9:3; Matt. 22:3, sq.) some time previous to the banquet; and a later announcement informed the expected guests that the arrangements were complete, and their presence was looked for (Matt. 22:8; Luke 14:7). This after-summons was sent only to those who had accepted the previous invitation, and to violate that acceptance for trivial reasons could only be viewed as a gross insult. 4. Etiquette. At a small entrance door a servant received the tablets or cards of the guests, After the whole company had arrived the master of the house shut the door with his own hands, a 13:25; Matt. 25:10). The guests were kissed upon signal that no others were to be admitted (Luke their arrival (Tob. 7:6; Luke 7:45); their feet Greece, and still found here and there in Palestine; washed (Luke 7:44), a custom common in ancient the hair and beard anointed (Psa. 23:5; Amos 6: 6); and their places assigned them according to rank (1 Sam. 9:22; Luke 14:8; Mark 12:39). In magnificent garment of a light and showy color, some cases each guest was furnished with a and richly embroidered, to be worn during the banquet (Eccles. 9:8; Rev. 3:4, 5). The refusal of such a mark of respect implied a contempt for the host and his entertainment that could not fail to provoke resentment (Matt. 22:11). 5. Fare, etc. In general the feasts of the Israelites were simple; but, no doubt, under the kings, with growing prosperity and luxury, riotous banquets were not unknown. Particularly choice dishes were set before the guest intended to be specially honored (1 Sam. 9:24), sometimes double (1 Sam. 1:5), and even fivefold portion (Gen. 43:34). In addition to a great variety of viands, wine was used, often drugged with spices (Prov. 9:2; Cant. 8:2); and the banquets frequently degenerated into drinking bouts (Isa. 5:12; Amos 6:5; Psa. 69:13). FELT & The Jews of the Old Testament appear to have used a common table for all the guests, although persons of high official position were honored with a separate table. In some cases a ceremonial |